Transformed by Faith

Have you ever just taken an experience of God and savored it for yourself? You didn't try to explain it. You didn't try to study it. You didn't try to share it. You just treasured it - turning it over and over in your heart, allowing the experience of God to soften and change you. Luke 2:19 says that Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. It is perhaps one of my favorite ver...

In the midst of all that is - have you invited God to come near? King David - in Psalm 73:28 says: “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” The last verse of Away in the Manager literally asks God to come near and to stay with us. Sometimes - the most secure place of all is knowing that God is near. Be near me, Lord Jes...

"O Holy Night" was written by a French poet Cappeau and a Jewish composer Adolphe Adam to commemorate the inauguration of a new organ in a small French church in 1834. Christianity's own anti-Semitic bias would later cause it to shy away from the hymn as Cappaeu questioned the church and Adams was Jewish. Still God prevails. Always, throughout history, continuing with Mary and the shepherds, God s...

Have you ever  slugged through personal deep darkness to find Light? Have you ever felt like the entire world around you was shrouded in death and darkness, only to finally find the dawn breaking daily around you? This was the context of this beloved Christmas song. William Dix penned the lyrics to this song in 1865 in the midst of an illness that left him bedbound, severely depressed, and co...

El Burrito Sabanero is a Venezuela children's song that depicts Jesus riding a donkey. The famous refrain - Tuki Tuki Tuki Tuki - imitates either the sound of Jesus encouraging the donkey to keep walking or the clacking of donkey hooves on hard surfaces as he walks.  Mary is supposed to have written a donkey on the long journey to Bethlehem with baby Jesus jostling in her womb. But scripture...

Have you seen God's glory? The glory of the Lord shown around the shepherds and they were terrified. In 2 Chronicles 5 we hear that the glory of the Lord filled the temple where Solomon was with the Ark of the Covenant. It was so thick the worship leaders had to leave the temple. Do you let God's glory take up space in your life or are you too focused on every detail of your to do list? Lets remem...

How has God been faithful to you? Today, have you given thanks for the breath in your lungs and the ability to awaken? Be among those who come to God faithful and grateful even in the hardest of times. Todays meditation is by Bona Bourlier.  Edition 36 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner of Epworth United Methodist Church of Gaithersburg MD. 30 Days of Reflections...

What is of great joy to you? Fears and joys can be personalized. But Luke 2 speaks of a great Joy that will be for ALL people. Freedom, healing, and salvation are universal desires of every human heart.  Today, let your personal fears be overwhelmed by God's universal joy. 

Do you seek peace? Do you contribute to peace? Or do you leave the hard work of peace to someone else? Isaiah 26:1-12 suggests a mind stayed on the Lord finds perfect peace. What is your center? What is your North Star? Your light in the midnight sky? Where is the Prince of Peace calling you to live in grace? Edition 34 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner of Epworth Uni...

Edition 33 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner of Epworth United Methodist Church of Gaithersburg MD. 30 Days of Reflections on Advent and Christmas Songs. This edition focuses on the British carol, Once in David's Royal City. Written as a poem in 1848 by Cecil Frances Alexander, this poem was set to music 60 years later. The poem and later song were used as a tool to h...

Edition 32 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner of Epworth United Methodist Church of Gaithersburg MD. 30 Days of Reflections on Advent and Christmas Songs. This Edition focuses on the hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem. When was the last time someone counted you out as not able, or not worth it, or unimportant?  Bethlehem was a little town and according to the gospel...

Edition 31 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner of Epworth United Methodist Church of Gaithersburg MD. This edition focuses on the West Indies Carol - The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy based off the Luke 2:26-48 scripture.  Luke 2 tells us that Mary was overcome by the glory of God - overshadowed in some translations. I've heard God's glory described as EVERYTHING that...

Edition 30 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner of Epworth United Methodist Church of Gaithersburg MD. Based off of the hymn Star Child by Shirley Elena Murray, this podcast helps us look at the child within. Does the child in you need God's presence? Can you be the Hope - for - Peace Child, the Star Child, the Love Child for the street child, the used child, the hurt ch...

Edition 29 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner of Epworth United Methodist Church of Gaithersburg MD. 30 days of Reflection on Advent and Christmas Songs. This episode focuses on The Carol of the Epiphany. Written by John Bell of the Iona Community in Scotland, this carol tells the story of Jesus who shows up not in wealth but poverty; not in prestige but humility; not...

Edition 28 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner.  30 day of Advent and Christmas Songs and Reflections. Focused on the hymn Lo How a Rose Ere Blooming, this reflection invites us to consider the beauty that flourishes in the depth of winter, the flowers that bloom in the middle of our deserts. Isaiah 35:1 ...the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for th...

Edition 27 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner. 30 days of Advent and Christmas Songs and Reflections. Today's song is O Come O Come Emmanuel. It is beautiful to consider that God moves towards us, better said, comes to us, instead of waiting for us to approach God. Where do you need God to come and be with you today. 

Edition 26 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner. 30 Days of Advent and Christmas Songs and Reflections. This edition focuses on the song Come Thou Long Expected Jesus. The song was written by Charles Wesley, brother to the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. Charles Wesley was overwhelmed by the homelessness, poverty and need in  18th century England. Both Wesleys ca...

Edition 25 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner. This episode focuses on the last lines of the prayer that Jesus taught us - FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN

Edition 24 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner. This edition is focused on thanksgiving day and our need, often on holidays, to forgive as we have been forgiven. As the Lords Prayer says - FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US,

Edition 23 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner. This edition focuses on the part of the Lords Prayer where we ask GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD. How many times in our anxiousness for tomorrow, do we give up the peace for today? Focus on day's provision trusting that tomorrow has trouble of its own!

Edition 21 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner. This edition begins a focus on the Lords Prayer. The prayer begins OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME. What a blessing it is to be able to speak to God by name, acknowledging that even God's name is Holy.

Edition 20 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner. "You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." 2 Corinthians 9:11

Edition 19 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner.  Edition focused on "I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus." 1 Corinthians 1:4

Edition 18 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner. Edition focused on two scriptures.  For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer." 1 Timothy 4:4-5 "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2

Edition 17 of "Transformed by Faith TODAY" podcast by Rev. Jennifer Fenner. This edition is focused on the scripture that says: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15