Faith in the Cracks

That space where it is all you can do to take the next step. Flight, fight or freeze has kicked in and you are simply trying to survive the day. Survival mode happens to all of us and it is not where we are at our best. Even when we are in survival mode, God walks with us. God wants to walk through this with us and bring us back to a place of abundant life? Know that God is with you even when you...

Anne Lamott has been quoted as saying "Grace always bats last." In Ephesians Paul reminds us that grace is a gift of God. It isn't anything we can beg, borrow, or steal. we can't earn it. God gives it. Grace invites us into the story, even if we feel we have messed up - kind of like Laura Buntings "Another book about Bears." We are part of God's story and grace m...

As we have watched flooding and wars going on all around the world, it is hard not to fall into despair. But recently I have had opportunities to do things for people that they could not repay - nor did I expect them to. Random acts of kindness used to be a thing, and I think we should bring them back. What random act of kindness can you do to bring joy and love and light to the world?  Support th...

In a world in crisis, what is mine to hold? I cannot solve the Middle East, Ukraine, ICE, the floods, so what is mine to hold. The Bible repeatedly tells us not to be anxious but to cast our cares on God. How do we do that? How do we do what we can and let the rest go?  Support the show

The news of flash floods in the Texas Hill Country and so many people, including lots of young campers who have died or are yet unaccounted for is heartbreaking. I have spent time in the Texas Hill Country. I have driven past those camps. I have played in the Guadalupe River. The devastation is horrific.  I am also heartbroken because a mother with 2 young girls came looking for help to self-depor...

I have seen in recent weeks the need for community. We read about community and its importance throughout the Bible. We need others. We need relationship. Community can help support us in times of need, celebrate when we celebrate and weep or mourn with us when we need that too. How can we better be community in the way in which Fred Rogers asked us to be neighbors?  Support the show

The church I serve is celebrating 40 years of ministry. The day has been in planning for over a year. Then the night before, news breaks that the US has bombed 3 nuclear sites in Iran. I felt the need to address it, but didn't want to take away from the celebration. I found a poem by Nikita Gill that speaks to rage and love coming from the same place. I leaned into the love. The text Romans 8...

Father's Day weekend and spending time in Branson, MO got me thinking about my dad. He was always looking at the heart of people. He cheered people on when they chased their dreams. He would be proud of his grandkids as they have chased what they want to do. In Branson, I also got to see a long time friend who along with her husband owns one of the theaters in Branson. Tina knew and worked wi...

VBS is going on as I record. There are kids laughing, singing and playing all over the church building. There is joy. The adults are having fun and laughing and smiling too. How can we bring more joy into our lives and then share that with the world. How can we be filled with the Holy Spirit like the Apostles at Pentecost and go out to share the Good News! Take some time this week to experience jo...

Acts 16 brings an earthquake and a prison escape. However it also brings a picture of people who are free even if they are in chains. Paul and SIlas sing while in prison, they offer worship and praise in the dark of their captivity. They are free, because Christ has set them free. How might we sing in the darkness and offer hope to others?  Support the show

Grace - we talk about it in the Christian church a lot, but it is harder to practice. How do we, particularly in busy or difficult seasons of life offer grace to others and to ourselves. Grace does not mean we ignore consequences, but rather, we allow room for growth and transformation. Give it a try. ALlow yourself and others some grace in the coming weeks.  Support the show

Ananias appears in the story of the conversion of Saul to Paul. He gets forgotten for his role. He is the one who welcomes Saul even though he is afraid. He is a faithful servant and follows the call of God. Who has acted like Ananias in your life? Who has welcomed you into a new setting or way of life? When have you been Ananias for others? When have you done the welcoming? Watch for Ananias to b...

Peter is one of my favorite disciples. He is bold and brash yet doesn't always understand what he says. He is the one who says he would die for Jesus yet denies Christ three times. Jesus reconciles him on the shore after the resurrection and then Peter is big and bold and is the voice for the Gospel in the book of Acts. Peter states he must obey God and not humans. Peter must stand up for mer...

A pastor once said this in a sermon. "God's grace is always at your left elbow." Years later that has stuck with me. It was with me through 2 surgeries, I have used it in meeting with others. I pondered this with a couple of people in my congregation and one of them had an answer that made so much sense. "If God's grace is at your left elbow, you are at the right hand of G...

As we arrive at Easter, we have come through the darkness of Holy Week. The tender moments in the upper room replaced with the fear and frenzy of the Passion on Good Friday, although Jesus remains calm. It reminded me of Psalm 23 and that as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death that God walks with us. A reminder that we must walk through the darkness to get to the light. How can we li...

We have entered Holy Week. The palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna" have faded, and if we rush directly to Easter and "Hallelujah!" we miss so much of the story. Holy Week is hard. In the Gospel of Luke the Triumphal Entry is in chapter 19 and Easter is Chapter 24. The teaching, cleansing of the temple, Last Supper, betrayal, arrest, denial, trial, beating, mocking and crucifi...

In Micah 6:8 the question is asked "What does the Lord require of you?" The answer is to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. I have met with people from 2 different organizations in my community. The way things are currently, these groups helped me see ways in which I might have an impact in a good way on the community around me and on people in the world....

This Lenten season I have been preaching about temptations as found in Luke's gospel. Luke sends the disciples into a Samaritan village and when they are not welcomed they are ready to fight. Jesus turns anger into grace. At a meal and Jesus watches the people try to sit in the seat of honor, he tells a story about humility and how to do for those who cannot repay you. This week, the Rich you...

I found out that FDR used to have "Children's Hour" which was a cocktail hour before dinner. It was for close family and friends. The big rule, no business talk. He used the time before dinner to take a deep breath and to relax a bit. We all need to take that time. Dig in the garden, go for a walk, have dinner with friends, play a game, what can you do this week to take a deep breat...

In many churches in the world, we are in the season of Lent. The time before Easter for self reflection. Many people give up something during Lent. Others might take on a devotional practice. William Arthur Ward created a litany called Fasting and Feasting. It is a reminder to fast or give up those things that draw us away from God and to feast on those that bring us closer. Enjoy!  Support the sh...

I once was thrown in to teach a Jr. High Sunday school class. They were studying the Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5. A Star Wars movie had recently been released so I asked them about the Sith and the Jedi. We agreed that the Fruits of the Spirit in Gal 5: 22-23 were the path of the Jedi. So how do we focus on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self...

The Transfiguration of Jesus is the text that we read the Sunday before Lent begins. Jesus is changed into his glorified state. But they must come down the mountain and re-engage the world. We too have to re-engage the world, but how can we be transformed and then engage the world in a more peaceful and divinely connected state?  Support the show

While sitting at a 4 way stop, I marveled at how simple and easy they can be when everyone does their part. You come to a stop, wait your turn, then go on your way. No one has to keep watch most of the time, we just stop, wait, then go again. But then I thought about the times that I feel slighted. When someone goes through even though it should have been my turn. I feel the same way when people c...

The Gospel of Luke is about making things level. Jesus meets us where we are. Mary sings a song of resistance that the mighty will be made low. And in Chapter 6 we have the Sermon on the Plain. Jesus speaks about the Kingdom of God being a place of leveling. Those who are in need will be filled and those who have all the things of the world have gotten their reward already and will be brought down...

Yesterday was the Super Bowl, however it was also The Souper Bowl of Caring. This event has been around for 35 years and has collected over $163 Million dollars. They are now Tackle Hunger, but this is a signature event. It started with a prayer at a youth group meeting in 1990 at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC.  The congregation I serve has been participating and seeing if chic...