Sowing the Seeds of Peace

I’m calling for an independant council. I hope you will join me. But I’m calling for a different kind of council…and that is one of peace. Dear Lord send us an independent counselor who can help all sides of this political and cultural civil discord that we are now experiencing, to sit down at the table together…

Common Ground

Since our country is based on Christian principals and we know our “Founding Fathers” were praying people, what does that really mean to us today? How can we as modern Americans and representatives in our Christian community strive to fill their shoes? We are all so diverse in our beliefs…how can we find  Common Ground with those who are…

The Greatest Story Ever Told: 7 Tips for Christmas Services

Each year at the end of the Fall semester, I always enjoy having my college music students play Christmas carols. I find that you are never to old or to young to enjoy this music and the students really appreciate the break from all the pressures of their final exams.  A couple of years ago, however,…

Seeing Others Inside Out

What a wonderful week of Olympic competition we have been able to watch this week from the comfort of our living rooms.  I love how this beautiful picture of Jesus has been the backdrop and set the tone throughout the games. I hope you will deeply consider Peter’s post. He is a dear friend of mine…

The Grace of Visiting Churches

How can we practice more diversity in our fellowships and in our communities? What can be gained by our openness? How can we begin in our outreach to one another? As you are reading this I plan to be looking up at this beautiful dome:) I have always wanted to travel more abroad to visit in…

Service Inside Out (Summer Blog Tour 2016)

 Time for a little Christmas in July:) This is a picture of the little church in the corn field that Simon and I frequently attend on Sunday morning. As you can see from the snow on the roof  this is a picture taken closer to Christmas than July. I am already looking forward to and…

Practicing Holy Vision

What are the steps for practicing our faith? How can we develop our inner eye so that we might see with renewed strength God’s blessings all around us? Like all of us this week I am reeling from the news of violence in our world…do I need to escape? Should I run and hide myself…

Does Jesus Silence Our Questioning?

If you stopped any one of us in the street you would soon find out that we all have our own personal and private dramas. Within every phase of life there are always uncertainties and we all have to get up every morning to face the unknown. Because of this we might at times just find…

I Heard the Birds Singing

I heard the birds singing this morning. Their sweet melodies came whispering through my sleep…faint and distant. I have renewed my interest in the Native American Indian and the spiritual quality of their art. At this point, I can not see the destination but I am thankful for this God given interest in the beauty…

“O For a Heart to Praise My God”

We can find inspiration in all kinds of places… if we allow our eyes and our hearts to stay open to all the possibilities. I love how this artist shares with us a vision of the angels, like pure little babies, spilling out of heaven to share in the Annunciation of Jesus’ birth. Sharing the gospel…