How Will We Know the Difference Between Tares and Wheat? “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22 The flowers are looking tired, and their brilliant glory has faded like a sun worn dashboard in an old car. Our Lord said that the grass withers and flowers fade; but aren’t you glad that the…Keep Reading

A Better World Begins With Me “Righteousness lifts up a nation, but sin is a disgrace in any society” (Prov 14:34, ESV). We may be tempted to focus on the personal and political sins of the mighty—their adulteries, their massacres of truth with campaign ads, their reception of bribes, and these are certainly disgraceful. That is the easy application—TOO EASY! Isaiah declared that the nation of Israel was sick from…Keep Reading

Our God is an Expert Gardener of the Soul “Make sure there is no root among you that bears such poisonous and bitter fruit…” Deuteronomy 29:18 It would be foolish to put fertilizer on poison oak, yet we do it sometimes. I am talking about the poison oak of negative thoughts and words that spread an unnecessary rash that irritates our soul. It is also highly contagious. To dwell in…Keep Reading

Hanging Out With Fools Many societies have proverbs that caution against associating with the wrong crowd. “He that runs with wolves learns to howl” (Spanish). “He that lies down with dogs shall rise up with fleas” (English). “He that takes a raven for a guide shall light upon carrion” (Oriental). Solomon said, “Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces…Keep Reading

“Keep Alert” Is Good Advice for All Who Are on the Eoad to Heaven “…looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” Hebrews 12:2 The Lord told Joshua to, “be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law… Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go.” Traveling on the Gospel Road requires us…Keep Reading

Solomon and Paul On Depression Depression has been dubbed “the common cold of mental illness,” not because it “lasts a week if you see a doctor and seven days if you don’t,” but because of its prevalence. “New data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics indicate that the prevalence of depression in U.S. adolescents and adults increased 60% in the past decade, according to data from the National…Keep Reading

Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church Link to YouTube Video – Luke Chapter 10:25-37 From Pastor Will Shewey Saturday Morning worship service has ended for July 12 th weekend. There was a very good attendance with several first time guests today. Our new District superintendent Scott Spence joined us for worship. He greeted the congregation and offered prayer for each one. Today was his very first visit…Keep Reading

Don’t Kick Your Dog It appears that before the flood, humans were vegetarians, for “God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food” (Genius 1:29). After the flood, God told Noah, “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave…Keep Reading

Our Lord Placed So Much Emphasis on Joy “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials.” James 1:2 Our Lord placed so much emphasis on joy that we might do well to ponder on it awhile. It is not the same as happiness that comes and goes according to whether we are pleased or not. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and the Spirit…Keep Reading

Stupid Is As Stupid Does In the movie Forrest Gump, his mother, attempting to help him deal with the bullies who called him stupid, said, “Stupid is as stupid does.” Solomon would surely agree, for he wrote, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1, NASB). The pathways of life are littered with dropouts who quit, not because of a lack of natural ability,…Keep Reading

Jesus Brings Light and Salvation “You are the salt of the earth, the light of the world.” Matthew 5:13-14 This world has been greatly blessed because of Jesus and His Church. It’s light shines on both the just and the unjust. What a wonderful way to bring light and salvation to a dark and decaying world. Jesus makes his followers to be salt and light. I know that had it…Keep Reading

Pretty Is As Pretty Does Variations of the saying, “Pretty is as pretty does,” meaning looks are not as important as behavior, were recorded in 1774 in the American Journal of a Lady of Quality. Solomon said it best: “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion” (Proverbs 11:22). Some have identified an obsession with physical beauty as the last stage in the collapse…Keep Reading