Sin Is No Joke “Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding” (Prov 10:23, ESV). Humor is an integral part of humanity, and the ability to laugh is often a sign of good emotional health. However, what we laugh at reveals much about what is truly in our hearts. Few people, even the vilest, find people feeding in a garbage…Keep Reading

A Day Will Come When God Shall Wipe Away All Tears “This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted…” Jeremiah 31:15 Once again Rachel is weeping for the children. This time in Texas, as well as for broken little hearts and lives all over the world. A day will come when God…Keep Reading

“You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.” Job 11:16 Job must have found those words hard to believe. Whenever he thought that things could not get any worse; they did. Someone has said that when you are at the end of your rope, you should tie a knot and hold on. The lesson of Job is simple: Do not give up on trusting God….Keep Reading

Give your best to the Master “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 “Give your best to the Master; Naught else is worthy His love; He gave Himself for your ransom, Gave up His glory above.” That song influenced my early life. To do something for the glory of God means that we are contributing our…Keep Reading

Christian Do-Gooders “Justice delayed is justice denied” is an oft-quoted statement attributed to the English statesman William Gladstone. However, it is found in the Jewish Mishnah, the first written collection of the oral traditions of the rabbis, which was compiled approximately 200 years before Christ. Solomon said, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it” (Proverbs 3:27, ESV)….Keep Reading

Remember to pray for the ones who pray for you. “When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.” Exodus 17:12 Remember to pray for the ones who pray for you. Do we appreciate the people who call out…Keep Reading

Godly Parenting “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights” (Prov 3:11-12, ESV). The writer of Hebrews quotes this proverb and elaborates: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been…Keep Reading

Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church Link to YouTube Video – Luke Chapter 10 From Pastor Will Shewey Saturday morning worship has ended for this weekend. Quinn sang several very meaningful songs including Landon on keyboard with one of them. Landon’s music spoke to the congregation as always. I saw several first time guests today and tried to personally greet each one. It was good to have…Keep Reading

Trusting God in the Little Things of Life “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV). Sometimes we don’t ask for God’s guidance because we are confident in our own understanding. Solomon did not say, “Trust God in the big things, but take care of the…Keep Reading

Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father.” Proverbs 27:10 Jesus told of a woman who had counted her treasures (ten coins) and discovered that one was missing. She diligently searched until she found it; and then she rejoiced with friends. He said that as they celebrated on earth, that there was also rejoicing in Heaven. We have a great treasure of friends and family here and…Keep Reading

The “If’s” and “Then’s” of Understanding the Bible “I’d give half my life to know the Scriptures like you do,” one man said to another. The other replied, “It takes more than that.” Many people have read the Bible for years but seem to never grasp the message, knowing only proof texts and favorite excerpts. There are three conditional clauses in Proverbs 2, which chart the path to knowing and…Keep Reading

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 It is Independence Day. I am not free because I am an American. I am free because Jesus released me from the bondage of a sinful heart. He opened the door that I could not. He says to the person who sleeps in the darkness, “Arise, Shine, the Light has come; and to the one…Keep Reading