Celebrating the Nation’s Birthday Today, we celebrate Independence Day, and it is fitting that we consider the words of Abraham Lincoln: Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant to step the ocean and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia, and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest, with a Bonaparte for a commander, could not…Keep Reading

What’s In It for Me Probing the influence of money on people’s lives. One conclusion is that those who love wealth are less likely to be in a loving relationship, and tend to troubled by anxiety, constant worry, and loneliness. The Bible often extends the promise of rewards: Matthew 5:10-12: “Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad…..; and Matthew 6:18 “….thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” These are…Keep Reading

“Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.” Acts 10:5 The Bible has an enormous collection of stories about the little but massive things that people did; and that God never forgot. They could never have imagined that their simple stories would be preserved in God’s Word. These people simply lived out their lives as everyday people who made the best of…Keep Reading

You Can’t Water from an Empty Well Kings and queens of all nations who heard of Solomon’s wisdom came to hear it firsthand. Solomon sat on an ivory throne (1 Kings 10:18), but his wisdom was not that of an ivory tower—an impractical, often escapist attitude marked by aloof lack of concern with or interest in practical matters or urgent problems (Webster). The Book of Proverbs begins: “These are the…Keep Reading

Grace Sufficient David confidently wrote, “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). We see the essentials of prayer—truth is declared essential, and faith is demonstrated. We are reminded of the words of James regarding asking God for wisdom: “…when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of…Keep Reading

But Each One is Tempted When He is Drawn Away “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” James 1:14 The spider wove a web with a beautiful design. There was no lacework in the land any more perfect than this cozy pattern. He had trained the sound of deception clear out of his voice, and now, the little trickster seemed almost…Keep Reading

Does Where We Are Going Today Have the Lord’s Approval? “Then they said to him, “Please inquire of God to learn whether our journey will be successful. The priest answered them, ‘Go in peace. Your journey has the Lord’s approval.” Judges 18:6-7 Does where we are going today have the Lord’s approval? The journey could have been short, but it took forty years. God was leading them with a cloud…Keep Reading

Don’t Fake It When You Don’t Feel It Life can be a bummer sometimes, and when it is, we need to pour out our hearts to God, not offering sweet little tweets, trying to fake unquestioning faith. David said, “I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble” (Psalms 142:1-2)….Keep Reading

Be Kind and Compassionate to One Another, Forgiving Each Other “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 There is a word that brings peace and joy when spoken. This one little word can do what some thought impossible, and it alone is powerful enough to remove much of the chaos that is in this world. Speak it and…Keep Reading

Friends Don’t Let Friends Lie to Themselves David said, “Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers” (Psa 141:5). Years later, David’s son would write: “Open rebuke is better than hidden love. Wounds inflicted by the correction of a friend prove he is…Keep Reading

Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church Link to YouTube Video – Matthew Chapter 8:18-22 From Pastor Will Shewey Our day of worship has ended at Shades of Grace : A United Methodist Congregation. It is time for the ministry volunteers and staff to rest for the next week. We will reopen for Saturday morning worship on July 5 and then resume daily services to the community. We…Keep Reading

Just a Closer Walk With Thee The name of the author is unknown, but many will recognize the refrain: “Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea, Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.” David undoubtedly had a close walk with God, for He declared, “’I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart’” (Acts 13:22)….Keep Reading