Joshua 22-24 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, March 29, 2019 “GETTING TO “WE”” By God’s power, Israel had taken control of the promised land. However, “Operation Total Victory” was not complete, as is seen in the opening chapter of the Book of Judges. However, things were stable enough that the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, whose allotment was east of the Jordon, could return home….Keep Reading

Joshua 19-20 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, March 28, 2019 “JOSHUA AND THE INVERTED PYRAMID” Most societies have a pyramidal approach to life. Sitting at the apex of the pyramid is the top dog, the chief executive, the king, by whatever he or she may be called. Next are the “important” people, the rich, the powerful, the influential. Those at the bottom of the pyramid are the disposable and easily replaceable. One…Keep Reading

Joshua 16-18 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, March 27, 2019 “ENTITLEMENTS” On July 4, 1776 by unanimous declaration, the 13 states published some of the most famous words in human history: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” In other words, every person created…Keep Reading

Joshua 12-15 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, March 26, 2019 “LORD, GIVE ME A MOUNTAIN” John Piper wrote: “Finishing life to the glory of Christ means resolutely resisting the typical American dream of retirement. It means being so satisfied with all that God promises to be for us in Christ that we are set free from the cravings that create so much emptiness and uselessness in retirement. Instead, knowing that we have…Keep Reading

Joshua 9-11 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, March 25, 2019 “SO LONG AS THE SUN SHINES AND THE GRASS GROW” When Jericho and Ai had been captured by Joshua and his army, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites formed an allied army to fight Joshua and Israel (Joshua 9:1-2). In contrast, were the Gibeonites who acted with cunning to prevent their own destruction. They took worn-out sacks,…Keep Reading

Rev. Nate and Julie Ware I have to admit that on the way to the wedding the other day, we got a little lost. No GPS, I thought . . . I can use my trusted map and directions. Of course, if I am a bit turned around and wait a mili-second too long, Nate is already headed the wrong direction . . . and I have to find our…Keep Reading

Joshua 5-8 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, March 24, 2019 “RAHAB’S FAITH REWARDED” Most are familiar with the story of Rahab the prostitute who hid the spies and saved her whole family from being destroyed in the battle of Jericho. She and her family were not spared to simply fend for themselves. The record says, “But Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive….Keep Reading

Isaiah 51:3 “For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.” A couple of years ago I stood spellbound while listening to piano music in our church. It was a weekday and just a few of…Keep Reading

Joshua 1-4 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, March 23, 2019 “PASSING THE TORCH” Moses was dead, but the torch of leadership was passed to Joshua. Three times in Joshua 1:6-9, God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous. God is not repeating the exhortation for emphasis. Each has a different point to make. First, there is the preamble: “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your…Keep Reading

2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV Pastor Will Shewey – This Week’s Visit to Shades of Grace UMCwith a Link on This Page to Facebook’s Live Streaming of Sunday Services Friday, March 22, 2019 An older homeless man has been stranded at Shades for several days. Said he had just been hospitalized and needed help in getting home to Beckley, W Va. Claimed he is a member of a certain church in…Keep Reading

Deuteronomy 32-34 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, March 22, 2019 “DIVINE JUXTAPOSITION” The opening line of Charles Dickens’ novel “The Tale of Two Cities” is a classic example of juxtaposition: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light,…Keep Reading

Psalm 19:12 “…they returned to their country by another route.” “I shall be telling this with a sigh, somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. -Robert Frost We know the experience of traveling at a good speed down the highway when suddenly everything comes to a halt. When that…Keep Reading