Matthew 14:30 “But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!” Peter was neither on top of the water or sunk. He was “beginning to sink.” How many of us understand what “beginning to sink” is like? The wonderful thing about this scripture is the hope that it gives. We do not have to sink; there is someone on whom we can…Keep Reading

Song of Solomon 2:10 “My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.” It was the seventh grade and there was a new girl at school, she was pretty, and sitting in front of me. Today that girl and I celebrate our 54th wedding anniversary. We were High School sweethearts. In Government class the pencil sharpener was behind the map. It was…Keep Reading

from 1st John 4 “God is love; and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them…we love Him (and each other) because He first loved us.” It was my first appointmen and we bought a hand puppet of a mouse’s head. Pat took some of the boy’s clothes (a flannel shirt, bibbed overalls, and cowboy boots) and made a puppet that could sit on my…Keep Reading

Nehemiah 1:3-4 “The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” When things are impossible for us, we have a choice to either give up, or go to the one with whom all things are possible. Nehemiah prayed and God…Keep Reading

Philippians 4:10 “I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.” Philippians 4:10 A gift had come from old friends, and Paul was filled with gratitude. There were needs, plenty of them, but he had learned that patience and contentment are faithful companions. The help that had seemed slow in coming had…Keep Reading

Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church Link to YouTube Video – Acts Chapters 1 & 2 From Pastor Will Shewey It was a different kind of service today at Shades of Grace. We gathered to continue our journey into understanding Pentecost and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We focused upon two questions from Acts, First question, “ What does this mean?” Second question, “ What will…Keep Reading

1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.” The Amplified Bible says that “full grown love turns fear out of doors, and then dread no longer exist. It expels every trace of terror.” Have you ever been afraid of something, or a situation, and then someone that…Keep Reading

Ecclesiastes 3:5 There is “a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together.” We who live in this part of the world are well acquainted with rock fences. They are made of stones that are cleared from fields in order for gardens and crops to be planted; and they were made by strong backs and the sweat of the brow. Those old rock fortresses are still…Keep Reading

Revelation 1:7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him.” The pastor was relaxing at home one Saturday when he heard a knock at the door. There stood a man in a tuxedo who had a question: “Pastor, everyone is waiting at the church; are you coming to the wedding?” That would be a nightmare for me. There is a…Keep Reading

1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” “Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 Each day is a new day with…Keep Reading

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” “Open this door, NOW!” It was late at night when the man stood at the door ranting and raving to get inside. I knew that he had the authority to enter, in fact, I guess you would call him my boss; but I wasn’t…Keep Reading

1 Samuel 25:29 “…the life of my master will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the LORD your God…” Abigail sees something in David’s future, and she knows that he has the protection of the Lord. She used a beautiful term to describe how God would care for him. He would be “bound securely in the bundle of the living God?” This implies that all of…Keep Reading