“Come and have breakfast” John 21:1-12 We are having breakfast at our church this morning. There have been many breakfast fellowships over the years. There was one that I will never forget. It was after midnight when the phone rang. As I answered it, I heard a sad voice say, “Sam is dead, what must I do?” I went to the house where a love story of fifty-seven years had…Keep Reading

He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. Psalm 107:29 The sun shines, and it rains on the just and the unjust. “How do people get along without the Lord?” They don’t, His grace comes to all of us every day. Some just do not know or acknowledge it. How quickly life can show that we have no control over the forces of this world. God is…Keep Reading

THE TURNING POINT In most wars, there is a decisive turning point. It may be the entrance of an additional ally on the side of one of the combatants, the development of a new weapon, or a major victory. Although the war is not yet over, the outcome is assured. There are at least three turning points in the defeat of Satan. Turning point #1: Jesus’ entry into the battle…Keep Reading

…Jesus, tired out by His journey, was sitting by the well. John 4:6 “God was tired out;” what an incredible thought. He was sitting by the well. Was He remembering when He watched Jacob dig this well? He supplied the water to the well, yet He needed someone to give Him a drink. What do we do when we are tired? When was the last time that we sat by…Keep Reading

The Medication of Mediation Researchers have known for years that meditation can be effective in treating anxiety disorders, including depression. Now we know why: Catherine Kerr, director of translational neuroscience for the contemplative studies initiative at Brown University, says that when we are depressed, attention is “consumed by negative preoccupations, thoughts and worries. Instead of disengaging and moving on, we find ourselves digging deeper into negative thought patterns.” Now hear…Keep Reading

A LESSON FROM THE BIRDS I recall some words of wisdom given to me when, over a quarter of a century ago, I was the Executive Director of New Pathways for Children, a residential treatment facility for adolescents. My part-time maintenance man was an older gentleman we called “Mr. Dan.” Mr. Dan gave me some words of wisdom that I want to pass on to my Facebook friends. Mr. Dan’s…Keep Reading

Joel 1:2-3 “Hear this, you elders; listen, all who live in the land. Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your ancestors? Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.” Telling stories is a part of our culture and heritage. Our generations grew up with storytellers. They didn’t think of…Keep Reading

Control the Burn When Paul wrote “‘Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath’ (Eph 4:26, NKJV), he was not exhorting us to become angry, as the writer of Hebrews exhorts us to “be content” (Heb 13:15). The Living Bible captures the meaning: “If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge. Don’t let the sun go down with you still…Keep Reading

Proverbs 17:6 NLT “Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.” Today our granddaughter will graduate from college. Where has time gone? It is said often that we should enjoy our children because they grow up quickly. Those words always prove to be true. What are the things that really matter in life? Everyone has a cause these days. We all have things…Keep Reading

Don’t Just Sit There We live in a very segregated society. Passing over any forms of segregation that might be addressed in the public forum, I wish to draw attention to the segregation of generations, by looking at the integration of generations as described by Zechariah: “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each…Keep Reading

Jeremiah 38:11-13 “So Ebed-Melech took some old rags and worn-out clothes from there and let them down with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern. He said to Jeremiah, “Put these old rags and worn-out clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.” Jeremiah did so, and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern.” see Jeremiah 38:11-13 Being a prophet was hazardous duty. It…Keep Reading

Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church Link to YouTube Video – John 21 From Pastor Will Shewey Our Saturday morning worship service for the third weekend of Easter is ended. There was a good crowd with a couple of first time guests. I shared the newly released and updated mission statement of the United Methodist church. I composed the morning prayer and read to everyone, focusing on…Keep Reading