“He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:3-4 People say that if the Lord is going to stay awake, then they are going to sleep because there is no point in everyone staying up. That sounds okay, but it isn’t realistic; at least, not for most people. The psalmist often speaks of tearful and restless nights. The Apostle Paul…Keep Reading

How We Can Bless the Lord Psalm 34 Seek the Lord’s Guidance In All Things Verse 4: “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” And Verse 10: “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.” Cry Out To Almighty God Verse 6: “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard…Keep Reading

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10 “ I drove down the street one day and saw a strange sight. A woman was digging in her trash container by the side of the road. She wasn’t dressed for the task; in fact, she looked like someone who was dressed for a special occasion. Something of great importance to her was lost…Keep Reading

“…Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30) “Well now that’s a fine how do you do. You do something nice for someone and it comes back and slaps you in the face.” They had helped a man who was sitting…Keep Reading

Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church Link to YouTube Video – LUKE 2:41-52 From Pastor Will Shewey Our first Saturday morning worship service in 2025 was a blessed event. We had an almost full house crowd. I believe there was at least five first time guests as well as several returning guests according to my observation. A good number of our unhoused friends came in out of…Keep Reading

New Year, day 4 “I am going fishing.” John 21:3 Some people have a pondering place; somewhere to go when you need to think things through. It is a “just Jesus and me” place. It may be a spot on the hill, the chair by the window, or any number of places where the Lord seems close. I knew a lady who got in her car and drove, a man…Keep Reading

NEW YEAR’S day 2 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 There were plenty of good grapevines to swing on in the mountain. I remember one that would swing out over a gorge and then go back to the bank. It was fun until the day it stopped and would not swing back. Suddenly I was left hanging with nothing that I could…Keep Reading

NEW YEARS EVE Once again Father Time is turning over his duties to the New Year baby. When I see that image I think about the baby Jesus in the arms of Simeon as the old saint prays, “Lord, now let me depart in peace…” We do pass the mantle along to those who come behind; but not usually until we have done some of life’s work together. In the…Keep Reading

The 6th Day of Christmas Sometimes I hear someone say, “I don’t know how a person makes it without the Lord.” The truth is that no one does. The Lord gives us all grace whether we appreciate it or not. We have just gone through Christmas, and we rejoice that God is with us. We certainly do not deserve such a wonderful gift from Heaven. There is only one explanation…Keep Reading

Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church Link to YouTube Video – The Work of Christmas – Howard Thurman (1899-1981) The Work of Christmas – Howard Thurman (1899-1981) When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost,…Keep Reading

Day 4 of Christmas “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 John 2:6 The Christmas story had been told, and a little boy was fascinated with Mary, Joseph and Jesus. Later that day he saw a kind woman helping a stranger who seemed down and out. The child ran up to her and asked, “Are you Jesus’ Mother?” She…Keep Reading

CHRISTMAS, Day 3 “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.” Galatians 4:4 “Enjoy them while they are young, they grow up in a hurry.” I don’t know how many times we heard those words when we were raising our children; now I am among those who say it to young parents. The Bible zips through the boyhood…Keep Reading