“Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young– a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God.” Psalm 84:3 We had a bluebird house that was visited each year by the little family wearing royal blue jackets and red-brown shirts. I came home one day and Pat told me that she had been watching the…Keep Reading

“In the midst of my confusion, In the time of desperate need, When I am thinking not too clearly, A gentle voice does intercede. ‘Slow down, slow down, be still. Be still and wait, on the Spirit of the Lord. Slow down and hear His voice, And know that He is God.” One of the traits of Jesus was the steady pace of His life. It is not recorded that…Keep Reading

“Things hoped for” Hebrews 11:1 The lady spoke of the rift that was robbing her family. She had exhausted her efforts to get them to love and come together. Her heart was broken because she suffered loneliness and lost joy. She said, “All I can do is pray and wish.” “Pray and wish,” those were the words of a longing heart. A prayer and a wish are two different things,…Keep Reading

Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church John 3:1-8 Link to YouTube Video – Pentecost From Pastor Will Shewey Ten years ago, this beautiful building sat empty and laden with dust. The windows were covered with brown paper. It has become a sacred meeting place affectionately known as God‘s Living Room. In just a few days, I will be reappointed by our bishop of the United Methodist Church…Keep Reading

“We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.” Some have the idea that it is no longer possible to love both God and Country. My love for God has never in the smallest way been hindered because I love my homeland. The cross is no less an emblem of God’s love because I…Keep Reading

I don’t know how great actors get discovered. I had my chance once, but the talent scouts must have been somewhere else. It was our sixth grade class play. I played the character of a hillbilly. As the song says, “All I had to do was act naturally.” I made a mustache from a piece of fodder twine, and dyed it black with shoe polish. I can even remember my…Keep Reading

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go…” Exodus 3:12 Sometimes I get asked the “Why” question. It can be the most difficult of all to answer. When I was a young pastor I thought that I was expected to answer it. It didn’t take long to realize that most of those questions were unanswerable. Sharing my struggle with an older pastor friend; he gave me…Keep Reading

I don’t know why I tried hunting, but I’m sure about why I never tried it again. It was many years ago when I went with a good friend. I told Pat that I should be home around midnight. We soon headed down the road in a truck. Mable, the coon dog, was in the back. When we started climbing the mountain, it didn’t take long to realize that I…Keep Reading

He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” John 9:25 The man had been blind from birth. He was not praying for or expecting to be healed. There is one reason that his eyes were opened on that day: Jesus saw a man who could not see him. Now I do not know the…Keep Reading

Acts 2:1-21 is the story of Pentecost. It began with a small gathering of people in an upper room waiting for a promise to be fulfilled. They were waiting for power that would enable them to be witnesses for Jesus. The Bible says that they were all in one accord. I have often thought that “one accord” was what the church was supposed to look like. The truth is that…Keep Reading

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 The old circuit rider crossed the swollen river on the back of his horse. The water was swift and dangerous, and it took all the horse’s strength to make it across. He and…Keep Reading

“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy…” Psalm 107:2 The Apostle Paul was never very good at bragging. When he did boast, it was about his failures and weaknesses. He had learned a wonderful truth: that God’s power is strongest when we are weak. That is why he wrote, “So I will brag even more about my weakness in…Keep Reading