Proverbs 18:24 “A person who has friends must be friendly…” “Friendliness” This is a Scripture that proves itself true every day in many ways. It is true in a store or business. When friendliness goes, so do the customers. It is also true of local churches. It means a lot to be welcomed with friendly smiles when you visit a church. Pastors and congregations, please! get out the welcome mat;…Keep Reading

Rev. Nate and Julie Ware James 1:2-3 “Hurdles of Mud Puddles” Recently, when I was trying to explain a bit of technology to someone, they told me I was giving them a headache . . . Or there are others who simply blank out. It’s not that they are not smart; it’s just that they don’t want the hurdles of wading through the murky mud puddles. I get it ….Keep Reading

1 Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” 1 Corinthians “Now Abideth Hope” “Abideth,” what a wonderful word! It means that something continues without fading or being lost. There are three abiding things that we know. They are Faith, Hope and Love. Even though hope abides we seem to be getting a little rusty with our ability to…Keep Reading

Matthew 6:33-34 “…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” “Look for and Embrace Today’s Joy” The first day of class has begun and the student listens to the teacher’s plan. “This is what will be expected for you to…Keep Reading

Isaiah 43:8 “Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.” Link to Youtube – Special Events at Shades of Grace Link to Youtube – He Leadeth Me

Rev. Nate and Julie Ware Psalms 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” “Connecting to God for His Presence and Love” We have some pretty heavy clouds this morning. It’s hard to tell which will prevail . . . The clouds or the sun. It’s always apparent that the prettiest sunrises are…Keep Reading

Matthew 11:25 “At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children” “Communicating the Gospel” Our Savior gave us those words for a reason. Perhaps the greatest sign that a sermon is pleasing to Jesus is when a child happily remembers it. Walk with Jesus down the Gospel streets…Keep Reading

Rev. Nate and Julie Ware 2 Timothy 2:2 “We All Can Be Mentors” “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” When I was exercising this morning, I remembered one of my mentors. He was a professor at our school and lived in the house directly behind where I rented. As…Keep Reading

1 John 3:18 “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” Over the years when we moved from one appointment to another, I foolishly said that I was not going to fall in love with the people again. It just hurt too much to say goodbye. That never lasted long enough to get the truck unloaded; a new face…Keep Reading

1 Chronicles 1-4 Living as Holy People – READ OR LISTEN TO THE BIBLE TOGETHER 1 Chronicles 1 – Adam to Israel 1 Adam, Seth, Enosh; 2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared; 3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech; 4 Noah; Noah’s family: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 5 Japheth’s family: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 6 Gomer’s family: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. 7 Javan’s family: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim. 8 Ham’s…Keep Reading

Leviticus 25-27 Living as Holy People – READ OR LISTEN TO THE BIBLE TOGETHER Leviticus 25 – The Sabbatical Year 1 The Lord said to Moses on Mount Sinai, 2 Speak to the Israelites and say to them: Once you enter the land that I am giving you, the land must celebrate a sabbath rest to the Lord. 3 You will plant your fields for six years, and prune your…Keep Reading

John 21:12 “Come to Breakfast” Let’s be honest: Have you ever allowed your sulking to keep you from doing something you really enjoyed? Did it ever bother you because the people around you refused to join in your pouting drama? Someone has said, “Smile and the world smiles with you, cry and you cry alone.” That is not always true, but the point is well put. Smiles always have open…Keep Reading