how did we get here?
the state of the UMC: a root cause analysis
When you get sick and go to a doctor for treatment, she won't just treat the symptoms but works to treat and eliminate the cause so you don't get sick again. When something breaks on your car, your mechanic doesn't just replace the broken part but tries to determine if there is anything else going on that needs to be corrected to . . .
Posted in: aldersgateumc
dusting off my keyboard
why I'm writing again
Wow. It's been a long time since I've written anything...nearly back in the time of lockdown! In fact, it's been so long that some of you may have forgotten that you subscribed to my blog. If you don't want to receive updates any longer, please unsubscribe via the link in the email that brought you here. You won't hurt my . . .
Posted in: aldersgateumc
thanksgiving when stormy weather is past
bidding Nicholas farewell
Power outages, downed fences, and some tree debris...Nicholas' visit could have been so much worse. Thanks be to God for his merciful hand of protection upon us.
"Almighty God, heavenly Father, who said to us, 'Call on Me in the time of need, and I will deliver you; then you shall glorify Me': we give You praise and . . .
Posted in: prayer
prayer in a severe storm
on the arrival of Nicholas
"O Lord, our Lord, great and awesome God, we, Your needy children, hear with terror and trembling what a fearsome tempest, roaring, and fury You have stirred up, by which You indicate to the ungodly and wicked world Your righteous wrath and the punishment justly deserved. O Lord, do not look at our great sins, but graciously . . .
Posted in: prayer
thirteenth Sunday after Trinity (2021)
contemplating collects
. . .Almighty and Everlasting God, Give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and that we may obtain that which Thou dost promise, make us to love that which Thou dost command; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Posted in: collects
eleventh Sunday after Trinity (2021)
contemplating collects
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who art always more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve; Pour down upon us the abundance of Thy mercy, forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the . . .
Posted in: collects
sermons and body armor
thoughts on the third commandment
We all know the type, the person that comes to church and maybe even bible study class but conveniently ducks out of worship--maybe all of it or maybe just the sermon--to 'fellowship' and have a cup of coffee instead of attending to the preaching of the Word. Usually folks like that are pretty smug about the whole thing, . . .
