Last week, our benediction came from Ephesians 3: Now to the one who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Judaism, Christianity, […]
Tag Archives: christianity
When Jesus heard the news of John’s death, Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place. (Matthew 14) The Gospel of Luke begins in the Temple with John the Baptist’s Father, Zechariah, standing before the altar making that day’s incense offering for the nation. As the fragrant smoke fills the Temple, Zechariah has a […]
Dear Belmonters, On Saturday, February 28, President Trump began a war with Iran. On Sunday, March 1, as we came to the Lord’s Table, I paused and read selections about War and Military Service from our 2024 United Methodist Church Discipline’s Social Principles. “The church deplores war and all other forms of violent conflict and […]
Belmont orders our calendar around the rhythms of Christian Year and today is the first Sunday of Lent. As Advent prepares us for Christmas, Lent readies us for Easter. Lent is often about subtraction: self-denial, sacrifice, giving something up, and stepping out of the ordinary. Lent arrives unadorned. Do you have a box of Lenten […]
When Lewis began playing organized soccer, I found myself coaching a gaggle of 4 and 5 year olds. I ordered “The Baffled Parents Guide to Coaching Soccer.” Chapters like “Surviving Your First Practice”, and “Make It Fun and Rewarding” inspired me. We had a great season. Assigned purple jerseys, we voted to be the Purple […]
Lewis, our firstborn, was 13 months old when we traveled to Nashville for the Conference’s big Youth Event: Warmth in Winter. On Saturday night Lewis’s temperature suddenly spiked and we rushed to the emergency room. With medicine, an IV, and reassurance we were admitted to Vanderbilt Children’s. The in-room crib looked like it could coral […]
On the surface, the story of the Widow’s Mite appears so simple. A widow, amid utter poverty, gives everything she has to God. Jesus declares that she has given more than all those who gave from their abundance. It is a beautiful thing to give. Jesus often tells us “the measure you give will be […]
“What good deed must I do to have eternal life?” is the kind of question that church folks ask. Did you notice, Jesus does not answer with a creed or confession of faith? Jesus answers “if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” It is a little thing but, did you notice that […]
A few weeks after my father died, I steadied myself for the first Sunday back preaching. I did not want my grief to interrupt my sermon. My sermon went fine, but as I came to the Communion Table the ritual landed in a new way. I raised my arms and said, “And so, with your […]
Dear Belmonters, I spoke to a soldier last week who, like other federal workers, is working while not being paid because of the ongoing government shutdown. On Saturday, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will run out of funding leaving many people hungry. SNAP “provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget […]
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