#112of365 #FaithBites #FaithJourney For the past 111 days, I’ve written about the power of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I’ve challenged you to listen to his Word and live by it. I’ve given many examples of his involvement in my life. But what happens when God isn’t enough? IllI answer that, at least for me in a little bit. Let’s face it: Life is hard. Sometimes it downright sucks. There are the days when you just want to throw…
#106of365 #FaithBites #FaithJourney #LavaYou Today’s lesson is about calling out for love, support, and happiness. Today’s lesson is inspired by my oldest daughter and I told her I would give her credit where credit is due. This morning we were watching videos, singing, enjoying each other’s company while waiting for school. During our sing-a-long, one of your favorite videos came on. It’s a Pixar short called “Lava”. It’s about a volcano, who is all alone in the ocean. He sings…
Today’s lesson is on the circle of life. No, I’m not talking about the awesome song from Disney’s “Lion King”, but rather the ages and stages we all go through and the pain and joy associated with them. Today at worship, we experienced so many of these. The beginning of faith in two young children through baptism, the giving of initial scripture and beginning the practice of worship in our preschool milestone, the public statements of faith for two eight…
Today’s lesson is about appreciating those with disabilities or other abilities. I admit when I’m driving behind someone going slow I get mad sometimes. When I’m in line at the checkout and someone is going slow, I get impatient. When someone is walking so in front of me, I get impatient and frustrated. (It’s not like the extra 60 seconds is going to change my life). What we, and I fail to understand, is they may not physically or mentally…
Todays Bible Lesson is about saying goodbye. Today we lay my grandma Nancy to rest. She lived a long life, almost 92 years. She was a warm spirit of God. She loved everyone, cared for everyone, and grieved deeply for every loss. She would give the shirt off her back to help. She never did for others only her self. She was my grandma: raising me at times, pushing me at times, and always loving me. She never judged me, but told…
Todays Bible Lesson is one on warmth and compassion. I understand God made us all different with different strengths and abilities. I know what we all respond to events differently, some warmer and some cooler. I understand that. There is a line though, in my humble opinion, on common human compassion and sympathy. Giving congratulations, sharing in grief, giving thoughts and prayers (and meaning it) are actions we should all participate in. When that is missing, it hurts. No matter…
Todays Bible Lesson is one on remembering and memories. Since I heard of Grandma’s passing, after the initial period of regret, I began to remember all the times we had. Her constantly telling me she wasn’t going to be around long, and me telling her she’d outlive us all. Our walks on Saturday morning to her beauty shop, then to Mervins, the thrift shop, and lunch. So many memories. When I normally think about my childhood, I have bad memories….
Todays Bible Lesson is one on loss. Death sucks. On one hand, it is a homecoming. You get to be one with the Lord. His promises of redemption and everlasting life are fulfilled. At the same time, there is emptiness, loss, and loneliness. I learned today of that my grandmother, Nancy Cammarano, passed late last night. She is not in pain and she is at peace. I am torn on many levels. I am saddened by her loss. Sad for my…
For today’s scripture, I want to share a pop song – Kindly Calm Me Down by Meghan Trainor. I know, what does pop music have to do with scripture and God? While this song is probably about a boyfriend helping her when “the world is loud” or when you feel “so cold, alone, Could you be my blanket”?, I think about it as God. He is there to give us love. He is there to help us through all of…
Life is hard. When we have trial and tribulation we make think God has forsaken us, it at the very least forgotten us. He hasn’t. Sometimes we need to be lost and in the wilderness. When we are lost and all the distractions are stripped away, we can see his plan. This is a time of training and being prepared for his plan. ———- Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will…