I am ready, God, to put stuff behind me. There are habits I have that I know hold me back, and I long to be free of them. You know what they are, my own version of Paul's thorn in the flesh, and I can't seem to shake them on my own. I know it is only you that can set me free, as my willpower does not seem to be enough. There are those mistakes I have made that I know you have forgiven, but when I bring them to mind, I am filled with shame. Why can't I let them [...]
Louise McEvoy, Women’s Ministry Coordinator Proverbs 9:10-12 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. 11 Through me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, it is to your benefit; if you are cynical, you will bear it all alone. Reflection: In the movie Iron Man, Tony Stark says, “Is it better to be feared or respected? I say, is it too much to ask for both?” Hold that thought. When my then 6-year-old got in [...]
Meghan Kazmann, member Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Reflection: “It's not supposed to be this way.” How many times have I repeated this in my head? How many times have I meticulously prepared the perfectly hatched plan to witness it ultimately fall apart? How many times have I felt so confident about God’s will for me just to watch my life turn in a completely different direction? Long nights at the library and attending professor office hours just to barely pass freshman biology. But I was [...]
Ann Pierce Arnett, married to Robert Glenn Arnett at St. Luke’s UMC, March 30, 1964 Proverbs 8:26-32 when he had not yet made earth and fields, or the world’s first bits of soil. When he established the heavens, I was there, when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him, like [...]
Joseph Patty, Associate Director of Student Ministries; Collector of Power Tools that get used…occasionally Proverbs 2:3-12, 16 3 Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8 for he [...]
Rev. David Horton Proverbs 7:1-3 1 My child, keep my words and store up my commandments with you; 2 keep my commandments and live, keep my teachings as the apple of your eye; 3 bind them on your fingers, write them on the tablet of your heart. Reflection: “Wait. I missed that. What did you say?” And my wife has to tell me the entire story all over again. I tuned her out. There’s no other explanation. I tuned her out. I wish it wasn’t so common. I’ll be sitting right beside her on the couch, or directly across [...]
God, How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. (Psalm 133:1-2) Yes, it is good indeed to live in unity, but it sure isn't easy, God. There is so much work to be done by so many people to work together to solve seemingly unsolvable problems. It is easy to see a vision for a country but harder to make it happen. It is easy to envision a [...]
Betty Owens Geary; member Gene Decker Study Class, past chair Board of Stewards Proverbs 11:24-25, 28; CEB 24 Those who give generously receive more, but those who are stingy with what is appropriate will grow needy. 25 Generous persons will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. …. 28 Those who trust in their wealth will wither, but the righteous will thrive like leafy trees. Reflection: How much is enough? Some years ago, the two famous authors, Kurt Vonnegut and Joseph Heller, were attending a party given by a billionaire in Long Island. Vonnegut told Heller that [...]
Martha Hill Jamison, member since 1985 Proverbs 26:20 Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. During the 2019 California wildfire season, one inferno, the so-called “Easy Fire,” burned through 1800 acres near the Simi Valley. The fire almost completely surrounded the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. However, the library was spared by a firebreak created by 500 goats deployed months earlier to eat thirteen acres of brush on the property, enabling firefighters to gain control of the Easy Fire. As Proverbs 26:20 says, “without wood, a fire goes out.” Shout out to [...]
Pat Deckert, Member 32 years, Good Will Sunday school class Proverbs 12:22 (The Jerusalem Bible) “Lips that lie are abhorrent to Yahweh; dear to him those who speak the truth.” Proverbs 12:25 (The Jerusalem Bible) “Worry makes a man’s heart heavy, a kindly word makes it glad.” Proverbs 12:15 (New King James Version) “In the eyes of a fool, the way he goes is right, the wise man listens to advice.” Reflection: Solomon, the wise King and the author/compiler of the Book of Proverbs, saw people as wise or foolish and compiled a practical guidebook of rules for daily [...]