Posts Tagged: love

Hopeful Church

What did we expect? Expectations can sabotage ourselves and ministry by N. Graham Standish She was disappointed and deflated as she reflected on three years of pastoring her church: This isn’t what I thought ministry would be like. Trying to be as gentle as possible, I asked, “What did you expect?” “I don’t know,” she replied,… Read more »

Gospel and Inclusivity

A pandemic of racism Preaching the gospel during the coronavirus  by Samuel Son   In early March, a car drove up to me and the driver screamed, “Coronavirus.” I wasn’t alone. Other Asian co-workers at the Presbyterian Mission Agency in Louisville have experienced harsher harassment during their commute. A female Asian experienced racial and hate… Read more »

Barn Boots and Blessings

Lenten ‘one mores’ Hope and love in the dark valley   by Donna Frischknecht Jackson   Even though I walk through the darkest valley … you are with me.  — Psalm 23 It is Lent and I have found myself walking in one of the darkest valleys one can walk — the valley of death…. Read more »

just-leros: more than nonsense / más que disparates

A season of light A litany for the lighting of the Advent wreath by Magdalena I. García ‘You are the light of the world.’ – Matthew 5:14-16 Read the full passage here ADVENT 1 Into the darkness of our apathy, come, Lord Jesus, and bring the light of your care. Into the darkness of our… Read more »

Hopeful Church

Does the Church really need to be fixed?   by N. Graham Standish    I recently spoke with a pastor about a church from his past. He had felt called to go there, believing he could fix it, but then felt defeated, lamenting that it was just too broken to fix… or was it? He’s… Read more »

Barn Boots and Blessings

A different kind of Christmas card   Who is waiting to hear from you?    by Donna Frischknecht Jackson   On my desk sits an index card with the initial “R” written on it in blue marker. I have thrown this index card into the garbage at least three times so far and, so far,… Read more »

Wisdom Journey

To hate ‘hate’ or to love ‘love’… That is the question by N. Graham Standish    A Thought: It’s only as we learn what real love is that we truly recognize hate. And only then do we see how pervasive hate really is, yet even more how powerful love is. We can’t overcome hate by… Read more »

Pilgrim Poems

If not now, when? Love speaksA poem about conquering fear by Rose Niles TheResurrected JesusSpeaksMainlyOf conquering fear—“Do not be afraid”Over and over—I consulted the exhaustiveConcordanceAnd this is trueAttestedBy all the witnessesWe have—Do not be afraidDo not be afraid—Every time JesusShows up to meAnd to us allThe greeting of all greetings:Do not be afraid.When we are… Read more »

Pastorish

Redefining where and when church happens   Jump!What conquering a fear of heights taught me about being the church by Mieke Vandersall I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one… Read more »