Revitalize Your Church

Keep a Routine Be With Jesus Exercise Check on a Neighbor Only check News Twice a Day Limit Escaping Behavior (Netflix & Social Media) Share Toilet Paper Great advice from my pastor, Pastor Tom Harding, Alive Wesleyan Church.

Troubled waters swirl and crash in restless waves on Gitche Gumee's southern side. Somehow, I identify with heavy sighing. But still, looking long and up I see a large horizon deep waters fading blue, reaching up to touch the morning sky. And in my sighings, hope's arising. . . Just in time to whisper, "All is well. Peace be still." ----------------- I wrote this poem on a windy day, as I peered out the hospital waiting room window overlooking the shore of Gitche Gumee (Lake Superior), and noticed angry waves crashing violently on the shore. The troubled waters matched my anxious spirit, as, heavy-hearted, I awaited news from the operating room. But then, lifting my eyes towards the distant horizon, I observed Superior's serenity from the larger perspective. Photo Credit:  Wes Wilson

As a pastor, I was often called upon to say prayers several times a day. My prayers, as Adolph Bedsole (1964)  noted in Parson to Parson , can be summarized by the following categories: 1.  Ritualistic Praying: Saying prayers as a part of the pastoral function.  Prayers in worship services and other ministry settings. 2.   Routine Praying:  Prayers for meals; the prayers spoken as a regular pattern of life. 3.  Official Praying:  Prayers at civic functions such as graduations, house blessings and ski races. 4.  Emergency Praying:  At times of crisis and deep need -- an urgent calling upon the Lord. 5.  Praying on the Run:  Maintaining a spirit of prayer as you navigate the day's events and circumstances. 6.  Praying in the Closet (Praying Deep):   Carving out extended time with the Lord to drink deeply from the spiritual well. All pastors engage in the first four kinds of praying. Many acti...

Gathering Call to Worship Waymaker Prayer for Troubled Times L: The Lord listens to us in times of trouble and joy. P: We call to the Lord in our anxiety and fear. L: God will not turn away from us. P: God will heal us and restore us. L: Let the Lord of life enter into your spirits. P: Lord, come to us and heal our brokenness and sorrow. AMEN (Retrieved from https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/5116/classic-worship-connection-june-25-2017 ) Old Testament Reading Psalm 27 Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus WORD Psalm 23 KJV Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us New Testament Reading Philippians 4:8-13 Gospel Reading Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” —John 14:27 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the worl...

During the influenza pandemic of 1918 when public gatherings were prohibited, Rev. Homer Cox penned and distributed the sermon: Contrary Winds , based on Matthew 14:22-24 (KJV):  And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. Cox said: The hungering multitudes have been bountifully fed and sent to their homes in the surrounding villages the disciples have embarked for their voyage across the sea; and, as was His custom after a trying day of toil, or before a day of great responsibility, the Saviour has composed His soul in the solitudes of the mountain alone in prayer. Rapt in holy converse with His heavenly Father, the first three watches of the night h...

“How much more will the grace and the gift overflow to the many?” (Rom 5:15) Sin overflows the bank.   We live in a part of the country where it often floods when it rains.  Water gushes like a mountain stream from our next door neighbor on our right into the backyard of the next door neighbor to the left -- creating temporary scenic, lakefront property.   Often, my backyard is a water soaked spongy swamp mingled with red clay.  When I tromp to my shed, I come back with red feet -- it overflows. Sin overflows like that. Just yesterday, I read about a pastor who shot his wife, then killed himself this weekend during a parking lot argument shortly after she had preached an inspiring sermon.  I also read about a youth pastor behind bars who attempted to hire a hit man to knock off his senior pastor. Just google pastor in Google News and see what you will find is depressing-- plenty of evidence that sin is overflowing like raw sewa...