Revitalize Your Church

A webinar devotional teaching I shared with a group of pastors from the Indiana South District of the Wesleyan Church.  I thought it might be an encouoragement to you.

Earth's crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees takes off his shoes;   The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries." -- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

“You never know what may cause them. The sight of the Atlantic Ocean can do it, or a piece of music, or a face you’ve never seen before. A pair of somebody’s old shoes can do it…. You can never be sure. But of this you can be sure. Whenever you find tears in your eyes, especially unexpected tears, it is well to pay the closest attention. They are not only telling you something about the secret of who you are, but more often than not God is speaking to you through them of the mystery of where you have come from and is summoning you to where, if your soul is to be saved, you should go next.”   -- Frederick Buechner, Beyond Words

Awakening to a beautiful blanket of snow this morning, I was reminded of these words from Edwin M. Johnson, legendary Northwoods poet: God laid a blanket on the hills last night, A quilt all fluffy, downy and white, He tucked the edges round flowers asleep, Warned the litte one burrowed down deep, Not to awaken until the Spring, When thrush and robin and bluebird sing. Yes, God unfurled a blanket last night, And He looked on earth and loved the sight, The spruce and the flowers fell asleep with a nod, I think they were thankful for the goodness of God. When I saw how He tenderly cared for a tree, I just knew He would care for you and me. (This beautiful picture of the trail in winter woods was taken by my friend, Sue Bartz.)

To see the world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wildflower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour. -- William Blake

In summer, the song sings itself. - William Carlos Williams