When God feels distant, believers are called to trust in His promises and seek Him through His Word, persistent prayer, and reflection on His faithfulness. These seasons are not signs of His absence but opportunities to grow in faith, relying on His timing and purpose. By staying connected to Christian community and choosing faith over feelings, we can continue to walk faithfully, confident that God is closer than we realize.
Category Archives: methodism
Priorities for 2025
How Was 2024 for You? Did you accomplish what you set out to achieve? Did you grow into the person you hoped to become? How much stress did you endure along the way? Every year, I hear people reflect on how difficult the previous year was. We long for smooth sailing, but life rarely goesContinue reading “Priorities for 2025”
Is Peace Possible?
Is Peace Truly Possible? A Reflection on Mark 1:1-8 The concept of peace often feels elusive in today’s fast-paced, chaotic world. We long for it in our hearts, our relationships, and our communities, yet true peace seems like an unreachable ideal. However, the Gospel of Mark opens with a bold proclamation of good news thatContinue reading “Is Peace Possible?”
Look Up, Look Out
What do you carry with you when you walk into a room? When you wake up in the morning, what’s on your mind? Are there burdens from your past that still weigh you down, shaping how you see others and how you interact? How often do you find yourself focusing on the things that areContinue reading “Look Up, Look Out”
DEEP DIVE: The Prodigal Son
The gospel message is clearly found in the parable of the Prodigal Son that Jesus tells in Luke 15. The reality is this parable is so much more than just a “lost son.” This parable is about the compassion of the Father. These three videos are from a three-part sermon series on the Lost SonContinue reading “DEEP DIVE: The Prodigal Son”
Remove the Fig Leaves
The book of Genesis is fascinating. The origins of the universe. The purpose of humanity. Worldwide catastrophe. Spreading out of humanity. Singling out one particular family and family line. That’s just the first twelve chapters. Chapters 13-50 give us famine, war, circumcision, disjunction, murder, wealth, growing family, protection from famine, slavery, and so much more. Continue reading “Remove the Fig Leaves”
A GOD OF NEW BEGINNINGS: Revelation in Pictures
Revelation in a fascinating letter. There are visions, destructions, dragon, death, resurrection, hope, a future glory. This letter has just about everything that drives people to the movies. Great cast, great adventure, lessons and reassurances, hope. What else would you want? For a recap of where we have been in this journey through Revelation, youContinue reading “A GOD OF NEW BEGINNINGS: Revelation in Pictures”
Beginning with the End: Revelation in Pictures
Revelation is a fascinating book filled with vision, symbols, and numbers that are challenging to understand completely. Here’s the gist of the letter of Revelation—God ultimately wins! Imagine how life could be if we focused on the victory of Christ Jesus rather than what’s wrong in the world. God will ultimately redeem and make everythingContinue reading “Beginning with the End: Revelation in Pictures”
Focus on Jesus
What reminds you of the joy Jesus brings? What helps you to focus on Jesus? Each month, I am privileged to take Communion to our Homebound people. As a pastor, Communion always means more each time I preside over the sacrament and each time I partake of the sacrament. Something is different this month. Division,Continue reading “Focus on Jesus”
The Word
When was the last time you remember the Holy Spirit speaking to you through the scripture? If it’s been recently, what was your reaction? Did you obey the words/message? If it’s been awhile, or never, I have a some questions. How often do you read the Bible? How do you prepare your heart and mindContinue reading “The Word”
R Y A N S T R A T T O N 