I have really been enjoying our Lent devotional. This week’s theme of listening to God through contemplative practices can be summed up, I think, with the words “pay attention.” When we pay attention – to the silence, to our day, to our prayers, to our bodies – we might just be able to hear God.…

One of the main sources of spiritual nurture that I rely on is hymns and songs, many of which I learned when I was young, and many of which we rarely, if ever, have opportunity to sing.  On this cold, dark evening with light snow falling, my thoughts were drawn to a hymn that my brother-in-law’s…

  Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world. All things break. All things can be mended. Not with time, but with intention.  So, go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally.  The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you. -L.R Knost  Maureen Herzog

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In his book “Craddock Stories,” the famous preacher Fred Craddock shares this moment from his life.        “I went to the dedication service of a beautiful building at the University of Oklahoma. It had a tall tower, great facilities, all kinds of marvelous things. I was there for the dedication.…

There are many ways and avenues for us to respond and help others in need.  In his own way, Willie Nelson is providing one of the more novel methods of helping others.  He’s a long-renowned fan of the therapeutic properties of marijuana and he owns two cannabis companies.  His mission statement for his companies and…

Our faith doesn’t belong to just Sunday mornings, we go into the week with it. Yesterday Pastor Dave preached on Psalm 22, the psalms are the hymnbook of the Bible. It’s often music that we turn to when we are lost and wondering where God is. Both Ed and Dave shared a song that influenced…

Last week at the Advance, Pastor Scott Seeke, shared the text from 1 Samuel 3:1-10 about the boy Samuel learning to listen to God. What a great scripture for us to use this Lenten season as we focus on listening. Samuel first thought that his mentor Eli was calling him, but found that it was…

My hearing is failing with old age and my listening skills could use some help as well! The Lenten Devotional, “Listening with all your heart, soul, and mind”, is exactly  what I need to prepare my heart for Easter.  My children frequently  complain about my inability to hear them. I jokingly reply with the saying,…

“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand” Matthew 12:25 More and more each day I see how this wonderful nation that we inhabit is becoming more and more split apart. It no longer seems that we are united, but divided. You are…

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Anthony De Mello has a story in “One Minute Wisdom” that puts human wisdom and natural loss into perspective. The visiting historian was disposed to be argumentative. “Do not our efforts change the course of human history?” He demanded. “Oh yes, they do,” said the Master. “And have not our human…