“Change, even when welcomed, means death. I once had the unenviable task of pastoring a church through dissolution. We realized that change would happen either with us or to us. We could die to some things so that we could live to others, or we could hold onto what is and die with it. Only…
“Gracious God, Scripture says that you are my keeper, which floods me with images of cradling hands softly catching me. I imagine I could slip through your fingers if I wanted to—the freedom is there. However, as long as I want to be here, you have me. What a comforting idea that is. I think…
Good afternoon, Church, For those unable to join live for worship, here is a link to the recording of today’s service:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wLH_UK-UFRB0o7MYRf8WoC8RIrJD4ADC/view?usp=sharing Rest in the knowledge that Again and Again, God Loves First!Pastor Karl Richard
“If you hold a newborn in your arms,All at once you will understandThe crook of your elbowAnd the cup of your palmAs never before—Ordinary curves of the bodyTransformed into a resting space.You were designed for love.”— Excerpt from “Hold” by Rev. Sarah AreFrom the Again & Again poetry collection by @sanctifiedart
“God who knows, most of us walk around begging to be seen, begging to be known. However, I don’t have to beg with you. You know me completely. You see me. You hear me. You walk with me. There is no fighting for your attention. I have it. What a gift that is. Help me…
“When I first created this piece, it appeared to me to be three different images. The sky, the distant water, and the ripple in the foreground. As I stared at the three patterns, I desired unification. Perhaps I’d repeat the ripple in the sky, or maybe add thin lines in the foreground to tie it…
Complete these sentences: I believe God is____. I believe Jesus is___. I believe the Spirit is___. I believe faith is___. | @sanctifiedart
“For God so loved. For God so loves, that like light, God keeps traveling to reach us with that redeeming love. In this abstract painting, the gold leaf marks become like a wave gliding through the cosmos, moving endlessly until it reaches everything.”— from the artist statement for “Light Wave” by Lisle Gwynn Garrity |…
“There is vulnerability in being fully seen. We risk being defined by our blemishes. I trust few people with that picture, and only because I know they love me. And there it is: love. Again and again, God’s love calls us into its redeeming phos.Can we trust this love enough to draw the drapes of…
“God of light, if I am walking, I want to walk toward the dawn. I want to walk into the sun. I want to walk closer to you. There are many long shadows that can distract and deter. Help guide my feet. Be my light. Gratefully I pray. Amen.”—Prayer by Rev. Sarah Are | @sanctifiedart
