“Ferguson, Jena, and Hope”

Meet Leigh Powers

Leigh Powers and I crossed paths at a writing conference this year. She lives in Texas with her husband and children. Besides serving God as a pastor’s wife and a mother, she also ministers through her blog and other writings.

Leigh gave me permission to share her August 19 post on Ferguson, Missouri. 

[Christ Jesus] himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall. –Ephesians 2:14

I’ve grieved as I’ve watched the news streaming out of Ferguson… (read more at more at http://leighpowers.com/2014/08/19/ferguson-jena-hope/)

David

“Popcorn From God”

Notes On My Church Bulletin

When an important idea enters my mind, I hurry to capture it before it vanishes.

I was born a note taker and a list maker. I’ve always written down stuff to help me remember. But at midlife my memory isn’t what it used to be, so I rely on notes and lists more than ever.

Each week I fill my bulletin with notes, sermon and personal. On Sunday during the offering I scribbled a thought: “The Lord’s prayer says, ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ Like manna, each day God will give me what I need for my book.”

Who knew God would use my scribal tendencies to give me a surprise?

“Who Is Your Timothy or Timothea?”

Passing the Baton
Name five people who have made a significant impact on your faith in God.

Now, name five people who might include you on their list above. (This takes more thought, doesn’t it?)

On Sunday my pastor began a sermon series on 2 Timothy. He challenged us to ponder how we’re passing on our faith.

Who is your Timothy?

For whom are you a Paul?

Into whose life are you investing so they can love and serve God for eternity?

“Grief Etiquette 101”

A Golden Opportunity

When death occurs, we can console the bereaved…or not. At funeral homes and churches, we can give genuine comfort to the family. We can also offer well-meaning but misguided attempts to help.

John Wesley told the Methodists, “First, do no harm.” If you can’t improve a bad situation, at least don’t make it worse.

Proverbs 17:28 (NIV) supports this idea: “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”

The Bible says Job’s friends heard about his horrific loss of family, possessions, and health. At first, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar came and sat with Job silently for a whole week (Job 2:11-13). But they ruined everything when they opened their mouths and tried to explain his suffering.