by Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor MATTHEW 28:19-20 The assurance of Jesus’ presence is not for our sake only. We are given a commission and sent to share the Good News we’ve heard. Today, how are you fulfilling the Great Commission? In what ways are you making disciples and teaching Jesus’ commandments? Who are those who taught you about Jesus? Lord, we are reluctant to make disciples and teach your commandments. We feel uncertain about what to do. Yet, you promise to be with us and to send the Spirit to empower us. Help us to live what we’ve learned…
Read MoreBy Jodi Beckham Our week began in Johannesburg where we toured the Apartheid museum before making the 4 hour drive to Lesotho. In line at the museum, I turned around to see a Gamecock shirt! I traveled almost 9000 miles to find a guy from Greenville, on vacation with his family in South Africa right behind me. The world really is a small place! Our week in Maseru has been busy with work at the home of Ministry of Hope Lesotho (MOHL). Cleaning out and rebuilding the old chicken coop out back, purchasing and hanging new curtains and other supplies…
Read Moreby Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor JOHN 14:18-20 There are promises in the Bible that require us to enter a mystery that we can never fully understand, but can surely relish. Jesus tells us in these verses that we are united with God through him, that he abides in us and we in him. Read these verses several times and rest in the knowledge of your closeness with the holy. Dear God, we rest in knowledge too wonderful for us, knowing that you are as close to us as our own breath, closer even. We will never understand the mystery…
Read Moreby Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor MATTHEW 18:20 We church people hear frequently that when two or three are gathered, Jesus is in the midst of us — but do we pay attention to his presence among us? Today, when you find yourself with others, remember that Jesus is in that very group too. How does this truth impact your words, attitude and interactions? Lord Christ, you are always between us, among us, present with us. We can trust your promise to remain with us always. When we grow isolated or feel frustrated in our relationships, grant us an awareness…
Read MoreDear Friends, Right before Jesus was betrayed, arrested and crucified he said to his followers, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27) And, as he was sending his disciples out into what he knew would be persecution he told them, “I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocents as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) We live in a world where evil…
Read Moreby Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor PSALM 94:14-15 What does judgment founded on righteousness mean? We often judge people based on their appearance, or their political views, or where they live, creating divisions where God desires connections. Pay attention to when and how you judge those you encounter today. What assumptions do you make? How can you let go of judgment and consider what God’s judgment based on righteousness looks like? Loving God, your ways are not our ways, and yet we often assume you agree with us. We fail to see with the eyes of Christ and instead project…
Read Moreby Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor HEBREWS 13:5 Today, practice being content. What gifts are in your life right now? Notice when you buy into the message that you need better or more of something. Recognize when you are being sold a consumerist vision of life. Notice and contrast it with Jesus’ vision of life, and give thanks for all that you see that is good. Lord, you came that we might have abundant life and that abundance consists of peace that passes understanding, a light burden, the promise of your never-failing presence and the gift of the Body of…
Read Moreby Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor DEUTERONOMY 31:6 Today take courage, knowing that God does not abandon you. Consider where God may be calling you to speak up or step out in ways that witness to God’s love. Are there people of faith you think of as courageous? What makes them so and how would you want to emulate them? Almighty God, you call us to be courageous in the faith, taking risks for the sake of the gospel. Forgive us when we shrink from bearing witness to your will and ways. Help us to take the next right and…
Read MoreBy Julie Warren What a beautiful day filled with many blessings. We started the day attending a church service in downtown Lesotho that Nancy Dimmock and her family attended while living here. It was an interdenominational service and it was beautiful. We then toured around downtown Lesotho and made a lunch stop at a local hotel that served a delicious lunch. After lunch we headed to The Ministry of Hope for some play time with the children. They welcomed us with open arms and lots of excitement. It’s was as if we had known them forever. They were so happy…
Read Moreby Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor JOHN 14:1-3 We live in a time of increasing isolation and loneliness. People move frequently, work remotely and have shorter tenures at their jobs. Yet, the need for connection and community is universal. Everyone needs a place where they are welcomed and valued, a space where they can both contribute and be cared for when they are at their worst. Jesus assures his followers that despite the physical separation that is to come, he does not and will not abandon them. Yet, troubled hearts beat within and all around us. Anxiety pervades our pews…
Read MoreSpirituality Center, noun: “A place set apart to experience and experiment with ancient spiritual practices and contemporary resources for spiritual exploration and encounter with God.” This is a working definition for the FLPC Spirituality Center that is available in room C204 from today until Palm Sunday, April 5. Krista B. Lovell, fellow Church Educator, shared her Guide to Setting Up a Spirituality Center and uses this description: A spirituality center is one way … to be exposed to Christian practices in ancient and contemporary forms, to experience God in long-established and new ways; and to be equipped with tools that…
Read MoreBy Jodi Beckham We are waiting for this journey to begin. Not sure what to expect. Not sure exactly where or when I will sleep next. I guess there are a lot of unknowns at this point. We arrived in NYC and went to Ash Wednesday service at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian. A beautiful church tucked off of the busy hustle of 5th Avenue. Four people from that church are joining us on this journey. Julie Warren and I met up with Nancy Dimmock and Sally Harwood of Ministry of Hope yesterday. We are waiting at JFK International Airport on our…
Read MoreToday’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 51 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” What a simple yet powerful prayer! As I read this psalm of lament, I realize there’s a lot to unpack from this plea. I break this down into 3 steps: Step 1: Ask for a clean heart: Do you remember the last time you spilled something on your nice clothes before your important meeting? The time you literally could only put a little water on the stain and hope it disappears? It didn’t work, unfortunately, because you needed…
Read MoreShrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, signals the end of Epiphany on the church calendar. It comes the day before Ash Wednesday. This day is also called Fat Tuesday and Pancake Day. In Germany and German American areas of the United States, it is known as Fastnacht Day. In France it is called Mardi Gras which means Fat Tuesday. The word shrove is the past tense of the word shrive, meaning to confess and seek forgiveness, being “shriven” of sin. Many Christians observe Shrove Tuesday and often host pancake suppers as a way to recognize the day. Eating pancakes on this…
Read MoreLent is the Church Year’s “springtime.” Out of the cold and darkness of sin’s winter merges a people — the Church — reborn in their Lord’s Easter resurrection. Although Easter is the oldest Christian season, the observance of Lent appeared between 200-300 A.D. Lent was a time of preparation for persons being instructed in the Christian Faith before their baptism. Following the model of Jesus’ time in the wilderness, new adult converts practiced Lenten penance and prayer for 40 days while waiting to receive their baptism, confirmation and first Lord’s Supper at the Saturday evening vigil before Easter. Today Lent…
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