The path of faith, no matter what we face, always gives us the peace that Jesus talks about in the gospel of John, chapter 14 when he says, “My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Which path will you choose the next time you are faced with fear?

Happy Easter everyone. I hope and pray that you had a happy and holy Lent and that your Easter will be incredibly special as you celebrate the empty tomb and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ again this year.

Jesus is the same. The human heart is the same. The Gospel message is the same. How will we look back in order to look forward?

I only want to look ahead to where God has me and this church going now and into the future. I can only do that with my eyes fixed on Christ and not fixed on COVID.

Never before has the world been so anxious to rid itself of an “old” year and embrace a new one. Of course, the circumstances that made 2020 so wearisome haven’t entirely changed, so hope for a brighter 2021 isn’t a sure thing. Unless, that is, we determine that our circumstances will not, in fact, define us.

Happy Thanksgiving!! What am I thankful for? That is easy as we approach the time of year when we sit back and remember all of God’s blessings and take time to be thankful for all of them in our lives.

As long as we keep looking forward knowing that God is about to do something new, we can deal with the here and now. I pray that you look into the future with great anticipation and expectation.

It seems like there is something wrong with this year in history. It just seems as though nothing will go right in 2020. I hear people say time and time again, “Is it 2021 yet? When will I wake up from the nightmare that is 2020?” This year is flawed for sure.

Even in the storms, sunlight at times breaks through. I pray that you see sunlight piercing through the thick clouds of COVID-19 because the SON is still shining. May he shine on and in you.

Our power comes from within because it is not our power at all. It is the power of God that wells up within us to change the world around us.

How is Jesus’ light shining in you? The darker it gets, the brighter the light of Christ shines within you. Shine, RRUMC, shine!

My prayer is that, as you go through your troubles, your stress, your uncertainty and pain, you would still know that comfort, compassion, and salvation that have always been available to you through Jesus Christ. May you find peace in the midst of the storm.

He also has you in the midst of this, if you’ll let him have you. Fear into faith. Jesus has conquered the world.

Coronavirus, stock market, the United Methodist Church; Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

I know that it seems like we just came out of the season of Christmas, but Lent is now upon us.

What will you be chasing in 2020? Will you chase things that lead you away from God, or are you simply seeking God first and his righteousness?