Where do you see God?

Although I love all of the four seasons, spring is my favorite. Part of the reason I love it is because it reminds me of God's promise never to leave us. We were fortunate to have a mild winter in Pennsylvania this year. However, many winters feel unbearably long, cold, and windy. Yet, I still enjoy winter because it helps us to gain greater appreciation for the returning warm weather, green grass, and chirping birds. 

Spring truly does provide a great metaphor for hope and joy after dark and cold times. I look out at the blossoming trees and say a little prayer thank the Creator for providing such beauty. It is as if God is physically reaching out to us with the warm embrace of the sun, the gift of  wild flower 'bouquets', and the kiss of a gentle wind.

The beauty of spring is one of the places that I most clearly see God on Earth. Where do you see God in an earthly form? Feel free to post comment on my blog, or send photos with a description to my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/susxpress.

For more photo ideas check out "God's Photo Album" http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1008002.God_s_Photo_Album.

God Grants Respite and Joy, Let Us Be Thankful

Today in devotions we read about praising God even in the mundane. When God brings us out of great distress we are very thankful. Yet, eventually we forget that feeling of gratitude. The author wrote that God provides little respites for us every day.


She compared God's respite to the shade provided by a small tree while working with HOT asphalt. I could relate to this, because I have helped paving crews in summers past. She said the cooler temperature may not be much, but in that moment it is very welcome and appreciated. However, soon the paving truck moves forward and the shade disappears. Yet God's love is everlasting.


Recently I was reminded that it is not just respites but small joys that God provides for us to let us know he cares. I desired to travel abroad while I was in college. Yet, every time I had tried, it didn't work out for some reason or another. In my last semester I began to think that the dream of traveling at that time in my life, would just have to pass. Yet, God provided the opportunity for me to travel to Germany with Penn State for a conference on "Religion in the Marketplace."


One of my friends has a similar experience. She desired to travel to Alaska some day. God turned that desire into a reality. She currently is fulfilling her final physical therapy requirements for her doctorate in Alaska and staying with a loving Christian family. God did not just provide a neat place for her to finish her clinical rotation. No, he provided the exact location of her dreams.


I don't believe these are coincidences. God provides blessings for those who believe. I'd like to share lyrics from the "Child of the Promise" CD when Elizabeth receives word that she is pregnant after many years of being barren.

When the Dream Never Dies

The Lord has done this for me

He has looked on me kindly

He has heard all my cries

He has given back what I laid

at his feet

It must be God

When the dream never dies

Sharing God's Love One Sip at a Time-The Perking Point

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."- Psalm 34:8. The Perking Point, Crosspoint United Methodist Church's South Hanover Campus, shares God's love 7 days per week...one sip at a time.


Learn more about Perking point on their Facebook page or their website.

Faith Sans Action = Dead Faith

One of the upcoming webisodes takes us to Richfield United Methodist Church. A woman in this community needed help securing a safe environment for her family. The woman did not ask for assistance, however someone saw her difficulties and asked if the church could give her a helping hand. The church jumped into action, taking the necessary steps to provide her family with a warm, safe home. 


I was stuck by their immediate response of faith and action. They did not simply say that they would offer prayers that God would help her. No. They realized that God was using them as His instruments, here on Earth, to show His love, compassion, and provision. 


It reminded me of the James 2 verses 14-17

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

St. Augustine said "Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you." In other words, it is important know that nothing is impossible with God. Yet, understand that God may be calling you to action to help fulfill his plan.


As we go through Lent this year, perhaps instead of choosing to sacrifice by removing something from our diets or lives, we could sacrifice by adding a labor of love and faith into our daily schedules. Has God been calling you to start a project? Have you felt nudged to volunteer in your community? Is their a neighbor in need that would be blessed by an anonymous monetary gift? 


Athletes are known to follow the motto: "No pain, no gain" The same is true with faith. A sacrificial offering of your time and effort may cramp your lifestyle for a short while. However, soon you will notice revitalization and growth in your faith. 

I dare you to test that theory!

Deacon Description

If Rev. Adam's interview sparked your interest in the role of deacon, please read the following excerpt from from The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church- 2004.
Deacons are:


Called and Set Apart for a Ministry of Service 
From the earliest days of the church, deacons were called and set apart for the ministry of love, justice, and service; of connecting the church with the most needy, neglected, and marginalized among the children of God. This ministry grows out of the Wesleyan passion for social holiness and ministry among the poor.


The ministry of the deacon is a faithful response of the mission of the church meeting the emerging needs of the future. Deacons are accountable to the annual conference and the bishop for the fulfillment of their call to servant leadership. (¶328)


Ordained to Word and Service 
Deacons are persons called by God, authorized by the church, and ordained by a bishop to a lifetime ministry of Word and Service to both the community and the congregation in a ministry that connects the two. Deacons exemplify Christian discipleship, create opportunities for others to enter into discipleship, and connect the needs and hurts of the people with the church. In the world, the deacon seeks to express a ministry of compassion and justice and assists lay persons as they claim their own ministry. In the congregation, the ministry of the deacon is to teach and to form disciples, and to lead worship together with other ordained and lay persons. (¶329)


Deacons give leadership in the church’s life:
• in the teaching and proclamation of the Word
• in worship and in assisting the elders in the administration of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper 
• in forming and nurturing disciples
• in conducting marriages and burying the dead
• in the congregation’s mission to the world and
• in leading the congregation in interpreting the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world 

If you feel called to become a deacon, please contact the conference office at 717-766-7441.

The Role of Deacon

Pastor Adam Estep explains the role of Deacon in ordained ministry. Look for more information on the differences between ordained elder and ordained deacon soon.

Judge Not

My Dad shared a touching story with me last night that reminded me of James 1:19:

"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry."


It is about a father waiting on a doctor to perform life-saving surgery on his son. Read the full story HERE.