Prayer Note #63: Only in Jesus

photo by GAC So much of the time, Lord, I am utterly absurd and ridiculous in my own eyes.  I don’t see myself as other people see me.  I see what is unseen by others.  I see what goes on in my mind.  I see what I do when no one else is watching.  I … Continue reading Prayer Note #63: Only in Jesus

Prayer Note #62/Quote of Note #156: Made for God

"Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you. Teach us to offer ourselves to your service, that here we may have your peace, and in the world to come may see you face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." The Alternative … Continue reading Prayer Note #62/Quote of Note #156: Made for God

Quote of Note #153: Lament and the Study of our History

photo by GAC "American history tends to be filled with a sense of triumphalism. America's greatest moments are found in winning wars, conquering economic difficulties, and inventing new modern conveniences. The story of America is often portrayed as the story of tremendous success. There have been, however, times in American history for which we should … Continue reading Quote of Note #153: Lament and the Study of our History

Pastor Note #122: Pastoring in the Face of Death

Jennifer, Betty’s daughter, called me on Monday in the mid-afternoon.  I didn’t get to the phone until it was about to go to voice mail.  I didn’t recognize the number, and, I suppose, the steady stream of spam calls – and also my general dislike of talking on the phone – have trained me to … Continue reading Pastor Note #122: Pastoring in the Face of Death

Quote of Note #151: The Universal Need for Salvation and Healing

"Beloved, all of us--and I do mean all of us--desperately need healing. All of us are fragmented. All of us are broken. All of us have been diminished by what took place in the beginning in the Garden of Paradise. All of us need deliverance. All of us need to be loved. All of us … Continue reading Quote of Note #151: The Universal Need for Salvation and Healing

Gary’s Blog Resources for Lent and Holy Week

Let me start this “Blog Note” by first thanking all of you who follow for continuing to check in on my posts.  I’ve been going through a bit of a life transition in the last few months that has interfered with my posting.  But I think I’m getting back to a place where I will … Continue reading Gary’s Blog Resources for Lent and Holy Week

Quote of Note #150: Dependence on God

Song Sparrow; photo by GAC a "To depend on God is to be free of men, things, and self. It is to be able to take pleasure in all his gifts, without being the slave to any. It is to be able, as occasion demands, to spend and to save, to speak and to forbear, … Continue reading Quote of Note #150: Dependence on God

Quote of Note #142: The Poison of Hate

Photo by GAC "Hate is just as injurious to the person who hates. Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the … Continue reading Quote of Note #142: The Poison of Hate

Quote of Note #140: My Resurrection

Lilac buds; photo by GAC "Thou wilt come to raise my body from the dust, and re-unite it to my soul, by a wonderful work of infinite power and love, greater than that which bounds the ocean's waters, ebbs and flows the tides, keeps the stars in their courses, and gives life to all creatures." … Continue reading Quote of Note #140: My Resurrection

Quote of Note #139: Christ’s Last Words for Us

Photo by GAC "Alas! it was also for me that Thou didst pray, 'Forgive them!' Forgive my soul whatever it has done against Thee! For me Thou didst cry: 'My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?' in order that I might never be forsaken, not in the hour of death, not in my … Continue reading Quote of Note #139: Christ’s Last Words for Us