On New Year’s eve, 1738-9, seven of the Oxford Methodists and some sixty others held a watch-night service and love feast in a religious society whose rooms were in Fetter Lane, London. John Wesley wrote: “About three in the morning, as we were continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us,…
Old Long Since (Auld Lang Syne)
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. — Isaiah 12: 3 We listened to and sang Christmas songs performed by James Taylor as…
Your Hands & Arms
We went to a local church on Christmas eve. April and I wanted to go to a traditional Christmas Eve service to join in the tradition of carols and the gospel account of the Christmas story and liturgy. April has felt she’s missed Advent this year. This would be an opportunity to recapture what was…
Before Advent Departs . . .
Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil. For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord…
Change In Altitude
April dreamed recently our bed in our second floor bedroom was moved to the first floor. A bed in a dream means rest or intimacy. Prior to our move, but, after we received the invitation to move here, our sister-in-law told us she believed God told her we’d come here to rest. April dreamed twice…
Have Yourself a Joyful Christmas
One night, recently, we drove to Auburn to meet our daughter and bring her home after her last exam of the semester. We listened to Christmas music on CDs. The darkness coupled with the tears in my eyes made driving rather hazardous. Earlier, after April and I discussed my anger and depression getting the…
For You I Wait
Lead me in the truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. — Psalm 25: 5 While I wait, I’ve thought about some things. It’s the Christian liturgical season of Advent. Advent means ‘coming.’ Many mainline churches and liturgically based denominations recognize the season…
Revisiting Ezekiel
April came into the room where I sat one day this week. She said she had a job interview scheduled for later in the week. We both rejoiced. Subsequently, as I listened to worship music from my laptop, I heard Brian Johnson from Bethel Church in Redding, CA sing spontaneously, “Where you see dry bones,…
A Facebook Lady & Zacchaeus
When you’re doing your best to stay alert for a hope-filled message or encouraging sign, you sometimes take a step in a direction you’re less inclined to do normally. I sought prayerful counsel from a stranger on Facebook. The page on which I asked for prayer and any encouragement from a prophetic sense has never…
Thank You for Meeting With Us
I haven’t shared much about my family of origin. I was and remain the youngest of three offspring born to my parents in Baltimore, MD. The one essential family occurrence every week was our attendance in Christian worship. The wheres and hows are unimportant, right now. Elementary to my life was attending worship. Denominationally, we…
Psalm 102 in The Message 