Courage often sounds like a scarier thing than it is. Often we believe courage means being a hero or doing something impossible. But I am convinced that courage is much simpler than that. Our scripture this week comes from Acts 27:13-38 when Paul and the other apostles encounter a storm out at sea. During the storm they experience difficulties and doubt if they'll make it ashore safely. Meanwhile an angel appeared to Paul and said, "Don't be afraid. God will grant

When I was growing up, I played with legos a lot. I built huge castles and structures and played make believe life with the little lego people. Occasionally, however, one of my siblings would come and destroy my creation just because they could. And yet, I would always build it back and the next time around I would make it even better than it was before. I am reminded that life in the wake of destruction is painful and frustrating,

Jesus proclaimed he had come to bring liberation to the oppressed and to set the captives free (Luke 4:18-19). Throughout the course of scripture, God has a history of doing this very thing over and over. God is in the business of bringing freedom and liberation to the powerless. And yet, this calls to our attention what it means to be oppressed and what it means to be freed. There are different types of oppression. There is physical oppression and there

Have you ever expected to find rest during the weekend only to be met by a broken AC or unexpected leaky roof? Since the pandemic, this has possibly been most of our lives. We expect one thing and discover another. In our scripture for this week from Acts 16, the disciples go to Philippi and expect to discover a place of prayer. Instead, they encountered people. The disciples encountered a group of women and began to listen to them, and the

Cleanliness is next to Godliness.... so they say..... I am sure many of us are familiar with the phrase, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness." I heard my southern grandma say this a few times growing up. As well as, "remember, it is so much easier to pick up if everything has a place." Cleanliness and orderliness in the home remain very important to my grandma and many of us. In ancient Israel, cleanliness of home but also body, people, food,

Have you ever been given a second chance? I would imagine most of us have been given numerous second chances with those that we care about. Maybe it was after making a mistake at your job, or maybe it was hurting someone you love. Regardless what the case may be, we've all been offered a second chance at some point in life. This week's scripture lesson is possibly one of the most inspiring second chance stories in existence. In Acts

Despite contrary belief, God isn't only present on Sundays at 11am. Rather, God is present forever and always. We were reminded of this a few weeks ago when we celebrated Pentecost, and we are reminded yet again in this week's scripture lesson. In Acts 8:26-40, the disciples are going about doing ministry when Philip encounters an Ethiopian eunuch. They are headed down the road in mid-conversation when they come upon some water on the side of the road. The eunuch

On June 9, 2022, the Clergy Session of the Florida Annual Conference met to approve the recommendations of our Board of Ministry for persons who had met the qualifications to be licensed, commissioned and ordained. The 55--member Board of Ministry works with the candidates over a multi-year process and then brings recommendations to the clergy session for approval. Your pastor, Kipp Nelson, was one of those being recommended for commissioning. For the class of 16 persons who were recommended

For when you’re running on fumes Sometimes I am paper thinning at every touch. Responsibilities and duties and errands are wearing me down. There is not enough time or energy or finances or imagination. I hardly recognize myself. I can’t keep going, but I can’t rest. God, can You help me slow down? I just need a little shelter and a long breath. Give me space to curl up for a while. Hold me until I can feel my

This Sunday is Pentecost which is when the Holy Spirit comes upon the followers of Jesus and offers them the ability to see visions and dreams. This event in Acts 2 marks the birth of the church and the beginning of the Christian movement. It is when we start to see people taking on the responsibility of taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. Pentecost reminds us that the Christian faith isn't about "ticket to heaven" as much