We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8: 28…
Understanding Trauma
I have a long background in working with children who have experienced trauma. Trauma is stored in our brain differently than memories. The neuroscience behind what trauma does to our brains is incredible. I am NOT a neuroscientist, and yet I’m going to attempt to give a very, very simple explanation that I’ve used with…
The Sun Came Up This Morning
The sun came up this morning, as it does every morning, but this morning I noticed. I noticed it because after the sun set on the Special Session of General Conference yesterday I wasn’t sure there would ever be light again.
Totally Texas
Earlier this week, I learned something. In Norway, “Texas” has become a slang word that means insane, crazy, or chaotic—as in, “That’s totally Texas!” Supposedly, western movies were popular in Norway in the 1950’s and many of those movies that portrayed that wild and chaotic era featured Texas as the setting, thus giving birth to…
The Sacred Ordinary
On Monday morning I was home with a sick child (he’s just fine now!). To be honest, I was so tired that I was a little thankful to have an excuse to stay home and be with him. But first, I had a few work things that needed to be taken care of. As I…
The Kingdom of God is Like . . .
What do you get when two chaplains, four ministers and two seminary professors go to dinner? This sounds like the beginning of a cheesy joke, doesn’t it? In reality, it was a wonderful reminder to me about how the Kingdom of God can be present in this world. Earlier this week, I shared a meal…
Everyday Encounters
In worship this past Sunday, I shared briefly how I experienced a moment of gratitude while (of all things) washing the dishes. My hands were drenched in soapy bubbles and I was overcome by a sense of gratitude for the pots, pans, kitchen utensils, and baby bottles, many of which had been given as wedding…
Purpose Weekend
After two hours of a surprisingly quiet drive (at least in my van), twenty-one students and nine leaders arrived at Pine Cove Shores in Tyler, Texas. Students spilled out of vans, excited and slightly nervous for the two day retreat we had ahead of us. We were meeting up with two other UMCs from the…
It’s a Mess!
“It’s a mess!” These were my granddaughter’s words when I carried her into the bathroom to get some baby wipes to use on her face. There was stuff all over the counter and a towel on the floor. She might have been two years old, but could have been closer to eighteen months. Every time…
God Will Make a Way When There Seems to be No Way
No matter what predicament, problem or difficulty we are facing, the Lord has a way when there seems to be no solution in sight. When all things fail and seem hopeless, God always makes a way when there seems to be no way. Ms. Marie Mbulu was born and lived in Africa. She came to…
A Gift Just for Him
One of my dear friends has a daughter and son-in-law who have been in Nigeria throughout the holidays. They have been going through the long process of adopting a 2-year-old boy and are awaiting one final bureaucratic OK that will allow them to bring him home to Texas. It was tough for the couple to…
Decembers to Remember
It’s December and December is a big month of remembering at our house. December isn’t just a big month because of Advent and Christmas, December is also a big month because of other things that happen in our lives too. December is the month of remembering big, life-changing events in our family. I love December…
fumchurstblog 