I sincerely appreciate the support and encouragement so many of you have provided my family during Colleen’s illness. Colleen has asked me to share the following on her behalf:  “Thank you to everyone who has supported me and my family in this health challenge. I have been looking at this cancer as a curse, but maybe it is the vehicle by which…

Gratitude. This is a good word not just during November and Thanksgiving but throughout the year. Personally, I am grateful that over the past several years, I have gotten to know so many of you. As a pastor, it is such a rich experience to look out at the pews in the sanctuary and know about the lives of the people we…

I write this as we wait for storm Nicole to pass through our area. I was certainly not expecting another storm this late in the season. It is events like this that remind me that it is healthy to hold all my planning lightly because I cannot control future events. The life example and teaching of Jesus reminds us that flexibility, adaptability,…

For many years now, Grace has hosted a “country store” event quarterly. We offer various items that are typically not available at food pantries, such as cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products. This event is open to everyone. Saturday, November 5, is our fourth-quarter country store for 2022. We welcome volunteers for setup on Friday evening at 6pm and for the Saturday…

I hope you are enjoying our great fall weather as much as I am! The weekend forecast looks great, which is especially good news because we have our annual trunk n treat event on the Grace campus Saturday. Every year I am amazed at the huge turnout for this event. If you are free late Saturday afternoon and early evening, come out and welcome people…

Have you ever heard the adage that we usually find what we are looking for? I think this applies to how we see the people in our lives. If we think most people are dangerous and not worthy of our trust, we may experience danger on a regular basis. If we offer people a spirit of openness and trust until they prove…

Every year as the day of pumpkin patch opening approaches, I become a bit weary because I know that the month of October will be hectic. There is significant work involved in preparing for the patch, and I see it all from the perspective of the excellent team that my wife Colleen leads. However, each year, on the day of pumpkin unloading,…

I personally know several of our United Methodist clergy from the Ft. Myers area, and the devastation that the area has experienced is heartbreaking. I have been encouraged by the manner in which so many of our churches have come together to help those in need. Churches in the Lakeland and Tampa areas have sent truckloads of supplies to the area this…

Another hurricane season in Florida finds us working through the unpredictable aspects of Mother Nature. I pray that you are safe and that you have avoided damage to your home as Ian moves past us. These storms disrupt our routines, and in the process they remind us that life is precious and fragile, and change can happen with very little notice. As…

Recently, I read a quote from a song entitled “We Fall Down” by Donnie McClurkin. The quote is, “A saint is just a sinner who fell down and got up.” I love this reminder that even though we all make mistakes and fail from time to time, those who choose to learn from failure and try again are often blessed with grace…