Recently, I have been reflecting upon how distracting it is to focus on events of the past and plans for the future. Personally, regrets from the past and ambitions for the future both make it difficult to focus upon my present life circumstances. Yet when I fully embrace life moment by moment, I am able to trust that the Holy Spirit is…

This Gracevine will cover the next two weeks because several of our staff members are taking well-deserved vacation days. As we approach the July 4 holiday, it is a good time to think about the meaning and purpose of freedom. We celebrate our nation’s founding and history on July 4th, and usually we express gratitude for our freedom. Why is our freedom so valuable? What…

Recently, I read a statement by Eugene Peterson about how Christ changes our hearts and our lives. He said, “The holiness of Christ gets inside us, and when it does, it changes us. Christ’s gaze penetrates and purifies. He doesn’t look at us, he looks into us. When he does, we’re changed.” Have you ever experienced that sense that the spirit of…

One of my favorite quotes is from Fr. Richard Rohr. He says, “Most of us were taught that God would love us if and when we change. In fact, God loves you so that you can change. What empowers change, what makes you desirous of change is the experience of love. It is that inherent experience of love that becomes the engine…

Next week the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church meets in Lakeland for our annual conference. This year’s theme is “abound in hope.” Paul used this phrase in Romans 15:13, with a prayer that “……by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Notice that the ability to abound in hope is a gift of the Holy Spirit.…

Today we begin the Memorial Day weekend, also known to many as the unofficial start of summer. Typically, this weekend marks the end of another school year and graduation season. It is also a time to reflect on and honor those who gave their lives in the service of their country. If you had a loved-one who died in service, I pray that…

It is graduation season for many people, and this Sunday, May 21, we will recognize our graduates during worship at Grace. Our preschool VPK graduation is Friday morning, May 19, in our sanctuary, and we will also host the Edgewood baccalaureate on Friday evening in our sanctuary. It is a privilege to participate in life milestones with families. I like to remind those who are entering new…

As we approach Mother’s Day weekend, I hope you are able to celebrate motherhood and that you can identify and celebrate the mothers who have been a blessing in your lives. Not everyone has had good experiences with their mothers, and it is important to be sensitive to this reality. Moreover, many women lament that they are not able to become mothers,…

Happy Cinco De Mayo! I love this time of year because the summer heat is not quite here yet and Merritt Island is especially beautiful. Recently, I attended my 40th high school reunion. It was interesting to see folks I remember growing up with, some of whom I had not seen in 40 years. The comments I heard most frequently related to…

The Easter season is a great time to think about what it means to say, “The Word became flesh.” The presence of God, in the person of Jesus, is the cornerstone of our faith. Because Jesus lives as the risen Lord of the universe, his followers are able to communicate with and love people as Christ loves us. One author expressed it…