- receiving 14 new members at HMPC this weekend The Lord did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! Rather, it was simply that the Lord loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is …
If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. Psalm 130:3-4 In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the …
Continue reading You are Welcome! World Communion Sunday is for Everyone
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will …
Continue reading Hurricane Ian, Our Orlando family, and healing the future…
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 2 Timothy 1:9 - church at HMPC It's not a hard and fast rule, but Mondays I tend to find …
You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon. Song of Songs 4:15 I may be experiencing some extra aches and pains in my joints, and popping a few more ibuprofen than usual, but the good news is that Rebekah and I are out there in the garden, actually making progress, and it …
Continue reading Peace in the Landscape of “Retirement” (R-words in the Garden)
For the beauty of the earthFor the beauty of the skiesFor the love which from our birthOver and around us liesOver and around us lies Lord of all, to thee we raiseThis our joyful hymn of praise John Rutter - David and Grace Today I'm happy to share a few images of actual people! Those …
Continue reading Click here to make your world a little brighter (Photo-Friday)
Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,[a] because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Genesis 32:26-28 - Rebekah blessing the congregation The best I …
Continue reading “I will not let you go!” Rebekah has the opportunity to preach again.
I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice.I have eaten my honeycomb and my honey; I have drunk my wine and my milk Song of Songs 5:1 Over the years the garden has been a recurring theological theme in my writing. It's kind of funny because I am …
Continue reading Sunday morning preaching – and how our garden reminds me of church
It's looking to be a busy Saturday, so my post this morning will simply be a handful more images you all may enjoy from this week. First, the photograph from the procession when Queen Elizabeth's coffin was moved from Buckingham palace to Westminster. Her majesty's senior household staff - often overlooked in all the noise, …
Continue reading A few more photos, and “hats off” to the Queen’s loyal staff
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 Two days, two worship services. They could not have been more different. They could not have been more similar. First, on Saturday, I enjoyed the blessing of being in the sanctuary at Wake …
Derek Maul: Words, Photographs, and Food for the Journey 