Recently, on a Sabbath afternoon, as we watched the ordination of Pastor Wilson Bridges, we saw everyone kneel, in appropriately socially-distanced fashion, during the ordination prayer. They all rose safely from kneeling. When we attend Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in person, most attendees kneel in congregational prayer; those in choir and in … [Read more...] about Lessons From a Bald Cypress
“I Can Only Imagine”
There is a song that, regardless of how many times I hear it played, resonates with me in such a way that it’s like I’m hearing it for the very first time. Do you know what I mean? The song to which I’m referring is, I Can Only Imagine, by the contemporary Christian group Mercy Me, which by the way was made into a feature film of the same name. I definitely encourage you to … [Read more...] about “I Can Only Imagine”
Remembering, While Not Forgetting
A few days ago, our nation marked the tragic milestone of 500,000 loved ones who have died of COVID. We have heard that we need to take time to remember. Remembering presupposes forgetting. The reality, however, is that we haven’t forgotten. We live daily with the losses of this past year. How can we forget the spouse, significant other, parent, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, … [Read more...] about Remembering, While Not Forgetting
Lift Every Voice and Sing
‘Til earth and heaven ring,Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;Let our rejoicing riseHigh as the list’ning skies,Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,Let us march on ’til victory is won. Stony the road we … [Read more...] about Lift Every Voice and Sing
True Love
In ancient Greek, the language of the New Testament, there were at least 4 words for love, depending on the type of love a person was referring to. There was philia (friendship), storge (family), eros (romantic), and agape. In our day, we simply use love for friends, family, and romantic partners, not to mention our use of it for music, food, sports, etc. What then is the type … [Read more...] about True Love