Jesus Modeled Compassion-- reflections from Pastor Kim's sermon

altar decor of 5 loaves and 2 fish

Today, Rev. Kim Dunn (Pastor Kim) shared a message at Burks UMC from Matthew 14:13-21 about the "5 Loaves, 2 Fish".  It wasn't the story that caught my attention today, but rather the reflection behind the scenes that she offered.

Scripture:

13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And all ate and were filled, and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

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Pastor Kim noted the "now" in verse 13- "now when Jesus heard this"-- what did Jesus hear? How did that affect him?

Jesus had just learned that his cousin John was beheaded. His response? He withdrew from the place he was to go to a deserted place by himself. Jesus needed time alone after hearing that devastating news.

The crowds also heard the news and followed Jesus on foot. Jesus had taken off to get away, to grieve. The people were also likely in shock, in grief. They wanted and needed to be near Jesus, the one that had become their teacher.

Notice Jesus' response in verse 14. He went ashore and saw the crowd. He had compassion for them. Wow. I would have been very tempted to get back in the boat and head somewhere else. Dang, Jesus. You modeled something different for us. You modeled servant leadership in the midst of grief and pain. Jesus had compassion for the crowd. He understood that they were suffering too. Instead of abandoning them in their time of grief, Jesus offered compassion from his place of grief.

As Pastor Kim shared, I wrote these words on the back of the bulletin. "In Jesus' grief, he had compassion on the crowd. He met them where they were. He ministered to them. Compassion-- even while grieving. Compassion-- especially when grieving."

Jesus offered compassion by curing the sick and them feeding them. 

Jesus offered his gifts, his grace, his presence at a time that he was also grieving. 

We know that in order to serve others, we must take care of ourselves first. Jesus was intending to do just that--- to get away for a time for reflection and grief. Yet, before he could take care of his needs, his compassion led to him helping the crowd.

That speaks of discernment to me. There are times when we get away and give ourselves time to heal. There are other times that we can offer compassion, grace, and healing to others while we are grieving. Here are some questions that come to mind for me:

• Where, how, with whom am I called to offer compassion? 
• How can I offer compassion when I am grieving?
• What does it mean to follow Jesus' example here?

Merriam-Webster defines "compassion" as this:

"a feeling of wanting to help someone who is sick, hungry, in trouble, etc."

“Compassion.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/compassion. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Jesus modeled compassion for us, even as he was grieving. 

May we follow his example and do likewise.

Deb

The 12th Day of Christmas

This morning I was reflecting on today being the 12th Day of Christmas.

I wrote and posted this: 

"On this 12th day of Christmas I give thanks that a human being so different from myself shows me how to live, love, and lead. Jesus reminds me that the color of my skin, hair, or eyes is not what makes me a kind and compassionate human. That comes from within. Jesus teaches me to love all God's children. Can I look beyond the skin, hair, eyes, gender, sexual orientation, attraction, language, finances, etc. to see the person inside? Can I take time to get to know the person that God created regardless of what my preconceived thoughts tell me? Maybe, if I listen, really listen, barriers will be destroyed--- barriers of language, ignorance, fear, mistrust, lack of knowledge, etc. 

As Epiphany nears and I reflect on the gifts brought to the Christ child and the gift givers who brought them, may I be willing to continue to journey to see, to be in the presence of the Holy.

May the Christ child continue to draw people together to bring hope, peace, joy, and love into the world.

Rev. Deb"

At church, I was reminded that I am loved, that Jesus came to love and that we are to remind others that they are loved.

I can't think of a better lesson as we move into Epiphany. 

Love. Jesus was and is about love. He taught us to love God and love neighbor as ourselves. 

As I rejoice in the birth of a brown-skinned, Middle Eastern, undocumented immigrant, I reflect on how I might live, love, and lead like him. 

How are you going to celebrate this 12th day of Christmas? 

How does the birth and life of tbe Christ Child offer you insight into how you will live into 2025?

Deb

If you would like to know more about the 12thday of Christmas, check out link: On the 12th Day of Christmas.

Potential or Problem? A guest post by Cece Tillman

photo of Cece Tillman taken from her FB page and cropped

Two days ago (this past Sunday), my friend Cece Tillman wrote what she called "a sermon to myself". She wrote an insightful piece that caught my attention and cause me to pause and reflect.

I asked Cece for permission to share her post as a guest writer and she said yes!

I know Cece through the Chattanooga Lafayette Emmaus Community. We have known each other for several years and are getting to know each other better. She is a deep thinker. She has a huge compassionate heart. She lives and loves like Christ, the one she follows. 

Here is Cece's "sermon":

Potential or Problem? -TODAY’s

SERMON TO MYSELF

What do we see when we see people or situations? Potential or

Problem?

If we looked at the people

around us, who would we choose

to be on our team? What would we be looking for? The best and brightest. We would look for those who are top notch performers, who could help us reach our goals. Who did Jesus (God) choose?

The youngest (David) the trickster (Jacob) the runner (Jonah) the cheater (Matthew) the doubter (Thomas) the deserter (Peter) the Pharisee (Nicodemus) the murderer (Paul) and the know it all (me).

We judge people and situations all the time. We think we have it all figured out. We know how it should go, who should be doing what, and how they should do it. And in the process, we damage people, judge people, push people away and shut the door of the kingdom on people that we think don’t belong.

I’m so guilty of this, God help me. Even when I’m judging the people I see doing this, I’m guilty again. God help me see potential. Help me bring your kingdom. Show me where I’m failing, and make me more like you.

-----------------------

After reading these words the other day, I wrote this:

Ooohhhh..... this is good! Potential or problem? Obstacle or opportunity? I am so glad Jesus chose a bunch of rabble rousers, as did God! What a good reminder that God has chosen people for God's purposes. We all have edges that need polishing. We all need learning and growth. So, how do we do this life together? Difficult conversations, repentance, forgiveness, restoration, healing.

Thanks for your sermon. It got me thinking. It was great to see you, as always!

P S. Do you blog? This is a good one.

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Today, as I re-read these words, what sticks with me is "make me more like you". That is the goal of a follower of Christ. That is my goal. I want to be more like Christ, made into his image. Living, loving, and leading like Jesus. Poured out for others in love.

Thank you, Cece, for sharing your gift of writing with us.

I invite you to read and re-read her words. What sticks with you? What resonates? What will you take with you into the day?

Potential or problem?

Opportunity or obstacle?

Stepping stone or stumbling block?

The choice is ours.

May it be so.

Debra

12th day of Christmas

The season of Christmas is almost over on this 12th day (now 12th night) of Christmas. Tomorrow is Epiphany and we celebrate the arrival of the Magi to the Christ child (who is about 2 years old at this time) and his family. We recognize the gifts they bring. What we don't often consider (or maybe it's just me) is all the young boys age 2 years and under who were ordered killed by Herod once he learned that the Magi tricked him by returning another way home once they found the Christ child. 

What caused Herod to take such an extreme action? What kept him from being able to see the light, the wonder, the promise, the love, the hope that the young child (Jesus) offered? How could some see it, like the Magi, but not the King?

It is a custom in some cultures to leave out shoes on this night for the Magi to fill with gifts. If I were to put out my shoes tonight, what gifts might I hope to see tomorrow? I think I would want to see gifts of hope, love, joy, and peace. What gifts would you want the Magi to bring you this year? 

Rev. Deb

P.S. The photo is of my only ornament with Magi that I put out this year. It's a carved gourd.

Haiku inspired by Jesus

There are many places at Lake Junaluska in NC that I want to visit each time I am there: the Rose Walk, the chapel, the bookstore, the cross, Inspiration Point and Jesus.

I made it by to see Jesus on our way out this last time. The statue of Jesus shows him offering the bread and the wine. For whatever reason, this statue captures my attention. 

His feet remind me of the verse that says:

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”" ~Isaiah 52:7

It's pretty cool that this statue is overlooking the mountains and Lake Junaluska in a beautiful setting.

Here is the Haiku inspired by the statue as I was thinking about it last night:

following Jesus:
humility, letting go;
Come, Holy Spirit.
DD, 6/26/22

As I transition into family leave of absence, I follow Jesus. It is a journey, an adventurous journey. There is much unknown, but Thomas Merton assists me in this time as well with his prayer:

"My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,

though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though
I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone."

Rev. Deb

Photos are mine, taken on 6/11/22.

Rest is a four-letter word

Double entendres. Language play.  I think most will understand what I mean when I say that "rest" is a four-letter word.

However, just in case, let me briefly explain that this expression in the American dialect carries a negative connotation.  The expression refers to words with four letters that are often used as curse words. Read about it here. (There are other dictionary explanations.)

So, why do I say that "rest" is a four letter word?

It is not a curse.

It is life-giving and healing.

For someone who has grown into accepting silence and solitude, this should be easy, right?!  (Easy. Another four letter word.)

Not so much.

I have forced myself to rest my voice and body since Sunday afternoon. I have worked via email, text, reading, and researching. I have barely spoken.

It is good. My voice is returning. My cough is diminishing.

I know that if I am to live, love, and lead like Jesus, then I have to make space for healing of my own body, soul, etc. I can't walk with others if I can't walk.

So, when my mind wakes me up at odd hours, I write myself minimally legiblestuck notes and return to bed.

I take all my medications, drink plenty of liquids, and rest.

Rest is healing and I am grateful for a non-busy week, though there are always things to do.

Instead of doing, I am focused on being.

May I live out what I encourage others to do in their daily lives. May I recognize the beauty of the gift of rest.

One more thing.  I walked to the mailbox and back and checked on my neighbor's crocuses to see if they had survived the rains, snow, rains.  This is what I saw. A beautiful opened crocus, open to receive whatever comes its way.

May it be so.

Rev. Deb

Do We Truly Welcome All to the Table?

A few weeks ago (8/8/17) I wrote a post about the Sidewalk Prophets song, "Come to the Table" because I had first heard it and it struck me as a powerful and inviting song. It also strikes me as a challenging one as I continue to hear it on the radio.

The song invites people to come to the table, all are welcome.  Who they are, how they are.  Welcome.  That's how God accepts them.  What if someone happens to hear that song, believes it, and goes to a church?  Will they find that same grace and acceptance?

What if they aren't dressed the same as those in the church?

What if they have a disability?

What if they are of a different income or perceived standard?

What if they are of a different race, color, or culture?

What if they struggle to speak "our" language?

What if they are different in any way to what we perceive is "the way"?

According to God, all are welcome.  God's grace extends to all people.  If God is willing to be open and loving, then why are we cutting people off from the table?  Why are we putting up walls, rules, boundaries where God did not and does not put them up?

My heart breaks when I am in a room full of Jesus-loving folks who have left the church because the church has betrayed them, hurt them, and/or is no longer a place where God came first and all were welcome at the table.  This gathered body of Jesus followers was and is church, yet with no community because community wasn't living as Jesus instructed.

I understand.

I have seen it recently.  And my heart breaks.

It doesn't matter what you wear.  Come to the table.

It doesn't matter who you are or what you've been through or what you're going through now.  Come to the table.

You are welcome to the table.  God's table.  You are loved.

I hope to live into loving God and loving others (as I love myself) as Jesus taught.

Jesus invited the disciples to breakfast on the beach, he fed folks on the hillside, and in the upper room.  Jesus was about relationship with others around the table.  These were teaching moments for the disciples and others.

As we look around our tables, who is missing? Why are they missing?  Have we forgotten to invite someone to the table?  Have we excluded someone who was previously at the table?  Have we not made room at the table?

May we open ourselves up truly to God as we make our way to the table, seeking forgiveness and grace for those we've ignored, excluded, and turned away.

Then, let's make sure our tables, our churches, our lives are open to God to work in us and through us for the glory of God and the good of the kingdom.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra


Lyrics to "Come to the Table" by Sidewalk Prophets:

We all start on the outside
The outside looking in
This is where grace begins
We were hungry, we were thirsty
With nothing left to give
Oh the shape that we were in
Just when all hope seemed lost
Love opened the door for us

He said come to the table
Come join the sinners who have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior
Sit down and be set free
Come to the table

Come meet this motley crew of misfits
These liars and these thiefs
There's no one unwelcome here
So that sin and shame that you brought with you
You can leave it at the door
Let mercy draw you near

Come to the table
Come join the sinners who have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior
Sit down and be set free
Come to the table
Come to the table

To the thief and to the doubter
To the hero and the coward
To the prisoner and the soldier
To the young and to the older
All who hunger, all who thirst
All the last and all the first
All the paupers and the princes
All who fail you've been forgiven
All who dream and all who suffer
All who loved and lost another
All the chained and all the free
All who follow, all who lead
Anyone who's been let down
All the lost you have been found
All who have been labeled right or wrong
To everyone who hears this song

Ooh
Come to the table
Come join the sinners you have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior
Sit down and be set free
Oooh
Sit down and be set free
Come to the table
Come to the table
Just sit down and rest a while
Just sit down and rest a while
Come to the table

Stretching and growing

It's an ongoing learning and growing journey for me, this faith stuff.  Part of the learning and growing process has included unlearning and letting go.  Though that has been going on for a while, I saw a quote today that my cousin David had posted by Ramana Maharshi that resonated: "There will come a time when one will have to forget all that one has learned."  I'm not familiar with this person, but I have heard this stated by others and agree that there is an unlearning that becomes necessary in our lives.  We come to a point in which we need to unlearn in order to learn.  Must we forget all that we have learned?  Likely not, but I think I get the idea.  

What is one thing I've had to unlearn in my life?  Racism.  Whether it was implicit or explicit, I've had to forget what I learned and learn that it's not okay to tell jokes that demean anyone. 

Do I always get it right?  No, I mess up and say the wrong thing(s) still in a variety of situations.  Part of that is because of things I've heard and learned at deep levels.  Even when I try to do and say what is right, there is the other lurking underneath.  The bottom line is that I'm human.  I seek to learn and grow into a more holy and just human, but there are times when I'm simply not.

As I continue to learn and grow, beliefs have been another area of forgetting, unlearning, and learning anew.  There are things I learned along the way that don't add up anymore.  This is not an easy process.  When something you believe no longer fits or works and you are forced to rethink and change paradigms, it causes uneasiness.  Why?  First of all, because it is change.  Change from what you've been taught and what you've been living for a while.  Secondly, because if that is no longer functional or working, then what is?  Paradigm shifts are risky in that they shake things up.  There is no longer a status quo.  But risk pays off.  It is okay for cracks to happen in beliefs.  Some things stay and other things may go.

If we are willing to go through the process of learning, stretching, and growing, then our faith muscles will become stronger.  The foundation of our faith will not necessarily be shaken because we ask questions, doubt, or even throw off some beliefs.  I say "necessarily" because for some people, their faith has been shaken.  If I were to be honest, I imagine my faith has been shaken at times too.  But, it has remained.  

This summer, Frank Rogers stretched me in the week he spoke to us at the Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders / Hearts on Fire retreat about compassion in the way of Jesus.  I bought his latest book (Compassion in Practice: the Way of Jesus) so that I could revisit some of that at a later time.  

My time in the 2 Year Academy was a time of stretching and growing as I read books and heard from faculty in that time period.  Some of it stretched me a little and some of it stretched me lots. 

Right now I'm reading Brian McLaren's The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World's Largest Religion is Seeking a Better Way to Be Christian.  I've only read through chapter 2 so far, but there has been some gentle stretching and growing.

In chapter 1, McLaren talks about beliefs not being the essential part of Christianity.  The essence of our faith is more than statements, lists, things observed, etc.  Beliefs are not the point of Christianity.  In chapter 2, McLaren begins to talk about what matters more: love and compassion, as lived out by Jesus.  Galatians 5:6-- "The only thing that matters is faith expressing itself in love"  Hmm.... what does it mean to live that out?  McLaren notes that for Jesus, "In story after story and without a single exception, we see that the driving motivation in Jesus's life is love." (44)  If we are to follow that example, what would it look like?  

Another thing that caught my attention in the book from chapter 1 was that McLaren spoke about his crisis of belief by a palo verde tree one day.  He writes, "I was standing in front of a palo verde tree in the amber sunlight when suddenly my thinking cracked open and I fell through the crack into a deeper level of reflection." (23)  When I read that, it made me think of something Jerry Webber had shared at one of our 2 Year Academy sessions.  He wrote this short, yet insightful poem:

"My Life Cracks Open"

My life cracks open

I stand in it

careful not to run.

You see, when life cracks open, the first response (for me typically) over the years has been to run, to get the heck out of dodge (so to speak).  Yet, in more recent years, I am learning to stand in the crack, to stand in the chaos.  I am standing to see what I can learn and what the next visible step might be.  

It may be uncomfortable, but it's okay.  

A boiled egg eventually must be cracked open if one is going to have deviled eggs or egg salad.  

The cocoon must crack open in order for the butterfly to emerge.  When it emerges, it is no longer the same as it was when it entered the cocoon, at least on the outside.  It has gone through a transformation.  Its essence, its being is still the same on the inside.

That's how my faith is these days.  The essence of my faith isn't changing.  The foundation remains based on the One who came and lived among us and who told us about the greatest commandments to love God and love one another as ourselves.  

McLaren notes, "If we are to be truly Christian, it makes sense to turn to Jesus for the answer." (42)  It does, doesn't it?!?!  "Of the many radical things said and done by Jesus, his unflinching emphasis on love was most radical of all.  Love was the greatest commandment, his prime directive-- love for God, for self, for neighbor, for stranger, for alien, for outsider, for outcast, and even for enemy, as he himself modeled." (42)

Like I said, I've just started the book, but I look forward to reading the rest of it and seeing what McLaren has to say.  

Have you experienced any cracking open in your life, in your beliefs?  

How are you stretching and growing?

Blessings on your journey, 

Debra

Coffee, water, and a breeze

Sometimes I just need a moment to reflect, to be reminded that God's got this, whatever "this" is.

Right now I'm taking a moment.

With a freshly brewed cup of coffee, I came outside to enjoy the breezes and the sounds of the waterfall.

Breathe in, breath of God.

Breathe out, everything that is not.

Again.

And again.

Until my lungs and every ounce of my being are filled once again with the inner peace of the Holy Spirit flowing in and through me.

Yes, God's got this.

But I need reminding over and over.

I don't know about you, but I've noticed a theme coming through in my spiritual discipline of writing lately.  It has been a difficult season.  That seems to be an ongoing theme in my journey.  And, that's okay.  I continue to learn and grow through life's opportunities and challenges.

I have lots to learn.  I am a life-long learner, so learning is a great thing for me.

One thing (of many) that I continue to be reminded of is that it's all about God and it's all God's.  What this helps me with is perspective.  Even when things are swirling around me, I'm learning to see God, to be still in the chaos, and to wait for the next visible step.

There are both/and paradoxes all throughout life.  I am learning to keep my hands open, palm upward to what God would have me learn, be, do.  It's not without growing pains.

This week I had wanted to go to a friend's funeral, but I wasn't able to to attend because I knew I had to be up at 4:30am the next day for my husband's surgery.  I would have gotten in late the night before and I needed rest.  That's the second funeral in a year that I have opted out on for the priority of knowing my body needed rest.

Why do I share that?  Because the "me" 10 to 20 years ago would have pushed myself to the bitter end.  I would have tried to be all places, do all things, and I would have crashed eventually.  I still crash at times, but I just can't do what I used to.  I am learning to listen to my body and to God.

As I continue opening myself to Creator and seek to live out the greatest commandments as Jesus noted (Mark 12:30-31), love God and love others as we love ourselves, I find myself stretched, growing, changing.  My heart continues to be opened and broken, the borders of my life expanded, my life transformed.

Lincoln Brewster:  "Love the Lord"

I know we can get easily discouraged if we look around at all the problems in our daily lives, in our communities, in society, in our nation, in our world.  But, I know that I can't let that stop me from living, loving, or leading like Jesus.

I must continue to live a compassionate life, to live from the center of Christ in me.

For me, that requires time apart.  Time to be with God in silence and in solitude.  Time in prayer.  Time in Scripture.  It also means time in community with others who are like-minded.  Time in small groups.  Time in worship.  Time to take Eucharist, Holy Communion.  Time to share the love of God with others.  Time to listen.

I'm grateful for these moments of time apart, now I'm going to spend some time in community.

God is good.  Life is good.

Seeking to live, love, and lead as a follower of the way of Christ.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

A gorgeous moon.... a cool breeze... some thoughts about peace and strength

What a beautiful morning this morning!  Yesterday was too, in fact.  I enjoy the cooler mornings, the crisp breezes.  I like being able to open up the doors and windows in my home and let the morning air come flowing through! 

This morning, in addition to the nice breeze, the moon was hovering over some wispy clouds.  As my daughter was waiting for the bus, she pointed that out to me and I grabbed a couple of shots with the camera.  In positioning myself to get a better angle, I found one shot of the moon through a picture frame of tree branches and leaves.  The moon, the cool breezes, listening to my water fountain trickling on the back patio... ah!  These are things that help calm my mind and soul.

Then I picked up Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young and read this for today (8/16/11): "Meet Me in early morning splendor.  I eagerly await you here.  In the stillness of this holy time with Me, I renew your strength and saturate you with Peace."  Ahhhh!  (That's a relaxing "Ahhhh!")  Stillness, renewed strength, peace.  I need those three things today.  If only I can be still long enough to receive that strength and saturated peace. ☺

I went next to A Guide To Prayer For Ministers and Other Servants, published by the Upper Room.  Admittedly, I sometimes get confused about what week I'm supposed to be on, especially when Sundays fall on the first day of the week.  But, I'm going with the week of "Sunday between August 21 and August 27" because this upcoming Sunday is the 21st and I want to end on that Sunday.  You're probably supposed to begin on that day.  Oh, well.  I'm probably getting all the wrong teachings. ☺

The Invocation for the week: "Almighty God, as you have sent Jesus to be for us light and truth, send now your spirit upon us to grant us grace and strength to follow in his footsteps this day.  Amen." (p.266)

The Psalm for the week is Psalm 18.  Verses 1-3 speak to me this morning: (NRSV) "I love you, O LORD, my strength.  The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, so I shall be saved from my enemies."

The suggested hymn is "Jesus, Lover of My Soul".  Now, the hymn is a Charles Wesley hymn and is good.  However, I like the praise chorus that I first heard at a Women's Retreat two summers ago.  And, I heard it on the radio yesterday.  It's a praise chorus by Hillsong. (Darlene Zschech also sings it.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk3aPIOHc-g&feature=related (Link to song, with Spanish lyrics in the comment area)

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=YYGDWNNX (Link with Darlene Zschech singing)

The lyrics are:

Jesus, Lover of my soul,
Jesus, I will never let you go
You’ve taken me from the miry clay
You've set my feet upon the Rock, and now i know

I love you, I need you,
Though my world may fall, I’ll never let you go
My Saviour, my closest friend,
I will worship you until the very end

Benediction: "You have been reminded that Jesus Christ is your Lord and you are God's servant.  You are loved; you are forgiven; you are empowered and now you are sent to live as God's faithful one.  Amen." (A Guide to Prayer, p. 266)

Blessings on your journey this day!  May there be stillness, strength, peace, renewal... whatever is needed.

~Debra