Planning a Mission Trip – Part Four

Putting Together A Team About a month ago one of my daughters came for a visit. We had a list of places to visit and things she wanted to see, but it was a rainy weekend and we had to make some changes. That Sunday afternoon, the skies cleared and it was a glorious day … Continue reading Planning a Mission Trip – Part Four →

Planning a Short-Term Mission Trip – Part Three: Do No Harm

This past weekend two things happened: a friend asked me a question and I got a new compass. I’ll be honest. I really love hiking, but I have NO idea how to use a compass. Now that I live in a region with lots of trails, I’ve been learning. I’ve gone to classes, I’ve researched … Continue reading Planning a Short-Term Mission Trip – Part Three: Do No Harm →

Planning A Short-Term Mission Trip – The Work Project

Welcome to part two of our series on planning a short-term mission trip! Monday we discussed selecting a destination. Today we consider the question of the work done on a mission trip. How do you choose what work your mission team will do on your mission trip? And when do you make this decision? In … Continue reading Planning A Short-Term Mission Trip – The Work Project →

Planning A Short-Term Mission Trip

Have you been the person in charge of planning a mission trip? It takes rather a lot of work to plan a mission trip. Sometimes planning a mission trip begins with someone suggesting a destination. Destinations How does your group choose a destination? Many years ago I worked as a Christian Education director, and our … Continue reading Planning A Short-Term Mission Trip →

Going On To Perfection

Forgiveness Through Lent, my Bible study group is focused on forgiveness. Last night, one of our discussions centered around how (if?) it is possible to forgive like Jesus did. We talked about how Jesus knew he was to be betrayed and yet he loved those who betrayed him, who put him on trial, who executed … Continue reading Going On To Perfection →

God’s Grace is Our “Why”

Why Write Down All the Numbers? A couple days ago I went to a workshop for entrepreneurs, covering the basic legal and financial issues related to starting up a business. My dad had his own business, and sometimes we could help. I remember filling out massive spreadsheets, filling in detailed information from invoices. Amount of … Continue reading God’s Grace is Our “Why” →

The Possibilities of a Round Table Conversation

The List of Names Perhaps you, like me, have been overwhelmed with the news lately. Another mass shooting. Another list of names of lives cut short, images of grieving friends and family on the tv. I've listened to too many pastoral prayers, heard too many bells rung, watched too many candles lit in churches after … Continue reading The Possibilities of a Round Table Conversation →

Lenten Practices

Ash Wednesday in Community Last night I went to church for Ash Wednesday service. We sang together, listened to scripture, and prayed together. Our pastor gave a short sermon, and led us through a silent meditation time by passing out cards with a single word printed on them. We would meditate on the word, and … Continue reading Lenten Practices →

Can You Practice Mission?

What Do You Mean By That? As a United Methodist, I often find myself asked about some of our unique use of words. “Annual Conference” for example, is both a geographic term (a region in which a bishop has authority for clergy and local churches) and an annual meeting in which clergy and laity gather … Continue reading Can You Practice Mission? →

Cultural Dialogue on my Plate

This week I am back in Texas, for several meetings and to visit my family. Being back home means a trip to Whataburger. If you’re not from Texas, you may not know about our devotion to Whataburger, a burger restaurant which originated in Corpus Christi. Our passion for Whataburger extends to telling each other tales … Continue reading Cultural Dialogue on my Plate →