PEARL STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

“Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.” — (James 5:13–14, NRSVUE) Each week in our service, we share a time called Praises & Prayers. It’s simple, but it’s become one of the most honest moments of our worship. People name where they’ve seen God at work in the past week.

“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” — Esther 4:14 (NIV) As a child in Sunday School, we memorized Bible verses and recited them before the entire congregation. If memory serves, after so many, you received a prize, though I couldn’t tell you now what it was. Esther wasn’t one of those passages. But the older I get, the more I appreciate this book — and the more I return to it, the more I recognize God’s real presence woven th

​ “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1 (NIV) ​Before there was anything to see, measure, or name, there was God. Long before Galileo peered earnestly into the heavens and showed that the earth moves around the sun, long before telescopes probed far-off galaxies and scientists mapped the immensity of space, our ancestors told a simple, breathtaking truth: everything that exists came into being because God willed it. The early church called th

“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:1 (NRSV) I don’t remember much from high school—no surprise as my 50th reunion creeps closer—but I do remember typing class. Every day I’d walk in, uncover that beautiful, 40-pound, sapphire‑blue IBM Selectric II, and for the next 90 minutes try to perfect my QWERTY typing skills.  One of the first things I learned was how to set the margins and choose the justificat

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:11 (NIV) Just before Jesus speaks these words, he has healed a man born blind—an act of mercy performed on the Sabbath that infuriated the Pharisees. What follows is Jesus’ extended conversation with them about what true shepherding looks like. Instead of recognizing the healing as a sign of God’s compassion, they either miss the point entirely or respond with hostility, eventually dismissin

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV) Trust. It’s such a small word, yet it carries a lot of weight. We learn to trust when something—or someone—proves steady over time. Walk into a dark room, flip a light switch, and the room brightens. Do it again and again, and trust forms. But when the light flickers or fails, doubt grows. When it ne

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”— Proverbs 31:25 (NIV) On this International Women’s Day, it feels only right that our verse highlights the character and strength of one woman. Proverbs 31 may come from a different time and culture, and not every description fits neatly into our world today, yet its heart still speaks clearly. It honors a woman whose life reflects courage, wisdom, faithfulness, and a quiet confidence rooted in God.

“So now you are no longer strangers and aliens. Rather, you are fellow citizens with God’s people, and you belong to God’s household.” — Ephesians 2:19 (CEB) Have you ever felt excluded? Maybe because someone decided you didn’t measure up, or because you carried a difference they didn’t know how to welcome. Many of us can remember those childhood moments on the playground when teams were picked—two confident “captains” choosing their friends first, working their way down the

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV) Some years ago, I had cataract surgery, first on one eye, followed some months later by the other.  I still recall my first annual eye exam following the surgery. What a difference! I can now read the 20/20 line uncorrected with no difficulty. Considering I've worn glasses since age seven and many of those years with lenses of

“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” — Matthew 6:3–4 (NIV) We have a friend who has trouble telling her left hand from her right. If you ask her for driving directions, she’ll confidently say, “Turn right.” But as soon as you put your blinker on, she’ll say, “No, no—left!” It’s endearing, makes us laugh, and it’s

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” — Psalm 143:8 (NIV) One of the first prayers many of us learned as children was simple and direct: Now I lay me down to sleep,   I pray the Lord my soul to keep.   If I should die before I wake,   I pray the Lord my soul to take. Even in its simplicity, that prayer teaches trust. As children, we placed our whole selves—our sleep, o

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9 (NIV) Have you ever had someone speak to you with authority? They may not speak often, but when they do, you pay attention. My Grandpa Sam was like that. When I would call on the phone, the conversation would go something like this: “Hi, Grandpa, how are you doing?” “I’m well, here’s your grandmother.” He was a lit

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” —  2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) I think of myself as a patient person—except when waiting for something to heat in the microwave, or my pour-over coffee to drain in the morning. Okay, let’s say that patience may not be my greatest virtue. Today’s verse is written to a church growing impatient. Depending on whether t

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalms 34:17-18 (NIV) When I looked out the windows on Tuesday morning, I saw a welcome sight—the sun was shining, and not a single flurry remained. As Janice and I shoveled our way out, my mind turned to God’s deliverance. He had brought us through to the other side. Yes, there was still plenty of snow

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” — Ephesians 5:1–2 (NIV) In our home is an antique doll that once belonged to Janice’s grandfather. It’s not the most attractive doll, but whenever our granddaughter Blair visits, she wants to hold it. I don’t remember if we ever told her the doll is fragile, or if she simply senses it, but she

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” — Psalm 37:4 (NIV) A few years ago, we used Kyle Idleman’s book Not a Fan  in our Bible study. One of its recurring themes is something he calls DTR—Define the Relationship. It’s that pivotal moment in any relationship when we name what this connection means and how we intend to move forward. It’s the commitment conversation, whether in a romance or in our walk with God. Following Jesus invites us int

“Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.”  — Isaiah 25:1 (NIV) There are seasons when life feels like Isaiah 24 — everything shaking, everything uncertain, everything we leaned on suddenly unstable. And then Isaiah begins the next chapter with a simple, grounding confession: “Lord, you are my God.”  It’s a pivot, but it’s also a homecoming. To say those words is to take t

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” — Matthew 13:44 (NIV) The last couple of evenings, we watched the Ken Burns documentary on Mark Twain. At one point, Twain lost his considerable wealth through a series of poor business investments. He poured money into inventions that promised much but delivered little. It’s a reminder that not everything we inv

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”  —1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV) When the ark of the covenant returned to Jerusalem, God’s people welcomed it with music, dancing, and joy. David appointed singers and musicians to lead the celebration, reminding the people to remember God’s works and seek His presence with grateful hearts. Their worship wasn’t quiet. It was bold, joyful, and full of life—because remembering God’s faithfulness naturally leads to song. We are

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” — John 14:6 (NIV) Thomas had walked with Jesus from the beginning. He had heard every teaching, witnessed every healing, watched every act of compassion. And still, on the night before the cross, he speaks for all of us:  “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus doesn’t scold him. He doesn’t shame him. He simply offers the truth on wh