Awakened to Grace: Silence

Awakened to Grace: Sabbath

Last week we talked about silence, and honestly, I've never felt more countercultural. As followers of Jesus, we often live in a tension. We are called to love the people of this world deeply while also recognizing that the way things are is not the way God intended them to be. We celebrate what is good, beautiful, and true, while also naming the places where our culture pulls us away from the life God desires for us. Last week's conversation about silence was a prime example of that. So many of you reached out afterward and thanked me for the sermon, and I think part of the reason is because noise has become the drug of choice in our culture. We are constantly surrounded by distractions, notifications, entertainment, and information. Many of us have forgotten what it feels like to simply be still. This week, I want to take on another heavyweight: busyness. In many ways, busyness has become a badge of honor. We wear packed schedules like trophies. We equate activity with significance and productivity with worth. Yet Jesus never seemed to be in a hurry. He was fully present, fully engaged, and yet deeply rested in the Father's love. Today, we're talking about one of God's greatest gifts and one of our most neglected means of grace: Sabbath. My prayer is that we would boldly love God through rest, not because we've earned it, but because God has given it. And as we learn to embrace Sabbath, may we more fully experience the love, light, and hope of Jesus Christ. Passage: Psalms 92: 1-15 CEB

Awakened to Grace: Silence

Last week, we unpacked prayer and explored what it means to pray—and why our prayers matter. This week, I want us to lean into another spiritual discipline: silence. Now honestly, when I told someone I was preaching on silence, I immediately regretted it. I think my exact words were, “Why did I say I would preach on silence?!” And without missing a beat, she said, “Ah yes… silence. The thing you love so much.” And listen—that’s fair. I love to talk. I love conversation, stories, laughter, noise. I love to yap. But somewhere along the way, we’ve confused being busy with being spiritually healthy. We fill every quiet moment with music, podcasts, scrolling, notifications, or our own thoughts. And because of that, many of us have forgotten how to simply be still before God. Yet Scripture says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Silence is uncomfortable because it forces us to slow down. It strips away distractions. It exposes what’s really going on in our hearts. But silence is also sacred, because when the noise fades, we begin to hear the voice of Jesus more clearly. If we never embrace silence, we may miss the Love, Light, and Hope Christ is trying to speak into our lives. Silence is not the absence of God. Sometimes, it is the very place where God speaks the loudest. Passage: Mark 1:32-39 CEB

Awakened to Grace: Prayer

As Annual Conference gathers the Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church here in Lakeland, we are invited into a powerful theme: awakening to grace. In the Methodist tradition, we believe God meets us through the means of grace—through prayer, worship, communion, Scripture, service, and community. These practices are not just habits; they are holy pathways that awaken us to the presence and love of God already at work among us. In this new series, we will reconnect with our spiritual heritage while discovering fresh ways to experience God’s grace in our everyday lives. My hope is that together we will be awakened again—to the love, light, and hope of Jesus Christ. May we be rooted deeply in prayer, open fully to God’s presence, and transformed by the grace that has always been reaching toward us. Passage: Matthew 6:5-13 CEB

Like A Girl: A Friend Like Elizabeth

As we come to the close of our series, Like a Girl, it feels fitting that we also gather to celebrate Mother's Day. Every one of us has a mother, and today’s story centers on two women whose lives show us the beauty of shared love and shared strength. Together, they offer us a vision of what life can look like when community matters more than self-interest. Their story invites us into a way of living where care is mutual, burdens are shared, and love is given freely. May we learn to love ourselves well, so that we can love others boldly and wildly. Passage: Luke 1:39-45 CEB

Like A Girl: Lead Like Deborah

In a world captivated by the image of the lone, heroic leader, the story of Deborah reminds us that the greatest callings in our lives are never meant to be carried alone. As Gretchen learned in the Marine Corps, and as we discover in our everyday lives, we always go farther when we go together. Today, I want to remind us all that each of us leads somewhere, and that the best outcomes are often waiting on the other side of collaboration. So may we have the courage, wisdom, and humility to lead like Deborah. Passage: Judges 4:6-9 CEB