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Staff Trax

Connected for Life

I find it very interesting that on the same weekend we have our annual spring outdoor cleanup day that we also read this text about pruning. If you look around outside there was a lot of pruning that went on here yesterday.

As I read our text for today I decided to look up the definition of the word “prune” in the dictionary and literally it means:

“to trim (a tree, shrub, or bush)…

​Pruning Time!

Finally, the weather is getting nice. I don’t know about you, but I am ready for more of these sunny, warm days. I took Monday off to spend the day with my grandkids and the temperature was perfect, so we spent most of the day outside. The flowers and trees are in full bloom, and with the weather finally turning so beautiful, in about two weeks Jill and I will begin planting our garden,…

We Are Known and Empowered

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me…” (John 10:14). This is a beautiful verse of scripture and one that I hope we all find comforting and empowering. But, before we can get to its meaning for us today, we ought to take a look at the context in which it was said and to whom Jesus was speaking when he said this.

Shortly before Jesus began this teaching…

I am Grateful!

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;

3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me;…

Be A Witness

For the third week in a row, we have read a portion of the Resurrection story. On Easter we heard Mark’s version, last week we heard part of John’s version, and now today we are reading part of Luke’s version of the Resurrection. In Mark’s story, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to the tomb. In John’s version, the writer only mentions Mary Magdalene going to the…

Let's eat!

I’ve been given a gift this school year, as my youngest began 1st grade: the gift of time to connect with people during the day. For the first time in 14 years, my day isn’t split in half with children coming to/from half-day preschool or kindergarten. In other words, I am free for lunch!! It’s a wonderful excuse to reconnect with people I care…

The Peace of Christ

“When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you' ” (John 20:19). This verse always brings me comfort because in the midst of real fear, according to the writer of John’s Gospel, the first thing our Lord did for his disciples after…

Go To Galilee!

I pray that you have had a blessed week and experienced a joyous Easter Day.

We survived Lent, celebrated Jesus’ resurrection, and now we are to proclaim his resurrection to the world during the season of Easter. Remember the Easter Proclamation? “Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed, alleluia!” As people of The Resurrection, we are challenged to proclaim these words not just…

It's No Joke!

Happy Easter! You know, Easter is probably my favorite holiday. For me I can’t even say the word Easter without smiling. It is a happy day because for so long now, 40 days, we have been focusing on what needs to change in our lives and how we are to do that, and now, today, we get to focus on he joy that will make that change possible. We get to hear how Jesus overcame death and that…