Author Archives: Oak Chapel UMC

Run, Jog, Walk, or Crawl: Setting the Pace for 2023 How do you plan to move forward during this first week of the new year? Will you charge ahead in an all-out sprint? Will you jog, taking time to observe that which is in front of you as well as that which is to yourContinue reading “In A Nutshell | January 6, 2023”

Wishing You a Spirit-Filled Christmas and a Holy New Year  Does the Holy Spirit have a place in your life? If not, this just might be the perfect time of year to rekindle the flame and invite it to flourish within you in the year ahead. I was introduced to the Holy Spirit at aContinue reading “In A Nutshell | December 23, 2022”

A Season and a Reason to Believe Do you believe in miracles? That’s what announcer Al Michaels said as the United States Hockey team was about to beat the former Soviet Union at the 1980 Olympics in one of the greatest upsets in sports history. I think each of us has a slightly different takeContinue reading “In A Nutshell | December 16, 2022”

Setting Time Aside to Read the Bible During a recent course of study at the Methodist Theological School of Ohio near Columbus, I took time to stroll through the library. As most libraries go, this one wasn’t all that large, but there were still rows and rows of books, many of which were gathering dustContinue reading “In A Nutshell | December 9, 2022”

Purple Passion and Its Place in the Christmas Story Colors can evoke a range of emotions, and during the Advent season, we are celebrating each week with a different color. We opened with green last week, and we move onto the color purple this week. Purple is a symbol of passion, and is often associatedContinue reading “In A Nutshell | December 2, 2022”

Placing a Special Emphasis on Being Thankful  As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends this week, let us take a moment to remember those who will not have a place at the table and might be dining alone, if they are able to dine at all.  It’s amazing how we can liveContinue reading “In A Nutshell | November 25, 2022”

Tightening My Belt Heading Into the Holidays  What I dread most about this time of the year is not the holiday, but rather, the consequences of eating too much, so this year, I am going to try something different.   Instead of dieting after the upcoming six-week celebration of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, I’m going to tryContinue reading “In A Nutshell | November 18, 2022”

Building a Foundation for Service Through Humility   Election Day has come and gone, and most of the races have been decided. Now, as our new leaders prepare to take office, it is essential that they understand their role as servants first and leaders second.  Jesus set the standard for servant leadership during his brief timeContinue reading “In A Nutshell | November 11, 2022”

Out of the Darkness and into the Light   It’s that time of year again — time to turn our clocks back one hour as we return to Standard Time. This annual ritual brings a short-term benefit and a long-term dilemma. The benefit, of course, is the extra hour of sleep we will enjoy this Sunday,Continue reading “In A Nutshell | November 4, 2022”

Facing Our Fears Through Our Foundation in Faith  I never understood the fascination that some people have with fear. There are enough things in life that scare me; I don’t need horror movies or haunted houses to add to my angst, but there are people out there who get a kick out of frightening themselvesContinue reading “In A Nutshell | October 28, 2022”