Discipling Life

  An Unshakable Life: Holiness in a World of Distraction Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 EUMC & BCUMC, July 20, 2025, Proper 11c An important theme in today's texts is Staying Focused on Priorities – Staying Focused on the Moment. Today's Gospel text – the story about Martha and Mary – is often unfairly and incorrectly used to say devotion to Christ is more important than service. That's not what's happening here. Jesus values service and action – remember the Parable of the Good Samaritan that comes right before this – context is important. The Greek word used here is diakonos (meaning “servant” or “minister”) and it embodies the Christian calling to live out faith through service. It reflects the church’s mission to care for others through acts of charity, compassion, and justice. This sacred responsibility takes many forms: humanitarian aid, working for social justice, and outreach to vulnerable communities. Diakonia, this service) isn...

I am looking forward to getting underway on a new study on the Message and Mission of Paul and its Meaning for Us Today. If you have already registered, you should have received the email that is printed below. If you have not registered and wish to do so, complete the form at the bottom of this page. We will be doing this by Zoom, something most of you are already familiar with. God bless you all! Alan - - - - Text of the email follows - - - -  Mark the Date and Time! Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at 7:30 PM I want to thank all of you for signing up and for participating in our survey. Tuesdays and Wednesdays were the two preferred days and 7:00 and 7:30 the preferred times. Since many churches have activities on Wednesdays, I chose to go with Tuesdays at 7:30 (I think you wanted to be done with dinner before we started. There was interest in looking at the Bible in its historical context and its relevance to life today. Some of you indicated that the types of ‘study books’ commonl...

Forgive me for starting off with a rather clichéd title. But this is a new season in my life. I am now officially retired as an itinerating elder in the United Methodist Church. While I am accepting work on a supply or interim basis, I am seeking to offer opportunities of equipping disciple makers through online media. Most of this will be offered through online weekly gatherings using video, discussions, and instruction.  Return to this page to look for opportunities to participate in various studies, including theology and church history as well as Bible studies. I also plan to begin a project on journaling.  I look forward to working with you.  Grace and Peace,  Alan