Jesus calls us to allow him to be our “handler” and follow his ways by taking on his yoke. He calls us to accept the guidance of His word and spirit in our lives and steers us to work with others in shared faith to accomplish His will for his people. The slight pressure on the harness reassures us that we are His and it lessens the burden of having to do every task or project by ourselves.

The AUMC Life Center was built over 15 years ago. The church leaders had a vision for this facility to be the “center of life” for so many ministries. In the last week, survival kits, basketball hoops, and pancakes helped us to live out our vision to Connect, Grow and Go.

I tend to worry a bit about our church. I try to sense when I talk to people where our church might be heading in this uncertain future. Sometimes I am left with optimism and other times I feel a sense of despair. Then I reflect on this uncertain future and am quickly reminded that there is a plan, a process that is occurring and it does not belong to me, but to God.

During the reception, each time someone from the school asked me where I was from and I replied that I am the pastor at Atascocita United Methodist Church, they would begin gushing (no, really – gushing!) about how important the partnership between our church and their school was to them and to the students.

There is a word that I have seen in my readings over the past few months that keeps resonating with me. The word is “Exultation.” This means a triumphant jubilation or rejoicing action.

Soon, I’ll be cruising with my hubby. As I drift away in my daydreams with cruising on my mind, I’m drawn to nautical themes. Recently, I told a church friend, “You have been a lighthouse to me.”

Family is vital to our healthy existence as people of God. We long for it, we cherish it when we have it, and we lament it when we don’t.

I really enjoy my favorite bowl of cereal and milk for breakfast. I would have to say Honey Nut Cheerios and Raisin Bran are my favorites.

In my encounters this past week with AUMCers, the prevailing theme in conversations was the concept of a “sphere of influence.”