Posts with the tag “becky-long”

“Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5Nope. Not this morning. Not happening. There was no joy. First, it is the day of the week I have to go to work at 8AM. I love my job, but not at 8AM. I should still be in bed doom scrolling at 8AM.Second, I don’t like any of my clothes. On another day I would look fine, but today I put on earrings and a scarf with flanne...  Read More

My family has experienced profound loss and sadness this year and the heartbreak is more intense now that we are in the Christmas season. We know the good news. We know of the love that God provides. We know about the hope, joy, and peace that can be found through Christ, but the feelings of despair still linger in the corners.Once again the word for the day is inspired by Isaiah 61. In it Isaiah ...  Read More

These things bring me comfort (in no particular order):Bubble baths, mac & cheese, heavy blankets, a soft robe, my husband, blazing campfire, my toes in the sand, my pink afghan, my kids, warm sun on my face, "grandma" cookies, a good book, Lake Nancy, purring cats, a giant hug (yes, for those who know me, sometimes I take comfort in a giant, sincere hug, I'm evolving into a hugger)."Praise be to ...  Read More

If you check out Rethink Church (https://www.umc.org/en/content/advent-photo-a-day-2023) it gives bible verses that the words for the day are based on. This week it is selected passages from Isaiah 61.“The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me    because the LORD has anointed me;he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,    to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim liberty to the captives    a...  Read More

Good news - I had a great time with my family celebrating my dad's 80th birthday. We went to a cat Cafe and cuddled some felines. All is right with the world.Bad news - I didn't do a deep dive on the word today. Well, that's not really bad news 'cause I was busy not being busy with people I love. That is good news during the holiday season. Hope you find a little good news today. ...  Read More

I woke up this morning, looked at the word I would meditate on throughout the day and instantly I was blessed with a song in my head (I told you song lyrics are my love language). And if you are a child of the 70’s or 80’s then I KNOW this song just flowed through your brain as well. The opening is a harmonic, a cappella masterpiece that must be sung by everyone in the room when its starts.You kno...  Read More

I struggled with this word today. I repeated it so often in my mind that it has started to lose meaning. I looked up the multiple definitions of the word, searched the scripture, perused a commentary or two, and then while I was typing my computer turned itself off and I had nothing. I lost it all.So here's what I know in the wee hours of the night.We follow and serve a mighty God. Full stop. Not ...  Read More

Dec. 7 - Word of the Day - VoiceOnce upon a time, a long time ago, I would wake up in the morning, turn on NPR and catch up on what was happening in the world while I prepared to go to work.I can’t do that anymore. Not because I disagree with that particular station, I can’t watch or listen to ANY newscast anymore. I catch headlines and if I want to learn more, I go on a deep dive using sources I ...  Read More

Dec. 5 - Word of the Day - GloryOk. I gotta be honest. I wasn’t feeling this word today. There are too many things going on that are out of my control and I am not in a “worshipful praise” state of mind. On my way out of the library the new gnome display caught my eye (we have a fairy and gnome theme this month in the children’s section) and I recognized the spine of one of the books. It was an ol...  Read More

TenderlyIf you know me at all or have read some of my posts before you know that movie quotes and song lyrics are my love language. I think I could have whole conversations using quotes and lyrics. When I bid farewell to someone leaving our home I will often say, “Have fun storming the castle!” When I feel particularly strong and sassy I’ll start singing, “This is me. Look out ‘cause here I come.”...  Read More

Ok friends. Are you ready for something new? I am resuming the practice that I started several years ago of posting something on social media - a thought, a picture, a poem, a short essay, a devotion - each day as I reflect on the words provided by Rethink Church. You can learn more here.This time  I am taking full advantage of being the Director of Communications for our church and I will be post...  Read More

Hidden Blessings  “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” ~Mark 10:15-16 The first time I served in Children's Church, I left that morning feeling overjoyed, but I had no idea the huge impact that moment would have on my life to this day. There is som...  Read More

You can hear it can't you? That song. That tinny song that plays as you crank the handle of this toy ... All around the cobbler's benchthe monkey chased the weaselthe monkey thought is was all in fun(pause here - heart racing - eyes quickly blinking - reconsidering all of my life choices up to this point)then POP (cue fear induced tears and screaming)goes the weasel. Who on earth thought that this...  Read More

I have tons of apps on my phone. Many of them I don't even remember what they do (my smart phone is smarter than I am). Now that the app for the church has been updated, I find myself using it several times a week. Here are few of my favorite things:The Bible feature - This is a good app for everyday reading and for looking up the scripture text during worship. There are several different translat...  Read More

Why do we have an app for our church? If you are like me this is a question you asked yourself when you learned about our app.The first reason, honestly, is that is comes with our digital communications package which includes our website, giving, media, and more. It is only good stewardship that we try to use all of the resources that we are paying for.The second reason is the app is a quick way t...  Read More

I have spent a little over a month updating the church’s digital presence on our website, social media, and by renovating our app (read more about that below!) Our church has been through a lot over the past few years – a denominational split, a pandemic, a disaffiliation process, and the loss of so many people that we love. It has left me wondering, “Who are we now?”One day after church I was sit...  Read More

There was once a well-known pastor named John. He had been a part of the church his whole life. His father was a hard-working clergyman. His mother held very popular bible studies in their home. John worked hard, studied hard, helped start a Holy Club at his school with his brother, and then felt a call to the ministry.John lived a strict Christian life and believed that his mission came before ev...  Read More