Browsing by Sharron R. Blezard

Choose Life and Carry On

Lectionary Reflection for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, September 4, 2016
Mama said there’d be days like this. But weeks, or months, or even years and decades? So it goes with life and discipleship. The truth of the matter is that neither life nor discipleship is a guaranteed picnic, cakewalk, or pie-in-the-sky supper club. So take divine advice: choose life and carry on. (Photo: Akuppa John Wigham, Creative Commons)

To Be Continued…

Lectionary Reflection for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, August 28, 2016
This week’s lessons provide several lovely opportunities to explore continued growth and development as members of the Body of Christ, that beloved community chock full of sinners and saints known as the church. Dig back into discipleship and faith formation with these themes and instructions. (Photo: Maarten Takens, Creative Commons)

Climate Change Resources for Children and Youth

With school and faith formation on the horizon, here’s a resource trove for educating children and youth about climate change and creation care from Operation NOAH, an ecumenical Christian charity in the UK. You’re sure to find something useful here! (Photo: rambojan iphoneography, Creative Commons)

Avoiding the Summer Giving Slump

True, summer is almost over, but now’s the time to begin working on avoiding a giving slump next summer. This short article from echurch.com will give you some ideas. (Photo: stuart, Creative Commons)

The Freedom in Saying “No”

Next time you’re tempted to make a purchase, consider the freedom you night gain by saying “no” instead of “yes” to consumption. Joshua Becker explains how part of good stewardship lies in learning to assess the difference in these two simple words.  (Photo: sboneham, Creative Commons)

7 Ways Climate Change Affects Our Health

Scientist and evangelical Christian Katharine Hayhoe explains seven ways that climate change is affecting our health in this article printed in The Huffington Post and why we need to make changes now. (Photo: rambojan iphoneography, Creative Commons)

Straighten Up, Steward!

Lectionary Reflection for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, August 21, 2016
Sabbath rest strengthens and equips us to help repair the breach that exists between the way of God and the ways of the world. Refreshed we are called to go into the broken places, lay hands on bent people, and help to heal and straighten the world. (Photo: Steve Depolo, Creative Commons)

11 Ways to Simplify your Finances

Good financial stewardship doesn’t have to be complicated. Check out these 11 ways to simplify your finances from author Bob Lotich of SeedTime. (Photo: Steven DePolo, Creative Commons)

Money Talk

Do you hear people complain that the church talks about money too much? It’s just not true. In fact, the church does not talk about money enough — not nearly as much as Jesus did, says this Episcopal blogger. (Photo: Andrew Magill, Creative Commons)

Controlled Burns & Faithful Forecasting

Lectionary Reflection for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, August 14, 2016
Fire has the power to destroy and the power to foster regeneration and new growth. What if we consider Jesus’ fire imagery this week as being that of a controlled burn, a deliberate fire kindled for the purpose of regeneration and new growth? (Photo: US FIsh & Wildlife Service, Creative Commons)