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sarafinger

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So far sarafinger has created 470 blog entries.

Why Be Normal?

I don’t know when “normal” stopped being its usual self, but it seems like life just hasn’t felt very normal in quite a while. As we transition to a new year, I’ve been reflecting on what transpired in 2024 and projecting what 2025 might bring. In doing so, I’ve discovered that perhaps things are actually [...]

By |2025-01-10T15:06:03+00:00January 10th, 2025|Blog|0 Comments

“Pioneers following God’s Holy Way…”

The last few days of 2024 were filled with media stories, tributes, and programs covering the life and legacy of James Earl Carter, Jr. “Jimmy” Carter served one term as the 39th President of the United States, and was a centenarian when he died on December 29th. I came across one such program on PBS, [...]

By |2025-01-02T15:00:38+00:00January 2nd, 2025|Blog|0 Comments

“A short question, with a lifetime of answers…”

Last week the reminder was given that as we approach the manger, we must not only appreciate the serenity of the moment as we sing “Silent Night” and hold our candle. We must also “pick the baby Jesus up”! Spiritually, we bring Jesus to our chest, into our hearts, and let Him create, change, or [...]

By |2024-12-24T15:34:26+00:00December 24th, 2024|Blog|0 Comments

The One who makes us kin…

Recently I came across a video recorded by someone sitting waaaaaay up high in the endzone at a University of Tennessee home football game. Neyland stadium was packed, and as the camera panned the crowd of over one hundred thousand orange-clad Vol fans, they began singing “Rocky Top”. At the bottom of the video was [...]

By |2024-12-13T18:51:30+00:00December 13th, 2024|Blog|0 Comments

Getting Ready

Advent is the beginning of the Christian liturgical year. More than just ''getting ready for Christmas" it's a season of spiritual discipline and reflection in preparation for celebrating the Incarnation, the coming of Jesus, the Word made flesh, into human history. Traditionally, the church challenges us to focus upon scriptures that emphasize the need for God to do [...]

By |2024-11-26T01:52:25+00:00November 26th, 2024|Blog|0 Comments

Don’t Forget to Remember to be Thankful…

Creative writing is something I’ve always enjoyed. Nowadays it’s confined mainly to devotionals like what you are reading now. For the previous twenty-four years, my creative writing was focused on crafting the substance for worship elements such as sermons, prayers, and liturgy. I’ve never written a book or a song, but there is one common [...]

By |2024-11-23T01:36:09+00:00November 23rd, 2024|Blog|0 Comments

How does your internal growth align with your external efforts?

This past Sunday I had the pleasure of spending the morning with the good people of Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Franklin, TN. I was graciously invited to preach during their season of emphasis on stewardship. It’s that time of the year! It was a joy to be a part of their two morning worship [...]

By |2024-11-15T13:30:36+00:00November 15th, 2024|Blog|0 Comments