In Matthew 25:14-30, the Parable of the Talents warns against burying our blessings. Keeping resources idle may be a way to keep them secure, but what good does this do if they can't grow or serve a meaningful purpose? As faithful stewards of God's blessings, we are called to use a portion of them to expand God’s kingdom. [...]
2026-2027 College Scholarship Funds-Application Window CLOSED--New Applications COMING SOON! Martin Methodist College may have closed its physical doors in 2021, but its heritage of helping undergraduate students lean into their dreams lives on through the Martin Methodist Foundation. The Martin Methodist Foundation seeks to serve deserving undergraduate students by lowering their financial burdens so they [...]
Tom & Betty Cloyd Scholarship--Now Available! The United Methodist Foundation for the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference is pleased to announce the Tom and Betty Cloyd Scholarship Fund is available for qualified applicants. The Tom and Betty Cloyd Scholarship Fund was established through Belle Meade United Methodist Church and is held at the United Methodist Foundation for [...]
Consider what one feels when you are on the edge of something. The emotions will likely be based on what comes next or what’s on the other side. Is it a precipice? Is it the end of a gripping chapter in a great novel? Is it seeing the District Superintendent’s number on your phone during [...]
When my granddaughter (who is now almost 17) was a little girl, she told me that she was going to “do that Lent thing.” I asked her what that meant. She responded, “You know, where you give up something.” When I asked her what she was giving up, she said, “Broccoli!” Since I knew she didn’t like broccoli, I decided it [...]
Spring is often the time of year to celebrate the newness of life. Lent takes us on the road to Jerusalem with Jesus…from Ash Wednesday, through the events of Holy Week, to the foot of the cross, and finally to the glory of the Resurrection found in an empty tomb. Spring is a time for [...]
In the United Methodist tradition, we often use the word "connectionalism" to describe our organizational structure. It expresses more than just a denominational or bureaucratic order; it is a spiritual and theological conviction that proclaims we are far more effective together than we are apart. By maintaining an integrated, covenant bond between local churches, general agencies, and [...]
As I began thinking about how my Lenten observance can help me deal with the troubling issues of our nation and the larger world, I was reminded of what I’ve observed in my own yard the past month. During a stretch of warm weather in late January, I noticed the green fronds of daffodils (or [...]
What is at the heart of your desire to give? Today is Valentine’s Day. If you have someone you would call your beloved your gift is an expression of the love you feel for them and your commitment to the relationship. My wife’s birthday was two days ago, so as soon as Christmas gifts are [...]
For those who preach sermons on a regular basis, which dynamic tends to be more challenging…how to start or how to finish? Neither matters if there isn’t something of substance in between. The same can be true with trying to stimulate generosity in a local church. Getting started with a great idea can get everyone excited, but [...]
