Table of Grace with Pastor Dreama

Photo Credits: D. Kelly  @  Grant Co.,  WV REFLECTION The road stretched out in front of me. The same dirt road I had driven across hundreds of times. I knew the ruts and potholes, The rocks, turns, and those familiar one-sided trees. They felt a lot like ole friends; Always there – always welcoming. Forward movement was slow and steady. Looking back through the rearview mirror, I hit the brakes when I realized that the scene behind me Was just as beautiful as the one before me. Yes, that backward view was indeed beautiful. I let off the brake and pulled  forward as I felt God say: “Hey! You haven’t seen anything yet!” And with a smile, I drove forward, Destination: awesome. A DEEPER LOOK Read Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Jeremiah 15:16 John 10:27 Deuteronomy 30:17-18 Matthew 4:4 1 Samuel 3:4 Romans 10:17 John 8:47 This week’s verses stress the importan...

Table of Grace Church Ministry Blog from Beyond the Mirror week 42  “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” ( Psalm 90:12, ESV). REFLECTION I’d squirm and she’d give me the look. I’d yawn and she’d swat my leg. I’d giggle and she’d threaten me with my big brother. Church...again...Twice a week. Sometimes more...the point was moot - wasn’t it? But then again... I can still recall my mom’s stories of “All day meetin’s and dinner on the ground”.  According to her, the entire community would spend Sundays at church - all day Sunday - and walk home by lantern light. Her reply of “It’s just what folks did back then” didn't answer my question of why they'd want to! Apparently, those folks weren’t  in a rush to leave God’s house. They’d tarry a bit, sing from hymnals, listen to the preacher, and eat together. Kids would nap under the pews, no electronic gadgets to calm them down or occupy their wandering minds. They built relat...

  " Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words,"  Romans 8:25, ESV. Yesterday in church, my mind wandered. I forgot where I was in the message and found myself mostly reading from my notes. I had spent a week trying to perfect a few Greek phrases, make sure my message was backed by Scripture, and that the presentation was on point. Then Sunday happened. I was tired. It was part three of a four-part series "Learning to Lean" and suddenly I felt ill-equipped to bring the Word to life. I felt it, John felt it, and while they didn't say as much, I'm sure the congregation did as well. I was disappointed in myself. After weeks of studying, preparing, and focusing on The Word, I fell apart.  My flesh was tired, my mind full, and my soul heavy. And I felt it to my core...the need to lean on Jesus. To lose myself in His word, to get lost in w...

As I sit at my desk, migraine coming on, dog barking, laundry to fold, and errands to run, I long for a little less and a lot more...a little less stress, a lot more peace; a little less racing thoughts, a lot more quietness of mind. I close my eyes and imagine Jesus sitting by the sea, making breakfast for His disciples. Or as I like to think if it "Jesus making breakfast for the boys." I can feel the warmth the fire and smell fresh fish sizzling over the coals. Oh to be there! Breathing in the goodness of His glory. Feeling the warmth of His love. In my minds eye, I can see His generous smile, and I picture Him waving me closer. I imagine myself being timid at first, this is after all Jesus...but then I remember how He called us Friends. So I  return His smile and let my footsteps quicken.  Finally, I'm basking in His presence. Am I really taking a rest beside Jesus?   As if reading my mind, He softly reminds me of a conversation He had with His followers in the book of...

  " You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows," (Ps 23:5, ESV). ~ As we head into the Easter season and during this time of Lent, I find myself meditating on the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace...and the list goes on. Throughout the Bible, we can find verses referencing these Christlike attributes. There is even a reference to "the shoes of peace" in the armor of God.  The Bible reminds us that when we arm our self - our mind, will, emotions, the flesh - we can withstand the wiles of the devil.  We are also empowering the Holy Spirit to rise up within us and guide us as we fight the good fight of faith. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that if we place our hope in God, He will renew our strength! God made sure His kids have the heavy equipment we'll need for ministry and Kingdom service. So, let us put on the whole armor of God, develop mature fruits of the Spirt, and watch the Word come alive in us...

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10) SEVERAL years ago, I drove across a few back WVa back roads, across Dolly Sods and Red Creek.  While taking this picture, I considered how the creek,  (pounced crick where I come from),  had marked out its own path . The interesting thing about a creek, is that when the water is high, it hides what’s laying in the creek bed; but a low water level reveals unsightly debris. Some debris, fallen trees and leaves, occur naturally. Other stuff, tires, plastic bags, bottles, they are deposited there on purpose. But debris is debris…and it mires the beauty of the creek and can change the course of the waters flow. Interestingly enough, Christians have a lot in common with a creek…and  when a Believer’s faith ‘ebbs and flows’, it sends a message to anyone watching, and they will  take notice. We’re all guilty of the spiritual ebb and flow phenomenon.  When our faith is high...