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...