Table of Grace with Pastor Dreama

Photo Credit: D. Kelly @ Grant Co., WV In Loving Memory of   Holly Michelle Evans  (1/2/1976 – 7/23/1995) & Frederick Elwood Evans, Sr.  (8/9/1950 –  2/14/2018) REFLECTION “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”   (Genesis 28:15).  Question of the day: Why do we feel alone? The little bird thought itself alone, but through the snow-splotched glass, I silently cheered it on.  I wondered how long it would search before it gave up and flew away hungry. But this little bird was resilient. Mesmerized, I  watched as time after time, it shook itself, flew off for a few seconds, and returned. Eventually, its innate tenacity and stubborn determination paid off. It found its daily sustenance. It had lighted on the crusty snow  cautious but determined, tired and hungry, but willing to go a little dee...

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...

  I wonder if I  pray differently than most people? Or maybe I pray exactly like most people…? My mind wanders, I fall asleep, I get interrupted…and then I’m done. Sound familiar?  What I need is to be outside, away from distractions. So this chilly morning, wrapped in a heated blanket on an enclosed porch, I entered into a quiet place of prayer. As an author, writer, introverted-mess, I’ve found the best way for me to talk to God is to write my part out and wait. As I’m sitting here this morning, enjoying Christmas on the porch and blogging, I thought of King David. He didn’t always have an ideal place to pray, yet that didn’t stop him from jotting down some desperate prayers. I’ll go out on a limb here, and assume that like me, he had some introverted traits, too.  Maybe that’s why I can relate to David’s prayers. I love how his writings jump from distress to praise without missing a beat! Still, “ as a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22), I wonder how mu...

 October is Bullying Awareness Month Together, we can empower ,  encourage,    enlighten , and equip our Neighbors and strengthen our communities. For more information please visit and share the following links. https://www.stopbullying.gov/ http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/bullying-and-suicide.html https://www.verywellfamily.com/how-strong-is-the-link-between-bullying-and-suicide-460620

  Whew!! Sticky smudges and silence. That’s what John and I find after the grandkids leave for home. It’s a joke for us to each other “ You hear that? ” Then, with smiles, we recap the many-many things they managed to get into! From throwing green hickory nuts at one another to Huddy dumping a bottle of soap bubbles over his own head! With our crew, no matter if they’re playing kickball in the back yard or video games on the porch, there’s never a dull moment.  As for the sound of silence after they’ve gone, I’ll admit we like it, too…for the most part, anyways. Don’t get me wrong, we love having our grandchildren with us; and in way of thinking, memories and messes go hand in hand! And over the past ten years, they’ve made plenty of both :-) Still, at times, I especially, long for the sound of silence - not the spooky you-can-hear-a-pin-drop silence; rather the tranquil silence of nature. That’s when I can hear from God best.  Here are a few things the Bible says a...

“ Now may the God of peace …make you complete in every good work to do his will…”  ( Hebrews 13:20-21 , KJV ). AS morning fades and noontime beckons, I am reminded of how quickly time passes. A few seconds ago, I was watching the morning news and enjoying my first cup of coffee. Now, chores caught up, devotions glanced at and my Bible beside me…I’m wondering where the morning went. Times like this, I question how many days I’ve ran through - wasted even - without thinking about my life’s calling or God’s will for it; even at my age! Am I making this harder than it needs to be?  Am I being obtuse? Or is it that I know  what needs done but unwilling to put forth the effort? A preacher once said it’s easy to know God’s will: Just ask Him! Well, I have and instead of directions like he gave Noah or the absolute sign He gave Gideon …I get obscure dreams and newspaper articles!  But what I want is a-no-question-about-it-word-from-You…like You gave me before! Wait, m...