WGA blog

Where Grace Abounds has been a part of the faith journey of our church for a long time. We have stood alongside Mary Heathman, the founder of WGA, from the beginning.  For years, I served as the senior pastor of our church, and would like to share our congregation's...

It is always a privilege to speak at my own church, especially when it is about some element of growing closer, deeper, more in tune with Jesus Christ.  Last Sunday I shared along the lines of our identity in Christ.  What follows are a few excerpts from that sermon. ...

“Wholehearted living is about engaging with our lives from a place of worthiness. It means cultivating the courage, compassion and connection to wake up in the morning and think, ‘No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough.’ It’s going to bed at...

A couple of weeks ago, we began discussing the concept of self care as an antidote to addiction.  Addiction is often fueled by self neglect, whether in our spiritual life, our physical bodies, or our emotional health and relationships.  We turn to unhealthy behaviors...

“In Isaiah 61, the prophet invites the people of Israel to see God differently. Historically, the nation is in exile under the Babylonians, the city of Jerusalem in ruins. Foretold judgement has come, and the people of God are struggling to find hope. Isaiah speaks...

Two weeks ago, an interview with author of The Message and former pastor Eugene Peterson made the headlines. In the interview, Peterson was asked if he would perform a same-sex wedding, and his reply was simply, “Yes.” You can read that interview here. Day One: The...

Addiction is often fueled by self neglect.  In the midst of our busy lives, we tend to let the little things that we need to do in order to take better care of ourselves slip away. We neglect our needs for a variety of reasons.  “I am too busy,” or “It takes too much...

As I read the news headlines I am aware of the arrests of individuals for Sexual Offenses.  Initially, I think of the person who was abused and the long-term impact on their lives.  I know it is a long path to work through the issue of Sexual Abuse. I have worked with...

Having raised the question, I must admit that it is a loaded one. There is no entirely good time to leave a church. There is loss, even when one joyfully moves a long distance to advance a career or marries someone from another congregation and joins it. Among other...