City Road Chapel UMC

Habakkuk 3:13-19  Life is Hard, and some people seem to have more than their fair share of Hard! Recently WSMV-TV tweeted a story headline that read “Cancer patients find miracle in rubble of burned-out home in Memphis.” As it turns out a woman who is battling cancer’s home burned while her daughters were battling cancer, … Read more

Psalm 126 In Psalm 126, the Israelites are laughing and shouting and rejoicing because God has changed their circumstances. We can all think of times in our personal life and in the life of our church when we have come through a rough time and our circumstances change for the better. What joy we feel … Read more

Philippians 3:7-11 The message that Advent brings is one of preparation for the Coming One. When Jesus came, his work was to invite us into the life of God. It is this life that the Apostle Paul celebrates in his letter to the Philippian church. Written toward the end of Paul’s life, this letter reflects … Read more

Luke 1:5-17  Faith! Sometimes our faith is tested just as God tested Zechariah’s. Although Zechariah was a priest and a righteous man, he was skeptical when the angel of the Lord appeared before him and told him God was going to bless him and Elizabeth with a baby, named John. Elizabeth was beyond childbearing age … Read more

Isaiah 4:2-6  The times we live in are full of trouble – global crises like the rise of terrorism and the spread of the Ebola virus, and problems closer to home, like high school shootings and neighbors without jobs. We cry out under the weight of worry, and search desperately for freedom and release. Isaiah … Read more

Psalm 27 Advent is a time of expectation and waiting. David, in Psalm 27, is thinking about the future, and while it can’t come soon enough for him, David still ends the Psalm with this advice: “Wait for the LORD; be strong, take heart and wait for the LORD!” David also talks about celebrating, but … Read more

2 Peter 3:8-15a  Advent – “the arrival of a notable person, thing or event.” “the coming or second coming of Christ.” In this season we celebrate His coming as our Savior, and we anticipate His return. “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like … Read more

Mark 11:27-33 Questioning Authority? Hmmmm….We’ve all done this in some shape or form. Arguing with parents as teenagers (or adults!), disregarding rules we don’t like, even breaking them (speeding, anyone?). The song lyrics say, “I fight Authority, Authority always wins!” The context is real, I think. The Sanhedrin was questioning Jesus, possibly trying to trip … Read more

Jeremiah 1:4-10  From the beginning, the Bible gives examples of God calling people to some purpose. Jeremiah is called at a young age, and as seems traditional with those who receive His call, has a ready explanation as to why God must be mistaken: “I am but a boy.” God gives his usual answer: that … Read more

Psalm 85:1-2; 8-13 “Righteous goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.” Last Christmas my children told me I had broken the tradition because I did not buy each of the girls a Pandora charm.   This year I am prepared. They are wrapped and waiting on the tree. Since selecting the appropriate charm … Read more