Author: DeMoss
Means of grace
Bishop David Bard asserts that during this time of the ongoing pandemic, “Such a moment asks that we think more deeply about the means of grace.” He shares about online communion … Grace. Paul, in Ephesians, writes, “for by grace you have been saved through faith.” While not all Christian theologians center the idea of… Continue Reading Means of grace
Loss and learning
What does it take to remain faithful during a season of loss? Bishop David Bard asserts that, as followers of Jesus, learning about self-giving love is important … Psalm 116:10 is rather startling. “I have remained faithful, even when I said, ‘I am suffering so badly!’” (Common English Bible) Life for all of us, including… Continue Reading Loss and learning
Small moments
A morning TV show reminds Bishop David Bard of the importance of small moments for happiness. He expresses gratitude for such times he has experienced in the weeks just past … Waking up and getting ready for work a couple of days following annual conference, and most days work is just down the hall. I… Continue Reading Small moments
Next faithful steps
The road to a just society in America stretches before us. Bishop David Bard encourages all to take faithful steps in working against racism while walking the road with Christ … If you say, “Look, we did not know this” – does not the Weigher of Hearts discern? ~ Proverbs 24:12a Walking you make the road.… Continue Reading Next faithful steps
Pastors, prophets, politics, & pandemics
In this month’s Joyful Journey blog, Bishop David Bard, with heart broken open, talks about the appropriate place of politics in our decision making about coronavirus and actions against racism …
Hard travelin’
Reflecting on Paul and Woodie Guthrie, Bishop David Bard talks about some things we are learning during this hard time of global pandemic … “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death… Continue Reading Hard travelin’
Fear, faith, and Easter
Coronavirus has impacted us all. Bishop David Bard explores the nature of fear and the human response to it. He concludes, “So, maybe Easter is about both fear and joy.”… There was a moment a few days ago, a powerful moment when an overwhelming feeling flooded through me. I felt I was having a dream,… Continue Reading Fear, faith, and Easter
Ash Wednesday is so contemporary
“We are both dust and stardust.” Bishop David Bard cites coronavirus and stresses in The United Methodist Church as examples of why we mortals need an observance like Ash Wednesday … We have arrived once again at the season of Lent, the 40 days, not including Sundays (each Sunday is meant to be a “little… Continue Reading Ash Wednesday is so contemporary
Interesting times
Interesting times call for out of the ordinary actions. Bishop David Bard recalls a conference speaker’s words about a “liminal season,” as he explains the reasons for a special annual conference session … In a speech given in South Africa in 1966, Senator Robert Kennedy noted that there was a Chinese curse, “May you live… Continue Reading Interesting times
New year, new tasks
In his first Joyful Journey blog of 2020, Bishop David Bard talks about important tasks before The Michigan Conference of The UMC: ministry work, soul work, and grief work … Perhaps some of you are familiar with the beautiful words of Howard Thurman’s, “The Work of Christmas.” When the song of the angels is stilled,… Continue Reading New year, new tasks