Anyone who’s driven Kansas roads at night knows the feeling. You’re cruising along, and suddenly the road drops into a valley. The darkness seems to swallow your headlights. No streetlights, no house lights, just you and the black road ahead. Even familiar roads feel foreign in those valleys. You grip the wheel tighter, slow down, […]
You know that moment at work when the boss needs someone for an important project? Everyone straightens up, trying to look competent and available. The veterans showcase their experience. The eager ones volunteer before hearing the details. Meanwhile, someone’s in the supply closet, organizing inventory, completely unaware there’s even a meeting. Yet sometimes that’s exactly […]
Spring in Kansas brings storm season, when dark clouds gather and warning sirens test our readiness. Many of us know that feeling when the sky turns eerily green, signaling it’s time to seek shelter or watch from the porch – depending on your strategy. Consider moments when you’ve faced a different kind of storm – […]
If you are anything like me you may have started this December with carefully crafted plans – lists of gifts to buy, cookies to bake, events to attend. Maybe like last year, we created task lists and calendar items to manage it all. But life has a way of disrupting even our most detailed plans. […]
The Paralympic Games begin on Wednesday in Paris. Athletes will take their marks, set their stance, and launch into action. Today, we find the disciples in a similar position at the beginning of the book of Acts – poised on the starting blocks of a world-changing mission. But unlike those Olympians who relied on years […]
Friends, it’s good to be back with you after an intense and transformative couple of weeks at the General Conference in Charlotte, NC. Our United Methodist Church has made significant decisions that will shape our future. Amid these changes, I remember Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13. In a world that often feels driven by […]
Day 4 of the UMC General Conference began with an inspiring worship service led by Bishop Sharma D. Lewis. She emphasized the crucial role of God’s guidance in our conference agenda and reminded us that while we may not always trust each other, we can trust the Lord as we navigate the next seven days […]
Day 3 of the UMC General Conference began with a soul-soothing worship experience for me, which included “The Goodness of God” in Spanish. I arrived early to help save seats for other reserves in our delegation, which allowed me to catch the end of the soundcheck and preview what we would sing together later. Bishop […]
Day 2 of the UMC General Conference began with an inspiring morning worship, featuring a jazz combo that led us in singing century-old hymn lyrics in a refreshed way. The music was fantastic and set a positive tone for the day. Bishop Holston’s episcopal address took us on a journey through the years since the […]
Day 1 at the UMC General Conference was filled with reconnecting with friends and colleagues from across the connection. It’s inspiring to see people from all across the UMC, including the highest concentration of bishops, and to have opportunities to catch up with friends from near and far. I’ve connected with a variety of people […]
Imagine the buzz in Jerusalem the week after that first Easter. The crucifixion, the empty tomb, the appearances of the risen Jesus – the city must have been electric with wonder, confusion, and anticipation. Can you imagine the roller coaster of emotions experienced by the disciples? And now, we find yet another twist: Jesus’ ascension […]
Imagine, for a moment, you’re at the Super Bowl tonight, with the football team from Kansas City facing off against the team from San Francisco. The energy is electric, the crowd is roaring, and you can feel the tension. Each player on the field has a pivotal role, and their collective efforts could lead to […]
Rev. Andrew Conard 