DEVOTIONS

Three years ago I had the opportunity to be in a clergy study led by Johns Hopkins University. It truly was one of the most transformative experiences of my entire life. Now, the study itself is a little controversial, so I am asking that you ...

Sometimes it is pretty easy to "read a room." Especially if the room is an outdoor space, under a tent, with 400 eyes no more than 50 feet away in broad daylight. You can tell if things are going "well" or not. And the start of the conference ...

A Daily Lenten Devotion Imagine what it would be like to meet someone with no expectations around what meeting them would be like. There are no preset standards you have in your mind regarding them. It is simply a meeting of two people. Yet, ...

A Daily Lenten Devotion Who is the worst teacher you ever had? I’m not sure I would have been able to understand Chemistry WITH a good teacher, but I would have at least had a fighting chance. Mr. Williams (fictitious name) was my Chemistry ...

As we've been in Uganda, things have been so "different" - I decided to put away the pre-written devotions and share with you some "God-things" that we never imagined. First, please know. West is very passionate about local missions, helping ...

Well, the e-news is a tad bit late because it has been QUITE a cluster trying to get to the airplane gate. This week has had not enough time and a few too many tasks :-). This trip has been "in the works" 4 different times . . . and today ...

When the conference asked us to launch a campus of Williamson’s Chapel, we had no idea that it would ultimately give birth to a “legit” church. And even though we are a “church” - we prefer to reference West as a movement. A movement of community, real people doing real life and sharing God’s love in real ways. 

Lent Morning Meditation Our perception of something is the way that we see it. And not just “see” like we look at it with our eyes and we see it. But REALLY “see” it. When we perceive something we truly regard it, paying attention to its many ...

We make things complicated. Sure, there are situations in life that are complicated. But more often than not, when we find ourselves really wrestling with complicated situations, we have heaped complications into the situation instead of ...

It happens in friendships. Years are spent together building closeness and unity, then life happens. Distance is created. Situations change. People move. Friendships grow apart. However, the transformational thing is that regardless of how ...

Lenten Devotion by Rev. Dr. Andrea Smith Friday, March 4, 2022 I invite you to call to your mind your relationships for a few minutes. Think of the people that hold a special place in your life.

Lent Morning Meditation “Everyone just needs to believe in the real Jesus.” Have you ever heard that before? So what does that mean, the “real” Jesus? Who's definition of Real are we using? Nine out of ten Americans (not Christians, ...