Hello All! 

I want to say thank you again for the warm welcome that I have received here! You have been very gracious and grace filled as we have stated our journey together and I am very grateful for that. It’s hard to start something new. Even if you have started something new many times, each time is  . . . well . . . new. 😊 And beyond difficult, sometimes it’s just plain scary.  

You might be shocked to learn that I like water slides. I don’t ride them often because I feel like I’m getting older, but when I do, I remember that I’m still young-ish.  On Wednesday, I got to go with the youth group to the water park in Salina.  And there were water slides.  I stepped out with trepidation and asked myself why I was doing this again.  I almost let the fear of the unknown stop me. And, then I went I sliding down, around, and all over and I’m so glad I did! It was awesome!  

As we continue to look at new beginnings this week, we will be looking at beginning with courage. Sometimes, fear can make us Forget Everything And Run. Other times, fear can make us Face Everything And Rise. I have faith that when God is calling us into a new beginning, we are called to do the latter. Where is God calling you to go with courage? What is God calling us to do with courage? I would love to hear your thoughts on this!  

I hope to see you at worship on Sunday morning – either in person (8:30 and 10:30) or online and on the radio (10:30). Abilene First UMC – Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors. 

Grace and Peace, 

rev. mik