Macland Community Blog

If you knew—for sure—that Jesus would come back to earth exactly 10 years from now, what would you do with that 10 years? Would you buy more stuff? Binge watch another tv show? Build a bigger house, even though the world as we know it would end in 10 years? What would be the point?…

The felt heartbeat of Methodist evangelism has always been this: testimony changes lives. From its earliest days, Methodism has been a movement of storytelling—not abstract theology alone, but real, Spirit-breathed accounts of God’s transforming grace in ordinary people.  Nowhere is this clearer than in the vision of John Wesley, founder of Methodism and editor of…

Years ago, while my extended family and I were on a river cruise, I saw an older man using a walker to get around. He looked interesting, so, I asked, “Where are you from?” He replied, “Question 2!” In conversation, he shared with me that we primarily ask three questions, What’s your name? Where are…

A plus-one is more than just a guest’s companion at an event—it’s a partner, a teammate, and a co-laborer. In ministry, while I may be the invited guest to a meeting or gathering, I always pray for a plus-one to invite alongside me. As a collaborator and verbal processor, having a plus-one brings so many…

Adolescence is like riding a wild roller coaster, full of twists and turns—physical, mental, emotional, and social changes all swirling together with a sprinkle of spiritual curiosity and a dash of hormones! It’s a time when questions pop up like popcorn, but the answers often seem a little fuzzy and tangled. So how can the…

One of the sweetest parts of my week happens at the end of Sunday School. After we’ve played, studied, laughed, responded, and prayed together, we wrap things up with three simple but meaningful steps: Years ago, Rev. Lauren Clawson introduced me to the idea of a hand blessing, and I instantly knew it was something…

I love movies! There’s nothing like a good one to hit “reset” on my brain when it’s running in fifty directions. One of my all-time favorites? The original 1984 Karate Kid. Here’s the gist: Daniel, the new kid, wants to learn karate. Enter Mr. Miyagi, his quirky and wise mentor. But instead of sparring lessons,…

Freedom to Explore and Experiment Sometimes, the most profound lessons don’t come from a speaker’s slides, a workshop’s outline, or even a coach’s prayer. Instead, they’re whispered by the Holy Spirit—moving among God’s people, over lunch tables, coffee tables, Airbnb kitchen islands, and yes, even while waiting in line for Gideon Bakehouse cookies. This year, here’s…

A Life Rooted in the Word Tara Beth found herself in a difficult place. As the first female pastor of First Church of the Nazarene in Pasadena, California, she faced both excitement and resistance. While some embraced her leadership, others staged a protest. She was like a tree planted on rocky ground—struggling but steadfast. Have…