06/17/2026
Grace and Peace from our Lord, Savior, and God, Jesus Christ,
A few years ago, my wife and I purchased a quant and cute farm house. As a city boy, I had never really lived in any placed that could be considered “country.” But this, indeed was country. So much so that I lived 5 miles from my Amish neighbors, who are really nice people! Needless to state, it was an adjustment for me. But by the Grace and Power of God (and the grace of my wife who put up with my bickering!), I learned to adapt. I even learned to appreciate certain aspects of the country life.
One of the adjustments I had to make was getting used to using a wood burning stove as our primary heat source. Very quickly, I came to love that stove, and the heat that it generated. One of the elements to making the stove work efficiently was maintaining the fuel source. You put logs of wood in it. Over time, the wood turns to ash. This creates a problem. Too much ash, and the fire will eventually be snuffed out by it. So, you have to dispose of the ash. But the disposal of the ash also creates a problem! For, you have to do it with care. You have to do it right. In disposing of the ash, you have to ensure you do not accidentally take burning wood coals with it. Because without the wood coals, the fuel source is eventually diminished, and as a result, the fire will also go out. Thus, you use a specialized sifter. Using the sifter ensures that you can empty the ash, whilst keeping the burning coals within the fireplace.
This creates a great analogy for the spiritual life. Our spiritual life is a fire, filled with purpose, passion, and peace. The Holy Spirit brings us to new life, and the entire process of sanctification is a purification process, likened to fire. Throughout our lives, different elements are used to keep the fire of our faith burning. Eventually, however, some of these elements no longer work. They did work….for a time….but no longer so. When this happens, such elements become ash. They served their purpose, but are no longer useful. At the same time, some elements persist in our lives, that continue to help burn the fire of our faith. These are the coals.
The problem is that many of us cling to the ash for far too long. Due to attachment, we find it difficult to empty the fire place. We find it difficult to let go of the ash. As a result, our spirit languishes, and the fire of our faith begins to lessen. Because the ash is snuffing it out.
This is the spiritual reality of “nostalgia.” Nostalgia is when we focus on how our faith used to be. How our congregations used to do things. How the past used to burn bright. Somewhere down the line, however, it changed. And what used to work to keep our fire burning no longer does so. When this happens, we have a choice. Let go of what no longer works, or keep trying to force our fire place to consume ash from the past. Keep trying to force our congregations….keep trying to force ourselves…to adopt the principles that worked back in the 1970s, 80s, or 90s, but no longer is effective in keeping our fire burning. As a result, “nostalgia,” or “ash,” snuffs out the fire.
This upcoming Sunday, I invite you into a Sacred space….a Sacred moment…to explore the difference between Nostalgia and Remembrance. To explore the contrast between how Nostalgia (ash) snuffs out our fire and how remembrance (coals) keeps our fire burning. And how the Bible calls us to empty the ash and embrace the coals.
You can prepare for the service by reading
Numbers 13: 1, 2, 21, 25-14: 1-4; Joshua 14: 6-12.
Worship starts at 11am, but if you are unable to attend the service, you can watch it online here:
https://www.youtube.com/
Also, a few other things you can do in order to prepare for service:
1. Pray the rest of the week. Pray for me that I preach well. Pray that the people receive the message well. Pray that all of us meet God this Sunday.
2. Worship this week. Do not wait till Sunday to worship. Start singing the hymns and songs now. Help your neighbor. Spend time in quiet solitude with God. Take time to worship today.
3. Get there early.
4. Invite people to come to the service.
5. Bring your Bible.
6. Take notes during service.
7. Do not treat Church like a Country club.
8. Focus on God!
I hope to see you there if you can make it!
With love, compassion, and prayer,
Reverend Michael G. Whitcomb-Tavey
This site is for members of Asbury United Methodist Church. We are a Methodist congregation located in Getzville, NY.
