Sacred Paths

04/04/2025

The Wired Word for the Week of April 6, 2025 In the News On March 10, about 70 Christian students at Western Kentucky University (WKU) spent almost three hours writing out the entire gospel of John on campus sidewalks. The students, organized by the Baptist Campus Ministry (BCM) and joined by Campus Crusade for Christ "Cru" and Hilltoppers for Christ, got the idea from similar efforts (called "Gospel Chalk Movement" on TikTok) on several North Carolina campuses....

09/28/2024

A question from James Clear: A four-pack on love:

In what ways is it easy for you to show love?
In what ways is it hard for you to show love?
In what ways is it easy for you to receive love?
In what ways is it hard for you to receive love?

08/29/2024

Recently, I preached on the importance of pushing through pain to get to something better. I used the analogy of entering the kingdom of heaven THROUGH the cross. I thought of that when I read this from James Clear today:

"Dreams are fun when they are distant. The imagination loves to play with possibilities when there is no risk of failure.

But when you find yourself on the verge of action, you pause. You can feel the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Thoughts swirl. Maybe this isn't the right time? Failure is possible now.

In that moment—in that short pause that arises when you stand face to face with your dream—is the entirety of life. What you do in that pause is the crucible that forges you. It is the dividing line between being the type of person who thinks about it or the type of person who goes for it.

When I really think about it, I want that moment to be my legacy. Not that I won or lost. Not that I looked good or looked like a fool. But that when I had something I really wanted to do, I went for it."

3 IDEAS FROM ME I. “Clarity is freedom. Know what is important to you and it will grant you the freedom to ignore everything else.” ​II. “When you’re on the field, play as if nothing else matters. When you’re off the field, remember that the game doesn’t matter at all.” III. “Dream...

08/24/2024

https://open.substack.com/pub/colbymartin/p/drano-for-the-heart

What do you do when your heart feels tight and closed off? When love isn't flowing like it should and could?

08/23/2024

The Wired Word for the Week of August 25, 2024 In the News In downtown Philadelphia, worshipers at Tenth Presbyterian Church recently decided to park farther away from their building on Sunday mornings so as not to block bicycle lanes local riders wanted to use during those hours. In doing so, the church gave up a city permit that had allowed the parishioners to use the lane space for parking during worship times....

The Wired Word for the Week of August 25, 2024 In the News In downtown Philadelphia, worshipers at Tenth Presbyterian Church recently decided to park farther away from their building on Sunday mornings so as not to block bicycle lanes local riders wanted to use during those hours. In doing so, the c...

08/14/2024

Welcome back for Fall 2024! We had a great turnout at the Campus Ministries Association Murder Mystery! Our first meeting will be Thursday, August 22, at 5:30 pm at Christ Episcopal Church. We'll start with dinner, get to know anyone new, and then discuss the weekly topic from The Wired Word. Our goal is to be done by 7 pm in case you need to be somewhere else....

Welcome back for Fall 2024! We had a great turnout at the Campus Ministries Association Murder Mystery! Our first meeting will be Thursday, August 22, at 5:30 pm at Christ Episcopal Church. We'll start with dinner, get to know anyone new, and then discuss the weekly topic from The Wired Word. Our go...

08/07/2024

Campus Ministries Association is holding their annual Murder Mystery event on Tuesday, August 23, at 6:30 pm. Check-in is right outside the library, and the event will be held on the quad between the library and the Puck. It's like the game, Clue: visit stations hosted by all of the CMA ministries to figure out who killed Dr. Boddy! Hope you can join us!...

Campus Ministries Association is holding their annual Murder Mystery event on Tuesday, August 23, at 6:30 pm. Check-in is right outside the library, and the event will be held on the quad between the library and the Puck. It's like the game, Clue: visit stations hosted by all of the CMA ministries t...

04/01/2024

Today is both Easter and Trans Day of Visibility. Easter moves around; TDOV is always March 31. So I celebrated Easter this morning with a wonderful service—thanks in part to Lorie Francis on organ!—at First Presbyterian Church of Rolla, followed by a luncheon. Then this afternoon/evening, LGBTQ Rolla had a TDOV event hosted by CrossRoads, a church that is very much our partner in many activities.

We had about 80 people show up! Plus a small contingent (I think 4) of protesters. They didn’t say much, just held up signs advertising their particular interpretation of scripture.

What is the Gospel? Mark 1:14-15: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand! What is the kingdom of God? It is a state of being where everyone can thrive, where everyone lives in harmony. It’s an already-but-not-yet existence. We can catch glimpses of it here and now, and one day will experience it in all of its fullness.

I had two opportunities to experience the kingdom of God today. The first was during worship and fellowship with my church family. The second was during a time of joy, of belonging, of true fellowship with people across the gender and sexuality spectrum who were able to just BE. Just be themselves, whoever they are. No judgment, no ostracism, just acceptance.

Patrick Wilson volunteers for the Trevor Project, which is a support hotline for LGBTQ+ young people who are struggling and considering su***de. The Trevor Project exists because too many young people do not have the opportunity to just BE. To be themselves. To be allowed to thrive. LGBTQ Rolla exists so that everyone has a place to belong. Our tagline is “Affirmative, Supportive, Visible Community.” We exist so that everyone can see that it is possible to live and to thrive, no matter your gender identity or sexual orientation. That they are not alone.