Dr. Tom Pace Archives | St. Luke's United Methodist Church

14 02, 2020

Rage and Delight

Sally Penning2020-02-14T09:11:02-06:00February 14th, 2020|Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYER God, There are moments. There are moments it feels like there is something inside me that takes me over. It is anger. Rage. Fury. The frustration just bubbles inside me. And then, small things trigger me and I lash out. I often lash out and say ugly things to the people I love the most. Sometimes it is at those who are defenseless. I don't know what to do with this anger. I know anger is a natural emotion, but why do I use it and say and do hurtful things? I hear your son tell me [...]

17 06, 2016

Always Give Thanks – Inside Out Habits with Dr. Pace June 17

Robert Elliott2017-03-28T14:57:02-05:00June 17th, 2016|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

We pray. We study the Bible. We make friends. We tell our stories. We give ourselves away in generosity and service. A PERSONAL PRAYER Gracious God, Some weeks are harder than others. We had five funerals for lovely people at St. Luke’s over the last week, all members of our congregation. And there is the Orlando tragedy. And a baby is killed by an alligator. And it is really hot and miserable outside. And the parking lot is a long way off to walk in the heat. You know, all that sadness and annoyance kind of piles up [...]

12 06, 2016

Prayer and Peace: Inside Out Habits with Dr. Pace June 12

Robert Elliott2017-03-28T14:57:07-05:00June 12th, 2016|Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

We pray. We study the Bible. We make friends. We tell our stories. We give ourselves away in generosity and service. A PERSONAL PRAYER God of love and peace, Sometimes, an evil spirit comes over me, God, just like one came over King Saul. Sometimes it is depression, or jealousy, or rage, or out of control ambition, or greed, or snarkiness, or all sorts of other spirits. I refuse to give in to those spirits, God. I won’t let them take me over completely. I turn to you, the only one who can rescue me from such a spirit. [...]

17 04, 2016

Sabbath Rest: Inside-Out Habits for April 17 with Dr. Tom Pace

Robert Elliott2017-03-28T14:57:39-05:00April 17th, 2016|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

We pray. We study the Bible. We make friends. We tell our stories. We give ourselves away in generosity and service. WE PRAY: A PERSONAL PRAYER “I am tired. I am weak. I am worn.” “Sometimes, I feel discouraged, and think my work’s in vain. And then the Holy Spirit, revives my soul again…” “When you’re weary. Feelin’ small…” O God, apparently, I am not the only one who sometimes feels depleted and discouraged, burned out and worn out. The songwriter expresses it so well. When that happens, I don’t feel your joy bubbling up inside me. I need [...]

10 04, 2016

A Shepherd to Show the Way: Inside Out Habits for April 10, 2016 with Dr. Tom Pace

Robert Elliott2017-03-28T14:57:42-05:00April 10th, 2016|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace, Uncategorized|0 Comments

We pray. We study the Bible. We make friends. We tell our stories. We give ourselves away in generosity and service. WE PRAY: A PERSONAL PRAYER Gracious God, I need to be led by you. I like to believe that I know right and wrong, but as I grow older, more and more often the decisions seem more difficult. Things don’t seem as black and white, and I am more often than not ambivalent about decisions in front of me. I need a shepherd to guide me, God. And even when I know what is right, I am not always able [...]

3 04, 2016

Prayers: The Real Work: Inside-Out Habits for April 3, 2016 with Dr. Tom Pace

Robert Elliott2017-03-28T14:57:45-05:00April 3rd, 2016|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

We pray. We study the Bible. We make friends. We tell our stories. We give ourselves away in generosity and service. WE PRAY: A PERSONAL PRAYER O God, In the days after Easter, the disciples huddled in that same upper room in Jerusalem, and there they prayed. They waited and prayed to be clothed with power from on high. Instead, O God, I find myself working and fretting, worrying and wondering and wandering. Yes, you know I am praying, too. But somehow, my prayers feel different from those prayers of the disciples. Too often, I think that the important stuff is the “real [...]

11 12, 2015

Perspectacles: Inside-Out Habits for December 11, 2015 with Dr. Tom Pace

Robert Elliott2017-03-28T14:58:13-05:00December 11th, 2015|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

We pray. We study the Bible. We make friends. We tell our stories. We give ourselves away in generosity and service. A PERSONAL PRAYER Gracious God, I need to put on some perspectacles today. Some problems seem like mountains, when they are really challenges that give life meaning and purpose. Some situations (yes, even some people) seem like interruptions, when they really are opportunities to serve or to share. Some days go on and on, and seem like they will never end. Why do I want to wish away the few days you have given me to enjoy and [...]