Ministry in Motion

“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power.  They speak more eloquently than  ten thousand tongues.   They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.” -Washington Irving Does God Treasure Our Tears? Do We? I believe He does. Tears are precious to our Creator. Whether they rise from the quiet ache of inward pain or spill over in the abundance of joy, they flow from the very heart He formed and knows so well. Far from marking weakness, tears reveal a depth of feeling that strength alone cannot conceal. They speak what words often cannot, carrying the weight of sorrow, the sting of regret, the tenderness of compassion, and the fullness of great love. These emotions are not incidental to life; they are woven into the very fabric of who we are. Each of us expresses them differently, yet tears remain a shared language of the soul—one our Father never overlooks, never dismisses, and never was...

Some days don't begin with strength. They begin with the weight you carried from yesterday, the ache that didn't resolve overnight, the questions that followed you into the dawn, the heaviness that sits quietly in your chest before you even speak a word.   Psalm 143:8 records: "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." Psalm 143:8 is a beautiful prayer, but its beauty becomes even more poignant when you understand the backstory and setting of the psalm. The backstory. Psalm 143 is attributed to David, traditionally one of the   penitential psalms . The exact event in David’s life isn’t identified, but the language suggests that he is under intense pressure, pursued by an enemy, and spiritually exhausted. Earlier in the psalm, David says: “The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness…” And then: “My spirit grows faint within...

Closeness forms around snags, the places where a person’s real shape sticks out and catches on yours. We often imagine intimacy as a place where two people agree, where conversation flows easily and nobody rubs anyone the wrong way.   But perhaps some of our deepest relationships are formed not in the absence of friction, but in the way we learn to live with it. Disagreement, oddly, can be intimacy’s proof of trust. It says, I believe this relationship can hold my actual opinion. I don’t have to become someone else to belong here. Of course, not every disagreement is healthy. There is a difference between being known and being wounded; between honest conversation and the need to win.   But when we can disagree without withdrawing our affection, something beautiful happens: we discover that the relationship is larger than the issue. Perhaps this is part of what it means to be a community of faith. We gather not because we have all arrived at the same conclusions, but because we...

There’s a story that goes something like this:  Benjamin Franklin, wanting to win over a hostile rival, didn’t do him a favor . . . he asked him for one. Franklin asked to borrow a rare book. The rival obliged, and from that day forward, their relationship changed. The rival eventually became a lifelong friend. Two centuries later, researchers put the idea to the test. In a classic 1969 experiment, people who were asked to do a personal favor ended up liking the person who asked significantly more than those who had been helped, or those who had no interaction at all. The Ben Franklin Effect, as it’s now known, has held up across decades: we tend to grow attached to the people we invest in. And follow-up research suggests the effect is strongest when the requests are personal and social rather than merely transactional. Perhaps there’s a Sunday thought here for all of us: Sometimes, allowing someone the opportunity to help us may be a better way of building a relationship than simp...

The book of Proverbs draws a sharp contrast between foolishness and godly wisdom.   Proverbs 18:2 puts it plainly: “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” Opinions shaped by a well-informed and prayerful mind can become quiet catalysts for good, stirring ideas that strengthen businesses, deepen relationships, and nourish our walk with God. Yet not every thought that rises within us needs to be spoken. When a conviction takes root in your heart, how carefully do you steward the voice God has given you? How thoughtfully do you offer your perspective, seeking not merely to be heard, but to serve, to build up, and to leave room for the Spirit’s gentle work? A Sunday Thought… Pkes   

Imagine you're walking through the woods and you see a small dog. It looks so cute and friendly.   You approach and move to pet the dog. Suddenly it snarls and tries to bite you.   The dog no longer seems cute and you feel fear, confusion and a spot of anger.   Then, as the wind blows, the leaves on the ground are carried away, and you see the dog has one of its legs caught in an ugly metal trap.   Now, your heart begins to melt in compassion for the dog.   You consider and understand that it became aggressive because of distress, it is in pain and is suffering. I like what the writer of Proverbs penned:  "... Don't jump to conclusions  there may be a perfectly good explanation  for what you just saw..." Proverbs 25:8 Msg Pkes       MinM

We believe generosity is an act of worship and a tangible expression of God’s love. Every gift helps us love our neighbors well, care for those in need, and create welcoming spaces where spiritually curious people can encounter the life and way of Jesus. When you give, you become part of the story God is writing through our community. Your generosity fuels our mission to embody the love of Christ, cultivating authentic community, and inviting others to discover the hope found in Jesus. Giving online is simple and secure. Click the Donate button below to make a one-time gift or set up recurring giving by credit card. Ministry in Motion.Church   Ministry in Motion is a Texas Nonprofit Tax Exempt 501(c)(3) corporation  under the  US Internal Revenue Service Code.   #pkes   #MinM  

The $criptures. The Gospel does not condemn wealth itself, nor does it glorify poverty. Rather, it calls followers of Jesus to see all resources as gifts from God to be stewarded for His kingdom, the good of others, and His glory.   Most biblical scholars and theologians estimate there are roughly 2,000 to 2,350 verses in the Bible that address money, wealth, and possessions. This topic is so prominent in Scripture that it is discussed nearly twice as often as faith and prayer combined. Generations Baby Boomers: Born 1946–1964. Named for the massive surge in birth rates following World War II.   Generation X: Born 1965–1980. Often associated with growing up during the end of the Cold War and the transition to the digital age.   Millennials (Gen Y): Born 1981–1996. Known as the first digital natives who bridge the analog childhood and internet-driven adult worlds.   Generation Z (Zoomers): Born 1997–2012. Defined by growing up with constant digital ...

Socrates is credited with saying,  “Beware the barrenness of a busy life.”  Those words feel especially relevant today. For many of us, “I’m so busy” has become our default response, almost a reflex, an automatic reply. “How are you?” “Oh, I’m so busy.” “Want to get together later?” “I’d love to, but I’m too busy.” “Could you help me with something?” “Maybe, but I’m pretty busy.” To be fair, many people truly are busy with meaningful and important responsibilities. There are seasons when full schedules are both necessary and good. But perhaps the more important question isn’t simply How busy am I? It’s What am I busy with? Busyness has become a cultural badge of honor. We rush from one commitment to the next, often leaving little room for rest, meaningful relationships, quiet reflection, or attentive prayer. We fill our calendars, yet our souls can remain strangely empty. A full schedule is not always a full life. Sometimes the greatest danger is not that we’re doin...