The Covered Dish - Duke Divinity School

The Tie That Binds (Part 1)

jit2@duke.edu — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:00:57 +0000

“If a brother or sister sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.

The Tie That Binds (Part 2)

jit2@duke.edu — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:05:06 +0000

“If a brother or sister sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.

Foolish-Sounding Little Songs

jit2@duke.edu — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 18:54:01 +0000

1 Corinthians 1:18-19, 25
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Faith and Rural Life Conference: April 4-5

kjm20@duke.edu — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:12:08 +0000

Thriving Rural Communities, in cooperation with Mt. Olive College and several local ecumenical organizations, is sponsoring a gathering of clergy and laity in North Carolina to explore the shape of Christian community and the nature of Christian mission in our small-town, rural context.

Tom Landis: God Whispers

kjm20@duke.edu — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:27:54 +0000

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. I Kings 19:11-13

I once heard Billy Graham tell an interviewer that God had never spoken to him audibly, but that He had “spoken” to him in many other ways. I’m sure most believers can relate to what Dr. Graham was saying. Through the years I have personally heard God speaking to me most clearly during my morning devotions: sometimes a word of encouragement; at other times a word of correction and admonition; and at still others a word of affirmation. I would like to share with you three of those occasions which stand out most clearly in my mind.

Jodi Lampley: Worshipping with Cowboys

kjm20@duke.edu — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 21:02:44 +0000

If you are like me, odds are you’ve never heard of Cowboy Church. Just linking those two words bring to mind all sorts of images. What are you imagining?

I first learned about Cowboy Church from a family in my congregation, one that has been a source of incredible support for me as I have transitioned to Davidson County and Shiloh UMC. I can’t recall how many invitations I politely declined before I finally attended, but I can tell you that my Thursday nights with High Rock Cowboy Church has been an unexpected source of joy and fellowship over the past months.

Myra O'Connor: Prayer Bracelets

kjm20@duke.edu — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:50:41 +0000

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8

As the director of student ministries at my church, I spend the majority of time with children and youth. It's in the times spent with my middle and high school youth that the subject of prayer is brought up most often.

Patrick Murphy: Communal Faith

kjm20@duke.edu — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:18:05 +0000

Acts 2:42–47

What ever happened to “community” anyway? The earliest Christian circles certainly understood the value and camaraderie that comes with holding together a group of earnest disciples of Jesus and his Apostles. Acts 2:42–47 explains the communal aspects of the first groups of believers who “were together and had everything in common,” and “broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.”

What a way of life!

Nate Hester: Mailbow

kjm20@duke.edu — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 21:27:45 +0000

There is one thing that the country has over the city: the golf cart ride to the mailbox.

Nicole Jones: An Image Askew to an Image Renewed

kjm20@duke.edu — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:30:56 +0000

I could feel the intent and even apprehensive gaze of the congregation as I sat down on the floor for Children’s Sermon. I knew what they were all thinking, and I was thinking the same thing: will I be able to get back up off of this floor?

I was appointed to the charge back in July, three and half months pregnant. Now, entering my ninth month, the congregation has been able to lovingly as well as amusingly watch my transformation over the last several months.