Boston Avenue United Methodist Church

20 hours ago

Your Boston Avenue #DailyDevotional, Tuesday, October 13
Pride On a Hay Bale
by Angelyn Dale

I read an article in the New York Times in which Carlos Lozada wrote the following: “There is a difference between lawful and included, between needed and welcomed, between tolerated and accepted.” There is tremendous truth in that. If we allow ourselves to look outside our own comfortable lives, we find that too many people lead lives where they are constantly accosted by the words and deeds of others which make them know that they are merely lawful, merely needed, merely tolerated. Sadly, that happens all too often to our LGBTQ+ friends and family members. The slings and slights which they often endure make their exclusion clear and unavoidable. Too many others have chosen not to follow the guidance of the old hymn which exhorted us to “draw the circle wide,” to include everyone as those whom God loves.

But once a year there is a joyous, raucous event called the Pride Parade during which members of the LGBTQ+ community and all their allies move with vigor down the streets of Tulsa, hearing the supportive cheers of people on the sidewalks as they delight in being themselves. Jim and I have taken part in Pride Parade for many years. As we age, we have reluctantly decided that our days of marching in the parade are behind us, so we have ridden in the church vans and buses, on BAUMC floats, and in all the alternative methods of participating that the church planners kindly make available to us. Last year, we rode on the float seated on hay bales, happily waving brightly colored Pride flags and handing out hundreds of water bottles containing a Boston Avenue label which proclaimed, “You are a beloved child of God.” As we hand out the water bottles, we look deeply into the eyes of those accepting them and smile with a warmth that we hope enforces that message. What all of us participating in the Pride Parade are trying to say with a water bottle, a smile, a wave of a rainbow-colored flag, is “You are included. You are welcomed. You are accepted.”

Please, Gracious God, help us be inclusive, welcoming, accepting to everyone who needs to feel this warmth every day, not just one weekend, and not just from a hay bale. We pray that it may be so. ... See MoreSee Less

Boston Avenue United Methodist Church

2 days ago

Your Boston Avenue #DailyDevotional, Monday, October 12
Prayer For Today
by Rev. EvaMarie Campbell

Gracious and Loving God,

We enter into the quietness and stillness of our homes or online or even in the hustle and bustle of the world around us. Wherever we find ourselves physically, may this day connect us spiritually with you and each other.

To connect with you means to turn our hearts toward you and how you would have us to live. Instill within us the desire to do so as we move out into our day-to-day lives.

As the great hymn proclaims, “Great is Your Faithfulness.”

Great is your faithfulness and great is our need of you and of each other. May we be examples of your faithfulness as we pray for those in need, offer aid to those who lack, work for mercy and justice within our world and take the next faithful step forward to be co-creators with you to bring about your kingdom here on earth.

For the Strength for today we give you thanks.

May it fill us with the will and determination to bring about your bright hope for tomorrow. Amen ... See MoreSee Less

Boston Avenue United Methodist Church

5 days ago

Your Boston Avenue #DailyDevotional, Friday, October 9
It's All About the Shoes
by Judy Rowell

I have been reading my favorite Canadian rabbi, Rabbi Yisrael Bernath, again, and this time he is musing about happiness. That’s a topic we hear a lot about, isn’t it? “Don’t worry, be happy.” “Get happy.” “Happy days are here again.” It seems everybody is selling happiness, writing books about happiness, or promising happiness if we just buy one more thing. And if we’re honest, most of us have played that game at least once or twice. We have all thought, If I could just get that job, move into that neighborhood, lose those pounds, have more time, or make a little more money, then I’d be happy forever.

How did that work out for you? I can tell you how it worked for me. Every time I got one thing, sooner or later I wanted something else. Advertisers know this about us. They’ve built a whole industry around the idea that happiness is always one purchase away.

Now, I like stuff. I have stuff. There is nothing wrong with stuff. But I learned a long time ago that most things, by themselves, do not bring lasting joy. The treasures I love most are connected to people. I still smile when I look at my grandmother’s old pickle jar sitting on the side board, and I cherish the cup and saucer she used when she served me Russian tea when I was sick. Those things make me happy because they carry love and memories. But if the objects were gone, the memories would remain.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11). Notice that little word learned. Contentment does not just happen. It is something we practice. Rabbi Bernath says we make a mistake when we think happiness is somewhere “out there” waiting for us to find it. He says happiness is not at the end of the journey—it is the shoes we wear along the way. I like that.

Maybe God’s gift is not a treasure waiting around the next corner. Maybe it is the ability to notice blessings already in front of us, to carry gratitude in our hearts, and to walk through life wearing the sturdy shoes of contentment. That sounds like a pretty good journey to me. ... See MoreSee Less

Boston Avenue United Methodist Church

6 days ago

Your Boston Avenue #DailyDevotional, Thursday, October 8
Embracing Ambiguity
by Belynda Clanton

Each year, my husband, Sid, looks forward to showing his art at a local art fair. His paintings are abstract. We love to observe people passing the display of art showing vibrant colors and geometric shapes that are often askew. Sometimes people comment about the colors or maybe the textures. Sometimes people comment about something that they see in the painting and other times, they ask “what does it mean?” Other times, they just pass by and smile. This year we added a quote that says, “Abstract art trains your brain to embrace ambiguity.”

I thought about this quote in relation to the teaching of Jesus and how the parables are both abstract and ambiguous. These parables lead us to look at things differently and this causes us to this struggle as we try to train our brains. Rev. Powers shared with us the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16). This parable did not have any sense of fairness to the people who gathered to hear it the first time. Even today, we hear the parable and it still makes us uncomfortable. We want things to be fair, aligned, equal and just. We are more comfortable with things that make sense and give a clear direction or answer. Jesus was trying to teach us and train our brains to see a different point of view.

A friend in my Sunday School class recently shared one of his writings about love. His text was the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). I had always clearly believed that this well-known parable was teaching us to be like the Good Samaritan. But, my friend suggested thinking about God as the one who is the Good Samaritan and that we are the ones who have fallen into the hands of the robbers. With this viewpoint, we can see how much God loves each one of us. I now have a different perspective of the Good Samaritan parable that I had never before considered. Ambiguity is unsettling in literature and art. We try to train our brains when hearing, reading and studying these parables of Jesus, but still we struggle with them in the world today.

Prayer: Loving God, help us to train our brains to learn new lessons and to embrace the ambiguity of the parables and teachings of the Bible. Amen ... See MoreSee Less

Boston Avenue United Methodist Church

7 days ago

Your Boston Avenue #DailyDevotional, Wednesday, October 7
Is the Bible Still Relevant?
by Rev. David Wiggs

Many people feel as if the Bible has no relevance anymore. Yet, I would contend that it offers help in the form of guidance and inspiration in very practical ways.

Living in chaotic, troubling times?
"Be still and know that I am God!" Psalm 46:10

Struggling with finding your place in the world?
"You are a child of God." John 1:12
"You are blessed and given gifts by God." 1st Corinthians 12
"God has called you by name." Isaiah 43:1

Feeling weak?
"God will strengthen you." Isaiah 41:10

Find yourself paralyzed by fear?
Affirm: "I will not fear, God is with me." Is 41:13

Wondering if you are capable enough or smart enough or worthy or normal?
"You are God’s masterpiece, made by God." Eph 2:10

Feeling lost or alone or abandoned?
"Jesus says, 'Remember, I with you always.'" Matthew 28:20

Feeling discouraged or confused?
"Christ is the way, the truth and the life." John 14:6

Finding yourself in the middle of conflict?
"Love is the way through." 1 Cor 13

Feeling worn out or weighed down by too many burdens?
"Jesus says, 'Come to me all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.'" Matthew 11:28

Prayer: O dear Lord, we need you and we are thankful for your kind, loving presence with us now and always. May we find peace in your presence. Amen. ... See MoreSee Less

Boston Avenue United Methodist Church

1 week ago

Your Boston Avenue #DailyDevotional, Tuesday, October 6
Jesus Goes With Us Into the World
by Ed Payton

PREFACE: A team of seven Boston Avenue members will serve at our National Mission Partner, McCurdy Ministries in Española, New Mexico, October 2–6. This marks the tenth Boston Avenue mission team to share in ministry at McCurdy. Please pray for Cliff Duncan, Ray Earley, Jim Embrey, Paul Kent, Ed Payton, Rahn Walker, and Doug Wood as they serve. May they go forward with the assurance of their team scripture Joshua 1:9: “The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Scripture: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — Matthew 28:20

Jesus gave His followers an enormous assignment: Go. Make disciples. Serve. Teach. Share the good news. And then He gave them something even more important than a plan. A promise. “I am with you always.”

Jesus never called His followers to serve in their own strength. He sent them into unfamiliar places, difficult situations, and uncertain circumstances—but He promised they would never go alone.

That promise is still ours today.

God sends us into our homes, our neighborhoods, our workplaces, our churches, and our communities. He sends us to encourage the discouraged, listen to the hurting, serve those in need, and reflect the love of Christ through ordinary acts of faithfulness.

And wherever He sends us, He goes with us.

That means we don't have to have all the answers. We don't have to feel completely prepared. We don't have to be fearless.

We simply need to be available, faithful, and willing.

Perhaps there is something ahead of you today that feels bigger than you. A difficult conversation. Someone who needs encouragement. A situation that feels uncomfortable. A place where you wonder if you have anything to offer.
Remember this: Jesus is already there.

You are not walking into that moment alone. Christ goes before you, walks beside you, and gives you strength for the step in front of you.

So, Mission Team, as we begin this day, let us go with open hearts, willing hands, and courageous faith. We don't go because we have everything we need. We go because we know the One who does. Where He sends us, we will go. What He asks us to do, we will do. And wherever we go, Jesus goes with us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the promise that You are with us always. Give us willing hearts, courageous spirits, and eyes to see the opportunities You place before us. Use our words, our hands, and our service to reflect Your love. When we feel inadequate, remind us that Your presence is enough. In Your name, amen. ... See MoreSee Less

Boston Avenue United Methodist Church

1 week ago

Your Boston Avenue #DailyDevotional, Monday, October 5
God Is With Us Wherever We Go
by Ed Payton

PREFACE: A team of seven Boston Avenue members will serve at our National Mission Partner, McCurdy Ministries in Española, New Mexico, October 2–6. This marks the tenth Boston Avenue mission team to share in ministry at McCurdy. Please pray for Cliff Duncan, Ray Earley, Jim Embrey, Paul Kent, Ed Payton, Rahn Walker, and Doug Wood as they serve. May they go forward with the assurance of their team scripture Joshua 1:9: “The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Scripture: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” — Psalm 139:7

Psalm 139 gives us a powerful reminder: there is nowhere we can go where God is not already there.

David looks in every direction—the heavens, the depths, the far side of the sea—and finds the same answer: God is there.

We often recognize God’s presence in worship, prayer, or quiet moments. But His presence is not limited to the moments when we feel close to Him.

He is with us in the ordinary places and the difficult ones—in the car, at the hospital, around the table, in a difficult conversation, and in the moments when our hearts are heavy.

Sometimes hardship makes us wonder, “Where is God?” But Scripture reminds us that difficult circumstances do not mean God has moved away. The storm may change, but His presence does not.

Think about the disciples in the storm. The waves were real. Their fear was real. But Jesus was in the boat.
His presence did not mean there would be no storm. It meant they were not facing the storm alone.

That same truth is ours today.

We may not know what this day will bring. We may face challenges we did not expect or moments when we feel inadequate. But we can step into this day with confidence because God is already there.

Before you start the car, begin the conversation, meet the person, or take on the task ahead, pause and pray: “Lord, thank You that You are here.” Because wherever God sends us, God goes with us.

Prayer: Father, thank You that we are never alone. In the joyful moments and the difficult ones, remind us that You are near. Give us eyes to recognize Your presence and hearts that trust You wherever this day takes us. In Jesus’ name, amen. ... See MoreSee Less

Boston Avenue United Methodist Church

2 weeks ago

Your Boston Avenue #DailyDevotional, Friday, October 2
God's Presence Is With Us
by Ed Payton

PREFACE: A team of seven Boston Avenue members will serve at our National Mission Partner, McCurdy Ministries in Española, New Mexico, October 2–6. This marks the tenth Boston Avenue mission team to share in ministry at McCurdy. Please pray for Cliff Duncan, Ray Earley, Jim Embrey, Paul Kent, Ed Payton, Rahn Walker, and Doug Wood as they serve. May they go forward with the assurance of their team scripture Joshua 1:9: “The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Scripture: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

Joshua stood at the beginning of an uncertain journey. Moses was gone. The Jordan River stood before him. Beyond it were unfamiliar territory, fortified cities, battles, and a people who needed his leadership.

God did not promise Joshua an easy road. He promised something far greater: His presence.
“The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

This is our Mission Team Scripture for 2026—and it is a promise we can carry into every season of life.

We often wish God would show us the entire road ahead. We want to know what will happen, how things will work out, and that nothing will go wrong. But God rarely gives us the whole map. Instead, He gives us the assurance that He will walk with us every step of the way.

Perhaps you are facing an unfamiliar road today—a health concern, a family burden, a difficult decision, a new responsibility, or the grief of a changing season. You may not know what lies ahead, but you can know Who goes with you.

Courage does not mean we never feel afraid. Courage means we keep moving forward because we know we are not walking alone.

So take the next step. Pray for wisdom. Trust God with what you cannot control. And remember that wherever the road leads, God is already there.

Carry this promise with you today: You are never beyond the reach of God’s presence.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for never sending us into life alone. When the road ahead is uncertain, give us courage. When we feel weak, remind us that You are near. Help us trust You one step at a time and rest in the assurance that You will be with us wherever we go. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Joshua 1:9 reminds us that courage is not found in the absence of difficulty, but in the assurance of God’s presence. ... See MoreSee Less

Boston Avenue United Methodist Church

2 weeks ago

Your Boston Avenue #DailyDevotional, Thursday, October 1
The In-Between
by Kay Teekell

I started practicing yoga during the pandemic, when I was in desperate need of a way to ground myself in the midst of so much uncertainty. At the time, yoga was little more than an outlet for my anxiety, but this practice has taught me a great deal about myself and others.

Most recently, yoga taught me how to wait in the in-between. I had arrived at the studio overwhelmed by earlier events and obsessing over what I could do to prepare for the future. I’d almost canceled but decided at the last minute to go in the hopes of sweating out some stress.

Knowing nothing of my inner turmoil, the instructor told us we would be focusing on transitions, the moment when you can no longer depend on your last pose to support you, but you haven’t yet landed your next one. She challenged us to pay attention to where our minds go and how our bodies feel when we are in that place of instability and uncertainty.

I wasn’t sure whether I felt seen or called out.

Surprise, surprise, it was a fantastic class. Focusing on those in-between moments forced me to stop anticipating the next movement or over-analyzing my last one. I was resettled in the present.

At the end of class, the circumstances that had caused me so much anxiety were still there, and I wasn’t magically cured of all feelings of stress. Still, that practice gave me a needed reminder that not all uncertainty is bad, and being present during transitions can create a fuller, richer experience.

If you are moving through any transitions, big or small, I invite you to take time to sit in and appreciate that in-between space and see what it has to offer. ... See MoreSee Less