Manlius United Methodist Church

I’m safely back home. Thank you again for your prayers and concerns 😊

This concludes my three-week pilgrimage.
Europe is now too hot to walk around for long, so in Munich I simply visited Marienplatz and spent some quiet reflection time at Frauenkirche. Of course, I also completed my “honey-do” list! Tomorrow, I will return home.
I want to thank you for your prayers for my safety. There were moments when I felt homesick, but everything went well by God’s grace.
As I learned more about the Reformers, I could not help but think about what enabled them to stand against the giants of their time. Who are the people who change the course of history? They are people whose faith, conviction, and hope are shaped by the Word of God.
The Reformers deeply studied and meditated on Scripture. They reflected on God’s Word in the midst of the situations they were facing. Without faith and conviction about what was true and right, they might not have had the courage to stand strong. Because they believed the Word of God was powerful, they translated the Bible into the languages of the people and preached in the languages people could understand. It was as if the blind received new sight.
Now we live in a very different world. We worship the Lord in our own language. We are surrounded by Bibles, Christian books, sermons, and resources. Yet many people still live as if they are blind to the truth. That saddens me.
As I mentioned before, I will spend the remaining part of my sabbatical visiting historical sites in New York, Pennsylvania, and New England. Historically, the Second Great Awakening took place in the early nineteenth century in our region. Our church may also have been influenced by the revival movement that swept through that era. I hope to share some of my findings later.
Until I return to the church in September, may the Lord keep you safe and surround you with His grace.