Glimpses of Faith
Glimpses of Faith (GOF) is a collection of stories by River Road Church, Baptist members. These stories focus on moments when God’s presence suddenly shines through the lace which surrounds our reality.
The Glimpses of Faith Committee is Page Highfill, Chair; Daniel Bagby; Janet Bagby; Gene Damon; Julia Nixon; and Bill Stanton.
An Invitation from Dan Bagby
Our life stories are both secular and sacred. One of the serendipities in our otherwise ordinary day occurs when a holy moment redefines what appeared at first to be a secular event. We know the power of an “epiphany,” when a divine manifestation breaks into the routine of a day. God often uses very humble tools to deliver sacred chapters in our stories, and sometimes those moments are only recognized as faith-full after they take place. (Moses, surprised by God in a lonely place; Jacob, stunned by a Presence while half asleep; Elijah hearing a Voice, while hiding in a cave; Jonah, almost drowning, confronted by a Truth; Cleopas breaking bread with a Man after witnessing His execution; Paul going blind, before he can see).
In every human journey the sacred still surprises. What sacred moment crossed your path, and joined your story? Your story will be a gift to us all—please take a moment, and share it with us.
Submitting Your Written Stories
The purpose of this committee’s work, taken in part from the motion approved by the church on January 25, 2012, is to invite and document stories from church members and staff of their own “Glimpses of Faith” through Christian life experiences. These stories are shared to help encourage, empower, unify, and nurture church members, families, staff, and prospective members.
Most glimpses of faith are never forgotten, but often filed deep in one’s memory, waiting to reveal themselves again and make someone’s day brighter and more meaningful. Start now by jotting down some of your thoughts.
All members and staff are invited to submit 300- to 500-word stories of life experiences and sacred surprises which nurtured or questioned their faith. Stories are preferred to be typed and in digital format in MS Word. Digital photos of some aspect of your story are encouraged. The photo(s) will be included with your story.
Submit your stories by e-mail attachments to glimpses@riverroad.church.
Stories may be edited by one of the committee’s two editors for clarity, brevity, and content. All suitable stories will be published on the River Road Church, Baptist website. Website visitors will be able to find these stories organized alphabetically by the authors’ names. Stories can be read online or printed.
If you have questions or would like more information you may email glimpses@riverroad.church.
Glimpses of Faith FAQ
1. Can I interview elderly friends and family for their Glimpses of Faith stories, then write it for them and submit it?
Yes.
2. Do you have any hints to help me rattle my memory?
Try a few of the following:
- Remember visiting a place for the first time and you sensed you had been there before?
- How does God communicate with you?
- Considering the three most valued aspects in your life, how many of them were not your idea? Tell us how one of those “not yours” developed.
- If you are a parent, tell us about your feelings after seeing your first-born.
- If you are a labyrinth walker, what happens to you during the walk?
- Thinking back to a crisis in your life, do you see any influences now that you didn’t see before that helped get you through it? Tell us about it.
3. How do I come up with a photo for my Glimpses of Faith?
The photo could be of any one aspect of your story. For example, if your story is about a sunrise at the beach, include a photo of a sunrise. Or, if your story is about how God spoke to you during a very sad time in your life, ask a young child to draw a picture of your face being sad.
4. Who owns the stories I submit?
The authors retain authorship and ownership of their stories. By submitting your Glimpses of Faith stories, you give River Road Church, Baptist your approval to publish them on the website.
5. Can I submit more than one story?
Yes.
6. Suppose the author of a story does not have a computer and also does not type?
Typed, digital format is preferred and will expedite the committee’s work, however, a handwritten story may be submitted by mailing or delivering it to the Church Office. Address the story as follows:
River Road Church, Baptist
ATTN: Glimpses of Faith Committee
8000 River Road
Richmond, VA 23229
Non-digital photos can also be submitted by mailing or delivering them to the Church Office, addressed as above.
Glimpses of Faith Submissions
Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou My Vision Arranged by Sandy Mullaney Recording by River Road Youth Bell Choir Paul Honaker, Youth Bell Choir Director Robert Gallagher, Minister of Music Recorded on Sunday, May 31, 2015
Peace to You
Peace to You by Robert Pearsall Recording by River Road Chancel Choir Robert Gallagher, Minister of Music Recorded on Sunday, May 24, 2015.
A Thank You Book
This is a true story about a book entitled Joshua, a parable by Joseph Girzone, and about how the book was brought to my attention and by whom. You see, one of the members of our RRCB Sunday School class, the Friendship class, loaned it to me. The why goes back a...
Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak
Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak - William Ringham Recording by River Road Chancel Bell Choir Charles Todd, Director Robert Gallagher, Minister of Music Recorded on Sunday, February 22, 2015
Never Doubt Appreciation
Many of you remember in the mid-seventies River Road Church, Baptist sponsored the "Sui-Li Family" from Vietnam. The family consisted of mother (Mai), father (Sui), and five children, four boys and one girl ages four to fourteen. Frances and Willis Jones headed up...
Work
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17 From my perspective, God’s provision has always meant God's ability to create opportunity, to facilitate a path through challenge,...
Little Advantages of a Virus
Possibly a Repeating Glimpse of Faith. As a child during the 1940’s I remember the fear that existed for a virus called the poliomyelitis virus. This virus mostly attacked children and required human beings as a host in order to survive. President Franklin Roosevelt...
Tithe Test in Texas
In the fall of 1950 I was 16 years old and a sophomore in high school in Odessa, Texas. I lived at home with my mother and dad and my four sisters. We lived on West Mable Street. The street in front of our house was all sand and fairly deep, like the sand you see here...
Serendipity: A Canterbury Tale
Serendipity…the unexpected discovery made by happenstance…we all have experienced serendipity. Exactly 300 years ago – in 1714 - English Baptists – the people who often were considered religious outcasts in their own country – certainly non-conformists in the face of...
Hugs from Heaven on the Way to Ace’s
A beautiful, gently warm fall day – Saturday, 7 September 2013. My wife and I were going to devote the day to fall yard maintenance. It would be the last day that we could make use of the college worker who had spent several summer days helping us with yard work. She...
Prayers from Youth Sunday: Prayer After Sermon
Submitted by Michael Kellett, Minister with Children & Youth Michael Whitty Lord, our God, source of all life, you reveal yourself in the depths of our being drawing us to share in your life and love. Bless each of us as we respond to your Spirit’s invitation to...
Prayers from Youth Sunday: Pastoral Prayer
Submitted by Michael Kellett, Minister with Children & Youth Lindsey Stevens Generous God, we hear your voice, yet we wander from your path. We are distracted by stressful barriers in our lives. Sometimes, even problems that seem small can overwhelm us:...
Prayers from Youth Sunday: Invocation
Submitted by Michael Kellett, Minister with Children & Youth Madeleine McAllister Loving God, who created us in your image, grant us power and courage to come out of the darkness and into the light of Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith, heal our brokenness, open...
Pilgrims’ Hymn
Pilgrims' Hymn - Stephen Paulus Recording by River Road Chancel Choir Robert Gallagher, Minister of Music Recorded on Thursday, March 20, 2014 Click arrow above to listen to Pilgrims' Hymn.
Tooth Fairy
My sister Judy called me recently, saying she wanted to tell me something about one of her grandsons. Judy and I have always been very close, even more so since the deaths of our father in January, 2006; our two older sisters in two days in January, 2011; and then our...
Giving When it Counts: Story-Lesson 5 of 5
author unknown Submitted by RRCB Stephen Ministers Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from...
The Obstacle in Our Path: Story-Lesson 4 of 5
author unknown Submitted by RRCB Stephen Ministers In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the King's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked...
Always Remember Those Who Serve: Story-Lesson 3 of 5
author unknown Submitted by RRCB Stephen Ministers In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked....
Pickup in the Rain: Story-Lesson 2 of 5
author unknown Submitted by RRCB Stephen Ministers One night at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet,...
Cleaning Lady: Story-Lesson 1 of 5
author unknown Submitted by RRCB Stephen Ministers During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the...