• Be Encouraged - The Bishop's Blog

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    Bishop Julius Calvin Trimble

    Bishop Julius Calvin Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Iowa Area of The United Methodist Church. He became Iowa's Bishop in July 2008.

    We Believe in God

    No one should be made to feel alone.  Religion should not be force fed to those who have chosen to be “non-religious”.  However, at the end of the day, our beliefs should impact how we live in community.  Too many people feel alone in a world overrun with judgment, violence and self-centeredness…a world in desperate need of visible reminders of God’s amazing grace which is God’s free and available love.

    Staying in the Health Care Debate

    I want all citizens to have access to the same health care I have.  Let’s bathe the debate in prayer and continue to advocate for positive comprehensive health care reform.

    People Draw People

    Topics: Evangelism
    The good news of God’s power, love and grace must be shared with those not in the Church.  Young people will be critical to any revival in the Methodist movement today.

    More than a Coach

    Topics: Ethics

    Like Nehemiah in the Bible, Coach Thomas sought the Lord, surveyed the land and decided to rebuild the community he loved. As we join those who mourn, we hear him say to us what he reportedly said to his players. “Do the Right Thing.”

    Imagine No Malaria

    Topics: Health, Malaria
    We get to decide if malaria will be the next disease to cease robbing the world of the gift of future generations. This is one mountain we can climb, one problem we can solve. 

    Join the FIT Challenge

    Topics: FIT Challenge
    Will you join me and invite others to become part of our FIT Challenge in Iowa?  

    Tips for Those Who Preach

    Topics: Preaching
    “Preaching is, in essence, the telling of a love story, already told for the plain purpose of reconciling persons to God and one another”.

    Conversations that Matter

    Topics: Listening
    I listened to the stories of local church connection, family origin and passion for applied theology and real life ministry that can be lived out in a variety of ways.

    Fasting without Excuses

    Topics: Fasting
    Fasting is the abstinence from food for the purpose of enhancing one’s sense of the presence of God. 

    Thinking About My Grandfather

    Topics: Encouragement
    Everyday someplace in the world people are overcoming obstacles, rising above their handicapping conditions, working their way through grief.  At this very moment, somebody is pursuing a dream that will result in the blessing of thousands.

    The Pain is Real

    Topics: Pain
    To ignore the reality of pain and suffering by so many people is to do a disservice to the community of believers who want to keep their hope alive in the face of difficult times.