Lent

Many churches follow the Christian year – the “seasons” of Advent, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost that invite us to follow the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We are currently in the season of Lent – a time in which we are confronted with our brokenness and are challenged to receive the Good News that Christ has died for our sins and raises us up to new life.

Several downtown Meridian congregations are sponsoring noon-time Lenten worship and a light lunch each Thursday through March 25th. The next one is March 4th at Central United Methodist Church. Dr. Raymon Leake of First Baptist Church will be the speaker. You are cordially invited to join us.

Worship begins at Noon and lasts about 30 minutes. This is followed by a light lunch, with all proceeds going to Wesley House Community Center.

I invite you to join us for these remaining Lenten Luncheons.

Bob Rambo

Celebrate Recovery

Romans 3:23 reminds us, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Why is it that we so often feel that the dark corners of our lives must be worse than that of our neighbors? Our weaknesses and the course our lives take as a result often seem to suffocate and engulf our entire presence of being.

I John 1:19 reminds us,"If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins." If you are dealing with addictions or habits, including, but not limited to alcohol, drug, food or pornography, we at Central United Methodist Church invite you to come on Tuesday evenings at 5:30 to Celebrate Recovery. This program is based on principals from the Beatitudes and offers hope and healing. At Celebrate Recovery you will find no judgements, just acceptance and love.



If you would like more information, visit our website at www.cumcmdn.org. There is no advance registration. Simply show up and begin to experience a peace and fullness that only comes through God’s love. Have a blessed day.

Instructions

I bought one of those assemble it yourself furniture pieces for my office recently. I had assembled similar things before so I was fully confident that this would be a snap to put together. An hour later I still did not have it assembled and had just realized that I was going to have to take it apart and start over again for the third time. Just then my good friend Jim Wall came in. I expressed my frustration to him. He asked, "Have you read the instructions?" "No, of course not, this ought to be a breeze to put together." He took the directions out of the box and with his help I followed exactly what they said to do. In no time it was neatly assembled and looking good. A lot of us approach life that same way. We are confident that we know how to live - until we don't. And then we become frustrated and angry at life. But there are instructions. If we would only read them. The Bible gives us a blueprint and day by day instructions for living and coping with life's unexpected difficulties. Have you read your instructions for living today?

Bob Peden

Neglect

Have you noticed the city of Meridian tearing down the houses that have become neighborhood eyesores? Sometimes I wonder what happened. Did the owner leave town and not care, why didn’t they sell it, or keep the property in repair? The homeowner’s neglect illustrates the practical truth of Proverbs 24:30-34. Neglect leads to loss. This principle also applies to our daily walk with God. If we neglect our times of prayer and fellowship our relationship with God will deteriorate. We would never want that to happen, but we allow it when we become preoccupied with anything that comes between us and Christ. Let’s establish priorities that honor God. Then we will avoid the loss that comes from neglect. Remember, our mind, body, and soul are to be a temple that glorifies God.

Jim Wall

George Washington

Good Morning: In 1777, George Washington and his defeated troops set up headquarters at Valley Forge. They spent the winter in near starvation and in freezing temperatures. Hundreds of his men died from disease and hunger. It was there that Washington knelt in prayer in the freezing cold. Yes, George Washington believed in prayer. He was a religious man and records show that he always prayed aloud. He would rise early at four o'clock each morning and spend a portion of his time with an open Bible in his hands. His diary contains frequent references to his attending church and some of his written prayers. He was elected to positions of leadership in three different churches. He was chosen as the presiding officer during the writing and signing of the Constitution and applied the full weight of his power to its adoption. Without Washington, there would be no United States of America. This is the reason we still celebrate his birthday. Thank God for George Washington and others like him. Have a wonderful day!

Glenda Thomas

Grandchildren

I do confess that my grandchildren often get to do things at my house that they do not necessarily get to do at their homes...like jump on the bed. The other day Brett and Hunter were taking turns jumping into my arms as I sat on the floor. They never, for one moment slowed down as they propelled themselves off the bed into my arms. They just KNEW that I would catch them. They were living Hebrews 11:1...Faith being sure of what they hoped for and certain of what they did not see. My two precious boys, unknowingly, reminded me of something very basic My God loves me, cares for me, and will ALWAYS catch me when I fall. Why is it as adults we lose that childlike faith, particularly in our relationship with God.. I invite you to take some time today to really think about YOUR faith, thanking God for this wonderful gift. And if you do not have a church home, I invite you to join me in worship at Central this Sunday at 8:30 or 10:55, sharing your faith and accepting the grace God gives to each of us. Have a blessed day!

Sabrina Williams

Change

I hope you enjoy changing weather as much as I do, because we certainly have it here in Meridian. One day 25 degrees and the next 65 or 70. Pouring rain, sleet, ice, or crystal clear sunshine. Meridian's weather is forever throwing us a curve.

That's a lot like life, isn't it? Sometimes something happens that we had no idea was coming: sickness, job loss, accidents, or natural disasters. It works the other way also. Good news on test results, a hug from a child, a job promotion, a birthday or anniversary, can lift us to emotional highs. Our emotional life fluctuates from one extreme to the other. There is something - someone, in fact - you can count on to be unfailingly consistent. Jesus was the same yesterday as he is today. And he will be the same tomorrow. He is always there, always loves you, and will not be affected by the circumstances of your life. That is how I have survived the radical changes in my life. You can too.

Bob Peden

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of lent. Lent is the Christian season focused on repentance, reflection, fasting and prayer that leads us up to Holy week, when we remember the death and finally the resurrection of Christ.

I invite you to come tonight to Central United Methodist Church for the Ash Wednesday worship service at 6:00 in our sanctuary.

Part of the worship time will include the imposition of ashes, where ashes are put in the shape of a cross on our foreheads, reminding us that we are dust and to dust we will return, but especially symbolizing our repentance, or turning away from sin.

I invite you to embrace these next 40 days of lent and use them as a time to
look inward and examine the intentions of your heart. Let go of the things that weigh you down and let God shine light on the dark places in your life.

Amy Roller

Tuesdays with Morrie

In this book, "Tuesdays with Morrie," Mitch Albom records this conversation with Morrie Schwartz. Morrie says, "Life is a series of pulls back and forth. You want to do one thing, but you are bound to do something else. Something hurts you, yet you know it shouldn't. You take certain things for granted, when you know you should never take anything for granted. A tension of opposites, like a pull on a rubber band. And most of us live somewhere in the middle." Mitch says, "It sounds like a wrestling match." Yes, you could describe life that way," says Morrie. Mitch asked, "Which side wins?" With his smile, crinkled eyes and crooked teeth, Morrie responds, "Love wins. Love always wins." May God bless you this day and fill you with Love.
Jim Wall