Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

BOB PEDEN

Good morning.

Central United Methodist Church is a church that takes the Holy Scriptures seriously. The scriptures are a faithful guide to Christian living. They tell us all we need to know to attain Salvation through the grace of Jesus Christ. And perhaps, most importantly, the Holy Scriptures are a book of promises.

Through the Bible God promises us that if we will take the Good News within us, nourish it, and take the risks of sharing it with others, it will multiply. Our faith will grow and others will come to know the living Lord. 

Through the Scriptures God promises us that He will be with us, whatever the circumstances we find ourselves in, in this world. Through God's Word we learn that He wants more than anything else to bring us back into a right relationship with Him.

If you would like to learn more about God's promises to you, I invite you to join us each Sunday morning at Central United Methodist Church in downtown Meridian.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

JIM CAIN

GOOD MORNING!

This Thanksgiving my youngest son gave thanks at the table for “the little things” like warm beds, socks, and electricity. Thomas Edison created the Edison Electric Illuminating Company on December 17, 1880, to produce and sell electricity. This came after Edison made over 900 light bulbs that didn't work. 900 times he went to all the trouble of making a light bulb, plugging it in, flipping the switch, and watching while nothing happened. According to Edison, every time he made a light bulb that didn't work, he found, “one more way not to make a light bulb.”

Eventually, he made a light producing bulb. As a result, he is known as one of the greatest inventors of all times.

So it is with our faith. Most Christians failed many times before arriving at where they are today. Even the Apostle Paul confessed when he said, “For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.” Thankfully, Paul, like Edison, never gave up. As Believers, we must be committed to our faith and not give up, learning from our mistakes one more way not to live the Christian life.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Wednesday, November 28, 2011

DANIEL PUCKETT

Good Morning!

God is a mighty God. Nothing is impossible with Him. He can move mountains, make the sun stand still, and heal the sick. In Joshua Chapter 4, we read how God completed the mighty task of bringing the Israelites into the Promised Land. God led the Israelites out of slavery and into freedom just as He had promised. Because of the magnitude of what He did, God did not want the Israelites to ever forget what He had done for them. God wanted the Israelites to forever remember the miracle He performed for them and what a mighty and powerful God He is.

Think back for a moment. God has done some amazing things in your life. He may have performed a miracle of healing or gotten you out of a bad situation that brought you into your own Promised Land.

Take time today to remember the mighty things God has done for you. Praise Him and commit to Him that you will never forget the amazing things He has done in your life.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Friday, November 25, 2011

Wesley

Good Morning!

I am Wesley Pepper, Associate Pastor of Central UMC.

This Sunday marks the first Sunday of Advent. Advent comes from the Latin word adventus which means coming.

Advent is the time of year that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus and prepare for his second coming.

Marks Gospel has this to say about the second coming of Christ.

Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory.  And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.

The Bible teaches us that no person on earth knows the time that Christ will return. What the bible does teach us is to be ready and prepared for it to happen.

Come and join us at Central UMC on Sunday morning at 8:30 or 10:55 as we begin to learn what it means to be a prepared Christian in the service of Jesus Christ.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thursday, November 24, 2001

BOB RAMBO

Hi!  I'm Bob Rambo, Lead Pastor at Central United Methodist Church.  On this Thanksgiving morning, if you're up watching this, there's a good chance you're either preparing to welcome people into your home today OR you're preparing to travel to visit with family or friends.  Whatever the case may be, today marks the beginning of the year-end holiday season.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, and New Year's will all take place within the short span of the next few weeks.

Needless to say, this is a time of increased activity.  There will be special gatherings, parties, worship services, family events, SHOPPING - ALL of these things get crammed together in this time of year.  It can be exciting - and draining.  Energizing - and frustrating.  Fulfilling - and disappointing.

I invite you begin this season well today - with THANKS.  Let's give thanks to God for ALL the blessings we have.  And let's LIVE as thankful people by being a blessing to others less fortunate.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

SABRINA

Have you ever run from God's will and found yourself, like Jonah, in the belly of the big fish?  Our elementary students at Central recently had the opportunity to  learn how Jonah must have felt, as they walked through the belly of a 60 foot whale that led them straight to Nineva. 

During their time in Nineva, they, like Jonah were able to understand that many times God's will and purpose for our life goes directly against OUR will for our lives. We have to put our faith and trust in God, not judging others, understanding God's love and acceptance for each of us. 

Our elementary Sunday School is based on multiple intelligence learning. During their six weeks studying Jonah, children had the opportunity to hear Jonah's story through computer, science, drama, cinema, games, ... they learned the importance of following God's will for their life, and the assurance of second chances.

We would love to share our rotation program with you.  If you have questions concerning our program, please contact me at 601-693-1521, or stop by.  We will be happy to show you around.  

Our whale is now gone...but we always have a story to share!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Wesley

Good Morning!

Hi, I am Wesley Pepper, Associate Pastor of Central UMC. I recently found an ancient Chinese legend I would like to share with you.



A group of elderly, cultured gentlemen met often to exchange wisdom and drink tea. Each host tried to find the finest and most costly varieties to create exotic blends that would gain the admiration of his guests.

When the most respected of the group entertained, he served his tea with unprecedented ceremony, measuring the leaves from a golden box. The assembled friends praised this exquisite tea. The host smiled and said, "The tea you have found so delightful is the same tea our peasants drink.

I hope it will be a reminder to all that the good things in life are not necessarily the rarest or the most costly. 

As we look forward to Thanksgiving Day, let us remember and be thankful for the good things in life: Faith, Family, and Friends.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Monday, November 21, 2011

GLENDA

Good Morning: 

November not only reminds us of that first Thanksgiving Day so long ago, but it reminds us to thank God for all the good things in our life today. One of the best reasons to thank God is that He gave His only son for us.

A few weeks ago there was a story in the news about a teacher who put herself between her students and a drive by shooter. The teacher was killed, but some of those children were saved. 

That's was God did for us. He put His son between us and the evils of this world.

Did that teacher want to die? No. Did Jesus want to die? No. Did that teacher stop to consider which child was most worthy of saving? No.
Did Jesus? No. Did she willingly give up her life to save those children? Yes, she did.  That's what Jesus did for us.

Count your blessings and thank God for every one of them and especially for His son, Jesus, who still stands between us and evil.
Have a wonderful day!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Friday, November 18, 2011

BOB RAMBO

Hi!  I’m Bob Rambo, Lead Pastor at Central United Methodist Church.  A few months ago in Jackson, Mississippi, a group of white teens went looking for a black person to “mess with.”  They found an auto worker named James C. Anderson, beat him up, and then ran him down with a pickup truck, killing him – a TERRIBLE crime.

The District Attorney in Hinds County pressed for the death penalty in this case.  But the family of James Anderson shocked everyone by asking the state NOT to pursue the death penalty.  James Anderson’s sister said that while they supported punishing those who did this to the full extent of the law, they wanted JUDGMENT to be tempered with MERCY.  According to the family, they OPPOSE seeking the death penalty because “Our Savior Jesus Christ rejected the old way of an eye for an eye and taught us instead to turn the other cheek….  We can do no less….”

As children of God, we are called to be people of “mercy”.  Mercy is not just compassion for those in need, but compassion for those who don’t deserve it.  That’s how God loves us.  That’s how we are to love and live with each other.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Thursday, November 17, 2011

BOB PEDEN

Jesus said, "The Father is looking for those who will worship him. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth." 

Growing up, I loved to play hide-n-seek. Sometimes I liked to be found. Other times, I loved the seeking and discovery of those who were hiding.

I especially loved it when there was a surprise find -- they surprised me or I surprised them.

In worship, we can love the surprises, but we need to ditch the hiding! God wants us to seek, ask, and knock. He promises to help us find, to answer, and to open the door. 

But we also need to be aware that God is seeking us too. And as the Father seeks us, the Holy Spirit draws us near and makes the joyous surprise of worship something precious!

As you seek the Father pray that He will find you and will use whatever it takes to bring you close to Him. 

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

JIM CAIN

GOOD MORNING!

My wife’s family had a hobby of putting together jigsaw puzzles.  Her father often brought home puzzles of greater and greater difficulty.  One night he presented his family with a puzzle of over one thousand pieces.  Immediately they began working on it.  After an hour, however, the family was frustrated. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t figure the puzzle out.

Suzanne’s father then discovered that the clerk at the hobby shop had accidentally switched the box top with the top from another puzzle.  The picture they were looking at wasn’t the puzzle they were working on.

Often, we feel frustrated with ourselves because we don’t believe we live up to what others want from us or even what we think God wants from us.  God created us to be different.  We all have our own “box-top picture,” and the only way we can ever be successful in life is to be ourselves, allowing God to use us just the way we are.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Wesley

Hi, I’m Wesley Pepper from CUMC. When evangelist John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, was returning home from a service one night, he was robbed. The thief, however, found his victim to have only a little money and some Christian literature. As the bandit was leaving, Wesley called out, "Stop! I have something more to give you." The surprised robber paused. "My friend," said Wesley, "you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here's something to remember: 'The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!'"

The thief hurried away, and Wesley prayed that his words might bear fruit. 

Years later, Wesley was greeting people after a Sunday service when he was approached by a stranger. What a surprise to learn that this visitor, now a believer in Christ as a successful businessman, was the one who had robbed him years before!

"I owe it all to you," said the transformed man. "Oh no, my friend," Wesley exclaimed, "not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin!" 

I pray this day that you experience God’s love in a real and tangible way.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Monday, November 14, 2011

Jim Wall

Good Morning!

Just before I graduated from college, I had a date with Diane Baylis, the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.  I picked her up in my old Pontiac, and we went to a movie and to the Davis Grill.

As we were returning to her house, I heard something knocking and pulled off the road at Highland Park under a large oak tree.  I looked at Diane and said, “I don’t know what’s knocking.”  She said, “Well, I can tell you it’s not opportunity!”

Three years later, I did have the opportunity to marry her, and I took it!

You may be like me.  Sometimes I get a thought or urge to do something good, but I tell myself I’m too busy to get off track to do anything like that.  But, I know it’s God knocking at my heart with a beautiful opportunity, and I need to take it!  Is God knocking at your heart?

Friday, November 11, 2011

Friday, November 11, 2011

GLENDA

Good Morning:

Today is Veteran’s Day. Where would our country be without all those brave men and women who spend their lives working and fighting to keep our country safe? There are not enough words to express to them how grateful we are.

Today, in honor of all those men and women, past and present, fly your flag . Shake a veteran’s hand. Send a veteran a card of thanks. Give to a Veteran’s organization. Find a way to say thanks. The newest way of saying thanks to a veteran without approaching them is to put your hand to your heart and then extend your palm outward towards them. You can use this sign whenever you catch a Veteran’s eye, even when you pass on the street or in an airport. So to all you Veteran’s out there, I say “Thank You!” Have wonderful day!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Thursday, November 10, 2011

JIM CAIN

Christopher Wren, the architect who designed St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, wrote about the reactions of construction workers on the site who were asked what they were doing.  Those workers who were tired or bored responded by saying, “I’m laying brick” or “I’m carrying stones.”  But one worker, who was mixing cement, seemed cheerful and enthusiastic about his work.  When wren asked him what he was doing, the man replied, “I’m building a magnificent cathedral!”

God did not create us to be bored or unfulfilled in our life’s work.  In fact it is just the opposite.  For Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

jim wall

Good Morning!

In a lot of organizations, change is like putting lipstick on a bulldog.  There’s a tremendous amount of effort involved, and most times all you get is some cosmetics – and an angry bulldog.

Real changes, whether in a business, church, family, or in ourselves, can be difficult.  While we long for a deep and lasting transformation, we often get only a temporary cover-up that solves nothing and satisfies no one.

The word repent is used in the Bible to describe the beginning of genuine spiritual change.

When we feel sorry for doing wrong or for getting caught, it may be nothing more than a spiritual cosmetic.  But true repentance occurs deep in our hearts and results in a visible difference in our actions. 

When we turn to Christ and yield to Him, He produces real change – not just a cover-up.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Wesley

He began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life. 

Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water. 

Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest. Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King. 

Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons. 

Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears. 

Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.


Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd. 

Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death. 

Today it is my prayer that You know that God loves you.  He loves you so much that He sent Jesus, God’s own Son.

Jesus came not only to offer humanity salvation but calling on us to love God and people.  When we do that, the world becomes a better place to for all to live.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Monday, November 7, 2011

BOB PEDEN

The Holy Bible, The Sacred Scriptures, The Word of God – call it what you will the Bible is a Christian’s ultimate source for information about the God we know and love. Everything else we learn about God, we must test against what the Bible tells us about God.

Nature rings with God’s glory. His fingerprints can be seen all over His creation. But human culture also has much to say about God. Writers, scientists, philosophers, musicians, photographers, dancers, movie-makers, all – tell of what their experience of God is. But it is important for each of us to test what we read, see, and hear against what we read in the Bible about God.

The Bible, taken as a whole, is God’s revelation of himself to each of us. Read it for yourself. Then you can test what others say about God or what they say the Bible says, and see for yourself what is pure and true and leads to God.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Friday, November 4, 2011

BOB PEDEN

Have you read the book of Jonah lately? Most people get caught up in the God provided a great fish that swallowed Jonah for three days and then spit him out on the beach part of the story and miss out on the real point of the story. Which is that God’s grace is for all people, even, or is it especially, those people we hate the most. And that he expects us to be the ones to carry the message of His love and grace to them. 

Today, as in Jonah’s day, it is easy to get caught up in the us versus them mentality that leads us to hate others; so that, like Jonah, even if they repented and turned back to God, we would not like them at all. 

But that can lead us to ignore Jesus’ final words to us, “Go into all the world, teaching them to obey everything that I have told you.” If we are His friends, we will do His will.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Thursday, November 3, 2011

JIM CAIN

A friend of my son approached him while he was reading the morning paper and said, “Daddy, I’m old enough to get my permit, and I want to take the test and get it.  Then when I get my full driver’s license 30 days from now, I want a brand new Ford truck.”

Steve sat there for a moment and then said, “I will agree to that if you do 3 things. You’re going to have to read your Bible every day.  You’re going to have to pull up your grades in Chemistry, and you’re going to have to get a haircut.”

Well, before you know it a month had passed and Alton was back in front of his Daddy saying, “I got my driver’s license now and I’m ready for my new truck.”

Steve smiled at his son and said, “I noticed that you’re reading your Bible everyday, your momma showed me your progress report with an A on it in Chemistry, but you still haven’t gotten a haircut, so no truck just yet.”

Never at a loss for words, even at 16, Alton quickly said, “But Daddy, Jesus had long hair.” Steve replied, “Yeah, and Jesus also walked everywhere He went.”

The longest journey in the world begins with just one step; take a step towards trusting and obeying Jesus today. You’ll be glad you did!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

BOB RAMBO

Hi!  I’m Bob Rambo, Lead Pastor at Central United Methodist Church.

The holidays are just around the corner – first Thanksgiving, then the annual month-long assault of shopping and overeating that ends with Christmas.  Sound familiar? 

But wait!  What if, this year, we chose to celebrate Christmas in a different way?  What if, this year, we got off the “treadmill” of overspending and remembered that Christmas is not about US, but a time to celebrate the coming of God’s Son into the world?  How might we properly “honor” Jesus as we celebrate his birth? 

What if we chose to spend at least as much on those less fortunate as we spend on ourselves?  What if we contributed to feed the hungry or provide shelter for abused women and children?  What if we gave extra to United Way or Salvation Army or the 1 JOHN 3:17 Ministry or to our local churches?   

I hope as you prepare for the holidays, you keep your plans in the spirit of what this time is all about – giving thanks for the God who provides for us and who comes to us. 

Have a great day!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Jim Wall

Good Morning!

An old man thought he had committed the unpardonable sin.  Overwhelmed with guilt, he mistakenly thought he had done something that God would not forgive.

Then a question came to his mind:  If I am headed for hell, what would I want to do there?  He though, I would want to meet with others for prayer.  Immediately, he saw the absurdity of his fears.  He knew that years earlier he had trusted Christ as his Savior, and he had a desire to know and please God.  This was evidence that God’s Spirit truly lived in his heart.

Many sensitive Christians fear they have done or said something that is beyond forgiveness.

The only unforgivable sin is to continually and willfully reject the witness of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is the Savior.  Nothing but total rejection of Christ is unpardonable.  God graciously forgives all who come to Him.