Friday, October 30, 2015

Friday, October 30, 2015

GLENDA

Good Morning! “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” That's the bible verse this month for the children at Central's Children's Center. I picked that verse, because Halloween falls in October. Kids wear costumes, and, even though, most of the children's costumes are not scary as we adults see them, anything that changes a person's looks can be scary for many children.

During this month, we have tried to make our children aware that most of what is going on is “pretend”...it's not real. But the message in our Bible verse, tells us that we have real fears, children and adults alike. It tells us that we don't need to be afraid, because we always have God to go to for protection.

So, when things go “bump in the night” and you feel afraid, remember that verse: “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” He's there. He hears you. He loves you. He will protect you! Have a wonderful day!

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Thursday, October 29, 2015

DENNIS

Good Morning. I am Dennis Gossett, Associate Pastor at Central United Methodist Church. Today is going to be full of choices. Each one of you will have a variety of choices to make. Some of those will be simple-no-brainers, while others will be complex and require a bit more thought.

Along our journey today, we all will have the choice to do good or do bad. We can choose to say a kind word when someone is being mean. We will have the choice to give when someone is taking away. The life we lead is ultimately up to us. I can choose not to do what everyone else is doing. I can choose to stop and go in another direction. It is up to me whether or not to blame my problems on other people or to take responsibility for my life.

God has created each one of us in a unique way by giving us free will. With free will comes the responsibility that each one of us will have to answer for. Have we worked for the greater good in the world or have we torn down lives? The Apostle Paul is one who chose a life that made a difference, which began with his choice to be a follower of Jesus no matter the cost. What will you choose today? If it is community you are looking to belong to, I ask you to consider choosing Central.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

JONATHAN

Good morning! I’m Jonathan Crabtree, Pastor for Student Ministry at Central United Methodist Church. We are entering one of the busiest seasons of the year. For many of us, this season brings about excitement and anticipation; but for some, these holidays may be the first without a loved one.

On November 1st, we will remember, honor, and celebrate those lives on a day called, “All Saints Day.” It’s a historical Sunday in which the church remembers those who have gone on before us. Congregations will usually read their names aloud and possibly have a candle burning in their honor.

While grief may be a main emotion, I will say there is something holy about honoring one’s life that substantiates grief. When we give thanks to God for those lives, we honor our loved ones and remember their lives.

This Sunday, November 1st, I invite you to join us at Central at 8:30, 9:45, or 10:55, for a worship service in which we will give thanks to God for the lives of those who have gone on before us in death. Let us, in one voice, give thanks to God, and grieve together.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Monday, October 26, 2015

RAY

According to a report in New York Magazine, scientists have been studying

the patterns of forgiveness and reconciliation in the animal kingdom. Most

of the research has involved gorillas and chimps. They often fight each other

only to later embrace and continue their companionship. The researchers

have found only one species of animal that doesn’t seem to ever forgive—

domestic cats.

If you’re a cat lover, you may not agree with that research, but you’ll

probably acknowledge that we humans have the same problem. We’re all

sinners, and we need God’s forgiveness. When we’ve truly received and

experienced the forgiveness gained by the blood of Christ, WE can learn to

forgive others too.

Some people rub us the wrong way; but the Bible says, “Fools show their

annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult”. If a past injustice has

left a bitter taste in your heart, think about how wonderfully God has

forgiven you. Visualize His grace and Utilize His clear path to grace which is

FORGIVENESS.

Friday, October 23, 2015

Friday, October 23, 2015

SABRINA

This Sunday evening from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m., Central will once again host a

much loved fellowship time within our community of faith. Our sixth annual

Trunk or Treat will take place on 10th Street between 22nd and 23rd Avenue

in downtown Meridian. Our church family and friends will decorate their

cars and trunks, offering games and candy at each venue. 

Family friendly costumes, face painting, music, hamburgers, hotdogs, cotton

candy, laser tag, jumpies, all the makings of a small town street carnival will

fill the air in downtown Meridian.
We do this as a time of both fellowship and as an extension of God’s love

within our community.

At Central we value family - whether you are a family of one or ten, we

extend an invitation to you for both Trunk or Treat or to worship with us on

any given Sunday. 

For more information about Central, or about this Sunday’s event, you can

visit our website at www.cumcmdn.org!  We hope to see you Sunday! 

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Thursday, October 22, 2015

KRISTINA

Good Morning! My name is Kristina Crabtree, Pastor of Mission and

Evangelism at Central United Methodist Church. Have you ever woke up one

morning and just felt like you inner emotions are taking over your every

action? Emotions are a strong and beautiful gift that God has given us.

Emotions are not the enemy, but sometimes, they feel as though they are.

Have you ever stated words similar to the Psalmist in Chapter 43:5, “Why am

I cast down, O my soul, and why am I in turmoil within me?” Some days are

filled with these questions’ but hold on to the truth in the rest of that verse.

It says, “Hope in God.” You might be thinking to yourself, how do I hope in

God? Well my friend, we look to verse 3 of Ps. 43. We ask God to send his

light and truth. What is light and truth? Jesus being the light of God and the

Holy Spirit being the Spirit of truth.

Jesus and the spirit are the only ones to lead and guide you in your daily life.

I encourage you to pray Ps. 43:3. Let the triune God in his love and gentleness

guide you wherever you are in life. God is with you!

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

SUZANNE

When I was in graduate school, I had a car that would sputter and die if I ran

through a puddle, or if it rained…Something to do with the catalytic

converter.  I always like those words “catalytic converter.” They remind me

of the Paralytic converted that Mark accounts for us in the second chapter of

his book.

It took the faith of four men, willing to carry this paralyzed man on his mat,

men who were willing to tear up a roof and lower him down to see Jesus. 

When Jesus saw the faith of these men, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your

sins are forgiven.”  You see, it was not this man’s faith that caused the

forgiveness of his sins, but the faith of his friends.

The teachers of the law questioned Jesus, and He rebuked them. They were

amazed that he picked up his mat and walked out, bringing praise to God.
Sometimes it takes the faith of a friend for someone to come to Christ.  Are

you that kind of friend?
For Central, A United Methodist Community, may the example of your faith

bringing others to Christ!

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

JONATHAN

“Ask, Listen, and Respond”
Good morning! I’m Jonathan Crabtree, Pastor for Student Ministry at Central United Methodist Church. In a few days, October 25, my wife and I will celebrate seven years of marriage. During these seven years, we’ve completed and fulfilled our educational desires, birthed a child, and moved out of state for schooling. During these seven years, we are amazed at how much we keep learning about ourselves and each other.
Humanity was created for relationship with God and with others, and this involves the continual learning of one’s own self, as well as others. Learning involves asking questions, listening, and responding. If one is to know more, one learns.

In Genesis, we read that in God’s Image, humanity was created. Imagine standing in front of your friend, as though in a mirror, and asking them questions, listening, and responding. We are created and invited to do the same with God – ask, listen, and respond. As we ask, listen, and respond to God, we reflect that very Image in which we were created. For this is how a relationship works. Have a great day, folks!

Monday, October 19, 2015

Monday, October 19, 2015

GLENDA

Good Morning!  Have you ever heard this saying: God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called? You know when God called Moses, Moses had a speech impediment, but God used him anyway. When God called Deborah, she was a woman in a man's world; but men followed her because God qualified her. When God called Noah, he was a farmer, but God qualified him to build a huge ark. When God called Joseph, he was a dreamer, but he saved his people. When God called Esther, she was one of many wives of King Ahasuerus, but God qualified her to save a whole nation.

You see where I'm going with this? If you say you can't, God says you can. When God calls you, listen. When God calls you, say “Here I am, Lord, send me.” Have a wonderful day!

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Thursday, October 15, 2015

SUZANNE

I was recently reintroduced to a lady who told me how excited she was to

meet me again.  She recounted to me words I had spoken to her more than

twenty years ago.  She said how she had often quoted my words to others,

because they were so meaningful to her.  Although now a grown woman, she

was an impressionable young teen at our first encounter.

It reminded me how important our words are.  Even if we don’t realize it, our

words can build others up or tear them down. Proverbs 16:24 teaches us that

pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 15 has many verses that remind us of the power of our words. Verse

1 reminds us that a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up

anger, and verse 4 says that the tongue that brings healing is a tree of life.

The words that flow from our mouths are an overflow of the heart.  If our

hearts are beating with God, the words that fall from our lips will bring Him

the glory, even as we speak to others.

For Central, A United Methodist Community, may your words reflect the

love of Christ!

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

SABRINA

Life experiences, we all have them. Many are embarrassing, sad, shameful-

some seem pretty insignificant, yet, they are all props on the stage of our

lives.  We can change the props, paint them, re-upholster them, change their

position, but they remain on our stage.

Each of these moments have the potential to be used, redemptively by God in

the people whose paths cross ours. We don’t have to share our story with the

WORLD, just be open to let God use our stories when the circumstances

arise. I feel this is what God has called us to do as followers of the One who

has seen us through some of life’s darkest moments - to walk alongside,

encourage, love, show compassion.

What if the boy who came to a Galilean hillside with his meager lunch had

refused to relinquish it to the disciples? We wouldn’t have the marvelous

story of Jesus feeding the multitude.

Be willing to share YOUR past for God to use in feeding a soul. It could

make an eternal difference in someone’s life!

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

DENNIS

Good Morning. This is Dennis Gossett for Central United Methodist Church. During our last time together, I talked about the importance of prayer. Hopefully, some of us have become more intentional. Have you ever noticed that some time prayer can be a wonderful experience when our minds are sharp and we are emotionally charged?

Then there are the other moments when our intellect is dull and our emotions are flat. That is when we want to beat ourselves up. We think that something must be wrong with us. Spiritual writer, Evelyn Underhill, recognized this very natural symptom and said this, “We are in a dangerous place, if the worth of our prayer life depends upon a constant high level of feeling or understanding.” But, she encourages us by saying, “Even when our hearts are cold and our minds are dim, prayer is still possible for us.”

In the bible, we are told that many people, whose minds were dim by pagan worship, were enlightened by the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through the preaching of Paul. See, the power of prayer does not depend upon how you and I are feeling. I invite you to come and be a part of our praying community here at Central. God bless.

Monday, October 12, 2015

Monday, October 12, 2015

RAY

Good Morning!

You spend hours tinkering with a plumbing fixture trying to figure out how

to make a repair. Finally, you take a picture of the broken fixture with your

smart phone, go to the hardware store, show it to the clerk, and hear this: “No

problem—you just need to replace that with one of these.” In other words, all

you had to do was ask.

An expert could have helped us quickly and easily if we had only asked.

James reprimanded his readers for using carnal means to accomplish their

goals instead of turning to God first. “All you have to do is ask,” came from

James’ words: “You do not have because you do not ask.” Instead of seeing

God as our first choice, we often make Him our last resort


If you have a need today, make God your first choice. He is a Father who

loves to meet His children’s needs—if they will just ask.  Have a great day!

Friday, October 9, 2015

Friday, October 9, 2015

SUZANNE

Paul was one of the greatest missionaries of all time.  Because of him, the

gospel spread rapidly, and he was not ashamed to speak the Truth of Christ,

regardless of the outcome.  Much of the New Testament is attributed to him

as author.  As he wrote to the different churches with which he was in

ministry, Paul often had the same message: to be like minded, and live in

peace through the love of God.

We read this in First and Second Corinthians, as he was teaching to the

church in Corinth, Greece.  We read this in Romans 15:5, as he was teaching

the Italian believers to live in peace as they followed Christ. He tells the

same thing to the church in Philippi as he was writing from jail, in

Philippians 2:2, where he reminds them to have love and to be one in spirit

and in purpose.

Three different churches, and yet the message is the same. Live in peace, love

one another and be united in Christ.  The message is the same today,

regardless of denomination. 
For Central, A United Methodist Community, live in peace through the love

of Christ!

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Thursday, October 8, 2015

GLENDA

Good Morning!  How many of you stay away from church because of the people you find there? You might say, I'm not going to church, because it's full of hypocrites. Or I'm not going to church because Mrs. So and So is a gossip. I'm not going to church, because someone hurt my feelings.

There are all kinds of reasons to find fault with the people you meet there. However, did you ever stop and think that if you were perfect, you wouldn't need church? I don't know any perfect people. Do you?

That's the reason we all need to go to church. You don't go to church to find perfect people. You go to church to find the perfect God, and what I find there are people just like me who are sinners trying to be more like Him. See you in church?????

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

SABRINA

My guess is that for some this morning, you can barely hear this message

over the chaos in your home right now - if not at this moment, it is gearing up

as you struggle to get out the door.

In Philippians 2, Paul reminds us “do everything without grumbling or

arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure.” REALLY? In a family

environment? Is this realistic?  With so many personalities at work, can we

really live a complaint-free life - and teach our children to do the same?

We might not get it right every time, but if we strive to put the needs of

others above our own wants and wishes, the opportunity for peaceful

cohabitation is possible.

Parents - are we expecting something from our children that we are not

willing to give? How do we speak to each other in our need to be right? True

resolution comes as selfishness is laid aside.  It IS the way Jesus lived out

His life and that’s a really good example to follow!

Have a peaceful morning and a blessed day!

Monday, October 5, 2015

Monday, October 5, 2015

KRISTINA

Good Morning! I am Kristina Crabtree, Pastor of Missions and Evangelism at

Central United Methodist Church. Let us be guided this day by the children

of Israel. God loved Israel so much that he called his own son out of the line

of Judah. But just because they were the children of God, this did not mean

that they had a peachy life or followed God perfectly. Their spiritual journey

was not always pretty.

I was intrigued by Hosea 11:1-4. The Love that God had for Israel was so

evident, they didn’t even notice and didn’t live out of his love for them. What

it all boils down to is that they did not depend on God. Their knowledge of

God’s love and kindness was not enough to keep them from worshiping

idols.

In verse two, it says, “The more they were called, the more they went away.”

You see, as Christians, we are constantly, daily, being called to live out of

God’s love and kindness toward us. So today, at the end of your day, I

encourage you to ask yourself, “How did I depend on God’s love?” You are

called, will you go away or stay?

Friday, October 2, 2015

Friday, October 2, 2015

JONATHAN

 “It’s Fall Y’all!”
Good morning! I’m Jonathan Crabtree, Pastor for Student Ministry at Central United Methodist Church.

Guess what? It’s Fall Y’all! Fall is my favorite time of the year. It’s a season when trees begin to display a beautiful array of autumn bouquets; rich in color and splendor; temperatures decrease; football is in full motion; and aromas of pumpkin spice; hazelnut, and caramel fill the crisp-like air. Another season brings about change, and this change reminds us that with most things in life, there is a season, just as the wise composer of Ecclesiastes tells us in chapter 3.

As we enter a new season, with new changes, I invite you to remember and honor the changes in your life in previous seasons; while remembering that God is with us in all seasons. It’s Fall Y’all, and the best of all is; God is with us!