Friday, June 30, 2017

Friday, June 30, 2017

DENNIS

Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church.

In the South, it is easy to find someone with a deer dog, a squirrel dog or a bird dog. All of these dogs are used to track down these certain animals.

Did you know the best tracker of all time is God? And did you know he has always been searching for you?

By his choice, God wants a relationship with you. More astonishing than that is He is not satisfied with simply speaking with you, or showing you certain things, or asking something of you. He does something more.

You see, God is life and knows that his creatures can do nothing without him; he knows his child would die of hunger without bread. But our bread is God himself. That bread is eternal life and it nourishes those who are destined for eternal life. Earthly bread can only nourish us for a limited time. Eternal bread gets us to seeking after our unseen home.

If you and I want to march toward our invisible home, we then must feed on the bread of heaven. Jesus declares that he is the bread of life. Whoever comes to him will never go hungry. God bless.

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Thursday, June 29, 2017

BOB

Good Morning. This is Bob Peden of Central, a United Methodist Community here in Meridian.

Legend has it that St. Patrick preached a sermon that caused all the snakes to leave Ireland. And Ireland has been snake-free since. Until recently. News reports now indicate that snakes are beginning to turn
up in Ireland.  How are they getting there? People are bringing
them in as pets.

Isn=t that just like us
humans to take an
ideal situation and
mess it up. So often
just as we get our lives almost in order,


we do something that
causes it to all fall
apart. I am sure you
can look back on
times when you have
done just that.

God wants us to live
perfectly in His grace.
Sometimes that is
just a matter of
allowing a good thing
to go on. When was
the last time you
brought snakes into
your perfect little
island of happiness?

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

JOHN

Good Morning! I’m John Branning, the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church.

It is hard to imagine how quickly this first half of the year has gone by. When we are young, time will not move fast enough, and when we get older, we seem to feel that it speeds up and we can’t control it.

Why don’t we take a moment and evaluate how we have used our time so far, this year. I am not asking you to remember the victories or the defeats that you have experienced so far this year. I am asking what have you done so far to leave a spiritual legacy? How often have you spoken words of strength to someone, offered the gift of friendship, or given someone a pat on the back?

I believe that what people will remember about us when our time is no more is not the trophies on our shelf but the way that we have loved or not loved others. Jesus was all about us loving each other. I hope that you take the time to show that today. You are always welcome at Central.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

SABRINA

I remember the day vividly. Two friends brought dinner for our family. With three children four and under, and the baby sick, they “surprised” me. Well, I surprised them. We could manage to look very put together on a Sunday morning, but the house – need I say more? I was just trying to survive, and not doing a very good job. I was mortified. I had been in their homes and it was not in the disarray mine was at that moment.
Fast forward - The children are grown now, and I’m "B” to seven beautiful grandchildren. My children or grandchildren will never remember me for a spotless house, but will hopefully remember the fun, laughter, and love that takes place within these walls.

If today finds you trying to be superwoman, take it from someone who has walked that road. We are all busy, yet today is a good day to laugh and play with a child. It’s a perfect day to stop comparing ourselves to others. Ecclesiastes 3 tells us "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: … a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." So today choose to laugh and dance!

Monday, June 26, 2017

Monday, June 26, 2017

GLENDA

Good Morning: Do you know who Jesus is? He is your friend. He is your Savior. He is your Comforter. He is your King...or He could be if you just reach out to Him. He is the only person who will love you unconditionally. He is your access to God the Father 24 hours a day. You can tell Him anything and He will listen. He will comfort you in your times of need. He will give you peace in times of trial. He has already died for you. He wants you to give Him your worries and your fears. He wants to give you Eternal Life in Heaven. He wants to carry your burdens. He wants you to have an abundant, happy life.

His gifts are free, but you have to be willing to accept them. Are you willing?  Think about these things and have a wonderful day!

Friday, June 23, 2017

Friday, June 23, 2017

SABRINA

We have all heard or seen the stories on social media about someone who tipped over the top or some other act of kindness, but in Acts 28, we hear Paul speak of another type of act. “Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. “Unusual kindness’ - not because Paul and his companions were important people or because of their political or theological views - it was simply raining and cold.”

Today we encounter people who are up against the elements of life. How do our acts of kindness morph into the unusual category? Maybe it’s not simply holding the door for the elderly person at the grocery store, but also helping them to unload their groceries into the car or not watching the mother with the screaming toddler but rather offering her a word of support and perhaps a $5 gift card for a special coffee you have tucked away, just for times such as this.

Unusual kindness is going ABOVE AND BEYOND that immediate need. In all of the troubles of today’s world, wouldn’t it be nice if we could all make unusual kindness a part of our everyday lives? Have a blessed day!

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Thursday, June 22, 2017

DENNIS

Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church.

Have you ever considered what authentic Christian faith looks like? We all have heard of the many horrible examples of what it doesn’t it look like? The writer of the Epistle of James understood faith to be not so much as what you feel but more about what you do.

For James, faith is not a heavy or moralistic Christian duty. Instead, it is the Christian possibility and lifestyle. In both the Old and New Testaments of the bible, active faith is made very clear. For example, we read that God not only loves the poor but that he cares for them. Jesus taught us to be imitators of God; to do as God does. It is like a child who will imitate what they see their parents doing.

When my son was very little, he would do and say exactly what I did. Therefore, I had to be really careful and mindful of that fact.

If we are to love God, we are to love and care for the poor and hungry too. Jesus said, “You will know my disciples by the fruit they bear.” He meant that we are to be known by our ethical behavior that is illustrated by life experience.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

GLENDA

Good Morning: One of my favorite Bible verses is this statement made by Jesus: “I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me. They hear my voice and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;”...but the best part of this statement to me are these last words: “and no one shall snatch them away from me.” That tells me that once we claim Jesus as our Savior, He knows us. He will never fail us. He will never let us go. There is no-one on earth who can separate us from His love and His protection. He doesn't say life will be perfect. But He lets us know that His perfect love will always be there for us. We can count on it! Have a wonderful day!

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

JOHN

Good Morning! I’m John Branning, the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church.

Have you ever heard the old saying that sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me? I think that we can all agree that there is no truth to that old saying. In fact, words can hurt in a way that actually can make us see ourselves in a very negative light.

The power of our words must not be forgotten in a world of social media and technology where everyone desires to be heard. The book of James tells us that if we can control our tongue, then we are the strongest people in the world.

It is time that we intentionally speak to people those words that bring encouragement, hope, and joy. That is what being followers of Jesus is all about, sharing the good news to all people. I invite you to worship with us this coming Sunday at Central and bring a spirit of Joy with you and share a good word with others today.

Monday, June 19, 2017

Monday, June 19, 2017

BOB



Good morning. This is Bob Peden of Central a United Methodist Community here is Meridian.

Psalm 150 is a clarion call to worship the Lord, our God. APraise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.  Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.  Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.@

I encourage you to bring your praise and join with others in worshiping God this Sunday morning.  If you do not have a church home, you are welcome at Central United Methodist Church. Worship is at 8:30, 9:45 or 10:55. ALet everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Friday, June 16, 2017

Friday, June 16, 2017

DENNIS

Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church.

Did you know that Jesus is moved with compassion on all those people who live on the fringe of society; those who are marginalized, outcast and ostracized. However, compassion often receives a radical form of criticism, because it announces that pain and hurt must be taken seriously, and it is not to be accepted as normal or natural. But rather, it is abnormal and an unacceptable condition for humans.

In Jesus’ time and culture, one of the most unbecoming qualities someone could demonstrate was compassion. After all, empires are never built or maintained on the basis of compassion. They are maintained by the rule or norms of law and people are expected to accommodate those norms, otherwise, the whole empire would collapse.

When Jesus pushed back against the rules with compassion, it upset his nation. He wasn’t simply acting out of an emotional response. Instead, he was criticizing the entire system for being numb to the hurt, pain, and injustice of others.

Let me encourage you today to go against the grain and show compassion.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Thursday, June 15, 2017

TIM

Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Sanctuary Choir Director at Central.

Jesus and Nicodemus were having an evening conversation about seeing and entering the kingdom of God. Jesus speaks to this in John, Chapter 3.

Verse 3 says, “Jesus answered, “I assure you, unless someone is born anew, it’s not possible to see God’s kingdom.”

This confused Nicodemus and so he asked how it’s possible to be born again.

Jesus answers in verse 5, “I assure you, unless someone is born of water AND the Spirit, it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom.”

Have you connected with God and consider yourself baptized in both water AND the Holy Spirit? Do you know what it means to be a follower of The Way?

If you are seeking to answer these questions with confidence, come connect with us at Central and see what all this can mean for you. It's through connecting in worship and community that you can find yourself answering these questions with confidence. Remember…life is better connected.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

SABRINA

Next week the halls of Central will be loud and chaotic – otherwise known as Vacation Bible School. June 19th – 23rd, the entire second floor of Central will be transformed into the ancient city of Rome, where students will have an opportunity to visit Paul in Prison and hear his story as he reminds us that God’s love is a gift, it changes us, is always with us, saves us, and is worth sharing.
Students will also visit the Roman Marketplace each day and experience life during the time of Paul.  The sounds, sights, and tastes of Rome will permeate the air!

If you have a child, grandchild, friend or neighbor who is 4 years old through 5th grade, we invite you to join us. You can register on Monday morning at 8:45 or go to our website at cumcmdn.org and avoid the registration line! We hope to see you on Monday!

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

BOB

Good Morning. This Bob Peden of Central a United Methodist Community.

A man told his Doctor he was going to commit suicide.
The wise Doctor
said, "Since you are
determined to commit
suicide, I will tell you how to do it so that no one will know it and you will not embarrass your
family.  Just run
yourself to death."

The man went out
and started running,
and pretty soon, he
was so exhausted
he had to stop.

The next day he started running again,
determined to finish
the job.  This time he


ran further and faster,
but again became
exhausted.
 
In succeeding days,
he ran ever further
and ever faster and
suddenly discovered
that he was enjoying
life, so he gave up all
thoughts of suicide.

Is it possible that if
you would get busy
working for the Lord
you would begin to
have fun being a
Christian?  Try it. You might be surprised. You would be welcome to join us at Central this  Sunday. Worship begins at 8:30, 9:45 in the Fellowship Hall and 10:55 in the Sanctuary. Come join us in serving joyfully.

Monday, June 12, 2017

Monday, June 12, 2017

JOHN

Good Morning! I’m John Branning, the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church.

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, had an acute sense of the importance of time. In fact, he taught his ministers that they were to be diligent. Never be unemployed or triflingly employed. He taught them to be punctual and to do what they promised to do at the exact time.

In our day, it seems that we don’t really have this acute sense of time. Instead, we try to fill our hours and minutes up with anything that can distract us. We have been seduced by social media and entertainment for so long that we have forgotten how precious time is.

Why don’t we take some of Wesley’s advice and put down the iPhone and turn off the TV and lets just talk to one another? After all, there will come a time for all of us when that will not be a possibility. I invite you to worship with us this Sunday at Central.

Friday, June 9, 2017

Friday, June 9, 2017

GLENDA

Good Morning: When I was in school, my favorite teacher was Mrs. Hyde. She really cared about every one of us. She not only taught us the things we were supposed to learn as fourth graders, but was concerned about our spiritual life, too. Every morning when she called the role, we had to answer with a Bible verse and we couldn't repeat what someone else said. The shortest verse, we learned, was “Jesus wept” and whoever was called on first always said that verse. Every night I would have to memorize several verses so I would have one that no-one else said.

Isn't it a shame that she would get in trouble if she were alive today and asked our children to say a Bible verse? The times they are a-changing and I'm not sure it's for the best. We're in trouble and it's because we are taking God out of our lives. Today I ask you to pray for our country and pray for our children. We can make a difference! Have a wonderful day!

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Thursday, June 8, 2017

BOB

Good Morning!
This is Bob Peden of Central a United Methodist Community.

In the eighth chapter of Romans the Apostle Paul tell us he is convinced Athat
nothing can ever
separate us from
God=s love. Death
can't, and life can't.
The angels can't,
and the demons
can't. Our fears for
today, our worries
about tomorrow, and
even the powers of
hell can't keep God's
love away.

From retirement investment portfolios
to home protection


systems, we spend
vast amounts of time
and money on
security. Financial security, personal
security, job
security, relational
security, and even
national security are
sooner or later
threatened by the
unpredictable nature
of the world in which
we live.

The Bible teaches that we can trust God as our source of lasting security, for he is changeless, and his love endures
forever. Put your trust in the Lord for only there can you be certain of your security. He is faithful.

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

DENNIS

Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church.

Joy or sadness, war or peace, love or hate, purity or impurity, charity or greed; these all are the tremendous realities that make up our lives. But, did you know that everyday things like relationships with other people, daily work, and love of our family can be done for the glory of God?

Jesus taught that every hour of the day is useful and can lead to divine inspiration, doing the will of the Father, and even communication with Him through prayer. Every hour of the day can be used to glorify God by living as Jesus taught us to live.

Living like this does not mean we have to shut ourselves off from the world or live a really strict lifestyle. What it does mean, however, is accepting the realities of this life. Working is one of these realities; parenthood, school, and family are all part of this life’s obligations. And, you and I can serve Jesus while doing these everyday things.

It is not as important as what you are doing, as it is why and how you are doing it. Remember, seek to give glory to God, as you go about your day. God Bless.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

JONATHAN

Good morning! I’m Jonathan Crabtree, Pastor of Student Ministry at Central – A United Methodist Community in downtown Meridian.

This is my final opportunity to share with you what I think is the most important lesson of being a follower of Jesus Christ. Last time, I talked about loving Jesus because He loves us. The second lesson is equal to the first: love everyone. It does not matter your race, religion, no religion, identity, preferences, whatever. Love everyone. Why? Because Jesus says so and Jesus does love everyone.

The love of Jesus will always accept us and welcome us as we are, but a relationship with Jesus will never leave us the same. We will be transformed. Thank you, Meridian and the surrounding area for welcoming and loving our family. We will see you later, and remember: Love Jesus, Love everyone Like Jesus.

Monday, June 5, 2017

Monday, June 5, 2017

TIM

Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Sanctuary Choir Director at Central.

Yesterday, we celebrated what many understand to be the birthday of the church known as Pentecost. It’s the day the holy spirit filled crowds of people and enabled everyone gathered around to understand each other even though they spoke different languages. Peter then takes the opportunity to tell those gathered around about the resurrection of Christ.

It is then that the changes began - Peter commanded them to change their hearts and be baptized in the name of Jesus, and then they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. There were over 3,000 people received that day into the community of faith.

Is God calling you to join those over 3,000 people? Have you felt the Holy Spirit moving in your life? Perhaps it is time that you consider some change as well. Come see what the Holy Spirit can do.

Friday, June 2, 2017

Friday, June 2, 2017

SABRINA

Sometimes life delivers news that knocks the wind out of us, and we just don’t have words — for our pain or for the pain of others. Words matter, but sometimes our presence matters more.

When Job experienced great tragedy in his life, he had three friends who came to visit. They came intending to sympathize with him, but we are told in Job 2:13, “Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.” They didn’t start out attempting to fix his problems but chose instead to simply be with him in his despair.
While “doing” has its place, let’s remember that “being” — our presence with someone we care about — carries importance as well.

It is often our tendency when we don’t know what to do, to do nothing at all. We discount the beauty of just “being there.” When words don’t work, our presence shows compassion and love.

Let Romans 12:15 be our guide for today. “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Thursday, June 1, 2017

JONATHAN

Good morning! I’m Jonathan Crabtree, Pastor of Student Ministry at Central – A United Methodist Community in downtown Meridian.

My family and I will be moving soon to serve another church and community. While we will miss our family and friends here in Meridian, we look forward to serving another community. I have two more opportunities to share with you, so I’d like to tell you two more times what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. First, it means to love Jesus, and I believe that Jesus loves all of humanity and inviting them to a relationship. Jesus is the creator of the universe; the one who breathed the stars into existence, created all the wonders of the earth, and who is with us all now.

Jesus invites us into relationship and offers forgiveness of our wrongdoings, and as a result, your life will be transformed for the better of the world. I invite you to Central to talk with others about what this means. Look forward to the next and final lesson, soon.