Thursday, May 31, 2018

BENJI Good morning! I’m Benji Riddle – Youth Director at Central United Methodist. The saying goes: Stand for something, or else we will fall for anything. Now this doesn’t mean you go through life growling through gritted teeth and with closed fists, but going about with a boldness, inside and out, that sees a need and fills it. External confidence doesn’t always indicate internal boldness. Some of the strongest people I know have the meekest demeanor. The key is realizing that our strength is greatest when it is rooted in Christ. Ephesians Chapter 3 tells us that it is in Christ Jesus our Lord that we find true boldness and have access to great confidence through our faith in Him. We find our strength in Christ, and when you do summon the courage to stand up to the obstacles in your life, you will surely see that many were not half as strong as you thought they were. Be bold, be strong, for the Lord your God is with you. The Lord is a Strong Tower, the righteous run into it and are saved.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

DENNIS Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church. When a person begins their journey towards God, they soon realize how holy He truly is. And when we begin to recognize this fact, we also recognize our own sinful nature. This can be a difficult journey for us, at first. Hard travel can wear a person out to a point it is almost impossible to take another step. When we come to the knowledge of God, we also come to the knowledge of all of our errors and sinful rebellions. Just when we begin to internalize that there is no hope for us, we then encounter Jesus who is like the Good Samaritan from the Bible story. He is the one who gets down from his horse and approaches us as we lie in the ditch of despair. Without us having to ask, Jesus pours wine and oil on our open wounds and begins to bandage them. Then he unexpectedly places us on his own horse and leads us to the great inn so we can rest and heal. Is your life leaving you beaten up and battered? Are you constantly troubled by past mistakes and errors? If so, I want to invite you to Central where together we will seek out the healer of our souls. God Bless.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

GLENDA Good Morning: One of my jobs as Director of Central’s Children’s Center is to teach music to our three and four-year-old children. One of the songs we sing is “Come and See What God Has Done.” That song really comes to life at this time of year. Spring time…what a wonderful season! Driving down any street in Meridian, you have to marvel at all the beauty that God has given us. It reminds us that God is alive and is in control. He is right here among us. The proof is in the flowers and the blooming trees, the blue skies, the lakes he has given us for swimming and skiing, even the rainy afternoons and the shiny hot sun. Have you noticed? If not, take time to look and see what God has done. God is awesome in every deed. Have a wonderful spring day!!

Monday, May 28, 2018

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Memorial Day is set aside to remember those who have fallen in our nation’s wars. For most, this day will pass and most of us will be so caught up in picnics, family gatherings, or outdoor projects that we won’t even give much thought to the real meaning of the day. That’s too bad, because remembering does many things it brings us back to the reality of what actually happened. It also encourages us to see the dedication of those who fought and died. Remembering stirs within us a sense of gratitude and appreciation, and it strengthens our resolve to do our part in serving God, our country, and others. Throughout the Bible, God’s people are instructed to stop and recall what He did for them. Psalm 105 is a song of remembrance of God’s goodness to His beloved ones. It traces His direction, provision, and protection through their history and the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. As followers of Jesus, we should always use the power of our memories to remember the goodness of God.

Friday, May 25, 2018

DENNIS Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church. Temptations come in all shapes and sizes. They also come at the worst times in our lives, especially when we are at our weakest. Everyone, regardless of who they are will be tempted from time to time. It does not matter if you are a Christian or not, a pastor or a lay-person, temptations will always be a part of life. John Wesley, the Father of the Methodist movement, once recalled a time in his life when temptations were really getting the best of him. He said when they came, he would cry out to God for help and soon they would go away, but they would always return. Instead of giving up, he would continuously ask God for help. Wesley noted that every time he called out, God gave him an inward grace to fight them off. As long as we are alive, Jesus said temptations will come, but if we seek him, then we will be able to fight each battle. Yes, it is true, we may lose a few in the beginning, but we will be able to get up time and time again to fight back. And as John Wesley believed, we will no longer be conquered, but will always be the conqueror. God bless.

Thursday, May 24, 2018

BOB Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central a United Methodist Community in downtown Meridian. I was singing in an Easter choir once, and a man asked me why the song said Jesus died on a tree. I was so eager to impress, I gave him a long, seminary-type answer about crucifixion methods in first-century Palestine. He listened to me go on, then said, "Oh, I just thought maybe they used the word ‘tree' because it rhymed." A lot of folks think closeness to God means knowing all the right answers. But I don't agree. I think closeness to God begins the night we toss and turn in bed, realizing we don't know it all. Look at the Bible. Some of its finest saints were long on questions: Job on his ash heap, the disciples asking Jesus to teach them to pray, Nicodemus grilling Jesus late into the night, even Jesus on the cross. Having spent much of my life showing off my smarts, I nearly choke on the words "I don't know." Still, I suspect those words might be the kingdom keys. What it boils down to is that God doesn't care so much whether or not we have all the right answers – Just right hearts.

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

BENJI Good morning! I’m Benji Riddle – Youth Director at Central United Methodist. It would be safe to say that most of us want to experience belonging. Even the most introverted and socially awkward among us (including myself) want to know that we are accepted and known. That explains the wild popularity of the show Cheers, where everyone knew your name. It lasted for well over a decade, and it takes to show that so many wanted to know what it was like to be known and to belong. God knows us too, far beyond our name. God knew you when you were in your mother’s womb. God accepts, forgives, and loves you because you are His child. And when we seek forgiveness and pursue a life pleasing to God, we show the world to whom we belong. To be accepted by God surely is greater than being accepted by others. And when we know that God accepts us, we can certainly endure the rejection of others. God’s opinion is the only one that truly matters.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

GLENDA Good Morning: Years ago, when my brother and I were lots younger, we were walking in the tall grass beside a pond that ran through our property. All of a sudden, my brother pushed me hard and I fell. He picked up a stick and began beating the ground close to me. Thinking he had lost his mind, I scrambled away. What he was doing was killing a snake that could have bitten me if he had not pushed me. That’s the way God is. He loves us enough to push us sometimes and we don’t always understand why. We just have to put ourselves in God’s hands and trust him to push us in the right direction. Put your trust in God and have a wonderful day!

Monday, May 21, 2018

SABRINA One of my very favorite praise songs is from years ago. “His Strength is Perfect.” The chorus goes, “His strength is perfect when our strength is gone. He’ll carry us when we can’t carry on. Raised in His power, the weak become strong. His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect.” It is based on 2 Corinthians 12:9. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” You see, fear and weakness have a nasty way of lying to us. That’s because it removes God from the equation, causing us to envision a scenario where God does not show up and that will simply never be the case. We have to grab hold of this promise in our marriage, work lives, parenting, even the moments when it’s hard to pick up our heads off our pillows. We must tell ourselves the truth. God’s power in our lives never fails, is always there, and is more than sufficient. Whatever today holds, remember - His strength is perfect!

Friday, May 18, 2018

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning, Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. James 4:3 diagnoses one of the most insidious problems which always undermines and often devastates our prayer lives. The problem we’re told is a kind of selfish praying that eventually reshapes our prayer lists, turning our communication with God into little more than a personal “wish list” aimed at a less painful and a more enjoyable existence. As James boldly warns, it is that kind of praying, which God will purposefully choose to ignore. Such requests are a reflection of a kind of immature Christianity which wrongly sees life’s goal as happiness and not holiness; amusement and not ministry. God loves to answer our prayers, but he takes no pleasure in selfishness and greed. So, guard your prayer list from being overrun by selfish desires. Be sure to ask him for those things which will bring God glory and will make your life more useful for his cause. I invite you to connect with us at Central this Sunday.

Thursday, May 17, 2018

DENNIS Good Morning. I’m Dennis Gossett, with Central United Methodist Church. The Bible teaches that the light of Christ frees us. But have you ever wondered what we are freed from? First of all, it frees us from the fear of death. We are not talking about being scared of the process. It means knowing and being secured in what comes next. There was an ancient belief in a place of utter and complete silence called Sheol. It was the place where people went when they died. Hebrew maintained that when the Messiah comes he will rescue folks from Sheol. Jesus told a man named Nicodemus that he was in fact the long-awaited Messiah who has come to set the captives of utter silence free. Are you in a place of complete silence where you cannot hear God and you fear what is coming next? Let me assure you that Jesus has come to free us from the darkness of death. He came to tell us there is a purpose for all of this – the earth, life, and all that it contains. Listen to these words, “whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” If you would like to be set free today, then put your trust in the one who saves, our Lord Jesus Christ. Have a very freeing day. God Bless.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

TIM Good morning I’m Tim Wise, Sanctuary Choir Director at Central. The number one enemy of Christianity today is religion. The same thing has been true from the beginning. Jesus did not offend sinners – he offended the religious men of his day. So how can you distinguish religion from authentic faith in Christ? First, religion loves ritual. Religion delights in the status quo. Change makes it uncomfortable. Religion is a commitment to a system of beliefs, attitudes, and practices. Second, religion responds to challenge with intimidation. Challenge religion, and it will attempt to intimidate you into submission. What does an attorney do when he suspects that truth may not be on his side? He buys time, attacks procedure and assassinates character. Religion is defended the same way. What about Christianity? Well, Christianity loves the truth. Aristotle defined the truth as “saying of what is that it is, and of what is not that it is not.” In other words, truth has a standard, and is not relative. Also, Christianity responds to challenge with boldness. Why? Because knowing the truth and embracing it gives us courage. Don’t be afraid when your faith is challenged by religion. When this happens, the stage is set for a blessing, not defeat.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

SABRINA In teaching children of God’s love and plan for their lives, I always remind them that we are as much a part of God’s story, as Abraham, Moses, Daniel, David – we, as adults, often forget that! Henri Nouwen once wrote, “We seldom realize fully that we are sent to fulfill God-given tasks. We act as if we were simply dropped down in creation and have to decide to entertain ourselves until we die. But we were sent into the world by God, just as Jesus was. Once we start living our lives with that conviction, we will soon know what we were sent to do.” How different would our lives be if, each morning, we looked in the mirror and asked, “God, what would you have me to do today?” We each have a story, a call; a cause that is part of God’s plan for our lives and for the lives of those we touch. A plan that has been since the beginning of time. When we walk alongside those walking the paths that we have walked, we are indeed the hands and feet of Jesus – a part of God’s great story. It IS our greatest purpose in life. Go today, blessed by God, loved by God, and in service to God.

Monday, May 14, 2018

BENJI Be encouraged by these selected Sunday preaching notes allegedly from the diary of John Wesley. . . Morning, May 5 Preached in St. Anne's. Was asked not to come back anymore. Evening, May 5 Preached in St. John's. Deacons said, "Get out and stay out." Morning, May 12 Preached in St. Jude's. Can't go back there, either. Morning, May 19 Preached in St. Somebody Else's. Deacons called a special meeting and said I couldn't return. Evening, May 19 Preached on street. Kicked off the street. Morning, May 26 Preached in a meadow. Chased out of meadow as a bull was turned loose during service. Morning, June 2 Preached out at the edge of town. Kicked off the highway. Evening, June 2 Preached in a pasture. Ten thousand people came out to hear me. Don’t give up. Don’t lose hope. Let God guide and direct you and be the source of your peace.

Friday, May 11. 2018

SABRINA Jesus entire time on this earth was a lesson for us in humility. He spent His time on earth among the poor, the needy, and the outcasts. Matthew 9 gives us insight into what Jesus cared about – the healing of the masses, both physically and spiritually. Jesus saw the multitude as sheep that were not being led, not those to stand in judgment of. The same is true today. Many, beaten down by the world and physical problems, do not have the spiritual knowledge that there is hope. For Christians, it is OUR job to show love and hope. To reach out to those in need, different than us. If today you are in a place where you feel alone and forgotten, there IS hope, there IS peace. It is found in a God who loves you beyond measure. Perfection is not a requirement for His love. If you are looking for a place to either FIND love and acceptance or to find a way to EXTEND Christ’s love, I invite you to Central where you will not find perfection but community that strives to be the hands and feet of Jesus, all while experiencing a love and grace that only God can give. Have a blessed day.

Thursday, May 10, 2018

BOB Good Morning! This is Bob Peden of Central, a United Methodist Community here in Meridian. Henry Ware, Jr. wrote the words to "Happy the Home When God is There." As we approach Mother's Day this Sunday, we would be wise to think about the words of this great hymn. Is God in my home? Does love fill everyone there? Is prayer often heard in my home? Do we love the sacred Word of God? Is Jesus' name music to every ear? Is praise for God and for one another the most likely sound to be heard? Are we united in the love of God? If you would like to know more about this God who can help to make your home a happy one, I would invite you to Central United Methodist Church. We worship at 8:30, 9:45, and 10:55 each Sunday morning. Everyone is welcome!

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

GLENDA Good Morning: Michael Franklin Ministries had a great article about Love. It goes like this: Paul talks about love in 1st Corinthians. The key takeaway point in Paul’s writing is that love isn’t about us. It isn’t about why we do what we do. It isn’t about how we use our talents. It isn’t about what we give up. Love is about God. Love starts with God because God is love. The greatest proof of Love came to us in the form of our Savior, Jesus Christ. His hands, his feet, his side, and his head carry the scars of Love’s sacrifice. The greatest act of Love is found at the foot of the Cross. That is Love Made real. God gave His only son for you and me because of His great love for us. Isn’t that wonderful? Have a great day!

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning, Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Each of us faces spiritual struggles on a daily basis. You must prepare yourself spiritually to face hard times before they come! The reality is that when hard times come, they come with a vengeance. You have no time then to say, “I had better get ready for this.” No, you are either ready, or not. In Ephesians, we are told to put on the whole armor of God as we prepare for the fight ahead. God is saying to you that hard times will come to you sooner or later. There are forces of evil in this world and they are opposed to God’s plan of making you more like Jesus Christ. They want to leave you in despair, depression and discouragement, and so, they instigate suffering in your life. God is reminding you today that these tough times aren’t just something to be endured. Rather, they are attacks on your spiritual life. God wants to use them to build you up; Satan wants to use them to destroy your walk with God. Come and connect with us this week at Central.

Monday, May 7, 2018

DENNIS Good Morning. I’m Dennis Gossett, with Central United Methodist Church. The Bible speaks of a man named Nicodemus. It means “victory of the people,” which is very fitting when you think about who actually gives us victory. We are told that Christ Jesus has won our battle of sin and death. He can heal anything you will ever go through. Some may be thinking that your problem is too big for God to handle or it is such a mess that God does not want to even get involved with it. Well, let me reassure you that God is much bigger than any problem we could ever face. It does not matter what is going on in your life, it is never too dark where the light of Christ cannot penetrate. John tells us that “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world.” Light’s very nature shines on anything covered in darkness. It even goes into the darkest gullies of our souls. When the light of Christ comes into a heart, the person’s life is not only illuminated but also, they are able to see the dangers of all the turns and potholes ahead. If you need light to shine in your life, then ask Jesus to come, and soon you will find that the darkness has gone. God bless.

Friday, May 4, 2018

BENJI Today is May the Fourth, known by some as Star Wars Day, due to the date sounding so close to the phrase made famous by the science fiction franchise “May the Force Be with You.” To say these movies are wildly popular would be an understatement, and it’s easy to see why. They carry themes that resonate within all of us: good and evil, adventure, love, humor, and even family. The Dark Side, and the Light. The book of Thessalonians in the Bible talks about the dark and the light in our lives as well! It talks about how often when people perpetrate wrongdoing, they do so in a way that no one will know about their actions – they do so in the dark. Chapter 5, verse 5 encourages us to take a different path: For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. By the power of the Holy Spirit and with obedience to God’s plan, we too can be a Force for Good and a Bearer of the Gospel of Light in this world.

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Good Morning: Did you know that children laugh 300 to 400 times a day while we adults laugh only a mere 15? Believe it or not, experts say that laughing aids digestion, lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion, boosts the immune system, triggers the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers, heals broken relationships, and produces a general sense of well-being! So, wouldn’t you say we need to laugh more; enjoy life more; find the fun in everyday things? After all, Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine….” So, have a wonderful, laugh-filled day!

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

BOB Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central, a United Methodist Community. Ultramarathons are grueling races. They stretch anywhere from 35 to 100 miles and cover all manner of terrain. It would be easy for a runner to lose his way, his motivation or his judgment somewhere along the arduous course. Because of this, ultramarathoners often are allowed to rely on the help of a "companion runner." This companion runs a small portion of the event with the racer. Companion runners keep the racer on course, because they are fresh and possess clear judgment with which to guide the Main Runner. Life can be like an ultramarathon. It can seem long and grueling. But we have a companion runner. Someone who will run not just a short distance but the whole race with us, sharing His wisdom, strength, and encouragement. His name is Jesus, and he promises He will be with us always. Let Him run with you.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

SABRINA Heads up! Tomorrow is National Friendship Day. My children grew up loving Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. Fred Rogers, was not only an actor, but a minister. He did not quote scripture or tell Bible stories on his daytime afternoon show, but there was something markedly different in his conversations with children. His LIVED his Christianity. In this day of Bullying, we need more Mr. Rogers. He stated, “Everyone longs to be loved and the greatest thing we can do is to let people know that they are loved and are capable of loving. If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every encounter with another person.” That understanding is what friendship is all about. So, not just tomorrow, but every day, let us each strive to be a friend to someone in need of a friend. It is not what Fred Rogers would expect of us, but what Jesus would have us do.