Tuesday, July 31, 2018

GLENDA Good Morning: Do you see God? But, you say, no-one sees God. Well, listen to my story. The man whispered, “God, speak to me,” and a meadowlark sang but the man did not hear. So, he yelled, “God, speak to me!” and thunder rolled across the sky; but the man did not listen. The man looked around and said, “God, let me see you,” and a star shined brightly but the man did not see. And the man shouted, “God, show me a miracle,” and a baby was born, but the man did not notice. So, in despair, he cried, “Touch me, God, and let me know you are here.” God reached down and touched the man, but the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on. Don’t be like this man. God is all around you. Take the time to see him, hear him, and feel his touch, and when you do, you will have a wonderful day!

Monday, July 30, 2018

BENJI Good morning! I’m Benji Riddle – Director of Youth Ministry at Central United Methodist. Here is a little Monday Motivation to start your week off right. It’s found in the book of Isaiah Chapter 40, it says “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Whatever this week has in store for you and whatever tasks lay ahead, do them with all you are. God is glorified though our hard work, God is with us as we labor, and is there to grant us need rest and peace when toil is done. Find strength in God’s Word today and remember that God goes with you.

Friday, July 27, 2018

SABRINA If it is summer and you have children - I’ll just stop right, there. HOW is it possible that so many different personalities exist in one family? One child is diligent and kind, the other impulsive and self-seeking. Joy and pain exist side by side, causing emotions to swing back and forth from day to day - often minute to minute. To see this play out in a public setting, one might immediately assume that the self-seeking child has been spoiled, when in fact it may not be the case at all - it is just a matter of varying personalities, which draw a different response to the situation at hand. If you are feeling frustrated this morning, take heed - Jesus dealt with the same issues. Within his circle of 12, he had fishermen, tax collectors, politicians -not to mention Judas. Can you imagine the stress and bickering - among grown men? There was jealousy as many sought constantly to be the favorite. Sound familiar? You see, even through dealing with the disciples, Jesus is showing us how to parent. He dealt with each disciple individually, as needed. He offered tough love. He spent time alone with them. He did not try and be their best friend, but an authority figure in their lives. He found a balance, and they loved him fiercely. If today finds you hanging by a thread, know this parenting thing is HARD, but so worth it. Take a deep breath and enjoy these precious gifts from God. You CAN do this!

Thursday, July 26, 2018

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning, the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Joshua son of Nun had been commissioned by Moses to bring Israel into the Promised Land. He was a leader and a general. Having spied out the land and returned with the other 11 spies, he was fully aware of the impending battle and the ferocity of the enemy. There were giants in the land. In the Book of Judges Chapter 5 we find Joshua has miraculously crossed over the Jordan with all the people and 40,000 armed soldiers, Joshua sensed deeply his responsibility to protect and lead Israel to victory and the inheritance God had promised them. At this significant moment, somewhere near Jericho, the first battlefield, Joshua "lifted his eyes", to behold a Man. Focused in a mindset of warfare, he asks the obvious question…"Whose side are you on?" The man's answer immediately brings Joshua to another plane of existence: "No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." The young general is standing before the, Commander of the Lord's Army--and the ground he is standing on is Holy! Our natural tendency is always to ask, "Whose side is the Lord on?" How many wars have been fought by people who said, "God is on our side." But the correct question is "Who is fighting on the Lord's side?" May we always seek to be on God’s side.

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

TIM Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Senior Adult Minister and Sanctuary Choir Director at Central. I recently attended the Stage 2 production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. If you aren’t familiar with Stage 2 and their work, I highly recommend you attend anything they produce! If you aren’t familiar with the musical, it is an entertaining, retelling of the story of Joseph. It is filled with campy songs and comedic staging, but it communicates the story of Joseph and the message of redemption quite well. To give you a VERY quick synopsis, Joseph has dreams that make his brothers angry, so they plot to rid themselves of him. They end up selling him into slavery and telling their father that he was killed by an animal. Joseph is then to Potiphar and then to Pharaoh. When Pharaoh begins to have strange dreams, he calls on Joseph to interpret his dreams. This pleases Pharaoh and he promotes Joseph to a position of power over Egypt. Eventually, his brothers come to Egypt to buy food during the famine and he recognizes them. Joseph eventually makes himself known to his brothers and offers them forgiveness for all they had done. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph is talking to his brothers following the death of their father and he says this: “You planned something bad for me, but God produced something good from it.” May you recognize that even when something bad happens or when someone plans something against you, God can make something good out of it.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

BOB Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central, a United Methodist Community here in Meridian, Mississippi. John the 3rd Chapter and 17th Verse says: “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” Christianity has taken a strange turn. We who claim to follow Jesus wholeheartedly seem to have taken it upon ourselves to judge the world. We are quick to condemn others because they do not measure up to our standards, and I have heard Christians claim that we must not love the world. Yet, shouldn’t we who call ourselves little Christs hold the same values as he did? And if God’s son loved the world, should we not also love the world? Likewise, If the one who is truly righteous did not come to judge the world should not those of us who are righteous only because we have taken on his righteousness also not condemn the world but seek to save the world? God loves the world, the good, the bad and the ugly and so should those of us who call ourselves Christians.

Monday, July 23, 2018

GLENDA Good Morning: There is a story about a king and his best friend. Growing up, his friend always saw the positive in everything and would often remark “This is good.” One day they were on a hunting trip. The friend loaded the gun and gave it to the king. When he pulled the trigger, it blew his thumb off. The friend said, “This is good” as usual. The king said, “No, it’s not,” and put him in prison. Later, the king was captured by some cannibals and when they started to prepare to eat him, they saw that he was not whole. The king was set free and went back to the prison to rescue his friend. He apologized to his friend, but again his friend said, “This is good.” How could this be good? Said the King. “I put you in prison”. His friend said, “If I had been with you, I would have been eaten.” The moral of this story? Try to see the good in everything and everyone, and remember, God is always in control.

Friday, July 20, 2018

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning, the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Sometimes, the more significant, powerful, or influential someone is, the less you know about him or her. There are some people of influence whose names most of us have never heard, and about whom we know almost nothing, yet they make decisions which affect millions of lives. Enoch is a Biblical character about whom we know hardly anything besides his age and genealogy; but we do know this -- that Enoch walked with God -- and then God took him. What an example! Is there anything greater that can be said about someone than, "He walked with God"? Enoch's life was eternally distinguished by this one characteristic: his personal relationship with the Lord. He somehow maintained a degree of divine fellowship that was so pleasing to God and everyone could tell something was different about him. We may never hit a homerun in a major league game or catch the winning touchdown pass, but we can strive to leave a legacy like Enoch and simply be known as a person who walked with God.

Thursday, July 19, 2018

BENJI Good morning! I’m Benji Riddle – Director of Youth Ministry at Central United Methodist. There is an old story that goes like this: Three burly biker fellows on huge roaring motorcycles pulled up to a truck stop restaurant where a truck driver, who happened to be small of stature, was perched on a stool quietly eating his lunch and enjoying a break from the days driving. As the three fellows came in, they saw him, decided to be mischievous and grabbed his food away from him and laughed in his face. The truck driver said nothing. He got up, paid for his food and walked out. One of the three bikers, unhappy that they hadn't succeeded in provoking the smaller trucker driver into a fight commented to the waitress: "Boy, he sure wasn't much of a man, was he?" The waitress replied, "Well, I guess not." Then, looking out the window, she added, "I guess he's not much of a truck driver, either. He just ran over three motorcycles leaving the parking lot." Today, lets treat others as we want to be treated, with grace instead, not the destruction of property!

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning, the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, I'm sure several million people were wondering, "How am I going to be fed? How am I going to survive in this wilderness?" Imagine the logistical nightmare. An incalculable quantity of food and water were needed to survive in the desert. Where would it come from? Yet, in this seemingly impossible situation, God provided! He provided Manna from heaven. When the people first saw the Manna on the ground, they wondered in amazement saying to each other, "What is this?", which is exactly what "Manna" means in Hebrew -- "What is it?" But we know what happened as time passed...the people got used to this miraculous provision, began to take it for granted, and even be bored with it, and, of course...the wonder of God's supernatural provision evaporated. Each and every day is a miracle from God. Each day of our lives we walk through a world filled with the wonders and glory of the Lord. But we, too, can become dull and lose the wonder of all that He has done and provided for us, even our very salvation. We need to awaken to the daily miracles of life, and to the never-ending opportunities the Lord is opening, to pour His love into us, and through us.

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

TIM Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Senior Adult Minister and Sanctuary Choir Director at Central. In the world today, you will encounter folks, both Christian and non-Christian, who have good intentions and are good people. They may have different political beliefs than you do. They may have different practices than you do. They may be of a different faith than you. Do any of these circumstances make them bad people? No. Should we abandon these people no? We can be friends with all types of people! However, you should be leery of people who try and distort the Gospel. (And yes, often, this can even include followers of the Christian faith too.) Galatians 1:6-10 says this: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently, some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” When someone presents something to you that you know is in opposition of the Gospel, be brave and defend your truth! Don’t try to win that person by agreeing with them when you know it’s wrong. You can believe differently and still love each other. Don’t sacrifice your faith to please a person - who is not serving Christ.

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

TIM Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Senior Adult Minister and Sanctuary Choir Director at Central. In the world today, you will encounter folks, both Christian and non-Christian, who have good intentions and are good people. They may have different political beliefs than you do. They may have different practices than you do. They may be of a different faith than you. Do any of these circumstances make them bad people? No. Should we abandon these people no? We can be friends with all types of people! However, you should be leery of people who try and distort the Gospel. (And yes, often, this can even include followers of the Christian faith too.) Galatians 1:6-10 says this: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently, some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” When someone presents something to you that you know is in opposition of the Gospel, be brave and defend your truth! Don’t try to win that person by agreeing with them when you know it’s wrong. You can believe differently and still love each other. Don’t sacrifice your faith to please a person - who is not serving Christ.

Monday, July 16, 2018

BOB Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central a United Methodist Community here in Meridian, Mississippi. In the 7th Chapter of Matthew: “Jesus told the crowds, ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.’” Have you heard from any false prophets lately? I am sure you can name a few. It is pretty easy to spot the false prophets in this world who are spouting off and saying things with which we disagree. But those are not the false prophet Jesus warns us about. No, the ones in sheep’s clothing who come like ravenous wolves are the ones who tell us what we want to hear. Those who call to our baser desires. Those who appeal to the lowest common denominator. So, how do you know which prophets are false? Stay in touch with the voice of Jesus Christ. Hear Him as he calls for us to be in unity with the least ones of this world. Hear Him as he calls to us in the cry of the needy, the forgotten, and the downtrodden. The true prophet calls us to deny ourselves and to follow him where we do not wish to go. False prophets are among us like ravenous wolves.

Friday, July 13, 2018

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Psalm 105:5 says “Remember His marvelous works which He has done.” On July 3, 1776, following the signing of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams reflected on that important day. The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forever. You will think I’m transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this Declaration and support and defend these States. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; that posterity will triumph in that day’s transaction, even though we [may regret] it, which I trust in God we shall not. Today, let us celebrate the freedom God has authored for us.

Friday, July 13, 2018

BENJI Good morning! I’m Benji Riddle – Youth Director at Central United Methodist. With this time of year, there is a buzz in the air about celebrations and freedom and celebrations of freedom. We are right in the middle of summer, and the kids feel like school will never start and are feeling free, while parents see school supplies in the stores and celebrate! Yet, while we celebrate our freedom, I invite you to advocate for those who do not have the freedoms that you do and do not have the reasons that you do to celebrate. Support with your finances, prayers, and time by working with organizations that help with disadvantaged youth, the incarcerated, or people dealing with addiction. Reach out and share the love of God and you will see true freedom. If you are seeking a reason to celebrate and see true freedom, I invite you to join us at Central, at either 830, 945, or 1055, and see that life is better connected.

Thursday, July 12, 2018

TIM Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Clergy for Senior Adults Ministry and Choir Director at Central. Matthew 7:13-14 says: Enter by the narrow gate. The gate that leads to destruction is wide and the way is easy. Those who enter through it are many. The gate that leads to life is narrow and the way is hard, and those who find it are few. Life is a journey with many paths. The difficult way is pleasing. It’s filled with things that we think are good for us, however, in the end it delivers nothing of lasting value. The other direction is narrow. It has a small entrance, because there is only one way to be reconciled to God—through faith in Christ. Traveling on this path requires a commitment to the Savior and a lifestyle of dependence, sacrifice, and trust. Reflect on whose path you are ultimately following. Is it the world’s path or is it God’s path for you? Each of us must choose which path to take: the wide one that ends in nothing of value or the narrow one leading to life everlasting. I pray you find yourself on the narrow path that leads to the loving arms of Jesus.

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

GLENDA Good Morning: While walking through the forest one day, a farmer found a young eagle who had fallen out of his nest. He took it home and put it in the barnyard with his chickens. It wasn't long before the young eagle had learned to eat and behave like the chickens. Finally, the farmer realized the eagle did not know how to fly. He lifted him toward the sky and let him go. He just hopped back down to his chicken friends and began to eat with them. The farmer took him to the roof of the house and again tried to get him to fly, but once again, he jumped down to his chicken friends. Finally, the farmer took him to the top of a high mountain. The eagle looked around, back towards the barnyard and then up to the sky. Slowly, he stretched his wings and soared just as he was meant to do. That's God's plan for us. Don't be like everyone else. Don't do the things everyone else does. Don't be just another chicken. Discover God's plan for you and fly! Have a wonderful day.

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Psalm 32:10, 11 says, “The LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” Every day, little changes in schedule or small irritations occur. Every day we can choose to let these obstacles upset us, or we can rest in the knowledge that God lovingly ordained them as small irritants to help us look to and rely on Him. For example, we can grumble about the frustrating traffic jam that is keeping us from getting somewhere on time, or we can remember that God knows about our deadlines and view the time sitting in traffic as an opportunity to pray. We can complain, or we can rejoice. May we allow the knowledge that we are continually surrounded by God’s unfailing love to permeate our lives and chase away our complaints and fears. May this knowledge transform the way we experience life and offer love.

Monday, July 9, 2018

BOB This is Bob Peden of Central, A United Methodist Community in Downtown Meridian. I have come to realize that Jesus never intended his followers to try to live their life of faith in isolation. He sent his disciples out two-by-two on their missionary journeys. He often used inclusive family terms to speak about their life of faith ("our Father," "your brother"). This emphasis on community and family is carried over in the rest of the New Testament as we hear about house churches and our need to be there for each other. The "one another passages" of the New Testament arise out of this background — a recognition that we need each other to walk the Christian talk. We can't do it by ourselves, and we were never intended to try to do it by ourselves. It takes a community to live and walk faithfully in the service of Jesus Christ.

Friday, July 6, 2018

TIM Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Clergy for Senior Adults Ministry and Choir Director at Central. Water is a sign of cleansing and renewal. We recognize one of the first accounts of this in the book of Genesis in the story of Noah. God flooded the earth for 40 days and nights to cleanse the world of its corruption, but he also recognized Noah for his righteousness and his faith. We see God using water, yet again, in the story of the Israelite exodus across the Red Sea. Again, God uses the resource of water to rid corruption. God allowed the Israelites to cross over safely to the Promised Land just before swallowing up the armies of Pharaoh. Water is continually used to represent cleansing. As Christians, we are called to experience this cleansing in our lives through the ritual of baptism. And while some churches may not recognize each other’s baptism, at Central, we recognize that baptism is an outward sign of something that is happening internally. It doesn’t matter what building it took place in, when it happened, or which denomination, all that matters is that once you have taken that step, you then invest your soul in building God’s kingdom in your own life and in others. I pray the Holy Spirit finds you where you are and you make a choice to follow its lead.

Thursday, July 5, 2018

GLENDA Good Morning: Did you know that children laugh between 300 and 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, let's not take everything so seriously! Let's start laughing at ourselves a little and laughing at our enemy's attempts to keep us burdened and oppressed! God has our victory—always! The joy of the Lord is our strength. Share the joy! Be happy...and laugh. Have a wonderful day.

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

SABRINA Anyone who drives has been guilty of it - arriving at a point and not remembering how we got there. We were on automatic pilot. Our minds were not engaged with where we were going. We often do the same thing in our prayers. We mindlessly engage in prayer saying words without any real reflection. In Matthew 6:7, Jesus reminded His followers, “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.” Prayer is our time to commune with God. It is not an act of therapy. We are not seeking to feel better about ourselves or situations. Prayer is not an act of manipulation, bargaining, or persuasion. Prayer is about God's will being done - not our own. Prayer is not a news report. We don't need to use prayer as a way of alerting God to what we feel. He “needs” to know. And prayer is NOT a bargaining opportunity. “If You grant this, I promise I will faithfully do this…” Prayer is our opportunity to commune with the One who created, loves, and bestows more blessings than we can even fathom. So, for today, let us take time to simply sit at His feet in gratitude and praise.

Monday, July 2, 2018

BENJI Good morning! I’m Benji Riddle – Youth Director at Central United Methodist. We are fast approaching the Fourth of July, Independence Day, the great American celebration of the freedom that we hold so dear. We mark it with cookouts and fireworks; this year, let’s not lose sight of the real opportunity, with genuine hearts, to consider how fortunate we are. Take time to celebrate your freedom for it was hard fought and sorely won by those who came before us: In 1776 when we declared that all people are endowed by their creator with the right for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In the 1860’s when the truth was upheld that all people are created equal. In the 1940’s when tyranny and oppression were fought against and beaten on foreign shore. And the victory was won by One Man 2000 years ago on a hill outside of Jerusalem that won the eternal freedom of all who accept it. That man was Jesus. You are free, don’t forget the ones and the ONE who died to give you that freedom.