Thursday, February 28, 2019

MATT Good morning! I’m Matt Farmer, Associate Pastor at Central United Methodist Church in Meridian. A disabled submarine was stranded on the ocean floor. Several days passed and the hope of rescue was waning. As the oxygen supply began to run out, the men gradually weakened. One sailor was affected more quickly than the others and lurched forward, crashing against the vessel’s surfacing equipment. Suddenly, the faulty mechanism began to operate, and the vessel slowly rose from the ocean floor. They all made it back to port safely. Greater than any deliverance from a literal sea is God’s provision for those who are trapped in the ocean of unbelief. If you are caught in the grip of sin, Jesus alone can give you a new start. Put your trust in the Savior and you will be lifted out of the waters of judgment and into the sunlight of God’s forgiveness.

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

GLENDA Good Morning: 2 Peter 1:4 tells us that God has given us his very great and precious promises. What was Peter referring to when He said God gave us promises? Well, He promised He’d send the Holy Spirit as a comforter and that’s found in John 15:14-31. He promised that He would never leave us or forsake us. That’s found in Matthew 28:20. He promised us a new heaven and a new earth in Revelation 21. He promised that these bodies of ours will be transformed and that’s found in 1 Corinthians 15:35-58. And most important of all, in Revelation 3:5, He promised us eternal salvation. When we leave this earth, He has promised that we will live with him in Heaven. What more could we want or need? What joy to know that when we die, we will be reunited with those believers who have gone on before us. Believe in His promises. He never fails us. Have a wonderful day!

Monday, February 25, 2019

Sabrina Advice. Turn on the television, radio, look on Facebook or Instagram. You can find out how to look younger, lose weight, parent, and win at life. Google and you can find answers to any question you have. Add “friendly advice” to that. With all the noise in our ears, it can be hard to discern good advice from the bad. In 1 Kings, we see an example of that when we read “But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. While this revolved around a tax issue, we see where Rehoboam solicited the advice of friends rather than wise counsel. It did not turn out well for him. We, too, often find ourselves wanting to listen to advice that affirms our wishes rather than what is best. If you find yourself needing “wise counsel” measure it by biblical standards. Is it impartial, pure, peace-loving, considerate, obedient, full of mercy and sincere? Be certain that God places wise counsel in our lives, to walk with us; to help us in our discernment. We just have to listen. But ultimately, let’s not forget that “still small voice” within us – for THAT is the voice of God!

Friday, February 22, 2019

BENJI Good Morning, I’m Benji Riddle – Director of Youth Ministries at Central United Methodist. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Colossi and told them that he had heard about their faith in Jesus and their love toward others, and every time he thinks of them, he can’t help giving thanks to God for them and lifting them up in prayer. What a reputation! What sort of things are we known for? Is it our outward appearance and what possessions we have assembled for ourselves? Is it how busy we are or what professional abilities we have? How incredible would it be to be known for more lasting and far-reaching ideas, like our generosity and selflessness? Our zeal to help others and to see kindness overtake hatred. It’s a lofty goal, but one that is worth striving for! If our names and reputations are to be known, may we be known for integrity, patience, and love so that we may be the sort of people that others thank God for.

Thursday, February 21, 2019

TIM Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Senior Adult Minister and Sanctuary Choir Director at Central. We as humans were made to give glory to God and praise his name. Through music, worship, scripture reading, and Bible studies, we have endless opportunities to do so. The Westminster Catechism asks, “What is the chief end of man?” And the answer is: “To glorify God and enjoy him forever!” What a calling that is! So, when we get caught up in church with things that bother us: the music is too loud, the lights are too low, the choir is too big, or the preacher preaches too long, we allow ourselves to be selfish and get caught up in our interests when it is our command and privilege to glorify God rather than to glorify ourselves. If you have ever found yourself leaving a church because of one of the issues I mentioned or because you aren’t being fed, perhaps you’re missing the point entirely. Worship isn’t about what you get out of it, it’s what you bring to it—it's about bringing glory to God. Pray about those things in your heart, and when you realize you’re too worried about yourself and not enough about pleasing God, you will be better off. Don’t let your selfishness take over your spiritual self. Come and worship, don’t come and be selfish.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and the pressures of being a monarch. He made application to Prior Richard at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a contemplative and spend the rest of his life in the monastery. "Your Majesty," said Prior Richard, "Do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That will be hard because you have been a king." "I understand," said Henry. "The rest of my life I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you." "Then I will tell you what to do," said Prior Richard. "Go back to your throne and serve faithfully in the place where God has put you." When King Henry died, a statement was written: "The King learned to rule by being obedient." We are kings and priests! Furthermore, the Bible says that one day we will rule with Him! We need to get ourselves ready! Are you weary of parenting, ministering, praying or whatever other assignments the Lord has given you for this season of your life? God expects us to be faithful where he puts us, even in the small things. Stay strong in the Lord! God is preparing us for great things – and our efforts for Him will not go unnoticed!

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

BOB Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central, A United Methodist Community in downtown Meridian. Worship is one of the most important actions in living the Christian life. Yet, worship in many churches on Sunday morning can become stagnant and each Sunday seem just like the last. If that is how you feel, then I would like to invite you to a completely different kind of worship this Sunday evening at Central. This worship will include lots of music led by Jonathan Quigley and others from the Meridian area. It will also include video, prayer and a short message. Central is offering these Nights of Worship on the 4th Sunday of each month this Spring. Everyone is invited to attend this Sunday evening, February 24th beginning at 6 p.m. and lasting for about an hour. This is held in the Fellowship Hall of Central - on 22nd and 23rd Avenues at 10th Street in downtown Meridian. Come experience God's presence in worship!

Monday, February 18, 2019

SABRINA I love to search for things in white puffy clouds. I did it as a child with my children and now with my grandchildren. After a rain, when dark clouds fill the sky, and suddenly, there is a break in the clouds, the sun peeps out and sun-rays streak across the sky. It is as though you can reach through and touch heaven. You watch the beautiful sunrise in the morning, while much of the world is still asleep; you sit weary and tired from your day and suddenly feel peace as you watch the watercolors of God streak across the sky in the beautiful sunset. David reminds us of this in the Psalms when he writes: “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” You see, the wonder of God’s handiwork, didn’t just buoy David’s soul, it flipped his perspective. If today finds you wondering where God is in your life, simply walk outside, no matter the weather, and look around. His glory, His handiwork – all apparent and a reminder that He carries the world in His hands. Our joys, our trials, our heartaches. How very blessed we are!

Friday, February 15, 2019

TIM Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Senior Adult Minister and Sanctuary Choir Director at Central. Love is in the air. Can you feel it? Perhaps you didn’t enjoy Valentine’s Day because you don’t feel loved, but never fear, God is love, and he loves you through it all. 1 Corinthians 13 talks about love being patient and kind, love not being envious or boastful or proud, love not dishonoring others or being self-seeking or easily angered or keeping records of wrong. This describes the way God loves us. He is patient with us and kind to us. God’s love isn’t envious or boastful or proud–he is proud to call us his, but he doesn’t throw it in anyone’s face. But most importantly, God's love doesn’t dishonor others or serve himself, in fact, his love serves us. And God's love doesn’t keep a record of our faults and doesn’t get angry with us. God loves us unconditionally even when we falter and fail. His love knows no end. So, during this season of love, remember who truly loves you more than anyone else out there. His love is radiant and bright and shines into each of our lives. Remember that God is love.

Thursday, February14, 2019

BENJI Good Morning, I’m Benji Riddle – Director of Youth Ministries at Central United Methodist. For weeks the stores have been done up in red and pink, balloons, cards, and candy are everywhere, and it would seem that love is in the air…reason being is that today is Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, so much of the so-called love we see in the world today is, in many ways, superficial and predicated on what can be received from it; what we can get in return. We see throughout the Bible that love, real love, is selfless, not self-seeking. Throughout history and even in our own lives this has been proved time and time again. In the book of Romans, Chapter 8, we see a picture of this love and learn that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Have a happy Valentine’s Day and know that God loves you!

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

GLENDA 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! Think about that! How often do you find yourself laughing and enjoying life and the people around you? I’m afraid as we grow older, we lose some of our inclination to just laugh, and I think the devil gets his own pleasure from that. Let's not take everything so very 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! Remember, this is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Have a wonderful day!

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Have you ever noticed that when people are in love, they tend to forget everything else? Everything becomes secondary – cars, houses, money – nothing matters – it is all secondary to love. Then, when they fall out of love, as in a divorce, all of a sudden, those things mean everything! They argue about all the little meaningless things they ever owned together. Each wants it all for himself. The same is true with the Lord. Before we know Him, all we really have are possessions. But when we come to know God – truly know Him – those things mean very little – we're in love! We're willing to give up everything. Those people who are most in love with God and filled with His love are the least possessive and the least materialistic. If we have been wrapped up in our possessions, we've lost sight of our greatest treasure! All that stuff means nothing. Let go of it. Return to your first love. Lighten your heart and fall in love again with the love of God! We would love to be a part of your journey. Come visit us at Central and let us reclaim our name together.

Monday, February 11, 2019

MATT Good morning! I’m Matt Farmer, Associate Pastor at Central United Methodist Church in Meridian. The film, Saving Private Ryan, though disturbingly graphic, tells the gripping story of a World War II rescue squad sent to bring a soldier out of harm’s way. Mortally wounded and near death, the squad leader calls Ryan close and simply says, “Earn this.” Men had given their lives to save Him, and he needed to embrace the sense of indebtedness such sacrifice should incite. Ryan owed his life to those who had rescued him. Paul, likewise, felt indebted. Christ had sacrificed Himself to pay for Paul’s sins and set him free from judgment and death. Paul’s response? “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.” Why was he indebted to them? The Greeks and barbarians hadn’t died for him, nor had the wise or the unwise. But Christ had. The sacrifice of the Son of God on his behalf was so overwhelming to Paul that he in turn felt an overwhelming need to share God’s redeeming love with everyone. We can’t earn God’s gift of love, but we have an obligation to share it with others who need Him.

Friday, February 8, 2019

BOB Good morning. This is Bob Peden of Central, A United Methodist Community in downtown Meridian. Angels are all the rage! Everywhere you turn there are angels being marketed, sold, talked about, written up in books, featured on television specials, or bumper-stickered. So, what do we make of all this angel mania? I'm not sure. But I am sure that one of the most important aspects of the ministry of angels, is worship. They show us who to worship – God. They show us how to worship – they bow down, they shout for joy with praise; they speak of the worth and glory of God and the Son. They are the original praise team. And when we worship, the angels are a part of our worship, or perhaps more accurately, we become a part of their unending worship. If you would like to worship in the presence of angels and indeed the Lord of the universe, I invite you to Central on 22nd and 23rd Avenues at 10th Street. Sunday morning worship happens at 8:30, 9:45 in the Fellowship Hall and at 10:55 in the Sanctuary. Everyone is welcome!

Thursday, February 7, 2019

GLENDA Good Morning: Isaiah 33:2 says: O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be our strength every morning and our salvation in the time of trouble. During the building of the Golden Gate Bridge over San Francisco Bay, construction fell badly behind schedule because several workers had accidentally fallen from the scaffolding to their deaths. Engineers and administrators could find no solution to the costly delays. Finally, someone suggested a gigantic net be hung under the bridge to catch any who fell. Finally, in spite of the enormous cost, the engineers opted for the net. After it was installed, progress was hardly interrupted. A worker or two fell into the net but were saved. Ultimately, all the time lost to fear was regained by replacing fear with faith in the net. Do you have a fear of falling or failing? The Lord is always right there to be our net – to catch us when we fall. He is our salvation in time of trouble and provides the perfect safety net. All we have to do is call on him. Have a wonderful day!

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

BENJI Good Morning, I’m Benji Riddle – Director of Youth Ministries at Central United Methodist. No matter how well together and collected we think our lives are, we must remember that all of us fail and fall at some point. There was this gracious lady mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. "Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk. "Only the Ten Commandments," answered the lady. As broken people, we are bound sin and break quite a few of these commandments, but First John gives us some very encouraging news: if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Take a moment today to seek forgiveness, the One who made you awaits to forgive and redeem you.

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

SABRINA Moms – Do you ever feel like a ping-pong ball bouncing between feeling like a good mom to a bad mom? My children are older now but, oh, how I remember those younger years. You send special snacks for teachers, then forget to pick up your child from his after-school practice. You fix dinner – meat, two vegetables, dessert, the works. Bedtime comes, and you realize you didn’t get the refill on your baby’s antibiotics. Let's be honest. The days where everything turns out right are sometimes few and far between. The truth is it is where most of us live. Anything I've done right as a mother was because of my constant dialogue with God – over lost pacies, socks, illnesses, oh my goodness, the teenage years. And it continues, even as your children grow into adulthood. As moms, I pray we’ll remember the truth of today’s promise in Ephesians 2:4-5, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ — it is by grace you have been saved.” You see, God’s grace is there to cover us, teach us, and even in the middle of a bad moment, interrupt us, redirect us and change us. Forgiveness is there. Love is there. A second chance is there. And then another one after that. Let's live in that truth today.

Monday, February 4, 2019

TIM Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Senior Adult Minister and Sanctuary Choir Director at Central. Mark 1:9-13 says: “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’ At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.” Baptism is a time when believers outwardly show what God is doing inside of them. God is at work and they want the world to know it. However, we don’t want there to be confusion. Just because you are baptized does not mean that you will not experience temptation. We see in the scripture from mark that Jesus experienced temptation following his baptism. We all struggle and make mistakes, however, we must learn from them and overcome them. We can’t allow them to rule over our lives. It is through the grace at our baptism that we overcome sin. May you come to find the grace and strength to overcome the power of sin in your life.

Friday, February 1, 2019

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Did you know that on a rocket's journey, the most force is exerted at its lift-off? The amount of force that is needed to get that rocket off the ground is so fierce that it could easily blow the whole thing to pieces. Interestingly though, the further the rocket moves from the earth's gravitational pull, the less energy it needs to move farther along. Isn't it true with us as well? Whether it's breaking a habit, losing those first few pounds or learning something new, taking our first step into a new thing is the hardest part. That initial step always takes the most effort, the most energy. If we keep pressing on, however, it becomes easier and easier to move ahead! I hope you are not in a spiritual rut this morning where you are just going through the motions. Perhaps, there is something new God wants you to be doing! God wants us to get out of our comfort zones and take that first step of faith so that we can see just how truly awesome He is! We would love to take those next steps with you at Central. Come and reclaim the name with us.