RAY DURDEN
Hebrews 12:14: Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy.
Many influences of life separate you from God. When you are worried and full of doubt, life can seem
to have defeated you. However, you are defeated by life only if you have let yourself be separated from
God and His love. When you don't live with God's peace in your heart, you don't see God or feel His
presence within you. To have Christ living and alive in your heart, you must seek His touch to heal
you from the wounds and hurts you suffer.
The touch of God helps you resolve conflicts and difficulties. The touch of God helps you persevere in
peace when the path of your life gets difficult to walk. When you are persecuted, wronged, or slighted,
remain holy and next to God. When you remain holy and devout in spite of all the attacks of the
darkness against you, Christ wins and you win.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
DENNIS
Good Morning. This is Dennis Gossett, Associate Pastor at Central United Methodist Church. Looking
back into the not so distant past, we find a wonderful Protestant saint named Corrie ten Boom who
suffered great trials during the Nazi occupation of Holland. The ten Boom family demonstrated the
love of Christ to all who were escaping the persecution of the Gestapo.
Eventually, their Christian love cost them everything. Both, her sister and father died in the Nazi
Concentration Camps.
The astonishing aspect of this entire story is what occurred after the occupation ended. Once Ms. Corrie
was released, she began constructing recovery centers for both victims and persecutors.
Jesus Christ came to set free all those who are oppressed and victimized. There is always an open
invitation at Central for everyone to come and experience the healing power of Christ.
Good Morning. This is Dennis Gossett, Associate Pastor at Central United Methodist Church. Looking
back into the not so distant past, we find a wonderful Protestant saint named Corrie ten Boom who
suffered great trials during the Nazi occupation of Holland. The ten Boom family demonstrated the
love of Christ to all who were escaping the persecution of the Gestapo.
Eventually, their Christian love cost them everything. Both, her sister and father died in the Nazi
Concentration Camps.
The astonishing aspect of this entire story is what occurred after the occupation ended. Once Ms. Corrie
was released, she began constructing recovery centers for both victims and persecutors.
Jesus Christ came to set free all those who are oppressed and victimized. There is always an open
invitation at Central for everyone to come and experience the healing power of Christ.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
SABRINA
Recently, our five- year-old grandson, Brett, was learning his books of the Bible. Beginning with the
books of Law, here is how the conversation goes. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Ross. Ross??
No, it is Deuteronomy. No I am going to call it Ross, Deuteronomy sounds ugly. We have no idea
where Ross came from, but I will never be able to say the books of the Bible again without Ross
coming to mind.
How many times do we as adults do the same thing in our lives? WE decide how God intends for our
lives to be; WE make decisions based on what we want rather than putting our faith in God. WE put
names of justification on our actions, forgetting what instruction we find in Micah 6:8. “The Lord has
shown you what is good. He has told you what He requires of you. To treat people fairly, love others
faithfully, and walk humbly with your God.” We don't have to re-name, or justify anything. God's
instruction is clear. Go today and walk humbly with your God. Have a blessed day!
Recently, our five- year-old grandson, Brett, was learning his books of the Bible. Beginning with the
books of Law, here is how the conversation goes. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Ross. Ross??
No, it is Deuteronomy. No I am going to call it Ross, Deuteronomy sounds ugly. We have no idea
where Ross came from, but I will never be able to say the books of the Bible again without Ross
coming to mind.
How many times do we as adults do the same thing in our lives? WE decide how God intends for our
lives to be; WE make decisions based on what we want rather than putting our faith in God. WE put
names of justification on our actions, forgetting what instruction we find in Micah 6:8. “The Lord has
shown you what is good. He has told you what He requires of you. To treat people fairly, love others
faithfully, and walk humbly with your God.” We don't have to re-name, or justify anything. God's
instruction is clear. Go today and walk humbly with your God. Have a blessed day!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
JOHN BRANNING
Good Morning! I'm John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Have you ever
wondered about the legacy that you are leaving behind? Most people have a desire to be remembered
after they are gone so they store up possessions to leave to those they love in the hopes that the next
generation will remember them through the gift.
What I have found through the years visiting many estate sales is that the items that you treasure so
much may not be treasured so dearly by those you leave them to.
Jesus said don't layup treasures for yourself here on earth where they can be destroyed and stolen or
even sold at a discount. Instead, layup for yourself treasures in heaven where they are remembered for
all eternity.
I hope all of our storehouses are full in heaven. I invite you join us at Central United Methodist Church
and begin storing up heavenly treasures.
Good Morning! I'm John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Have you ever
wondered about the legacy that you are leaving behind? Most people have a desire to be remembered
after they are gone so they store up possessions to leave to those they love in the hopes that the next
generation will remember them through the gift.
What I have found through the years visiting many estate sales is that the items that you treasure so
much may not be treasured so dearly by those you leave them to.
Jesus said don't layup treasures for yourself here on earth where they can be destroyed and stolen or
even sold at a discount. Instead, layup for yourself treasures in heaven where they are remembered for
all eternity.
I hope all of our storehouses are full in heaven. I invite you join us at Central United Methodist Church
and begin storing up heavenly treasures.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
JIM CAIN
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye
might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:
but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
Lately, everywhere you look there are posters or t-shirts with the words "Keep Calm and...." emblazoned on them and you fill in the blank depending on your mood or situation at the time. The original phrase was "Keep Calm and Carry On," which was on a poster issued in the UK as a morale booster during World War 2. I have even seen some that say "Keep Calm and Eat Cake" or "Keep Calm and Eat Chocolate". That's advice I can live by. The more I think about those sayings, the more I am reminded how much the Lord can keep me calm. It was at the beginning of the summer when I wrote down some of my thoughts, but now with all of the continuing violence in the Middle East and all the political unrest here in our own country, it makes me have a need to keep calm more than ever right now. I'm just so glad that I have the Lord to go to for that calming. The Lord grounds me and helps me to be able to "carry on". After all, He has "...overcome the world." John 16:33.
So, how do you keep calm?
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye
might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:
but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
Lately, everywhere you look there are posters or t-shirts with the words "Keep Calm and...." emblazoned on them and you fill in the blank depending on your mood or situation at the time. The original phrase was "Keep Calm and Carry On," which was on a poster issued in the UK as a morale booster during World War 2. I have even seen some that say "Keep Calm and Eat Cake" or "Keep Calm and Eat Chocolate". That's advice I can live by. The more I think about those sayings, the more I am reminded how much the Lord can keep me calm. It was at the beginning of the summer when I wrote down some of my thoughts, but now with all of the continuing violence in the Middle East and all the political unrest here in our own country, it makes me have a need to keep calm more than ever right now. I'm just so glad that I have the Lord to go to for that calming. The Lord grounds me and helps me to be able to "carry on". After all, He has "...overcome the world." John 16:33.
So, how do you keep calm?
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Thursday, September 12, 2013
GLENDA
Good Morning:
Have you ever heard this prayer? “Dear God, so far today, I've done all right. I haven't gossiped, haven't lost my temper, haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or over-indulgent. I'm really glad about that. But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get out of bed, and from then on I'm probably going to need a lot more help!” That could be all of us. We do need help each day to do what is right. To say what is right. To live the kind of life that God wants us to live and we can't do it alone. So, as part of our morning prayer, let's ask God to lead us. In Psalms 32:8, God says: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” God is there for you. Have a wonderful day.
Good Morning:
Have you ever heard this prayer? “Dear God, so far today, I've done all right. I haven't gossiped, haven't lost my temper, haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or over-indulgent. I'm really glad about that. But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get out of bed, and from then on I'm probably going to need a lot more help!” That could be all of us. We do need help each day to do what is right. To say what is right. To live the kind of life that God wants us to live and we can't do it alone. So, as part of our morning prayer, let's ask God to lead us. In Psalms 32:8, God says: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” God is there for you. Have a wonderful day.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
JIM WALL
Good Morning!
Would you develop a relationship with someone who could bring nothing to the relationship? If it were all give and no take, would you even bother?
Now consider the fact that God's relationship with us is just that way. God created everything. There is nothing we can give that He doesn't already have. That is what grace is all about. It is unmerited favor. God gives us what we do not deserve, knowing that we can never repay Him. However, we can allow God to use us as His hand of grace extended to others. That's one of the things we strive to do at Central.
If you do not have a church home, we extend to you the hand of God's grace and invite you to worship with us this Sunday. Contemporary worship begins at 8:30 a.m., Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., and traditional worship at 10:55 a.m.
Good Morning!
Would you develop a relationship with someone who could bring nothing to the relationship? If it were all give and no take, would you even bother?
Now consider the fact that God's relationship with us is just that way. God created everything. There is nothing we can give that He doesn't already have. That is what grace is all about. It is unmerited favor. God gives us what we do not deserve, knowing that we can never repay Him. However, we can allow God to use us as His hand of grace extended to others. That's one of the things we strive to do at Central.
If you do not have a church home, we extend to you the hand of God's grace and invite you to worship with us this Sunday. Contemporary worship begins at 8:30 a.m., Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., and traditional worship at 10:55 a.m.
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