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.