Wednesday, September 19, 2018

MATT FARMER Good Morning! I’m Matt Farmer, Associate Pastor at Central United Methodist Church in Meridian. It is humbling to think God would choose to use us to do His work here on this earth, but the Bible tells us we were created to do just that. We’ve been charged to make disciples of those we meet along this journey we call life. So often people tend to think that “ministry” is for the church staff and the pastor alone, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. True ministry is living out our faith each and every day. It’s denying ourselves and looking for ways we can love and serve others. Our mission as believers is to show the love of Jesus Christ to all those we come in contact with and to spread the gospel wherever God has placed us – be it at home, in the office, at school, or at the grocery store - God has created you and placed you at this point in history to be a beacon of light in a world that seems to be growing increasingly dark. The mission field is all around us; how we choose to interact with it is what makes the difference.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

GLENDA Good Morning: When my granddaughter was small, I took her to the mall with me. As we came around the building, there hanging low in the sky was the most beautiful full bright red sun that I had ever seen. When my granddaughter saw it, she said, “Who did that?” I simply said, “God.” She responded, “It’s beautiful!” Even a small child can see the beauty in God’s creations. It’s summer, evidence of God’s existence is all around us. How could anyone enjoy the summer and not believe in God? He’s there—in the bright warmth of the sunshine, the beautiful flowers and blossoming trees just waiting for fall, in the blue of the sky and the white of the clouds, even in the patter of rain. He’s in the smiles of our children, the wisdom of our parents, and the joy of our friendships. All that is good comes from God. Today as you go through your busy day, take time to see God and tell him “thank you” for all the wonders of His creation. Have a wonderful day!

Monday, September 17, 2018

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. You've probably heard of tennis champion, Boris Becker, but you may not know this. He had everything—talent, money, fame, and every other worldly pleasure one could want; yet, he still struggled with depression and frequent thoughts of suicide. "I had won Wimbledon twice before," he said. "Once as the youngest player. I was rich. I had all the material possessions I needed...It's the old song of movie stars and pop stars who commit suicide. They have everything, and yet, they are so unhappy. I had no inner peace. I was a puppet on a string.” The peace that we strive so much for is never found in awards and objects but in a relationship with the God that created you. If you want a better life, then I invite you to come and follow Jesus with us at Central. I know that sounds simple, but I promise you that the Jesus that we follow is irresistible and invites everyone to follow.

Friday, September 14, 2018

SABRINA This Sunday evening from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m., Central will once again host a much-loved fellowship time within our community of faith. Trunk or Treat will take place on 10th Street between 22nd and 23rd Avenue in downtown Meridian. Our church family and friends decorate their cars and trunks, offering games and candy at each venue. Family friendly costumes, face painting, music, hamburgers, hotdogs, cotton candy, laser tag, jumpies, all the makings of a small-town street carnival will fill the air in downtown Meridian. We do this as a time of both fellowship and as an extension of God’s love within our community. At Central we value family - whether you are a family of one or ten, we extend an invitation to you for both Trunk or Treat or to worship with us on any given Sunday. For more information about Central or about this Sunday’s event, you can visit our website at www.cumcmdn.org! We hope to see you Sunday!

Friday, September 14, 2018

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning, the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Failure is never a pleasant feeling. It isn’t enjoyable to lose a job, see a relationship falter, or fail a test. But the disappointment we feel when we face defeat can be turned to joy if we look at it the right way! Thomas Edison was busy working in his laboratory at 2 o’clock one morning when an assistant came into the room and noticed that the inventor was smiling broadly. “Have you solved the problem?” he asked. “No,” replied Edison, “that experiment didn’t work at all. Now I can start over again.” Edison could have such a confident attitude because he knew that the road to success is often paved with disappointments that serve to extend the road — not to block it. Each failure brought him a little closer to success. Living a life of victory is not about being perfect — because we are human — and will always make mistakes. The key is learning how to get up after we have fallen. It’s natural to make mistakes — but it’s supernatural to learn from those mistakes and move forward! The best news of all is God is with us even in the mistakes.

Thursday, September 13, 2018

GLENDA Good Morning: Did you know that you have a special gift given to you by God? John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, said it this way: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” In the Bible, Paul said it this way: From Romans chapter 12: “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need and practice hospitality.” So today, use that special gift God gave you and serve others. They will feel better because of your care, but most of all, you will feel better, too. Have a wonderful day!

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

BOB Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central, a United Methodist Community here in Meridian. Kindness may pay greater returns than anything else we can do. Jane Adams, founder of Hull House in Chicago, liked to tell about the night she was walking alone when she was met by a man she feared meant to harm her. She said to him, “I’m alone and I am afraid. Would you do me the kindness to walk with me to my home?” The man silently walked beside her while she spoke to him about her work at Hull House. When they reached the building where she lived, she thanked him for his protection. Before he turned away, he said to her, “Lady, I was going to rob you, but you spoke to me so kindly that I have decided to not be a robber anymore.” How a word of kindness can change a person, and how it can return to bless the one who spoke it. William Blaine said: “Kindness is one thing that you cannot give away – it always comes back!” Speak a word of kindness, today.