JONATHAN
Good morning! I’m Jonathan Crabtree, Pastor for Student Ministry at Central United Methodist Church in downtown Meridian. It’s the last day of 2015. Tomorrow we will walk into a new year with new experiences, situations, and more stories to tell later in life. How do you feel about this past year? What are you expecting in the upcoming year? Have you set some goals? How did the goals go for 2015?
This year, how about you set 3-5 measureable goals for 2016? Begin with 1-2 personal goals. Then, move to a career goal – perhaps you could know more people where you work or perhaps you want to strive for a promotion. Finally, but certainly not least, set a goal as to how you want to grow more in your relationship with God and with others. We invite you to Central where you will be nourished, encouraged, and strengthened in and through these goals.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
GLENDA
Good Morning: A new year is coming! Can you believe it? How are you going to start and end this new year? Have you thought about it? I don't make New Year resolutions.... I know a lot of people do. It's so easy to make them, break them, and just go on with life...so I just don't do it. However, the Bible tells us that Jesus makes all things new.
As a Christian, I believe that. As a Christian, I am still a sinner. Being a Christian doesn't make one perfect. The closest thing to a New Year's Resolution for me will be to remember my Baptism. Remember what I know about Jesus. Remember what I know about God's Word. Remember that God wants the best for me, and Remember to just put my trust in Him. Sometimes we forget, don't we? Let's all just try to be what God wants us to be in 2016. Happy New Year!
Good Morning: A new year is coming! Can you believe it? How are you going to start and end this new year? Have you thought about it? I don't make New Year resolutions.... I know a lot of people do. It's so easy to make them, break them, and just go on with life...so I just don't do it. However, the Bible tells us that Jesus makes all things new.
As a Christian, I believe that. As a Christian, I am still a sinner. Being a Christian doesn't make one perfect. The closest thing to a New Year's Resolution for me will be to remember my Baptism. Remember what I know about Jesus. Remember what I know about God's Word. Remember that God wants the best for me, and Remember to just put my trust in Him. Sometimes we forget, don't we? Let's all just try to be what God wants us to be in 2016. Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
DENNIS
Good Morning. I’m Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church. I remember playing a game as a kid. The teacher would line up all of us kids and whisper a secret to the first person in line. Then that person would retell the secret to the one next to them. And the secret would be passed down from kid to kid until it came to the last person. Then they would tell the secret out loud. And their secret would in no way be what the teacher originally said.
Life tends to be a lot like that. It can get all messed up and off course. Most of the time it never ends up as you originally planned. Just like the game, we get some things wrong. We miss a vital piece here and there. Then we just stop trying. We may even start believing the wrong information about who we are.
Well, the good news is that there is one story about you that will never be misunderstood. That story is God’s story, and guess what, you’re in it! The story begins like this, “God loves you, and he will never stop pursuing you as long as you live.” That is the one you can believe in. God bless.
Good Morning. I’m Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church. I remember playing a game as a kid. The teacher would line up all of us kids and whisper a secret to the first person in line. Then that person would retell the secret to the one next to them. And the secret would be passed down from kid to kid until it came to the last person. Then they would tell the secret out loud. And their secret would in no way be what the teacher originally said.
Life tends to be a lot like that. It can get all messed up and off course. Most of the time it never ends up as you originally planned. Just like the game, we get some things wrong. We miss a vital piece here and there. Then we just stop trying. We may even start believing the wrong information about who we are.
Well, the good news is that there is one story about you that will never be misunderstood. That story is God’s story, and guess what, you’re in it! The story begins like this, “God loves you, and he will never stop pursuing you as long as you live.” That is the one you can believe in. God bless.
Monday, December 28, 2015
Monday, December 28, 2015
BOB
So - have you got your Christmas decorations put away yet? In our fast paced American culture, we are always rushing on to the next thing. So many have already packed away the Christmas tree, the wreath on the door, and the nativity set.
We have packed Jesus away and don’t have to bother with him again until next November or is it October - when we will dust him off again, place him on the mantel, and listen to songs of his birth for a little while.
We sing O come, O come Emmanuel, and then once he is here, we are ready for him to be gone again. But if Jesus is Emmanuel - God with us - he won’t be packed away so easily. If God really is with us, he will stick around for 365 days. Nudging us and prompting us and generally disturbing us each and every day.
It would be a lot easier just to pack him up until next year. But if we truly have brought the Christ Child into our hearts, he remains there forever. So go - celebrate Christmas again today.
So - have you got your Christmas decorations put away yet? In our fast paced American culture, we are always rushing on to the next thing. So many have already packed away the Christmas tree, the wreath on the door, and the nativity set.
We have packed Jesus away and don’t have to bother with him again until next November or is it October - when we will dust him off again, place him on the mantel, and listen to songs of his birth for a little while.
We sing O come, O come Emmanuel, and then once he is here, we are ready for him to be gone again. But if Jesus is Emmanuel - God with us - he won’t be packed away so easily. If God really is with us, he will stick around for 365 days. Nudging us and prompting us and generally disturbing us each and every day.
It would be a lot easier just to pack him up until next year. But if we truly have brought the Christ Child into our hearts, he remains there forever. So go - celebrate Christmas again today.
Friday, December 25, 2015
Friday, December 25, 2015
SABRINA
Each Christmas morning I take some time before the house begins to fill, and sit by my tree.
It is laden with
treasures. Not
ornaments of
precious metals or
stones; but plastic
animals and characters that
once hung on a baby
bed mobile; paper
candles and angels
heavy with glitter;
painted ornaments
with smiling small
faces glued to the
center.
When I look
at my tree, I return to
a time when my
children were small
and come to a fuller
understanding of
the gospel of Luke
when he states, “and
Mary took all these things and pondered
them in her heart. “
How many times in
the years after Jesus
birth did Mary reflect
on the night of His
birth, on the visit from
the Magi, the day
Jesus learned to
walk, or His first
words? God sent His
son into a world of sin
as a tiny baby, a
toddler, growing into
a man, in order that
we might have eternal
life. There is no
greater love.
As you gather today, opening gifts, eating, laughing, celebrating -
as you gaze upon
your tree, your
favorite decoration, or
into the eyes of a
loved one, remember
the sacrifice that was
made for each of us;
take that treasure and
ponder it in your
heart. May the peace and love of that tiny baby, born in a manger, be with you today and always. Merry Christmas
Each Christmas morning I take some time before the house begins to fill, and sit by my tree.
It is laden with
treasures. Not
ornaments of
precious metals or
stones; but plastic
animals and characters that
once hung on a baby
bed mobile; paper
candles and angels
heavy with glitter;
painted ornaments
with smiling small
faces glued to the
center.
When I look
at my tree, I return to
a time when my
children were small
and come to a fuller
understanding of
the gospel of Luke
when he states, “and
Mary took all these things and pondered
them in her heart. “
How many times in
the years after Jesus
birth did Mary reflect
on the night of His
birth, on the visit from
the Magi, the day
Jesus learned to
walk, or His first
words? God sent His
son into a world of sin
as a tiny baby, a
toddler, growing into
a man, in order that
we might have eternal
life. There is no
greater love.
As you gather today, opening gifts, eating, laughing, celebrating -
as you gaze upon
your tree, your
favorite decoration, or
into the eyes of a
loved one, remember
the sacrifice that was
made for each of us;
take that treasure and
ponder it in your
heart. May the peace and love of that tiny baby, born in a manger, be with you today and always. Merry Christmas
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Thursday, December 24, 2015
BOB
Good morning and Merry Christmas. Oh, I did not mean to send you into a panic. It is not Christmas day yet. You still have a few hours to buy last minute gifts, wrap presents, cook some special Christmas treats, and finish decorating the house. Whatever it is that you still need to do to have the most wonderful Christmas ever. But in all your hurried preparation of your home, your presents, your clothing - do not neglect to prepare that which is most important - your heart.
Spend some time preparing your heart for Christmas. At Central - A United Methodist Community in downtown Meridian, we offer three opportunities to do just that. Come worship with us today at 1PM, 4PM or 6PM. Our building is located at the corner of 10th Street and 23rd Avenue. We will hear the Christmas Story, sing Christmas Carols, and share in Holy Communion. Everyone is invited to be involved. Come join us, as together we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ Child.
Good morning and Merry Christmas. Oh, I did not mean to send you into a panic. It is not Christmas day yet. You still have a few hours to buy last minute gifts, wrap presents, cook some special Christmas treats, and finish decorating the house. Whatever it is that you still need to do to have the most wonderful Christmas ever. But in all your hurried preparation of your home, your presents, your clothing - do not neglect to prepare that which is most important - your heart.
Spend some time preparing your heart for Christmas. At Central - A United Methodist Community in downtown Meridian, we offer three opportunities to do just that. Come worship with us today at 1PM, 4PM or 6PM. Our building is located at the corner of 10th Street and 23rd Avenue. We will hear the Christmas Story, sing Christmas Carols, and share in Holy Communion. Everyone is invited to be involved. Come join us, as together we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ Child.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
JONATHAN
Good morning! I’m Jonathan Crabtree, Pastor for Student Ministry at Central United Methodist Church in downtown Meridian. Do you enjoy meditation? By that I mean, do you enjoy and find energy after contemplating in silence for an extended amount of time? The first Psalm gives us some wisdom and instruction into how we should approach this act.
The Psalmist begins by saying those who are blessed are those who don’t walk with the wicked, stand with sinners, or sit with scoffers. Then, the Psalmist says their delight is in the law of the Lord because they meditate on it day and night. Then, the author compares them to a tree planted by water and how they grow, prosper, and their leaves never dry. Wow – what a comparison. I encourage you to mediate, memorize, and contemplate on God’s Word this day. Turn to Psalm 1 and delight in it.
Good morning! I’m Jonathan Crabtree, Pastor for Student Ministry at Central United Methodist Church in downtown Meridian. Do you enjoy meditation? By that I mean, do you enjoy and find energy after contemplating in silence for an extended amount of time? The first Psalm gives us some wisdom and instruction into how we should approach this act.
The Psalmist begins by saying those who are blessed are those who don’t walk with the wicked, stand with sinners, or sit with scoffers. Then, the Psalmist says their delight is in the law of the Lord because they meditate on it day and night. Then, the author compares them to a tree planted by water and how they grow, prosper, and their leaves never dry. Wow – what a comparison. I encourage you to mediate, memorize, and contemplate on God’s Word this day. Turn to Psalm 1 and delight in it.
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