Amy
Good Morning! Have you heard the hymn, “Fill my cup Lord”? This song includes the illustration of a cup to represent our lives that long to be filled with God’s spirit. I have grown up with this image in my mind, but recently I encountered another illustration that made more sense.
Instead of our spiritual lives being represented by a cup where we seem to contain God’s Spirit, consider the picture of a pipe, pipe open at both ends, where God’s Spirit can enter and fill us, yet can flow through and out of us to reach others.
A pipe represents the fact that God’s work in the world is always alive, moving, and fluid. We can never possess or contain it.
Instead of us being filled and God’s work being completed, the image of a pipe reminds us that God is continually flowing into us and out of us for the sake of others, if we are open.
God’s work is never done. So may your pipe be open to God’s Spirit today.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
JIM WALL
Good Morning!
“You’re as old as you feel,” or so they say. Here’s how General Douglas MacArthur described old age:
Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old only by deserting their ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin but to give up interest wrinkles the soul. Worry, doubt, self-distrust, fear, and despair…these are the long, long years that bow the head and turn the growing spirit back to dust.... You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair.
Whatever your age, realize that your life will never end. The question is, “Where will you spend your life in the hereafter? In Heaven with God?” Make sure of your eternal destiny, and trust Christ today!
Good Morning!
“You’re as old as you feel,” or so they say. Here’s how General Douglas MacArthur described old age:
Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old only by deserting their ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin but to give up interest wrinkles the soul. Worry, doubt, self-distrust, fear, and despair…these are the long, long years that bow the head and turn the growing spirit back to dust.... You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair.
Whatever your age, realize that your life will never end. The question is, “Where will you spend your life in the hereafter? In Heaven with God?” Make sure of your eternal destiny, and trust Christ today!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
JIM CAIN
GOOD MORNING!
“Having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”
Colossians 2:7
Two old friends met each other on the street. One was depressed, and when his friend asked him why, he replied, “Let me tell you brother, 3 weeks ago an uncle died and left me $ 40, 000.
“Wow, that’s a lot of money!” said his friend.
“Yes, but 2 weeks ago a cousin I never knew kicked the bucket and left me $85, 000 free and clear.”
“Sounds like you have been blessed.”
“But you don’t understand!” he interrupted. “Last week my great aunt passed away and I inherited almost a quarter of a million dollars.”
Really confused by now, his friend said, “Then why are you so down and out?”
“This week, nothing!”
Unfortunately, some of us value our possessions more than our friends and family. May it never be said of you.
Have a great day.
GOOD MORNING!
“Having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”
Colossians 2:7
Two old friends met each other on the street. One was depressed, and when his friend asked him why, he replied, “Let me tell you brother, 3 weeks ago an uncle died and left me $ 40, 000.
“Wow, that’s a lot of money!” said his friend.
“Yes, but 2 weeks ago a cousin I never knew kicked the bucket and left me $85, 000 free and clear.”
“Sounds like you have been blessed.”
“But you don’t understand!” he interrupted. “Last week my great aunt passed away and I inherited almost a quarter of a million dollars.”
Really confused by now, his friend said, “Then why are you so down and out?”
“This week, nothing!”
Unfortunately, some of us value our possessions more than our friends and family. May it never be said of you.
Have a great day.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
BOB RAMBO
Hi! I’m Bob Rambo, Lead Pastor at Central United Methodist Church. Today is “National Day of Prayer,” a day on which Americans are encouraged to pause and pray for our communities, our nation, and our world. In many places there will be special events that encourage people to gather and pray together.
Prayer is a good thing to engage in as a community; but it’s meant to be more than a one-day emphasis in our lives. Prayer is the most important means we have to be in direct communication with God. Jesus prayed [alone and with others; as a Jew he would have also prayed the community prayers of his people].
Jesus also taught his followers to pray – to praise God; to share our daily needs with God; to pray for forgiveness; to pray for God’s will to become part of the fabric of our lives.
Today – I hope we’ll all take a moment to pray. But I also hope we’ll pray each and every day that we can know God better.
Have a great day!
Hi! I’m Bob Rambo, Lead Pastor at Central United Methodist Church. Today is “National Day of Prayer,” a day on which Americans are encouraged to pause and pray for our communities, our nation, and our world. In many places there will be special events that encourage people to gather and pray together.
Prayer is a good thing to engage in as a community; but it’s meant to be more than a one-day emphasis in our lives. Prayer is the most important means we have to be in direct communication with God. Jesus prayed [alone and with others; as a Jew he would have also prayed the community prayers of his people].
Jesus also taught his followers to pray – to praise God; to share our daily needs with God; to pray for forgiveness; to pray for God’s will to become part of the fabric of our lives.
Today – I hope we’ll all take a moment to pray. But I also hope we’ll pray each and every day that we can know God better.
Have a great day!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
GLENDA
Good Morning:
A friend sent me this e-mail and I just loved it. I think you will, too. This is what it said: When I woke this morning, lying in bed, I asked myself, “What are some of the secrets of success in life? I found the answer right there in my very room. The fan said, “Be cool”; the roof said: “Aim High”; the window said: “See the world”; the clock said: “Every minute is precious”; the mirror said: “Reflect before you act’; the calendar said: “Be up-to-date”; the door said: “Push hard for your goals”; and the carpet said: “Kneel down and pray”.
This e-mail was cute, but it made me think. God gives us answers in the simplest things if we look for Him in everything. Remember that and have a wonderful day!
Good Morning:
A friend sent me this e-mail and I just loved it. I think you will, too. This is what it said: When I woke this morning, lying in bed, I asked myself, “What are some of the secrets of success in life? I found the answer right there in my very room. The fan said, “Be cool”; the roof said: “Aim High”; the window said: “See the world”; the clock said: “Every minute is precious”; the mirror said: “Reflect before you act’; the calendar said: “Be up-to-date”; the door said: “Push hard for your goals”; and the carpet said: “Kneel down and pray”.
This e-mail was cute, but it made me think. God gives us answers in the simplest things if we look for Him in everything. Remember that and have a wonderful day!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
JIM WALL
Good Morning!
A little girl named Nan wrote this note to God. “God, I’ll bet it’s very hard for you to love all of everybody in the whole world! There are only four in my family and I can never do it.”
Do you remember the song, “All You Need is Love?” Obviously, love is very important to us. The Bible tells us that God is love. Surely, God gifted us with a great capacity to love. But, like most things, to be good at it we must practice.
God wants his children to be known for their love more than anything else. Jesus said our greatest witness to the world is our love towards one another. Love cannot be learned in isolation. We must be around people; imperfect, irritating, frustrating people. So practice love on everyone you meet. Hopefully, practice makes perfect love.
Good Morning!
A little girl named Nan wrote this note to God. “God, I’ll bet it’s very hard for you to love all of everybody in the whole world! There are only four in my family and I can never do it.”
Do you remember the song, “All You Need is Love?” Obviously, love is very important to us. The Bible tells us that God is love. Surely, God gifted us with a great capacity to love. But, like most things, to be good at it we must practice.
God wants his children to be known for their love more than anything else. Jesus said our greatest witness to the world is our love towards one another. Love cannot be learned in isolation. We must be around people; imperfect, irritating, frustrating people. So practice love on everyone you meet. Hopefully, practice makes perfect love.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
SABRINA
One month ago today, we welcomed Christopher Weston Keith, our sixth grandchild into the world. The other evening, as I was holding him, marveling at perfection, it occurred to me that at this point he has no idea how much he is loved. All he knows is that when he cries, his needs are met. As the weeks and months progress, a realization and understanding of love will begin to form.
We often fail to remember that God ‘s love and grace for us came before we entered this world. A prevenient grace....grace before our awareness of God...the kind of grace Weston is now receiving...has always been there for each of us.
If this morning finds you at the top of the world...looking out at the spring wonders of our city...take a moment to thank God for the love and grace bestowed upon you.
If your circumstances find you in a valley...rest in the peaceful knowledge of God’s grace and love...a grace that came before you... for you are truly in the shelter of God’s hands. Have a peaceful and blessed day.
One month ago today, we welcomed Christopher Weston Keith, our sixth grandchild into the world. The other evening, as I was holding him, marveling at perfection, it occurred to me that at this point he has no idea how much he is loved. All he knows is that when he cries, his needs are met. As the weeks and months progress, a realization and understanding of love will begin to form.
We often fail to remember that God ‘s love and grace for us came before we entered this world. A prevenient grace....grace before our awareness of God...the kind of grace Weston is now receiving...has always been there for each of us.
If this morning finds you at the top of the world...looking out at the spring wonders of our city...take a moment to thank God for the love and grace bestowed upon you.
If your circumstances find you in a valley...rest in the peaceful knowledge of God’s grace and love...a grace that came before you... for you are truly in the shelter of God’s hands. Have a peaceful and blessed day.
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