JIM WALL
Good Morning!
I'm here to share some very important information with you. Please listen as I remind you of how God's tremendous and never-ending love is enveloping you at this very moment. God wants to give each of us encouragement as we face the unknown trails and joys we will find throughout today. God sends us His encouragement and love through the words of the Bible, through other people's acts of kindness, and through His own tender whisperings in our souls and minds.
We read in Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” Let us take time today to be still enough to acknowledge and listen to God's presence in and all around us as we take in the vivid colors of the sky, the smile of a friend, and the warmth of God's love within our hearts. Then we can be an encourager to others as we pass on our joy in the Lord.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
BOB PEDEN
You can probably remember being in school and realizing that there were certain people next to whom no one wanted to sit during lunch. Even today, there may be certain people with whom many folks don't want to be seen. The kingdom of God, however, operates on exactly the opposite standard. In the kingdom of God no one of us is better than the other. We are all sinners, saved by grace or we are a sinner not yet saved by grace.
Jesus was a great example for us. He spent time with tax collectors, sinners, common people, diseased people, and prostitutes as well as religious leaders, teachers, disciples, and believers.
This is Bob Peden of Central United Methodist Church suggesting that the next time we see someone excluded, shunned, or left out, let's go out of our way to befriend that person and show him or her the unconditional love of Jesus. Let's show them abundant honor. After all, they are of eternal value to God.
You can probably remember being in school and realizing that there were certain people next to whom no one wanted to sit during lunch. Even today, there may be certain people with whom many folks don't want to be seen. The kingdom of God, however, operates on exactly the opposite standard. In the kingdom of God no one of us is better than the other. We are all sinners, saved by grace or we are a sinner not yet saved by grace.
Jesus was a great example for us. He spent time with tax collectors, sinners, common people, diseased people, and prostitutes as well as religious leaders, teachers, disciples, and believers.
This is Bob Peden of Central United Methodist Church suggesting that the next time we see someone excluded, shunned, or left out, let's go out of our way to befriend that person and show him or her the unconditional love of Jesus. Let's show them abundant honor. After all, they are of eternal value to God.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
WESLEY
Good Morning! I am Wesley Pepper Associate Pastor at Central UMC.
The story is told that Andrew Jackson's boyhood friends just couldn't understand how he became a famous general and then the President of the United States. They knew of other men who had greater talent but who never succeeded. One of Jackson's friends said, "Why, Jim Brown, who lived right down the pike from Jackson, was not only smarter but he could throw Andy three times out of four in a wrestling match. But look where Andy is now." Another friend responded, "How did there happen to be a fourth time? Didn't they usually say three times and out?" "Sure, they were supposed to, but not Andy. He would never admit he was beat -- he would never stay 'throwed.' Jim Brown would get tired, and on the fourth try Andrew Jackson would throw him and be the winner." Picking up on that idea, someone has said, "The thing that counts is not how many times you are 'throwed,' but whether you are willing to stay 'throwed'." We may face setbacks, but we must take courage and go forward in faith trusting God.
Good Morning! I am Wesley Pepper Associate Pastor at Central UMC.
The story is told that Andrew Jackson's boyhood friends just couldn't understand how he became a famous general and then the President of the United States. They knew of other men who had greater talent but who never succeeded. One of Jackson's friends said, "Why, Jim Brown, who lived right down the pike from Jackson, was not only smarter but he could throw Andy three times out of four in a wrestling match. But look where Andy is now." Another friend responded, "How did there happen to be a fourth time? Didn't they usually say three times and out?" "Sure, they were supposed to, but not Andy. He would never admit he was beat -- he would never stay 'throwed.' Jim Brown would get tired, and on the fourth try Andrew Jackson would throw him and be the winner." Picking up on that idea, someone has said, "The thing that counts is not how many times you are 'throwed,' but whether you are willing to stay 'throwed'." We may face setbacks, but we must take courage and go forward in faith trusting God.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
JIM CAIN
GOOD MORNING!
If there's one thing men love, it's power. Whether it's a truck as big as an elephant, a power saw that can tear through wood like it was French bread, or a golf club that can smack a ball 200 yards down the fairway, having power in your hands is an exhilarating experience.
But sooner or later, we all experience a power failure.
Whether it's trouble in our marriage, a parent's failing health, or an unexpected change in careers, being powerless is every man's worst nightmare. In fact, most of us have been taught to fight failure with our entire beings before we were taught to walk.
However, when failure presents itself, we should do the opposite of what we've been taught to do, we should surrender. That's the key to surviving life's power failures. The amount of God's power in our lives is proportional to how much we surrender to Him.
Our faith doesn't guarantee that every tragedy will end well, but God does promise to pour His power into our lives to the degree that we let Him. Once we accept this, it will help us survive every power failure we have to face.
GOOD MORNING!
If there's one thing men love, it's power. Whether it's a truck as big as an elephant, a power saw that can tear through wood like it was French bread, or a golf club that can smack a ball 200 yards down the fairway, having power in your hands is an exhilarating experience.
But sooner or later, we all experience a power failure.
Whether it's trouble in our marriage, a parent's failing health, or an unexpected change in careers, being powerless is every man's worst nightmare. In fact, most of us have been taught to fight failure with our entire beings before we were taught to walk.
However, when failure presents itself, we should do the opposite of what we've been taught to do, we should surrender. That's the key to surviving life's power failures. The amount of God's power in our lives is proportional to how much we surrender to Him.
Our faith doesn't guarantee that every tragedy will end well, but God does promise to pour His power into our lives to the degree that we let Him. Once we accept this, it will help us survive every power failure we have to face.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
WESLEY
Good Morning! I am Wesley Pepper associate Pastor at Central UMC.
In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and the pressures of being a monarch. He made application to Prior Richard at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a contemplative and spend the rest of his life in the monastery. "Your Majesty," said Prior Richard, "do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That will be hard because you have been a king."
"I understand," said Henry. "The rest of my life I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you."
"Then I will tell you what to do," said Prior Richard. "Go back to your throne and serve faithfully in the place where God has put you." When King Henry died, a statement was written: "The King learned to rule by being obedient." When we tire of our roles and responsibilities, it helps to remember God has planted us in a certain place and told us to be a good accountant or teacher or mother or father. Christ expects us to be faithful where he has placed us.
Good Morning! I am Wesley Pepper associate Pastor at Central UMC.
In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and the pressures of being a monarch. He made application to Prior Richard at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a contemplative and spend the rest of his life in the monastery. "Your Majesty," said Prior Richard, "do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That will be hard because you have been a king."
"I understand," said Henry. "The rest of my life I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you."
"Then I will tell you what to do," said Prior Richard. "Go back to your throne and serve faithfully in the place where God has put you." When King Henry died, a statement was written: "The King learned to rule by being obedient." When we tire of our roles and responsibilities, it helps to remember God has planted us in a certain place and told us to be a good accountant or teacher or mother or father. Christ expects us to be faithful where he has placed us.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
JIM CAIN
GOOD MORNING!
“John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey. And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.” Mark 1:6-7
John the Baptist's entire life was defined by his service to God and to God's Son, Jesus. His clothing, his food, and his tasks were all defined by his ministry -- to prepare the way for the Lord. How could he live his whole life for someone else? He defined himself as unworthy to even be the servant or slave of this someone else, this coming one who is so much greater than he.
Jesus comes to us and asks us to let Him define our lives as well. That's what it means to call Jesus Lord -- we see ourselves as unworthy to be his servants; yet, because of His mercy and grace, we are called his brothers and sisters. For such blessings, we offer Christ our lives in service to Him and his kingdom.
GOOD MORNING!
“John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey. And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.” Mark 1:6-7
John the Baptist's entire life was defined by his service to God and to God's Son, Jesus. His clothing, his food, and his tasks were all defined by his ministry -- to prepare the way for the Lord. How could he live his whole life for someone else? He defined himself as unworthy to even be the servant or slave of this someone else, this coming one who is so much greater than he.
Jesus comes to us and asks us to let Him define our lives as well. That's what it means to call Jesus Lord -- we see ourselves as unworthy to be his servants; yet, because of His mercy and grace, we are called his brothers and sisters. For such blessings, we offer Christ our lives in service to Him and his kingdom.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
JIM WALL
Good Morning:
When the family returned from Sunday morning services, the father criticized the sermon, the soloist, the organist, and just about everything else. But the subject was quickly dropped when junior said, “But it was pretty good for a quarter, don't you think, Dad?”
Isn't it funny how big one hundred dollars looks when you take it to church, but it's so small at the mall.
In Malachi 4, we read, “Will a man rob God? Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of haven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Then I will rebuke the devourer for you.”
Trust God to do what He says He will do. Tithe your money, your time, and you talents, and you will be amazed at God's boundless blessings, joy, and peace, which will certainly flood your life.
Good Morning:
When the family returned from Sunday morning services, the father criticized the sermon, the soloist, the organist, and just about everything else. But the subject was quickly dropped when junior said, “But it was pretty good for a quarter, don't you think, Dad?”
Isn't it funny how big one hundred dollars looks when you take it to church, but it's so small at the mall.
In Malachi 4, we read, “Will a man rob God? Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of haven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Then I will rebuke the devourer for you.”
Trust God to do what He says He will do. Tithe your money, your time, and you talents, and you will be amazed at God's boundless blessings, joy, and peace, which will certainly flood your life.
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