SABRINA
We have become a fast food, throw away world, where the thought of re-fixing, reheating, renewing, tends to make us crazy. When our TV or DVD Player breaks, we just purchase a new one. After all, there is more where that came from. We want what we want, and we want it now!
I encourage you to join me in 2013 with a new way of thinking. Many times we are struck with the pain and reality of learning that with some things that matter most, there isn't any more.
So, while we have it... love it, care for it, fix it when it is broken, and heal it when it is sick.
This is true for marriage, children with bad report cards, aging parents, grandparents, and friends. A note, phone call, or a visit, can bring a wealth that money cannot buy. We all know this to be true. So why not take a moment each day to let just ONE person in your life know that you are grateful and thankful for them.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
JIM WALL
Good Morning!
God has given human beings amazing minds. Scientists are still trying to figure out how the whole process of thinking works. The ability to envision things, dream up new concepts, work out problems and make choices is a gift of God.
Your thoughts are not mere nothings. They are vitally important. Every single deed begins with a thought. Even thoughts that don't lead to action color your attitude either positively or negatively, and affect your entire outlook on life. Which in turn affects you and others around you.
Dwelling on negative thoughts will drag you down, but the good news is that if you make a habit of choosing to think encouraging, positive, caring thoughts, they will eventually make your whole world better.
Whatever is true, noble, just, and pure - think on these things.
Good Morning!
God has given human beings amazing minds. Scientists are still trying to figure out how the whole process of thinking works. The ability to envision things, dream up new concepts, work out problems and make choices is a gift of God.
Your thoughts are not mere nothings. They are vitally important. Every single deed begins with a thought. Even thoughts that don't lead to action color your attitude either positively or negatively, and affect your entire outlook on life. Which in turn affects you and others around you.
Dwelling on negative thoughts will drag you down, but the good news is that if you make a habit of choosing to think encouraging, positive, caring thoughts, they will eventually make your whole world better.
Whatever is true, noble, just, and pure - think on these things.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
AMANDA SANTILLANTO
Good Morning!
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
(Matthew 14:30-31)
We all dream of doing something great for God. These dreams might involve some form of sacrifice or great leap of faith. We see others around us who have sold everything to follow Jesus as a missionary in some far corner of the world and view them as a person of great faith, maybe even aspiring to be like them. Consider this, if we had been sitting in that boat with Peter we would have thought he was full of faith as he began to climb out of the boat and walk toward Jesus. But suddenly, something even stranger happened and Peter began to sink. That courage and faith he had in Jesus was getting smaller as he saw the wind and the waves getting bigger.
A true measure of a person's faith then is not the first step of their faith journey, but the steps along the way. What we must realize is that if Jesus has called us to make a first step, then he will provide a path for each step toward him after that. We would love for you to join us as we journey together at Central United Methodist Church.
Good Morning!
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
(Matthew 14:30-31)
We all dream of doing something great for God. These dreams might involve some form of sacrifice or great leap of faith. We see others around us who have sold everything to follow Jesus as a missionary in some far corner of the world and view them as a person of great faith, maybe even aspiring to be like them. Consider this, if we had been sitting in that boat with Peter we would have thought he was full of faith as he began to climb out of the boat and walk toward Jesus. But suddenly, something even stranger happened and Peter began to sink. That courage and faith he had in Jesus was getting smaller as he saw the wind and the waves getting bigger.
A true measure of a person's faith then is not the first step of their faith journey, but the steps along the way. What we must realize is that if Jesus has called us to make a first step, then he will provide a path for each step toward him after that. We would love for you to join us as we journey together at Central United Methodist Church.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
BOB RAMBO
Hi! I'm Bob Rambo, Lead Pastor at Central United Methodist Church in Meridian.
What was your “New Year's resolution” for 2013 - to walk around the block each day? To run a marathon? To learn a foreign language?
We're now 2 weeks into the New Year - and according to researchers, 98% of all New Year's Resolutions have already been abandoned. AFTER ONLY TWO WEEKS! We start out the New Year determined that things will be DIFFERENT - but we SLIP UP, then we GIVE UP.
Failure is a part of learning and growth. Abraham Lincoln lost several elections before finally being elected a Senator from Illinois. What if he had given up?
The Apostle Paul gives us good words to live by in his letter to the Philippians: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.
When things get tough, don't quit. Make it a GREAT day!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
JIM CAIN
Good Morning!
“Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will announce My words to you.” Jeremiah 18:2
“Are you sure it's okay to eat this? Do you promise?” the boy asked his mother. His allergies provoked anxiety at the sight of any new food, so
he felt compelled to ask if it was safe- again and again. Wearily the mother answered yet again, “I've already told you once. Saying it again
won't make it any more true.”
Listening to this exchange from the safety of the next room I immediately felt God's spirit saying to me, “You keep asking Me to confirm My
promises to you. But I've already spoken. Saying it again won't make it anymore true” God gives us parables like that- a conversation, a turn of
events, an everyday encounter with someone we haven't seen in a while to remind us of His ways, His words, or His purposes.
These parables reinforce what we know to be true from His Word, but they sink deeper into our hearts then in a way that words on a printed
page rarely do. Pay attention to the parables in your life. This is how God often spoke to Biblical prophets, it's how Jesus taught, and it's how
God continues to teach us from scripture today.
Good Morning!
“Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will announce My words to you.” Jeremiah 18:2
“Are you sure it's okay to eat this? Do you promise?” the boy asked his mother. His allergies provoked anxiety at the sight of any new food, so
he felt compelled to ask if it was safe- again and again. Wearily the mother answered yet again, “I've already told you once. Saying it again
won't make it any more true.”
Listening to this exchange from the safety of the next room I immediately felt God's spirit saying to me, “You keep asking Me to confirm My
promises to you. But I've already spoken. Saying it again won't make it anymore true” God gives us parables like that- a conversation, a turn of
events, an everyday encounter with someone we haven't seen in a while to remind us of His ways, His words, or His purposes.
These parables reinforce what we know to be true from His Word, but they sink deeper into our hearts then in a way that words on a printed
page rarely do. Pay attention to the parables in your life. This is how God often spoke to Biblical prophets, it's how Jesus taught, and it's how
God continues to teach us from scripture today.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Friday, January 11, 2013
JIM CAIN
When you see pictures of Jesus do they depict Him as a warrior? Do they show Him defeating his enemies? Usually, he is shown holding a lamb or child. Isaiah, however, describes our God as a warrior and John writes in Revelation 19:12-16 what He will look like when He “shows Himself mighty against His foes.” “His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
This image seems to contradict where Jesus instructed we are to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, love our enemies, & show mercy. How do we reconcile these images? Easily, it isn't our job to judge God's enemies or make them pay! We are to love them! so that they may come to worship this warrior God. Do you try to judge others instead of loving them and letting God be their judge? That is where the conflict comes in. Focus on the love and let our Father handle the rest!
When you see pictures of Jesus do they depict Him as a warrior? Do they show Him defeating his enemies? Usually, he is shown holding a lamb or child. Isaiah, however, describes our God as a warrior and John writes in Revelation 19:12-16 what He will look like when He “shows Himself mighty against His foes.” “His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
This image seems to contradict where Jesus instructed we are to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, love our enemies, & show mercy. How do we reconcile these images? Easily, it isn't our job to judge God's enemies or make them pay! We are to love them! so that they may come to worship this warrior God. Do you try to judge others instead of loving them and letting God be their judge? That is where the conflict comes in. Focus on the love and let our Father handle the rest!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
BOB PEDEN
Good morning. I am Bob Peden of Central United Methodist Church. In his letter to the Christians in Ephesus, Paul writes, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being ...”
One of the best gifts we can give those we love is to pray for them. One of the most important prayers we can pray for other believers is the one Paul prays here. We can pray for those we love to be strengthened by God's Spirit! Not only can we pray this prayer for them, but we can also let them know that we are praying this prayer for them. Why not copy Paul's prayer from Ephesians 3:14-16 and send it to a believing friend or family member and let them know that you have prayed this prayer for them today?
Good morning. I am Bob Peden of Central United Methodist Church. In his letter to the Christians in Ephesus, Paul writes, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being ...”
One of the best gifts we can give those we love is to pray for them. One of the most important prayers we can pray for other believers is the one Paul prays here. We can pray for those we love to be strengthened by God's Spirit! Not only can we pray this prayer for them, but we can also let them know that we are praying this prayer for them. Why not copy Paul's prayer from Ephesians 3:14-16 and send it to a believing friend or family member and let them know that you have prayed this prayer for them today?
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