GLENDA
Good Morning.
Do you remember the story of Joshua? When he fought the battle at Jericho,
he was given some unusual instructions by God in how to win the battle of
Jericho. You see Jericho had a big thick wall surrounding it. They first had
to break through that wall. God told Joshua to march around the city for 7
days. The priests were to go first, blowing their horns; then the Ark of the
Covenant carrying the 10 Commandments; then the soldiers. At the end of
the 7 days, they were all to shout.
Joshua didn’t question God’s strange instructions. He did it just as God told
him to do. And the walls came tumbling down. What can we learn from this
in the world we live in today? It is this: Even the impossible is possible
when we trust God. Have a wonderful day!
Friday, August 22, 2014
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Thursday, August 21, 2014
DENNIS
Good Morning. I’m Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church. At the beginning of last month, our country celebrated July 4th and commemorated all those who gave of themselves so that we may enjoy freedom. It reminded us that freedom comes with a price. Freedom without Discipline is Destructive.
This also is the same way with the freedom found in Christ. We are free from our burdens and given rest from our labors, because Jesus has opened up a way to all people through His Sacrifice. In the Bible, we are told in Acts 13 that God does something unexpected at Antioch; He granted freedom to all people to hear and receive His word. They responded by forfeiting themselves over to God.
Irish missionary Columbanus once wrote, “Seek then the highest wisdom, not by argument in words but by the perfection of your life; not by speech but by the faith that comes from simplicity of heart.” This, dear friends, is our response to God’s offering of Freedom. So, what about you? How will you response to God’s open invitation? Will you only go half way or will you go all in. Remember, Freedom without Discipline is Destructive.
Good Morning. I’m Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church. At the beginning of last month, our country celebrated July 4th and commemorated all those who gave of themselves so that we may enjoy freedom. It reminded us that freedom comes with a price. Freedom without Discipline is Destructive.
This also is the same way with the freedom found in Christ. We are free from our burdens and given rest from our labors, because Jesus has opened up a way to all people through His Sacrifice. In the Bible, we are told in Acts 13 that God does something unexpected at Antioch; He granted freedom to all people to hear and receive His word. They responded by forfeiting themselves over to God.
Irish missionary Columbanus once wrote, “Seek then the highest wisdom, not by argument in words but by the perfection of your life; not by speech but by the faith that comes from simplicity of heart.” This, dear friends, is our response to God’s offering of Freedom. So, what about you? How will you response to God’s open invitation? Will you only go half way or will you go all in. Remember, Freedom without Discipline is Destructive.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
SABRINA
For several months now, one of Central’s ministry focus has centered on
Community Groups. Do you have a circle of friends around you who
support you, tell you the truth, hold you accountable, pray for you? We face
daily struggles and situations that require perseverance, someone to confide
in, to give us perspective.
If you read in Exodus, Moses relied on his friends in times of turmoil,
struggles, and weariness as he lead the Israelites. In Exodus 17 as Israel was
in battle, when Moses grew tired having to hold his arm up in the air, his
friends helped him by holding his arm, bringing a rock for him to sit on -
that is what our Community Groups do - uphold each other through this
walk here on earth. We are about to launch another opportunity to be a part
of Community at Central. If you would like more information about our
Community Groups, visit our website at www.cumcmdn.org., phone our
church office at 601-693-1521, or join us on September 3rd to learn more!
For several months now, one of Central’s ministry focus has centered on
Community Groups. Do you have a circle of friends around you who
support you, tell you the truth, hold you accountable, pray for you? We face
daily struggles and situations that require perseverance, someone to confide
in, to give us perspective.
If you read in Exodus, Moses relied on his friends in times of turmoil,
struggles, and weariness as he lead the Israelites. In Exodus 17 as Israel was
in battle, when Moses grew tired having to hold his arm up in the air, his
friends helped him by holding his arm, bringing a rock for him to sit on -
that is what our Community Groups do - uphold each other through this
walk here on earth. We are about to launch another opportunity to be a part
of Community at Central. If you would like more information about our
Community Groups, visit our website at www.cumcmdn.org., phone our
church office at 601-693-1521, or join us on September 3rd to learn more!
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
JOHN
Good Morning! I’m John Branning, Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Have you ever heard the old fable of the frog that got cooked? According to the legend, someone wanted to cook a frog. But each time the frog was dropped into a pan of hot water, it jumped out. Then the cook got smart. She placed the frog in warm water. The frog relaxed. Then gradually, the cook turned up the temperature of the stove. In fact, it happened so gradually that the frog never bothered to jump out and the frog got cooked.
Most people in some way or another have spiritual values. These values guide us in the decisions that we make and the way that we express God’s love to others. However, with all the struggles of life and the temptations that attack us, it is easy to allow our spiritual values to quickly become secular values.
I hope that you have a faith family - A community to call your own. If not, then let me offer Central United Methodist an option; because if we are not careful, our spiritual values can get cooked like that frog.
Good Morning! I’m John Branning, Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Have you ever heard the old fable of the frog that got cooked? According to the legend, someone wanted to cook a frog. But each time the frog was dropped into a pan of hot water, it jumped out. Then the cook got smart. She placed the frog in warm water. The frog relaxed. Then gradually, the cook turned up the temperature of the stove. In fact, it happened so gradually that the frog never bothered to jump out and the frog got cooked.
Most people in some way or another have spiritual values. These values guide us in the decisions that we make and the way that we express God’s love to others. However, with all the struggles of life and the temptations that attack us, it is easy to allow our spiritual values to quickly become secular values.
I hope that you have a faith family - A community to call your own. If not, then let me offer Central United Methodist an option; because if we are not careful, our spiritual values can get cooked like that frog.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Monday, August 18, 2014
SUZANNE
I have had the privilege in my life of traveling around the world. My father
was an officer in the United States Air Force, and every place we were
stationed became home.
As an adult being married to a youth pastor, we have made home the
different places where we served churches.
For the last ten years, Meridian has been our home.
Having known many different people in my life has made me the person I
am today, but no matter where I have lived, the constant has been Jesus
Christ. He is my present and future “home.”
Regardless of where you are in your life, whether wandering or stable, Jesus
is there for you, calling you home. If it has been a while since you attended
church, I encourage you to go. If you don’t have a church home, I encourage
you to find one. If you are looking for a place to call home, join us at Central
United Methodist Church, but regardless of your place of worship, know
that Jesus is your HOME.
I have had the privilege in my life of traveling around the world. My father
was an officer in the United States Air Force, and every place we were
stationed became home.
As an adult being married to a youth pastor, we have made home the
different places where we served churches.
For the last ten years, Meridian has been our home.
Having known many different people in my life has made me the person I
am today, but no matter where I have lived, the constant has been Jesus
Christ. He is my present and future “home.”
Regardless of where you are in your life, whether wandering or stable, Jesus
is there for you, calling you home. If it has been a while since you attended
church, I encourage you to go. If you don’t have a church home, I encourage
you to find one. If you are looking for a place to call home, join us at Central
United Methodist Church, but regardless of your place of worship, know
that Jesus is your HOME.
Friday, August 15, 2014
Friday, August 15, 2014
JOHN
Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. The former President Jimmy Carter once told a story about the best funeral service that he ever attended. He said the preacher spoke about the dash in between. That dash that he was referring to was the dash between the date that a person is born and the date they die that is recorded on a tombstone.
You and I do not have any choice on the day that we are born. We have a limited influence on the day that we die. However, everything in between is up to us. So how are you filling up the dash in between your starting point and ending? Is it the story of others, of love, of caring commitment or is it the story of selfishness and self loathing. Is your dash filled with people that you have tried to help along the way or those that you saw only as an obstacle? You see, that dash is more important than the other two dates.
I hope that your dash is filled with the stories of faith, love, and hope. If it is, then the dash in between will be the greatest mark on your tombstone.
Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. The former President Jimmy Carter once told a story about the best funeral service that he ever attended. He said the preacher spoke about the dash in between. That dash that he was referring to was the dash between the date that a person is born and the date they die that is recorded on a tombstone.
You and I do not have any choice on the day that we are born. We have a limited influence on the day that we die. However, everything in between is up to us. So how are you filling up the dash in between your starting point and ending? Is it the story of others, of love, of caring commitment or is it the story of selfishness and self loathing. Is your dash filled with people that you have tried to help along the way or those that you saw only as an obstacle? You see, that dash is more important than the other two dates.
I hope that your dash is filled with the stories of faith, love, and hope. If it is, then the dash in between will be the greatest mark on your tombstone.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Thursday, August 14, 2014
JIM
Hell, a place of unimagined misery. How can a loving God allow such a
place to exist, much less be the one who created it? Yet how can He not?
Does it seem fair that those who do evil every day with no remorse in their
hearts should never face a consequence? God would prefer that Hell remain
for who it was created for; the devil & his fallen angels.
Does Hell serve a purpose? Remove Hell from the Bible and at the same
time, remove any idea that God is just & that His word can be believed.
If there is no Hell, then simply put, God is not fair. If there is no
punishment of sin, then God doesn’t care about mass murders, rapist, and
thieves. If there is no Hell, then God has turned His back on those victims
who cry out to Him for help. If there is no anger towards evil, then God is
not love, for love hates those who are evil.
The Bible repeatedly & strongly affirms that each person’s history is headed
for one of two outcomes. Some will be saved. Some will be lost. God does
not force us into either destination. He lets us decide. Which do you chose?
Hell, a place of unimagined misery. How can a loving God allow such a
place to exist, much less be the one who created it? Yet how can He not?
Does it seem fair that those who do evil every day with no remorse in their
hearts should never face a consequence? God would prefer that Hell remain
for who it was created for; the devil & his fallen angels.
Does Hell serve a purpose? Remove Hell from the Bible and at the same
time, remove any idea that God is just & that His word can be believed.
If there is no Hell, then simply put, God is not fair. If there is no
punishment of sin, then God doesn’t care about mass murders, rapist, and
thieves. If there is no Hell, then God has turned His back on those victims
who cry out to Him for help. If there is no anger towards evil, then God is
not love, for love hates those who are evil.
The Bible repeatedly & strongly affirms that each person’s history is headed
for one of two outcomes. Some will be saved. Some will be lost. God does
not force us into either destination. He lets us decide. Which do you chose?
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