KRISTINA
Good Morning! I am Kristina Crabtree, Minister of Spiritual Formation at Central United Methodist Church. Have you ever read the book of Ezekiel? It is a very interesting book to read. If you have never read it, I encourage you too! When you read it, you will encounter a lot of sinful acts from the Israelites and you will see God moving through the prophet words of Ezekiel to connect with his people.
I noticed a reoccurring phrase that showed up a lot. “Then they will know I am Lord.” That got me to thinking; surely the Israelites of all people should know that God is Lord. God led them out of Egypt, provided them food and water in the wilderness, provided the way with Smoke and Fire, and led them into the promise land. Surely they knew him as Lord.
Well, they chose the world, over and over again before God. God himself was never enough. Idolatry was their weakness. I ask you, people of God, do you know that He is Lord? What I mean by that question is a transformational knowing. Do you know Jesus as Lord because he has transformed you through his very spirit? It is a knowing that will forever change you. I hope you have a great day!
Monday, April 11, 2016
Friday, April 8, 2016
Friday, April 8, 2016
JONATHAN
Hi, I’m Jonathan Crabtree, Pastor for Student Ministry at Central – a United Methodist Community. I enjoy writing and receiving hand-written notes of encouragement. I think there’s a special moment when we read a hand-written note because that person took time to write it. It’s simple, yet it captures the love of the friendship and relationship. Have you ever been praying to God and wondered, “How exactly do I pray?” Thankfully, Jesus gives us a model of prayer.
I encourage you to read this prayer found in Matthew 6:9 or Luke 11:2. Pray this prayer, and use it as a guide. It’s simple, yet, it captures the love of the friendship and relationship between Jesus and God – likewise it teaches us, followers of Jesus, how to pray. Join us at Central as we journey together and learn to pray.
Hi, I’m Jonathan Crabtree, Pastor for Student Ministry at Central – a United Methodist Community. I enjoy writing and receiving hand-written notes of encouragement. I think there’s a special moment when we read a hand-written note because that person took time to write it. It’s simple, yet it captures the love of the friendship and relationship. Have you ever been praying to God and wondered, “How exactly do I pray?” Thankfully, Jesus gives us a model of prayer.
I encourage you to read this prayer found in Matthew 6:9 or Luke 11:2. Pray this prayer, and use it as a guide. It’s simple, yet, it captures the love of the friendship and relationship between Jesus and God – likewise it teaches us, followers of Jesus, how to pray. Join us at Central as we journey together and learn to pray.
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Thursday, April 7, 2016
BOB
Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central - A United Methodist Community in downtown Meridian.
Did you know that if you pass your days mumbling, "I'll never make a difference; I'm not worth anything," guess what? You'll be correct, and you will be sentencing yourself to a life of gloom without parole!
When you do that, you're questioning God's judgment. Psalm 139 says you were "fearfully and wonderfully made." The apostle Paul said it this way: For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
You matter to God! And you matter to the Central Community. Though we are not perfect, and so, do not always live out our caring as God would have us to do.
Central is a community that cares for one another and that cares for the world. We believe that life is better connected to God and connected to others. I invite you to connect with us and to connect with God in a more meaningful way than you have ever connected before.
Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central - A United Methodist Community in downtown Meridian.
Did you know that if you pass your days mumbling, "I'll never make a difference; I'm not worth anything," guess what? You'll be correct, and you will be sentencing yourself to a life of gloom without parole!
When you do that, you're questioning God's judgment. Psalm 139 says you were "fearfully and wonderfully made." The apostle Paul said it this way: For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
You matter to God! And you matter to the Central Community. Though we are not perfect, and so, do not always live out our caring as God would have us to do.
Central is a community that cares for one another and that cares for the world. We believe that life is better connected to God and connected to others. I invite you to connect with us and to connect with God in a more meaningful way than you have ever connected before.
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
KRISTINA
Good Morning, my name is Kristina Crabtree, Minister of Spiritual Formation at Central United Methodist Church. As humans, we have a longing that is natural to our being. I call that a longing to find our true-self. We might not even realize that we are searching but we are. I believe it is a part of our nature as humans created in the image of God. We desperately long for that completeness, wholeness that humanity had before the fall. But, at the same time, we struggle with thinking of ourselves, as if thinking of self is the carnal sin of all sin. But as David Benner says, “Christian spirituality has a great deal to do with self, not just God.”
As Christians who strive so hard to know everything about God, I believe we have forgotten to discover who God has created us to be. Our identity is at the core of who we are; but have you ever thought about where your identity comes from? Identity is never simply a creation. It is a discovery. So I encourage you today, take that negative thought of thinking of your self out of your head and starting discovering who you are and who you were created to be. Have a great day!
Good Morning, my name is Kristina Crabtree, Minister of Spiritual Formation at Central United Methodist Church. As humans, we have a longing that is natural to our being. I call that a longing to find our true-self. We might not even realize that we are searching but we are. I believe it is a part of our nature as humans created in the image of God. We desperately long for that completeness, wholeness that humanity had before the fall. But, at the same time, we struggle with thinking of ourselves, as if thinking of self is the carnal sin of all sin. But as David Benner says, “Christian spirituality has a great deal to do with self, not just God.”
As Christians who strive so hard to know everything about God, I believe we have forgotten to discover who God has created us to be. Our identity is at the core of who we are; but have you ever thought about where your identity comes from? Identity is never simply a creation. It is a discovery. So I encourage you today, take that negative thought of thinking of your self out of your head and starting discovering who you are and who you were created to be. Have a great day!
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
GLENDA
Good Morning: Recently during the children's sermon on Sunday morning, we tried to measure God's love. We tried a measuring cup, but found that the Bible says that God loves us so much that our cup overflows…so a cup wouldn't do. We tried a measuring tape, but the Bible says that God's love for us is higher than the heavens...so a measuring tape wouldn't do. We measure time with a watch so we tried that. However, the Bible says God's love is everlasting....so a watch wouldn't do.
John 3:16 starts like this: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only son....” How can you measure a love like that??? You can't. So, I want you to think about God's sacrifice for us and know that no-one on this earth loves you more than God loves you. Let's love Him back and try really hard to be the son or daughter He wants us to be. Have a wonderful day!
Good Morning: Recently during the children's sermon on Sunday morning, we tried to measure God's love. We tried a measuring cup, but found that the Bible says that God loves us so much that our cup overflows…so a cup wouldn't do. We tried a measuring tape, but the Bible says that God's love for us is higher than the heavens...so a measuring tape wouldn't do. We measure time with a watch so we tried that. However, the Bible says God's love is everlasting....so a watch wouldn't do.
John 3:16 starts like this: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only son....” How can you measure a love like that??? You can't. So, I want you to think about God's sacrifice for us and know that no-one on this earth loves you more than God loves you. Let's love Him back and try really hard to be the son or daughter He wants us to be. Have a wonderful day!
Monday, April 4, 2016
Monday, April 4, 2016
DENNIS
Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church. When I was a senior in high school, a football recruiter stopped by the school to visit with me. However, I had left earlier in the day and was not there. Upon finding out, I was so disappointed that I missed this coach. I really could not believe that this college football coach came to see me. I just knew that this had to be a mistake.
Maybe, you too, can recall a time when you have missed out on an opportunity. Did you know there is a story in the bible about one of the disciples who missed out on seeing Jesus after he resurrected from the dead? His name was Thomas, and he could not believe that Jesus had visited the other disciples while he was out. Finally, Jesus returned and proved to Thomas that he was alive. Just like Thomas, we can have our doubts about Jesus. However, Jesus wants to make himself known to you. He wants you to have personal experience of his presence in your life.
I invite you to come and worship Jesus with us at Central. Who knows, you just may encounter him here. Have a blessed day.
Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church. When I was a senior in high school, a football recruiter stopped by the school to visit with me. However, I had left earlier in the day and was not there. Upon finding out, I was so disappointed that I missed this coach. I really could not believe that this college football coach came to see me. I just knew that this had to be a mistake.
Maybe, you too, can recall a time when you have missed out on an opportunity. Did you know there is a story in the bible about one of the disciples who missed out on seeing Jesus after he resurrected from the dead? His name was Thomas, and he could not believe that Jesus had visited the other disciples while he was out. Finally, Jesus returned and proved to Thomas that he was alive. Just like Thomas, we can have our doubts about Jesus. However, Jesus wants to make himself known to you. He wants you to have personal experience of his presence in your life.
I invite you to come and worship Jesus with us at Central. Who knows, you just may encounter him here. Have a blessed day.
Friday, April 1, 2016
Friday, April 1, 2016
SABRINA
Happy April Fools’ Day! The custom of playing practical jokes on friends has
been part of our traditional celebration dating as far back as ancient Rome. It is
said to be related to the vernal equinox and the coming of spring - when nature
fools us with the sudden changes between showers and sunshine, hot and cold.
In 1957, the British Broadcasting Network showed the Swiss harvesting
spaghetti from trees. A lot of people called wanting spaghetti trees of their own.
Or there was the report on television about the invention of dehydrated water,
claiming that all you had to do was shine ultraviolet light onto a powder and it
turned into water.
Before we go around condemning others, we must humbly admit that we all (at
one time or another) have played the fool. We have fallen victim to doing foolish
and unwise things. The result? Our lives had become enmeshed in the
consequences of the domino effect of reaping that which we had sown.
So FOR today may our prayer be, “Please help us to follow in your footsteps, be
wise and, above all, kind in all that we do and most certainly in all that we say.
Happy April Fools’ Day! The custom of playing practical jokes on friends has
been part of our traditional celebration dating as far back as ancient Rome. It is
said to be related to the vernal equinox and the coming of spring - when nature
fools us with the sudden changes between showers and sunshine, hot and cold.
In 1957, the British Broadcasting Network showed the Swiss harvesting
spaghetti from trees. A lot of people called wanting spaghetti trees of their own.
Or there was the report on television about the invention of dehydrated water,
claiming that all you had to do was shine ultraviolet light onto a powder and it
turned into water.
Before we go around condemning others, we must humbly admit that we all (at
one time or another) have played the fool. We have fallen victim to doing foolish
and unwise things. The result? Our lives had become enmeshed in the
consequences of the domino effect of reaping that which we had sown.
So FOR today may our prayer be, “Please help us to follow in your footsteps, be
wise and, above all, kind in all that we do and most certainly in all that we say.
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