Wednesday, May 9, 2018

GLENDA Good Morning: Michael Franklin Ministries had a great article about Love. It goes like this: Paul talks about love in 1st Corinthians. The key takeaway point in Paul’s writing is that love isn’t about us. It isn’t about why we do what we do. It isn’t about how we use our talents. It isn’t about what we give up. Love is about God. Love starts with God because God is love. The greatest proof of Love came to us in the form of our Savior, Jesus Christ. His hands, his feet, his side, and his head carry the scars of Love’s sacrifice. The greatest act of Love is found at the foot of the Cross. That is Love Made real. God gave His only son for you and me because of His great love for us. Isn’t that wonderful? Have a great day!

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning, Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Each of us faces spiritual struggles on a daily basis. You must prepare yourself spiritually to face hard times before they come! The reality is that when hard times come, they come with a vengeance. You have no time then to say, “I had better get ready for this.” No, you are either ready, or not. In Ephesians, we are told to put on the whole armor of God as we prepare for the fight ahead. God is saying to you that hard times will come to you sooner or later. There are forces of evil in this world and they are opposed to God’s plan of making you more like Jesus Christ. They want to leave you in despair, depression and discouragement, and so, they instigate suffering in your life. God is reminding you today that these tough times aren’t just something to be endured. Rather, they are attacks on your spiritual life. God wants to use them to build you up; Satan wants to use them to destroy your walk with God. Come and connect with us this week at Central.

Monday, May 7, 2018

DENNIS Good Morning. I’m Dennis Gossett, with Central United Methodist Church. The Bible speaks of a man named Nicodemus. It means “victory of the people,” which is very fitting when you think about who actually gives us victory. We are told that Christ Jesus has won our battle of sin and death. He can heal anything you will ever go through. Some may be thinking that your problem is too big for God to handle or it is such a mess that God does not want to even get involved with it. Well, let me reassure you that God is much bigger than any problem we could ever face. It does not matter what is going on in your life, it is never too dark where the light of Christ cannot penetrate. John tells us that “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world.” Light’s very nature shines on anything covered in darkness. It even goes into the darkest gullies of our souls. When the light of Christ comes into a heart, the person’s life is not only illuminated but also, they are able to see the dangers of all the turns and potholes ahead. If you need light to shine in your life, then ask Jesus to come, and soon you will find that the darkness has gone. God bless.

Friday, May 4, 2018

BENJI Today is May the Fourth, known by some as Star Wars Day, due to the date sounding so close to the phrase made famous by the science fiction franchise “May the Force Be with You.” To say these movies are wildly popular would be an understatement, and it’s easy to see why. They carry themes that resonate within all of us: good and evil, adventure, love, humor, and even family. The Dark Side, and the Light. The book of Thessalonians in the Bible talks about the dark and the light in our lives as well! It talks about how often when people perpetrate wrongdoing, they do so in a way that no one will know about their actions – they do so in the dark. Chapter 5, verse 5 encourages us to take a different path: For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. By the power of the Holy Spirit and with obedience to God’s plan, we too can be a Force for Good and a Bearer of the Gospel of Light in this world.

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Good Morning: Did you know that children laugh 300 to 400 times a day while we adults laugh only a mere 15? Believe it or not, experts say that laughing aids digestion, lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion, boosts the immune system, triggers the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers, heals broken relationships, and produces a general sense of well-being! So, wouldn’t you say we need to laugh more; enjoy life more; find the fun in everyday things? After all, Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine….” So, have a wonderful, laugh-filled day!

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

BOB Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central, a United Methodist Community. Ultramarathons are grueling races. They stretch anywhere from 35 to 100 miles and cover all manner of terrain. It would be easy for a runner to lose his way, his motivation or his judgment somewhere along the arduous course. Because of this, ultramarathoners often are allowed to rely on the help of a "companion runner." This companion runs a small portion of the event with the racer. Companion runners keep the racer on course, because they are fresh and possess clear judgment with which to guide the Main Runner. Life can be like an ultramarathon. It can seem long and grueling. But we have a companion runner. Someone who will run not just a short distance but the whole race with us, sharing His wisdom, strength, and encouragement. His name is Jesus, and he promises He will be with us always. Let Him run with you.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

SABRINA Heads up! Tomorrow is National Friendship Day. My children grew up loving Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. Fred Rogers, was not only an actor, but a minister. He did not quote scripture or tell Bible stories on his daytime afternoon show, but there was something markedly different in his conversations with children. His LIVED his Christianity. In this day of Bullying, we need more Mr. Rogers. He stated, “Everyone longs to be loved and the greatest thing we can do is to let people know that they are loved and are capable of loving. If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every encounter with another person.” That understanding is what friendship is all about. So, not just tomorrow, but every day, let us each strive to be a friend to someone in need of a friend. It is not what Fred Rogers would expect of us, but what Jesus would have us do.