Wednesday, February 20, 2019

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. 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." We are kings and priests! Furthermore, the Bible says that one day we will rule with Him! We need to get ourselves ready! Are you weary of parenting, ministering, praying or whatever other assignments the Lord has given you for this season of your life? God expects us to be faithful where he puts us, even in the small things. Stay strong in the Lord! God is preparing us for great things – and our efforts for Him will not go unnoticed!

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

BOB Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central, A United Methodist Community in downtown Meridian. Worship is one of the most important actions in living the Christian life. Yet, worship in many churches on Sunday morning can become stagnant and each Sunday seem just like the last. If that is how you feel, then I would like to invite you to a completely different kind of worship this Sunday evening at Central. This worship will include lots of music led by Jonathan Quigley and others from the Meridian area. It will also include video, prayer and a short message. Central is offering these Nights of Worship on the 4th Sunday of each month this Spring. Everyone is invited to attend this Sunday evening, February 24th beginning at 6 p.m. and lasting for about an hour. This is held in the Fellowship Hall of Central - on 22nd and 23rd Avenues at 10th Street in downtown Meridian. Come experience God's presence in worship!

Monday, February 18, 2019

SABRINA I love to search for things in white puffy clouds. I did it as a child with my children and now with my grandchildren. After a rain, when dark clouds fill the sky, and suddenly, there is a break in the clouds, the sun peeps out and sun-rays streak across the sky. It is as though you can reach through and touch heaven. You watch the beautiful sunrise in the morning, while much of the world is still asleep; you sit weary and tired from your day and suddenly feel peace as you watch the watercolors of God streak across the sky in the beautiful sunset. David reminds us of this in the Psalms when he writes: “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” You see, the wonder of God’s handiwork, didn’t just buoy David’s soul, it flipped his perspective. If today finds you wondering where God is in your life, simply walk outside, no matter the weather, and look around. His glory, His handiwork – all apparent and a reminder that He carries the world in His hands. Our joys, our trials, our heartaches. How very blessed we are!

Friday, February 15, 2019

TIM Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Senior Adult Minister and Sanctuary Choir Director at Central. Love is in the air. Can you feel it? Perhaps you didn’t enjoy Valentine’s Day because you don’t feel loved, but never fear, God is love, and he loves you through it all. 1 Corinthians 13 talks about love being patient and kind, love not being envious or boastful or proud, love not dishonoring others or being self-seeking or easily angered or keeping records of wrong. This describes the way God loves us. He is patient with us and kind to us. God’s love isn’t envious or boastful or proud–he is proud to call us his, but he doesn’t throw it in anyone’s face. But most importantly, God's love doesn’t dishonor others or serve himself, in fact, his love serves us. And God's love doesn’t keep a record of our faults and doesn’t get angry with us. God loves us unconditionally even when we falter and fail. His love knows no end. So, during this season of love, remember who truly loves you more than anyone else out there. His love is radiant and bright and shines into each of our lives. Remember that God is love.

Thursday, February14, 2019

BENJI Good Morning, I’m Benji Riddle – Director of Youth Ministries at Central United Methodist. For weeks the stores have been done up in red and pink, balloons, cards, and candy are everywhere, and it would seem that love is in the air…reason being is that today is Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, so much of the so-called love we see in the world today is, in many ways, superficial and predicated on what can be received from it; what we can get in return. We see throughout the Bible that love, real love, is selfless, not self-seeking. Throughout history and even in our own lives this has been proved time and time again. In the book of Romans, Chapter 8, we see a picture of this love and learn that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Have a happy Valentine’s Day and know that God loves you!

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

GLENDA 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! Think about that! How often do you find yourself laughing and enjoying life and the people around you? I’m afraid as we grow older, we lose some of our inclination to just laugh, and I think the devil gets his own pleasure from that. Let's not take everything so very seriously! Let's start laughing at ourselves a little and laughing at our enemy's attempts to keep us burdened and oppressed! God has our victory – always! Remember, this is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Have a wonderful day!

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Have you ever noticed that when people are in love, they tend to forget everything else? Everything becomes secondary – cars, houses, money – nothing matters – it is all secondary to love. Then, when they fall out of love, as in a divorce, all of a sudden, those things mean everything! They argue about all the little meaningless things they ever owned together. Each wants it all for himself. The same is true with the Lord. Before we know Him, all we really have are possessions. But when we come to know God – truly know Him – those things mean very little – we're in love! We're willing to give up everything. Those people who are most in love with God and filled with His love are the least possessive and the least materialistic. If we have been wrapped up in our possessions, we've lost sight of our greatest treasure! All that stuff means nothing. Let go of it. Return to your first love. Lighten your heart and fall in love again with the love of God! We would love to be a part of your journey. Come visit us at Central and let us reclaim our name together.