BOB PEDEN
In his book “Called to the Fire” Chet Bush tells the life story of Rev. Charles Johnson, who has pastored Fitkins Memorial Church of the Nazarene here in Meridian for more than 50 years. Bush tells of a time in Rev. Johnson's life when he was finishing Bible School in West Virginia and preparing for his first appointment. He had made it clear to at least 3 people and to God himself, that the one place he did not want to serve was in Mississippi. He had heard about Mississippi. But when he sat down with his superintendent, Meridian, Mississippi, was where he was to be sent.
This is Bob Peden of Central United Methodist Church. I can't tell you how many times in my life I have told God “I will go anywhere for you but . . . or I will do anything for you but . .” and then it has turned out, that was exactly where and what God wanted for me. I pray that, as God calls me, I, like Rev. Johnson, will walk into the fire, with Jesus at my side. I also pray that one day I will learn to not tell God what I will not do.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
SABRINA
Recently, listening to the radio, I learned that the only creatures a bear will allow to eat with them is a skunk. The commentator pointed out that perhaps the reason is obvious - the cost of not living in peace with skunks is just too high!
There are many things in life that, if we give in to, will cost us far too much. The cost of unforgiveness is a prime example. How much pain is generated when we are unable to forgive - in marriages, with families, friends, between nations. We pray, forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Not only did Jesus forgive those who crucified him over 2000 years ago, He continues to forgive us when we crucify with thoughts, words, and deeds.
Perhaps the secret of learning to forgive is most clearly seen in the life of Jesus. If today finds you harboring unforgiveness, I encourage you to take that first step and forgive those who you feel have wronged you. You will be the one freed...Go today forgiving as you have been forgiven.
Recently, listening to the radio, I learned that the only creatures a bear will allow to eat with them is a skunk. The commentator pointed out that perhaps the reason is obvious - the cost of not living in peace with skunks is just too high!
There are many things in life that, if we give in to, will cost us far too much. The cost of unforgiveness is a prime example. How much pain is generated when we are unable to forgive - in marriages, with families, friends, between nations. We pray, forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Not only did Jesus forgive those who crucified him over 2000 years ago, He continues to forgive us when we crucify with thoughts, words, and deeds.
Perhaps the secret of learning to forgive is most clearly seen in the life of Jesus. If today finds you harboring unforgiveness, I encourage you to take that first step and forgive those who you feel have wronged you. You will be the one freed...Go today forgiving as you have been forgiven.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
RAY DURDEN
Good Morning!
In Romans Chapter 12, verse 5, we read: "In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
That tells me I am called to belong, not just believe. Even in the perfect, sinless environment of Eden, God said, "It is not good for man to be alone." We are created for community, fashioned for fellowship, formed for family, and none of us can fulfill God's purposes by ourselves.
While your relationship to Christ is personal, God never intends it to be private. In God's family you are connected to every other believer, and we will belong to each other for eternity.
If you do not have a church home, we invite you to visit Central United Methodist Church. Worship services are at 8:30 a.m. and 10:55 a.m. Sunday mornings. Come and belong to the family of Christ.
Good Morning!
In Romans Chapter 12, verse 5, we read: "In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
That tells me I am called to belong, not just believe. Even in the perfect, sinless environment of Eden, God said, "It is not good for man to be alone." We are created for community, fashioned for fellowship, formed for family, and none of us can fulfill God's purposes by ourselves.
While your relationship to Christ is personal, God never intends it to be private. In God's family you are connected to every other believer, and we will belong to each other for eternity.
If you do not have a church home, we invite you to visit Central United Methodist Church. Worship services are at 8:30 a.m. and 10:55 a.m. Sunday mornings. Come and belong to the family of Christ.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
SABRINA
Before the Civil War, a farmer hired a young man named Jim. Jim, the son of a widow, worked for the man milking cows, chopping wood, working in the fields. He slept in the hayloft and ate with the family. Over the course of the summer, he fell in love with the farmer's daughter and asked to marry her. The farmer, however, replied, “You have no money, no prospects, and no solid goal in life. I'm sorry, but I can't let you marry my daughter.”
The summer ended, Jim packed his bags and left. Some thirty years later, the farmer tore down his old barn to build a bigger one. When he did, he found, carved in the loft where Jim slept, his full name, James A. Garfield, then the 20th President of the United States.
How often do we judge too quickly when reflecting on others? Society has placed value and importance on lives. In God's eyes no one human being is more important than the other. We should all strive to live Jesus words, “when you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto me.”
Before the Civil War, a farmer hired a young man named Jim. Jim, the son of a widow, worked for the man milking cows, chopping wood, working in the fields. He slept in the hayloft and ate with the family. Over the course of the summer, he fell in love with the farmer's daughter and asked to marry her. The farmer, however, replied, “You have no money, no prospects, and no solid goal in life. I'm sorry, but I can't let you marry my daughter.”
The summer ended, Jim packed his bags and left. Some thirty years later, the farmer tore down his old barn to build a bigger one. When he did, he found, carved in the loft where Jim slept, his full name, James A. Garfield, then the 20th President of the United States.
How often do we judge too quickly when reflecting on others? Society has placed value and importance on lives. In God's eyes no one human being is more important than the other. We should all strive to live Jesus words, “when you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto me.”
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
JIM CAIN
Good Morning!
"Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person." - Colossians 4:6
I love the Bible's reference to seasoning our grace with salt when sharing your life with someone around you. If somebody sprinkles salt on food and makes it taste good, you really appreciate it. But if somebody hands you a spoon of salt and says, "Take this all at once," it's really hard to swallow, difficult to digest, and it's not very good for the heart.
Well, think how the non-Christian feels when all you do is talk about God and church and Jesus. You never talk about baseball. You never talk about the office. You never talk about politics. You never talk about the struggles in the neighborhood. You never talk about your family. You never talk about the everyday concerns that a non-believer has. On the other hand, if you talk about all of these things and occasionally sprinkle in a little word about the Lord when there's the right opportunity to mention some insight you had from a sermon, their curiosity may be aroused, and longer, deeper conversations may follow.
When you have the opportunity, just sprinkle the conversation with a little spiritual salt. It adds zest and flavor to life, without hardening the heart.
Good Morning!
"Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person." - Colossians 4:6
I love the Bible's reference to seasoning our grace with salt when sharing your life with someone around you. If somebody sprinkles salt on food and makes it taste good, you really appreciate it. But if somebody hands you a spoon of salt and says, "Take this all at once," it's really hard to swallow, difficult to digest, and it's not very good for the heart.
Well, think how the non-Christian feels when all you do is talk about God and church and Jesus. You never talk about baseball. You never talk about the office. You never talk about politics. You never talk about the struggles in the neighborhood. You never talk about your family. You never talk about the everyday concerns that a non-believer has. On the other hand, if you talk about all of these things and occasionally sprinkle in a little word about the Lord when there's the right opportunity to mention some insight you had from a sermon, their curiosity may be aroused, and longer, deeper conversations may follow.
When you have the opportunity, just sprinkle the conversation with a little spiritual salt. It adds zest and flavor to life, without hardening the heart.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
GLENDA
Good Morning:
The world today is full of bad news. It's a time of trouble alright, but for us believers, it's never as bad as it seems. There's the story of the cowboy who is driving down the road, his dog riding in the back of his pickup, and a horse in the trailer behind. Suddenly he loses control of his vehicle and there is a terrible accident. A police officer comes upon the scene, sees the horse first and realizes what terrible condition the horse is in and shoots him to get him out of his misery. Then he finds the dog. Same thing with the dog. Finally the officer locates the cowboy who has suffered multiple injuries and can barely breathe. The police officer says, “Hey, are you okay?” The cowboy takes a look at the smoking gun and quickly replies, “Never felt better!”
We Christians are like that cowboy. When the world approaches us with a smoking gun, ready to put us out of our misery, we can find supernatural strength in our God who loves us and say, “I never felt better!” Have a wonderful day!
Good Morning:
The world today is full of bad news. It's a time of trouble alright, but for us believers, it's never as bad as it seems. There's the story of the cowboy who is driving down the road, his dog riding in the back of his pickup, and a horse in the trailer behind. Suddenly he loses control of his vehicle and there is a terrible accident. A police officer comes upon the scene, sees the horse first and realizes what terrible condition the horse is in and shoots him to get him out of his misery. Then he finds the dog. Same thing with the dog. Finally the officer locates the cowboy who has suffered multiple injuries and can barely breathe. The police officer says, “Hey, are you okay?” The cowboy takes a look at the smoking gun and quickly replies, “Never felt better!”
We Christians are like that cowboy. When the world approaches us with a smoking gun, ready to put us out of our misery, we can find supernatural strength in our God who loves us and say, “I never felt better!” Have a wonderful day!
Monday, April 22, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
OWEN
Good morning! I am Owen Weddle, the Associate Pastor at Central United Methodist.
Do you have any memories of a word or phrase someone told you that you have remember for years? Does it constantly pop into your head, influence what you do and say? Maybe it was advice from your parents, or an uplifting word from a friend. Or, it may be a harsh, untrue word that has made you judge yourselves or lash out at others. One word or phrase can mean all the difference for people; there are those words, few and simply as they may be, that can change the entire course of your life.
In the Gospels, when Jesus would approach his soon to be disciples, he would say a simple phrase “Follow me!”Jesus didn't give them a whole list of commandments to follow to know first. He simply gave them a phrase that would ring in their ears long after Jesus left the earth. “Follow me.” Those simple words changed the entire course of the disciples' lives; they went from being people like fishermen and tax collectors to preachers, leaders, and ambassadors for Christ. Those few words changed the disciples' lives as their entire life would be about “Following Jesus.”
Want to see the course of your life change? Hear and remember the word Jesus speaks to your heart, “Follow me!”
May God Bless You!
Good morning! I am Owen Weddle, the Associate Pastor at Central United Methodist.
Do you have any memories of a word or phrase someone told you that you have remember for years? Does it constantly pop into your head, influence what you do and say? Maybe it was advice from your parents, or an uplifting word from a friend. Or, it may be a harsh, untrue word that has made you judge yourselves or lash out at others. One word or phrase can mean all the difference for people; there are those words, few and simply as they may be, that can change the entire course of your life.
In the Gospels, when Jesus would approach his soon to be disciples, he would say a simple phrase “Follow me!”Jesus didn't give them a whole list of commandments to follow to know first. He simply gave them a phrase that would ring in their ears long after Jesus left the earth. “Follow me.” Those simple words changed the entire course of the disciples' lives; they went from being people like fishermen and tax collectors to preachers, leaders, and ambassadors for Christ. Those few words changed the disciples' lives as their entire life would be about “Following Jesus.”
Want to see the course of your life change? Hear and remember the word Jesus speaks to your heart, “Follow me!”
May God Bless You!
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