JOHN BRANNING
Good Morning! I'm John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Have you ever
wondered about the legacy that you are leaving behind? Most people have a desire to be remembered
after they are gone so they store up possessions to leave to those they love in the hopes that the next
generation will remember them through the gift.
What I have found through the years visiting many estate sales is that the items that you treasure so
much may not be treasured so dearly by those you leave them to.
Jesus said don't layup treasures for yourself here on earth where they can be destroyed and stolen or
even sold at a discount. Instead, layup for yourself treasures in heaven where they are remembered for
all eternity.
I hope all of our storehouses are full in heaven. I invite you join us at Central United Methodist Church
and begin storing up heavenly treasures.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
JIM CAIN
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye
might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:
but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
Lately, everywhere you look there are posters or t-shirts with the words "Keep Calm and...." emblazoned on them and you fill in the blank depending on your mood or situation at the time. The original phrase was "Keep Calm and Carry On," which was on a poster issued in the UK as a morale booster during World War 2. I have even seen some that say "Keep Calm and Eat Cake" or "Keep Calm and Eat Chocolate". That's advice I can live by. The more I think about those sayings, the more I am reminded how much the Lord can keep me calm. It was at the beginning of the summer when I wrote down some of my thoughts, but now with all of the continuing violence in the Middle East and all the political unrest here in our own country, it makes me have a need to keep calm more than ever right now. I'm just so glad that I have the Lord to go to for that calming. The Lord grounds me and helps me to be able to "carry on". After all, He has "...overcome the world." John 16:33.
So, how do you keep calm?
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye
might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:
but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
Lately, everywhere you look there are posters or t-shirts with the words "Keep Calm and...." emblazoned on them and you fill in the blank depending on your mood or situation at the time. The original phrase was "Keep Calm and Carry On," which was on a poster issued in the UK as a morale booster during World War 2. I have even seen some that say "Keep Calm and Eat Cake" or "Keep Calm and Eat Chocolate". That's advice I can live by. The more I think about those sayings, the more I am reminded how much the Lord can keep me calm. It was at the beginning of the summer when I wrote down some of my thoughts, but now with all of the continuing violence in the Middle East and all the political unrest here in our own country, it makes me have a need to keep calm more than ever right now. I'm just so glad that I have the Lord to go to for that calming. The Lord grounds me and helps me to be able to "carry on". After all, He has "...overcome the world." John 16:33.
So, how do you keep calm?
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Thursday, September 12, 2013
GLENDA
Good Morning:
Have you ever heard this prayer? “Dear God, so far today, I've done all right. I haven't gossiped, haven't lost my temper, haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or over-indulgent. I'm really glad about that. But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get out of bed, and from then on I'm probably going to need a lot more help!” That could be all of us. We do need help each day to do what is right. To say what is right. To live the kind of life that God wants us to live and we can't do it alone. So, as part of our morning prayer, let's ask God to lead us. In Psalms 32:8, God says: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” God is there for you. Have a wonderful day.
Good Morning:
Have you ever heard this prayer? “Dear God, so far today, I've done all right. I haven't gossiped, haven't lost my temper, haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or over-indulgent. I'm really glad about that. But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get out of bed, and from then on I'm probably going to need a lot more help!” That could be all of us. We do need help each day to do what is right. To say what is right. To live the kind of life that God wants us to live and we can't do it alone. So, as part of our morning prayer, let's ask God to lead us. In Psalms 32:8, God says: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” God is there for you. Have a wonderful day.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
JIM WALL
Good Morning!
Would you develop a relationship with someone who could bring nothing to the relationship? If it were all give and no take, would you even bother?
Now consider the fact that God's relationship with us is just that way. God created everything. There is nothing we can give that He doesn't already have. That is what grace is all about. It is unmerited favor. God gives us what we do not deserve, knowing that we can never repay Him. However, we can allow God to use us as His hand of grace extended to others. That's one of the things we strive to do at Central.
If you do not have a church home, we extend to you the hand of God's grace and invite you to worship with us this Sunday. Contemporary worship begins at 8:30 a.m., Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., and traditional worship at 10:55 a.m.
Good Morning!
Would you develop a relationship with someone who could bring nothing to the relationship? If it were all give and no take, would you even bother?
Now consider the fact that God's relationship with us is just that way. God created everything. There is nothing we can give that He doesn't already have. That is what grace is all about. It is unmerited favor. God gives us what we do not deserve, knowing that we can never repay Him. However, we can allow God to use us as His hand of grace extended to others. That's one of the things we strive to do at Central.
If you do not have a church home, we extend to you the hand of God's grace and invite you to worship with us this Sunday. Contemporary worship begins at 8:30 a.m., Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., and traditional worship at 10:55 a.m.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
SABRINA
In her book the “The 25 Hour Woman,” Sybil Stanton points out that “won't” power is as important as will power. Every time you say yes to a goal, you say no to many more. Every prize has its price. The prize is the yes, the price is the no. If you have no purpose for your life, what you will do and won't do makes the difference. If you know where you are going, the discipline of I will and I won't is the only way to get there.
Teenagers aren't the only age group hounded by pressure to conform. We never outgrow peer pressure. There was a clip on the morning news about parents who spend thousands of dollars on a birthday party for a five year old. Why?? for their child, or to impress colleagues and friends?
What are your goals, what do you want others to see in you? It is your goal, your prize. You are the only one who can answer. We must decide what we will not do, then we can act on what we should do! Go and have a blessed day!
In her book the “The 25 Hour Woman,” Sybil Stanton points out that “won't” power is as important as will power. Every time you say yes to a goal, you say no to many more. Every prize has its price. The prize is the yes, the price is the no. If you have no purpose for your life, what you will do and won't do makes the difference. If you know where you are going, the discipline of I will and I won't is the only way to get there.
Teenagers aren't the only age group hounded by pressure to conform. We never outgrow peer pressure. There was a clip on the morning news about parents who spend thousands of dollars on a birthday party for a five year old. Why?? for their child, or to impress colleagues and friends?
What are your goals, what do you want others to see in you? It is your goal, your prize. You are the only one who can answer. We must decide what we will not do, then we can act on what we should do! Go and have a blessed day!
Monday, September 9, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
BOB
This is Bob Peden of Central United Methodist Church. The other morning I was watching news coverage of the latest natural disaster. A survivor looked into the camera and said, "It was just God's will that I was spared" "The Bible says 'everything happens for a reason,' and I believe that. I believe it now more than ever." Well, for starters, the Bible most assuredly does not say that everything happens for a reason. To the contrary, the Bible says there is a great deal of randomness in human experience. Look at Job, Jesus, and the Christian martyrs for examples. Not everything that happens in this world is God's will by any means. But, in everything that happens, we can seek God's will by continuing to trust, being faithful to what we know is right, and encouraging others to do the same. And by living into the promise that everything works together for the good of those who love the Lord.
This is Bob Peden of Central United Methodist Church. The other morning I was watching news coverage of the latest natural disaster. A survivor looked into the camera and said, "It was just God's will that I was spared" "The Bible says 'everything happens for a reason,' and I believe that. I believe it now more than ever." Well, for starters, the Bible most assuredly does not say that everything happens for a reason. To the contrary, the Bible says there is a great deal of randomness in human experience. Look at Job, Jesus, and the Christian martyrs for examples. Not everything that happens in this world is God's will by any means. But, in everything that happens, we can seek God's will by continuing to trust, being faithful to what we know is right, and encouraging others to do the same. And by living into the promise that everything works together for the good of those who love the Lord.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Friday, September 6, 2013
JOHN BRANNING
Good Morning! I'm John Branning, Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. I grew up in Neshoba County on a family farm. As fall approaches each year, my mind returns to my youth and I begin to remember that this season was a time to hunt, spend time with family, and slow down in life just a little.
All of us now seem to be in a constant rush, always on the go and seemingly no time to rest. God said that we all need rest, so much so that he placed in the great commandments, that one day a week should be set aside for worship and rest; and for most of us, that day is Sunday.
I encourage you to honor this commandment, because in honoring the Lord's day not only will we get the rest that we need; but in worshiping God, we will not forget who he is to us and all that we have because of His blessings.
If you need a place to find spiritual rest, then please visit us at Central UMC and find a home with us.
Good Morning! I'm John Branning, Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. I grew up in Neshoba County on a family farm. As fall approaches each year, my mind returns to my youth and I begin to remember that this season was a time to hunt, spend time with family, and slow down in life just a little.
All of us now seem to be in a constant rush, always on the go and seemingly no time to rest. God said that we all need rest, so much so that he placed in the great commandments, that one day a week should be set aside for worship and rest; and for most of us, that day is Sunday.
I encourage you to honor this commandment, because in honoring the Lord's day not only will we get the rest that we need; but in worshiping God, we will not forget who he is to us and all that we have because of His blessings.
If you need a place to find spiritual rest, then please visit us at Central UMC and find a home with us.
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