BOB
Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central a United Methodist Community here in Meridian. In June of 2013, I watched on TV, along with thousands of others as Nik Wallenda walked across a gorge of the Grand Canyon. Just this last week, I watched as an older lady on a walker inched across the street as impatient motorist drummed their fingers on their steering wheel.
We Christians often talk about our walk with the Lord. One of the two walks I described reminded me of my walk with Christ. And it may not be the one you are thinking. For you see our Christian walk is not one high above the clouds, where everyone cheers us on. Rather our walk is more like that of the older lady. One small step at a time. Overcoming the small obstacles that look so easy for others. Often incurring their impatience at our slow speed. But like the lady I watched cross the street, we persevere until we reach the other side.
Come join with us at Central, we will walk along with you.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Monday, June 29, 2015
Monday, June 29, 2015
DENNIS
Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church. If you were to think about it, you would be able to make a list of your favorite stories. It may be the one about the extraordinary relative who lived a long time ago and did some pretty amazing things. It may be the stories of adventure, risk, and danger. Or, it could be the ones of telling of innovation. These stories drive you. They may have even shaped you into the person who you are today. Or, they could be pushing you toward the person you want to be.
Stories have power and they impact every one of us in one way or another. Stories make us laugh and cry. They make us feel courageous and they make us fear. But there is one story, out of all of those that have ever been told, that can bring about an eternal change; that is the story of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul says that this story is so powerful that it saves everyone who believes it. So, what story do you believe in? Is it life-giving or is it life-draining? I invite you to come to Central and hear about the story that changed the world, and the one that will change you. God bless.
Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church. If you were to think about it, you would be able to make a list of your favorite stories. It may be the one about the extraordinary relative who lived a long time ago and did some pretty amazing things. It may be the stories of adventure, risk, and danger. Or, it could be the ones of telling of innovation. These stories drive you. They may have even shaped you into the person who you are today. Or, they could be pushing you toward the person you want to be.
Stories have power and they impact every one of us in one way or another. Stories make us laugh and cry. They make us feel courageous and they make us fear. But there is one story, out of all of those that have ever been told, that can bring about an eternal change; that is the story of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul says that this story is so powerful that it saves everyone who believes it. So, what story do you believe in? Is it life-giving or is it life-draining? I invite you to come to Central and hear about the story that changed the world, and the one that will change you. God bless.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Friday, June 26, 2015
BOB
Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central a United Methodist Community here in Meridian. Sometimes I am asked if you have to go to church to be a Christian, can’t you worship God just as well in nature - like on the golf course.
For me going to church each Sunday is not a “must do” event. It is a “want to” part of my life. Sure, I can, and often do, worship God when I see a tree, or a flower petal, a blade of grass, or a mighty mountain. But I worship Him best when I am around others who also are worshiping. I love being in a community of believers singing God’s praises.
For me, I cannot imagine being a Christian and not wanting to be a part of Christ’s body - the community of believers. At Central we are that kind of community. We love to hear one another’s stories, we love to sing and to pray and to learn together. By being connected to one another we become more connected to God than we ever could on our own. So I don’t know if you have to go to church to be a Christian, but I can’t imagine not wanting to be there every Sunday.
Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central a United Methodist Community here in Meridian. Sometimes I am asked if you have to go to church to be a Christian, can’t you worship God just as well in nature - like on the golf course.
For me going to church each Sunday is not a “must do” event. It is a “want to” part of my life. Sure, I can, and often do, worship God when I see a tree, or a flower petal, a blade of grass, or a mighty mountain. But I worship Him best when I am around others who also are worshiping. I love being in a community of believers singing God’s praises.
For me, I cannot imagine being a Christian and not wanting to be a part of Christ’s body - the community of believers. At Central we are that kind of community. We love to hear one another’s stories, we love to sing and to pray and to learn together. By being connected to one another we become more connected to God than we ever could on our own. So I don’t know if you have to go to church to be a Christian, but I can’t imagine not wanting to be there every Sunday.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Thursday, June 25, 2015
SABRINA
How are you doing this morning?
Do you find yourself in a difficult relationship, under job or financial stress?
Imagine what would happen if you could stop worrying?
The last thing God wants is for our days to be long and stressful. This day is
a gift from God. There is good news in knowing this.
God holds the universe in the palm of His hands. The God who created this
universe, who cares for even the smallest sparrow, cares deeply for each of
us.
God longs to help you through your situation. We are reminded “Seek after
Me and know My kingdom first, then everything else will fall into place.”
Ask God to give you wisdom and discernment as you go through your day
today. Breath in God’s calming spirit, feel God’s arms wrapped around you.
There is no problem too fierce, too big to overcome. One breath at a time, one
step at a time...Feel God’s presence, experience God’s love and grace....and
the peace which passes all understanding will be yours.
How are you doing this morning?
Do you find yourself in a difficult relationship, under job or financial stress?
Imagine what would happen if you could stop worrying?
The last thing God wants is for our days to be long and stressful. This day is
a gift from God. There is good news in knowing this.
God holds the universe in the palm of His hands. The God who created this
universe, who cares for even the smallest sparrow, cares deeply for each of
us.
God longs to help you through your situation. We are reminded “Seek after
Me and know My kingdom first, then everything else will fall into place.”
Ask God to give you wisdom and discernment as you go through your day
today. Breath in God’s calming spirit, feel God’s arms wrapped around you.
There is no problem too fierce, too big to overcome. One breath at a time, one
step at a time...Feel God’s presence, experience God’s love and grace....and
the peace which passes all understanding will be yours.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
JOHN
Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United
Methodist Church. Let me ask you a question. How willing are you to get
into a relationship with another person for the sole purpose of connecting
them to God? This may seem like an odd question, but as a follower of Jesus,
we are directed to be people of relationships. Yet, it is so difficult to purpose
that our relationship with another person is so that they can see Christ in us
and that we can connect them to this same Jesus.
A lady told me the other day, as we were talking about growing the
community of Christ, that she didn’t know anyone that didn’t go to church.
The funny thing is I wasn’t talking about church attendance. I was talking
about relationships. It’s time that we approach sharing our faith with others
in a way that is more than seeing if we can get someone to go to our church.
Let’s try to introduce them to one that has come to give them life and hope. If
we connect them to ourselves in relationships, then we can connect them to
God. Come and connect with us at Central.
Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United
Methodist Church. Let me ask you a question. How willing are you to get
into a relationship with another person for the sole purpose of connecting
them to God? This may seem like an odd question, but as a follower of Jesus,
we are directed to be people of relationships. Yet, it is so difficult to purpose
that our relationship with another person is so that they can see Christ in us
and that we can connect them to this same Jesus.
A lady told me the other day, as we were talking about growing the
community of Christ, that she didn’t know anyone that didn’t go to church.
The funny thing is I wasn’t talking about church attendance. I was talking
about relationships. It’s time that we approach sharing our faith with others
in a way that is more than seeing if we can get someone to go to our church.
Let’s try to introduce them to one that has come to give them life and hope. If
we connect them to ourselves in relationships, then we can connect them to
God. Come and connect with us at Central.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
GLENDA
Good Morning! There was a young boy who had a terrible temper. His dad gave him a hammer and some nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he was to hammer a nail in the fence. The first day he hammered 37 nails in the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned, it was easier to control his temper than hammer nails.
The number decreased every day, until finally, he was no longer angry and no longer hammering nails into the fence. His father was very proud of him and told him that each day that he controlled his temper, he needed to start removing the nails.
Finally, when the nails were all gone, the father told the boy to look at the fence. Although the nails were gone, the holes in the fence were there forever. That's the way it is when you say or do something to someone in anger. No matter how many times you say “I'm sorry,” the wound is still there.
Jesus said we are to love one another. And when we show love to others, we are showing love to him. Have a wonderful day!
Good Morning! There was a young boy who had a terrible temper. His dad gave him a hammer and some nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he was to hammer a nail in the fence. The first day he hammered 37 nails in the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned, it was easier to control his temper than hammer nails.
The number decreased every day, until finally, he was no longer angry and no longer hammering nails into the fence. His father was very proud of him and told him that each day that he controlled his temper, he needed to start removing the nails.
Finally, when the nails were all gone, the father told the boy to look at the fence. Although the nails were gone, the holes in the fence were there forever. That's the way it is when you say or do something to someone in anger. No matter how many times you say “I'm sorry,” the wound is still there.
Jesus said we are to love one another. And when we show love to others, we are showing love to him. Have a wonderful day!
Monday, June 22, 2015
Monday, June 22, 2015
RAY
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God
Philippians 4:6
Last fall, Amazon released a list of the most popular passages from its most popular books, and the most commonly highlighted portion of the Bible was Philippians 4:6-7. Readers of e-Bibles underlined that passage more often than any other in Scripture.
When we look around at our anxious world and our fretful lives, we can understand why people are drawn to the promises of Philippians 4. But notice the context of the passage. The Lord tells us here to rejoice in Him - to be gentle in our dealings with others - to remember how near He is to us - to pray earnestly about our concerns - to count our blessings with thankfulness - and to focus our minds on what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy.
When we trust the Lord like this, we can rely on God with issues both big and small.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God
Philippians 4:6
Last fall, Amazon released a list of the most popular passages from its most popular books, and the most commonly highlighted portion of the Bible was Philippians 4:6-7. Readers of e-Bibles underlined that passage more often than any other in Scripture.
When we look around at our anxious world and our fretful lives, we can understand why people are drawn to the promises of Philippians 4. But notice the context of the passage. The Lord tells us here to rejoice in Him - to be gentle in our dealings with others - to remember how near He is to us - to pray earnestly about our concerns - to count our blessings with thankfulness - and to focus our minds on what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy.
When we trust the Lord like this, we can rely on God with issues both big and small.
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