DENNIS
Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church.
A covenant is a contract between two parties, which binds the parties to specific terms and agreements. For example, when a person purchases a home, he or she will sign a contract detailing the terms of the purchases. Under normal circumstances, this contract is legally binding. However, we know that some of these contracts are broken.
Similarly, there was a time in our country’s history when a covenant was made with a handshake. This wasn’t legally binding of course. Instead, the two parties would keep to the agreement based on honor and honesty. A person’s word was considered their bond. We can also assume that these contracts were broken from time to time.
In our relationship with God, He too has made a covenant with us. His Word is His bond. The great news is that the contract is based on His grace. Because of grace, we are able to recognize that we are His children. So, the question for today is: How are you holding up your end of the contract? I invite you to recommit to it right now.
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Monday, May 30, 2016
Monday, May 30, 2016
BOB
Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central, a United Methodist Community in Meridian, MS. Today is Memorial Day - a national holiday. It has come to be considered the non-official opening of the summer season. A three-day weekend to head off to the beach. But this was not intended as a day of frivolity but as a national holy day of remembrance.
It was first officially proclaimed on the 5th of May, 1868, by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic saying: AThe 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or, otherwise, decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country.
After World War I, the holiday was changed to remember all those who died in war. The ANational Moment of Remembrance@ resolution was passed in December of 2000, which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans: ATo voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to Taps@.
Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central, a United Methodist Community in Meridian, MS. Today is Memorial Day - a national holiday. It has come to be considered the non-official opening of the summer season. A three-day weekend to head off to the beach. But this was not intended as a day of frivolity but as a national holy day of remembrance.
It was first officially proclaimed on the 5th of May, 1868, by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic saying: AThe 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or, otherwise, decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country.
After World War I, the holiday was changed to remember all those who died in war. The ANational Moment of Remembrance@ resolution was passed in December of 2000, which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans: ATo voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to Taps@.
Friday, May 27, 2016
Friday, May 27, 2016
JOHN
Good Morning! I’m John Branning, Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. These words are recorded by Paul for us in 1 Corinthians 9:27 “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”
I have noticed that people who demonstrate spiritual strength in the most difficult situations of life is self-disciplined. Self-discipline is a difficult subject for many, because it forces us to implement a plan of action that is not based on feelings. If you base anything in life on feelings rather than a set of values, you will always live your life without stability nor a sense of accomplishment. If we are not careful, our feelings will tell us to give up, quit, and go home.
The enemy desires for you to cave to your natural emotions and crumble in the face of defeat. I know that emotions can make the hair stand up on your neck but, discipline will always win the day of battle. As Paul says, we must constantly discipline ourselves so that when others look toward us they are able to see the strength of Christ.
Good Morning! I’m John Branning, Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. These words are recorded by Paul for us in 1 Corinthians 9:27 “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”
I have noticed that people who demonstrate spiritual strength in the most difficult situations of life is self-disciplined. Self-discipline is a difficult subject for many, because it forces us to implement a plan of action that is not based on feelings. If you base anything in life on feelings rather than a set of values, you will always live your life without stability nor a sense of accomplishment. If we are not careful, our feelings will tell us to give up, quit, and go home.
The enemy desires for you to cave to your natural emotions and crumble in the face of defeat. I know that emotions can make the hair stand up on your neck but, discipline will always win the day of battle. As Paul says, we must constantly discipline ourselves so that when others look toward us they are able to see the strength of Christ.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Thursday, May 26, 2016
JONATHAN
Hi, I’m Jonathan Crabtree, Pastor for Student Ministry at Central – A United Methodist Community.
Trust and communication go hand-in-hand, and our relationships with one another are dependent upon the two – trust and communication - especially when life is difficult. Well, a scripture in Proverbs – a book of wisdom – tells us to learn to trust in the Lord…lean not on our own understanding. I believe we gain each others’ trust through communication, and, likewise, with God. If we are to continue growing in our faith as followers of Jesus Christ, then we must trust; we must communicate with Jesus, daily. When we’re unsure of our paths, we must remember that our relationship with Jesus and others – ones built upon trust and communication – will be our strength as we walk along the path.
Hi, I’m Jonathan Crabtree, Pastor for Student Ministry at Central – A United Methodist Community.
Trust and communication go hand-in-hand, and our relationships with one another are dependent upon the two – trust and communication - especially when life is difficult. Well, a scripture in Proverbs – a book of wisdom – tells us to learn to trust in the Lord…lean not on our own understanding. I believe we gain each others’ trust through communication, and, likewise, with God. If we are to continue growing in our faith as followers of Jesus Christ, then we must trust; we must communicate with Jesus, daily. When we’re unsure of our paths, we must remember that our relationship with Jesus and others – ones built upon trust and communication – will be our strength as we walk along the path.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
GLENDA
Good Morning: Remember we talked about blooming where you are planted a few weeks ago? Well, here's another story to think about. Esther was a beautiful Hebrew young woman. She was taken from her home and was entered into the first beauty pageant that we know of. She won! The prize was that she got to become one of the king's wives. It was not a place she wanted to be. But because of the situation she found herself in, she was able to go to the king and save a whole nation of people......hers.
God is not mentioned in this book of the Bible, but the implication is there. God placed her there just so she could intervene. She bloomed where she was planted. Are you blooming today? I hope so. Have a wonderful day!
Good Morning: Remember we talked about blooming where you are planted a few weeks ago? Well, here's another story to think about. Esther was a beautiful Hebrew young woman. She was taken from her home and was entered into the first beauty pageant that we know of. She won! The prize was that she got to become one of the king's wives. It was not a place she wanted to be. But because of the situation she found herself in, she was able to go to the king and save a whole nation of people......hers.
God is not mentioned in this book of the Bible, but the implication is there. God placed her there just so she could intervene. She bloomed where she was planted. Are you blooming today? I hope so. Have a wonderful day!
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
SABRINA
As we reach this time of year where we are inundated with celebratory news of high school and college graduations, weddings - new beginnings - you can’t help but reflect back to those times in your own life. The joy in the faces of those embracing the future - a future of unknown magnitude.
But it is really the same for us, no matter our stage in life. We wake up every morning with the opportunity for a new beginning and happiness. It is when we realize, “True happiness is not made in getting something. True happiness is becoming something.
We cannot become something without commitment. All too often, we ask God to use us, but what we really want is for God to use us, if it suits us, without our having to give up anything or put forth much effort.
When we are committed to being what God intended us to be, we are often used outside of our comfort zone - and it is then that we are in awe of what true happiness is; being an unlikely vessel used to God’s glory. So today, graduate from your comfort zone-be committed-become what God intended...and find true happiness!
As we reach this time of year where we are inundated with celebratory news of high school and college graduations, weddings - new beginnings - you can’t help but reflect back to those times in your own life. The joy in the faces of those embracing the future - a future of unknown magnitude.
But it is really the same for us, no matter our stage in life. We wake up every morning with the opportunity for a new beginning and happiness. It is when we realize, “True happiness is not made in getting something. True happiness is becoming something.
We cannot become something without commitment. All too often, we ask God to use us, but what we really want is for God to use us, if it suits us, without our having to give up anything or put forth much effort.
When we are committed to being what God intended us to be, we are often used outside of our comfort zone - and it is then that we are in awe of what true happiness is; being an unlikely vessel used to God’s glory. So today, graduate from your comfort zone-be committed-become what God intended...and find true happiness!
Monday, May 23, 2016
Monday, May 23, 2016
KRISTINA
Good Morning! My name is Kristina Crabtree, and I am the minister of Spiritual Formation at Central United Methodist Church.
As followers of Jesus, we know that one of the conditions that God has upon us is found in Galatians 6:2. It says, “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Now if you are a believer, you know very that the law of Jesus was very different than the Law of Moses. Jesus has given us personal conditions as followers to be in relationship with one another.
One way in which we can carry each other’s burdens is by prayer. Have you ever had anyone ask you for prayer? When they asked you for prayer, they are very much exposing vulnerability, sorrow, or fear in their own lives and have come to you asking you to take the burden for just a bit.
Praying for others is a daunting responsibility. My one questions for us today is: do we actually pray for those who ask or do we just say we will and then forget? If someone ask you to pray, I challenge you to stop and take the burden for them to the Lord. Have a great day!
Good Morning! My name is Kristina Crabtree, and I am the minister of Spiritual Formation at Central United Methodist Church.
As followers of Jesus, we know that one of the conditions that God has upon us is found in Galatians 6:2. It says, “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Now if you are a believer, you know very that the law of Jesus was very different than the Law of Moses. Jesus has given us personal conditions as followers to be in relationship with one another.
One way in which we can carry each other’s burdens is by prayer. Have you ever had anyone ask you for prayer? When they asked you for prayer, they are very much exposing vulnerability, sorrow, or fear in their own lives and have come to you asking you to take the burden for just a bit.
Praying for others is a daunting responsibility. My one questions for us today is: do we actually pray for those who ask or do we just say we will and then forget? If someone ask you to pray, I challenge you to stop and take the burden for them to the Lord. Have a great day!
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