TIM
Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Sanctuary Choir Director at Central. We recently completed a stewardship conversation in our church where our pastor John Branning has been reminding us of our great blessings and how we are called as the church to give out of our abundance. From this conversation, I began to think about how little others have compared to me. I have a nice car to drive, a nice house to live in, a job, and great friends. There are others in our own community that don’t have half of what I possess. Some are homeless. Some have no mode of transportation. Some are not even sure where their next meal will come from. Sometimes we let our abundance take away from our relationship with God. We cannot let our possessions become more important than our relationship with Him. God is the one who allowed us to have those things. Why do we let our stuff cause such a divide? I am convinced that it’s because we are selfish. We want thing we can’t have. We buy things we don’t need. During this season of giving, I encourage you to be a blessing to someone else. Your generosity will mean so much to someone and you will impact yourself in a great way.
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
DENNIS
Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church. Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness and Patience are the goals of Christian life. The Apostle Paul tells us that it is both an individual’s responsibility as well as a group effort. In the New Testament book of Colossians, we are told to bear with each other and forgive one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. This is what Paul means by “Church”, the temple of the living God, the place where the Holy Spirit is pleased to dwell and the home of miracles. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience aren’t virtues to which we must aspire. No, they are our uniform. Think of them as the pads a football player wears in order to play the game. Mustn’t this be what Paul means when he says, “clothe yourselves?” Forgiveness is the protective gear meant to preserve our fragile selves and relationships in the midst of a world where sin destroys us and causes us to destroy each other. So, today I encourage you to put on the clothes of strength found only in Jesus Christ. Have a great day.
Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church. Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness and Patience are the goals of Christian life. The Apostle Paul tells us that it is both an individual’s responsibility as well as a group effort. In the New Testament book of Colossians, we are told to bear with each other and forgive one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. This is what Paul means by “Church”, the temple of the living God, the place where the Holy Spirit is pleased to dwell and the home of miracles. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience aren’t virtues to which we must aspire. No, they are our uniform. Think of them as the pads a football player wears in order to play the game. Mustn’t this be what Paul means when he says, “clothe yourselves?” Forgiveness is the protective gear meant to preserve our fragile selves and relationships in the midst of a world where sin destroys us and causes us to destroy each other. So, today I encourage you to put on the clothes of strength found only in Jesus Christ. Have a great day.
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
JOHN
Good Morning! I’m John Branning, Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. As we enter the Christmas Season many songs and decorations bring back memories. Some good and others that we would rather leave in the past. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” may be one of those songs that not everyone can relate too. What if it’s not the most wonderful time of the year for you? The good news that as a follower of Jesus, you follow the one that understands your sorrows. Many suffer from things they'll never get over, but our God comes from a place of experience and in the sorrow, can bring healing. Psalm 58:6 says, "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." I know that not everyone looks forward to this season of the year. Yet, I offer you the hope that comes from following Jesus. Open your heart and let the healing begin. I remind you that life is truly better connected.
Good Morning! I’m John Branning, Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. As we enter the Christmas Season many songs and decorations bring back memories. Some good and others that we would rather leave in the past. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” may be one of those songs that not everyone can relate too. What if it’s not the most wonderful time of the year for you? The good news that as a follower of Jesus, you follow the one that understands your sorrows. Many suffer from things they'll never get over, but our God comes from a place of experience and in the sorrow, can bring healing. Psalm 58:6 says, "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." I know that not everyone looks forward to this season of the year. Yet, I offer you the hope that comes from following Jesus. Open your heart and let the healing begin. I remind you that life is truly better connected.
Monday, November 27, 2017
Monday, November 27, 2017
SABRINA
Most of us are already reeling from our holiday “to do list, Hebrews 13:16 reminds us, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” The celebration of the birth of God’s most precious gift to humankind is the perfect time for putting this verse into practice. If you have five school programs or parties to go to, take it as an opportunity to invite someone who lives alone to attend with you and revisit Christmas through the eyes of a child. As you are digging through boxes of decorations, what about the elderly neighbor or friend who no longer decorates? Offer a wreath or table decoration to brighten their home. Would it take that long to offer to help to address a few Christmas cards for someone who has difficulty seeing? We know of the many charities asking for donations, but we ALL know of that person on the fringes who is struggling. An anonymous gift card, or maybe just the luxury of lunch could bring unsuspected joy during a difficult season. Remember, the holidays are an excuse to make someone else’s life better.
Most of us are already reeling from our holiday “to do list, Hebrews 13:16 reminds us, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” The celebration of the birth of God’s most precious gift to humankind is the perfect time for putting this verse into practice. If you have five school programs or parties to go to, take it as an opportunity to invite someone who lives alone to attend with you and revisit Christmas through the eyes of a child. As you are digging through boxes of decorations, what about the elderly neighbor or friend who no longer decorates? Offer a wreath or table decoration to brighten their home. Would it take that long to offer to help to address a few Christmas cards for someone who has difficulty seeing? We know of the many charities asking for donations, but we ALL know of that person on the fringes who is struggling. An anonymous gift card, or maybe just the luxury of lunch could bring unsuspected joy during a difficult season. Remember, the holidays are an excuse to make someone else’s life better.
Friday, November 24, 2017
Friday, November 24, 2017
BENJI
If I had to venture a guess, many of us are still quite full from yesterday’s Thanksgiving festivities of family and friends and football and feasting. Today is one of the few days of the year I have my wife’s famous green bean casserole for breakfast. Although we are stuffed right now, it’s logical to assume we will be hungry again in the future. We won’t stay satisfied forever. And though it seems that leftover turkey will never be fully gone, even after days of turkey sandwich lunches, it will only sustain us for so long. The Gospel of John, Chapter 6 Verse 35 has these words from Jesus: I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. Though Granny’s sweet potato pie may satisfy for a day, Jesus satisfies our souls for eternity. So, I would like to invite you to join us this Sunday at Central, taste and see that the Lord is indeed good as you experience the peace of Christ.
If I had to venture a guess, many of us are still quite full from yesterday’s Thanksgiving festivities of family and friends and football and feasting. Today is one of the few days of the year I have my wife’s famous green bean casserole for breakfast. Although we are stuffed right now, it’s logical to assume we will be hungry again in the future. We won’t stay satisfied forever. And though it seems that leftover turkey will never be fully gone, even after days of turkey sandwich lunches, it will only sustain us for so long. The Gospel of John, Chapter 6 Verse 35 has these words from Jesus: I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. Though Granny’s sweet potato pie may satisfy for a day, Jesus satisfies our souls for eternity. So, I would like to invite you to join us this Sunday at Central, taste and see that the Lord is indeed good as you experience the peace of Christ.
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Thursday, November 23, 2017
JOHN
Good Morning! I’m John Branning, Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone this morning. My middle son Aidan was driving my wife Traci crazy wanting her to fix a pumpkin pie. Every time I turned around he was harassing one of us about that pie. Finally, Traci had everything that she needed and made that pumpkin pie that he wanted so much. Unfortunately, I could tell by his expression on the first bite that it didn’t taste exactly like he thought it would. He forced his piece of pie down and didn’t ask for another. Sometimes the thought of something is better than actually having it. Thanksgiving is a time for us to be thankful for what we have and not for what we want. We have been blessed with freedom and the love of others even when we don’t have all of our wants. After all, sometimes what we think would be so great doesn’t match up to the reality. Be blessed today and be thankful.
Good Morning! I’m John Branning, Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone this morning. My middle son Aidan was driving my wife Traci crazy wanting her to fix a pumpkin pie. Every time I turned around he was harassing one of us about that pie. Finally, Traci had everything that she needed and made that pumpkin pie that he wanted so much. Unfortunately, I could tell by his expression on the first bite that it didn’t taste exactly like he thought it would. He forced his piece of pie down and didn’t ask for another. Sometimes the thought of something is better than actually having it. Thanksgiving is a time for us to be thankful for what we have and not for what we want. We have been blessed with freedom and the love of others even when we don’t have all of our wants. After all, sometimes what we think would be so great doesn’t match up to the reality. Be blessed today and be thankful.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
GLENDA
Good Morning: A guy named Bill goes to the barbershop. He and the barber talk about lots of different things, then, out of nowhere, the Barber says, “I don't believe God exists.” Bill says, “Why is that?” “Well,” says the barber. “If God really did exist and he's a loving God, there would be no suffering; no neglected children; no sickness, no pain.” Bill doesn't respond because he really doesn't want to get in an argument with the barber. However, as he leaves, he sees a man with long, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He runs back to the Barber and says, “There is no such thing as barbers!” The barber says, “How can you say that? I am right here.” Bill says, “Well, if there were barbers, there would be no people with dirty long hair needing a shave.” The barber answers: “Ah, but barbers DO exist. That's just what happens when people don't come to me.” “Exactly, my point!” says Bill. Think about that and have a wonderful day!
Good Morning: A guy named Bill goes to the barbershop. He and the barber talk about lots of different things, then, out of nowhere, the Barber says, “I don't believe God exists.” Bill says, “Why is that?” “Well,” says the barber. “If God really did exist and he's a loving God, there would be no suffering; no neglected children; no sickness, no pain.” Bill doesn't respond because he really doesn't want to get in an argument with the barber. However, as he leaves, he sees a man with long, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He runs back to the Barber and says, “There is no such thing as barbers!” The barber says, “How can you say that? I am right here.” Bill says, “Well, if there were barbers, there would be no people with dirty long hair needing a shave.” The barber answers: “Ah, but barbers DO exist. That's just what happens when people don't come to me.” “Exactly, my point!” says Bill. Think about that and have a wonderful day!
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