Friday, August 30, 2019

TIM Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Senior Adult Minister and Sanctuary Choir Director at Central. In the end of Deuteronomy, Moses is giving his final thoughts and places a heavy emphasis on passing on the faith to your children. Moses recognized a constant battle we face today: the faith we have is never more than one generation away from extinction. Moses’ words in Deuteronomy play a key role in our faith. If we aren’t investing our energy into building our children’s faith, it will end. There is a lot of concern about a decline in faith in young people, especially in millennials. Haydn Shaw, in his book Generational IQ, reminds us that young adults have often dropped out of church in their late teens and returned when they start having children. He notes that millennials are waiting longer to marry and have children than young people did twenty years ago, which means they are also waiting longer to come back to church. So don’t be discouraged, but also don’t be hindered from investing in your children’s faith! Moses is telling us in Deuteronomy to intentionally invest in children’s faith! And this doesn’t just imply your own, but all of God’s children. Intentionally sharing and living your faith is crucial so that your children and grandchildren know what you believe and how it shapes your life and so that they see a real and authentic faith in you.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

SABRINA There is something extremely calming in throwing a rock in a pond or stream and watching the ripples as they glide across the water. There can be, however, something extremely unsettling when we realize that we reflect God’s character, like the ripple effects on the water, in our daily lives. We are like rocks tossed into a pond, producing ripple effects that can inspire or break down those around us. As Christians, we are reminded that we don’t have to be famous, rich, or successful. We don’t need an impressive degree or lots of followers on social media. A specific age, nationality, or personality is not a requirement, and we are not limited by our job, location, or marital status. We have the power to positively influence others in our sphere and beyond to think and act differently. I believe within the heart of every human is the desire to be influential. It does not matter our stage in life. God uses ordinary people like us to star in extraordinary “God stories” — real-life stories of purpose and influence. Although we’re all imperfect and inconsistent, we can still be influential because of God’s grace and power in and through us. As Jesus said: “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5b).

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

MATT Good Morning! I’m Matt Farmer, Associate Pastor at Central United Methodist Church in Meridian. For a long time, the old church sat empty and abandoned in a Detroit neighborhood. The decaying building blended naturally into the whole area. Grim, unswept, forgotten—that’s how it all looked. Then one night things changed. The old church sparkled with light. Parked cars lined the streets. The sound of music filled the air. What had been dead and abandoned had come to life. I’ve seen people like that. For years they were dark and empty like that old church. There was little inside except anger, selfishness, and pride. Then one day all was changed. Suddenly the darkness was gone. It was as if someone had turned on the lights…and that Someone is God. He forgives those who come to Him through faith in His Son Jesus Christ. He specializes in giving new life to those who seem to be beyond hope. May we never lose sight of the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

Monday, August 26, 2019

AIR DATE: 08/26/19 BOB Good morning. This is Bob Peden of Central, A United Methodist Community in downtown Meridian. A young mother received a letter recently. It read: "We were the best of friends. Remember? You told me your deepest secrets and I tried to tell you mine. When we were together, the world slowed down just a little. You inspired me…the way you lived life as if each day had a special prize inside. And whatever has happened to change that, it's okay. I just want to go back to the way it was when we were the best of friends. Remember? Love Always, God." If you would like to renew your friendship with God, we at Central United Methodist Church can help you find Him. Our hearts, our minds, and our doors are always open. We will gather for worship this Sunday at 8:30 and 9:45 in the Fellowship Hall, and at 10:55 in the Sanctuary. Come and meet my best friend and make Him your best friend too.

Friday, August 23, 2019

TIM Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Senior Adult Minister and Sanctuary Choir Director at Central. As followers of Jesus, we should take comfort in the knowledge that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. When we face times of hardship and trouble, we should turn to God for guidance. But God’s comfort isn’t just for us, but it is also for us to be able to comfort others. As second Corinthians Chapter 1 tells us, “When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” When we find ourselves taking comfort in God, we can then ourselves offer the same peace to those around us. This can be part of our evangelistic mission as followers of Jesus. Take comfort in God’s love and grace, and then may we be empowered to share that love and grace to those with whom we interact. Verse 6 says “For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you.” Take comfort, be comforted, and offer comfort. Amen.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. His contractor was sorry to see such a good employee go and asked him if he would build just one last house as a personal favor. The carpenter agreed but his heart was not in it. He resorted to bad workmanship and using cheap materials. When the carpenter finished his work, the contractor came over and handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "I appreciate all the hard work you’ve done for me all these years and I’d like you to have this house as a token of my gratitude.” The carpenter was shocked! If only he had known he was building his own house, he would have worked much harder! Now he owned a house that wasn’t built very well. We should think of ourselves as carpenters, and our lives here on earth, as our house. Each day we hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall, we must build with care! It is the only life we will ever build. And what we do here will count for eternity! REFLECTIONS #44 WTOK TV: 07/08/19 AIR DATE: 09/12/19 JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. I have to admit that this is my favorite time of year. Labor is done and we will soon feel the excitement of fall. I use the word excitement because that is what these next few months will be filled with. Halloween is filled with the excitement of children as they go door-to-door receiving candy. Thanksgiving is filled with the excitement of family and friends thanking God for all that we have been blessed with. Then, of course, there will be the excitement of an unnamed heavy-set fellow that brings gifts to children as they sleep on Christmas Eve. I do believe the word excitement is the best to describe what is coming next. This excitement shouldn’t be reserved for just holidays and seasons for those of us who are followers of Jesus. We should be excited everyday as each new day brings about new challenges and new opportunities to share the love of Jesus with everyone around us. I hope you experience this excitement. I hope that you will come and share it with us at Central, because we love people filled with excitement.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

BOB Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central, A United Methodist Community. There is a little-noted fact in the story of Moses leading the people of Israel out of Egypt. God brought the Israelites out of Egypt through stormy waters. It was clearly depicted by Cecil B DeMille. In the movie Exodus, the waters are foaming and raging on either side of the hurrying Israelites. Now, God could have just flown the Israelites over the sea. He could have raised a mile-high wall to protect them from the Egyptians. He could have kicked sand in the Egyptian bullies' eyes - giving the Israelites time to escape around the end of the sea. But He didn't. He brought them through the raging waters. Likewise, God brings us through the troubles of life. He could keep us from all difficulties, make our lives ideal. But in order to show us how much He loves us, He allows us to experience His protection in the midst of troubles. He walks with us through the shadow of the valley of death. We need fear no evil.