Wow. Three days of 101 pus fever followed by another few days of chest coughing.... yuck! But feeling much better, thanks for asking!

Lent begins in three weeks but we are still in the season of Epiphany for now. When Christ is revealed to the world.

How do we respond to this revelation? One way is suggested by Roman Catholic priest and psychologist, Henri J. M. Nouwen. "Faith in the value and meaning of life, even in the face of despair and death, is the second principle of Christian leadership. This seems so obvious that it is often taken for granted and overlooked.
But for a man with a deep-rooted faith in the value and meaning of life, every experience holds a new promise, every encounter carries a new insight, and every event brings a new message." - From The Wounded Healer by Henri J. M. Nouwen

What does Epiphany mean in a new year? It means that every sight and sound and touch and smell carries with it a potential message from God on how to best serve and participate in bringing the kingdom of God into full actualization.

Marinated pork loin tonight at our Wednesday night supper here in Decatur, Alabama!

More on New year's resolutions -

C.S. Lewis makes a strong point in his classic Mere Christianity - "The Christian way is different: harder, and easier. Christ says, "Give me All. I don't want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want you... No half-measures are any good."

Think very carefully about what you intend to do next year as you explore ways in which you can better BE CHURCH instead of simply attending services somewhere.

God's blessings upon you!

Is the New Year Really New?

Have changes really been made as we start the new year? Are we locked into a true source of guidance and support?

Luke 9:23,24
"Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it."

Jesus knows that life is eternal and to truly be prepared for it, we have to learn how to focus on something much bigger than ourself. He is here in our midst so that we can learn to focus on God and God's Will for creation. Every new beginning to our calendar is also another opportunity to again align ourselves with the One who really does matter most.

Wednesday night supper starts up again here at Central United Methodist Church in Decatur, and first time visitors eat free!! Happy New Year!

"Everyone, at some time and in some areas, is a follower, and it is just as important to be discriminating in chossing whom to follow as it is to prepare to lead."
From Servant Leadership by Robert K. Greenleaf

As for me and my house....

Is there anything more important at the beginning of a new year when establishing new resolutions and priorities than picking the standard one will use for making those decisions? Where will your resolutions and priorities come from if not a mentor or leader who can show the way? Choose wisely!

The Lenten season begins in 37 days.

What will the new year look like? There are, of course, some aspects that will be beyond our control. But there will also be many things about the new year that will be affected by our choices. How might we appear to others as we dedicate ourselves anew to the service of Christ?

Born in York, England, Richard Rolle was one of the great spiritual leaders of early 14th century England.

"Yet as some may well remind us, there are people on fire with love for Christ, for we can see how utterly they despise the world and how wholly they are given over to the service of God. If we put our finger near a fire, we feel the heat; in much the same way a soul on fire with love feels, I say, a genuine warmth. Sometimes it is more, sometimes it is less: it depends on our particular capacity."

And now this warning from the Book of Revelation. Revelation 3:15,16 I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Set us on fire Lord in this new year! Amen.

Happy New Year!

Francois Fenelon was a prominent member of the court of Louis XIV. Fenelon was appointed archbishop of Cambrai in 1695. During this time he became acquainted with Madame Guyon and was greatly influenced by her and others of the Quietist movement in France. (Quietism stressed the importance of complete detachment from the things of this world.)

As we again prepare for new resolutions and reestablishing priorities, let us reflect on this prayer of Francois Fenelon:

Lord, I know not what I ought to ask of thee; thou only knowest what I need....I simply present myself before thee, I open my heart to thee. Behold my needs which I know not myself. Smite, or heal; depress me, or raise me up; I adore all thy purposes without knowing them; I am silent; I offer myself in sacrifice; I yield myself to thee; I would have no other desire than to accomplish thy Will. Teach me to pray. Pray thyself in me. Amen - Francois Fenelon