A new journey for Central UMC in Decatur began yesterday out at Delano City Park. We are now going to be focusing on life as a community. We will be using a Rick Warren edited book called Better Together: A Churchwide Spiritual Growth Campaign.

Today he encourages us to think about what it means to really learn how to love. He suggests that love that is easy might not really be love at all but rather infatuation or lust. I don't argue the differences but would question the statement he makes when he says, "Love is unatural for us." There are always exceptions to any rule regarding human behavior, but I think when a mother gives birth to a child, the natural order is to love that child. She doesn't have to learn how and it isn't unnatural. She might have to learn appropriate ways of expressing that love and she might have to learn how to best guide and instruct that child, but it starts with love.

Henri Nouwen reminds us of the difference between learning about love and living it.

"O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I am impressed by my own spiritual insights. I probably know more about prayer, meditation, and contemplation than most Christians do. I have read many books about the Christian life, and have even written a few myself. Still, as impressed as I am, I am more impressed by the enormous abyss between my insights and my life." - From A Cry for Mercy by Henri J.M. Nouwen

Grace and Peace,

One Month to Live leaves us with the question, "Are you where you want to be spiritually, eternally?"

And now take a look at this:

"When a man gives up self, his past sins will no longer oppress him."

Where we want to be is most closely tied to where God ultimately needs us to be.

Sunday in the Park on Sunday, September 12! Come join us at Delano Park in Decatur, Alabama on Sunday at 10:00 for meaningful worship and a picnic lunch afterwards.

See you on Sunday!

We have been reading One Month to Live. What might we do differently? What kind of priorities should we have?

This week we learn about learning to live that kind of purpose filled life BEFORE learning that we only have one month to live.

Kerry and Chris Shook write, "If you only had one month to live, you could make some changes that would improve what you left behind. But how much better to know that you're contributing to your legacy every day over many months and years and that all you're working for will last for eternity. ... Our relationships are the only investment that can't be destroyed by a fire or national disaster or be lost in the stock market."

For what would you like to be remembered? How are you contributing to this goal right now?

Bring a friend to worship next week as we travel to Delano Park and Sunday in the Park! We gather at 10:00 and worship at 10:30. Bring a friend in blue jeans and don't forget a side dish for a picnic lunch afterwards!

Grace and Peace,

Came across an interesting passage in today's reading of One Month to Live.

"God never intended for us to be well rounded. He has gifted each of us uniquely, and no one has all the talent, no matter how it might appear. We're to focus on what we're good at and let go of what we're not good at. I am not a good singer - just ask anyone who knows me! I could spend all my time taking voice lessons and auditioning for American Idol, but I would only go from bad to lousy. Instead I've focused on the key areas in which God has gifted me, and I've tried to develop them. I'm always working at being a better writer and communicator. It's an insult to God when we focus on the gifts and passions we don't have and try to develop only our weak areas. Our greatest potential lies in the areas of our greatest strengths."

Wow. What do you think?

Grace and Peace,

Today's reading in One Month to Live suggests that some kinds of conflict are good because of how our character is shaped for the better because of them!

We can sometimes look back at people and situations that have been rough on us and see benefits that have resulted. Can we look ahead and do the same thing? As we start to really get depressed or angry or frustrated with someone or something, how might we look for the lesson to be learned? How might we see the eternal benefit that is present in the current situation?

Thomas à Kempis (ca. 1380 – 25 July 1471) was a late Medieval Catholic monk and probable author of The Imitation of Christ, one of the best known Christian books on devotion. Much of this famous book is all about how to have exactly that right frame of mind that sees what should be seen rather than from just a human point of view. "The life of a good religious person should shine in all virtue and be inwardly as it appears outwardly. And it should be the much more inward, for Almighty God beholds the heart and we should always honor and reverence him as if we were always in his bodily presence, and appear before him as angels, clean and pure, shining with all virtue.
We ought every day to renew our purpose in God, and to stir our hearts to fervor and devotion, as though it were the first day of our conversion. And we ought daily to pray and say: help me, my Lord Jesus, that I may persevere in good purpose and in your holy service unto my death, and that I may now today perfectly begin, for I have done nothing in time past."

See you on Sunday!

How satisfied are you with the state of your most important relationships right now? In One Month to Live we are encouraged to really evaluate our relationships so as to better concentrate on making them the best they can be.

"Our Father, we take our loved ones and all those who need us deeply into our hearts and there we give them completely to thee. May thy peace, the peace which passeth all understanding, rest with them, bringing thy perfect fulfillment to all their needs. Amen. - From I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes by Glenn Clark

Grace and Peace,

When have you been disappointed by God? How did He not come through for you the way you wanted Him to?

We have been prayerfully considering how to best live our lives as though each day really was of utmost importance. Obviously, an important part of that journey involves how we can best relate to our Creator as we seek His will.

The tricky part of this needed trust revolves around an idea in a devotion I read years ago. Above an old stone door of a church in New England are carved the words, "Remember, No is an answer."

God answers prayers. God wants us to prioritize our lives meaningfully.

God doesn't always answer prayers in an expected fashion.

So...... Continue seeking His guidance and leadership, but be ready for anything!

Have a great weekend!

Grace and Peace,