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,

In today's daily reading of One Month to Live, we are invited to rate ourselves on a scale from 1-10 in four categories. How would you rate yourself Spiritually? Physically? Emotionally? or even Relationally?

And ifthere is a recognizable need in one or more of these areas, how can we go about strengthening ourselves? Obviously prayer, but this is where a small group becomes invaluable. Simply ask others for help in becoming better. Nobody does it alone.

I'm off to lunch with Kiwanis. Let's connect again tomorrow!

Grace and Peace,

The premise of our church study series for the new Fall involves thinking about how you would answer the question, "If you had only thirty days to live, how would you live your life?"

Today's reading looks at how to actually make some of those life changes.

"People who know their lives will soon be over tend to feel a desperate urge to change. But a desperation to change is not enough. In order to sustain the changes, we have to be connected to a power source beyond ourselves." - From One Month to Live by Kerry and Chris Shook

What kind of changes do you need to make? Do you trust God to help you?

"One thing we owe to Our Lord is never to be afraid. To be afraid is doubly an injury to him. Firstly, it means that we forget him; we forget he is with us and is all powerful; secondly, it means that we are not conformed to his will; for since all that happens is willed or permitted by him, we ought to rejoice in all that happens to us and feel neither anxiety nor fear. Let us then have the faith that banishes fear. Our Lord is at our side, with us, upholding us." - From Meditations of a Hermit by Charles de Foucauld

Our pastor begins a study of One Month to Live tonight at the church at 6:00. Come join him and explore this fascinating book.

Grace and Peace,

Today we are invited to look at each day and really evaluate how we spend each moment. Where did you find your most meaningful moment? What was the biggest time waster you did today?

I have learned that to really take dieting seriously, you have to pay attention to the calories of each foodyou might be eating. Eat foods with lower calorie counts and it becomes easier to lose weight! In a similar fashion, this month's study encourages us to pay attention to the spiritual content of each moment and then use one's time accordingly.

And how does one best use the time given them?

"The hour in our life in which we are best employed is the hour in which we best love Jesus." - From Meditations of a Hermit by Charles de Foucauld

"Put yourself completely under the influence of Jesus, so that he may think his thoughts in your mind, do his work through your hands, for you will be all-powerful with him to strengthen you." - From A Gift for God by Mother Teresa

Grace and Peace,

Your time on earth is limited. Those are the words that kick off our new church study. The clarifying question of the series is, "What would I do if I knew I had one month to live?"

Last night we gained a partial answer when we read Isaiah 5:1-7 in our Sunday evening chapel service. We learned that although one possible answer is to simply give up and draw away from humanity while waiting for an end, God says that we are eternal and therefore called to respond eternally to God's call.

Day Two begins with the question, "If you were certain your life as you know it would end in a few weeks, what would be your biggest regret?" We are encouraged to not be afraid to live life fully and do some things we might otherwise put off. The second daily reading closes with, "Make a decision today never again to use the phrase 'someday, when things settle down.' Realize that today is your someday!"

Grace and Peace,

In tonight's Judaism study we explore the idea of a special relationship with God. On the one hand, Jews were constantly told to refrain from marrying outsiders and were told to have nothing to do with foreign ways and idols. On the other hand, they were also told that they were chosen to be a light to the world. So..... don't have anything to do with anyone else...AND lead them all to God....

Isaiah 5:1-7
Having a special relationship brings with it some obligations!

Grace and Peace,

Whew! I hadn't realized how long it had been since I last posted. My apologies to those who are still reading.

Busy transition time as we prepare for a new Fall, a new pastor, and a new menu for Wednesday night supper!

I will be posting a bit more regularly after we start a new church wide series based on the book by Kerry & Chris Shook, One Month to Live. That will begin next Monday, August 16.

Tonight, however, our Disciple group will be discussing the plight of the Israelites as they struggled for survival in the desert after fleeing from Egypt. What does it mean to really trust God for daily sustenance? When we say that God provides, do we mean it?

Creaturely comforts enslave us and demand our immediate attention. More important things like education, sound relationships, deep faith, require time and considerable discipline. Why must we learn the hard way? Why can't we have freedom and spiritual maturity quickly and easily?

Grace and Peace,

Is there a difference between God "knowing" a thing will happen and God "causing" a thing to happen? Are Christians more closely aligned with the views of the sadducees, Essenes, or Pharisees?

As we continue with our summer study of Judaism, tonight we will be exploring Jewish thought over the years regarding the relationship between God and humankind. We will also learn a bit more about early Jewish messianic expectations.

Join us tonight in our church library at 5:45!

God's blessings be upon you!

Tonight in our Disciple Bible study we will be exploring the idea that God works for good even when bad things happen. We will be looking at the story of Joseph being sold into slavery only to end up in a position where he is able to save his people.

The apostle Paul meditates on providence in Romans 8 which we will also read. In the King James Version, Romans 8:28 reads, "All things work together for good to them that love God." We will consider this passage in light of the Jospeh story. We will be discussing what we really believe about God's providence and our own destiny as children of God.

I hope you are having a great summer!

Celebrating the New Year in the Jewish tradition is not just a celebration of new beginnings. The New Year (Rosh ha-Shana) is considered the yearly day of judgment. The main theme projects God as king and judge of all mankind.

Our two most celebrated days recognize God's presence here on earth at Christmas and his sacrifice overcome at Easter. How does the theme of judgment impact how the Jewish people see their relationship with God? We recognize the theme of judgment but do not give it the same emphasis. What do we, as Christians, lose by not spending as much time thinking about God's judgment upon us all?

Tonight in the library we will be taking a look at the entire Jewish calendar and the way it defines jewish identity.

God's blessings be upon you,

We do not want to accept responsibility or blame for discord. We find it painful to acknowledge our own guilt. We postpone, wait for someone else to make the first move, or pray the discord will go away.

Jesus says in Matthew 5:21-24, "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift."

Tonight in our Disciple Bible study we will be reading accounts of Jacob reconciling with his father-in-law, Laban. We will also look at his reconciliation with his brother, Esau.

Be at Peace!

Turning to God in moments of need - praying - has definite biblical roots and was performed by both private individuals and public figures. Prayer, however, was not the standard means of worshipping God in the Hebrew Bible. Worship was primarily centered around the act of sacrifice. What major act or procedure does our worship revolve around today? What brings revelation or meaning to you in a typical time of worship?

Tonight's small group study will discuss Jewish Worship - Prayer and the Synagogue. I hope you'll be able to join us!

Blessings,

Tonight in our Disciple Bible study we will be talking about family conflicts and the presence of God. We will be reading about Jacob's journey from problems with his brother growing up to new problems finding a wife as an adult.

Genesis 28:16 - Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place; and I did not know it."

When have you missed a message from God because you were unaware of his presence? When has conflict revealed something of God to you?

Learn from that experience and then don't forget to share it with someone else!

Blessings,

Writing from the North Alabama conference this week means many United Methodist pastors are preparing for their last sermons in one church and their first sermon in a new church the following week.

Some will leave feeling quite pleased with the job they have done and others will leave feeling disappointed. I came across this quote and thought of the second group.

"God will know how to draw glory even from our faults. Not to be downcast after committing a fault is one of the marks of true sanctity." - Dom Augustin Guillerand

In all we do, let us do it for God.

Have a blessed summer!