Christ the Lord is Risen Today!

  

Luke 24:1-12

The last few days had been painful and tumultuous.  They awoke that morning and prepared to do what must be done.  They gathered up their spices and began the walk to the tomb with heavy hearts.  All of the healing and promise had been swallowed up in the brokenness of the world.  The light that they imagined could not be extinguished appeared to have been put out.

They arrived at the tomb only to find that the stone had been rolled away!  And His body was not there!  Two men were in the tomb and their words were jarring and terrifying! And perhaps something else . . . Hopeful?

Easter is about walking in darkness only to be surrounded by blinding light!  Easter is about thinking you know the end of the story only to be surprised by joy!  Easter is about God’s faithfulness to God’s promises despite all the evidence to the contrary!  Easter is about feeling like we are all alone in our pain and suffering only to discover that Jesus is right here with us!

  

Gracious loving God,

Thank you:

For light.

For joy.

For faithfulness.

For presence.

Like the women at the tomb,

Startle us and transform us

That we might share:

Your light,

Your joy,

Your faithfulness,

Your presence.

Through the power of your Holy Spirit,

Amen.

Written by Stacey Watkins-Griffith

Lessons of faith from a Jedi Master

Romans 8:1-11

The first time I read this passage, my thoughts, because I’m a geek, went to one of the main sources of geek wisdom: Yoda. When he is training Luke, his student, he says, “Luminous beings are we; not this crude matter.”  A large part of Luke’s training is about learning to move beyond the limitations of his flesh and body and embrace the power of the Spirit.  This is a perfect metaphor for our struggle as Christians.  When we focus on our bodies and what the flesh can or cannot do, we are limited. We are dead.  When we embrace God and his Spirit and put that first, we come alive.  

I began to think of the time when I set out on my own and believed that I could make it by myself.  I was in college with no one expecting me to be at church and plenty of people questioning my faith.  I had it all under control.  I knew what I was doing.  I focused on me.  I wanted to sleep in.  I wanted to hang out with friends. I wanted to eat breakfast and hang out for three hours in the cafeteria. My faith was discussed and defended as an academic curiosity.  Then I got a test with no paper or answer key.  I reached a point when I needed strength of spirit and did not have it. I had a church but had never fully committed.  I was still focused on body before spirit, on me before Him.  Then I turned that focus around and found the strength I needed.  The more I focused on Him first, the more confident I felt about any test given.  

Verses 9 - 11 remind us that if we nourish only our bodily wants and needs, we are dead, but if we focus on the Spirit, not only will our spirit be alive, but our body, as well.  We spend so much of our lives being bombarded by things from the material world.  There are so many things that pull our focus away from the Spirit of God in this selfish society.  It is a struggle sometimes to think about what will serve him before what will serve us.  We are promised, though, that if we do focus on Him first, He will take care of us completely.

Written by Dan Treharne

Jesus is arrested

  

John 18:1-19

These verses describe the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane where Judas led the soldiers to find Jesus. These men came in a large group with torches and lanterns not knowing that the “Light of the World” was the only illumination they needed.

There is so much to look at in the passage, but it is Simon-Peter that strikes a chord with me. A disciple and friend of God, tries to protect Jesus by taking a sword to a slave of the high priest’s ear. Can’t you just imagine Simon Peter pouncing with a quick flick of the wrist as the man’s ear falls to the ground? He has acted and reacted without a thought. Well, perhaps it was his thought that he should protect Jesus and take things into his own hands. His plan may have been to defend Jesus but God had a greater plan for Jesus and all of us, called salvation. In those moments Simon Peter was not in sync with God’s will, but thankfully Jesus’ obedience and humility allowed the great plan to play out. Jesus had spent the time earlier praying and accepting “His cup”. He already knew God’s will.

Recently, Pastor Danny preached and said “God laughs when we make or tell Him our own plans”. I laughed out loud, but this comment hit a nerve with me. I am a total planner, and if you looked at my calendar you would see so many different highlighted colors denoting the monthly agenda of our household. Sometimes we become so programmed with life we forget why we were placed on this Earth in the first place, to worship and serve Him. We create our own agendas (and sometimes those of our children) and we plunge full steam ahead without consulting God’s will for our life. He doesn’t want to steal our joy or the fun things in life from us. He just wants us to be in sync with Him.

I encourage you to be attentive and reflective for God’s will on your life this Lenten season. Draw near and know the gift of each day is an unrepeatable gift. Take time to be thankful and create a trusting attitude that seeks God’s perspective. Relax in Him and He will make you strong and prepared. Your race may not always be easy or fun, but He will be there to see you through. Jesus is our greatest example. He shows us how to be still and draw near even when the path is treacherous. His friend denied Him, he was humiliated, flogged, unaccepted, and even put to death on a cross. He did not waiver in his duty or path because He was strong in faith, his time spent with God had strengthened Him for the path God had planned for Him.  So draw near and get strong, God has amazing things planned for you. If you act like a Simon Peter you just might miss out!

Written by Cassie Plaster

Living a Holy Life

1 Peter 1:10-20

This passage from 1 Peter talks about salvation.  The first few verses talk about how the Holy Spirit was sent to share the Good News of Christ’s eventual return to the apostles and followers so that they would in turn share the message with us.  The Holy Spirit remains with us to serve as our guide to holy living.

What does “holy living” mean?  As God’s children, we should always put His desires above our own desires.  Just as children should obey their parents who know what’s best for them, we must obey God, who knows what’s best for us.  Even though he sacrificed his Son who died for our sins, that doesn’t give us permission to live as we please with no regards to sin, or how those sinful actions impact others.

I like to make lists and set goals for myself for my career, health, and life in general.  This passage reminded me that my relationship with God should be a greater priority than any other goal I set for myself.  We’re human, so we make mistakes, and aren’t perfect, but as long as we do our best to live by God’s moral standards, His judgment will be fair and just.

Verse 17 says: “And remember that the Heavenly Father to whom you pray, has no favorites.  He will judge or reward you according to what you do…” This is my favorite verse in the passage because it says that it doesn’t really matter who you are or what you look like.  It matters how you live your life.  We’re all unique, and at different stages in our lives, but we all should set a common goal to follow the life path that God intends for us.

In this time of reflection, what are some ways that you are striving to live up to the standards of holy living that God has sent to us?

Written by Holly Mabry

Timing is Important

John 12:23

Timing is important.

I recently watched a portion of an interview in which a very successful man was asked about how he was able to amass such a fortune with his business.  In a genuinely humble sort of way, he expressed a sentiment that I have heard others say, “I happened to be at the right place at the right time.”

Timing is important.

 A baseball player must have some concept of timing if he is to be successful at the plate.  The young man must determine when the time is right before he proceeds to ask his beloved to become his wife.  The weekend gardener selects the right time to plant.

Jesus knew the time was right. He saw God’s plans developing before his eyes.  He recognized that he was at the place, at the time, that God had decided for him.  He didn’t take a chance or roll the dice, he was certain that God’s plan for his life was coming together and he declared, “the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”

How can we get to the point that we can exclaim with the confidence that Jesus had that the timing is right for ‘whatever it is’ that we may have been contemplating for a while?  Our first inclination is to do the research, make preparations, construct a plan and then wait for a sign or forge ahead.  We certainly have a part to play in life’s decisions.

Lent reminds us that first and foremost, our focus should be on God.  Daily, we should seek God’s direction in our lives through prayer and reading the Bible.  Lent also reminds us that regularly practicing the spiritual disciplines of worship, serving others, and sharing in Christian conversation helps us to maintain a relationship with God that will inform us when making decisions.  

May this season of Lent be the beginning of new habits in your life that facilitate a growing relationship with God.  The time is right.

Written by Danny Leonard

Who will you listen to?

Matthew 21:6-11 

and 27:15-24

How often do we listen to the crowd instead of believing what Jesus has taught us?  It is so easy to go along with the voices we hear from people who very probably don’t care about us and who will tear us down at the first opportunity.  Only God wants the best for us and we so often miss a blessing because we are listening to other people.

There was once a little frog that was in a contest to see which of many little frogs could be the first to climb up a tall tower and reach the top.  Crowds gathered as the frogs started to climb and soon voices were heard saying, “You’ll never do it!”  “It’s too hard!” “You’re too small!”  And, sure enough, one by one the little frogs began to fall until finally only the one little frog remained in the contest.  He continued to climb until he reached the very top!  When he came down everyone was amazed and asking him how he did it.  When he didn’t reply his friend turned to the crowd and said, “He can’t hear you.” “He is deaf.”

  

On the Sunday before Jesus was nailed to the cross, he experienced a triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  Everyone was shouting “Hosanna!” “Hosanna!” and placing palm branches on the road for his colt to walk on to bring him into Jerusalem.  The crowds were so excited!  Then on Friday many of those same people were shouting “Crucify him.”  “Crucify him.”  What had changed?  Only the words from the voices differed.  The people were going along with whatever the majority of loud mouths shouted. 

So, will we listen to the shouts or will we listen to God?

Written by Brenda Whicker

With us...with strength

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

God comforts us, in this passage, so that we can comfort others.  “To comfort” doesn’t mean to speak empty words; sometimes it doesn’t mean speaking at all.  It almost certainly means listening.

There’s a profundity to simply being present for someone in a time of sorrow or fear.  A friend sits with her neighbor in a hospital waiting room during the neighbor’s husband’s surgery.  A young woman fails a college exam and her dad drops everything and drives two hours to take her to dinner.  It’s not difficult to sit in a waiting room or to take an unscheduled road trip.  But it’s important.

The word “comfort” comes from the Latin “confortare.”  Its roots are “con” (“with”) and “fortitudo”(“strength”).  From that point of view, then, to comfort is to combine your strength with the sufferer’s.  It’s odd to think of sitting in a hospital chair or picking up the tab at an Applebee’s as a show of strength, but those acts are essential.  Jesus provided “comfort food” to strengthen his followers just as we do for our ill and bereaved. 

So who comforts the comforter?  God.  God sends us comfort in our tribulations and we use that strength to then comfort others.  We are the lightning rods to conduct that strength into the world.  Just as in the Lord’s Prayer we ask Him to “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” we ask Him to comfort us as we comfort those who need it. 

By the same token, perhaps we can’t fairly ask God to comfort us if we don’t offer that same comfort to others.  

“Emmanuel” means “God with us.”  Jesus is here, lending his strength, comforting, so that we may comfort others. 

Written by David Parker

The easiest difficult thing you will ever do

Mark 10:1-11:33

As I read scripture I like to imagine I’m a part of the written events – I’m really there.  A deeper understanding seems to develop as I feel a closeness to the people involved and things that are happening.  Try it.  Put yourself in the crowd watching for the Messiah to approach Jerusalem on that long ago Palm Sunday.  What are you and the people around you expecting?  A richly dressed king preparing for war?  A bigger-than-life example of mankind riding on a chariot drawn by powerful horses?  That was the main thought of many in the crowd, but that’s not what happened.  Jesus came into Jerusalem at the start of the week in which he would be crucified riding on a colt in his typical gentle and peaceful way.  He came as a part of God’s plan, not the plan hoped for by the mob.  We, as they, should always try to follow God’s plan.

Even though the crowd had some realization of Jesus as the fulfillment of ancient prophecies, they didn’t realize what path He would lead them on.  Actually, many people today still don’t understand or endeavor to follow that path. If we had been there we would have joined in the chorus of “Save!” and “Hosanna in the Highest!”

Not many days later, when Jesus was on trial, that same crowd cried out, “Crucify him!”  Think about it.  Would you have asked for his life or rushed to his side?  It is easier to choose God’s plan if we look to His two main directives:  love God and love each other.  As the days of our lives pass we find it somewhat easier to follow our plan instead of God’s.  But the eternal reward comes with being a part of God’s plan.

That last week of Jesus’ life teaches us many things; but, to me, one of the most important is that we give focused attention to God’s plan:  to live and pray with God’s interests.  God’s laws are wrapped in the language of love and that love should shape and design the fabric of our being.  It’s as easy and difficult as that!

“Hosanna!”  “The Son of God leads us to life eternal!”

Written by Billie Ann Haynes

There is no "They"

Jonah 4

I have an embarrassing confession.  I remember a time as a member of this church when I honestly thought there was a “they”.  I’m not sure exactly who I thought they were, but I knew they were out there, and I knew there was stuff they needed to be doing. Once, when we were having a meal in the PAC, (and I was a new, sleep–deprived mother, that is my excuse!) I actually thought, “Why don’t they have highchairs down here!? We have babies, why didn’t they think about that!”  I was immediately embarrassed to realize the absurdity of my line of thinking and went to get a highchair myself! 

But it was the beginning of an awakening around my assumptions about the life of Central UMC.  Had I assumed that because our congregation is large there had to be a they out there somewhere?  Was the they our paid staff, (all five of them for 250+ people?!?) Were they those that had more time, talents, knowledge, seniority?

  

Traditionally one might consider passages on the body of Christ and importance of using our spiritual gifts here, all good stuff.  But the passage brought to my mind is the fourth chapter of Jonah. (If you’ve never read the whole book, go past the whale- the last chapter is the best!) It is a rich chapter full of too much wisdom to dissect here, but God’s question to Jonah pierces right to the heart of our human tendencies, “Is it right for you to be angry about this _____,  though you did not tend it or make it grow?”

As I get more involved in the life of our church, I am amazed at how many  are tending and helping us grow.  From worship, to education, to service, too many to list, there are so many dedicated servants working behind the scenes to help our church live.  I’m not suggesting we sign up for every committee or project that comes along.  But the next time you find yourself wondering “Why don’t they…”  consider that there is no they here at Central UMC,  but there is a church family- there is Us!

Written by Jessica Talbert

Forget me not

Job 1:20-22

Redemption is a recurring theme in the Bible, but in order to receive it humankind must also be willing, I think, to humble themselves and recognize the sovereignty of God.  The remarkable thing is that Job, recognizing that he could not resist the sovereign God, did not merely maintain his spiritual composure but even found, in adversity, occasion for praise.   Perhaps in measuring the greatness of his losses, Job took stock of the abundance which had all the while been entrusted to his stewardship.  Instead, this hour of his desolation was a moment of truth for him.  Stripped naked of the things of this world, Job was unusually sensible of God’s confronting presence.   

Often I have read the book of Job and wondered why he had to suffer so much loss to prove his steadfastness to his beliefs.  God chose a special person in Job and there are probably many others throughout history that could have withstood such hardship and still believed and praised an unfailing Lord.  Perhaps we don’t know until we are put to the test with some catastrophic event or just living with an infirmity or handicap forever, with no hope of improvement.

As a nurse, I have seen much human suffering and indeed all of us will eventually face life’s stumbling blocks, whether physical or emotional, that test our faith and ability to overcome.  What I believe will sustain us is the ability to not let pride prevent us from recognizing our dependence on God and the example he gave us in Christ Jesus.  A simple little story of Adam and Eve in the garden when they were fleeing gives me hope.  They stepped on a little clump of tiny flowers – the forget me nots- and the flowers spoke to them not in words, but in wisdom; forget me not!  I believe that God is constantly reminding us in all kind of ways (if we look for them) that He is still there for us if we reach out to Him.  My patients often remind me that he helped them endure their sufferings and comforted them in their weakness.  Like Job, all we can really do is prepare our hearts to receive Him and offer him praise and worship in all that we do.

Written by Anne Wray

Press Pause

Psalm 121:1-8

I began a book earlier this new year titled Seven Sacred Pauses – Living Mindfully Through the Hours of the Day by Macrina Wiederkehr. Honestly, I don’t know when I’ll finish it because the book is intended as a long-term journey toward more mindful living.

The idea of pausing seven times each day for mediation and prayer isn’t a new one. Monastics have done this for centuries, but I am finding as a 21^st century Christian that making time for seven pauses throughout my day is extremely difficult, if not next to impossible. Even so, the pauses I do make have begun to loosen the knot of stressors I carry around in myself each day. In this new-found space, I am able to more clearly see the blessings that have been abundantly placed around me, and  see people and places in need of care.

I compiled the following “pause” from the Blessing Hour (which comes at mid-morning) portion of the book. As you read the verses from Psalm 121, I invite you to consider that you may be the person who has the opportunity to share the promises found here with someone else.

Opening

O Spirit of the Circling Hours work through me that I may be your love poured out.

Psalm 121:1-8

Closing Prayer

O Spirit Come…

Come with your transforming power. Breathe upon and into my thoughts and actions this day. Let my work be a labor of love. May those who come in contact with me feel sheltered and cared for. May I do or say some small piece of goodness that will help others feel affirmed and supported. Let your wind and fire move me into the places where I am needed. Let me become your breath so that I may assist you in breathing new life into places that are stale and unfruitful. Make me forceful and gentle, powerful and humble. O Spirit, Come!

Written by Danny Buckner