tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83949902940664793212024-02-02T16:20:01.983-06:00A United MethodOvercoming the overwhelmingJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.comBlogger780125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-12574529817344979512021-04-11T13:07:00.001-05:002021-04-11T13:07:59.287-05:00A Love Letter to First United Methodist Church in Dothan<p>Dear First United Methodist Church in Dothan,</p><p>I love you. I am writing to let you know that I will be appointed to Gadsden Street United Methodist Church, in Pensacola, on July 1st, 2021. Cheryl will be appointed to Pensacola's Bright Bridge Ministries.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZF3xx3izuG986wwthS2DTfhU39JD32KFgjjzvvCVkTQ5BKO0IbyKIwD-kwomP2b670ZWv13emv2eUnURSZciz44Rjs0yBrgdc1XGRSMJHeoqIuxtDVYMykQjCN_FX7F759h891Rcu9dU/s4032/PXL_20201007_144124701.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZF3xx3izuG986wwthS2DTfhU39JD32KFgjjzvvCVkTQ5BKO0IbyKIwD-kwomP2b670ZWv13emv2eUnURSZciz44Rjs0yBrgdc1XGRSMJHeoqIuxtDVYMykQjCN_FX7F759h891Rcu9dU/s320/PXL_20201007_144124701.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me! In a well!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>One of the joys of ministry in the United Methodist Church is that I get to be a part of something bigger than myself. Indeed, that broadness of the church is how God brought me to FUMC. That wideness is one reason I know the church will be fine even after I leave. God is always sending help.</p><p>It is frustrating when that help moves on. I feel like I've been at First Methodist for too short a time. Real quick, here are some things I will grieve in the move:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I was just getting to know you. This pandemic certainly got in the way!</li><li>I won't get to hear Promise every Sunday. Until now, I haven't served a church with such a FULL cast of self-less and talented servants. </li><li>We won't get to start a new worship service together. The best days of First Methodist are ahead and my contribution to that will be less than I was hoping.</li><li>Dothan. I looked forward to my kids growing up here because it is such a great community.</li></ul><div>There are things that excite me:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The next pastor coming to First Methodist will have new ideas and faith to share. I pray he and his family will be received with the same love and hospitality that my family has experienced.</li><li>The challenge of inviting Gadsden Street United Methodist into wherever God is leading them to be.</li><li>Being closer to family.</li><li>Learning from the mistakes of my past so that I can be the best pastor in the second half of my life.</li><li>Auburn having a new coach (sorry, War Eagle!).</li></ul><div>You will have new pastors but I'll always be your brother in Christ.</div></div><p>In my time at First Methodist, you've probably heard me say that I'm glad we get to do this together. Of course now it feels like that isn't true., but it still is! This just won't look like we thought. Wherever I go I'll take Dothan First Methodist with me.</p><p>I love you. I'm grateful for you. The future of First United Methodist Church is in good hands. Yours! May they be the hands of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.</p>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-3262763928132894542020-09-30T09:41:00.000-05:002020-09-30T09:41:00.978-05:00Produce Sermon Series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rlk1N1IgIrjBNQ42W3lxc9VbDo3LAigDwunpkLBEx-iodIMMV1E1RuIVnkmtiH1qPtUsK1Rm1RqKjzHPNwn03iGW6QG_nzXzIkERf87MPF1zGibCsT0rLkdxTem4318bMeKv0i-BicFS/s1920/Copy+of+Produce_+Obedience.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rlk1N1IgIrjBNQ42W3lxc9VbDo3LAigDwunpkLBEx-iodIMMV1E1RuIVnkmtiH1qPtUsK1Rm1RqKjzHPNwn03iGW6QG_nzXzIkERf87MPF1zGibCsT0rLkdxTem4318bMeKv0i-BicFS/s320/Copy+of+Produce_+Obedience.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Loving God and loving neighbor should create something in our lives. It sure feels like all the junk we are living through sure is. So I want to encourage you - five fruits that go along with living a life of faith. All the clips are below, and while the worship services were fun, I've linked at the sermon. Shoot me a message or comment below if you'd like to talk about any of them! Enjoy.<div><br /></div><div>Humility</div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QqjDltVAvrk?start=1536" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><div>Compassion</div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qfm8a5rCA3c?start=1386" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><div>Wisdom</div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TmHge0WpMYc?start=1842" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><div>Forgiveness</div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3FIjZC6ZJmE?start=1411" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Obedience</div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qi8sj-sxg7g?start=1288" width="560"></iframe></div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-1814626694152985982020-09-11T15:59:00.010-05:002020-09-11T15:59:57.956-05:00Prayer for 9/11<p> This is my prayer this morning from the Mayor's press conference. Thought I'd share it!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXZEUt0mtpo4gbn6EpoO5jPqAilGLwrLbuQpvsiDl-IC_iy8HWiXMl8GGTxTMPKnxWENBTb8tK_JbjyHNZpE_Uvyqb3qUTZWx5au3NPdRGbDO5nfLOx24CdvMBra2m9KU3bEBaL_y4jxF/s1556/9-11-moved-them-most-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXZEUt0mtpo4gbn6EpoO5jPqAilGLwrLbuQpvsiDl-IC_iy8HWiXMl8GGTxTMPKnxWENBTb8tK_JbjyHNZpE_Uvyqb3qUTZWx5au3NPdRGbDO5nfLOx24CdvMBra2m9KU3bEBaL_y4jxF/s320/9-11-moved-them-most-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We take a moment to pause, and remember. </p><p>May we never forget.</p><p>May we never forget the selfless actions of men and women who rushed into burning buildings in New York City and Virginia. May we never forget determined women and men who brought their own plane down in Pennsylvania, to deny their hijackers their target. May we never forget the friends, sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, people whose absence has made these past 19 years infinitely more difficult. </p><p>May we never forget the brave men and women who have made the last 19 years more peaceful and stable.</p><p>May we never forget the unity we felt in the face of evil and a changed world. Our grief, our anger, our despair. </p><p>But Lord, on this day, there are things I pray we will forget.</p><p>I pray we can forget our need for vengeance. May we remember your call for justice and mercy, brought together in a way that creates a world where people would never think that flying planes into buildings is somehow God’s will.</p><p>I pray we can forget our need for blame. May we instead discover our own part in creating a world that honors those taken 19 years ago.</p><p>I pray we will forget our own shortcomings. Not that we would turn a blind eye, but that they can be addressed, dealt with, and redeemed so that 19 years from now, we haven’t forgotten them or your love.</p><p>In this season of pandemic, our past calls with lessons that our hearts need to hear. May we never forget.</p><p>You never forget us - and we pray we won’t forget each other. On this Patriot’s Day, may we remember.</p><p>In Jesus name I pray, Amen.</p><div><br /></div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-87409600431682646982020-09-03T09:58:00.001-05:002020-09-03T09:59:16.566-05:00Radical Hospitality Small Group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VcbfHmgrkbPLBVWd73iyQzMOooi6hNg1U0y4pfWRpKAONbCrLz0TSbr2E4We6texIz_2iCDXEA_O9s3oI3iwZ-SCgWcn6EFLLoWQiN9H8foA7RhQKWiujDOL6djszZzY_5Aos_yBpcjR/s1080/Radical+Hospitality+Advert.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VcbfHmgrkbPLBVWd73iyQzMOooi6hNg1U0y4pfWRpKAONbCrLz0TSbr2E4We6texIz_2iCDXEA_O9s3oI3iwZ-SCgWcn6EFLLoWQiN9H8foA7RhQKWiujDOL6djszZzY_5Aos_yBpcjR/s320/Radical+Hospitality+Advert.png" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">How can we be better neighbors during a pandemic? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm teaching a class on this and would love for you to be a part of it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">6pm on Wednesdays starting September 16th for five weeks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It'll be in-person (with social distancing), but it will also be online. I don't mean I'll just be live-streaming it, I mean I'm going to strive to have participation during the class. Material will be provided, but mostly we will be using Scripture because it is COVERED UP with some radical hospitality. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Interested? <a href="https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904044cacab23a7ff2-jack">Sign up here for in-person</a> but RSVP with me if you'd like to be a part of it online.</span></p><p><br /></p>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-29641803407850001332020-08-17T15:07:00.000-05:002020-08-17T15:07:18.924-05:00Getting What You DO and what you DON'T Deserve<p>Christians love to talk about people getting what they deserve. Or if it's Easter time, getting what we don't deserve. Two sermons below. One about God giving us what we don't deserve and one about God giving us what we do.</p><p>This sermon references <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+14%3A13-21&version=NRSV" target="_blank">Matthew 14:13-21.</a></p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ed0nPi1eKOw?start=1635" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><br /></p><p>This sermon references <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+19%3A11-14&version=NRSV" target="_blank">1 Kings 19:11-14.</a></p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ok9qTJ5oBNo?start=1647" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-59580052748681999552020-08-10T19:35:00.000-05:002020-08-10T19:35:35.464-05:00Walking with the Spirit<p>How do you walk with God when you can't walk anymore? I've already talked about <a href="http://www.unitedmethod.com/2020/07/walking-with-son.html" target="_blank">finding God where we are</a>, and <a href="http://www.unitedmethod.com/2020/08/walking-with-father.html" target="_blank">finding God where we are going</a>. I hope this sermon helps your walk. It's below.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3rBGgJGUBKnj2ifi3N34MWqpt9o0grJAl-EfeEDXvDakaLHZnhPz9fSiZLkTwYfFDJD0JtQYbEZNsR26Mjn2UvzVmV0ux0uEuB28wSe5H1F3xEeRCqHFKnADsrh0ZgtTm8kP4AFkk7HC/s2048/IMG_20200529_090800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3rBGgJGUBKnj2ifi3N34MWqpt9o0grJAl-EfeEDXvDakaLHZnhPz9fSiZLkTwYfFDJD0JtQYbEZNsR26Mjn2UvzVmV0ux0uEuB28wSe5H1F3xEeRCqHFKnADsrh0ZgtTm8kP4AFkk7HC/s640/IMG_20200529_090800.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VAq1h3-Usv0?start=1546" width="560"></iframe>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-20933283440561373392020-08-05T12:06:00.008-05:002020-08-05T12:13:17.776-05:00Walking with the FatherWhere are we going? Well, in a certain way, back where we came from. And to that point, you can find the first sermon in this series <a href="http://www.unitedmethod.com/2020/07/walking-with-son.html">here</a>.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJxWL7Mv8qRsdvQW1x73VBcd-r6ycK781WjQRbIb6EC819v2YBCNxlACVwa7y30V6Rtmgc4nIum9IarbtXNLhva7TB0zG5qNfYNTVKDueRpnMfopPTFYiBanKF2eYD6gbhpuxj1vvBGcv/s4032/IMG_20200720_191603.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJxWL7Mv8qRsdvQW1x73VBcd-r6ycK781WjQRbIb6EC819v2YBCNxlACVwa7y30V6Rtmgc4nIum9IarbtXNLhva7TB0zG5qNfYNTVKDueRpnMfopPTFYiBanKF2eYD6gbhpuxj1vvBGcv/s640/IMG_20200720_191603.jpg" /></a></div><div>The 2nd in a series focused on Romans 8 and looking at walking with God, I hope this sermon will help you look towards where God is taking us.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EBj3JgQDwUs?start=1337" width="560"></iframe>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-23658127419414945682020-07-21T12:45:00.002-05:002020-08-05T12:14:11.184-05:00Walking with the SonIt's always nice to walk with someone who doesn't judge you. The next in the sermon series is <a href="http://www.unitedmethod.com/2020/08/walking-with-father.html">here</a>. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqU1S5kuzTO3oMPk9EHtk1VBhS1F9GoM2g6kt7K9nrlnj976UyhebxP3z1O7hBjzr2vCQKGYvuk9Fxoxrn_VrxlQ6JucI_lGdyb4Las8_CR6mlQYQi-pT4OofNz_CmJlUXmM7MwL12VYj/s1542/IMG_20190923_073623_980.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1542" data-original-width="1542" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqU1S5kuzTO3oMPk9EHtk1VBhS1F9GoM2g6kt7K9nrlnj976UyhebxP3z1O7hBjzr2vCQKGYvuk9Fxoxrn_VrxlQ6JucI_lGdyb4Las8_CR6mlQYQi-pT4OofNz_CmJlUXmM7MwL12VYj/s320/IMG_20190923_073623_980.jpg" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div>I preached this past week on walking with Jesus, and I think it is worth hearing. It's below and I hope it gives you hope!</div><div><br /></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pEJ2T0MO3u4?start=1368" width="560"></iframe></div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-12384995128611276842020-04-28T07:55:00.003-05:002020-04-28T14:22:52.182-05:00Wilderness<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixoyEIyhamhUkQ4LyJsXWrWBLA_tAGouzuEtygYTyZYtOVUyEi40Bh-QSpJmRCbIkEkrcgR97ev3nzVwmmoO37B9Bh26zDZbsgvN_s7pe6ieb4D8kZXqxJi4VxHjGen5ojw1ZZj1M79WM/s1600/wilderness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixoyEIyhamhUkQ4LyJsXWrWBLA_tAGouzuEtygYTyZYtOVUyEi40Bh-QSpJmRCbIkEkrcgR97ev3nzVwmmoO37B9Bh26zDZbsgvN_s7pe6ieb4D8kZXqxJi4VxHjGen5ojw1ZZj1M79WM/s400/wilderness.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trees, yo. Love them. Well, being with them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I am in a wilderness. I know a thing or two about unfamiliar and dangerous places. I'm a four on the enneagram. Having an existential crisis is my jam. I know a thing or two about wilderness. I took a cross-country road trip in a '91 Honda Civic (coincidentally it was the last time gas was a dollar a gallon). The wilderness is my friend. I don't mean friend as in the kind that wants to fix you pancakes. I mean the kind of friend that will stop at nothing to keep you out all night. I enjoy being in dangerous places because it frees me of the illusion of safety behind the walls of society. But that illusion has always been there. Waiting and wooing and just a short distance for me to come "home."<br />
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But this is different. I don't know this place. What do you do with your existential crisis when everyone else is having an existential crisis? When it feels like everyone is in a wilderness?<br />
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This wilderness is not my friend. It is not soft and cuddly and danger-free. This wilderness only brings death. Fear. Sin. Did you know the Greek word for "sin" basically means missing the mark? How can you even take a shot when you aren't clear on what you are aiming for?<br />
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I am in "not now." Trapped by time. By circumstance. Like I'm supposed to be in a different place. This is not a bad week that disappears with a weekend at Disney or a good night sleep. Besides, who can do that right now anyway? When we go to a hotel or some unfamiliar place and try to sleep half our brain stays awake just in case. No one sleeps in the wilderness. Not now. You ever see the movie "The Grey" where Liam Neeson fights against the existential crisis of cold and wolves? Yeah. The wilderness. I feel trapped like in that movie. Neeson's character keeps having flashbacks to better times and keeps getting yanked back into the present to continue the struggle. Each of the men of his group succumb to the wilderness. Even this one guy who just gives up in the middle of the beautiful weather because he decides that this space is not worth leaving. I can't tell which guy I am and how I go, but it's the wilderness. We all go.<br />
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You know why Israel is constantly testing God in the wilderness? Because it is the wilderness. There isn't anything else to test. You know what the beasts will do. You know what the sun will do. You know what happens without fresh water. But we don't yet know what God will do. When Israel complained to Moses that he brought them out there to die, I wish God had told Moses to pass along the obvious: "Yeah! Duh, it's the wilderness! I hope you die out here! I hope all your misconceptions, all your insecurities, all those parts of you that you think are you but aren't will all return to the dust that they came from so that I can give you life again." Places of comfort. Places of security, control, or approval. Gone. So those can be found elsewhere.<br />
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"Not now," is killing me.<br />
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I am in "not that." What do you do when every idea you have to manage the situation is spent and left worthless in freeing you and those you love from this prison? This isn't whack-a-mole. This isn't minesweeper. When I look through the tool shed of my life there isn't a blade sharp enough to slay this giant. No one resource is abundant enough to sustain me. How much rejection can one person take before their heart shrivels and dies?<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnNVQ2SswuWSnKWhbVsOUkyV5PgebEsDyDjC666gRBs_t-v3ybMTU0ivVJPvyjt6AXvH08Gyd5ONOyaWEgzsFiaXKrKtzG5A3FmsRCFH0Hk4PQyDcTtGi_u1OMeoZNErlM4a-ApYbTXht/s1600/heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnNVQ2SswuWSnKWhbVsOUkyV5PgebEsDyDjC666gRBs_t-v3ybMTU0ivVJPvyjt6AXvH08Gyd5ONOyaWEgzsFiaXKrKtzG5A3FmsRCFH0Hk4PQyDcTtGi_u1OMeoZNErlM4a-ApYbTXht/s400/heart.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter made this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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"Not that," is killing me.<br />
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The worst part is here I am experiencing a lot of "not you."<br />
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I've lived under the illusion that one day, it would be time for me to throw my hat in the ring. One day, a challenge would be before me that I was made to address. One day, I would leap, willing and able, into the battle. I'd go at the devil with a sword and be victorious. One day, I would be martyred to exemplify the love and life of Jesus Christ and it would make God and everyone proud. Besides, what do you think preachers do all day with their time? Well, this ain't it. This is not the moment. This is not the time. I am not the guy. Apparently this is for others to conquer.<br />
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And yet. For all the "not" in my life, there are some glimmers of hope. The wilderness is not devoid of God's presence, just devoid of my attention to it. The wilderness is not devoid of lessons that bring life, just devoid of the avoidance of death.<br />
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God help us. I wish I could tell you I was ready for this. That you were ready for this. Maybe you are. The wilderness is a place where we are forced to do without. You can't go into the wilderness with a full canteen, backpack filled to the brim with gear or all the food you care to eat. There must be risk. If you aren't struggling, you aren't growing.<br />
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I wish I could tell you it is all well and good. I wish I could say that there is enough for everyone and there won't be pain or difficulty. I wish I could tell you I'll come away from this unscathed. But man oh man, if Jesus in the resurrection still has his scars from the cross, then why should I act like mine will disappear? Like a resurrected Jack would have pristine skin and zero indication of the hard knocks?<br />
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Maybe this is the great blessing of this wilderness. Those who survive (and if you stretch the timeline out long enough, God is infinitely patient, right Sally?) will have some amazing scars to show that will testify to the resurrection.<br />
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Look, I've got it easy. The first moment I knew this crisis was serious is when we had to buy scented toilet paper instead of our usual benign kind. That pales in comparison to people losing their lives or people losing their jobs.<br />
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To hell with this wilderness. It is hell. I'm coming out of this place. You are coming with me. I'm striving to let the worst of me die. I hope the worst of you will die too. I hope we hear, not now, not that, and not you enough that the only thing left in our lives is the resurrected Christ for us to cling to.<br />
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I am in a season of wilderness. It won't last forever, but I hope I make the most of the lessons it will afford me. God is with us. I'm glad we have each other.Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-5189206137924859012020-04-05T19:55:00.001-05:002020-04-05T19:55:41.651-05:00Hosanna, for real.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There have been many Palm Sundays in my career as a pastor. Most of them, have come and gone without so much as a bump in the road. But this year?<br /><br />Hosanna. That strange exclamation is used, specifically on Palm Sunday, and sometimes on other holidays. Originally it was a form of "Save us!" Much like Hosea's name means something akin to "he saves" so Jerusalemites, on Palm Sunday, ask Jesus to save them with the cry of Hosanna.<br />
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We have forgotten what it is to desire salvation from what we are powerless to control. Our friends, family, and news feeds are full of people who have, in their "most vulnerable" moments have cried - literally cried - please, God, please, save me. Save her. Save him. Please, I'm directing everything I am and everything I have to shift reality from death to life.<br />
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It is a sadness, a hopelessness, a despair that we'd really rather not encounter if we can avoid it. So for those who have no choice, for those who wouldn't choose this, and for those who still live under the impression that they have some control here somehow...<br />
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Jesus shows up. Triumphantly. Not like we would if we were him (He's not a better version of you, you are a misaligned version of him) but in the way we need. Humbly, confidently, and without a need to prove himself. His only desire is to restore what was lost. To bring home those who are scattered. To bring health and wholeness to those denied the simple reality of being human.<br /><br />He too, will say Hosanna this week. But we aren't there yet. Today, I hope you'll simply get as close to honesty with "Hosanna" as possible. It's going to be a wild ride.<br />
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<br />Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-82702760188185385712020-03-24T09:14:00.001-05:002020-03-24T15:05:44.227-05:00It's Time to Remember<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Howdy! With every disruption or surprise, we have a chance to return to what we know. What do you hope to remember in this time? I was asked to be a part of First Methodist Pensacola's Lenten Sermon Series. With churches not meeting right now, I thought the least I could do was record a devotional. Text of it is below.<br />
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In this video, I hope to encourage you in this Lenten season. Lent is the season before Easter where Christians fast, pray, and turn their hearts towards God so that when Easter does come, we see our need for it and appreciate, as best we can, the full weight of resurrection. Overcoming sin and death means a bit more when you are aware of your wrestling with sin and death.<br />
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I think, in light of this coronavirus crisis, you and I will have a lot to celebrate come Easter. In fact, it doesn’t really even matter what the date is on the calendar - once this season ends and we can share joy and sing praises to God, hug and feel alive again, that’s when resurrection will be real. That’s when it’ll be Easter. When we are together again.<br />
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Well, how are we going to get there? First, go ahead and turn your Bible to Matthew 25. And as you do, I have a few questions for you.<br />
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Simple yes and no questions. Can you remember the first time you rode a bike? Can you remember your favorite food as a child? Can you remember the last time you washed your hands? Did you remember to unplug the iron? You remember to feed the dog? Brush your teeth? Today, I want to talk today about what we remember.<br />
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Believe it or not, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A34-40&version=NRSV">Matthew 25</a> has a story about what we remember.<br />
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In this passage Jesus is in Jerusalem. He’s been teaching his followers, challenging his detractors, and healing people left in need by the religious establishment. He’s getting so feisty that the religious leaders are plotting how to kill him.<br />
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I bet you’ve heard this story before. It is typically used as a warning. You don’t want to be a goat! As if being a sheep sounds like a good thing haha. Goats bad, sheep good! Evil on one side and the righteous on the other! Yay! This is perfect. The story is Christianity 101, right? The real reason this is Christianity 101 is because it is a story about what we should remember because it is a story about what Jesus remembers. To point, let me read verses 34-40.<br />
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In tumultuous times, when the world is shifting under our feet, we often, subconsciously, lean into what we remember. We revert back to stories about what the world is like and test those truths inside our new normal.<br />
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So much of what Christians and the church have been doing suddenly doesn’t make sense anymore. I’ve seen a lot of people on twitter say they weren’t planning on giving up this much for Lent.<br />
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While we may not have chosen it, <b>God will use it.</b><br />
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In a lot of ways, Christians don’t stop doing what we’ve always done. Following Jesus, we find ways to share new life, to offer forgiveness, to meet people’s needs.<br />
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<b>Simply put, Christians DO what Jesus DID and DOES. </b><br />
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That hasn’t changed, even as our circumstances have. I hope you’ll give yourself a little grace in figuring out how to do this, in light of our current circumstances.<br />
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In the Bible, Jesus was able to forgive so readily because he constantly remembered God. He consistently remembered who he was. And whether in deed or statement, Jesus remembered those who were important to his heavenly Father.<br />
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This is why Matthew 25 is so important.<br />
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Indeed, Jesus will soon - very soon - face his betrayal, his death, and embrace resurrection. Both in Matthew 25 and in this lenten season, we are at an important crossroads.<br />
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What will we remember from this season? Or better yet, while we are here, what will we remember is important to us?<br />
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Jesus tells story after story and uses metaphor after metaphor to try to get the point across: Remember who God is. Remember who you are. Remember who is important to God.<br />
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Jesus had his work cut out for him. Over time, God had gotten a reputation associated less with the actions of the living God and more associated with the actions of the followers of Yahweh. Israel believed, despite what the Scriptures said, that God blessed the clean people and cursed the unclean people. Even as the law of Israel honors the orphan and the widow, Israel chose to honor those who could maintain a strict adherence to the law, and reject those who could not, or would not, maintain the letter of it all.<br />
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When Christians point to the God of the Old Testament versus the God of the New Testament, we are usually pointing out what people remember about God. Jesus, however, corrected this perspective so both of the Testaments - which is just a reminder of God’s will - realign into the saving work of a person who is both God and human.<br />
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<b>Jesus is God’s answer to a bad reputation. </b>Which is why we have this story in Matthew 25. This is who God is. What is Jesus trying to tell us about who God is? Well, Jesus tells this story primarily to point out what matters to God. The King. The shepherd that would keep goats and sheep together and value both.<br />
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Jesus wants us to remember that the King identifies with the needy. Hungry? Thirsty? Naked? A stranger? Imprisoned or sick? The King doesn’t just claim these people. In Jesus’ parable, they ARE the king, as far as the King is concerned. The King is with them.<br />
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Just because we have isolated ourselves, because we have quarantined, because you can’t go into work, because we can’t do what we once did… it doesn’t mean these people cease to exist or that we should lose heart.<br />
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<b>God is always for us, never against them.</b><br />
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We must remember that God is for them as well. We were once a “they” at some point. Perhaps someone has blamed you for their circumstances. Maybe you’ve done some horrible things or been touched by some horrible things others have done. God is still for you. Even if you’d like to forget it, God wants good for them as well.<br />
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And this is what the sheep in Jesus’ story seem to remember. The sheep care for the needy. Not because they see, or remember the King, but because they remember that the needy are people too or at least were once needy.<br />
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The connection is so drastic, that when pressed, The King responds in verse 35 in personal terms - the needy fade into the background.<br />
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We spend so much time remembering things that are not as important to God as they are to us.<br />
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We can, we can, we can remember what is important because God has remembered what is important. If you hear nothing else today, hear this: "for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’"<br />
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<b>YOU have not been forgotten.</b> You have not been abandoned. You are remembered by Jesus Christ. You are important to Jesus.<br />
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What are we remembering in our lives? What are we holding on to? What stories are we telling and what motivations do we harbor? The sheep and the goats is a story about what God remembers. And God remembers you.<br />
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The challenge for us in this Lenten season is to become hyper-local. Take every necessary precaution to avoid spreading infection. “Social Distancing” is important, but we can’t stop being human. I encourage you to talk with your family, talk with your neighbors. Talk with you church small groups about ways that y’all can do what the sheep do in this story.<br />
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It’ll be a challenge, but you were made for this! This is why we are Easter people, even when it isn’t Easter.<br />
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Y’all, Jesus is waiting out there somewhere behind closed doors. We all know someone who has lost their job. Someone who is anxious about their parents. Someone who is anxious about themselves. Someone who suddenly is having a hard time remembering who they are and what they should be doing. We all know someone who is sick and in need of some resurrection.<br />
May we recognize how Jesus meets our needs and in turn, join the Holy Spirit in remembering the same creativity that made our traditions what they are.<br />
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This has to happen in conversation, not in a devotional. Go to the church website, go to my blog. Go onto social media. Find places to have this conversation, and I hope you’ll invite me too!<br />
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Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-31110583523738319992020-03-18T18:02:00.000-05:002020-03-18T20:19:49.148-05:00So much noise...The last few days have been weird. I mean, email after email from businesses I forgot even existed have emailed me. On social media post after post about toilet paper.<br />
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I don't know what else seems to have proliferated in your life now that we are working our way towards "the curve" but I bet you've noticed what I've noticed...<br />
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Preacher after preacher after preacher posting their thoughts online. They are everywhere. People I haven't seen in years, there they are - in their full shell-shocked-I-don't-know-what-instagram-is glory. Video after video of people praying and reading Scripture and suggesting things to calm your fears. Livestream after livestream of people praying and reading the Bible and comforting and challenging and talking. Churches I didn't know existed are livestreaming. It doesn't seem like it will EVER end! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brian.erickson.5439">Brian Erickson</a> won't shut up!<br />
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And you know what I think? Good. Give me more. I hope it never stops.<br />
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Truth is, maybe we haven't really used tech to truly create community. For all the talk of creating Sabbath by getting off social media, I, like so many others, don't know how I'd get by without it right now. It reminds me of this God, who loves to even use instruments of death as a way to bring new life. Sorry, it isn't Easter yet, I got carried away.<br />
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There is a lot of room for figuring out how to do this better. And I applaud those who will return to social media at the end of Lent to discover the ground has shifted. (I read there is some German Big Brother type show where the people have been in the house since February 6th and no one has told them about the coronavirus) We have a long way to go, together. Like our Senior Pastor, Jim Sanders reminds us so often - inhale faith, exhale fear.<br />
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But for now? Spit it out. Tell me what you think. Share with everyone in any way you can (safely) a good word of encouragement. Share your reality even. Share your tricks or dreams or quotes. Like our Executive Pastor, Mary Noble Parrish, has reminded us the past few days - share where you've seen God!<br />
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If you aren't a preacher, please, don't leave it to the preachers. We aren't always the smartest, most eloquent, or best informed. Somewhere we got into our heads that we have something to say that will benefit the people care about. We risk rejection, embarrassment, and the eternal memory of the internet just to try and be nice to people.<br />
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You can too. This is not just an existential crisis for so many of us. It is a life or death struggle. Set aside that fear and add to the chorus cheering others on. Tell your friends how you love them. Give someone that recipe that you've always loved but were afraid would be too weird. Share your thoughts on Scripture, pray together over skype, share it all. Every bit. Let's overload google and facebook and every platform we can take with faith, hope, and love.<br />
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Two great conversations I've had left me dreaming about what is possible.<br />
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First, my friend Eric said everyone should, "act like you've got the virus." And while he definitely was referring to how we should make wise decisions interacting with people we share space with, I thought about how true this is for how Christians should go about loving God and loving neighbor. We need the greatest care. Let's be intentional, not isolated. Loneliness is a state of mind and even those with the virus (sin, if you'd like), have something to offer to move towards resurrection.<br />
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Second, my friend <a href="https://twitter.com/clayfarrington">Clay</a> said, "this is a great time to stop asking what we can do and instead ask who should we be." (of course he gave up twitter for Lent) For so long the church has functioned within the comfortable constraints of muscle memory. Now we have the opportunity to not just shift what we are doing, but get there by thinking about who we want to be in light of the resurrection. Look, no one would choose to create this turmoil. Who would will this suffering into being? Romans 8:28 makes me think differently about where I go from here.<br />
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I saw lots of people on twitter say they didn't plan on giving up so much for Lent. I didn't realize I'd receive so much. Keep it coming.<br />
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<br />Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-52869495339593215802020-03-15T09:24:00.003-05:002020-03-15T09:24:37.298-05:00Quick Thoughts on a Weird SundayI encourage you to check out our <a href="http://www.fumcdothan.org/">church's website </a>and hear encouragement from our Senior Pastor, Dr. Jim Sanders, about how our church will respond to the current crisis.<br />
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Meh. Yeah, not worshiping together this morning is frustrating. While this may be my present circumstances, I'm also mindful that there are people who have been affected by this in much more serious ways. As Rev. Lynn Nesbitt encouraged our congregation some months ago, (and I distinctly remember because it is set to song in Frozen 2), we can always do the next right thing.<br />
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What is the next right thing? I have some thoughts on that. Specifically with handling our current situation if you feel powerless to make actual change, or perhaps you feel this whole thing is blown out of proportion - it might be, but there are still ways to make the most of the opportunity. Below you'll find some quick encouragement for today, and any day, you feel trapped. God desires healing for us! Let's join Jesus in making that happen.<br />
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If reading is your thing, and not videos, it boils down to this:<br />
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<li><b>Go outside.</b> Specifically stay active. The quarantine is not a judgment on enjoying things, just on gathering super close to people who may or may not be infected. As long as you take the appropriate precautions (wash your hands, don't touch your face, etc) being at the park is not any better/worse than being at home. </li>
<li><b>Check on your neighbors.</b> A quarantine is designed to slow the spread of the disease but an unfortunate side-effect is isolation. I know you introverts are celebrating that you can be alone, but us extroverts can scratch our social itch and be a help at the same time. Check with the people living next to you and find out what kind of needs they have.</li>
<li><b>Find encouragement in John 9:1-12</b>. This part is a little long to write out, but basically let's not forget that God desires healing for everyone, EVERY human can offer healing, and we can all share in God's work of bringing health, wholeness, and joy into people's lives. Quarantine or no.</li>
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<br />Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-16040523981431073482020-02-06T11:08:00.002-06:002020-02-06T11:08:58.990-06:00The Right PurposeWhy are people so angry? Why do you care about this travesty but not that one? Why are we so divided? This past Sunday I preached about having the right purpose, I hope it helps. Audio is linked below the title slide.<br />
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Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-64253156429593832702020-01-02T12:12:00.000-06:002020-01-02T12:12:34.238-06:00Happy New Year!Throughout the month of December I preached a series on how Jesus can be our Prince of Peace as we work our way towards Isaiah's vision of the Peaceable Realm. The last sermon was on pain and I wanted to share it.<br />
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No matter how excited you are about 2020 being here, I hope you'll always feel like our suffering can be turned into joy. The sermon is here:<br />
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<br />Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-72611802350703428422019-12-23T07:30:00.000-06:002019-12-23T07:30:06.848-06:00Advent 23 - SongChristmas is song! Is there a song that encompasses the fullness of Christmas like “Joy To The World”?<br />
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Of all the songs we can sing this Christmas, Joy to the World is the one I have the hardest time letting go of until Christmas next year. It is the kind of song we can sing all the time, and echoes throughout the year.<br />
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It is also the song we need the most. I’m not sure the prevailing attitude in our world is joy. It won’t take long in 2020 for us to move towards cynicism. Our New Year's Resolutions may buckle under the weight of habit and routine. The unknowns of a new year will whisper fear and caution in our ears.<br />
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This song can keep us on track. The arrival of Jesus in our lives can bring joy, and we can sing this song either as an encouragement in bleak moments or a praise in the best moments. Christmas is almost here, and even once it is, we can do a lot to bring joy into this world. May *every* heart proclaim Christ as Lord. We can encourage others into this amazing life-changing journey! You were made for this.<br />
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We have a great version that feels as big as the occasion:<br />
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Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-687874985403322032019-12-22T07:00:00.000-06:002019-12-22T07:00:05.453-06:00Advent 22 - CandyChristmas is candy! The Candy Cane is so simple yet so wonderfully Christmas. The way it tastes. The way it looks. The way it smells. Parents nowadays will tell you that sugar makes our kids excited, but the candy cane began as a way to help children sit still in church! It is shaped like a shepherd’s cane to remind us of the shepherds who first heard about the birth of the Messiah. Traditionally the white candy represents the holiness of the Christ-child and the red stripes of the love of Christ in addressing our sins in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.<br />
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The candy cane is a wonderful example of how easily we can share small treats and be reminded of the Christmas story. Advent is almost over. Christmas is almost here. There is no expiration date on this story though. Taste and see that the Lord is good!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yDv640iHlOVFSFDTBA1Cuf68qOe7r7eT3RTAZG90XLnSF43QlL_WNnP7490LgjKXjcbmyQipDkh4U5ES7byZC424W6jQEmm94GwGFwvlFSXY4c3msWBx5b-NFN92fG7nSpQCnEBK0CcP/s1600/Canva+-+Gingerbread+Man+And+Candy+Canes+On+Snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yDv640iHlOVFSFDTBA1Cuf68qOe7r7eT3RTAZG90XLnSF43QlL_WNnP7490LgjKXjcbmyQipDkh4U5ES7byZC424W6jQEmm94GwGFwvlFSXY4c3msWBx5b-NFN92fG7nSpQCnEBK0CcP/s320/Canva+-+Gingerbread+Man+And+Candy+Canes+On+Snow.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by annca</td></tr>
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<br />Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-89173862569316342932019-12-21T08:51:00.000-06:002019-12-21T08:51:01.064-06:00Advent 21 - HopeChristmas is hope! Today is the shortest day of the year. Yes, you’ll get your full 24 hours, but here in the Northern Hemisphere the 21st is the Winter Solstice, which means the rotation of the Earth has the sun as far away from us as it will be for a year. As of 10:19pm tonight (in Dothan), we will reverse course and begin to move back towards the sun in our rotation. The great effect of this is that we will get more and more sunlight until the Summer Solstice. (if you want to read more about it, check it out: https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/december-solstice.html)<br />
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One tradition is that early Christians chose December 25th to celebrate the birth of Christ because it is when the light of the world begins to win the battle against the darkness. Pagans already had a holiday here and it made sense to look forward to brighter days, God’s presence, and the hope of freedom from the darkness.<br />
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Hope. You may not realize it, but we have had shorter and shorter days. Little by little we’ve moved further away from the sun. When the sun comes up on December 22nd, we will begin the slow journey closer and closer to the sun. It is not a stretch to say the same about moving towards the Son of God. Have hope – the light of the world is coming. There will be more light tomorrow than there was today. Let’s invite this light into our lives and be thankful.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXHROBd2vfhYb6v0S4owrGnStkQXJRXxfvH49wID-ob_gu-QJq-fdbbWkSSom6j-cA_VS7oBv9hjMXrbXmZ0-KW82-CefzUcfnV3voA-kitVL4ZE5oBWW7GmN0_NOOMJdB6CH_5ufTQ8a/s1600/Canva+-+Teal+Glass+Angel+Figurine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXHROBd2vfhYb6v0S4owrGnStkQXJRXxfvH49wID-ob_gu-QJq-fdbbWkSSom6j-cA_VS7oBv9hjMXrbXmZ0-KW82-CefzUcfnV3voA-kitVL4ZE5oBWW7GmN0_NOOMJdB6CH_5ufTQ8a/s320/Canva+-+Teal+Glass+Angel+Figurine.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Magda Ehlers</td></tr>
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<br />Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-63968145270478087992019-12-20T08:48:00.000-06:002019-12-20T08:48:00.389-06:00Advent 20 - StockingsChristmas is socks! Well, the tradition of placing a stocking on the mantle for gifts is as old as the giving of St. Nicholas. The great thing about these stockings is that they are often personalized. On Christmas morning, each one is filled with great things like oranges, candy, or maybe a small gift unique to that person. I wonder how many people get stockings in their stockings? There are as many ways to do this as there are families – but stockings can only hold so much.<br />
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When I was growing up, instead of stockings on the mantle we had wooden shoes filled with candy to remember our Dutch heritage. Now, our family has stockings that were loving knit by a family friend (and each time we had a new child we received another in the mail for them a few weeks later).<br />
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Christmas in America outgrew the humble stocking long ago, but I think there is still a great Christmas message to honor in them. The humble stocking (even the larger ones!) encourage a measure of modesty. They protect us from excess and extravagance. They keep life sustainable and manageable. I know those words don’t scream “Christmas!” but they sure feel a lot more like a newborn placed in a manger by a traveling family than the spectacles we participate in nowadays. God’s love isn’t found in gluttony, and yet it is still abundant. I hope when we receive or give out stockings this year, we will remember the Christ-child and the beautiful simplicity of God in small things.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU51PnA0w2AL37ET9CxjVCnHcjCOKvhJzN4T6iVaBaJFmC3_R0mdUnHSK3lxZPfaSVKEeixg82j1J8gc9u6sQ1GqXU_OD1QjGBuBjWX5utyI4jEXVmQtsHmbdzuEp9fHyFPSI2vBIn7rqT/s1600/Canva+-+Christmas+Decoration+on+a+Brick+Wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU51PnA0w2AL37ET9CxjVCnHcjCOKvhJzN4T6iVaBaJFmC3_R0mdUnHSK3lxZPfaSVKEeixg82j1J8gc9u6sQ1GqXU_OD1QjGBuBjWX5utyI4jEXVmQtsHmbdzuEp9fHyFPSI2vBIn7rqT/s320/Canva+-+Christmas+Decoration+on+a+Brick+Wall.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by jill111</td></tr>
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<br />Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-19639607896979958222019-12-19T07:45:00.000-06:002019-12-19T07:45:09.817-06:00Advent 19 - ScriptureChristmas is Scripture. Not just the ones that talk about baby Jesus or prophesy the coming King. The 12th Chapter of Romans (that we’ve included below with <a href="source: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12&version=NRSV">citation</a>) is an important argument by Saint Paul about the kind of life the Christ-child is bringing to reality. I invite you to read it in light of Christmas, and hear just how it sounds like the spirit we strive to embody this season.<br />
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12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.<br />
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3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6 We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7 ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8 the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.<br />
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9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.<br />
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14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWIe2BlRSY5cyvGmil-sgi3T7WdtW1nyYEzLr3cP09OI-GNrc89hvvuefz5iDhjQGuNsOIS-wPA3U0oQcfcF7AWN0hrDCUQOCmQMcVhP8LXYk_rUrqr1XRord0CQgVoZ4iajSb8E_3THC/s1600/Canva+-+Close-up+of+Paper+Against+Black+Background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWIe2BlRSY5cyvGmil-sgi3T7WdtW1nyYEzLr3cP09OI-GNrc89hvvuefz5iDhjQGuNsOIS-wPA3U0oQcfcF7AWN0hrDCUQOCmQMcVhP8LXYk_rUrqr1XRord0CQgVoZ4iajSb8E_3THC/s320/Canva+-+Close-up+of+Paper+Against+Black+Background.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by John-Mark Smith</td></tr>
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Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-78454555344670215252019-12-18T07:30:00.000-06:002019-12-18T07:30:08.070-06:00Advent 18 - FoodChristmas is food! There are so many wonderful traditional ways to experience Christmas with our taste buds. Often, Christmas involves foods that we don’t usually eat all the time, for some reason. Like Peppermint Bark! (You can read about it <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peppermint_bark">here</a> if you don’t know what I’m talking about. Chocolate mixed with peppermint? Yes please.<br />
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As it always has, food brings people together in the Bible and honor special moments. In John’s Gospel, the first miracle Jesus performed publicly was turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Here, the steward of the party thought that the wine Jesus provided was so good, he basically says, “Wow! You’ve saved the best for last.”<br />
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Christmas comes for us at the end of the calendar year but for Christians this season of Advent is the beginning of our liturgical calendar. We get to have our cake and eat it too (this is about food, after all). Sharing in the goodness of God this season both helps us to realize that God is saving the best for last AND we get to taste and see that the Lord is good.<br />
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If you get to taste something this season, may it be the best yet. If you discover God moving in your life, may you savor it and look forward to even better days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9iYTnwEBApQtqpGknPRkoMsaGjwh-cV77rO7ikRLcNNdHHQMXat-n2OKYyslODMXJo3Aw5A_AazyixGJeQEVa_BpJJl0023VxsVXkIfVR-qhhOCrYX4W51rUFkPJbAUSHzT3wJgrF36U/s1600/delish-peppermint-bark-211-1542056697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9iYTnwEBApQtqpGknPRkoMsaGjwh-cV77rO7ikRLcNNdHHQMXat-n2OKYyslODMXJo3Aw5A_AazyixGJeQEVa_BpJJl0023VxsVXkIfVR-qhhOCrYX4W51rUFkPJbAUSHzT3wJgrF36U/s320/delish-peppermint-bark-211-1542056697.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic from https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/christmas/a24882732/homemade-peppermint-bark-recipe/</td></tr>
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Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-47384385573085007042019-12-17T07:00:00.000-06:002019-12-17T07:00:07.823-06:00Advent 17 - MusicChristmas is music! This past Sunday evening we celebrated the Promise of Christmas. Of all the music that we sang, my daughter couldn’t stop coming back to “Go Tell It On The Mountain.”<br />
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Originally created in 1865, it’s a great song that reorients our hearts towards the Christmas story. Let’s be honest, sometimes music can say what we can’t just speak. What are we telling people with the music we share? I hope the news of God’s arrival in the Christ-child can be news we can all be excited about.<br />
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In Matthew 5, Jesus teaches his Disciples that they are important to the Kingdom. He says in verses 14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”<br />
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A city on a hill. Or mountain maybe? I dunno. It’s kind of flat out here in the wiregrass. I bet we can find some high ground though to share such great news.<br />
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This version isn’t quite as good as what Promise sang on Sunday night, but it’s good.<br />
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<br />Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-40576376225794731722019-12-16T10:09:00.000-06:002019-12-16T10:09:01.820-06:00Advent 16 - BlueChristmas can bring a lot of stress, and for good reasons. A quick disclaimer: If this devotional strikes home for you, please don’t hesitate to find professional help. If you aren’t sure, you can always call the church office at 334.793.3555 and we can get things moving in the right direction. Okay? So…<br />
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Among all the fun and glitz you will often find people who are struggling under the weight of it all at Christmas time. Sometimes finances, stress, loneliness, grief, brokenness, expectations, etc. can become too much and instead of Christmas creating a joyous moment instead it becomes a wall of dread.<br />
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Traditionally in the church, the color of Advent (the season where we prepare for the coming of the Christ-child), is traditionally purple or blue. I think this is perfect because while blue and purple are beautiful colors, they can also be a signal that something is not quite right. Maybe blue is the color of the Advent season because we often have to address what is not quite right before we can discover true happiness.<br />
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Jesus knew what it was to be blue. He grieved the loss of loved ones like John the Baptist and Lazarus. He prayed in anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane. Christians often lift high a cross to remember Jesus – a symbol of death and defeat in the Roman world that Jesus ultimately chose to represent himself. Some of our holiest moments in life are when God joins us in our grief and we feel that the creator of the universe is with us in our darkest moments.<br />
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It is realistic to expect that the seasons of life do not always line up perfectly with the calendar. Wouldn’t it be great if you could just flip a switch and be happy when all the world is inviting you to be happy at Christmas time? Humanity does not work like this and yet we can comfort each other.<br />
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If you find yourself or someone you love caught by the Christmas blues, there shouldn’t be any shame in it (although we often feel shame). There are some great ways to cope, and depression around Christmas time is surprisingly common. Here are some practical ways to address the Christmas blues:<br />
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1) Make plans and try to stick to them. Having the calendar set can be a good way to address the unknowns that we play with in our minds.<br />
2) Don’t wait til the last minute. We can avoid a lot of unnecessary stress if we act before a deadline. It also frees you up to respond to needs that were not expected.<br />
3) Ask for help! You don’t have to do everything yourself. Doing things together can be more fun and build relationships.<br />
4) Minimize regrets. Be realistic with consumption and purchases! If you make a decision that you expect to just deal with after Christmas, it will create a lot of latent shame and guilt. Be honest with people and they’ll respect that.<br />
5) Rest. For real, moderation in all things especially sleep and alone time. If being around people over Christmas stresses you out, plan time to be alone as well. You are worth it.<br />
6) Don’t isolate. Being alone can be overwhelming. There are always places you can serve your neighbors and everybody wins!<br />
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Hear the good news! The reason for the season understands what it is to be human. You are loved in that, even if Christmas feels blue.<br />
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Our church is having a Service of Hope and Healing on December 19th at 6pm in the Chapel at First United Methodist Church, 1380 W Main St, Dothan, AL 36305. I hope you’ll join us if Christmas has you feeling blue.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Burst</td></tr>
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<br />Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-8231038857938284462019-12-15T05:00:00.000-06:002019-12-15T05:00:08.379-06:00Advent 15 - ScriptureAll of Scripture can bring someone to Christmas! Our Cornerstone Sunday School class says...<br />
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All scripture, we are assured, is God-breathed. Yet in its holiness, it meets us where we are in our brokenness. How many times have you needed a word of reassurance and opened the Bible randomly only to find a verse that exquisitely fits your need? Such moments are not coincidence; they are divine.<br />
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It should not surprise us, then, to realize that scripture is the most beautiful reminder of what Christmas is. Christmas is proof of God’s extravagant love: “For God SO loved the world, He gave His only begotten son.” Christmas is a reminder of His presence: “I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20) Christmas is reassurance of grace extended to us: “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions.. and remembers your sin no more.” (Isaiah 43:25)<br />
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No presents on earth can ever compete with these gifts we find in the pages of our Bibles!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Elc22APHXYn2eVF3JAuBzx0gZa88HCyyS2oZIBREGk85JngGyXKI7ExnV_dNrTrFUG8PzAXmahJGB9TfhAxUO8V9_mWowNtnCCiRPYsye7Aeqeiqkzd6e21rJ2jjLNDmYsZ3vOfw79g1/s1600/Canva+-+Brown+and+Black+Tealight+Candle+Rack+on+Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1600" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Elc22APHXYn2eVF3JAuBzx0gZa88HCyyS2oZIBREGk85JngGyXKI7ExnV_dNrTrFUG8PzAXmahJGB9TfhAxUO8V9_mWowNtnCCiRPYsye7Aeqeiqkzd6e21rJ2jjLNDmYsZ3vOfw79g1/s320/Canva+-+Brown+and+Black+Tealight+Candle+Rack+on+Book.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Pixabay</td></tr>
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Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394990294066479321.post-50425349085168943312019-12-14T07:30:00.000-06:002019-12-14T07:30:03.599-06:00Advent 14 - PresentsChristmas is presents. I’m always amazed at the gift-wrapping abilities of some people. You can tell a lot of love goes into a well wrapped present! It makes tearing into them all the more enjoyable and perhaps even a little saddening. But it wouldn’t be Christmas without gifts. Each gift, whether well wrapped or not, is some small reminder of the greatest gift we’ve ever received. Even Jesus was well wrapped! A well swaddled baby is a beautiful (and usually quiet) thing!<br />
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We all appreciate gifts but the don’t always take the same form. Some people love physical gifts. Others are more likely to appreciate physical touch. Some people treasure quality time together above all else. What is really important to some is words of affirmation. Still others want to see service to a passionate cause to know they matter. This idea isn’t new. The idea that we love in different ways was popularized by the book, The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman.<br />
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While Jesus may be the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8) the gifts and graces to be shared are as various as the people on this planet. This is one of the amazing lessons of Christmas. Our presents don’t have to be well wrapped - they have to be well loved. That means thinking about what we give and how it will be received. There are times for small and easy gifts. The presents we give and receive at Christmas should (as best we can) reflect the love of God in the Christ-child. That’s a lot of love, but you can do it! You were made for this kind of thing. Actually, you are the love of God, wrapped beautifully in a package that will never exist in the same way ever again in this world. You are the only one of *you* and I can’t wait to see what God does through you.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qoGvOdE53P5KtMvxVM7j4olOQdC-F1xw-PubRzXjoA-r41yUIIBWHOH_njhFp5pJY8ATKVK_v5MR1K6BkQF-3gsGOz60EakVznJKm7ChE7QEdtwRrXEclE5k3pl6gASetJpaxUJmRVG9/s1600/Canva+-+3+Red+Covered+Present+Box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qoGvOdE53P5KtMvxVM7j4olOQdC-F1xw-PubRzXjoA-r41yUIIBWHOH_njhFp5pJY8ATKVK_v5MR1K6BkQF-3gsGOz60EakVznJKm7ChE7QEdtwRrXEclE5k3pl6gASetJpaxUJmRVG9/s320/Canva+-+3+Red+Covered+Present+Box.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Negative Space</td></tr>
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Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17940030280750981377noreply@blogger.com0