February 27, 2010
Temptation is Challenging
Temptation is just one challenge in life. Join us tomorrow as Clayton goes face to face with some other challenges we encounter on our journey.
February 26, 2010
Who's On Your Team?
We’re faced with many life temptations. Have you found someone to call upon for support when you feel tempted? If not, who might that person be? Have you considered a best friend? What about someone in your Sunday School class? Small Group?
February 25, 2010
Tempted to Blame Others
Today's blog was contributed by Mary Lightfoot, FUMCR Staff Member.
I am often tempted to blame others for something that is my fault.
I was asked to answer this question when I was finishing up a big project here at the church. I immediately thought of all the times, during that project, that I was tempted to put the responsibility of any errors or imperfections on people who had been involved in the project years ago. Ultimately, the outcome of the project was my responsibility, and I had to ask God to help me be honest about that with myself and others.
However, only a few days after dealing with this question, I DID IT AGAIN! I blamed others for something that didn’t go quite perfectly! Once again I was asking God to forgive me for my pride. Blaming others sapped the energy I could have been using to let God help me learn and grow. Taking the blame stings for such a short time compared to the lingering shame of knowing I’ve been dishonest with myself, my family, friends, co-workers, and the God I love and long to serve. I love the song “Fountain of Grace” by Twila Paris which says: “You have been faithful when I have been faithless, Oh unending Fountain of Grace; forever giving when I have been selfish. You were the constant when I chose to wander. You were forgiveness when I cried for mercy. I kneel before You and offer this vessel, Oh, unending Fountain of Grace.”
I am often tempted to blame others for something that is my fault.
I was asked to answer this question when I was finishing up a big project here at the church. I immediately thought of all the times, during that project, that I was tempted to put the responsibility of any errors or imperfections on people who had been involved in the project years ago. Ultimately, the outcome of the project was my responsibility, and I had to ask God to help me be honest about that with myself and others.
However, only a few days after dealing with this question, I DID IT AGAIN! I blamed others for something that didn’t go quite perfectly! Once again I was asking God to forgive me for my pride. Blaming others sapped the energy I could have been using to let God help me learn and grow. Taking the blame stings for such a short time compared to the lingering shame of knowing I’ve been dishonest with myself, my family, friends, co-workers, and the God I love and long to serve. I love the song “Fountain of Grace” by Twila Paris which says: “You have been faithful when I have been faithless, Oh unending Fountain of Grace; forever giving when I have been selfish. You were the constant when I chose to wander. You were forgiveness when I cried for mercy. I kneel before You and offer this vessel, Oh, unending Fountain of Grace.”
February 24, 2010
February 23, 2010
Tempted to Borrow
Today's blog was contributed by an FUMCR Staff Member.
In high school I was not the most studious student. I liked being able to do just enough to get by, after all school & homework time was NOT fun. That being said, I had an English teacher that insisted on long reading assignments followed by reading quizzes. At first I tried to do the reading and keep up, but that was really interfering with the fun things I was more interested in so I started to slack. The way I saw it I had two options- suck it up and keep reading to continue to make the grades, or "borrow" some of the answers to the pop quizzes from my neighbor (who had been doing her reading). I knew that "borrowing" answers was wrong, but the temptation proved too much and I ceased reading assignments and commenced "borrowing." Afterall, it was a lot easier to "borrow" and just slide by, rather than studying and learning for myself.
Sometimes "life" requires a lot of work! Have you ever been tempted to "borrow" or take the easy road rather than doing the work?
In high school I was not the most studious student. I liked being able to do just enough to get by, after all school & homework time was NOT fun. That being said, I had an English teacher that insisted on long reading assignments followed by reading quizzes. At first I tried to do the reading and keep up, but that was really interfering with the fun things I was more interested in so I started to slack. The way I saw it I had two options- suck it up and keep reading to continue to make the grades, or "borrow" some of the answers to the pop quizzes from my neighbor (who had been doing her reading). I knew that "borrowing" answers was wrong, but the temptation proved too much and I ceased reading assignments and commenced "borrowing." Afterall, it was a lot easier to "borrow" and just slide by, rather than studying and learning for myself.
Sometimes "life" requires a lot of work! Have you ever been tempted to "borrow" or take the easy road rather than doing the work?
February 22, 2010
February 20, 2010
Cookie Jar
Today's post was contributed by Amber Rose, FUMCR Staff member.
"God, do you really see everything?", ponders the little boy, as he looks around once more, before reaching his little hand into the cookie jar. Mom isn't around to say "No, it'll spoil your supper," so he feels safe in reaching in this "one" time.
But, as he scampers off, a twinge of guilt hits him. Sure, he's gotten by this time, but somehow the cookie doesn't have the same flavor he thought it would.
You know, there's a little bit of that child in all of us. Inevitably, we're drawn to some sort of cookie jar, at least once, and probably several times, in our lives. It's easy to think (and there isn't one who hasn't thought it), that no one will see me reach for this cookie. And, oh, it looks so-o-o-o good!
But, what now?
Join us tomorrow in worship as we come face to face with temptation!
"God, do you really see everything?", ponders the little boy, as he looks around once more, before reaching his little hand into the cookie jar. Mom isn't around to say "No, it'll spoil your supper," so he feels safe in reaching in this "one" time.
But, as he scampers off, a twinge of guilt hits him. Sure, he's gotten by this time, but somehow the cookie doesn't have the same flavor he thought it would.
You know, there's a little bit of that child in all of us. Inevitably, we're drawn to some sort of cookie jar, at least once, and probably several times, in our lives. It's easy to think (and there isn't one who hasn't thought it), that no one will see me reach for this cookie. And, oh, it looks so-o-o-o good!
But, what now?
Join us tomorrow in worship as we come face to face with temptation!
February 19, 2010
Give It Up!
Today's blog was contributed by Rodney Whitfield, FUMCR Young Adult Pastor.
For years I gave something up for lent. I was doing what I thought you were supposed to do. I gave up soda, sweets, chocolate, ice cream… but at the end of the 40-days (not counting Sundays) I would go back to my cravings. It was all in the name of sacrificing… Right?
Maybe lent is more than just giving something up? I know I will get to do it again in 6 weeks. Is that a real sacrifice? Maybe lent could be life changing… Maybe I could get real and see myself face to face… Maybe I could make a change, which will bring something new, or different in the world.
The last several years I haven’t been giving something up, unless I was doing something else in its place. So don’t just give up starbucks for 6 weeks, but take the money you were spending at starbucks and give it to a local food bank so someone else might eat. Don’t just give something up, do something new. Do something that will change your life and someone else's. I am giving up 2 hours of TV a week this lent. One hour to spend playing and reading with my kids and one hour reading a book about the last 24 hours of Jesus life.
What will you do this lent?
For years I gave something up for lent. I was doing what I thought you were supposed to do. I gave up soda, sweets, chocolate, ice cream… but at the end of the 40-days (not counting Sundays) I would go back to my cravings. It was all in the name of sacrificing… Right?
Maybe lent is more than just giving something up? I know I will get to do it again in 6 weeks. Is that a real sacrifice? Maybe lent could be life changing… Maybe I could get real and see myself face to face… Maybe I could make a change, which will bring something new, or different in the world.
The last several years I haven’t been giving something up, unless I was doing something else in its place. So don’t just give up starbucks for 6 weeks, but take the money you were spending at starbucks and give it to a local food bank so someone else might eat. Don’t just give something up, do something new. Do something that will change your life and someone else's. I am giving up 2 hours of TV a week this lent. One hour to spend playing and reading with my kids and one hour reading a book about the last 24 hours of Jesus life.
What will you do this lent?
February 18, 2010
Face to Face with Yourself: Get Real
Where have you seen reflections of God in the faces of others?
We will be posting new commentary everyday throughout this Lenten season. We hope that you will join us as we journey together on the path to Christ. Feel free to share your thoughts, we are listening...
February 8, 2010
Extravagant Generosity= Life??
Today's blog post was contributed by Rev. Fred Trevino, Senior Adult Ministries
Bishop Robert Schnase, in his study guide on the Five Practices,talks about Extravagant Generosity. “The practice of generosity describes the Christian’s unselfish willingness to give in order to make a positive difference for the purposes of Christ. Extravagant Generosity describes practices of sharing and giving that exceed all expectations and extend to unexpected measures. It describes lavish sharing, sacrifice, and giving in service to God and neighbor.”
When I read those words I immediately recalled the story of the Widow’s Mite as told in Mark 12:38-44. Why don’t you find it right now and read it!
The story is about money and giving, isn’t it? Or is it? .Lot’s of good stuff here, but I don’t think that’s what the story is all about. It is about giving all right, but not money. Jesus and the disciples sit there at the temple. Lots of people put in a lot of money. The Jesus says to the disciples, “Here she comes. Look. This one, right here.” And a humble woman, no name, no status, no fanfare, no deals, no bargains, no conditions. She gives all that she has. Jesus says, “That’s what it’s like to be in the Kingdom of God.”
This story reminds me of that story of the woman who poured the alabaster jar of ointment on Jesus’ head at Bethany. (Matthew 26:6-13) The disciples objected. “That’s too extravagant.” Jesus said, “You don’t understand. She’s done something beautiful.” He said that because in that instance he wasn’t teaching about giving to the poor, just as in this instance of the widow’s mite he’s not teaching about giving to the church. In both stories he is talking about giving yourself. And in both instances the message is, there is no conditional giving of the self. You can’t say, I’m going to give ten percent of my life to Jesus. Discipleship is not a contractual matter. You can’t say on these conditions I’m going to be a disciple. It’s total, extravagant, almost reckless giving. It’s like a woman who takes the most expensive thing she owns and wastes it. It’s like another woman who took all that she had and gave it away. That’s what it looks like. She’s not far from the Kingdom of God, not because she gave money, but because she gave her life.
Do you remember Jack Benny of blessed memory? In a sketch he is confronted by a thief who says to him, “Your money of your life.” Benny doesn’t say anything and after the third time Benny says, “I’m thinking, I’m thinking.”
That’s what this story is designed to get you to do. Think about it. Extravagant Generosity. Ponder it. It wants you to ask the question, when someone talks about Extravagant Generosity, “Does Jesus really want my money or does he want my life.?”
Bishop Robert Schnase, in his study guide on the Five Practices,talks about Extravagant Generosity. “The practice of generosity describes the Christian’s unselfish willingness to give in order to make a positive difference for the purposes of Christ. Extravagant Generosity describes practices of sharing and giving that exceed all expectations and extend to unexpected measures. It describes lavish sharing, sacrifice, and giving in service to God and neighbor.”
When I read those words I immediately recalled the story of the Widow’s Mite as told in Mark 12:38-44. Why don’t you find it right now and read it!
The story is about money and giving, isn’t it? Or is it? .Lot’s of good stuff here, but I don’t think that’s what the story is all about. It is about giving all right, but not money. Jesus and the disciples sit there at the temple. Lots of people put in a lot of money. The Jesus says to the disciples, “Here she comes. Look. This one, right here.” And a humble woman, no name, no status, no fanfare, no deals, no bargains, no conditions. She gives all that she has. Jesus says, “That’s what it’s like to be in the Kingdom of God.”
This story reminds me of that story of the woman who poured the alabaster jar of ointment on Jesus’ head at Bethany. (Matthew 26:6-13) The disciples objected. “That’s too extravagant.” Jesus said, “You don’t understand. She’s done something beautiful.” He said that because in that instance he wasn’t teaching about giving to the poor, just as in this instance of the widow’s mite he’s not teaching about giving to the church. In both stories he is talking about giving yourself. And in both instances the message is, there is no conditional giving of the self. You can’t say, I’m going to give ten percent of my life to Jesus. Discipleship is not a contractual matter. You can’t say on these conditions I’m going to be a disciple. It’s total, extravagant, almost reckless giving. It’s like a woman who takes the most expensive thing she owns and wastes it. It’s like another woman who took all that she had and gave it away. That’s what it looks like. She’s not far from the Kingdom of God, not because she gave money, but because she gave her life.
Do you remember Jack Benny of blessed memory? In a sketch he is confronted by a thief who says to him, “Your money of your life.” Benny doesn’t say anything and after the third time Benny says, “I’m thinking, I’m thinking.”
That’s what this story is designed to get you to do. Think about it. Extravagant Generosity. Ponder it. It wants you to ask the question, when someone talks about Extravagant Generosity, “Does Jesus really want my money or does he want my life.?”
February 5, 2010
MaMa Coo Coo
Today's blog was contributed by Tommy Houghteling, Director of Youth Ministries
Mama Coo Coo was a 68 year old missionary stationed in the congo where I grew up. As a young boy I never knew why they called her “Mama CooCoo”, except maybe that she always wore a mischievous and playful smile on her kind face. It wasn’t until years later that I learned just how “Coo Coo”, or rather “Extravagantly Coo Coo” she was.
She retired in Melbourne, Florida, where my mother grew up and attended the First UMC there. As with many retired missionaries who spend their entire lives on the mission field, Mama Coo Coo, wasn’t left with much to spend her golden years. A meager missionary pension, (I hear they are better nowJ ) and a few thousand dollars she had saved were barely enough to afford her small apartment near the church. A few of the members of the church, got together one year and purchased a house for her. It was truly a wonderful thing to do for someone who had given so much of herself in service to God. Another few of the members, inspired by the extravagant generosity of their peers, purchased a new car for her as well, to replace the beat up station wagon that smoked and rattled everywhere she went.
Grateful to God and her fellow Saints, Mama Coo Coo, expressed her thanks with many hugs, kisses and tears. She enjoyed the new house and car for about a month, and then did something truly “Coo Coo” and entirely characteristic of her generous spirit. She gave her new car and home to an impoverished single woman who had 3 children and no means to provide for them. When asked about it, she simply said, “God sometimes blesses us so that we might bless others.”
When I think of extravagant generosity, I think of Mama Coo Coo, I think of the example of people like my parents who gave up careers to go on the mission field, I think of the countless saints within our church who sacrifice for the ministries of FUMCR and I pray that i can use God’s numerous blessings to bless others.
in Christ,
tommy
Mama Coo Coo was a 68 year old missionary stationed in the congo where I grew up. As a young boy I never knew why they called her “Mama CooCoo”, except maybe that she always wore a mischievous and playful smile on her kind face. It wasn’t until years later that I learned just how “Coo Coo”, or rather “Extravagantly Coo Coo” she was.
She retired in Melbourne, Florida, where my mother grew up and attended the First UMC there. As with many retired missionaries who spend their entire lives on the mission field, Mama Coo Coo, wasn’t left with much to spend her golden years. A meager missionary pension, (I hear they are better nowJ ) and a few thousand dollars she had saved were barely enough to afford her small apartment near the church. A few of the members of the church, got together one year and purchased a house for her. It was truly a wonderful thing to do for someone who had given so much of herself in service to God. Another few of the members, inspired by the extravagant generosity of their peers, purchased a new car for her as well, to replace the beat up station wagon that smoked and rattled everywhere she went.
Grateful to God and her fellow Saints, Mama Coo Coo, expressed her thanks with many hugs, kisses and tears. She enjoyed the new house and car for about a month, and then did something truly “Coo Coo” and entirely characteristic of her generous spirit. She gave her new car and home to an impoverished single woman who had 3 children and no means to provide for them. When asked about it, she simply said, “God sometimes blesses us so that we might bless others.”
When I think of extravagant generosity, I think of Mama Coo Coo, I think of the example of people like my parents who gave up careers to go on the mission field, I think of the countless saints within our church who sacrifice for the ministries of FUMCR and I pray that i can use God’s numerous blessings to bless others.
in Christ,
tommy
February 3, 2010
February 1, 2010
Stepping Out
Today's blog was contributed by Rev. Marilyn Dickson
My first mission trip took place 20 years ago. I, along with 18 others, went to Honduras with HOI (Honduras Outreach Institute). We stayed at a ranch that was originally part of a huge estate with workers who sharecropped and worked for small wages. But after the property was nationalized the workers came from villagers who squatted and simply lived on the land. They were some of the poorest of the poor.
We poured concrete slabs for those small homes – 2 small rooms of about 400 square feet that often housed up to 8 people – a communal sleeping area, an open fire for cooking and space for animals. We installed chimneys, dug and built privies and poured concrete floors so parasites that lived in the dirt would not infect the people. I went to help them but in the midst of Vacation Bible School, working hard, learning a few words in Spanish, I was changed.
Watching the kids at VBS, watching our women French braid the young girls hair, watching the guys play soccer with adults and kids all showed me how to re-center my own values. Coming back home I was thankful for running water, hot water showers and a bed off the floor to sleep on. I still am.
I often think back to those days especially now when I am in a store that overflows with choices. That trip helped me rethink my priorities, to ask myself where happiness comes from and to give thanks to God for all I have and the choices I can make. I also had to look at what God asks of me in terms of using what I have and how I develop my gifts and talents for making a difference-for leaving where I live better than when I found it.
Risk taking mission and service to others – stepping outside of our comfort zones – usually starts with wanting to help. But I learned more about what God wants and how God works in our world – through overcoming my personal resistance, some sweat equity, showing up and then being blessed. How does this work for you?
My first mission trip took place 20 years ago. I, along with 18 others, went to Honduras with HOI (Honduras Outreach Institute). We stayed at a ranch that was originally part of a huge estate with workers who sharecropped and worked for small wages. But after the property was nationalized the workers came from villagers who squatted and simply lived on the land. They were some of the poorest of the poor.
We poured concrete slabs for those small homes – 2 small rooms of about 400 square feet that often housed up to 8 people – a communal sleeping area, an open fire for cooking and space for animals. We installed chimneys, dug and built privies and poured concrete floors so parasites that lived in the dirt would not infect the people. I went to help them but in the midst of Vacation Bible School, working hard, learning a few words in Spanish, I was changed.
Watching the kids at VBS, watching our women French braid the young girls hair, watching the guys play soccer with adults and kids all showed me how to re-center my own values. Coming back home I was thankful for running water, hot water showers and a bed off the floor to sleep on. I still am.
I often think back to those days especially now when I am in a store that overflows with choices. That trip helped me rethink my priorities, to ask myself where happiness comes from and to give thanks to God for all I have and the choices I can make. I also had to look at what God asks of me in terms of using what I have and how I develop my gifts and talents for making a difference-for leaving where I live better than when I found it.
Risk taking mission and service to others – stepping outside of our comfort zones – usually starts with wanting to help. But I learned more about what God wants and how God works in our world – through overcoming my personal resistance, some sweat equity, showing up and then being blessed. How does this work for you?
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