Posts Tagged ‘Christ’
Lectionary Readings for 9-7-14
September 1, 2014Pastor’s Ponderings, Wanderings, Wonderings
August 30, 2014Posting three things I am thankful for, for five days. This is day two:
Yesterday I posted that I was thankful to God first and foremost, thankful for my beautiful wife and thankful for my grandchildren.
1. I am also very thankful for our two beautiful daughters, Misty and Tracie. They are the ones who made our life complete and were the driving force for us to join St. John’s UMC in West Orange almost 40 years ago. We knew raising them in church would make them better people. Thank you girls for the five beautiful grandchildren.
2. I am thankful for family. Thankful for Jane’s side of the family, the Johnsons. They accepted me into the family and are my brothers and sisters. My Mom and Dad, Mom especially, for dragging me to church. Not that we went every day but often enough to give me some basic knowledge. Dad for his strong moral direction.
3. I am thankful for our daughters husbands. Having two son in laws who are good to our daughters and who are hard workers and very good dads is such a blessing.
I know that is really more than three things to be thankful for but each blessing is surrounded by blessings flowing out from them. That is just the way God works in this world. “Give thanks to the Holy One”.
Pastor’s Ponderings, Wonderings, Wanderings
August 23, 2014In my role as preacher I hope to convey to each and every one who hears my sermons the message we see in the Lectionary reading from Matthew 16:13-20 for 8-24-14 where Jesus asks the question “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Of course we should all be able to answer that question with the same words Peter used when he said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Do you remember what it meant to you when you made your profession of faith before the congregation? I know that when I think or speak those words it gives me a chill. Those words mean something to me as well as they should to each and every one who sits in a Christian church whenever services are held. But more than just that weekly service that you attend, those words should mean something to your life lived as a Christian.
Everything we do and say should reflect that belief. When I speak to my friends, family, acquaintances or strangers I should reflect those words to them in my actions, thoughts and deeds. So should we all.
There are many who will deny that Jesus is the Son of God. Muslims will say that he was a prophet. Jews will say that He was a great teacher. Liberal protestants and religionists of various stripes will say “Exemplary man, yes, Divine, no!” Over a billion people out in the world will deny the divinity of Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
For many reasons I refuse to be one of those people. Do you? The more we refuse to proclaim to people that Jesus is the Son of the Living God, the more people turn to other faiths. The more we deny Him through our actions and words people will turn to something else. This sounds like a heavy burden but when we feel that Holy Spirit leading us it becomes light and easy to carry. For all who say they just cannot get the words out remember the disciples. While Peter spoke up, he temporarily failed, as did the others. We can only run from our duty so long. Sooner or later we must profess our faith to someone.
Try something for me. Say to yourself three times, “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” Then turn to your spouse or another loved one and say to them three times, “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God!”
Now go out into the world and proclaim the way, the truth and the life to the world by showing and telling them that “Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God!”
Pastor Randy
June 7, 2014
The newsletter for June is posted and can be accessed at our website http://www.orangewesley.wordpress.com. Just scroll down until you see the pages on the right and the first one is Newsletters.
On another note just wanted to say thanks for all those who attended the pancake breakfast where we also had ham, grits and eggs. We feasted on the good food and also feasted on fellowship.
Harvey Wilson and I made a prayer walk down Camellia Street Saturday Morning and prayed for each and every house we walked by, their occupants and the whole area to be covered by the Holy Spirit. We plan to make many more such walks to call the Holy Spirit down on this area so that whatever evil is there will be driven out and people will find peace not only inside there homes and hearts but outside as well.
We hope others will join us. If you are interested just let us know and we will set up times for walks to be scheduled.
Have a blessed day in Jesus Christ,
Randy
Lectionary Scriptures for Holy Week – Monday thru Saturday
April 14, 2014Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Maundy Thursday
Good Friday
Holy Saturday
