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I am serving on the Boy's Chrysalis Flight this weekend, so I will be out of reach of a computer for several days. I will resume posting when the weekend is over.
For those unfamiliar with Chrysalis, it is similar to the Walk to Emmaus weekend, only for high-school aged kids. It is a three-day spiritual journey/retreat held at Camp Tygart with 15 talks and lots of fun and fellowship. The purpose of these weekends is to help draw you into a closer relationship with God and to help you experience God's love in new and different ways. Please pray for me and the others who will be out at Camp Tygart on this Chrysalis this weekend.
Thursday, January 29, 2004
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Christian Singing Group, "UNITY," Coming to Naylor UMC
The new Christian singing group, "Unity," will be having a concert at Naylor UMC on Saturday, 21 February. The concert will be at 7:00 pm with fellowship following. There is no cost for the concert, but we will collect a love offering to help pay for some of Unity's costs in putting on the show. Also, Unity will be in the studio recording their first CD on 16 February, and will be taking orders for their CD at the concert!
Christian Singing Group, "UNITY," Coming to Naylor UMC
The new Christian singing group, "Unity," will be having a concert at Naylor UMC on Saturday, 21 February. The concert will be at 7:00 pm with fellowship following. There is no cost for the concert, but we will collect a love offering to help pay for some of Unity's costs in putting on the show. Also, Unity will be in the studio recording their first CD on 16 February, and will be taking orders for their CD at the concert!
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The Passion of Christ
Great News! I just found out that "The Passion" by Mel Gibson WILL be showing in Valdosta. It will be at the new theater on Baytree across from the Mall. It opens on Ash Wednesday, 25 February. I will not be able to go because that is a school night, so we are going to try to go that weekend. Let's come up with a count of folks that might want to go on Saturday night and let's buy a block of tickets.
The Passion of Christ
Great News! I just found out that "The Passion" by Mel Gibson WILL be showing in Valdosta. It will be at the new theater on Baytree across from the Mall. It opens on Ash Wednesday, 25 February. I will not be able to go because that is a school night, so we are going to try to go that weekend. Let's come up with a count of folks that might want to go on Saturday night and let's buy a block of tickets.
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
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I have been asked by several folks to come up with a list of books that I would recommend for others. Because I am a ravenous reader, mostly of Christian fiction, I jumped at this opportunity. I am not going to rank these books, because there is simply no way to say which is the best. What is the "best" changes as God works in us and through us.
I have long been a proponent of the theory that God speaks to us in ways other than through prayer and the Bible. God has spoken to me through song -- even secular songs -- and speaks to me through Christian fiction constantly. I even believe the progression of my reading of fiction has been directed by God. In other words, He led me to read this certain book at this certain time because I needed to gain new spiritual insights from it. He delayed me from reading other books because I simply wasn't ready spiritually to understand it.
That said, here's my list of the better Christian fiction books I have read over the past few years. Check back in the future for a list of Christian non-fiction books.
Frank Peretti: This Present Darkness; Piercing the Darkness; The Visitation; The Oath [Frank Peretti was one of the first authors to fully explore spiritual warfare. His books are filled with tales of unseen spiritual battles between angels and demons that occur in the lives of ordinary people.]
Ted Dekker: The Martyrs Song Trilogy (Wager of Heaven, When Heaven Weeps, The Thunder of Heaven); Three; Blink; Blessed Child (written with Bill Bright); Blessed Man (written with Bill Bright) [Ted Dekker was the son of missionaries and his books are mainly concerned with entering into the kingdom of heaven while here on earth. Themes revolve around characters experiencing God's love and grace in their life.]
Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins: The Left Behind Series -- Left Behind; Tribulation Force; Nicolae; Soul Harvest; Apollyon; Assassins; The Indwelling; The Mark; Desecration; The Remnant; Armageddon; Glorious Appearing (due out in March) [If you don't know these, you have been living under a rock.]
Robert Whitlow: The Sacrifice; The Trial [Georgia lawyer turned writer. Soft Christianity interwoven into detective-type stories]
C.S. Lewis: The Screwtape Letters [Letters from a demon to his apprentice on how to seduce humans from Chrisitianity. It hit so close to home I gave it away after reading it. Maybe I should look at it again?]
Randy Alcorn: Safely Home [Story of the persecuted Chinese church as seen through the eyes of an American]; Lord Foulgrin's Letters [Same premise as C.S. Lewis' "Screwtape Letters" but with more fiction and more of a plot]; The Ishbane Conspiracy [Sequel to "Lord Foulgrin's Letters]; Edge of Eternity; Deadline; Dominion [Semi-sequel to Deadline]
Joseph Girzone: Joshua; Joshua and the Children; Joshua and the City [What if Jesus came back today?]
Paul Maier: A Skeleton in God's Closet [What if they found Jesus' bones?]
I have been asked by several folks to come up with a list of books that I would recommend for others. Because I am a ravenous reader, mostly of Christian fiction, I jumped at this opportunity. I am not going to rank these books, because there is simply no way to say which is the best. What is the "best" changes as God works in us and through us.
I have long been a proponent of the theory that God speaks to us in ways other than through prayer and the Bible. God has spoken to me through song -- even secular songs -- and speaks to me through Christian fiction constantly. I even believe the progression of my reading of fiction has been directed by God. In other words, He led me to read this certain book at this certain time because I needed to gain new spiritual insights from it. He delayed me from reading other books because I simply wasn't ready spiritually to understand it.
That said, here's my list of the better Christian fiction books I have read over the past few years. Check back in the future for a list of Christian non-fiction books.
Frank Peretti: This Present Darkness; Piercing the Darkness; The Visitation; The Oath [Frank Peretti was one of the first authors to fully explore spiritual warfare. His books are filled with tales of unseen spiritual battles between angels and demons that occur in the lives of ordinary people.]
Ted Dekker: The Martyrs Song Trilogy (Wager of Heaven, When Heaven Weeps, The Thunder of Heaven); Three; Blink; Blessed Child (written with Bill Bright); Blessed Man (written with Bill Bright) [Ted Dekker was the son of missionaries and his books are mainly concerned with entering into the kingdom of heaven while here on earth. Themes revolve around characters experiencing God's love and grace in their life.]
Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins: The Left Behind Series -- Left Behind; Tribulation Force; Nicolae; Soul Harvest; Apollyon; Assassins; The Indwelling; The Mark; Desecration; The Remnant; Armageddon; Glorious Appearing (due out in March) [If you don't know these, you have been living under a rock.]
Robert Whitlow: The Sacrifice; The Trial [Georgia lawyer turned writer. Soft Christianity interwoven into detective-type stories]
C.S. Lewis: The Screwtape Letters [Letters from a demon to his apprentice on how to seduce humans from Chrisitianity. It hit so close to home I gave it away after reading it. Maybe I should look at it again?]
Randy Alcorn: Safely Home [Story of the persecuted Chinese church as seen through the eyes of an American]; Lord Foulgrin's Letters [Same premise as C.S. Lewis' "Screwtape Letters" but with more fiction and more of a plot]; The Ishbane Conspiracy [Sequel to "Lord Foulgrin's Letters]; Edge of Eternity; Deadline; Dominion [Semi-sequel to Deadline]
Joseph Girzone: Joshua; Joshua and the Children; Joshua and the City [What if Jesus came back today?]
Paul Maier: A Skeleton in God's Closet [What if they found Jesus' bones?]
Monday, January 26, 2004
COMMENT SECTION ADDED! I have just added a new feature to my blog. If you would like to add comments to any of the posts on this blog, just click on the "comments" bar directly underneath the post. It will appear underneath the sentence that reads, "// posted by Gregory @ XX:XX"
Simply add your information in the blanks and then click "Post Comment." After your post appears at the top of the comment screen, close the window by hitting the "X" on the upper right hand corner.
Simply add your information in the blanks and then click "Post Comment." After your post appears at the top of the comment screen, close the window by hitting the "X" on the upper right hand corner.
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Matthew 18:2-4: "Jesus called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
During our worship services yesterday, I was struck time and time again by the simple faith of our children. One of my joys as a pastor is being able to sit up front and to watch the children and how they interact in worship services. While all the adults stand up and mutely sing the words to the same old hymns, you should watch as these children lift up their voices to heaven in praise of God. They don't even know all the words, but still they sing to God with all their heart -- with an enthusiasm that we adults haven't had in years. And as the ushers gather to grab the offering plate, you should see how the eyes of the children brighten as they anticipate the moment when they are able to drop their pennies and nickels into the plate. Children are truly a blessing! They approach the worship service with wonder and amazement and with a true desire to worship the God that they seem to know so well.
When did we lose the excitement and anticipation and wonder in our lives? A lot of adults consider church to be boring -- to be a duty -- to be something that you do for one hour on Sunday morning. Even those who come seem to want to rush through the songs and the offering and the prayer to get to the sermon. We sing the words from the hymnal -- not from our heart. We give out of a sense of duty -- not out of excitement to be sharing in the work of God. We listen to the sermon with a critic's ear -- not with our spiritual ears. And we leave God behind in the church when we walk out at the end of the service.
Our children don't approach worship like that. They enjoy every moment of it. You sense that they understand the true meaning of worship. They know why they are there, and they enjoy every minute of it. When did we cease to be like them?
In the passage above, Jesus urges us to change and become like little children --to recapture the love of worship -- the love of God -- that we once had. This week I would encourage you to watch the children. Learn from them. Become like them. And come back to the heart of worship.
Matthew 18:2-4: "Jesus called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
During our worship services yesterday, I was struck time and time again by the simple faith of our children. One of my joys as a pastor is being able to sit up front and to watch the children and how they interact in worship services. While all the adults stand up and mutely sing the words to the same old hymns, you should watch as these children lift up their voices to heaven in praise of God. They don't even know all the words, but still they sing to God with all their heart -- with an enthusiasm that we adults haven't had in years. And as the ushers gather to grab the offering plate, you should see how the eyes of the children brighten as they anticipate the moment when they are able to drop their pennies and nickels into the plate. Children are truly a blessing! They approach the worship service with wonder and amazement and with a true desire to worship the God that they seem to know so well.
When did we lose the excitement and anticipation and wonder in our lives? A lot of adults consider church to be boring -- to be a duty -- to be something that you do for one hour on Sunday morning. Even those who come seem to want to rush through the songs and the offering and the prayer to get to the sermon. We sing the words from the hymnal -- not from our heart. We give out of a sense of duty -- not out of excitement to be sharing in the work of God. We listen to the sermon with a critic's ear -- not with our spiritual ears. And we leave God behind in the church when we walk out at the end of the service.
Our children don't approach worship like that. They enjoy every moment of it. You sense that they understand the true meaning of worship. They know why they are there, and they enjoy every minute of it. When did we cease to be like them?
In the passage above, Jesus urges us to change and become like little children --to recapture the love of worship -- the love of God -- that we once had. This week I would encourage you to watch the children. Learn from them. Become like them. And come back to the heart of worship.
Saturday, January 24, 2004
It has been a long weekend. Back off to Savannah again for therapy and then rushed back to Valdosta in time to catch the end of the Christian Contemporary concert out at Wild Adventures. Managed to make it back in time to see Sonic Flood and Audio Adrenalin, the two headline bands for the show. But, then we got caught standing in line for 3 hours to get our season passes. Sigh....
Oh well, all was not lost. In the midst of everything that we were going through, I found myself thinking about God's grace. You know, we talk a lot in the church about "prevenient" grace -- the grace that goes before. This is the calling of God in our lives even before we know that God exists. This is that small, still voice that speaks in the depth of your heart while you are still a sinner that tells you that you need a Savior.
As I was thinking of prevenient grace, I got to thinking about Zaccheus, the short tax collector who was saved by Jesus. If you remember the story, Zaccheus was too small to see over the crowds when Jesus was passing by and so he scrambled up a fig-sycamore tree to look over their heads at Jesus. When Jesus got next to the tree, He looked up, invited Zaccheus down and went to dinner at Zaccheus' house, where he was promptly saved along with his whole household.
Talk about your prevenient grace! Not only did Zaccheus hear about Jesus' presence in the city and feel led to come and see Him as He passed by, but God grace was seen in other ways. For instance, it was no coincidence that that tree was there by the side of the road for Zaccheus to climb. God had planned this encounter with Jesus so long ago that He had caused a tree to grow in that exact spot, with limbs low enough for Zaccheus to grab, and strong enough to hold Zaccheus until Jesus passed by. Prevenient grace at it's best!
What about in your life? How many times have you found yourself waiting in lines or held up at stoplights and then seen an old friend you haven't thought of in years? Or all of a sudden thought about God in your life? These are all examples of God's prevenient grace working in your life -- working to call you into a deeper relationship with Him. Who knows, maybe God has even planted a tree for you to climb just like Zaccheus. Spend some time today looking for examples of God's grace around you.
Oh well, all was not lost. In the midst of everything that we were going through, I found myself thinking about God's grace. You know, we talk a lot in the church about "prevenient" grace -- the grace that goes before. This is the calling of God in our lives even before we know that God exists. This is that small, still voice that speaks in the depth of your heart while you are still a sinner that tells you that you need a Savior.
As I was thinking of prevenient grace, I got to thinking about Zaccheus, the short tax collector who was saved by Jesus. If you remember the story, Zaccheus was too small to see over the crowds when Jesus was passing by and so he scrambled up a fig-sycamore tree to look over their heads at Jesus. When Jesus got next to the tree, He looked up, invited Zaccheus down and went to dinner at Zaccheus' house, where he was promptly saved along with his whole household.
Talk about your prevenient grace! Not only did Zaccheus hear about Jesus' presence in the city and feel led to come and see Him as He passed by, but God grace was seen in other ways. For instance, it was no coincidence that that tree was there by the side of the road for Zaccheus to climb. God had planned this encounter with Jesus so long ago that He had caused a tree to grow in that exact spot, with limbs low enough for Zaccheus to grab, and strong enough to hold Zaccheus until Jesus passed by. Prevenient grace at it's best!
What about in your life? How many times have you found yourself waiting in lines or held up at stoplights and then seen an old friend you haven't thought of in years? Or all of a sudden thought about God in your life? These are all examples of God's prevenient grace working in your life -- working to call you into a deeper relationship with Him. Who knows, maybe God has even planted a tree for you to climb just like Zaccheus. Spend some time today looking for examples of God's grace around you.
Thursday, January 22, 2004
THE SECOND UM101 COURSE HAS BEGUN
UM101, an online introductory course about The United Methodist Church, is now in progress - and it's not too late to join the class.
The course is available now through March 17 and is intended for people who want to learn about The United Methodist Church - its roots, theology, structure, connectionalism, and current challenges - on their own time schedules.
Beginning Jan. 21, the course is available 24 hours a day on the Internet as an online learning opportunity and multi-media experience. By joining the class, you will have the opportunity to interact with facilitators and course participants through online discussions until Feb. 25 and have access to the content until March 17.
Cost is $12 per person, payable by credit card or check. For more information and to sign up online for UM101, produced by United Methodist Communications, go to http://www.training.umcom.org.
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UM101, an online introductory course about The United Methodist Church, is now in progress - and it's not too late to join the class.
The course is available now through March 17 and is intended for people who want to learn about The United Methodist Church - its roots, theology, structure, connectionalism, and current challenges - on their own time schedules.
Beginning Jan. 21, the course is available 24 hours a day on the Internet as an online learning opportunity and multi-media experience. By joining the class, you will have the opportunity to interact with facilitators and course participants through online discussions until Feb. 25 and have access to the content until March 17.
Cost is $12 per person, payable by credit card or check. For more information and to sign up online for UM101, produced by United Methodist Communications, go to http://www.training.umcom.org.
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Two items of note in the political news for today:
1. Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade.
Today marks the 31st anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court Ruling that legalized abortion throughout the United States. Although a ban on partial birth abortions was pushed through Congress and signed by President Bush this year, the current status of abortions basically remains unchanged since this decision 31 years ago. Legalized abortion is a blight on our society and on our nation.
One of the most outspoken critics of abortion was Mother Teresa. During the National Prayer Breakfast in 1995, she uttered these wonderful words about abortion:
"I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child, a direct killing of the innocent child, murder by the mother herself.
And if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another? How do we persuade a woman not to have an abortion?
As always, we must persuade her with love and we remind ourselves that love means to be willing to give until it hurts.
Jesus gave even His life to love us. So, the mother who is thinking of abortion, should be helped to love, that is, to give until it hurts her plans, or her free time, to respect the life of her child. The father of that child, whoever he is, must also give until it hurts.
By abortion, the mother does not learn to love, but kills even her own child to solve her problems. And, by abortion, that father is told that he does not have to take any responsibility at all for the child he has brought into the world.
The father is likely to put other women into the same trouble. So abortion just leads to more abortion. Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want.
This is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion."
Words to heed on this 31st anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. Please join me in praying for forgiveness for our nation and for an end to the killing of unborn children in America.
2. Gay Marriage in Georgia
On Wednesday, a Republican legislator introduced a resolution into the General Assembly in Georgia calling for a constitutional amendment to define marriage in Georgia as "one man and one woman." State law currently defines marriage in this way, but a constitutional amendment would ensure that future legislative action would not erode marriage in this state. Additionally, this would prevent Georgia from having to recognize gay marriages or same-sex unions approved in other states. If the resolution passes, we will have the oppportunity to vote on this proposed constitutional amendment in the general election in November.
Two items of note in the political news for today:
1. Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade.
Today marks the 31st anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court Ruling that legalized abortion throughout the United States. Although a ban on partial birth abortions was pushed through Congress and signed by President Bush this year, the current status of abortions basically remains unchanged since this decision 31 years ago. Legalized abortion is a blight on our society and on our nation.
One of the most outspoken critics of abortion was Mother Teresa. During the National Prayer Breakfast in 1995, she uttered these wonderful words about abortion:
"I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child, a direct killing of the innocent child, murder by the mother herself.
And if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another? How do we persuade a woman not to have an abortion?
As always, we must persuade her with love and we remind ourselves that love means to be willing to give until it hurts.
Jesus gave even His life to love us. So, the mother who is thinking of abortion, should be helped to love, that is, to give until it hurts her plans, or her free time, to respect the life of her child. The father of that child, whoever he is, must also give until it hurts.
By abortion, the mother does not learn to love, but kills even her own child to solve her problems. And, by abortion, that father is told that he does not have to take any responsibility at all for the child he has brought into the world.
The father is likely to put other women into the same trouble. So abortion just leads to more abortion. Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want.
This is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion."
Words to heed on this 31st anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. Please join me in praying for forgiveness for our nation and for an end to the killing of unborn children in America.
2. Gay Marriage in Georgia
On Wednesday, a Republican legislator introduced a resolution into the General Assembly in Georgia calling for a constitutional amendment to define marriage in Georgia as "one man and one woman." State law currently defines marriage in this way, but a constitutional amendment would ensure that future legislative action would not erode marriage in this state. Additionally, this would prevent Georgia from having to recognize gay marriages or same-sex unions approved in other states. If the resolution passes, we will have the oppportunity to vote on this proposed constitutional amendment in the general election in November.
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
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2004 Men and Boys Wild Game Supper at Morningside Baptist Church is scheduled for Tuesday, 17 February and Wednesday, 18 February. Tickets are $6.00 each. The meal starts at 7:00 and the speaker comes on about 8:00 pm.
I have been to these for the past 6 years, and I have been impressed with the fellowship and the quality of the speakers. However, I think the food at Wright's Chapel's Wild Game Supper was better. Still, though, for the price, it's a great time. Plus, they decorate the walls from floor to ceiling with game heads and fish. It's worth it just to look at the mounts.
If anyone in the church is interested in going, please let me know as soon as possible. We have to know by February 1st if you want to go or not, and we'll need to collect the $6 from each of you between now and then. Once we get a good count, I'll call the church office and reserve our seats.
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2004 Men and Boys Wild Game Supper at Morningside Baptist Church is scheduled for Tuesday, 17 February and Wednesday, 18 February. Tickets are $6.00 each. The meal starts at 7:00 and the speaker comes on about 8:00 pm.
I have been to these for the past 6 years, and I have been impressed with the fellowship and the quality of the speakers. However, I think the food at Wright's Chapel's Wild Game Supper was better. Still, though, for the price, it's a great time. Plus, they decorate the walls from floor to ceiling with game heads and fish. It's worth it just to look at the mounts.
If anyone in the church is interested in going, please let me know as soon as possible. We have to know by February 1st if you want to go or not, and we'll need to collect the $6 from each of you between now and then. Once we get a good count, I'll call the church office and reserve our seats.
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For those of you who missed it, President Bush made an impassioned plea for the defense of marriage last night in his State of the Union address. Here is what he had to say:
"A strong America must also value the institution of marriage. I believe we should respect individuals as we take a principled stand for one of the most fundamental, enduring institutions of our civilization. Congress has already taken a stand on this issue by passing the Defense of Marriage Act, signed in 1996 by President Clinton. That statute protects marriage under federal law as a union of a man and a woman, and declares that one state may not redefine marriage for other states.
"Activist judges, however, have begun redefining marriage by court order, without regard for the will of the people and their elected representatives. On an issue of such great consequence, the people's voice must be heard. If judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process. Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage.
"The outcome of this debate is important -- and so is the way we conduct it. The same moral tradition that defines marriage also teaches that each individual has dignity and value in God's sight."
Jesus had the following to say about marriage in Matthew 19:4-6, "Haven't you read," he replied. "that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate."
Marriage IS the foundational cornerstone of civilization. It was established in the Garden of Eden by God and should be protected and defended by Christians everywhere. If God has ordained the sanctity of the marriage covenant, who are we to try to deny it through cohabitation, same-sex unions, and polygamy?
"A strong America must also value the institution of marriage. I believe we should respect individuals as we take a principled stand for one of the most fundamental, enduring institutions of our civilization. Congress has already taken a stand on this issue by passing the Defense of Marriage Act, signed in 1996 by President Clinton. That statute protects marriage under federal law as a union of a man and a woman, and declares that one state may not redefine marriage for other states.
"Activist judges, however, have begun redefining marriage by court order, without regard for the will of the people and their elected representatives. On an issue of such great consequence, the people's voice must be heard. If judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process. Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage.
"The outcome of this debate is important -- and so is the way we conduct it. The same moral tradition that defines marriage also teaches that each individual has dignity and value in God's sight."
Jesus had the following to say about marriage in Matthew 19:4-6, "Haven't you read," he replied. "that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate."
Marriage IS the foundational cornerstone of civilization. It was established in the Garden of Eden by God and should be protected and defended by Christians everywhere. If God has ordained the sanctity of the marriage covenant, who are we to try to deny it through cohabitation, same-sex unions, and polygamy?
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
In keeping with the main purpose of this blog, let me share with you some important events that are coming up in the next few weeks:
25 January -- Finance Committee Meeting (WCUMC), 3:30 pm
7 February -- Valentine's Day Dinner (WCUMC), 6:00 pm, Austin's
29 February -- Fifth Sunday Revival (WCUMC), 11:30 am, Speaker TBD -- Bring a friend with you!
29 February -- Valdosta District Rally, Park Avenue UMC. Workshops -- 3:00 - 4:00 pm; Worship -- 4:00 - 5:00 pm, Rev. Robert Beckum.
BIBLE STUDIES
Wright's Chapel: Daniel Bible Study, Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall; Experiencing God Bible Study, Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the Son Room
Naylor UMC: Ephesians Bible Study, Sundays at 6:00 pm
25 January -- Finance Committee Meeting (WCUMC), 3:30 pm
7 February -- Valentine's Day Dinner (WCUMC), 6:00 pm, Austin's
29 February -- Fifth Sunday Revival (WCUMC), 11:30 am, Speaker TBD -- Bring a friend with you!
29 February -- Valdosta District Rally, Park Avenue UMC. Workshops -- 3:00 - 4:00 pm; Worship -- 4:00 - 5:00 pm, Rev. Robert Beckum.
BIBLE STUDIES
Wright's Chapel: Daniel Bible Study, Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall; Experiencing God Bible Study, Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the Son Room
Naylor UMC: Ephesians Bible Study, Sundays at 6:00 pm
The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:22, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." In this new age of the internet and instant access to information, it is imperative that new methods of getting out the old story be tried and implemented to reach new generations for Christ. This blog is my attempt at doing just that.
The title for this blog comes from the contemporary Christian song, "I Can Only Imagine," by the group Mercy Me. This song speaks to the heart of our Christian existence as we look forward to the day we will walk with our Lord and Savior in Heaven. To quote from the song,
"I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by Your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine.
Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus?
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence?
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine"
Do you know the Christ of whom this song speaks? Can your heart capture the joy that will be ours when we are before Jesus in Heaven? What will you do? As for me, I can only imagine....
I do not know where this blog may lead. I am only responding to the song that is in my heart and to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. My main goal in setting up this blog was to provide timely information to the members of the Naylor and Wright's Chapel United Methodist Churches and to others in the Valdosta District UMC, but I pray that God will use this blog as His tool to reach others.
Your brother in Christ,
Greg Lee
The title for this blog comes from the contemporary Christian song, "I Can Only Imagine," by the group Mercy Me. This song speaks to the heart of our Christian existence as we look forward to the day we will walk with our Lord and Savior in Heaven. To quote from the song,
"I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by Your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine.
Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus?
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence?
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine"
Do you know the Christ of whom this song speaks? Can your heart capture the joy that will be ours when we are before Jesus in Heaven? What will you do? As for me, I can only imagine....
I do not know where this blog may lead. I am only responding to the song that is in my heart and to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. My main goal in setting up this blog was to provide timely information to the members of the Naylor and Wright's Chapel United Methodist Churches and to others in the Valdosta District UMC, but I pray that God will use this blog as His tool to reach others.
Your brother in Christ,
Greg Lee
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