Rejoice even when times are hard
There are a lot of things that happen in a week. We are surprised by the people we meet and the events that happen. I had the opportunity to sit down with a friend the other day to talk about things and what was going on in my life and in his. He was struggling with prolonged and difficult problem that was weighing down his heart. As he was telling me about the specifics about his problems at hand, I had a mixture of emotions. I care about this friend and we know each other quite well because we grew up with each other and shared a lot great experiences. I knew he was grieving about his challenges and I grieved with him and tried to figure out ways to counsel him wisely. I would have thought it to be easy with many years of counseling education, but it was not.
After listening thoroughly to his situation, I sought to draw his attention away from his immediate situation to God’s grace that was in his life and in the areas in which he served. It is easy to over look and ignore God’s grace in the trials that we face. The struggle that he was facing was also showing problems in his heart and his service to his job and to his position in his church. With his heart open and focusing on God’s grace allowed for the gospel to work on his heart. My friend and I went through the same struggles when it came to church when we were in high school together.
Most importantly in the conversation, I attempted to strengthen my friend by reminding him of God’s sovereignty, wisdom, and his never ending grace. God is there working through the difficulties to
accomplish his good purposes. God is at work in our lives in the adversity to sanctify our hearts. God was working in the trials of my friend’s life to deepen the relationship between him and my friend.
Philippians 4:4 gives a great reminder of what we should do in hard times, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice” (ESV). I only had a conversation with a friend, nothing new or unique. I only gave him counsel, which we find in Christ and in God’s grace. This verse can be easily ignored and forgotten in our busy lives. I myself have come to realize that I forget about Philippians 4:4. We must rejoice and rejoice for his glory. We suffer and go through rough trials but we still rejoice in God. God gave us this verse for the good of our soul and for his glory.
How about the struggles in your life? Are you personally experiencing a season where things do not seem right and do you feel that there is not end in sight? If so, do not focus on peering into the future trying to predict when the trial will be, I recommend another approach. We need to look down and then up. I know the looking down might be a shock but it is important. Look down and realize that something is going to happen. There is a transition underway. The transition is to shift the joy in our life from the joys we find in the created things to the Creator. Then after we look down to notice that the shift is being made look up and delight in the Lord himself. Contemplate on God’s never changing character. God’s love never changes and it is always there for us, reaching out to us, and lifting us up. Reflect on the reason for the sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross. Focus on the love, forgiveness, and grace that radiates from the sacrifice that was made. We should become dependent upon God’s grace; obey this command given for our good and his glory. Rejoice in the troubled times because he is offering us so much more than you or I deserve.
This will not alter the severity of your trials, but it will transform your perspective and strengthen your soul for the trials that you face.
Your brother in Christ,
Tommy
United Methodist Men
The UMM will be having the monthly breakfast meeting this Sunday August 1rst at 8:15 a.m. and are inviting everyone to attend as plans will be discussed for our upcoming Powers Crossroads fundraising weekend.
Ad Board
There will be a short Ad Board meeting on Sunday August 22nd after church. All committee chairs should make plans to attend.
Welcome Dinner
The ladies are planning a welcome to the church dinner after church on Sunday, August 15th for Tommy. This will be a covered dish event. Please come and meet our new pastor.
United Methodist Women
The UMW will have its monthly meeting on Saturday, August 8th at 10:00 a.m. All ladies please make plans to attend - we will discuss upcoming events.
National Methodist News
Top court takes up membership issues
NEW YORK -- The United Methodist Judicial Council is being asked to revisit a decision allowing a pastor to bar a gay man from joining his congregation. When the denomination’s top court meets Oct. 27-30 in New Orleans, seven of the 31 docket items revolve around membership issues, including the right of pastors to decide who is worthy of membership.
Red Bird mission school to reopen
BEVERLY, Ky. -- After almost shutting its doors, the Red Bird Mission School will once again welcome students in the remote mountains of southeastern Kentucky. In May, the Red Bird Mission Board had voted to suspend classes during the 2010-2011 academic year to build up its cash reserves after years of dwindling donations. But after receiving more than $100,000 in gifts and making substantial budget cuts, the board voted on July 22 to open the United Methodist school to 150 kindergartners through 12th graders this coming school year.
Lutheran-United Methodist group meets
CHICAGO - A joint commission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The United Methodist Church developed a three-year plan at its inaugural meeting July 15. The commission is charged with assisting the two denominations in fostering their new full communion relationship.
Wogaman named interim dean at Claremont
CLAREMONT, Calif. — The Rev. J. Philip Wogaman has been named interim vice president for academic affairs and dean at the Claremont School of Theology beginning Sept. 1. Wogaman is professor emeritus of Christian ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington and served as interim president at Iliff School of Theology in Denver from 2004-2006.
Mississippi marks Katrina anniversary with prayer
JACKSON, Miss. — The fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall on the Gulf Coast will fall on Aug. 29, a Sunday this year. Mississippi Area Bishop Hope Morgan Ward invites churches to pray for those affected by the hurricane. In mid-August, the Mississippi Annual (regional) Conference will post worship ideas and resources to mark the occasion at its website.
UMCOR provides disaster training in Cambodia
NEW YORK - More than 30 representatives of the Methodist Mission of Cambodia participated in a recent three-day workshop on disaster preparedness and response organized by the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Heavy rain, typhoons and flooding are regular occurrences in Cambodia. The workshop helped local church communities acquire tools and resources they need to prepare for, and respond to, such emergencies.
LaGrange District News
Meet the new District Superintendent
The Reverend Carol Grubbs Cook is the
District Superintendent of the LaGrange District.
Carol has served under appointment for the past 21 years as Associate at Newnan First and as pastor of Hogansville First, Senoia, Rockmart First, and Clayton First. She also has experience as a church music director, director of Christian education, youth minister, and program director in United Methodist Churches. She believes in the power of the connectional system and reminds churches that we can do so much more when we partner together in ministry than we can do on our own.
Carol is a graduate of Tift College with a degree in music education and Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. She is married to Scott Cook and has one grown son, Ryan Molock.
She says, “I am proud to be a part of such an active district and look forward to many great days of ministry together.”
Lay Speaking Classes
The District Board of Laity is offering several lay speaking classes in August. Tuesday, August 17 is the first day of a 6 week series of classes offering the Basic Class and an Advanced class, "Lay Speakers Grow Spiritually Through Daily Discipline". The classes are being held at the Pleasant Grove UMC (3704 Hamilton Road, LaGrange) from 7-9pm. A Refresher Class is being offered on Saturday, August 21 at the Leete Hill UMC (810 Hamilton Road, LaGrange) from 9am - 2pm. The class is for Local Church Lay Speakers who need a course to be re-certified. Registration for the Refresher Course is $20 and $40 for the Basic and Advanced Classes. Registration must come through the District Office by August 6. There will be no late registration or registration at the door. For more information on lay speakers, see the lay speaking page of this website.
On the lighter sideH
Church bulletin bloopers...RS
The Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.
Beach Day Bible Camp
Our beach day Bible Camp was a success with 12 local children attending. Everyone had a good time and we learned some things we'll keep in mind when planning for next summer's event.
