December 13th, 2023
by Tim Melton, Director of Facilties
by Tim Melton, Director of Facilties
Scripture
“Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you're in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer.” - Romans 12:12 CEB
Reflection
The Christian experiences the same world that everyone else experiences. They smile with delight at the birth of their nephew. And they’re filled with anxiety at that child’s first steps.
Their knuckles explode with pain when the wrench slips. And their hands bleed, the skin becomes callused and cracked from use.
The bitter cold of the winter wind bites into them on a frozen Tuesday afternoon when up on the roof making repairs. And the blistering hot summer sun beats down on their neck when patching the parking lot or pulling weeds.
They feel the same pressure to buy more, have more, consume more. And they feel the same sting of exclusion because of social and economic class distinctions built into the culture – no matter where they spend their time on Sunday mornings or Saturday nights.
They feel the same concern over their loved one’s medical condition. And feel the same pain when they lose a family member.
Even though the Christian experiences the same world as the person who never bends their knees and never bows their head (never acknowledging God), the Apostle Paul teaches us that we have been given a gift -- the gift of perspective.
Paul wrote “…We even take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Romans 5:3-5 CEB
Later, Paul wrote that we can find freedom from angst and distress by doing these simple things: “Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you're in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer.” -Romans 12:12 CEB
We can choose to find hope in all things, in all circumstances. And not just hope, but happiness and joy. A hope that is born from a faith in Christ. In salvation – not as a reward for actions or for service, but as a gift granted by grace.
And through constant prayer, we can renew hope and find the strength to become and remain patient, persevering through our troubles, afflictions, sadness, and pain. Presenting our requests to God in all situations, good or bad, with gratitude and rejoicing is the gift of perspective we’re given this season.
Prayer
Gracious God,
I needed you, and you were there for me. Thank you for every bit of love, mercy and grace that was shown to me - though I did not deserve it. Forgive me, and please grant me the strength to forgive. Thank you for your faithfulness even in my suffering. Please open me up to your Word, and please open up your Word to me. And please allow me to be useful to you. To you alone be the glory. In Christ's name I pray. Amen.
“Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you're in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer.” - Romans 12:12 CEB
Reflection
The Christian experiences the same world that everyone else experiences. They smile with delight at the birth of their nephew. And they’re filled with anxiety at that child’s first steps.
Their knuckles explode with pain when the wrench slips. And their hands bleed, the skin becomes callused and cracked from use.
The bitter cold of the winter wind bites into them on a frozen Tuesday afternoon when up on the roof making repairs. And the blistering hot summer sun beats down on their neck when patching the parking lot or pulling weeds.
They feel the same pressure to buy more, have more, consume more. And they feel the same sting of exclusion because of social and economic class distinctions built into the culture – no matter where they spend their time on Sunday mornings or Saturday nights.
They feel the same concern over their loved one’s medical condition. And feel the same pain when they lose a family member.
Even though the Christian experiences the same world as the person who never bends their knees and never bows their head (never acknowledging God), the Apostle Paul teaches us that we have been given a gift -- the gift of perspective.
Paul wrote “…We even take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Romans 5:3-5 CEB
Later, Paul wrote that we can find freedom from angst and distress by doing these simple things: “Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you're in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer.” -Romans 12:12 CEB
We can choose to find hope in all things, in all circumstances. And not just hope, but happiness and joy. A hope that is born from a faith in Christ. In salvation – not as a reward for actions or for service, but as a gift granted by grace.
And through constant prayer, we can renew hope and find the strength to become and remain patient, persevering through our troubles, afflictions, sadness, and pain. Presenting our requests to God in all situations, good or bad, with gratitude and rejoicing is the gift of perspective we’re given this season.
Prayer
Gracious God,
I needed you, and you were there for me. Thank you for every bit of love, mercy and grace that was shown to me - though I did not deserve it. Forgive me, and please grant me the strength to forgive. Thank you for your faithfulness even in my suffering. Please open me up to your Word, and please open up your Word to me. And please allow me to be useful to you. To you alone be the glory. In Christ's name I pray. Amen.
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Archive
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
September
Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 1Transitioning...to 47 // M-Note 9.7.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 2Invitations Work in Mysterious Ways // M-Note 9.14.24Students Stepping Up: Getting Involved in Ministry // M-Note 9.21.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 3A Stressful Season // M-Note 9.28.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 4
October
It Doesn't Have to Be This Way // M-Note 10.5.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Love Thy Political Neighbor // M-Note 10.11.2024Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Fear is a Powerful Motivator // M-Note 10.19.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Why Do Bad Things Happen? // M-Note 10.26.24Why? Discussion Guide - Week 1
November
December
Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 1Christmas Invitations // M-Note 12.7.24Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 2Christmas Eve is Coming Early // M-Note 12.14.2024Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 3Christmas Eve is Almost Here // M-Note 12.21.2024Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 4
2023
January
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