when God speaks

This Sunday at Tabernacle we are finishing our series entitled "When God Speaks". The premise of our study together has been a focus upon the response of people when God speaks to them. We have looked at the heroes of our faith who have responded by saying, "Here I am".

What happens when instead of this phrase being the response of the people of God, it is the very message that God says Himself. What do we do when Jesus says, "Here I am."? Find out this Sunday....

Contemporary 8:30 am

Traditional 11 am

Sunday school for all ages at 9:45 am

www.tumc-erma.org

peace child

There is a missionary story the talks about how some missionaries went to a culture where Judas was seen as the hero of the Gospel story because that culture celebrated cunning. Being shocked at the applause that Judas got, the missionaries didn't know how to communicate the Gospel and had to rethink their approach.

That is until one day two sides of the tribe were fighting when all of a sudden a mother gave up her child to the other side. The fighting stopped instantly. Puzzled at the event, the missionaries came to the realization that there is one thing stronger than division, a parent's love. This is known as offering a "peace child." The missionaries then had their story to tell.

congrats

Congratulations to all those who are graduating in the next week or two. Remember that we are a people that are called to love God with our heart, soul, MIND, and strength. Your academic achievements are an act of worship unto God.

We need Christians who are preparing and prepared for a life of service in this world. They need to be trained and equipped to do God's work in the world. Your graduation (particularly those from High School) is just the beginning of a lifetime of learning, growing, and developing. So as you listen to the typical graduation speech (oh the places you'll go ala Dr. Seuss, or the Road Less Traveled bit), remember that the world is waiting for you. Will you be ready to serve them? Will you be prepared and have your mind sharpened? This is just the beginning, get ready.

might be a while...

due to my broken arm typing is slow and frustrating...

so it might be a while for a blog update. be patient, i will be back & better than ever soon

speak, Your servant is listening.

let your ear be attentive to the voice of my supplications....

when was the last time our ears were attentive to what God desired to say? This Sunday at Tabernacle, we are going to investigate what it means to have a listening ear. With this comes a new perspective. As we prepare to worship together this week - I encourage you to read 1 Samuel 3 to prepare.

See you on Sunday.

we're still here.

Let me put my 'shocked face' on. I have to admit that when the clock struck 6 p.m. EST I turned on the evening news to see what the coverage would be. Was there a natural disaster somewhere? What would the news say?

We have been saturated with today's date, May 21st 2011. This was going to be the judgement day before a period of 5 months of trials and the end of the world. Right. Sadly, many are worried about the so called prophesy and it has led to fear for many. Though the second coming will be an actual event, I disagree with those who believe that this leads to an overall positive message about it.

As for me - I wish that guy would just shut up. The problem is that people believed him, even though an earlier prediction for the end of the world has already come and gone. I can't wait to hear his response to how this date didn't work out. Maybe it was wrong mathematical calculations again. So, with all of the theological and biblical answers that I could use to prove the absurdity of this guy's claim, let me close with these words from the group Public Enemy...

"Don't believe the hype."

hide and seek.

Does God play hide and seek? At times we may feel this way, but then we would be in good company with the Psalmist and even Jesus himself. Although at times it feels as if God cannot be found, the revelation of God shows us something much different.

God does not play hide and seek because He desires to make Himself known. Romans 1 reminds us of natural revelation - ²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Jesus himself in seen to be the special revelation of God. If you want to know who God is, or what God is like - look at Jesus. He reveals the Father, according to John.

So if God desires to make Himself known - what will be our response when He speaks to us?

Join us at Tabernacle UMC as we seek to discover such a reality.