A Message from the Pastor
The founder of Methodism, John Wesley, wrote these words, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
As United Methodists serving the city of Douglas and Coffee County we have pledged ourselves to “A Shared Ministry” in seeking to fulfill this challenge set forth by Wesley. We accomplish this by being a family - a different kind of family - a family made up of members who wear different clothes, work different jobs, reside in different houses, drive different cars, but all who share the same faith and ministry.
Our family celebrates together, comforts each other, and provides for one another. In a constantly changing world, you can find the constant love of God in our family - the family of the Douglas First United Methodist Church. Come be a part of our family and help us “do all the good we can . . . “
Friday Faith Forum for September 03, 2010
(If you would like to receive this weekly message by e-mail, you
Greetings in the Name of the Risen Christ!
I have been talking a lot about prayer in my sermons and newsletters lately. Back in May when we received the results of our Natural Church Development survey, I went through a period of denial; the results stated that Passionate Spirituality was the area we needed work on. But then over the summer I have slowly begun looking at my own prayer life and my passion for doing God's work and have found it wanting. I picked up on old and trusted book simply entitled, Prayer, by Richard Foster, and found myself yearning again. If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it to you.
Yesterday, I was reading from a section called "The Prayer of the Heart". I read this passage, "The first way of coming into the Prayer of the Heart is by simple love. Love is the response of the heart to the overwhelming goodness of God, so come in simply and speak to him in unvarnished honesty." And it occurred to me that it had been a long time since I simply said to God, "I love you". Oh, I've told God many other things, some He may have received gladly, others He may have received in grace, many others in disappointment. I've praised Him in prayer and worship, but for some reason it just occurred to me that I had put some distance in our relationship - no real reason - it just happened. And the way I discovered it was that I had not said to God in a long while, "I love you."
And then when I said those words, something happened. In a moment or two I heard those words repeated back at me, "I love you, too." Simple words; words that we often say back to something like that, but I was suddenly overwhelmed with a wonderful "feeling" of that love - a "feeling" that does not come as often as we would like (mostly because we are too busy, etc. to receive it!). At first, I could only gasp, but after a moment I caught my breath and sighed. I asked myself, "why had God just given me such a gift?" Then I asked, "why doesn't He give me this gift always?" (I really knew the answer to that one!)
But that wasn't all, for throughout the day, their were moments of remembrance: "I am here;" "I love you."
And then I knew He wanted me to share this with you . . . to encourage you to do the same . . . to tell God you love Him . . . that you may have the opportunity to know and experience the love of God. Speak words of love and compassion to Him. Speak to Him right now. Tell God you love him.
Love in Christ,
Craig
