The wonderful theologian and writer, Henri Nouwen, penned these words:

How do we know about God’s love, God’s generosity, God’s kindness, God’s forgiveness? Through our parents, our friends, our teachers, our pastors, our spouses, our children … they all reveal God to us. But as we come to know them, we realise that each of them can reveal only a little bit of God. God’s love is greater than theirs; God’s goodness is greater than theirs; God’s beauty is greater than theirs.

At first we may be disappointed in these people in our lives. For a while we thought that they would be able to give us all the love, goodness, and beauty we needed. But gradually we discover that they were all signposts on the way to God.

I am thankful for all the signposts in my life. For whom will you be a signpost on the way to God this week?

Cliff

CHURCH NEWS:

•    The Flood Bucket Challenge is on! Help us help the people of Louisiana by filling a bucket. Bucket items list is in the church office.
•     Wednesday Night Dinner and Study resumes September 7. Sign up for dinner by calling the church office.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he/she is a brand new creature; the old has gone, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

 I was reflecting with an old friend recently and we realized something quite amazing. He and I were both fairly wild in our high school days until a group called Young Life entered our lives. Young Life is a Christian outreach to students (back then it was only to High School students). They had a small group which my friend and I were a part of in 11^th grade. We were remembering that group and it hit us that 5 out of the 6 members went to seminary and served in ministry. 

Sheff worked with youth for 25 years. Carl is a Presbyterian pastor. Bobby is a missionary in Haiti. Bill pastors a church in the D.C. area. And I ended up a United Methodist pastor. The other member of our group, Kathy, became a well-respected judge.

 We became changed people as a result of that small group led by young men and women just out of college who saw a need to share the Good News with some rowdy high school students. I am most grateful. 

 I’d love to hear how God has changed your life! Drop me an email or give me a call!

Peace,

Cliff

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A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17).
There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (or sister) (Proverbs 18:24).

This summer I took a road trip to the Adirondack Mountains with my great friend, Sheffield. We go all the way back to Junior High School. He was the best man at my wedding and I am the godfather for his daughter.  

Kenny Rogers sang a neat song a few years back:  “You Can’t Make Old Friends.”  Here are a few of the lyrics:

            What will I do when you are gone?

            Who’s gonna tell me the truth?

            Who’s gonna finish the stories I start

            The way you always do?

            When Saint Peter opens the gate

            And you come walking in

            I’ll be there just waiting for you

            Cause you can’t make old friends

I am most thankful for your ongoing friendship. It is a priceless treasure to me.  

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cmelvin@cbtsumc.org

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares The Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). 

Throughout much of my life, this verse has been a great help to me. I imagine it has for you, too. Each of us likely has her or his own plans, but we also know that “God’s ways are not our ways,” as Isaiah reminded us, and so we look always to God for His plans, trusting, even knowing (much of the time) that they are for good, to prosper and not to harm, to give hope and a future.  So be it for YOU – always.   

Love and prayers,

Cliff

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares The Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). 

Throughout much of my life, this verse has been a great help to me. I imagine it has for you, too. Each of us likely has her or his own plans, but we also know that “God’s ways are not our ways,” as Isaiah reminded us, and so we look always to God for His plans, trusting, even knowing (much of the time) that they are for good, to prosper and not to harm, to give hope and a future.  So be it for YOU – always.   

Love and prayers,

Cliff

 CHURCH NEWS:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares The Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). 

Throughout much of my life, this verse has been a great help to me. I imagine it has for you, too. Each of us likely has her or his own plans, but we also know that “God’s ways are not our ways,” as Isaiah reminded us, and so we look always to God for His plans, trusting, even knowing (much of the time) that they are for good, to prosper and not to harm, to give hope and a future.  So be it for YOU – always.   

Love and prayers,

Cliff

 CHURCH NEWS:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?  (Matt 6:25-27).

I read these words of Jesus and agree with them – all the time – except when I worry!!  Do you know what I mean?  I try really hard to do what Jesus tells me to do; I really try hard not to worry, and I’m often successful.  But then something happens, and I go over the edge.  

I am pretty sure that deep down I understand that God really is in control and I can rest in His arms, and trust His ways, even when I can can’t see completely through the haze.  I know God wants the best for me, and for you.  I can trust God – always, even when a part of me worries.  How about you?

Have a worry-free week,

Cliff

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And when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you (Matt 6: 6).

A couple of weeks ago, someone shared with me a new idea about prayer. Begin your day by singing the Doxology – first thing when you wake up!  Usually we sing that AFTER something, for which we are giving thanks or praising God, but by starting our day praising God for all that will happen that day, well… just try it.  I have and find it to be wonderful:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

                 Praise Him all creatures here below.

                 Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

                 Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

Love and prayers,

Cliff

Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect (Matt. 5:48) 

Come on, Jesus, now you’ve gone too far!  You know and I know that no one can be perfect, and certainly not perfect as God is perfect!  So why command us to be? 

What is Jesus talking about here in this context anyway?  Love.  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you:  Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (43 – 45).

 Jesus is saying something like this:  It’s in God’s very nature to love and to love all, and the key to our living is to have the presence of God dwell within us. With that comes God’s very nature to love, so you’re “stuck” sort of – in the sense that if you and I want God to live within us, then we’re going to love as God loves – which is to love regardless of how nice the other person is.  

 Or let me put it this way:  if this weren’t true about God, then you and I wouldn’t have a chance, because God loved us when we were very unlovable, when we have been as different from God as we can imagine.

 So, there it is:  Love as God loves; be perfect – in your loving – as your Heavenly Father is perfect.  The only way that can be done is to let God love others through you and me.  Let’s try it, ok?  

 Love and prayers,

Cliff

 CHURCH NEWS: Please continue to be in prayer for our Costa Rica Mission Team. They return late Saturday night.

…But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13, 14).

My 60^th birthday this past April caused me to do a lot of reflecting.  Oh my! Such wonderful and sometimes painful memories. I’m sure Paul was an advocate for remembering – as every good, Biblical person is (!). I’m sure what Paul was forgetting was any past accolades or accomplishments or attainments of the Law or his heritage that he might have done; he was forgetting all of those and pressing on toward the ONE thing that he came to realize really matters in life – when all is said and done – and that is his relationship with his Maker. He was moving forward toward the prize of living for God, living in God and to living with God forever.  That’s the prize, that’s the joy, that’s what it’s all about.  Amen! 

So, whatever “stuff” you might have in your past, or whatever messes you might be dealing with right now, you will still have to deal with them, but you can “forget” them in the sense that they don’t consume you or overwhelm you.  And here’s the really wonderful part:  as you focus on Christ and Christ within you, you begin to see from His perspective and these other things recede in importance, and lose their domination over you; you truly see from a different point of view as you turn your gaze toward Him and the future He has for you!   

Love and prayers,

Cliff

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