07/01/2019
People will gather in so many places around our country to recognize July 4th with celebration, good food and fireworks. In Scripture we are clearly reminded that it is important for us to have times of celebration and thankfulness. July 4th is specifically a celebration of thankfulness for USA yesterday, today and tomorrow.
I will probably ooohhhh and ahhhhhhhh on the lawn of the church with many others as a fabulous display of color is projected onto the night sky. While sitting there in the Heart of Carmel, we will be surrounded by many beautifully manmade structures which reminds me of the creative work of human hands. As we spread our blankets, or place our seats on the lawn, it is there that we may look down to our feet to be reminded of the earth and the handiwork of God’s hand of creation. I love that Carmel UMC, in the Heart of Carmel, has this large green space which is truly a reminder of God our Creator. The heart of everything is God. The heart and plan of God is to always be right in the center of who we are and what we do. That is the foundation and grounding of our past upon which God desires for us to build upon to His glory.
As we celebrate our blessings, let us also remember that God has blessed us to be a blessing to, and for, others. We may sit and enjoy the fireworks display in a community of many comforts but we are to do so with a heart and mindfulness of others who may not experience such comforts of life. So allow those beautiful lights in the sky to be a reminder that as persons and as a nation, we are to be a light unto the world.
Have a safe and blessed 4th of July wherever you will be. Blessings, Pastor Patti
Archived Posts
What just missed the cut for Sunday’s Sermon
Naaman’s servants may actually become one of the hidden gems of the sermon. They say, essentially: “If the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it.”
One of the Longest Benedictions I Ran Out of Time to Share
Maybe you know the story of how Joseph and Mary accidentally left Jesus at the gas station on their way home from Jerusalem. Well, not the gas station bathroom in Jesus’ case. Joe and Mary are far down the road before they realize Jesus isn’t with them...
So many quips and quotes...
So little time to preach
I wonder what Mary and Martha’s phones might look like:
* Martha = the open browser with 27 tabs
* Mary = the single window that matters
* Psalm 46 = God saying, “Close the tabs.”
Quotable Outtakes That Didn’t Make the Sermon This Week
“When you try to control everything, you don’t just exhaust yourself—you quietly replace trust in God with trust in you.” & more
There is a challenge when it comes to preaching the Word of God.
Preachers are called to open up and interpret the word—inspired and written down thousands of years ago—and make it relevant to a very different world. On top of that there’s a degree of persuasion that goes along with the process.
What Jessica Really Meant to Say in Her Sermon…
When Jessica or Rick or a guest preacher takes the pulpit it’s hard for me to write a One More Thing Blog. I can’t share with you what didn’t make it into the sermon because I have no idea, not having written or delivered it.
Jesus Keeps On Ruining Funerals!
I didn’t have anything this last week that didn’t end up in the sermon. No catchy illustrations that didn’t make the cut. No theological insights that slowed down the main point. No one can ruin a funeral like Jesus. Told as I saw it and that was it. So I did some quick research and I thought I’d share just a reminder of what Easter is all about.