Laughter

Something happened in church that was funny.  Well, we always laugh a little.  I like to cut up some and so does my church.  They especially love it when I do something stupid or I get my tongue tied up.  They get to poke a little at the preacher.  That seemed to happen a lot on Sunday.  We had a couple of big laughs at my expense.  Some are designed that way, but some happen all on their own.  In any event they are fun and in good spirit.  It makes me think…we need laughter in our churches!

At Stockbridge First we can laugh.  Whether it is at me or with me we have fun.  I know Jesus probably had one of those smiles that could make you feel nothing bad could ever happen.  A smile that no matter what would lift you up and out.  I bet He could laugh as well.  I can picture them around campfires and meetings telling stories that had them all in a roar.  Maybe they were ribbing each other at times.  Maybe they were telling stories about their children or times when they did things that were brainless.

Where is your laughter today?  Has it been lost and forgotten in the chaos and business of life?  Or is it something that is just a part of you?  Are you that kind of person that just can bring out the laugh and smile in the toughest of times?  Do you get others laughing too?  Do you lighten the spirit of those who feel the weight of the world?

We need it in this world!  A little levity in tough places.  We need it in our lives.  A carefree spirit can make us soar.  So you have permission to laugh!  Go ahead.  If something has you so beaten up it is time to laugh a little.  It won’t hurt.  It will only make you feel, yet again, just like you should…a child of God.

See you Sunday for some more!

Love you all,

Rev. Jim

I Never Get Tired Of…

Good Morning,

I greet you on a rainy morning and I hope you are staying dry. Seems like I have said that a lot lately. I am getting rather tired of it. Yet, some things I never get tired of saying. Here are some:

Thank you for what you do for Stockbridge First UMC!

Thank you for your love and compassion for people in need!

Thank you for stretching your heart and most importantly allowing God to live in it!

Thank you for letting us minister to your children and teach them about Christ!

Thank you for your presence in worship and in the life of the church!

Thank you for letting the mistakes of others not be life ending, but life changing!

Thank you for what you give…I know money is tough, so thank you!

Thank you for inviting others to this great place…it is making a difference!

Some things I will never get tired of saying…those are just a few. What will you say to someone today? Will it be the truth or not? Will it be an exaggeration or right on the money? Will it be just a little lie or a whopper? Will it be love? Or how about forgiveness? What will you say that can change a life forever?

Never get tired of saying these words…JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! Now those can change a life forever.

Love You All,

Rev. Jim

ALWAYS REJOICE!

I had a dear friend working on his roof the other day.  He was putting a tarp on it, because it was leaking.  It was a beautiful day out and I asked if I could help. He of course said no, but thank you.  The next day it poured.  I called him to ask if he was okay and he said this to me, “I am blessed beyond measure!”

Sometimes it is hard to see that we are blessed beyond measure, to rejoice no matter what.  However, that is exactly what the Bible tells us.  Paul says, “To rejoice in your sufferings!”  Everything is a moment to either rejoice or complain.

I bet you know people who just complain.  Don’t be one of them, but instead rejoice and give thanks for your life.  Let me remind you of some things about which to rejoice…

GOD LOVES YOU, GOD DIED FOR YOU, GOD HAS CALLED YOU AN HEIR TO THE KINGDOM, GOD HAS CHOSEN YOU FOR A LIFE ABUNDANT, GOD HAS GIVEN YOU THE KEYS TO HEAVEN, GOD HAS SAID YOU WILL LIVE ETERNALLY…

Now those are some things in which to rejoice.  So it might be raining today…REJOICE.  Your boss might have bad news, but it isn’t forever…REJOICE.  You might get startling news from the doctor, but remember God is with you…REJOICE!

Life will get better when you do…I promise!

Love you all,

Rev. Jim

Interested or Passionate?

We live in a weird world.  You can get rich quick, in shape in five minutes, slim if you drink this shake.  Or how about this one, be happy if you buy this or be the person you always wanted to be if you wear this or drive that.  The world has created so much for us to consume that the result is we are not passionate about a whole lot.  Instead, we are merely INTERESTED.  There is a difference you know.  There is a big difference between being INTERESTED in something or being PASSIONATE about it.

Being interested means that we sniff around it.  We might kick the tires a couple of times.  We might take it for a ride, but then the glow wears off.  However, being passionate about something means we not only kick the tires, but we buy the car!  We then take it a part and learn how it works, put it back together again, make it faster, repaint it and know it so well that we live eat and sleep in it!  THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.

The reason we live a lackluster life is that we are merely interested in things when God is calling us to be PASSIONATE.  Dare I say we are merely interested in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Dare I say we have only just kicked around the idea of Jesus Christ and what He has done for the world.  Do I dare say that we have just taken this Christian life for a test drive to only come back and park in the garage, cover it up and wait til we feel like another spin.

When will we get passionate about our Lord and what He calls us to be?  When will we be fully invested?!

So if you want more out of life.  If you really want to live then get in!  Get in and instead of you driving, let Jesus be your Lord.  Give Him control.  Lift up your prayers.  Get on your knees.  Open your heart.  Say your sorry.  I know that when you do a new life awaits!

See you Sunday,

Rev. Jim