Don’t forget to schedule your photo appointment July 11, 2010
Posted by tmumc in : Uncategorized , add a commentPhoto sessions for a new photo directory begin August 6 and go through August 28. Sign up early to get the spot that is convenient for you. Register now at www.tmumc.org or the direct link is https://signup.olanmills.com/familyinfo.aspx?chcontract=54754. You are able to view your proofs on the same day. Every participating family receives a free 8×10 and a Trietsch photo directory. There is no obligation to purchase photos, but they will make great Christmas gifts. Contact info@tmumc.org.
Friday, July 2 – Daily Reading July 11, 2010
Posted by tmumc in : Uncategorized , add a commentFriday, July 2 – Read James 4:13-17 – Life is short. James encourages the reader to live each day for the Lord. This passage does not condemn planning for the future. Instead, it condemns planning for the future without including God. Before you begin your day, look at your calendar. Have you included Christ in your planning for the next three months?
Thursday, July 1 – Daily Reading July 11, 2010
Posted by tmumc in : Uncategorized , add a commentThursday, July 1 – Read James 4: 11-12 – In this short verse James reinforces an earlier warning concerning our language. Here, he strongly admonishes “speaking evil of another.” Measure yourself today. For every negative word to speak about someone, speak at least five positive words about someone else.
Wednesday, June 30 – Daily Reading June 30, 2010
Posted by tmumc in : Uncategorized , add a commentWednesday, June 30 – Read James 4: 1-10 - In this part of James’ letter he speaks harshly to the reader. His language is judgmental and difficult to read. Yet, James intent is not to invite the reader into a state of guilt. James wants us to understand the joy and exaltation that comes in drawing close to God. Conflict comes through our distance from God. Begin your day drawing close to God through prayer and meditation. Listen quietly to God’s urging. Allow God to use you in someone’s life today.
Tuesday, June 29 – Daily Reading June 30, 2010
Posted by tmumc in : Uncategorized , add a commentTuesday, June 29 – Read James 3: 13-18 - James offers a formula for discerning true wisdom. He refers to bitter envy and selfish ambition as that which has an earthly origin. On the other hand, wisdom from above is “pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits.” Start your day by finding a place to create peace where there is discord. End your day by giving thanks for the wisdom and fruits that come from above.
Monday, June 28 – Daily Reading June 30, 2010
Posted by tmumc in : Uncategorized , add a commentPlease note: The book of James is a book I like to read at least once a year. During the next few weeks the study guide will follow the book of James. This book is often misunderstood as emphasizing works over faith. Martin Luther in the 16th century referred to James as the “epistle of straw.” Luther believed that the focus of “salvation by faith” is lost in James as he teaches his reader about the importance of works as a person of faith in Christ.
James’ message is for the person who has lost touch with the high call of Christ in their behavior. It is far more than an “epistle of straw”. As the apostle Paul says, “By your fruit you shall be known.” Likewise, James knows that our life with Christ begins in faith, and then leads to a new way to live. The Daily Readings allow you to dig deeper.
Monday, June 28 – Read James 3: 1-12 – As James continues in his teaching, he reminds us that those who lead and teach are called to a higher standard of behavior. Further, he focuses on the use of our language. Using the tongue as a metaphor for our language, James reminds us that the tongue can be destructive in our Christian relationships. He states clearly that blessing and cursing can not come from the same mouth.Pay attention to the way you use your language today. Are you blessing others or cursing them? How easily does your conversation turn to gossip? Start with your family and move outward to intentionally bless someone today.
Sunday, June 27 – Study Guide June 30, 2010
Posted by tmumc in : Uncategorized , add a commentBelow is an excerpt from today’s Study Guide. Visit http://www.tmumc.org/sermonstudyguide2010.htm to download the full copy. Each day this week I will post the daily readings from the Study Guide. Have a great week!
Joseph: From Prison to Palace
Redemption (Week 3 of 3)
No matter how difficult life may seem, God has created us for a purpose. Our hope in this sermon series is to encourage parents to discuss the Joseph story with kids and family as they experience the same story at VBS. In addition, all of us can learn from the Joseph story the great promise of God’s promise to use even the most difficult and challenging times in our lives for good.
Genesis 50:13-20 — The Word from the Bible (Today’s New International Version)
They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father.
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Friday, June 25 – Daily Reading June 25, 2010
Posted by tmumc in : Uncategorized , add a commentFriday June 25 – Read John 9: 1-7. John tells us this story of Jesus healing a man born blind. Jesus’ disciples are concerned with why the man was born blind. “Who sinned,” they asked. Jesus tells his disciples that no one is to blame. Instead, this is an opportunity for the glory of God to be shone. Where is God working in your life to give glory? Are you blind to something God want to do in your life? Does God need to open your eyes to see the light of the world? God is waiting to do a great work in you.
Thursday, June 24 – Daily Reading June 24, 2010
Posted by tmumc in : Uncategorized , add a commentThursday June 24 – Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-4. We break from our reading in James to pick up a passage in Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth. In 2 Corinthians, Paul writes to the wealthiest and most educated church of that day. Throughout both letters to the Corinthians Paul’s reprimands them for their selfish ambition, arguments, and lack of generosity. Here, Paul points out their lack of generosity. In this passage, he uses the poorest church of the day as an example of true generosity and faith. How would you compare these words from II Corinthians to the words from James? Is it not the case that we are one of the wealthiest, most educated, and talented societies in the world? What is keeping you from following God’s call to radical generosity through tithing and sacrificial giving?
Wednesday, June 23 – Daily Reading June 24, 2010
Posted by tmumc in : Uncategorized , add a commentWednesday June 23 – Read James 2:14-26. This is the most misunderstood passage in the letter of James. It is here that it seems James is promoting a work’s righteousness. “Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” (James 2:17) James is not advocating that we earn our salvation by works alone. Instead, James is emphasizing the importance of faith and works. Our greatest temptation as a follower of Jesus Christ is to think our salvation by faith is a free ride. Instead, God calls us to an even higher life of service out of love. What one thing can you do for Christ today? How are you using your gifts and talents for Christ?