The John Allen Blog

General Conference – May 2

tmumc — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:53:07 +0000

I am writing this from General Conference. I have read and heard about the Tampa area beauty, but I have been in meetings from 7 am till about 6 pm each day. We celebrate worship each evening. Every vote is prayed over before it is taken. Yesterday the main plenary began. Legislation is being presented from the committees for action. We are making headway on reorganization that will streamline and refocus our mission. We were in committees until late Saturday night and final voting with the whole body of delegates began yesterday.

Thank you for your prayers and support. Please continue to pray for strength, wisdom and endurance. It has been a long week. We had Sunday off to worship and rest.

One of my morning prayers as part of my daily devotions. “Help me remain true to you God. Lead me through every barrier to your will. Take me to the center of your will for me and your church. May I seek your presence over your blessing. May I seek your will over doing great things. May I surrender before I ask for anything from you.”

I look for word to sharing some results next week.

Learn more about General Conference and watch some of the proceedings live. Here is a link to the General Conference website where you can track legislation and watch the live streaming of the proceedings.

You can also download an app to follow General Conference on your mobile device.

Daily Reading – April 27

tmumc — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:49:04 +0000

Friday, April 27 – Read Mark 12:1-12. The parable of the wicked tenants is a direct affront to the religious community and their historical tendency to reject God’s prophetic leaders. What prophetic message are you struggling to accept? Are you willing to follow Godly leaders no matter how uncomfortable?

Daily Reading – April 26

tmumc — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:48:25 +0000

Thursday, April 26 – Read Mark 11:27-33. This is an interesting and difficult passage. Jesus is challenged about his authority and refuses to answer. Instead he requires the religious leaders to take a stand – which they refuse to do. What stand are you being asked to take for the gospel? Would you risk all for Jesus?

General Conference – April 25

tmumc — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:46:17 +0000

I am in Tampa, Florida, for General Conference this week. Yesterday afternoon we enjoyed a powerful opening worship service. Last night and this morning we have been in organizational meetings. We begin each day in prayer about 7:30 a.m., and finish around 9:00 p.m. each evening. Over the next 9 days, I am looking forward to discussing and voting on the critical issues facing our church and world. I invite you to learn more about General Conference and watch some of the proceedings live. Here is a link to the General Conference website where you can track legislation and watch the live streaming of the proceedings.

You can also download an app to follow General Conference on your mobile device.

I hope you will pause this week to pray that God will give our delegates wisdom and vision as we make important decisions regarding the future of our denomination.

Daily Reading – April 25

tmumc — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:38:55 +0000

Wednesday, April 25 – Read Mark 11:12-25. Here Jesus is recorded cursing a barren fig tree and then clearing the temple of those religious leaders who are cheating the people. In other words, the time has come to leave behind those who no longer bear fruit for the Kingdom. Are you bearing fruit for the Kingdom of God? What kind of fruit?

Daily Reading – April 24

tmumc — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:38:19 +0000

Tuesday, April 24 – Read Mark 11:1-11. All four of the gospels include the triumphant entry into Jerusalem at the beginning of the week before the crucifixion. The sadness of Jesus as he rides the donkey, points out his disappointment that his followers have missed his eternal intent. They are blinded by their physical needs. What do you want from Jesus? Are you limiting the power of Christ in your life with physical human needs?

Daily Reading – April 23

tmumc — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:37:29 +0000

Please note: For the next several weeks we will move carefully through Mark’s gospel following the message and story of Jesus the Christ.

Monday, April 23 – Mark 10:45-52. This section in Mark does not have a literal time line. Instead, each of the stories is making a point about the message of Christ and its acceptance. The inclusion of blind Bartemaus receiving his sight at this point in the gospel is an reminder of the blindness of the Jewish leaders and the disciples. Can you identify times in your life and faith when you were blind?

Study Guide – April 22

tmumc — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:36:40 +0000

Encounters with our Risen Christ

“Dealing with Doubt” (Week 2 of 3)

John 20:19-31— The Word from the Bible (NIV)

Below is an excerpt from today’s Study Guide. For a complete Study Guide, visit http://www.tmumc.org/sermonstudyguide2012.htm.

¹⁹ On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

²⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. ²¹ Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” ²² And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

²⁴ Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

²⁶Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.”

²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.”

²⁸Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

³⁰ Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹ but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Daily Reading – April 13

tmumc — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:25:19 +0000

Friday, April 13 — Read Mark 9:14-29. The healing of this young boy is mixed with several questions. Why were the disciples unsuccessful? Is this a question of attitude, prayer or faith? But for our purposes at the end of this week, let’s focus of the words of Jesus and the words of the boy’s father. Jesus said, “If you are able! All things can be done for the one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe, help my unbelief.” Have you offered your unbelief to Christ today? Can you with confidence call on Christ in all things?

Daily Reading – April 12

tmumc — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:24:30 +0000

Thursday, April 12 — Read Mark 9:2-13. Mark tells us about the transfiguration of Jesus with Elijah and Moses. A voice from heaven proclaims, “This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to him!” There is now no question about the identity of Jesus. How have you recognized the identity of Jesus in your life?