Jamey's Newsletter: Sunday, April 3, 2022

Apr 03, 2022

There is a story in ancient China about a mythic bird with one eye and one wing. It was believed that each bird had to find another bird to see and fly.

Friends, If you look back in the pages of history, it doesn’t take long to discover that nothing of significance has ever been achieved by individuals acting alone. However, looking below the surface, you will find that all solo acts are team efforts.

Even Jesus understands this principle. In the bible, he appoints 70 individuals but sends them out two by two to share the Good News.

Leadership guru John Maxwell says, “The question is not whether you can do everything by yourself; it’s how soon are you going to realize that you can’t.”

Imagine the difference that can be made in your life when you start focusing on building a team instead of going at it alone.

What dream or mission in life do you need to start building a team to help you accomplish today?

Together, What If

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Preacher: Rev. Liz Millar, Pastor of Discipleship at Gainesville First UMC

Matthew 5

Weekly Prayer

Merciful God, teach us your way of peace.

You call us to be peace-makers, but we are more likely to be peace-fakers and peace-breakers.

Open our eyes to the needs around us. Open our ears to the cries. Give us the courage to defend the weak and show us where love is needed.

Raise up for us leaders who walk in the way of the Prince of Peace. Amen.

Meme of the Week

Dad Jokes

Have you noticed that bread is a lot like the sun. It rises in the yeast and sets in the waist.

There can be 100 people in a room. And 99 won't slap you, but one Will. (Too soon??)

I have been thinking………..

It is an odd thing what we do with the Bible.

As Christians, we convince ourselves that this book that was composed and collected over a roughly 1,500 year period has a word for us today.

The stories tell of war and peace, triumph and tragedy, under Assyrian, then Babylonian, Persian and Roman rule.

If they can navigate the challenges of people’s lives thousands of years ago, it has something to say to us today. The authors were simple folk, kings, priests, and prophets from diverse cultural settings. What would they say to us in these moments?

The way we shape our lives around this book asks more than “What does the Bible say?” As one Bible scholar says, “The real question becomes, ‘What is God using the Bible to do to us?’”

It is not so much about us bringing our questions to the Bible. The longer we live with it and allow it to become part of our life, the Bible has a way of getting its questions into our lives.

Photo of the Week (Photos taken by me)

Click on the links to read

Jaemor Farms is preparing for its ‘biggest and best’ strawberry season to date

Jewish in Hall County? There’s a new Chabad center working to make community connections

The Seven Habits That Lead to Happiness in Old Age

April Fools' Day might be the world's longest-running joke. No one knows how it began

By 2040, the population of American adults aged 65 and older will nearly double, and that of adults aged 85 and older is expected to quadruple over the same period.

Books I am currently reading

The Message of Job (The Bible Speaks Today Series)

High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out

Gainesville First UMC host week for Family Promise is April 10 - 17. We are grateful for our partnership with Family Promise. We are collecting gift cards for gas, Chick-fila, and Wal-Mart to support the families at Family Promise.

You can drop off gift cards with Misty Leach in the church office. Email Misty Leach at mleach@gfumc.com if you have any questions.

Question Reflection (and yes, I actually think about these things)

If You Could Only Use One Word The Rest Of Your Life, What Word Would You Choose?

(I was in a conversation this week with a guy who said his wife told him he used the phrase “I am excited” too much and this prompted my thinking on this question)

Happening at Gainesville First United Methodist Church