Jamey's Newsletter: Sunday, August 6, 2023
Overhearing a conversation the other day where one person says something that reflects the political culture of our day, and the response he gets from the other person is, "Ain't that the truth!"
If said with enough persuasiveness, we can convince ourselves what is being said is the truth. In a divisive world, truth has been reduced to tribal alignment regardless if what is being proposed is accurate. As long as the information I get aligns with the tribe I associate with, I will take it as correct.
In John 8, Jesus is in constant dispute with the Pharisees. We are quick to criticize the Pharisees for their failure to believe in Jesus. And yet, if truth be told, as people seeped in a way that we are convinced is correct, we would have a hard time believing in someone like Jesus, who is trying to persuade us to see the world differently.
John 8 opens with a woman being dragged to Jesus after being caught in adultery. The Pharisees say to Jesus, "In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say (John 8:5)?" The gospel writer tells us their motive, "They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him (John 8:6)."
As Jesus writes on the ground, he looks up and says, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her (John 8:7)."
One by one, starting with the oldest, they walk away.
And then Jesus gets into a dispute with the Pharisees over his self-identity. They refuse to believe him when he reveals himself as the Son of God.
But some were willing to be open to changing their worldview and their traditional concept of messiah. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:31-32)."
The truth will set us free once we are willing to be changed by it.
Being willing to be changed by truth is a challenging process. It requires courage and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves and the world.
To be willing to be changed by truth is to prioritize the quest for understanding over ego and the desire to be right.
If we allow it, the truth can indeed set us free.
Jamey
Let's Talk About Truth - Part One
(Together, What If is a conversation between Michelle Alexander, Ginnie Highsmith, and Jamey Prickett from Gainesville First UMC, Gainesville, Georgia)
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Weekly Prayer
God of Truth, You are the source of all truth, and I seek Your wisdom and guidance in understanding the importance of truth in my life and the world around me.
I pray for discernment in a world filled with deception and falsehoods. May your Spirit lead me on the path of truth, guiding my thoughts, actions, and decisions to align with your perfect will.
Give me the strength to speak the truth in love, even when it may be difficult or unpopular.
I pray for forgiveness whenever I have strayed from the truth or perpetuated falsehoods. Please grant me the courage to face my shortcomings and biases and be receptive to the truth, even when it challenges my beliefs and preconceptions.
I offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Amen.
Meme of the Week
Dad Jokes (Back to School Jokes)
What’s the difference between a teacher and a train? A teacher says, “Spit out that gum!” and a train says, “Chew! Chew!”
Why did the M&M go to school? Because he really wanted to be a Smartie!
Wisdom Nugget: This is the perfect day to start.
A Question to Consider: Will you keep replaying the memories of yesterday, or will you meet the present moment and make the most of what is in front of you?
Photo Taken By Me
Articles worth reading, videos worth watching, and/or podcasts worth listening to
More Baby Boomers are living alone. One reason why: ‘gray divorce’
The Global Love of Boiled Peanuts
Column: Gainesville nicknames, from poultry capital to queen of the mountains
The Misunderstood Reason Millions of Americans Stopped Going to Church
What the Best Places in America Have in Common
Who's in, who's out and storylines to watch in the Women's World Cup round of 16
Book I Have Recently Read
Summary: Each of us has but one life to live on this earth. What we do with it is our choice. Are we drifting through it as spectators, reacting to our circumstances when necessary and wondering just how we got to this point anyway? Or are we directing it, maximizing the joy and potential of every day, living with a purpose or mission in mind?
What if we treated life like the gift that it is? What if we lived each day as though it were part of a bigger picture, a plan? That is the goal of this book.
What’s Cookin’?
Old-Fashioned Chicken And Dumplings
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Check out Hope For Hall
Striving to normalize disability through play, education, and technology!
Happening at Gainesville First United Methodist Church
Sunday, September 10 / 12 pm / Reception Hall
The Foster Care Ministry of Gainesville First United Methodist Church will host a lunch and learn event on Sunday, September 10, at noon in the Reception Hall.
If you are interested in learning how to be involved in a ministry that impacts children in Hall County, we invite you to join us. This is a free event. Email Misty Leach at mleach@gfumc.com to RSVP.
Weekly Blessing and/or Quotes
My wish for you is that you continue to be who and how you are and to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness - Maya Angelou