Jamey's Newsletter: Sunday, January 15, 2023
Jamey's Newsletter: Sunday, January 15, 2023
The late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr once said, "We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we do that, we will make of this old world a new world, for love is the only way."
Love is a verb, not an adjective. It is something we do, not just feel. The more we live from a place of love, the more that fear is replaced.
The practice of love replaces the habit of fear. Love disrupts fear.
Where do we need to disrupt fear and hate with love in our community?
What is one practical thing you can do this week to disrupt fear and hate with love?
Jamey
(Pre-recorded online worship from Gainesville First UMC, Gainesville, Georgia)
Weekly Prayer
Lord, we confess that our dreams and visions for a better life usually only include what is best for us and neglect our neighbors. Forgive us, Lord. Enlarge our hearts to love each other, to love our neighbor, and to love our enemy. Teach us how to serve one another. Amen.
Meme of the Week
Dad Jokes
What’s the best kind of music to listen to when fishing? Something catchy.
Why do Honey Bees have sticky hair? Because they use a honeycomb.
I Have Been Thinking……………
I have not watched the Netflix docuseries “Harry and Meghan” or the interview with Oprah or plan on reading Harry’s memoir “Spare.” Honestly, I am just not that interested in the royal family.
But I have seen the controversy spiraling around the release of the book and the debates about the interviews. I can’t imagine what it is like to live with tabloids demanding to be told every detail of your life because the expectation is the public deserves the right to know. And if you don’t tell, we will fill in the blank ourselves.
However, does every truth have to be told to the entire world?
We tend to overshare in this day and age, and that's not always a good thing. We talk about things we shouldn't, say things we don't mean, and share secrets that should remain private. And sometimes, we regret it later.
Oftentimes we share too quickly. We can never unspeak what is said to the world.
Silence gives us the distance we need for our life experiences to find restoration. If we share before our heart is ready, it only comes from resentment and fuels rage instead of healing.
When is it necessary to speak, and when is it essential to be silent?
Photo of the Week (Photos taken by me)
Book I am Reading This Week
Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman
(I try to read this book once a year)
INTERESTING ARTICLES, PODCASTS, OR VIDEOS FROM THE WEEK
The Story Of The City In Georgia That Vanished Virtually Overight
Sunday Musings by Diana Butler Bass
More Americans stay away from church as pandemic nears year three
12 Lesser-Known Southern Destinations Our Editors Can't Wait To Visit In 2023
20 new books to read right now.
My Town: Karin Slaughter’s Blue Ridge, Georgia
Am I a Christian, Pastor Timothy Keller?
Nicaraguan President Closes Christian Nonprofits
Top Ten (This is a little brain exercise I do - since I don’t do Wordle). I have a notebook where I make a list of ten things that serve as sort of a brain dump for me. It is random but fun. I plan on sharing it with you in 2023.
What would I offer ten things besides wine if I owned a vineyard?
Rental cottages that are arranged for different types of guests: couples, writers, artists, prayer retreats, etc
Lessons on taking care of the grapevines
Concert series
(not weddings - the winery down the road can do that)
Lecture series on spirituality and faith and mental health
Comedy nights
Meeting space for off-site planning for businesses/nonprofits
Dance lessons
Walking trails/prayer labyrinth
Sunday morning worship w/ communion followed by a catered lunch
Happening at Gainesville First United Methodist Church
Sunday, January 22 / 4 pm / Sanctuary of Gainesville First United Methodist Church
Our first Sounds of Faith concert in 2023 is the Ben Rosenblum Trio at 4 pm, Sunday, January 22, in the Sanctuary. Kick off the New Year with some cool jazz from this New York-based jazz ensemble, which has earned awards from ASCAP, Downbeat Magazine, and the American Jazz Piano Competition. Admission is free.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Weekly Blessing and/or Quotes
"Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope." Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
From the "I Have A Dream" speech in Washington, DC on August 28, 1963. The quotation serves as the theme of the overall design of the memorial, which realizes the metaphorical mountain and stone.
Your vineyard sounds like a lot of fun!