Jamey's Newsletter: Sunday, July 23, 2023
My wife doesn't always approve of my outfits. I will purchase a shirt, try it on, and say, "Do you like it?" She responds as she walks away, "It's fine if you like it." Her comment means she hates it.
The concept of beauty appears subjective.
And yet, central to Christian theology is the belief that humanity is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This divine imprint on humanity extends to include the capacity to perceive and create beauty. As bearers of the imago Dei, humans possess an inherent desire to seek, appreciate, and participate in what is beautiful, mirroring the divine appreciation of beauty.
Along with understanding humanity as created in the image of God, we also know that the fall of humanity (Genesis 3) introduced a distortion in our ability to recognize true beauty, leading to the pursuit of superficial and idolatrous expressions of it. This distortion calls for redemption and restoration.
God's redemptive acts through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus bring about the restoration of beauty and harmony to a fallen world. And we can look forward to a future where God's beauty will be fully realized in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1-5).
As we move through our day, we should be open to new experiences, approach the world with wonder, and find beauty in both the extraordinary and the everyday.
How?
Cultivate a sense of gratitude for the things that bring you joy and happiness. Appreciate the beauty in simple things, like a warm cup of tea, a beautiful sunset, or spending time with loved ones. Look for moments of joy, love, and kindness in everyday life. Notice the beauty in a smile, a heartfelt gesture, or an act of compassion.
Engage in meaningful conversations, listen to different perspectives, and build connections with others. Understanding different cultures and experiences can open your eyes to the beauty of diversity.
Go for a hike in the mountains, stroll along the beach, or sit in a park and observe the plants, animals, and natural landscapes around you. Spend time outdoors.
Take the time to slow down and be fully present in the moment. Observe your surroundings with a curious and open mind. When you pay close attention, you may discover beauty in the smallest details of nature, architecture, or human interactions.
Sometimes, beauty can be found in the resilience and strength of the human spirit when facing adversity. Look for the beauty of growth and transformation during challenging times. Beauty is sometimes about something other than flawlessness. Embrace imperfections and find beauty in the unique characteristics of people, places, and things.
There is beauty all around us if only we have eyes to see.
“God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” - Ecclesiastes 3:11
Jamey
Let’s Talk About Beauty - Part One
Ecclesiastes 3:11 1 Peter 3:3-4
(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
Beautiful Creator,
Open our hearts to the beauty that surrounds us. From the majestic mountains to the vast oceans, from the delicate flowers to the brilliant stars in the sky, we recognize the awe-inspiring splendor that graces our lives. We thank you for this wondrous creation that fills our days with wonder and amazement. We ask for the ability to see the beauty that nature unfolds before us. May we observe the intricate patterns of life in a single leaf, the dance of colors in a radiant sunset, and the gentle whispers of the wind through the trees.
Grant us the grace to recognize the beauty in every human being we encounter. May we see beyond the surface, looking deep into their souls to appreciate the uniqueness and potential within each individual. And guide us to witness the beauty in small acts of kindness and compassion.
Give us all a heart to appreciate the beauty gracing our journey. Amen.
Meme of the Week
Dad Jokes
If you're American when you go in the bathroom, and you're American when you come out of the bathroom, what are you while you're in the bathroom? European (you're a peein'!) (Joke provided by Katie Beth Yeomans - 13 yrs old)
Keeping with the European theme…….What do you call a European city filled with rodents? Hamsterdam!
Wisdom Nugget: When you keep people waiting, they begin to think of all your flaws.
A Question to Consider (conversation starters): What's the last thing that made you laugh out loud?
Photo Taken By Me
Articles worth reading, videos worth watching, and/or podcasts worth listening to
Getting ultrareal about the church
IN ‘TED LASSO’ AS IN THE GOSPEL: FORGIVENESS IS FRUSTRATING
What Really Changes in Older Age
25 Things Southerners Never Order At Restaurants
Podcast: Barbara Kingsolver Thinks Urban Liberals Have It All Wrong on Appalachia
Youtube: Seth Godin – Leadership vs. Management - What it means to make a difference
Book I Have Recently Read
Forged in Crisis: The Power of Courageous Leadership in Turbulent Times by Nancy Koehn
Summary: The book delves into the biographies of Ernest Shackleton, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Rachel Carson, showcasing their resilience, determination, and innovative thinking during times of crisis. Through their extraordinary journeys, Koehn illustrates how these individuals overcame adversity, inspiring readers with valuable lessons on leadership and courage.
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
A lot of stores are opening up on the downtown square of Gainesville. Sometimes when I go into the clothing stores with my wife, it can be overwhelming with all the clothing items to choose from. If I was opening up a men’s store that sold ten items, what would those items be?
A classic white button-up shirt is a wardrobe staple, suitable for both formal and casual occasions.
Dark wash jeans are versatile and can be dressed up or down.
A well-fitted men’s blazer.
High-quality t-shirts.
Versatile and comfortable khakis can be dressed up for semi-formal events or dressed down for a casual look.
Comfortable footwear that can be worn for everyday activities.
3 - 5 color long-sleeve shirts
Simple selection of ties
Brown and black belts
I would splurge on a variety of socks.
What did I miss?
What’s Cookin’?
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
A lot can come of a few extra meals. For our foster families, having a prepared meal delivered means less stress and more focus on a child in need.
On Thursday, July 27, the Foster Care Ministry at Gainesville First is hosting a Back-to-School Bash for Hall County foster families. Along with providing back-to-school supplies, we would like to offer frozen casseroles for families in the area.
What if you got your children and grandchildren, borrowed neighbor children, and put together casseroles while explaining who they are for and offering a prayer for foster children in our community?
Get family and friends together and host a casserole-making party!
Here is what we are asking:
1. Bring a ready-made casserole to be put in the church freezer
2. Pray for foster children and families in our community.
Email Misty Leach at mleach@gfumc.com to let her know you are doing a casserole and if you have any questions.
Happening at Gainesville First United Methodist Church
Friday, July 28 / 7-9:30pm / Church Courtyard
Journey through the wardrobe to the magical land of Narnia at the church-wide Chronicles of Narnia Movie Night on Friday, July 28th. Doors open at 6:30pm. Movie starts at 7pm. Bring something to sit on and something to munch on. Dessert from Midland Ice Cream Social will be provided. Please park in the MAC parking lot. RSVP encouraged but not required!
Weekly Blessing and/or Quotes
“Go from here with joy, confident that the love and mercy of God goes with you.”
I would love to have your feedback. Do you have a meme, dad joke, question to ponder, or wisdom nugget worth sharing? Have you come across an interesting article, podcast, or video that you found meaningful? Is there a quote or blessing that you are currently holding onto? If so, please share it. Let’s make this a community space where we connect with one another.
If you find encouragement in this newsletter, I would love for you to take the opportunity to share it with others. Thank you for reading.