Jamey's Newsletter: Sunday, May 14, 2023
I recognize that Mother’s Day can be challenging for many. The day is wrapped in sorrow for those without a mom to hug. For those who grew up in an abusive home, it is a day filled with pain. For those who long to be a mother, it can be empty.
It is a day we remember that motherhood comes in many forms. We celebrate foster moms who open their homes and hearts to children. We honor adoptive mothers who give forever homes. We stand amazed by the sacrifices of single mothers.
One afternoon in the hottest part of the day, Abraham notices three men approaching his tent. In a culture that relied on the hospitality of strangers and with the possibility of doing some trading for goods, Abraham invites them into the shade near his tent.
He invites them for a bit of water and a little bread, but he has prepared for them a five-course meal. They get straight to the point of their visit, "Where is your wife, Sarah?" She is in the tent. One speaks of his return in time for Sarah to give birth to a son. Sarah laughs. "After I have grown old, my husband is old," Sarah says. The man questions, "Why did Sarah laugh?" Sarah says, "I did not laugh." He says, "Yes, you did!"
It was the laughter of impracticality between a biological fact and a promise.
The guest responds to Sarah's laughter by saying, "Is anything too difficult for the Lord?" It was a question that just sat out there. Abraham and Sarah were not expected to answer it at the moment. The answer comes three chapters later. It comes from the birth of a son. The son is named Isaac, which means "laughter."
This is God's way of saying, "I am not laughing at you; I am laughing with you!" God joins in on the laughter in the face of the impossible. Amid all the laughter, we learn that God is the promise maker and the promise keeper.
For some reading this, I know many Sarahs and Abrahams are among us—many who have had barrenness settle in on them. The barrenness takes on many forms, from pregnancy to relationships, to finances. What I can't say to you today is that I know how it will turn out. So I can't promise too much. But I can say that God is still possible when the situation looks hopelessly impossible. I can't determine what direction God will work in your life. But I can say that nothing is impossible for God.
When the circumstances of our lives have us wondering, "Is there anything impossible for God," know that whether it be three days dead behind a stone or living into old age holding onto a promise, God is faithful.
Jamey
Let's Talk About Passing Down Our Faith
(Pre-recorded online worship from Gainesville First UMC, Gainesville, Georgia)
Special guests: Betty Norton, Frank Norton, Jr, Emilie Cisco
Weekly Prayer
Good and Gracious God, On this day, where there is darkness, may you bring light; where there is despair, may you bring hope; where there is turmoil, may you bring peace. And where your love is needed most, call forth people who can carry your light to those who need it. Being filled with your light and saturated with your grace, may we be light and salt in our world. Amen.
Meme of the Week
Dad Jokes
What did the mommy spider say to the Baby spider? You spend too much time on the web.
Why did the mommy cat want to go bowling on Mother’s Day? She was an alley cat.
Articles worth reading, videos worth watching, and/or podcasts worth listening to
Homeless in the City Where He Was Once Mayor
‘The Godfather of A.I.’ Leaves Google and Warns of Danger Ahead
How the war in Ukraine has forever changed the children in one kindergarten class
This Educator Started a Student Project Over 40 Years Ago—and It’s Still Changing Lives Today
Georgia Bulldogs must 'reinvent ourselves' before pursuit of historic three-peat
Youtube: Kobe Bryant's ESPYS Icon Award Speech!
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
If I was stranded on a deserted island, ten things I would need.
My bible
Fishing pole and tackle
Some good matches
A knife - maybe one of those old-school Rambo knives
Hammock - I am not sleeping on the ground - sand fleas - nope!
First Aid kit
Insect repellant
Dora the Explorer’s backpack - it has everything
Clean underwear
A family photo
What would you bring?
Photo Taken by Me
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. According to traditions dating back to the 4th century, it contains two holy sites in Christianity: the site where Jesus was crucified, at a place known as Calvary or Golgotha, and Jesus's empty tomb, which is where he was buried and resurrected.
Constantine first built a church on the site. It was dedicated about AD 336, burned by the Persians in 614, restored by Modestus (the abbot of the monastery of Theodosius, 616-626), destroyed by the caliph al-Hakim Bi-Amr Allah about 1009, and restored by the Byzantine emperor Constantine Monomachus. In the 12th century, the Crusaders carried out a general rebuilding of the church. Since then, frequent repair, restoration, and remodeling have been necessary. The present church dates mainly from 1810.
The main denominations sharing property over parts of the church are the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and to a lesser degree, the Coptic, Syriac, and Ethiopian Orthodox churches.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Volunteers are needed! A ministry to foster families.
Happening at Gainesville First United Methodist Church (Gainesville, Georgia)
VBS / June 5-9
Ages: Rising Pre-K - Completed 5th grade
(Child must be 4 years old by September 1, 2023)
Launch into a cosmic quest where we will have a blast shining Jesus’ light to the world. Stellar rockets us on an out-of-this-world adventure that’s light years of faith-building fun.
We can’t wait to see you in outer space!
Weekly Blessing and/or Quotes
God will be with us wherever we go. We know God will be with us wherever we go at work or play, at home, or on vacation. Whether happy or sad, on our own or with our friends, we know God will be with us wherever we go. So let’s go with joy because God goes with us!
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.