Jamey's Newsletter: Sunday, October 23, 2022
In life, we make two types of decisions: task and identity. Task decisions consist of a function that is performed.
An identity decision is a membership decision. Identity decision answers the question, “Who is in my tribe? And who is out?”
When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus, summed up the entire Jewish law by saying, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12: 30 - 31).
As we make decisions on who to vote for, who to marry, where to work, and how to structure our lives in a way that reflects our faith in Jesus, we need to ask the question of every decision, “Does this decision witness to my love of God and my love of neighbor?”
Jamey
Prayer for the week
God of reconciliation, you call broken people to find healing in a community with one another. In times of disagreement, teach us to listen. In moments of divisiveness, show us the way of love. Loosen us from our own prejudice and give us eyes to see your truth and mercy. Amen.
Mark 12: 28 - 34 Romans 12: 1 - 2
Pre-recorded online worship from Gainesville First UMC, Gainesville, Georgia
We make two types of decisions in life: task decisions and identity decisions:
Task decisions consist of a function that is performed.
An identity decision is a membership decision.
If we claim to be people who follow Jesus, we have made an identity decision that will shape our task decisions.
As we make decisions on who to vote for, who to marry, where to work, and how to structure our lives in a way that reflects our faith in Jesus, we need to ask the question of every decision, “Does this decision witness to my love of God and my love of neighbor?”
Five Things to Do in the Fall Instead of Ruining it With Pumpkin Spice - Part Six
Have a chili cook-off with friends
Support a local church’s trunk or treat
Have a scary movie marathon
Go to an outdoor concert
Take someone a homemade apple pie (or have someone over)
Meme of the Week
(Thank you David Stovall)
Dad Jokes
How do you know when a ghost is sad? He starts boo-hooing.
What's a skeleton's favorite song? Bad to the Bone.
And in honor of my hometown: What was the chicken ghost's name? Poultrygeist.
Photo of the Week (Photos taken by me)
Spooky photos for the month of October
Book I am Reading This Week
Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own Your Attention, Invest 12 Minutes a Day by Amishi P. Jha
Listen: (If you like a good southern crime podcast): Gone South, Season One: Who Killed Margaret Coon?
Watch: Cal Newport's Oldest Productivity Strategy | Deep Questions with Cal Newport
The things people say…by Mary R. H. Demmler (Thank you Evie Langston for sharing)
Gainesville Ballet Company to continue decades-old ‘Nutcracker’ tradition this holiday season
The Infinite Possibilities in a Tiny Smudge From Outer Space
How 30 Days of Kindness Made Me a Better Person by Cecilia Meis
Making A Difference
In November, I will include notes of thanks from my readers in my newsletter. So who or what are you thankful for? And why?
Happening at Gainesville First United Methodist Church
Wednesday, October 26 / 6-8pm / Parking Lot of Gainesville First United Methodist Church
Come have the most fun with us at Trunk or Treat on October 26 from 6-8pm. We will have awesome trunks, bounce houses, hot dogs, Kona Ice, tons of candy and so much more! Bring your whole family and let’s make it a night you won’t forget! This is a FREE event!
Costumes encouraged!
Below is my wife and I from last year………wait until you see us this year!
Weekly Blessing and/or Quotes
Nobody escapes being wounded. We are all wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. The main question is not “How can we hide our wounds?” so we don't have to be embarrassed but “How can we put our roundedness in the service of others?” When our wounds cease to be a source of shame and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.
―Henri Nouwen