Weekly Roundup: Sunday, January 26, 2025
Sometimes, the weight of the world hits you hard. You see the pain around you, and it feels like too much. People hurt each other. Fear settles deep in your chest. And sometimes, all you can do is cry.
We see this reality in those still dealing with the flood damage from Hurricane Helene in and around Ashville, North Carolina, and in the fires around L.A. The tears run deep for those who have lost everything.
But here's the thing—God sees those tears. God doesn't miss a single one. The psalmist puts it plainly: "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle" (Psalm 56:8). Think about that. Every tear you've shed, God has noticed. They matter to God.
It's always been this way. Back when the Israelites were enslaved people in Egypt, God said, "I have heard their cries…. Yes, I am aware of their suffering" (Exodus 3:7). God heard them then, and God hears us now. God doesn't look away from pain. God leans in.
Life is hard, and it doesn't always make sense. But God's promise is steady: this pain won't last forever. One day, God is going to make it right. The Bible says, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4).
That's the hope we hold on to. Right now, things are broken. But God's not done. God is with us in the pain, catching every tear. And one day, God will make sure there's no need to cry again. Hold on to that. It's real. It's coming.
Pastor Jamey
(Click Here to Watch the Worship Service from Gainesville First United Methodist Church, Gainesville, Georgia)
Weekend Prayer
Lord, You see every tear we shed and know the pain we carry. Thank You for being a God who hears our cries and never turns away from our sorrow. Remind us that You are with us in the brokenness, holding our fears and comforting our hearts. Amen.
Wisdom Nugget: Your tears are not wasted. God sees, holds, and values Every drop of sorrow, reminding us that our pain matters to God.
A Question to Consider: How does knowing that God treasures your tears (Psalm 56:8) change how you view your pain or emotions?
Meme of the week
Dad Jokes
Dogs can't operate MRI machines. But catscan!
If your house is cold, just stand in the corner. It’s always 90 degrees there!
Photo Taken By Me
Book I am reading this week
Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did. by John Mark Comer
John Mark Comer’s Practicing the Way is a practical guide to following Jesus in everyday life, built around three core ideas:
Be with Jesus: Spend time through prayer, silence, and rest in His presence. It’s about cultivating a real, daily relationship with Him.
Become like Him: Let Jesus shape your character. This happens gradually as you surrender to Him and practice being formed by the Holy Spirit.
Do as He did: Live like Jesus by serving others, spreading the gospel, and seeking justice. It’s about putting faith into action.
Comer blends biblical wisdom, historical practices, and modern insights to show how we can align our lives with Jesus through spiritual disciplines. It’s not about perfection but about progress—a lifelong journey of becoming more like Him for the good of the world.
Found Interesting on Social Media
Podcast Worth Listening to:
Articles that caught my eye
Cynicism Could Cost Us Our Souls
Are Americans Doing Fitness Wrong?
How Long Can the Alliance Between Tech Titans and the MAGA Faithful Last?
After Helene, one Asheville church finds a way to step up
The state isn't God. Nor should it be.
Photos: Charleston Sparkles After a Rare Snowstorm
The 18 Best Things To Do In Jekyll Island, Georgia
In the Kitchen
Cakes To Bake Every Month In 2025
Happening at Gainesville First United Methodist Church, Gainesville, Georgia
March 20 / 10am - 2:30pm
If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, this workshop will provide resources from the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving to help understand the disease, manage behaviors and handle stress. This event is free and includes lunch, but spaces are limited. Contact Mildred Smith at msmith@gfumc.com to register for this event.
Happening in North Georgia
Event Hosted by the Northeast Georgia Medical Center
To learn more about the event and our shuttle locations, visit nghs.com/green.
Weekly Blessing and/or Quotes
"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." – C.S. Lewis
"Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal." – Thomas Moore
May you walk in the assurance that He hears your cries, knows your struggles, and is working all things for good. And may you rest in the certainty that one day, He will wipe every tear from your eyes and replace all sorrow with joy everlasting. Amen.
I always enjoy reading what’s on your heart. Your message this week resonated heavily in my heart. Thank you.