Hey Church!
I hope you're having an awesome week. It's a big Sunday this week as we host our annual Turkey Fry. Plan to be a part of the awesomeness! You can bring food, make a financial donation and/or volunteer to help fry, wrap/package or deliver.
Also, this week we'll finish out the mini-series "Overdrawn." This week we'll be talking about 'Debt.' See you there!
Thought for the Week
"“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
I have a confession that's fairly terrifying: I have no idea what God's plan is. When I was a little bit younger in my faith journey, I used to think I could see over the horizon to what God had planned. I can't. Sometimes I see glimpses, but I honestly just don't know. I have learned this the hard way, trying to manage the Holy Spirit to fit into my idea of what I think God 'should' do. It never really works well that way. It's better this way. Now, that means that as I grow in my walk with God (and this is true for you, too) we actually need more and more faith. This means my trust level has to go up astronomically because I have no idea what's in store. Frankly, many people are incredibly uncomfortable with this proposition. By nature, most of us like predictability. The guidance of the Holy Spirit is anything but predictable. We. Have. No. Idea. What. God. Has. In. Store. Next. Absolutely no idea. His ways, his thoughts, his plans are on a different level than ours. If we are to believe this, then it means we must trust God deeply when he seems to take an unexpected turn. This means we must have high levels of faith that God knows what He's doing. It really boils down to trust and faith. I started with a confession, but can I share with you a reality: You have no idea what God's plan is either. You have no idea what God wants to do in your life 10 years from now or 5 years from now or 10 months from now. You have no idea what that will mean for the next 2-3 months and how He'll need to turn you in His direction to position you for that plan. You have no idea the people you'll meet to prepare you for that plan. You have no idea the disappointments that will happen that will end up looking like important crossroads. You and I just have no idea. So we must trust God every single day. I have learned (through enough hard lessons), that He is worthy of my trust. His ways are better than mine. I want what God wants. Not what I want. Might as well trust Him.
In Christ,
Carter
First United Methodist Church of Griffin
Friday, November 18, 2016
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Sunday Preview & Thought for the Week (11.10.16)
Hey Church!
I hope your week has been great and you 'survived the election.' As the world 'discusses' life in the political world, aren't you grateful our church is a place for all people, where we come under the banner of being image bearers of the God of the universe.
This Sunday, we're beginning a new two-week mini-series on personal finances called "Overdrawn." As the holidays approach, a lot of our bank accounts will feel that way. What can we do to handle our money in the way God intends? Hope to see you there!
Also, don't forget to bring supplies for our Turkey Fry to either location this week. Here are the things we need:
• Boxed Potatoes • Canned corn
• Canned green beans • Jiffy cornbread mix
• Canned cranberry sauce • Stuffing mix
• Brownie or cookie mix
Thought for the Week
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
Any anxiety this week? I can't remember a more anxious week in American politics, at least in my lifetime. And I believe the week rivals some of the most stressful times in our history. Slowly, things are returning to some sense of normalcy, but that'll take more time. What is clear to me, though, is that some are still struggling with the anxiety of the election and where our country is. Some are filled with anxiety because they see the cracks of a divided nation more clearly than ever before. Some are anxious over the toxic atmosphere on social media. Some of filled with anxiety because the candidate they voted for didn't win. Others are anxious because their candidate did win and must deliver on leading our country. A lot of just anxious because it's a mess. There is a tension that exists among us in our country over what seem to be core issues. The issues are real. The anxiety is real. Can I offer a suggestion? Cast that anxiety on him...because he cares for you. Some are feeling isolated, but he cares for you. Some are discouraged, but he cares for you. Some are tired and exhausted, but he cares for you. Some are losing friends, but he cares for you. Some of being shunned, but he cares for you. And, maybe, just maybe, this election is the least of your worries. You're dealing with illness, sickness, job loss, financial stress, heartache. I want you to know He cares for you. God cares for you. When you feel like the whole world is against you, God cares for you. I keep saying that because I'm not sure you believe it yet. He cares for you, friend. Cast your cares on Him, no matter what they are.
In Christ,
Carter
I hope your week has been great and you 'survived the election.' As the world 'discusses' life in the political world, aren't you grateful our church is a place for all people, where we come under the banner of being image bearers of the God of the universe.
This Sunday, we're beginning a new two-week mini-series on personal finances called "Overdrawn." As the holidays approach, a lot of our bank accounts will feel that way. What can we do to handle our money in the way God intends? Hope to see you there!
Also, don't forget to bring supplies for our Turkey Fry to either location this week. Here are the things we need:
• Boxed Potatoes • Canned corn
• Canned green beans • Jiffy cornbread mix
• Canned cranberry sauce • Stuffing mix
• Brownie or cookie mix
Thought for the Week
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
Any anxiety this week? I can't remember a more anxious week in American politics, at least in my lifetime. And I believe the week rivals some of the most stressful times in our history. Slowly, things are returning to some sense of normalcy, but that'll take more time. What is clear to me, though, is that some are still struggling with the anxiety of the election and where our country is. Some are filled with anxiety because they see the cracks of a divided nation more clearly than ever before. Some are anxious over the toxic atmosphere on social media. Some of filled with anxiety because the candidate they voted for didn't win. Others are anxious because their candidate did win and must deliver on leading our country. A lot of just anxious because it's a mess. There is a tension that exists among us in our country over what seem to be core issues. The issues are real. The anxiety is real. Can I offer a suggestion? Cast that anxiety on him...because he cares for you. Some are feeling isolated, but he cares for you. Some are discouraged, but he cares for you. Some are tired and exhausted, but he cares for you. Some are losing friends, but he cares for you. Some of being shunned, but he cares for you. And, maybe, just maybe, this election is the least of your worries. You're dealing with illness, sickness, job loss, financial stress, heartache. I want you to know He cares for you. God cares for you. When you feel like the whole world is against you, God cares for you. I keep saying that because I'm not sure you believe it yet. He cares for you, friend. Cast your cares on Him, no matter what they are.
In Christ,
Carter
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Election Night in my House
It's over. After a long night and constant checking in...it's done with. Back to normal life. Election night really was one to remember in my house. It's finally finished, but it was exhausting.
That's because we had a possum in garage on election night.
That's right. A possum came to eat may cats' food (and this is the 3rd time we've seen the fellow). This is especially important because two of our three cats are kittens and spend most of their time right now in the garage. And we had a possum. Welcome to country living.
In the midst of the most contentious election in my lifetime and maybe in our country's history, I had a real homegrown problem to deal with. And as the important decision our country was making gained clarity amidst the suspense with every vote tallied, I had an important issue to take care of myself. And I was reminded of something very important.
Neither President-Elect Donald Trump nor Secretary of State Hillary Clinton can or will help me get the possums out of my garage.
I had to work to trap it, protect our kittens, pray and hope that our big cat could fend for herself for the night outside the garage and try to get this taken care of. And the results of the election offered no help. By morning, the situation was resolved, the kittens are back in their space and life is back to normal. It probably won't be the last possum, and it definitely won't be the last family semi-emergency. And it was such a crucial reminder for me.
I have friends on all sides politically. Some of them are celebrating today and some are lamenting. I'm pretty fiercely independent, and I'm also mindful as a Christian leader that I deeply desire for my life and our church to reflect that God's heart, love and salvation is for all people -- liberal, conservative, Republican, Democrat and Independent. I have opinions, but I've never been a big 'side-picker' in politics because I know all candidates are a lot like me -- made in the image of God and yet deeply flawed. However, I am keenly aware of the wool that perhaps we've all allowed to be pulled over our eyes this election. And that's simply this: that this election will provide us with answers and solutions to once and for all fix all our problems.
It won't. You'll have to get rid of your own possums. I like to say, "I've got dadding to do." Being a dad is a verb for me most of the time. I've got living to do. I've got husbanding to do. I've got pastoring to do. I've got neighbor-loving to do. I've got exercising to do. I've got fixer-upper projects to do. I've got financial planning to do. I've got community involvement to do. I've got reaching out to do. I've got caring for the hurting to do. I've got driving-my-boys-to-rec-league-basketball to do.
The rise of social media and endless political commentary has brought to life for me a dangerous attitude: that a political figure offers all we need. Neither Trump nor Clinton nor Johnson nor anyone offers such. No president ever has. No president ever will.
Jesus offers all we need. Forgiveness, grace, salvation. And then I still have to go live my life walking in grace. And I'll still have to get rid of all the possums in my garage. It's my responsibility, not any politicians, to be the best Christian, person, husband, father and citizen I can be. And, honestly, election results will have little impact on that. I get to choose how I live, and I get to be responsible for me. And goodness, I've got enough to clean up in my own life.
What I will do is pray for President Obama and President-Elect Trump as they work through another shift in handing over of the Oval Office in a few months. I'll continue to pray for elected officials and elections. I'll continue to be informed and vote. But, what I want to be most busy about is getting the possums out of my own garage. I got one, but I think there's a lot more stuff inside my heart to clean out.
That's because we had a possum in garage on election night.
That's right. A possum came to eat may cats' food (and this is the 3rd time we've seen the fellow). This is especially important because two of our three cats are kittens and spend most of their time right now in the garage. And we had a possum. Welcome to country living.
In the midst of the most contentious election in my lifetime and maybe in our country's history, I had a real homegrown problem to deal with. And as the important decision our country was making gained clarity amidst the suspense with every vote tallied, I had an important issue to take care of myself. And I was reminded of something very important.
Neither President-Elect Donald Trump nor Secretary of State Hillary Clinton can or will help me get the possums out of my garage.
I had to work to trap it, protect our kittens, pray and hope that our big cat could fend for herself for the night outside the garage and try to get this taken care of. And the results of the election offered no help. By morning, the situation was resolved, the kittens are back in their space and life is back to normal. It probably won't be the last possum, and it definitely won't be the last family semi-emergency. And it was such a crucial reminder for me.
I have friends on all sides politically. Some of them are celebrating today and some are lamenting. I'm pretty fiercely independent, and I'm also mindful as a Christian leader that I deeply desire for my life and our church to reflect that God's heart, love and salvation is for all people -- liberal, conservative, Republican, Democrat and Independent. I have opinions, but I've never been a big 'side-picker' in politics because I know all candidates are a lot like me -- made in the image of God and yet deeply flawed. However, I am keenly aware of the wool that perhaps we've all allowed to be pulled over our eyes this election. And that's simply this: that this election will provide us with answers and solutions to once and for all fix all our problems.
It won't. You'll have to get rid of your own possums. I like to say, "I've got dadding to do." Being a dad is a verb for me most of the time. I've got living to do. I've got husbanding to do. I've got pastoring to do. I've got neighbor-loving to do. I've got exercising to do. I've got fixer-upper projects to do. I've got financial planning to do. I've got community involvement to do. I've got reaching out to do. I've got caring for the hurting to do. I've got driving-my-boys-to-rec-league-basketball to do.
The rise of social media and endless political commentary has brought to life for me a dangerous attitude: that a political figure offers all we need. Neither Trump nor Clinton nor Johnson nor anyone offers such. No president ever has. No president ever will.
Jesus offers all we need. Forgiveness, grace, salvation. And then I still have to go live my life walking in grace. And I'll still have to get rid of all the possums in my garage. It's my responsibility, not any politicians, to be the best Christian, person, husband, father and citizen I can be. And, honestly, election results will have little impact on that. I get to choose how I live, and I get to be responsible for me. And goodness, I've got enough to clean up in my own life.
What I will do is pray for President Obama and President-Elect Trump as they work through another shift in handing over of the Oval Office in a few months. I'll continue to pray for elected officials and elections. I'll continue to be informed and vote. But, what I want to be most busy about is getting the possums out of my own garage. I got one, but I think there's a lot more stuff inside my heart to clean out.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Sunday Preview & Thought for the Week (11.3.16)
Hey Church!
I'm so excited to share with you this Sunday in our conclusion to "Surviving the Election." It's the last Sunday before Election Day, and I believe God wants to continue to shape us in His image. I hope you'll be there.
Also, don't forget to set your clocks back 1 hour this Saturday before you go to bed or you'll show up to church REALLY early!
If you want to start bringing supplies for the Turkey Fry, feel free to drop them off at either location this Sunday:
o Boxed potatoes
o Canned corn
o Canned green beans
o Jiffy cornbread mix
o Stuffing mix
o Canned cranberry sauce
o Brownie or cookie mix
Thought for the Week
"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10
I was enthralled, as many of you were, watching Game 7 of the World Series last night. We were truly watching history. Most of us don't know someone who was alive the last time the Cubs won the series 108 years ago. A cursed franchise and patient fan base were finally rewarded. Sports are about competition. That's why you play - to win. The jubilation of finally winning after years of hard work (or a century of waiting) was breathtaking. It was different, too. The players seemed to understand the moment. They weren't just men happy to win a boys game. They cried for their city. In the stands, they wept. The smiles could hardly be wiped off their faces. And they wept in utter joy. They had finally won the most important one of them all. I believe there is a cosmic competition much more series than our games. This competition is for the hearts and souls of men and women. God has waited, fought, died and resurrected to win each and every heart. Each person is eternally more important than any Game 7. And when I saw the celebration last night, this verse immediately popped into my head. This is what heaven looks like when a sinner comes home to Jesus. There is hugging, dancing, tears of joy, laughter, and dog piles. There is jubilation and rejoicing. There is a party in heaven. I'm addicted to helping parties in heaven happen. If you are worried what God might think if a sinner like you comes home, what He thinks is that he's going to throw a party that would be the envy of Chicago. If you are wondering if it is worth it for the Church to do any and everything to reach people for Jesus, there are parties being planned and waiting our help to make them happen. Outside Wrigley? That's about what it looked like when you came to Jesus, except better. Let's be people helping God plan more parties!
In Christ,
Carter McInnis
Lead Pastor
I'm so excited to share with you this Sunday in our conclusion to "Surviving the Election." It's the last Sunday before Election Day, and I believe God wants to continue to shape us in His image. I hope you'll be there.
Also, don't forget to set your clocks back 1 hour this Saturday before you go to bed or you'll show up to church REALLY early!
If you want to start bringing supplies for the Turkey Fry, feel free to drop them off at either location this Sunday:
o Boxed potatoes
o Canned corn
o Canned green beans
o Jiffy cornbread mix
o Stuffing mix
o Canned cranberry sauce
o Brownie or cookie mix
Thought for the Week
"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10
I was enthralled, as many of you were, watching Game 7 of the World Series last night. We were truly watching history. Most of us don't know someone who was alive the last time the Cubs won the series 108 years ago. A cursed franchise and patient fan base were finally rewarded. Sports are about competition. That's why you play - to win. The jubilation of finally winning after years of hard work (or a century of waiting) was breathtaking. It was different, too. The players seemed to understand the moment. They weren't just men happy to win a boys game. They cried for their city. In the stands, they wept. The smiles could hardly be wiped off their faces. And they wept in utter joy. They had finally won the most important one of them all. I believe there is a cosmic competition much more series than our games. This competition is for the hearts and souls of men and women. God has waited, fought, died and resurrected to win each and every heart. Each person is eternally more important than any Game 7. And when I saw the celebration last night, this verse immediately popped into my head. This is what heaven looks like when a sinner comes home to Jesus. There is hugging, dancing, tears of joy, laughter, and dog piles. There is jubilation and rejoicing. There is a party in heaven. I'm addicted to helping parties in heaven happen. If you are worried what God might think if a sinner like you comes home, what He thinks is that he's going to throw a party that would be the envy of Chicago. If you are wondering if it is worth it for the Church to do any and everything to reach people for Jesus, there are parties being planned and waiting our help to make them happen. Outside Wrigley? That's about what it looked like when you came to Jesus, except better. Let's be people helping God plan more parties!
In Christ,
Carter McInnis
Lead Pastor
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