I use to work for the phone company and one of my first jobs was working repair. When you get the call you first work with the customer just to make sure that it is really their phone that is broken and not something else. Which leads me to the first question you ask them. Is your phone plugged in? Many time the customer is not happy with this question because they think your just being sassy. But truthfully, this does happen a great deal because there are at least three places the phone could be unplugged. First there is the handset the part you hold in your hand is it plugged into the phone set (the part you dial). Second & third are the two plugs of the line cord plugged in? One to the wall and one to the phone set? After checking all of these out if the phone is still in trouble then we move on to more serious issues.
Why am I talking about all these phone concerns? Well it occurred to me that our spiritual and sometime physical issues require us to ask the same question. Are you plugged in? I thought we would work through a "spiritual check" to see if you are plugged in with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
First how often are you plugged into worship? Checking in with God at a place of worship helps you to hear, feel, smell, and know God's will for you and your community. We are a community of believers and while God can be worshiped at an individual level, we as humans need others to help us hear what God is requiring of us. To the right of the blog you will read a list of prayers from the community. These were read and lifted up during worship on December 21st. If you were plugged into God during worship that day you had a great opportunity to know more about God and how your community needs your prayers. Please read through them now and pray for them all through the month of January.
Second are you plugged into a small group where you learn about Jesus Christ? Places such as Bible classes on Sundays, United Methodist Women Circle groups who meet on Wednesdays (in the morning and evening) or prayer shawl time. Are all examples of places where you can be in a small group and learn about Jesus Christ and community. These small groups do not need to meet at a church, they can meet in our homes or restaurants too. To meet and discuss Jesus Christ, learn about his love for us and our neighbors we can remain plugged into his love.
Finally are you plugged into prayer and devotion? Spending time in prayer and studying God's word allows for us to hear and speak with the Holy Spirit. Prayer gives us strengths and wisdom on how God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit would have us live out our lives fully. Without this constant reminder we can quickly forget who we are and begin to fall into darkness. Prayer and devotion time can be done individually and with others. A balance of both is great. Often what you are praying and learning about privately can be later shared with others both for your benefit and for theirs. The Holy Spirit works in each of us and if we are not plugged into the Holy Spirit we miss out on opportunities to be blessed and be a blessing.
Are you plugged in? I hope you don't feel I am being sassy! But these are question we all need to ask ourselves. I hope you take the Spiritual test today and ask yourself how can I do better? All of us have somewhere to improve. Many times those who lead groups for instance need to pay attention to where are they going to be part of a small group instead of leading one. Or perhaps you have not been to worship in a long time and would like to be again. We would very much love to have you here to encourage and feel the Grace of God in your life.
There are two places I need to work on this New Year. First I need to attend worship occasionally with others instead of just leading worship. Second I need to be part of a small group where I am not leading it.
Wherever you find your self as you read this don't wait until later to figure out how you can do better. Instead why don't you email (gnhale@sprintmail.com) and we will get together talk about how you can be better plugged in and live a full life in Christ.
Peace!
Why am I talking about all these phone concerns? Well it occurred to me that our spiritual and sometime physical issues require us to ask the same question. Are you plugged in? I thought we would work through a "spiritual check" to see if you are plugged in with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
First how often are you plugged into worship? Checking in with God at a place of worship helps you to hear, feel, smell, and know God's will for you and your community. We are a community of believers and while God can be worshiped at an individual level, we as humans need others to help us hear what God is requiring of us. To the right of the blog you will read a list of prayers from the community. These were read and lifted up during worship on December 21st. If you were plugged into God during worship that day you had a great opportunity to know more about God and how your community needs your prayers. Please read through them now and pray for them all through the month of January.
Second are you plugged into a small group where you learn about Jesus Christ? Places such as Bible classes on Sundays, United Methodist Women Circle groups who meet on Wednesdays (in the morning and evening) or prayer shawl time. Are all examples of places where you can be in a small group and learn about Jesus Christ and community. These small groups do not need to meet at a church, they can meet in our homes or restaurants too. To meet and discuss Jesus Christ, learn about his love for us and our neighbors we can remain plugged into his love.
Finally are you plugged into prayer and devotion? Spending time in prayer and studying God's word allows for us to hear and speak with the Holy Spirit. Prayer gives us strengths and wisdom on how God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit would have us live out our lives fully. Without this constant reminder we can quickly forget who we are and begin to fall into darkness. Prayer and devotion time can be done individually and with others. A balance of both is great. Often what you are praying and learning about privately can be later shared with others both for your benefit and for theirs. The Holy Spirit works in each of us and if we are not plugged into the Holy Spirit we miss out on opportunities to be blessed and be a blessing.
Are you plugged in? I hope you don't feel I am being sassy! But these are question we all need to ask ourselves. I hope you take the Spiritual test today and ask yourself how can I do better? All of us have somewhere to improve. Many times those who lead groups for instance need to pay attention to where are they going to be part of a small group instead of leading one. Or perhaps you have not been to worship in a long time and would like to be again. We would very much love to have you here to encourage and feel the Grace of God in your life.
There are two places I need to work on this New Year. First I need to attend worship occasionally with others instead of just leading worship. Second I need to be part of a small group where I am not leading it.
Wherever you find your self as you read this don't wait until later to figure out how you can do better. Instead why don't you email (gnhale@sprintmail.com) and we will get together talk about how you can be better plugged in and live a full life in Christ.
Peace!
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