SOMETHING DON’D ON ME…
“In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” Luke 15:7 (NLT)
Way back…a long time ago…before COVID…I went to concerts! I LOVE live music! I’ve gone to a lot of Rock, Country, Jazz and Christian Concerts over the years. Whether it was at a classic theater, a giant sports arena, an outdoor amphitheater, or a county fair, the concert atmosphere is usually the same. It’s exciting! People have often driven for miles! Fans often buy T-shirts and “represent”! The excitement continues to build until the lights go out and that first drum beat pounds through your chest! The curtain drops and the crowd erupts – cheering, jumping, clapping, screaming…I love that moment!
Now…imagine a scene that is similar, but instead of an amphitheater & a band, it’s the “Streets of Gold” and a huge crowd of ANGELS! They are cheering and screaming-loud whistles and “woo hoots” fill the air! But instead of chanting for the Band or singing the lyrics of the opening song…they are cheering, screams from full lungs and clapping…for you!
That’s what Scripture says happens when ONE SINNER changes their ways! One sinner repenting creates more racket than ALL the Classic Rock bands on tour every summer!!
Luke 15 opens with some of the Parables of Jesus. He starts a story of a man that has 100 sheep, loses 1, and He leaves the 99 to go after the ONE. That one sheep was so precious to Him, that He REFUSES to leave him behind! Instead of accepting that loss and abandoning that sheep to the elements, the Shepherd goes after him! And when He finds that sheep, He invites His friends and neighbors to party, to celebrate and to CHEER with Him!
Friends…YOU are that one! You are the one He is looking for! Leaving 99 to find one doesn’t make ANY sense…until that one is YOU! YOU are so valuable to our Father, that He will NOT abandon you! Someone needs to hear that today! You may FEEL like you are lost and no one sees your struggle. Your Heavenly Father is searching for you! And He will not leave you to be eaten by the world! You ARE cherished by Him. He will NOT leave you in your sinfulness and your brokenness.
And when you SEE Him…that cheering is what is happening in heaven…FOR YOU! When you surrender those fears, burdens, and shame, all the throng of Heaven is celebrating! They are wearing YOUR T-shirt! They are singing songs…ABOUT YOU! And the noise…wow, I can only imagine that!
Today…take a breath…and picture that scene! Think about the cheering of angels and the roar of THAT crowd! Ponder the celebration we will have! And let the GRACE OF GOD wash over you! He forgives! He searches for you! And YOU ARE PRECIOUS to Him! Now THAT…is a concert I can’t WAIT to see!
Almighty God…thank You for Your Mercy! May we be reminded today of how You search for us! Help me show your forgiveness to others today! And may truly SEE You and SHOW You this week! In Jesus Name, Amen
May Peace and Celebration Be YOUR Concert Today!
Don
We would like to provide meals for 10-12 of the McMath family this week through at least Sunday. If you would like to help provide meals for the McMath family please click here to sign up, or you can respond to this email, or call the church office.
Hey Central Family! We have another awesome opportunity to bless our students at Brown Early Childhood Center (BECC). As you know our church adopted BECC and over the last few years have partnered with them on different projects, meals, and supplies etc. This year is no different…sort of. We won’t be able to go into the school this year to do some of our normal things, BUT, we have come up with a way to love on each one of them everyday!
When school starts on September 8th, the kiddos recess will look a little different. Due to different guidelines for reopening the playground equipment will not be accessible to them. So our goal is to provide each child with their own “Recess Bag” to use each day. We want to provide items that they can use while outside each day to make that time more fun.
Central has already purchased bags and now we need your help in filling them. We would like to do class sets that are exactly the same content for each child (doesn’t have to be the same color). So we are looking for items to be donated in sets of 20 if possible.
Here’s what we are looking for:
- Bubbles
- Chalk
- Small cars, like the matchbox ones (these can be gently used).
- Toy dinosaurs or plastic animals (these can be gently used)
- Jump ropes
- Balls (similar to kickballs or rubber balls in picture)
- pick up stick games/ matching games
Many of these items can be purchased at the Dollar Tree or in bulk on sites like Amazon or Oriental Trading. We plan to have the bags filled and delivered on Sept 8th. If you would like to donate items, money toward items to be purchased, or have any questions please contact Jennifer at 505-331-8593.
CONGRATULATIONS to Livestock Show Qualifiers!
With no RC Fair this year, it’s been pretty discouraging for our 4-H Teens. But several influential people pulled together to have a GREAT Livestock Show recently and MANY of our young people were involved! (Note from Don: I did NOT get ALL of the names-if I left yours off, please forgive me! But we’re cheering for you too!) Here are some of our winners!
- Nealeigh Burrow-show pigs
- Trevor Daniel-lamb
- Brandon Webster-Goat
- Cody Webster-Goat
Thank you to all of the adults that poured MANY hours into these young people! We have a bunch of people that work on and with the Fair Board (Wes Weems, Wayne McAlister, Mike Cone, Sheila Hays and many more!) – I’m so grateful for everyone that has jumped in and helped to serve our Teens!
Clovis/Portales/Cannon MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is gearing up for a new season! We aim to connect women of all ages and stages of mothering to help them be more brave, kind, and honest. Whether you are a soon-to-be mom, first-time mom, or seventh-time mom, you are welcome! If you’d like to register, please contact Leah Castro at ljsteers@gmail.com for information. Deadline to register is 9/12/20. MOPS will be meeting select Friday evenings at the Clovis First United Methodist Church (childcare currently not provided , but non-mobile babies welcomed)! |
