Good Morning! The first Monday of a new year is underway.  We had a great New Year’s celebration with the Craig family as we celebrated Kendra’s wedding.  Carol and I were able to run in Forrest Park, do a bit of shopping, and celebrated the new year at the reception.  Thanks to all that helped make our getaway possible.  Looks like attendance here was good.  I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year, God is doing wonderful things at SUMC.     Have a great day!

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.    Matthew  5:15

We have added a new position to our board this year.  Sharon Tubbs has joined us as a non-voting member responsible for communications.  She pointed out at our last meeting the importance of getting the word out about what we are doing as the body of Christ.  We have done many awesome things in the past, but we have sort of put them under a bowl.  It isn’t about us, but it is about Christ.  We want to get the word out about our ministry to let the light of Christ shine.  Join with the body of Christ in 2012 and let your light shine   Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: Name a ministry you want to help continue in 2012.   Serve2012   Ken McGrail is our winners today.

Today’s question: Who led service on January 1 at SUMC?

To respond to this question, go to this entry on our website (do by clicking on its title), then post  your answer using the “Leave a reply” form at the bottom of the page.  First to get it right gets the credit! Check us out online at www.salemmoumc.com Also catch up on missed daily messages.  (IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS PLEASE EMAIL   COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MESSAGE BOX ON THE HOME PAGE,

If there are folks that you think would like to receive this have them email me.  If you want off the list simply drop me a note.

Have a great day!

In Christ,

Doug

Good Morning! It is another sunny day!  John almost finished the leaves last night, we now after the eternal pile of smoke. (burning leaves)  This is the last Morning Message of 2011, this is the New Year’s Weekend.  My friends I am happy to report we are within $1,225.00 of our funding need to finish the year.  If you could pray about this and possibly help bring the number to 0 that would be awesome. I would ask that you say a little pray for Mo, he is under the weather.  The vet prescribed some medicine, but we are waiting for it to kick in.  God has blessed us this year, and we are poised for a wonderful 2012.  May you and your family be richly blessed and Happy New Year.    Have a great day!

You are the light of the world.  A city built on a hill cannot be hid.   Matthew  5:14

How do you let your light shine.  This year SERVE2011 was an excellent time to be a light.  We saw yellow t-shirts all over town and people busy making a difference.  I had so many folks ask about the folks.  They wanted to know if they were doing community service.  I told them they were, but it was not court ordered, it was God inspired.  I pray that as we approach 2012 we can be the city on the hill.  Be blessed and Happy New Year.    Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: Name a way you were salt to others this last year.    Picking up trash    Roy and Lara Stevens are our winners today.

Today’s question: Name a ministry you want to help continue in 2012.

To respond to this question, go to this entry on our website (do by clicking on its title), then post  your answer using the “Leave a reply” form at the bottom of the page.  First to get it right gets the credit! Check us out online at www.salemmoumc.com Also catch up on missed daily messages.  (IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS PLEASE EMAIL   COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MESSAGE BOX ON THE HOME PAGE,

If there are folks that you think would like to receive this have them email me.  If you want off the list simply drop me a note.

Have a great day!

In Christ,

Doug

Good Morning! The sun is wonderful this morning.  I looked out to see a groomed lawn this morning.  John had been out all evening mulching leaves, the only chance the weather has provided in months.  Thank You!  Mo is under the weather.  Not sure the problem, but the vet is a part of the days plan.  Getting ready for a big wedding this weekend, should be great fun.  Don’t forget, we are trying to get the last dollars for this years budget, if you can help please do.  Thanks!!   Be blessed and have a great day!

You are the salt of the earth: but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?  Matthew  5:13

We are the salt of the earth.  We are to be salt to the earth, to the world around us.  The verse tells us that if salt would lose its taste what is to be done.  Our modern minds know that salt can’t really loose its saltiness because it is an element, but in the ancient world salt wasn’t pure, it was filled with impurity.  The impurity would cause it to lose its saltiness.  We can do the same thing.  Our lives filled with impurities will lose their flavor. What to do?  Allow the refiner’s fire to restore our purity.  In short, remove the impurity and we restore our saltiness.    Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: What was your favorite ministry of 2011?  Why?   SERVE 2011 We were engaging the community, changing lives, and bearing witness.   Ken McGrail is our winner today.

Today’s question: Name a way you were salt to others this last year.

To respond to this question, go to this entry on our website (do by clicking on its title), then post  your answer using the “Leave a reply” form at the bottom of the page.  First to get it right gets the credit! Check us out online at www.salemmoumc.com Also catch up on missed daily messages.  (IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS PLEASE EMAIL   COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MESSAGE BOX ON THE HOME PAGE,

If there are folks that you think would like to receive this have them email me.  If you want off the list simply drop me a note.

Have a great day!

In Christ,

Doug

Good Morning! The sun is out and looks to be a great day!  We spent a peaceful night last night just the two of us.  It was a bit strange.  It is only for a couple of days then off for a big wedding.  Hope you are enjoying these last few days of 2011.  We have a push on at the office to get the last dollars raised for our 2011 commitments.  If you could help that would be great.  Please keep it in your prayers.  The weather folks say warm today, enjoy it and as always, have a great day!

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it was told to them.    Luke 2:20

What do we do with this Christmas?  What about what we have seen and heard?  It has been told to us as well.  In fact we have been told time and again.  We have a decision just as the shepherds.  They returned glorifying and praising God.  Will we?  How will we do it?  Something to ponder as we close a year and begin another.   Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: Where was I in the Christmas Eve story I told Sunday?   The barn   Pete Walter is our winner today.

Today’s question: What was your favorite ministry of 2011?  Why?

To respond to this question, go to this entry on our website (do by clicking on its title), then post  your answer using the “Leave a reply” form at the bottom of the page.  First to get it right gets the credit! Check us out online at www.salemmoumc.com Also catch up on missed daily messages.  (IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS PLEASE EMAIL   COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MESSAGE BOX ON THE HOME PAGE,

If there are folks that you think would like to receive this have them email me.  If you want off the list simply drop me a note.

Have a great day!

In Christ,

Doug

Good Morning! What a wonderful weekend!  I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!  We had an awesome time with family and friends.  Christmas Eve is always a packed house, but we were bringing in chairs for Christmas Day.  We capped the weekend off with a big Mizzou win to end their football season.  The basketball team remains undefeated, so we are off to a good start on the new year.  Enjoy the week, remember there are no Wednesday activities this week.  Have a great day!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. .    Luke 2:8

I talked Sunday about the fact that not everyone seemed to take notice of the birth.  The angels it is said came to certain shepherds, so we can understand that maybe everyone didn’t get that message, but you would have thought there would have been a commotion in Bethlehem that night.  The point being that we see things based upon our own heart sometimes.  We see what we want to see or what we are open to see.  May the birth open our eyes and hearts to see new things this year.   Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: What time is Christmas Eve Service?   7:00 pm   Jess Soete is our winner today.

Today’s question: Where was I in the Christmas Eve story I told Sunday?

To respond to this question, go to this entry on our website (do by clicking on its title), then post  your answer using the “Leave a reply” form at the bottom of the page.  First to get it right gets the credit! Check us out online at www.salemmoumc.com Also catch up on missed daily messages.  (IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS PLEASE EMAIL   COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MESSAGE BOX ON THE HOME PAGE,

If there are folks that you think would like to receive this have them email me.  If you want off the list simply drop me a note.

Have a great day!

In Christ,

Doug

Good Morning! A beautiful crisp morning in Salem. Jess and Eric arrived last night.  They are pretty easy, but along with them come two pups.  Add theirs to ours and it is busy around the house.  Pete will arrive tonight, and we will prepare for Christmas.  I am so excited, we have a great Christmas Eve Service, and I must say we will have the most awesome Christmas Day Service in the area.  You don’t want to miss this.  Have a great day!  Get ready and be blessed!

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born.    Luke 2:6

A novel thought for today.  The baby came when it was time.  I am still amazed that we schedule birth.  However, in those days the baby was born when the baby decided.  Mary and Joseph had made their way to Bethlehem and the Christ Child’s time had come.  I was present for the birth of all my children, I think that birth in a stable is a miracle within itself. This birth filled with miracle was yet to deliver the miracle it was to share with the world.  The birth gave way to a new life for the Christ Child and for us.  I hope we can take a moment this Christmas and remember we have a new birth because of Christmas as well.     Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: What trumps justice every time in the character of God?   Love  Jess Soete is our winner today.

Today’s question:  What time is Christmas Eve Service?

To respond to this question, go to this entry on our website (do by clicking on its title), then post  your answer using the “Leave a reply” form at the bottom of the page.  First to get it right gets the credit! Check us out online at www.salemmoumc.com Also catch up on missed daily messages.  (IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS PLEASE EMAIL   COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MESSAGE BOX ON THE HOME PAGE,

If there are folks that you think would like to receive this have them email me.  If you want off the list simply drop me a note.

Have a great day!

In Christ,

Doug

Good Morning! A little cooler this morning, but I like it.  I had a great run, and not the day ahead to complete.  Jess and Eric should be in today.  Big BB game with Illinois tonight.  We will put the finishing touches on Christmas plans today, and by tomorrow noon we hope to be out the door.  How many days until Christmas?  Get ready and be blessed today!

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.    Luke 2:1

I was reading this the other day and it struck me how difficult this must have been.  How do you get the word out that everyone is to be counted?  What about time frames?  Where to go and how to get there?  There are lots of logistics that come into play here.  Now, in the midst of all this complication enter Mary and Joseph.  The beauty of this is that Scripture has led up to this moment for generations.  It simple amazes me how God works. How is God working in your life?   Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: Why did Bob Hope say his family hung stockings by the fireplace?  To dry them     We have no winner today.

Today’s question: What trumps justice every time in the character of God?

To respond to this question, go to this entry on our website (do by clicking on its title), then post  your answer using the “Leave a reply” form at the bottom of the page.  First to get it right gets the credit! Check us out online at www.salemmoumc.com Also catch up on missed daily messages.  (IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS PLEASE EMAIL   COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MESSAGE BOX ON THE HOME PAGE,

If there are folks that you think would like to receive this have them email me.  If you want off the list simply drop me a note.

Have a great day!

In Christ,

Doug

Good Morning! Great morning, got my run in early.  I did get a few miles in at noon yesterday, so I have ran ever day this week.  Family begins to arrive tomorrow.  Christmas and the weekend make for lots to do.  We have some very special surprises in store for Christmas Eve.  I hope that you have had time to pray about your yearend giving.  We have a ways to go, but I trust God will provide.    Be blessed today!

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.   Hebrews 1:3

I love this.  The Son is the radiance of God’s glory.  We will talk about that this weekend.  Jesus the light come into the world.  However, I want to draw your attention to the end of the verse.  Hebrews tells us that we are sustained by his powerful word.  It turns  your mind to John right?  When God speak things happen.  In God’s word is power, and we have access to it 24/7.  Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: I have introduced Peter’s girlfriend to you and she was in church this last Sunday.  Where is Caitlin from?   Funk, Nebraska   Sarah Huff is our winner today.

Today’s question: Why did Bob Hope say his family hung stockings by the fireplace?

To respond to this question, go to this entry on our website (do by clicking on its title), then post  your answer using the “Leave a reply” form at the bottom of the page.  First to get it right gets the credit! Check us out online at www.salemmoumc.com Also catch up on missed daily messages.  (IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS PLEASE EMAIL   COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MESSAGE BOX ON THE HOME PAGE,

If there are folks that you think would like to receive this have them email me.  If you want off the list simply drop me a note.

Have a great day!

In Christ,

Doug

Good Morning! Glad I got my run in early Monday, it has been raining ever since.  Christmas continues to move closer.  A big thank you to Beth Watson!  Her pictures of the Cantata are not less than awesome.  You can find the pictures posted on the website.  I get a trip to Winona tonight for SCMCAA Board meeting, hoping it might be a bit drier.  Have you looked at the weather west?  Wow.  Not to be here, oh well.   Be blessed today!

In Him was life, and that life was the light of all people.  John 1:4

My message for Christmas Eve is “Let there be light”.  Light changes everything, and this light indeed continues to change lives.  Many people are prone to the blues when they don’t get enough sun.  Winter becomes an issue for many.  We also can suffer from the blues when we don’t get enough SON.  John tells us the in Jesus was life, and the life was the light of all people.  Have you been getting enough exposure to the SON?  Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: What did Bert Bacharach tell us the world needs? Love sweet love   Jess Soete is our winner today.

Today’s question: I have introduced Peter’s girlfriend to you and she was in church this last Sunday.  Where is Caitlin from?

To respond to this question, go to this entry on our website (do by clicking on its title), then post  your answer using the “Leave a reply” form at the bottom of the page.  First to get it right gets the credit! Check us out online at www.salemmoumc.com Also catch up on missed daily messages.  (IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS PLEASE EMAIL   COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MESSAGE BOX ON THE HOME PAGE,

If there are folks that you think would like to receive this have them email me.  If you want off the list simply drop me a note.

Have a great day!

In Christ,

Doug

Good Morning! Christmas Week is here and with it great joy and expectation.  Do you have your shopping complete?  Are you planning on Christmas Eve Service? (7:00 pm)  What about the Jingle Bell Run? (Sat. @ 2:00 pm)  Lots to do before then, be safe and be blessed.  And yes, it was great to Pete and his girl in for the weekend.   Be blessed today!

Through Him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  John 1:3

The creation story.  Well sort of.  An appropriate story to remember at Christmas I think.  This is the abbreviated version, you know, if it is, then it was. (created)  This abbreviated story of creation gives us and insight into the author of the world and the author of this writing.  I also tells us about the creator.  The Word because flesh, God became flesh.  Love came down at Christmas, God with flesh on.  Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: What does Advent mean and why do we light and Advent Candle on each Sunday leading up to Christmas?   The coming To prepare us for the coming.  Barb Davis is our winner today.

Today’s question: What did Bert Bacharach tell us the world needs?

To respond to this question, go to this entry on our website (do by clicking on its title), then post  your answer using the “Leave a reply” form at the bottom of the page.  First to get it right gets the credit! Check us out online at www.salemmoumc.com Also catch up on missed daily messages.  (IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS PLEASE EMAIL   COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MESSAGE BOX ON THE HOME PAGE,

If there are folks that you think would like to receive this have them email me.  If you want off the list simply drop me a note.

Have a great day!

In Christ,

Doug