Good Morning! What a sunny day!  They even give us a message of warmth for today, however a winter advisory is around the corner.  Missouri, a place where anything can happen.  Tonight the new James study begins, it is not too late to join.  There are several guys in this study.  Have a blessed day. 

Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves.  Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.      Matthew 21:19

This is a curious passage.  The fig trees would not be expected to have fruit this time of year, and if they had fruit it would not be good.  Many of the trees might have no fruit and would not bear fruit that year.  So what is the point.  Jesus is talking about faith, this is a lesson in faith.  It is about trusting in God.  This verse doesn’t bring us to the heart of the story, but we will get closer tomorrow.  The point Jesus is leading to is that we can do impossible things if god is doing them through us.  Is God using you to do something you could never do on your own?  Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: Who spoke in worship on Sunday and about what?  Dr. Wayne Bertz spoke about Gideons  There is no winner today.

Today’s question: What does Jesus tell us we can do in this passage?

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! I awoke this morning to what I thought was a storm.  No rain, but plenty of wind.  Oh, Missouri weather you keep us ever vigilant.  The Tigers got a signature win Saturday against Baylor, I am excited to see the polls today.  Big football day yesterday, the Super Bowl is cast.  Carol and I watch Courageous this weekend, what a great and life changing movie.  I am still trying to process it all, but I will be using the things I learned to allow God to make me a better person. I hope you have a great day today and live into the blessing. 

Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.      Matthew 21:18

This week our congregation has the sermon outline a week before the message.  I hope it is helpful in preparing for our time together next Sunday.  The current series of messages addresses the statement, “I believe, Lord help my unbelief”. The verse this morning opens the passage of Jesus cursing the fig tree.  No doubt this is a difficult passage, but an powerful one to examine.  It is a question of faith.  We have doubts, but where do our doubts fit in with our faith.  Can you doubt and believe?   Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: I used an illustration last night in my message.  Who remembers what the color purple represented?  A deep bruise   There is no winner today.

Today’s question: Who spoke in worship on Sunday and about what?

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 isn’t up yet, but it is warmer than yesterday.  They say however, it is to get colder.  Mark goes back to Portland today if the airport is open.  They have had big storms in the NW.  Natalie continues to struggle with a pinched nerve, we are praying she improves.  The kids are off to WOW this weekend, keep them in your prayers. Live into the blessing today. 

PS:  Jenny Summers is having a BD party for the twins this Saturday at church and she ask that I remind you that the church is welcome to attend. 

The Kingdom of God is near.     Mark 1:15

I think most of us are familiar with this verse, but what does it mean?  What does it mean that the Kingdom of God is near?  Probably a good first step would be to ask ourselves what the Kingdom of God looks like?  It is more than a celestial place or some heavenly realm.  In fact it would help us to stop thinking of it as a place and think of it in terms of a lifestyle.  It is a life following a relationship with Christ in which we are in relationship with Him and those around us.  A live of grace and serving.  What can we do to bring the Kingdom closer?   Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: Where do you struggle with this verse?  Doubting that God will answer my prayers?  ( I promised not to throw you under the bus Sunday, so this is the first answer in, but we won’t announce the respondent.)   There is no winner today.

Today’s question: I used an illustration last night in my message.  Who remembers what the color purple represented?

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 up, the wind is down, but it is cold.  A delayed message this morning because I caught in the office before getting this out.  It is Wednesday, so hope to see many of your for dinner.  We are watching the Northwest weather because Mark is to fly out tomorrow.  That may be an issue, only time will tell.  Stay warm and have a blessed day. 

I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief    Mark 9:24

I have had some interesting conversations that last few days around this verse.  What do we ask for?  An important question, but another part of that is what do we really ask God or do we at the same time give God the answer we want.  I do believe God can do anything, but what does that look like?  It certainly isn’t about name it and claim it prayer.  The challenge is for us to ask and believe that God will provide for us as God directs.  The song says that God will take care of us.  Do we believe?   Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: What had the disciple’s been trying to do?   Drive out a demon  There is no winner today.

Today’s question:  Where do you struggle with this verse?

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

PRAYER LIST  1-17-12
JOYS
CONCERNS

Cancer Patients

May Kay Campbell, cousin of Susan Jenkins
Fritz Norfleet
Phil Maberry, nephew of Peggy Gonsalves and Mary Blackketter
Jerry Randall
Jenna Dunn
Nancy Pratt, friend of Carol Walter
Joe Nelson, uncle of Roma Jones
Aiden Aikens, friend of Kristi Craig
Justine Wahlbrink, friend of Doug and Carol Walter
Francis Howard
Sally Humphrey, sister of Mary Hutchison
Tommy Lewis, friend of Jimmy Cotner
Barbara Helm, friend of Karen Kinder
Sandy Hunt, friend of  Joan Haskins
Flora Schweitzer
Buzz Mallady
Beverly Merritt, friend of Mary Hutchison
Brittini Cape, cousin of Bryon Craig
Annette Whitmire
Carleen Streed, friend of Mary Hutchison
Jake Heithold
Suzanne Keeney, friend of Wanda Jaudes
Afton Casbeer,  friend of Shirley Perkins
Barbara Gonsalves, daughter-in-law of Peggy Gonsalves
Rose Marie, friend of Joan Haskins
Other Health Concerns

Catherine Dent
Pearl McGrail
Marge Regan
Katie Greer Steelman and infant son, David
Virginia Shelton
Isabella Blackwell
Woodrow Lewis, uncle of Rita Swank
Mark Lay and wife Tina, nephew of Diane Sensintaffar
Tom Stevens, father of Tom Stevens
Tamera Halbrook
Nathan Tighe
Judy  Thompson
Evelyn Randall
Sande Greenwood
Dawne Wood
All those ill with flu.
Bob Nelson, father of Roma Jones
Steve Plank
Pauline Pratt
Carol Redmond, sister of Diane Sensintaffar
Gertrude Taylor
Doyle Sanders
Peggy Grewe, mother of Gerry Harris
Val Davidson
James Wood
Joan Anderson
Eric Will
Lisa Barnitz

Other Prayer Concerns

Salem Running Club
Rice Family, and families of victims of  shooting tragedy
Salem Hospital, and those who have lost jobs there
Riverways Pregnancy Center Clients
Head Start Staff and Families
People affected by weather, earthquakes and other natural disaster
Caregivers of those who are ill
Backpack Program
All small groups
Show Me Hope Mission
SUMC Computer Lab
Asia Bibi, imprisoned and sentenced to death in Pakistan for “blasphemy”
Jesse Berry, Messina family, Ray family
Jason Midyett and sons, Oliver and Wilman (family abduction)
Travelers
Sympathy for:

Family of Juanita Wren
Durham families
Families who have lost loved ones
Nursing Home Residents and Shut-ins

Debbie Smith, George and Dixie Miller, Fred Howard, Bonnie Rueter,  Maggie Stanfill, Marilyn Tucker,  Myrtle Tyree, Clark and Pauline Wines, Mae Nelson. Marge Sullivan, Jeff Spaulding

Ongoing Prayers for:

Our country, president, other leaders; Dondo UMC, our sister church, in Mozambique; Ken and Marta Morton Missions; Amanda Gardner; Salem United Methodist Church, and its ministries;  those serving in the military; students and school personnel

Good Morning! What a change for Monday!  I found the church dumpster in the middle of the parking lot this morning.  The storm that hit around 5:00 was like a spring storm.  I guess it had been in the 60’s yesterday.  It certainly is reclaiming winter today.  Mizzou picked up a win last night, and Baylor lost, this is a crazy season.  Lots going on, busy day ahead.  Keep the faith and have a great day!

Everything is possible of one who believes    Mark 9:23b

We are talking about faith and grace.  We believe, but our inability to see how it might happen leaves us with doubts. Jesus tells us that everything is possible of one who believes.  What happens if we have a doubt?  Does it all unravel? How do we get past this?  The verse we talked about yesterday is key. We ask God to help our unbelief. Lord God we believe, help our unbelief?   Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: What we the man in the passage asking Jesus to do?   Heal his son.   There is no winner today.

Today’s question: What had the disciple’s been trying to do?

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 up and they are talking about 60 degree weather today.  Before we get too excited they are saying tomorrow won’t get out to the 30’s.  We had a great trip and enjoyed the warmth and being away.  Thanks to everyone that pitched in to make that possible.  Today is Martin Luther King’s BD, hope we all take moment to remember his contribution to our world.  Enjoy the sun and warmth and have a great day!

I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief.    Mark 9:23

I think this is such a powerful verse.  We believe right?  We do for the most part, but what about when the going gets tough?  What do we do with doubt?  This is a wonderful example of turning to God even when we have doubt.  Confess our belief, but also confess and ask for help with our unbelief.  That is the grace of God, the power to meet us where we are and lift us up.  Lord, today I believe, help my unbelief.    Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: What did the Magi, Pilgrims, and Pioneers have in common?   They had to leave things behind that we not essential to the trip.  There is no winner today.

Today’s question: What we the man in the passage asking Jesus to do?

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! Wow!  It is sunny this morning!  The weather is supposed to be awesome the next couple of days.  I got all the outside Christmas put away yesterday, so it is all 2012 now.  We had a great turnout last night, a great way to start the new year’s Wednesday evenings.  It will be a busy day today, lots of odds and ends to finish. Bye the way, Mary Coffman and Marsha Odom, along with Marsha’s daughter Katie were on the Today Show today! Enjoy the sun and warmth and have a great day!

He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”  Matthew 2:8

We can point others to the Christ child, but in the end we have to find our own way.  Herod wanted to know where, but not because he wanted to seek after Him.  A part of the relationship comes in the effort to seek Him.  I love the folks that have sought Him to discredit Him, and because those seeking were earnest, they found Him.  It is in the earnest desire to find Christ that we find Christ.  However, no one can do it for us.  Have you earnestly sought the child of Christmas?    Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: Who were the group mentioned in Matthew 2:2?    Magi, astrologers    Pete Walter is our winners today.

Today’s question: What did the Magi, Pilgrims, and Pioneers have in common?

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

PRAYER LIST  1-3-12
JOYS
CONCERNS

Cancer Patients

May Kay Campbell, cousin of Susan Jenkins
Fritz Norfleet
Phil Maberry, nephew of Peggy Gonsalves and Mary Blackketter
Jerry Randall
Jenna Dunn
Nancy Pratt, friend of Carol Walter
Joe Nelson, uncle of Roma Jones
Aiden Aikens, friend of Kristi Craig
Justine Wahlbrink, friend of Doug and Carol Walter
Francis Howard
Sally Humphrey, sister of Mary Hutchison
Tommy Lewis, friend of Jimmy Cotner
Barbara Helm, friend of Karen Kinder
Sandy Hunt, friend of  Joan Haskins
Flora Schweitzer
Buzz Mallady
Beverly Merritt, friend of Mary Hutchison
Brittini Cape, cousin of Bryon Craig
Annette Whitmire
Carleen Streed, friend of Mary Hutchison
Jake Heithold
Suzanne Keeney, friend of Wanda Jaudes
Afton Casbeer,  friend of Shirley Perkins
Barbara Gonsalves, daughter-in-law of Peggy Gonsalves
Rose Marie, friend of Joan Haskins
Other Health Concerns

Mark and Tina Lay, nephew and neice of Diane Sensintaffar
Tom Stevens, father of Tom Stevens
Tamera Halbrook
Nathan Tighe
Judy  Thompson
Evelyn Randall
Sande Greenwood
All those ill with flu.
Bob Nelson, father of Roma Jones
Steve Plank
Pauline Pratt
Carol Redmond, sister of Diane Sensintaffar
Gertrude Taylor
Doyle Sanders
Peggy Grewe, mother of Gerry Harris
Val Davidson
James Wood
Joan Anderson
Eric Will
Lisa Barnitz

Other Prayer Concerns
Salem Running Club
Rice Family, and families of victims of  shooting tragedy
Riverways Pregnancy Center Clients
Head Start Staff and Families
People affected by weather, earthquakes and other natural disaster
Caregivers of those who are ill
Backpack Program
All small groups
Show Me Hope Mission
SUMC Computer Lab
Asia Bibi, imprisoned and sentenced to death in Pakistan for “blasphemy”
Jesse Berry, Messina family, Ray family
Jason Midyett and sons, Oliver and Wilman (family abduction)
Travelers
Sympathy for:

Family of Henry Slovensky,  brother-in-law of Mary Stephens
Family of Holly Chasen
Family of Rick DeBuhr
Families who have lost loved ones
Nursing Home Residents and Shut-ins

Debbie Smith, George and Dixie Miller, Fred Howard, Bonnie Rueter,  Maggie Stanfill, Marilyn Tucker,  Myrtle Tyree, Clark and Pauline Wines, Juanita Wren, Mae Nelson. Marge Sullivan, Jeff Spaulding

Ongoing Prayers for:

Our country, president, other leaders; Dondo UMC, our sister church, in Mozambique; Ken and Marta Morton Missions; Amanda Gardner; Salem United Methodist Church, and its ministries;  those serving in the military; students and school personnel

Good Morning! It is lots warmer this morning.  We have a new leaf fire going, John has not given up on the battle of the leaves.  What about those Tigers?  A great conference opening win, 38 points!  We resume Wednesday activities tonight, and it looks to be a great night for it.  Hope to see many of your tonight. Enjoy and have a great day!

Where is the one who is born King of the Jews?    Matthew 2:2

Interesting that those that are looking for Jesus are not Jews, but what we would call pagans.  This is a group of stargazer that are in pursuit of the baby. I think there are many “pagans” looking for the baby.  They are no more sure of what it means than the ones that sought him so many years ago.  They are drawn however to this King of Kings.  They are not sure how it all works, but they want to know.  They don’t want religion, don’t get confused.  They want a relationship.  When you make the invitation, it is important to know the difference.  Will you help them find what they are looking for?    Just a thought for today. 

Yesterday’s question: What was different about the video last Sunday?  It was a video of SUMC         Natalie Stevens is our winners today.

Today’s question: Who were the group mentioned in Matthew 2:2?

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