A Word for Those Who Missed the Rapture

1. Jesus IS coming back

2. Jesus himself said, “No one knows the day or the hour.”

3. We wait in faith.

4. We work in faith.

5. We watch in faith.

6. Look for God not up in the sky but all around you every day.

7. Live in a love relationship with God.

8. Walk with God—and one another—in joy.

9. You can choose to follow Jesus today!

Standing Strong in the Face of Death

Standing Strong in the Face of What-ifs

Standing Strong in the Face of Failure

Standing Strong in the Face of Disease

Monday morning quarterback. That’s the guy who

gathers with his pals after watching Sunday’s game and critiques

the players. “The quarterback must be blind not to have seen that

guy in the open.” “I can’t believe he missed that pass.”

Easy enough to see that in replay sitting in the easy chair

with a bowl of chips at your side. But if you’re on the field with

large semi-humans thundering down on you with the explicit

desire to make you a greasy spot on the turf, it’s way different.

What makes the difference? Well, it’s easy to stand

strong when it’s all sunshine and roses. But standing strong

when things go wrong, that demonstrates real character.

Christ, you know I love you. Did you see? I waved.

For the Wages of Sin is DEATH but the free gift of life is ETERNAL LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord

COMPASSION DEFICIT

When the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, it carried an inadequate supply of lifeboats. If filled to capacity, still half the people would drown in the icy waters of the Atlantic. A tragedy.

Yet a greater tragedy occurred. In the panic and darkness of the night, many of the lifeboats were launched hastily, only partially filled. Others could have been saved.

Yet a greater tragedy still lay ahead. While the lifeboats floated in the water, people in the ocean cried out for help. Those in the lifeboats heard the cries, but they chose to do nothing. To save others risked capsizing their boat. They opted to save themselves and let the others perish. At last, the cries for help died in the icy waters as people drowned or froze within reach of help.

What doomed the people that night was not a deficit of help but a deficit of compassion. Will God say the same of us?

Friends don’t let friends go to hell. It’s not about condemning people or aggravating them. It’s about loving them enough to invite them to know Jesus and to walk with him.

Let it not be said of you or me—of us—that we had a compassion deficit… Bob

A WARM WELCOME TO REV. ROBERT BECKUM

I am delighted to welcome Rev. Robert Beckum to preach for us today at FUMC. He is one of the finest leaders in our Conference and a dear friend.

Robert’s hometown is Louisville, GA where he grew up in the Louisville UMC. Ordained in 1978, he served Midway-Fleming, Douglas First, Trinity in Warner Robins, and Albany First. He has served as Vice Pres. for Church Relations and Development at Magnolia Manor for the last 7yrs.

Robert has been married to Mary Pat, formerly from Dublin, for 33 years. She is an elementary educator. They have one son, Jonathan, who is a junior at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. Completing the family are a black lab and a golden retriever! During football season he roots for Georgia and during basketball season he pulls for Duke.

Robert will be appointed to St. Luke UMC in Columbus this June following Annual Conference. His unique blend of gifts and spiritual passion uniquely qualify him to lead at what is one of South Georgia’s flagship churches.

Please welcome Robert with open ears and an open heart. And he brings grateful greetings from Magnolia Manor, our outreach to senior adults.