SEEING THROUGH “CRYSTAL CLEAR” LENSES

As I’ve listened to pastors and church people describe their mission field, their ministries, their pastors, their congregations, etc. I’ve discovered that many seem to see and hear things very differently.  Too often, I’m afraid we see and hear through our own prejudices thus coloring what is truth.

As I struggled with this, I came across a devotional thought by J. Fong in his “Collection of Some of My Reflections and Thoughts.” (see below)

As you see and hear others, I invite you to “see through ‘crystal clear’ lens.”  I believe that might help prevent some of the problems in our lives, our families, our churches and our world.

Richard Edwards

 

 

When we see through tinted glasses, we will not see objects in their original colors. For instance, if we are using purple lens, everything we see is purplish. In the spiritual sense, sometimes we see people through tinted glasses. We add on our own preconceived ideas, prejudices, critical judgments and biasness.

The Pharisees came strutting in their religious garbs judging and criticizing incessantly. Jesus, full of compassion and love,  treated people with love, honor and respect. The Pharisees were seizing every opportunity to condemn people. But Jesus was releasing and setting people free in His love.

 

If any of us are seeing through tinted glasses, may the Lord replace them with crystal clear lenses so that we can do just what our master requires from us and that is to love and care for the lost and dying generation who desperately needs the touch of God upon their lives. May we be His instrument and channel to reach out to those who are seeking for the truth for their emptiness and void can only be filled by our merciful God and Father.

 

PRAYER CONCERNS

Sympathy

·         Sympathy is extended to Sandi Cheshire & family on the death of her mother, Lorene Cross.  Sandi is the wife of Jerry Don Cheshire, pastor of Northridge UMC, Lamesa.

·         Sympathy is extended to Kenneth Peterson, pastor of Lazbuddie & Oklahoma Lane UMCs, on the death of his mother, Jean.

·         Sympathy is extended to the family of Rubye Gaede,  Mrs. Gaede was the surviving spouse of Rev. Wilbur Gaede.

·         Sympathy is extended to the family of Jere Lawrence of Sweetwater.  Jere  had served as the lay leader of the Conference for a number of years.

Health

·        Please keep Letha Mauldin in prayers as she has undergone heart treatment in Austin.  Letha is the wife of Rex Mauldin, a retired member of our Conference.

·        Please be in prayer for Marie Wofford as she awaits the start of chemotherapy for lung cancer.  Marie is the wife of Doug Wofford, a former Conference Director.

·        Please be in prayer for Ruth Fisher, suffering from congestive heart failure.  She is the surviving spouse of Rev. Marvin E. Fisher.

·        Please keep Les Hall, pastor of Floydada UMC, in prayers as he suffers health problems.

·        Prayers of thanksgiving are given for Mark Pittman.  He underwent a successful heart procedure.  Mark is the pastor of Vigo Park & Wayside UMCs.

·        Prayers of thanksgiving are offered for successful knee replacement surgery for Walt Shipman, husband of clergy member Namiqa Shipman.

Congratulations

·         Congratulations Rev. Jerry Krueger, associate pastor of Lubbock Lakeridge UMC, on his wedding to Rev. Susan Brown. 

 

Second Milers

The Second Milers will be meeting Wednesday, March 24 at Furrs Cafeteria on Slide Road in the Red Raider Room.  Lunch is at 11:30 AM with the program beginning at 12 noon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Celebrate with Service

It’s time to celebrate!  In recognition of 100 years of ministry in the Northwest Texas Annual Conference, we are encouraging churches to Celebrate with Service by having a Day of Service in their communities.

 

In the next few days, each church in the Northwest Texas Conference will receive a special package.   The package includes information, ideas & promotional materials for use in your special project.  Please take time to review the material and begin planning your Day of Service.  Let’s continue our tradition of Christ-like service by marking our Centennial Anniversary with an outreach to your community.

 

 

Christian One Liners:  The will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God cannot protect you.

 

Lubbock District

Lay Speaker Training

Lay Speaker Training will be held Saturday, April 10 from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM at Grace United Methodist Church in Plainview.  Basic, Spanish Basic, and Advanced courses will be offered.  You must be pre-registered by Thursday, April 1 to attend.  This deadline allows instructors to have adequate study materials on hand. 

 

Who should attend? 

•All laity interested in developing leadership skills for sharing their faith.  This is interactive training, so come prepared to participate!

•Youth who are between 13-18 years old are encouraged to participate in the Basic classes.

•Local church Lay Speakers who have taken a basic course need to take an advanced course to become Certified Lay Speakers

•All those willing to expand their borders should attend!

 

Remember that you must complete an advanced course every three (3) years to maintain your Certified Lay Speaker status.

The costs for the courses are:

Basic : $25.00 & Advanced : $15.00

Registration forms will be mailed to churches within the near future or contact the Lubbock District Office at 806-796-1336.

 

One Great Hour of Sharing

When the first tremors of the earthquake were felt in Haiti, UMCOR staff was already in the country.  Their work is a direct result of the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, which supports the operating expenses of those who bring healing and help in the name of Methodists the world over. 

 

Churches are encouraged to take the opportunity to join in support of One Great Hour of Sharing.  Call 888-346-3862 to order envelopes and other resources so your congregation can participate in this church-wide offering.  Materials will be sent to your church at no cost.

 

 

Haiti Relief Update

A huge “THANK YOU!!” goes to everyone who donated kits and money for UMCOR’s Haiti relief effort. The NWTX Conference trailer left Lubbock and made stops in Plainview, Amarillo, Vernon and Abilene.  There was one foot of open space left in the trailer by the time it left for the Sager Brown Depot in Louisiana.  The trailer will be at Roundup in August for collection of additional kits, followed by another trip to Sager Brown.

 

On a worldwide level, “The response of the church has been remarkable and generous, “ said Bishop Joel Martinez, interim general secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries.  This ongoing support will allow UMCOR “to be there in Haiti for the long haul,” Bishop Martinez underscored. 

 

As of February 26, 2010, nearly $13 million has been received for UMCOR for Haiti relief.

A number of conference treasurers have indicated that they are processing church offerings that will be forwarded to UMCOR in the next few weeks.

 

Summer Camp

Early registration discounts for summer camps are approaching, so now is the time to make plans!  With fifteen different camps at Ceta Canyon and Camp Butman, there is something for every age group and ability!  

 

For a complete listing of camps go to:

www.butmancamp.org

www.cetacanyon.org

www.mwtxconf.org

 

Young Adult Retreat

A Young Adults Retreat will be held April 9-11 at Butman Methodist Camp & Retreat Center. Are you a 20 or 30-something?  Do you need some time away from it all?  Join us for a weekend of worship, renewal and retreat.  Contact Rev. Cameron Burton at camburton@gmail.com for more information.

 

2010 Annual Conference

Sharing HIStory

YESTERDAY  TODAY  TOMORROW

 

NWTX Annual Conference will be held June 11-13 in Lubbock……….only three days, running from Friday through Sunday. 

 

Plans are underway for a great Centennial Celebration for our conference.  There will be a celebration banquet on Friday night, June 11, at the Lubbock Civic Center.  The celebration will include live music, a dance and Kenneth Wyatt as the speaker.

 

Another change being made is that the registration fee will be $50 per person for the entire Annual Conference or $25 per day. 

 

Look to the Conference website,

www.nwtx.org , for the latest Annual Conference news.  Currently information is available about the schedule, hotel list and hotel tax exempt form.  Registration forms, pre-conference workbook and other information will be included as available. 

 

BOOKS

The District Office has received a request from Joe Reeder, a lay person at Lubbock Asbury UMC, for children’s books.  Suggested titles/authors include Goosebumps, Narnia, Sarah Plain & Tall, Bible Stories, Scooby Doo, Judy Blume books.  Age levels requested range from pre-school through 4^th grade and up.

 

If you would like to donate books, contact Joe at Asbury UMC or the District Office and we will see that Joe receives the books.

 

Christian One Liners:  Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.

 

  

A Different Approach to Fasting

The following was sent to me via e-mail and I thought it was quite powerful and thought provoking…………….Jennifer

 

Fasts have a tendency to be oriented toward things like giving up food or television.  But there are many other creative ways we can welcome Jesus’ healing touch.  Here are some ways you might want to consider.

 

1. Fast from anger and hatred.  Give your family an extra dose of love each day.

 

2. Fast from judging others.  Before making any judgments, recall how Jesus overlooks our faults.

 

3. Fast from discouragement.  Hold on to Jesus’ promise that he has a perfect plan for your life.

 

4. Fast from complaining.  When you find yourself about to complain, close your eyes and recall some of the little moments of joy Jesus has given you.

 

5. Fast from resentment or bitterness.  Work on forgiving those who may have hurt you.

 

6. Fast from spending too much money. Try to reduce your spending by ten percent and give those savings to the poor.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

March

District Calendar