Christ by the Sea Messages

Walk through the Bible with Pastor Cliff Melvin.

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Midweek Message, February 17, 2016

 

One of my spiritual fathers, Henri Nouwen, talks about the importance of consolation. Consolation is a beautiful word. It means “to be”(con-) “with the lonely one” (solus). To offer consolation is one of the most important ways to care. Life is so full of pain, sadness, and loneliness that we often wonder what we can do to alleviate the immense suffering we see. We can and must offer consolation. We can and must console the mother who lost her child, the young person with AIDS, the family whose house burned down, the soldier who was wounded, the teenager who contemplates suicide, the old man who wonders why he should stay alive.

To console does not mean to take away the pain but rather to be there and say, “You are not alone, I am with you. Together we can carry the burden. Don’t be afraid. I am here.” That is consolation. We all need to give it as well as to receive it.
Today I will be on the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem, remembering the words of Jesus when he lamented over the city saying: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often I have desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!” That day, Jesus needed some consoling. But, let us never forget his last words to us: “Lo, I am with you always.” He will always be there to console us in our deepest need.
Blessings,

Cliff



Midweek Message, February 17, 2016

 

One of my spiritual fathers, Henri Nouwen, talks about the importance of consolation. Consolation is a beautiful word. It means “to be”(con-) “with the lonely one” (solus). To offer consolation is one of the most important ways to care. Life is so full of pain, sadness, and loneliness that we often wonder what we can do to alleviate the immense suffering we see. We can and must offer consolation. We can and must console the mother who lost her child, the young person with AIDS, the family whose house burned down, the soldier who was wounded, the teenager who contemplates suicide, the old man who wonders why he should stay alive.

To console does not mean to take away the pain but rather to be there and say, “You are not alone, I am with you. Together we can carry the burden. Don’t be afraid. I am here.” That is consolation. We all need to give it as well as to receive it.
Today I will be on the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem, remembering the words of Jesus when he lamented over the city saying: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often I have desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!” That day, Jesus needed some consoling. But, let us never forget his last words to us: “Lo, I am with you always.” He will always be there to console us in our deepest need.
Blessings,

Cliff



Midweek Message, February 10, 2016

After fasting forty days and forty nights, Jesus was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  (Matt. 4: 2, 3).  

And so, now you know why Lent lasts 40 days (excluding Sundays which are celebration days), because Jesus spent 40 days preparing for the rest of his life, for his mission, his calling.  And so, you and I take this time during Lent to prepare – for the next chapter of our lives, for determining really important things: what’s essential, next steps, do I go this direction or that?   

Some people give up something, some people start something, like journaling for the next 40 days, as a friend shared they did last year and it became a “Wow!” 40 days of new and wonderful discovery and insight.  What will you do?  How will you use the next 40 days of preparation?  More time in daily prayer?  Light a candle each day and meditate, quietly listening to God?  Whatever you do, make sure you set some time for focusing attentively on our mighty, loving God.  

Cliff

P.S.  Remember, Ash Wed worship:  6:30 in the sanctuary; invite a friend to join you.

CHURCH NEWS: Romantic Broadway Concert – February 14, 3 pm Tickets available in the office or online.



Midweek Message, February 3, 2016

Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you. (Josh 1:9).

 Many people hope for a quick fix, but, have you ever known that to work?  As Malcolm Gladwell has told us so convincingly in his book, Outlier, it takes 10,000 times doing something that sets one apart.  Did you know that the Wright brothers flew and crashed and flew and crashed over and over again.

 Did they ever get dismayed?  Almost never.  They believed in what they were doing; they worked hard at it.  As you’ve discovered already in your life, good things come to those who persistently engage in those things which advance them toward their goal:  a vibrant Christian life takes daily abiding; whether it is meaningful parenting, a fruitful marriage, a productive life, a successful career, you name it, they all take persistent trial and error improvement, every day.

 Is that daunting?  Not as daunting as doing the opposite!  Rather, it is rewarding beyond measure because it is accompanied with the satisfied feeling of knowing one has given it one’s best. It is also a great gift to know that God is with us through it all.

 Cliff

   CHURCH NEWS:

Ash Wednesday Worship: February 10, 6:30pm
Romantic Broadway Concert, February 14, 3:00pm. Tickets still available.


Midweek Message, January 20, 2016

Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them (Josh 1:6). 

Whatever your task is today or tomorrow, you will need an inner strength and courage to do it, to be who God has created you to be.  That inner strength and courage comes to us the same way it came to Joshua: through the indwelling presence of God – God will be with us, within us, giving us courage and strength for whatever lies ahead.  It may be the challenging/rewarding task of being a parent, a spouse, a worker, a CEO, a Shepherd, a Care Giver.  Whatever, truly, whatever your day holds, God is eager to be with you in a way that gives you inner strength and courage. Now, you and I just need to let God be God! 

Cliff
 CHURCH NEWS:

  • Funeral for Rev. Larry Bottiger is Friday at 11:00, sanctuary
  • Our annual Church Leader training is Feb 2 at 5:30pm, in Ratcliff Hall
  • A special Charge Conference is scheduled for January 26, 5:30pm concerning the renovation of the parsonage.


Midweek Message: January 13, 2016

Midweek January 13, 2016

 The Lord said to Joshua:  “Moses my servant is dead.  Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them – to the Israelites.”  (Joshua 1:2).

 I’m not Moses, and I’m not dead – yet!  But the word of God for us is as true and relevant as it was to Joshua and the Israelites:  Get ready to cross over; get ready for the next thing God will be doing in our midst, get ready to cross the Jordan River.

 I have been to the Jordan River, as have some of you.  It’s not very wide; it has come to have great symbolic meaning, as in the hymn about crossing over the Jordan – into heaven, or crossing over the Jordan into the promised land of all the new that God has for you.

 All of us are always in a time of some sort of transition, when you think about it, not just the big and obvious ones of job change, retirement, marriage, move, but also the little times of transition that occur every day and sometimes multiple times a day, like: a change of plans, a traffic detour, a family member changes his/her mind, waking, sleeping, deciding.  So, these words to Joshua from God have the potential to be helpful to us all. Stay tuned as God reveals God’s new and glorious plan.

 Love and prayers, Cliff
CHURCH NEWS:
-Funeral for Rev. Larry Bottiger is January 22, 11:00am, CBTS
-Women’s Seminar featuring Gigi Graham, January 30, Call Julie Madsen for reservations at 772-492-3052
-Charge Conference, January 26, 5:30pm, on Parsonage renovation, Ratcliff Hall.
-Church Leaders’ Training, February 2, 5:30pm, Ratcliff Hall


Midweek Message: January 6, 2016

Notification from: Christ by the Sea UMC
Be strong and courageous… for The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).  

 This word to Joshua – and now to all of us – is a great theme for the new year!  We will be looking at these opening words of the Book of Joshua these weeks of January.  In the meantime, I, too, encourage you to be strong and courageous – not because of your own strength, but because of the greater truth that God is with you wherever you go! Happy New Year!

 

CHURCH NEWS:

  • Death of Reverend Larry Bottiger (Pastor Dawn’s husband) on Tuesday morning. Please watch for funeral information to come and keep Pastor Dawn in your prayers.
  • Bethune-Cookman University Chorale here in concert, Sunday, January 10, 11:00am.
  • Gene Brady funeral is Saturday, 3pm at CBTS.



Midweek May 3 2017

Last week I was at a workshop and this poem was shared. I have never been much of a poetry kind of guy, but, these workshops have given me a deeper appreciation for the gift of poetry. This is titled “Evidence” by Mary Oliver:

Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood. 

How grass can be nourishing in the

mouths of lambs.

How rivers and stones are forever

in allegiance with gravity

while we ourselves dream of rising.

How two hands touch and the bonds

will never be broken.

How people come, from delight or the

scars of damage,

to the comfort of a poem.

 

Let me keep my distance, always, from those

Who think they have the answers.

 

Let me keep company always with those who say

“Look!” and laugh in astonishment,

And bow their heads.
 

Who are those people in your life who say “Look!”, laugh in astonishment, and bow their heads? I hope and pray you have at least a few of them and that you keep their company regularly!

Peace,

Cliff

 

Church News:

  • Imani Milele Children’s Choir from Uganda in concert this Sunday at 3pm.
  • Habitat Build day, Saturday, May 6, 7:30-noon. Call Howard for more info at 772-205-2569.