Hello Church Family
Over a decade ago a trusted mentor was asked about church growth, and in response he shared George Hunter’s, known as Dean and Distinguished Professor at Asbury Seminary, wisdom who often asked these questions:
Do you believe in what you say you believe?
Do your actions reflect you believe what you say you believe?
Does it make a difference?
These questions have stuck with me not only as a pastor, but also as a spouse and parent. Believing what we say we believe and living into it through our actions that make a difference for those around us, comes from being deeply rooted. As disciples and a church, being rooted in God’s grace and unconditional love should make a difference in our daily lives from work and school to the grocery store and neighborhood, and those whose names we know by name and the strangers we pass daily. Earlier this year we affirmed that we at First UMC Houston believe we are called to transform lives and communities by putting God’s love into action. This past week people’s actions from VBC to sleeping overnight at a NIA youth event was evidence of our church believing what they say they believe.
This coming Sunday we will reflect on a story found in three of the gospels about a group of friends who believed in what they said they believed, and their actions proved it as they went to great lengths to get their friend in front of Jesus. We find these stories in Matthew 9:1-8, Luke 5: 17-26 and Mark 2:1-12, and I encourage you to read these texts to see the difference that was made by a group of friends believing in what they say believed, evident in their actions. What do you find different and challenging as you read these text side by side? More importantly, how do these texts encourage you to believe what you say you believe, and to live boldly in a such a way that your actions will demonstrate your belief in such a way that makes a difference in the community around you?
Blessings,
Pastor Amanda Davis
Executive Pastor
[email protected]