Dear Members and Friends of the Dalton First United Methodist Church -

 

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord!

 

I give thanks to my God always as I remember you in my prayers.  I especially remember your worship.  Last Sunday our worship service touched my heart.  While people had busy schedules, a good number came together to worship the Lord.  Music opens my soul like nothing else except deep prayer, and the music was powerful, spiritual.  Each Sunday, Kathy and I enjoy worshipping with you.  I give thanks for your worship.

The other day, as I continued to read Steve Brown's What Was I Thinking?, I saw this, "One of the great dangers for Christians and for the world is that we are far, far too religious.  We go to religious movies, we read religious books, we associate with religious people, we eat religious cookies, and we wear religious underwear that is far too tight.  Our problem is that we spend too much time in church and far too little time in 'the world'....Our gift to the world is to show up and engage.  Too often we've run from the world when we ought to run towards it.  Our gift to the world is not one of anger, judgment, or condemnation.  Our gift to the world is to find where the Holy Spirit is creating beauty, speaking truth, and manifesting goodness - and when we find it, to identify it, enjoy it, affirm it, and get involved in it."

Dear Lord, when I find myself getting caught up in my religious airs, burst my bubble.  Bring me down to the earth, Lord, just as you brought Peter, James and John down from the Mount of Transfiguration to the place where the other Disciples were having difficulty healing a young boy.  Keep me grounded, precious Lord, in the real world - not one I have created in my mind.  Guide me, through your Spirit, Lord, to the places where you want me to engage, to show myself vulnerable, to weep with those who weep and to rejoice with those who rejoice.  Let me be real as your follower; let me be genuine.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

I want to celebrate the RemiX worship service on Sunday mornings at 11:00am in Famber Hall.  Billy Beard and our Praise Band do a powerful job of leading the congregation in worship.  I celebrate what we are doing in the sanctuary but let us not forget that RemiX is a part of us as well.  Praise God for RemiX!

I understand our Peru Mission Trip arrived safely back home on Sunday, exhausted but sensing God's presence with them. 

Yesterday, today and tomorrow I have been at the Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville NC for a Northwest District Clergy Retreat.  Hinton is a beautiful place, and I always enjoy time apart there.  I will be back Wednesday afternoon in time for the Wednesday Night Bible Study.

We are continuing to work on our Consecration Sunday results to help us build the 2010 budget.  We are pleased with the results so far, but we have to all work together to accomplish God's aims.   Have you pledged yet?  Wow!  I believe in the ministry of our church.  Join us in this commitment.
If you missed the Bluegrass Festival to support Doc-Up, then don't worry.  CD's are still available.  Just contact Paul Byrum.

Doesn't the cooler weather feel great?! 

God bless.  See you Sunday!
 
  
In Christ,
Dr. Robin L Lindsey
Dalton First United Methodist Church
706-278-8494 (Office)