Thursday, December 30, 2010

Check out Lessons From the Recession: 10 Things We Learned in 2010

Click here: Lessons From the Recession: 10 Things We Learned in 2010
 
Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Sunday's sermon - "Next steps"

Last Sunday's sermon was from Luke 2:7, titled, "No Room." Let's consider what are the "next steps" God will have us take in response to the Word we heard.
 
1. Parker J. Palmer describes "functional atheism" as "the unconscious, unexamined conviction that if anything decent is going to happen here, we are the ones who must make it happen – a conviction held even by people who talk a good game about God."  What are some indications in your life that you might be a "functional atheist?" In other words, in what areas of your life are you acting as though you don't need God because you can handle things yourself?
2. What would you do if, as the poem says, "Jesus came to your house?" Is there room for him?
3. Luke 2:7 should make us ask, who or what has such priority in our lives that when Jesus comes there is no room for him to enter?
4. Luke 2:7 should make us ask, who or what has taken up so much room that there is no room to allow Jesus to enter?
5. Luke 2:7 should make us ask, if we know that Jesus will give us love, joy, peace, hope, etc., why would we turn him away?
6. What questions/thoughts/convictions were raised in your mind after hearing this sermon or reading this passage? How is God speaking to you now?
 
Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11

A thought for the day (12.29.10)

"You have to walk in the light of the vision that has been given to you and not compare yourself with others or judge them." Oswald Chambers.
 
Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Sunday's sermon - Next steps

Greetings, all,
 
Last Sunday's sermon (December 19)was from Luke 1:67-69. Our theme for Advent has been "Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room" and our focus for this sermon was "Salvation."
 
Let's consider what are the "next steps" God would have us take in response to His Word.
 
1. What comes to your mind when you think of the words of the Christmas carol, "God and sinners reconciled?"
 
2. There is NOTHING wrong with being "silent" in worship (quiet, reflective, pensive); but there may be a problem with being "mute" - unable to speak of God's goodness. Can you testify of how good God has been in your life?
 
3. Salvation can be defined as "deliverance from trouble, release from difficulty or freedom from suffering." Where has God's actions in this way been evident in your life?
 
4. Salvation is also "the creation of conditions and an environment where God's people can worship without fear, an atmosphere of undisturbed, unhindered worship." Do you feel free to worship?
 
5. What questions/thoughts/convictions were raised in your mind after hearing this sermon or reading this passage? How is God speaking to you now.
 
Have a blessed Christmas, and remember that "Jesus is the reason for the season."
 
Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Next Steps

Greetings, all,
Last Sunday's sermon (December 12) was from Luke 1:46-48. Our theme for Advent is "Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room" and the focus was on "Adoration."
 
Let's consider what are the "next steps" God would have us take in response to His Word.
 
1. Some people commented to me (Pastor James) that they thought the man who made negative comments about the church and Methodists really got to me. Does it bother you when people speak ill of your church?
 
2. Do you think the "Holy Ghost has his way" at Memorial? Does the "Holy Ghost have his way" in your life?
 
3. How does your "spirit" (God-consciousness), "soul" (self-consciousness) and "body" (world-consciousness) respond to the call for adoration?
 
4. Where are you aware that God has "looked with favor on the low estate of his servant" (you)? In other words, are you aware that God is bigger than your circumstances?
 
5. What questions/thoughts/convictions were raised in your mind after hearing this sermon or reading this passage? How is God speaking to you now?
 
Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11

Friday, December 10, 2010

A Thought for the Day

When I read this, it "wrote on me," so I wanted to share.
 
"Repentance always brings a (person) to this point: I have sinned. The surest sign that God is at work is when a (person) says that and means it...The bedrock of Christianity is repentance. Strictly speaking, a (person) cannot repent when he (she) chooses; repentance is a gift of God. The old Puritan used to pray for 'the gift of tears.' If ever you cease to know the virtue of repentance, you are in darkness. Examine yourself and see if you have forgotten how to be sorry." Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest.
 
Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34

"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11




Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Check out People Who Attend Church Regularly Are Happier - AOL Health

 
 
 
"Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart."
Psalm 119:33-34

Pastor Kenneth Q. James

Sunday's sermon - "Next steps"

Last Sunday's sermon (December 5) was from Luke 1:39-45. Our theme for Advent is "Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room" and the focus was on "Celebration."
 
Let's consider what are the "next steps" God would have us take in response to His Word.
 
1. What did you do when in your life you "dropped the ball?" Did you get depressed? Did you blame others? Did you make excuses? Did you quit or give up?
2. When - and for what reason - do you celebrate?
3. Have you decided that you are going to be happy? What will it take for you to reinforce that decision?
4. Are you hanging around the right people to be able to celebrate? If you discover that there are people who are sapping your joy, what are you going to do about it?
5. Praise God that today, no matter how many times you "dropped the ball," you didn't get cut from the team, and you will get another chance!
6. What questions/thoughts/convictions were raised in your mind after hearing this sermon or reading this passage? How is God speaking to you now?
 

"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11

"Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart."
Psalm 119:33-34


Pastor Kenneth Q. James


A Thought for the Day

"Go where you are celebrated, not where you are tolerated."
 
This is one of my favorite saying and personal mantras.
 
Perhaps you don't realize it, but there are enough people who appreciate that you for who you are - are a gift to the body of Christ, a blessing to their lives, a benefit to their existence - that you do NOT have to spend one minute of this day seeking approval, commendation, or acceptance from anyone.
 
Of course, we all have things we need to work on in order to accomplish God's grand design for our lives. However, if there are people in your life who don't like you, accept you or want you around while you are in the process of getting to that place, why are you stressing about it? If you take inventory/stock of yourself and know that you are doing what God wants you to do and you are growing to be the kind of person you most want to be, anyone who doesn't accept that is probably stopping you from getting to your purpose. It may be time to thank God for the time you spent with that person and whatever contribution you made to them or they made to you, and move on.
 
You deserve to celebrate yourself. And you deserve to be celebrated.
 
So celebrate!
 

"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11

"Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart."
Psalm 119:33-34


Pastor Kenneth Q. James


Monday, December 6, 2010

Bible study questions

Good evening, all.
 
As you know, we are starting our new Bible study series "Women in the Bible" tomorrow. In advance of our first lesson, I wanted to get to you the questions we will discuss so you can be prepared. I hope you will join us.
 
The passage is Genesis 19:1-26.
 
1. If you are familiar with the Bible, you are likely familiar with the name of Lot, and by consequence, Lot's wife. What do we know of this family?
2. Where did Lot's family live? How did where they live impact their lives (positively or negatively)?
3. What is the sin of Sodom?
4. Why is God concerned to save Lot and his family?
5. Why was Lot and his family reluctant to leave when the angel instructed them (Genesis 19:12-22)?
6. What happened to Lot's wife when she turned back?
7. What do you believe is the moral of this story?
 
And don't forget that tomorrow for both noon and evening sessions we will convene our Bible study at Mood Maker's Bookstore. Thanks to Curtis and Marie Rivers for hosting us!
 
 

"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11

"Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart."
Psalm 119:33-34


Pastor Kenneth Q. James


Too Busy for a Friend?

I received this today from Bro. Joel Carter, and I hope it will give you something to think about.

Too Busy for a Friend?

One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room
on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name.

Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down.

It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.

That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.

On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. 'Really?' she heard whispered. 'I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!' and, 'I didn't know others liked me so much,' were most of the comments.

No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.

Several years later, one of the students was killed in Viet Nam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin
before. He looked so handsome, so mature.

The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin.

As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her. 'Were you Mark's math teacher?' he asked. She nodded: 'yes.' Then he said: 'Mark talked about you a lot.'

After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon.
Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher.

'We want to show you something,' his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket 'They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.'

Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him.


'Thank you so much for doing that,' Mark's mother said. 'As you can see, Mark treasured it.'

All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, 'I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home.'

Chuck's wife said, 'Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album.'

'I have mine too,' Marilyn said. 'It's in my diary'

Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. 'I carry this with me at all times,' Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: 'I think we all saved our lists'

That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all
his friends who would never see him again.

The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be.

So please, tell the people you love and care for, that they are special and important. Tell them, before it is too late.

And One Way To Accomplish This Is: Forward this message on. If you do not send
it, you will have, once again passed up the wonderful opportunity to do
something nice and beautiful.

If you've received this, it is because someone cares for you and it means there is probably at least someone for whom you care.

If you're 'too busy' to take those few minutes right now to forward this message on, would this be the VERY first time you didn't do that little thing that would make a difference in your relationships?

The more people that you send this to, the better you'll be at reaching out to
those you care about.

Remember, you reap what you sow. What you put into the lives of others comes back into your own.
May your day be blessed, and as special as you are.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Check out Billboards to proclaim Jesus' return on May 21, 2011 | freep.com |

I just wanted to share this with you all.
 
In our evening Bible study last Tuesday, someone brought this to our discussion as we ended our study in Daniel, and how Daniel ends his prophecy with two alternate times for "the end" - apparently to prevent just this sort of speculation.
 
Certainly, we are expecting the Lord to return; however, I believe the pastor (Rev. Ed Rowe) who is quoted at the end of this article has the correct point of view.
 
Click here: Billboards to proclaim Jesus' return on May 21, 2011 | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
 

"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11

"Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart."
Psalm 119:33-34


Pastor Kenneth Q. James


Friday, December 3, 2010

Re: Bible study

Hello Memorial Church Family,

There was a three way tie for the New Testament women, meaning we have re-opened the survey for a tie-breaker. 

Please follow the link and vote for ONE woman only.  You will have a choice between Anna, Elizabeth and Salome.

Vote here: https://sites.google.com/site/memorialamezionchurch/home/survey

Thank you and God Bless!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sarah E. Sarchet
Pre-College Outreach Specialist
Pre-College Outreach Consortium
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
52 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623

585-469-0461
sesarchet@gmail.com

MS Secondary Deaf Education, NTID '10
BS Biology, RIT '08

Coordinator
Young Adult Missionary Society

사라  사세  - My name in Korean!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Next Steps

Last Sunday's sermon (November 28) was from Luke 1:26-37. The theme for Advent is "Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room." The focus area of this sermon was "Expectation."
 
What are the "next steps" that God will have us take in response to the Word we heard?
 
1. How are you preparing for Advent?
2. How do you respond to the idea that God is "with" you? Does it "perplex" you as it did Mary when Gabriel told her this?
3. Are there any circumstances in your life that you wonder if God will do what God promised?
4. Are you daring enough to let go of the familiar, the status quo, to get out of your rut and take God at his word?   
5. What are you "expecting" God to do?
6. What questions/thoughts/convictions were raised in your mind after hearing this sermon or reading this passage? How is God speaking to you now?
 

"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11

"Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart."
Psalm 119:33-34


Pastor Kenneth Q. James