A Creed for the New Year

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –
January 4, 2012
A Creed for the New Year
Jackie Samples
introduced me to a devotional blog entitled “A Holy Experience.” It is
written by Ann Voskamp.
You can check
it out at http://www.aholyexperience.com/
The blog she
wrote on January 3rd was entitled, A Creed for the New Year.
She and her family have committed themselves to recite what she calls the Jesus
Creed every morning and evening. As I read her blog I was reminded
that Jesus was a Jew, who would have recited daily the Jewish Shema, “Hear, O
Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.” It is taken from the
instructions of Moses in Deuteronomy 6:4. That verse was repeated
throughout the Jewish prayer time. It is followed by the next verse, “You
shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and
with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
In the
devotional Ann Voskamp offered a modification of the Shema for
Christ-Followers:
“The Lord our God, the Lord is One.
Love the Lord your God with all your Heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
Love your neighbor as yourself
There is no commandment greater than these.”
{Mk. 12:29-31}
Ann made this
application,
“What I’ve been reading aloud to the kids
, this Jesus Creed challenge we’ve taken up — to recite Jesus’ creed when we wake and when we
sleep every day for a month — for year — isn’t this Jesus’ Creed, isn’t it the
essence of koinonia:
Communion with God. Community with God’s people.”
What else is
there?
Relationship
is the essence of all reality. What else is
eternal but love — to God and His people, relationship with God and God’s
people? What can be shaken when we’re holding onto this?
That is a New
Year’s Resolution that is worth making. I’ve accepted the challenge of
this daily reminder of what Jesus called the greatest commandments. Paul
taught us to think on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is
just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable…”
(Philippians 4:8; NRSV) I cannot think of anything more true, just and
pleasing to God than what Jesus called the greatest commandments.
Next Wednesday, January 11th, there will be many new opportunities to grow deeper in God’s
Word. Here is a list of Wednesday Grow options. For more
information or to sign up for a class, contact Marcia Cuellar, mcuellar@gmvumc.org
**NEW** The Case for Christ
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in Room 308
This course
led by Rev. Bill Wolfe will dig deeply into the evidence of Christ’s
divinity.
Course Length: 6 weeks beginning January 11 and concluding
February 15.
Book Required: The Case for Christ Participant’s Guide by Lee Strobel,
available in the Discipleship Office for $9.00.
**NEW** Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in the Chapel
This course
led by Rick White will dive into the well know work of Author C.S. Lewis as he
wrote of his understanding and case for the Christian faith.
Course Length: Undetermined - begins January 11
Book Required: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis available in the
Discipleship Office for $8.00.
Kindle edition
available
**NEW** Seeing Gray in a Black and White World
by Adam
Hamilton
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in Room 306
This course
led by Chester Jolly will probe into those areas which so often divide
us and explore the means by which we find common ground despite our sometimes
passionate
differences.
Course Length: 5 weeks beginning January 11th and concluding February 8th.
Book Required: Seeing Gray in a Black and White World Participant’s
Guide, available through the Discipleship Office for $10.00.
**NEW** God Never Blinks
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in Room 209
This course
led by Jimann Edmonds will examine the essays written by Regina Brett in her
book “God Never Blinks” these deeply personal stories of trial and triumph
uplift the soul and bring encouragement for all who have ever struggled in any
journey of life. Single parents may especially find this course to
be a wonderful resource.
Course Length: Undetermined –Begins January 11th.
Book Required: God Never Blinks by Regina Brett, available in the Discipleship
Office for $13.00.
Kindle edition available
**NEW** Good Sense (Biblical Financial Principles
for Transforming Your Finances and Life)
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in the Library
This course
led by CeCe McNeil uses the budget materials
written by
Dick Towner and John Tofilon to guide participants through sound, Biblical,
financial planning. This is a great course for those of any economic
background and can greatly benefit even the most skilled financial planner
through Biblical insight and resources.
Course Length: 6 weeks beginning January 11th and concluding February 15th.
Book Required: Good Sense Budget Course Participant Book available
through the Discipleship Office for $10 each.
(It is highly
recommended that this book is pre-purchased and preliminary homework completed
prior to the first session)
**NEW** The Story
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in Room 320
This course
led by Marcia Cuellar will guide participants on a journey through the
beautiful story of God’s Word. See the heart of Christ from beginning to
end through this journey through scripture. And, see where your own story
fits into God’s grand design.
Course Length: 31 Weeks – Beginning January 11th and concluding August 29th.
Book Required: The Story and The Story Participants Guide both are
available in the Discipleship office for a combined cost of $14.Several
Kindle resources are available
**NEW** James - Mercy Triumphs (Beth Moore
Study)
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in Room 305
This course
led by Cathy Harris will journey through Beth Moore’s latest study on the book
of James. Beth Moore’s exciting and relevant approach to scripture
encourages participants to examine their lives in light of God’s word.
Course Length: 8 weeks beginning January 11th and concluding February 29
Book Required: James Mercy
Triumphs Participant book available through the Discipleship Office for $18
each.
*Bible Study: Revelation
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in Room 310
This course is
an in-depth Bible Study verse by verse on the book of Revelation. Rev.
Ben Hogan takes his students through the scripture exploring the symbolism and
hope found in this book of the divine revelation. This is a course
continuation from the last year but all are welcome to come in and pick up
where the class is currently studying.
Course Length: Undetermined
Book Required: Personal Bible
*Bible Study
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in Room 318
This course
will explore a designated book of the Bible in-depth through expository
teaching lead by Rev. Jeri Hunt. Practical theological application is
explored and God’s Word is the primary text.
Course Length: Undetermined
Book Required: Personal Bible
*Threads and Prayers
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in the Parlor
This is a GROW
service oriented group that uses their knitting talents to create items to
donate to a variety of needs in the community.
Course Length: N/A
Book Required: None
*Conversational Spanish for Ministry
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in Room 317
This course
led by Dean Borden works through the Spanish language by use of CD
memorization, conversation, hymns, and more. Advanced and beginning
coursework are studied simultaneously. This is a great course for those
who are considering missions to Spanish speaking countries or local ministry to
Hispanic populations.
Course Length: Ongoing
Book Required: None
**NEW** Disciple IV (Under the Tree of Life)
Sundays at
5:00pm Room 319
This course
led by Marcia Cuellar goes further into the Disciple Bible Study series with an
in-depth look at the writings of John and Revelation. Disciple I is a
prerequisite to this course as it gives the foundation for further Disciple
Bible Study exploration. Discussion, videos, geographic, and historic
materials are examined in depth. This course requires a commitment of 32
weeks of both home study and 2 hour class attendance. It is well worth it
for the knowledge and understanding of God’s Word you will receive. Space
is limited in this Disciple Bible Study course so those who have completed
Disciple I should reserve their place by contacting the Discipleship Office.
Course Length:
32 weeks – Beginning January 15th and concluding September 16th
Book Required: Disciple IV
Student Manual and Personal Study Bible. Disciple IV manuals will be
available in the Discipleship Office for $38.00.
As always, your responses to
these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.