Pastor Stephen’s

Weekly e-Note

February 12, 2015

Greetings Holy, Healthy and Happy People of God,

As I write this eNote to our faithful, devoted and missional community of Jesus Christ, I am thinking about the power of words. Most of us use words to communicate and although social media has diminished our verbal use of words, we still, at least, write those words. Our words are intended to accomplish something beyond ourselves.

In Abraham Lincoln's historic Gettysburg Address, he spoke for only 2 minutes and used 272 words. Lincoln was not the featured speaker; Edward Everett, the former President of Harvard, gave the keynote speech and addressed the crowd for two hours. Lincoln's address was memorable because he was courageous enough to speak the words of God, “All men (women) are created equally” (or created in God's image) when the Constitution of the United States never mentioned equality.

In Genesis, God speaks life into creation. “When God began to create the heavens and the earth— the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God’s wind swept over the waters— God said, ‘Let there be light.’ And so light appeared.” Genesis 1:1-3 Either we speak words of light or darkness. God's word is intended to offer light and life.

So choose your words carefully. Toby Mac, the Contemporary Christian Artist, wrote a song a few years ago entitled, “Speak Life.” The genesis of Speak Life is grounded in the reality that when we speak, we speak life/love. His song is about speaking life into dark places at all times. Choose to speak hope in the lives of others.

In the book of the Prophet Isaiah (55:10-11) God responds to the Israelites and reminds them of the power of His WORD. “Just as the rain and the snow come down from the sky and don’t return there without watering the earth, making it conceive and yield plants and providing seed to the sower and food to the eater, so is my word that comes from my mouth; it does not return to me empty. Instead, it does what I want, and accomplishes what I intend.” God's word of life is waiting to be released through us today. So release the words through your witness of Christ.

Hear the W.O.W., the Words of Wisdom,

“Speak life into others.”

As always, remember, God's will for us is good, we must do the rest!

Pastor Stephen

McKendree United Methodist Church

523 Church Street Nashville TN 37219

615-271-2600

www.McKendreeToday.com

BUILDING BRIDGES OF HOPE THROUGH THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST