“Training”
“Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
It has been busy this week in our house. Sunday afternoon we brought home our newest family member, Roxie, an 8-week-old Great Dane. It has been 7 or 8 years since we last had a puppy in the house and I had forgotten about the busyness of this stage.
One of the things I was most looking forward to about getting a puppy was the training. I’m weird, but I enjoy dog training. I’ve downloaded different schedules and tables outlining what skills should be taught and when. Thus far, we’re working on potty training, crate training, socializing, and leash training. We’ve also discussed that the habits and behaviors we normalize now will be what she defaults to when she’s much bigger. This is why we are keeping her off furniture and teaching her calming practices, because when she is full size, those behaviors will be essential for her to practice.
I’m currently reading a book on resilience in the midst of uncertainty. In a chapter about facing trials, the author discussed the importance of leaders having a well-developed foundation of spiritual practices. He wrote: “(Spiritual) practices create a kind of muscle memory, training us to respond to a crisis and resistance like it is second nature” (Tod Bolsinger, Tempered Resilience, p.132). What he was saying is that when we are being tested, going through difficulties, or facing tough circumstances, we will default to what is most natural and comfortable within us. He encourages his readers to develop spiritual practices and habits so well that they become second-nature, muscle memory, our default response.
This reminds me of a quote I’ve heard attributed to Mike Tyson, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” We all know how to get through our day-to-day lives when everything is going smoothly. But, as soon as something happens to “punch us in the mouth,” we will respond with our default instincts. What are your default instincts? When trouble comes knocking, do you fall back on your faith for assurance and support, or do you depend on your own abilities?
The purpose of developing those spiritual disciplines when life is going well is so we will have them available when life punches us in the mouth. I encourage you to consider the spiritual foundations you have built to sustain yourself when difficulty comes.
It is a pleasure to be your pastor and to serve in ministry alongside you to an amazing God!
Blessings, Chris
Mission
To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Vision
Nelson Memorial UMC seeks to be a place where all God’s broken, hurting, and imperfect children discover wholeness and community while experiencing the warm and welcoming love of Jesus Christ. We seek to connect with one another to grow in our knowledge and love of God, to encourage each person to live out their unique calling to serve God, and to make a difference in the Boonville community and throughout the world.
Priorities
Developing and Nurturing Faith in Children and Youth
Fostering Growth and Community in Worship and Small Groups
Provide Opportunities to Serve God in Boonville and Beyond
Worship This Week
This Sunday we continue our message series titled “Modern Wisdom: Biblical Truths From Modern-Day Proverbs. Each week we will look at a popular saying and see what Biblical truths we can find in them. This week we will look at the phrase “Actions Speak Louder Than Words.” Our Scripture focus will be from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 21, verses 28 through 32:
“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
“’I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, “I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first” they answered.”
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”
Our 8:00 service will begin with the Gathering Song Start Right Here by Casting Crowns. The Opening Song at 8:00 will be O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing. The 10:20 service will kickoff with our Praise Band leading us in Build Your Kingdom Here and Hold Us Together. Both services will include the songs The Gift of Love and They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love.
Virtual Worship Information
In addition to in-person worship, our service will be live-streamed. The service can be viewed on our Facebook Page. The service will start at approximately 10:20 am with our Gathering Song. Additionally, we post a recording of our messages to our website by early Sunday afternoon.
Announcements
Disaster Response for Hawaii Wildfires – (Updated as of Aug. 14, 2023) Wind-driven wildfires on Maui have prompted evacuations and caused significant loss of life and widespread damage. UMCOR is coordinating with the California-Pacific Annual Conference to process an initial grant for emergency supplies such as shelf-stable food, water, hygiene items and tools to help survivors recover belongings. As first responders continue to provide initial aid in the area, please join UMCOR in prayer for those affected. Gifts can be made in the following ways:
- Online at https://umcmission.org/advance-project/901670
- By toll-free telephone call: 1-888-252-6174
- By check made out to Global Ministries/UMCOR with “Advance #901670-Hawaii” written on the memo line and mailed to Global Ministries/UMCOR, GPO, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY, 10087-9068 (Check made out to Global Ministries/UMCOR with “Advance #901670-Hawaii” written on the memo line.)
Choir is Back – Choir rehearsals for the Methodist Music Makers have started back up. We are switching to Thursday evening practices immediately following Praise Band rehearsals. We practice twice a month. We are always welcoming new singers and hope to see you there! Please contact Leah Gumbel for additional information.
Church Picnic August 20 – Time for Some Food and Fun – The United Methodist Men are hosting our Annual Church Picnic Sunday, August 20 at 6:00 pm. We will gather at the church yard. UMM will provide the meat and drinks. Please bring a dish to share and also a (lawn chair or blanket). Feel free to invite friends, family and neighbors to join in on the fun.
Blood Drive – Our next Red Cross Blood Drive is coming up on Monday, August 28th from 2:00 to 6:00 in our Fellowship Hall. As happens most summers, the supply of blood available is in short supply and donors are greatly needed. To schedule a time for donating blood, please click here
Looking for New KIDS HOPE Mentors – It is that time of the year when the students are gearing up for a new and different school year. It is such an exciting time of the year, however there are many students who come to school lacking a constant person in their life. Do you have 30 minutes a week this school year to help? If so, please consider becoming involved in the Kids Hope USA ministry. KHUSA mentors are partnered with one child, one day a week for 30-45 minutes virtually to build upon a positive relationship. If you are interested in making a difference in the life of a child at David Barton Elementary, please contact Karma Haller (660-537-3061) or Greg Silvey (660-537-0087), our new Kids Hope coordinators know that you are interested! There’s definitely a need and please keep KHUSA in your prayers.
Prayer Ministry – Did you know that every Wednesday morning a group of dedicated prayer warriors meets for about 15 minutes (over Zoom) to pray for our church, our members, our community, our world, and any other needs that arise? If this sounds like something you would like to do, please contact the church office (boonvillemethodist@gmail.com).
Events this week:
Sunday, August 20: Annual Church Picnic, 6:00 pm, Church Lawn
Monday, August 21: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, August 22: Back to School for Students
Wednesday, August 23: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Friday, August 25: Lounge reserved, 10 am
Closing Words of Wisdom:
A discipline is any activity within our power that we engage in to enable us to do what we cannot do by direct effect.” Dallas Willard