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Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to
accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or
imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to
all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 4:20-21 (NRSV) |
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Dear Friends,
Dream BIG! Think BIG! Imagine BIG!
How often we fall victim to small thinking … unimaginative thinking ... negative thinking! It is a human trait that can stifle each of us … in our careers, in our homes, in our social life. In the church, small thinking prevents us from growing. In the church, unimaginative thinking keeps our focus on guarding the gates and protecting our seats. Negative thinking makes us small, causes us to hunker down, to retreat into ourselves. Negative thinking destroys us.
Paul reminds the Ephesians that his God is a BIG God, who has unlimited power to do BIG things, to accomplish immeasurably more than you and I can ask or even imagine! Our God wants us to think BIG.
In this past month alone, we have witnessed the power of vision. Some pretty big vision!
When we recognized the need to replace our church playground, our small thinking told us it couldn’t be done. What seemed impossible for us to afford with our small thinking, became possible when we allowed God to have control. “Let the little children come to me,” he said. And we let them come!
With a vision most of us couldn’t see, Mary Raeburn and her team had a vision that couldn’t be done … and, in a few days of mental and physical focus, accomplished a sight to behold, raising over $16,500 for the church with her “Heavenly Trash” garage sale!
With a great vision of what a group of young people can do and be, Cindy Baer and her team brought us last Sunday a magnificent and moving worship service, featuring the BIG talents of our own students.
In the next six months, all of us will be engaged in casting a vision for the future of our church. With affirmation from our church council, Sue Baker is heading up a team – a Dream Team – who will help us think BIG. What is God’s Big Dream for HUM in the next five years? Ten years? Twenty-five years? What is our mission in the community and the world? How can we do abundantly far more than we can even ask or imagine, to witness to our faith and to take the gospel to those who have lost their way in our world. People need the Good News! God has given us the power to make it happen! Help us create a BIG vision for the future!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Ron |
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| Previous Pastor's Pages: |
| July 2006 |
| March 2007 |
| April 2007 |
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Howland United Methodist Church
730 Howland Wilson Rd NE
Warren, OH 44484
Phone: 330-856-3463
Fax: 330-856-7037
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