Brown's Daily Word 10-6-10

Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this new day. It has been raining here for last few days, and will probably rain, with possible thunderstorms, today. The fall colors are still beautiful, despite the rain. It is apple season in New York. We picked up a bushel of Jonagold apples from one of the local fruit stands, and are really enjoying them. Praise the Lord for the fruits of the season.
We will gather for our midweek gathering for food, fellowship, study, and the children's ministry, beginning this evening at 6 PM. The Adult Choir will practice at 7:30 PM.
The people of Nehemiah's day celebrated the Feast of Booths ( Nehemiah 8-9). It was a reminder of God's provision and protection for the people of Israel as they endured their wilderness days. Before crossing Jordan and occupying the Promised Land they had wandered for forty years in the Sinai desert, and in all that time they did not plant food; God gave it anew every day. They didn't make clothing or shoes; God made it all last for forty years. They were protected and provided for by the Lord. In fact, they were totally dependent on God alone for everything for four decades in a hostile wilderness.
Every year, in the seventh month of the year, they left their homes and stayed in makeshift shelters (booths) for ten days. It reminded them they were still dependent on God. We need that; mentally, each of us needs a booth. We need to continually remember how dependent we are on God. God's providence and grace are more certain than all the things of the world which are transitory and fleeting.
One way to reclaim our joy is to remember the Lord's grace. The Word of God provides an accurate picture of life as it was for Nehemiah's people. The effectiveness of that Word is still as sharp as a two-edged sword even today!
We had a service of death and resurrection for Guilford Woodward, one of the senior saints of the church, who went to be with the Lord at the age of 91. Part of the readings for the service were taken from 2 Corinthians 5:1, "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands". Paul, who himself was a tent maker, compared life on earth to living in the booths, living in the tents. We are blessed to know that we can be fully dependent upon our Lord, who is our Creator, provider and Redeemer. He is faithful and trustworthy. Once we capture the truth and the beauty of living our lives in utter trust in Him, we will cease from freaking out and living in freedom and joy of serving the Lord and worshipping Him faithfully and obediently. In Christ and because of Christ we have been given the best of both worlds.
In Him,
Brown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60o3UP4Kjwg
Saturday Evening worship services
at : First United Methodist Church,
53 McKinley Ave., Endicott.
Sponsored by Union Center United Methodist Church.

Schedule for the remainder of October:
October 9, 2010
Music by Rev. William Pucky and his team
Preacher: Brown Naik
October 16, 2010
Music: Laureen Naik and team
Preacher: Dave Hettinger
October 23, 2010
Music by Aric Phinney and team
Preacher: Rev Earle Cowden
October 30, 2010
Music by Laureen Naik and team
Preacher: Jeff Vansyckle

November 4, 2010 - There will be a Thanksgiving banquet. At 5 PM a traditional Thanksgiving menu will be served, including home made rolls and pies. Chef: Lou Pasquel and team. (Reservations: Call the Church office (607)-748-6329 or email at umcgospel@aol.com
The banquet will be followed by 6:30 PM Worship
Music: Aric Phinney and the team
Speaker: Kelly Johnson from Nashville, TN.