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The latest at Irvington United Methodist Church

Stay up to date with the happenings of Irvington United Methodist Church by visiting our blog. You'll find information such as announcements, sermon notes and thoughts from our pastor to encourage and challenge your walk with the Lord.

Ponderings

by: Denise Robinson

05/05/2022

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From Psalm 130 (The Message):You (God) did it: you changed wild lamentinto whirling dance.You ripped off my black mourning bandand decked me with wildflowers.I’m about to burst with song.I can’t keep quiet about you.God, my God,I can’t thank you enough.

What gives you such joy that you feel like dancing? It may be watching your children or grandchildren, taking a hike in a forest or along a lake, sitting by the ocean, or seeing an exceptional sunrise or sunset. All of these...
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Ponderings

by: Denise Robinson

05/05/2022

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A prayer for today:

Dear Lord, how blessed are we to know that with you we have life eternal. There is no end with you. Even when we are faced with seemingly dark days, there is no need for panic or despair for nothing that happens today, or any day, can overcome us. Help us always to remember that this life is just a beginning of a great adventure you have called us to take with you. Remind us to love more, laugh more, and live more fully. Even death itself is not an end, ...
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Ponderings

by: Denise Robinson

05/04/2022

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Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life ...
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Ponderings

by: Denise Robinson

05/03/2022

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Early this morning I sat with my cup of coffee and just listened to the sound of the rain. Spring in Indiana usually means days of rain and from the forecast for this week it looks like we will have plenty of time to enjoy the experience. As much as we complain about the rain, we know that it's needed. During a good rain, the grass gets greener, and the land is refreshed. Rain causes things to grow and be fruitful.

Yet, there comes a time in every person’s life when the rai...
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Ponderings

by: Denise Robinson

05/02/2022

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God said, “Let there be light.” Genesis 1:3

Light is one of God’s first words recorded for us in the Bible and one of God's first creative acts. As the Spirit of God hovered over a dark, formless, and empty Earth, God introduced light into creation, saying simply, “Let there be light.” Just after God said these words, light appeared; and God declared that the light was good. As we come into spring, most of us share this sentiment. It's easier to wake up and it's easier to b...
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Ponderings

by: Denise Robinson

04/29/2022

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Have you heard the one about the son (or daughter) who didn't want to get out of bed for church one Sunday morning? The mother called up the stairs repeatedly saying it was time to get moving, breakfast was ready, they'd be late if they didn't hurry. Finally, a response came down the stairs: "But, mom, I don't feel like getting out of bed and going to church this morning. Just let me sleep" The mom walked up the stairs, threw open the door, and said: "You have to go. You'r...
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Ponderings

by: Denise Robinson

04/28/2022

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Later today in my final for Advancing Preaching, I am presenting on the text from John 9 where a man who has been blind from birth is healed by Jesus. There are several interesting questions that are raised by this healing, but one is that the man is never asked if he wants to be healed. The chapter opens with Jesus and the disciples talking about him, then Jesus puts mud on his eyes and tells him to go wash it off in a presumably nearby pool. Jesus doesn't say that when h...
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Ponderings

by: Denise Robinson

04/27/2022

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Sometimes the hardest part of the day is deciding to get out of bed. Once we successfully navigate that issue, the flood of daily questions begins to hit us. There are the mundane — What am I going to have for breakfast? — to the major — Is this really where I want to be in my life? — and everything in between. Every day is filled with one decision after another, and some can be stressful.

Start the day by choosing to lean on God’s wisdom for all the difficult questions you...
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Ponderings

by: Denise Robinson

04/26/2022

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Typing has been made difficult this morning - one of my dogs has wanted extra attention and been glued to my lap. On occasion we all need that extra hug or word of assurance that we are loved and that we matter. Maybe that's why so many of Jesus' words were about love. I know his words commanded that we love God and love one another, but first he wanted us to know the incredible love of God for each one of us. 

My thoughts took me to this song to start my morning:https://ww...
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Ponderings

by: Denise Robinson

04/25/2022

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Psalm 142 is a "dark" psalm. Attributed to David, it concludes with a final request and a bold prediction.

Bring my soul out of prison,So that I may give thanks to Your name;The righteous will surround me,For You will deal bountifully with me. (142:7)In 142:5–6, David asks the Lord to change his circumstances: to deal justly with his persecutors and to honor his promise to make David king. But David also recognized the greater need for God to change his state of mind; he kn...
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Ponderings

by: Denise Robinson

04/22/2022

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Sorry for the late post, but my computer at home isn't charging. I have ordered a new power cord and hope that fixes the problem! And this led to my pondering for today: when it comes to faith, we all need a power cord that is working. What (or who) is your faith power cord?

When your faith is challenged or weakened, where do you turn for strength and renewal? It may be one thing or it may be a combination of things. Prayer, hymns of faith, another believer, Scripture, paus...
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Ponderings

by: Denise Robinson

04/20/2022

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The new power cord worked, and my computer is charged again. And, I had some time in Scripture this morning, so my faith life is charged as well. How about you? 

Prayer for the day:Dear Lord, help me remember what a difference it makes when I make time with you a priority in my day. Awaken in me each day a desire to meet with you and to hear you speak words of affirmation, assurance and wisdom in my heart and in my mind. Help my faith be as much a part of my preparation for...
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Ponderings

by: Denise Robinson

04/20/2022

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Today’s Scripture: Colossians 3: 23-25Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, and there is no partiality.

I recently saw an article about a man named Ferdinand Waldo Demara Jr., who was known as “The Great Impostor.” During his life, he pretended ...
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Ponderings

by: Denise Robinson

04/19/2022

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While I tend to read the Bible, for my devotional time, from the NRSV, this morning I was thinking of Ps. 69 and decided to read from Eugene Peterson's The Message:

God, God, save me!I’m in over my head,Quicksand under me, swamp water over me;I’m going down for the third time.I’m hoarse from calling for help,Bleary-eyed from searching the sky for God.God, you know every sin I’ve committed;My life’s a wide-open book before you.Don’t let those who look to you in hopeBe discou...
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Ponderings

by: Denise Robinson

04/18/2022

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It's snowing. I mean really snowing. My pondering has taken a dark turn this morning; I thought we were done with this! So, this morning my pondering turns to speaking words of encouragement to one another.

When was the last time someone really encouraged you? How did it make you feel? How did you view yourself afterwards? Encouragement is powerful. It has the ability to change our thoughts and emotions, and to fill us with courage to take on a task we may have been questio...
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