Last Tuesday, February 9th, I was doing my morning reading and read Psalm 40. As I finished it and marked it off, it occurred to me that 10% of 2010 is completed. 40 days...Biblically significant, yes?

Let me be perfectly clear. A church that minimizes missional giving is in serious trouble.

Last Thursday night, after watching our Kaithyn’s third-grade class musical, I hurried home. Excitedly, I put on Channel 8. Andrea Bocelli was doing his Christmas special and I didn’t want to miss a note.

I didn’t have a chance to give my pastor’s report at Charge Conference. I am using my Newsletter article space to do so now. My reading list is posted on the Bulletin Board outside of the Sanctuary.

May God continue to bless us as His church.

In Mark’s fourth chapter, we first encounter about the disciples in a boat, and a sudden storm. In fear they cry out to a sleeping Jesus. Jesus rouses from His nap in the stern, calms the storm, and questioned their fear. After all, wasn’t He right there with them?

Donald W. Haynes, an instructor at Hood Theological Theological Seminary and a columnist for the United Methodist Review, regular writes a column, "Wesleyan Wisdom".

In a column (7-24-09) he tells of a remarkable service that took place at the Western North Carolina Conference meeting at Lake Junaluska.

I have this idea for a book. I’d call it Saturday Afternoon at 4.

It occurs to me that different times of the week have a different ‘feel’. We know of the feel of Monday morning or Friday afternoon. So many days are consumed with normal activities. We have scheduled meetings, habits, routines that fill the time. And when we have finished our work or chores, it’s time to ready ourselves for the morrow.

And then comes Saturday. Many do not work, but there are chores and errands. Towards the afternoon, after cutting the grass, yard sales, and shopping, the day slows down. Saturday at 4 comes.

We have had the birthday of the Church, Pentecost, and we’ve also celebrated our United Methodist heritage. May 24th is the date of John Wesley’s heart-warming experience as he reluctantly attended a Bible study on Aldersgate Street.

Our United Methodist history and heritage is an amazing act of God’s grace. I was reminded of this recently as I taught in the Cumberland District Lay Speaker’s school. I taught the course on United Methodist history, theology, and structure.

We pause in mid-Lent to see where we are. Is our path through repentance been what we need? Is our walk closer to God?