"I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble." Psalm 142:1-2 NIV I read a devotional today from The Upper Room written by a woman in Pennsylvania, who was lamenting that she had felt that God was blessing others, but not her and her husband. Her prayers seemed to go unanswered. She was not thanking and praising God for His great blessings, as she saw others doing. After talking to a Christian friend, she realized that her prayers had been the scripted and polite type. Just praying “for God’s will to be done.” She was not sharing the depths of her spirit. Gushing out her concerns. She noticed in Scripture how so many people poured out their hearts to God. Even complaining, as King David did in Psalm 142. There is even a whole book in the Old Testament, filled with complaints – the Book of Lamentations. God wants you to be honest with Him. To pour out your heart, whether you are celebrating or lamenting. God desires a sincere and open relationship with His creations. And as we are honest with God, He will cultivate our hearts so that they align with His. Then, God can bless us with the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). Note: To submit a prayer request to the church, click on Prayer Request - St. Andrew's United Methodist Church . Unless you specify it as “Confidential,” the request will be emailed out on Tuesday’s Intercessory List. They will also be prayed for by a small team of people, called the Prayer Team, who are dedicated and committed to regular and ongoing prayer for the concerns of this church and our community. If you would like to join this team, contact Pastor Gary at gary.rideout@saumc.net . #prayer #love #grace

During September, we are focusing our attention on the story of the Good Samaritan in worship which teaches us to love our neighbor. Jesus uses this parable to explain who our neighbor is. Another story found in Matthew 18:15-20 is Jesus teaching a strategy on how to love difficult neighbors. It is not a popular passage because no one likes dealing with conflict. Yet it still teaches us that Jesus values both the relationships we form and how we handle the conflicts that occur within them. Matthew 18 says when there is a conflict, the first step is to go and talk to the person alone about the issue. It does not mean to talk about the person, or gossip about the person, just simply go directly to the person and have an honest conversation. Right here, many of us get stuck. We are non-confrontive and we hate being honest about what upsets us. We are afraid of how this person will react. We don’t want to fight with them. Yet, Jesus directs us to talk to them. We are to take a risk and go directly and privately to the person to discuss the issue. That person is worth the effort and resolution is the priority. If that doesn’t work, we are to take a another with us and attempt to talk to them again. This allows more time and grace for someone to consider what was said to them and the part they played in the conflict. Again, it never says talk to everyone else about the issue, instead, another conversation should always be attempted. This time invite one or two other wise and kindhearted people to go with you. This allows the other person to have witnesses also and to voice their side of the issue to others. Sometimes another witness can be a mediator in a difficult conversation. Again, the priority is to keep the issue private only taking people with you that you trust and know will keep this confidence. The final step feels so extreme, but it also is necessary. Sometimes we must distance ourselves from another because the relationship has become toxic. One person can stir up a lot of negativity and sometimes we must take a stand and stop it for the good of the community. Again, this must be done with love and kindness. While this seems cold and extreme, sometimes in life, distance is the only answer. If you are struggling with a neighbor, understand that Jesus understood this was challenging, but it also was kingdom work. Everyone is worth our efforts to find reconciliation. Jesus will help us handle the situation with grace and mercy if we will follow His instructions. Most of the time, the first conversation will correct the conflict. Just know, regardless of the fear you feel when dealing with conflict, this person is worth all of our love and our efforts. This is yet another way to love our neighbor. #community #loveourneighbor

"But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” - Ruth 1:16 NIV Whenever we encounter a hurricane in our area, if you are like me, you reflect on hurricanes we have endured in the past. My reflections always go back to the first hurricane our family encountered in Florida – Hurricane Charley in 2004. We were living in Winter Park at that time. Charley swept through the Orlando area in less than an hour. But caused tremendous damage to an area that prided itself on its majestic oak trees. The next day, I walked around the area and was floored. These majestic oak trees were strewn across the area haphazardly like toothpicks. Some were blocking streets; some were lying on tops of houses, and some had crushed cars parked on the street. However, there was something else that astounded me the next day. That was the sound of chain saws (gas-powered, there was no power in the area.) I saw neighbors helping neighbors to clear limbs and trees off their homes and cars. Almost immediately. It was a bright ray of hope amidst a ravaged community. It brought neighbors together. But it seemed like it was only a fleeting time of togetherness. As one columnist in the Orlando Sentinel wrote, “Hurricane Charley is over. It’s time to go back to ignoring your neighbors.” Unfortunately, there was a lot of truth in that. That was the customary way of living, disregard your neighbors. In the Book of Ruth, we read about two daughters-in-law of Naomi - Ruth and Orpah. Naomi was already widowed. But then her two sons, the husbands of Ruth and Orpah, died as well. Leaving Naomi alone. It was customary that widows would return to their own family. Which is what Orpha did. We may think that this was cruel, but that was the custom. As per the norm of the time, Ruth should have done so as well. But she did not want to leave Naomi alone. She broke the conventions of the day by staying with Naomi, “Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay.” We all are surrounded by people whom we normally would not connect, in our work environment, in our neighborhood, at church. Sometimes not for any other reason than just how things are. Let us follow Jesus’ example and break through the conventions of the times and be the neighbor that he desires us to be. Then we will be able to see them as God sees them; one of his creations, one whom he loves and finds worthy of his grace and mercy. #community #goodneighbor

In the past week, Bishop Tom Berlin reached out to our Florida conference to share two dire needs. I think that is appropriate for our Bishop to remind us that we are the Body of Christ at work in this world. As United Methodists, we understand that our faith is not just held in our hearts, but also practiced in our actions. It is so easy to be distracted by what is in front of us. I appreciate our Bishop reminding us of who we belong to and what is our calling in this world. Philippians 2:3-4 sums it up nicely, “Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.” So, here are the requests from Bishop Berlin. First, he is asking us to be in prayer for the Christians in Pakistan as many churches and homes were burned down or vandalized this past week. The government is doing its best to help support those who were hurt by these attacks. Sadly, this is not the only place where people are persecuted around the globe for their faith. Please actively pray for those who suffer due to their faith. Secondly, our Bishop has asked us to help support those in Lahaina, Hawaii who had their historic town totally consumed by wildfires. Thousands are now left homeless, and the death toll keeps rising as they grieve the loss of life for many. Our Bishop asked Bishop Escobedo-Frank of the Cal-Pac Annual Conference to determine how we can best assist both immediate and long-term needs. She suggests we give to the Cal-Pac fund, so the money we collect and send will be used for the needs of the community and local United Methodist churches. You can give today through The Florida Conference https://florida-reg.brtapp.com/CalPacUMCDisasterReliefDonations. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ to the world around us. Here's a reminder of God's love that is shared through us: #faith #prayer #handsandfeet #love

This has been one of those weeks when we hear news that several church members are now going through hard seasons. Hard seasons happen to all of us, and we rarely see them coming. There is a great story in I Kings 17 about a woman in a dark and scary season of life. The nation is going through a famine, and everyone is feeling the effects of this plight. The prophet of God, Elijah, has run out of food and water and so God directs him to go to Zarephath and a find a widow there who will feed him. He finds the woman gathering sticks for a fire at the edge of town and he requests her help. We know from scripture this widow was wealthy enough to own a home, but now the famine is even impacting those of means. No one is immune from famine, and no one is feeling much hope. I have always liked this story because the woman holds nothing back. When asked to help the prophet, her answer is deeply honest. “As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die” (1 Kings 17:12 NIV). I have always read this with the assumption that the widow has sarcasm in her voice when she speaks to the prophet. I imagine she is thinking, you got to be kidding, right? Why would God send this prophet to her when He doesn’t seem to care that the widow and her son are running out of food? They are on the edge of starving to death. Yet if you read the whole story in I Kings 17, the woman’s response to the prophet ends up being the answer to her problem. After she feeds the prophet, her oil and flour never run out until the famine is finally over. Have you ever felt like that? One thing after another goes wrong and it leaves you feeling totally overwhelmed and you are silently saying to God, are you kidding me? God asks her to feed the prophet when she does not have enough for her own family. This is not the way one would expect God to work, but it is the way He usually answers our prayer. He asks us to trust him. Often this is also a call to action. Trust followed by action. To act on that trust even if it feels senseless. It is our response to God that grows us in the faith. Giving what little food you have left away seems ridiculous, but sometimes it is the best way to say, I trust you God to be the answer. If you are in a similar season right now, don’t shy away from actively practicing your faith. Put your trust in God and get ready to take some action. It might just end up being the answer to your situation. #trust #faith #hope

On Saturday, August 5, the Florida United Methodist Conference gathered for a special session to approve the disaffiliation of 46 churches in the Florida Conference. There are roughly 500 churches, so this was about 9% of our conference. This was the second disaffiliation we have sat through this year, and it was a sad moment of reflection. If you are wondering if what we are going through now in the United Methodist Church is new and unprecedented, you would be wrong. The United Methodist church has a history of splits and reconciliation through the years. In the 1700’s there were splits due to racist policies in the church. In the 1800’s there another split which formed the Free Methodist church who longed for freedom of enslaved people, pews, and perceived abuse of episcopal power. While the disaffiliation can feel disheartening, it is important to note that from change also comes new growth, new moments of the Spirit, and new expressions of God’s grace. While there is a lot of misinformation out there that can scare us to death about the future of the Methodist Church, I thought I would share a look at the overall picture of what is happening in the United States. Yes, we are sad for any loss of churches from the United Methodist Church, but we also know God is always faithful. His Church will always stand. We put our trust in Him to help us maneuver though the changes before us. For St. Andrews, we are waiting for the General Conference of 2024 to see what happens and make any decisions that need to me make with all the facts from that event. Continue to pray wisdom and guidance for us as a church and as a beacon of God’s ever-present grace. #grace #wisdom #faithfulness

"David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands." 1 Samuel 23:14 NIV In the Bible, the wilderness marks a turning point for those who enter it. There are typically two reasons for venturing into the wilderness: either one is running away from something, away from danger, or one is driven into it for a time of testing. Either way, the wilderness can be a frightening place, lots of unknowns as they enter in, plus the sheer terror of the experience of being alone. The crucial questions for these wilderness moments are: When faced with such a challenge, how do we respond? Does it drive us toward God, or away from God? In 1 Samuel chapters 23-24, we read of the encounter of David being pursued by King Saul. Saul was jealous of David, jealous of his military conquests and his popularity with the people and wanted to kill him. David ran into the wilderness (although he was not alone for his army accompanied him). Saul was so obsessed with hunting him down, that he personally went after him with his military might. David hid from Saul going from cave to cave. At one point, Saul entered the cave where David was hiding. David could have easily killed him. But he did not. For Saul was still the King of Israel. Later when Saul and David meet and Saul learns how his life was spared, he was very moved. Saul saw God’s hand in what had happened. And gave up his pursuit of David, for the moment at least. In the wilderness, Saul, with blinders on, was running after David. That is all he could see. Meanwhile David, in the wilderness, was running after God. And found him. David was able to comprehend that God filled the wilderness. The desolate wilderness was still filled with God’s presence, security, and generous love. #PresenceofGod #faithfulness

“I’m not praying only for them but also for those who believe in me because of their word.  I pray they will be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. I pray that they also will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me." John 17:20-21 CEB Throughout the Gospels we read multiple accounts of Jesus in prayer. He was constantly in prayer to his Father. Yet in the Gospel of John, we see a greater insight into the reach of his prayer life. Starting with the 15th chapter, the Gospel of John recounts the words of Jesus as he travels with the disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane the night before he was taking up on the cross. There is much more detail of this event in this Gospel than in the other three Gospels. It is his last words to the disciples in his earthly journey with them. And in the 17th chapter, Jesus begins to pray. So, what is he praying for? What are his petitions to his Father? What is remarkable is that Jesus is praying for us. Yes, for you and me! In verse 20, Jesus is praying for all of those who believe in him because of the words of the disciples. The words that have been passed down to us through Scripture. That includes those who are the faithful in the present. And what does he pray for us? He prays that we will be unified. To be as one. That we would all be as one in the same way that the Father and the Son are one. And that because of our example, the world will believe the message of Christ that was sent by God. Isn’t it astonishing that Jesus prayed for us? You and me. This shows the depth of Jesus’ love and care for each of us. How will we respond? Click to watch the video below on Jesus' prayer that we may be as one. #prayer #unity

"Jesus had to go through Samaria. He came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, which was near the land Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there. Jesus was tired from his journey, so he sat down at the well. It was about noon." John 4:4-6 CEB In the Gospel of John chapter 4 we find Jesus and the disciples heading for Galilee, only to stop at a well, Jacob’s well to rest. Jesus stayed at the well while the disciples went into town with a grocery list. Jesus’ target was to make it to Galilee. But on the way, at this well, he meets a Samaritan woman and offers her his “living water for which she will never go thirsty.” This changes her life. And not only her life but the lives of others as she runs into the village and brings back a crowd of people to meet Jesus. There is the time when Jesus was heading to the house of a man named Jairus, whose 12-year-old daughter was dying. Crowds followed him, their sights set to see Jesus heal this young girl. However, on the way to Jairus’ house, a woman who had been suffering from severe bleeding for years, grabbed the hem of Jesus’ garment in hopes that she would be healed. Jesus felt her touch and stopped. He could have said, “Can’t you see that I’m on my way to somewhere important? You want to see me? Make an appointment.” No, he stopped, looked straight into her pained eyes and told her that she was healed. This is a healing that occurred “on the way.” It wasn’t part of Jesus’ destination yet happened on the journey. How much of life do we miss because we are too busy making plans? How much of the wonders and workings of God in which we are immersed do we rush past because our sights are set down the road? We may reach our goals but at the same time miss out on life – the touch of God in our life that we can find on the journey. #grace #wonder

"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24 NIV A clerk in the produce department of the supermarket is approached by a lady. She wants to buy half of a head of lettuce. He tried to dissuade her from that, but she persisted. Finally, he said, “I’ll have to go back and talk to the manager.” He went to the rear of the store to talk to the manager, not noticing that the woman was walking right behind him. When he got into the back of the store, he said to the manager, “There’s some stupid old bag out there who wants to buy half a head of lettuce. What should I tell her?” Seeing the horrified look on the face of the manager, he turned about and seeing the woman, added, “And this nice lady wants to buy the other half of the head of lettuce. Will it be all right?” Some quick thinking allowed this young man to save face when he blurted out what he truly felt about this woman. The question is what if others could read our thoughts to hear what we truly think about certain others? Or what if, how would we felt about someone would always be automatically blurted out loud in public? Would we be horrified? Would others be appalled by the judgments we pronounce on others? Would you want the world to really know how you felt about certain others? Could we still call ourselves Christians if others really knew what was going through our minds? We believe that we can keep up a good front as a Christian and still have hateful thoughts racing through our minds. Yet sometimes this hostility and hatred will bubble to the surface, and we will be exposed to all our hypocrisy and pretense. That is why we need to continually pray the prayer of Psalm 139:23-24 that is listed above. Only through the grace of God can we do so. #grace #love #kindness

…So, Martha came to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to prepare the table all by myself? Tell her to help me.” The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part. It won’t be taken away from her.” Luke10:40b-42 CEB This passage has always been perplexing to me. Because you see I am a male “Martha.” The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 tells of two sisters, Mary and Martha, who have Jesus and a group of friends over one evening. But as Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, listening to his words, Martha was busy in the kitchen preparing a fine meal. Martha tells Jesus to scold Mary for not helping her. Yet Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. Not what Martha wanted to hear. Nor what I would want to hear if I was in her predicament. The point I think Jesus is trying to make is that there is great wisdom in letting the dishes soak in the sink so we can relax with others in fellowship. But my mind doesn’t seem to work that way sometimes. It whispers to me, “Why are you sitting around ‘chewing the fat’ with someone when you can get a few more things done?” Like the entire universe would implode on itself if I didn’t accomplish that one last task before I go on vacation. I read an interesting observation in a book recently. It speaks of the “ferry people” in Seattle. They live on Bainbridge Island and the only way to get from downtown Seattle to home is to take the ferry. It’s a short ride, but it is the only ride. So, their lives depend on catching that last ferry out, or they sleep on their office floor. Consequently, whatever they are in the middle of, even if it’s that last “consequential” task, they stop even in mid-email in order to catch the last ferry out. Maybe we should have a few more “ferry times” in our day. No matter what task we are in the middle of, we come to an abrupt halt. Let it slide. It can wait until tomorrow. Because there are better things in life. There are relationships worth cherishing. #grace #rest

" Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." Leviticus 25:10 KJV Were you aware that this Scripture passage is inscribed on the Liberty Bell? The very same Liberty Bell that sat in the steeple of Independence Hall in Philadelphia on July 4th, 1776. Even though it has been passed down in history that the bell was rung on that day to celebrate America’s independence from England, scholars now believe that it was actually rung on July 8th, when the Declaration of Independence was read to the masses. This Scripture passage is in the section of Leviticus that tells of the Jewish tradition of Jubilee, which occurs every 50 years. During this time, the land and people rest, and several actions were taken, including that all people were released from their debts and all property was to be returned to its original owner. Being released from your financial debts sounds like a great idea. But if we still observed Jubilee, that would also mean that any property you bought would have to be returned. Jubilee was to remind the Jewish people they were only tenants of the land they inhabited and stewards of the possessions they owned. It was to proclaim liberty throughout the land and a year of freedom. The Israelites would dedicate the year of rest to God, acknowledging that God would provide for their needs. And that the only true freedom we can have, is the freedom that has been given to us through God. As we celebrate our nation’s independence this Tuesday, let us be reminded of the true source of our freedom. And to acknowledge that all we have been given, are gifts from God. Let us be thankful. #freedom #gratitude