7:00 A.M. ET Jan. 20, 2012 | HARTFORD, Conn. (UMNS)

Stepping out of our comfort zones to follow God’s calling on  our life is risky, but full of unimaginable rewards. Six years ago, I did  something I considered crazy: I quit a job I loved to follow a calling on my  heart into ministry.

The author enjoyed a very multicultural, multifaith experience while living on campus at the Hartford Seminary. A web-only photo illustration by iStockphoto.com/Alex Max.

I am not one of those people who can tell you precisely what  that ministry looks like, even six years later. Each step on this journey has  taught me so much more than I expected. About three years ago, the journey led  me to Hartford Seminary to  get my Masters in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations.

The header on the seminary’s website says, “Exploring  Differences, Deepening Faith.” Hartford Seminary is a multifaith, multicultural  school. It houses the country’s oldest center for the study of Christian-Muslim relations.

But what I have learned in my classes has been just a piece  of my overall education at the seminary. I have learned so much from people I  would never have had the pleasure to meet if I would not have answered God’s  call on my heart. My roommates and neighbors on campus have been mainly Christian  and Muslim students from the United States, France, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq,  Nigeria, Palestine, the Philippines, South Korea, Syria, Thailand and Turkey –  to name a few.

Our house has been the site of Thanksgiving, Eid and Christmas Eve celebrations, and movie  nights. At one such gathering during the beginning of my first semester on  campus, I watched a group playing Jenga. During the first couple of games, the  students were playing for the pride of their individual countries. However, as  the night progressed, alliances were made based on the house each lived in. It  went from being a game between individuals from various counties into one that developed  deeper friendships.

Teresa Mueller. A UMNS web-only photo courtesy of Teresa Mueller.

I may not have chosen any of my roommates and neighbors on  campus, but they have truly been a gift. They are the people I eat with,  disagree with, study with, play games with and pray with. In short, we have  shared our lives in up-close and personal ways. Our kitchen has seen the late-night  rehashing of a classroom discussion, news from around the world or happenings in our personal lives.  Learning about a religious tradition is one thing, but getting to know the  people from many cultures that make up those religious traditions brings it to  life. This journey has led me around the world through the people I have met  without even leaving home.

In a few months, I will be leaving this house that has been  my temporary home to continue this journey. I will miss the kitchen and its  many memories most of all. Its walls have been infused with the smells of  myriad spices from all over the world. With each new roommate, I discover a new  favorite spice or food. Each of them has enriched my life in so many different  ways. Like the spices that enhance the flavor of foods, they have enhanced my  life.

We all look at the world from  our own unique perspective, and I have been truly blessed to be surrounded by  others who have opened up and shared their lives with me, both inside and  outside of class. My life is that much richer because of it.

*Mueller is pastor of United Methodist Church of Bolton, in  Bolton, Conn. She is currently in the process of becoming a deacon.

News media contact: Joey Butler,  Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

In some of the older Bibles I have read, the books of Samuel and Kings were the four books of the Kings. 1 Kings was 3 Kings, but today it is generally understood to be 1 Kings. 1 Kin. 1-11 is about the reign of King Solomon. Our verses is in the part about the construction of the temple; it was constructed c. 960 BCE and destroyed c. 586 BCE. 1 Kin. 6:29-30 is about the walls and floor of the temple, vv. 31-32 is about the two doors of olive wood at the entrance to the shrine, and vv. 33-38 is about the construction taking seven years (from the fourth to the eleventh years of Solomon’s reign over Israel).

In our verses it talks about some of the decorations used. Carvings of different things were used to decorate many things. We find examples of this in the Bible, for example a bed in Prov. 7:16. Archaeology has shown us many of these decorations had spiritual and religious purposes. When we look at these images devoted to religious purposes there is two types. There is the ones used in idolatry. These can not do, teach, or profit the worshippers of the idols. (Hab. 2:18, 19) The other type is the images given to us by the Lord and his prophets. The Living God actually accomplishes things for his. The images given illustrate teachings which instruct and edify us.

Solomon was instructed to build the Temple through David by the Lord. (1 Chr. 22:6-19) God’s presence was felt throughout the entire temple. Each and everything had a purpose greater than just being a wall or door. We can see this very plainly by noticing the decorations used.

In 1 Kin 7:13-51 we see where Solomon employed a master craftsman in brass, Hiram of Troy, to work on King Solomon’s house and the Temple. Hiram constructed many things of brass. He used images of several living creatures in his designs: pomegranates v. 18, 42; lilies v. 22, 26; oxen v. 25, 29; lions v. 29, 36; cherubim v. 29, 36; and palm trees v. 36. This illustrates every item had a symbolic purpose.

1 Kin. 31-35 talks of the two doors made of olive wood. These are the doors between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. It has always been my habit to look for the little treasure no one else has ever found. I do not believe I am going to find it, but I do find some things many others have not noticed. At this entrance there is also a curtain. (2 Chr. 3:14) Why was this? Was it reminiscent of the inner veil of the tabernacle? Ex. 26:31-36) Or could it be this was directed by the Lord to be a symbol? When Jesus was crucified the veil was torn in two. (Matt. 27:51) In the Holy of Holies was the dwelling place of God. The curtain and doors were a barrier to anyone except the high priest coming into direct contact with the Lord. The veil is torn apart symbolizing the way to the presence of the Lord is open to all. But the doors are still there. Is it possible symbolically it is saying many will be blocked from coming into the presence of the Lord even though the way has been opened? From all I know, this is exactly what it is saying.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, thank you for a way to come into your presence. Instruct me in the things I should know to come to you. Help me to find the doors which open to you. I beg, please, have the doors open for me. I come to you and ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Memory verse:

“Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he allowed.” Rom. 14:22

3:00 P.M. ET Jan. 13, 2012 | OKLAHOMA CITY

Working in trios on a Saturday morning, the   men and women decorated puzzle pieces to represent segments of The United  Methodist Church: general agencies, annual (regional) conferences and more. Then they  connected the pieces, and the puzzle’s shape emerged: a heart.

(From left) Sunrise Ross, Jeff O'Dell and the Rev. Bernadine Dowdy take part in a small-group project in Oklahoma City during Lay Missionary Planting Network training in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference. A UMNS photo by Holly McCray.

 God’s love is at the center of “Lay Missionary Planting  Network” training in the Oklahoma  Indian Missionary Conference.

The goal of the six weekend sessions is to engage laypeople who  will lead in establishing new United Methodist faith communities among Native  Americans. The training is funded by a Path 1 grant through the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. With Path 1, church leaders are working with ethnic groups across  the United States to plant churches.

This training program will end with a graduation service in  February.

In the past five years, six faith fellowships have been  launched and a new church was chartered in the annual conference, according to  the Rev. David Wilson, Oklahoma Indian Missionary conference superintendent. “Lay  Missionary Planting Network” is trying to extend that success, he said.

“We are not talking about buying land and building churches.  We are talking about celebrating Jesus Christ where the people are already  gathering. You can plant the seed,” Julienne Judd told about 20 participants in  the “United Methodism 101” class during the second training session in Oklahoma  City.

Sunrise Ross (foreground), chairperson of the northern District leadership team, and others study activities of the lay missionary planting sessions. A UMNS photo by Julienne Judd.

 It began in a pow-wow

Judd was asked to develop a worship service one year for a  pow-wow. Her effort became an annual ministry opportunity at the pow-wow  grounds.

“Who would have thought that would become a community, where  people waited to come together every morning to have worship?” she pondered  aloud. Judd now pastors two conference churches in Wichita, Kan.

She noted people gather at ball fields before games and in  sewing groups. “What things are you able to do in different communities that  will draw people together?” she asked.

Trainees identified their own gifts and talents they valued in one  another, all offered for the task of planting churches. Reliability was  celebrated in one participant. “I may not know what I’m doing, but I’m going to  be there,” the young woman affirmed.

Other terms included team player, willingness to listen,  adaptability, perseverance, courage, passion, nonjudgmental and wisdom.

Value of United  Methodist connection

Judd emphasized the value of the United Methodist connection  for these lay missionaries.

Because they already are local-church members, the trainees  have personal links to supportive, encouraging faith friends. Online Board of  Discipleship resources, such as the “Faith We Sing” music and lectionary  tools, are “at our fingertips,” Judd said. “And if you aren’t a computer  person, find somebody at your local church who is,” she told the group.

The Book of Discipline is her treasure trove, she said.

“The history, the rules, everything about who we are, polity  and policy, is in this book.”

She opened a copy and read John Wesley’s words: “The Methodists think and let think.”

“I love this, especially because we have some unique ways of  worshipping in the OIMC,” Judd said and described a prayer meeting of Native  Americans. “Praise God for what we are as Methodists, being allowed to make an  open door and say, ‘This is what we are as people of faith.’”

One man voiced his thankfulness for the training  opportunity. Although active in local-church life for 40 years, he said he  “never learned anything” about the denomination until these sessions.

*McCray is editor of the Oklahoma United Methodist Contact.

News  media contact: Maggie Hillery, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

7:00 A.M. ET Jan. 11, 2012

The word of God is reaching  poor and illiterate people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in several  ways, thanks to the generosity of a United Methodist congregation in Tulsa,  Okla.

Women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo hold Bibles written in the Swahili language. The Bibles were funded by Asbury United Methodist Church in Tulsa, Okla. UMNS web-only photo courtesy of Asbury United Methodist Church.

The project was born in 2004  when the Rev. Jim Lenderman, then a pastor in Conway, Ark., heard an African bishop  speak at the United Methodist General Conference in Pittsburgh.

Lenderman said he was  astounded to hear that few United Methodist pastors in the central African  country have their own Bibles in their own language.

The pastors must walk 12 to  20 miles for a chance to read the one Swahili Bible shared by thousands of  people in the region. They must rely on their memories of what they read to  preach and conduct Bible studies.

Lenderman said he was unable  to imagine serving a congregation without that most basic tool, the Bible.

“God captured my heart,” he  said. The course of his life changed in an instant.

He vowed to work “until the  need is met” to send Bibles to the Congo in both Swahili and other indigenous  languages.

“I’ve committed myself for  life,” he said.

He took his mission to  Tulsa’s Asbury United  Methodist Church in 2008. “It stirred something in our church,” said  Lenderman, who is an associate pastor there.

This smile shows the happiness felt by a man in the Democratic Republic of the Congo who is holding a Bible in his own language. UMNS web-only photo courtesy of Asbury United Methodist Church.

Funding for 22,000 Bibles

During Lent in 2011, the  Asbury congregation gave $272,000 toward the project — funding to provide more  than 22,000 Bibles.

In July 2011, the church was  able to buy 8,000 Bibles for $12 each. Distribution is “at an intentional pace —  when they need it and where they need it,” Lenderman said, because of the  challenges of transportation, storage and security in the Congo.

Each pastor receives one case  that contains 16 Bibles.

Lenderman made two visits to  the Congo in 2011, including an initial distribution of Bibles in February,  when video  was shot to help promote the mission.

It is difficult for Americans  to imagine what a printed Bible means to a minister in the Congo, Lenderman  said. Over the years, invading armies destroyed many Bibles.

Tears poured from the eyes of  a 90-year-old United Methodist minister when he received a Bible. “He never  imagined in his entire life that he would ever own a Bible,” Lenderman said.

“There is nothing like seeing  a person getting a Bible for the very first time.”

Three-pronged approach

The Bible project is part of  Asbury’s “three-pronged” approach to offering God’s word to the Congo,  Lenderman said.

The second prong is the purchase  and distribution of digital devices called “Proclaimers,” which play an audio  version of the New Testament. Designed for areas where technology is scarce,  the devices run on electricity, batteries, solar power or hand-crank, Lenderman  said.

These enable the word of God  to reach groups of listeners, he said, especially those who can’t read.

Proclaimers are from the  nonprofit group Faith Comes By Hearing, based in Albuquerque, N.M., which  produces audio versions of the Bible in hundreds of languages and formats.

This year Asbury UMC plans also to  provide in 2012 about $7,500 to buy 50 Proclaimers for the Congo as part of a  pilot program. Local residents will learn how to use the device and form  listening groups.

Tryouts of the Proclaimers  have been “incredibly fruitful,” leading to the formation of new churches and  new listening groups, Lenderman said.

In the future, Asbury is  planning a third prong, a Bible story-based literacy program through Literacy  and Evangelism International, which teaches reading up to the fifth-grade  level.

In other places where that  program has been tried, “80 percent accept Jesus Christ as their savior,”  Lenderman said. And, “because they’re now literate, they can get a job.”

*Kinyon Schutz is a freelance  writer based in the Oklahoma City metro area and a longtime United Methodist.

News  media contact: Maggie Hillery, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

Earlier today I was studying the Bible considering prophesies about my family and myself. I was looking at some blogs and sites which were related to prophecy also. The watchmanstrumpetblast brought something to my attention I had not noticed. All the sites dealing with current affairs seem to be talking of the negative prophecies in the Bible.

In a way this is wrong because we do not recognize what prophesy is for or its use. By the current standard of prophetic interpretation we eliminate many of the prophecies in the Bible. We fail to recognize they are prophecy. The current understanding of prophetic interpretation is to place a definition upon what the prophesy says in the Bible. This is not what it means and brings to bear upon the faithful a great misunderstanding.

Biblical understanding is similar to a blind person and a red rose. All the blind person studies and is told about a red rose causes him to know more about a red rose, but they will truly never completely know what a red rose is until they gain sight and actually see it. Using the current definition of prophetic interpretation we only come to know more about what the Bible says. This leads to a very wide disbursement of what the scripture actually means. Only when we fulfill that prophesy will we have interpreted it.

The Beatitudes are a great prophesy. In Matt. 5:5 it says, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” I am not a meek person, so I have not interpreted the prophesy. I understand much about what it means, but I do not totally understand it because I have not been there yet. I have friends who are, and so they have interpreted the scripture. How can I prove the prophesy to be true? I can’t because I have not been there yet, but my friends can because they are there and the proof which proves the scripture.

As we read a scripture we need to ask ourself, have I interpreted this? If we have interpreted it we then need to ask ourself is this where I want to be. If it is, go to the next scripture.  If it is not where you want to be you will find a remedy in the scripture. When you read a scripture, and find you have not interpreted it, you need to ask yourself if this is where you want to be. If it is where you want to be, how to get there is in the scripture. If it is not where you want to be and you have not interpreted it, go on to the next scripture.

Freewill is what causes each of us to be different. Freewill causes us some difficulty in which scripture to interpret. The choice is ours as to which ones we will interpret. Each of us will choose to interpret those which will lead us on the path of our Lord. If we are honest in this search we will be the proof of the scriptures. If ever someone asks you to prove it, all you need to do is point to yourself.

I say so long, until we meet again. I will say a prayer for you, say one for me and may the Lord bless us.

3:00 P.M. ET Jan. 6, 2012

While we often envision a Christmas tree surrounded by presents in  colorful paper with glittery bows, some of the most memorable holiday gifts  come wrapped simply in love and kindness.

 Here is a look at how some United Methodist congregations and  agencies in 2011 kept Christ  in Christmas.

Random acts of  kindness

United  Methodist Bishop Michael Coyner and 24 staff members of the Indiana Annual (regional) Conference  took to  the streets Dec. 21 during their Christmas luncheon.

Instead  of a fancy holiday party away from the office, staff members used the money  allocated for the meal, enjoyed a simple lunch and spent $625 on random acts of  kindness. Each employee received $25 cash and printed cards saying, “You have  been RACKed with a Random Act of Christmas Kindness.”

At  11 a.m., teams of two to four headed into the community. They returned two  hours later to share stories of how their rapidly conceived plans played out.

Ed  Metzler, secretary to the bishop, and his wife, Erma, a communications  specialist, stuffed $1 and $5 bills into the pockets of clothing and purses at  a Goodwill store.

“Such  acts, small as they are, really do make the season of giving more meaningful,”  Ed Metzler said. “I hope some children had their day brightened by the  unexpected surprise of money in their new jacket or jeans.”

Accounting/payroll  clerk Anne Hayton and three colleagues purchased and delivered pizza to  families in a children’s hospital waiting room. One woman was with her little  girl. When the volunteers walked in with a wagon full of pizzas, the mother’s  face lit up.

“I felt so fulfilled to be able to brighten some  people’s day and share the love of Christ,” Hayton said. “That is what  Christmas and being a Christian is all about.”

Co-workers  Lisa Timmerman and Carla Johnson went to a local restaurant. Combining their money,  they surprised the waiter with a $30 tip and gave $20 to the cashier to pay  toward the next person’s bill.

Conference  employees also bought lunch for McDonald’s patrons going through the  restaurant’s drive-in, donated money to a mission store, gave $10 gas cards to  people outside a large retail store, paid for prescriptions for strangers at  CVS, placed $50 worth of dollars and quarters by a hospital vending machine and  visited a young woman who has epilepsy and contributed to her foundation to  help others.

Steve’s Socks  warm feet … and hearts

“The definition of ‘inspire,’” said Kathy Entsminger of Nashville, Tenn., is “to  affect, guide or arouse by divine influence.”

In  2008, Entsminger explained, she was inspired to collect  new socks for the homeless. “My brother, Steve (Watkins), lost his battle  with kidney cancer in 1999,” she explained. “My family always joked about  how he loved new socks. He sold used cars for a living and never cared about the  finer things in life, but … I can still see him, smiling and wiggling his toes  in his new white socks.

“So  did God whisper in my ear?” Entsminger wondered. “Did Steve somehow  communicate the idea to me? I don’t know. I do know this: All I did was put the  word out, and socks poured in like love from open hearts.”

Four years ago, at her workplace — the denomination’s  finance agency — Entsminger started “Steve’s Socks.” At Christmastime,  staff members collected socks to benefit three agencies aiding displaced  families.

The  first year — 2008 — she amassed 88 pairs. That number multiplied nearly 22  times the next year with 1,886 pairs, with a similar number in 2010. In 2011,  she set a goal of 2,000. However, on Dec. 1, Entsminger already had 2,195  pairs. So she upped her goal to 3,000.

The  final count? 4,329 pairs of socks.

Already  looking ahead to Christmas 2012, Entsminger hopes some congregations will adopt  the socks project.

“Having  United Methodist church partners … would be fabulous,” she said. “I’d be happy  to speak to them, teach them, direct them — whatever it takes to keep this  legacy going and continue to put socks on those who desperately need them.

“For the veteran who was unable to pull his  life back together after serving his country, for the mother who lost her job  and her home and can no longer provide for her child, for the mentally  challenged souls rejected by society, for the child who lives in a shelter with  no home of her own … for all of the people with no voice, let me use my own  voice to say thank you for caring.”

Congregation  gives away entire offering

The  counters on Christmas Eve at First  United Methodist Church, DeKalb, Ill., were elated when they tallied  up the offering — more than $14,000. The offering plate overflowed with  generosity. But what makes this congregation even more generous? They gave the  entire offering away!

“It  was fantastic,” said the Rev. Brian Gilbert, associate pastor. “This church is  so giving. This is what Christmas is all about.”

At  a time when churches rely heavily on this yearend offering to ease strained  budgets, First Church’s coffers benefited three social service agencies in the  community including a food pantry, a transitional-living ministry for homeless  individuals and families, and a shelter for battered women.

“The  donation will help a lot,” said Gary Billings, the Salvation Army food pantry  coordinator and a First Church member. “We have seen record numbers in the past  few months. In October and November, we served over 700 families. We have never  gone above 700.” He said the donation would help keep the shelves stocked,  especially during the slow season when contributions typically falter.

“Believe  it or not,” Gilbert added, “since we started doing this, our church finances  have actually gotten stronger. I really think when people see the church acting  with boldness, they want to be a part of it. People want to see their money  being used in the community and helping others.”

The  congregation also gives away loose coins dropped in the offering plate once a  month to a designated charity, alternating between local and international  organizations. In addition, members support a Good Neighbor Assistance Fund to  help people in the community with utility bills, gas for cars and occasional  help with rent payments.

“This  church has a heart for giving and a heart for being active partners with others  to meet the needs of those suffering in mind, body or spirit,” said the Rev.  Jon Hutchison, pastor.

Worship meets  people where they are

Regular  churchgoers have certain expectations around Christmas Eve worship: how the  choir will sound, what the sanctuary will look like and how their favorite pew  will feel. Remove all of those expectations and what do you have?

The  Rev. Mack Strange of Brentwood United  Methodist Church in Tennessee decided to try something different for Christmas Eve 2011. Securing  a renovated warehouse, he teamed up with Ingrid McIntyre of Open Table  Nashville Inc. to create a sacred space where people from all walks of life could  come together to celebrate Christ’s birth and experience a different glimpse of  God’s reign.

By  getting away from the church’s suburban location, members reached new people  where they were.

One  person observed that it was as if adults returned to childhood during the impromptu  choir formation. Previously solemn individuals jumped at the chance to  participate, donning purple stoles and singing familiar Christmas carols to a  slightly country beat. Gaiety turned to poignancy as the Rev. Justin Collett  delivered a message about addiction, redemption and everyone needing a little  bit of light. Those who have lived on the streets surrounding the warehouse  understood, and when Holy Communion was offered, to some, it seemed like a  kingdom feast.

The  Rethink Church team at United Methodist Communications broadened the reach of  this service to the online community at www.RethinkChurch.org. Digital  advertising directed people to www.rethinkchurch.org/christmaseve, where they  could watch and comment on the service (personalized through video co-hosts),  send prayer requests to the Upper  Room Living Prayer Center and find a church in their community.

Last-Minute Toy  Store offers hope, help

For  four days in Advent, a  tiny congregation in Nashville, Tenn., opens its doors to community families  for the Last-Minute  Toy Store. The store marked its 18th year in 2011.

According  to the Rev. Paul Slentz, pastor of Sixty-First  Avenue United Methodist Church, parents and guardians of 4,674  children and teens gave their families a happier Christmas, thanks to the  generosity of others. Each participant received a ticket to choose new toys and  gifts, plus books, oranges and candy canes, at no charge.

Reporting  on the Faith and  Leadership website,  Fiona Soltes said, “But this is not an affluent church that just opens its  pocketbook. The humble congregation, all but a few low-income themselves, offer  their ongoing time, efforts and sense of ownership instead. The toy store —  with more than 20,000 gifts worth some $200,000 donated by individuals and  organizations citywide in the months preceding Christmas — is aimed at reaching  those who have missed the deadline for toys from other agencies.

“It  also draws hundreds of individual volunteers who join members of the  congregation in pulling it off. Many volunteers receive assistance themselves.”

Slentz  shared a thank-you note from one mother. “Thank you so much,” Sandra wrote.  “You have given me hope in my heart. I was so worried that on Christmas  morning, my little boy wouldn’t have anything. God bless and merry Christmas.”

Find Advent and  Christmas Resources

*Dunlap-Berg  is internal content editor for United Methodist Communications, Nashville,  Tenn. Also contributing to this report were Daniel R. Gangler, director of  communication, Indiana Annual (regional) Conference; Anne M.  Gearhart, director of communications, Northern Illinois Annual Conference; and Neelley  Hicks, assistant director, Communications Ministry Group, United Methodist  Communications.

News media contact: Barbara Dunlap-Berg, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5489 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

In Ezekiel’s vision he is first acquainted with the courts, and then he was brought to the temple. (Ezek. 41:1-26) This might illustrate us, as we get more familiar with the simpler mysteries of the Lord, we are presented with the more advanced mysteries.

It is obvious the main subject of this verse is cherubim, or cherub if you want to use it singular. But, what do we know about cherubim or what do they look like? If you start researching the subject you are going to get a mixed response. In the Bible we can form a short history. They are heavenly beings. The first mention is in Gen. 3:24 when a cherub is placed in the Garden of Eden to guard the tree of life from us. As we continue through the Bible we come to the tabernacle where they were represented symbolically over the ark of the covenant and woven on the veil of the Tabernacle. When the Temple was built Cherubim were carved on all the walls inside and out. Then we have what we are looking at today in Ezekiel’s vision. There is more in the New testament, but I am not going to go into it at this time.

Ezekiel probably gives to us, in Ezek 1; 10, the best description of these angelic figures, the cherubim. They have an appearance resembling people and are living beings (Ezek. 1:5 ”Is it really You“). But in many things they were not like humans; they had four faces and four wings. (Ezek. 1:6) Ezekiel said their feet was straight and the bottom of them were like the sole of a calf’s foot. (Ezek. 1:7) This would seem to say their feet were hooves. In v. 7 it also says they shined like polished brass. In v. 13 it says they glowed like burning fire, and this gave off light like a lamp which went up and down the creatures. In v. 14 it would seem to be saying they could appear and disappear. And in vv. 12 and 17 it seems their movement was limited to a straight forward motion. We will not enter into a complete coverage of the description, but it is very obvious these are supernatural creatures.

In our verse it say the cherubim had two faces. Could Ezekiel have been mistaken or could we be looking at a different type of creature? It is very possible, when the Lord showed Ezekiel the vision, the Lord could have made the images of the cherub three-dimensional. Or could it have been the way Ezekiel saw it? If Ezekiel is directly in front of one of the faces he is going to see the one he is in front of and the ones to the right and left. But now let’s move the position of Ezekiel, if he is not directly in front of a face (you guessed it) he will only see two faces.

Each cherub is facing a palm tree. Have you asked yourself what is the spiritual significance of this? I do not have a firm foundation for what could be its spiritual significance. I have never heard of any spiritual significance for this. Maybe there is no spiritual significance. The image consists of two objects one earthly, the palm tree, and the other heavenly, the sentinel cherubim. The cherubim are watching the palm trees from both sides. Is it possible it is only a reminder to all which see it that the Lord rules.

Ezekiel’s description of them is a compound figure possessing the features and properties of several animals. Ivory panels unearthed in Samaria have displayed similar creatures. Similar artifacts have been found in all areas of the world. There may not be a spiritual significance we are aware of, but this final information gives more proof of Noah and the flood. It seems to give us another proof the diversity of all mankind originated from a single source, Noah.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, thank you for all you have given me. Give me the eyes and wisdom to recognize all you have done. In today’s world the character of humans is to understand the things you do are either chance or mother nature. Help me so I might truly see, and let me have no doubts. Hear my prayer for I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen

Memory Verse:

“And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, within and without. The two doors also were of olive tree; and he carved upon them carvings of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubim, and upon the palm trees. And he carved thereon cherubim and palm trees and open flowers: and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved work.” 1 Kin. 6:29, 32, 35

We could not afford much in the way of Christmas gifts this year. Michelle made a quilt from nine pairs of jeans, a pair of sweat pants, four pairs of shorts, 8 shirts, and half a suit. She gave the quilt to Rose for Christmas. Rose made some banana bread gifts. I managed to get up the energy to deliver them. Ed and Francis, when we took the bread to them, gave us a bag of pecans. Joe and Cathy were happy to get theirs. When I took it over Cathy was outside looking for their cat. She had a black eye. The cat had run across her bed and it paw had landed right on her eye. When I got to Larry and Doris’ he had the virus also. If he could have flown, his nose was red enough he could have replaced Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. We took a couple of loaves to Roy. Several months ago he was being very rude, and Rose told him he did not need to do that. He got mad at her and has continued to be mad. He would not take the bread because Rose had cooked it.

Today I did work on the e-store some. I redesigned the product pages and made the images more easy to see. I also changed the numbering system. I do not like to go over country I have already passed, but I needed an item numbering system which was more than just numbers. I also placed in the FAQ page a statement of how much the shipping charges are. Beside this I added some electronic products.

The year is coming to an end. From this post it might sound like last year was a disaster, but it was good. Last year I was truly blessed. I have plans for the next year, but truthfully I do not have any idea of what is to come. I pray to the Lord we have another year of blessings.

I say so-long until we meet again. I will say a prayer for you, say one for me and may the Lord bless us.

The Mozambique South Annual (regional) Conference of the United Methodist Church met in one more session, at Cambine Mission on Dec. 6-11.

Hundreds of delegates among clergy and laypeople representing all the 16 districts and the 160 churches and evangelical extensions, made themselves present to the event to discuss issues that are crucial for the church in this part of the world.

This conference counted with the presence of a special guest, Bishop Katembo Kainda from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who came mainly to share his experiences on the sustainability of the church.

Discussions included the creation of superintendence districts, appointment of six superintendents for the districts and other actions.

Assisted by Katembo and the retired Bishop João Somane Machado, Mozambique Area Bishop Joanquina Felipe Nhanala ordained 18 new ministers of the word, among those 11 deacons and seven elders. This was the highest moment for those who have gone through many years of training. Now, they were just waiting for the fulfillment of the laying of hands as a way of giving authority for them to proclaim the Word of God for all the Nations.

The ordinands vowed to go and serve the community and to obey the rules and regulations of the United Methodist Church as they do their work, having God as their guide and protector.
João Sambo, one of the recently ordained pastors, says that it was a long way for him to get to ordination and he hopes to be able to perform according to God’s will and lead by his unfailing grace.

Asked what his feeling was after ordination, he said, “It is a strange feeling because every new thing brings us a lot of expectations and anxiety, and it is the end of one phase and starting of a new one.”

Sambo is a graduate from Africa University in Zimbabwe, where he attained his Bachelor of Divinity degree and he did his master’s degree at Emory University in Atlanta. Recently he served as the chaplain and full-time lecturer at Cambine Theological Seminary. His most recent appointment is at Liberdade United Methodist Church in Maputo West District.

While these servants of God are joining ordained ministry, three pastors celebrate their retirement. They feel happy for the years of work in the field of God, despite of the various sad experiences they have gone through. What matters now is the fact that they have accomplished their mission as God called them to do.

With assistance of Machado, Katembo delivered the message on Sunday as the conference was getting to its end. After reading from Mark 6:35-42, the preacher urged the Mozambican community to think about what they have so they will not consider themselves poor. Katembo said, “As the order comes for us to feed the people, we have to check were we are and see what we have to feed the people.” He emphasized that sustainability of the church must be taken seriously.

Thousands of United Methodists attended the closing service, and as always. it was a big celebration. Government leaders and other guests honored the service by their presence. A special offering was taken on behalf of the orphans of the late Rev. Benedito Mapswanganhe, a district superintendent, and his wife, who died in November and December, respectively.

The appointment of pastors and laypeople to the different ministries of the church was the most expected moment. A unique thing about these nominations is that only six district superintendents were appointed instead of 16 as habitual.