If you’ve lived in Missouri for any length of time you no doubt know our slogan: The Show Me State. We use that phrase any time something seems too good to be true. “I’m from the Show Me State, so you’ve got to show me!” Just as Jerry Maguire’s client said in the movie of the same name, “Show me the money!”
As humans, we aren’t all that trusting, are we? Sometimes it’s with good cause. It seems that everybody has a scam of some sort going on. From telemarketers to text spam, to junk email and snail mail. Somebody wants you to believe that their offer is the best thing for you. We have a hard time believing what we can’t see. We want proof. I’m not taking your word for it; I’ve got to see it to believe it.
It's ok to have doubts. Thomas certainly did:
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
John 20:24-25
Thomas had his doubts, and truth be told we do, too. When we see wars, violence, and all kinds of evil occurrences, sometimes we long for proof that God is still with us. So, Jesus returns, just for Thomas. To dispel his doubts, but also to bless us, too!
26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
John 20:26-29
That’s US! Those who have heard the Word, seen His marks by faith, and we have come to believe for ourselves. Jesus turns the “seeing is believing” into “believing is seeing!” Those of us living today have not seen Jesus in the flesh, but we have come to believe in Him because of what we see of Him in the Bible, in creation and in one another. Friends, we have the Word of God, the wisdom of God, and the will of God. So, stop doubting and believe because believing is seeing!
Join us this Sunday as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper! You can worship in-house at 10:00am (masks optional), or you can also join us online. For online worship go to www.umcgt.org.
Mother’s Day & Confirmation Sunday! Next Sunday will be a triple blessing. We will celebrate the mothering spirit, and watch the next generation be confirmed in the faith! So, what’s the third blessing? The children will sing! So, grab your mom, stepmom, foster mom, dad-mom, grandma, nana, aunts, anyone who’s shown you that mothering spirit, and join in the celebration!
Organ Update. As of this day, we have received over $35,000 in pledges and cash donations for the Organ Fund! We’re over halfway there, church. The total cost of the new organ is $63,000. Please consider joining in generosity by making your pledge or donating directly. Together we can make it happen. If you would like a pledge card, please call the office at 314-469-6740.
See you on Sunday!
Blessings,
Pastor Linda
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