As we read through Paul’s letters to Timothy regarding his leadership and vision for the church, you have the opportunity to send your short verses to Seaside. What would you like to share with your church family? What words of encouragement, inspiration or vision is God placing on your heart today? Simply use the comments section below to share your letters to Seaside with us!
Are we as a Church family prepared for the possibility that we can lose everything that we hold to be important in our earthly existence!
This is just something to ponder!
My friends , brothers and sisters , are we prepared for even more difficult times to come ? A true test of faith !
Pastor Daniels, as the Shepard of your flock, I want to commend you sir on the excellent manner of keeping us informed on the Word. Thanks.
This is similar to Stefanie’s reminders that God’s judgment, just as his law, is nothing to fear, but is actually a reason to rejoice. His laws and judgement release us to truly be “His” in all that we say and do. We are free to love, serve, and care for ALL and to walk in his steps. No retrictions! It just doesn’t get better than this.
Everyone I talk to can’t wait for this situation we’re in to be over and “get back to normal”. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll ever get back to normal. As Pastor Francis says, we’re in a New Normal and that’s what I think will continue as we move forward, even after restrictions are lifted.
The New Normal is a life of reflection and examination of the lives we lived before the virus and a realization that we can live a better life after casting off those habits and activities we did before that are no longer productive. God has given us this time to pray about our lives and show us how we should be living to better serve Him.
Oh yes, Doug. I so agree and rejoice in the opportunities laid before us!
I want to thank our church leaders for this group study, reflections & video devotions. What a blessing this is to me & I’m sure countless others. God has not changed, he is with us & he will use this “new normal” in exciting ways. Pray our eyes & ears will be open to see it, experience it, love in it. Peace.
Patience! It is something I struggle with and pray about daily,,,having patience with those whose ideas differ from mine..having patience with the uncertainty of this “new normal”. Today’s reading was meant for me!
As we wait , hopefully in patience, for this time of trial to pass , scripture gives us words to reflect on !
Be Still and wait for the Lord!
It is a time to reflect on our relationship with Christ and with each other ( our neighbors)
Returning into our Saviors love and grace by way of true Repentance as exhibited by Paul in today’s reading , will enable us to continue to forbear in these days of great trial !!
Thank you pastors once again
Joe Gronostajski.
I am aware the annual UMC meeting has been postponed until next year. I assume the vote on “the split” over lgbtq and gay clergy will also be put off til then. In the meantime, where does Seaside come to on these issues which our liberal and conservative bureaucrats and members differ and ultimately will split?
What will determine whether we stay or go?
Will it be a majority vote of Seaside members?
Hi Lloyd,
We really don’t have an answer to your question until after General Conference meets which has now been postponed until some time in 2021. Until then we continue to pray for discernment and wisdom on the part of our leaders and Bishops. Thanks for your question. I hope y’all are well. I miss seeing you. Blessings. Francis
I suppose that many men struggled with the ideals put forward in Timothy that should be incorporated in our daily lives as followers of Christ ! Count yours truly among them ! The qualities described as being required of men who desire to be called “Deacon “ of the church are quite stringent indeed ! They are indeed what all men of faith should strive for !
I myself have struggled in various areas outlined by Paul in his letters to Timothy!
I am however reminded that I am only one of many that are in need of God’s Grace that leads to repentance and forgiveness found in Romans 3:23 ! “All have sinned and have fallen short of God’s glory” !
Thank you Lord for you word that inspires and leads to SALVATION!!
Oh, to hear the words of the call to the alter. To leave all my burdens there.
I will always keep that feeling in my heart, when Jesus lifted my burdens away!
Franklin, you have brought great healing to my soul. Through your presentation of the Word, I have renewed my faith.
Thank you. I love you and the Love of God you share.
1. It is direction, not perfection.
2. You can’t look into another person’s heart, but you can be a fruit inspector.
3. Is that a stuffed owl on the shelf behind you?
4. Gonna miss your Southern drawl.
. Yes. My drawl surely give me a way. That is an owl, but not stuffed. Gail bought that for my bookcase after we saw a snowy owl on my neighbors boathouse a few December’s ago.
I have found a great need for spiritual healing during these passed weeks of corona virus !
Looking to devotional reading and prayers and inspiration from our clergy !
Paul’s letter to Timothy is a great source of information on how to stay strong and persevere!
Please keep all those who are struggling to deal with the effects of this ongoing time of trial , both spiritual. and physical in your prayers, including yours truly !
Thank you for serving the needs of the congregation!
Joe Gronostajski .
Not sure why this hit me so forcefully today, but when I read in v 9b of 1 Tim. 1 this morning that God’s grace was given to us in Christ Jesus – before the ages began – I came to a complete stop and sat here in a renewed awe. In answer to Pastor’s question #3 – “What can I do today to strengthen my assurance in Christ?” I just did it. I read 1Tim. 1:9.
As I contemplate the unmerited nature of God’s mercy , I am reminded of the many times in my life that God shed His mercy on me !
Times when I was in a desert place , in need of divine intervention!
Thank you for your great gift of mercy Lord !
We are needful people who would be lost without your great mercy and love for us ! Amen
We can do all things though Christ who strengthens us!!
We have been blessed by God with the leadership of Francis, Stephanie, and Kathryn that they have provided in this time of tribulation.
We look forward to the opportunity to worship together again.
Thank you Francis for your continued blessing upon us via the daily devotions. I know that this too shall pass too but until then I am enjoying them each morning. Thank you Pastor
I must confess to my God , and you my brothers and sisters at Seaside UMC , that during these most difficult times my faith has been sorely tested ! I confess that the old devil himself has infiltrated my defenses and preyed on my confusion as I ponder all that is happening in the world and in my life, and the lives of my family !
Asking prayers from my Seaside Family and grace and forgiveness ! Amen
Joe,
You are not alone! You are not alone in your doubts and confusion, nor are you alone in being left to fend for yourself in what often looks to be a “God Forsaken World.” However, we know that our God never forsakes us, has promised to be with us until the end and also totally understands our anger, confusion, sadness and heartbreak. Please know that I pray for your strength and comfort in these terribly uncertain and disconcerting days. The Scriptures speak often of our trials and tribulations and each time reminds us that our King of Kings will walk us through it all and our faith will only be strengthened and fortified in the aftermath. Instead of quoting some of these verses, I will give you the following website where many verses are listed for simple reminders of who we are and Whose we are (https://www.openbible.info/topics/being_tested). You are not alone. You are never alone!
Joe,
You are not alone! You are not alone in your doubts and confusion, nor are you alone in being left to fend for yourself in what often looks to be a “God Forsaken World.” However, we know that our God never forsakes us, has promised to be with us until the end and also totally understands our anger, confusion, sadness and heartbreak. Please know that I pray for your strength and comfort in these terribly uncertain and disconcerting days. The Scriptures speak often of our trials and tribulations and each time reminds us that our King of Kings will walk us through it all and our faith will only be strengthened and fortified in the aftermath. Instead of quoting some of these verses, I will give you the following website where many verses are listed for simple reminders of who we are and Whose we are (https://www.openbible.info/topics/being_tested). You are not alone. You are never alone!
Interesting how the Devil uses “you are always alone” as his weapon upon us & we all hear that so clearly YET we have scripture upon scripture & songs we sing that reassure us strongly that we are never alone. A human kind weakness is doubt. Read the words from God constantly until you believe & hear that voice more loudly than of the evil one. We can all relate right now! Times are stressful & scary. We are right there in the jail cell with Paul! I want out too! May God be with us & feel his presence today! Love, Mary
I have for some time contemplated scripture verses that instruct the faithful to come under the authority of lawful civil governance!
My question to our ministry team is what should a good Christian do if civil authority becomes unlawful or oppressive?
This is not an easy issue to deal with understandably!
Would like to here from you on this subject !
Thank you Joe Gronostajski
In answer to question #1 for today’s consideration, I believe that the Church as established by Christ must adhere to the truths as they appear in scripture !
The controversies arise when our hearts and minds allow humanistic , and worldly ideals to infiltrate the doctrines of faith espoused in the scriptures !
There are too many folks ,both laity and ministry in the Church, that have diverse views about what the Bible says on certain truths that should be undisputed!
The Bible contains God’s true word !
It’s not my truth or your truth!
It is the TRUTH the WHOLE TRUTH,
And nothing but the TRUTH!! Amen !
THANK YOU FRANCIS. For the past 6 weeks of thought filled devotions, I will miss them, but more than that I will miss you and you. Thanks again for a year of your time at Seaside,enjoy retirement!
It is with deep appreciation for Francis and Stephanie that i write these few words. Our study of Timothy and Titus has given me so much hope for the present and future of our church, and what we together can continue to build upon. It amazed me how appropriate Paul’s words were for us today in our changing times. God bless us all as we continue to strive to do His will!
We thank you so much for these devotionals, which I’ve shared with others. They have been part of our morning routine, to be fed in His Word and we truly appreciate your effort in sending them. It saddens us to think of you not being at Seaside anymore. Wherever God takes you on your next journey, may it be filled with many blessings for you & Gale. You have blessed us with your guidance, allowing us to draw closer to Jesus! Thank you Pastor Daniel.
Thank you Francis for these last six weeks of daily devotions. Your messages have been so uplifting to us during these new normal times. You and Gale have been a blessing to us and hope our paths will cross again.
Thank you Francis! These have been like sitting down with an old friend to talk about the word, life, struggles, & victories! I do say, I never see you in the same shirt twice- Gayle dresses you well, lol! God bless you both in your next season of life.