First United Methodist Church

We love stories of bravery and courage. We like to imagine ourselves as both brave and courageous when facing our fears, in the heat of the moment, or when the battle tests our character. We dream of being heroes and heroes are always brave and courageous. The words are often synonymous. Yet, there is a difference between bravery and courage. It’s a difference that will strengthen our faith.

Merriam-Webster defines bravery as the quality or state of having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty. I want to be brave. I want to have the strength to face any obstacle, take on any task, resist any evil, and do what’s good and right against all odds. It’s a romantic notion. Sometimes, thinking I’m brave, I’ll jump head-first into a situation without thinking it through. Sometimes, it works out for the best – thank God! Sometimes, it proves how ignorant I can be. Perhaps a better word rhymes with stew and pid.

I remember one summer weekend I was visiting my sister in the Tulsa area. They lived in a relatively new neighborhood where the neighbors took care of each other. We were in the backyard when we heard some glass break. Her yard was on a slope and we saw over her fence where two guys were breaking into her neighbor’s car. Without thinking, I dashed toward the fence. In an adrenaline filled jump, I grabbed the top and vaulted over the six-foot privacy fence. Landing in a sprint, I began yelling at the would-be robbers. They saw me, dropped what they were doing, jumped back in their car, and sped off. I told my brother-in-law to call the cops as I attempted to hold the back of their car in flipflops and futility. It was all in as if I could chase them down or stop them!

What would I have done if I stopped them? Who knows. What if they stopped or turned and ran me over? That though never crossed my mind. They got away. When I looked down, my hands were cut-up and bleeding from the wooden fence posts. That’s bravery.

Then, Merriam-Webster defines courage as the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous. Unlike bravery, with courage you know what you’re doing. You’ve examined the risks and the possible outcomes, knowing full well things may not go as planned. Then, despite the trepidation of fear, pain, and failure, you go forth anyway. Essentially, courage is facing your fear and overcoming it.

Sometimes, for the sake of our faith, we act bravely. Sometimes, through faith, we act courageously.

In Joshua 1:9, God says, “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Perhaps a better translation is to holdfast and be courageous. On the eve of entering the Promised Land, the Israelites were scared. Moses, their powerful God connected leader was dead and gone. Anxiety was at an all time high. Yet, God was with them. They held fast to their faith. They mustered the courage to face and overcome their fears. When they did, God gave them the victory.

May we have the courage to live our faith. Even on days when we know it’s going to hurt, let’s holdfast to our faith and follow Jesus courageously. Even when we don’t want to show mercy, offer grace, or extend unconditional love, let’s live into the greatest actions of faith -courageously. This way, we will truly make life better and you better at life through Jesus Christ.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Daniel

Beginning this year, we will be posting birthdays in the monthly newsletter for any birthdays in the upcoming month. If your birthday is is the current month but doesn't appear, that means we don't have it in our data base, so pleased email me with your birthdate. If you are unsure if we have that information, feel free to email me and I will check.

Laura

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EVERYONE WITH A FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY!

February 01 Ann Steelman
February 01 Hannah Lundry
February 01 Taylon Peterson
February 01 Tony Taylor
February 02 Doug VanDolah
February 02 Glenda Lanning
February 02 Paulette Hill
February 03 Mat Powell
February 04 Joan Barker
February 05 Ashley Barker
February 05 Bev Thompson
February 05 Monica Cole
February 05 Sarah Vaughn
February 05 Sid Hunt
February 06 Jean Adams
February 06 Nancy Seabaugh
February 07 Jennifer Helms
February 07 William Kimbriel
February 08 Diane Murphy
February 09 Whitney Madison
February 10 Ted Roney
February 11 Caitlyn King
February 12 David Thompson
February 12 Larry Gobble
February 13 Jim Bodenhamer
February 13 Jonelle Luman
February 14 Bobbi Brown
February 14 Flossie Wiessend
February 14 Susanne Chock
February 14 Trey Czeschin
February 14 Wesley Werner
February 15 Diane Vincent
February 15 Kathy Bodenhamer
February 15 Ron Vincent
February 16 Gwen Zoch
February 16 2016 Cannon Lee
February 17 Kay Wilson
February 18 Al Vekovius
February 18 Anita Buswell
February 18 Beverly Green
February 18 Debra St. Romain
February 18 Janice Williams
February 18 Rosa Frost
February 19 Ollie Tyler
February 20 Bennett Elkins
February 21 Marty Steele
February 22 Alea Vaccarella
February 23 Judy Recer
February 23 Sally Moore
February 23 Tommy Wren
February 24 Janet Hodgin
February 24 Norm Zielinski
February 24 Tom Kiley
February 27 Cathy Roshon
February 28 Kelly Atkinson