'Developing Thankful Hearts'

The Psalmist captures the spirit of Thanksgiving in this simple verse: ‘The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand & satisfy the desires of every living thing.’(Ps.145:15-16) This is a beautiful vision of all living creatures looking to God for sustenance.  I picture baby birds in a nest cheeping and

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Rev. Jonathan Beck
'It's Not Too Difficult'

How often have you read something in Scripture that made you sigh like you were just asked to climb Mt Everest? All the ‘one another’ passages are challenging love as Christ loves you; accept one another as Christ Jesus accepted you; forgive each other as God forgave you in Jesus Christ; love your enemies; be patient

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Rev. Jonathan Beck
'Eyes on the Prize'

 I love All Saints Day – reading Hebrews 11 about the faithful who did great things for God and endured great things for God. It creates an opportunity to reflect on all the wonderful people who helped me become who I am as a person, as a Christian. I think of the big saints who changed world history – Abraham, Moses, Peter, John, Paul,

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Rev. Jonathan Beck
“What is it for?”

John Wesley had a clear understanding of what money was for in 1731. He was a student at Oxford University. He earned 30 pounds, discovered he could live on 28 pounds, and gave 2 pounds away. Later, he wrote books, pamphlets, and hymnals. He had speaking tours and other avenues of income. Later in life he made 120 pounds,

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Rev. Jonathan Beck
 'Living God's Vision' 

Munholland made a decision last Sunday to join our ministry with that of the Global Methodist Church. I truly believe that the Global Methodist Church (GMC) is the right place for Munholland. The GMC is in the business of “Making disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly.” That is exactly

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Rev. Jonathan Beck
 'The Feast' 

Jesus’s first message after He came out of the desert was, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” The Kingdom is a prominent theme throughout Jesus’ ministry. Toward the end of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says that,  “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.” (Matt 22:2) 

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Rev. Jonathan Beck
'Trust in Christ' 

Do you feel beat down by life? Do you dread going to work? Are you alone or frustrated? Are there people you hurt or hurt you? Most of the time we think about life through our emotional lenses. Our responses come out of our feelings. I know that when I let my feelings determine my responses, it doesn’t usually turn out well. 

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Rev. Jonathan Beck
Do You Trust the Truth?

Many religious leaders throughout the millennia have taught about truth. Some say they are pointing to the truth. Others say that certain rituals and rules lead you to the truth. Some say they are a prophet of truth, speaking the very voice of God. Some have a more modest self-presentation saying

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Rev. Jonathan Beck
'Make a Decision'

Have you ever held up paint swatches and been bewildered with the breadth of colors and myriad of shades? If you are like me, I look at them again and again, trying to figure out the optimal color and shade, and trying to imagine what it will look like when covering a large wall. 

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Rev. Jonathan Beck
'I Need a Nap'

I loved talking with my Granny about her childhood. It was so different from today. She’d wait on the steps of her house for her father to come home for lunch. They would eat together, then relax and perhaps take a nap. He went back to work at 2:00 pm. Their family wasn’t unique. 

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Rev. Jonathan Beck