Daily Scriptures from Reverend Dan Johnson ~ Friday, 1 November 2013

Daily Scriptures from Reverend Dan Johnson ~ Friday, 1 November 2013 ~ Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.~-Exodus 20:12

I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy  because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,  being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."~-Philippians 1:3-6

Growing up in a conservative, Puerto Rican, evangelical home, to me the word 'saints' meant idols that some people worship, or freakishly holy people.  Not until Graduate school did I come to realize and appreciate what saints were/are.  I came to discover that saints are those people who exemplify the Christian walk.  They are not perfect individuals by any means, but are people who strive to follow Christ.  I then learned about the importance of those people in my life and I quickly identified who they were.  My parents - my Mom and Dad - are who I think of as the primary saints in my life.  I'm sure they'd be a little uneasy with this title, but it's genuine.  The primary individuals that showed me what it looks like to love God and to love others were (and still are) my parents.  It wasn't about them preaching to me, it was about the specific things I remember them doing while I observed them as a child growing up: being intentional about their prayer time, going out of their way to help strangers, refusing to gossip.  These things have stuck with me, and they are reminders that the children around you are watching - whether they're you're own children, kids of friends, or children in the faith who surround you.  I'm really excited and feel privileged to be preaching this Sunday, All Saints Day - I hope to see you there!  Today reflect on who have been or are the saints in your life.  How can you be a better example for those around you who are watching?
Esther

Esther Rodríguez

Associate Pastor

TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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Trinity United Methodist Church

4000 NW 53rd Avenue

Gainesville, FL 32653 United States

(352)376~6615

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