Overcoming Life’s Disappointments: Learning From Moses How to Cope With Frustrations

Kushner’s idea is to explain the inexplicable in terms that turn negatives into ways of coping. He skillfully uses the tale of Moses to manage the oh-so-true statement, “Nobody gets everything he or she yearns for.” Forbidden to enter the Holy Land? Having wandered for 40 years and endured complaints and rebels, Moses was tired; another leader deserved to take the lead. Plus, reading into the Bible and other religious tomes, the author finds that Moses ignored his family–a critical element comprising the complete life. Moses is not the only example used. Abraham Lincoln was weighed down by depression–or, in his case, what doesn’t kill us makes us strong. In all, the universal lessons for overcoming disappointment remain simple yet profound: remember who you’re working for, substitute new dreams for old, keep promises, be humble, maintain life’s priorities, forgive and forgive, and always dare to dream.  CLICK HERE to preview this book for FREE on-line!

The cost of this book, if you need one, is $10, and we must receive payment before we can order the book for you.

To sign up for this study that meets once a month on the 2nd Thursday of the month, contact Rev. Sims (tsims@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x229) or fill out the form below!

HEAVEN: Our Enduring Fascination with the Afterlife

According to various polls, most Americans believe in heaven even, as Miller points out, when they don’t know what heaven means. Miller, Newsweek’s religion editor, addresses what and where heaven is and why the concept endures. Having covered many aspects of religion and interviewed people of many different faiths, she offers portraits of famous and ordinary people as well as experts in religious studies to educe how their views do or, more commonly, do not reflect the “official teaching, whatever that is.” The crux of the book focuses on believers, not beliefs, “for how people imagine heaven changes with who they are and how they live.” Miller discusses the heavenly city, afterlife in the Hebrew Bible, resurrection, and salvation, includes a chapter on visionaries, and comments extensively on how heaven is portrayed in pop culture.

The cost of this book is $18, and we must receive payment before we can order the book for you.

To sign up for this study that meets once a month on the 1st Wednesday of the month, contact Rev. Sims (tsims@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x229) or fill out the form below!

If we get enough people registered, we hope to do a 4-week study using Justo L. Gonzalez’s book, When Christ Lives In Us. In this book, the author stresses that we are not simply to follow after Jesus but are actively to carry out the ministry of Christ who transforms our lives. He considers eight aspects of Jesus’ ministry and reflects on ways they can shape and guide our ministry as Christians: Calling, Praying, Feeding, Healing, Commissioning, Teaching, Witnessing, Giving.

We have 13 copies of this book, and so long as you are willing to donate it back to the church (notes, underlines, & scribbles included), the cost would be FREE. If you choose to keep the book, the cost would be $8.

Details about this class led by Rev. Sims:

• Day / Time: Thursdays, 10:30-12:00noon – Begins July 22
• Location: Rm 301 (Genesis Class)
• Book cost: $8 (or FREE if you are willing to donate it back to the church)
• Childcare available upon request.

Here is a short synopsis of the books up for consideration.  Please, pick your first and second choice below.  The second choice will only be considered for breaking a tie.

	HEAVEN: Our Enduring Fascination with the Afterlife by Lisa Miller (ISBN:  9780060554750)  According to various polls, most Americans believe in heaven even, as Miller points out, when they don’t know what heaven means. Miller, Newsweek’s religion editor, addresses what and where heaven is and why the concept endures. Having covered many aspects of religion and interviewed people of many different faiths, she offers portraits of famous and ordinary people as well as experts in religious studies to educe how their views do or, more commonly, do not reflect the “official teaching, whatever that is.” The crux of the book focuses on believers, not beliefs, “for how people imagine heaven changes with who they are and how they live.” Miller discusses the heavenly city, afterlife in the Hebrew Bible, resurrection, and salvation, includes a chapter on visionaries, and comments extensively on how heaven is portrayed in pop culture.  (About $18)
	JESUS: Uncovering the Life, Teachings, and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary by Marcus Borg (ISBN:  9780061434341)  This is Borg’s major book on the historical Jesus.  He shows how the Gospel portraits of Jesus, seen historically, make sense.  Borg takes into account all the recent developments in historical Jesus scholarship, as well as new theories on who Jesus was and how the Gospels reflect that – visioning Jesus as a charismatic healer, sage, and prophet, a man living in the power of the spirit and dedicated to radical social change. (About $11)
	OVERCOMING LIFE’S DISAPPOINTMENTS: Learning From Moses How to Cope With Frustrations by Harold S. Kushner (ISBN:  9781400033362) His idea is to explain the inexplicable in terms that turn negatives into ways of coping. Kushner skillfully uses the tale of Moses to manage the oh-so-true statement, “Nobody gets everything he or she yearns for.” Forbidden to enter the Holy Land? Having wandered for 40 years and endured complaints and rebels, Moses was tired; another leader deserved to take the lead. Plus, reading into the Bible and other religious tomes, the author finds that Moses ignored his family–a critical element comprising the complete life. Moses is not the only example used. Abraham Lincoln was weighed down by depression–or, in his case, what doesn’t kill us makes us strong. In all, the universal lessons for overcoming disappointment remain simple yet profound: remember who you’re working for, substitute new dreams for old, keep promises, be humble, maintain life’s priorities, forgive and forgive, and always dare to dream. (About $10)
	WHY I AM STILL A CHRISTIAN by Hans Küng (ISBN:  9780826476982)  The author is one of the most distinguished and widely-acclaimed theologians of the twentieth century. In this simple, personal and often moving testimony, Hans Kung describes his fundamental convictions and reveals why, despite all the difficulties he has to face, he is still committed to the Christian way. What Hans Kung has thought, experienced and expresses in this book will help others in their search for personal values and a sense of direction – and also help them realize the unique value and importance of the Christian way.  (About $15)

This retreat will feature:

• Free B-B-Q Lunch
• Free inspiration from Rev. Dean Libby
• Free fellowship

Your ONLY cost would be breakfast!

Other Details About the Retreat:

• We’ll meet at 9:00am at Pioneer Restaurant at 4545 Maplewood for Breakfast and a devotional.
  
• At 10:00am, we’ll head to Warren Ayres’ Ranch near Bellevue for a variety of activities:
  

• • Fishing;
  • Horse Shoes;
  • Eating;
  • Worship;
  • Learning;
  • Skeet Shooting;
    
  • Fellowship, and MORE!
• We’ll be finished about 4:00pm
  

The DEADLINE to register is Wednesday, May 12, 2009, so go ahead and register now by filling out the form below!

For more information, contact
Rev. Troy Sims, Christian Education Pastor: 940-766-4231, x229.

Those who want to have a better understanding of their Christian faith will benefit from this book, as will those who say this prayer regularly and by heart but who have never reflected closely on what it means to join in community and raise these petitions as Jesus instructed.

Class Details:

• Four (4) Thursdays, beginning May 6, 2010
• 10:30-12:00noon
• Rm 302 (Genesis Classroom)
• Book costs $11 each (payment must be received before the book will be ordered)
• Childcare available upon request.
• Register below!

For more information, contact
Rev. Troy Sims (tsims@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x229)

Saving Jesus from the Church: How to Stop Worshiping Christ and Start Following Jesus

Note these endorsements by past Perkins Lecturers:

• “Meyers’ insightful and provocative critique of contemporary Christianity will stimulate energetic theologizing: deconstruction, reconstruction, or impassioned defense of the inherited tradition. Thank you, Robin, for convening this urgently needed conversation.” (Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr., president and founder of The Healing of the Nations Foundation)
• “The time is right for this book and this book is right for the time.” (Fred B. Craddock, Bandy Distinguished Professor of Preaching and New Testament Emeritus, Emory University)

Class details:

• Sundays, beginning May 2, 2010
• 4:30-6:00pm
• Rec. Lobby
• Book costs $12 (we must receive money before ordering the book)

Register for this class below!

What are your initial thoughts about these hot topics?

Why do you feel that way?

Have your opinions changed over the years concerning these topics?  If so, how and why?

What, if anything, does the Bible say about these topics?

• Monday, April 12
  8:00pm – Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony & Candlelight Vigil at Sunwatcher Plaze on the MSU Campus

• Tuesday, April 13
  2:00-4:00pm – Judaism 101: History & Culture with Dr. Nathan Jun in Wichita I & II at the Clark Student Center on the MSU Campus

• Wednesday, April 14
  7:00-9:00pm – Judaism 102: Rituals & Traditions with Danny Kislin in Wichita I & II at the Clark Student Center on the MSU Campus

• Monday, April 19
  7:00pm – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, a FREE showing of a film about an unlikely friendship that develops between a 7 year old German boy and a young Jewish prisoner in Auschwitz in Shawnee Theater at the Clark Student Center on the MSU Campus.

• Thursday, April 29
  7:00pm – Holocaust survivor Max Glauben at House of Jacob Reformed Synagogue, 3414 Kemp Blvd

CLICK HERE to learn more about these very special events.

“The Circumcision of the Heart” (1733) – April 8

“The Scripture Way of Salvation” (1765) – April 15

“Causes of the Inefficacy of Christianity” (1789) – April 22

This study will begin April 8 on Thursdays from 10:30-12:00noon.

Sign up below!