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Take Heart

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Psalm 27 October 18, 2026 • Mount Pleasant UMC The path to ordination in our denomination is long and somewhat complicated. It involves study, including earning a master’s degree, writing papers, having interviews and gaining approval by a Board. It’s more complicated now than when I went through, and having been a part of the Board that does the approving, I’ve sometimes wondered if I would have made it through today. But let me tell you what it was like for me. While I was still in seminary, I was writing papers for my professors while at the same time writing papers and answering questions for the Board. Once my ordination papers were submitted, I had to wait to find out when I would be interviewed. And once the interview was granted, I had to come back to Indiana—Kokomo, specifically, I still remember it—from Kentucky and wait to be called into the interview room. Then after it was all over, I had the long drive back to Kentucky where we waited to get a phone call as to whether o...
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Take Heart (Study Guide)

“Take Heart” Sermon Study Guide for October 18, 2026 Downloadable Version Scripture: Psalm 27 Multitasking… 1. “One Thing” (27:4) Mark 10:21 Luke 10:42 Philippians 3:13-14 2. The Question 1 Kings 3:5 Mark 10:46-52 3. Waiting Be strong… Take heart… Wait… Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Recall something you had to wait a long time for, something that would impact your future. What was your attitude? What do you remember from that time? How well do you multitask? What happens when you have many demands on you at once? What was the psalmist’s “one thing”? What is your “one thing”? Had you been Solomon or Bartimaeus, how would you have responded to the question asked of them? Why is it important that “wait” is a command in this psalm? What does that say to you? Where in your life do you currently need courage? Who has God placed in your life that can “loan” you faith and courage during your current waiting period? Scripture for the Week: Monday - Mark 10:17-31 Tuesday - ...
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Out of the Slimy Pit

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Psalm 40:1-5 October 11, 2026 • Mount Pleasant UMC On the wall hanging between my children’s rooms at our previous house was this sign: “Lord, give me patience to endure my blessings.” When we moved here, I put it outside Rachel’s room and it’s still outside that room today. My kids are a blessing, but they have tested my patience—a time or two. But I’ve rarely actually prayed that prayer because even I know that it seems the only way to develop patience is to be tested. And I think it might be dangerous to ask for that. This morning, we are continuing our visit to God’s “Waiting Room,” looking at what we can learn when we are waiting, either willingly or not (probably most often not), for God to move, for God to answer a prayer, for God to do something, anything, please Lord! As I said last week, generally we are a culture that does not like to wait. We want what we want when we want it! But the Bible talks a lot—I mean, a LOT—about waiting—specifically, waiting on the Lord. There...
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Out of the Slimy Pit (Study Guide)

“Out of the Slimy Pit” Sermon Study Guide for October 11, 2026 Downloadable Version Scripture: Psalm 40:1-5 “Lord, give me patience…” 1. Psalmist in a Slimy Pit troubles… the meaning of patience 2. When We’re Waiting a. Humble ____________________________ Hebrews 10:24-25 James 5:16 b. Remember _________________________ “a firm place to stand” c. Praying ____________________________ Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Is there a time when you prayed for patience? What happened? How was patience grown in you? What is the Biblical meaning of patience? How does the word “longsuffering” convey that idea? Why is it hard to admit that we need someone else, even if that someone else is God? In times of waiting do you draw near to others or push them away? What can you do in a practical way to help your spirit recall God’s faithfulness to you? What is the most recent time when God has shown faithfulness to you? How does imagination factor into your praying? What kind of futur...
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