Cook's United Methodist Church

06/01/2026

You making it ok? I know life happens and some weeks it happens at lightening speed. We're now 152 days in ... into the new year, into reading scripture and walking by faith together. That's a lot! [If we were to use a true walking picture of all our travels thus far, it might look like this: we've "walked" for 152 days, an average of 8,000 steps a day (sometimes we're behind, sometimes we're right on course) and that is 1,216,000 steps. If we guestimate that there are 2,500 steps in a mile (for us short-steppers), we've "walked" 486 miles. No wonder we're tired.
And, I want to encourage you to keep walking. We won't leave you behind. Start right where you are. The journey begins with deciding you can with God's help and, then, listening to your Creator!

These are some of my insights from the week of May 28 - May 31:

May 28, worship + reflection
* I love the foundational truths about relationship with God that our writers offered us this day: one, God doesn't assign suffering to us in response to wickedness and deceit. Those may come to us as natural consequence of the lack of integrity, denial of true self. But, God doesn't work that way. Two, integrity and righteousness always honor God and are our best posture no matter other options.
* We can hear, in Job's responses to his friends, a growing frustration, even desperation in the posturing that's reflected in his questions. As his frustration with his friends grows wider, so it seems his frustration with God does, too.

May 29, Job 35-37
* Elihu just has to speak to Job AND to his friends. And, he's clear about Job's two basic complaints: there seems to be no profit in righteous behavior/living since suffering comes anyway and it is a conundrum that God seems to not care about or even know the cries of a broken heart.
* We would do well to remember, especially in times of frustration and confusion, that God's thoughts and ways are not like ours. (Isaiah 55:8)
* Our sin does NOT affect God the same way it affects other people; it ALWAYS affects other people.
* I love the thought from Chapter 36 that God is mighty but despises no one; of course, God doesn't ... God made each of us. He loves us dearly. And, God is great beyond our understanding. I am grateful we don't have to understand God's grace and mercy in order to receive it as our blessing!

May 30, Job 38-39
* God finally speaks! And, out of a storm at that!
* I happened to be in Decatur, GA on the day of this reading and had the opportunity to walk the Callenwolde Fine Arts Center for our "homework." The vibrant color of so many blooms, the indescribable detail and variety of plant life, the smell of green and water filling the air ... air that was already filled with an electric joy because of the occasion of love that drew us all to Callenwolde (for a wedding). Taking inventory of such reality made me feel even more appreciate of and grateful for the presence of God in that place.
* I love these images drawn for us by God about His love for his creation: the morning stars singing together, the angels/sons of God shouting for joy, storehouses for snow and hail, the image of God sending lightning bolts like a javelin thrower sends the spear ...
* And, the ostrich! who doesn't have much wing power or seem to have much sense, but laughs at horse and rider when he takes off running! Ha!
* The evidence of God's character, God's goodness, God's wisdom and creativity, God's LOVE is amazing and endless!

May 31, Job 40-42
* God doesn't answer any of Job's questions or those hinted at by Job's friends. God simply reveals the Divine self. That's enough.
* God ALLOWED Satan to test Job BECAUSE Job feared (read: trusted, sought, had confidence in) God AND God knew that the testing would strengthen Job's faith IF Job allowed it, continued to trust God even in unspeakable heartbreak and suffering.
* I loved these questions from God that get at the 'bigness' of God: can your voice thunder like mine? can you make a pet out of Leviathan?
* Job's response is filled with love and appreciation for God's goodness: (my translation) I know you can do all things, that no purpose of yours will ever be derailed or brought to nothing; I spoke to you and about you without knowledge. I heard you and, now, I "know" you (have experienced you, in a new way!). I repent (turn back to you!).
* I'm not sure what it says about me, but I really like that God sent Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar to Job for priestly intercession via sacrifice and prayer. It is because of Job's willingness to act in such a way that healing and restoration come to them all. His willingness results in all four coming before God in submission.

The questions I'm asking myself because I've read these portions of the Holy Scriptures:
1. Being "little" is an apt descriptor for some of God's creation, but never defines value of that part of creation. To whom or to what, even of self, have you assigned "little" as a measure of value? What needs to change in your beliefs about God and God's ways to change that measure and keep from doing that again?
2. What of God's creation and God's interaction with humanity/all of creation move you to respond, "WOW!" and celebrate God's bigness? God's smallness?
3. What person(s) would you dread asking for priestly intercession (the way Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar might have felt asking their "friend" Job for ministration) that could restore right relationship with God as well as with your 'friend(s)'? What good might come from that shift in your relationship? Why not risk it now for the sake of restoration?

I look forward to moving into the psalms! And, I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!

Sandra

BTW: check out "Where Were You?" by Todd Agnew for a riff on God's responses to Job (warning, it's a bit of a rock anthem and I love it!). also, check out "Everything is Spiritual" video by Rob Bell for some mind-blowing information about the bigness/smallness of God that most of us would never know (except for someone educating us!).

05/31/2026

We regret that we are unable to livestream The Well this morning. We’ll see you soon!

05/31/2026

Sunday, May 31, 2026

05/27/2026

Walking Together, May 27

05/25/2026

Walking Together, May 21-24
We hope and pray your holiday weekend is filled with rest and laughter and hope! We certainly remember those who have served our nation, especially those who have paid the ultimate price for us to know freedom.

I've included some insights from our readings in the book of Job. I'd love to hear some things you're discovering or realizing as YOU read!

May 21, Worship and Reflection
The writers of our guide (The Daily Walk Bible) point out that there are extreme swings in human experience named in today's readings.
Extremes like that tend to tempt us to comparison. Why do "they" not get this break, or that reward? Why ... why ... why!

Have you ever gotten stuck in the "why's?!" Did you get any understanding/wisdom from God? How were you able to move past the unanswered question(s)?

Trusting in God's knowledge of and willingness to handle our situations toward our best may be one of the most difficult tests we 'take' again and again through life.

May 22, Job 18-19
Bildad challenges Job yet again. And, Job, though he feels pressed by his friends' ineffective counsel, he still hopes in God and in God's promises.

Bildad begins to describe what ultimately comes in life to those who are wicked and, then, insinuates that Job is that kind of man.

Job, in his reply to Bildad, lets his friend(s) know that their words of reproach are crushing to him, that he feels attacked by them. And, in my opinion, speaks the most beautiful, hopeful truth: I KNOW that my Redeemer lives!

Have you ever been misunderstood by, poorly counseled by, felt 'shorted' by a friend in their estimation of who you are and the circumstance of your life? How did you handle the hurt? Did resolution ever come or was your friendship ever changed?

While Job feels at odds with both his friends and even with his God, Job testifies: I know that my Redeemer lives! Remember that, in Old Testament understanding, a redeemer was necessary to restore you to right relationship with God because you could not do that for yourself.

May 23, Job 20-21
Zophar can't stand the 'nonsense' that he thinks Job is spouting, so he says he MUST speak. He feels dishonored with Job's rebuke of him/them and he, too, speaks about what comes to the wicked (eventually) and likens Job to that kind of person.
And, Job replies ... Listen! (Can I just say, I reaalllllly don't like it when individuals begin an answer/response in this way. It feels condescending and frustrated but in an I'm-better-than-you-mindset.) Job, in no way ever, has tried to cover his misery at every level - body, mind and spirit. Why do the wicked have no consequences for their rebellious, selfish living?!
Still, Job closes his response in this round by acknowledging that the prosperity of the wicked is NOT in their own hands so he refuses to stand with them. Prosperity for any of us is a gift from God, again, at every level. Job still knows God's goodness.

The "why" questions of life are still on repeat with Job for very good reason. And, he still is finding no satisfying answer.

In order to stand in the position of trust in God to be known, loved and protected, especially in what feels unending silence, if not absence, to what truth of God do you cling? For me, I have to remind myself that God's ways, God's wisdom, God's vision and plan is much different than mine. God's ways and wisdom are so much higher than mine, I can't possibly understand the details of it all. I simply must trust. So, I tell God just that ... "I'm trusting and trying to trust more deeply with every moment. I know you don't think like I do and I'm glad of that! And, though I try, I can't think, know, see as completely as you! Please comfort me and encourage me in this waiting time, Lord. Thank you, in advance!"

May 24, Job 22-24
Eliphaz comes at Job again, naming possible sins that are the secret or the blame for his situation. Remember, Eliphaz is convinced that the cause-and-effect reasoning best explains why we suffer. His advice (again and still) for Job is to repent: submit to God, accept instruction, remove wickedness from your 'home' and return to God. Well, 'returning' would indicate that one had left or wandered away.
Job is very vulnerable in his admission that he feels as if he can't find God, that God isn't close at all. He confesses that God's hand on him feels heavy yet to have a hand on Job God would need to be close. Job shows us, in my opinion, the dichotomy that we all struggle to make sense of in our journey in faith - we can feel far from God yet know that God is close. There are MANY dichotomies in the economy of God where opposites can both be true.
Job was hurt because his friends were trying harder to be right than to stand with their friend.

Have you ever felt pulled between two seemingly opposite thoughts or feelings or questions? Are you the kind of person who just has to resolve the dichotomy and decide on a true or right "answer"? Or, can you, with some ease, release having to figure out the conundrum?

It may seem that we keep recirculating the same arguments between Job and his friends. Each time one of these four speaks anew, try to imagine their desire to be understood and respected, their frustration and pain that those who are arguing against them are, in fact, friends. Feel the heightening arguments that are pulling them farther and farther away from the reality of Job's losses, grief and illness. And, let's persevere.

See you soon!
Sandra

05/24/2026

05/24/2026

5/31/26 - Pentecost at 8:45 - Cook's United Methodist Church

Mt Juliet, TN - Wilson County, TN

05/23/2026

Don’t forget to wear colors of fire for Pentecost this Sunday, May 24!

05/20/2026

Walking Together, May 20