Pond Eddy United Methodist Church

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06/05/2026

From the Pastor: Friday June 5, 2026 – Good Morning! Yesterday, we began talking about Act III – the Creation and we ended with Adam and Eve. That is right where I want to pick up today. God said: “let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” And so He did and He placed Adam and Eve in the Garden. At that time, a great glory was bestowed upon us. All of us – men and women – were created in the image of God. “Fearfully and wonderfully made” as the Psalm says… we were glorious. Look at the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 8: “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers – the moon and the stars you have set in place – what is man that you are mindful of him. And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him only a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.” As John Eldredge puts it: We’ve all heard about original sin in the Garden of Eden, but have you ever thought about ORIGINAL GLORY, which came before sin and is deeper in our nature? Hmmm… We were crowned with glory and honor. God created us in His image, with powers like unto His own – the ability to reason, to create, to share intimacy, to know joy. He gives us laughter, and wonder and imagination, and above all else, He endows us with that one quality for which He is most known: God enables us to love. God gives us the greatest treasure in all creation: a heart. For He intends that we should be His intimate allies. And with that heart comes something that is just staggering. God gives us the freedom to reject Him. He gives each of us a will of our own. Good grief! Why? He knows what free willed creatures can do. He has already suffered one massive betrayal in the rebellion of the angels. He knows how we will use our freedom, what misery and suffering will be unleashed on earth because of our choices. So, WHY? Why would He give us free will to love Him or not? Because if you want a world where love is real, you must allow each person the freedom to choose. God is not a puppeteer. You cannot force anyone to love you. Love is a choice. So I hope and pray that today you will choose to love one another – to do loving things for those you know and love, and be kind, and gentle to those you don’t know for that is loving them also. I’ll be back tomorrow. Have a blessed day! Hugs! 😊

06/04/2026

From the Pastor: Thursday, June 4th, 2026 Today, we are going forward in the story we have been dropped down in the middle of; once again I am indebted to John Eldredge and his little book called “Epic.” Act I begins far back before the beginning of time when all that existed was God – the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God has always existed and He has always been the Trinity – relational – OUR story is relational to the core. Act II is about the angels – the spiritual beings who share this story with us whether we know it or not – and especially about the arc angel Lucifer who fell from heaven when he wanted to take God’s place upon the throne of heaven – a very important part of the Story. Today we begin Act III of the Story and it begins in darkness: “In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was without form or void, and darkness covered the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” God breaks the silence: “Light be!!” And light was!! Another word is spoken and the great canopy of the heavens is unfurled – a sky more blue than you’ve ever seen it, yet translucent when it is dark to reveal the stars that lie beyond. Another word, and the seas draw back to reveal the land masses of earth. And so God continues in creating the world… the dimension, the variety of it, the beauty. Awesome! Just awesome! And then when He gets to the animals – the birds – eagles, hawks, goldfinches, cardinals, the hummingbirds, and then the animals in the sea: myriad kinds of fish, and octopus, starfish, sea horses, dolphins, and the great whale “He made to frolic there,” as Psalm 104 tells us…and the land animals: bears, lions, elephants, giraffes, wolves and so many more!! God’s creation is truly amazing. And the butterflies and moths and the insects! Have you ever seen a dobsonfly – ever see one of them? Big! (That’s what those hellgrammites that hide under the rocks in the river grow up to be. Those of you who grew up here on the Delaware, remember them?) Our world is astounding!! Beautiful!! Vast!! And then something truly amazing happens: “then God said, let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the wild animals of the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created Him, male and female. He created them.” (Gen. 1:26-27) Adam and Eve. As John Eldredge says: “Let’s bring this a little closer to home. Whose idea was it to create the human form in such a way that a lover’s kiss could be so delicious… and we know that God didn’t stop there…” And He placed Adam and Eve in the garden. The beginning of Act III…. More to come… but for now, enjoy God’s beautiful creation today…Peace & Blessings and Hugs! 😊

06/03/2026

From the Pastor: Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Good Morning everyone…. We’ve covered a lot of ground through this story series, and I apologize that it was interrupted for such a long period of time. Perhaps I have written some things that you have wondered about but didn’t know about or even how to find out about them. We do not need to understand everything that we read in the Bible And I don’t understand everything I read – and I am so grateful to folks who have gone before and given us so much wisdom and insight into scriptures. And even though I may not understand everything that I read, I do know this much: The Word of God was given to us so that we could understand as much about God and His great love for us as is humanly possible. I have questions that I want to ask of God when I get to heaven. But while I am walking this earth, I will use the Bible as my standard of Truth. There has to be a standard of Truth in our lives. (And Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” And I believe Him.) When we don’t have Truth, we are lost, unbalanced, unable to figure things out, and without the peace that God wants us so much to have!! The entrance of evil into our world is part of the story that we just can’t throw away. The record of Jesus going out into the wilderness and being tempted by Satan… and in the book of Luke following the temptations when the angels came and ministered to Jesus and then scripture says, ‘Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.” (Luke 4:12). Do you know what that opportune time was? You can turn to the Gospel of Luke chapter 22 verse 3 where it says: “Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains how he might betray Him to them.” Satan is real, folks. I believe the Scriptures - the Bible and you can too! So have a blessed day… enjoy God’s beautiful creation on this glorious Spring day! Hugs! 😊

06/02/2026

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026 Good Morning! Before I left for Florida back on April 21st, I was writing about “the story (the tale) that we have been dropped into,” and I would like to go back and continue that “series.” I think the last thing I wrote about was Lucifer and how he became prideful and jealous of God and wanted God’s position, wanted God’s glory, and after a battle he and his angel followers were cast out of heaven… I am amazed at the naivety that most people live with regarding evil. One man told me once, “I don’t believe in the devil – evil comes out of people…” And I’m thinking, okay, who put the evil in the people – in their hearts? Some people just don’t take evil seriously… and yet, if you believe in God and you believe in the Bible, it is there for us…Not the devil prancing around in red tights and a pitchfork, but the incarnation of the very worst enemy you’ve met in every other story… the Holocaust, child prostitution, terrorist bombings, domestic terrorism, genocidal governments… You see, life is very confusing if you and I don’t take into account that there is a villain… that you and I have an Enemy. In his book, “Mere Christianity”, C.S. Lewis wrote these words: “One of the things that surprised me when I first read the New Testament seriously was that it talked so much about a Dark Power in the universe – a mighty evil spirit who was held to be the Power behind, death, disease, and sin. Christianity thinks this Dark Power was created by God, and was good when he was created, and went wrong. Christianity agrees: this is a universe at war.” Satan mounted his rebellion through the power of an idea: “God is holding out on us. I want what God has.” And there was the insurrection of Satan and his angels – against God and His angels, and Satan lost the battle –and he and his evil angels were hurled out of heaven. That is the part of the story I need you to know about. That is the part of the story that came before the Book of Genesis “When God created the heavens and the earth…” The Garden of Eden – Paradise – such a beautiful place and there Adam walked and talked with God - And then: The serpent tempted Eve…and what was the thought he gave Eve? “God is holding out on you. You will not surely die…” The serpent was calling God’s own heart – His Great Heart of Love – into question .And Eve listened. So today, as you are doing whatever is on your agenda, remember that God has showed us His Great Heart of Love, by sending His only Son to die on a cross for us and bring us back to our Heavenly Father. May you know that you are surely loved – peace and blessings to you today. Hugs! 😊

05/31/2026

From the Pastor: Sunday May 31st, 2026 Good Afternoon – Correction…I should have written Jimmy Bisland, not Roger… Sorry…

05/31/2026

From the Pastor: Sunday, May 31, 2026 Good Morning! It is Sunday once again and I invite you to worship with us this morning at 10:00 a.m. It has been a privilege and an honor these last two days to share and celebrate the lives of Terry Zorn and Roger Bisland. Please keep these families in your prayers… Have a blessed day today, worshipping the Lord wherever you are! Hugs! 😊

05/28/2026

From the Pastor: Thursday, May 28, 2026 Good Morning! I was praying this morning and knowing that I have a couple of very busy days coming up – Preparing for Terry Zorn’s Celebration of Life which is tomorrow morning at Gray Parker and also on Saturday morning to help celebrate Jimmy Bisland’s life with his family…and I said to the Lord – I don’t think I have time to write a FB message…What shall I do? And I opened my Bible and this devotional I had printed from Charles Stanley – one of my favorite preachers - fell out. And it is perfect. Thank you Lord. Thank you Dr. Stanley. The scripture reading is I Thessalonians 4:13-18. And here are Dr. Stanley’s words:
”Throughout history, People have debated what happens after death. This subject in many ways remains a mystery, since the dead cannot tell of their experiences. Yet, God's word contains an abundance of truth about life after death. In today's verses, Paul explains what will happen at Christ's return - both to the Saints who have died and to those still living.
First, Jesus will descend from the sky in a way similar to his Ascension (Acts 1:11). Then, God will resurrect the bodies of departed believers. (Of course, as we know from 2nd Corinthians 5:8, their spirits will have been with Jesus since the moment of physical death.) Next, Christians who are still alive will be transformed, They'll rise to meet Jesus in the air and will dwell with Him forever.
While we should strive to glorify the Lord every moment we're alive, it is important to be aware of these future events. The reason is found in I Thessalonians 4:13b: “So that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.” In fact, verse 18 Tells us to comfort each other with the understanding of what will happen when Jesus returns. Knowing the pain we encounter in this life, - - from tragedy, loss, fear, and sickness - - God gives Christians a glimpse of the wonderful future in store.
What a loving Heavenly Father! He understands our pain and gives us such hope, comfort, and strength to endure life's hardships. Read the scripture passage again. - but this time, in place of the words, “those who have fallen asleep,” substitute the name of a departed Christian you love - and bask in the hope that God has given all of us.” So today as you go about your daily activities, pray for one another, and keep these families (and me too) in your prayers. God bless you all! Hugs! 😊

05/27/2026

From the Pastor: Wednesday May 27th, 2026 Good Morning! I posted this five years ago and it was written by Joshua Charles in the Epoch Times. I want to share it again because Graduation is coming up really quickly and this is about Thomas Jefferson’s advice to young people. It is just so solid!
Toward the end of his life, he wrote several letters of advice to young people, some of whom had been named after him by their parents. One was a young man named Thomas Jefferson Smith, whose father had written the aged former president in the hopes that he would offer his young son some lifetime advice. Listen to what Thomas Jefferson wrote back:
“Your affectionate and excellent father has requested that I would address to you something which might possibly have a favorite influence on the course of life you have to run, and I too as a namesake feel an interest in that course…Adore God. Reverence and cherish your parents. Love your neighbor as yourself and your country more than yourself. Be just. Be true. Murmur not at the ways of Providence. So shall the life into which you have entered, be the portal to one of eternal and ineffable bliss.”
In short, Honor God and your parents, follow the Golden Rule, love your country more than yourself, and don’t complain about the misfortunes of life. No wonder I have always liked what I read from Thomas Jefferson – of course I haven’t read everything he wrote, and I have not yet read the biography of his life that I picked up some time ago. We have so much to learn from those who have gone before. Someone said, “History is biography.” Hmm.. I love history and I love people – so much to learn about them and from them. And that includes the people who are in our lives every day!! Have a blessed day today and tell someone you love them!! Hugs! 😊

05/25/2026

From the Pastor: Monday May 25, 2026 Memorial Day Good Morning once more… It is Memorial Day, as I said earlier, and I want to share one more thing, because it is Memorial Day – the Day we remember those who have died to serve and preserve this country’s freedoms. I read this at every veteran’s funeral:
IT IS THE SOLDIER
It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Charles M. Province
Let us not forget.

05/25/2026

From the Pastor: Monday May 25, 2026 Good Morning! Yesterday was a lovely day at Pond Eddy Church – even though it was rainy outside, there was lots of energy and joy inside as we celebrated Pentecost and the Sacrament of Baptism and remembered that on this weekend, we also remember and honor all those who have died to keep our country free.
Today there will be a Memorial Day Commemoration at the Lumberland Town Hall at 10:00 a.m. and another at Heroes Park at the Eldred Four Corners at 1:00 p.m. for the Town of Highland. Of course everyone is invited as we remember and honor all of those who have given their lives to keep our country free. They gave up their futures that we may have our lives today. Hmm They gave up their future for our present. What a gift!
One more thing: Visitation for Jim Bisland will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday evening at Gray-Parker Funeral Home in Port Jervis…and a funeral mass will be held on Saturday morning (May 30th) at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann’s in Shohola. Rest in Peace, Jimmy
And lastly, even though it is a rainy day, may you all feel God’s love and blessing today! Hugs to all. 😊

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122 Berme Church Road
Pond Eddy, NY
12770

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(845) 858-2607

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