Dear Susanna
Dear Susanna,
My dad always said, "When you fail to plan, you plan to fail." With him gone now, that has taken on a whole new meaning, especially with my spiritual life. So how do you begin planning for spiritual success? I figure, it is a new year, and I need a jump start. I am a guy who needs specific steps, though. Can you help?
Dan Downey
Dear Dan,
Your dad sounds like a wise man! If you want specific steps, here they are: 1. Attend church regularly 2. Make quiet time with God everyday for prayer and Bible reading. 3. Find a spiritual accountability buddy, and meet at least once a month to hold each other accountable. 4. Find ways to serve within our church or other worthwhile causes. 5. Take the Foundations class on Wednesday evenings with Pastor Kate. This is the perfect time of year to start a new plan, so be determined to make it happen.
Love & Prayers,
Susanna
Dear Susanna,
My heart is breaking for the people in Kentucky right now. Those tornadoes that hit the middle of December were devastating. I don't know how people can begin to recover from something like that. What can we do?
Sad Sam
Dear Sam,
Pray! Pray! Pray! Look for opportunities to get involved in relief efforts. Donate to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). UMCOR has a great reputation for being the first on the scene and one of the last to leave. 100% of the money you give goes directly for relief. The operational overhead is taken care of by the UMC. Just mark UMCOR on the offering envelope and they will see that it gets there.
Love & Prayers,
Susanna
"Dear Susanna" is a feature of the YUMC monthly newsletter. Susanna Wesley never preached a sermon, published a book, or founded a church, yet Susanna Wesley is known as the Mother of Methodism. The example of faith and religious reverence she set for her children John and Charles inspired them to become powerful spiritual leaders, and to launch the Methodist movement.
