West Main

Redeeming the Good Despite the Wrongs

 

Often in life, we may have the impression that we cannot make right the wrongs experienced in this world. The notion of irreversibility can stick to our minds like a patina of fate that refuses to rub off. The Teacher in Ecclesiastes speaks to this sense of changelessness when he says, “What is twisted cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted” (Eccles 1:15).

 

No doubt, the patriarch, Joseph, could have resigned himself to what appeared to be his fate of abuse and abandonment at the hands of his brothers who sold him off into slavery (Gen 37). Joseph must have had a sense of being caught up in currents beyond his control that took him into Egypt, slavery, false accusations of adultery, unjust imprisonment, and broken promises of aid (Gen 37:1-40:1). A contemporary observer of Joseph’s life at one point might remark, “That poor guy cannot catch a break.”

 

The Bible does not describe or go into much detail concerning how Joseph psychologically handled his desperate situations, or how he exactly handled his apparent fate of disappointments and setbacks. However, despite the tragedies he experienced over the course of thirteen years from the age of seventeen to thirty (Gen 37:2; 41:46), Joseph’s life experiences a miraculous reversal at the hands of God. The power of God manifested in a moment of spontaneous providence takes Joseph from the prison room to throne room (Gen 41:39-40). Therefore, Joseph’s prophetic dreams about ruling the civilized world came to fruition, even though by a route no one, especially Joseph, could have foreseen.

 

We might be tempted to say in light of Joseph’s reversal of fate, “All is well that ends well.” In other words, God’s providence used the wickedness of his brothers to bring about a good result, so fate was never the issue, and the brothers’ actions not as nefarious as would seem to be the case. Yet, as psychologically comforting this temptation might be, Scripture reveals a different understanding. Joseph’s response to his brothers is telling: “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children. And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them” (Gen 5:19-21).

 

The above response reveals that Joseph neither excuses his brothers’ sins nor blames God for the wrongs he suffered. Joseph learns a powerful truth: We may not be able to right all wrongs, but despite all wrongs, the power God can redeem all wrongs for our good, as well as the good of others. The word, despite, is the key word in this powerful truth concerning wrongs redeemed for good purposes. In other words, there is nothing right about what Joseph’s brothers did to him. Stripping Joseph naked, throwing him down an empty well, and selling him off into slavery are all evil acts with no redeeming qualities in them. Redemption belongs to the Lord, not situations, or people. We, nor the Lord, squeeze something good out of something evil.

 

We must learn along with Joseph, that despite the evil we experience in situations and as individuals, God (not us) can create something new out of nothing. As surely as God says, “Let there be light,” and there is light, so God can say of our situations and of us, “Let there be good, despite there being only evil.” Not all wrongs can be made right, but all wrongs can be redeemed, because our God raises the dead, makes all things new, and calls all things into being by the power of His Word. So, dear saint, you can either live a life of spite due to the wrongs you suffer, or despite the wrongs suffered, seek the mercies of God that alone can redeem all wrongs for good purposes.

 

– Terry

 

 

Daughters of the King – Our first session this year will be on Saturday, January 22, from 10:00 a.m. to  2:00 p.m. All Ladies ages 10 years and up are encouraged to attend.  Michele Michael will be  speaking on the topic of, “How Can You Encourage My Small Children?” Lunch will be provided.  Please reserve these dates for future sessions: February 19 and April 2.

 

Men’s Retreat at Little River Christian Camp is January 28-29.  Our theme is taken from Titus 2: 11-13.  The price is $50.00 per person.  Our food will be catered for us this year, so plan on enjoying some great meals!  Please contact Charlie Michael, Trevor Denn, or Mark Moreno to sign up or if you need more information.

 

Mexico Mission Fundraiser Dinner / Auction will be held on Saturday, February 5, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room.  Please contact Valda Newton if you can donate auction items or want to volunteer to bring food items.  Thank you for your support of our Mexico Mission work.

 

 

** There will be a Mexico Mission Trip and Fundraiser Meeting following morning services this Sunday, January 16, in the Fireside Room.  If you plan on going to Mexico or just want to help with the fundraiser, PLEASE attend this meeting.  Lunch will be provided. **

 

 

Coffee Servers Needed for 2011 – Please sign up on the list posted by the stairs.  You have your choice of months!  This is a great way to get to see and visit with a lot of our members.   :)

 

 

Congratulations – We want to wish Harold and Marie Anthony a Happy 60^th Anniversary.  They celebrated their anniversary this last Sunday.

 

 

Prayer Requests . . .

Branson Holm, son of Brad & Ronda, was in a snowboarding accident this past weekend and sustained a critical injury to his brain. He has had one brain surgery already.  Please pray that the swelling in his brain will go down and that God will completely heal him.  Please call Brian or Jessie Pannell or the church office for updates on his condition ... Please pray for Ed Way.  Doctors have found cancer in his lymph nodes, but don’t know yet where in his body it is originating.  Please pray for Ed, his doctors, and for his family as he undergoes further testing and for treatment decisions ... Please remember Mel Hamilton and Sharen Rose as they heal from their falls ... Ernie Strawn needs our continued prayers as he goes through cancer treatment and its side effects ... Pray for good blood test results for Cooper Albright ... Diane Clark, friend of Teresa Bostwick, had a brain aneurysm and was air lifted to Portland.  She is only 42 years old and has seven children ... Laura Drew asks continued prayers for Rachel as she still has a lot of healing to do.  Pray for her family to stay strong as they support her ... Mason Marshall asks prayers for the Willy Ponge family.  Willy is Beth Marshall’s uncle who died of a massive heart attack last week ... For our President and all of our military men, women and families.

 

 

YOUTH GROUP NEWS

* We are back to our regular mid-week time slot!  We will meet at the church building from 6:30-8:00 p.m. every Wednesday.

* Youth Ski Trip  – We need to know THIS Sunday who is going.  It is scheduled for February 4-6.

 

 

Our sympathy is extended to the family of Mary Kilburn who passed away on Sunday, January 9.  Mary had been a vital part of our church family at West Main.  She taught 5^th & 6^th grades for many years and was also a teacher at our summer camp for several years.  After that, she taught Ladies Class, preparing and writing many of the class lessons herself.  She served faithfully as an elder’s wife while her husband, Hal, was an elder at West Main.  Mary and her family had been part of our West Main family since the early 1960s.

 

** Thank you for the wonderful care that you showed Mom during this past week.  Thank you for your cards, prayers, flowers, food and visits, especially those this last Sunday.  We know that Mom appreciated all your love and support. 

                  Our love, Gary & Nita Kilburn and Children

 

 

 

Holm Family Donations – Many are asking how they can help the Holms with the costs of traveling and medical care that are mounting from Branson’s tragic accident.  If you want to help, we ask that you simply write a check to the church.  It is VERY IMPORTANT that you include a note with it that says, “Please apply to the Benevolence Fund .”  This CANNOT be on the check memo line and must be a separate check.  Thank you.  If you have any questions please see Brian Pannell.

** If you would like to send cards to the Holms you may send them to:

Flagstaff Medical Center

1200 N Beaver

Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Attn: ICU North / Branson Holm 1015

 

 

 

D’s Cookin’ Tonight – Our new tenant, Derenda, has remodeled the barbershop into a commercial kitchen.  She has invited us to her Open House on Sunday, January 16, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. to see the remodeled kitchen and to sample some appetizers.  We want to wish her success in her new venture!

 

 

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Jan 22 Daughters of the King; 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Jan 28-29 Men’s Retreat at Little River Christian Camp

Feb 5 Mexico Mission Fundraiser Dinner/Auction; 6:00 p.m.; FSR