West Main

 

What the Question Is

 

The Apostle Paul speaking to his young protégé, Timothy, says, “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe” (1 Tim 4:9-10). The previous statement by Paul the apostle is both short and pregnant with meaning. In this short bulletin article I would like to highlight some of these words of Paul to Timothy.

 

First, by saying, “This is a trustworthy saying,” Paul is giving us one of those precious, if not somewhat rare, glimpses into certainty. So often in our contemporary life and culture that which is certain and can be trusted is seemingly elusive and fleeting. For instance, in our media saturated culture, the news in particular seems difficult to trust. Network, cable, internet, and print news media can give the general impression of a cacophony of noise and confusion. How can there be so many news outlets supposedly looking all at the same data and events, but coming to such disparate perceptions and conclusions? A “trustworthy saying” in such a conflicting news environment appears to be a hard thing to come by.

 

However, Paul not only tells Timothy here is something you can trust, but what he is about to say “deserves full acceptance.” In other words, to use a more modern metaphor, “Here is something you can take to the bank.” Furthermore, Paul says this trustworthy saying is what drives us and gives us purpose in life (“for this we labor and strive”). So what can we trust with absolutecertainty, accept fully, and dedicate our lives, time and energy to? “That we have put our hope in the living God . . .”

 

Perhaps the question “What can we trust with absolute certainty, accept fully, and dedicate our lives, time, and energy to,” is better begun with “Who can we trust with absolute certainty?” Paul’s answer can strike us as too obvious. “Of course,” we might say, “God is the one for whom we serve and why we serve as Christians in this world.” But I am personally not so sure that serving the living God is what shapes, guides, and directs our purpose in life.

 

Speaking personally and in a confessional way, I often find lesser motivations driving my life. I am not unlikely to find myself overly concerned and consumed by material matters (pick your poison: house, car, retirement, personal work ambitions, etc.). If forced to answer, could I say honestly that what you see me do, how you see me act, and how you hear me speak and think, is obviously a reflection that I have put my hope in the living God?

 

The issue here is actually living our lives as though God is really alive and active, providing salvation for the world, and celebration for the faithful who have embraced God’s love of redemption in Jesus Christ (“the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe”). I am suggesting here that our struggles in life whether mental, emotional, psychological, and/or spiritual are inversely connected to our belief and trust in God’s participation and connection to our lives and in this world. Is God truly active and participating not only in the world, but specifically in your life? What Paul is stating to Timothy goes beyond a mere intellectual acceptance about God’s involvement in life, and embraces the whole of our personality and commitments. The parting question is dear Saint, “What or whom do you trust with absolute certainty, accept fully, and dedicate your life, time, and energy to?”

 

-- Terry

 

 

Daddy-Daughter Dinner Dance April 30^th

Girls,  invite your dad, uncle, grandfather or favorite male loved one to a fun evening of dinner and dancing.   Please arrive promptly at 5:00 p.m. in your beautiful dress to get your photo taken with your special guy.  You will receive a special wearable keepsake of the event.  Dinner will be served and after dessert you and your guy will share some laughs and dancing.  Tickets are $7.00 per person and are non-refundable. This special event is for young ladies ages 5 years through high school.  Tickets will only be sold through April 10^th. No tickets will be sold at the door.  Please make checks payable to West Main Church of Christ. For more information, please contact Marcie Dixon.

 

****Items we need to borrow for the event:

Up to twenty portable card tables and  white mini-single strand Christmas lights (about fifteen strands). If you have any of these items, please let Marcie Dixon know ASAP.

 

 

VBS Meeting: We will be having a VBS Meeting for all people interested in helping with VBS on Sunday afternoon, April 10, at 4:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room.  VBS is scheduled for June 21-25 from 9:00-11:30 a.m. for children who have finished kindergarten through sixth grade.

 

 

No Teen Cell Group this Sunday, April 10.  Your youth minister and teachers are meeting that night to discuss some exciting new events in the future!

 

 

Wednesday Evening Classes:  Please come join us for Wednesday Evening Classes in April and May.  We will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be studying the missionary journeys of Paul with Dan Beeks teaching the lessons.  Classes for children will be from the "Character First" lessons.

 

 

Church Work Day  --  We will have a church work day on Saturday, April 23, beginning at 8:00 a.m.  Please bring your shovels, hoes, gloves, rakes, tools for trimming bushes, etc.  We need help in pulling our weeds in our flower gardens.  We will also be putting down some bark in our flower gardens.  Thank you for your help.  If you need more info, contact Dan Beeks.

 

 

Elders, Deacons, and Ministry Leaders - please reserve the date of May 7^th, for a Saturday Morning Breakfast in the Fireside Room at 7:00 a.m.

 

Prayer Requests . . .

Please continue to pray for a complete healing for Mel Hamilton and Connie Kennedy ... For Truman Scott who is now at home recovering from his stroke - please pray for his complete healing ... For Ernest Strawn who will be having radiation treatments for the next three weeks ... For Dan & Sharen Hargis who are not doing well at this time and would appreciate your phone calls ... Nina Sanderbrink will be having hernia surgery this Friday ... For Patty, friend of David Mayes, that she will get better soon ... For Omar Dimas, an eight year old boy from the San Felipe church who was injured when an out-of-control car ran into bystanders ... For Meagan Gordon, daughter of Leslie Miller, who is in the hospital with pre-term labor ... For Ron Van DeHey, for the healing of his foot ... Jeremy Huard requests prayers for his friends Clara, Jim and Marie,  who have personal struggles and health issues in their lives ... For our President and all of our military men, women and families.

 

 

LOST  --   Lillian Casebier has lost one hearing aid.  If you find it, please turn it in to the church office.  Thank you for your help.

 

 

Calendar of Events

April 23: Workday at the Building

April 30: Daddy/Daughter Banquet

May 7: Elder/Deacon Breakfast

May 21: Camp Fundraiser