July 27, 2011
Between Delay and Damnation
“Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood, who draw sin as with cart ropes, who say: "Let him be quick, let him speed his work that we may see it; let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near, and let it come, that we may know it!" Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:18-21).
The above words from the prophet Isaiah strike a powerful chord of thoughts in my mind. What is particularly striking is the attitude of disbelief, doubt, and disdain on the lips of God’s covenant people who arrogantly say to God, “let him speed his work that we may see it.” The fact that human beings doubt the existence and power of God is nothing new, but to hear such boastful words from God’s own people is as sobering as it is sad.
The apparent absence of God in immediately judging the behavior of what Scripture deems evil in the lives of individuals, nations, societies, and cultures is perhaps one reason for this doubting disdain of God’s presence and promises. After all, the image of above of driving a cart of sin implies a sinner is in control and determining where, how, and when to live their life of evil. If you take your cart of sin wherever you so desire, and there does not seem to be any interference from the Lord, then why be concerned about what God calls evil, good, bitter, or sweet?
A “successful” life of sin is a terrible blindness. Successful sinning leads one to be “shrewd in their own sight” thinking that deceives one into believing they can figure things out for themselves apart from God. The words of Peter are a beneficial reminder that “ The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Here is a strange thing. On the one hand, God’s delay in carrying out judgment can lead many to doubt His presence and power. On the other hand, God’s immediate judgment can result in the perishing of the unrepentant. It seems that in the eyes of God delay is mercy, but in the eyes of sinners delay is absence. What a peculiar tension God navigates between delaying and damning. The Apostle Paul warns against misreading God’s delay when he writes, “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed” (Romans 2:4-5). At the end of God’s delay is damnation.
Therefore, between delay and damnation lies the mercy of God. Only the foolish would dare to presume to know the distance between the two. Now is the day of mercy, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:1-2). Let us not be wise in our own eyes, but let us be wise in the eyes of God, and experience God’s mercy in this time of delay.
--Terry
LADIES PRAYER RETREAT
Ladies, we will be having a prayer retreat August 5, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and August 6, from 9:00-noon at the home of Jessie Pannell. Please let Jessie Pannell, Ronda or Crystal Holm know if you will be able to attend. We need to know by August 1. Friday night there will be snacks and Saturday morning we will have a continental breakfast.
SYMPATHY
Our sympathy is extended to the family of Ernest Strawn who passed away last week. Ernest and his family have been a vital part of our West Main family since 1962. He was active in our Hilltoppers program and enjoyed taking people on the various activities that they did. Ernest’s special talent was visitation, especially for those who were sick. Ernest also enjoyed making snow cones with Bob Hood for our various youth activities. Ernest and Jean were married for nearly 54 years before Jean passed away in 2005. Ernest’s memorial service will be held at the building this Friday, July 29, at 1:00 p.m. We will have a fellowship time following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to West Main Church of Christ to our Hilltopper scholarship fund. Please keep his children, Patty Heffner and Terry Strawn, and his grandchildren and their families in your prayers.
Russell and Shawna Gann proudly announce the marriage of their oldest daughter, Laural Anne, to Kelley Casey. Laural and Kelley were married July 23, in a small family wedding. The happy couple will live in Phoenix, Arizona, while completing their schooling. (Proud Grandma is Lucile Gann.)
PRAYER REQUESTS
Sharon Englert is doing well and hopes to be released from Hearthstone this week...For Ethan Jostad, a nine-year old boy who has cancer........For Connie Kennedy who will need surgery August 12.... For Vicki, the daughter of Mandy Breithaupt, who is very ill and on chemo... for PUMP as our children and leaders serve the children in Portland...For our President, military men and women and their families.
A SPECIAL CORPORATE BUSINESS MEETING..........
will be held Sunday, August 7, 2011, to amend the bylaws of the congregation. The meeting will be held in the Fireside Room following morning services at noon. Copies of the Proposed Bylaws, our Relational Commitment Booklet, and Children’s Protection Policy are available on the tables in the lobby or on the information desk in the courtyard. If you have any questions or comments regarding the bylaws, please contact an elder before August 7.
WEST MAIN BIBLE INSTITUTE will begin classes on September 8, at 7:00 p.m. Classes will meet on Thursday evenings from 7-9:00 p.m. in the upstairs ladies classroom. Please see the Bible Studies guide for information on price, course times, and classes. The guide is located at the information desk in the courtyard.
All students must complete a Student and Course application to attend WMIBS. All applications need to be received by August 19. Applications are also available online at http://www.extensionschool.com
If you have more questions, please contact Dan Beeks.
SEMINAR
The Savage Street Church of Christ in Grants Pass has invited us to a seminar September 16-18. Their topic is Archaeology and the Bible- Light from the Past by Dwayne Bryant. Please see the announcement posted on the courtyard bulletin board for complete details.
SUPER SUMMER SUNDAY NIGHT
This Sunday, July 31, our Super Sunday Summer Night will be an evening of fellowship at Lewis Park after evening services at the building. Please bring your favorite homemade ice cream or cookies to share for the fellowship. (Lewis park is located just a few blocks from the building at the corner of Lewis and W 8th St.)
DEACON’S MEETING
Our next Deacon’s meeting will be Monday, August 1, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. All deacons are encouraged to attend.
WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT
We are pleased to announce the wedding of Ally Testerman & Matt Condra on July 29, in Palmyra, Indiana. Proud parents are Tony and Kim Testerman, and proud Grandma is Glenda Rennels. (Please see the announcement posted on the courtyard bulletin board.)
CAMP LOST AND FOUND
Are you missing some clothes from camp? If so, please check the lost and found table in the Fireside Room this Sunday.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August 1: Deacon’s Meeting, 7:00 p.m.; FSR
August 3: Service Project (Community BBQ at Park; 6:00 p.m.)
August 5-6: Ladies Prayer Retreat
August 21: 2nd Annual Encampment at Emigrant Lake
August 27: Clothing and School Giveaway
August Greeters: Louis & Clara Arnold;Kent & Sandy Watson
Nursery Help: Aug 7 & 14: Debi Robbins
Nursery help is needed for Sept. 4. Contact Diane Liles if you can help.
Coffee Servers are needed for September. Please sign up on the list by the stairs.
