October 12, 2011
FEEL
I recently read an article that talked about a term I had never heard of called “orthopathos.” Few of us know this word. Many know of orthodoxy, which is “thinking like Jesus." Some have heard of orthopraxy, which is “acting like Jesus.” But this was new to me: orthopathos, which means “feeling the feelings of Jesus.”
It’s said we become like the object or person we worship. This is true of our sports heroes and childhood heroes. It is true in faith, too. How does this play out in our faith in God?
Many of our beliefs think of God as unchangeable, and lacking emotion. We think He is never provoked by the world. Should it be a surprise then that so many of us become unmoved and emotionally repressed in life and in worship? Do we temper joy and hide sadness?
Somehow, many Christians think the proper way to act around each other is not to acknowledge feeling at all—to never grieve, to never have too much joy, to never get angry, etc. Because many think that God has no emotion Himself. Nothing could be further from the truth! The life of Jesus teaches us this! In Him we see all emotions! Experiencing and expressing emotion in its proper context is good, and even holy!
Life is full of evil, sin, betrayal, illness, and death. The list goes on and on. Why then do Christians resist sorrow? Why do some feel ashamed when it finds them? Maybe sometimes we think it’s unlike our God if we do so.
Let us not forget that Jesus wept. Some humans will feel God’s love for the lost world, but all of us will feel the sorrow of pain and loss. It is time that we Christians believe it’s OK to sorrow. May we all believe it’s OK to weep, for even in this act, I believe we can worship Him! I am thankful for Terry’s sermon this Sunday. We all experience our “dark nights of the soul,” so may we express this, rally around each other, call out to God, and trust that He is near.
– Pannell
A Choice to Make
“If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it” (Exo 23:4-5).
When is the last time you came across your enemy’s donkey or ox wandering off or fallen down under a heavy load? Given that the vast majority of us live in modern urban settings, it would be tempting to pass over the above Mosaic Law as antiquated, quaint, and for practical purposes obsolete and irrelevant to contemporary concerns and times. But to yield to such temptation would be premature as it is plain wrong.
The Apostle Paul tells us that “. . . Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Rom 15:4). So what is the encouragement and hope to be derived for us today from the scriptures that call on us to assist our enemy’s beasts of burden?
Let us consider that oxen and donkeys in the time of Moses are vital beasts of burden for the survival of Israelites living in an agricultural society. An ox or a donkey represents the means of livelihood by which an Israelite would provide for the immediate family.
Now if an Israelite in the time of Moses comes across an enemy’s ox or donkey in distress or lost, the human impulse of sinful nature would likely think: (1) good riddance, (2) serves my enemy right, (3) could not have happened to a better person, (4) revenge is sweet, and (5) perhaps now I might gain an advantage over my adversary.
For an Israelite the ox and/or donkey of their fellow Israelite who hates them, and is their enemy represents the means by which such hatred and animosity is supported and sustained. If the enemy’s means of survival is weakened, or seriously threatened, then their focus will likely be toward their own survival, and not toward harming others.
Yet, God calls on His followers to help and serve even the ones who hate and are enemies (Exo 23:4-5). Jesus beckons us to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and “go the extra mile” in service for those who even oppress us (Matt 5:41-44). Proverbs instructs us to feed our enemy and quench their thirst with drink (Prov 25:21-22). Why would God ask such sacrifices of his people?
God asks such sacrificial service of His people because (1) we are all made in the image of God (Gen 1:26; 9:6; Job 34:18-19); (2) we are to imitate God’s holiness (Exo 22:31; Lev 19:1-2); (3) we demonstrate we are God’s children (Matt 5:45); (4) we are to seek to be perfect in this regard as God is perfect (Matt 5:48); and lastly, we are to follow the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who suffered evil for righteousness sake (1 Pet 2:21-25).
No doubt, loving our enemies and those who hate us is a heavy burden to bear. Nevertheless, God bore our hatred and sin and died on the cross while we were yet his enemies so that we might be reconciled to Him (Rom 5:6-11). By the grace of God, we are compelled to do no less for one another, whether good or evil. The encouragement and hope we derive in lovingly and even sacrificially serving our enemy and those who hate us is to see them reconciled and transformed into friends.
You may not come across your enemy’s ox or the donkey of one who hates you. But you will come across opportunities where you can choose whether to take advantage of an enemy or sacrificially serve them in hopes of making a friend. The question is: What will you choose?
– Terry
PROFILE OF A DEACON -- We will be having a seminar emphasizing the New Testament role of a Deacon, the relationships and ethics of a Deacon, and the faith and skills of a Deacon. The seminar is for all men who serve as Deacons or for men who would like to serve in the future. The seminar starts this Wednesday, October 12, and will continue on October 19 and 26 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room.
PARENTING SEMINAR -- Please mark your calendars for our upcoming Parenting Seminar on November 10, 12, and 13. We will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Child care will be available. Please watch for more details to come. Parents of all ages are welcome to attend.
HARVEST PARTY -- Get ready for a great time on October 22. Bill and Barb Viera will be hosting our Harvest Party this year at their home (weather permitting and if it is not raining). Festivities will start at noon and continue until 5:00 p.m. Lunch will be at 1:00 p.m. We will have a sign-up sheet at the back of the auditorium for the foods to bring. We will have fun games for the kids, too. Please bring your lawn chairs, etc. Please try to car-pool from the church building as parking space is limited. Anyone wanting to car-pool, please be at the church parking lot by 11:00 a.m. Please call Barb if you have any questions.
“NIGHT OF THE LIVING” -- The youth of West Main Church of Christ and Rogue Valley Christian Church will present “Night of the Living” on Wednesday, October 26, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. We will have a costume contest, prizes, food, games, music and more. This is for our Junior High and Senior High School students. Please come join us for a fun time at 1440 South Oakdale Ave., Medford, (Rogue Valley Christian Church).
This is meant ENTIRELY to be an outreach to kids outside of church. PLEASE bring some friends and let’s have some FUN!
GRANTS PASS HARVEST PARTY -- The Grants Pass Church of Christ has invited us to a Harvest Party on Saturday, October 29, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Please see the announcement posted on the courtyard bulletin board for complete details.
TRUNK OR TREAT
Monday, October 31, 2011, in the Church Parking Lot - 6:30-8:30 p.m.
“Trunks” need to arrive at 6:00 p.m.
In order to be ready for “Treaters” by 6:30 p.m.
See Stephen or Diane Liles to sign up.
HARVEST CRAFT FAIR -- Calling all crafters - now is the time to get all of your craft creations together and ready to sell. We will be holding our Craft Fair November 18-19 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Please contact Debra Burchett if you would like booth space.
PRAYER REQUESTS . . .
Remember Sharen Rose as she recovers from surgery. She is not feeling well ... Mark Moreno requests prayers for his sister as she looks for God during personal struggles and to pray for relationships to be healed in his family ... David Mayes requests your prayers for his friends, Cora, her mother, and Dete that they follow the Lord ... For Cooper Albright who will have antibody treatments in NYC the week of October 23 ... Maggie Cushman requests prayers for the family of her sister-in-law who passed away last week ... For Jenny Way that she will be able to process information better and have full control of her actions ... For the family of Jason Ogle (friends of the Pannell’s) who passed away suddenly of a heart attack. Pray for his wife and two young sons ... For Sherry Harris who will be having surgery in Eugene towards the end of the month ... For Luther & Jackie Riley, for their health problems. They would enjoy visitors ... For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
PLACING MEMBERSHIP -- Please welcome to our West Main Family, Colleen Godfrey. If you haven’t met Colleen yet, please do so and welcome her to our West Main family.
CHRISTIAN WOMAN MAGAZINE -- All ladies who are interested in subscribing or renewing to the Christian Woman Magazine, please see EEthel Flock this Sunday. The cost is $15.98 per year.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Oct 22: Harvest Party at the home of the Viera’s, 12:00-5:00 p.m.
Oct 12, 19, 26: Profile of a Deacon Seminars; 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the FSR
Oct 26: “Night of the Living” Party at Rogue Valley Christian Church, 6:00-9:00 p.m. For Junior-Senior High students
Oct 30: Anniversary Sunday and Potluck Luncheon Please invite your friends and our former members to join us for this special day!
Oct 31: Trunk or Treat, Church Parking Lot; 6:30-8:30 p.m.
