August 15, 2012
ARE WE CONTENT?
Last week, we had a sudden weather shift. So far we hadn't really had “summer.” I’d watch daily as the weather channel talked about the horrible heat wave spreading across the US, but in our nice little pocket of the country we were experiencing perfect weather! To me it was perfect, but others I knew, strangely didn’t like it. They’d say things like, “I wish it would heat up here,” or “this is NOT what I think of when I think of summer.” It baffled me, but we all have opinions. This last week we went from a hot day being in the 80s to a six day stretch of 103+ weather! Needless to say, most people were shocked, and instead of a bunch of talk like, “now this is what I’m talking about,” or “finally, some great weather.” Guess what I am hearing? Yes…more complaining! “Summer stinks! I hate this! Fall couldn’t come quick enough,” (and yes, I am a guilty complainer in this category). What hit me as I thought about this weather chatter was that as humans, we are never really fully content.
If it’s weather, we’re too cold or too hot. If it’s our jobs, we are too slow or too busy. If it’s social lives, we don’t have anything to do or we have too much to do. It is our basic human nature. We struggle to find happiness and simple contentment in ANY situation. “The grass is always greener” is a big struggle for us.
I think one of the BIGGEST impacts that followers of Christ could have on this world would be to overcome this tendency! How much more would our witnesses and testimonies ring true, if people saw us as individuals who found contentment wherever the Lord placed us? The Bible gives much direction on contentment. Here are some of God’s words:
1 Timothy 6:6-7 But Godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,"
Philippians 4:11-12- Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
God clearly longs for us to be content people. He promises to meet all of our needs. Can we meet these expectations? Will you join me in an effort to rise above our natural states? Will you join me in the task of being bigger than our base greed and desires? Will you join me in an effort to learn to live happy and content wherever we find ourselves? I truly believe God wants us to live that way, and let’s be honest…wouldn’t it make life much easier? And besides, it will be cold again soon, so why complain? :) May God’s peace be with you.
-- Pannell
Fresh Water (2)
Our God is mindful of our needs. Since both sunshine and rain are blessings that are periodic, there is a need to store up these treasures for times of drought or darkness. In this writing, we will specialize in fresh water storage, and how our benevolent Father has taught us how to prepare for times of want by his own doing on our behalf.
Just as there are three phases of water - liquid, solid, and gaseous, he has used each and all of these modes in insuring our supply of this life-sustaining fluid. Cities like Boulder, Colorado which sits at the base of a mountain range, can take advantage of glacial melt for their fresh water supply. Mountains are our Creator’s special refrigerator for storing up ice and snow for times of want for the thirsty folks on the plains below.
In the western states of our country, where most of our rains come during the winter, melting mountain snow feeds summer streams of water to make habitation possible in lower elevations. Snow, with its whiteness, reflects impinging sunlight and wards off heat. Its low heat conductivity causes it to be an insulator and further holds penetration of heat at bay. Its marvelous design insures it as a long lasting source of fresh water as it slowly yields up its gift.
Water storage in lakes is also an unheralded wonder. Because it takes so much heat to evaporate water, it can last an exceptionally long time in a basin. Consider the following: The heat capacity of water, or the amount of heat to change it by one degree, is large compared to other liquids. This is why it is used so often in carrying away waste heat from the heat engines we build. However, some 54 times as much heat is required to evaporate a given amount of water as is required to raise it in temperature by ten degrees Celsius. This means that water, as a liquid, will linger a long time before disappearing as a vapor. It waits for our usage.
To help us learn about the value of storage lakes, the Lord has provided many natural ones as examples for us to copy in saving up fresh water. Earthquakes and avalanches sometimes block streams and form natural lakes. Shifting plates (tectonics) on the surface of the Earth can pull apart (as they do in Africa) and form enormous rifts that fill with water. Lakes that form in the empty cones of volcanoes are another example (i.e. Crater Lake). The Great Lakes, and the history of their formation by glacial gouging has been an excitement for geologists.
These lessons from the Lord about fresh water storage have not been lost on man. Many cities, even in high rainfall areas, have recognized the need to get ready for occasional droughts by building municipal lakes. Along the way, men have recognized that rainfall dropping in higher altitudes can be harnessed by man-made reservoirs that capture the energy of their fall to lower levels. During the especially trying years of the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Tennessee Valley project employed many idled men to provide water storage and electric power.
Our frugal Creator has shown himself to be a model for all fathers in love and instruction.
-- James Gibbs
West Main Institute of Bible Studies will begin its second year on September 13th. The class will meet at the building at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday evenings. We are learning by watching video taped classes from the Sunset School of Preaching in Lubbock. During each class we watch a 30 minute video taped lesson then discuss the high points of the lesson and how they may apply to our lives. We will be finishing the series on Bible History and studying the book of James when we begin classes. Even though we are part way through Bible History there is still great value that can be gained by joining the class.
Study guides generally cost about $15.00 for each class. They can be downloaded in pdf form for about half the cost of a printed copy. Please consider making the commitment to grow in your knowledge which leads to growing in our faith in our Lord. If you would like to participate in the class let Dan Beeks know by this Sunday, August 19th, and he will order your study guide.
Guest Speaker -- Sunday evening, August 19th, we will have a guest speaker, Jason Swick, who is the campus minister at the University Christian Center across from Oregon State University sponsored by the Circle Street Church of Christ in Corvallis. He will share with us their ministry in reaching kids with their Bible Studies, classes, and mentoring in a University setting. Blain and Kelsey Rennels have been involved in this ministry also. Gregg Strawn, cousin of Patty Heffner, is the minister at Circle Street Church of Christ.
Following his presentation, we will have a finger food and cookie fellowship in the Fireside Room.
***For our members needing school supplies, please contact September Flock.
We have boxes in the courtyard to put your good, clean clothing donations in.
****We need volunteers and CIA agents to come help sort clothes on Wednesday evening, August 22, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
**** If you would like to help cook or serve food, work at the carnival, or help in any capacity, please contact Lance or Betty Lake, Brian Pannell, Terry Christopher or the church office. We want ALL members to be there to serve the people and get to know them and make this a special day for our neighborhood!
Worship Encampment at Emigrant Lake will be held on Sunday, August 26, at 10:00 a.m. We will have lunch and activities following the morning services. Parking fees are $4.00 per car.
Please bring your lawn chairs, games, and a potluck dish to share. We will provide the meat, but ask that you bring the side dishes. We will have a sign-up sheet at the back of the auditorium this Sunday for the side dishes. Please remember to sign up this week for the food that you are bringing.
Services at the building will begin at 10:15 a.m. for those not going to the Worship Encampment. We will have NO Bible Class and NO Nursery Care that morning and NO Evening Worship.
We will have transportation to and from Emigrant Lake if you need it. Please contact the church office if you need transportation services.
Please pick up an Emigrant Lake invitation brochure that is located in the lobby. Please invite your family and friends to come join us for this wonderful event.
Prayer Requests . . . . Boyd Westeren, (Jeff's father) will be having surgery in Portland for his Parkinson's tremors the week of August 20th. He will be in ICU for 3-5 days. Please pray for peace and an effective surgery...Please pray for friends of David Mayes, Cora and Barbara, for their spiritual growth, and for David to be more Christlike...For our President and all of our military men, women and families. Our sympathy is extended to Ruth Kelley and family on the recent passing of her son who died of a heart attack in Arizona.
Aug 25: School Supplies and Clothing Giveaway; 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Come and Go Party for Mereena Anderson at 4:00 p.m. at the home of Gary and Linda Anderson.
Aug 26: Worship Encampment at Emigrant Lake; 10: 00 a.m. Parking fees $4.00 per car.
