February 20, 2013
OUR KIDS ARE THE GREATEST TEACHERS
Our kids are the greatest teachers. It took my children to remind me of who is in charge in this world! Yesterday was my day off. As such, I took the chance to make a few repairs at the house. If you know me at all, you know that the very mention of me and repairs in the same sentence could set the universe off course! :) I am the anti-handyman. But I tried.
We had two doors in our house that had been broken for some time due to some hinge breaking issues. So, blowing the dust off the ol’ drill I set out to work. The front closet was fairly simple and was fixed in a few minutes. That simply left the daunting front door! It is an old, solid hunk of wood that was barely opening and closing. So, after many busted attempts, bloody knuckles and bouts of anger, I got it! The door closed just right and all was well!!
My children had been “helping” by sitting with me and watching, and at times holding the door still. Once complete, I jumped up, playing, threw my arms victoriously into the air and shouted, “Who’s the man?” I was expecting some possible laughter, and maybe a pat on the ol’ back.
They calmly looked at me with straight faces and gave me the answer, “God.” Not “Daddy, you are the man,” but simply, “God is the man!” WOW! I looked at them, laughed and gave a great big hug. “You are right,” I said. “God is the man. He can fix everything.” I kissed their heads and gave thanks for reminding me of that.
Our God is amazing isn’t he? We sing that our God is alive, and praise him, this is true! His word promises that he is in charge of this place and that His Son has overcome this world! Victory is ours, because we belong to Him! One day our Lord will “fix” everything . . . He truly is “THE man.”
– Pannell
A "THEREFORE" LIFE
If I had never known Christ, the call of his gospel would sound strange to me. It seems, at first look, to put the cart before the horse – a reward before the labor. What business would succeed if the first payday came before any work? And if you add to that a promise of ongoing job security, what kind of workers would you have? Would they not be spoiled and dilatory? In this, Christianity is unlike all other religions. Unusual! Can it be real?
If I were then to take a first look at the words of Jesus and the writings of his apostles, my concerns would be confirmed. The beginning of the gospel story is about the love of God, coupled with grace, or undeserved favor. A surprising illustration is used of workers in a field who are employed at different times of the day – some very late – and being rewarded with equal pay.
A new Christian’s spiritual health is summarily described in Romans 5:1 – “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” “Justification” is a word that is borrowed from the legal world, and means that we are absolved of past and future wrongdoing when we place our faith in Christ and follow him. This is all very, very good news. But is it true?
What comes next in a new Christian’s life is described by the ongoing use of “therefore.” It is frequently used in letters to the early churches when describing the follow-through of those who have decided to place their trust in Christ and obey him. As examples, see Ephesians 5:1, Philippians 2:12, and Colossians 3:12. What then empowers a Christian life and gives great meaning to these “therefore” passages urging a holy lifestyle?
Romans 3:23-25 lays such a foundation and explanation – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice...” This verse tells us that our just God, who cannot overlook sin, sent his Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for us. “Redemption” and “atonement” mean that if he had not died for me, justice would have called for my death. I owed a debt I could not pay; he paid a debt he did not owe. Gratitude, then, for God’s unspeakable gift, is the launching power underlying “therefore.”
As the unfolding of justification by faith, that begins in Chapter 3, and culminates in Romans 6, Paul anticipates that some shallow soul may mistake God’s grace as a license to continue in sin. Rather, as this chapter unfolds, he describes the power of the desired response as being life changing and like a resurrection from death. “Therefore” then leads us to living a life that honors God’s gospel of grace. As faith and obedience builds in a new believer in Christ, leftover skepticism is replaced by awe and reciprocated love for God.
In our final realization we then give thanks to an all-wise Father, who has displayed his great insight into human hearts and the kind of motivation that leads us to a “therefore” life. And we also see salvation by grace doing what a system of earned salvation could never do.
– James Gibbs
Widows’ Luncheon – Our next Widow’s Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, March 1, at 12:30 p.m. at Anna Maria Creekside. Please check-in at the front desk and they will direct you to the luncheon area. If you have any questions, please contact Bill Viera.
College Treats -- If you would like to help fill special treat boxes for our five young ladies away at college, please see Denise Beeks. She has a list of what they really like! We would like to send one to each of them by March 1st and again by April 15th (before finals week for most of them). What a great way for all of us to stay connected and brighten their day!
Mexico Mission Fundraiser Dinner and Auction -- Our dinner is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Come enjoy a Mexican style dinner and have fun while you support this year’s Mexico Mission project. Donations to be auctioned off at the fundraiser will be greatly appreciated. If you are going to invite merchants and others to contribute to the auction, please pick up an invitation/thank you letter with receipt form from the church office.
Anyone interested in helping to set up and / or serve at the dinner may leave a message for Valda Newton on her home phone or at her email address. She will contact you next week to confirm.
Also, if you would like to go on the Mission Trip scheduled for March 30-April 7, please get your registration form from the office or from Valda. (Please note the change of date for the mission trip.)
Meet and Rekindle Open House -- Come join us to greet Ally and Matt Condra, along with their eight month old daughter, Penelope Jean, who will be visiting here from Kentucky. Ally’s parents, Tony and Kim Testerman, along with Great-Grandma “Gigi” Rennels will host a Meet and Rekindle Open House on Sunday, March 24, from 3-5:00 p.m. at their home. Please come by and meet Miss Penelope and visit with her parents, Matt and Ally, and give them a real “Oregon” welcome.
Annual Daddy/Daughter Dinner Dance -- Save the dates of April 19 and 20 for our Annual Daddy/Daughter Dinner Dance. We will be having a Dessert/Dance for our young ladies ages 4th grade through high school on April 19th beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. We will have pictures, partner games and prizes. On Saturday night, April 20, we will have a Dinner/Dance in the Fireside Room beginning at 5:00 p.m. for our girls ages five years old through 3rd grade. Tickets will be priced under $15.00 per couple and will go on sale beginning in March. Please see Marcie Dixon if you need more information.
Prayer Requests . . . Several of our members have been ill recently - please pray for the Spodnik Family and Zach Kirk for their health to return quickly...For the daughter of Peggy Woods who will be traveling...For Russ and Beth Johnson - Beth is very ill at this time...For Jenny Way to be more patient and for progress with her brain injury...For the mother and brother of Jennifer Newcombe, that they be lifted up in strength ...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
Thank You Note: Dear West Main Family: Just a note to let you all know we are very thankful for all of your help during Doyle’s illness and death. The flowers, cards and prayers were just beautiful. Thanks also for your financial assistance. They were very much appreciated. With much love,
Lula and Linda Fenley
CONGRATULATIONS to former member, Rosa Gomez, on becoming a U.S. citizen on February 22, in California.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March 1: Widows’ Luncheon at Anna Maria Creekside; 12:30 p.m.
March 2: Mexico Dinner and Auction; FSR: 6:00 p.m.
March 30-April 7: Mexico Mission Trip
