March 13, 2013
GOD'S EYE VIEW
In a few weeks, many of us are going to Mexico to shine a little light in a dark place. When you’re working abroad you learn MANY things, like new ways to communicate, and to accomplish new things. You get to try new foods and customs. And, quite often you learn things aren’t always what they seem.
One of the families we worked for several years ago taught us a valuable lesson. When we first met them, it was confusing. They were dentists and had a slightly bigger plot of land on the “good side” of town. That threw us off. When you go to serve the less fortunate in third world conditions, you picture rugged conditions. You envision extreme poverty, and slums and families who have NOTHING. You rarely think of two working parents in the medical field!
But, trusting in the Lord we began the work and quickly learned that things weren’t what they seemed. It turns out a dentist inMexico isn’t quite the same as in America. Even with two trained medical practitioners, they didn’t have much! This was humbling. And once we met the family, it was VERY clear how wrong our initial ideas had been! They were the kindest family. They were incredibly humble, grateful and giving. One day they even provided an amazing lunch for all thirty workers at the site (a gift that undoubtedly set them back). They had two boys who were beautiful and quickly became our best pals. We learned that both had been born very early and ill, and weighed just over one pound! The medical expenses had wiped out everything the family had, and as a result they had struggled to catch back up! Once again….very humbling.
As the week went on we came to love them. At the key passing ceremony they gave us the most touching thank you we’d ever experienced. It was a truly blessed experience. To this day, several of our crew keep in touch with them, and visit upon each return. We all learned that in God’s grand plans, things aren’t always what they seem! We need to stop trying to see the world through our views and try and catch glimpses of God’s views! God sees what our limited eyes cannot see, and we can ALWAYS trust in that!
“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7
– Pannell
SEARCHING FOR A SAFE HAVEN
In today’s world, many economies seem headed for hard times, causing stock market watchers to look for a secure place to invest their money. They have borrowed a term from mariners and are searching for a “safe haven.” All too often they are disappointed as they see their treasures melt away.
While Jesus has challenged us to be good stewards of what we have been entrusted with, he also immunized us from the pain of losing earthly accumulations. He described the forces we are up against as moths, rust, and thieves. See Matthew 6:19-21.
If you think that you are safe from these kinds of losses, consider the moth. As a beekeeper, I shepherd honeybees and coax them into storing honey in honeycombs made of wax. Beeswax is a marvelous product they excrete from glands in their bodies and form into efficient hexagonal cells. Even though beeswax is easily molded, it is also a tough substance that will hold strong acids or coat machined goods to ward off corrosion. But sure enough, there are destructive moths that can eat and digest beeswax – leaving behind worthless webs. This little moth is a considerable adversary to beekeepers. Moreover, there are all kinds of other moths that can consume a surprising array of materials.
Consider rust. I can only imagine the present condition of the new 1947 Plymouth sedan I was able to buy shortly after World War II. It was a shiny dandy! If perchance it was later rescued from rust by dismantlers, it has long since left the highway and has been molded into other forms. Since cars were built in such a hurry in those post war days, they were especially destined for rapid decay.
Some material things can resist moths and rust. That often puts them into the category of “precious materials.” Enter thieves who can ply their trade at every economic level. Newspapers are full of accounts of special thieves (financiers) who live in castles and have enriched themselves in ways only possible in a sophisticated capitalistic country. They are an example of how becoming smart does not make men better. Many are those who, while looking for a safe haven, have been victimized by such thieves.
The worst of all losses for those who store up this world’s goods is spelled out in verse 21 of the above text. Concentration on an earthly hoard can steal a man’s heart and take his attention away from much more important matters, like serving God and sharing his wealth. Furthermore, Jesus declared that gaining the whole world cannot outweigh the loss of one soul.
Treasures in heaven are identified in our text as the only safe haven for the investing of our lives. Such is the accumulation we are called to, which can be much more exciting and rewarding than watching stocks go up and down.
– James Gibbs
Elders Open House -- You are invited to come join us for an Elders’ Open House on Sunday, March 17, from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. You are invited to visit the homes of Larry and Wydie Denn, Gerry and September Flock, and Truman and Ferne Scott. Maps will be available at the information center in the courtyard for your convenience. Please come join us for this special afternoon.
Daddy / Daughter 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. Please see Marcie Dixon to purchase tickets. They will be on sale only for the next two Sundays - March 17th and 24th for $7.00 each.
**Daddy Daughter Dinner Dance needs some donations to help cover the cost of fabric to make curtains to cover the kitchen counter cut-out areas. Also, donations are needed to help cover the costs of purchasing single strands of white lights at the Christmas sales for next year’s program. Please see Marcie Dixon if you can help with any donations.
Vacation Bible School Sign Ups Get ready to surf !!! Our SonSurf Beach Bash Vacation Bible School will be held June 18-21. We need YOU to have the best VBS ever. Please contact Denise Beeks if you need more information or would like to volunteer to help.
West Main Primetimers -- The West Main Primetimers are celebrating the beginning of Spring on Thursday, March 21, at 11:30 a.m. at Wild River Pizza on North Pacific Hwy. in Medford. All church family members and guests 60 years and older are invited to attend, and ladies, please wear your Easter Bonnets. Call Bob or Joan Tisdel for more information and to RSVP.
Nursery Help Needed -- Diane Liles still has a need to fill our attended nursery on Sunday Mornings. Please contact her this week to see how you can help.
Children’s Worship Schedule – We will not have Children’s Worship on March 31 and April 7 due to Spring Break. We will resume our regular schedule on April 14.
Prayer Requests . . . Our sympathy is extended to the family of Sherry Harris who passed away on Monday. Services will be held in Wyoming...Bob Trimmer thanks everyone for their prayers. It looks like he won’t have to have his toe removed...Levi Wisdom’s friend, Bill, had his leg removed due to diabetes. He also has arterial disease. Pray for his wife, Roxanne, too...Kathy York asks prayers for her friend, Sue, who has uterine cancer. Pray for a successful surgery and recovery; also Matthew York’s girlfriend’s mother is undergoing radiation for breast cancer. Pray for comfort during her recovery...Laura Drew asks prayers for the family of Wynd Carlson, who died this past week. Pray for them to remain strong despite their loss. He is the second son in the last three years to die before the age of 40...Sara Cade asks prayers for Cheryl Harris who has brain tumors and is not expected to live. Her family also needs prayer...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
Doug and Toni Parker, Shawna Parker and her two boys, Jason & Gabriel, and Shirley Morgan. (Shirley is Toni's mother.)
CONGRATULATIONS to Nate & Amy York on the birth of their daughter, Opal Rose, on March 12. Opal weighed in at 7 lbs. 8 oz. and is 21 inches long. Proud grandma is Donna York and proud great-grandma is Evelyn Bates.
Calendar of Events
March 17: Elders’ Open House at the homes of Larry & Wydie Denn, Gerry &
September Flock and Truman & Ferne Scott; 1:30-4:30 p.m.
March 21: West Main Primetimers Lunch at Wild River Pizza; 11:30 a.m.
March 24: Meet and Rekindle Open House at the Testerman’s; 3-5:00 p.m.
March 30-April 7: Mexico Mission Trip
