West Main

MEXICO  TRIP

Everyone loves the movies about a ragtag group who get thrown together on some sort of team. We love to watch how they struggle at first, and everyone writes them off. We really love it when we watch as they suddenly begin to come together and get better. And our hearts explode as we watch it culminate with the giant conclusion as they do the impossible and win it all! We LOVE these kinds of stories. Whether it be “Remember the Titans, The Rookie, or Hoosiers,” we can’t get enough.

I had the privilege of experiencing this phenomenon in real life last week. The second group of us went down to Mexico to build a house. I cannot speak for the week one crew, (but their finished product was AWESOME), but our group was a ragtag gang. J We had VERY little experience. Most even admitted they’d never seen a cinder block or swung a hammer. It was a smaller crew which meant that EVERYONE would have to pitch in. There would be NO standing around. If anyone did not do their job, the whole thing would be thrown off. We started with our feet running. We hit a few snags, made a few mistakes, but these guys NEVER quit!

I was floored watching them learn to mix concrete, lay block and work a level. No one quit trying. Not when they messed up, were corrected, were hurt or tired. And before we knew it a house began to form. The impossible was happening. In fact, because of the hard work they threw themselves into, we set some records for time!

I was very proud. Good leadership and attitudes go a LONG way! Matthew 19 tells us that with God all things are possible. We saw this last week! No one thought we’d finish a house, especially not in three days! But when we left, a beautiful family had a beautiful home.

We’d like to thank you for your support, donations and prayers to make this happen. You should be proud of this crew!

– Pannell

STAYING  CONNECTED

The petals on the flowers of my wife’s birthday bouquet are beginning to wilt and fall. They have served to accentuate my memories of her at my breakfast table. Another bouquet from my youngest son has stepped in to take its place. After a day or two of comfort, its flowers will also fade.

The beauty of a flower fades shortly after it is disconnected from the source of its strength. It reminds me that if I retain any beauty in my life that I must also stay connected with the sources of my energy – the Lord, his Word, his Church, and the offspring God has given me.

When Jesus taught this needed lesson (John 15:4), his emphasis was that cut-off branches of a vine do not bear fruit. This means to me that I can become worthless if I do not stay connected with him. He, and his apostles, also taught repeatedly that love for people should keep us connected to them as well.

I can understand why artists picture hermits as withered old men. Becoming old and staying connected is not easy. It calls for substituting new joys in place of old ones. My dearest loves – my wife, my siblings, and most of my best friends have gone to be with the Lord. They cannot return to me. I can go to them.

One joyous part of the crowd I hang out with carries my blood line. It is exciting to watch children and grandchildren find their own way with the Lord. Also, toddlers and old people have a lot in common. They both toddle, and by their unsteady gait draw all kinds of helpful attention. I thank my gracious God, who has given me these sustaining familial connections. The young are his idea that life should go on.

Otherwise, I am surrounded by a strange new world of which I have difficulty in becoming a part. I have lived from the time of horse-drawn farm implements and the first crystal set radios – to a new world of bits and bytes that support the present information age. Educators have tried to paint a veneer of education on me, and I in turn have tried to pass on the paint job. I even give a small attention to journals that try to keep me informed about new discoveries in our brave new world. But I increasingly realize that I really do not belong here.

Changes in church practice are both comforting and discomforting. I am comforted when I see less allegiance to one-sided creeds and dogmas of the past. When I read fresh writings from the religious world that ring with truths from the scriptures, I am encouraged. Seeing spiritual eagerness in a new generation is reviving to me. Two recent notes from young men asking for contact have been challenging. I pray that I will not disappoint them.

After having unloaded all of the above, I want you to know that in the meantime connections sustain me. I could not live without the bread of life found in the scriptures. Jesus and the life he calls us to remains a great excitement to me. The love that is unique to the church provides ties that I cannot do without. Thanks for hearing me out. I wanted you to know about the gasoline in the tank of my aging vehicle.

– James Gibbs

New Mexico Children’s Home – This Sunday, April 14, Dave Dowlen will be here to share with us his work with the New Mexico Children’s Home. He will have an information table set up in the courtyard after morning services.

Church Work Day  --  We will have our Annual Spring Cleaning around the building on Saturday, April 20, from 8:00 a.m. until finished. Please bring your yard tools. Please contact Trevor Denn at 541-821-3807 if you need more information.

Elders’ Open House – Our last Elders’ Open House will be held on Sunday, April 21, from 1:30-4:00 p.m. at the homes of Charlie & Becky Anderson, Ron & Sally Zielke and Lance & Betty Lake. Maps will be available on that Sunday. (Lance and Betty had to postpone their open house last week, so please make plans to include them in this open house.)