West Main

 

The hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and tornadoes of 2011 remind us that the Earth has been energized from the moment of its creation. The sources of this energy are many, with powerful rays of the Sun from without to the pent-up heat from nuclear decay and a molten core within. These, together with the spin of our globe and gravitational tugs of the Sun and the Moon, are energy sources that perpetually stir up things for us here where we live.

 

 

Although we may feel the sting of these forces when we build our houses in low places, or do not build them strong enough to weather the storms, these stored-up energy sources have been clearly designed for our good. This can especially be seen in the many ways our Creator has moderated these energy releases to protect us from their fury.

 

 

Because the Earth’s spin provides just the right periods of night and day, we are spared the extreme temperatures that would attend a slower spin with greater heat buildup by day and greater chill by night. But it is the tilt of the spin axis of Earth, together with its orbit around the Sun that provides uneven seasonal heating of the Earth and our annual variety of weather. Just one consequence of these seasonal changes is that we are saved from the buildup of prolonged hazards like our fall hurricane season.

 

 

Giant rivers within our oceans we think of as “currents” also result from this uneven solar heating of the Earth, aided by variations of salinity, surface winds and gravitational tugs from the Moon. One of these, the “Gulf Stream,” flows northward along our east coast transporting warm water from the Caribbean, with some of its eddies reaching across the Atlantic Ocean to northern parts of chilly England. Actually, the Gulf Stream is a part of a great clockwise rotating system that begins off North Africa, with many branches that have special names.

 

 

Vast circulating currents are also alive in the other oceans of the world. All of these redistribute heat and make our world more habitable. In Antarctic regions, colder water is denser and sinks, then flowing southward. It is replaced by warm surface water flowing in from the south. This results in surface and deeper currents that flow in opposite directions.

 

 

Many side benefits other than our comfort result from ocean currents, such as the fertility of ocean waters and ecosystems that provide an abundance of fish. Detailed mapping efforts of these currents by Peter Niiler of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography have also called attention to the absorption of carbon dioxide by currents upwelling from the deep.

 

 

The complexity of the multitude of ocean currents with their distribution of heat boggles the mind. This challenge to comprehend the Lord’s designs is not new to me, for I am often left with mouth agape at the wonder of it all. I feel sympathetic with Job, who was faced with the same problem when he tried to understand God’s dealing with him.

 

– James Gibbs

 

 

HOW TO BEAT THE HEAT

Refresh your mind by reading the 'good news’ in the Bible.

Face the billowy breeze of the Holy Spirit.

Swim continually in God’s love.

Shower yourself with God’s beautiful blessings.

Drink from the springs of living water that will quench your thirst forever.

Keep cool and calm in the middle of an argument.

When you receive lemons, make tasty lemonade.

Break the ice with someone with whom you are holding a grudge.

Create a pleasant climate in your home where joy can grow.

Splash on all God’s gifts and become a sweet smelling fragrance.

 

 

 

 

Vacation Bible School is next week and is for children in K-6 Grades June 18-21. We still need help with gifts for children, prizes for the games, and people who can help with the carnival games on Friday. Contact Denise Beeks to volunteer to help. Please mark your calendar for the following VBS Work Days.

 

We need your help on Saturday, June 15: 9:00 a.m. - noon and Monday, June 17: 9:00 a.m. until finished!

 

 

 Ladies Bible Class Annual Summer Barbeque -- It’s that time of year again...time to kick off the summer season with lots of food, fellowship and fun! Ladies, please come join us at the home of Bill and Barb Viera on Tuesday, June 25, at 11:00 a.m. until whenever. Please bring lawn chairs and comfortable shoes - all the rest will be provided. Please try to car-pool as parking is limited.  See your Wednesday bulletin for directions.

 

 

Southern Oregon Christian Camp  --  is July 7-13 at the Box R Ranch and is for those who have completed third grade through Seniors graduated in 2013. Registration forms are available at the information center in the courtyard. Camp cost is $165.00 with final registration deadline of June 25.

 

Camp Kitchen Drive – Check the lists at the back of the auditorium for items you can bring to help supply our camp kitchen this year. Then bring the items and place in the boxes provided.

 

 

Graduation Receptions 

 

For Alex Cummings: Saturday, June 15, at Doc Griffin Park in Jacksonville, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

For Jed Rennels: Sunday, June 16, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at his home.

 

 

 

Prayer Requests . . . Alex Cummings requests prayers for the Higday family who recently lost their mother - also for James Carpenter, a student at Cascade High School who has a tumor in his stomach...Tomi Roderick requests prayers for Ben who was recently in a motorcycle accident and also has cancer - prayers for his faith and health and guidance...For the aunt of Diane Liles, Darla Tompkins, that she will have a complete healing of her leg infection and will not need it amputated...Robert Price-Tarbell, asks your prayers for his mother, Robyn, who is having health issues and that the doctors will know how to treat her...Kris Williams asks prayers for her husband, Sean, who is having health issues and that she will do a good job at work...Lacey Reed asks prayers for her mother who is having money problems...For David Mayes to be more Christlike and that Cora will be a good example to her mother...For Jenny Way, that she make continuing progress with her brain injury...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.

 

 

Calendar of Events

June 18-21: VBS 

June 23: Friendship Day Potluck Following Morning Service

June 26: CIA 

July 7-13: Camp at Box R Ranch