October 23, 2013
LIFE IN A MINORITY
When Christians think of themselves as a moral majority with the power to save our nation in the political arena, there are two things wrong with that thinking. First, we are not a majority. We are a minority. Secondly, that is not how Jesus intended to save the world.
This is not to say that we should abdicate the role of leavening the society we live in; Jesus said we should. But he also made it clear that the few who follow him must walk a narrow road that the majority is not willing to follow. See Matthew 7:13-14.
When Jesus appeared on earth, God’s many years of nurturing the Jewish nation seemed to have been wasted. In the end it was people who claimed Abraham as their father who crucified Christ. There was, however, by God’s design, a faithful remnant left – a few who still hoped in the promises God had made to them.
There was Joseph, the husband-to-be of Mary, who thought at first that his intended had betrayed him, but was a good man and not willing to make her a public example – as the law allowed. There were fishermen from Galilee, who left home and business to hear John the Baptist call the Jews to repentance. There were tax collectors, who saw in Jesus a greater gain than money. These and others like them made up a minority in the name of Christ that brought greater changes than the world had ever seen.
Christians are destined to be a minority because they look to the unseen. They believe in the resurrection of Jesus although they were not witnesses of it. They are determined to lead pure lives because they believe that they too have been resurrected from a dead life. They march to a different drummer than most of the world.
It is difficult for the materialistic majority to understand Christians whose main interest in earning surplus money beyond livelihood is to enable them to give. But as for Christians, they feel grateful to have been liberated from the love of money. Strange people indeed!
When it comes to changing the world, Christians have an unusual way of going about it. While they may reason with others about why they believe in Christ, their main arguments are their lives. Jesus taught that good trees and good men are identified by their good fruit. The road of faith is not an easy road to step into until it can be exemplified in the lives of those who are already on that road.
Because Christians want to become all things to all men they take no delight in being different just for the sake of not fitting in. Rather, just as Jesus came to earth to walk among men, we too want to be personable to others, and to let them know we are all made of the same dirt.
During the tender years of childhood, being in a minority is especially difficult. The desire for acceptance is strong. It is therefore an early goal to let our children know that we are in a minority, and that to follow Christ they must be willing to be there, too.
– James Gibbs
Anniversary Sunday -- Please invite your friends, neighbors and former members to come join us in celebrating our 63rd Anniversary as a church family on Sunday, October 27. We will have a potluck luncheon following our morning services. Please bring lots of your favorite potluck dishes to share with our visitors. Plan now to join us as we celebrate our special day!
Prime Timers Luncheon -- Prime Timers - please come join us for lunch at the Black Bear Diner on Thursday, October 31, at 11:30 a.m. in the private dining room. There will be prizes for wearing a Funny Halloween costume and sharing your funniest Halloween experience. Please call Joan Tisdel if you need more information.
Holiness Night of Poetry -- You are invited to come join us at our first ever poetry slam on Sunday evening, November 10, at 6:00 p.m. We encourage everyone of every age (especially the teens) to enter. We ask that your poem is original and about “holiness.” For more information contact Brian Pannell.
College Boxes -- The time is here once again to put together boxes for some of our young adults away at college and for those who have just gone into the military. If you would like to help fill the boxes you can pick up a list in the foyer and return the items to the building by Sunday, November 3. You can also give cash donations to help with the cost of shipping which is about $16.00 per box. Please see or call Denise Beeks if you need more information. Our college students this year are Kayla & Kelly Christopher, Gracie D'Antonio, Marissa Gann, Cory Murray, and Carissa Sweet.
In The Military -- Alex Cummings is serving in the military and is in the process of getting his new address. We will post it when it becomes available.
Budget Requests -- ALL DEACONS are asked to turn in their budget requests for 2014 to Ron Zielke by Sunday, November 10th. If you need to know what your ministry has spent in 2013, please contact Ron or the church office.
For Cynthia Barnes who is recovering from knee replacement surgery - she is at home now...For Larry Denn and Donna York as they recover from hip surgery...For Bob and Dorothy Trimmer, Evelyn Bates, and Lillian Casebier - continued prayers for their improved health...Shirley Morgan requests prayers for Richard Roamer as he recovers from bypass surgery...Jessica Fitzsimmons and Zach request your prayers for a family friend who was in a bad car accident and has serious injuries...also prayers for comfort and healing for Art Yarrish...Jack Spodnik - prayers for his friend, Finn, who has been ill and for his daddy to feel better and have safe travels...For Alix Spodnik to grow and become a more mature Christian...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
Prayer Chain Update -- If you need to start the Prayer Chain, please call Mary Ragsdill, Mike Eddy or the church office.
Thank You Note -- Dear Ones: I want to thank you for your prayers, beautiful bouquet, cards, visits and concerns. I miss going to church. With my love, Lillian Casebier
Calendar of Events
Oct 27: Anniversary Sunday
Oct 31: Prime Timers Luncheon
