April 2, 2014
DESIRE IS A FUNNY THING
“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:6-9).
The above counsel from the Apostle Paul to his son in the faith, Timothy, are words that came into my mind often these last couple of weeks. For instance, as I worked last week in San Felipe, Mexico I was moved by the family’s reaction to the home we were building for them. “Home” is a generous word to use for what we were building. For most of us here in the Rogue Valley what we were building would be thought of more as a single car garage or a nice storage shed. Yet, the simple 10 x 18 foot structure was looked upon as a dream house for this family in San Felipe.
As I reflected on the joy of this family I wondered to myself, “Would I be so joyful or even content with such a home?” There is no electricity, no plumbing, no indoor bathroom, no heating or air conditioning in this dream home in San Felipe. As I looked around the inside of this home I wondered where they would put a stove, where would the master bedroom go and where would their three children sleep? What in this small space would be considered the dining room, kitchen, or family room? Would there be space left over for an entertainment center? Where would they put their flat screen T.V.? Yet, for this blessed family in San Felipe it was all and more than they could have hoped for.
I was again reminded of Paul’s words to Timothy to “be content” with my food and clothing as I came across a piece of property for sale here in the Rogue Valley. I was out hiking and came to a beautiful view spot overlooking the valley. As I was admiring this view, I noticed a nearby piece of property for sale. This property was nestled in the mountains with breathtaking views of the mountains to one side and cities of the Rogue Valley on the other side. I dreamed of what it would be like to build my dream house on this property. My wondering will always be just a dream for the reality is this property costs $260,000. That is the cost just for the land! Apparently I have expensive desires.
Desire is a funny thing. One family in San Felipe considers a 10 x 18 foot structure the fulfillment of their desires for a dream home, and on the other hand I consider a $260,000 piece of land an unfulfilled desire. Besides financial cost what accounts for this difference in desire? The Apostle Paul warns us that we need to diligently monitor our desires. Many desires lead down a senseless path of temptation and ensnare us into ruin and destruction. Desire may be a funny and peculiar thing, but if we do not discipline them with godly contentment, we will find ourselves in tears instead of laughter. May you find joy in being content with your food and clothing.
– Terry
Lessons from Job: What can we learn to build our faith today? A new eight-week study of the Book of Job begins this Sunday, April 6, at 9:00 a.m. in the auditorium class led by Gerry Flock. There are challenging questions that come from this book:
Will my goodness be rewarded by God?
Why do the righteous suffer?
Why does sin go unpunished?
Does God really care and protect me?
We will wrestle with these challenging questions with the goal of strengthening our walk with a faithful and loving God. Please come and grow with us! See you Sunday at 9:00 a.m.!
Sunday Evening Ladies Bible Study -- Ladies: You are welcome to join us at a Bible Study meeting at the building from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Sunday nights beginning April 13th. We will be studying Exodus using Priscilla Shirer’s study, One in a Million. Contact Jessie Pannell for more information or to order a book.
New Directories -- Our new 2014 Directories are now available on the information center in the courtyard and on the lobby tables. Please take only one directory per family. The directories in the binders are for new members only or those members who did not get a binder. (Our Elders are revising the 2014 Ministry Responsibility and Resource pages and we will publish them as a supplement to the directory later.)
Learn to Sew Teddy Bears -- Liz Dunlap will be teaching a class on how to make Teddy Bears on Tuesday, April 22, at 11:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room. These Teddy Bears will be given away for our Christmas hospital and basket programs. Liz will provide all the fur necessary for the Teddy Bears - just bring your sewing scissors, quilting pins and a sewing machine, if possible. Please contact Liz or Dorothy Trimmer if you would like to join us!
The Daddy-Daughter-Dinner-Dance is scheduled for April 26 for all young ladies ages 5-18 years old and their favorite adult gentleman. Tickets will be on sale through April 9 for $12.00 per person. Contact Marcie Dixon for more info.
Prayer Requests . . . . For Betty Lake who is in the hospital with blood clots - please pray for full recovery...For Severta Shipley as she continues to recover from her fall...Prayers for Bill Cook (Shawna Gann’s father) who is dying - for a painless passing and strength for his wife, Ruby, and the family...For Jenny Way to be able to do all that is planned for her this week...For the daughter of Evelyn Edwards who might have cancer...For Eva Loy Knight who fell and bruised her ankle and is in a lot of pain...Laura Bywater requests prayers for her brother, Mark Dickison and his wife, Marissa, who are expecting a baby any day - pray that everything will go okay...Carlena Eddy requests prayers for nine year old, Gabe, who is in the hospital with Guilliam-Barre Syndrome - he is doing better - thank you for your prayers...For Lorie Ragsdale for a speedy recovery after her upcoming surgery...For K Li - that her broken left arm will heal...For Rosa Gomez - she appreciated all the cards and prayers for her...For Gaby Dimas as she deals with ongoing health issues - pray that the cause may be found...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
Thank you Note -- We have received a nice thank you note from Lisa Allen thanking us for all of your support and love during her difficult journey with chemotherapy. Please see the note posted on the courtyard bulletin board.
Memorial Service for Frank Sparks will be this Saturday, April 5, at 11:00 a.m. at the building. Following the service, we will have a potluck luncheon. Please bring plenty of food to share with our guests. Please keep Leilla and family in your prayers.
Prime Timers Spring Luncheon will be held on Thursday, April 10, at 1:00 p.m. at HomeTown Buffet. (Please note the change of time.) Please call Joan Tisdel to RSVP.
95th Birthday Party -- The family of Al Vice invites you to celebrate Al’s 95th Birthday on Saturday, April 12, at the Clubhouse at Mountain View Estates from 2-4:00 p.m. at 333 Mt. View Drive, Talent, OR.
April 5: Memorial service for Frank Sparks, 11:00 a.m.; Potluck lunch to follow service.
April 6: Bible Busters Art Show; 6:00 p.m.
April 10: Prime Timers Luncheon; 1:00 p.m.
April 26: Daddy-Daughter Dinner
