C4 - THE JOURNAL, Thursday, October 30, 2014
Seniors
continued from page C3
his son would live, the father took Jesus at his word and
departed. His son was healed at that very hour.
The action of the father in taking Jesus at his word and
departing, is an example of amazing faith. He's going
home without Jesus and the family might have thought
he hadn't done anything. And, if he stayed around Jesus,
it might appear he didn't have faith in Jesus' words. But
the father had faith in Jesus.
I believe all our lives would be better if we just took
Jesus at his word. The wise man in Matthew 7:24 heard
the words of Jesus and put them into practiced. He built
his house on the rock and when the storms of life came,
the house stood firm. His faith was in Jesus. The storms
still came but when they passed, the wise man was still
standing.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on
your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge
him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
We meet at 9:00 am on Sunday for Bible study and 10:00
am for worship. Our Wednesday night Bible study begins
at 7:00 pm. For more information, please call 547.5393
Shalom
Good News Church
The story of Elisha being confronted by a mob of youths
in 2 Kings 2:23-24 is not about a cranky old man who
cannot take criticism. It is about young people Challeng-
ing God an His prophet. The chilling outcome of being
mauled by two she bears should make us think again
about disrespecting God.
Next Sunday's sermon will be "The Confrontation in
the Valley" 1 Samuel 17:1-51
Monday November 3 at 6:00 Woman's Bible Study by
Sheila Walsh, "The Shelter of God's PromisesY
Wednesday November 5 6:30 Bible Study and Prayer
Come meet with us at 144 East Kinder-Wells at 10:00
am Sunday. Where Christ is Lord, The Bible is Preached
and People are Loved.
Cimarron Valley Church of Perkins
By Ralph Martin
Sunday, our Pastor, Paul Dawson, brought a message
"The Treasury of Trust" from Psalms 34:4-7. The mes-
sage speaks to the presence of fear in the life of David
and of his efforts to conquer it. One definition of fear
is a feeling of anxiety caused by the presence of danger.
It primarily effects the thinking and motivational
part of a person and can sometimes dramatically
effect their behavior - both physically and emotionally.
It can trap and entangle a person like a snare. Surveys
indicate the ten most common fears are: Fear of spiders
and snakes, of open and closed spaces, of germs, of flying,
of heights, of clowns and dolls, of death and anything
relating to it, of social situations and public speaking,
of injections and needles, and of dogs or cats. We frail
and fragile humans often respond to fear with breathless-
ness, palpitations, flushing, stammering, panic attacks,
depression, eating orders, booze, drugs, and even death.
A previous message told about David's struggle to sur-
vive a "hit" order put out on him by the almost insanely
jealous King Saul. David's fear was physical death - the
mother of them all.
He knew he could not survive without freedom from
this fear and that only God could give him that. Psalms
34:4=7 speaks to David's prayers and God's response
to them. There would be no more fears or suffering for
David. There would even be angels sent to guard and
rescue the believers.
Our treasure is a collection of God's blessings and
promises. We know He will never leave or forsake us and
that He loves each of us personally like a father loves his
children. We trust this love and place our hopes, confi-
dence, and dependence upon it. We don't have to walk in
fear, we can walk under the umbrella of faith - knowing
that God is in total control of every situation and that
any appearances to the contrary are just stepping stones
in God's plan. We just have to watch that we don't step
out from this umbrella of faith by trying to "do our own
thing." Amen.
We are located at 901 Sadler Road in Perkins, OK.
74059 405-547-1557. www.cimarronvalleychurch.com
Sunday School 9:30 A.M. Morning Worship
and Children's Worship 10:45 A.M. Bible Study 7:00
P.M. Wednesdays. Nursery available. Visitors welcome.
Christian Church of Perkins
By David Pock
Today's Power Verses: Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to
me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give
you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for
I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for
your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
God's Promise to YOU!!! Matthew 18:4
Never Quit!
Sometimes many of us tend to be worriers instead of
warriors, fault finders instead of encouragers and some-
times just plain negative about everything.
Then there are those who see problems and impossible
situations as a love challenge! Challenges, that abso-
lutely drive them on to success. Of course, they do go
through suffering, pain and discouragement, but they
just don't give up. They don't give into their negative
feelings because they know that those kind of emotions
and impulses don't come from God! They face their
challenges with a Positive Christ-like Attitude and they
believe with all their heart that... "I can do all things
through Christ who strenthens me."
When you face discouragement, pain, suffering and
all kinds of trouble, always remember it's a problem
presented by the love of God to make you strong and
beautiful. If you had no problems, no obstacles to face
you would be overprotected and become weak and unsta-
ble. Like a spoiled child you would never do more than
sit and whine or cry when problems come. You could
never become the strong, beautiful mature child of God
that your Father desires for you to be.
Jesus' love and determination led Him to the cross in
order for you to live free from sin and have life to the full!
Let's grab onto life with Love and determination!
Let's draw our strength from the problems we face and
as we grow up in His love, let us encourage others and
lift them up also.
What are you facing today? How can you apply the
Love of God and the positive attitude of His son in order
to solve it?
This day is the day of change ! This day is my day, God
made it for me!
Keep your PCA* sharp and active today because you
will need it!
Come an worship with us ! ! Christian Church is located
121 SE. Stumbo Ave....Sundays...Bible Classes 9:45am ....
Worship service ...10:45 ..... Wednesdays Pot Luck meal
& Bible Classes...6p.m.
*PCA= Positive Christ-like Attitude
Diamond Valley Community Church
Pastor Quincy's message Wednesday night was, "A
Life of True Value," Proverbs 10:7 and 22:1. Explaining
it is a blessed objective being remembered as just and
righteous; a good name is desired above riches. Today's
world defines success by things aspired; painting a pic-
ture of considered success, but is a foundation built of
wickedness. Should it pass away there is nothing. Life
on earth is but a snap of time, each moment is precious;
use it wisely for Christ not chasing dreams, which lead
nowhere.
What incorporates a relationship with Christ lasts; his is
the last word. A life without God is doomed because it's
given to sin. When life is over, Jesus Christ considers only
the heart beating for God.
2 Kings 5:25-27 is a conversation between Elisha and
Gehazi, his servant. Naaman offered riches to Elisha
for his healing, but was refused because riches weren't
Naamans' cure, God was. Elisha knew valuing things of
flesh exonerates carnality and wanted no part of it. His
rewards were in living for Christ which is worth more than
any dollar amount amassed.
Sunday morning pastor Steve continued a four part series
- P.R.A.Y... Pray expectantly, Receive thankfully, Act in
obedience, Yield the Glory.
A is acting on God's instructions through prayer. Upon
receiving instruction, are we doing as instructed? Why?
Is it out of a sense of duty or impulsive; just doing it? A
wise Christian seeks God's advice and follows instructions
without hesitation. Noah, Moses, Joshua and Daniel were
men listening to God's instructions; following them without
hesitation, changing the world according to God's will; not
their own out of love for God in their hearts leading them.
In Acts 5:12-29 People followed Peter and the other
Apostles for their healing abilities, acquired when they
received the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
The Apostles were jailed; upon release they went back
to ministering to the people. The high priest, upset the
Apostles are still preaching about Jesus Christ, tells them
to stop. Peter says, "We are going to obey God and not
man." As wise Christians it would be amazing if we stood
up to those who come against Jesus Christ in obedience to
God instead of man.
Diamond Valley Community Church - located at the
corner of Diamond Valley Road and Highway 51, five
miles east of Stillwater. We are a non-denominational
congregation whose doors are open to anyone seeking to
serve a loving God, salvation through Jesus Christ, and the
Holy Spirit's guidance.
Our Sunday morning service is led by PastorSteve Foust
beginning at 9:00am. Sunday School follows the service at
10:00am. Wednesday evening services are led by Pastor
Quincy Morris at 7:00pm.
Mehan Union Church
Let each of you look not to your own interest, but to the
interest of others. Philippians 2:4
Have you shown interest in someone needing you in some
way lately? We have the Lord we can call on in our need.
We know the commandment to love one another, and we
can choose how to respond to people in need. Doing it in
LOVE is the most important issue.
The Tuesday morning ladies Bible study meet at 10 a.m.
This Tuesday we had lunch afterwards and invited our
pastor Larry as this is appreciation month, then we sacked
candy for fall fun time this Wednesday for all the children.
Just five more days this month to bless your ministers, but
that should continue all year long.
If you notice all the beautiful fall colors, just remember
to thank the LORD for His beautiful creation. That also
should continue all year long. This is planting and harvest
time. Luke 8:15 says "But the seed in the good ground,
these are the ones who having heard the word with an
honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring, bear
fruit." Are your seeds of love beating good fruit to those
around you?
We have two adult Sunday morning classes - both have won-
derful studies and discussions relating to God's word. Come
and join in, we are always ready for your spiritual comments,
suggestions and prayer requests and praise reports.
Do you ever ask yourself"How willing am I to take the
lead to serve God today?" Psalm 32:1-11 says, "I will
instruct you and teach you the way you should go: I will
counsel you with my eye upon you."
Have a PAC this week (Positive-Christ like Attitude)
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
By Fr. Ken Harder
Fall break has just passed. Students and teachers got
a welcome break from classes. It is also a time of tests.
I remember, as a student, asking teachers what material
Sterling Leaders
As a youngster, when we played Cowboys and Indi-
ans, I wanted to be the Indian. Long before moving to
Oklahoma, I studied various Indian tribes of the past at
the University of Texas under an anthropology professor
who had actually lived with a plains Indian tribe for two
years while completing his graduate work. It was one
of the two courses in college that I enjoyed the most. As
elections are just around the corner, let me tell you about
Little Wolf, the Sweet Medicine Chief of the Cheyenne,
and the other Chiefs who led their tribe.
The out of print book, "Cheyenne Autumn" is one of my
favorite history books. When Hollywood made a movie
starting all of the big names in the industry, I could hardly
wait to see it, but I was appalled to find that they had made
up their own story and depicted virtually nothing that
really happened. They only used the name of the book
and the names of the Indians to make it look authentic.
"The Cheyenne" by Adamson Hoebel probably contains
the most accurate anthropological information we have
today about this noble tribe. The last time I heard, their
legal system and their laws were still being studied in
some of our law schools. We would do well to emulate
many of their examples.
The Cheyenne had two sets of chiefs, war chiefs and a
council of 44 elected peace chiefs. War chiefs could be
elected peace chiefs, but they could not serve as both.
There was a separation between the military and "civil-
ian" leadership, and the 44 peace chiefs had the ultimate
authority. While the United States constitution calls for
something like that, Congress has abdicated much of their
authority and duties and given them to the Commander
and Chief of the military. These 44 elected peace chiefs
would then elect the Sweet Medicine Chief who would
be the top leader of their tribe. In 1878, Little Wolf was
the Sweet Medicine Chief of the Cheyennes. He is one
of my favorite American heroes.
These 44 chiefs had to be some of the most uncommon
selfless leaders in an history. Unlike most, if not all, of
those who seek the power, wealth, and prestige of public
office today, these Cheyenne leaders were some of the
poorest members of their society. You see, the Chey-
enne required their chiefs to be courageous, altruistic,
even tempered, good natured, energetic, wise, kind and
concerned about others, and generous to a fault. Their
only concern had to be what was good for their tribe, and
they could not even think about themselves. If by some
heroic action they obtained wealth of any kind, they gave
it away less some might think they were concerned about
themselves. Again, these 44 peace chiefs were the most
respected, yet some of the poorest people in their tribe.
Don't you wish you could have some like those on your
ballots to vote for once in awhile?
would be on a test. After all, in several months quite a
bit of material could be presented, which was the most
important? Admittedly, I or my fellow students would
ask because we didn't want to study everything, but I can
imagine from a teacher's point of view, there are certain
things they want their students to understand above other
things. In other words, there is a hierarchy of importance
in things taught. In the gospel, Jesus has just shut down
the Sadducees, the Jewish leaders who didn't believe in
resurrection. The Pharisees did believe in resurrection
and must have been pleased that Jesus had silenced the
Sadducees. They test Jesus now; my guess is that they
felt threatened by him, even though he had won against
their foes. In the gospel of Mark, the question is actually
part of an honest discussion. Think for a minute, there
were (and I guess still are) 613 precepts in the Jewish
Torah that a good Jew should follow. That is a lot of
rules; did they all have the same importance? Were there
some that were more important to fulfill than others? If
it was difficult to follow all the rules, which ones should
a person do first? The answer Jesus gives was perfectly
orthodox for the Jews. Love of God with all of self was
part of the great Shema prayer that Jews say several times
a day, kind of like the Our Father is to us. His innovation
is to connect it with love of neighbor as self. Jesus shows
that the same principle that guides Judaism guides what
would become Christianity; the command to love. Love
as a command seems odd, after all, isn't love something
you feel? Indeed it is, on an emotional level. On a deeper,
personal level, love is an action of the will, it is a choice
a person makes without regard to what one feels. Love is
what gives the hero courage to put life on the line. Love is
what motivates a person to give up something so another
may do well. Love is that action of the will by which we
become fully personal. Christ repeats this command at the
Last Supper when he commands his disciples to love as he
has loved. Just as physical exercise makes the body better,
so love is the exercise, ifI may put it that way, that makes
us a more real person. The whole notion of a person is a
being that relates to other persons. Because God Himself
is personal, he has need of relating to another. Of course
God cannot need anything outside of himself so within
himself there is a community of persons. The Father loves
the Son, the Son loves the Father and this love proceeds
from both as the Holy Spirit. Note that we often talk of
the power of the Holy Spirit. That power is love, God's
love. Love is our power as well. Of all the things we can
do, love is the one that makes us like God. Note this, that
our love of God is seen in how we love thy neighbor. If
we love thy neighbor, then we also have love of our own
selves. Love of self is not pride; it is a gratitude and peace
with who we are. To truly be human means that we have
this three-fold love, each building the other. In our faith,
all our practices, all our rituals, all our rules, like those
of Judaism have the one goal of increasing our love of
God, neighbor and self. Love, for that is what makes you
a better you and one with God.
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