April 22, 2007
HAPPINESS IS THE JOURNEY!!
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we're frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We'll certainly be happy when they're out of that stage.
We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire.
The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when?
Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.
One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."
This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with … and remember that time waits for no one.
So, stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you're off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you're born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
WWW.THRIVEMINISTRY.NET / Kent Ross, 3-21-07
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reminds us once more of the violent world we live in … the same kind of world Noah lived in (Gen. 6). We remember Jesus said the same type of world would exist when he returns (Matt. 24).
WE WILL SET ASIDE A FEW MOMENTS OF SILENT PRAYER THIS MORNING DURING OUR WORSHIP HOUR FOR
THE LOVED ONES OF THE VICTIMS …
AND FOR OUR NATION
Coming Here May 6th
a creation/evolution
power point presentation.
BOBBIE WEAVER: The 4-10 esophagus/lung surgery went very well and they found no cancer. Pam called her recovery “phenomenal.” She went home one week later (4-17). She probably will not require the 24/7 care they anticipated. We rejoice in the speedyrecovery!
DAN’S SCANS have been extended through May. If you have slides or photos you’d like digitized and placed on a CD for viewing on your TV or computer … plus having their color enhanced from many years of storage, contact Dan at dancain@gmail.com or Pastor Cain. See flyer on bulletin board.
AYVE DENAE was born April 16th to Branden & Kala (Fertig) Metzner. Ayve makes Bill & Ginny Cramer great grandparents! Ayve weighs 6 lbs – length not available. Doctor said she’s a very healthy girl. Branden will return to base in Tucson AZ May 1st and Kala & Eyve will follow soon when housing is secured. Congratulations!
GINNY CRAMER slipped on some ice and shattered her wrist recently. She’s now sporting 3 to 4 inch bolts in her hand and arm with a rod between them to immobilize her wrist. This will have to be worn 6-8 weeks. L
BILL & GINNY’S new home (built across the lane from their current home) is virtually done except for small details. They plan to begin moving over there in another month or so.
VICKI PHILLIS had her [radiation balloon] installed 4-17. It was very painful but Praise God her breast is clear of cancer. The next big step is Friday when she has a body scan. We pray that this will come back clear also. Monday starts her treatments. Thank you for all your prayers and keep them coming.
-God bless you all. Love Rick Phillis
Amazing Grace Continues a Strong Showing at
the Box Office
FRED SCHULD gave a brief report at church recently on this movie that he and his wife attended. He commented that it is well worth seeing and was amazed at how the British parliament through the powerful influence of William Wilberforce and John Newton were able to stop slavery in Britain without civil war or any blood shed. The following words were seen March 29th in OneNewsNow.com
“An entertainment executive says the success of the film Amazing Grace proves there's a big audience for movies with a solid moral message. It's encouraging, he says, to realize that consumers are looking for movies that are not only entertaining but are also challenging.”
Dear Pam & Class, That you for your gift of $52.17. Your gift allows desperate young women to find hope and to have their dreams restored.
– Nancy Alcorn of Mercy Ministries, 4-12-07
From April 2007 LHI Newsletter (Missions)
“March”ing for Missions is behind us and we wanted to take a few moments to thank all the churches who participated in mission activities this month. We have heard reports from a few churches and thought it would be nice to share them with you. Here’s what David Krogh said about our church: “The Bedford church raised $600 [actually $700 came in] to provide 6 [7] beds for the orphanage in Haiti. Their families love to put their money into the vortex and watch it go.”
– David Krogh
PRAY FOR: Ginny Cramer (wrist), Don Haley (by Rex), Kate Liauw (28, MS, by R Phillis), Lois Maze (by Robertson), Bobbie Weaver (surgery soon), Iris Horst (cancer, by Roper), Vicki Phillis (treatments), Emory Macy, Beth Marsh (2-26 hip surgery), June Routson (stroke), Dave Cheatwood, Bob Knebl (heart, by R Cain), Amy Gunselman (cancer, by R Phillis), Evelyn Pennington, Katie Cramer (chemo), Ralph & Iona Childs, Ruby Korode, Penny Frederick, Lucinda (by Szekely), Gene & Gloria Faehnrich, Edith Speer, Grady Hudspeth*, Jacob Hinton*, Kathy & Destiny Reed*, (*by Skip), W.C. & Craig Blankenship, College students: Jackie Schuld, Dan Cain, Rachel Cunningham, Shut-ins: David Onderdonk Sr., Helen Matthews, Military: Rodger Schuld, Those serving in other countries: Lupe Badillo-Mexico, Tracy Zhykhovich-Russia, Beder Ucañay-Peru, Pastors in Malawi & Mozambique, Lesly Bertrand and the Pastors in Haiti. Colleges / Churches: RRCC, ABC, Golden Rule, Grace Brethren and for the peace of Jerusalem, Ps. 122:6; Isa. 62:6, 7
April 2007
29 Andy & Barney Movie (Postponed from last month)
May 2007
6 JOSHUA RAILTON HERE / POWER-POINT PRESENTATION
6 Carry-in Dinner / Annual Congregation Meeting
13 Communion (postponed from May 6th)
Future Dates: Jun 3, Grad Social & Bridal Shower for Dan & Rachel / Jun 10-15 State Camp / June 23, Dan-Rachel’s wedding / July 15-20 National Camp / Aug 26, Annual SS Picnic
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45A.M.
WORSHIP 10:45A.M.
Musicians: (Sharon Cain & Frank Roper)
Welcome / Announcements
Worship Hymns / Mark Cain
239 Only Trust Him
254 Room at the Cross for You
Prayer / Offering
Message: The Road of Tears That Turned to Cheers
Key Texts: Luke 24:13-48; 1 Peter 1:7-9
341 Jesus Calls Us
By John Piper
Reading this month’s review book (before the Amazing Grace movie was released) not only clarified for me who William Wilberforce was, but let me know I’d have liked him a great deal. I think you would have, too. Unfortunately, he lived and died a long time ago. James Stephens wrote of Wilberforce, "His presence was ... fatal to dullness ... His mirth was as irresistible as the first laughter of childhood." He was more than merry, however. He was as tenacious as a buzzing mosquito on a hot summer day. When he was committed to a cause, he stuck with it no matter what. And the cause for which he is best known was a huge one – the abolition of the slave trade and of slavery in England.
Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce by John Piper – William Wilberforce was an evangelical member of Parliament who fought for the abolition of the African slave trade and against slavery itself until both were illegal in the British Empire. The battle consumed almost 46 years of his life. Abolition of the slave trade was defeated eleven times before its passage in 1807. The battle for actually abolishing slavery itself did not gain the decisive victory until three days before he died in 1833. For the first 20 years of his struggles in Parliament, Wilberforce suffered "nothing but defeats, insults, rejection from his friends, vilification from his enemies and even threats on his life." No single person in the history of British politics has displayed comparable moral courage over such a prolonged period of time. Churchill came close, but his battle was shorter and with fewer defeats. Wilberforce is credited with changing the moral outlook of Great Britain from loose morals and corrupt public life to an emphasis on character, morals, and justice, with the British business world becoming famous for integrity.
Not only did he scrimp in order to give one quarter of his income to the poor, but he was active in as many as 69 different initiatives to alleviate pain and to bring the greater social and eternal good. His adversaries complained that he jumped up when they knocked him down.
