Friends of Faith Baptist of North Chili,
I’m back – after having had a GREAT week at the Pastors Retreat Network retreat in NE Ohio. Janet and I spent a delightful, restful, relaxing, and encouraging week without phone, TV, computer or newspapers. I wanted to just spend a week with the Lord and I did that, reading the Word, praying, reading a bit in a couple of books I brought with me. Just having a week without an agenda, message preparations, or To-Do List was refreshing. I highly recommend it!
Here’s something to think about. I was reading the book of Ezra in “The Message” (Eugene Peterson’s translation/paraphrase). In chapter nine I read this relevant warning: “Don’t cultivate their good opinion [speaking of the pagan people in the land of Israel]; don’t make over them and get them to like you so you can make a lot of money and build up a tidy estate.” I wonder how much effort I put into getting unbelievers to like me instead of being salt and light to a dying and dark world. I wonder if that effort is motivated by a desire to “get along” to make life easier and convenient for me. While reading through the Old Testament so far this year, what I’ve noted is the emphasis that a life lived removed from God is not worth living. Having a strong desire to be close to and obedient to God is what makes life worth living, not money or possessions!
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TIME FOR A SMILE
We went to one of those mega-churches the other day. I sat in an aisle seat as I usually do because it feels a little roomier. Just as the service was about to start a woman of a certain hair color from the center of the row got up and started working her way out. “Excuse me, sorry, oops, excuse me, pardon me, gotta hurry, oops, excuse me.”
By the time she got to me I was trying to look around her and I was a little impatient so I said, “Couldn’t you have done this a little earlier?”
“No!!” she said in a loud whisper, “The TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE PLEASE message just flashed up on the screen and mine is out in the car.”
Just a helpful story since my mother plans on visiting our church this summer (although she isn’t at all “elderly”)
An elderly woman walked into the local country church. The friendly usher greeted her at the door and helped her up the flight of steps.
“Where would you like to sit?” he asked politely.
“The front row please,” she answered.
“You really don’t want to do that,” the usher said. “The pastor is really boring.”
“Do you happen to know who I am?” the woman inquired.
“No,” he said.
“I’m the pastor’s mother,” she replied indignantly.
“Do you know who I am?” he asked.
“No,” she said.
“Good,” he answered, “Let me show you the front pew.”
“I’ve been having trouble concentrating lately – I think I have that attention deficit whatever.”
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Sunday, March 25, 2007
* Family Bible Classes – 9:30am
* The Adult Class (meeting in the auditorium) continues the study “Crises and Crowns” — the Old Testament biographies of Samuel, Saul, David and Solomon. This week we begin Lesson 4 which begins with 1Samuel 13 and is about Israel’s first king – Saul. Two years into Saul’s reign we see his impatient disobedience assert itself. Disaster!
* Morning Worship – 10:45am
* From John 2:1-12, this Sunday morning’s message title is “Weddings, Wine or Wonders?” Yes, Jesus attended a wedding in Cana of Galilee. We don’t know who was getting married (neither the bride or groom are mentioned). We do know that Jesus was invited with His disciples and was there. We know that Mary, Jesus’ mother, was aware when the beverage supply ran out (a terrible social gaffe). We know that Mary came to Jesus and alerted Him to the problem. She then instructed the servants to do whatever He told them. Six waterpots were filled with water (120-180 gallons) and when they took a sample to the master of the feast he was amazed that the family had reserved the best wine for last. Now this text troubles us, we who don’t want to encourage anyone in the use of wine or alcohol. So we ask, was this preserved in Scripture to teach us the importance of weddings? Was it to approve of wine drinking? Actually, the answer is in verse 11, “This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.” Come and let’s examine that further together.
* Evening Celebration – 6:00pm
* We will continue on in the book of Micah, with a look at MIcah 6 in a message entitled, “Micah’s Challenge.” When we read (in verse 2), “the LORD has a complaint against His people” we should sit up and take notice. It’s one thing to listen to Scripture and think, “Wow, I sure hope my ______ (neighbor, wife, husband, child, etc.) is listening,” but it’s another thing to realize we are looking into the mirror of God’s Word and see what He is saying about our own hearts and lives. Let’s listen together!
* We will have our March monthly business meeting at 7:15pm.
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That’s all for this edition of FaithFriends. Pray with me that God’s people will be equipped and encouraged and the lost will hear the good news of the Gospel and trust Christ for their salvation!
Your faithful Minister of the Word,
Pastor Harriman
www.fbcnorthchili.org