It was only a few weeks ago that the Gainesville, Florida, police were called to the home of a 74-year-old man. When they arrived, the frightened man told them a terrible tale.
He shared how he had been minding his own business, not bothering anyone when suddenly a man entered the room and started waving a gun in his face.
That's the kind of charge that no police department takes lightly. Patiently the Gainesville officers investigated. They found out the following:
Fact: The man with the gun was the 74-year-old roommate of the fellow who had registered the complaint.
Fact: They had an argument.
Fact: The roommate, Ernest Michael Chapman, had fled the scene of his crime.
There was only one thing still missing from the police report: What was the motive for the crime?
The officers got that bit of information too. It seems the victim had been watching TV and his roomie had asked him to turn it down. When he didn't, his pal threatened him with a gun and demanded he turn down the sound.
When I first read that story, I thought these are two mature men and they are threatening each other about the level of sound coming from a TV. Ridiculous!
Then I remembered the motive for Cain killing his brother ... and I remembered some of the arguments I had seen take place at voter's assemblies ... and I remembered some of the gentle altercations I've had with my wonderful spouse.
Now none of those battles ever ended up with any guns being waved around, but that's not the point. The point is this: it seems we sometimes get bent out of shape about things that just aren't that important. We go ballistic about the insignificant.
This is just one more nasty quality that can be attributed to our sinful human nature.
Thankfully, it is a quality and a nature Jesus never had. Oh, don't get me wrong. Jesus got angry and He said plenty of strong words. But Jesus' reaction was always proper and right for the occasion.
Wait, that's not entirely true, is it? When Jesus was lied about and falsely accused, when He was condemned and sentenced to the cross the appropriate reaction would have involved turning His accusers into petunias.
But Jesus didn't do the appropriate thing. He did that which identifies Him as the world's one and only Savior. Jesus kept His cool. He kept calm and gave His life so we might live with Him forever.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, in this world there are battles worth fighting and those which are not. Help me distinguish the differences and act in a way which glorifies You and benefits my neighbor. This I pray in my Savior's Name. Amen.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Where is Carchemish?
Sun- Bible study 8am; worship 9am; Bible study 10:30; Elders 11:30
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NEWS:
Projector Schedule August-November
August
6- mckenzie
7- Sweet
13- Mauch
14- McDowell
20- Mauch
21- Panhorst
27-
28- Sweet
September
3- mckenzie
4- Panhorst
10-
11-
17-
18- Heitgerd
24- Mauch
25- mckenzie
October
1- mckenzie
2- Panhorst
8-
9- Winn
15-
16- Heitgerd
22- mckenzie
23-
29- mckenzie
30-
November
5- mckenzie
6-
12-
13-
19-
20-
23- (Thanksgiving Eve) mckenzie
24- (Thanksgiving Day)
26-
27-
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The ninth annual T-3 Men's Retreat is set for Friday-Sunday, September 23-25, 2011. This promises to be another great experience for the men of St John's and other Lutheran congregations in the St. Charles area. In fact, men from all over the metro area have joined this special time in the past. Men 18 years of age or older are eligible and they need not be Lutheran to attend. The retreat will be held at Mark Twain State Park at the Si Coburn Group Camp. This is a beautiful setting for a weekend of adventure and growth. The theme of this year's retreat is "Respectable Sins" and the study times during the retreat will be spent exploring the areas of our lives where we have come to accept less than God might want from us.
The retreat will feature great food and a lot of activities A scramble golf tournament, fishing tournament, trap and skeet shooting competition, and euchre tournament all take place on Saturday morning. If none of these interest you, you may choose to spend time reading, hiking , biking, site seeing, or napping. Prizes are awarded to tournament winners at dinner on Saturday evening. Campfires on Friday and Saturday nights provide the opportunity to get to know others better under the stars. Music is a big part of the camp experience and you will enjoy hearing and singing familiar songs with the 100+ men who typically attend. The culminating worship service on Sunday morning is a special time of praising God for all His gifts to us and a great way to prepare us to return to our homes and lives.
The cost of the retreat is only $42 and this includes meals and a commemorative tee-shirt. Attendees have the option of staying in group cabins or tent camping on the grounds at no additional charge. You can even arrange to stay in a local motel near the camp at reduced rates if you like.
A brochure with all information and a registration form will be available soon in the narthex. You can also register online at www.t3mensretreat.org using PayPal. It is really easy and you can see pictures of the camp and facilities there, too.
This is the year for you to go to the T-3 (trap-tackle-tees) Retreat. Sign up, meet new friends, bring old friends, and join in the fun of growing your faith. For more information, contact Don Hugo at Zion –636 441-7425 ext 246 or home 636 441-9954.
For LIL WINTER who is hospitalized but is doing much better and may go home today. She is having trouble with breathing and with retaining fluid.
OUR CHURCH as we continue the CARE PROCESS.
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