Also, if I remember correctly, I don't have a person to run the computer for 11pm either. I have lost the schedule so someone let me know if this is not the case. If you can help me in this way please reply!
Thank you!
Pastor
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" | I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. For this is perhaps why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. | " |
—Paul of Tarsus to Philemon, Epistle to Philemon 1:10-16 (ESV) |
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THANK YOU ALL for your prayers!
Lynn
"A Wrong Christmas Spirit" December 19, 2011 While He (Jesus) was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss Him, but Jesus said to him, "Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?" Luke 22:47-48 Insult to injury. That expression accurately describes the events which took place this year at Southington, Connecticut. It appears that Ruth Wagner went to a Christmas craft fair, so she could celebrate the season. Sadly, she was not planning to pay for any of the items she liked. Wagner gave herself, as they used to say, a "five-fingered discount." That is, she started to steal things. That's the insult to the Savior and to the sellers at the craft fair. When a vendor saw and confronted Wagner about her stealing, she made a bee-line for the exit. The vendor yelled out, "Someone stop that woman!" and one quick-thinking lady blocked Wagner's path. Now this is where the injury part of the story comes in. Not wishing to be captured red-handed, Wagner grabbed a seashell Christmas ornament and stabbed the lady in the arm. The injured lady was taken to the hospital, and Wagner was eventually taken to the police station. There she was charged with: first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, sixth-degree larceny and a second-degree breach of the peace. Wagner's bail was set at $100,000. Insult to injury. When I read Wagner's story, I immediately thought of Judas, who also was guilty of adding insult to injury. It was an injurious thing for the renegade disciple to betray Jesus. After all, he had been directly under the Savior's influence for three years. But to betray his Redeemer with a kiss ... that was an insult to which even the long-suffering Savior reacted. Insult to injury. Yes, when I read Wagner's story, I thought of Judas, and then I thought of myself. I cannot begin to calculate how many times I have sinned and to that first transgression added another sin, and another, and another -- in an attempt to justify myself. Quite likely you've done the same. If so, we need a Savior -- a Savior who has shown He can love us past our insults and in spite of the injuries we do. In a second, Jesus would have forgiven Judas ... and Ruth ... and Ken ... and you. To make forgiveness a reality is why God's Son was born; it is why He lived, suffered, died and rose. And it is why we prepare for His birthday remembrance with a repentant heart. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, forgive my insults and injuries. Grant me the Holy Spirit, so I might be changed and become the proper witness You deserve. This I ask in Your Name. Amen. |
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Ephesians 5:17
Here are three rules to live by each day:
1) Be grateful! Happiness is not about getting what you want, it is about enjoying what you have! So keep your perspective and be grateful every day. Rudyard Kipling said, 'Do not pay too much attention to fame, power or money. Some day you will meet a person who cares for none of these, then you will know how poor you are.'
2) Do not compare! When you see your neighbors buying new furnishings for their home, taking expensive vacations and driving new vehicles, does something stir inside you to do the same? Because someone appears to be in similar circumstances to you, does not mean anything. Your neighbors might earn twice as much. Or they may be in debt up to their eyeballs; or be three-quarters of the way to bankruptcy or divorce court. Do not make assumptions and do not try to be like someone else
3) Give! Bruce Larsen says, 'Money is another pair of hands to heal, feed and bless the desperate families of the earth. In other words, money is my other self.' But that is true only if you are willing to part with it! Money's like manure: if you let it pile up it stinks, if you spread it around it helps things grow! Jesus said, '...Unto whomsoever much is given, of whom shall much be required...' (Luke 12:48). Money gives you options the less fortunate can only pray for. On the other hand, how you use your money will be one of the biggest issues you will face on Judgment Day. Think about it!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be satisfied with what you have provided and use it in serving you by serving others in their need. In Jesus' Name, Amen