The Champions Spirit
Volume 67, Issue 49
December 7, 2008
A Fifty-Year-Old Decision
"People do not accidentally attend worship without missing one worship service for twenty years. They must have planned always to attend. Soon after I obeyed the gospel in the fall of 1909, I read of an old brother who had not missed going to worship a single Sunday in 41 years. That story caused me to resolve and to purpose in my heart that I would never miss the worship on a single Lord's Day as long as I lived, if possible to attend. I have missed four Sundays in over fifty years, and then it was because of illness.
"Once I made that decision, the question has not come up as to whether I would attend church services or not. In fact, I did not decide last Lord's Day to go to worship, nor the Sunday before. That decision was made more than fifty years ago.
"It is a sin for any member of the church to miss the worship unless he is unable to attend. The very nature of our religion is such that those who feel this is a burden need to be converted."
—Gus Nichols
FAMILY MATTERS...
"Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart, in the company of the upright and in the assembly..." (Psa. 111:2). I trust we have come with emotions similar to the psalmist"s. If you are visiting, we are honored and hope you will come again!
The Planning Committee has compiled a survey that will be passed out today. They are interested in your ideas as we look toward the future. Please take the time to give prayerful thought to the questions and be ready to turn your survey in next Sunday.
This Saturday is the annual progressive dinner. The way that this evening is set up, by traveling to different homes for appetizers and salads, we will be able to enjoy time with different groups of Christians. At the end of the evening, we will all be together in the fellowship room for the main course and dessert. Jeanie Kuehl and Anita Keetch spent many hours putting together the schedule and getting things ready for a great night. To them and those who help them, we give our thanks.
Next Sunday, Eddie Cloer will be here and update us on the work of Truth for Today. We will have the opportunity to participate in a special contribution for that great work of the Lord.
Parting Thought: One good thing you can give and still keep—your word!
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
Bill's Bits
A Look at Relationships
Walker is fun to watch. At the moment he is beginning to own his personal schedule. He gets up in the morning and wants to know what he is going to do for the day. Is it a school day and will he see Timothy and Abigail? Is today a Mammy and Pappy day where he will shop, fish and ride the cart? Does he go to the Martin's or Miss Amy? He is quite the little socialite. His days are filled with connection. He is concerned about when we can all be together as a family or wants us all to go together to the store or park. His is a world defined by the people he is connected to.
That is pretty much true of all of us. We each have connections and relationships that shape who we are. That is why it is so important to be deliberate about our relationships. Do you have a mentor or teacher that helps you look like Jesus? Do you have people that you intentionally look like Jesus for? Are you spending time nurturing your relationships through regular connection and prayer? What impact do you have on the lives of others?
Jesus modeled healthy relationships for us. He spent time with disciples, teaching and mentoring. He talked about spiritual growth and God's impact on His people. Jesus showed care and concern for those He came into contact with. His love for others shows us how to love those around us.
—Bill Rasco
John's Jogs
TAKING CHRIST OUT OF CHRISTMAS
For years I've heard the expression "they’re taking Christ out of Christmas." Then in response my brethren, and occasionally I've said it myself, "He was never in it." I now believe we have made a mistake with that statement.
I know that Jesus was not born on December 25 and that He would have told us when and how to celebrate His birth had he wanted it celebrated. I have a real concern with putting all the emphasis on Baby Jesus and forgetting a Crucified and Resurrected Jesus. I am opposed to special type worship services connected with Christmas. However, that does not mean that I cannot speak the term nor preach sermons and teach lessons with the spirit of the season in mind. But note that all this has to do with our own fundamental belief system of how we should conduct our worship to God.
Now I believe that the spirit that we see exemplified in what we call the Christmas season is truly the spirit that Jesus would like us to display the year around. Therefore, it is obvious that the Spirit of Christ is being shown in the spirit of the season. This month my articles are going to be based on this concept.
Looking back on my own life, I only remember one Christmas in my youth and really only remember it because I almost killed my dog by hitting him with the axe cutting the Christmas tree. But the first Christmas that had any real significant meaning to me was in 1943. At age 16, the first year in Detroit and having gone to work in the summer, it was the first year I ever had any real money.
By about 10 years of age I was the youngest of a generation of Qualls, having lost my mother at age 2, a brother at age 5 and my dad at 13. My brother and sister and a of couple cousins that had been very good to me all those years. They were all in Detroit at that time and were all together at Christmas time. The opportunity of a lifetime presented itself. Considering everyone who had been so good to me for so many years, I splurged getting a significant gift for everyone of them that Christmas. I believe without realizing it at the time I was exercising the Spirit of Christ with a deep sense of thanksgiving, love and appreciation!
—John Qualls
HISTORY LESSON: Today is the 67th anniversary of Japan's bombing of Pearl Harbor – "A day to be lived in infamy."