The Champions Spirit
Volume 67, Issue 50
December 14, 2008
In This Issue
Truth for Today
The wonderful thing about the Truth for Today work which we support (and of which we will hear this morning), is that it is accurately named. While there are thousands of reams of paper used to proclaim various philosophies and doctrines of men, the aim and goal of Truth for Today (as taken from its own published statement) is “to encourage preachers, teachers, and faithful Christians in the great task of studying and teaching the gospel.”
Truth for Today!
The Gospel is the truth and one must be faithful to accurately teach it, for it is the truth that “shall set you free” (John 8:32). It is the truth that saves men’s souls, sets us free, brings us to the Jesus, and causes us to stand before Him.
The Gospel is for today, in that there is “no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). If anything is needed in today’s world where everything is considered okay—it is the discerning truth. If there is anything that can break the concrete of sin within the hearts of sinners today, it is the penetrating and explosive Gospel of truth! If anything is needed in this world of darkness today, it is the revealing light of the truth. If anything is needed in this world of gloom and doom, it is the hope of the Gospel. The Gospel—His story—is desperately needed today!
Truth for Today, whether through its periodicals, commentaries, or the Into All the World by 2015 campaigns is set to share the Good News of the Gospel to today’s lost and dying world. Indeed, we at Champions count ourselves blessed to be part of this great work and mission—Truth for Today!
—Larry Keele
FAMILY MATTERS...
“God takes His stand in His own congregation” (Psalm 82:1). The stand of God in this passage refers to the support, justice and deliverance of Almighty God. He stands with His congregation. As we stand in worship in His congregation, we are thankful for all of our guests who have chosen to do the same along with us. May God’s blessing be upon all of us as we come together today before Him!
God is good! Yolanda Washington was baptized for the forgiveness of her sins late Wednesday after a study with Natalie Freed. What a blessing to have a new sister in Christ! Be sure to greet her!
Eddie Cloer will be speaking today on the Truth for Today work. We will have an opportunity to share in the support of that work as we will have a special offering for it today.
A big thank you goes to every one of you who opened up your home or participated in any way in the Progressive Dinner last night. The fellowship and fun of the evening is always one of the highlights of the year. Thank you!
The planning committee has made some congregational surveys available in the foyer. Please give prayerful thought as you answer the questions.
Parting Thought: Among the many remedies that won’t cure a cold, the most common is advice.
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
Bill's Bits
Snow in Houston!
December 10, 2008. At 3:37 p.m. I got a text message that simply said “It’s snowing!” At 3:38 I got my second text message about the snow. I tried to call Robin several times but the message said “All circuits busy. Please try your call later.” So I joined the crowd and started texting. All I can imagine is that the excitement of the snow got everybody on the lines calling their friends. The text messages didn’t stop until after church that evening. John Qualls and Walker stopped to make miniature snowballs in the parking lot. When I got home and pulled up Facebook there were already three or four friends that had posted pictures. The snow was the talk of my profile page. I checked and sure enough there were even a couple of e-mails about the snow.
I am a little leery of using the word “phenomenon” but it was fun to watch. A little bit of snow stopped the city of Houston. People couldn’t wait to share the news. Old and young alike joined in a celebration of the event. The worldwide web became a place of sharing and celebration. People all over town changed their behavior because of the news and it got me to thinking.
That’s how I want to act when I see Jesus. In the moments when I see God at work or realize that God has been moving, or remember the love that God has for me, I want to call a friend. I want my closest connections to share the joy of the moment. I want to share with old and young a celebratory moment just basking in the presence of God. I want to e-mail and post to Facebook pages, and tell the world about God’s wonderful passion for me and for you.
I must admit that three years in Nebraska have made me a little jaded to Texas snow. I don’t want a life spent with God to rob me of the moments when I see Him move. I don’t ever want to become hard to His presence or apathetic about His movement.
Thank God for the snow. It helps me to see Jesus!
—Bill Rasco
Jeremy's Junction
Dear Champions Family,
Thank you so much for all the e-mails, Facebook messages, text messages, phone calls, etc. while I have been sick. Knowing that you were thinking about me and praying about me meant so much. Thank you also to all the people who helped out with classes, activities, and announcements in my absence. I have heard that everyone did a wonderful job. I am slowly getting better, but I am still experiencing a significant amount of pain and I am still pretty weak from the infection. Please continue to remember me in your prayers. I am so blessed to be part of such a loving, caring family of Christian believers. I love you and appreciate you all!
In Him,
Jeremy Geurin
John's Jogs
CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS
The Hallmark channel is running movies relating to Christmas almost continuously.
One of those movies is “Christmas With the Kranks.” I’m going to base my next few articles on some of these movies to show the Spirit of Christ displayed in some of the stories and help us learn some of the lessons therein. I watch movies following the story line, caring less about the actors, settings etc. – just what is the story. Today we’re going to follow the Kranks at Christmas time.
The Kranks live in a neighborhood much like Prestonwood where everybody decorates their house with certain themes and characters assigned. The Kranks are assigned “Frosty” the snowman. They have followed tradition for years – but this year none of the kids are coming home. Mr. Krank sees a brochure and immediately he frantically starts calculating numbers and comes up with the figure of just over $6,000 spent on Christmas last year. The brochure lists a 10-day Caribbean cruise for something over $3,000. He romantically sells Mrs. Krank on skipping Christmas and taking the cruise.
First, they turn down the Scouts on buying a Christmas tree and that lets the cat out of the bag. The neighborhood gives them the cold shoulder until they leave trying to force them to put up “Frosty” to no avail. When they get to the port they get a call that their daughter is coming home for Christmas with a new husband. They hasten back home frantically trying to decorate their house. All is forgiven, the neighbors all assemble to help them put everything in order so the house will be well decorated. Begrudgingly, Mr. Krank gives the cruise tickets to an older couple across the street where the lady is a chronic complainer and the old man continually gives him a hard time. Where’s the Spirit of Christ in this story?
- The neighbors come together to aid a neighbor who has not been very diplomatic in disturbing the traditions of the neighborhood.
- When all was said and done, Mr. Krank did the noble thing teaching the older couple a valuable lesson.
- A lesson was also taught the neighbors to not be so dogmatic about their traditions.
- The Kranks did respond to the needs of their daughter by giving up their pleasure trip to welcome the new son-in-law.
In the final analysis – the Spirit of Christ prevailed.
—John Qualls