The Champions Spirit
Volume 68, Issue 2
January 18, 2009
In This Issue
Two Amazing Stories, (1)
Modern Day Macedonians!
A couple of refreshing stories have come my way over the last couple of weeks and I want to pass them on to you (with additional commentary, of course...that’s the “preacher” in me!). The first “amazing story” appeared in the “religion” section of the Houston Chronicle. The story, shared with me by Jackie Stephens, told of some of our brethren in Uganda.
These members of the Mbarara church of Christ had been taught the Gospel and nurtured through the years by a number of the members of the First Colony church of Christ in Sugar Land. When these Ugandan brethren heard of the devastation rendered by Hurricane Ike, they took up a special collection for the victims. Their collection, sent to First Colony, was 36,250 shilling—$21.96 US. That might not have made the “news” except for the fact that these Christians live in similar conditions to the Macedonians of Paul’s day. Of the Macedonians, Paul says they were in “deep poverty.” Yet, these very poor brethren begged Paul to take their contribution to the needy saints. Not only would Paul do so, but he used the example of the Macedonians to motivate the Corinthians (and through them, us) to also give generously as they had promised (2 Cor. 8:1-15; 9:1-15). The Ugandans often earn less than $1 per day. Their gift was almost double their weekly average contribution of $11. This gift was truly a great sacrifice for these Christians. Here they were...sending their sacrifice of $22 to Texas! How they wanted to do something to help...How they gave...How they loved!
When those who have so little, give such a gift out of that deep poverty (reminds us of the widow and her mites, right?), we are forced to look deep within the recesses of our own hearts. Are they not compelling examples and encouragers of us all? (Perhaps their sacrifice causes us to blush!) Are we as loving and giving as they? Are we as willing to sacrifice—truly sacrifice—for such a cause? Does our care for the people and work of the Lord reach deep into our pocketbook? How is your giving? I imagine that there is a great lesson that every one of us can learn from these Modern Day Macedonians!
—Larry Keele
FAMILY MATTERS...
We welcome our visitors to the services today! Thank you for making the choice to be with the family of God in Champions! Please, complete a visitor’s card and place it in the collection plate this morning. God bless you...and, please come again!
We also welcome new members to our Christian family. Martin Nutt is the father of Beth Haden and has recently moved here. Also coming were Chris and Lori Ball. They have two sons, Mason and Chandler. We look forward to getting to know each of these.
Each One Reach One! This is the challenge from our Evangelism Deacons last Sunday. They noted that Christians have different talents in this regard. Some can find people who are interested in learning of God. Others can teach those precious souls the Gospel to convert them. There are those who help the new converts mature in Christ. Consider your God-given talent, and then put it to work—Sowing, Teaching, or Maturing. The signup sheets are in the foyer.
Parting Thought: God calls us to get in the game—not to keep score!
Do you know what September 13th is?
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
Bill's Bits
I Want to Be Like…
Walker has stood with me in a lot of places the last couple of years. He has made me very aware of what I am doing. If I am shaving, he wants to shave. If I am cooking, he wants to cook. If I am kind, he mirrors my kindness. If I am not, well…
We were lying on the bed today and the TV was on. It was whatever kids' show and we were just enjoying some time together in the middle of a busy week. Mom was with us but she was up and doing something else in the room when Walker said, “I want to skate!” I looked and the TV was showing a guy on a skateboard doing what skateboarders do. I got to thinking about Ryan, who plays bass for the Klein orchestra. Walker now says he wants to play bass. If he sees a golfer, he wants to play golf (thanks Pappy). His little world is expanding and now he sees other things that he wants to be.
What do I want to be? What do I want to be like? What is my two-year-old teaching me about walking with God? He is teaching me that whenever I see the movement or the power of God, my first reaction should be surrender. I want to be like He is.
Seen God moving? What is your response?
—Bill Rasco
Jeremy's Junction
I love devotionals! We have them the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month following evening services. Things are going to be a little different this year. There will be more of an opportunity this year for people to be involved. On the youth bulletin board, there are sign-up pages to help out and even deliver devotional thoughts. Below is an explanation on each spot.
Page 1: All Group Devos.
This will be a devotional at the building to be led by one of our teen guys.
Page 2: Girls Devo Sign-up.
This sign-up page shares the same dates as the guest speaker sign-up page. What will happen during this time is that the entire group will sing and have announcements together, then the guys will go to the teen room and the girls will stay in the fellowship hall. One of the teenage girls will deliver the devotional thought for the other teenage girls. If you are an adult lady that is interested in leading a devotional for the girls during this time, then feel free to sign-up. I just ask you to wait a bit and give our teen girls first dibbs.
Page 3: Guest-speaker Sign-up.
As I said above, the dates are the same as the girls page. When the guys divide from the girls and go up to the teen room, I would like to have a guest speaker deliver the devotional to the teen guys. This sign-up page is for any male parent or other adults you would like to recruit. This gives the guys the chance to hear more messages from adults in this church.
Page 4: Hosting Sign-up.
The last devo in this list is to be housed by families in the church. If you are interested in hosting a devotional, then feel free to sign the list. If this is a time you would like to give the devotional thought, then just let me know and it will be done.
Thank you for all your help and support. Love you all.
In Him,
Jeremy Geurin
John's Jogs
SERVING GOD IN WORSHIP
There’s a thin line between being too casual and too rigid in our worship. Therefore, we need to look at a couple of Scriptures as our guideline:
I Corinthians 14:40 “Everything should be done in a decent and orderly way.”
Matthew 6:7 “When you pray do not use vain repetitions.”
Matthew 15:3 “Why do you transgress the commandments of God by your traditions?”
John 4:23 “God is Spirit and his worshippers must worship in Spirit and in truth.”
The purpose of our worship is to praise and glorify God! It is not to hear sermons that make us feel good. It is not to hear beautiful singers sing songs that are pleasing to our ears or that enthrall our emotions. It is not to do everything just like we have always done it nor just like Mom or Grandma did it. Neither is it to be done in a casual leisurely manner. In our worship we should be alert, purposeful and dedicated. We should know why we are doing what we are doing.
As we are led in singing we should all sing with gusto paying attention not only to the music but also to the words as we are to teach in our singing. As we are led in prayer we should as a body follow closely in that prayer for it is our prayer. As Scripture is read we should be intense in our listening – remember God’s Word is being read. As the Lord’s Supper is being observed each of us should be actively engaged in centering our minds on the crucifixion of Jesus the Christ. As anyone is speaking we (each individual) should listen diligently so that we may sift through what is being said to understand whether we should accept or challenge the statements.
Those of us who serve the congregation in any phase of the worship service have a responsibility to understand our purpose in the function we are fulfilling. We also have a responsibility before God to carry out our assigned duty in an effective, efficient and timely manner. Each of us should desire to serve God and His congregation to the best of our ability.
Should you happen to feel that you need to improve your ability to serve God in worship, I am leading a class on Wednesday evening in the auditorium on “Training for Service.” We have six more weeks left and we’ll be glad to have you. I’ve been actively serving in some capacity or other for 60+ years and I know I can still improve. See you Wednesday.
—John Qualls