The Champions Spirit
Volume 68, Issue 13
April 5, 2009
In This Issue
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path.”
(Psa. 119:105)
The Word, then, must be the ultimate measuring stick (not our feelings, traditions, or influence of others) as to what we will believe.
Choosing Your Faith
In Choosing Your Faith...In a World of Spiritual Options, Mark Mittelberg lists six paths people take in choosing where to base their faith. Those paths include:
- The Relativistic Path. The one who chooses this path believes truth is relative. The motto is, “What is truth for you might (or might not be) truth for me.”
- The Traditional Path. This path involves placing a very high value on family loyalty. One choosing this path will become what their parents were.
- The Authoritarian Path. This adherent chooses their faith on the basis of the influence of some strong, often charismatic teacher or powerful organization.
- The Intuitive Path. The one who chooses this path for their faith relies on their feelings as to decide what they will or won’t believe.
- The Mystical Path. This path to belief is taken by the one who believes God will tell them or show them in some mysterious way what they should follow.
- The Evidential Path. This way is used by those who would consider logic, facts, and experience to test the claims of truth.
Let me share just a couple of thoughts about the concept of choosing our faith. First of all, the faith must be our own! “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2 Cor. 13:5). Secondly, the path is set before us. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path” (Psa. 119:105). The Word, then, must be the ultimate measuring stick (not our feelings, traditions, or influence of others) as to what we will believe. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1). Also, we must make sure that the faith we choose is not just one that “feels good” to us, but one that “is” good—being from God. ”...Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Remember, you must be guided by God through His Word as you are Choosing Your Faith!
—Larry Keele
FAMILY MATTERS...
“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.”
Psa. 57:5
We are blessed that such a powerful, glorious God allows us to come before Him in worship! Amazing grace!
The Kingdom has grown again! Last Sunday, Shelby Hastings chose to put her Lord on in baptism. She was immersed by her grandfather, Don Garrett. It is wonderful to see families united in Him!
Our “Friend Day at the Park” was an absolutely glorious day. The weather was simply fantastic and the fellowship superb. Even more, we were blessed with the presence of a number of friends and guests that you brought! Certainly, God blessed our day.
Our next “Fifth Sunday” event will be May 16-17 (having been moved due to our Senior Day activities in June). It will be an exciting weekend as we will focus on Internet safety and marriage. Saturday events will include a free showing of Fireproof—a highly acclaimed movie designed to build marriages. Share this information with your friends so they can plan on taking part in the weekend’s events as well.
There will be no Tuesday Night Together (TNT) this month as our “Neighborhood Bible Studies” are meeting each Tuesday night through the month. If you are interested in attending one of the studies, where you can feel free to invite and bring your friends, contact Allen Arnold.
Parting Thought: “Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
Jeremy's Junction
Sunday night is a very important night here at Champions. Each year, we particpate in an event called "LTC". This stands for leadership training for Christ. Next weekend, we will travel to Dallas to display speaking, songleading, drama, puppets, bible bowl, bible reading, and several other events. This Sunday evening, following services, we would like for you all to join us in a meal. While you are enjoying your tasty food, our kids will be giving their presentations for all to see. You will get to see puppets, drama, and chorus.
Our kids have been working hard for several months to make this a success. Please make plans to join us following services to show your support to our kids who are working hard to be great future leaders in the church. If you plan to attend, please move quickly to the fellowship hall following services because we want to start right away.
In Him,
Jeremy
John's Jogs
MORE PLAY ON WORDS
IDLE THOUGHTS OF A WANDERING MIND
- I had amnesia once, or twice
- Protons have mass? I didn’t know they were Catholic.
- All I ask is a chance to prove that money can’t make me happy.
- What is a “free” gift? Aren’t all gifts free?
- They told me I was gullible and I believed them.
- Teach a child to be polite and courteous in the home, and when he grows up,
he’ll never be able to merge his car onto the freeway. - Experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone.
- One nice thing about egotist, they don’t talk about other people.
- My weight is perfect for my height, which varies.
- I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not sure.
- The cost of living hasn’t affected it’s popularity.
- How can there be self-help groups?
- If swimming is so good for your figure, how do you explain whales?
- Is it me, or do buffalo wings taste like chicken?
THE TEXAS BORN DIPLOMAT AT WORK
A man walked into the produce section of his local Colorado supermarket and asked to buy a half head of lettuce. The boy working in that department told him they only sold whole heads of lettuce. The man was insistent that the boy ask his manager about the matter.
Walking into the back room, the boy said to the manager, “Some jerk wants to buy a half head of lettuce.” As he finished his sentence, he turned to find the man standing right behind him, so he added, “And this gentleman kindly offered to buy the other half.” The manager approved the deal and the man went on his way.
Later the manager said to the boy, “I was impressed with the way you got yourself out of that situation earlier. We like people who think on their feet here. Where are you from, son? “Texas, sir,” the boy replied. “Really? Why did you leave Texas?” the manager asked. “Sir there’s nothing but loose women and football players down there.”
“My wife is from Texas,” said the manager. “Really?” replied the boy. “Who’d she play for?”
Words have meaning. Words, statements and actions have consequences. As Christians we need to think before we speak and consider the consequences.
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you , which can save you.
(James 1:19-21)
—John Qualls