The Champions Spirit
Volume 68, Issue 25
June 28, 2009
In This Issue
Water
Water is truly amazing, yet it is so abundant that we take it for granted. Its chemical composition is the bonding of two gases, hydrogen and oxygen and it is identified as H2O. We are familiar with its various forms from the gaseous, steam; to the liquid; to the solid, ice and snow. We drink it, bathe in it, swim in it, float over it, generate electricity with it, soak the grass with it, buy special clothes for it when it falls from the sky and on and on we could go about all the uses we make of the common and remarkable substance called water given to us by God.
God has given us water not simply as an element of our physical life, but also as an object lesson to teach us spiritual truths. It covers so much of this planet that it can be said that "Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where its voice is not heard. Its line has gone out through all the earth and its words to the end of the world" (Psalm 19:2-4). Learn the lessons water can teach us.
It Refreshes
Out in the hot sun all day, your throat begins to dry and your tongue feels parched. You try to lick your lips and as the sweat drips from your brow, a picture comes to your mind of a tall clear glass of ice water. The ice cubes tinkle invitingly against the inside of the glass and beads of water sparkle on the outside. You almost tumble over your feet in your rush inside for a drink of water to refresh you from the thirst the heat has whipped into you.
God uses our physical thirst for water, our longing for refreshment, to teach us the need for spiritual thirst. David expressed the thirst of a soul longing to be refreshed in the presence of his God. "O God, you are my God; early will I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water" (Psa. 63:1). God promised to provide the water that would satisfy and refresh the thirsty soul, "For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water..." (Isaiah 35:6-7). Jesus knew how precious it was to have a refreshing drink of water as in His agony on the cross He cried out, "I thirst" (John 19:28).
It Cleanses
After a hard day, nothing feels quite as good as a hot shower or bath to soak up the water and scrub off the sweat and grime. It not only cleans but makes one feel like new. We use gallons of water every day to clean our bodies, our clothes, our dishes, our cars, our pets, and anything else that we can reach with a scrub brush and bucket.
Again the Lord has given us the physical quality of water and its use in cleansing to teach us concerning spiritual cleansing. Just as dirt will make our body filthy and require water for cleansing, so also sin will make our soul filthy and require water for cleansing. Under the New Testament, God has ordained that for one to be cleansed of his sins he must in faith, submit to baptism in water. Saul was commanded by God through Ananias, "Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). One must be baptized, not to remove the filth of the flesh, but in order to give the answer of a good conscience toward God (1 Pet. 3:21). Only those who have had their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and their "bodies washed with pure water" can "draw near to God with a true heart and in full assurance of faith" (Hebrews 10:22).
It is Essential to Life
Water is essential for life to exist. All creatures require water to live. The human body is ¾ water and uses water for many functions. While one can live without food for three weeks, one cannot live more than three days without water. With water in such great abundance, no one needs to continue in spiritual death for lack of baptism in water, in obedience to Jesus. "See here is water, what hinders me from being baptized?" (Acts 8:36).
—Jason Freed
John's Jogs
THIS AND THAT
After a few weeks of solemn articles, it’s time for a little levity. So here goes.
Creation vs. Evolution
A little girl asked her mother, “How did the human race come about?” The mother answered, “God made Adam and Eve; they had children and, so all mankind followed.” A few days later, she asked her father the same question. The father answered, “Many years ago there were monkeys, and we developed from them.”
Confused, the girl returned to her mother and said, “Mother, how is it that you told me that the human race was created by God, but Papa says we developed from monkeys?” The Mother answers, “Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about the origin of my side of the family, and your father told you about his side.”
It's What We Eat
The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. On the other hand, the French eat a lot of fat and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
The Japanese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. But the Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
Conclusion: Eat and drink what you like. It’s speaking English that kills you.
Prettier Than Freckles
An elderly woman and her little grandson, whose face was sprinkled with bright freckles, spent the day at the zoo. Lots of children were waiting in line to get their cheeks painted by a local artist who was decorating them with tiger paws. “You’ve got so many freckles, there’s no place to paint!” a girl in the line said to the little fella.
Noticing his embarrassment, his grandmother knelt down and said, “I love your freckles. When I was a little girl I wanted freckles. Freckles are beautiful.” The boy looked up, “Really?” The grandmother said, “Of course, can you name one thing that’s prettier than freckles?” Thoughtfully, the little boy peered into his Grandma’s face, and slowly whispered, “Wrinkles.”
BOWLING – Heather became a star in helping us win the first game and total pins, even bowling a strike while talking on the phone. After five miserable games, Kathy finally learned how to bowl and carried us to victory in the final game. We took three points from last year's champs. Fun was had by all.
Welcome home, Larry, Marvin and Mizes!
—John Qualls