The Champions Spirit
Volume 68, Issue 26
July 5, 2009
In This Issue
When Christ is in One’s Life...
The message of Freedom can be reduced to one word — Christ! So...
When Christ is in one’s life—the way sin is treated changes drastically. Sin is not something to be played and toyed with, but is seen as it truly is—a deadly separator of man from his God. Isa. 59:1-2.
When Christ is in one’s life—the way others are treated changes drastically. Others are not seen nor used as mere tools, but as they truly are—equals. Matt. 22:39
When Christ is in one’s life—the way his or her spouse is treated changes drastically. A spouse is not seen as designed solely for selfish benefits, but as he or she truly is—one on whom we bestow our love and service. Eph. 5:21ff.
When Christ is in one’s life—the way money is treated changes drastically. Money is not seen as a god, but as it truly is, a tool to be used in God’s service. 1 Tim. 6:17ff.
When Christ is in one’s life—the way everything is treated changes drastically. He is seen, not as a mere crutch for our hard times, but as He truly is—King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Rev. 19:16.
Surely there is freedom—When Christ is in one’s life...
—Larry Keele
FAMILY MATTERS...
It’s really good to be back, visiting with you through Family Matters once more. It is great to be home! The trip to Israel and Jordan was absolutely amazing—and life changing. On this trip I was reminded once again that one of the blessings of modern technology is my “filmless” camera. Then, having taken about 150 pictures per day, I have learned that one of the curses of modern technology is my “filmless” camera. (Now, just why did I take a picture of that rock???)
Hearts were touched with Linda Breithaupt’s request for prayer Sunday. We know that the Lord has taken care of her prayer for forgiveness and we add our prayers to her for her return to physical health.
It was wonderful to hear that the family had grown while I was away with the baptisms of Roxie Pate and Mickie Strong. There isn’t anything greater than when someone comes to the Lord by dying to sin, being buried in water for the remission of those sins, and rising from the water redeemed and forgiven by the blood of Jesus! We rejoice!
We are glad to have our teens home from Uplift at Harding! They are just catching their breath, it seems, as next week some of them will be heading to Lithuania for a mission trip and another group to Sooner Camp. Remember all of them and their sponsors in your prayers!
TNT is this Tuesday! We are going to break from the norm and have a time of food and fun. After our meal, we will be playing together. Bring your favorite games and come prepared to enjoy a great time together.
We have moved another month closer to “Stay at Champions”—September 13th. On that Sunday, we are encouraging every member of Champions to be here! Clear your calendar. Make a conscious choice to keep it that way so you will be here!
Parting Thought: A sure way to stop a red-hot argument is to lay a few cold hard facts on it!
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
Jason's Journal
HAS JESUS TOUCHED YOU?
Looking through the New Testament, we see Jesus touched the untouchable. When he does this, it is a life altering event, changing the eternal destination of man. When he touched people, he physically healed the leper, gave site to the blind, the lame walked and the mute talked. Many times in the Gospels we see Jesus touching or being touched. In Matt 9:18-26, Jesus is on the way to a certain ruler’s house to heal his daughter when he is touched by a woman who had been sick for 12 years; and she was cured. He then went on to heal the ruler’s daughter. This life changing news spread throughout all the land.
As we look throughout our own lives, we can see many instances where Jesus has touched us or we have reached out to him. Wow, what life changing stories we have to share! We should be one of the four in Mark chapter two, who uncover the rooftop to let down their paralyzed friend. Be one who is willing to go to the extreme and bring loved ones and friends to the only healing Savior. We know where the power is to heal the broken and the great eternal healing that waits those being saved! Do your best to make sure this “Good News” spreads throughout all the land. God bless you as you reach out and touch the untouchable.
—Jason Freed
John's Jogs
INDEPENDENCE DAY
The most important American national holiday commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence by John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, on July 4, 1776, at Philadelphia and its adoption by the delegates from the 13 colonies. Its observance increased in popularity as a sense of national pride and accomplishment increased, and by the 1880s had become a major patriotic occasion. It is a political holiday and a community enterprise traditionally observed with fireworks, parades, band concerts, oratory, picnics, public entertainment and especially sporting events.
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
“When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect for the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.— That, to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,—That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. —Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpation, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.”
They then laid out a host of considered injuries.
History Lesson: On July 4, 1826 – 50 years after the signing of the Declaration, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson who had struggled so hard for the cause, both died on the same day.
Bowling: We graciously invited Larry Keele to sub for Fred Gerber. In practice he was lousy – our opponents only had two men, so we benevolently gave them Larry. He got hot and almost sunk us. I bowled a 203 and Larry bowled a 206.
—John Qualls