The Champions Spirit
Volume 68, Issue 28
July 19, 2009
In This Issue
“He Holds Our Hand...”
My cousin, Scott Keele, is one of the ministers of the Broken Arrow congregation in Oklahoma. In their bulletin he related the story of a father’s experience with his son. That story captured my heart.
It seems that the father and his small son often walked together through the fields and other places. Their habit was for the little boy to grab hold of his dad’s finger as they walked together. With shorter steps and the “natural” clumsiness of childhood, the boy would often lose hold of his dad’s finger as down he fell. Time after time, the same scenario occurred. Then, after one such fall, the little boy came up with a solution. With reddened eyes, the father recalled his young son’s insight. He had looked up and said, “Daddy, I think if you hold my hand, I wouldn’t fall.”
The story hits home with me! How many times have I relied on my own strength and power to hold on to God’s finger! How many times would I have been spared a fall, if I had only let Him hold my hand instead! The major difference in the stories is that while the little boy had to come up with the solution to his problem...God has taken the initiative and shares the solution with us! For that, we give Him praise! Psa. 37:23-24 says, "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.” (NASB95) We can be at peace and find security in our walk and thank our Father in Heaven for He Holds Our Hand!
—Larry Keele
FAMILY MATTERS...
We welcome our guests today! We are grateful that you have come and hope that through our worship today we will all enjoy a closer walk with God.
September 13th!
The angels rejoiced this week as Howard Jorgenson was immersed into Christ on Monday morning for the forgiveness of his sins. We congratulate him on his wonderful decision. Last Sunday, we had the privilege to be reminded of the power of prayer as Ray and Leslie Waddy, Josh Freeman, Jacob Eubanks, Melissa Kirshy and Emmitt Gaines requested prayers in their behalf. Also, we are happy to welcome Paul and Cassandra Gauntt, Ron and Andrea Garrison (and daughter, Lindsey), and Jerry Curvey as they came to be identified with this congregation.
September 13th!
Welcome back Sooner campers! We are happy to have you back home. Please remember all those who are still away, working this week in a summer camp in Lithuania.
Today, we are honoring Tommy and Donna Weaver for their years of work and service at Champions. They have served in so many ways and will be greatly missed. They will be moving to Lubbock where they will be near grandchildren and where Tommy can attend Lubbock Christian. We pray that God will bless them in every way!
September 13th!
Last Sunday, we had 417 in our assembly with 9 more on their way to Sooner camp. This is terrific, especially as it was a “normal” Sunday! May we continue to grow that God may be glorified and His Kingdom expanded!
When is “Be at Champions Day?” (Answer is in this article.)
Parting Thought: If you want to go fast, go alone... If you want to go far...go together!
September 13th!
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
Farewell Tommy and Donna
Farwell and God Bless!
It is with great joy and great sadness that we wish Tommy and Donna farewell. Joy, because we know that Tommy will be doing something that he loves...music and Bible study. Donna will enjoy the great blessing of being close to her two precious grandchildren. We look forward to hearing Donna relate the “many stories” that will be filling her days.
Tommy and Donna came to Champions in1976. Tommy has served as a deacon in various ministries the past 33 years. He has served as an elder at Champions since 2000. Some of the ministries that he has been involved in, include Missions, Involvement, Printing (remember when Champions had the printing press?), WBS, Sign Language, MDO, and LTC. Tommy has taught many Bible classes for teenagers and adults as well as special classes in music and sign language. He also worked extensively in our Deaf Ministry, interpreting during each service for Loyd Williams and other deaf members. Champions has relied heavily on Tommy for his ability to work on computers, audio visual equipment and has spent untold hours throughout the years maintaining and trouble shooting for Champions.
Tommy will be retiring with the Houston Police Department on July 23rd with 36 years of service, 26 of those years as a Lieutenant. He has survived being shot, breaking his arm twice, leg once, three shoot outs and over 300 narcotic search warrants and arrests, to 2000!
Donna, as well as being a homemaker, mom and wife, began our Champion’s Mother’s Day Out Program in 1996 and served as Director for six years. Ms. Donna, as she is lovingly known, was a beloved Bible class teacher for many years. Her hugs and kisses made each child feel special. Donna will be missed for her sense of humor, storytelling ability, and loving heart.
Lubbock’s gain is our loss! We wish you much happiness, love, laughter and many new memories as you move to Lubbock, beginning a new path along life’s highway.
Friendship
Friendship is like a kindled fire
With sparks that reach higher and higher.
Each flaming fire sends out a warm glow
Spreading warmth where ever it may flow.
As we make our way through this life
We notice it can be mired with strife.
But the friendship that we kindled are aglow
and helps us rise above the hard times and woe.
Like a cool night as we seek warmth of that flame
We can look back on those friendships and make a claim.
Just like the flame warms our earthly body parts
the friendship that we develop warms our heart.
And though there will be times when we go our separate ways,
The friendships that we made will forever in our hearts stay.
—David Kuehl
John's Jogs
THE GREATEST QUESTION EVER ASKED...WHAT SHALL WE DO?
Just before he ascended to heaven, Jesus gave this commission to his disciples:
“Go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Ten days of waiting after the ascension on the day of Pentecost (50 days after the resurrection) they were all in accord in one place (that’s a miracle itself).
Suddenly – from heaven – a sound like a mighty rushing wind….something like divided tongues of fire, sat upon each of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Note: This baptizing of the Holy Spirit occurred again in Acts 10 as the gospel is made available to the Gentiles. It did not and will not ever occur again.) There were staying in Jerusalem devout men from every nation.
Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice, addressed the crowd and said: “Let me explain this to you – listen carefully!” Peter then proceeds with the first gospel sermon, opening the door of the Kingdom of God – The Church.
Peter goes on to say, “Men of Israel – hear these words:”
Jesus, was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through Him- this you know.
He was handed over to you by God’s set foreknowledge…
You with the help of wicked men – put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.
But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him.
God has raised this Jesus to life and we are all witnesses of the fact.
He was exalted to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
Peter then drives home his point when he says: “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
What was the reaction of the people who heard this?
They were cut to the heart – therefore, they must have believed what Peter had told them about Jesus.
They said, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Peter’s reply to these convicted believers – “Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. Those who accepted the message were baptized.” Three thousand were added to the church that day.
—John Qualls