The Champions Spirit
Volume 68, Issue 33
Aug. 23, 2009
Now That’s Surprising!
The first paragraph of the article read, “Groundbreaking research suggests that pregnancy rates are much higher among teens who watch a lot of TV with sexual dialogue and behavior than among those who have tamer viewing tastes.”
This conclusion came as a result of a several-year study of over 2,000 12- to 17-year-olds. The Chronicle article said that this study was one of the first to link viewing habits with teen pregnancy—finding that those teens who watched the raciest shows were twice as likely to become pregnant over the next three years as those who watched few such programs. By the way, Sex and the City was one of the television shows used in the research.
Does that research amaze or surprise anyone?
I’m sure that there can be other factors involved, but such a conclusion can hardly be called startling! It just shows the truth of the old computer concept of GIGO—“garbage in, garbage out.” The Bible puts it this way... “the lust of the flesh” and the “lust of the eyes” are from the world—not the Father (1 John 2:16) and leads to destruction. Job’s example of making “a covenant with my eyes” (Job 31:1) in order to keep himself from evil would be good to be adapted in our own day and age.
That the study mentioned above came to the conclusion that television affects behavior is not surprising. That immorality on television adversely affects the morality of its viewers is not surprising. That some parents would allow their children to watch “whatever” they want and then wonder, “Why?” when their children emulate that with which they have filled their eyes and minds—NOW, THAT’S SURPRISING!
—Larry Keele
FAMILY MATTERS...
Guests are always welcome at the services of the Lord’s church that meets in Champions. If you can, please complete one of the visitor’s cards to give us a record of your attendance. Please, come again soon!
This evening, Roman Halamicek will bring us an interesting report on how God is currently working in the land of Slovakia and particularly in Bratislava. We are blessed to able to support Roman with our prayers as well as finances in this ministry. Roman will be with us for one more week, so if you would like to visit with him, please let Marvin Trice or me know.
As our children are returning to school, we want to also emphasize that it is a great time to return to Bible classes as well.
BACK TO BIBLE SCHOOL — SUNDAY, AUGUST 30th
Combined Adult Bible Class:
Gregg Whitacre—Auditorium
“What’s So Great About the Bible?”
Worship: Larry Keele
“What’s So Great About Bible School?”
Potluck lunch
Afternoon service: (After lunch)
“Vacation Bible School”
Mission Report
Thanks to all who participated in the Sundaes on Saturday program. We also thank Brent and Lisa Killough for organizing this wonderful opportunity that allows us to pray for the well-being of our children through the coming school year.
SEPTEMBER 13TH IS “BE AT CHAMPIONS DAY!” We are looking for every member to be present on that day! What a day it should be!
Parting Thought: Not every change is progress, just as not all movement is forward!
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
Jeremy’s Junction
I was headed to the office the other day when I received a text message from one of the youth group kids. This is what it said:
“Hey :) I went to the doctor today and my doctor’s sister is an alcoholic, her name is Sherrill. I asked his wife who gave me my checkup if she would like to pray about it and we did just now. I feel great :-). We also prayed for my mom too.”
Take a moment to think about what teen would do something like this. Honestly, we have several. There are several of our vocal teenage leaders that do stuff like this. Done guessing? Ok. This was a text sent by Renee Lewis. Some of you know her as Rachael and Jacob Reed's quiet cousin.
Renee is a quiet young lady in our youth group, who is as sweet as can be. She is known for her Godly passion. Once you get her talking, she is very funny! Renee did a very brave thing in openly sharing her faith with others. We are very proud of her!
Sharing our faith has become one of our teens' main goals. We have studied Ezekiel 33 on several different trips this summer (I suggest you read it). The teens decided that they needed to be doing their part to be like the "watchmen" mentioned in this chapter. So, when we go out to eat, they look for people to pray with and invite them to services. I have seen many unbelievable stories from our teens who have been sharing their faith openly with those they meet. I am very proud of our teens for being bold in their faith and doing their part to spread the Gospel, the Good News of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Beginning with this week’s article I will be including prayer requests that the teens have received in their missionary quest. When you see them, please remember to pray for each of them and to pray for all of our teens to keep this passionate pursuit.
In Him,
Jeremy Geurin
John's Jogs
WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT BOWLING
About 45-50 years ago Ramona and I joined our first bowling league. It was a church of Christ league of three or four congregations. There was a women’s league and a men’s league. AMF rules were enforced. Our congregation was able to field two men’s teams. Of course all the good bowlers joined one team and we scrubs were left to ourselves. The first year both our good men’s team and the women’s team won the trophies and my team wound up in the basement. At the end of that year, we served notice that next year we were going to rise to the top of the heap!
Sure enough we accomplished our prediction and won the championship the next year. There’s a trophy on my desk in my church office to verify. However, after 45 years of Christian growth, I’m not sure our approach was honorable. The key to winning is to consistently improve during the year. That good team had all good bowlers who had essentially reached their peak. One of our team members dropped out. Another member had a teenage son who was developing. He joined our team. His dad had him bowling two to three times a week (consistently improving). So far, so good and honorable.
One man on the good team was a poor loser and a hot head. We all knew him well and we had one member who knew just what button to push to set him off. Of course that affected his bowling and his action affected his team’s bowling. I think we beat them every time we competed. (He did wrong and we caused him to do wrong). Those who watch me bowl now - sometime when I know my ball is headed into the pocket; I’ll swing both arms backward. We developed a positive cry every time our ball left our hand we’d say, “Never a doubt” and make the arm swing motion. We believed we actually talked our way to the top.
Now what’s great about bowling Champion’s style? This league is designed to be a friendship fellowship. The “9 pin strike” makes it possible for everyone to enjoy the game. I don’t have the power to very often get a 10 pin strike but fairly often a 9 pin is possible. Thus the elderly, young people and women are all on a more even keel with the good men bowlers. Our teams are then composed of a mixture of these groups. There are no knockdown drag-out competitions – just a friendly one. Consequently friendships and fun can be obtained in this atmosphere.
Every week eight people (four on each team) are together in close proximity for two to three hours. Thus four people are together every week for nine weeks. They are then with a different four people every week. Friendships are developed. Fred and Kathy Gerber, Heather McDaniel and I have been together for two seasons. There is no doubt we have developed a close friendship. Of course, Kathy and I enjoy bugging each other but it is all in harmonious fun. What other fellowship activity do we employ where we have so many people (50-60) spending so much time together in such close activity? Hooray for bowling!
—John Qualls