WeeklyBulletin - Airport Road Church of Christ

The Airport Road Church of Christ

Carson City, Nevada

Loving God, loving People, and bringing the two together

VOLUME 40 Feb. 5, 2012 NUMBER 6

From your minister: Have you been noticing the commercials for the Christian “match up” website? I guess it’s the old computer dating service turned religious. I am sure that there are many believers anxious to connect with those of the same mind. After all, the dating scene out there in the world can be horrendous for the Christian. The part of the commercial that bothers me, however, is their catch phrase—“Find God’s match for you!” Hmmm. I never realized that God needed a website to do His work! It reminds me of my spiritual arrogance of past years. “Come to me for the plan of salvation and I’ll show you the one, true, church!” I was arrogant to think that I had the sole handle on God’s truths. I have discovered that I like God’s words better from Isaiah 1:18. “Come, now, and let us reason together…” O, Lord, help me to be more loving and humble and teachable.

Family News: There’s growing interest in the men’s and women’s summer retreats at the end of June! See the Wares or Van Grimbergens today.

Thanks for your help in collecting change in the baby bottles for the Community Pregnancy Center. If you aren’t able to have it here today, please let Bruce know, as we want to get the funds in ASAP.

Our annual Valentine Dinner will be after service next Sunday (Feb. 12) at Grandma Hattie’s. Sign-ups are on the bulletin board.

Women’s Ministry organizational meeting will be March 1. See Allison for details.

Church campout at Topaz! Mark the calendar for August 10-12.

Quote for the Week: I believe in the sun even if it isn't shining. I believe in love even when I am alone. I believe in God even when He is silent.

Precious Gems from Last Week’s Bible Reading~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gen 49:18 For Thy salvation I wait, O LORD.

Matt 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Staying On Course by Edward Fudge

Capt. Francesco Schettino was more than two miles off course when the 114,500-ton Costa Concordia hit a reef this January 2012. The impact sent more than 4,000 passengers on the luxury cruise ship into a panic. It sent a still-unknown number of them to their cold and lonely deaths. There is a reason for rules. In a world filled with hazards and threats, they define the approved course. They show the way that is safe. They mark the path we can trust.

Our confused society has given rules a bad rap. Torah, the Hebrew word for "law," means "instruction"--always given, by the way, for the recipients' well-being (Deut. 6:24). The author of Psalm 119 understood that, and wrote its 176 verses as an acrostic tribute to God's commands. The Psalm is divided into sections that move through the entire Hebrew alphabet. Within each section, every line begins with the same alphabet character. The longest chapter in the Bible celebrates God's law--yet it is anything but legalistic.

This positive way of thinking about God's commands brings a new appreciation for them, and for the God who provides us a lighted path through life's dark and dangerous trails (Psalm 119:105). Just as Torah, the general word for "law," brings to mind a picture of God's road-markers, so the root of the most common Hebrew word for "sin" suggests a deviation from the proper path. Straying is bad. Intentionally going off course is worse. Captain Schettino admits that he was off course intentionally.

The Jews were given God's Torah, but God has given us something better than that. He embodied his will in a person. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. "I am the way," said Jesus--the road, the path, the course (John 14:6). We can say to Jesus every day, "I am safe when by thy side." In that confidence, let us pray: "Savior, lead me lest I stray . . ."

Prayer Time: Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him, and expect help from Him, He will never fail you. ~George Mueller Ben Larson, Joann’s son was in the hospital last week and is now recuperating at home. Please keep him in prayer. We extend our love and prayers to Ron and Susan Biegler who lost their house in the Washoe Dr. fire. Let us continue praying for Genny Jones’ family. Her daughter Linda passed away last week. Lillie Allen was in the hospital last weekend but back home now. We continue to also pray for these loved ones: the Butkovich family, Pauline Diggs, Wayne Feletar, Russ Garvin, Bea Hudgel, Deanna Jarman, and Bob Neal. Please remember to also pray for our mission works in the Philippines at Sunrise Christian College (Roman and Lina Cariaga are having health issues), in Venezuela with Darryl and Valerie Griffin, and in Gardnerville at the new congregation meeting at the Hopkins house. Luke 9:29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.