and bringing the two together
loving God, loving people
Airport Road
Church of Christ
Volume 51 March 24, 2024 Number 12 FROM YOUR MINISTER: In Philippians chapter two, Paul challenges us to have the “mind of Christ”. Although He was actually God in human form, Jesus humbled Himself in service to humankind! In previous verses, Paul illustrates part of what this might look like. “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” What—it’s not all about me? It’s about God, and it’s about others! “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” (James 4:10).
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK: Through pride the devil became the devil. Pride leads to every vice, it's the complete anti-God state of mind. A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you. As long as you are proud, you cannot know God. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less. ~C.S. Elliot
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Luke 19:35-38 And they brought it to Jesus, and they threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. Now as He was going, they were spreading their cloaks on the road. And as soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the [r]miracles which they had seen, shouting:“Blessed is the King, the One who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
FAMILY NEWS: Marnita & Stan arrived safely to their new home in Sante Fe, New Mexico, but their belongings won’t arrive until March 26! We will be happy to celebrate their wedding here on April 13!
It was wonderful having Sergio and his grandkids with us last week! We thank him for leading singing, and we thank the Rahmes for his transportation to and from services! This Sunday the adult Bible class will begin a study of the Holy Spirit outlined by the late Edward Fudge and taught by Bro. Bruce.
The Struggle
The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day, and the idols will totally disappear. — Isaiah 2:17-18
Sometimes, when we are "too big for our britches," we find ourselves humbled by a natural disaster, world war, incurable disease, economic depression, or widespread social disorder. Our arrogance functions as a predictor of our own impending fall. Is there a general principle of our universe at work here? ("Pride goes before a fall.")
Is this the active discipline of God at work? ("God disciplines those he loves.") I guess the answer is "Yes!" to both questions. God and his world remind us that there is so much about our lives we can't control.
This passage goes beyond the general principles and promises an ultimate day when human arrogance will be eliminated and all false gods disappear. On that day, God's children will rejoice and be glad! Until then, let's walk humbly with our God and anticipate the day Jesus returns, arrogance is brought down, and pride is exchanged for humility. O, what a glorious day that will be!
Dear Father in heaven, please humble me gently. I don't want to lose my awareness of your abiding presence by becoming too full of myself. Neither do I want to bring disaster upon myself or those I love because of my arrogance. Please give me an undivided heart, dear Father, a heart devoted to you out of appreciation for your grace, mercy, and love. In the name of the Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen
By Phil Ware, heartlight .org
ATTENTION, PLEASE! We need your help in keeping our prayer list living and active and updated! Your suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
PRAYERTIME: It all begins, Lord, as we lower ourselves before You. Let’s be praying for Kathy Fosnaugh as she will be having hand surgery this Tuesday. We continue to lift Sherrie Connell before our Father as she undergoes medical testing. Please remain praying for our sister Melinda (Lindy) Long who is back at Carson Tahoe Hospital and making progress. Please keep praying for former member Bill Butkovich in So. Lake Tahoe who is recovering from knee replacement surgery. Let us keep praying for Juniper Ammons (treatment and therapy after tragic accident last year), Aulika and Mickey (God’s guidance), Reuben Crowder (for continued spiritual growth), Russ and Kim Garvin (long term health issues), Ansley Griffin (back surgery this month), Bill Kenson (daily blessing), David LaCuse in Oregon (immunotherapy), Lori Mendez’ husband Pete (cancer treatments), Al and Susan Sheehan (daily blessing and guidance), Sergio Torres (housing and transportation), Zoe Ward and family (in Carson City as she battles DIPG brain cancer), Fred and Linda Welden (recovery of health), and John Wood (regular eye treatments).Please also be praying for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, Philippines with Rolando and Ludy Azurin. Deuteronomy 9:26 And I prayed to the Lord and said, ‘Lord God, do not destroy Your people, Your inheritance, whom You have redeemed through Your greatness, whom You have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand!
“Dear Lord help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that You and I together can’t handle. Amen” (Unknown).
Volume 51 March 17, 2024 Number 11 FROM YOUR MINISTER: I recently watched a podcast led by Jeff Walling on why churches seem to be closing and fewer people want to be ministers. Panel participants report people telling them that it is because, “Who you say you are is not true!” To many, our care and compassion, and service are not what they should be, and we’re not doing what we say we believe! Has the church lost its mission? The panel offered some suggestions. *Pray for workers… *Look where God seems to be working… *Tap gifted young people… *Renew commitment to the Great Commission… *Re-examine how we treat ministers… *Share joy and good God moments. Brothers and sisters, let’s not be discouraged as we continue on this journey!
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK: When we show love to others, God’s presence is with us. ~Linda Evans Shepherd
Look for every opportunity to encourage someone. You don’t know who is wrestling with demons that could end his or her life that day. A kind word comes from God. Be brave enough to act on it. ~Aaron Behr
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Matthew 24:12-13 And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold. But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved. (NASB) Matthew 24:13 Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved. (MSG)
FAMILY NEWS: There were tears in the room Sunday as we honored Stan McGarry for over 30 years of leading our singing here at Airport Road. Thank you, brother, and we miss you already! Marnita & Stan left Tuesday to set up their new home in Sante Fe, New Mexico. We won’t see them again until the wedding April 13!
We thank John Wood for teaching 1 John in the Adult Bible Class. When this is concluded, we will begin a study of the Holy Spirit put together by Edward Fudge and taught by Bruce Henderson. Please join us.
If you are following the Bible reading plan this year, the next schedule began March 13 and is on the table in the foyer.
WE HUMANS CAN LEARN FROM THE BEES!
My dad has bees. Today I went to his house and he showed me all of the honey he had gotten from the hives. He took the lid off of a 5 gallon bucket full of honey and on top of the honey there were 3 little bees, struggling. They were covered in sticky honey and drowning. I asked him if we could help them and he said he was sure they wouldn't survive. Casualties of honey collection I suppose.
I asked him again if we could at least get them out and kill them quickly, after all he was the one who taught me to put a suffering animal (or bug) out of its misery. He finally conceded and scooped the bees out of the bucket. He put them in an empty Chobani yogurt container and put the plastic container outside. Because he had disrupted the hive with the earlier honey collection, there were bees flying all over outside.
We put the 3 little bees in the container on a bench and left them to their fate. My dad called me out a little while later to show me what was happening. These three little bees were surrounded by all of their sisters (all of the bees are females) and they were cleaning the sticky nearly dead bees, helping them to get all of the honey off of their bodies. We came back a short time later and there was only one little bee left in the container. She was still being tended to by her sisters. When it was time for me to leave we checked one last time and all three of the bees had been cleaned off enough to fly away and the container was empty.
Those three little bees lived because they were surrounded by family and friends who would not give up on them, family and friends who refused to let them drown in their own stickiness and resolved to help until the last little bee could be set free. Bee Sisters. Bee Peers. Bee Teammates. We could all learn a thing or two from these bees. Bee kind always. ~Online, author unknown
PRAYERTIME: Lord, let them see You in us, Your children. Amen. We continue to lift Sherrie Connell before our Father as she undergoes medical testing. Please remain praying for our sister Melinda (Lindy) Long who is now at Ormsby Rehab for treatment and therapy. Please keep praying for former member Bill Butkovich in So. Lake Tahoe who is recovering from knee replacement surgery. Let us keep praying for Juniper Ammons (treatment and therapy after tragic accident last year), Aulika and Mickey (God’s guidance), Reuben Crowder (for continued spiritual growth), Russ and Kim Garvin (long term health issues), Ansley Griffin (back surgery this month), Bill Kenson (daily blessing), David LaCuse in Oregon (immunotherapy), Lori Mendez’ husband Pete (cancer treatments), Al and Susan Sheehan (daily blessing and guidance), Sergio Torres (housing and transportation), Zoe Ward and family (in Carson City as she battles DIPG brain cancer), Fred and Linda Welden (recovery of health), and John Wood (regular eye treatments).Please also be praying for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, Philippines with Rolando and Ludy Azurin. Revelation 8:4 And the smoke of the incense ascended from the angel’s hand with the prayers of the saints before God.
God our Father, You call each of us by name, and You treasure each of us individually as though no one else exists. Inspire us to respect and value each person who comes into our lives this day. Amen. ~quotement
Volume 51 March 10, 2024 Number 10FROM YOUR MINISTER: So much in life has to do with how we think! The Apostle Paul challenges Christians in Philippi to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). He then explains how Jesus, actually God in the flesh, humbled Himself and became a servant eventually giving His life for the salvation of mankind! The Voice translation uses these words. “In other words, adopt the mind-set of Jesus the Anointed.” WOW, that’s what I want—Jesus’ mindset! Could it be that should describe our journey here on earth—that we are here to begin thinking like Jesus? O, help us Lord!
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK: In Philippians chapter 2, Paul urges the Philippians to strive for this radical unity and fulfill his joy by having the mind of Jesus who humbled Himself, became a servant, and suffered the death of the cross. Jesus becomes the example of humility and service, leading to the kind of unity Paul imagines. ~Thomas Nelson, Inc.
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Exodus 39:32 Thus all the work of the Tabernacle of the tent of meeting was completed; and the sons of Israel did according to all that the Lord had commanded Moses; so they did.
FAMILY NEWS: Last Sunday was definitely a snow day! We only had sixteen present, but God was with us! Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour for this very Sunday to be on time!
If you haven’t picked up your invitation to Marnita & Stan’s wedding, it’s on the table in the foyer. They are leaving Tuesday to set up their new home in Sante Fe. We won’t see them again until the wedding April 13! We thank John Wood for teaching 1 John in the Adult Bible Class. Please join us! Baby bottles for Life Choices Community Pregnancy Clinic’s fundraiser MUST be in today or tomorrow! If you are following the Bible reading plan this year, the next schedule begins March 13 and is on the table in the foyer. Uday is back in Carson City and with his family after caring for his mother following surgery in India. Welcome home! The Ladies Luncheon for March will be Thursday the 14that the church building @ noon. Please bring your own lunch.
SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE
Here are some tips on the subject of aviation:
* Takeoffs are optional. Landings are mandatory.
* If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger. If you pull the stick back, they get smaller. (unless you keep pulling the stick back -- then they get bigger again)
* Flying is not dangerous; crashing is dangerous.
* The propeller is just a big fan in the front of the plane to keep the pilot cool. Want proof? Make it stop; then watch the pilot break out into a sweat.
* It's best to keep the pointed end going forward as much as possible.
* Everyone already knows the definition of a "good landing" is one from which you can walk away. But very few know the definition of a "great landing." It's one after which you can use the airplane another time.
* Try to keep the number of your landings equal to the number of your takeoffs.
* Gravity never loses! The best you can hope for is a draw.
* It's better to be down here wishing you were up there, than up there wishing you were down here.
Several of these tips lend themselves to spiritual application, but the one that jumped out at me was that last one. How much better it is to be on this earth with a mind set on "things above", than to be anywhere with a mind set on "things below"!
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:1-4).
Because we are surrounded by a world which we can see, it is easy to keep our eyes focused solely on that world. We will never grow as Christians, though, until we set our sights higher. Wherever your mind has been this morning, may this serve as a gentle reminder to set it on "things above".
by Alan Smith
PRAYERTIME: Please develop our minds as You would have them to be, Lord. We praise God for the good results of Sherrie Connel’s ultrasound! We continue to lift her before the Father. We are thankful that Uday’s mother is recovering from surgery at home in India. Please continue praying for our sister Melinda (Lindy) Long who is back in the hospital battling infection in her leg and foot. Please add to your prayers former member Bill Butkovich in So. Lake Tahoe who is recovering from knee replacement surgery. Let us keep praying for Juniper Ammons (In Texas treatment and therapy), Aulika and Mickey (God’s guidance), Reuben Crowder (for continued spiritual growth), Russ and Kim Garvin (long term health issues), Ansley Griffin (back surgery this month), Bill Kenson (daily blessing), David LaCuse in Oregon (immunotherapy), Lori Mendez’ husband Pete (cancer treatments), Al and Susan Sheehan (daily blessing and guidance), Sergio Torres (housing and transportation), Zoe Ward (back home in Carson after three trial treatments for brain cancer), Fred and Linda Welden (recovery of health), and John Wood (continual eye problem).Please also be praying for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, Philippines with Rolando and Ludy Azurin. Jude 1:20-21 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
Heavenly Father, I have to thank You for looking beyond my faults and for loving me unconditionally. Forgive me when I fail to love others in the same way. Give me eyes to see the needs of the difficult people in my life, and show me how to meet those needs in a way that pleases You. In Jesus’ name, Amen ~Mary Southerland
Volume 51 March 3, 2024 Number 9
FROM YOUR MINISTER: I never thought that I would ever be kept busy outside on the property around our house! I find myself doing a lot of what I call “piddling” – a little bit here and a little bit there. Wanetta often says, “How do you always find so much to do?” I reply, “Well, I don’t find it; it finds me!” In my quiet times, however, I wonder about all the time I am serving me! Once again, God speaks to me through His word. “And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16). Thanks, Father for the reminder!
QUOTES FOR THE WEEK: Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is something for you to do in the world. So long as you can sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain. - Helen Keller
I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. - Henry Drummond
You can always give without loving, but you can never love without giving.- Amy Carmichael
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Psalm 25:4-5 Make me know Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.
FAMILY NEWS: If you haven’t picked up your invitation to Marnita & Stan’s wedding, it’s on the table in the foyer!
We thank John Wood for teaching 1 John in the Adult Bible Class. Please join us!
It’s time to bring back your baby bottle for Life Choices Community Pregnancy Clinic’s fundraiser! Please do so NOW and thank you!
If you are following the Bible reading plan this year, the next schedule begins March 13 and is on the table in the foyer. Uday should be flying home from India this week. We have missed him and the family. Welcome home!
Dead or Alive? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. — James 2:26
Thought By this definition, I fear that many people claiming to be believers are spiritual corpses. For our faith to be genuine, James says it must express itself in good deeds. Jesus said something similar in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:21). Faith not only moves mountains but must also move believers to act in ways that honor God and bless others. Faith also becomes a true believer's way of demonstrating thankfulness to God for his amazing grace.
Prayer Holy and Faithful Father, please forgive me for the times I've been lazy in my spiritual walk when my faith didn't prompt me to do good deeds. Help me see the many opportunities for service you give to me each day and empower me to act on those opportunities in ways that bless others and honor you. In Jesus' holy name, I pray. Amen. ~Phil Ware, heartlight.org
People Count Most!
I don't know about you, but I have a whole bunch of motors out in my garage — a lawnmower, an edger, hedge clippers, and a trimmer along with a bunch of other stuff. And they all get together on Saturday morning when the weather is good and decide to give me a workout. They work me over! In fact, my whole house will do that — painting and changing filters and fixing faucets and getting the spots out of the rug.
I've learned that beyond a comfortable style of living, the more material things you have, the less freedom you've got. The house and tools and stuff are using me, instead of me using them!
Jesus didn't have much but a robe. Seems to be telling me that it's not things, it's people that count. Aren't you beginning to get the same point?
Then Jesus said to them. "Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. A person does not get life from the many things he owns" (Luke 12:15 ERV). ~Paul Faulkner
PRAYERTIME: Pray today for someone to serve. We are praying for Sherrie Connell as she undergoes follow-up ultrasound testing. Uday’s mother had successful surgery in India and is doing well. Angelina thanks us for prayers for the family there as well as here. Please continue praying for our sister Melinda (Lindy) Long who is receiving follow-up health care as she recovers at the home of JoElla Jones. Please add to your prayers former member Bill Butkovich who is having complications following knee replacement. He and Yadira live in So. Lake Tahoe. Let us keep praying for Juniper Ammons (In Texas treatment and therapy), Aulika and Mickey (God’s guidance), Reuben Crowder (for continued spiritual growth), Russ and Kim Garvin (long term health issues), Ansley Griffin (upcoming back surgery), Bill Kenson (daily blessing), David LaCuse in Oregon (immunotherapy), Lori Mendez’ husband Pete (cancer treatments), Al and Susan Sheehan (daily blessing and guidance), Sergio Torres (housing and transportation), Zoe Ward (back home in Carson after three trial treatments for brain cancer), Fred and Linda Welden (recovery of health), and John Wood (continual eye problem).Please also be praying for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, Philippines with Rolando and Ludy Azurin. 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
Jesus, bless what you have given,
Feed our souls with bread from heaven;
Guide and lead us all the way,
In all that we may do and say.
Amen. ~Christianity.com
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