loving God, loving people
and bringing the two together
Airport Road
Church of Christ
The Airport Road Church of Christ Loving God, loving people and bringing the two together Volume 50 December 3, 2023 Number 47
FROM YOUR MINISTER: Can you believe that it is already December? Daily I realize that something is different when I see that room we call the library at home is being filled with boxes from Amazon! Christmas already? Well, it IS a special time of year—and not because of the packages! Beginning with the first Sunday in December, I try to retell, part by part, the real story of Christmas. Please make plans to be with us, for all of us are a part of that story!
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK: This time of year, it’s easy to shift our focus from the true meaning of Christmas. We’re busy trimming the tree while watching Christmas movies on Netflix, hosting parties, dreaming up DIY advent calendars, and whipping up the perfect batch of holiday cookies to leave out for Jolly Old St. Nick. But before getting too wrapped up in the bells and whistles that come along with celebrating the most wonderful time of the year, take some time to rest and reflect on why we celebrate on December 25 in the first place. ~Country Living
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Galatians 3:3-5 So we too, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters.
FAMILY NEWS: Welcome home to Bob Sewell who spent Thanksgiving in Oregon with kids and grandkids. Susan Biegler is on the road again! This time she’s with family in the Northwest---Enjoy! Marnita Baird and Stan McGarry are keeping busy getting ready for their wedding in April! The current project is getting Stan’s house ready to sell. The next Ladies luncheon will be at the church building Dec. 14. We will be putting together Blessings Bags for the homeless. Please contact Grecia for information. Her number is available through the church office.
Happy December! by Ron Rose
Join me in this challenge: along with telling the stories and writing the stories of giving, let's BE the story of generosity—every day in December. Let's do something amazing this Christmas season.
Double the tip, pay for the guy behind you at the drive through, hand out gift cards just for fun...Put something in every kettle you pass. Listen for the voice of God and give more than expected. That's what God does every time…it’s like He is investing in us. Give with words or without words attached, give with a smile, give in secret, give online, in person, in envelopes, with checks, with gift cards, in groups, and while you're waiting in line. Be the story.
Send donations to the ministries and missions that have touched your life or given you hope... encourage the encouragers. Ask God to show you the way... follow His lead, respond to the nudge, give at church, during the week, at work, in restaurants, with friends, and as a family. Give when no one is looking. Forget about comparing your gift to what others can do... so many of those who can, don't.
When you visit friends, leave a surprise present under the tree... Give to the lonely, the depressed, even that person you can't stand to be around. Give in spite of what others say. attach a note... "from a friend,” or “from Secret Santa.”
So, "Abba, make us into givers...like you... Help us learn to give with grace and dignity, without judgment or insult or agendas or expectations. Transform us into givers beyond measure.
After all this giving we can't help but smile... "and THAT makes me feel good,” as my friend, Robert (Mouse) Taylor used to say. "Smile, it makes me feel good," I miss him profoundly.
Abba, teach us all how to give more than we have.
PRAYERTIME: Prayer means God’s presence. What a present! ~Monroe Urgent prayer request please: Suzy Pence’s brother’s stepson Angel Diaz is in ICU on life support after his heart stopped for 5 minutes. He's in his late 40s and has been battling other serious health problems. Special prayer please for Zoe Ward, 11-year-old daughter of Gemma and Pastor Chase Ward’ as she begins trial treatment for brain cancer this Monday at UCSF. Let us be in prayer for Aulika and Amen who just can’t seem to get well. We miss them! We rejoice that Harlan and Rosella Paslay are doing well after the completion of her chemotherapy. They thank all for their prayers. We praise God for the success of Stan McGarry’s shoulder replacement and recovery! Please keep praying for Aulika and Mickey (God’s guidance), Juniper Ammons (four-year-old in Placerville recovering from serious injuries), Gary and Reuben Crowder (for continued strength and spiritual guidance), Russ and Kim Garvin (long term health issues), Ansley Griffin (daily strength), Bill Kenson (daily blessing), David LaCuse in Oregon (cancer treatments), Joyce McKenzie (daily blessing), Lori Mendez’ husband Pete (cancer treatments), Al and Susan Sheehan (daily blessing and guidance), 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, the Philippines with Rolando Azurin. 1 Timothy 2:8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger and dispute.
Loving Father, bless my family with peace today. Bless them not just with worldly favor in all they seek to accomplish but with hearts and minds filled with your lovingkindness. Protect them and guide them in all decisions they make. ~Pray.com
The Airport Road Church of Christ Loving God, loving people and bringing the two together Volume 50 November 26, 2023 Number 46
FROM YOUR MINISTER: Some of my favorite words from the Bible are little words. Love, joy, and hope head my list. That word hope appears nearly 200 times in scripture. Psalms has the most uses and, in the New Testament, Romans is the winner. “We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield” (Psalm 33:20). As Abraham neared the age of a hundred and Sara near ninety, “Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping”--- that he would be father of many nations! ~Romans 4:18. In chapter 5, Paul writes that even in tribulation we can rejoice, because it produces hope in us! “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” I conclude this little article by praying Paul’s prayer over each of you reading this. “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). AMEN
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK: Through the dark and stormy night, faith beholds a feeble light up the blackness streaking. Knowing God’s own time is best, in a patient hope I rest for the full-day breaking! ~John Greenleaf Whittier Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues. ~Brother Lawrence
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Hebrews 6:9b-11 We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.
FAMILY NEWS: The next Ladies luncheon will be at the church building Dec. 14. We will be putting together Blessings Bags for the homeless. Please contact Grecia for information. Her number is available through the church office.
The Hand of Hope by Max Lucado
O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens…When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers — the moon and the stars you set in place — what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? (Psalm 8:1, 3-4 NLT)
Has it been a while since you stared at the heavens in speechless amazement?
Has it been a while since you realized God's divinity and your carnality?
If it has, then you need to know something. He is still there. He hasn't left. Under all those papers and books and reports and years. In the midst of all those voices and faces and memories and pictures, he is still there.
Do yourself a favor. Stand before him again. Or, better, allow him to stand before you. Go into your upper room and wait. Wait until he comes. And when he appears, don't leave. Run your fingers over his feet. Place your hand in the pierced side. And look into those eyes. Those same eyes that melted the gates of hell and sent the demons scurrying and Satan running. Look at them as they look at you. You'll never be the same.
A man is never the same after he simultaneously sees his utter despair and Christ's unbending grace. To see the despair without grace is suicidal. To see the grace without the despair is upper room futility. But to see them both is conversion.
Come meet the God of encouragement. He loves you. He never gives up on you, especially when life is hard, because he has been there. The hand that reaches out to comfort you is a pierced one.
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13 NLT).
PRAYERTIME: Prayerless and hopeless certainly go together! ~Brewster Diana Buffaloe thanks all for their prayers as testing indicates that her cancer is in remission! Please keep praying for Aulika and Mickey (God’s guidance), Juniper Ammons (four-year-old in Placerville recovering from serious injuries), Gary and Reuben Crowder (for continued strength and spiritual guidance), Russ and Kim Garvin (long term health issues), Ansley Griffin (daily strength), Bill Kenson (daily blessing), David LaCuse in Oregon (cancer treatments), Stan McGarry (recovery from shoulder surgery), Joyce McKenzie (daily blessing), Lori Mendez’ husband Pete (cancer treatments), Harlan and Rosella Paslay (recovery from treatments), Al and Susan Sheehan (daily blessing and guidance), Zoe Ward (11-year-old daughter of Gemma and Pastor Chase Ward waiting to begin trial treatment for brain cancer at UCSF), 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, the Philippines with Rolando Azurin. 1 Timothy 2:2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.
Lord, help me not to lean on my own understanding but in everything acknowledge You so that You can direct my words, thoughts, and actions. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ Sharon Glasgow
The Airport Road Church of Christ Loving God, loving people and bringing the two together
Vol 50 November 19, 2023 No 45
FROM YOUR MINISTER: I am so glad that we have discovered the wonderful grace of God! Indeed, we are saved by that grace. However, there is so much more to that precious gift of His favor! He also graces us individually with gifts to be used in His service. “So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us. If our gift is to speak God's message, we should do it according to the faith that we have; if it is to serve, we should serve; if it is to teach, we should teach; if it is to encourage others, we should do so. Whoever shares with others should do it generously; whoever has authority should work hard; whoever shows kindness to others should do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8). Father, help us to know our individual gifts and use them for You. AMEN!
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK: According to the gifts and talents God has given, you are to be salt and light, and whatever part of the Body of Christ you were made to be. We need to be all working together! ~Chris Manion
HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK! Psalm 103:1-2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
Psalm 26:7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving and declare all Your wonders.
Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 95:2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
FAMILY NEWS: Special thanks to John Wood for directing our song services as Stan McGarry recovers from shoulder surgery! Please take time to read the mission reports from the Griffins’ work in Venezuela and the Azurins in Vigan City, Philippines.
If you weren’t able to contribute to last week’s Orphan’s Sunday, you may do so today.
I’LL TAKE MY TWO TALENTS! by Lisa Mikitarian
How much time do we waste wondering about the breadth and depth of our individual gifts — asking God over and over, from every angle, about the talents He’s presented us with? We ponder if it’s enough to do what we hope to do. How much it is compared to what our neighbors have been given. And when answers come up short — which for humble servants, they invariably do — it can be debilitating, freezing us in time and space, keeping us from doing anything at all.
One line I’ve used to justify my inaction is: “If only I had “this,” then I could do “that.” If only I had more time, I’d volunteer to help my neighbor. If only I had more money, I’d give to my neighbor. If only I had more talent, I’d write a novel for my neighbor — maybe I haven’t said those exact words, but the sentiment was there. For someone who doesn’t like math, I surely am interested in quantifying that which has been allotted to me.
This is the place I was in life the last time I read the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), where the Master entrusts the first servant with five talents, the second with two, and the third with one. Of course, here “talents” refers to a large monetary unit, but the lesson can be applied to the other kind of talent, as well.
The first servant earns five additional talents, the second earns two, while the third buries it — earning nothing more. Here’s the part that struck me then and continues to strike me now. When the master comes home, he rewards the first two servants the same. He says to both of them, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”
You mean the amount I started off with doesn’t matter? You mean I don’t need to worry about quantifying what I possess? All I need to concentrate on is doing something with what I hold in my hands? And then I will enter into the joy of my Master? Oh, I like that … a lot. No more pressure to measure up. What I have is enough. Who cares if I don’t have five talents? I have my precious two.
“They” say that happiness is being satisfied with what you have. That’s not quite how I see it anymore. I think the Bible shows us that happiness is doing with what you have. I certainly don’t want to be the person who, out of fear and worry, buries his talent. The Master calls him a “wicked and slothful servant” and then goes on to say: For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:29-30 ESV).
No, Lord! Don’t let me be that person. Therefore, I gratefully and joyfully accept my two talents and will do something with them — right now and for every day You afford me.
PRAYERTIME: In the midst trials and difficulties, let us still give thanks! ~Monroe Diana Buffaloe thanks all for their prayers as testing indicates that her cancer is in remission! Please keep praying for Aulika and Mickey (God’s guidance), Juniper Ammons (four-year-old in Placerville recovering from serious injuries), Gary and Reuben Crowder (for continued strength and spiritual guidance), Russ and Kim Garvin (long term health issues), Ansley Griffin (daily strength), Bill Kenson (daily blessing), David LaCuse in Oregon (cancer treatments), Stan McGarry (recovery from shoulder surgery), Joyce McKenzie (daily blessing), Lori Mendez’ husband Pete (cancer treatments), Harlan and Rosella Paslay (recovery from treatments), Al and Susan Sheehan (daily blessing and guidance), Zoe Ward (11-year-old daughter of Gemma and Pastor Chase Ward waiting to begin trial treatment for brain cancer at UCSF), 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, the Philippines with Rolando Azurin. 1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men…
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
The Airport Road Church of Christ Loving God, loving people and bringing the two together Vol 50 November 12, 2023 No. 44
FROM YOUR MINISTER: Today’s bulletin article reminds me of a word used over fifty times in scripture. It’s the word ‘encourage’. At different times, Joshua, Joab, soldiers and priests were encouraged in their efforts. Paul, Silas, and Timothy encouraged others. Among other things, preaching was to be encouraging. When Job’s ‘friends’ were saying that his sufferings were due to his sins, he told them that if they were in his situation, he would use words to encourage them! It is definitely a word that can make a difference in people’s lives! “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’…” (Hebrews 3:13). So, shall we?
QUOTES FOR THE WEEK: Encouragement is awesome. It (can) actually change the course of another person's day, week, or life. - Chuck Swindoll I would go to the deeps a hundred times to cheer a downcast spirit. It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is weary. - Charles Spurgeon A helping word to one in trouble is often like a switch on a railroad track, an inch between wreck and smooth, rolling prosperity. - Henry Ward Beecher
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Lamentations 3:19-24 I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
FAMILY NEWS:. Bruce reports a great trip to Oklahoma to see his sister and attend homecoming at Oklahoma Christian University. He was able to be with friends he hadn’t seen in over fifty years! We thank everyone who oversaw things in Bruce’s absence. Ralph and Sally opened and closed the building and did greetings and handouts. Tom Rahme prepared and taught the adult Bible class. Steve Beach opened the service and preached a beautiful sermon. It can be seen on the church Facebook page. Congratulations to Arin Reiutz who was baptized into Christ on Sunday, October 29. Welcome to the family! Please take time to read the mission reports on the bulletin board from the Griffins’ work in Venezuela and the Azurins in Vigan City, Philippines.
THE TALE OF THE BUFFALO BROTHERS…
Long ago, a party of Dakota warriors went out on a buffalo hunt. Afterward, they went around to survey their kills. They came upon an injured buffalo who was being guarded by another. The hunters tried to chase the healthy buffalo away, but he wouldn't leave. He even charged at them. He was strong and able to run but he wouldn't leave the other buffalo behind. They decided to leave them be and come back the next day, concluding that the healthy buffalo would leave eventually.
When they returned the next day, they were surprised to see that the strong buffalo remained. He stayed right there by the side of his brother. The strong buffalo would gently prod his injured relative, urging him to rise. The hunters left again, deciding to check back the following day.
When they came back, they saw that the buffalo brothers were still together- only now, the injured buffalo appeared to be getting stronger. The hunters realized the buffalo might survive after all, thanks to his brother.
When they returned on the fourth day, both buffalo were gone, with two sets of buffalo tracks leaving the site where the one once lay dying. The injured buffalo had recovered, thanks to the encouragement and strength of his brother.
And so we should follow their example. We will encourage others when they're wounded in body, heart, mind or spirit. We shall not leave them behind when they've fallen, and run with them when they rise. This is the tale of the Buffalo Brothers, as it was told to me by an elder.
~from Facebook via Dan Cooper
PRAYERTIME: Give me faith, Lord, and let me help others find it. ~Leo Tolstoy Joyce McKenzie, a longtime visitor and friend is not feeling well and appreciates our thoughts and prayers. Diana Buffaloe was to have a PET scan Nov. 10 as a follow-up to her surgery and treatments. Continue in prayer. We are thankful that Ralpph Lindsey’s sister Kay Dean is much better and is about to go back to her own home. Please pray for Lori Mendez’ husband Pete as he goes through cancer treatments. Ansley Griffin is going through pain and discomfort at the present and would appreciate our prayers. Please keep praying for Aulika and Mickey (God’s guidance), Juniper Ammons (four-year-old in Placerville recovering from serious injuries), Susan Biegler’s brother Ted (improved health in N. Carolina), Gary and Reuben Crowder (for continued strength), Russ and Kim Garvin (long term health issues), Bill Kenson (daily blessing), David LaCuse in Oregon (cancer treatments), Stan McGarry (recovery from shoulder surgery), Harlan and Rosella Paslay (recovery from treatments), Al and Susan Sheehan (daily blessing), Zoe Ward (11-year-old daughter of Gemma and Pastor Chase Ward now on Make A Wish trip in Hawaii and about to begin trial treatment for brain cancer at UCSF), 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, the Philippines with Rolando Azurin. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
O Lord, feed your people with your grace, and deliver our souls from the death of sin. Fill us with your mercy, that we may be united with the joys of the righteous; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~Sarum Rite, eleventh century
Volume 50 October 29, 2023 No. 43
FROM YOUR MINISTER: You may not realize this, but the word WISDOM is used over 200 times in the Bible. About a fourth of those are in the book of Proverbs. Solomon begins by describing the purpose of the book with these words—" The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding…” Aah, to have wisdom and understanding! Yet, how? “For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding” 2:6. “Respect and obey the Lord! This is the beginning of wisdom. To have understanding, you must know the Holy God” 9:10. In the New Testament, James takes up the challenge in 1:5-6. “If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won't correct you for asking. But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm.” O, Lord God, in these difficult times, we need true wisdom from You! Help us, Father!
QUOTES FOR THE WEEK: As we trust God to give us wisdom for today's decisions, He will lead us a step at a time into what He wants us to be doing in the future. - Theodore Epp
The chief means for attaining wisdom, and suitable gifts for the ministry, are the Holy Scriptures, and prayer. - John Newton
When the peace of God follows the purity of God’s wisdom into our hearts and lives, it will affect those around us. - Dr. David Jeremiah
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
FAMILY NEWS: The VanGrimbergens will host their annual Harvest Festival October 28 @ 3:00pm. Please sign up on the bulletin board. Bruce will be in Oklahoma visiting his sister Nov. 1-6. We thank Tom Rahme for teaching Bible class and Steve Beach for preaching in his absence Nov. 5. Bailey Griffin is traveling this week to homecoming at Harding University in Arkansas. Enjoy!
Where do you get your wisdom? by Allan Smith
A first grade teacher collected some old, well-known proverbs. She gave each child in her class the first half of a proverb, and he or she had to come up with the rest. Here are the results:
As You Shall Make Your Bed So Shall You … Mess It Up.
Better to Be Safe Than … Punch A 5th Grader.
Strike While The … Bug Is Close.
It’s Always Darkest Before … Daylight Savings Time.
You Can Lead A Horse To Water But .. How?
Don’t Bite The Hand That … Looks Dirty.
You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New … Math. If You Lie Down With The Dogs, You’ll … Stink In The Morning.
Love All, Trust … Me
An Idle Mind Is … The Best Way To Relax.
A Penny Saved Is … Not Much.
Two’s Company, Three’s … The Musketeers.
Don’t Put Off Tomorrow What … You Put On To Go To Bed.
Laugh And The Whole World Laughs With You, Cry And … You Have To Blow Your Nose. Children Should Be Seen And Not … Spanked Or Grounded.
If At First You Don’t Succeed … Get New Batteries.
You Get Out Of Something What You … See Pictured On The Box.
Ah, the “wisdom” of children! That’s exactly what proverbs are intended to be — an expression of wisdom, the result of years of experience expressed in a few concise words.
The Bible frequently talks about the importance of wisdom — not the wisdom of the world, but God’s wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to make right choices, and the only way to make right choices is to guide our lives by God’s Word.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.” (Psalm 110:10)
May God bless you with wisdom as you open your heart today to His will.
PRAYERTIME: If you really don’t know where to start, pray for wisdom and insight. ~Daree Allen
Stan McGarry’s shoulder surgery is this week. Let us be praying. Please pray for Lori Mendez’ husband Pete as he goes through cancer treatments. Ansley Griffin is going through much pain and discomfort at the present and would appreciate our prayers. Please keep praying for Aulika and Mickey (God’s guidance), Juniper Ammons (four-year-old in Placerville recovering from serious injuries), Susan Biegler’s brother Ted (improved health in N. Carolina), Diana Buffaloe (recovery from treatments), Gary and Reuben Crowder (for continued strength), Russ and Kim Garvin (long term health issues), Bill Kenson (daily blessing), Ralph’s sister Kay Dean (physical recovery), David LaCuse in Oregon (cancer treatments) Harlan and Rosella Paslay (recovery from treatments), Al and Susan Sheehan (daily blessing), Zoe Ward (11-year-old daughter of Gemma and Pastor Chase Ward with DIPG brain cancer). Fred and Linda Welden (recovery of health), and John Wood (continual eye problem).Please be in prayer for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, the Philippines with Rolando Azurin.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing;
"I pray that despite the difficulty surrounding us that we can stand firm in our faith. I pray we can share the love of Jesus with all those around us and that the lies and the schemes of the enemy will not prevail. I lift the people who don’t know you, I pray you would bring people into their lives that can bring truth to their hearts and hope for their souls. Thank you for your peace, Lord and thank you that we can come to you and you meet us right where we are.
In your name we pray, Jesus, amen." ~ Heidi Vegh
The Airport Road Church of Christ
Loving God, loving people and bringing the two together Volume 50 October 22, 2023 Number 43 FROM YOUR MINISTER: Wow, this is such a beautiful time of year! And, I think because of such a wet winter, this fall is even more beautiful! Seasons come and go, but God’s expectations of us remain the same. I read a passage the other day that beautifully summarized our responsibilities in all seasons. “Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:14-22). Now, there’s our road to travel in every season!
QUOTES FOR THE WEEK: “Every season is one of becoming, but not always one of blooming. Be gracious with your ever-evolving self.” — B. Oatman
“Be aware of what season you are in and give yourself the grace to be there.” — Kristen Dalton
“Gratitude for the turning of the seasons. May we attune our hearts to their enduring message of renewal.” — Kristin Granger
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Psalm 73:25-26 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
FAMILY NEWS: The VanGrimbergens will host their annual Harvest Festival October 28 @ 3:00pm. Please sign up on the bulletin board.
Congratulations to Lori Mendez who was baptized into Christ last Sunday! It was also great meeting her husband Pete. They are in California this weekend visiting family.
Sue Biegler is in North Carolina visiting her brother and sister-in-law.
Bruce will be in Oklahoma visiting his sister Nov. 1-6. We thank Tom Rahme for teaching Bible class and Steve Beach for preaching in his absence Nov. 5.
The Mystery of the Fall Season by Melissa Troyer I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong (Ephesians 3:16-17 NLT).
Within a week's time, our world snapped into fall. The garden is taking one last breath as it bursts with dahlias in corals and reds. Subconsciously, I reach for my orange sweater before I slip out to cut a bouquet. Without trying, I'm mirroring nature's colors too.
I love fall — with its steaming cups of coffee and tea by the fire, the coziness of couch cuddling, and book reading. I love the candles flickering and soup and crusty sourdough bread always there to warm our bellies. But I don't anticipate the cold winter that trails close on the heels of fall. I don't want to forget, but really enjoy this season. For what it is. For the wild and lavish colors in the trees. For the staggering sunsets. Seasons bring growth... just like they bring change.
This next winter will lay open a clear choice for me: Will I choose to cultivate a heart and home of peace while it's cold and long with Daniel gone? There are seasons that bear rich and abundant visible fruit — garden baskets overflowing with tomatoes, okra, and zinnias. Then there are other seasons that seem fruitless, frozen, even dead. But far below the cold soil...
God is inviting us to grow, to let Him cultivate deep and unseen yet intimate connection through those "barren" days. Don't be afraid if you are in a quiet season — a misunderstood or overlooked one. Don't be afraid if you are called off the normal path, even the "right" one. Don't be afraid of the quiet. Of discomfort. Take a deep breath. Be present for it. For all of it. Let God peel back the crusty layers of your heart so He can pour His holiness deep into your veins. The calling away feels salty. Expensive. Like a waste. Maybe you water your broken chapter with tears, mixing it with oil too expensive to keep to yourself. Maybe it all feels so wrong, yet you know it is right. This season is for your good.
What is watered in tears and purified by His fire will burst from your "fall" seasons into rich, brilliant life. Roots which hold strong... resilient enough for the next storm. He knows how to prepare you. Come pick dahlias in the golden evening light with me. Gather colors and fill your home with visible reminders of His love and provision.
PRAYERTIME: Winter, spring, summer, and fall—prayer has its place in all! ~Monroe Stan McGarry’s shoulder surgery has been postponed until Oct. 31. Let us be praying. Please pray for Lori Mendez’ husband Pete as he goes through cancer treatments. Ansley Griffin is going through much pain and discomfort at the present and would appreciate our prayers. Jody Jones asks us to be praying for David LaCuse in Oregon. He is Stoney’s Gregory’s cousin and has kidney cancer that is spreading. He has started radiation that will be followed by immunotherapy. At home near Placerville, four-year-old Juniper Ammons is using a walker and is undergoing therapy. Let’s keep praying. Please remain in prayer for 11-year-old Zoe, daughter of Gemma and Pastor Chase Ward. A presumed second brain tumor has been determined to be part of the original, so dates are being set up for a trial therapy at UCSF. The family continues to RV through the country to establish good memories. Please keep praying for Aulika and Mickey, Susan Biegler’s brother Ted, Diana Buffaloe, Gary and Reuben Crowder, Russ and Kim Garvin, Bill Kenson, Ralph’s sister Kay Dean, Harlan and Rosella Paslay, Al and Susan Sheehan, Fred and Linda Welden, and John Wood. Please be in prayer for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, the Philippines with Rolando Azurin. 1 Thessalonians 3:10 Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.
Lord, help me let go of my fear of failure. I know Satan wants to use my fears to hold me back from living boldly for You. Forgive me for not living in faith and help me from this moment on to live with bold confidence in You. Lord, help me not compare myself to others around me. I pray instead that I can keep my eye on You and live a life that proclaims Your excellence. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen. ~ Rick Warren
The Airport Road Church of Christ Loving God, loving people and bringing the two together Volume 50 October 15, 2023 Number 42
FROM YOUR MINISTER: Well, what can I say about last Sunday? Being able to hand out copies of the Christian Chronicle featuring our work was amazing! Having a beautiful day for an outdoor potluck and brothers setting up shelters, tables, and chairs and sisters preparing food fit for a king was thrilling! But, when Kathy spoke about us and presented us with unbelievable gifts, Wanetta and I were both in tears of joy and appreciation! Fifty years is a long time, but you have reminded us that we were and are never alone. Thank You, God and thank you church for your presence and your presents! We continue our journey together!
QUOTES FOR THE WEEK: Christian life is not a one-person race. It’s a relay. You are not alone, you’re part of a team assembled by our unstoppable God to achieve his eternal purposes. ~Christine Caine
Do not limit the limitless God! With Him, face the future unafraid because you are never alone. ~Lettie Cowman The Christian life was never meant to be lived alone. Together we’re a body. A family. The people of God. ~Matthew West
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Jeremiah 20:9 But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
FAMILY NEWS: The VanGrimbergens will host their annual Harvest Festival October 28 @ 3:00pm. Please sign up on the bulletin board.
God With Us
by Catherine Pulsifer
God has promised to be with us
And He is, to that I can witness
We sometimes think He is not around
But then something happens that is profound
And we realize He has been with us all along
And we give Him praise with a song.
He has told us not to fear
That we are His children and to Him so dear
We are to put our trust in Him
No matter the situation that is grim
He never promised challenges would be none
But an eternal home when life is done.
The Book of Hebrews and Ministry
Hebrews was a sermon (“word of exhortation” – 13:22) to believers who were wearing out. An apt image to describe them was: “feeble arms and weak knees” (12:12). Formerly, they’d been on fire and endured whatever came their way; now, they were needing to hang on (10:32-36).
Perhaps some of us can identify! Whether its weariness from rejection in society (as in Hebrews) or struggles in church leadership or the political divide that has cut through our churches—well, I’d guess many can identify with the image of a runner who’s about to collapse.
What a brilliant reminder to us that Hebrews begins with an exalted view of Jesus—the Son who became a human, suffered and died, rose, was exalted to the presence of God, and who still intercedes for us.
The book of Hebrews begins with what seems like a ticker-tape parade. Jesus, the human now resurrected, is seated and enthroned at God’s right hand (1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2). Angels ‑ those ministering spirits sent to minister to God’s people (1:14) — worship him!
You are not alone, dear friends. The Resurrected Son is now interceding for you (7:25); he is your forerunner showing the way (12:1-3), your high priest who understands your weaknesses (2:17-18; 4:14-16; 5:7-10), your savior who invites you to draw near to God (10:22).
Be blessed, my friends. You. Are. Not. Alone.
~Mike Cope
PRAYERTIME: Life is slippery. Here, take my hand. ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr. Jody Jones asks us to be praying for David LaCuse in Oregon. He is Stoney’s Gregory’s cousin and has kidney cancer that is spreading. He has started radiation that will be followed by immunotherapy. We praise God that Marnita’s cousin Antoine is much better, has made some positive changes, and is back to work! At home near Placerville, Four-year-old Juniper Ammons is using a walker and is undergoing therapy. Let’s keep praying. Please remain in prayer for 11-year-old Zoe, daughter of Gemma and Pastor Chase Ward. A presumed second brain tumor has been determined to be part of the original, so dates are being set up for a trial therapy at UCSF. The family continues to RV through the country to establish good memories. Please keep praying for Aulika and Mickey, Susan Biegler’s brother Ted, Diana Buffaloe, Gary and Reuben Crowder, Russ and Kim Garvin, Bill Kenson, Ralph’s sister Kay Dean, Harlan and Rosella Paslay, Al and Susan Sheehan, Fred and Linda Welden, and John Wood. Please be in prayer for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, the Philippines with Rolando Azurin. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Dear Lord, help me - every single morning - to find faith in the midst of the chaos. Give me the desire and ability to see You, hear You, talk to You, and give thanks to You. And as I do, I pray that I will draw nearer and nearer to You, and that my faith will multiply exponentially as I understand in new, deeper ways that You are everything I ever hoped You would be. And so much more. Amen. ~ Kelly O’Dell Stanley
The Airport Road Church of Christ
Loving God, loving people and bringing the two together Volume 50 October 8, 2023 Number 41
FROM YOUR MINISTER: If someone asked you to describe the lifestyle of a Christian, what would you say? One could talk about moral purity, humility, joy, and much more. A good blanket statement could be Jesus' instructions to love God and love others! I ran across a great description the other day. "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). Kindness, compassion, and forgiveness---what a beautiful picture! Early in His ministry, Jesus taught, "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matthew 6:14). The forgiven are forgivers. Forgivers are forgiven. It's God's plan!
QUOTES FOR THE WEEK: "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." - Mahatma Gandhi To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness." - Robert Muller
"Forgiveness is the final form of love." - Reinhold Niebuhr "When you forgive, you in no way change the past - but you sure do change the future." - Bernard Meltzer
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Ephesians 2:4-5 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!)
FAMILY NEWS: Rejoice, for today is Potluck Day! Be ready to stay and enjoy wonderful food and precious fellowship! ~The next Ladies Lunch will be Thursday, Oct. 12 at a local restaurant. Please contact Kathy so they can have a headcount. ~Shannon Hubbard has brought his carpet cleaning business to Carson and has done our auditorium and office areas. Thank you, Brother! ~Danette Clawson is in Colorado with the family newlyweds. Enjoy ~It's wonderful having Don & Patty Houser visiting with us! Have you met them yet? ~The VanGrimbergens will host their annual Harvest Festival October 28 @ 3:00pm. Please contact Allison if you plan to come.
It's Not Too Late! by Ron Rose
After sixty-eight years of life, Bill was living his last days in hospice care. His cancer had reached an untreatable level, and even though the doctors were able to help his pain, he was restless and agitated.
The chaplain took the son aside and explained. "The doctors are doing everything they can to ease your dad's pain. But, he's struggling... are you aware of any problem, any unfinished business that could be bothering him?"
"Oh yes," replied the son. "I am not my father's only child. A number of years ago when my sister was in high school, she fell in love with a boy of a different race. When they married, my dad disowned her. Even though she lives less than an hour away, he has never talked of her again." The chaplain replied, "If you know how to contact her, get her here as soon as possible."
Later that evening, the young woman who had been disowned thirteen years earlier, nervously waited in the lobby. Beside her was Billy, a four-year-old grandson Bill had never seen. After the chaplain explained Bill's condition, the four of them entered Bill's room.
Although Bill was confined to the bed by tubes and monitor wires, he was alert enough to recognize his daughter... his unfinished business. When she reached the bedside he looked up at her through tears and in a gentle, hopeful whisper said, "I'm so sorry, so sorry. I love you!"
Her response, "I know, dad. I ... love .... you... too."
Tears were collected by Abba that night and they hugged as though they would never hug again. That night, they talked of old times--catching up on life, soaking in the moment. It was holy ground.
With everyone gathered around, Bill turned to his son and said, "Thank you for bringing her back." To his daughter he said, "Thank you for coming." To his grandson, he said, "You're going to be a good daddy someday." With his final breath, Bill whispered, "I love you all!" and took his last breath... finally at peace.
"Oh Abba, forgiveness is breathtaking."
PRAYERTIME: Lord, as we have been forgiven, may we be those who forgive others. ~Monroe Let us all join in prayer for our brother Bill Kenson as he continues this new journey. Four-year-old Juniper Ammons is about to begin using a walker and is undergoing speech and other therapies. Let's keep praying. Please remain in prayer for 11-year-old Zoe, daughter of Gemma and Pastor Chase Ward as a second brain tumor has been discovered. The family is traveling together establishing good memories and waiting to begin trial treatments at UCSF. We continue to pray for Rosella Paslay as she has another chemo treatment and seems to be handling things well. Please keep praying for Aulika and Mickey, Susan Biegler's brother Ted, Diana Buffaloe, Gary and Reuben Crowder, Russ and Kim Garvin, Marnita's cousin Antoine, Ralph's sister Kay Dean, Al and Susan Sheehan, Fred and Linda Welden, and John Wood. Please be in prayer for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, the Philippines with Rolando Azurin. Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Dear Father God, Thank You for Your unfailing love for me, Your blessings, and goodness. Thank You for Your faithfulness to guide me and see me through times of uncertainty, for lifting me up, and setting me on high. Thank You for Scripture that comforts and reminds me of Your promises, plan, and provision. Thank you for taking away my fears and worries, the what-ifs, and reminding me that my help comes from You. Help me be a good steward and to sow wisely. In Christ's Name, Amen. ~ Renee Davis
The Airport Road Church of Christ
Loving God, loving people and bringing the two together Volume 50 October 1, 2023 Number 40
FROM YOUR MINISTER: There's a saying that I often find myself thinking and sharing. "After all, we're in this together!" In the 1950's I loved watching The Lone Ranger on television! But he wasn't really alone. What about local citizens and reputable law enforcement agents? What about Silly? In the same way, it is hardly possible to be a Lone Christian! Years ago I put together about thirty Bible verses using the words "one another". Among other things, we are told to love, accept, honor, and live in harmony with one another. And what about encouraging, forgiving, and building up one another? We must not try to live the Christian life alone. After all, we're in this together!
QUOTES FOR THE WEEK: "I want the whole Christ for my Saviour, the whole Bible for my book, the whole Church for my fellowship, and the whole world for my mission field." ~ John Wesley
"The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer."
~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"We know that without food we would die. Without fellowship, life is not worth living." ~ Rick Warren
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Psalm 34:17-18 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
FAMILY NEWS: Hear ye, hear ye! Next Sunday is Potluck Day! See Kathy Fosnaugh for details.
The next Ladies Lunch will be Thursday, Oct. 12 at a local restaurant. Please contact Kathy or Allison so they can have a headcount.
Susan Biegler is in Southern California visiting her son. She will soon be traveling to the Carolinas to visit her brother who is not doing well.
Welcome home to Kathy who reports great visits with family in Utah and Missouri. Ask her about that great granddaughter!
It's wonderful having Lori Mendez visiting with us! Make sure to meet her.
The Importance of Being Present by Bruce Logue
I've been thinking about what the Hebrews writer said to his church. This was a church that had problems with people bailing out, apparently because of a loss of confidence in the work of Christ being propagated by false teachers.
His advice to them was basic. First, a large part of the Hebrews argument is showing the superiority of Christ to everything else that one might think is important. The second was to instill in them the importance of spiritual growth. He said, "By now you should be well-advanced in your knowledge and able to teach others. But you need someone to teach you again." Hebrews 5:11-14.
In chapter 10 the writer underscores the importance of the simple practice of being present. "Do not neglect to meet together," he told them. Seems like a minor thing. "What does it matter if something else comes up," you can almost hear them saying. Hebrews 11:24,25.
"Okay, I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill," a postmodern might say. The Hebrews writer says, "On the contrary. Here are reasons it is important to be present." Being together is a good way to motivate one another in the work of Christ. Being together is the only way to cultivate the love to which Christ calls us. And conversely, when one is absent, so also is the encouragement, we each bring by our presence.
I don't imagine any of those first-century congregations was very big, increasing the impact of a single life on the good of the whole. By contrast, in a mega-church, one life has far less impact.
So the Hebrews writer said, "Don't neglect meeting together." Simple as that.
PRAYERTIME: Prayer is the key that opens the heart of God. ~Padre Pio Let us all join in prayer for our brother Bill Kenson as was requested last week. We're thankful that Marnita Baird is doing better after surgery on her foot. Four-year-old Juniper Ammons is back home in the Placerville area after months of being hospitalized. Please be praying for her therapies and recovery. Let's remain in prayer for 11-year-old Zoe, daughter of Gemma and Pastor Chase Ward. The family is traveling together until she begins trial treatments for DIPG brain cancer at UCSF. We continue to pray for Rosella Paslay as she has another chemo treatment and seems to be handling things well. Please keep praying for Aulika and Mickey, Susan Biegler's brother Ted, Diana Buffaloe, Gary and Reuben Crowder, Russ and Kim Garvin, Marnita's cousin Antoine, Ralph's sister Kay Dean, Al and Susan Sheehan, the Shuping and Jones families upon the passing of Butch in Idaho, Fred and Linda Welden, and John Wood. Please be in prayer for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, the Philippines with Rolando Azurin. Colossians 1:12 and [we are] giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified youto share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
Father, I am so sorry for the way I complain about my circumstances. Please forgive me for my bad attitude when things don't go my way. I want to see Your hand in every part of every day - good or bad. Help me learn how to face every storm with confidence, knowing that You really are in control even though I cannot hear Your voice or see Your hand at work. In Jesus Name, Amen. ~ Mary Southerland
The Airport Road Church of Christ
Loving God, loving people and bringing the two together Volume 50 September 24, 2023 Number 39
FROM YOUR MINISTER: I had never read the article on the next page of today's bulletin until I saw it in an email last week. I was greatly moved, and hope that you are as well. I see that it's about at least two very important things. ~It's about priorities. What is really important in life? God's word mentions the Kingdom of God, loving God, giving oneself to God, and prayer as very important things (Matt. 6:33, 22:37-38, 2 Cor. 8:5, and 1 Tim. 2:1) ~It's about serving others. "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves" (Romans 12:10). "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). It's always a good time to re-evaluate. May God bless us in so doing!
QUOTES FOR THE WEEK: Any Christian who makes soul winning his or her priority is considered a wise person because God has placed in such a person the wisdom to have everything about his or her life advancing. ~Jerry J. Panou
Imagine a world where men had an inner construction from their identity in God, and out of that created priorities and loyalties which drove their choices. ~Kenny Luck
Jesus taught that your highest priority must be your relationship with Him. If anything detracts you from that relationship, that activity is not from God. God will not ask you to do something that hinders your relationship with Christ. ~Henry Blackaby
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Isaiah 1:16-17 Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.
FAMILY NEWS: Mark your calendar now! Kathy Fosnaugh has announced a church potluck for Sunday, October 8.
The next Ladies Lunch will be Thursday, Oct. 12 at a local restaurant. Please contact Kathy or Allison so they can have a headcount.
Stan and Marnita have been busy fixing up his house to put on the market in preparation for their marriage!
We're always happy to Welcome back Sharon Gregory who is here with Jo Ella while the Fosnaughs are in Utah!
Wives of Weinsberg
It happened in Germany in the Middle Ages. The year was 1141. Wolf, the Duke of Bavaria, sat trapped inside his castle of Weinsberg. Outside his walls lay the army of Frederick, the Duke of Swabia, and his brother the Emperor Conrad.
The siege had lasted long, and the time had come when Wolf knew he must surrender. Messengers rode back and forth, terms were proposed, conditions allowed, arrangements completed. Sadly, Wolf and his officers prepared to give themselves to their bitter enemy.
But the wives of Weinsberg were not ready to lose all. They sent a message to Conrad, asking a promise of safe conduct for all the women in the garrison that they might come out with as many of their valuables as they could carry.
The request was freely granted, and soon the castle gates were opened. Out came the ladies, but in startling fashion. They carried not gold or jewels. Each one was bending under the weight of her husband, whom they hoped to save from the vengeance of the victorious host.
The Emperor, who was really a generous and merciful man, is said to have been brought to tears by the extraordinary performance. He hastened to assure the women of the husbands' safety and freedom. He invited them all to a banquet and made peace with the Duke of Bavaria on terms more favorable than expected.
The castle mount was afterwards known as the Hill of Weibertreue, translated, The Hill of Woman's Fidelity.
~selected from Montpelier, VT Church of Christ bulletin
PRAYERTIME: Prayer is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself. ~John Vianney Marnita Baird had foot surgery on Tuesday and requests prayer for her recovery. Four-year-old Juniper Ammons is back home in the Placerville area after months of being hospitalized. Please be praying for her therapies and recovery. Let's remain in prayer for 11-year-old Zoe, daughter of Gemma and Pastor Chase Ward. The family is traveling together until she begins trial treatments for DIPG brain cancer at UCSF. We continue to pray for Rosella Paslay as she has another chemo treatment and seems to be handling things well. Please keep praying for Aulika and Mickey, Susan Biegler's brother Ted, Diana Buffaloe, Gary and Reuben Crowder, Russ and Kim Garvin, Marnita's cousin Antoine, Ralph's sister Kay Dean, Al and Susan Sheehan, the Shuping and Jones families upon the passing of Butch in Idaho, Fred and Linda Welden, and John Wood. Please be in prayer for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, the Philippines with Rolando Azurin. Colossians 1:11 {We pray that you be} strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience...
Dear Lord, Thank You for fearfully and wonderfully creating each of us. Thank You for giving us worth in Your eyes. Help us live as the one You uniquely intended us to be. Help us abide instead of strive, living peacefully and joyfully as heirs to Your Kingdom and co-heirs with Christ. In Jesus' Name, Amen. ~ Julie Sunne
The Airport Road Church of Christ
Loving God, loving people and bringing the two together Volume 50 September 17, 2023 Number 38
FROM YOUR MINISTER: As part of my morning devotions, I often go through a meditation plan. Part of the plan is to ask the question, "Who do I say that God is today?" Usually, a word pops into my mind and I spend time thinking and praying through that concept of God. The other day, the word that came to me was 'facilitator'. The word is often used in the business world, and I found descriptions online from wwwleadstat. I was amazed. As a facilitator—God guides, motivates, builds bridges, anticipates and manages conflict, praises, makes peace, and assigns tasks. Now, that's something worthy of meditating upon. Thank You, Lord!
QUOTES FOR THE WEEK: Though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not. - C.S. Lewis
Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. - Corrie Ten Boom Joy is not necessarily the absence of suffering, it is the presence of God. - Sam Storms
God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
God is in control and therefore in everything I can give thanks. - Kay Arthur
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: 2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place.
FAMILY NEWS: Mark your calendar now! Kathy Fosnaugh has announced a church potluck for Sunday, October 8.
Ken and Mary Fletcher are visiting Hawaii for the first time this week. Enjoy!
We welcome Bill Kenson's daughter Christina to our family! She is now working at Eagle Valley Children's Home. We are happy to have her!
We sadly announce that Suzy Pence has moved to Reno! She will be worshiping with a congregation there, and we will miss her greatly! We are hoping for frequent visits!
Help is here!
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:37-39).
Bills pile up. Savings accounts go down. Marriages go south. Pandemics rage. Work goes off the rails. Stress goes off the charts. Suddenly, you feel powerless to calm life's chaos. It's all too much to take on by yourself. But there is good news — Help Is Here.
Our Good Shepherd doesn't just feed us; he leads us (Psalm 23:1-2). He does more than correct us; he directs us (Psalm 23:3-4). And best of all, he's commissioned the Holy Spirit to guide us down the winding roads of life, wherever they may lead us (Romans 8:14-17).
No more walking this path alone. No more carrying weight you were not intended to bear.
Enjoy the presence of the Holy Spirit and experience the vigorous life he offers. You can rest easy knowing that Help Is Here.
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your heart through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Love. (Ephesians 3:14-21)
~Max Lucado, heartlight.org
PRAYERTIME: We thank You, God for being You. ~Monte Brewster Jo Ella's nephew Butch Shuping has passed away after a long battle with infection. His wife Charlene continues to recover from surgery. We pray for comfort for the family. Four-year-old Juniper Ammons is back home in the Placerville area after months of being hospitalized. Please be praying for her therAPIs and recovery. Let's remain in prayer for 11-year-old Zoe, daughter of Gemma and Pastor Chase Ward. The family is traveling together until she begins trial treatments for DIPG brain cancer at UCSF. We continue to pray for Rosella Paslay as she has two more chemo treatments and seems to be handling things well. Please keep praying for Aulika and Mickey, Susan Biegler's brother Ted, Diana Buffaloe, Gary and Reuben Crowder, Russ and Kim Garvin, Marnita's cousin Antoine, Ralph's sister Kay Dean, Al and Susan Sheehan, Fred and Linda Welden, and John Wood. Please be in prayer for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan Citand, the Philippines with Rolando Azurin. Colossians 1:10 {We pray} that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God...
Father, sometimes it does feel that you have left us in the battle. We know that you are with us, but so are our feelings of aloneness. The Enemy seems to be taking ground. Our crying out to you seems to go unanswered. We know you are at work but help us trust you in the midst of our questions. In Jesus' Name, Amen. ~ Ron Moore
The Airport Road Church of Christ Loving God, loving people and bringing the two together Volume 50 September 3, 2023 Number 36
FROM YOUR MINISTER: Jesus seems to have had a tendency to boill everything down to just a few things. He told one fellow to sell everything and follow Him. After a man asked Him out of the hundreds of commandments, which was the greatest? He trimmed them down to loving God and loving people. The other day, I ran across words many of us memorized when we were children. "Do to others as you would have them do to you" (Luke 6:31). What's that? Treat others the way you would like to be treated! Now, that says it all. Thank You, Jesus.
QUOTES FOR THE WEEK: If you contemplate the Golden Rule, it turns out to be an injunction to live by grace rather than by what you think other people deserve. ~Deepak Chopra
Remember! --It is Christianity to do good always--even to those who do evil to us. It is Christianity to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to do to all men as we would have them do to us. It is Christianity to be gentle, merciful and forgiving, and to keep those qualities quiet in our own hearts, and never make a boast of them. ~Charles Dickens Instead of seeing how much pain I can dish out towards those I disagree with, or who I believe have done me wrong, I seek to follow the golden rule and use my words and behavior to create more of what the world needs – love, compassion, and connection. ~Aspen Baker
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Nehemiah 8:10 Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!
FAMILY NEWS: There will not be a Ladies Luncheon in September. Check with Kathy about going out for lunch in October.
Lots of apples are available this year in the backyard. Who can be most creative with them?
The Griffins enjoyed a family reunion in the Bay Area last week. All six siblings and their spouses attended!
Gate A-4 by Naomi Shihab Nye
Wandering around the Albuquerque Airport Terminal, after learning my flight had been delayed four hours, I heard an announcement: "If anyone in the vicinity of Gate A-4 understands any Arabic, please come to the gate immediately." Well—one pauses these days. Gate A-4 was my own gate. I went there. An older woman in full traditional Palestinian embroidered dress, just like my grandma wore, was crumpled to the floor, wailing. "Help," said the flight agent. "Talk to her. What is her problem? We told her the flight was going to be late and she did this." I stooped to put my arm around the woman and spoke haltingly. "Shu-dow-a, Shu-bid-uck Habibti? Stani schway, Min fadlick, Shu-bit-se-wee?" The minute she heard any words she knew, however poorly used, she stopped crying. She thought the flight had been cancelled entirely. She needed to be in El Paso for major medical treatment the next day. I said, "No, we're fine, you'll get there, just later, who is picking you up? Let's call him."
We called her son, I spoke with him in English. I told him I would stay with his mother till we got on the plane and ride next to her. She talked to him. Then we called her other sons just for the fun of it. Then we called my dad and he and she spoke for a while in Arabic and found out of course they had ten shared friends. Then I thought just for the heck of it why not call some Palestinian poets I know and let them chat with her? This all took up two hours.
She was laughing a lot by then. Telling of her life, patting my knee, answering questions. She had pulled a sack of homemade mamool cookies—little powdered sugar crumbly mounds stuffed with dates and nuts—from her bag—and was offering them to all the women at the gate. To my amazement, not a single woman declined one. It was like a sacrament. The traveler from Argentina, the mom from California, the lovely woman from Laredo—we were all covered with the same powdered sugar. And smiling. There is no better cookie.
And then the airline broke out free apple juice from huge coolers and two little girls from our flight ran around serving it and they were covered with powdered sugar, too. And I noticed my new best friend— by now we were holding hands—had a potted plant poking out of her bag, some medicinal thing, with green furry leaves. Such an old country tradition. Always carry a plant. Always stay rooted to somewhere. And I looked around that gate of late and weary ones and I thought, This is the world I want to live in. The shared world. Not a single person in that gate—once the crying of confusion stopped—seemed apprehensive about any other person. They took the cookies. I wanted to hug all those other women, too.
This can still happen anywhere. Not everything is lost.
PRAYERTIME: To love someone more dearly every day... This is my task. ~Maude Ray, 1903 Our brother, Rolando Azurin in the Philippines reports another Tsunami that is affecting their congregations. Please include them in prayer. Susan Biegler asks us to pray for her brother Ted in North Carolina. He has had three back surgeries and is not doing well. Jo Ella's nephew Butch Shuping and his wife Charlene are both home in Lewiston, ID. Please be praying as she recovers from surgery, and he continues to be treated for infection. Continue praying for Marnita's cousin Antoine who is now home from the hospital and recovering after heart attacks. Let's keep Danette's daughter Shawna in prayer as a newlywed and as she continues MS treatment. Please remain in prayer for 11-year-old Zoe, daughter of Gemma and Pastor Chase Ward. Radiation treatments are now over and the family is traveling together until she begins trial treatments at UCSF. Please keep praying for Aulika and Mickey, Diana Buffaloe, June Cantwell, Christina & Andrew Cole in Missouri, Jacob Connell, Gary and Reuben Crowder, Russ and Kim Garvin. Ralph's sister Kay Dean, Harlan and Rosella Paslay, Al and Susan Sheehan, Fred and Linda Welden, and John Wood. Please be in prayer for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, the Philippines with Rolando Azurin. Colossians 1:3 We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A PRAYER WHEN YOU WANT TO GIVE UP
Father, I confess my fears to you. Help me overcome them by trusting in Your presence and power that You make available in every task. Help me worry less about committing on my end and focus more on admitting my weaknesses and submitting to Your plans. In Jesus' Name, Amen. ~Micca Campbell
The Airport Road Church of Christ Loving God, loving people and bringing the two together VOLUME 50 August 27, 2023 Number 35
FROM YOUR MINISTER: Have you ever noticed that much of what God expects of us is because of who He is? To illustrate that, notice this from 2 Corinthians 1. "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." Since God is the source of all comfort, He expects us to comfort others. The same is true of His love, mercy, grace—well, you get the idea. It's called godliness! Lord, help us to become more like You!
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK: There is a kind of gospel being proclaimed today which conveniently accommodates itself to the spirit of the age and makes no demand for godliness. - Duncan Campbell It comes to my having the mind of God, do I want to be like Christ in everything? If born of God, I have power to overcome all that is not of God, and to walk according to God. - G.V. Wigram
Let us follow in Jesus' footsteps. Let people say whatever evil they want to, about us. If we honor God, He will one day honor us. - Zac Poonen
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, "If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord."
FAMILY NEWS: In last Sunday's service, Stan and Marnita announced their engagement to be married. Congratulations, and what a beautiful ring! Keep your eyes on the church apple trees and feel free to take when they're ready. It was wonderful having Pearl Curtis back in services last week. Welcome home! There will not be a Ladies Luncheon in September. Check with Kathy about going out for lunch in October.
But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. — Matthew 9:13
Thought God is merciful. Yes, we can probably recall some of those occasions when God was fed up and furious with the unrighteousness and rebellion of his people. But, we also remember them precisely because they did not occur that frequently over the hundreds of years he led the Israelites. God has shown us his heart by being gracious and forgiving with his ungrateful and forgetful people. God revealed his heart to us in Jesus' compassion as the Lord dealt with sick, broken, grieving, and sinful people in his earthly ministry. God has demonstrated his mercy and love with you and me by calling us, while we are sinners, to his side and to bring us salvation (Romans 5:5-11). He will not leave us unchanged and content with our sins. Yes, he does call us to change our ways. However, the generosity, mercy, and love of the almighty God, ruler of heaven and earth, to invite us near and give us a chance to experience his mercy is almost too good to be true — no wonder this same God calls us to share his mercy, love, and grace with others. We have been blessed to be a blessing (Genesis 12:1-3; 2 Corinthians 9:10-15).
Prayer Thank you, Almighty God, for being tender as well as powerful, forgiving as well as righteous, and merciful as well as holy. Please mature me in these sets of character-defining traits. I don't want to be self-righteous but righteous. I don't want to be a bully, but compassionately strong. I don't want to be sanctimonious but loving and merciful. Please fill me with your Spirit and gently confront me in those areas that need growth and transformation. May others see in me a reflection of you and your righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful lovingkindness. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Love.
~by Phil Ware, heartlight.org
PRAYERTIME: I want to be just like You. Give me a heart that's after You. ~Bethany Jennings Please be in prayer for Kathy's granddaughter and her husband, Christina & Andrew Cole as they go through a miscarriage in Missouri. They are receiving much support from their church family and would greatly appreciate our prayers as well. Let's be praying for J.J. Griffin as she recovers from COVID. We are thankful that Juniper has been released from Shriner's Children's Hospital and is now home! Continue praying for her recovery. Reuben Crowder has been released from the hospital. Please be in prayer for him as well as for his dad, Gary. Thanksgivings for Jacob Connell feeling better and being back to work! Please keep praying for Jo Ella's nephew Butch Shuping in Lewiston, ID who is now in a facility receiving daily infusions. He is upbeat as they continue to treat the infection. Sergio says he feels better knowing that he is being prayed for! Let's keep Danette's daughter Shawna in prayer as a newlywed and as she continues MS treatment. Please remain in prayer for 11-year-old Zoe, daughter of Gemma and Pastor Chase Ward as she finishes radiation treatments and begins trial treatments at UCSF. Please keep praying for Aulika and Mickey, Diana Buffaloe, June Cantwell, Russ and Kim Garvin. Ralph's sister Kay Dean, Harlan and Rosella Paslay, Al and Susan Sheehan, Fred and Linda Welden, and John Wood. Please be in prayer for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, the Philippines with Rolando Azurin. Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Create in me a clean heart, oh God and renew a right spirit within me. (Words by King David. Set to music by Keith Green) and AMEN!
The Airport Road Church of Christ
Loving God, loving people and bringing the two together VOLUME 50 August 20, 2023 Number 34
FROM YOUR MINISTER: The two articles in this week's bulletin were written by my good friend Bruce Logue (yes, another Bruce!) who ministers in Merced. I decided to publish them at the same time because I see a wonderful connection and application for us as God's people! When I think of things that go together, I think of things like biscuits and gravy, arts and crafts, and night and day. Bruce writes separately about worshiping and inviting. To most of us, these are separate entities. They should not be! Worship (public and private) should be motivating us to share. How dare we keep our relationship with God to ourselves! Don't let the "buck" stop here!
QUOTES FOR THE WEEK: If you know Jesus, you have a faith story to tell. -wjof.com To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God. - William Temple
God gives us things to share. God doesn't give us things to hold. -Mother Teresa
After learning to love God (worship), learning to love others is the second purpose of your life. - Rick Warren
Our faith becomes stronger as we share it; a growing faith is a sharing faith. -Billy Graham
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Psalm 32:10-11 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!
FAMILY NEWS: There is a letter on the bulletin board from a congregation in Lake Jackson, Texas requesting contributions as they are assisting those in Maui who are suffering great loss due to the recent wildfires.
Danette Clawson and her husband are traveling to Colorado for their daughter Shawna's wedding. Best wishes to all! While in North Carolina, Tristan and Adrian worked some in a restaurant owned by the family. They are returning home this week.
From Charles de Foucauld by Bruce Logue
Charles de Foucauld lived from 1858 to 1916. He was a French soldier, explorer, geographer, ethnographer, Catholic priest and hermit who lived among the Tuareg people in the Sahara in Algeria, assassinated in 1916.
I first heard of him in the 80's when I purchased a prayer book called Venite: A Book of Daily Prayer - in which I found this quote:
"I must say my Office with great care. It is my daily offering of fresh flowers to the Beloved Spouse." I made a copy of the quote and put in on the inside cover of my Bible as a reminder of what my posture before God should be - fresh flowers offered in worship.
De Foucauld set apart all worship of God in a special category of devotion. Not obligation, not burdensome, not offered begrudgingly. More like intense hunger or thirst. "As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you O God." Psalm 42:1.
Worshiping God is a great joy.
The Old Testament God Was an Inviter! by Bruce Logue
One of the misunderstandings I inherited about the Old Testament was that the New Testament was the exclusive domain of invitation. By that I mean that God instructed his people to be welcoming, just people.
In the Psalm for a recent Sunday's sermon the Psalmist says in the first verse of Psalm 105, "... make known his deeds among the peoples." There are two ideas that strike me in this text:
The first is that God does not want God's people to keep good news to themselves.
The second idea is that God wants God's people to take notice. To be attentive in recognizing God's work in the world.
The Psalmist declares in clear terms that God wants God's people to speak up. Silence is not a virtue in the community of God.
PRAYERTIME: Words for the day: Prayer. Care. Share. Please keep praying for Jo Ella's nephew Butch Shuping in Lewiston, ID who is now in a facility receiving daily infusions. He is upbeat as they continue to treat the infection. Sergio says he feels better knowing that he is being prayed for! Let's keep Danette's daughter Shawna in prayer as she gets married and as she continues MS treatment. Please keep praying for four-year-old Juniper who was hit by a van and is now in Shriner's Children's Hospital and making daily progress! Please remain in prayer for 11-year-old Zoe, daughter of Gemma and Pastor Chase Ward as she finishes radiation treatments and begins trial treatments at UCSF. Please keep praying for Aulika and Mickey, Diana Buffaloe, June Cantwell, Jacob Connell, Reuben Crowder, Russ and Kim Garvin. Ralph's sister Kay Dean, Harlan and Rosella Paslay, Al and Susan Sheehan, Fred and Linda Welden, and John Wood. Please be in prayer for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, the Philippines with Rolando Azurin. Philippians 1:9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.
The Airport Road Church of Christ
Loving God, loving people and bringing the two together
VOLUME 50 August 13, 2023 Number 33
FROM YOUR MINISTER: Among the Gospel writers, only Luke tells the story of Cleopas and his friend as they walked the seven-mile road from Jerusalem to their home in Emmaus. They had been with fellow believers who had been talking about the empty tomb of Jesus some of them had seen that very morning. Suddenly Jesus began walking with them! Unrecognized, He explained from scripture all the things that the Messiah was to suffer before entering glory. As they reached home, they began eating with Jesus, and as they recognized Him, He disappeared. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" (Luke 24:32). Well, on this very day, we're walking a road too! Let's make sure that Jesus is walking that road with us!
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK: One road leads home and a thousand roads lead into the wilderness. ~C.S. Lewis
I took the road less travelled by, and that has made all the difference. ~Robert Frost
The road ahead won't be easy, but if you take the passenger seat and let God do all the driving, you are headed in the right direction. ~About.com
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: 2 Chronicles 33:9-10 So Manasseh encouraged Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the sons of Israel. So, the Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.
FAMILY NEWS: Sergio Torres has taken his grandsons, Adrian and Tristan to North Carolina to visit family and friends. Enjoy!
THE NARROW WAY IS NOT ABOUT NARROW THINKING!
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).
I can feel the momentum building. He is gathering a band of agents, known and unknown, from around the world — everyday people — "broken people He has mended, and those from prison He has freed."
These followers are not what they used to be and not yet what they are going to be... they are learners.... they still have the same bodies, but on the inside, they are in process... being transformed from one calling to the next. And they are grateful and grace-filled. They are, after all, simply thrilled to be in His presence.
You've heard that the road ahead is narrow, but it's not about the road. It's about Jesus! The band is there because Jesus is there. The road is too narrow for "big heads" to make it. Being on this road — in the narrows — not about being good, or knowing the right answers, or attending the best church. The narrow road is humbling — wide enough for ONE. It is not about us at all. The narrow road is the only way to save us from ourselves. There is only room for Jesus on this narrow road.
Self-centered, prideful, condescending, big-headed people are not on the narrow way — regardless of how much they know about the narrows. The rules of the road are not detailed and complicated. They are, however, sweeping and simple: To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
The followers follow... They walk where Jesus leads. These ordinary people, people who believe deeply in the Savior they follow. They are not undercover agents or highly trained operatives. They don't necessarily hold special degrees or training certificates. They are regular folks with a story to tell. They simply wake up each morning and look for Jesus, then walk the road He is on. He is the Way of the narrow road! Ummmmm. Sounds a lot like walk humbly with your God!
Something new is happening in the narrows. God is gathering... God is gathering His agents from around the world — not in one place, but in His presence. Jesus is on the move, and the Spirit is wisely placing agents in just the right spots. We may be in the narrows, but we are not alone. We walk with Jesus! We follow him on the way! After all, this dark world desperately needs light... not glaring, blinding light, but guiding, welcoming, and warming light — the reflected light of those who follow the Light.
Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (Mark 10:52) ~Ron Rose in heartlight.org
PRAYERTIME: Prayer is our light on what can be a very dark road. ~ Brewster Sergio Torres has asked us pray for his life as a Christian. We are thankful that Kathy's grandson, Jacob Connell is now home in Layton, Utah recovering from surgery. Let’s keep Danette’s stepdaughter in prayer as she continues MS treatment and prepares for her wedding later this month. We are thankful that our sister, Diana Buffaloe, is regaining strength and healing after weeks of radiation treatments. Reuben, Gary Crowder’s son is now hospitalized and needs our prayers for God’s strength. Continue praying for four-year-old Juniper who was hit by a van and is now in Shriner’s Children’s Hospital and making daily progress! Please remain in prayer for 11-year-old Zoe, daughter of Gemma and Pastor Chase Ward of Carson City, diagnosed with DIPG brain cancer and now undergoing radiation treatments. Please keep praying for Aulika and Mickey, June Cantwell, Russ and Kim Garvin. Jo Ella’s nephew Butch Shuping, Ralph’s sister Kay Dean, our mission works: Daryl and Valerie Griffin (Venezuela) and Rolando Azurin (Philippines), Harlan and Rosella Paslay, Arin Reiutz, Al and Susan Sheehan, Fred and Linda Welden, and John Wood. Ephesians 6:18 With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints,
If I am right, Thy grace impart,
Still in the right to stay; If I am wrong, O teach my heart To find that better way.
~Alexander Pope
The Airport Road Church of Christ Loving God, loving people and bringing the two together
VOLUME 50 August 6 2023 Number 32
FROM YOUR MINISTER: Isaiah 40:31~ “but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.” How do you wait? I don’t wait well. I pace, twiddle my thumbs, worry, and sigh a lot.! The Psalms teach us to wait expectantly (5:3), patiently (37:7), and quietly (62:1). Paul writes, “But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently” (Romans 8:25). I need to change the way I wait! How about you?
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK: One reason many people never see God working in their lives is because they never hang in long enough for God to show his power. Waiting is a very active part of living. Waiting on God, if we do it correctly, is anything but passive. Waiting works its way out in very deliberate actions, very intentionally searching the Scriptures and praying, intense moments of humility, and self-realization of our finiteness. With the waiting comes learning. I can’t think of much I’ve learned that’s positive from the times I’ve plowed ahead without waiting on God. ~Wayne Stiles
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Romans 3:23-25 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—
FAMILY NEWS: The Ladies Lunch for August is Thursday, the 10th, noontime @ the church building. Bring your own lunch.
Our deacons are currently investigating construction of a new kitchen/fellowship building with a local engineering firm.
Fretters and Waiters
(Read Psalm 37:1-4 & :34)
Bible Thought: Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him… ~Psalm 37:7
My wife and I are expecting the birth of our first granddaughter. Our second granddaughter will be born shortly after. There has been a combination of fretting and waiting in this season!
When David wrote Psalm 37, he had reasons to fret! His life was filled with danger as he ran from evil men; he was never sure when or where they would strike. Do we feel worried and anxious during these uncertain times? Fretting happens when we fail to see God’s control over the situation. If you are a waiter, you see God’s hand working. We usually experience a combination of fretting and waiting when dealing with uncertainty.
David gives us actions we can take when fretting; trust in the Lord and do good. Take delight in the Lord. Commit your way to the Lord. Be still before the Lord. Wait patiently for Him. These admonitions can be challenging.
Can we learn to practice these things even if the answers are in God’s timing? Some calm, patient, and trust-filled waiting could become hope-filled comfort. Let’s be faithful waiters.
Sing: “Sing and Be Happy”
Lord, help us in our fretting and grow us in faithful waiting! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
By Mark Gomez in Power for Today
PRAYERTIME: While it is not always easy, when we are waiting on direction from God, it is always worth it. ~KLOVE PLEASE be in prayer for Kathy's grandson, Jacob Connell as he recovers from surgery in Utah and is still quite uncomfortable. Rolando, our brother in the Philippines who we are helping to support, reports a terrible tsunami that has done much damage in their area. Please be praying for them and for those they are trying to help. Let’s keep Danette’s stepdaughter in prayer as she continues MS treatment and prepares for her wedding later this month. We are thankful that our sister, Diana Buffaloe, is now home and recovering from weeks of radiation treatments! She appreciates your thoughts and prayers. Reuben, Gary Crowder’s son, has had a relapse and needs our prayers for God’s strength. Ruth Kromka is receiving good care and is about to be placed in long-term nursing near her children. Continue praying for four-year-old Juniper who was hit by a van and is now in Shriner’s Children’s Hospital and making daily progress! Please remain in prayer for 11-year-old Zoe, daughter of Gemma and Pastor Chase Ward of Carson City, diagnosed with DIPG brain cancer and now undergoing radiation treatments. Please keep praying for Aulika and Mickey, June Cantwell, Russ and Kim Garvin. Jo Ella’s nephew Butch Shuping, Ralph’s sister Kay Dean, our mission works: Daryl and Valerie Griffin (Venezuela) and Rolando Azurin (Philippines), Harlan and Rosella Paslay, Arin Reiutz, Al and Susan Sheehan, Fred and Linda Welden, and John Wood. Ephesians 1:8 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints
Holy Lord, Thank You for grace. Please help me move beyond the hurdles that trip me up and give me the strength and wisdom to look up and see the hope I run toward in Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ Gwen Smith
The Airport Road Church of Christ
Loving God, loving people and bringing the two together
VOLUME 50 July 30, 2023 Number 31
FROM YOUR MINISTER: I just finished reading Richard Foster’s book Celebration of Discipline. Certain spiritual practices have often been called disciplines. These are efforts put forth by believers, usually on a private basis, in order to grow in Christ. Spiritual growth doesn’t just happen; it’s a process. Foster covers these exercises to enhance one’s life as a believer. Meditation. Prayer. Fasting. Study. Simplicity. Solitude. Submission. Service. Confession. Worship. Guidance. Celebration. Let us pay attention to Peter’s instruction in 2 Peter 3:18. “But continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, now and forever! Amen.”
QUOTES FOR THE WEEK: God has given us the Disciplines of the spiritual life as a means of receiving His grace. The Disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that He can transform us. ~Richard Foster
Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others. ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
We must break the habit of believing that we don’t have time for God. ~unearth
Pride was the root cause of the fall. Therefore, humility must be the first Christian discipline. ~Augustine
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Psalm 13:2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
FAMILY NEWS: Last Sunday we certainly missed Kathy and Jo Ella who were in Oregon with family and Marnita who was at a family reunion in Maui. This week Steve and Linda Beach are in Seattle with that new great granddaughter!
Special thanks to John Wood and Bill Kenson who have done some maintenance work on the building lately.
Suzie Pence still plans on being part of our church family but is moving. Her new address is available from the church office.
The Ladies Lunch for August is Thursday, the 10th, noontime @ the church building. Bring your own lunch.
Bible Study
Why do so many Christians neglect the study of God’s Word? R. C. Sproul said it painfully well: “Here then, is the real problem of our negligence. We fail in our duty to study God’s Word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is dull and boring, but because it is work. Our problem is not a lack of intelligence or a lack of passion. Our problem is that we are lazy.”
No Spiritual Discipline is more important than the intake of God’s Word. Nothing can substitute for it. There simply is no healthy Christian life apart from a diet of the milk and meat of Scripture. The reasons for this are obvious. In the Bible God tells us about Himself, and especially about Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God.
The Bible unfolds the Law of God to us and shows us how we’ve all broken it. There we learn how Christ died as a sinless, willing Substitute for breakers of God’s Law and how we must repent and believe in Him to be right with God.
In the Bible we learn the ways and will of the Lord. We find in Scripture how God wants us to live, and what brings the most joy and satisfaction in life. None of this eternally essential information can be found anywhere else except the Bible. Therefore, if we would know God and be godly, we must know the Word of God—intimately.
― Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
PRAYERTIME: Of all spiritual disciplines, prayer is the most central because it ushers us into perpetual communion with the Father. ~Richard Foster Let’s keep Danette’s stepdaughter in prayer as she continues MS treatment and prepares for her wedding. We are thankful that our sister, Diana Buffaloe, is now home and recovering from weeks of radiation treatments! She appreciates your thoughts and prayers. Reuben, Gary Crowder’s son, has had a relapse and needs our prayers for God’s strength. Ruth Kromka is receiving good care and is about to be placed in long-term nursing near her children. Please join us in prayer for Jeff West, Suzie Pence’s 40-year-old nephew and father of four as he is now home recovering from a stroke and surgery. Continue praying for four-year-old Juniper who was hit by a van and is now in Shriner’s Children’s Hospital and making daily progress! Please remain in prayer for 11-year-old Zoe, daughter of Gemma and Pastor Chase Ward of Carson City, diagnosed with DIPG brain cancer and now undergoing radiation treatments. Please keep praying for Aulika and Mickey, Steve and Linda Beach, June Cantwell, Russ and Kim Garvin. Jo Ella’s nephew Butch Shuping, Ralph’s sister Kay Dean, our mission works: Daryl and Valerie Griffin (Venezuela) and Rolando Azurin (Philippines), Harlan and Rosella Paslay, Arin Reiutz, Al and Susan Sheehan, Fred and Linda Welden, and John Wood.
2 Corinthians 13:9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.
Dear Lord, You have placed a helmet of salvation on my head - that I might have peace of mind. You have placed a breastplate of righteousness upon my chest - so that my heart may be protected and safe. You have placed a shield of faith in my hand - so that as I journey no evil can stand against me. You have placed the sword of the spirit in my hand - that I may release those in need. You are with me. Thank you. Amen. ~prayerscapes.com
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