February 2, 2010

Number 5

VIEWPOINT

Sunday was a “highlight day” for our Cedar Grove family!  I think we’ll be looking back on it with fondness throughout the year. 

I can think of nothing more important than giving honor to Jim and Willie Mae Warren.  They have given themselves unselfishly to the Cedar Grove church for a long time.  I am thankful for their service, and I believe we’ll be growing form their leadership for many years. 

I was proud of the young men who conducted our devotional in the afternoon.  Cooper Minichowski, Josiah Henderson and Devin Hunt did a good job reading the Scripture.  Joshua May was well prepared with his sermon on “Would You Say Yes?”  He developed his own ideas complete with power point slides.  It was a very positive time of praise to the Lord.

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One of the lessons from the “Fish Story” in Luke 5 is the challenge to obey God’s call without hesitation.  This quotation from Churchill reinforces that idea: 

“To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.”

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Thanks to Lanita Henderson for today’s article by Alan Smith.   

I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile, and a positive word!  RA

Are You Feeling Lucky?

The following ads are reported to have been taken from actual newspapers:

·  Free puppies: ½ cocker spaniel, ½ sneaky neighbor dog.

·  Snow blower for sale . . . only used on snowy days.

·  For sale: an antique desk suitable for lady with thick legs and large drawers. 

·  2 wire mesh butchering gloves: 1 five-finger, 1 three-finger, pair $15.

·  Lost: small apricot poodle. Reward. Neutered. Like one of the family.

·  Dog for sale: eats anything and is fond of children.

·  Nordic Track $300. Hardly used. Call Chubby.

·  Found: Dirty white dog. Looks like rat. Been out awhile. Better be reward.

·  Hummels – largest selection ever. "If it's in stock, we have it!"

·  Georgia Peaches, California grown -- 89 cents/lb.

·  Nice parachute: never opened – used once, slightly stained.

·  Tired of working for only $9.75 per hour?  We offer profit sharing and flexible hours. Starting pay – $7-9 per hour.

·  For sale by owner – complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica. 45 volumes. Excellent condition. $1,000 obo. No longer needed. Got married last weekend. Wife knows everything.

·   LOST: One-eyed, three-legged male dog. Answers to the name "Lucky."

I'm going to share with you one of my "pet peeves." I don't like the word "lucky." And, no, it has nothing to do with the ad above. I enjoy many good things in life. I have a lot of wonderful things happen to me. And there are times that I am tempted to say, "You know, I've been pretty lucky." But then I recall that my good fortune is due not to luck or happenchance, but to the hand of Almighty God. I'm not lucky; I'm blessed! God has richly provided for me in ways far beyond what I expect or deserve.

Can you picture Esther saying, "Wasn't it lucky that the king was willing to hear my plea?"? Can you picture Paul saying, "Wasn't it lucky that we weren't killed in that shipwreck?"? Can you picture Daniel saying, "Wasn't it lucky that the lions didn't eat me?"?

Then why would I dare speak of how "lucky" I've been in my life? It's not luck — it's the providential care of a loving God!

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights....." (James 1:17). Thank you, Father, for blessing my life so richly!

(Alan Smith’s “Thought for the Day”)