Unlikely weapons

A young boy named David took down a giant with a sling shot and a smooth stone - a rather unlikely weapon (I Sam 17). God selects some of the most unlikely weapons to conquer evil. This Sunday marks the beginning of Lent, and as we "set out for Jerusalem" we will encounter more of God's "unlikely weapons." Join us this Sunday, 10 a.m.

Recent reading...

I picked up The God of Small Things from my daughter-in-law's bookshelf. I would be speaking at a women's retreat where the theme of the weekend was "Keeping God in the Small Stuff" -- I wondered if the book might be helpful. I didn't use Roy's novel in my talks; hadn't finished it by then. The story is steeped in a sense of resignation to the inevitable. Set in India, during the political struggles of the late 1960s, the novel traces the circumstances in the lives of twin siblings Rahel and Estha, leading up to the drowning death of their cousin Sophie. The family is irreparably shattered. Near the end of the novel, Velutha, one of India's untouchables, dies after a brutal beating by the authorities. His unstated crime: having loved those outside his station in life. "Half an hour past midnight, Death came for [Velutha]. And for the little family curled up and asleep on a blue cross-stitch counterpane? What came for them? Not death. Just the end of living" (p 304). Roy's God of Small Things, a god who is powerless and desperate, was not the God we worshipped at our women's retreat; our God ushers in the beginning of life.

Anger management

Jonah gets a lesson in anger management in the final chapter of that book of the Bible. "Have you any right to be angry?" asks God. We think we do. We conclude that some people simply don't deserve to be forgiven. The alarming thing is: none of us deserves to be forgiven. The comforting thing is: our God is a compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love. Sunday, Feb 22, 10:00 a.m.

Dare to Die

Guys (ya, it's mostly guys) who pull off crazy stunts give the impression that they would dare to die. But some things take more guts and nerves than motorcycle tricks and sky diving. If we want to really live, we will have to first dare to die, die to our old selves, die to our old habits, die to what keeps us from living a life of obedience before God. Jonah said, "pick me up and throw me into the sea." He had come to the place before God where he dared to die. From there God raised him up to accomplish his purposes. This Sunday, 10 a.m.

Even if WE give up...

When things appear hopeless, we might give up. But Jesus doesn't give up on us. In John 15 we find the account of how Jesus restored a man who had given up hope, a man who displayed no evidence of faith. Jesus chooses whom he will raise - it's all his work. Join us this Sunday and find the assurance that you are one of those whom Jesus chooses to lift up. 10:00 a.m., 293 Place St in Lucknow.

Boys and cars!

The boys' club got together for a few weeks to build and then race their sports cars. Raph Koskamp, Ken De Vries, and Rick Bisset also got in on the fun. If you want to know who won, you'll have to ask them.

Curling - you should try it!

The guys have gone curling a few times this winter, and this week they invited the women to join them. Owen Numan (in this pic) knew what he was doing -- others of us are just happy that none of our "finer moments" were caught on camera. If you'd like to join the guys, give Dick a call, 528-3935, to find out when the next curling event is scheduled.

Happy 80th, Henk!

On January 27, Henk Duiker had his 80th birthday; our church was happy to celebrate with him last Sunday. That's Henk, in the picture, enjoying the cake and the company. May God bless you, Henk, with a year of health and happiness.