Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

     Marriage Under Attack

      I must tell you that I write today with a broken heart. I have spent an enormous amount of time these last 24 hours learning about several people in my circle of influence whose marriages are under attack. My prayer for these is that Christ would rule and reign in the hearts of these involved and that He would grant me a Christ-likeness of heart as I have the opportunity to care and pray.

      It doesn't take someone very long living in our culture to conclude that Biblical marriage is under attack. These attacks come in various forms including the redefinition of marriage, divorce, separation, and living together. Younger adults are shying away from marriage, marrying at an older age, and avoiding marriage all together. The very institution which God ordained to be the foundation of our society is being challenged and changed in many ways.

      There are a multitude of Scriptures that jump out at me when I consider God's design for marriage. Let's consider three of them.

     Philippians 2:3-5 NKJV: "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."

     Ephesians 5:25-29 NKJV: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church."

     1 Peter 5:7 NKJV: "Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered."

      Three simple principles jump out from these brief sections of Scripture. First, for husbands and wives, marriage is not about me and my need, marriage is about thinking and acting like Christ. Second, for husbands, I am to love my wife in the same way that Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for the Church. Third, for husbands, I am to grow in my understanding of my wife.

      There you have it, three simple principles to wrap our minds around. Yet these three simple principles involve a lifetime of learning and chasing after. Every marriage is a complex combination of two unique individuals brought together by the grace and providence of God. He designed marriage, He gives us guidelines in developing a strong and lifelong marriage, and He uses marriage to create in each of us Christ likeness, joy, and relational happiness. This February, let's celebrate and determine to do our part in illustrating to the world all that God designed marriage to be. And one final verse of Scripture….you can look this one up….Ephesians 5:18.

      Happy Valentine's Day,

      Pastor Paul

Jews For Jesus

Jews for Jesus

Presents: The Liberated Wailing Wall
Sunday, February 28 at 10:30 AM

The Liberated Wailing Wall is a mobile evangelistic music team. For over 30 years they have been bringing "Jewish Gospel music," testimony and drama to churches, college campuses and city streets. Over one hundred and twenty individuals have traveled as part of this team and tens of thousands of non-believing Jewish people have heard the gospel through their ministry. The Liberated Wailing Wall has taken many international tours and recorded 12 albums, including their latest, Never Forget. Their music could be described as a combination of Israeli folk and Fiddler on the Roof!

A Little History
In the early 1970's, a group of Jews for Jesus began singing on street corners in and around San Francisco. They didn't win world-wide acclaim, but some people did stop and listen, people who were surprised to hear Jewish melodies with lyrics about Jesus. At the same time, the group brought a little bit of Jewishness to the church as they were invited here and there by Christians to share their unique music.

The Music
Jewish gospel music sounds like a blend of Israeli folk and Fiddler on the Roof. It is joyous, upbeat and lively. When the Liberated Wailing Wall sings, you will find yourself tapping your toes, clapping your hands and singing along! You may even learn a few words of Hebrew.

GCA & Preschool Auction

Going Once...

Going Twice...

Grace Christian Academy
and Preschool Auction 2010
Saturday, March 6
9:00 AM - Breakfast/Preview/Silent Auction
10:00 AM - Live Auction

Here’s how you can help make the day a success!

• DONATE TWO NEW, OR NEARLY NEW, ITEMS OR ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES
  You don’t necessarily have to go out and buy something - ask businesses that you patronize for a donation or think of a service you would be willing to provide. However, please don’t “clean out the garage”! All items must be delivered to the school by Friday, February 26 - one week before the Auction. Donation forms are available in the GCA office and the church foyer.
• BE A VOLUNTEER
  Before the Auction and at the Auction If you can help, please contact Lori Rohleder by Sunday, February 14.
• PROMOTE THE AUCTION
  Post Auction flyers around town and talk to your friends

February Events

Church Announcements

• The special offering for Baptist Mid Missions Haiti Relief Fund is still open.We have had $1181.00 given to the fund to date.
  
  
• All church members should plan to attend our Annual Church Meeting on Sunday, February 28, following the PM Service. Come hear about where our church is heading in 2010, vote on a new church budget and vote for new Deacons.
  
  
• The church office is in the process of updating our prayer phone line. If you would like to receive prayer requests via the phone, please let Trish know. You can send her an email, call the office or drop a note on her desk.

Missionary News

The Bardons - Missionaries in
Mormon Country - January 2010

Prayer
Dear Prayer Partners,

We are in the process of moving to Santaquin. Pray that all will go smooth. Continue to pray for the contacts we have and for souls to be saved. Keep praying for Shane and two other new Bible college students that have enroll in RMBC. Pray the Lord will use us in the lives of others for His glory as we teach a one-week module on Pneumatology in a couple of weeks. Pray for our coworker Wes Clem and family, as his wife Joanne went to be with the Lord recently.

We thank the Lord for one copy of Great Hymns of the Faith we received. I guess hardly anyone has any left. We still like this hymnal and would like to use it for awhile. If you would like to help, we can order new ones for about $11 a piece from Amazon. We need about 30, so let us know if the Lord leads.

Family
We were able to get together with our children and grandchildren around Christmas. We just praise the Lord that they love Him and are serving Him faithfully. As Neva and I get older, we need your continued prayers for strength and wisdom in the work. What a privilege it is to serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Camp
Keep praying the US Forest Service will give their approval for the easement to run the electric line up to camp. This won’t happen until they examine our plan on the ground after the thaw in May or June. Pray for the camp director, Jarrod, as he plans the program and lines up staff and speakers for next summer.

News of Interest about Mormonism
Mormons celebrate Christmas on December 25, but have been told by their leaders he was actually born on April 6 (which coincides with the date Joseph Smith organized the LDS Church.) Pray for Mormons to turn from their false prophets and gods and trust in the Christ of the Bible alone for salvation before it is too late. Thank you for your continued support.

Answered Prayer
E-mail Response - "Someone donated 30 Great Hymns of Faith. Our prayers has been answered!"