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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2008-09-25, Page 18By Pastor John KuperusBlyth Christian ReformedChurchThe Teenage Home Invasion hit our home. They came without an appointment and asked if they could interview my wife. My wife agreed. I think there were about 14 young people and two leaders. Our seven children were present too. They asked a lot of questions and videotaped the whole interview. One of the questions they asked her was, “Did you ever steal anything?” My wife answered “Yes”. Then she went into confession about the things she stole when she was a teenager. She had stolen a piece of jewellery from a department store, she had taken some money from the church and when she worked at the cafeteria in the hospital she ate food without paying for it.My wife was reporting on a previ-ous confession. God’s Spirit hadconvinced her after a sermon. The words that struck her were, “Either you deal with it now or you deal with it later before God.” She had already confessed before God and even put money in the collection plate to make amends, but it did not quiet her conscience, so she decided to write a letter to each place and include a cheque to make restitution to the injured parties. One of my reactions is to say, “Oh that happened a long time ago” and to minimize it. In my mind I could justify her eating the cafeteria food at the hospital, after all her supervi- sor said it was okay. This is our typ- ical way for us to deal with our wrong behaviour. Now suppose The Citizen picked this up and put on the front page, “Pastor’s Wife Confesses to Stealing.” Ouch! What kind of testimony is this pastor to our community? If leaders are engaged in theft, then others follow. Leaders need to fol- low a higher standard. That includes our politicians. Our neighbour has had items stolen from their yard. We grievewith them because of the invasionand violation. We begin to wonderwhat is safe. Yet, in some circles stealing is a respectable sin. Some stores are experiencing incredible amounts of losses from stolen goods. If the gov- ernment calculated lost tax revenue because of citizens stealing from the government, it would be staggering. The amount of theft with credit card is huge as well. What about God, do we steal from him too? God calls his people to tithe, and how many people are giv- ing 10 per cent of their income to the work of the Lord. Some individuals see stealing as a game, to see what they can get away with. Some people like the thrill or the challenge of stealing. It gets their adrenalin flowing. Then a person can brag about what they were able to steal with their friends. The reality is stealing causes a breakdown in our society. God gave us 10 Commandments and one is “You shall not steal.” We may be able to get away with stealing from stores, the government, credit card companies and God, although we don’t have to worry, God’s eyes see it allDisobedience causes a curse to fallon us and it will be like our pockethave holes in them. We just cannot get ahead. Maybe you have justified it by saying, “Everybody steals.” God holds you accountable. A day is coming when everyone will have to give an account for their actions and deeds. So before you take the next item without paying for it, remem- ber, God is watching and he will hold you accountable. Remember that even lack of reporting true num- bers to the government or to our companies is seen in God’s eyes and either you pay now or later. The Teenage Home Invasion stole something from every home they visited and included it in the play. (They asked permission to steal). After the play was over, they returned the stolen article. Restitution is a God-honouring practice. They had some interesting stories to tell and I thought their sharing gave some interestinginsights to our community. Thankyou for taking an interest in hearingour story and the stories of others in our community. PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2008.From the Minister’s StudyTeenage ‘invaders’ hit minister’s home Joe Austin opened the meeting of the Bluewater Canadian Council of the Blind, Sept. 16 with 26 members singing, O’Canada, followed by The Lord’s Prayer. The roll call was to name a favourite vegetable. Dianne Cook read last month’s minutes. Bill Flynn gave the treasurer’s report. Dorothy Bolton read a poem, The Obituary of the Pillsbury Doughboy. Everyone from the pantry shelf was there including Betty Crocker. Dianne Cook read a poem, The Bedpan. Gordon Hill told three of his fish- ing family tales. Gwen Sterling is having CNIB large print calendars delivered to Hill for members. Hill reminded all that the CNIB crew is in Goderich Zeller’s mall every second Thursday of the month from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. with information of the blind and how to order sunglasses or whatever is necessary. The Thanksgiving supper is Oct. 21. Marie Flynn needs a count by Oct. 15. Audibly Awsom (The Lobb boys) entertained. Lunch was served by Vivien Roy and Dianne Stevenson of Beta Sigma Phi. Bluewater CCB meets 308 Blyth Rd. E. ~ Pastor Les Cook 519-523-4590 B l y t h C o m m u n ity Church of God C H U R C H O F G O D ,ANDERS O N , I N D I A N A “The Church is not a building, it is people touch- ing people Sunday School 9:45 a.m. - Christian Education for all ages 11:00 a.m. - Worship Service Mid-week Bible Studies See you Sunday! Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, September 28 Brussels Public School at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday School for children 4 to 11 years of age (mornings only) Childcare provided for infants and toddlers Coffee & cookies after the morning service For additional details please contact: Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Sunday, September 28 9:30 am Community Prayer Walk Meet at the Brussels Gazebo (downtown) 11:00 am Sunday School for all ages at Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Seeking God’s reign in our community Pastor Brent Kipfer 519-887-6388 Please join us for worship SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00am Evening Service 7:30pm BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Pastor John Kuperus Hwy. 4, Blyth getlivingwater.org Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848 Living Water Christian Fellowship September 28: Psalm 110 10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School at Blyth Public School, corner of King & Mill “Jesus as Priest-King: Commanding our Loyalty, Sacrificed for our Sins” Meeting Jesus in Unexpected Places, Pt. 4 Christ-centred, Bible-believing, Fellowship-friendly, Growth-geared Coming Oct. 5:Our 7th Anniversary! Message by Claran Martin, Music by Annie Sparling, POTLUCK Tuesdays 7:30 pm: Lisles’ Bible Study, Wingham Fridays 7:30 pm: YOUTH GROUP (at school) THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA Welcomes you to come and worship with us Sunday, September 28 Trinity, Blyth 9:30 a.m. 519-523-9595 St. John's, Brussels 11:15 a.m. 519-887-6862 Blessing of the Animals - Annual Service Everyone and their pets are welcome. Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street Blyth United Church Office: 519-523-4224 Rev. Gary Clark All Welcome Sunday, September 28 Worship Service and Sunday School at 11:00 a.m. Come hear about “The Story Dress” from one of its creators ~ Karen Melady BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Sandra Cable, Worship Leader Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca Sunday, September 28 Ethel United Church Worship Service - 9:30 a.m. Brussels United Church Worship Service - 11:00 a.m. Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available 519-887-9831 11:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship - Sunday School 9:30 am - Sunday Belgrave Service ISRAEL: PAST, PRESENT & PROPHETIC This is a 6 week video series filmed entirely in Israel. Rev. Dr. John Tweedie will take us on an exciting journey through time! PASTOR DAVID WOOD 119 John’s Ave.,Auburn 519-526-1131 www.huronchapel.org 9:30 a.m. Sunday School & Small Groups 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship Service 7:30 p.m. Evening Worship Service Israel: Past, Present & Prophetic