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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-02-14, Page 32PAGE 32. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1990. From the Minister’s Study Being in God’s will doesn’t mean smooth sailing BY PASTOR BOB BARNHART BLYTH CHURCH OF GOD Does being in the will of God guarantee smooth sailing? The answer is no. All we have to do is lc?ok at the prophets, Paul, the disciples and Jesus. In fact the opposite may be true. Another person who found that being in the will of God doesn’t mean smooth sailing was Nehemiah. Nehemiah was called by God to go to Jerusalem and help rebuild the wall. This was when the Jews were returning after being in exile for many years. The city lay in ruins. Nehemiah’s task was to rebuild the wall. You may wonder what does rebuilding a wall have to do with us today? It is this: the same problem Nehemiah faced we face in the church today. Nehemiah dealt with three different groups while completing the task God gave him to do. We find all three groups in chapter four of Nehemiah. The first group was the group that was critical and negative. This is the person or persons who criticize what is being done or is not being done. Along with these are the negative thinkers. These are the ones who tell you why it can’t be done or they will list ail problems with the idea. Many times these people are in the majority. We see this in the Bible. The 12 spies were sent out. When they came back 10 said it couldn’t be done. Only two Joshua and Caleb said it could be done. We find it in life today. Charles Swindoll in his book “Living Above the Level of Mediocrity’’ tells the story of Walt Disney. Walt Disney would, at times, have some unbe­ lievable, extensive dream. The members of his board would gulp, blink and stare at him. The incredible thing is Disney usually didn’t pursue the idea unless every member resisted the idea. Read that again. Unless every member resisted the idea, Disney didn’t believe the challenge was big enough or was worth his time unless they were unanimously in disagreement. That is why we have Disneyland and Disney World to­ day. The second group that Nehemiah dealt with was the committed group. This is the group that put their whole heart into the task. The problem Nehemiah ran into here was that these people were working so hard they exhausted them­ selves. In the Church as well as other organizations a minority of the people do the majority of the work. Nehemiah’s solution was two fold: one, he gave them a rest and two, he helped them renew their vision. By this I mean what they were doing and what was their goal and their dream. The third group is the worriers. In Nehemiah’s case the first group threatened them physical harm. In verse 12 we read “Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us 10 times over ‘Wherever you turn they will attack us’.” These people kept coming to Nehemiah with the same fear. Ten times they told him the same thing. Nehe­ miah’s solution for the group was also two fold. He reminded them of God’s protection and helped and secondly he posted guards for protection. Nehemiah had to deal with all three groups in order to complete the task. In chapter six we read that the wall was completed. In doing a task for God can we expect opposi­ tion and problems? Yes! Can we complete the task in spite of opposition and problem? Yes! ‘Love’ theme of UCW meeting The theme “Love” was chosen for the devotions at the Feb. 8 meeting of the Sunshine Unit of the Blyth United Church Women. The two leaders for the devotions were Lenore Davidson and June Peck. Lenore opened by reading a poem on love. The hymn “Come let us sing of a wonderful love’’ was sung with Phylis Boak at the piano. June read a scripture on “love” taken from 1 John, chapter 4, verses 7-21. The offering was received and the hymn “I love to tell the story” was sung. Lenore gave the devo­ tions entitled “The Golden Clasp” giving stories to illustrate the different types of love, to name a few - sincere love, unselfish love, Christ love, impartial love. She then closed by reading a poem on love. June closed with prayer. Melda McElroy then continued in the study from last month on multi-culturalism. She told of meet­ ing the moderator Dr. Lee in Mitchell. She asked him of the New Theology. He stated it is a more liberal church than we used to have. We all have the same God but people worship differently but it’s important that God must be in all of them. The church cannot be unto itself. It’s not enough just to sit in church, but go out and be involved with issues and problems in the community. A lively discus­ sion followed over different issues, including prejudices language rights, religion in the schools, etc. She also introduced Dr. Lee’s new book, “The Wanderer”. It is available for us to read. It can be found in the church parlour. The president Bea Chambers took over for the business portion of the meeting and thanked every­ one for helping. She read a humorous poem “Why I don’t go to church”. Members observed a minute’s silence in memory of Rena Watt. The U.C.W. purpose was re­ peated by all. The roll call was answered by 23 members with a verse from Luke. The usual reports were given. Members were remin­ ded of the World Day of Prayer to be held in the Blyth United church, March 2. It is one of the multi-cul­ tural events being prepared by Christian Women of Czechoslo­ vakia. The meeting closed with the U.C.W. benediction and singing grace. A dainty lunch was served by Bea Chambers and Lillian Riehl. Arena Bd. responds to criticisms The Board of the Blyth and District Community Centre has replied to criticisms of upkeep of the building contained in an inspec­ tion report last fall. In a letter signed by Dave Cook, Arena Manager and Murray Musty, Board Chairperson, the Board writes vo Eleanor J. Doney, Acting Sheriff of Huron County regarding the inspection by the Public Facilities Inspection Panel of the Ministry of the Solicitor Gen­ eral. “Dear Mrs. Doney: “In regard to your November inspection of the Blyth and District Community Centre, we would like to put forth some information to help explain the poor condition in which the complex was found. “As our complex is used mainly late afternoon (5:00 p.m.) until late evening (12:30 a.m.), and consider­ ing the number of people (300 - 400 per day) almost all of our cleaning is done during the day­ time. Our cleaning staff start at 10:00 a.m. and have it cleaned by 4:00 p.m. at which time the public start to use the facility once again. “We feel, that had we been notified, we could have set a time for the panel to inspect our complex, after our cleaning staff had their daily cleaning done. Your response to this letter would be appreciated.” Something to sing about TheGrade2/3students of Brussels Public School had a good time using the new music room at the school for the first time last Wednesday morning as music teacher Phil Parsons led them in a sing-song. Construction on the room, along with a new classroom for the Grade 4 class was started in late August. BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH King Street 887-9313 Rev. Cameron McMillan 11:00 a.m. Sunday, February 18th Morning Worship Church School Child care for preschoolers Discover the new continent of the Spirit. ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA February 18,1990 Epiphany 7 HOLYCOMMUNION REV. DAVID FULLER, B.A., M. DIV. 9:30 a.m. Blyth 11:15 Brussels Melville Presbyterian Church BRUSSELS Rev. Carolyn McAvoy 11:00-Morning Service SundaySchool 9:30 a.m.-Belgrave Service iwJU We welcome you to come and worship with us! HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH AUBURN PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE526-7515 Sunday, Feb. 18th, 1990 10:00 a.m. - Sunday School 11:00 a.m. - Rev. Don Vair Blyth Scout Church Service Wed. - Prayer and Bible Study Fri. 7:30 - Youth Sat. 10:30 a.m. - Kids Klub BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMEDCHURCH HIGHWAY4, BLYTH Rev. W.H. Lammers Sunday at 10a.m. and 2:30 p.m. SundaySchool 11:00a.m. The Church of the “Back to God Hour” and “Faith20” Back to God Hour 10:30a.m. CKNX, Sunday Faith 20 5:00 a.m. weekdays, Global T.V. ALL VISITORS WELCOME HURON SUPERIOR MEMORIALS ‘ ‘ Established over 60 years” Serving Blyth, Brussels and all of Huron County Neil Elliott 153 High Street, Clinton I c handle kJ