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
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