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The Citizen, 1990-06-27, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 1990. From the minister’s study ‘What is the secret of being content?’ minister asks BY REV. LORENZO RAMIREZ BLYTH UNITED CHURCH “I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, wheth­ er living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength” Philippians 4: 10-13. By the time you see and read this article, I have lived 17 years here in Canada, the land of opportunity and promise. Yet in the 17 years that I have lived here, I have yet to see the picture of contentment in lives of all people. It looks to me that people whether rich or poor, married, or single, divorced or separated, with or without children, always look as if the grass on the other side of the fence is greener. That’s why we work so hard and long hours always trying to work for more: more money, more benefits, more, more more. Contentment seems to be so far away. It reminds me when I was a child playing at night in the full moon. Looking up and admiring that round big ball of glowing light that seems to always stay away whenever I walked toward it and it stops when I stop and it follows me when I walk away from it. Paul is saying in his letter to the Philippians, that contentment is in whatever stage or situation of life, we are in for as long as we have Christ, the one that give’s strength and will prove to be happy and content. My father-in-law who is 94 became ill and my wife had to go ahead of us three, (our son, our daughter and myself). We have planned a vacation to the Philip- pines, area and country this sum­ mer during our holiday. She left early morning of our birthday, May 18 and ever since I have been coping. I have been trying every day to learn to be content. At times I feel like that child again, trying to follow the moon that is always so far away but when I stop and look at it, admire it then I feel happy and content inside. This scripture of Paul has helped me and I know it will to those of you who are trying to find contentment. What is the secret of being content? I hope that this portion of Paul’s letter leads you as well towards that direction. Faith and fears sermon topic Greeting the congregation at the June 24 Sunday worship service at Blyth United was Fred de Boer. Ushering and passing the offer­ tory plates were Randy, Lorna and Kathy Fraser and Marlene Toll. The senior choir’s anthem was ‘‘In the Garden” accompanied by Mrs. Phyllis Boak. Hymns were ‘‘Stand Up and Bless the Lord” and ‘‘Jesus Calls Us”. Linda Wilson was in charge of Junior Congregation Nancy Pawitch was nursery leader. Rev. Ramirez chose for his sermon topic ‘‘Faith, the balance of Fear”. The scripture reading Mark 4 verses 35-41 reveals the story of how a storm arises while Jesus and the disciples are out at sea. The disciples fear for their lives and in panic awake Jesus, whereupon He calms the wind and the waves. Jesus then says to the disciples ‘‘Why are you so afraid?” Do you still have no faith?” Rev. Ramirez talked about the many fears that we experience today, saying that the most effec­ tive way to conquer fear is through faith. To believe that God is with us step by step, to know that He loves and supports us by His power and to realize that His amazing grace will exceed our cares are all components of faith. We must also believe that through love, God gave his only son to die on the cross for our sins so that we may have eternal life and in return we should walk in His ways living clean and upright lives. This faith is our supreme antidote against fear. In the midst of our trials and difficulties we should remember Jesus and how his faith and love for his Father and fellow man carried him through pain and suffering. Rev. Ramirez read a quotation which ended with these two lines” What need to worry then or fret? My Lord, who gave His Son, Holds all my moments in His hand And gives them one by one”. The service closed with the singing of ‘‘Be Still My Soul”, benediction and choral response” ‘God Loves You’. Pornography causes violence, reader says Continued from page 5 expression can be taken far beyond the realm of reason. If someone began to write articles that encour­ aged violence against any other specific group or individual by insinuating that they enjoyed being beaten, raped or molested, acti­ vists would be coming out of the woodwork to have it stopped. Yet when the opportunity presents itself to curb violence against our wives and daughters to ensure any such attitudes not be promoted in our community we shrink back and pretend we don’t know what’s really going on. You can spend the rest of your life blaming violence against women and children on the idea that they are similar and weaker if you want but the fact remains, this violence is a result of a few social degenerates that have learned to take advantage of the darker side of our human nature by producing material that encourages negative attitudes towards our own mankind. I know not everyone who views this material becomes violent, but anyone can see that this kind of so-called freedom can not be healthy for our society. What’s the solution to violence? A good start would be to stop the buying and selling of the material that encour­ ages it. If you look back in history you will see the rise and demise of violence is directly related to the tolerance of such material in society. The next time you hear about violence against women and children ask yourself this, Have I done all I can do to prevent the promotion of violent attitudes in my community? A CONCERNED CITIZEN Helping hands The Red Shield Appeal for the Salvation Army raised nearly $4,000 in the Blyth and Brussels areas and $13,600 in the area served by the Wingham citadel. Capt. Borden Linkletter (right) receives the proceeds from Ernie Phillips (left) on behalf of the Blyth Lions Club which conducted the Blyth area campaign and raised $1,837 and Doug Purdy who conducted the Brussels area campaign, raising $2,093. y ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA REV. DAVID FULLER, B.A., M. DIV. July 1, 1990 Blyth 9:30 a.m. Melville Presbyterian Church BRUSSELS Rev. Carolyn McAvoy 11:00-Morning Service Sunday School 9:30a.m.-Belgrave Service Pentecost 4 MORNING PRAYER Brussels 11:15 a.m. We welcome you to come and worship with us! HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH AUBURN PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE 526-7515 10:00 a.m. - Sunday School 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service 8:00 p.m. - Evening Service Wednesday - Discipleship Training Friday - 7:30 - Youth 1 BLYTH CHRISTIAN ZjA REFORMEDCHURCH HIGHWAY4, BLYTH Rev. W.H. Lammers Sunday at 10 a.m.and7:30 p.m. Sunday School 11:00a.m. The Church of the 44 Back to God Hour” and4 4 Faith 20’ ’ Back to God Hour 10:30a.m. CKNX, Sunday Faith 20 5:00 a.m. weekdays, Global T.V. ALL VISITORS WELCOME Paint a clear picture of your tomorrows Most of us have a good idea of what we will be doing today, but what about tomorrow? Ifthe picture seems a little fuzzy, perhaps you should consider a little future planning. Some people do this by making funeral arranagements many years before they are needed. Making funeral decisions in a calm atmosphere, withoutthetensionsassociated withadeath, means that choices can be well thought out. As well, advance planning will removea burden from you and your family. Please call us today. Betts Funeral Home BRUSSELS 887-6336 ONTARIO FUNERAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION [Incorporated] GORRIE 335-3571