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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 13, 2017)
Page A-6 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, December 13, 2017 How to have a merry Christmas: by Dr. Glenn Mollette Christmas is the most depressing time of the year for many people. New Year’s Eve is another difficult time. There are lots of reasons why de- pression and suicide rates soar during these holidays. Feeling alone, financial distress, health issues, family problems and the list can actually be long. Here are some quick tips for you. Keep this column handy for reference over the next two weeks. Plan to be connected to people during these holidays. Even if it’s sitting on the sofa making telephone calls all day at least you are talking and hearing people. Actually this is a good idea anyway. Make a long list and call people and wish them a Merry Christmas or a Happy New Year. Or, divide your list and call some one holiday and the rest on New Year’s Eve. Too many people sit back with the attitude, “Well, they haven’t called me.” Don’t worry about that because we are talking about your self-preservation here. Have people in your home whether it’s family or people in your neighborhood. Have them for just coffee and a cookie. Better yet, if you have family, relax and just roll with the holiday punches. There is absolutely nothing else to do on Christmas. Your local convenient store or truck stop might be open but that’s it. Enjoy and love the people you might be around - it’s only once a year that you are truly stuck all day with them. You can survive it. Do not fuss about anything. Be nice to everybody. Let the stupid things that people say to you roll off your back. Smile and act like you are having a wonderful time even if some relative is driving you crazy. Just laugh and have fun. Keep it simple. Don’t overspend your bank account. Don’t rack up a big credit card debt. Let other people help you with any cook- ing, kitchen details and clean up. Share the joy with other people. Most people are happy to chip in and it makes them and you feel better. Allow yourself plenty of time. My wife starts cooking Christmas dinner two weeks early. She makes something and then puts it in the freezer. If she makes one thing every day we normally end up with enough food for the neighborhood. There was a time when she tried to do it all on one day. This drove her and all of us crazy. Last minute cooking, shopping and leaving home late to travel a long trip is all nerve racking and takes some of the fun out of the holiday. Help one or two people along the way. No one person can save the world but you never know when your assistance might be a miracle for someone.Years ago a man had tied up all of his money into a house when sud- denly he lost his job and had no way to keep the house. The bank secured everything he owned and there were zero dollars available to do anything. He didn’t know what he was go- ing to do including buy groceries or even find another place to rent. A financially secure man in the town heard about the plight of the other guy and called him into his office one week before Christmas to announce to him he was going to buy his house from him. The man was overwhelmed with joy and was able to eventu- ally secure another place to live, another job and move forward with his life. However for sometime he lived each day feeling and know- ing that his life and family were in severe peril. He told me once that what happened was truly a life saving miracle. You probably aren’t in the position to just buy somebody’s house in order to finan- cially save him or her. However, maybe a good word, a small financial gift, or even trying to help somebody find a job might be miracle life saving acts that you might give to someone. Christmas only comes once a year if we are blessed to see and enjoy the day. Be thankful. Give thanks to God Almighty for His blessings. Don’t give ugly gestures to people on the highway. Be nice to Republicans and Democrats and Independents and all other parties - at least on Christmas. We need more joy, smiles and happiness in America. Do your part. You are one person. If every person contributes we can truly all have a more Merry Christmas. Dr. Glenn Mollette is President of Newburgh Theological Seminary, Newburgh, Indiana and his syndicated column is read in all 50 states. READ HIS NEW BOOK “UN- COMMON SENSE.” Contact him at GMollette@aol.com. Learn more at www.glennmollette.com Like his facebook page at www.facebook.com/glen- nmollette. Community Bible Church The Presence of God 1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” 4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts.” Isaiah 6:1-5 The Bible contains many accounts of God’s presence revealed to different people over the ages. There are many times God revealed Himself in an awesome and majestic fashion start- ing with Adam and Eve walking in the garden with God (Genesis 3:8) to Jesus revealing Himself to John in Revelation 1. God revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush and on Mt. Sinai in His formidable glory, to the Israelites as they traveled to the promised land of Canaan in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22). God revealed Himself to Da- vid, in all likelihood, as he watched his sheep, and he could see the majestic revelation of God in the heavens (Psalm 19). God revealed Himself to Solomon as he dedicated the temple, and the shekinah glory appeared – driving the people from the temple area (II Chronicles 7:1-3). God visited the exhausted prophet, Elijah, as he fled in fear of Queen Jezebel. The Bible records that there was a mighty wind, an earthquake, and a fire, but God was not in those - but in a still, small voice that spoke to a broken man (I Kings 19:11-13). There are other accounts, but the most awesome came around 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem of Judea. It was not an- nounced to kings or prophets or priests, but to shepherds. Luke 2:10-18 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” In Matthew 1:22-23 We find the following: 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” He revealed Himself not in a powerful display but in humility and weakness – a baby in a stable – it has to be the most awesome of all! God born in poverty – to peasants – announced to shepherds – for all of us – to the glory of God. See you Sunday. In Christ, Pastor Dave Ministry at CBC Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Special Christmas Music: “Emmanuel, Celebrating Heaven’s Child” Praise and Prayer 6 p.m. Wednesday Prayer 11 a.m. AWANA 6:30-8 p.m. PK – 6th grade Community Christian Academy Christmas Program – Thursday 7 pm “Flower of the Holy Night” Bring cookies to share. Senior Exercise Class Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 9-10 a.m. in Dining Room Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Be Ready If John the Baptist sat down with us at our breakfast table, what would his message be? It’s the holiday season, so would he tell us, “Don’t forget about sharing and caring and loving as you prepare for Christmas?” Somehow, that sounds pretty un-John-like to me. The fact is, John would tell us that we need to repent. That there’s something wrong with us, and it’s time to change. But, how would we respond? Having someone point a finger at you and say ‘Repent!’ can be pretty off-putting. Maybe you’d think to yourself – “What does this guy know? I’m fine the way I am. I work hard. I take care of my personal responsibilities. I’m not perfect, but I’m OK.” But that’s the problem – we’re not perfect. And the Bible makes it very clear that God is not satisfied with anything except perfection. God wants us to be the perfect hus- band, the perfect wife, the perfect son or daughter; to be a perfect worker on the job; to be perfectly loving, perfectly patient, perfectly kind, perfectly generous, not just in our actions, but in our thinking. We need to be a perfect Christian; a perfect person of prayer; a perfect worshiper; a perfect student of the Word of God. Jesus Christ says, “Be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” But you and I know we can’t do it. We aren’t perfect. And, according the Word of God, if you’re not perfect, then you’re sin- ful. That’s why John the Baptist would tell us, “Repent”. There are three “R’s” to repentance. The first one is recognizing your sin. That is what those first century Christians did: “The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins…” Recognize your sin. Where have you been less than per- fect in your life? Look back on your con- versations, on the way you’ve dealt with the people around you. Think about your relationship with God. Think about your thoughts. Where have you been less than perfect? Recognize your sin, and confess your sin to Christ. After that first “R” of repentance comes the second “R” receiving forgiveness from God. Mark 1:4 talks about a “baptism Places of Worship BRIDGEVIEW COMMUNITY CHURCH 5181 Holland Loop Rd., CJ 541-592-3923 “Come Join the Worship!” Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. Pastor Sonny Moore www.bridgeviewcc.org * * * 7th DAY ADVENTIST 265 S. Old Stage Rd., CJ Sabbath School - 9:30 a.m. Saturday Worship 11 a.m. Pastor Christian Martin Church (541) 592-3218 Madrone Adventist School 541-592-3330 * * * IMMANUEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 200 Watkins St., CJ Phone 541-592-3876 Pastor Charles Chase Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. Sunday Worship - 9:15 a.m. Child-care for small children *** Illinois Valley Praise Center 28569 Redwood Hwy. CJ Non-denominational Bible-believing Church Sunday school - 9:30 a..m. Sunday Service 10:30 a.m. Thursday Seekers 7 p.m. Youth group Thursday - 7 p.m. www.ivpraisecenter.com COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH Pastor Dave Gordon 113 S. Caves Ave., CJ Office: 541-592-3896 Email: cbccca@gmail.com Sunday Worship - 10:30 a.m. Christian Academy Pre-K to 12th grade Awana - Wednesdays - 6 p.m. * * * ST. PATRICK OF THE FOREST CATHOLIC CHURCH 407 W. River St., CJ 541-592-3658 Fr. William Holtzinger, Pastor Mass - Sunday 11 a.m.. Sacrament of Reconciliation Sunday - 10:30 a.m. Holy Days TBA * * * TAKILMA BIBLE CHURCH 10343 Takilma Road, Takilma Pastor Dan Robinson Bible Study / Prayer Time 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m Wednesday Bible Study 7 p.m * * * First Baptist Church of Selma 18285 Redwood Hwy., Selma 541-597-4169 Pastor Monty Pope Sunday School - 9:45 a.m. Worship - 11 a.m. GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH East River Street & Lewis Court, CJ Annemarie Richardson Lay Pastor. Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. Sunday Worship - 10 a.m. Church Phone: 541-592-2290 www.goodshepherdlutheraniv.net * * * VALLEY EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH 498 Laurel Road, CJ P.O. Box 1248 Pastor Marvin Porter Sunday School - 9:45 a.m. Worship Service - 11 a.m. evfree@frontiernet.net 541-592-6160 * * * FOUNTAIN OF LIFE ASSEMBLY OF GOD 451 S. Junction Ave., CJ 541-592-3956 Pastor Mark McLean Morning Worship 9:30 & 11 a.m. Wednesday - 7 p.m. Adult Bible Study * * * ST. MATTHIAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 25904 Redwood Hwy., CJ 541-592-2006 Rev. Bryant Bechtold Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m. THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 209 S. Junction Ave., CJ Sacrament Meet - 10 a.m. Sunday School - 11:20 a.m. Priesthood, Relief Soc. - 12:10 p.m. Bishop Larry Hammersmith 541-592-3919 * * * Illinois Valley Baptist Church 541-592-6149 Located in the old Chapel on Lister St. (between Caves Ave & Junction Ave) Sunday Worship 10:30 AM Wednesday Bible Study, Prayer & Youth Program 7:00 PM Ladies Bible Study Call for info * * * Wonder Bible Chapel 11911 Redwood Hwy. Wonder, Ore. Sunday worship 10 a.m. Non-denominational Bible believing Church Sunday School Nursery Youth group meets Sunday 6:30 p.m. of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” The Lord God almighty forgives you for all your imperfections. Because of Christ, your sins are gone. The final “R” is reforming your life. That means that after you’ve been forgiven for being impatient, you try to become pa- tient in your life. After you’ve been forgiven for having a bad temper, you become gentle. That’s not easy. But someone is coming. Someone greater than you, greater than me. He’s the one who’ll give you courage to confess all your sins to God and take all of your sins away. He’s the one who will strengthen you and change you into a new person, a new creation. Be ready. In the writings of the Bible, one could accuse the authors as being a bit of a scoundrel. Example is the Garden of Eden story in Genesis 3 verse 3, it would appear the serpent is the sire of Cain. The passage of 1 John 3 verse 12, the sire of Cain is depicted as the evil one. The serpent in not the bad person, as Christ is to be raised as the serpent in John 3 verse 14. Giving the authors a bad name comes from the position of reading a verse in one section of the Book, and the answer in another place. Like this example, Adam did not know he had been cuckold until he read it in 1 John 3 verse 12. The supposed father of Cain, is repeated in the New Testament, as Joseph the Nazarene carpenter as the supposed father of the Christ. The authors of the Bible make a habit of creating a study of the Bible, not just a good read. The timing is good for the neophyte to search and find the age of the young virgin, when she gave birth to the Savior. The similar tactic is in evidence with the retaining of the fluid in 1 John 3 verse 9. Christ chides Nicode- mus for not knowing this and not teaching his follow- ers, for Nicodemus is considered a leader. These pas- sages cover the matter, 1 Kings 1 verses 1- 4, Luke 23 verse 43, John 3 verse 3 and Mathew 1 verse 25. This practice was in favor in King David’s time. The neo- phyte needs the thinking of the eunuch in Acts 8 verse 31, he is in need of a guide. To be continued PAID ADVERTISEMENT
