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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
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