January 17,1990 • Portland Observer • Page 5
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LIGION
11 Hl
Scripture o f the ‘Weeii
Deuteronomy: Chapter 16
Strengthen four fa ith Through 'Prayer A n d fyguCar Church ‘Worship
National Urban League
Release “The State of
Black America'*
The Spirit of Division
by Mattie Ann Callier-Spears
Every month, every week, and every
day, that goes by; we see so much anger,
everywhere. Whites against Whites. Blacks
against Blacks. Asians against Asians.
Hispanics against Hispanics. And so the list
goes on. Anger! . . . . Anger everywhere!
We, as human beings, can be so callous
toward one another. This nation was, actu
ally, built upon the blood and demise of
im.occnt, unsuspecting individuals.
We can 't stand to see someone have
something that we would rather have. We
strike-out at anyone and anybody, who gets
in our way; without having arational reason
. . . . Why. It seems that we never stop to
really think about what we have done until
its too late. Too late! Yes! Too late to heal.
Too late to reconstruct. To late to even
sympathize.
Words of anger. Sounds of anger. Acts
of anger. Put them all together and what do
you have? Division. People cannot con
tinue to go on as if nothing has happened
and expect good to come out of it. Hate is
hate no matter where or how far apart you
are from the person it is being launched
against
How many times have you heard these
old cliche's: "A house divided against it
self cannot stand'’ or “ United we stand and
divided we fall?” As a nation, we are
falling apart because we are so divided. The
Christian church has so many divisions
until you wonder -- how long will it take
everyone to understand that we are serving
the same Lord?
The spirit of division is caused by the
devil. Every time someone gets angry,
punches someone in the mouth, slaps
someone's face or just hurls an angry thought
toward someone; the devil keeps on strok
ing your anger.
The spirit of unity is divine. We, as
Christians, must help strengthen the body
of Christ. Not tear it down. We are all parts
of one body, we have the same Spirit, and
we have all been called to the same glorious
future. For us there is only one Lord, one
faith, one baptism, and we all have the same
God and Father who is over us all and in us
all, and living through every part of us.
[EPH. 4:4-6]
Let me share this story with you — A
customer went into a store and decided to
make a purchase. The customer became
dissatisfied with the quality of service and
began on a rampage of yelling. The mer
chant, on the other hand, stood quietly by
and waited for the customer to conclude
venting his frustrations. Then, the mer
chant said "W e are here to serve you. If
there is anything wrong, let us know. We
want you to have a positive shopping expe
rience.” Of course, the merchant said ' ‘We
are here to serve you. If there is anything
wrong, let us know. We want you to have a
positive shopping experience.” O f course,
the merchant was going to be cordial to the
shopper because he wanted his business.
More Christians need to be like this. This
kind-of-a attitude can only come about
through growth and maturity.
G od's people will be equipped to do
better work for him, by building up the
church, the body o f Christ, to a position of
strength and maturity; until finally we all
believe alike about our salvation and about
our Saviour, G od’s Son, and all become
full-grown in the the L ord-yes, to the point
of being filled full with Christ.
When we allow ourselves to be sepa
rated by the spirit of division--some con
artist is waiting out there with just the right
juice in his mouth. Juices to fuel your fire!
Not to put it out.
Arguing causes division. How many
times have you and a friend or a family
member been separated because of an argu
ment? If you both had just taken a little time
to be silent so that you could better under
stand what the other was trying to say?
Follow God’s example in everything you
do just as a much loved child imitates his
father. Be full of love for others, following
the example of C hrist
Some people live by their own wit,
craftiness and cunning; then, that same
person loses his way and wonders why. Its
because God is not in it. If you have really
heard Christ’s voice and learned from him
the truths concerning himself, then throw
off your old evil nature—the old you that
was a partner in your evil ways—rotten
through and through, full of lust and sham.
Now your attitudes and thoughts must
all be constantly changing for the better.
Yes, you must be a new and different per
son, holy and good. Clothe yourself with
this new nature.
Stop lying to each other; tell the truth,
for we are parts of each other and when we
lie to each other we are hurting ourselves. If
you are angry, d o n 't sin by nursing your
grudge. D on't let the sun go down with you
still angry-get over it quickly; for when
you are angry you give a mighty foothold to
the devil.
The spirit of division gets us so fowled
up. Il divides families, churches, commu
nities and government. You have to come
against it with the LOVE of God. Whatever
shall be restored, do it in the Holy name of
Jesus C hrist
The spirit of division is a major threat
in G od’s body of Christian believers. Stop
being mean, bad-tempered and angry.
Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of
others should have no place in your lives.
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, just as God has
forgiven you because you belong to Christ.
Find strength through spiritual growth. The
only way that this can be achieved is by
studying the WORD. Walk in the Spirit and
grow. God has more confidence in our
ability to learn than we do about our own
selves.
Keep envying, strife, jealousy and back
biting out of your lives. Don’t be confused
by those who excuse these sins, for the
terrible wrath of God is upon all those who
do them. Don’t even associate with them.
For though once your heart was full of
darkness, now it is full of light from the
Lord, and your behavior should show it!
Stop stealing! Stop fussing! Stop using
bad language! Say and do only those things
that are good and helpful to those you are
talking to, and what will give them a bless
ing.
Don’t cause the Holy Spirit sorrow by
the way you live. Remember, he is the one
who marks you to be present on that day
when salvation from sin will be complete.
We can’t do it by ourselves. We need
God. You should expect God to hear your
words being sent up in prayer. Expect God
to help you. Expect God to help you build
your faith. Expect God to keep you strong.
How can you be so positive that God
will hear and answer? Stay in His will.
Keep His commandments.
Don’t let the spirit of division rob you
of G od’s Glory.
John E. Jacob, President and Chief
Executive Officer of the National Urban
League, lead a panel of distinguished Afri
can-American scholars in an analysis of
key issues confronting Black America during
the release of ‘ ‘The State of Black America
1990” at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, Jan. 9th at
the National Press Club in Washington,
D.C.
“ The State of Black America,” a
publication of the National Urban League,
is the most authoritative annual document
examining the current status and conditions
of African-Americans. The 1990 report is
th fifteenth annual edition.
The authors and articles are: Black
Americans and the Courts: Has the Clock
Been Turned Back?, by Julius Chambers,
Esq.; The New Budget and Tax Strategy:
Implications for Blacks, by Dr. Lenneal J.
Henderson, Jr.; Economic Status of Black
Americans, by Dr. David Swinton; Health
Status of Black Americans, by LaSalle D.
Leffall, Jr., MD; African-American Family
Diversity, by Dr. Andrew Billingsley; Pre
venting Black Homicide, by Carl C. Bell,
MD and Dr. Esther J. Jenkins; Housing
Opportunity: A Dream Deferred, by Dr.
Phillip Clay; Television Advertising and
Its Impact on Black America in the ’80s, by
Dr. Eugene S. Robinson; Perspectives on
Election '89 by Dr. Matthew Holden; Ra
cism in the United States: Too Costly in the
1990’s?, by Dr. Ramona Edelin; and Those
of Broader Vision: An African-American
Perspective on Teenage Pregnancy and
Parenting, by Georgia L. McMurray.
The publication also features an over
view by John E. Jacob and a chronology of
events of importance to Black America in
1989.
URGENT!!!
PIANO/ORGANIST
Troubled Waters
Is your head bowed down in sorrow,
As you come to the end o f the day,
Is there no one you can turn to.
And somewhere you have lost your way?
“ Let not your heart be troubled,
Neither let It be afraid,”
Joys awaiting you tomorrow
Have merely been long delayed.
And whether you voice your problem.
Or Just meet Him in silent prayer,
God hears and He oft times answers
In a way that we know He cares.
Come what may, you can endure it,
If you will pray your way through it.
by Laura Baker Haynes
Calendar of ‘Events
67th Annual School of Religious Learning Slated
The 67th Annual School of Religious Learning will be held on four consecutive Monday
evenings beginning, January 23rd at First United Methodist Church, S.W. 18th and Jefferson
in Portland. Classes will begin each evening at 7:30 p.m. with an opening night celebration
at 7:00 p.m.
The Reverend Rodney Page, Executive Director of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon,
stated, * ‘This is the oldest continuous lay school of religious learning west of the Mississippi
and one of the oldest in the country. This years offerings are one of the most comprehensive
ever offered by the school. We will be offering courses in Biblical and Religious Studies,
Parish life Studies, Social Justice, and Healing and Wholeness Studies.”
The Reverend Paul S. Wright, Pastor Emeritus of First Presbyterian Church at
Theologian Inn Residence at Lewis & Clark College will be celebrating his 35th year
teaching in the School of Religious Learning.
Registration is $20.00 for the four sessions and can be made through Ecumenical
Ministries of Oregon, 0245 S.W. Bancroft, Portland, Oregon 97201. Class sizes are limited
and no registration can be accepted by telephone. A brochure and required materials will be
sent upon request.
LEE OWEN STONE
Cooperative Preschool
St. Mark Baptist Church
on Rodney. Salary nego
tiable. Please contact: Rev.
Joe S. Hardie at AMA,
285-0493.
120 N.E. Knott Street • 281-5802
ACCEPTING NEW ENROLLEES!
9 a.m. - Noon Mon.Fri.
Scholarships • Aftercare Available
Socialization Skills for 2-1/2 to 5-year-olds
United Way
If you care, share.
GOOD TIMES!
Call Jerri Broadbeck: 282-7081
Young Men, Did You Know?
by Mattie Ann Callier-Spears
Jesus Loves You!
The future o f the human race rests in the hands o f our
young men. G od is closely watching you, and He
weighs carefully everything you do.
ADVICE FROM THE
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Son, if you endorse a note for someone
you hardly know, guaranteeing his debt,
you are in serious trouble. You may have
trapped yourself by your agreement. Quick!
Get out of it if you possibly can! Swallow
your pride; don’t let embarrassment stand
in the way. Go and beg to have your name
erased. Don’t put it off. Do it now. Don’t
rest until you do. If you can get out of this
trap you have saved yourself like a dear that
escapes from the hunter, or a bird from the
net. [DO N O T CO-SIGN]
Take a lesson from the ants, you lazy
fellow. Learn from their ways and be wise!
For though they have no king to make them
work, yet they labor hard all summer, gath
ering food for the winter. But y o u -a ll you
do is sleep. When will you wake up? ’’Let
me sleep a little longer! ’ ’ Sure, just a little
more! And as you sleep, poverty creeps
upon you like a robber and destroys you;
want attacks you in full armor. [G E T UP
AND G E T A JO B]
Let me describe for you a worthless
and a wicked man; first, he is a constant
liar; he signals his true intentions to his
friends with eyes and feet and fingers.
Next, his heart is full of rebellion. And he
spends his time thinking of all the evil he
can do, and stirring up discontent. But, he
will be destroyed suddenly, broken beyond
hope of healing. For these are six things the
Lord hates—no, seven:
H aughtiness
Lying
Murdering
Plotting evil
Eagerness to do wrong
A false witness
Sowing dLscord among brothers
•
f
Young man, obey your father and your
mother. Tie their instructions around your
finger so you won’t forget. Take to heart all
of their advice. Everyday and all night long
their counsel will lead you and save you
from harm; when you wake up in the morn
ing, let their instructions guide you into the
new day. For their advice is a beam of light
directed into the dark comers of your mind
to warn you of danger and to give you a
good life. Their counsel will keep you far
away from prostitutes with all their flatter
ies. Don’t lust for their beauty. D on’t let
their coyness seduce you. For a prostitute
will bring a man to poverty, and an adulter
ess may cost him his very life. [OBEY
YOUR PARENTS]
Can a man hold fire against his chest
and not be burned? Can he w alk on hot coals
and not blister his feet? So it is with the man
who commits adultery with another’s wife.
He shall not go unpunished for this sin.
Excuses might even be found for a thief, if
he steals when he is starving! But even so,
he is fined seven times as much as he stole,
though it may mean selling everything in
his house to pay it back.
But the man who commits adultery is
an utter fool, for he destroys his own soul.
Wounds and constant disgrace are his lot,
for the woman's husband will be furious in
his jealousy and he will have no mercy on
you in his day of vengeance. You w on't be
able to pay him off no matter how much you
offer.
G od’s W O RD is a sharp as a two-
edged sword. It goes forth with love. God
only wants what is good for all his people.
Young men! Open, open your eyes and
your hearts. Listen! Sec the truth! Be all
that you can be in the eyes of God Al
mighty!
a
*
f f l !
4236 N.E. Eighth Avenue
(co m er o f 8th & S k id m o re)
Portland, Oregon 97211
(503) 287-0261
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Portland Oregon
Sunday Services
10:30 A.M.
Maranatha School of Ministry
A.M. Afternoon ft P.M. Shifts Available
No Experience Necessary • Under New Management.
6:30 P.M.
1412 8.E. Morrison • Portland, Oregon
235-3536
Mid-Week Services - Wednesday
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