Page 4 • Portland Observer • January 24, 1990
II tit
S c rip tu re o f the ‘W e e f
Revelation - Chapter 22
Overcoming Spiritual Blindness
fly Michael Lindsey
Dean of North Portland Bible College
The Sunday School lesson for January
28th in the uniform series will be John 9:1 -
11, 35-41; the whole 9th chapter presents
the healing of the man bom blind, and his
spiritual rebirth.
There is an epidemic sweeping across
our land, ravaging families, destroying lives,
and caused unimaginable suffering. But
this is not a new disease, like AIDS, nor a
worsened social problem, like drug/sub-
stance abuse. To a great extent, these are
some o f the symptoms, not the underlying
cause.
We can call this disease “ sin” , but I
would prefer to label it "spiritual blind
ness’’. So many people have lost their
spiritual moorings, and float adrift in the
shifting tides of public opinion and per
sonal emotions. That is not to say they all
are a menace to society, or on a course bent
for self destruction. No, many of them are
upstanding people, nice to be around, and 1
am glad to know them.
But they have still lost something vital,
which has distorted their moral vision to the
point they make foolish, harmful choices
with their lives. And until the moral prob
lem is confronted and solved, no amount of
government programs, and no amount of
civic action coalitions, will make a lasting
impact on the obvious problems of Ameri
can society. The underlying problem lies in
the human heart.
Let me give you two examples. A
young man in his twenties has his first job,
and by virture of his hard labor he has
earned raises and promotions. How is he
likely to use his money? This man sees so
many around him using cocaine and other
recreational drugs, and he thinks he can
handle it. The huge advertising campaigns,
urging him to “ Just Say N o” , don’t really
deter him. Why? Because he has adopted
the spiritual attitude of society at large; the
highest value is personal, immediate happi
ness, and the future is too uncertain to really
matter anyhow. As long as he has no sense
of responsibility to the God who made him,
and no understanding that he has great
personal value as a person created in the
image of God, with an eternal destiny, he
will be continually tempted to throw his life
away, running after momentary gratifica
tion.
In another case, a teenage girl is seri
ously considering getting sexually involved
with her boyfriend. She's “ luckier" than
many of her friends, because the young
man is not pressing her too hard, and he's
always been really nice to her. Her classes
in human sexuality have prepared her for
the physical side of sex, but the moral
issues have been officially left up to her
own judgment. In reality, "safe sex” is a
moral standard, for it makes prevention of
pregnancy (in teens, as least) a moral obli
gation. And society assumes that normal
people will have sexual relationships, in
and out of marriage, and even have and
raise children without benefit of marriage.
The young woman in our example needs to
have spiritual insight to help her make
moral decisions in the modem world. She
needs to realize that sexuality is a precious
gift from her Creator, which brings joy and
stability to marriage, but almost always
produces heartache and brokenness outside
of marriage. Then, she (and her friend) can
make choices which will benefit her own
future.
Have you read John 9 recently? You
might want to read it before you finish these
remarks. There are two kinds of spiritual
darkness revealed in this chapter: igno
rance of Christ, and rejection of Christ. The
blind beggar knew next to nothing about
Jesus. But after he responded to the Lord by
going and washing at Siloam, he received
his physical sig h t-an d entered into an
adventure which led to spiritual sight as
well.
The beggar simply chose to be honest
in his search to understand the marvelous
healing he had received. He honestly an
swered the questions put to him by his
neighbors, and then by the Pharisees. He
watched their growing consternation as they
of their questioning, he actually began to
take Jesus’ side, and clarified the meaning
of Jesus' works for himself (especially note
9:30-33). The Jesus sought him out, and
presented himself as the Messiah/Christ.
The man once blind now had spiritual sight
as well, and he bowed down and wor
shipped the Lord.
“ Jesus said, ‘For judgment I have come
into this world, so that the blind will see and
those who sec will become blind’” (9:39,
NIV). The Pharisees and other Jews thought
they had the right religious standards, but
they would not accept Jesus—once again he
had broken their Sabbath rules (9:14, 16).
They thought they could see, but they were
spiritually blind, and eternally lo st
So it is today. Many people are “ blind"
because they have never really understood
who Jesus is. Christians have the privilege
to bring light to such people, and see them
receive spiritual sight. Unfortunately, many
other people are spiritually blind because
they have rejected Christ and his teachings.
Even some people in the churches today
like the Pharisees of o ld-w ant to claim
religious heritage without any commitment
to Christ. I am amazed that some church
leaders today can condone practices which
the Bible clearly condemns. But maybe
they are still blind, too.
H O L Y G U ID A N C E
Let me walk with you, Lord Jesus,
Over all life’s beaten trails;
Guide me through life’s shades and shadows
Over paths of least travail;
Lead me by life’s great temptations
To Your Kingdom, up above;
Lead the way, for me to follow,
To Your world of peace and love.
Do not leave me if I stumble
Or my steps begin to slow
For - without Your love to guide me --
I will have no place to go.
Let me follow, in Your footsteps,
To the path that leads above
And, forever, know Your blessings
Of eternal life and love.
EXTEND THE
FAMILY SPIRIT
fly Mattie Ann Callier-Spears
Coming up, this weekend, the National
Council o f Negro Women-Portland sec
tion, will host a TELECONFERENCE at
the Blanchard Education Service Center
located on 501 N Dixon.
Join the NCNW, Inc. Be a part of the
New Kinship Networks National Telecon
ference on January 27,1990. The day will
begin at 11 a.m. and will continue until 2
p.m., in the afternoon.
The national representative will be the
renounced actress of stage and screen
MELBA MLXJRE.
The public is cordially invited to at
tend. Come expecting a wealth of informa
tion.
For more information, call 287-8553
or 280-5620.
Ms. Edna Pittman, president of Port
land Section.
Civil Rights
Leader to Speak
at City Club
Congressman John Lewis, noted civil
rights leader and Democrat representing
Georgia’s fifth congressional district, will
spoke to the City Club of Portland on Fri
day, Jan. 19th. His speech was entitled
“ The Civil Rights Legacy: Foundation for
a Changing Nation.”
Congressman Lewis rose to prominence
during the civil rights era and participated
in virtually every major civil rights activ
ity. He was the youngest freedom rider in
1961, chaired the Student Nonviolent
Coordinating Committee for three years,
worked on numerous voter registration
projects and was a leader of the Selma
marches. Congressman Lewis was inter
viewed several times on the “ Eye on the
Prize H” segment aired Monday evening.
PLACE
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Contact
The Portland Observer
288-0033
By Michael Dubina
Great Is His Faithfullness
do your best in school, get a good education
and when the opportunity comes - USE
IT!.’
This passage was taken from “ THE
VOICE NEW SLETTER", dated October
9. 1988, by V. Bell.
On the morning of January 22, 1990,
Mr. Lonnie Wilson went on home to be
with his Lord and Master. He will be
greatly missed by so many. Persons in the
church and in the community.
While speaking to Dr. Martin, he said
‘ * I pray that everyone or more people could
be like Mr. Wilson. Many times, when a
meeting is called or a worship service is
planned, Mr. Wilson is always punctual.
He would not feel well but you could al
ways depend on his presence and support
Many young men can learn a lot from his
example.”
Mr. W ilson’s remains have been en
trusted to the care of the Caldwell Colonial
Mortuary. A funeral service has been planned
for Friday at the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church.
The time has been set for 1:00 p.m., on
Friday, January 26, 1990. Please call --
284-1954, for further information.
All cards, calls, flowers may be sent to
Mr. & Mrs. Charles White, 255 SW Harri
son #14D, Portland, Oregon 97201.
By Mattie Ann Callier-Spears
“ Citing his love for gardening and
recording spiritual/gospel music, Mr. Lon
nie Wilson has been a long time and faithful
member of the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church.
He joined Mt. Olivet under the leader
ship of Rev. Dr. Jessie James Clow; then,
served under the leadership of Rev. Dr.
John H. Jackson and, the current pastor. Dr.
James E. Martin.
He sang baritone in the Chancel Choir.
He is, now, serving on the Deacon Board of
the church. Mr. Wilson is one of the oldest
members in the church.
He grew up in Paris, Texas and later
came to Portland, Oregon in l9 4 1 . Hew as
employed by the Union Pacific Railroad.
He worked there for 27 years, until his
retirement.
Mr. Wilson worked as the head waiter
and stationary pantryman, where he kept
track of the food inventory and filling or
ders from the commissary, when the train
was in Portland.
Mr. Wilson was married to Mrs. Alice
Wilson, until her death in 1986. He has two
lovely stepdaughters.
Mr. W ilson's advice to young people
is, ‘Put your trust in God FIRST, obey and
love your parents, treat people well and to
Health Awareness Week Attracts
Wealth Of Participants
"T ake Health to Heart—Take Action”
will be the theme o f Health Awareness
Week Jan. 22-25 at Mt. Hood Community
College, when over 30 local health-related
organizations participate in a Health Faire
from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30
p.m. in the MHCC College Center Lounge.
In addition, a series of daily forum discus
sions are scheduled at different times in the
Counseling Conference Room. Admission
is free and open to the public.
The week will feature comprehensive
health information, health screening and
food samples provided by such diverse
groups as the American Cancer Society,
Planned Parenthood, Kaiser Permanente,
Metro Crisis and the MHCC P.E. and Health
Division. A nominal fee will be charged for
some screening tests.
Topics to be discussed during forum
sessions will be AIDS, date rape, preg
nancy prevention, V.D., and eating disor
ders. The discussions will include noted
members of the local medical community.
Exclusive Factory Liquidation Sale!
The American Red Cross’ quarterly
blood drive also is scheduled during Health
Awareness Week. The winter term blood
drive is scheduled for W ednesday, Jan. 24
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Town and Gown
Room.
“ this time of year is particularly cru
cial for the Red Cross' blood supply," said
college health coordinator, Adrienne An
derson, R.N. “ The demand is always higher
during the holiday periods, so the weeks
following are important to rebuilding an
adequate supply to meet the needs of area
hospitals."
The American Red Cross accepts only
voluntary donations of blood. Donors must
be at least 17 years of age, weigh a mini
mum of 110 pounds and be in good health.
For a complete list of Health Aware
ness Week Activities, or to preregister for
the blood drive, contact Anderson in the
Health and Wellness Center at 667-7600.
Donors also may register the day o f the
drive.
Jesus Loves You!
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• (503) 284-1954
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