November 13,1991...The Portland Observer...Page 9
i Portland Observer
RELIGION
about. You see, all too often we are
influenced by the opinions and expec­
tations of those we hardly know, and by
the pervasive influence of media (news,
TV, music and movies), and we tend to
confirm to others’ ideas rather than
evaluating our lives and making our
own moral decisions.
As someone wisely said, “ If we
don’t stand for something, we will fall
for anything.” And I have seen a lot of
Christian believers who have lost their
focus, their sense of purpose for this
life, and they have fallen into destruc­
tive patterns they have later regreted.
These are not always notorious sins,
though they may lead to that. We may
be developing a pattern of prayerless-
ness, even though we value prayer. We
may be ignoring the personal needs of
our spouse orchildren, though we know
they are our most important responsi­
bilities in the course of a life-time. We
may begin to conform to the creeping
dishonesty, and rudeness, and unfaith­
fulness which characterizes so much of
our society today, though we surely
wouldn’t want people to remember us
that way. We need to live with eternal
values in view.
Now let me invite you to partici­
pate in a second “ mental exercise.”
Imagine now that you were an atten­
dant of King Agripp a, standing by qui­
etly in the court of Festus in Caesaria.
Now read Acts 25:23 through the end
of chapter 26, and pretend you are
hearing the words of Paul for the first
time. Read them aloud, if possible.
What is your estimate of this man?
Does he have a focus for his life? How
does he handle contrary opinions, and
opposition from supposed experts? Is
his commitment to Jesus Christ an at­
tractive option for your life?
This speech has been called the
Apostle’s Apologia pro Vita Sua, his
• ‘ Defense of My Life. ” It is the longest
account in the Apostle’s own words, of
his life, his conversion, and his mes­
sage. In light of his situation, arrested
and imprisoned for two years without
trial, we would not be surprised to hear
The text fo r the Sunday School
lesson (International Series) for next
Sunday is Acts 26:1-8, 22-23, 27-29.1
suggest we study the whole 26th chap­
ter o f Acts this week, and ! urge my
readers to attend Sunday School and
worship this week. With the time o f
Thanksgiving close at hand, we ought
to ask ourselves seriously: to whom do
I owe thanks, i f not God?
In his best-selling book “ The 7
Habits of Highly Effective People,”
Mr. Steven Covey invites his readers to
engage in an unusual mental exercise.
Imagine yourself attending the funeral
of a loved one. As you enter the church
or funeral chapel, you see your own
family, your closest friends, your neigh­
bors, your fellows employees, and oth­
ers you know as well. Now imagine
that somehow you can approach the
front of the chapel and glance into the
casket-and you come face to face with
your own lifeless body.
All these people are present to
remember you and your life. The pro­
gram indicates that four speakers will
be sharing their remembrances of your
life: a family member, someone you
worked with, a fellow church member
pershaps, and a neighbor. As you take
your seat (unnoticed) in the chapel, ask
yourself this question. What would I
like each of these people to be able to
truthfully say about me? How would I
like to be remembered when my life is
’ done?
You might want to take a few
minutes right now, and turn away from
this paper and make a list of some
qualities and accomplishments you
would really like to be remembered
for. Think deeply about the things that
most matter to you. Take your time.
A lot of times our lives tend to lose
their focus, their sense of direction. An
exercise like Mr. Covey’s will force us
to take stock of our lives, and ask some
penetrating questions about how we
are using our lives, and what kind of
legacy we are leaving to those we care
M allory
C hurch
3908
NE
of
C hrist
M ALLORY
AVENUE
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
doubts, or compromise, or frustration.
What we do see is a man who was
focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
unwilling to let anything else move
him from that person.
Do you know the Lord Jesus? I
don’t just mean as one great Teacher
among many, or even as a Savior. Jesus t
Christ, the Lord of the Universe and
Redeemer of humanity, deserves our
faithful dedication and trust. When we
how have experienced his love and the
pardon of our sins, focus our hearts and
minds on him, we will gain a sense of
purpose and resolve that will allow us
to live meaningful, successful liv es-
lives that will leave a legacy of hope
toour family and our community.
Do I need to tell you that many
Christians today have lost that sense of
purpose and hope? Some folks who go
to church every Sunday (or Saturday)
act and feel as defeated and confused as
those lost “ sinners” we always talk
about. We can’t get a lasting peace and
joy in living, if we don’t get down to the
root problem. And that’s our focus on
Christ. If we make him the source of
our direction, and the model for our
behavior, we will be largely freed from
the forces which try to suck us into
spiritual compromise and defeat. And
we will also be someone, like Paul the
apostle, who can stand up under trial,
and come out a winner.
James warns us that “ a double-
minded man is unstable in all his ways”
(James 1:8). If you try to live for the
Lord, but also try to focus on others’
opinions, or the fashions of the world
(and I don’t mean just dress), or the
pursuit of money, you will be unstable,
likely to fall over, and unlikely to be at
peace with yourself or anyone else.
And you will not likely be a person
remembered for strength, or love, or •
godly character. The hymnist put it
well:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in his wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow
strangely dim,
In the light of his glory and grace.
t a d i o M in is tr y E a c h S u n d a y , 1 1 :0 0 A M - K B M S
288-1092
R E S TO R IN G
N E W TESTAMENT C H R IS TIA N ITY
MONDAY STARTING AT 8:05PM
IT’S
WHERE
YOU
BELONG
CHANNEL 10
Marvin Threatt
Marvin Threatt, 52, a permanent
deacon in the Catholic diocese of San
Diego, Calif., will preach a four-day
revival in Portland Nov. 18-21. Threatt,
assistant principal at the University of
San Diego High School, will speak at
7 p.m. services at Holy Redeemer Catho­
lic Church, 25 N. Portland Blvd. Choirs
and soloists, including Goldie Irby,
will perform.
The public is invited. A reception
will follow closing services, which fo­
cus on youth, on Thursday, Nov. 21.
Ordained a deacon in 1983, the
Birmingham, Ala. native has served as
pastoral associate at Christ the King
Parish in San Diego and now ministers
at Nativity Catholic Church in that
city.
An evangelist, lecturer and moti­
vational speaker, Threat! has conducted
revivals and retreats at both the local
and national levels. He holds a BS de­
gree from the University of California
at Long Beach and a master’s degree
in religious education from the Uni­
versity of San Diego.
Threatt is past chair of the San
Diego Diocesan Commission for Black
Catholics and has served as diocesan
coordinator for implementation of the
National Black Catholic Pastoral Plan.
He is also a member of the National
Conference of Catholic Bishops Com­
mittee on Liturgy in the Black commu­
nity based in Washington, D.C.
A Vietnam veteran, the deacon,
who has three grown children, served
as a medic in the Marine Corps in
1968-69 during his 22-year tenure in
the Navy. He is currently conducting a
series of workshops on leadership and
development for welfare and eligibil­
ity workers for the Los Angeles County
Social Service Department
Threatt and his wife live in San
Diego.
The revival is sponsored by Holy
Redeemer, Immaculate Heart and Saint
Andrew Catholic churches, the Port­
land Black Catholic Lay Caucus, the
Knights and Ladies of Saint Peter Claver
and the Archdiocese of PordajflJ. Free
transportation to the revival is avail­
able by calling the sponsoring churches:
281-4429, 287-3724 or 285-4539.
Charles & Erma’s Landscaping Co.
Cargo floating on the water from
a sinking ship is called flotsam,
while the debris washed ashore is
called wreck.
MT OLIVET BAPTIST
CHURCH
WE ARE MOVING
SUNDAY SERVICES
TO
Evening Worship
and bible study
7:30 pm.
WITH PATTI LABELLE
D
Now faith is being sure of what we
hope for and certain of what we do
not see. This is what the ancients
were commended for.
By faith we understand that the
universe was formed at God’s com­
mand, so that what is seen was not
made out of what was visible.
5:00 pm.
Minister Gregory Fobbs
GOING HOME TO GOSPEL
O P R
W om en’s Bible Class
6:00 pm.
Attended nursery for all
services
W ednesday prayer meeting
U R YOUR VOICE AND SING.
Hebrews 11:1-3
Bible Study
9:30 am .
Morning Worship
10:45 am .
M en’s Training Leadership
Hebrews 11:1-3
Deacon Threatt to Preach Catholic
Revival at Holy Redeemer
What Makes Your Life Worth Living?
BY MICHAEL LINDSEY
Dean North Portland Bible College
Scripture o f the W M i
Stone Tower Church,
N.E. Sandy Blvd. & 30th
Worship Services 8:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M.
Church School 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.
Bible Study. Wednesdays, 116 N.E.Schuyler
10:30 A.M. and 6:30 P.M.
Radio Ministry each Sunday. 8:00 A.M.-KBMS
“ Handy Man”
Lawn Care - Yard Work -Trash Hauling - top Soil
Loads - Bark Dust Loads - Moving
You Name It We do It.
Reasonable Prices Excellent Work!
4419 NE Cleveland
281-1344
Jesus Loves You!
A llen Temp le CME
Ck urch
Psalm 34:3
4236 NE Eighth Avenue
(corner of 8th & Skidmore)
Portland, Oregon 97211
(503) 287-0261
Phi/Z/p 5.
Nelson Pastor
A Teaching Church With A Reaching Ministry
Dr. James E. Martin, Senior Pastor
Church Office 116 N.E. Schuyler,
ÿ a p tts i Qlíptrrh
M ollerv Avenue
Christion Church
D
i s
c
i p
l e
s
o f
C h r
&
F U N E R A L
God's Presence promises
Pouter through Jesus Christ In
Good Times and Bad Times
Family Owned and Operated
Since 1954
Serving the City of Portland
for over 37 years
In i/our hour of need
Vann &Vann are there to serve
M a tth e w 7 f:& 3
"Come to me oil you who ore
weary and heavy laden and I
will give you rest"
9:45am
11:00am
7:30pm
Sunday School
Morning Worship
Tuesday Bible
Study and Prayer
Inter-racial Congregation
D IR E C T O R S
Cleodus Vann
Denise FI. Bell. Postor
I.C. Alberto t Portland, OB 97211 t (503) 288-5173
503/281-2836
5211 N. W illia m s P o rtla n d , O r. 97217
8101 N. Fiske Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97203
Church Phon«: 2 8 9 -0 1 4 7
Sunday Service
10:45
Sunday School
9:30
Bible Study
6:00
Evening Service
7:00
Study Phon«: 2 8 9 -1 9 1 1
Pastor. Rev. James C.E. Faulkner
Them e: W h atever you're going to do
fo r th e Lord, do it now
I P eter lv.11