2A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL August 17, 2016
Wisdom Seekers meet Thursday
The benefi ts of
a humble heart
I
n Matthew 12:33, Jesus
says, “A tree is recognized
by its fruit” (NIV). The point
He is making here is that you
and I are known by the fruit in
our lives. And if we develop
the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians
5:22-23), God will be honored
and others will be drawn to Him
through us.
Humility is a major fruit we
need to develop to represent
God well in this world and to be
truly happy.
A humble person has the free-
dom to be wholly and complete-
ly who they are. They don’t have
to impress anybody. They don’t
feel pressured to be perfect or
see themselves in competition
with other people. They simply
want to be the best version of
them that they can be.
And that’s what God wants
for you and me. He doesn’t see
one person as more important
than another. He gives us each
the gifts and talents that we pos-
sess, as well as our privileges
and position in life. It all comes
from Him! So whether we are
highly gifted in some area or
we have an impressive job ti-
tle, we are no more valuable to
God than someone who seems
to have fewer talents or whose
work seems insignifi cant based
on a worldly viewpoint.
It’s so important for us to un-
derstand that our true worth and
value is not found in what we
do, but in doing what God asks
us to do. God is looking on our
hearts, our motives and attitudes,
and if our motives are not right,
then whatever we’re doing, it is
not acceptable to Him.
Jesus is our example of what it
means to have a humble heart.
The Bible says that He, “be-
ing in very nature God, did
not consider equality with God
something to be used to his own
advantage; rather, he made him-
self nothing by taking the very
nature of a servant, being made
in human likeness” (Philippians
2:6-7 NIV).
Jesus was wholly God. He
had no sin or worldly defects.
Yet He humbled Himself and
became human so He could ful-
fi ll the plan and purpose God
called Him to do on the earth.
Jesus humbled Himself to
the fullest…but look what hap-
pened.
Philippians 2:8-10 (NIV)
says, “And being found in ap-
pearance as a man, he humbled
himself by becoming obedi-
ent to death—even death on a
cross! Therefore God exalted
him to the highest place and
gave him the name that is above
every name, that at the name of
Jesus every knee should bow, in
heaven and on earth and under
the earth.”
God exalted Jesus to the high-
est place of honor in heaven.
And when you and I humble
ourselves to carry out His plan,
God lifts us up, too. (See 1 Peter
5:6.)
The Bible says that humility
comes before honor and pride
goes before destruction (Prov-
erbs 15:33; 16:18). And from
time to time, we can expect God
to test us in the area of humil-
ity.
Maybe you work at a place
where you’re the only Christian
and most days it’s unpleasant to
be there. Maybe you’d prefer
to take another job, which you
could, but you know in your
heart that God put you there
for this season in your life, and
you’re going to stay because it’s
where God needs you.
Maybe someone you know
has mistreated you and you’d
love to get them back, but you’re
doing the right thing and wait-
ing on God, praying He’ll bless
them, because you trust God to
bring about justice in your life.
We need these kinds of situ-
ations salt-and-peppered into
our lives every now and then.
The truth is we just can’t seem
to stay humble if all we have are
blessings and success, because
we start to think it’s all about
us!
Out of all the Christian vir-
tues, humility is probably the
most diffi cult to develop. It’s
something that has to be worked
into us, just like a seed needs to
be watered and nurtured in order
to grow. We need to study hu-
mility in the Bible, spend time
with God, and go through tests
where we have to apply it. But
it’s so worth it!
Matthew 11:28-29 tells us
that through humility, we fi nd
rest for our souls.
When God asks you to hum-
ble yourself time and time again
and you feel like there’s abso-
lutely no way you can continue
to do it, lean on Him to receive
the strength you need.
God has so much that He
wants to do in your life. He
wants to give you favor and
bless you in amazing ways. But
fi rst, you have to humble your-
self and show Him that you’ll
do whatever He asks you to do
with those blessings. Otherwise
you run the risk of hurting oth-
er people, rather than helping
them see the beauty of the lov-
ing, faithful, giving God that we
serve.
Make a determined decision
to humble yourself, like Christ
showed us to do. Develop this
beautiful fruit of the Spirit – by
His grace – and enjoy the many
benefi ts it brings to your life!
Cottage Grove’s Wisdom
Seekers Club meets at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 18 (monthly on
the third Thursday) at the Heal-
ing Matrix, located at Seventh
and Main Streets downtown.
The group offers a “comfort-
able and invigorating conversa-
tion (with free cookies!), about
Mark h omas
1932-2016
science, philosophy, and almost
anything else you might be in-
terested in.” It is hosted by lo-
cal astronomer Steve Kilston.
This week, they will explore the
question of “Is wisdom’s ulti-
mate goal to fi gure out and feel
what is real and how we should
act?”
Mark h omas of Cottage Grove,
OR has gone to the spirit world. He
passed away on July 29 at his home
at the age of 84. A Memorial gather-
ing and potluck will be held at 1:00
PM on Saturday, August 27, at the
London Grange. , 71387 London Rd.
Mark was born on April 25, 1932, in
Kenel, South Dakota to Philip and
Emilia h omas. He was educated in
his early years at Saint Bernard’s Mission School in Fort Yates,
ND. Mark married Ella Jean Nation on June 3, 1952 in Fort
Yates, ND. Mark always had a project going, and enjoyed help-
ing others. He is survived by his 3 children: daughter, Wyola
(h omas) Valandra of Grand Rapids, MI; son, Mark h omas, Jr.
of Springi eld, OR; and daughter, Candice h omas of Bismarck,
ND. He is also survived by two sisters, Mary (h omas) Holzer
of Bismarck, ND and Gertrude (h omas) Vennis of Minot, ND;
brother, Clemence h omas of Bismarck, ND; two sisters-in-law,
Judy h omas of Detroit Lakes, MN and Shirley Nation, Albany,
OR; brother-in-law, Bill Applewhite, Walterville, OR; 6 grand-
children, 7 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchil-
dren. h ere are also many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and a
very special friend, Janice Wojick, as well as many other special
friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; 2
brothers, John h omas and Philip h omas, Jr.; 4 brothers-in-
law, and 5 sisters-in-law. In lieu of l owers, Memorial contribu-
tions may be made to the Wounded Warriors program.
Please sign the Guest book at www.smithlundmills.com.
Pickers seeking
items for TV show
Hosts Mike
Wolfe and
Frank Fritz
are looking
for items they
may never
have seen
before.
T
he History Channel’s American Pickers will be com-
ing to Oregon and are looking for leads throughout the
state. For those who don’t know, American Pickers follows
two expert antique pickers around the country in search for
lost relics. Their goal is to rescue, recycle and restore a lot of
historical artifacts.
According to Natasha Moore, casting associate for the show,
they are looking for anything and everything with rich his-
tory. The “what” is easy, but it’s the “how” that American
Pickers likes to dive into.
“We’re really interested in human stories, how the item got
into the possession of the owner,” Moore said.
The hosts of the show, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, are ex-
pert antique pickers that have seen a lot of historical artifacts
throughout the time the show has been on the air. Therefore
they are looking for really unique items and things that they
may have never seen before.
Anyone that has a collection or accumulation of antiques can
send their name, phone number, location and description of
the collection with photos to americanpickers@cinefl ix.com
or can call 855-old-rust (653-7878).
SENIOR
MEALS
PROGRAMS
Offering Meals on Wheels and
Cafe 60 at the following loca-
tions:
Anyone age 60 and older is
served, regardless of income,
suggested donation is $3.
Guests under age 60 are wel-
come to attend for $8 per meal.
Cottage Grove Riverview Ter-
race
925 W. Main St., Cottage
Grove
Noon: Tuesday-Thursday
Creswell Cresview Villa
350 S. 2nd St., Creswell
Noon: Monday, Wednesday,
Friday
Celebrating our
6 YEAR
ANNIVERSARY!
Grant Gording, BC-HIS
Jenna Buetow
Board Certifi ed in
Hearing Instrument Sciences
Hearing Consultant
Bring in this coupon to receive a
free pack of batteries.
Expires June 30th.
FREE Hearing Screenings
FREE Hearing Aid Checks & Cleanings
Just call to schedule an appointment!
Grant's Hearing 1498
Center
E. Main St., CG
www.grantshearing.com
541-942-8444
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Monday, Aug 22: Sweet/Sour
Turkey w/Rice or Diced Beef &
Penne Pasta
Tuesday, Aug. 23: White
Chicken Chili or Macaroni and
Cheese
Wednesday, Aug 24: Turkey a
la King or Beef w/Peppers and
Onions
Drain/Yoncalla area
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Funeral & Memorial Planning
e Funeral & Memorial Planning e Cremation Options e
Cremation Options
e Monuments
& Memorials & e Memorials
Cemetery Options e
Monuments
Cemetery Options
Served at 400 Main St., Yon-
calla.
(For Douglas County Meals on
Wheels eligibility, call 541-
440-3677.)
Suggested donation $3.50
Please Celebrate the 4th of July Safely!
Thursday, Aug. 18: Chili Meat-
balls w/Noodles
Friday, Aug. 19: Asian Chicken
Mini Salad
Tuesday, Aug. 23: Turkey
Divan Bake or Macaroni and
Cheese
123 South 7th,
Cottage Grove, Oregon
th
123
South
7
,
Cottage
Grove, Oregon
541-942-0185 •www.smithlundmills.com
z
www.smithlundmills.com
Thursday, Aug. 18: Turkey
Salad or Tuna Salad Sandwich
Half w/Split Pea Soup
Friday, Aug. 19: Furlough
Day/No lunch
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Urban Kitchen
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