Our Brief History-The Really Early Days by Terry J. Gardner

A Brief History of the East Side / Irvington / Southeastern Church of Christ

The Really Early Days (1924-1963)

By Terry J. Gardner

 

On 10 April 1924 the East Side Church of Christ had its first meeting with 15 members in a rented room on East Washington Street. Many of those who began with the new congregation were transplanted southerners.  Elders were appointed almost at once and they were J. C. Hazel, E. E. Ward, W. F. Money and A. L. Russel.  The Elders and others with ability did the teaching and preaching. Occasionally a traveling evangelist would visit East Side and he would be invited to preach.  The first known occasion of this occurring was William Ellmore who visited Indianapolis in July of 1924.  J. W. Vandivier filed this news report:

 

The writer was with the East Side congregation July 27, and heard a splendid sermon by Bro. Wm. Ellmore, of Covington, Ind.  Had a good basket dinner in the park and got a good drenching.  We were all “strictly in it.”  After dinner all broke for home, but got caught in another rain on the way.  Everybody [was] happy however.  Bro. Ellmore spoke again in the evening.

 

The new congregation met on East Washington Street, between Grant and Chester.  The first fifteen members were William Money, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Money, Ivy L. Elmore, Rue Elmore, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest E. Krutsinger, Austin Russell, J. C. Hazel, Beatress Hazel, Mollie Jared, Coye Moss, Fay Kranz, Lora Moss and the mother of Coye, Faye and Lora.

 

East Side enjoyed a slow but steady growth.  On 15 August 1925 the band of disciples moved to the Red Men’s Hall located at 3851 East New York Street. The new location was easily accessible by bus and streetcar. The congregation continued to use “local talent” and an occasional traveling evangelist to teach, preach and edify.  In June of 1925 E. G. Creacy held a gospel meeting at East Side that resulted in “36 additions.” By 1929, just five years after its beginning the congregation numbered more than one hundred members.  The congregation also purchased a “splendid lot” to build their own meeting house.  Many southerners continued to move the Indianapolis in search of employment and East Side made it clear that they would “find a hearty welcome at our place!” “There is,” C. G. Vincent wrote, “no North or South, for Christianity knows no geographical lines.”

 

Clarence Guthrie Vincent was born 10 January 1881 in Oldham County, near Louisville, Kentucky.  John T. Hawkins, a Christian Church preacher, immersed eighteen-year-old Vincent into Christ in 1899. Vincent learned the printer’s trade in 1901 entered James A. Harding’s Potter Bible College in Bowling Green, Kentucky where he paid for education by hard labor.  Vincent spent five and a half years at Potter and then returned to Louisville where he “took two and a half years’ work in the Southern Baptist Seminary.” Vincent also studied “logic and hermeneutics under” M. C. Kurfees.

 

Clarence preached his first sermon in 1904 at Fountain Head, Tennessee.  Next, C. G. preached for the Cameron Avenue Church in Detroit, Michigan.  Vincent married Hannah Klingman (a sister to a number of well known preachers) and in November of 1911 they sailed for Japan where they remained for five years as missionaries.

 

During the First World War the Vincents spent eight months in welfare work among American soldiers in England and France.  C. G. Vincent then was a successful preacher with a number of local congregations including Thayer Street in Akron, Ohio (1926-1929).  It was from Akron that the Vincents moved to Indianapolis on May 29, 1929. C. G. Vincent’s first Sunday at East Side was June 2^nd and he delivered three sermons to “large audiences,” in spite of the rain.  Vincent recorded this impression of the East Side Church writing, “The East Side congregation numbers about one hundred and thirty members, and we believe that they have a mind to work.”

 

Through the influence of C. G. Vincent, the former missionary to Japan, the East Side congregation began to develop an interest in missions.  On 28 July 1929 the East Side congregation hosted Herman J. Fox and his family.  Fox spoke at both morning and evening services and told of his eight years as a missionary to Japan.  The Fox family was about to return to Japan and the “East Side Church was glad to have fellowship with them and to assure them of [their] abiding interest and … prayers.” Vincent himself often gave his “illustrated lecture” on Japan to congregations in Indiana and Illinois. The purpose these lectures were to secure funding for the Japanese missionaries.

 

On 13 January 1930, C. G. Vincent looked back on 1929 as a year of “normal growth.” The goal for 1930 was “to do greater things” and Vincent wrote, “It is our aim to grow in grace, knowledge, usefulness, and numbers—in the fear of God and in favor with man.” As 1930 progressed East Side continued it steady growth.  In February Vincent wrote, “Three—two by baptism and one by letter.  The attendance and interest are good.”

 

From 5 May 1930 through 22 May 1930 a young Leslie G. Thomas preached the gospel at East Side.  Thomas, was the minister of the Lewisburg, Tennessee congregation and they supported him through the meeting. Thomas wrote of the meeting, “Charles W. Jack, of Crawfordsville, Ind., conducted the song service and I did the preaching.  At the request of that congregation, my home congregation sent me there, and Brother Jack freely gave of his time and talent.” C. G. Vincent wrote of the brethren in Lewisburg’s willingness to send Leslie Thomas to Indianapolis at their expense that indicated, “a fine and generous spirit” and that he was “very thankful” for this kindness.

 

Early in the life of the congregation they developed a sense of history.  On the second Sunday in April of 1930 special talks were given to review the past and to look toward the future.  This date was the sixth anniversary of the congregation’s foundation.  J. C. Hazel and Charles Dean gave talks on “The Past and Present.”  Russell S. King and C. G. Vincent spoke on “The Future Of Our Work.”

 

As 1930 turned into 1931 the effects of the Depression became severe.  On 3 February 1931 the elders and ministers met to discuss the safest banks into which to deposit the congregations funds.  At the time both the Building Fund and Current Fund were deposited in the Forty Second Street State Bank.  During the meeting it was agreed to transfer the Building Fund into either the Fletcher American or Indiana National Bank.

 

C. G. Vincent was another casualty of the Depression.  This notice appeared in the 1931 Gospel Advocate:

 

J. C. Hazel and E. E. Ward, elders of the East Street church of Christ, Indianapolis, Ind., commend Brother and Sister C. G. Vincent to any church in need of their services.  Brother Vincent has labored with the church in Indianapolis two years.  The church there is small and the business depression has made it impossible for them to adequately support a regular preacher.  For this reason Brother Vincent is available for work elsewhere.  He should be addressed at 24½ North Chester Avenue, Indianapolis, Ind.

 

Shortly after the departure of C. G. Vincent, Emmet G. Creacy of Horse Cave was called to Indianapolis for a Gospel Meeting in June of 1931. Creacy reported the results of his evangelistic efforts writing, “thirty-six responses—twenty-one baptized, eight restorations, and seven by statement.”  E. G. Creacy’s interest in the young congregation continued and through his influence a young Hugo McCord moved to Indianapolis on 18 March 1934 remaining until 22 November 1936 and doing a good work leading many to Christ including a young Earl Irvin West who at age 23 became the local preacher on 3 October 1943.  West would preach for the congregation for ten years.

 

In 1937 the congregation acquired their first permanent building located on Layman Avenue and the congregation soon changed its name from East Side to Irvington.  The first service at Layman Avenue was on 27 June 1937.  E. G. Creacy preached the first sermon and the same day took the confession and immersed Mr. & Mrs. Walter E. Henderson.  Among the preachers during our history at Irvington were J. E. Alexander (1938-40); C. G. Caldwell, Sr. (1940-43); Earl West (1943-1953); Cecil Willis (1953-1957); Paul V. Dobson (1957-1960); S. P. Lowry (1960-61); and John W. Smith (1962-1963).

 

Plans for growth and expansion led to our move to the current location where first service took place on 19 April 1964 with Bible School attendance of 286 and with 314 at the morning worship.  Today much will be shared about our history from 1964 until now.  May we reflect on the past but look by faith into the future.

Shepherd Selection 2014-An Exercise in Spiritual Growth?

Selecting Shepherds in 2014: Can It Be an Exercise in Spiritual Growth?

 

The elders are using this week’s blog entry to address a matter of our congregational life together, maybe a bit of departure from our usual use of this space.

 

This is the year for what has become our biannual shepherd selection process. This year, Brian Potts’s and John Wright’s current terms are coming to a close, and should they desire to continue, their service will be brought up for reaffirmation.  Additionally, we would like to open up the opportunity for new elders to be appointed.

 

In 2004, we began using a system for shepherd selection that was predicated on a number of principles:

 

• That the congregation as a whole should be involved in selecting its leaders (and would want to be involved);
• That the congregation as a whole—prayerfully, having been reminded of the scriptural teachings on leadership among God’s people—was wise enough to see who among us is following in the steps of Jesus in a way that the rest of us want to follow him;
• That God through his Spirit could and would superintend such a process as we bathed the process in prayer;
• That being appointed an elder was not like being appointed to a Federal judgeship: no one was to serve longer than four years without the congregation prayerfully reaffirming that this is someone who is leading us in the steps of Jesus;
• That through participating in the process, all members would be able to feel that our elders were not “the church’s” elders, but “our” elders.

 

We’re ten years down the line in using that procedure with a tweak or two here or there. Integral to the process is that the congregation is asked to nominate men deemed qualified to serve. Full participation by the church family is key to the success of the system.

 

One of the things that is concerning to the current elders is the perceived drop over the years in the number of people who participate in the nominating process:

 

In 2004, 102 people turned in nomination forms

 

In 2006, 91 people turned in nomination forms

 

In 2008, 85 people turned in nomination forms

 

In 2010, 65 people turned in nomination forms

 

No individuals received a sufficient number of nominations to be considered “called out” by the congregation to serve

 

In 2012, 88 people turned in nomination forms (although 25 of those checked the box that they did not see anyone in their prayerful deliberations that they wished to nominate)

 

Again, no individuals received a sufficient number of nominations to be considered “called out” by the congregation to serve

 

The concern is this: What does the drop in participation (and the accompanying reality that no individuals are receiving sizable numbers of nominations) mean? Does it represent a lack of faith in the procedure? Or, does it mean that the congregation is being very careful in its prayerful assessment of potential elders? Or, is it a sign of an even deeper issue, that we are so disconnected as a congregation that we really would not even be able know who is and who is not qualified to serve as an elder? Has the present process just become a popularity contest, a congregational equivalent to a class election?

 

This is a topic the elders are prayerfully discussing among themselves right now. In coming weeks, we will be proposing some changes to the current procedure in an effort to increase your participation and to better be able to identify those whom God has prepared to lead Southeastern. And in coming weeks, we will be looking for some input from you on how to make our shepherd selection process something that truly enhances the life of this church.

 

We ask you to carefully and prayerfully consider your personal responsibility and participation in the process. All members, from the youngest to the oldest are encouraged to invest themselves in the care and development of our church family.

 

If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to discuss it with any of your elders.

The Compass by Mike DeCamp

The Compass

By Michael R. DeCamp

Born, endless roads yet unfollowed

The paths of life still mine to travel

Pain and strife beset those before me

Threatening foggy trails of upheaval

“Love God,” your words were like a compass

Pointing my heart like a needle

Parting the clouds to the horizon

For toddling feet, the trail was level

A child is too young to travel alone

A star was sent to light my way

Not my mother, she guided none the less

She enlightened the path into the fray

I walked and grew, grew and walked

Not yet a man, no longer a boy

The road had forks, enticing diversions

Compass forgotten, life to enjoy

Friends were sent to set my foot right

Words of faith, friendship, and direction

“Do you believe?” they asked “Will you keep walking?”

“Oh yes,” I said, immersed in reflection

Retrieving my compass, I cast my eyes forward

The road is long, and not for the sprinter

“I see it!” I said.  “I know where I’m going!”

The horizon comes on without drawing nearer

Alone on the road, I was given a heart

A heart to hold, cherish, or squander

“Will you?” I asked.  “I will,” she replied

“I’ll hold it,” I said, “and cherish it yonder”

We took up the path, walking together

United both hearts and minds

Soon, we were four and onward we traveled

Compass in mind, but forgotten sometimes

The road became dusty and hard to decipher

Sometimes it would wind, rise, and wander

Sometimes it grew lonely, dusty, and scattered.

“Am I going the right way?” I would pause and wonder

I have traveled that road from there to here

The forks still enticing as ever

But, I’ve still not reached my true destination

The road stretches on, and on; seems forever

I no longer claim to know its end

And still the path sometimes grows gray

But, when I’m unsure, not knowing the next step…

You stoop to my ear, whisper, and say:

“Look higher my son, and remember your compass.”

Dedicated to:

Emma Ogletree, the “Star” who introduced me to church

Mike Runcie & Neil Parsons, the youth ministers who “set my foot right”

Nancy DeCamp, the “Heart” I will always “cherish”

And especially dedicated to…

Ralph R. DeCamp, my father, and the man who gave me my “Compass.”

L to R: Mike DeCamp, Ralph DeCamp, David DeCamp

Health Ministry Newsletter-March 2014 by Lisa Fleetwood

Meaningful Movement

Mark 16:15 (NIV), “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” (emphasis mine)

Jesus gave his disciples a charge. He commissioned them to be people of action; going, doing, sharing, seeking, finding, healing, and helping. Have you ever considered the physical energy required to do God’s will?

When Isaiah heard the Lord was looking for a volunteer, he jumped at the chance to help, even before he knew the assignment, shouting, “SEND ME.”

Isaiah 6:8 (ESV) “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Would you answer in the same way? Today, our hearts are willing but are our bodies able? With epidemic rates of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, our willingness may be dampened by physical limitations. This doesn’t have to be the case. Beginning a routine that incorporates meaningful movement will strengthen your body, increase your stamina, and even sharpen your mind. In doing so, we will develop our physical bodies making them not only willing but also physically able to do the “work” of our Father.

Let us begin 2014 by readying both our minds and bodies to be people of action. Then we will be prepared as was Isaiah to shout, “Here am I! Lord send me.” Remember 1 John as you consider your responsibility to action.

1 John 3:18 (NIV) “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

Starting Your Exercise Routine

1. Consult your doctor before starting any exercise regimen.

2. Prepare. We are always short on time yet we always make time to chauffer, clean, and work. Physical health IS a priority. Schedule it on the calendar and honor your appointment as you would any other.

3. Start slowly. Do much less than what you’re capable of. Take a 20-minute walk if you’re returning to exercise. It is better to start slowly and avoid injury than to be sidelined and discouraged by sore muscles.

4. Where are your friends? Sparkpeople, web-based health, lists motivation, inspiration, determination, and conversation as four keys to success. Surround yourself with friends who will support this kind of journey.

5. Praise God. Paul compared his Christ-walk with running many times. It may be difficult, but it’s so worth it! Consider this as part of your faith journey and push forward even when you would rather not!

EXERCISE

DO'S

Do choose activities you enjoy; the best activities for you are the ones you’ll do.

Do get an exercise buddy or accountability partner to keep you honest.

Do start off moderately, with a few minutes of exercise, and slowly increase.

Do drink lots of water before, during and after your workout.

Do cool down after exercising to relax your muscles and gradually lower your heart rate.

DON'TS

Don’t begin exercising without warming up first to prepare your body and mind.

Don’t try to race someone or get competitive when you are just starting out – you’ll risk injury.

Don’t obsess over weight loss; concentrate on getting fit and using energy, and the weight loss will come in time.

Don’t let yourself get bored – add new activities to your routine.

Don’t forget about good nutrition. Eat a variety of foods every day, color your plate with as many different vegetables and fruits and consider supplements to ensure complete nutrition and attain your optimal health.

Source: Sean Foy, Daniel Plan

Exercise ideas

Brisk walking or jogging

Yard work (mowing, raking, digging)

Dancing

Lifting weights

Swimming

Biking

Climbing stairs or hills

Playing tennis

Playing basketball

Standing on one foot

Heel-to-toe walk

Tai Chi

Shoulder and upper arm stretch

Calf stretch

Yoga

Zumba

Using a resistance band

Stretching

For questions contact us at lfleetwood@ecommunity.com or llauderdale@ecommunity.com .

Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faithhealthinitiative.

Hebrews 12:1 ESV “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

Slow to Speak by Craig Hill

This past Tuesday near Roanoke, Virginia at my client’s offices, my co-worker and I were called to a meeting about special pricing, but weren’t told why we were asked to the meeting. As I rounded the corner into the conference room table area, I saw that there were about 10 people already there, including two Vice Presidents. I figured we might be in for an ambush.

And we were. Last summer, at this client, we had worked hard to get someone to work with us to set up their pricing, but we ran into a lot of trouble. No one in the business area wanted to get involved with the new software implementation project. We raised the issue with the president of the company, but to no avail. Someone from the information technology area got assigned instead of the people who really set pricing in the sales areas.

Last fall the president had raised an issue with their special pricing process, and we were asked to help. But again we couldn’t get anyone to work with us. Two of the people that wouldn’t work with us were eventually let go, but still no progress.

Now, we are about to go live with the new software and are entering the testing phase with no time left for new development. But here we were in a meeting with 10 people about special pricing with 2 VP’s. And they pressed us to develop a solution. We explained it would be difficult, and would take one of their people in the sales area committing themselves to learning the software. It would take about 60 hours of effort on their part and our part. And as the project manager responsible for launching the software on time, I had to explain that we were out of time to take on this problem now that we had to test and go live with what had already been developed. That we didn’t have time to take this special pricing problem on now, or it would delay our go live.

But as I started to explain the problem, one of the VP’s, Joe, cut me off. He raised his voice and starting yelling at me. He said, “You’re not listening. You don’t understand that this will cripple our order entry department, and you better do what I am telling you.” But I had listened. And many times, not just in the meeting I was in, but in meetings the day before, and the day before that. And I hadn’t said more than half a sentence in this meeting before he cut me off.

I drew on my teachings and my experience with yellers: yellers such my football coaches, previous managers, and myself. I’ve studied a lot about anger, because I suffer from it. And I’ve studied a lot about how to deal with them.

Number 1 – make sure you are listening, and after you have listened repeat back to them what they are saying to you. James 1: 19 – “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen . . .” Make sure the yeller knows that they have been heard.

I said, “Joe, you don’t need to yell at me.” And I tried to explain, but he continued repeating himself in an intense manner. I remained calm and let him talk for a while longer – which is rule #2 and #3: Be slow to speak and be slow to anger.

Finally, I said, “I’ve listened to you, now would you listen to me?” He said yes. I said, “I understand that the current special pricing process needs to be improved. The way it works today is not efficient, causing customers to not get the discounts they are entitled to, and it requires a lot of rework and credits being granted after the fact. I am not saying that the process shouldn’t be improved. I am not saying it is not important. I am saying we don’t have time to work on this now, or we will delay the project. We should work on it after we get the software already developed live and in place.”

The rest of James 1: 19 goes like this “. . . slow to speak and slow to become angry,” I had successfully waited about 20 minutes into a 30 minute meeting to make my point. I had spent 20 minutes listening to a point I had already heard about 5 times over the past 9 months. I was doing okay, and much better than I usually do. Many times in my life, I’ve butt in, and insisted on being heard, and I’d gotten mad when someone yelled at me.

But I’ve learned anger does more harm than good. That it ruins relationships and hurts you and other people. On February 11, 2007, Keith Stillinger said it to me this way, “Anger at someone is really anger at God, saying we are upset with God about our circumstances.”  And God loves us too much to want to hurt us.  I need to be diligent in my love to him and other people, even if they are yelling at me.

Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.”

And the next 2 verses in James 1 (verse 20 and 21) say, “because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

And Joe, the VP of Customer Service heard me, and he apologized for yelling at me. And the other VP in the room, Sam, said, “Craig, you make a good point. And we need to see who can work with you and your team to learn the software before we ask you to do this. Let us think about this and get back to you.”

After the meeting, the other VP, Sam, came to me and said he was impressed by how I handled Joe. Sam said, “Joe has often done that to me, and he’s gotten under my skin. Then I’ve gotten angry also. You stayed calm and unwavering. You handled that very well.” Little did he know it’s taken 53 years of practice, learning, and countless failures to be able to accomplish this. It was Jesus, my friends, and my family that have taught me to not get angry and to be patient in listening. My wife Regina has been patient with me, and shown me this countless times in her actions, in her dealings with me, and with many others. And it’s been a good lesson, and one I still strive to model in my life.  So be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

History Connects Us by John Wright

History Connects Us

by John Wright                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

            Four weeks ago, while at Ralph and Alice Brown's house, Ben Cushing Sr. said "history connects us." Ben was referring to our fiftieth anniversary Sunday that is coming up April 13th. That statement struck a chord with me as I was thinking about what unites us as members of the Church that has been meeting here for the last 50 years. Why does the past matter?  Does the past or history of the human race really connect us? As members of the Human race are we really very different from one another? The Bible teaches us that we are all from one blood line descended from Adam and we are also descended from one of the sons of Noah, either Shem, Ham, or Japheth. This brief review of human history as it unfolded in scripture teaches us that it is not our humanity that bonds and connects us together, instead it is our creator who maintains a connection to us. God has always been involved in the affairs of men.

            Now back to us at Southeastern Church of Christ, fifty years may not seem to be a very long time but in terms of our lifetime it is a huge deal. Any person who was forty years of age or older in 1964 has by now passed away. There are very few still with us that were adults when we moved from Irvington into our new building. One of the most obvious things we can immediately see is that we are connected by our mortality. History does, after all, teach us that we will die. I am not usually this morbid, and I am not defeated even though I am living in a body that continues to be in decline. History teaches us that we have a grand heritage passed on from one generation to the next. Our heritage is to love God and keep his commandments.

            I do believe that history does connect us in so many ways that gives us a common bond somewhere eventually through the annals of time, but that is not what I want to explore here. I want to look at the greatest connection we have, the one with our loving God. At Southeastern we believe that God loves us with a supernatural love, and because he has loved us so completely we want to love our fellow man the same way God has loved us. Our history is one of service to one another and putting others before ourselves, it is a behavior we have learned from God himself and his son Jesus Christ. Mankind has an innate drive to find the God connection, often looking in all the wrong places. Regardless of our actions God is always near!

            I want to look at a story in the Bible about one of God's most devoted followers who gave up on life, yet God did not give up on him. 1 Kings 19 tells us the story of how Elijah became very discouraged and he prayed to God that he should die saying "I am no better than my ancestors." God sent an Angel to strengthen him, and God sent him on a journey. When Elijah arrived at his destination God spoke to him and told Elijah to explain his behavior. Elijah explained he had done everything God had told him to do but he still was a failure. God said go outside for I am about to pass by, then a powerful wind tore the mountain apart, but the Lord was not in the wind. Then there was an earthquake but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire there was a gentle whisper. The lesson I think Elijah needed to learn was doing great things in the name of the Lord was not the way to connect with God. Do not go looking for God in all the wrong places, instead he can be found within us where he has put his gentle whisper.

            The gentle whisper of Jesus Christ says "come unto me all that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest, for my burden is easy and my yoke is light and you shall find rest unto your soul." The journey of mankind comes full circle through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Adam had an eternal friendship with God until the fall. Everyone who follows and obeys Jesus have a restored eternal friendship with God. History does connect us in a unique way, we cannot know where we are going until we know where and whose we have been.

            Church, we need to learn the right lessons from history.  As the Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 6:9, " Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

"Happiness": What does it mean to you? by Frank Black

“HAPPINESS”:  What does it mean to you?

(F. Black)

 

      I know what most of you are thinking.  You may be thinking:

“What now?”  “What a lame topic to write about.”  “I know where you’re going with this.”  …….   Please bear with me dear readers. 

 

      Over time the meaning, the connotation of words change.  Such it is with the word “HAPPY” [or “HAPPINESS’].  One of the most famous uses of the word “Happiness” is in our own Declaration of Independence.  It was chiefly penned by Thomas Jefferson and was ratified on July 4, 1776.  You are all too familiar with these words: 

 

“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” 

 

The word “happy” or “happiness” had an entirely different connotation when Jefferson wrote this.  During his time the word had a much deeper meaning than it does today. Today it’s not only overused and trivialized, but the meaning lends itself to more of a ‘temporary emotional feeling’ as well as relating to something more superficial.  You may be “happy” because:

 “The Pacers won.”; “I have a new car.”; “It didn’t rain on our picnic.”; “I’m leaving on vacation tomorrow.”; “The biopsy report was benign.”

 

You can readily see that the word is not only overused, but it has basically lost its significance.  It is used to mean everything from the mundane to the serious – from the trivial to the sublime. 

 

At the time of the writing of the Declaration of Independence, the connotation of “happiness” was one of an overall contentment or fulfillment – of being blessed – the highest good for someone.  It had the implication of something lasting and permanent – a state of mind.  Also the meaning was more than just a personal happiness, for it also dealt somewhat with the corporate society.  You can now see the rather stark difference in yesteryear’s and today’s use of the word “Happy” [“Happiness”].

[By the way, the Declaration of Independence says that we have the right of the “Pursuit” of happiness.  This doesn’t mean happiness would be achieved – only the right of pursuit.]

 

Okay Frank, this is a nice lesson on the etymology of the word “Happy”; but WHY IS THIS IN OUR CHURCH BULLETIN?  Before I tell you the “WHY?”, here’s how J.B. Phillips renders the “Beatitudes” of Matthew chapter 5. 

 

If you’ve not read Phillips’ version before, but having read the above, you will now understand why he uses “Happy” as he did.   He equates the more familiar translations using “BLESSED” with the word “HAPPY”.

 

“How happy are those who know their need for God, for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs!

How happy are those who know what sorrow means, for they will be given courage and comfort!

Happy are those who claim nothing, for the whole earth will belong to them!

Happy are those who are hungry and thirsty for true goodness, for they will be fully satisfied!

Happy are the merciful, for they will have mercy shown to them!

Happy are the utterly sincere, for they will see God!

Happy are those who make peace, for they will be known as sons of God!

Happy are those who have suffered persecution for the cause of goodness, for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs!”

 

 

MY MAIN POINT:

 

      Because the meaning of the word “Happiness” has changed, I think many in our country interpret the phrase,  “ …….and the pursuit of happiness” to mean their personal happiness.  In other words, “I should be free to do what I want because it makes me happy.” Currently our country seems to be rapidly departing from a Biblical standard in determining actions and laws.  This view seems extremely dangerous.  Without a Godly standard, what’s left?  What’s left are decisions made by focus groups, by who can make the most noise the longest, by the popular, by who is the most “politically correct”, and unfortunately usually by the minority. 

 

     Never doubt it!  We are the majority à we who believe in God’s standards – made clear in the Bible.  May we think, speak, and act accordingly. 

 

**  Quote from Rick Warren:

      “God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making it happy.  Certainly we can be happy here on Earth, but that’s not the goal of life.  The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.”

Our Friend Chi Chi by Chris Kirby

Our Friend Chi Chi

This past weekend Jack had a friend from school with him. His name is Chi Chi.  Chi Chi is a stuffed gorilla who goes home with different kids from his class each weekend. On Sunday evening you write a short report about what the class pet did with your family during his stay. It was a relatively normal weekend for us. Jack had a basketball game, we played in the snow for a bit, goofed off around the house, went to church, and so on.

 

But, here’s something that I found funny about the weekend. Having Chi Chi, a stuffed gorilla, made me just a bit more aware of how we spent our time. I didn’t care what Chi Chi thought.  He has stuffing for brains (sorry Jack, I hope that didn’t hurt your feelings).  However, I was very aware of what Jack’s teacher and class would think about our weekend. For whatever reason, I just felt like it would be underwhelming for Jack’s friends to hear that Chi Chi watched Jack play his DS and play in the snow.  So, we made sure we did a few extra things. Not big things, but just slightly different than normal. We built a tent in the play room (Chi Chi is guarding the tent in the picture above), the kids had ice cream for dinner one night (Valentine’s Day special) and we let Chi Chi camp on the floor in Jack’s room. It wasn’t anything overly big in the end, but I was definitely more aware of our actions than normal.

 

So, what’s the point? How different would we live life if we knew we had an audience? Would we allow ourselves to waste as much time? Would we go the same places as normal and have all the same priorities? Or, would we find ways to be “impressive”? Now, don’t misconstrue what I’m saying. I don’t want you to think that we need to do things in such a way that draws attention to ourselves. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. In a Spirit-led life, we are called to do things that bring honor to God. To do so, we worship God, love Him with all we have, and love those around us (Mark 12:29-31). And, in fact, we do have an audience each day. One of the awesome things about being a follower of God is the fact that he chooses to dwell in each of us through his Spirit (John 14:15-18). Not only is God our audience, but He is the director of our time when we allow him to take the reins.

 

Knowing those two things, doesn’t that give us a responsibility to live out a life that really matters? It doesn’t mean that we always have to do the “amazing,” it means that we are called to walk daily with the One who IS amazing. It means that we are called to do the little things each day that reflect how Jesus would engage a situation. It means that each action we take should be one that honors God in a genuine way. It means that if someone followed us throughout the course of a day they would know that our priority is to be an ambassador to bring God’s grace and hope into this world. I guess, at the end of the day, we should live in a way that would impress Chi Chi without doing anything out of the ordinary because our ordinary is all about Kingdom Business!  

Health Ministry Newsletter-Feb 2014 by Lisa Fleetwood

Jesus our Model for Stress Management

John 14:27 (ESV) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Jesus gave us peace. What kind of peace? Don’t miss this. He gave us HIS peace. What kind of peace did Jesus have?

Matthew 26:36-38 “Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’”

Jesus did feel overwhelmed and had great sorrow “to the point of death.” Well what kind of peace did he have then? Isn’t peace a calm serenity and tranquility? Our worldly view of peace is not exactly what God promised.

Jesus prayed three times to avoid the pain he knew was coming but in those same three prayers he asked for God’s will to be done. His peace came in trusting submission to God’s will. He never fell apart. He never lashed out in anger. He never prompted others to retaliate on his behalf. He was at peace knowing that while circumstances would be difficult, God would be glorified and a greater purpose would be served. How he obeyed, reacted, trusted, loved, and forgave said everything about his kind of peace. He never had turmoil. He reacted rationally, thoughtfully, lovingly.

1 Peter 2:23 (NIV) “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” 

Much can be learned from Jesus’ experience with arguably the most stressful experience of his life. By evaluating his actions, we can learn how to process stress in our own lives.

Let’s look at how Jesus handled stress.

1. He socialized. When he knew a stressful situation was near, he took the time to be with the people he loved. Strengthening his relationships and fellowshipping with his brothers no doubt was a source of strength. Matthew 26:18 said he “celebrated.” He also took this time to prepare his brothers for what was to come. When stress comes, we can withdraw from others and certainly avoid planning a party. Why then didn’t Jesus? He saw the value in eating a meal and sharing quality time with his dearest friends. He used this time to reflect as well as plan for the future. He sang (Matt. 26:30) and relaxed (Matt. 26:20) knowing that he would be arrested within hours. What might we learn from his example?

2. He asked for support. Jesus asked his friends to be with him. He didn’t go off alone, like he had many times to pray in solitude (Matthew 1:35). Instead, he asked Peter, James, and John to join him. He knew he didn’t want to be alone and wasn’t afraid or ashamed to ask his inner circle to be close to him. Emulate Jesus by reaching out to others when you need support. It is possible they will disappoint you. More than likely though, when it gets tough they will have your back.

3. He prayed transparently. God already knew how difficult this would be for Jesus but Jesus didn’t hold back in his prayer. He asked for God to spare him this cup. He asked three times. Matthew says he prayed, “face down” submitting himself in humility to God’s will for his life. Sometimes life’s stress can feel like bitter agony. In these moments it is all we can do to cry out, reaching out of the darkness to what we know by faith is God’s sovereign power and authority over all our life and circumstances.

4. He remained silent. To say that he was dealing with difficult, humbling, and painful
circumstances is an understatement. He was directly questioned, abused, and ridiculed; yet for the most part, he remained silent. He was in complete control over his tongue. Sometimes we use stress as an excuse to lash out to others. Sometimes we may feel justified in our own defense but who was more justified than the son of God; still he did not speak. Remember peace comes by humbly submitting ourselves to God’s will while conducting ourselves in the most Christ-like manner. Words unspoken are seldom regretted.

5. He forgave. How much of your stress is the result of other’s painful actions? Jesus hung on the cross after being tortured for a crime he didn’t commit. His claims were true, he was God’s son though those he was sent to save didn’t accept him (John 3:19). Yet Jesus forgave others, despite his pain, disappointment, and abandonment. He cried out, “Father forgive them.” Forgiveness is essential for eliminating stress from your life and claiming peace. Are there those in your life who have wronged you? Forgive them, even if they don’t ask for it or in your estimation, deserve it. Who could have ever been wronged more than our own Savior yet he not only forgave but he audibly released those nearby through their hearing his cry. What an example!!

Common effects of stress ...

... On your body

• Headache
• Muscle tension or pain
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Change in sex drive
• Stomach upset
• Sleep problems

... On your mood

• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Lack of motivation or focus
• Irritability or anger
• Sadness or depression

... On your behavior

• Overeating or under-eating
• Angry outbursts
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Tobacco use
• Social withdrawal

For questions contact us at: lfleetwood@ecommunity.com or llauderdale@ecommunity.com
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Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Lipscomb, McGary and Forgiveness by Terry Gardner

Lipscomb, McGary and Forgiveness

By Terry J. Gardner

Reprinted with permission, Gospel Advocate

 

Two of our best-known preachers in 1905 were David Lipscomb and Austin McGary.  Lipscomb was synonymous with the Gospel Advocate and McGary was the founder of the Firm Foundation.  Lipscomb rarely dealt in personalities; McGary enjoyed mixing it up and was not above using the crude language of the frontier in his religious discussions.  Lipscomb taught that those baptized to obey God would be saved while McGary insisted, “belief that baptism is for remission of sins is essential to its validity.”  Lipscomb was a life long pacifist; McGary was a former Texas Sheriff who killed one man in the line of duty and another in days of his wayward youth.

 

Lipscomb gave his opinion of McGary in the Gospel Advocate, “I do not think McGary can fairly state the position of one from whom he differs.  Cuts and innuendoes that irritate and keep up a ferment, and divide into parties, but convince no one, are not profitable.  When Christians discuss questions, it should be with the desire to see how clearly they can understand each other, how nearly they can come together; and they ought to regard the slightest misrepresentation of each other as a wicked lie.”

 

McGary gave his view of Lipscomb in the Gospel Outlook writing in 1905, “If Lipscomb had enough moral courage and reverence for revealed truth to acknowledge his error and repent of his evil work against the gospel of Christ, then charity would demand that I should forgive him and recognize him as an honest man.  But as long as he stands before the world in his present insincere, dissembling, double-dealing Janus-faced attitude, charity demands that I shall brand him as a willful perverter of the truth he pretends to love, and a religious reprobate of the most hypocritical cast.”

 

If the story ended here then it might be like so many other sad tales where brotherly love failed to prevail.  In 1917 Lipscomb passed from this life into the next.  Several more years passed until 1923 when this appeared from the pen of A. McGary in the Gospel Advocate:

Brother [H. Leo] Boles and Brother [J. C.] McQuiddy have both written me concerning some very improper and unchristianlike things I said about Brother D. Lipscomb in the Gospel Outlook many years ago.  I sincerely and deeply and penitently regret having said these things, and I unfeignedly and feelingly beg all of Brother Lipscomb’s personal friends and the brotherhood in general to forgive me.  It will be a lifelong regret with me that I did not apologize to Brother Lipscomb before he died for saying these things about him.

 

McQuiddy replied that he was sure Lipscomb would have “rejoiced” at such an apology and “would have freely forgiven Brother McGary.”  McQuiddy then added, “We must forgive if we expect to be forgiven.  This is a lesson that not only needs to be learned, but also one which should be practiced.”

 

A few weeks later M. C. Kurfees wrote an editorial, in the Gospel Advocate commending McGary’s “effective and beautiful” apology as a “noble example,” for all Christians, “and especially for preachers.”  Kurfees noted that McGary’s actions were “gracious” and of the “beautiful spirit of the Master” and then added that McGary’s apology “furnishes the occasion for some important and timely reflections on the duty of Christians, and especially preachers, toward one another.”  Kurfees then offered his observations about McGary’s apology:

1. The apology, Kurfees noted, was accompanied by no doubtful ‘ifs’ or conditions which … would leave one in doubt as to whether there is any real confession of wrong or wish to make matters right.  It was clear, distinct, and directly to the point, bearing on its very face its own genuine sincerity and noble wish to make everything right.”
2. The apology “betrayed no silly fear that its author might lower his dignity or injure his standing with men by a frank and open confession of wrong.”  Kurfees added that McGary “evidently made that confession and apology with an open Bible and a determination to please God at all hazards.”  Kurfees noted that he had “seen a few noble confessions of wrong and apologies on the part of preachers” but that McGary’s “occupies a place among the noblest.”
3. According to Kurfees, McGary was exalted “in the eye of God and in the esteem of all right-thinking persons” by his apology.  Kurfees believed that McGary’s actions “in the present case is proof that back of it all is a heart which beats in unison with noble purpose to be true to God and to his word.”

 

Kurfees then visualized Lipscomb rejoicing in Heaven with angels over McGary’s noble act and that Lipscomb’s “great heart yearned to press in tender brotherly love the honest hand of Brother McGary.”  Kurfees concluded, “May the good Lord overrule this noble example to the accomplishment of great good.”

 

What about it?  Can we learn from history or will we repeat it?  Remember, it was Jesus who said if we fail to forgive others, our Father will not forgive us.  (Matt: 6:15).  Every idle word will be brought into judgment.