Health Ministry Newsletter-May 2014 by Lisa Fleetwood

"Summer Manna" by Paul Short

JOIN US FOR AN UPLIFTING SPIRIT, BODY, AND SOUL EXPERIENCE DURING:

 

                “SUMMER MANNA”

                 

Southeastern Church of Christ

6500 Southeastern Ave.                       

Indianapolis, IN 46203

 

We are joining together from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on the third Sunday of May, June, July, August, and September for summer fellowship consisting of body and soul refreshment. Our September evening meal will end our monthly “Summer Manna” fellowship for 2014.

 

We will gather in the fellowship hall for worship service. There we will offer our praise in song to our Lord, and enjoy a word of encouragement, lifting up prayers of thanksgiving for our blessings and seeking grace for the family and loved ones who have needs in their lives. Ephesians 5:19-20 Speak to one another... Always giving thanks 

to God... 

 

Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves...

 

After worship we will enjoy a meal that has been prepared by the saints of our family, to satisfy the needs of our body and prepare us for ...

 

Fun for the soul with the brothers and sisters of all ages. There will be activities for the young at heart and the elder in mind to mix and match together in fellowship with the family.

 

Hebrews 10:24-25   Let us spur one another toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together...

 

This will be a time for all to get to know and love one another in a casual setting. A common core of being like in mind to bond in His way of devotion.

 

Matthew 5:16   says let your light shine for all to see.

Where is a better place to let our light shine for our community than in the open grounds of the church yard?

 

Philippians: 2:2   Encourage one another in fellowship with the spirit...

 

Hebrews 13:1-2   Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain

strangers...

 

1Peter 4:8-11   Above all, love each other, offer hospitality and serve faithfully administering God’s grace so that all things be praised through Jesus Christ.

 

Come and let us all be united in song, prayer, and fellowship to show that God has given us bread from heaven to do his will.

Who knows, maybe this will lead to   “AUTUMN MANNA”

"Comfort Zone" by Frank Black

“COMFORT  ZONE”

(F. Black)

 

       You’ve all heard the term “Comfort Zone” and know what it means.  It relates to doing something you usually don’t do; something new or something you don’t like to do; something that makes you uncomfortable.  Recently I was in a situation that was way out of my comfort zone.  Let me tell you how it came about.  My grandson, Alexander Faidley (aka Zander), is a Music Composition major at Lipscomb University in Nashville.  Last year we attended a recital where his compositions were played by a cello, flute, and piano.  At that time I casually said, “Why don’t you write a piece for clarinet and ol’ grampa will come down and play it.”  (If you don’t know, I do play clarinet and have been in the Greater Greenwood Community Band the last four years).  Well, guess what – he did!  Zander wrote a three piece sonata for clarinet and piano.  He gave me the music during Christmas break to see if I could play it.  Well, after putting my foot in my mouth, I couldn’t say “No”.  One problem.  Some parts of the pieces were quite technically difficult!  But yours truly practiced and practiced and practiced.  I didn’t want to embarrass my grandson after the honor of being asked.  Another problem.  I hadn’t played with piano accompaniment since I was a senior in high school.  I was waaaay out of my comfort zone – a difficult solo; a formal presentation; working with an accompanist; and having an audience.  I did have the opportunity of practicing twice with the pianists (a different pianist for each musical piece).  That’s enough of my story – I’ll just say that the concert went off rather well.

[When was the last time you were out of your comfort zone, and what was it?]

[Another point:  Be careful what you ask for; you may get it!]

 

       I tell you this personal story just to set the stage for an area where most of us feel “out of our comfort zone”.  What am I talking about?  I’m talking about our ability to share with people in some way that we are Christians (Jesus Christ followers).  That we live by and take our position on matters based on Biblical standards. 

       I know; I know – many of you are thinking, “I live as a Christian and people can see that in me.”  But do people really know why you speak and act as you do?  I’m just asking you to rethink the situation. Is this really enough?  What stops you and me from telling people that we are Christians or telling people our Christian view on issues?  [This is an area obviously very important to me, for I’ve written about it before.]

       * First of all; if you say nothing from a Christian standpoint, people may think you don’t care or that your position is weak or that you agree with a non-Christian position.

 

       What may stop us?  (I’m talking to myself also in all this)

       - Perhaps we’re not used to stating our position and why (out of our comfort zone).  We can begin!  Do it anyway!

       - We’re embarrassed – Do it anyway!

       - In today’s world it’s not PC (Politically Correct) – I say poppycock to that; do it anyway!  Just simply state your position in a calm, succinct way. If people want to pursue it further, they’ll ask you something.

       - “I don’t know enough”.  Do it anyway; it may open the door to more discussion.  You can look things up together.

       - Perhaps you’re just not sure yourself as to what you believe.  Keep searching!  Study, ask strong Christians, and pray about it. 

       -  Perhaps you’re intimidated.  Don’t be.  You should have confidence in your position.  Again, just state it.  [It does help to think about various topics ahead of time and plan what you would say.   [Scripture on preparation]

* (I Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”). 

 I would personally add that this day and time you often can’t wait for someone to ask you what you think. You have to interject it – be bold enough to state it.   [Scriptures on boldness]

 * (II Timothy 1:7 says, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self discipline.”).

*  (Acts 4:29 says, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”)

 

You must always remember that we have the Holy Spirit of God helping us in the timing of when to speak and the very words we use.  Remember to pray for this divine help!

 

       - Perhaps you’re “socially prohibited”.  What do I mean?  Perhaps you want to “fit in” to a group and don’t want them to think you’re “too religious”.  If this is the case, you do need to make some important decisions. 

       - “I just don’t know what to say or how to do it.”  Start simply, easily.  You don’t have to give a sermon or a discourse on various topics.  You’ll know if someone wants to really discuss the matter further.  If they do, go for it. 

       - “So and so intimidates me”.  Pray for boldness again, and just simply state your belief and why.    

 

       The current situation in our country is laden with so much anti-Christian rhetoric and so many anti-Christian activities and judicial decisions. Because of these I think it’s much more important now than at any time in my life to state that we’re a Christian and that’s why we take the position we do.  Only you have the contacts and associations that you have.  No one else.  It’s up to you to be a Christian voice to them. Yes, it’s your responsibility.  We are Christ’s ambassadors, His representatives, His witnesses, His messengers, His voice for today’s world.

 

[There’s a very good book entitled, “The Unexpected Adventure”, by Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg, that gives specific life situations and how they communicated Christ in the ‘marketplace’].

       My prayer is that we can get out of our “COMFORT ZONE” in this area.