| Expectations |
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My Favorite cartoon is Calvin and Hobbs. Calvin's self-centered
laziness and scheming are absolutely hilarious. There was a
cartoon a couple of weeks ago that really struck me. Calvin and
Suzy Dirkins (Calvin's arch-nemesis 'girl') are comparing test grades. Calvin asks Suzy, "So what did you get on your test?" Suzy replies, with pride, "I got an A!" "Oh, that's too bad." Calvin replies, "I got a C." Suzy says "I know I'm going to regret asking, but why is it too bad that I got an A?" "Because from now on people are gonna expect you to get an A. You have to work hard because people's expectations of you are going to be high." With pride he continues. "People are only gonna expect Cs from me. I won't have to work near as hard and if I get an A, I'll probably get rewarded for it!" Suzy replies, "So you're happy being lazy and being an ignoramous? To which Calvin replies, "You have your standards, I have mine." As we begin a new year, which would be the better attitude for us to adopt as Christians? My answer, as you've heard me say so often, is to set the bar high! As peoople who have been called to reflect Christ living in us, we are to do all we can, whenever we can, as often as we can. We had a Bible reading as our sermon the other Sunday which sums up God's directives on living faith-filled lives: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience... Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love...And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Col. 3:12, 13, 17 |
This
is a reminder we all need, to show the faith that lives in us through
the Holy Spirit. We will continue in this lifestyle. Let me
give you an example of how easily we can loose sight of Christian
lifestyle.
Did you know that health-clubs/fitness centers make nearly half of their profits in January-February? Why? Because many who wanted to get in shape bought six-month memberships and have given up by February. The resolutions that they made in January have disappeared. Well-intentioned people get too busy or just don't feel like working out. What they may have gained has been lost. A similar thing happens at Christmas every year. People turn out in droves for the Christmas Eve service. They are joyful and inspired. Yet, when the next Sunday rolls around, attendance is usually less than average. In the same way as a short term work-out will not increase the size of your biceps, so coming to church once or twice a year won't develop the long-term faith that God desires for us. The right workout is to make God a regular fixture in every part of our lives. What a vital truth! Understanding the love of God in Jesus is critical in staying strong all year round. That way, when God calls you home, you will be ready. But fail to continue to be prepared, and you have set a course for failure and loss of all God's blessings. especially the gift of eternal life. How many times didn't this tragedy befall the Israelites!? They let the bar of their morals be lowered to the sleazy lusts of their neighbors. The world around them eroded their faith and their faithfulness. It can happen to us too. My friends, as much as I enjoy Calvin, I would not want anyone to accept his expectations. Keep the bar set high! |
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ON-LINE DEVOTIONS:
Starting the first week of January and then proceeding for the next few
months, the Tuesday and Thursday devotions will be from the Revelation
series. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Daily Devotions will continue as
usual. If you'd like to receive the devotions, go to
www.wels.net/jumpword/DailyDevotions
and sign up. Enter your e-mail address in the Subscribe box on the right side of
the page and click on the arrow. Fill in the brief information on
the next screen to register for a WELS Participation Account.
Please inform a friend to sign-up too so that they might receive Daily Devotions by e-mail.
Where do You fit in? According to an August 2005 poll, this is how Americans feel about God and Related Issues: 82% believe in God 73% believe in Miracles 70% believe in Life after Death 70% believe in Heaven 70% believe that Jesus is the Son of God 66% believe in the Resurrection of Jesus 60% believe in the Devil and Hell The same poll showed some unusual beliefs too: 40% believe in Ghosts 34% believe in UFOs 25% believe in astrology 21% believe in re-incarnation What do we see besides interesting statistics? The need to continue to proclaim Jesus as the Lord, the Savior of the World. And the need to point people to the Bible for their guidance and direction. |
SEMI-ANNUAL
MEETING OF GOOD SHEPHERD will take place on Sunday, January 22nd.
Immediately after the 10:30 worship service, we'll have the Open Forum
for everyone, then the woters meeting right after that. We feel
it is important for you to be aware of what is planned for the coming
year, to take in new members and to vote on church business.
Please make plans to attend the Forum. Also, because of your love
for the Lord and being told of the need, our offerings for November
were very strong. We are now where we should be according to our
budget and slightly ahead of our expenses. Praise the Lord! Praise to God Your are a great God. Your character is holy. Your truth is absolute. Your strength is unending. Your discipline is fair. You are a great God. The mountain of your knowledge has no peak. The ocean of your love has no shore. The fabric of your fidelity has no tear. The rock of your word has no crack. You are a great God. Your patience surprises us. Your beauty stuns us. Your love stirs us. You are a great God. Your provisions are abundant for our needs. Your light is adequate for our path. Your grace is sufficient for our sins. By Max Lucado Let the Journey Begin |
| GOD'S NUMERIC BLESSINGS IN 2005 Average
Attendance
80
Figuring in transfers, releases, deaths, and
professions of faith, we gained eight communicants, twenty three souls.Children's Baptisms 13 Adult Baptisms 1 Student's Confirmations 3 Adult Confirmations 6 Average Bible Class Attendance 31 Average Sunday School 10 We enter 2006 tied for our all-time high of 116 communicants and 161 souls. Thank the Lord for all of His blessings! MISSION PARTNERS TOUR OF APACHELAND AND MEXICO WELS Mission Partners, a Ministry of Christian Giving program, is sponsoring a trip to Aphacheland and Mexico. Coordinated by Gift Planning Counselor Dennis Kleist, the tour will visit a number of mission fields during nine days beginning April 29. The goal is to show people who take a personal interest in missions, where their money is being sent and what it is being used to do. The hope is that this will make mission work more real to the churches from which the travelors will come. Former missionaries are the tour guides because they know the culture and can help explain the purpose of the mission. The upcoming trip can accommodate 25–30 people and will include visits to Arizona missions in San Carlos, Bylas, Peridot, East Fork, White River, (All places where Pastor Mueller has preached), home mission Dove Moutain and finally to the Mexican mission in Altar/Caborca. In addition, participants will also have time for sight-seeing. If you are interested or would like more information, contact Dennis Kleist at 920-735-4929. The deadline for reserving a place is February 24th. |
World
Mission Update: Since we are unable to open any new
missions due to lack of funding, we're trying to find new ways (just
like home missions). The areas we are using the most now are on
college campuses where students from all over the world come to study
and become believers; the internet, especially to countries hostile to
Christianity such as China and Muslim countries; and English as a
second language training in places like Hong Kong where MLC trained
students spend one or two years teaching English to others.
PRESIDENT CARL GURGEL ADDRESSES THE STATE OF THE SYNOD AT WELS.NET President Gurgel has video-taped the state of the Synod address which focuses especially on finances. It is about five minutes in length and includes helpful visuals. To view the piece, visit www.wels.net/jumpword/presreport. It has free software needed to access the file if you don't have it already. This communication is planned on a quarterly basis in the future.
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| NEW BIBLE CLASSES: A new
series with videos, called Bible Walk will begin January 8th in both
Adult Bible Class and Sunday School. This course will help us see
how and why God gave us the Bible... The Thursday morning Class is taking a look at the 10 Commandments. The Small Groups will be starting a series on "Prepared to Answer", discussions on challenges to our faith from difficult questions. Some of the questions we'll look at are 'There are things I'll never be able to Forgiv; There are no moral absolutes; But i'm pro-choice; There are hypocrites in the church; Whatever happened to tolerance; and How do I know I'm a Christian.' Hope you can join us! IF YOU'RE NOT INVOLVED IN A BIBLE CLASS, THE NEW YEAR IS A GREAT TIME TO START!!! MARRIAGE SEMINAR will be coming in February! This is designed for couples of every length of marriage. We'll use videos, group discussion and the Bible to lead us into stronger marriages and renewed appreciation for each other. The Likely date is Saturday, February 11th. |
Humor: A Pastor and a bus driver both died and went to Heaven on the same day. The pastor was given a plain gown to wear and modest quarters. The bus driver was given the finest garments and a beautiful mansion. The pastor said to God, "Father, I don't want to complain or sound petty, but why did the bus driver get so much more than I?" God replied, "When you were preaching, your congregation slept; when he was driving, his passengers prayed!" A NEW BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS will be starting the week of January 15th. This is the entry-level class for those who want to explore Christianity or want to review what they learned long ago. This class is for those who have questions about God and the Bible. Please talk to Pastor. You'll be glad you did!
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