Love ‘em Like Jesus

Have you ever wondered what it means to love someone like Jesus? What all does that concept require on our part?  How can we possibly do it?  And who is it we are supposed to love like Jesus anyway?  We find in the Bible four specific commands to imitate the love of Jesus; two times from Jesus Himself (John 13:34 & 15:12), once from Paul (Ephesians 5:2), and once from John (1 John 3:16).  All four instances basically state that we are to love each other with a selfless love that was modeled to us by Jesus Himself.  What does that really mean?  Well, in a nutshell it means that we are to put the needs of others ahead of our own and love everyone with an unconditional Christ-like love.

Sounds good in theory right, but come on can we really be expected to practically live it out?  Yup, you betcha!  Would God or the Son of God ever call us to live at a level or to do something that was impossible?  No.  So what does it require on our part?  The first thing it requires is a willing spirit that is committed to God’s will for his or her life.  It also requires someone who is open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and willing to step out in faith and take a few risks at times in the name of Jesus despite what the outcome might be.  Just because it didn’t go the way you thought it ought to doesn’t mean it wasn’t blessed and used by God.  Remember the way we see things isn’t always the same way God sees them.

How can we possibly do it?  Well, with faith, and perseverance.  Can we do it by ourselves?  No.  We need God’s help and that’s why it is so wonderful that we, as Christians have the Gift of the Father, the Holy Spirit.  We also have prayer and our brothers and sisters in the Lord to encourage, edify, and also hold us accountable.  Not to mention, just like everything else in life, the more you do it the more it becomes a part of who you are and the more comfortable and at ease you become at doing it.  It begins to be built up as a good habit in our lives and starts to naturally flow out as part of who we are.

Finally, who are we supposed to love like Jesus?  The answer to that is much easier said than done.  Everyone, from the worst sinner to the saintliest saint just like Jesus did.  Also, the love that we love them with should be an unconditional love – a love with no strings attached.  In Galatians 6:9-10, Paul encourages us to not grow weary from doing good and to do good to all people as we have opportunity, and especially to those who are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The word Christian means Christ-like and if we call ourselves that, then we need to also live up to the name.  So let’s go out into our world and “Love ‘em Like Jesus”!  It might surprise us what responses we’ll get, but I promise you the rewards are eternal! 

Dean

Tar Heel Parade Float

           BLFC will again have a float in the annual Tar Heel Parade in Union on Saturday, August 12th. The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. All ages are welcome to either ride on the float or walk alongside during the parade. Pencils will be handed out again along the parade route.

Picnic

            Everyone is invited to the upcoming All-Church Picnic and Canoe Outing on Sunday, August 20th at 3:00 p.m. at Upper Pine Lake State Park. Each family attending should bring food and drink for their own family, plus lawn chairs and any other picnic items you might want to bring. Canoes will be available to use from Camp Quaker Heights or you may bring your own. The walking/bike path is nearby to use as well.

Answers for Do You Know. . .?

1.North Dakota

2. Hagar (Genesis 16:1

3. Psalms, the Bible prayer book. (more than 10 times)

4. None contributed to the Old Testament.  Several contributed to the New Testament.

5. Paul

Christian Ed Notes

There are just a few more Sundays remaining for the combined Sunday School classes, preschool thru 5th grade. If you have not signed up to teach a Sunday, please take a moment and sign up on the sheet in the entryway. Your volunteering gives our full time teachers some well deserved time off during the summer.  Thank you!

Children’s Church

Children age 4 through grade 5 are welcome to gather in the fellowship hall during morning worship on August 27.  Our lesson will be from Lev. 19:15 about accepting others.  The service project: 20 HOC Care Packages for shelter guests.  In September, we’ll begin meeting twice a month again and continue throughout the school year.

Library Ledge:   

Preparing for Retirement

            During August the library ledge will feature books about retirement and aging.  We have materials for the adult child with parents reaching retirement age, as well as for those already in that category.   These will help you look forward to the future with a positive and humorous attitude.  They will also remind you that you never retire from being useful to God.

A Guide to Caring for and Coping with Aging Parents is a practical handbook to help middle-age offspring deal with the issues of home care, nutrition and legal matters.

Spiritual Grandparenting is written for grandparents who wish to pass on their religious heritage to their grandchildren.

Check out these and more on the library ledge.

Workday at BL

            The men of the church have scheduled a workday at the church for Saturday, August 19th beginning at 8:00 a.m. to work on the east entry to the fellowship hall, to replace the decking boards on the parsonage deck and some other smaller projects. Everyone is welcome to come join in the work and fellowship.

FOCUS Back to School Bash

All Junior High thru College Students are invited to FOCUS Back to School Bash, a Free night of worship, comedy, and fellowship at the Family Christian Center, one mile north of Casey’s in Sully.  Lynnville Friends Church is sponsoring Stone Residence and speaker, Jason Taylor, on Saturday, August 26th from 5:30-10.30 p.m. Food and drink will be available for purchase.  For more information check the poster at the church for contact phone numbers.

Opportunities to Serve with Friends Disaster Service, Iowa Chapter

We have an excellent opportunity to provide some help in the Stratford, IA area that was struck by a tornado in November of 2005.  FDS would like to send 7-10 people the week of August 14th and another 7-10 people the week of August 21st. The work teams will probably be doing some drywall work, painting, landscaping and general labor. We will know more about the type of work early in August. Most tools needed will be available on the FDS trailer.

The workweek will start around 9:00 a.m. each Monday and will shut down around 3:00 p.m. each Friday. Meals will be provided starting with the noon meal on Monday and will conclude after the noon meal on Friday. Since we are fairly close to the Stratford area volunteers should be able to carpool daily to the work area.

FDS is in the process of planning work trips to Wiggins, MS, approximately 35 miles north of Gulfport. They are needing volunteers for the weeks of September 11th and 18th, and October 2, 9, 23, and 30th.  The work teams will travel on Sunday to Wiggins, work Monday thru Friday and head home on Saturday. Iowa FDS is working with Bob Winn from Ohio Yearly Meeting, who is heading up the overall FDS efforts in Wiggins. FDS operations will be set up across the street from the church where we stayed previously. The FDS trailer will be pulled to Wiggins on September 10th and be left there for an extended period of time, as long as IYM FDS volunteers are working in the gulf area, and it is not needed in the Iowa area.

Each crew will consist of 6-7 people (5-6 to help with construction and 1 to help with cooking). At this point in time, only one crew is needed per week.

Please contact Betty Arterburn or Margaret Good very soon if you are interested in helping with the work in either Stratford or Wiggins.

House of Compassion

Twenty-one were involved in providing a meal for 65 guests at the House of Compassion on Thursday July 27th. Our menu was goulash; green beans w/bacon; garlic toast; mixed fruit; cucumber salad; cheesecake and angel food cake and drinks. 

Thanks to James and Sharon, Betty, Karen B, Levi and Ramona, Tom and Pat who donated food or funds; Betty, Fern and Wayne, Bob and Jeanette and Amy K who prepared; Levi, John and Gladys, Don and Shirley who served; Lora, Rachael, Mary and Scott and Katie who were on clean up.  Our efficient workers had everything neat and tidy by 6:35!  Mark your calendars for our next responsibility on Aug. 24

Oh, and ask the servers what set off the smoke detectors and why we were grateful Jean was still in the building! :-)

Thank You

Dear Bangor Liberty Vacation Bible School

            Thank you for taking time to help us by making the fleece blankets. Many Marshall County children will be warm by these. Also thank you to the women’s groups for funding the blankets you made.

                   Yours truly, The Stork’s Nest

Do You Know…?

1. The expression “Beulah land” occurs only in the book of Isaiah, and there is one city named Beulah in the U.S. What state is it?

2. What was the name of Sarah’s Egyptian maid?

3. What book of the Bibl mentions forgiveness the most times?

4. Which of Jesus’ disciples contributed the most writings to the Old Testament?

5. Who is the most important apostle in Acts?

Just for Fun!

Your Age by Chocolate Math

It takes less than a minute…Work this out as you read.

1-First of all pick the number of times a week you would like to have chocolate (more than once, but less than 10)

2-Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)

3-Add 5 (for Sunday)

4-Multiply it by 50 (do you need a calculator?)

5-If you have already had your birthday this year add 1756. If you haven’t, add 1755.

6-Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.

7-You should have a three digit number.

8-The first digit of this was your original number (How many times you want chocolate each week) The next two numbers are….Your age!

- An exasperated mother, whose son was always getting into mischief, finally asked him, “How do you expect to get into Heaven?” The boy thought it over and said, “Well, I’ll run in and out and in and out and keep slamming the door until St. Peter says, ‘For Heaven’s sake, Dylan, come in or stay out!’”