November 15 newsletter (email).pdf
VOLUME 6
ISSUE 11
NOVEMBER 2015
302 E. Euclid Ave Prospect Heights, IL 60070 (847) 398-2030 www. prospectchristianchurch.com
Ponderings of the Pastor 7 Reasons Why I Am Not Afraid The nightly news sounds terrifying: attacks overseas, hostages, terrorism, murder. And the main antagonists consider my heritage, my society, my country, and my faith the enemy. Shouldn’t I be afraid? Here’s 7 reasons why, as a Christian, I am not. 1. I acknowledge that evil exists. This is no small thing. Far too many people live like ostriches with their heads in the sand. They rationalize that bad things happen to others, or across oceans, but never to them. Even the casual reader of the Bible knows that the people of God are opposed by an enemy. Because of sin, there is evil. Sin cannot be rationalized away according to the whims of time or culture. Otherwise, you become that ostrich. Man’s only hope is Jesus. And outside of Jesus, evil reigns in people’s hearts. So be aware, stay sober, and alert. 2. The enemy’s attacks are not novel or new. He was present in the garden. Present with Job. Working in and against the people of God all throughout Scripture. Tempting Jesus. Di-
recting his demons. Opposing the saints. At war with all things God. His modus operandi consists of lies, distractions, temptations, discouragements, and murder. We don’t listen to updates of wars and rumors of wars and say, “Whoa! Where did that come from?” 1Pe 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
3. God always provides. Therefore, I depend. Hard to get better than Psalm 23 to describe this. Our Shepherd provides for our needs, whether they are sustenance, or protection, or both. Are you a satisfied sheep? Does God’s provision lead to your dependence upon Him? It should. Life is tough, but God is faithful. Ps 23:1
want.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in
Ps 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
4. God is completely sovereign. Therefore, I trust. No situation is outside of God’s control or care. He is God and we are not. God is not controlled by world politics or the bleatings of mankind. Check out these words about our
Sovereign God from Isaiah. Isa 40:22
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. Isa 40:23
He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
Isa 40:24
No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
end. So I present some perspective. Satan and his evil minions flex their muscles today, and have for millennia, but their day is coming. As you groan with the news, remember Revelation 20: the satanic devourer will be one day devoured by fire (v. 9); the demonic torturer will be tortured day and night forever (10); the enemies of God will be fully and finally judged and punished (11-15). I leave you with the hope of Revelation 21.—JMB
Isa 40:25
“To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
Rev 21:1
5. Fear is the opposite of dependence and trust.
Rev 21:2
It’s impossible to communicate to God that you depend upon His care, if you truthfully and ultimately depend upon yourself or others. If you are crippled by fear, you are not trusting in Jesus. As my dad always says, “You either trust God or you do not!” The most trying of days and circumstances reveal who you really are and who you truly worship. 6. Jesus wins! Grammatically speaking, this was a hard verb to tense. For on the cross, Jesus won. Jesus currently is in a position of victory. And one day, His victory will be fully and finally complete. And if victory is and always be in Jesus, why would I live with an attitude that communicates otherwise? 7. Evil has a definite end. The bread on your counter eventually will mold. The milk in your fridge eventually will sour. Things have a shelf life. And the Christian hope would seem pretty worthless unless this evil age would one day be brought to an
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. Rev 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. Rev 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
PRAY FOR OUR MISSIONS Local Ministries: Heralds of the Cross, Motorcycle Min. Higher Up Ministries Foreign Missionaries: Sandy and Barbara Sandell, Thailand Leonard and Erleta Toka, Italy The Good News Prospector is the monthly newsletter of Prospect Christian Church. We are located at 302 E. Euclid Avenue in Prospect Heights, IL. Our Worship celebration begins at 10am every Sunday with Bible Study at 8:45 am. If you would like to be removed from our mailing list or to send in a prayer request, please send an e-mail to [email protected].
H A P P Y T H A N K S G I V IN G ! God used an Indian named Squanto as a special instrument of His providence. Historical accounts of Squanto’s life vary, but historians believe that around 1608; more than a decade before the Pilgrims landed in the New World; a group of English traders, led by a Captain Hunt, sailed to what is today Plymouth, Massachusetts. When the trusting Wampanoag Indians came out to trade, Hunt took them prisoner, transported them to Spain, and sold them into slavery. But God had an amazing plan for one of the captured Indians; a boy named Squanto. Squanto was bought by a well-meaning Spanish monk, who treated him well and taught him the Christian faith. Squanto eventually made his way to England and worked in the stable of a man named John Slaney. Slaney sympathized with Squanto’s desire to return home, and he promised to put the Indian on the first vessel bound for America. It wasn’t until 1619 – ten years after Squanto was first kidnapped – that a ship was found. Finally, after a decade of exile and heartbreak, Squanto was on his way home. But when he arrived in Massachusetts, more heartbreak awaited him. An epidemic had wiped out Squanto’s entire village. We can only imagine what must have gone through Squanto’s mind. Why had God allowed him to return home, against all odds, only to find his loved ones dead? A year later, the answer came. A shipload of English families arrived and settled on the very land once occupied by Squanto’s people. Squanto went to meet them, greeting the startled Pilgrims in English. According to the diary of Pilgrim Governor William Bradford, Squanto “became a special instrument sent of God for [our] good . . . He showed [us] how to plant [our] corn, where to take fish and to procure other commodities . . . and was also [our] pilot to bring [us] to unknown places for [our] profit, and never left [us] till he died.” When Squanto lay dying of a fever, Bradford wrote that their Indian friend “desir[ed] the Governor to pray for him, that he might go to the Englishmen’s God in heaven.” Squanto bequeathed his possessions to his English friends “as remembrances of his love.” Who but God could so miraculously weave together the lives of a lonely Indian and a struggling band of Englishmen? It’s hard not to make comparisons with the biblical story of Joseph, who was also sold into slavery; and whom God likewise used as a special instrument for good. Squanto’s life story is remarkable, and we ought to make sure our children and grandchildren learn about it. While you’re enjoying turkey and pumpkin pie this season, share with your kids the Indian side of the Thanksgiving story. Tell them about Squanto, the “special instrument sent of God”, who changed the course of American history. Originally by Chuck Colson; first aired as a Breakpoint commentary in April 2006. Taken from www.colsoncenter.org
Sermons Updated Weekly on Our Website! www.prospectchristianchurch.com .
employer was always fair so we decided to make the fight.
THE BIG EVENT – PART 2 Last month I wrote about “The Big Event” at The Bridge Randhurst campus on October 18, 2015. I told how I was amazed at the large throng that participated and how well The Bridge leaders organized that celebration. It was estimated that 700 people attended. It was indeed a big event. This month I write about another big event. The numbers here were not as large, however. Only two participants. One, a very flawed human being and the other, a mighty and merciful God. I was working for a small vending machine food distributor in Elk Grove Village. Nine of us were drivers. I was the only night driver, working from about midnight to 9:00 am daily. The other eight worked from 6:00 am until about 3:00 pm. We nine were all members of the teamsters union and one day the in the late 70’s, our union rep told us to go on strike. “Your boss will not sign the new contract” we were told. After some discussion we discovered that the union negotiator simply dropped their new proposal on our boss’s desk and said, “Sign or we will strike.” It was an area contract so the contract was discussed and agreed upon by the two largest vendors who employed about 80% of the union drivers. The union then went to the small companies and told them to sign or else. They all complied except for one. Our boss said, “No.” He wanted to discuss it.
We had a good working relationship with our employer so we implored the union leaders to sit down and negotiate. Of course, they said no and told us to walk out. Of the nine, four walked but five of us stayed and continued to work. For six months we persisted, driving past picket lines and receiving threatening phone calls. There was damage to some personal property including vehicles. Also, we heard the hoots and howls of the picketers as we drive through. At the beginning of this debacle, I was given to some strong reflection. Should I take this stand or not? I had my wife and five year old daughter to consider. I was still a young man and I could have moved on to another job. Who needs this? After all, the union was not noted for being gentle. I am certainly no hero but I wanted to take a stand for what I thought was right. Our
So, at the start, I decided on three things. 1. I wanted to ensure the safety of my family. So I went to our local police department. I told them I would be away from our home during the nights because of my work. Could they make a couple of extra passes by our home while on their patrol. They said they would. 2. I stopped at the “Y” every day for an hour to work out. I wanted to be in shape in the event I was confronted and finally, 3. I decided to read my Bible from cover to cover. Something told me I needed God on this one. I was not involved in a “read your Bible” program. I was in need, I was desperate. I still have that Bible all dog-eared and marked up.
Finally, after six months, it ended. The NLRB stepped in and an election was held. The union was decertified, 5 to 4. Peace prevailed on our job site. We were elated. Ironically, a year or so later I left that job. I felt that our boss didn’t make the changes he suggested he would after the constrictive union rules were gone. I told him of my disappointment and gave notice. It’s a strange thing. I made the fight, took the stand, but it didn’t work out. Remarkably, however, my life had changed forever – because of that book. That manual passed down from the Creator to the creature. I’ve marked up quite a few more Bibles since then and I try to view the world through the lens of Scripture. “The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intention of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 Further: “-It revives the soul. -It makes wise the simple. -It rejoices the heart. -It enlightens the eyes. -Keeping it is great reward.” See Psalm 19. Because of what happened back then, I have been made aware that I can’t do without that Book. After all, it’s the Word of God. That was my “big event”. It had nothing to do with a job or a union. It was an encounter between a flawed human being and a mighty and merciful God. I hope and pray that the new Randhurst campus will, somehow, cause many to experience a “big event” that directs them to the Word of God. “In the beginning was the Word…and the Word was God.” John 1:1 God bless, —Terry J.
ISSUE 11
NOVEMBER 2015
302 E. Euclid Ave Prospect Heights, IL 60070 (847) 398-2030 www. prospectchristianchurch.com
Ponderings of the Pastor 7 Reasons Why I Am Not Afraid The nightly news sounds terrifying: attacks overseas, hostages, terrorism, murder. And the main antagonists consider my heritage, my society, my country, and my faith the enemy. Shouldn’t I be afraid? Here’s 7 reasons why, as a Christian, I am not. 1. I acknowledge that evil exists. This is no small thing. Far too many people live like ostriches with their heads in the sand. They rationalize that bad things happen to others, or across oceans, but never to them. Even the casual reader of the Bible knows that the people of God are opposed by an enemy. Because of sin, there is evil. Sin cannot be rationalized away according to the whims of time or culture. Otherwise, you become that ostrich. Man’s only hope is Jesus. And outside of Jesus, evil reigns in people’s hearts. So be aware, stay sober, and alert. 2. The enemy’s attacks are not novel or new. He was present in the garden. Present with Job. Working in and against the people of God all throughout Scripture. Tempting Jesus. Di-
recting his demons. Opposing the saints. At war with all things God. His modus operandi consists of lies, distractions, temptations, discouragements, and murder. We don’t listen to updates of wars and rumors of wars and say, “Whoa! Where did that come from?” 1Pe 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
3. God always provides. Therefore, I depend. Hard to get better than Psalm 23 to describe this. Our Shepherd provides for our needs, whether they are sustenance, or protection, or both. Are you a satisfied sheep? Does God’s provision lead to your dependence upon Him? It should. Life is tough, but God is faithful. Ps 23:1
want.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in
Ps 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
4. God is completely sovereign. Therefore, I trust. No situation is outside of God’s control or care. He is God and we are not. God is not controlled by world politics or the bleatings of mankind. Check out these words about our
Sovereign God from Isaiah. Isa 40:22
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. Isa 40:23
He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
Isa 40:24
No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
end. So I present some perspective. Satan and his evil minions flex their muscles today, and have for millennia, but their day is coming. As you groan with the news, remember Revelation 20: the satanic devourer will be one day devoured by fire (v. 9); the demonic torturer will be tortured day and night forever (10); the enemies of God will be fully and finally judged and punished (11-15). I leave you with the hope of Revelation 21.—JMB
Isa 40:25
“To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
Rev 21:1
5. Fear is the opposite of dependence and trust.
Rev 21:2
It’s impossible to communicate to God that you depend upon His care, if you truthfully and ultimately depend upon yourself or others. If you are crippled by fear, you are not trusting in Jesus. As my dad always says, “You either trust God or you do not!” The most trying of days and circumstances reveal who you really are and who you truly worship. 6. Jesus wins! Grammatically speaking, this was a hard verb to tense. For on the cross, Jesus won. Jesus currently is in a position of victory. And one day, His victory will be fully and finally complete. And if victory is and always be in Jesus, why would I live with an attitude that communicates otherwise? 7. Evil has a definite end. The bread on your counter eventually will mold. The milk in your fridge eventually will sour. Things have a shelf life. And the Christian hope would seem pretty worthless unless this evil age would one day be brought to an
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. Rev 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. Rev 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
PRAY FOR OUR MISSIONS Local Ministries: Heralds of the Cross, Motorcycle Min. Higher Up Ministries Foreign Missionaries: Sandy and Barbara Sandell, Thailand Leonard and Erleta Toka, Italy The Good News Prospector is the monthly newsletter of Prospect Christian Church. We are located at 302 E. Euclid Avenue in Prospect Heights, IL. Our Worship celebration begins at 10am every Sunday with Bible Study at 8:45 am. If you would like to be removed from our mailing list or to send in a prayer request, please send an e-mail to [email protected].
H A P P Y T H A N K S G I V IN G ! God used an Indian named Squanto as a special instrument of His providence. Historical accounts of Squanto’s life vary, but historians believe that around 1608; more than a decade before the Pilgrims landed in the New World; a group of English traders, led by a Captain Hunt, sailed to what is today Plymouth, Massachusetts. When the trusting Wampanoag Indians came out to trade, Hunt took them prisoner, transported them to Spain, and sold them into slavery. But God had an amazing plan for one of the captured Indians; a boy named Squanto. Squanto was bought by a well-meaning Spanish monk, who treated him well and taught him the Christian faith. Squanto eventually made his way to England and worked in the stable of a man named John Slaney. Slaney sympathized with Squanto’s desire to return home, and he promised to put the Indian on the first vessel bound for America. It wasn’t until 1619 – ten years after Squanto was first kidnapped – that a ship was found. Finally, after a decade of exile and heartbreak, Squanto was on his way home. But when he arrived in Massachusetts, more heartbreak awaited him. An epidemic had wiped out Squanto’s entire village. We can only imagine what must have gone through Squanto’s mind. Why had God allowed him to return home, against all odds, only to find his loved ones dead? A year later, the answer came. A shipload of English families arrived and settled on the very land once occupied by Squanto’s people. Squanto went to meet them, greeting the startled Pilgrims in English. According to the diary of Pilgrim Governor William Bradford, Squanto “became a special instrument sent of God for [our] good . . . He showed [us] how to plant [our] corn, where to take fish and to procure other commodities . . . and was also [our] pilot to bring [us] to unknown places for [our] profit, and never left [us] till he died.” When Squanto lay dying of a fever, Bradford wrote that their Indian friend “desir[ed] the Governor to pray for him, that he might go to the Englishmen’s God in heaven.” Squanto bequeathed his possessions to his English friends “as remembrances of his love.” Who but God could so miraculously weave together the lives of a lonely Indian and a struggling band of Englishmen? It’s hard not to make comparisons with the biblical story of Joseph, who was also sold into slavery; and whom God likewise used as a special instrument for good. Squanto’s life story is remarkable, and we ought to make sure our children and grandchildren learn about it. While you’re enjoying turkey and pumpkin pie this season, share with your kids the Indian side of the Thanksgiving story. Tell them about Squanto, the “special instrument sent of God”, who changed the course of American history. Originally by Chuck Colson; first aired as a Breakpoint commentary in April 2006. Taken from www.colsoncenter.org
Sermons Updated Weekly on Our Website! www.prospectchristianchurch.com .
employer was always fair so we decided to make the fight.
THE BIG EVENT – PART 2 Last month I wrote about “The Big Event” at The Bridge Randhurst campus on October 18, 2015. I told how I was amazed at the large throng that participated and how well The Bridge leaders organized that celebration. It was estimated that 700 people attended. It was indeed a big event. This month I write about another big event. The numbers here were not as large, however. Only two participants. One, a very flawed human being and the other, a mighty and merciful God. I was working for a small vending machine food distributor in Elk Grove Village. Nine of us were drivers. I was the only night driver, working from about midnight to 9:00 am daily. The other eight worked from 6:00 am until about 3:00 pm. We nine were all members of the teamsters union and one day the in the late 70’s, our union rep told us to go on strike. “Your boss will not sign the new contract” we were told. After some discussion we discovered that the union negotiator simply dropped their new proposal on our boss’s desk and said, “Sign or we will strike.” It was an area contract so the contract was discussed and agreed upon by the two largest vendors who employed about 80% of the union drivers. The union then went to the small companies and told them to sign or else. They all complied except for one. Our boss said, “No.” He wanted to discuss it.
We had a good working relationship with our employer so we implored the union leaders to sit down and negotiate. Of course, they said no and told us to walk out. Of the nine, four walked but five of us stayed and continued to work. For six months we persisted, driving past picket lines and receiving threatening phone calls. There was damage to some personal property including vehicles. Also, we heard the hoots and howls of the picketers as we drive through. At the beginning of this debacle, I was given to some strong reflection. Should I take this stand or not? I had my wife and five year old daughter to consider. I was still a young man and I could have moved on to another job. Who needs this? After all, the union was not noted for being gentle. I am certainly no hero but I wanted to take a stand for what I thought was right. Our
So, at the start, I decided on three things. 1. I wanted to ensure the safety of my family. So I went to our local police department. I told them I would be away from our home during the nights because of my work. Could they make a couple of extra passes by our home while on their patrol. They said they would. 2. I stopped at the “Y” every day for an hour to work out. I wanted to be in shape in the event I was confronted and finally, 3. I decided to read my Bible from cover to cover. Something told me I needed God on this one. I was not involved in a “read your Bible” program. I was in need, I was desperate. I still have that Bible all dog-eared and marked up.
Finally, after six months, it ended. The NLRB stepped in and an election was held. The union was decertified, 5 to 4. Peace prevailed on our job site. We were elated. Ironically, a year or so later I left that job. I felt that our boss didn’t make the changes he suggested he would after the constrictive union rules were gone. I told him of my disappointment and gave notice. It’s a strange thing. I made the fight, took the stand, but it didn’t work out. Remarkably, however, my life had changed forever – because of that book. That manual passed down from the Creator to the creature. I’ve marked up quite a few more Bibles since then and I try to view the world through the lens of Scripture. “The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intention of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 Further: “-It revives the soul. -It makes wise the simple. -It rejoices the heart. -It enlightens the eyes. -Keeping it is great reward.” See Psalm 19. Because of what happened back then, I have been made aware that I can’t do without that Book. After all, it’s the Word of God. That was my “big event”. It had nothing to do with a job or a union. It was an encounter between a flawed human being and a mighty and merciful God. I hope and pray that the new Randhurst campus will, somehow, cause many to experience a “big event” that directs them to the Word of God. “In the beginning was the Word…and the Word was God.” John 1:1 God bless, —Terry J.
