Jesus stood up to them and healed the crippled man, anyway. Now, it’s easy to stand up for what you believe is right, but then when intimidation comes, it’s also easy to become cowardly and capitulate to your intimidators. Marty Springstead, supervisor of American League umpires, said he will never forget his first assignment behind the plate. It was in a 1966 game at Washington. Frank Howard was playing for the Senators, and he came up to bat. Howard was a mountain of a man and on the first pitch to him, Springstead called a knee-high fast ball a strike.
Howard turned around and yelled, "Get something straight, buster! I don't know where you came from or how you got to the major leagues, but they don't call that pitch a strike on me. Understand?" The next pitch was in the same spot, and Springstead yelled, "Two!" "Two what?" Howard roared. "Too low," Springstead said, "Way too low."
Jesus refused to do what Marty Springstead did. He refused to be intimidated. He refused to back down. Rather, Jesus chose to heal the crippled man on the Sabbath day and thereby demonstrated both the compassion and courage of God.
We had a good day last Sunday as our total Bible Study attendance was 455, which includes 290 at our 9:45 and 165 at our 11:00 Sunday Schools. Thanks to Faith Friends Academy Director Emily Meadows and Music Minister Greg Burrell for their rendition of “On Jordan’s Story Banks” at our early service. Thanks also to our Contemporary and Blended Praise Team for leading us in worship at that service. And thanks to our Sanctuary Choir for their anthem, “Thuma Mina” (“Send Me”), that they shared with us at the late service.
It was our joy to receive three into the fellowship of our church family last Sunday.One is in our singles ministry while Jason Teal, and wife Honey, serves our Minister to Students and Singles. We welcome all into the Fellowship of Love!
FAITH UNIVERSITY continues this coming Sunday evening with Dr. Larry Waller teaching a course called “Christian Counseling.” This coming Sunday night he will discuss the tragic but all-too-common problem of “Depression & Suicide.”
Thanks again to all who helped make the SIXTEENTH ANNUAL BARNESVILLE GAME & FISH BANQUET such a great success! Russ Jenkins estimates that we fed 475 people last Friday night. I am also excited to let you know that we have scheduled our banquet speaker Jimmy Sites to be with us again on Sunday morning, April 1st.
A couple of new studies are starting this Wednesday evening, February 1st. “Essentials of Discipline” for parents of children will be taught by Emily and Patrick Meadows at 6:15 in Room B-203. In addition, Russ Jenkins will be teaching the second in our Foundations Series courses called “Committed to Spiritual Maturity” in room B-201.
The 2012 PINEWOOD RACER DERBY is scheduled for this coming Sunday afternoon, February 5th, at 2:00 P.M. It is open to R.A.’s, G.A.’s and adults for competition.
I look forward to continuing our new morning sermon series with a message on when others try spiritual “Edification” on us from Matthew 12:33-37 this coming Sunday. We will also promote our WATCHMAN PRAYER MINISTRY this coming Sunday and will invite folks to sign up at the end of each morning service. Come EXPECTANTLY!
I Love You, Garth
