The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1323379
The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, December 30, 2020 B-1 CHURCH Submit church items: Call: 812-354-8500 Email: news@pressdispatch.net or bring in a hard copy: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg The church page is made possible by the following firms and businesses: Amber Manor Care Center Petersburg — 812-354-3001 Benner & Co. Heating and Air Petersburg — 812-354-3433 Computers Plus Radio Shack Petersburg — 812-354-9633 DougGlass DBA Hold Everything Self Storage — 812-354-1110 Four Star Fabricators Petersburg — 812-354-9995 www.fourstarfab.com Harris Funeral Home 7th and Walnut Streets, Petersburg Phone: 812-354-8844 Play & Learn Preschool Campbelltown — 812-354-3999 Ramblings of my mind By Lowell Thomas See R AMBLINGS on 3 A return to faith and hope Religious Viewpoint By Dr. Clyde Dupin See VIEWPOINT on 3 What about 'Heaven Is For Real'? Minutes with the Bible By Pastor Ricky Kurth Back in 2014, a popular film called "Heaven Is For Real" told the story of a three-year-old boy who had a near-death experience. A fter- wards he told his parents stories about his trip to Heaven. This story is often touted as "proof" that Heaven is real. But as the Lord said, "no man hath ascend- ed up to heaven" ( John 3:13). We know that later, when Paul was stoned to death (Acts 14:19), he was "caught up to the third heav- en" (II Cor. 12:2), but this was so he could con- tinue to "come to visions and revelations of the Lord" (v. 1). Now that the Bible is complete, there is no need of any further revelations from God, and so there is no need for anyone to be caught up to heaven and return. The only reliable information about heaven is found in God's Word. A fter describing the vision of the kingdom of heaven that the Lord gave him, Peter added that the Word of God was "more sure" than what he had seen with his own eyes (II Pet. 1:16 -19). It's tempting to think that this boy's experi- ence will persuade people to believe, but Abra- ham was right: "if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead" (Luke 16:31). The greatest need in America, as we begin 2021, is a spiritual rebirth. Our spiritual and moral state is in decline. The Internet, with all its benefits, has become a conduit for evil. Even our children are exposed to pornography, vul- garity and violence in a way never known on planet earth. America is in danger of losing its soul. The things that made us great are slowly disappearing and socialism is being accepted. It was 44 years ago this week that "Religious Viewpoint" was started. It has been published in many newspapers every week for all these years. Millions have read the hundreds of col- umns and many of you look forward to it each week. In 1976 most of the columns were about the religious heritage of this great country. Our forefathers believed in God and the Christian religion. In our Constitution and other docu- ments our founding fathers spoke freely and often about our Creator, the Bible and freedom of worship. There is ab- solutely no mention of "Separation of Church and State." The liberals and media use the state- ment so often many peo- ple think it is part of our Constitution. During these 44 years I have witnessed a great decline in the spiritual life of Christians. To- day our pop culture, T V and the Internet, along with political correctness has influenced the church. The Christian Church is to be a place of prayer and worship. It is not a place for enter- tainment but for worship of God. People who attend church should hear the Word of God Well CHRISTmas has been here and I hope everyone re- ceived what they wanted or at least something similar. CHRISTmas was a little dif- ferent this year because of all the pandemic precautions we had to observe. At times it is impossible to be your true self. I miss the hugs of fellow- ship and love for one another. It was mentioned in church this morning that we are los- ing some of the closeness we once knew because of the pan- demic. My week started out with another doctor appointment as I was scheduled for a liver ultrasound Monday morning. It was a fasting test so we tried to get it done as early as pos- sible so the fasting wouldn't bother me as much. The re- sults of this test were a wee bit better than last year's test. I have been trying to follow my diet as close as I can but it is impossible to do without a cheeseburger every once in awhile. I started to take off our trash one day and of course the truck's battery was dead. It wouldn't even growl at me when I turned the key. No problem, just charge the bat- tery and try again another day. I'm not sure but I think I just haven't been driving my truck enough to keep up a charge in the battery. I have been told that letting a vehicle sit is very hard on them. I like the song "Christmas Cookies" and one afternoon I practiced what the song says and ate my share of the cook- ies my wife was baking. Sure does smell good whenever those delicious morsels are cooking. She made candy too, so I am catching up on some of the weight I lost when we were sick with the Covid. I had an eye exam one day last week and ordered new glasses so I'll be able to see for awhile. I opted not to put a wee bit of correction for astig- matism in one eye because the doctor said it shouldn't be no- ticed much at all. We took a trip to Vincennes to pay our yearly insurance and check out St. Vincent thrift store. The thrift store often has some rare finds in their glassware section and it is always at a very reason - able price. It is fun to see what you might find. A fter bring- ing home our supper my wife wasn't done yet. So we drove out to the Dollar store to get some stocking stuffers for the grandkids. I believe my wife just may be a shopaholic. Just as we were cleaning up the house for the holiday our elder pet started bleed- ing from his ear where he has some funky looking growths on it and he had it everywhere. We called the vet to see what we could do and this sugges- tion is for everyone. She said use liquid bandage and corn starch which worked after a couple of tries. The patch has held over the weekend and he has an appointment Monday to see what the vet can do for Church Note Deadline 10 a.m. Tuesday Happy New Year May God bless you and yours in this new year. GRACE G.B. CHURCH 1007 E. Union St., Winslow HAPPY New Year GOD bless your 2021 Main Street Presbyterian Church Petersburg • 812-354-6844 Otwell Wesleyan Church State Road 257 • Otwell from Pastor Roy Stilwell and Margie and the Otwell Wesleyan Church 2021 Wish that the New Year be a messenger of joy, happiness, peace, smiles and good tidings for you and your family. Petersburg First United Methodist Church 801 East Walnut, Petersburg | 812-354-6658 May the love and compassion of our Savior fill your heart with peace and contentment. We wish you a blessed New Year. -Pastor Michael Punke & Congregation him. It did make a mess but as good a pet as he has been we will put up with what we have to. If you were up early enough CHRISTmas morning you could have seen s dusting of snow as if God was trying to lift everyone's spirits. It was enough to be pretty but not bad enough to be hazardous. It was good to see our grand- kids tear into their gifts and boy did the paper fly. CHRIST- mas is to remember our Lord