The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1458183
The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, March 9, 2022 C-7 PAWS WEEK PAWS WEEK Pet of the BOOTS "Every life should have nine cats"—Anonymous. This week PAWS is fea- turing a large, lazy feline named Boots, who am- bles around the office at PAWS like he is the shel- ter mascot. He is a short haired tabby with thick yel- low fur, four white tipped paws, a white chest, and very long white whiskers. He can often be seen sit- ting on the window ledge sunning himself and wait- ing for the next handouts of Temptations. Boots is very laid back and would make a great companion for any and all cat lovers. He can be adopt- ed by calling 812-354-9894. kiel 37:4). But while most Christians know better than to think that they are as important as Paul, most of them be- lieve that the other apos- tles in the Bible were of equal importance with him. A fter all, James also calls himself a "servant of God" ( James 1:1a). But, like Mo- ses, James was the servant of God to the twelve tribes of Israel ( James 1:1b), while Paul was sent to us Gentiles (Acts 22:21; 26:17,18; Gala- tians 1:16; 2:2,7; Ephesians 3:8; I Timothy 2:7; II Timo- thy 1:11). And that word "Gen- tiles" includes everyone liv- ing in "the dispensation of the grace of God" (Ephe- sians 3:2), for now that Is- rael has lost her favored na- tion status with God, she is just another one of the na- tions. That means "the apos- tle of the Gentiles" (Romans 11:13) is the apostle of the Jews as well, and that makes Paul more important to peo- ple living today than Moses or James or any of the other New Testament writers. We might compare how each of the 50 governors in the United States is of equal authority in our country, but you must look to the gover- nor of your state to learn the rules and regulations that have a direct bearing on your life. In the same way, all of the Bible writers are of equal authority in Scripture, but as Gentiles living in "the dispensation of the grace of God" we must all look to the writings of the man who was appointed to be "the min- ister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles" (Romans 15:16) to learn the things that have a direct bearing on our lives, the Apostle Paul. think what has been done won't accomplish much. I will say this I would not want the responsibility of sending our soldiers into a war where the opposition seems deter- mined to drag us into. I would always have to ask myself what is Putin up to. It is a real threat for someone to push the big but- ton, which would start a nucle- ar war. If you enjoy reading biblical literature then I suggest you ask your phone or computer about the "lost ten tribes" of Is- rael. There is the thought that Ukraine could possibly be home to some of these tribes. If this is so we need to keep on helping the Ukraine nation. I have been reflecting back on my life, when I'm short of things to write about and I have a couple here. I graduated in 1966 from Petersburg High School and soon had a job at Jas- per Rubber Products. I start- ed out in the trim department and done a variety of operations while in trim. I soon found out that just about everything they produced has flash on it, that had to be re- moved either by sanding or by threading a bolt fixed to press into the threads of suction cups. They had tumblers filled with dry ice which removed the flash from little parts. I ran the wash- ing machine which was one of the last operations in trim. The plant had a smell to it, that took a couple of days to get accus- tomed to. It was a good job and I returned to it when I became discharged from the Marines in 1972. I spent four years in the Ma- rine Corps Air Wing which started with boot camp in Au- gust of 1968. I went through when you learned what they were trying to teach you or there would consequences to pay. Those consequences were sometimes severe. If a person made it through the torment of boot camp then you deserved to be called a Ma- rine. You wouldn't think some- thing as simple as blousing your trousers could mean so much to you until the right to do so was taken from you. I didn't make it overseas as the job I held at Cherry Point was in support of the Marines in other zones. I have often felt strange about not having to go overseas, but then again I did serve my coun- try and I'm glad it was in the Ma- rine Corps. There were many comical forms of punishment handed out Here are a couple of them. Pvt. Ferby was so hungry one day he reached down and took a bite from the mashed pota- toes. Our drill instructor saw him and Ferby had to say bow wow between bites for the en- tire mess. The other funny punishment I remember so well was one of my friends and I were sitting outside during what they called commander's time. He pulled his cover down to resemble a racing hat and was pretending to be driving a sports car. A drill instructor from another platoon happened to see him and made him go tell our drill instructor what he was doing. Well the drill instructor took him into the duty hut and had him sit in front of an imaginary television. He was instructed to adjust the channels and volume until he saw that little green man on with the funny looking hat. My friend hollered and said I found him. The drill instructor said baloney he doesn't come on Sundays. There were humorous moments as well as harsh and critical. A fter our graduation from boot camp our instructors explained to us some of our pun- ishments were actually lessons, which would help keep us from getting into trouble. Well it is time to close for this week and I certainly hope and pray this cold I have been nurs- ing for so long goes away and I can get back to church. Let's do our best to be a bless- ing. MINUTES RAMBLINGS Continued from page 5 Continued from page 5 POINTS Continued from page 5 and secular rulers seized up- on Aquinas' doctrine and the West plunged headlong, un- abated into one war after an- other. In recent years, our government hasn't bothered using "Just War" as a pretext. War has become national pol- icy. General Smedley Butler, known as "The Fighting Quaker," was the most dec- orated Marine in US histo- ry. He received two Medals of Honor for separate acts of heroism. A fter his military service, he became a paci- fist and a voice against the business of war. His classic book, "War is a Racket," written in 1937, has a poignant message: "I served in all commis - sioned ranks from second lieutenant to Major Gener- al. And during that period, I spent most of my time be- ing a high-class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and for the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer for capitalism. I suspected I was just part of the racket all the time. Now I am sure of it." Anyone who says if we don't fight them over there, we will fight them here, needs to read Butler's book. I spent three years on ac- tive duty with the Army, spending time in Germa- ny with an Armored Divi- sion stationed there as a de- terrent against Soviet ag- gression. No one was gung- ho for war. We hoped to do "our time" and go home un- harmed. I succeeded, my fa- ther did not. My father was a veteran of W WII, seeing action in the Philippines and Okinawa. He said the real loser in war is the soldier. War changes a person. Their physical and mental health will never be the same. A service member cannot unsee or undo what they have done. Many return home as he did as a casualty called the "walking wound- ed." Christian armchair gener- als like to cite the Old Tes- tament and the Jewish wars reportedly ordained by God as justification for war. Any OT scholar could deflate this presumption. There is incon- gruence between the God of the OT and the NT. The larg- er issue is the God of the OT must be the God of the NT. Advocates of the angry war- rior God of the OT must rec- oncile how God abruptly be- comes a loving, gracious, passive God and Father of his Son, Jesus. Jesus never char- acterizes his father as angry and warmongering and nei- ther did Moses. One of the Ten Command- ments says—YOU WILL NOT KILL. This is an un- conditional commandment. No government can absolve a person of violating this com- mandment. Jesus told Pe- ter not to use his sword, for those who use swords will be destroyed by swords. Critics questioning passiv- ism ask are we supposed to stand there and let someone kill us? The answer is no. However, once you kill someone, now live with the consequences and your con- science. Alcoholism, sub- stance abuse, and home vi- olence are the norm among war veterans. Suicides among veterans are in epi- demic proportions. The church has lost its moral voice. It stands silent on the sidelines as one Chris- tian nation goes to war with another (as in Russia and the Ukraine). Political leaders know they cannot prosecute war with- out religion onboard. It is dif- ficult for pastors to condemn war when most congregants have become conditioned to accept war. Churches are full of moms and dads who con- tinually ask prayers for the sons and daughters serv- ing in the military. They la- bel any pastor criticizing our government and its sin- ful use of the military as not supporting our troops, and anti-American. They do not tolerate dissention of Ameri- can foreign policy when pros- ecuted by the military. Next time you think "Christian America," needs to put a boot up some oth- er country's posteriors, ask yourself, is this something the Prince of Peace would tell you to do? I suspect he would say, "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Fa- ther who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the un- just, Mt 5:44-45." I have forewarned you. Pentecostal Pentecostal Nazarene Presbyterian Wesleyan Methodist Hall church CHURCH 812-239-6843 church Sunday ALFORD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1709 E. SR. 356 Petersburg 812-677-0105 Sunday school scheduled the first Sunday of each month at 9:30 a.m.; Sunday worship each week at 10 :30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to come and worship with us. Shane Springer, Pastor GOOD SHEPHERD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 210 W. Harrison Street, Oakland City Church 812-749-3525 Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; worship service 10 :30 a.m. The community of Good Shepherd United Method- ist Church exists to glorify God through Jesus Christ our Lord. As a body of believers, we pledge ourselves to allow the Holy Spirit to develop with- in us maturity of spirit, unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, so that we may be prepared to share His love, mercy and grace through our words and actions to a needy world. We extend an invitation to the public to come and wor- ship with us. The Good Shepherd takes care of His sheep. Neal Scifres, Pastor OTWELL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH P.O. Box 146, 10041E. Washington Ave. Otwell 812-766-3344 Facebook: Otwell United Methodist Church and Jeff Pinney. Otwell United Methodist in- vites you to join us this Sun- day at 10 :30 a.m. as we wor- ship our Lord Jesus Christ; Sunday school, 9:30 a.m. "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become ma- ture, attaining to the whole mea- sure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-13, NIV ). Jeff Pinney, Pastor RUMBLETOWN FREE METHODIST CHURCH 1485 N. St. Rd. 57 Petersburg Morning worship at 10 :30 a.m. The church is located south of Petersburg on State Road 57. David Mullis, Pastor Hope Barnett, Reporter PETERSBURG CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 118 West Pike Ave. Church 812-354-8851 Service times: Sunday at 10 :30 a.m. Praise and Worship service; 6 p.m. Bible study; Teen activities; Wednesday at 6 p.m. Bible study. Sunday morning service is available via transmitter. Pull in to the church parking lot and tune your radio to 90.1 FM and hear the service from the com- fort of your car. Sunday morning services are available on our Facebook page—Petersburg Church of the Nazarene or look for us on YouTube. Visit our website www.petersburgnaz.com for additional information. We want to be a church meet- ing the needs of our communi- ty. If the church can be of assis- WINSLOW NAZARENE CHURCH 106 W. Washington St. Winslow 989-941-7190 Love, Care, Serve, Share Sunday morning service at 10 :30 a.m. Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. You are welcome to connect with our church either in per- son or online. Facebook: Winslow Church of the Nazarene. YouTube: Winslow Nazarene. Website: bit.ly/winslownaz. Irene's Food Pantry: Every third Saturday from 10 -11:30 a.m. Hope to see you soon. Corinna Williams, Reporter tance to you, contact us at pas- tor@petersburgnaz.com. Steve Hamilton, Pastor HOUSE OF MERCY CHURCH Corner of East and Porter Winslow Pastor 812-789-5229 A Church with open arms and a loving heart. Sunday morning service 10 :15 a.m. and Sunday school at 11 a.m. As we look around at the world situations we can sense that the Word of God in Reve- lations is beginning to become very real. My prayer is that if you read this Church news you are be- ing wooed by the precious Ho- ly Spirit and are coming under conviction to make Jesus Christ your Lord and Saviour. The hour of His appearing is very close at hand. People have said for years He was going to soon come, but now the Word of God is truly coming alive before our very eyes. May you find that relation- ship with Him, before it is to late. May the Word of God guide your life this week. Keep our Federal, State, and Local governments in your OAKLAND CITY FIRST PENTECOST Hwy. 64 East Sunday morning service 9:30 a.m. with children's Sun- day school during the ministry of the Word; Wednesday and Sunday evening services are at 6 p.m. All services are CDT (Gibson Co. times). Most of us are familiar with John Chapter 20 ; Jesus appears to the disciples after His resur- rection. Thomas has had a lapse in faith. (Most of us have expe- rienced this same thing.) "Ex- cept I see," he says. Jesus, after showing Thomas His wounds says, "be not faithless." When you are in pain, it is easy to have a lapse in faith. When a loved one is suffering; MAIN STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 10th and Main Streets, Petersburg 812-354-6844 Sunday worship 10 :30 a.m. Come visit us, our doors are always open to you. Maundy Thursday What is Maundy Thursday, the Thursday of Holy Week all about? The word "Maundy" is a shortened version of the Latin word mandatum, which means commandment. At the Last Supper, Jesus gave his friends a new com- mandment. He told the disci- ples, "I give you a new com- mandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another" ( John 13:34, NRSV ). As Christians gather to eat and share Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday, we should make a special effort to exhibit our love and respect for one another. Let us seek out people whom we don't nat- urally have affection for and express our wish that the liv- ing Christ may dwell in them and bless them. Office hours: 9 a.m.-noon, Monday-Friday. Amy Melhiser, Secretary OTWELL WESLEYAN CHURCH 2277 N. Mechanics Street Otwell Pastor 812.354.3028 Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.; morning worship at 10 :30 a.m.; 6:30 p.m. Sunday eve- ning worship service. God's Treasure in Clay A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could. He thought little about it, until one dropped and it cracked open on a rock. In- side was a beautiful, precious stone. Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so balls he had left. Then it struck him. He had thrown 50 or 60 of the balls into the ocean waves. He could of thrown away a fortune. It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the ex- ternal clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the out- side. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it. We see that person as less important than someone well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure in clay - hidden inside that person. There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth. May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a for- tune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the peo- ple in our world as God sees them. We invite all of you to come and worship with us. Roy Stilwell, Pastor Pam Lemond, Reporter prayer as it was a command from Jesus. Also, pray for the nursing homes, those in hospi- tals, family and friends that are afflicted. May you find peace and bless- ings in your week and be filled with joy. In His Service, George Bruce, Jr., Pastor what our eyes tell us can cause a lapse in faith. We must never give up. Christ doesn't give up on us. "Blessed are those who have not seen and believe." Ron Vickers, Pastor Elaine Young, Reporter, 812- 749 -1122 (leave a message).