The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1462367
The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, March 23, 2022 D-3 PAWS WEEK PAWS WEEK Pet of the TITAN When a puppy is in your life, there is always reason to laugh. This week PAWS fea- tures a sweet young fellow named Titan, who is very boisterous for being such a tiny fellow. He has a very in- quisitive personality, a mix of long haired Dachshund and Poodle, so he will be a small dog with a big heart. Titan is mostly black with a few white accents on his chest, chin and paws. He can be adopted by calling 812-354-9894. ten Bible teaching of many of the great Bible expositors of that day, whose teachings we studied with deepest in- terest. What a precious heritage! We wish that more of our Christian young people to- day were as well off. Parents: it's strictly up to you. What are your priorities? What are you willing to pay — in terms of pleasure, ease or financial "success"? Do you set an ex- ample to your children — and others — by really put- ting God first? showing. Their coach made a decent statement when I asked if they were paying at- tention and if he had trouble getting them to go where he wanted them to go. He had a great answer. "They are like herding cats." I have to say he was right. I used one of our pretty days to straighten up our patio area and it looks better without all the leaves lying around. Our patio isn't anything fanc, but it is a place to sit outside and en- joy everything around. I usually get up so I can keep an eye on the time so my wife and which grandkid is there can get some extra sleep. I know I'll wake them up when it is time to get ready for school. This one morning I overslept and didn't hear the kids come in. Sure glad Grand- ma was able to stay awake be- cause it was time for them to catch the bus before I hit the floor. We are going to have to make a trash run soon be- cause grandma went yard selling again and came in with a few more riding toys for the kids. Our patio area, I was telling you about, looks like a scrap yard for riding toys. These kids have more toys than most all of us read- ing this column had when we were kiddos. We had our second quar- terly CASA board meeting this past Wednesday morn- ing. Our director Andrea Sharp is doing a good job, but she could use a few more case worker volunteers. The board of directors could use at least three more members. The case working volunteers are needed more than board mem- bers, but if you have a heart for helping children and their well being you are needed! I cannot explain much to you about the case working volunteers, but the board of trustees helps the direc- tor with her budget and any items she needs input with. It is an easy job to do and fair- ly rewarding because you have had a small part in help- ing some family. The board of trustees has no knowledge of who the families are and they are not mentioned in our meet- ings. The number of children involved is documented on a sign outside the courthouse lawn facing Main Street. So you can see our director could certainly use your help. We went to church last Sun- day and our Sunday school teacher is still educating us on the origins and the writing of God's word. One of the most important things for each of us to remember is the Bible is the inspired word of God Almighty. The Bible is accu- rate in facts and news about our forefathers. The Bible is a text book which tells us what God expects of us and what he wants us to improve in our lives. The Bible is a forecast of things to come, if we will just open our hearts and listen. We have seen much of what the Bi- ble has predicted in the past come to be, so why wouldn't the future be just as accurate. I was fortunate enough to be able to bring the morn- ing scripture lesson for Bro. Rich and I was led to the "Ser- mon on the Mount" and the preaching of the beatitudes. You aren't asked to be an at- titude, but to live your life in such a way as to have an at- titude which carries a prom- ise with it. As always let us go out to be the blessing we can be to each and every person we meet. See you next week. MINUTES RAMBLINGS Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 POINTS Continued from page 1 upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence de- scends," (ESV ). Scholars classify Psalm 7 as an imprecatory psalm. These psalms call down destruction, calamity, and God's judgment on enemies. In reading the article, I find the author's premise and reasoning troubling. I also find his interpretation and application problematic when compared with Jesus' teaching on how to treat your enemies. Again, this author's article results from the mass hysteria surrounding the war between Russia and Ukraine hating everything Russian and everything Putin. He admits ignorance of this Psalms' proper place in Christian thought. He says, "Honestly, I don't usually know what to do with them. I pray them simply as a rote [routine] practice. But I gravitate toward more even- keeled promises of God's presence and mercy. I am of- ten uncomfortable with the violence and self-assured righteousness found in these kinds of psalms." He recog- nizes it is violence he is ask- ing God to do on his behalf. It is naïve to believe the de- mise of a leader will stop war. What is wrong with pray- ing against Putin and Rus- sia if the Psalms in the Bible say to pray for God's judg- ment? A person can know lots of scripture, yet lacks the understanding of the genre and purpose of a pas- sage. Not every scripture is to be taken literally. Jesus would not agree with the au- thor to pray for evil to befall Putin. Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who per- secute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven." Mat 5:43-44. Continue reading and you will find instructions on how to pray. "The Lord's Prayer" does not instruct us to pray fire down on our enemies. It says to pray for "deliverance from evil." Critics of my position would argue being passive will get you killed. Recall that Jesus said to pray, "de- liver us from evil." Anoth- er Psalms says, "Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." Ps 127:1. If God does not have your back, you're as good as a dead duck. The cross of Christ is more pow- erful than a gun. Jesus said to remove the beam in our eye first before we get the splinter out of our neighbors. If we remove the beam in America's eye, we citizens will realize we are being duped by evil and cor- rupt lawmakers and politi- cians. International law says it is a war crime for one country to invade another sovereign country. America needs to repent for its invasion of Iraq, A fghanistan, Libya, Syria and other nondescript plac- es. American leaders sweep aside international law when they make war. Mental gym- nastics and swelling words are used to justify invasions. Politicians and their sup- porters love to characterize American wars as wars be- tween good and evil. They often invoke a Bible passage to show our war is always a righteous war. Of course, America wears a white hat because we're the good guys. I am sick of war and chest thumping self-righteous pol- iticians and Christians who cherry pick the scriptures to fit their ungodly aim. I call out anyone who advocates war over peace as being led by the devil. See John 8:44 for more detail. Teddy Roos- evelt said, "speak softly and carry a big stick." Jesus said, "pick up your cross and fol- low me." A more fitting prayer would be, "and that we may be de- livered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith," 2 Th, 3:2. Let us be people of peace and not advocate vio- lence. God knows how to de- liver people and take care of the evildoers. Psalms 37 says not to fret over evil do- ers. "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will re- pay, says the Lord." Ro 12:19. Pentecostal Pentecostal Nazarene Presbyterian Wesleyan Methodist Christian ALGIERS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Highway 356, Petersburg Sunday school 9 a.m. and worship service 10 a.m. You are always welcome to join our friendly church and worship God with us. Mike Atkins, 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 uni- ty in the faith and in the knowl- edge of the Son of God and be- come mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-13, NIV ). Jeff Pinney, Pastor PETERSBURG FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 801 East Walnut Petersburg 812-354-6658 47567fumc@gmail.com Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world Worship service 9:30 a.m.; Sunday school 10 :45 a.m. and Wednesday evening Bible study at 6:30 p.m. We are also broadcasting our Sunday worship service live on Facebook at Peters- burg First United Methodist Church. "O God, you are my God I shall seek You earnestly. My soul thirsts for you, my flesh yearns for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Thus, I have seen you in the sanctuary. To see Your power and Glory. Be - cause your loving kindness is better than life my lips will praise you. So, I will Bless you as long as I live, I will lift up my hands in your name. My Soul is satisfied with marrow and fatness and my mouth of- fers praises with joyful lips" (Psalm 63:1-5). God Bless. Michael (Mike) Punke, Pastor 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- tance to you, contact us at pas- tor@petersburgnaz.com. Steve Hamilton, Pastor 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 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.; Sunday school at 11 a.m. and prayer Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. To him who knows the truth, the truth will set him free. To know the truth is to read and study the Word of God. You will learn the truth and be set free from anger, de- pression, bitterness, unhappy life, a marriage that is not go- ing right. There is so much more that knowing the truth that it will work in your life. My prayer is that if you read this Church news you are be- ing wooed by the precious Ho- ly Spirit and are coming un- der 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 go- ing 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 too late. May the Word of God guide your life this week. Keep our Federal, State, and Local governments in your prayer as it was a command from Jesus. Also, pray for the nursing homes, those in hos- pitals, family and friends who are afflicted. May you find peace and blessings in your week and be filled with joy. In His Service, George Bruce, Jr., Pastor OAKLAND CITY FIRST PENTECOST Hwy. 64 East Sunday morning service 9:30 a.m. with children's Sun- day school during the minis- try of the Word; Wednesday and Sunday evening services are at 6 p.m. We are studying the book of John on Wednes- day evening. All services are CDT (Gibson Co. times). Ron Vickers, Pastor Elaine Young, Reporter, 812-749 -1122 (leave a mes- sage). 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. Alpha Mu Omega The Greek letters that be- gin the words "yesterday," "today" and "forever" remind us of Jesus' constant pres- ence with us personally and his eternal nature that tran- scends time as we know it. "Jesus Christ is the same yes- terday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8, NIV ). Dozens of psalms and other Bible pas- sages also proclaim that the Lord's "steadfast love endures forever" (e.g., Psalm 100 :5, NRSV ). What a reassuring message when life seems troublesome and fleeting! 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. Jesus, Moses, and an old man go golfing. The first one to tee off is Moses. He smash- es the ball and it is heading right for the water hazard be- fore the green. Moses raises his club, the water parts, and the ball makes it to the green. Jesus gets up to swing, cranks it out, and it is headed for the water hazard. Jesus closes his eyes and prays. The ball skips across the water and lands on the green two feet from the hole. The old man's turn comes and he drives the ball. The ball looks like it is going to drop directly into the water. A fish jumps from the water hazard swallowing the ball, as an eagle drops from the sky, grabbing the fish. As the ea- gle flies over the green, a bolt of lightning strikes the eagle, making it drop the fish. As the fish hits the green, it spits out the ball and the ball falls into the hole, making a hole in one. Jesus looks at Moses and says, "I really think I'm leaving Dad at home next time." We invite all of you to come and worship with us. Roy Stilwell, Pastor Pam Lemond, Reporter FIRST CHRIS- TIAN CHURCH 1400 E. Main Street Petersburg 812-354-6775 Worship with us Sunday morning at 10 :30 a.m. In a world filled with chaos it is comforting to know that God cares for all who seek Him. In fact, that's what the prophet Isaiah stated in Isaiah 26:3, "You (God) will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." With all the turmoil and un- certainty around us, let us be determined to focus on our loving God who cares. Dennis Randall, Minister