June 19-25, 2010
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To Tell the Truth "…let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another" Ephesians 4:25 Most of us have been told from the cradle on to tell the truth. We’ve often been told but not shown. Even in the Church, which is often conditioned to “niceness,” there is often a lack of honesty and healthy confrontation. The failure to tell the truth allows attitudes of rebellion, control, manipulation, negativity, stubbornness, and self-centeredness to suck the lifeblood out of the body of Christ. We often choose not to tell the truth because it may hurt, offend, divide or taste really bad. But like a dose of a bitter antibiotic truth can heal deeply, penetrating sicknesses of the soul – the ones we can’t see in ourselves unless the Great Physician shows us. Paul warns Timothy that there is a day coming when many “will turn their ears away from the truth” (2 Timothy 4:4). They would rather be told what will make them feel good than what will help them. In recent days, I have been challenged to treasure truth over opinion. One writer says, “The pastor is responsible to cure souls by speaking truth, not sedate souls by sparing them or reassuring them with fine, pious phrases” (Herman Dietzfelbinger). In the same chapter as our key verse, Paul makes it clear that we are to speak the truth in love (4:15). The motivation of real truth telling is to save and not slay. An example from history illustrates the great marriage between truth and love. John Woolman was a Quaker minister who lived in the 1700’s. He became very troubled over the corruption and disorder in one of his neighbors homes and believed it was his duty to go and speak with the master of the house. He tried again and again to dismiss this thought but the Spirit became heavy upon him. He says, “As I was reading what the Almighty said to Ezekiel, respecting his Duty as a Watchman, the matter was set home more clearly; and then, with Prayers and Tears, I besought the Lord for his assistance, who, in Loving-kindness, gave me a resigned heart. At a suitable opportunity, I went to the master of the house and in the Fear of the Lord, I expressed to him what rested on my mind; which he took kindly, and afterward showed more regard to me than before. In a few years afterwards he died in middle age. I often thought that, had I neglected my duty in that case, it would have given me great trouble; and I was humbly thankful to my gracious Father, who had supported me so to go speak the truth in love.” Do we love truth enough to tell the truth and to be told the truth with prayers, tears, loving-kindness and in the Fear of the Lord? To tell the truth and tell it well,
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Monday - Pray for the Poynter's - Tony, April and Trinity. Tuesday - Pray for Anita Pringle Wednesday - Pray for Daryl Reed Thursday - Pray for the Sargent's - Jonathan and Cindy Friday - Pray for the Shaffer's - Bill and Nancy Saturday - Pray for the Sennett's - Bob and Marie |
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Weekly Need: $5,386 YTD Total Over/Under Need: -$22,368 All contributions given to The Orchard Church will be used exclusively for charitable purposes in accordance with laws governing a tax-exempt organization organized under state law provisions and that of the Internal Revenue Code. In keeping with the foregoing commitment, we reserve the right to distribute all funds contributed to the area of greatest need. |
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CLICK HERE... The Cruciform Life
We will resume The Grand Sweep in the fall. Children's Church Sunday, June 20 we will have Children's Church following the praise and worship time of our service. All children who have completed Kindergarten - 5th grades are encouraged to participate. Kidz Blitz Children and Parents: Watch for more information next week about Kidz Blitz on July 7, 14 and Aug. 4. Mark your calendars now, the children will not want to miss these exciting opportunities.
Dates at a Glance Mark your calendars for the following events: July 7 - Kidz Blitz |
Beginning June 19, we will begin a summer at the cross with a new series called "The Cruciform Life." Both the worship experiences and Acts 2:42 will include times of preaching, teaching, interaction and spiritual conversation, testimony and praying about the meaning of the cross in our lives. We will revisit our values which are cross derived and seek practical ways to live these out within our church family and within our daily lives as a community. The Holy Spirit is stirring my soul and assuring me that He has great plans for The Orchard as we surrender to Him more fully.Inviting lost and hurting people to receive New Life and Healing!
