Text Box: SPEAK LORD, HERE I AM ~ Editorial Text Box: Endure hardness like a good soldier of Jesus Christ / Let your light so shine among men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. [2 Tim. 2:3; Matt. 5:16.] This email excerpt is from a Senior Pastor who attended a recent National Pastor's conference in San Diego:  I recently attended the National Pastors Convention in San Diego . . .  During one of the general sessions, the MC introduced a pastor from Uzbekistan.  He had traveled the farthest to attend the convention, so they wanted to interview him. I don’t remember his name; however, I do know this: I will never forget this man.!   He was humble, sincere, and gracious.  As the MC interviewed him he began to share about his ministry in his country that borders Afghanistan.  He talked about the church he pastors of a few hundred people.  He also shared how it is illegal in his country to be a Christian.  You see, his church is an "underground" church.  Amazingly, his city also has 3 "underground" Christian schools.  He talked about how the Christians have been arrested and even killed in his country. Then, as the interview was about to end, he began to speak very urgently and passionately. He said something to this effect: "I would like all of you to know that my church and the Christians in my country are praying that President Bush will be reelected." I was stunned.  I knew that this gathering had to include many pastors from all over the political spectrum and I was certain his would not go over well.  Immediately, there were murmurings and rumblings throughout the audience and the MC seemed a little uncertain about what to do next.  However, this pastor would not be denied.  Grasping the microphone firmly in his hand, he continued, "The officials in my country are afraid of President Bush, so they don't persecute Christians as much.  Under Clinton it was very bad for us.  Many of us were arrested, put in jail, and some were killed.  With Clinton, it was very bad.  But under President Bush, it has been so much better, so we are praying for him." The murmuring ended.  It was suddenly very quiet.  The MC paused.  Then he just asked us to stand and pray for this man and we did so with great passion. ~ Pastor James Lair Text Box: Christian Church of God Newsletter Text Box: Page #

 ONE OF OUR recent Old Testament Challenge studies in CEP (Christian Education Program) was a brief look at Samuel. Finally, Eli realizes that God is speaking to the young boy and tells him what his response should be: “Speak Lord, your servant hears.” And the question naturally follows for us under the New Covenant, Are we attuned to the voice of God? And secondly, do we respond as a committed “servant”?

This month winds down (or should I say “up”?) with Pentecost Sunday. One of the lessons from that 31 A.D. Pentecost was to learn to listen to God’s voice, the Holy Spirit. How sensitive are we to the Spirit’s guidance and inspiration, to the promptings and impressions of God’s Spirit?

Another portion of our OTC/CEP has been a focus on Isaiah. Let’s take a brief look at one of the opening scenes of that prophetic book of the Bible:  ISA 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I

 

 

 

 

· If you can’t get to sleep at night, check your pillow

· If you can’t get to sleep for two nights, check your mattress

· If you can’t get to sleep for three nights, check your conscience
Sleepless Solutions

If you tend to fall asleep in church, sit in the back row. You can lean your head against the wall so it doesn’t snap forward when you doze off. Oh, by the way, none of our pews are next to a wall!