Susquehanna Valley Church of Christ

Footnotes: Building the Kingdom by Encouragement

“God, Whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong – that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.” – (Romans 1.9-12)

I’ve had a few pretty interesting job experiences over the years – a number of them while working my way through college. I worked on a sheep and cattle farm and a vineyard, as a shoe salesman for a department store, managed the warehouse inventory at a hat factory and traveled as a student recruiter for the college I attended. But the one job where I found myself making some pretty good money was working construction. It was a great job, working outside with concrete and steel, building a water treatment system for three contiguous municipalities. I was really surprised when they hired me on the spot. And for a college kid, I made some pretty decent pay – especially when I worked overtime and Saturdays.

Last update: 11-06-2009 12:55

Footnotes: Walking in Victory

Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, Who is among you, is a great and awesome God. The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you. But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you, throwing them into great confusion until they are destroyed. He will give their kings into your hand, and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand up against you; you will destroy them. – (Deuteronomy 7.21-24)

I don't know if you've ever driven across the United States, but it's something you want to think twice about… it is a long haul. Now how about riding a bicycle across the United States? That's what one guy whom I recently read about did when he was a college student with a group called Wandering Wheels. That's a lot of wandering, how ‘bout it! This fellow said he was excited about the idea until the day the leaders displayed a map of the whole country on the side of their chuck wagon. It looked, in a word, impossible. But they started on this Mission Impossible anyway. Each day, they'd get up and just start riding again. “So he took it a day at a time, then?” No. This guy said when the riding really got tough and his legs were just about to go on strike, he would just aim for that next telephone pole. And pretty soon, he said, that huge map got conquered, one telephone pole at a time!

Last update: 21-05-2009 00:00

Congregational Prayer Meetings

We started the monthly prayer meetings April 19th. I must say that the first meeting was not so impressive in numbers but Jay, Bill, and I had a very good prayer session. I would like to strongly encourage everyone to be at these meetings if you can. We are fighting some very nasty battles in the spiritual realm dear brethren and we can only achieve victory through humility and prayer. Please review the verses that are mentioned below and give it some consideration.

We meet each Sunday afternoon that the Elders/Deacons meetings are scheduled (usually on the 2nd Sunday of the month - this month's will be postponed 1 week due to Mother's Day).

I am still in need of a female to coordinate any of the ladies that will be meeting together. Please let me know if you are interested! Thanks! (I believe that when the men and women pray separately, both groups can share in more gender specific, personal issues. This also limits the temptation to cross "headship" boundaries as prescribed in 1Corinthians chapter 11 and 1Timothy chapter 2.

I want to encourage every member to be involved in these meetings. Jesus had a very disciplined prayer life - alone, with his disciples, and in public. The early church met often to pray and they made it a priority to pray together before any major undertaking. I don't see how we can do any less. There are more biblical examples for the church praying together than many of the other programs and activities that congregations get involved in. Think about it please.

A few relevant verses:

Luke 22:46 Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”

Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Acts 12:5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

Jms 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Thanks, Mike Sullivan

Last update: 12-05-2009 12:27

Footnotes: A Secret to Being Healthy

“For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’

‘Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.’

‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’” – (2 Corinthians 6.16-18)

Over the past year I have experienced a series of physical maladies that have really knocked me down. It began early spring of 2008 with “Fifth Disease”, then a torn meniscus in my right knee, and before I recovered for both of those, mononucleosis. A friend emailed me asking if I was going through my second childhood, since some of what I’ve experienced is considered children’s diseases. I wrote her back and said, “Second childhood?! I’m still on my first!”

Most recently I suffered my first diverticulitis attacks. And now, just within the past several days, a few more ailments have been discovered. This is, in part, why I have not gotten a Footnotes out since just before the holidays. And I’m still not back on my normal, full schedule. I have pretty much curtailed all after hours-evening activities until my immune system and stamina are more fully renewed.

Last update: 04-05-2009 20:36

Footnotes: Seeing the Great Light

"The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned" – (Matthew 4.16)

I received a picture on my mobile phone this past Sunday from a dear friend who was in New York City – a photo of the famous Christmas tree display at Rockefeller Center. The digital image captured one of those magical Christmas moments – and not just for us or all those folks in New York City, where it happened this year during frigid cold and snow, but also for millions across the country who have watched it on TV. You see, each year Rockefeller Center puts up a massive Christmas tree. For a while, it just stands there in total darkness. Then, in that special Christmas moment, the lights suddenly go on, the tree comes to life, and the celebrating begins.

I have seen that happen; that amazing illumination happens to lives – including my own at around age 40. Including many other people I've known. Inside, where no one else can see, there was this darkness, this loneliness, this confusion and chaos about what life is really all for. Then the lights went on and everything changed – everything!

The difference was Jesus. It has been for millions of people all over the world for 2,000 years. He wants to be that for you. God spells out in our key Scripture text the promise of His coming this way: "The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned" – (Matthew 4.16) Light that is greater than the darkness of our sin, our depression, our shame, our loneliness, our greatest fears.

Last update: 14-12-2008 13:32