Pastor's
Harbor
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Antioch
Lighthouse
Here
at Antioch, we are Disciples for Christ, the Church of
Three Ships: Worship, Friendship, and Fellowship; Where our worship is produced by our daily devotion with God,
Where our friendship is produced by our love, Where our
fellowship is produced by our relationship with Christ.
Here at Antioch, we are Kingdom Building.
Rev.
Michael E. Coleman, Pastor
Staff/Writers:
Bonnie Frizell, Rosemary Jordan, Shelly Robinson
Editor:
Stella Thomas
March 2000
Volume V
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| One of the
greatest struggles before us is the strengthening of our
community educational fabric. Or community educational
fabric is like the badly exposed threads in our everyday
garments. It may be that moths have eaten from it or we
have allowed it to waste away from neglect. Whichever the
case may be we must take up the tailor's tools and sow a
new garment that will fit our needs. As Christians we
must know that we are the tailors of God Israel serves as
a good example in Zech. 3:1-5 as they come out of
captivity. The correct motif or paradigm is that of
coming out of captivity. When we come out of captivity
there are some habits that have been adopted by the group
that can make it hard to progress forward. God instructs us in the scripture to educate our
children (Deut. 6:1-6, Eph. 6:1-4). This responsibility
is placed at the feet of parents. We may delegate this
responsibility but we cannot relieve ourselves of this
parental responsibility. Clearly there is a
responsibility laid on the parents of children. How can
the church come along side our parents and help them?
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Mind you, we
cannot do their job, but how can we help. As a church we can express in our faith
community the importance of education. To set forth
education as important isn't enough. We must put our
resources on the line. We must set forth scholarships in
order to provide future opportunities. Before we can
provide for future opportunities, we must make sure that
the present opportunities are taken advantage of to their
fullest. The church must teach what the scriptures set
forth. "Train up a child in the way he should go:
and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
(Prov. 22:6 KJV) We as parents must take some blame.
I believe the preparation begins at
home. What we put in them is what others will get out of
them. The problem is that we have made a poor investment
in our children. Just think of it. If your children run
over you they will try to run over every adult they come
in contact with. (Prov. 17:25; Rom. 1:30; 2 Tim 3:2;
Prov. 1:8; Prov. 10:1; Prov. 13:1; Prov. 19:18; Prov.
29:17) If the church would simply produce better parents,
I believe we
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would be a
leg up on the education issues we are facing. The
problems we face are a problem with the home. Go into the
schools and you will see a group of young people who are
smart, they just don't have any etiquette. Their manners
are bad. Their attitude is bad. This is a reflection of
the home they come from. The
church has failed at extending its influence past the
four walls of the church building. Christians just won' t
follow the biblical models. Why? Some of it because they
have not been taught. The rest of it is because we think
we know more than God concerning raising children. Let me
let you in on a little secret. God wrote the book.
The church must work harder at
producing better parents. We will then be able to secure
a brighter future for our children through education. Yes
there are other problems but this is really the best
solution for our educational fabric.
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WE ARE MORE THAT CONQUERORS
By Rev. Abraham Funchess, Jr.
Nay, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that
neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor
powers, nor thing present, n or things to come, nor height, nor
death, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from
the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus or Lord.
Roman 8:37-39
In contemporary church culture, so many hurts and pains,
disappointment and disillusionment, are part and parcel of our
social reality today which can rob us-even those of us supposedly
saved by the gospel of Jesus Christ- of all of our joy and
spontaneity, our creativity and our freedom. Several brothers in
Christ of the prophetic fraternity - for instance, Wilkerson,
Clary, Swindoll, and King - have all declared that sincere honest
Christian often fall short in their spiritual commitment to God
because of some unresolved hurts or unclosed wounds. In fact, for
some of us, our relationship today lack the magic and dance that
should characterize Godly relationships, instead, too many of us
lead lives that tend to be dull and boring - really trite
existence that lack color. Even though all of us in Christ Jesus
should lead lives which express "abundant living" which
frees us to be more living and compassionate, unfortunately it's
too often we Christians lynch one another with the "do' s
and don't of a legalistic nightmare." But you know what? I
have had the opportunity to dialogue with the Master, through
prayer and through the reading of the Gospel, and I am confident
that His grace abounds. Yes, in fact, I am assured of at least
two absolutes , related to God: (1) that God truly loves his
children and (2) our faith really please God.
God Loves
Faith Pleases God
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David Wilderson notes in his
book: Have You Felt Like Giving Up Lately that "God
is not in the business of condemning His children -
failures or not. He yearns over us as a loving Father,
wanting only to lift us out of our weaknesses." In
fact, the Bible reminds us that the sparrow shall not
fall from the sky without the Father (Matt. 10:29) Isn't
that great to know? That not even a sparrow can escape
the hand reach of God? Isn't it great to know that God's
love is so great, so big, so unfathomable, that while God
is making sure that the entire universe is operating
smoothly, He still makes time - creates time - to
tenderly care for each sparrow. And how much more will
God care for you and me, humans created in God's very own
image, for the express purpose of bringing God glory? Though
the enemy moves to and fro seeking whom he may devour, it
is the believer, who submits to God and resists the
devil, who shall witness the enemy fleeing from his or
her presence (James 4:7). But this submission requires
faith on our parts. The Bible says that "without
faith, it is impossible to please (God)" (Heb.
11:6). Moses, Abraham, David, Elijah - all of these
"faith-hall-of-famers" did not reach their goal
overnight. They each had failures in their lives, yet,
because of their faith, God still exalted them to
positions of eminence! It is by faith that we shall
accept the Word of the Lord, too, and be more than
conquerors through Him who loved us - and continues to do
so!!
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Women's
Ministry Highlight
by Chante Roberts
RETREAT 2000
April 19, 1996; April 18, 1997; April 17, 1998; April
16, 1999. What do all these dates have in common?
They represent some of the past kick-off dates of Antioch's Women
Ministry Spring Retreats, and soon to be added to that list is
March 24, 2000. That's when the women of Antioch will reconvene
once again to have uninterrupted fellowship with one another. Buy
fellow shipping won' t be the only component of this retreat. As
always, worshiping w ill take place and friendships will be made
or enhanced. Just like our church mission statement says: At
Antioch we are disciples of Christ, the church of three ships:
worship, friendship, and fellowship. On march 24-25, 2000, the
women of Antioch will once again put into practice what our
church mission statement is all about.
How will we worship? On Friday there will be a Praise &
Workshop gathering. Scriptures will be read and songs will be
sung. On Saturday, we will have Sunrise Prayer, Morning Prayer
and Scripture, and a Prayer March. These are all components of
worship.
Our worship will be enhanced if each woman has a daily
devotion with God. Individual time spent with God (before the
retreat) is a key ingredient that is needed in order for us t o
come together on one-accord. When each woman has spent quality
time with God, there exists a "oneness" among us; this
oneness (or the Holy Spirit within each of us) proves to enrich
our worship services.
Fellowship will take place as we become united together in
agreement. What are we agreeing on? The word of God. On Saturday
there will be a Mini Bible Study and two presentations by our
guest speaker (Mrs. LaTonya Reynolds). At these
segments we will be studying the word of God and agreeing upon
the word of God; hence, fellowshipping takes place.
Friendships will be made as we share in conversation with one
another. Our talk will reveal much about ourselves. This type of
revealing (or self-disclosure) allows for a possible " connection" to take place . This connectedness is the
starting point of a relationship.
What else will take place at the Retreat? Bonding...a sense of
togetherness. We will realize that we are not an island among
ourselves...we are not alone. The motions you are experiencing,
Sis. Gail has already experienced them. The choices you are
contemplating, Sis. Charlotte has already made them. The
pressures you are dealing with, Sis. Thadine has already dealt
with them. You will realize that your troubling situation is not
unique to you...others have already been there, and they've
triumphed. And what does that mean to you? It means that you can
find comfort and strength not only in Christ Jesus but in your
fellow sister as well. They're your family! This is what families
do. Families also have good times together , now don't they? This
Retreat will be no different. There will be simile-perhaps to all
those delicious meals that will be served! There will be
laughter-perhaps in response to all of those childhood stories
that Sis. Tiney and Sis. Aleen will tell. There will be droopy
eyes-perhaps as a result of all those late night conversations
that will be so absorbing that you can't hardly pull yourself
away from. And last, but not least, there will be
memories...memories and unforgettable Retreat that God has
blessed, but realize, these memories can only exist if You
show up.
I'm proud to say that I have memories of April 19, 1996; April
18, 1997; April 17, 1998; and April 16, 1999. In the year 2001, I
hope you will be able to say: "I have memories of March
24-25, 2000. That's when I attended the Antioch Women's Ministry
Spring Retreat.....and boy was I blessed."
Antioch's Women
Ministry Spring Retreat
March 24-25, 2000
American Martyrs
Retreat House
Cedar Falls, IA
50613
Cost: $50.00
(includes overnight stay, Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast &
lunch and great worship, friendship & fellowship.)
$35.00 (not staying
overnight but both days events)
$25.00 (one day event. Friday only or Saturday only)
Registration
deadline is March 12th.
Fruits of the Spirit
by Bertha Harrington
A familiar quote I often hear is "You can't judge a book
by its cover" . I found this to be absolutely true. Many
times I have been guilty of judging someone because of the way
they dress, talk or they just didn't impress me. Getting to know
people and listening as well as conversate is the best indicator,
be it positive or negative. Judging base on first impression
results in incorrect conclusion based on ones own opinion of what
we think. 1 Sam. 16:7, In the latter part of the verse tells us
that the Lord does not look at the outward appearance, but rather
He looks at the heart.
We as humans cannot look on the inside of a person, but as a
Christian, we should recognize the fruits they are bearing. Gal.
5:22-23 (NIV). But the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, joy, Peace,
Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and
Self-Control. Against such things there is no love. Love -
1 John 4:7 - Dear friends, let us love one another, for love
comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows
God. Joy - 3 John 1:4, I have no greater joy
than to hear that my children walk in truth. Peace
- James 3:18 - Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of
righteousness. Patience - Proverbs 19:11 - A
man's wisdom gives him patience. Kindness - Eph.
2:7 - In order that in the coming ages He might show the
incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in the kindness to us
in Jesus Christ. Goodness - Proverbs 11:27 - He
who seeks good find goodwill. Faithfulness -
Proverbs 3:3 - Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind
them around your neck, and write them on the tablets of your
heart. Gentleness - Phil. 4:5 - Let your
gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Self-Control
- 1 Thes. 5:8, But since we belong to the day, let us be
self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and
the hope of salvation as a helmet.
As we enter into the New Millennium, the 21st century, let us
as Christians take on the fruits of the spirit and make a
commitment to ourselves to win sols for Jesus, after all we are
called out to be, "Disciplines of Christ".
Antioch Baptist Church
Rev. Michael E. Coleman, Pastor
426 Sumner Street
Waterloo, Ia. 50703