11-11-11

This is the Voice of One. Welcome to November 11th, 2011 a/k/a 11-11-11. Nothing more to add there, just that it's a cool date that won't be repeated for another thousand years (hopefully the Lord will have returned long before then!)

Three big things to discuss and so in no particular order here we go:

Fayetteville Fire Fighters were called to the scene of a big duplex fire today at the intersection of Drake and Peg. The structure was 30% involved when firefighters arrived, and smoke was seen all over town. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The problem is that someone at Carolyn’s work said the fire was at a nearby apartment complex, the one where one of our attenders and one of our families live. There immediately began a scramble to find them all. Rick was dispatched to find the individual, and I dispatched myself to find the family. Before we completed our missions we discovered our error and stood down. The point is this: if you are Oak Manor Christian Church you are family and should calamity strike your family will go proactive to make sure you’re all right and see to any needs. As Paul told the church in Galatia: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10)

It is so good to be a part of the family! Are you in Northwest Arkansas and not a part of a powerful church family? How can you face life so alone? Come check us out, we'd love to see you Sunday morning!

Secondly, we see how our Awesome God takes care of his own. A young man who is an Opera major at the University of Arkansas and a member of the Christ on Campus student ministry, Jonathan Chavez, came to this country when he was 14. His folks went on to become citizens, but due to his age he fell through the cracks. On his way to visit his mom in Florida, he was snared in an immigration sweep at the bus station and spent some time in the slammer awaiting deportation. Many prayers were lifted up on his behalf, for sure and now comes word that he has received what they call prosecutorial discretion, which means to make a long story short the way is paved for him to become a resident, he will be allowed to work and he faces deportation no more! Woohoo! This is so awesome! Jonathan had shared his amazing testimony with us a while back, and we were really praying for him and pulling for him. A happy ending indeed!

Finally, today is Veteran’s Day. There has been so much said about this day that I doubt that my meager musings will really add much. But let me say this: if you’re a veteran of the armed forces I want to say thank you for your service. We live in the greatest country on earth! One of the guys at work is an immigrant from El Salvador, and the other night he was telling us some of the horror stories he saw during the civil war there. These stories are so gruesome they are really not appropriate for this format. It just makes me thank my God that I live in the United States and lest we become judgmental of those who want to live in this country I would remind you to check out some of their stories. It will make you proud to be an American!

This is the Voice of One!

Closed Circuit to Oak Manorites:

I look forward to Sunday, when our family will gather and lift up praises to our Awesome God and we will enjoy the bonds we share in the Lord and the peace we have in our presence with one another. We will have some routine business to discuss as it is also our board meeting Sunday. In the meantime, let’s lift praises to God and think how we can get our friends and family to know and share in the precious relationship that we have with our Lord and with each other. One more housekeeping item: normally this would be the weekend for Dave's prayer group but it has been postponed for one week.

I'll see you Sunday, if not before!