Heart to Heart
Pastor Richard Wright
I was sharing with the students at Forestdale one morning for worship,
about the importance of honesty. We were talking about honesty in school work
and on tests. I stressed that it would be better to fail honestly then to pass
dishonestly, and that there should never be a reason for us to cheat. We looked
at Ps. 101:7 "He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house he
that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight." Cheating is a serious
matter in God’s sight and a direct violation of the eighth commandment,
"Thou shalt not steal."
Every year at this time we deal with filing our income taxes. We fill out those forms and put down all our deductions etc. It is a dreaded task, but we must do it. As Christians are we honest in reporting our income taxes? It is important that we are, for Christ said, "to render unto Ceaser the things that are Ceasers." We may not agree with how our taxes are being used but it is our duty to pay them. Christ also says to "Render unto God the things that are God's." So lets not forget to be honest in our tithes and offerings. Let us not cheat God..
We live in a world where cheating is common place. We see it in business, in the government, we see elderly people being cheated out of their life savings by some con-artist, but we should never see it among God’s people. We as Christians are to be honest, just and upright. We are to stand out in the world and be above reproach.
I took my wife’s car to the Honda dealer in Portland to have what we thought would be a couple of minor repairs. It was a pollution control problem, the E.G.R. valve. It fouled the spark plugs so they had to be replaced along with the spark plug wires and the distributor. The car had 83,000 miles on it when we took it in. The dealer said that the cost of the job was $500 but the company would take care of it as it was a common problem on the Honda. They could have charged us the $500 and we would not have known the difference. They were honest with us and we thanked them and let them know we would be back again not only for service but also to trade when the time comes. As we were leaving they said, by the way, we changed your oil also, no charge. We can feel confident that this dealer will treat us fairly and honestly. If people in the world, and I realize it is rare, recognize how important it is to be honest for business sake, isn’t it even more important that we as Christians be honest for Christ’s sake? We have valuable lessons to teach our children. *Have fun doing your taxes.
*Pastor Wright is not in any way being compensated by the IRS for writing
this article.
HONEST
An Assignment
(for all those interested)
I have 2 questions I’d love responses to. Your answers will be
featured in a future newsletter.
I would love your participation on this!!! Hand me your responses personally
with your name and answers on it, or e-mail
fchodson@hodsonhome.com or snail mail
to PO Box 469, Oxford, ME 04270—Lamplighter Editor,
Christie Hodson
Forestdale School News
Dear Church Family,
The winter months at Forestdale School bring the added joy of playing in the snow along with working on the academic requirements that are a part of each school day. The recent abundance of snowfall has made recess an exciting time for the students. As you drive by at recess time you will see them sledding, playing snow soccer, building snow forts, playing hockey, and having a great time.
Grades 4-6 are finishing their D.A.R.E program, which has included 170 hours of instruction in Drug Awareness Resistance Education. There will be a program at Thurlow Hall on February 6 at 6pm where the graduates will give a presentation of what they have learned and will be recognized by the instructor, Officer Phil Taylor. We invite all of the church family to come.
The staff and students of the school are very appreciative of the recent donation of carpeting by Rodney Johnson. This is something that we have needed for a long time. At the present time we are working on raising funds so that the carpet can be installed in two of the classrooms, library, and the stairways . During the month of February the Lambs Offering taken during the church service will be designated for the installation of the carpet. We would appreciate anything that you could give toward this fund. The completion of this project will really make an attractive addition to the interior of our school.
Forestdale students in grades 4-8 competed in the National Geography Bee which is sponsored by The National Geographic Society for thousands of students in schools across the United States. The over all winner for Forestdale was Joshua Saladino. Great job Josh!!! Andrew Harlow finished just behind him. Billy Snow and Lyndon Mason finished at the top of their class for the intermediate grades. Joshua has advanced to the next level of competition by taking a written examination. Now we have to wait for the results. The top 100 scorers in each state will be eligible to compete in the State Bee on April 6th.
Elections were held in the middle classroom and as a result Elizabeth Glover is the new class president and Bradley Sica is the class vice president for the term of two months.
Mystery Topics of the Month
Forestdale Staff Writer,
Linda M. Wiggin
Note
To HEART
With the HEART
And the HEART
Is an HEART
A Defining Moment
Sanctification: To cleanse or set apart for sacred use, to declare or make holy
Mystery Math
What is your final answer?
Helpful Texts for finding the answer
A. Genesis 5:27
B. Jonah 1:17
C. Genesis 2:2
D. Luke 3:23
E. Luke 10:31-33
F. Luke 15:11
G. Luke 17:12
Trivia Questions
ANSWER’S TO LAST MONTH’S BIBLE BRAIN TEASER
I’ve heard of many that have worked on the Bible Brain Teaser from January’s
newsletter. I am still stuck on 16 and its been three weeks so I’m either
going to start theology studies or keep looking. A little birdie told me that
Burna Wilson has FOUND ALL 17!!!! Happy Searching. As soon as all 17 are
found I would be happy to post the answer.
Who am I?
Clue #1: My favorite book of the Bible is James.
Clue #2: Due to a high school prank I have a scar on my body.
Clue #3: My Grandfather is my hero.
(answer in March newsletter)
Answer to January’s "Who am I" was Debi Verrill
Woodstock Whitetail Happenings
(Woodstock Pathfinders Report)
Barb Glover
The holidays are over and things are settling down for Pathfinders. We
are getting into the groove of meeting on a new night and we are jumping right
into our Friend Class requirements. During the month of January we
completed the Red Alert Honor and started the Seed Honor. We also did a winter
campout. Six brave Pathfinders faced the arctic chill of Bolsters Mills. We
slept down along the banks of the Crooked River where the temperature was -2
degrees! Yes, that's right... below zero. The half mile hike was made easier
with the use of snow shoes breaking a trail. Once all of the 2... or 3... or 4
layers of clothes were put on then the fun began with trying to sleep
comfortably in a tent in sub-zero temperatures. You would think that soft,
fluffy, powdery snow would be comfortable...NOT! Wherever you plop down, that's
the form the snow takes on. Morning came early and all Pathfinders, including
the leaders, still had ten toes and ten fingers. (Boy, didn't that make the
parents happy!) Bags were packed, boots were found, and the 1/2 mile trek up to
the house began. Once there, all were happy and, after a visit to the modern
flush, all were content. The Pathfinders are looking forward to a Movie night on
February 10 and working some more on being Invested in the Friend Class this
spring.
8th Grade Update
The 8th grade class of Forestdale School is well underway of
achieving their goal of going to Washington D.C. for their class trip. They are
busy fundraising and planning events for the rest of the year. During the month
of January they had a Movie night in which they sold popcorn and drink and
during this month of February they are planning a Game Night. It will be a fun
night for all ages in which you can play some of your favorite family games. The
class will sell Italian Sandwiches and hope that you will join us for an evening
of laughter and good times. Watch the church bulletin for further information.
White Barrels: Remember to drop your returnable bottles and cans off at the white barrels in front of Forestdale School. Proceeds benefit the 8th Grade Class Trip. Tell your family and friends too. Thanks to you, the trip to Washington D.C. is looking more and more like a reality!
We also want to take a little space to pass along a sincere, heartfelt "Thank you" to all of you who support us by donating food and time towards our weekly hot-lunch program. This particular fundraiser accounts for a large portion of the funds raised by all the 8th grade classes. Thank you!! —Barb Glover
Favorite Scripture and Why
Kevin & Natasha Hodson’s
Favorite Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
This chapter served as a basis as we dated and later married. It now has spilled
over into how to love our child. The Bible’s example and explanation of love
in this chapter so greatly contradicts the worlds notion of love. Take most TV
sitcoms, movies, books and secular songs and compare them to 1st
Corinthians 13. We are surprised that they do not hold up Christ's values, but
seem to purposely go against them. As the Woodstock church proceeds towards the
end of time, it would serve us all well to remember acceptance of each other is
not enough, but true love for each other. It is for this reason this chapter is
one of our favorites. It is there to guide us as we learn true love.
The Bread of Life
1 John 5:19
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under
the control of the evil one.
Note
Dear Lamplighter Readers,
Submissions for the Newsletter are carefully read and evaluated for submission.
I do apologize if your submission is not put in the newsletter. If this is the
case it may be that your submission is for a later issue or that it was decided
not to be used. I would be happy to explain why articles were excluded and would
reevaluate my decision for its publication after doing so. PLEASE don’t
hesitate to submit material for consideration. Your contribution is what makes
this "your" newsletter. Thanks. Lamplighter Editor
Note
I'm looking for recipe contributions to our newsletter!!!
Bread of this World
Molasses Cookies from the kitchen of Christie Hodson
3/4 C of vegetable shortening
1C sugar
1/4 C molasses
1 egg
2 t soda
2 C flour
1/2 t cloves
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t salt
1/2 t ginger
Mix together, Roll into balls, Roll balls in bowl of sugar.
Place on pan, slightly flatten with palm of hand
Bake @ 350 for 9 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes before removing from pan.
All We Have Is God
The headlines caught my eye as I leafed through a recent Portland Press
Herald newspaper. Due to the secular nature of most newspapers the phrase made
me take a second look. I continued on, reading about the town of Santa Tecla, El
Salvador, where an earthquake caused a portion of a nearby mountain to slide
down burying many of the homes of the town’s inhabitants. At the time this
story went to print, 672 people were confirmed dead. The quote that made me take
notice went as follows, "All we have is God and the helicopter that brings
food." All we have is God. All we have is God. That phrase kept ringing
through my head. What a inspiration that was to me. Here in this town’s
darkest hour, a faith-filled soul said "all he had is God." It made me
taste some humble pie and wonder whether I would have the courage to say such if
my home or family were taken away from me. It reminded me again of the teenager
in the library of Columbine High School who in her darkest hour also
looked toward God with no regard to what that verbal proclamation cost her.
Courageous souls looking toward their Saviour despite the horrors of Satan’s
handiwork, sin. May we learn that God is all we have when all is said and
done. A gift given to us for the taking. A Saviour, who can release us from the
prison of earthly possessions, binding time schedules, insecurities and
self-doubt. I pray I’m never too proud to accept his generous gift of life
forever. Lamplighter Editor
Note
What is a Seventh-day Gladventist?
A Happy Seventh-day Adventist
Are You Busy?
Satan called a worldwide convention. In his opening address to his evil angels,
he said, "We can’t keep the Christians from going to church. We can’t
keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can’t even keep
them from forming an intimate, abiding relationship experience in Christ."
"If they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken. So let them go to their churches, let them have their conservative lifestyles, but steal their time, so they can’t gain that relationship with Jesus Christ".
"This is what I want you to do, angels. Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this?" shouted his angels.
"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds" he answered. "Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow. Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days a week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children.
"As their family fragments, soon, their home will offer no escape from the pressures of work!"
"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive. To keep the TV, VCR, CD’s, and their PC’s going constantly in their homes. And see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly."
"This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ. Fill the coffee table with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards."
"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogues, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services, and false hopes. Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines so the husbands will believe that external beauty is what’s important, and they’ll become dissatisfied with their wives." Ha!! "That will fragment those families quickly!" Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted, disquieted, and unprepared for the coming week." "Don’t let them go out in nature to reflect on God’s wonders. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, concerts and movies instead."
"Keep them busy, busy, busy!!"
"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences and unsettled emotion."
"Go ahead, let them be involved in soul winning. But crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Christ." "Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause."
"It will work! It will work!!!"
It was quite a convention. And the evil angels went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busy, busy, busy and to rush here and there.
I guess the question is: Has the devil been successful at his scheme?
You be the judge!
Please take heed of the message it brings:
B – Being
U – Under
S – Satan’s
Y – Yoke
Are you busy?
Note
Lamplighter on the World Wide Web
www.hodsonhome.com/woodstocksda
Hello Friend
Thoughts and Comments by Fellow Woodstock Author, Laurie Wilson
I was sitting in the car waiting for our two children’s arrival from school
dismissal. As usual, one child comes out earlier than the other. While I was
writing and reading in my car, Kenny opens the door to ask if he can go to a
basketball game with Ben. "Fine with me". Ten minutes later, ‘Vannah
comes out then closes the door. I figured she’d ask, "Where’s
Kenny?" So without looking up from my book I told Rosco, the dog, all about
the game, daddy, my day, etc. Wonder if he cared? I know someone that did. Aren’t
you glad He listens?
"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles." (Psalms 34:17)
Aren’t you glad He listens
Fundamentals for Interpreting Scripture
E.H. (Jack) Sequiera
Editor’s notes: Go to www.blueletterbible.com for Original Hebrew & Greek translations
Note
No God, No Peace - Know God, Know Peace
Wanted
Artists, Poets, and Authors
Looking for courageous souls (anonymous if preferred) to share their talents
with the Lamplighter readers. Now is your chance to share your thoughts through
sketch, verse or column. Submit your pieces before the 3rd Sabbath of
each month to the Lamplighter Editor, Christie Hodson or via e-mail at
fchodson@hodsonhome.com
In My Humble Opinion
Words and Comments by Christie Hodson, Lamplighter Editor
I often find myself tongue-tied when someone asks me to define
"love". One can try but it’s almost impossible to understand the
true definition of love on an earthly planet. First of all LOVE is not only a
noun but also a verb, which is quite unique. Webster, in my opinion, short
changes the true potential of its definition. Paul wrote a whole chapter on the
subject of love.(1 Corinthians 13) Poets of old & new have written about
love, psychologists have studied it, diagnosed it, movies and books have
attempted to portray it, but always fall short of defining its true
significance. In my humble opinion, the closest & most complete definition
of love would be the "Life of Christ." His life, a testimony to God,
the creator of love. An unselfish, unconditional, & respectful regard for
someone else without thought of our own personal gain. Now that comes close to
who Christ was as a person. Or does it just scratch the surface? We’re talking
about a guy who died for the silly things I do every day. Why would he do that
for me? My closest friends would have reservations about even taking the blame
for something I did, forget about dying for me!! And yet Jesus chose to endure
the pain knowing it was for a greater purpose, our salvation. I truly feel
"Love" will never be completely understood in a sinful, selfish
society. Often the love Jesus portrays towards those in the accounts of the
Bible are looked at as "nice stories" or "idealistic". How
could anyone love the woman who sleeps around, the leper (or modern day AIDS
victim), the manipulative accountant, the man who sleeps with his neighbors wife
after abusing his power to have her husband killed, a mad man. How does Jesus
love the man who doubted his existence even while Jesus stood before him. How
can he love those who spat & whipped him as he walked with a splintered
timber down the path towards fulfilling the plan of salvation. He had a greater
purpose. Something more than just being a nice person, doing kind things. No one
has loved me more than to give up "his life" for my poor choices. All
he asks from me in return is to make the one choice of accepting his "gift
of love" and to try in some way to emulate that love towards those precious
creations of God around me. Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith sings a
song that states "Love isn’t love till you give it away." God
gave his only son. Jesus gave his life. Could we not give our heart? Could we
not help each other with our daily needs without regard for our personal gain or
bias, treating ALL as a child of God?. Difficult but possible. My prayer is for
God’s help in loving others & never taking for granted the ultimate love
He showed by dying on the cross to give us eternity. I thank Him for helping us
understand, more and more, the true meaning of "LOVE".
Chain of Love
Recorded by Country Artist, Clay Walker
He was driving home one evening, in his beat up Pontiac, when an old
lady flagged him down. Her Mercedes had a flat. He could see that she was
frightened, standing out there in the snow 'til he said,"I'm here to help
you ma'am, by the way my name is Joe." She said "I'm from St. Louis,
and I'm only passing through I must have seen a hundred cars go by, this is
awful nice of you." When he changed the tire, and closed her trunk and was
about to drive away, she said "how much do I owe you?" Here's what he
had to say, "You don't owe me a thing. I've been there too. Someone once
helped me out, just the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back,
here's what you do. Don't let the chain of love end with you." Well a few
miles down the road, the lady saw a small café. She went in to grab a bite to
eat, and then be on her way, but she couldn't help but notice, how the waitress
smiled so sweet and how she must've been eight months along and dead on her
feet. And though she didn't know her story, and she probably never will, when
the waitress went to get her change from a hundred dollar bill, the lady slipped
right out the door, and on a napkin left a note. There were tears in the
waitress' eyes, when she read what she wrote. "You don't owe me a thing.
I've been there too. Someone once helped me out. Just the way I'm helping you.
If you really want to pay me back, here's what you do, Don't let the chain of
love end with you." That night when she got home from work, the waitress
climbed into bed. She was thinkin' about the money, and what the lady's note had
said. As her husband lay there sleeping, she whispered soft and low
"Everything's gonna be alright, I love you, Joe "
Don’t Forget Those "I LOVE YOU’s!!!!!!!
If I knew it would be the last time that I'd see you fall asleep, I
would tuck you in more tightly and pray the Lord your soul to keep. If I knew it
would be the last time that I'd see you walk out of the door, I would hug you
and kiss you and call you back for one more. If I knew it would be the last time
I heard your name lifted up in praise, I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play it back for days. If I knew it would be the last time to spare
an extra minute or two, I'd stop and say "I love you," Instead of
assuming that you know I do. If I knew it would be the last time, I would be
there to share your day. Well, I'm sure you'll have many more, so I'll let this
one slip away. For surely there is tomorrow to make up for an oversight, and
we'll always get a second chance to make everything all right. There will be
another chance to say our "I love you's," and certainly there's
another chance to say our "Anything I can do's." But just in case I
might be wrong, and today is all I get, I'd like to say how much I love you and
hope we never forget. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike,
and today might be your last chance to hold your loved one tight. So if you're
waiting for tomorrow, why not do it all today? For if tomorrow never comes, you
will surely regret the day that you didn't take the extra time for a smile or
hug or kiss. And you're surely not too busy to grant someone, what turned out to
be their last wish. So hold your loved ones close today and whisper in their
ear. Tell them how much you love them and that you'll always hold them dear.
Take the time to say "I'm sorry, please forgive me," "Thank
you," or "It's OK." And if tomorrow never comes, you'll have no
regrets about today. Apologize and start anew and tell the one who loves you
that you love them too!
Note
We are on the web
www.hodsonhome.com/woodstocksda
Return To The Previous
Page
Return To The Woodstock SDA Homepage
Search The Woodstock SDA Website
Email The Website Administrator