Heart To Heart
By Pastor Richard Wright
I was asked by a couple of family members to help them with a budget. I’m no
financial wizard by any means, but I do know that many Christians have
difficulty handling money and are heavily in debt , which leads to
discouragement and enslavement and even divorce. It takes money from the cause
of God and from one’s own family. In the book of Counsels on Stewardship (p.249)
it says, “many, very many, have not so educated themselves that they can keep
their expenditures within the limit of their income.” Therein lies the problem.
People heavily in debt spend more then they have and they have not learned to
live within a budget or even plan a budget. A Christian should not be in that
position. Most of us think that if we made just a little more money then our
troubles would be over, but the truth is that people of all income levels are in
debt, because they haven’t ever learned to live within their means no matter
what they make.
Counsels on Stewardship (p.257) says, “Be determined never to incur another debt. Deny yourself a thousand things rather than run in debt...avoid it as you would the smallpox.” People who continually borrow money over their lifetime pay thousands and thousands of dollars in interest. If a person buys a new car for example at a cost of $18,000 that’s only worth $15,000 as soon as they drive it off the lot ad they borrow that $18,000 to pay for the car, they are going to end up paying $22,000 or so. So now they are paying $7000 more for something that will be worth nothing by the time they get it paid for. Why not buy a good used car and pay cash for it? Christians should make as much money as possible and use it for the honor and glory of God. They should pay God first, then themselves and borrow from themselves when they need to make purchases, then pay themselves back. We live in a society that says, buy now and pay back much later. We then become slaves to debt. Christians should be good stewards of the goods that God gives them to manage. 1 Corinthians 4:2 says, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” There are services available free of charge to help people manage their finances and that will set up a plan to get out of debt. We need to take advantage of that counseling so we can be good stewards and live as God would want us to live, debt free. Think how good that would be.
Who Am I?
Today I would like to introduce you to Faye Wilson Taylor. She was born in
Norway, Maine at Stephans Memorial Hospital. She is the baby amongst a crew of 6
brothers and 1 sister. She met her husband through a friend of her brother. She
keeps busy as a housewife as well as a permanent fixture at the Forestdale
School Store. She has 2 children, a boy and girl and 7 grandkids. Her hobbies
include cooking & crocheting. Her favorites in foods include most fruits, while
her dislike includes turnips. She enjoys the Gospels most of the books of the
bible. When asked what animal she most wants to play with in heaven her answer
was a Koala bear. Please get to know Faye if you get the chance. She an
incredibly sweet person. Her dedication to her grandchildren knowing the Lord I
know makes God smile.
Forestdale School News
Forestdale’s playground is covered with a white blanket of snow. This has added
lots of excitement to these moments of recess that are so special to the
students. As you drive by or visit you see sleds and snowboards being navigated
by enthusiastic young people in hopes of receiving a thrilling run down the
hills. Snow forts, snow animals, and snowmen decorate the playground as the
children happily construct their great snow creations. One sunny afternoon a few
weeks ago students and faculty took a break from classes and had a sledding
party at Nancy and Earl Mason and Heather Tetreault’s home. Their entire back
yard is a gradual slope that provides a seemingly endless sled ride. The hour
went by quickly and tired people headed back to school.
Recess and fun activities are only a small part of Forestdale’s program. Each class is busy with daily academics. Each week finds the students busy with assignments as they master new concepts in the curriculum. Interspersed with academics are the many spiritual lessons that can be gained as we learn more of Christ and His teachings. What a wonderful direction for our lives as we look to Him.
As the Staff at Forestdale make daily lesson plans they also look ahead to next year. Planning starts early as subjects, activities, and projects are looked at. Presently we are studying the enrollment for next year and would like to develop an accurate count of students. If you have a perspective student or know of a possibility the staff would like to hear from you within the next few weeks.
We ask for your prayers. We appreciate the many gestures of kindnesses that are extended from the church family toward the school family.
Forestdale Staff Writer
Linda M. Wiggin
Quote
Mark Hopkins
Life can only disappoint you if you let it.
Story
A little boy is telling his Grandma how "everything" is going wrong.
School, family problems, severe health problems, etc. Meanwhile, Grandma is
baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he would like a snack, which, of
course, he does.
"Here, have some cooking oil." "Yuck" says the boy.
"How about a couple of raw eggs?" "Gross, Grandma!"
Would you like some flour then? Or maybe some baking soda?"
"Grandma, those are all yucky!"
To which Grandma replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why he would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually they will all make something wonderful!
God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.
Pillars of Faith
By faith Enoch was taken from his life, so that he did not experience death; he
could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he
was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to
please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that
he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:5 & 6
Enoch was a descendant of Seth. Seth’s descendants for the most part remained faithful to God and worshipped him. Notable among those in this godly line was Enoch who was the son of Jared and father of Methuselah. He lived for a total of 365 years and walked with God. In other words, he led a righteous life of faith in service of God. Instead of his death being recorded, it is simply said of him, “then he was no more because God took him away” The writer of Hebrews, commenting on the faith of some of the great heroes of the past, says that Enoch “did not experience death” because “he was commended as one who pleased God” He goes on to make the point that “pleasing god” is only possible by means of faith in him. Thus Enoch was counted “righteous” before God by his faith; a teaching that the writer demonstrates its essential to a proper understanding of Christianity. Interestingly enough Cain also had a son named Enoch.
Beginning At The End
Each of the following is the last verse of a book of the bible. Can you name
them?
1. Remember me, O my God, for good.
2. But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou are very wroth against us.
3. And they were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen
4. For he served Baal, and worshiped him, and provoked to anger the Lord God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.
5. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen
6. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.
Note
CHRISTIAN MUSIC SALES ARE UP 12% SINCE SEPTEMBER 11, COMPARABLE TO 3%
SALES OF SECULAR MUSIC
Who was Adonijah & Haggith?
Adonijah followed in the footsteps of his older brother Absalom, David’s fourth
son by also threatening the ailing kingdom of David. His bitterness over the
assumption that Solomon, rather than he, would become David’s successor, led him
to plot a political coup, which failed through Nathan’s skillful intervention.
Solomon showed tolerance of Adonijah, which ran out when he made a bid for
David’s former nurse Abishag, resulting in his execution at Solomon's hands.
Haggith was the mother of Adonijah and one of King David’s wives. Haggith’s son was born to her while David’s court was in Hebron and was David’s fourth son born there. He later tried to usurp the throne
Community Services Report - 2002
The Community Services department of the Woodstock SDA Church has had a very
busy holiday season. If you were a visitor at Thurlow Hall and saw the room
where the large banana boxes were packed, then you know that they were filled
with a good variety of basic foods and topped with fruits and vegetables and
some goodies. A lot of love and hard work went into these boxes. Our students at
Forestdale School started at Halloween time when they went to the surrounding
towns and collected cans and other food items. They presented each home with a
nicely printed sheet explaining their project and who they were and about their
school. Our church people donated food, made bread and gave money. The school
children also helped bake cookies. We gave 21 boxes of food and 22 fruit plates
at Thanksgiving. At Christmas we delivered 25 boxes of food, 20 fruit plates and
16 poinsettia plants to needy families, shut-ins and friends. We want to thank
every one who helped with this outreach. Our leaders have been able to help
people at other times through the past year, one or two boxes have gone out each
month and some clothes and bedding given. We are hoping that our food shelves
can soon be restocked with basic food stuff. We receive a donation twice a month
from Wal-Mart, mostly damaged goods, but usable. We request that our members
continue to bring foods to the box in the church foyer. We are still able to buy
from the Shepherd Food Bank at a greatly discounted price. Your donation of
money to Community Services makes this possible. Our total expenditure for the
holiday boxes and fruit plates was approximately $400.00. The poinsettias were
purchased with Sunshine Money. Thanks again to all whom have helped with this
important outreach program. We anticipate more calls for food as the year
progresses. We are eager to be ready to fill these needs. We have some good
clothing on hand. Our need in this department is for good blankets, sheets and
pillowcases, towels, washcloths and kitchen linens. In case of fire, we need to
be ready to help. Our space is very limited therefore only good quality clothes
can be saved. Please no adult shoes, good clean children’s shoes can be used. We
have no place to store other household items. Keep this type of goods for the
School sale this spring. Thank you again for your generosity and God bless you
as you plan what you can do this year for this important church ministry
Isabel Brown
Assistant Community Services Leader
And A Little Child Shall Lead Them
Forestdale Bible Lab & Outreach Updates
Please Note that the Bible Lab at Forestdale has terminated its use for used
church periodicals due to the complications of the mailing process plus the cost
factor. We want to Thank all that have contributed to this program for the past
8 years.
$105.00 was received for the Prison Ministries offering. Thank you Forestdale students, teachers and church family.
If you would like to buy a butterfly to be released on July 4, 2002 at McLaughlin Garden in South Paris please see one of the Forestdale School Students or call 674-2655 for more info. They have to be ordered by January 31, 2002. This program is a national release for “ecology”, “freedom”, & “independence”.
Nine neighborhood homes were visited by the Forestdale School students & church family on Friday night, December 21st. Christmas caroling along with a loaf of bread made with love by the students was given to each household. 32 loaves of bread & 26 dozen cookies were given in the Thanksgiving & Christmas boxes. These goodies were also made by the students. Many of the recipients sent cards, called or expressed their appreciation for the gifts of thoughtfulness.
Four families were adopted for Christmas by the students over $600 was given for this project. All the students & teachers were involved in going to Walmart (which donated $25) & shopped for needed articles of clothing, boots, sneakers, etc. for these families. After the purchasing of these gifts they were taken back to the school where they were wrapped & labeled. After this process, the students, teachers, and Maude Alice (who was in charge of the bountiful food boxes) took the gifts to the individual families. The participants sang songs & wished them blessings as well as also inviting them to Church & Sabbath School. Each family were overwhelmed with gratitude for the generosity & thoughtfulness. One family had no furniture except for 1 small table & three folding chairs. 3 living room chairs & 2 single beds were donated by parents of students or church members along with new bedding, towels & other necessities. Each student learned first hand what giving with love is all about. “if you have done this unto the least of these my brethren you have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Thank you Gen Soloninka for the beautiful knitted items you donated, Also Lisa Vail for shopping with the students, and the parents that help to wrap the gifts at school. Your help was appreciated. For each of you that gave a love offering for this project at the Christian Cantata. Thank you.
By Goldie & Jim Mason
Note
I’d like to “BUG” you all about taking an active participation in the making of
the monthly “Lamplighter Newsletter”. I know there are those of you who are
hiding your creative talents. Please do so no more. I welcome your input to the
Lamplighter. If you would like to be a reporter of sorts, writing articles about
various church activities, or you write poetry and you’d like to share it with
fellow Lamplighter readers. Maybe the Holy Spirit is impressing you to share
your Christian walk with others. There are no restrictions on age so I pray
those of you that are in the primary, juniors, earliteen or youth will get
involved in “a perhaps more behind the scenes” ministry to your own home church.
I thank those of you that do submit things for publishing and I look forward to
continued participation in this year of 2002.
Sincerely, Lamplighter Editor - Christie Hodson
In My Humble Opinion
By Lamplighter Editor - Christie Hodson
Having been an Adventist all my life I often wondered what it felt like
“outside” the church. Though I never felt trapped completely by its doctrines,
my curiosity of being the “one who came into the church”, always fascinated me.
I felt being exposed to one angle of belief would somehow create a naïve
conservative unaccepting person. My parents fortunately exposed me to other
people’s beliefs and always showed an acceptance to their rights of their own
views and lifestyles. Yet they always stood firm in their beliefs toward
Christianity & Adventism which probably has a great deal to do with why I
remained in this particular denomination. I couldn’t help but wonder though as I
got older and reevaluated my beliefs outside of my parent’s direct guidance, why
were so many leaving the church. Evaluating it further I found that they were
not only leaving the church, but leaving God all together. It often baffled me
why our outreach was for those “outside” the church while all the time people
were slipping out the back door. Why were our missions in other countries when
“their” churches were growing 10 times faster then ours in America. Somehow
things just didn’t add up to make much sense. It forced me to analyze the
organization I was a part of and try to discern why such scenarios were playing
out. It was in examining Jesus’ life, strong Christians around me, human
behavior and watching other churches that brought me to my conclusion. Or at
least an idea of why this was and is still happening. The primary ingredient in
all 4 areas was unconditional love. Jesus lived it, strong Christians showed it,
human behavior craves it, relationships grow with it and growing churches are
filled to the brim with it. Giving love, sounds so easy but we mustn't forget
its not natural. Giving of ourselves takes energy, creates an uncomfortable
vulnerability, and gets us more involved with others than we want to be. (We
have enough to deal with already, right?). Believe it or not it’s the secret,
yet obvious ingredient needed to keep us glued together despite opinion or
denominational lines. I felt a burden to write this editorial this month as I
have continually been hearing of church members that no longer are attending
church. They’ve essentially dropped out of sight. People who have been an
integral part to the growth and body of the Woodstock church. Woodstock church
is known around as a healthy church but right before our eyes, we’re losing
important body parts (members) to either discouragement, hurt, misunderstandings
or just outright neglect. We cannot change the mind of others but we certainly
can try to influence their decisions to return to worship and fellowship by
showing our unconditional love, portrayed through the life of Christ. I will say
personally that I’m not outgoing, not one to walk right up to these people and
say I’m sorry & I miss you at church, but through my introverted way I want to
publicly say I miss you all. In Cradle Roll we sing a song called “I miss you at
my Church”. As I watch the older ones in class sing the song by memory, I pray
silently that they will continually singing it loudly in their thoughts and
actions and be an example to those of us who have become comfortable just
bringing ourselves to church unbeknownst to those who are missing among us. I
pray we continue growing the seed planted in our children’s division of being
aware of those missing. The particular song I chose has to do with drawing lines
around our denomination keeping “other beliefs” out of our thinking. Though it
talks about denominational lines as such do exist, we can also apply the same
principle to the boundaries that we put up amongst our own denomination and
realize that we are not better off divided, there is room enough for all of us,
that we can open our arms wide enough, and that our parts are not greater than
the sum. We must have the heart of the one who stands at the door (Christ) who
has bid everyone come! Nichole Nordeman speaks about the inspiration of writing
“Please Come” by saying “I just wanted to write a simple song about the basics
of the Gospel. To me the basics are about an invitation that’s been extended to
every person without exception.” “The Gospel is about the invitation to come for
each of us. And so this song is just about remembering what we have in common
and not what makes us different, not what separates us. I don’t believe the
Jesus really cares too much about denominations and doctrine and all that stuff
that we spend our lives obsessing over. I think its about salvation , or need
for it and the gift that’s been given.
Please Come
By Nichole Nordeman
Oh the days when I drew lines around my faith to keep you out, to keep me in, to
keep it safe. Oh the sense of my own self-entitlement to say who’s wrong, or
wont belong, or cannot stay. Cause somebody somewhere decided we’d be better off
divided, and somehow despite the damage done, He says, “Come”. There is room
enough for all of us. Please come, and the arms are open wide enough, Please
Come, and our parts are never greater than the sum, this is the heart of the One
who stands before an open door, and bids us, “Come”.
Note
We’re on the web
www.woodstockchurch.com
I Am Thankful For….
the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends
the taxes I pay because it means that I’m employed
the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
my shadow who watches me work because it means that I am out in the sunshine.
a lawn that needs mowing,, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking
all the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.
my huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.
the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I’m alive.
the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby.
weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.
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