STONE NEWS
FEBRUARY 2018
FEBRUARYBIRTHDAY VERSE–1 CORINTHIANS 13:13
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But thegreatestoftheseis love.”
Ephesians 4:32 - Bekind and compassionate to oneanother, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
THE CRUMPLED PHOTOGRAPH
By Philip Yancey
One holiday while visiting my Mom, we looked through the large, old box of photographs she had saved. We found all my pictures from over the years, including the Peter Cottontail suit from first grade on up to my college education.
Among all the photos, I found one of an infant, with my name written on the back. The photograph was crumpled and mangled, as if a pet had gotten hold of it. The baby was fat-cheeked, half bald, with an unfocused look. I asked Mom why she had saved that particular one when she had much better ones to hold onto.
She replied, “When you were ten months old, your father contracted spinal lumbar polio. He was completely paralyzed at age twenty-four. He died three months later in a large steel cylinder that did his breathing for him. Attached to the iron lung was a mirror so he could see me when I visited. During your father’s illness he could have few visitors as polio was a contagious disease.” My brother and I were not permitted to see our father.
My mother went on to tell me that he had asked for pictures of her, my brother, and me. She had to jam the pictures in between some metal knobs, thereby crumbling the pictures. During the last months of his life, my father spent his waking hours looking at the three images of his family. There was nothing else in his line of vision.
I believe my Dad thought about us each day and prayed for us daily. The crumpled photo of me is the only link between my father and me. He spent all day thinking of me, my brother and my Mom.
I believe God is a God of love. He watches over us as surely as my Dad watched over us. I believe my Dad, as well as God, is watching over me now. And one day we all will be able to renew our relationships.
Source: “Stories for the Heart.” New York: Walker and Company, 1998, page 156.
FAMOUS FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
ABRAHAM LINCOLN – 16th PRESIDENT OF USA, STATESMAN AND LAWYER
BORN FEB. 12,1809IN KENTUCKY
“In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON –1ST PRESIDENT OF USA, MILITARY LEADER
BORN FEB. 22, 1732 IN VIRGINIA
“It is impossible to rightly govern
without God and Bible.”
******************************************************
DID YOU KNOW??
In 1517, a monk and theologian named Martin Luther posted his 96 Theses, which caused him to be excommunicated from the state church. This was the beginning of the religious Reformation. Much of what Luther argued in his statements is what we as Brethren believe today.
- Salvation by grace alone.
- Putting the Holy Bible scripture above church tradition.
- The priesthood of all believers.
Moreover, the Church of the Brethren (and Anabaptists in general) said the “priesthood of believers” included all believers, and they should use Scripture and interpret them together.
It has been 500 years since the Reformation began, and The Church of the Brethren can thank Martin Luther for bringing us to a set of our own beliefs. An important tradition for the Church of the Brethren is our witness for peace. Our motto is: Continuing the work of Jesus. Peacefully. Simply. Together.
Source: Church of the Brethren “Messenger”, Oct. 2017
MY ANSWER by Billy Graham
Roanoke Times, 30 July 2017
Q: I’ve always believed in God, but why do I also need to believe in Jesus? Isn’tbelieving in God enough? I guess I don’t understand where Jesus fits into the picture.
A: Putting our faith and trust in Jesus is crucial for two main reasons. First, it is important because of who Jesus was. The Bible tells us that he was more than just a great preacher. He was God in human flesh. Only Jesus could say, “I and the Father are one….Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 10:30; 14:9).
But it’s also important to for us to put our faith and trust in Jesus because of what He has done for us. We have sinned and rebelled against God, but Christ – who was without sin – took upon Himself the judgment and hell that we deserve. He did this by dying on the cross in our place.
Thank Him for giving His life for us – and respond by giving your life to Him. By a simpler confession of faith, commit your life to Christ, and then ask Him to help you trust Him and follow Him every day.
NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE
Ruby Leighton 261-3081
Donna Johnson 258-2137
Helen Watts 261-6098
Send news to the church or to Ruby Leighton at:
STONE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
2162 Forest Ave., Buena Vista, VA 24416
Telephone: 540-261-6946
Church Office e-mail: office@bvstonechurch.org
Website: . Please contact the church secretary if you wish to be added to the
e-mail list to receive this newsletter each month.
We welcome your submissions to the newsletter.
FEBRUARY 2018