God can do amazing things and seeing that coupled with the trust of
others is a beautiful picture. However, often the most consistent thing
about humanity is our inconsistency. Then to top it off, anger sets in and
that anger does not rest where it ought! Let us consider an example during
the time of the divided kingdom.
Asa was a pretty good king who reigned over Judah. During his reign
he -- with his army of 300,000 from Judah and 280,000 from Benjamin -- was
faced with an Ethiopian army of a million men and 300 chariots. (2
Chronicles 14:8-9) With such odds against him, Asa turned to the Lord and
the Lord brought a defeat against the enemy that left none remaining. (2
Chronicles 14:11-13) This was followed by religious reforms in Jerusalem. (2
Chronicles 15) However, during the last years of Asa's reign he negotiated
with the king of Syria in order that the kingdom of Israel would withdraw
from him. (2 Chronicles 16:1-6) God then sent word to Asa by way of Hanani
the seer to rebuke him for having relied upon the army of the king of Syria
rather than on God as he had done when faced with the huge armies of the
Ethiopians and the Libyans. (2 Chronicles 16:7-8)
In that rebuke God's message stated. . .
"(9) 'For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole
earth, TO GIVE STRONG SUPPORT TO THOSE WHOSE HEART IS BLAMELESS TOWARD HIM.
YOU HAVE DONE FOOLISHLY IN THIS, for from now on you will have wars.'" (2
Chronicles 16:9 ESV)
Earlier Asa had been one of those found by God seeking Him with a
blameless heart, received "strong support", and gained a great victory. What
happened to that reliance on God? Why would he later turn to another kingdom
for help?
So, what was Asa's response? Who had committed the blunder? Who had
directed the reliance the wrong direction? Who should have remembered the
source of deliverance in the past? With whom should Asa have been upset? Is
not "Asa" the correct answer to those questions?
However, as we read on we find . . .
"(10) Then ASA WAS ANGRY WITH THE SEER and put him in the stocks in
prison, for he was in a rage with him because of this. AND ASA INFLICTED
CRUELTIES UPON SOME OF THE PEOPLE AT THE SAME TIME." (2 Chronicles 16:10
ESV)
Asa didn't like the message so he got angry with the messenger! He also
appears to have taken his anger out on others as well through the manner in
which he treated them. Unfortunately, in all the centuries that have passed
since the days of Asa, that tendency among humanity has not changed. Someone
is mad at the dog and they kick the cat. They are angry because of wrong
they have done, vent that anger on whoever unfortunately comes their way,
and the acceptance of PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY goes by the wayside.
James exhorted. . .
"(19) Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be QUICK TO
HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK, SLOW TO ANGER; (20) for THE ANGER OF MAN DOES NOT
PRODUCE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD." (James 1:19-20 ESV)
Through the acceptance of PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for our actions we
have the opportunity to grow. Let us not be guilty of mistreating others
because we are upset with ourselves. May we instead be thankful for the
clarity that has come to us regarding the things that still need to change
in our lives so that we can be of those for whom God seeks "WHOSE HEART IS
BLAMELESS TOWARD HIM." Instead of foolish actions like Asa, such will mark a
life guided by godly wisdom.
Have a great day FOCUSED TOWARD PRODUCING THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD!
Carl
-----------------------
("teEn-MAIL" is sent out daily by Carl Hanson, preacher for the Church of
Christ in Port Townsend, Washington, USA, located at 230 A Street, Port
Townsend, WA 98368. Come visit us if in the area.
www.porttownsendchurchofchrist.org)
MAD AT THE DOG AND KICK THE CAT?
NEW NOTICEBOARD
Can you figure out what the word on the left is?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Some fun after the fellowship...
DON'T MISS..
GMC CHILDREN SUNDAY SCHOOL 0830 TO 1015 THIS 25TH MAY 08, SUNDAY.
disasters.. read Matthew 24
Inspired by last month's (L) China protest that found 2.3 million followers, MSN China itself has launched the Signature Rainbow 
campaign to pray for the ten thousands of victims of the Sichuan/Wenchuan earthquake in China that occured on Monday, May 12th 2008.
Through the campaign, MSN China is calling all Messenger users to put the default rainbow emoticon in front of their nicknames in order to express collective belief in post-disaster reconstruction. The rainbow of course symbolizes the positive message that "there's always a rainbow after the rain". MSN China also suggests entering your prayers/wishes as your personal status message, eg. "Overcoming the Earthquake" or "There will always be a rainbow after the storm".
Featuring ...LEO and DAN
SATURDAY GUITAR LESSON 
Brothers, I thank the Lord everytime i see you two working so hard with the youth, training them fervently in the music ministry. I thank the Lord that He has put in your hearts to love them, care for them and most of all to nurture them. I have really seen you mature in your walk with the Lord and the fruits are evident in your lives.
I praise the Lord for your dad and mom too... for their love and devotion to the Lord, their zeal and their fire for Him, for the many many lives they have touched. PRAISE THE LORD!!!
Fwd by Amelia
Regards.
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport.
We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out
of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his
breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of
the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My
taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really
friendly.
So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car
and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me
what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around
full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of
disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it
and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just
smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and
spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage
trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning
with regrets, so..... 'Love the people who treat you right. Pray for
the ones who don't.'
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how
you take it!
8*****************************************************************************8
And i so totally agree with it... it is not the circumstances nor the situation but IT IS HOW WE RESPONSE TO the circumstances and situations.. remember : WHAT WE DO DEFINES WHO WE ARE..
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:5-6)
Disappointed...
Yes, i was rather disappointed ... 2 reasons:-
1.by the response i received from the Amazing Race participants. It was announced on 5th April and reminded again on youth sunday, and also last saturday and sunday. Too bad we could not even get 4 teams of 8 members.. so I had no choice but to call off the race.
2.It amazed me why nobody even bother to call or confirm their participation...I guessed they just assumed that since they are part of the i-youth fellowship so automatically by default, they are in?? Boy oh boy... try that with your registration for SPM or PMR ..if you do not register yourself.. see whether you automatically qualify for the exam... OOoohhh... what attitude!!
Wake up people!!! WHAT DO YOU GET FROM A PAMPERED COW? SPOILT MILK!!!
still i
