Who Determines Who is a Christian?

Certainly secular media can’t do it. I would submit that only God does it. Obviously people might call themselves Christian, as did early disciples in the New Testament. But I think it really gets down to who follows Christ? is the answer. Many of us might claim to be Christians, but do we really try to follow Christ, or do we just follow what we think regardless of what we know the Scriptures teach?

What brings me to these thoughts is a short series CNN ran recently dealing with the question What is a Christian? Thing is, the second and last night of the series, it was about homosexuality, who didn’t and who did, and who supported it and who didn’t. One lady (a lady “reverend”), who was the pastor of a church that subscribed to homosexuals made the claim that homosexuality was a “gift from God.” Wow! By the way, she didn’t offer any proof from the Scripture, obviously because there is none.

Homosexuality is taught in the scripture from beginning to end as sexual immorality, or at least a part of that term. That certainly makes in NOT a gift from God. God does not give evil gifts.

That said, we would just add that we are to hate the sin and not the sinner. I should hate homosexuality like I hate lying, cheating, filthy talk, stealing, and so forth, all of which are condemned of God. Secondly, whether a person is born with a leaning to homosexuality or any other vice is immaterial, in my view; God will judge. I know that some people are more inclined to steal than others. Some are more inclined to drink alcohol and become drunk. And so forth. Does that mean they have to participate? No. We all train our minds to do what we want us to do. That is simple truth.

Again, God is going to determine who is a Christian and who is not. And, in my understanding, the rules by which he will make that judgment have already been given, and they are contained in our Bibles.

That said, Paul noted in Romans that the Father will save whom he wants to save, and, certainly, that is good enough for me. It better be, for sure.

Chuck Owen
Northside Church of Christ
Laredo, Texas

Prayer Requests

Millie Buxton went to see an eye specialist in Iowa City on Thursday. Pray for healing from her aches and extreme fatigue, and for encouragement for Millie.

Pray for Marge Steven’s brother, Harold, in Minnesota who cannot swallow, and is now being fed though a tube.

We extend our condolences to Pam Dorrell, whose grandmother, Ruby Fredrick, passed away last week. Pray for Pam’s grandfather, who was injured in a fall a few weeks ago, and who is now grieving for Ruby.

Betty Demi, Phyllis Mort’s sister, is being treated for skin cancer. Pray for Betty, who resides in Indianola, and is shut-in.

Brenda Johnson will have surgery this coming Wednesday, April 25th. Please keep her in your prayers.

Chemo treatments were discontinued for Kate Wurtz, Bob & Gene McClaran’s neighbor, because they were not being effective in treating her cancer.

Please continue to pray for:

• Preacher search, that God will send the right man
• Bill Gordon, recovering from bypass surgery
• Brenda Johnson’s mother, Rose Nichols: whose tumors have shrunk
• Jorden Kuyrkendall, having surgery April 25
• Lyndsay’s cousin’s daughter, Morgan, multiple infections
• Darin Thompson, Rebekah Kuyrkendall searching for jobs
• Mitch Mort family following their house fire
• Linda Kaiser, recovering from foot surgery
• Cristie Williams, paralyzed in an accident
• Sherri Lange’s brother, Terry Bonnet, in Kuwait
• Bob McClaran’s neighbor, Dan, fighting spinal cancer
• Kate Wurtz, Bob & Gene McClaran’s neighbor has terminal cancer
• Donna Butcher, Karen Belk’s sister, who has multiple health concerns
• Bob McClaran, recovering from a stroke
• Lou Kelley, Karen Carico, Karen Hardy, Bob Kunce, Kim Greer’s father, with cancer
• Betty Demi, Bertha Jones, Lou Kelley shut in
• John Singer and his health concerns
• Walter Meyer and Kimball Matkins, who have ALS

News & Notes

Next Sunday is Friends and Family Day! Dan Lightfoot, Kayla Wallis’ father from Russellville, Arkansas, will be speaking on the topic, “Living By Faith”. Dan will also be teaching the combined adult class on the same topic.

Today is the deadline for invitations to Friends and Family Day! Please put your invitations in the mailboxes here at the building today!

There will be a meeting this afternoon at 4:30 to gather your input on the building project. Please join us for this important event!

We are happy for former Grandview members, Mike & Martha Stock, who’s daughter Chloe Lawren was born on Tuesday, April 17th at 11:17 am. She weighed 8 lbs. 11 oz and measured 21 inches long, with chestnut brown hair. Labor and delivery went smoothly and mom and baby (and dad) are doing well. Michael is now an acupressure expert! ? Older sisters Elizabeth and Anna are enjoying the wonder of a new baby.

The Evergreen church of Christ is hosting the youth of the area churches on Saturday evening April 28 from 3 to 7 pm at their building. Hickman Road, Ankeny and Grandview are participating (others welcome of course). There will be a movie, food, and devotional. Teens, please see Todd Johnson if you are interested in attending.

Celebrate the end of tax season after filing that final return by getting together for a F.I.S.H. group dinner. Relax with fellow Christians by spending some of that hefty state refund you received on dinner and fellowship. –Your friendly state publican, Joe Longfellow

Hickman Road is hosting a Ladies Day on Saturday, May 12th from 9 am to 3 pm. The theme is “Love Is In The Air.” Ann Zaiger, Leola Boyce, and Tahira Elliot will be speaking. It is free, but please bring a new coffee mug for an exchange. RSVP to Lisa Clapp at 255-8055 or clapp_lisa@yahoo.com.

On Sunday, May 20 at 2:00 pm, we will be Singing for the residents at Karen Acres. Please mark your calendar!

Mark your calendars for our next Blood Drive: Saturday, August 18th will be the day! For those who gave blood in February, you are eligible to give again now! Check out their website www.bloodcentrofiowa.org for details.

Central Iowa Missions: This week, Art Wallis will speak in the morning, and Dan Bailey will speak in the evening. Next week, Dan Lightfoot will speak in the morning for Friends and Family Day, and the evening speaker will be announced later.

TV · Radio · Web

In SEARCH of the Lord’s Way
TV: 8:00 AM Sundays on KDSM
Web: www.searchtv.org

Gospel Broadcasting Network
Web: www.gbntv.org

International Gospel Hour
Radio: 8:30 pm Sundays, 1520 AM
Web: www.gospelhour.net

Grandview Church of Christ
Web: grandviewchurchofchrist.org

AM Sermon

Art Wallis, “Crowns Christians Wear”
Reading: Psalms 8:1-5

PM Sermon

Dan Bailey: Presentation on the Grandview Web Site

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Apr 22	Ross Thompson
Apr 27	Bill Charlier
Apr 27	Kaden Thompson
Apr 28	Tyler & Tammy Sparks

For the Record

	Giving	AM	PM	Wed
Last Week	2934	148	78	79
5 Week Avg	2854	133	82	82
2007 YTD Avg	3099	119	78	84
2006 YTD Avg	3880	151	103	96

Calendar of Events (See also the Iowa Churches of Christ Calendar of Events)