Help Wanted… Shepherd, Fisherman, Carpenter

As you journey along the paths where your Bible studies guide you sometimes you just have to wonder at the mind of God. We look at routes God blazed to lead His people, and realize that only God would have been able to see what His people needed. Travel with me down a few of God’s roads.

Moses, Hebrew by birth, saved by his mother’s wisdom and a watertight basket, to be raised as an Egyptian prince. However, God was not in need of a prince, He needed a shepherd. So down the path Moses goes spending a few quiet years tending sheep. Yet, he was a shepherd like no other, a shepherd with a prince’s education. Now, God had a man with the knowledge of leadership, but a shepherd’s heart to lead his new nation. It is probably no coincidence that God led Samuel to another shepherd, David, as His chosen king to lead Israel.

Fast forward a few hundred years, and we see some of Christ’s closest companions were fishermen. How fitting that the group he chose to mentor and spread His message, had engrained in them hard work, teamwork, and an aversion to letting “one get away.”

Now look at the path God chose for a Savior. He could have been born into royalty, power or influence, but God had another design. He chose a young virgin, most likely a teenager, and an earthly father who was a carpenter. Christ grew up with a humble mother and father as his example. You must wonder how this example, along with spending hours watching and helping his father shape wood—seeing in the wood what few others could see, gave Jesus the tools needed to shape the destiny of the world?

To be sure God sees things we fail to grasp, which leaves us asking this question. What does God see in us that He needs to shape the world? What is in you, the homemaker, accountant, teacher, driver, engineer, nurse, farmer, teenager, child, shepherd, fisherman, carpenter… that God has given you for His purpose? The “Help Wanted” sign is out.

Wade McKnight, Southern Oaks Church of Christ, Chickasha, OK

News & Notes

BOB HOUSBY has been hired as the full-time Evangelist in Osceola.  He begins full time today.  We have greatly enjoyed the fellowship we have shared with the Grandview church family.

LADIES FELLOWSHIP is this Tuesday, April 20 at 7pm.  We will be meeting in the meeting room at Caribou Coffee, 3220 Ingersoll, DM. The discussion will focus on becoming a woman of influence and making a lasting impact on others by following Jesus’ example. If you have questions contact Debra Augspurger .

MOWING:  Mitch Mort has put up a mowing schedule on the window at the back of the auditorium.    If you can help, please sign up!

Bible Reading is FUNdamental (BRIF):  We are keeping track of Bible chapters read by Grandview embers each week.

Here  are the results so far:

Date    Chapters
Feb 7    658
Feb 14    562
Feb 21    529
Feb 28    638
Mar 7    490
Mar 14    433
Mar 20    493
Mar 28    625
Apr 4    485
Apr 11    421

MIDWEST BIBLE CAMP:  Food Donation: Grandview has been asked to donate 16 gallons of Ranch Dressing and 600 paper plates.

Spring Clean-up:   Join us at Lake Darling Youth camp on May 1.

Cans for Camperships:  Donate your empty pop cans and bottles to benefit the MWBC Campership Fund. Contact Potters.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS: We have begun a study of the book of Romans. Everyone is encouraged to continue reading the third chapter of Romans. We will be discussing the end of chapter two as well as the homework question, “What role does the Law of God play in God’s judgment? Will a person be better off with or without God’s law in the Day of Judgment?” The homework for this week, in preparation for discussion next week is “According to the Apostle Paul, both the Jews and the Gentiles share one common disadvantage before God. What is it?”

Prayer Requests

Judy Singer had lung surgery and will be in Methodist Hospital until the end of the week.  Prayers for a speedy recovery would be appreciated.

Marnie & Philip Walker that their house will sell soon!

Robert Housby asked for prayers concerning bursitis and pinched nerve in his hip.

Marge Stevens has  been diagnosed with macular degeneration in her left eye which causes impaired vision.  Please also pray for her general health.

John Stevens, son of Glenn and Marge, had his truck fall on him while working on it last Sunday. He has three broken ribs, a broken wrist, and a lacerated face. Please pray for a quick recovery for him.

Gwen Duckstein requested our prayers last Sunday morning. Please pray for her family and extended family as they are going through a difficult time right now. She mentioned that a situation has come up in the family that has caused some problems.

Jackie Miller is going to have surgery on her eyes on May 23rd at the surgical center in West Des Moines.

Phyllis Mort is back home after her hospitalization.

Gwen Duckstein’s aunt Jan Nikkel has been diagnosed with colon cancer as well as pancreatic cancer. She will be having surgery on the 16th of April at Methodist.

A friend of Jason Housby, Deb Bergsma’s grandmother Joan has cancer.

Phyllis Mort’s friend, Jane Ellis, has been diagnosed with cancer.

The Mort family requests prayers for Jenna.

Mitzi Wood’s son Blake, is 14 years old and has been diagnosed with cancer.

Jared Van Egdom’s father is home now and will have another chemotherapy treatment on the 16th.

Carol Crocker, Dora Bailey’s mother, is seeing improvement from the physical therapy she is receiving for her bulging disk.

Andrew Graves (Harriett’s grandson) is requesting prayers for himself and his 10-month-old daughter Kayleigha Graves. She’s been diagnosed with severe Acid Reflux, anemia and weight loss.

Lyndsay Gordon asks you to pray for her high school friend, Katie Ford, who had a stroke. She is only 31 years old.

Looking for a job: Tom Collier, Meredith South,  David Colton, Deborah Wallis, Arlene Kuehl (Anne Ogle’s mother).  Tom has had several job interviews—pray one will be a fit for him!

Shane Siegle’s sister, Cherrie Hubbard’s cancer has spread to her bones.

Please pray for Deb Kuper and the children as well as Chad.

Expectant mothers: Dawn White, Anne Ogle, Melissa Ludwig, Danielle Duquette

Missions:  Mike & Diane Richardson; Bob &  Marla Housby

Calendar of Events

• Apr 20 – Ladies Bible Class—Caribou Coffee
• Apr 23-25 – Grandview Lectureship
• May 1 – Hickman Ladies Day—Registration 8:30am
• May 1 – Midwest Bible Camp Spring Cleanup
• May 2 – AM Pot luck
• May 21-23 – Davis City ‘Creation’ Seminar
• July 25-28    VBS   **Save the dates**
• Ladies Quilting—1st & 3rd Tuesday at 9:30-11:30am  Building