Urgent…

The parking lot was full; the stores were packed in anticipation of the impending front. My daughter and I saw overflowing carts, packed with items to let the shoppers withstand the storm safe indoors. It did not matter that the temperature was a warm sixty degrees, the word of meteorologists and their Doppler radar were enough to close schools across the state a day in advance. There was an urgency in the preparations. Oh, how we need to foster a sense of urgency when it comes to our spiritual lives.

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:10-12).

Do you not say, “There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! (John 4:35)”

The message is clear in these verses. “Be diligent,” “Do not become sluggish” and “Look at the fields,” all cry out for us to maintain urgency in God’s plan for our lives.

Without a doubt Christ set this example for us. You see it quite often, when things got hectic, Christ would refocus—Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Simon and the other disciples went out to look for him. When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” (Mark 1:35-38). May God’s word be just as focused (or refocused) and urgent in our lives!

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

News & Notes

GRADUATIONS:  There will be a Graduation Open House for Amy Bailey Sunday, May 23 from 1:30 -4:30pm at the Bailey home, 2520 Mansfield Drive, Des Moines.

Join us at an Open House to celebrate the Graduation of Amy Elizabeth Greer on Saturday, May 29 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at our home, 1495 Walnut Woods Drive, West Des Moines.   Sam & Kim Greer

We are proud to announce Meredith Breton will be graduating from ISU with a bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering .  Please join us in celebrating Saturday, May 22 from 1-5 pm at Grandview.

CONGRATULATIONS!  Lydia Doty, daughter of Tom and Mary Doty is graduating from Lipscomb University  with a bachelors in social work on Saturday, May 8, 2010.

You are invited to share with us

Lydia Diane Doty
and
Andrew Caleb Owens

As we exchanges our wedding vows

and begin our new life together united
for eternity in  Christ

on

Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 2:00 pm in Nashville, TN

THE SONBEAMS will be going for lunch to the Hickory Park Restaurant in Ames on Tuesday May 11. We will plan to leave the building at 11:00 for those who would like to car pool. Please let Lyle or Mayrene know if you need a ride and will be meeting us at the building. We don’t want to leave anyone behind. Also if you could drive and give a ride to someone please let us know.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS: We are studying from the Book of Romans. Everyone is encouraged to read the fourth chapter of Romans. We will be discussing the end of chapter three as well as the homework question, “Jesus died for all, however does that mean that He was the substitute for all men?” We will plan on finishing chapter three in the upcoming weeks. The next home work assignment is: “In verse five Paul says, “to him who does not work…” What does this mean? Could this verse also be translated, “to him who does not obey”? Define the difference between “works” and “obedience.”

JASPER COUNTY CHURCH OF CHRIST
Old Fashioned Gospel Meeting
May 30 – June 2
Speaker:  Neil Myers, Carbon Hill, Alabama

DAVIS CITY CHURCH OF CHRIST
Creation Seminar
May 21-23
Speaker:  Brother Brad Harrub

Bible Reading if FUNdamental (BRIF):  We are keeping track of Bible chapters read by Grandview embers each week.  Here  are the results so far:

Date    Chapters
Jan 9    538
Jan 16    732
Jan 23    693.5
Jan 30    537.5
Feb 7    658
Feb 14    562
Feb 21    529
Feb 28    638
Mar 7    490
Mar 14    433
Apr 4    485
Apr 11    421
Apr 18    412
Apr 25    524
May 2    688

Prayer Requests

Mary Steele is going through a difficult time at her work.

Philip Walker is going on a mission trip to Haiti – pray for his safety and the effectiveness of the trip.

Barb South’s sister, Brenda, was informed by her husband this last week that he wants a divorce.

Karen Belk’s nephew, Troy, will undergoing surgery on his liver. He has liver and prostate cancer. However, he will only be undergoing liver treatments at this point. He has a wife an 4 children.

Arlene Kuehl (Anne Ogle’s mother) has found a job!  Congratulations!!

Galen Duckstein’s father Cliff has been admitted to Lutheran hospital in order to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Please continue to pray for Cliff and the Duckstein family.

We express our sympathy to Gwen Duckstein (and family) whose aunt Jan Nikkel passed away.

Judy Singer continues to have some trouble with her breathing.

Tom Collier began his job and has had a great experience thus far!

Ronnie Harrison broke her coccyx in a fall recently and is suffering with pain.

Philip and Marnie Walker have found a house in Alabama. Please pray for the ease of their transition.

Meredith Breton needs our prayers as she suffers with Mono during this extremely stressful time as she is nearing graduation from college.

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, on injuries suffered when his truck fall on him while working on it. He has broken ribs, wrist, and a lacerated face.

Jackie Miller underwent her eye surgery.

Dale Burleson, Clear Lake preacher, asked us to pray for his granddaughter, Evie, just a few months old.  She has had  seizures thought to be caused by a virus working against the injuries from her Cyto-Megleo-Virus that she had before birth.  Evie has returned home, but we need to keep this family in our prayers.  Evie’s mom’s name is Calley.

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 dealing with chemotherapy treatment.

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:  Andrew Graves, Meredith South, David Colton, Deborah Wallis.

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

RADIO AD: Please pray about our upcoming radio advertisements on WHO that we may reach many people. May we be effective in our communication about the hope we have in Christ.

Calendar of Events

• May 11 – Sunbeam Lunch—Hickory Park-Ames
• May 21-23 – Davis City ‘Creation’ Seminar
• May 23 – Amy Bailey graduation party
• May 29 – Amy Greer graduation party
• May 30 – Gospel Meeting-Jasper County church of Christ
• Jun 5 – Lydia Doty & Andrew Owens Wedding
• Jul 25-28 – VBS   **Save the dates**