Tailgating

One of the things I cannot stand is when someone is driving right on my tail. Obviously they are in a hurry to get someplace, so they drive right on my tail, evidently hoping I will speed up to get them off my tail or pull over so they can pass. Then there is the same sort of thing trying to leave the parking lot after a football game. Everyone is following so close behind the person in front of them in order to keep someone from cutting in front of them. I’m not sure what difference one car length is going to make in getting out of the parking lot.

This kind of driving leads to fender benders and at times serious accidents. I remember as a new driver thinking it was stupid for an accident to be my fault if a driver in front of me slammed on his brakes and I ran into him because of it. In response to my retort, “He shouldn’t slam on his brakes like that!” was the response, “You shouldn’t follow so close like that!” This is true.

Then I learned something called “defensive driving.” Accidents could be avoided if you learned to drive defensively. Rather than relying on other drivers to watch out for you, you need to drive defensively and watch out for them.  This same principle applies in other areas of our life. All too often, the reason we “wreck” in life is because we were not driving defensively. We make a wreck of our faith and can hurt not only ourselves, but people around us. Sin destroys relationships, wrecks homes, and worse yet, comes between us and God.

When it comes to sin, we are warned not to tailgate it. Scripture instructs us to “flee immorality” (1 Cor 6:18), to “flee from idolatry” (1 Cor 10:14), to “flee from these things [the love of money]” (1 Tim 6:11), to “flee from youthful desires” (2 Tim 2:22). Flee, flee, flee. Do you see a pattern here when it comes to various kinds of sins? Don’t flirt with it. Don’t tailgate. Keep your distance from it. Stay away from it.

I am reminded of the time when I was entrenched fully in a worldly way of living. I had done many, many things I didn’t believe in. Many things I did I had said I would never do. Yet there I was, doing them on a regular basis with gusto. No one had any inkling that I was a Christian or had ever been one. I didn’t set out to do it. However, I was tailgating. I got to close, and eventually, I wrecked. Fortunately, God is a God of restoration and will make things right again. He is the greater healer, and restorer.

However, many people still bear the scars of the “wrecks” of their life. The instruction is obvious. Do not tailgate. If you are attracted to him or her and are married, flee! If you are drawn to be with ungodly friends and tempted to do what they do, flee! If you are tempted to buy things you ought not to in a store, do not go there, at least not alone. If you are tempted by the opposite sex, make a vow not to be alone with them in your home. Do not tailgate, or you will find yourself in a wreck.

John Telgren, Leavenworth, Kansas    John Telgren, Leavenworth, Kansas

News & Notes

GOING AWAY PARTY for the Walker family Sunday, May 30th after evening services.  Please see sign-up sheet in rear of auditorium to volunteer to bring needed items to the party.

AFTERNOON TEA:   There will be an Afternoon  Tea  for mothers, sisters, daughters on June 5 from 2-4 pm at the Building.  If you would like to decorate a table see Beth P. or Amy P. for more information.

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.

Congratulations to Eric Phifer on his graduation from Rochester Christian College!  There will be a Open House on Sunday, May 23 at 3:00-6:00 pm at 5155 Vista Drive, Apt. 136, West Des Moines, IA  50266.

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

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.

CONGRATUATIONS!  Dawn White gave birth to Gabrielle Ruth White on May 18 at 8:09 am weighing 7lb 6 oz and measuring 19 1/2 inches long.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS: We are studying from the Book of Romans. Everyone is encouraged to read the Fifth chapter of Romans. We will be discussing the end of chapter four as well as the homework question, “Compare verse 25 with 2 Cor. 5:21 and be prepared to discuss the full meaning of this concept.” We will plan on continuing chapter five in the upcoming week. The next home work assignment is: “Why does Paul say that death reigned from Adam until Moses and not until Abraham?”

NURSERY ROOM off the Conference Room in the back of the auditorium is now a Cradle Roll classroom.  Mothers are free to come in and feed/nurse/change babies but keep in mind it is now a classroom.  Please do not let children play in it.

CONGRATUATIONS to Marnie Walker on a teaching job offer in Alabama.

Prayer Requests

MEMBERS

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

Jackie Miller, is continuing to improve. She no longer has to look down for 50 minutes an hour. She still cannot see in the eye however.

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

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

Marge & Glen Stevens and their health issues.

FAMILY

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

Galen’s father Cliff is back in the nursing home. The doctors have made some adjustments to his medications he is doing better than he has in along time. Please continue to pray for Cliff and the Duckstein family.

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.

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.

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.

Shane Siegle’s sister, Cherrie Hubbard’s cancer.

The Mort family requests prayers for Jenna.

Tom Collier’s father, Tom, had a biopsy Thursday on two lesions he has on his brain. The doctors are confident it is cancer.

MEMBER FRIENDS

Archie and Lynn Cook’s neighbor, John McCollough, has stomach cancer and has been told he has 3 months to live. Please pray for this family as they are raising two of their grandchildren.

A friend of Mitch and Jo Mort, Chris Goodale, has had a recurrence of cancer and will be undergoing a stem cell transplant in July. He will be out of work for a 3 month to 1 year time period for recovery.

Dale Burleson, Clear Lake preacher, asked us to pray for his granddaughter, Evie, with her Cyto-Megleo-Virus that she had before birth.  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.

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

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

John Foyt, a neighbor of the Buxton’s, had a brain aneurism Sunday night and surgery on Tuesday.

Looking for a job:  Andrew Graves, Meredith South, David Colton, Deborah Wallis, Rich Potter.

Expectant mothers: Anne Ogle, Melissa Ludwig, Danielle Duquette

Missions:  Mike & Diane Richardson; Bob & Marla Housby

Calendar of Events

• May 23 – Amy Bailey graduation party 1:30-4:30 Bailey Home
• May 23 – The Shores—2:00 pm
• May 23 – Eric Phifer’s graduation  3-6:00  5155 Vista Dr, Apt. 136, WDM
• May 29 – Amy Greer graduation party 6:00-8:00 Greer Home
• May 30 – Gospel Meeting-Jasper County church of Christ
• May 30 – Walker going away party
• June 5 – Lydia Doty & Andrew Owens Wedding
• June 5 – Afternoon Tea  2-4 pm at the building
• June 6 – Evening Potluck
• June 15 – Ladies Fellowship  7:00pm
• June 20 – Teen Gathering  at Ann Longfellow’s
• July 25-28 – VBS   **Save the dates**
• Ladies Quilting—1st & 3rd Tuesday at 9:30-11:30am  Building