theclarionVolume 3 Issue 1 | Fall 2009 lIVIng hope bIble church newsletter

lIVInghopebIble.org

SING TO THE LORD, BLESS HIS NAME; PROCLAIM GOOD TIDINGS OF HIS SALVATION FROM DAY TO DAY. PSALM 96:2

mission minded church

an update from the lhbc mission committee

Andrew ChAng | contributing writer

The Mission Committee consists of Pastor Joe, David Miyatake, Jessica Yamashita and myself. The objectives of the committee are: sup-porting our missionaries, acting as liaisons between them and our congregation, sending out long-term and short-term missionaries and raising mission awareness at LHBC. Our church financially supports Richard and Keri Nakamura who are serving in Japan with Send International, and we also receive regular updates and pray for Jerry Lee and his family in Dalian, Ron Chan in Beijing and Andy Lew in Singapore.

In the past several years, we have been blessed to participate in several short-term mission trips. Two years ago, we sent a team to Merida, Mexico to work with youths and the surrounding com-munity, and the annual La Push trip has developed into a great outreach to the kids and community there. Although it continues to be a difficult min-istry, the fruits of labor are more visible. This past summer, we had a team that went to Gula, Uganda to work with Action International where they used their musical and medical skills to show the love of Christ in that war-torn country. We are currently planning short-term trips for next year, and from a recent survey, there is a high interest in going to China as well as La Push. As a result, we are corresponding with Ron and Jerry to look into the possibility of sending a team to China.

We have made big strides in our desire to obey the Great Commandment and to be a mission-minded church. However, we will continue to be strategic in our giving and sending for the purpose of reaching the lost for His glory.

In thIs Issue:

Self-Discipline (p. 2)

Homes for thanksgiving (p. 3)

clarion crossword (p. 4)

and more!

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One of the goals of advertising and marketing is to “create a need” or “evoke a desire” when promoting a product or

service so you feel more fulfilled. The temptation is to yield to impulse purchases, crave unhealthy food or succumb to a host of “felt needs.” Often, we are mastered by our feelings rather than masters of them. Self-discipline is the key, not only to resist-ing worldly temptation but as a means to godliness. Godliness doesn’t come in an instant package nor does it naturally come with age. Godliness grows out of a daily and consistent walk with God through the transforming power of His Word. Without that, we may grow in worldly wisdom but remain spiritual infants with a frail faith. Godliness takes commitment and the denial of worldly desires that hinder our growth. Here are a few practical areas in which to begin a self-disciplined life:

Quiet times: Commit to a set time alone with the Lord. Per-haps this is before breakfast, before work or during your lunch break. If you don’t commit to a regular time for prayer and reading the Word, other things will easily fill your schedule. Self-discipline without the Spirit is no more than self-reliance. Filling the mind with God’s Word is just like filling up your car with gas –you draw on much needed resources to get where you should go.

priorities: What are your real priorities? Prioritize and keep those priorities. Be committed to things that will help you grow such as personal Bible study, prayer, evangelism, fellowship and worship. This may mean scaling back on hobbies, entertainment or anything that might hinder your spiritual progress.

master desires: Some people are masters over their own desires while others are slaves to them. Some do what they want to do rather than what they ought to do. Be one who can say “no” to one’s own desires and choose what is wise and best. Do not allow thoughts, imaginations or habits to lure you away from godly living.

regularity & planning: Balanced life habits such as time with family, worship, eating, sleeping, exercise and work makes one more productive and effective for the Lord. There’s an old truism that says, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Be intentional in life with eternal purposes in mind.

p a s t o r ’ s c o r n e r

“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the

present life and also for the life to come.”1 timothy 4:7-8

For awhile now, I’ve been in this rut thinking about how much I’m looking forward to the day when the kids

are older and things are easier. As well, I’ve been envious of my brother’s new house and my friend’s ability to travel to exotic places. Instead of being thankful of the many bless-ings in my life, I struggle with contentment. Confronted with challenges, I often try to do things on my own and turn away from the Lord.

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the se-cret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”

PhiliPPians 4:11-13

Paul writes about being a victor instead of a victim of his circumstance. He didn’t share about spiritual ups and downs as the situa-tion of his life changed, but rather he continued to steadily serve God faithfully. Content in the spiritual resources abundantly provided in Jesus, his happiness did not depend on how easy his life was going; his joy came from the power of Christ that dwelt within Him.

Comparing my life to Paul’s, I am ashamed of how easy it is to grumble and complain when difficulties arise. When Paul was confronted time and again with anger, hatred and imprisonment, he didn’t ask the Lord, “Can you please change this?” or sin against Him (both of which I tend to do); instead, he met each situation with a godly attitude.

I realize that the only way I will be able to live out this verse is to have Christ front and center in my life. It doesn’t matter if my kids behave perfectly or if I can travel to far-away places because I would still find something to complain about or wish for. Contentment is found in Christ, not circumstances. He is the only thing that is sufficient to meet every one of my needs.

VerA wong | contributing writer

Content

When Paul was confronted time and again with anger, hatred and imprisonment, he met each situation with a godly attitude.

Self-DiSciplineA Key to Spiritual Growth

Joe Lum | PaStorIn All CIrCumstAnCes

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JonAthAn moy | managing eDitor

the glorious, crumbly leaves are on the ground.

Darkness has enveloped Seattle once again for

the next seven months, and the christmas blitz is

barreling down upon us. that can only mean one

thing; it’s that time of year once again. of course

i’m not referring to the always exciting turkey bowl

or christmas. (only forty-seven more shopping

days left!) i am speaking about that wonderful

time of the year called “Homes for thanksgiving.”

This stupendous event, in case you haven’t heard of it, is when you can get together with your church family in a

comfortable setting, doing what we do best – fellowshipping over fantastic food. If you are not familiar with “Homes for Thanks-giving,” I suggest you go to the literature table in the back or check your bulletins for more details. For those unfamiliar with it, I’ve provided a checklist of things you will need to know:

Do…• sign up at the literature table. Trust me, this won’t be a decision you will regret, unlike your choice today to wear crocs when it’s forty degrees outside.Do Not…• delay because spaces are filling up quickly. There are a limited amount of slots, so get going!Do…• choose a home where perhaps you are not familiar with the host or other people attending. This event is a great time to get to know members of your church body you don’t normally get to chat with.Do…• invite a friend, believer or not, to come. Just remember to sign them up. It’s a casual opportunity to introduce friends to church-related activities.Do Not…• rifle through the medicine cabinets while you are there. Seriously, you wouldn’t want someone to do it at your home, so avoid that temptation.Do Not…• hesitate to lend a helping hand to your host. Just be mindful if they decline your help. You are their guest, and you don’t want to step on their toes, hospitality-wise.Lastly, Do…• remember this is not just a social event. Have fun but take time to spiritually encourage each other.

homes for thanksgiving 101

needtobreathe: music review

It has been a while since I last purchased a Chris-tian CD. My most recent two being

Sandi Patty’s Hymns Just for You and CeCe Winans’ Thy Kingdom Come. While trying to decide what to review for this article, I happened to hear “Lay ‘Em Down” by Needtobreathe on Spirit 105.3 that piqued my interest. After sampling their full album, The Outsiders, I decided to buy it.

The band was started by brothers Bear and Bryant (Bo) Rinehart, named after the legendary University of Alabama foot-ball coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Formed in 2002, they have honed their Southern Rock sound, earning them a loyal following and wide recog-nition which includes two Dove Award nominations.

The Outsiders, the band’s third album, proves their talent and ability to write interesting and diverse songs. While the

listener would be hard-pressed to find any blatant mention of God or Jesus in any of the songs, there can be little doubt about their earnest plea in the song the “Garden” where they worshipfully sing “Father, let my heart be after you.”

The band does not shy away from mixing serious mes-sages with fun songs either, something they do well. They seem to have found a success-ful formula for bridging the chasm between the Christian and secular music worlds, their success with both audiences showing touring with the likes of Train, Collective Soul and Will Hoge as well as working with Keane/KT Tunstall producer Andy Greene. Their songs have also made several appearances on TV shows and movies.

Along with Bear’s Van Morrison/Adam Duritz-like vocals and arrangements that are reminiscent of Coldplay or Credence Clear-

water Revival, this fourteen track album is filled with strong melodies, well-blended harmonies and lyrical and instrumental creativity that make it a pleasure to listen to… repeatedly.

nAthAn ChAng | eDitor-in-cHief

needtobreathe Is (leFt to rIght) bo rInehart, Joe stIllwell, bear rInehart, and seth bolt. (needtobreathe.net)

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© 2009 by ruth mar / answers below!

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the clarIon staFFeditor in chiefnathan chang

Managing editorJonathan moy

StaffVivien chang, timothy mar, Jessica Yamashita

Designruth mar

contributorsandrew chang, Joe lum, Vera Wong

about the clarIonthe clarion is living hope bible church’s quarterly newsletter. our goal is to edify the church by proclaiming God’s truth and his faithfulness.

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clarion crossword answer Key

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