The Vine & the Branches

Transcription

1 The Vine & the Branches July 2015 The Vine & the Branches Happy Summer, Newberg family! "The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8 That time of year then all the green turns to browns (except, of course, weeds with long tap roots). The hay is baled (early this year), and temps are higher than normal. I love summer! Please pray for other church family members, for peace of mind, for strength of body and soul, and that Jesus is in each heart. And say a big thank you prayer with us, to get to have Laura home for a few weeks. :) Be sure, God knows! Karen Maas, Vine and Branches editor PRAYING TOGETHER Every Sabbath morning, 8:45am, join us in the Prayer Room before Sabbath School and church. It provides us with a time to come together in praise and thanksgiving, and present the needs of members in prayer each week. The Prayer Room is the classroom across from the Mothers Room, in the back of the church foyer. Donna Schacher * * * * *

2 From the Pastor's Keyboard Dear Church Family, How do you feel about yourself? There are some of you who might answer, "I feel great," or "I feel like nothing." What I have found is that most people, while they may not like certain things about themselves, they put a high value in what they think or believe about themselves, or what they think or believe about others and other things. Why do we put so much value behind what we think and feel? Could it be that we like to feel important, worthwhile, or that what we say matters? I remember one time there was a group of students that had the privilege of being selected to represent the entire student body of the Walla Walla College campus. They thought that their thoughts were so "important" as they shared and voted on things that others were not allowed to do. It has been too long and I do not remember specifics, but what I do remember is that they voted on such little things to happen, but you might have thought they just invented the U.S Constitution or something. They were so puffed up with pride at what they had done. The Quickest Black Bean Salad from Forks Over Knives recipes Ingredients (makes 4 bowls): 2-16 oz cans black beans, drained, rinsed well 1 very large tomato, chopped 1 package frozen corn 1/2 sweet onion, chopped 1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained, rinsed 1 bunch cilantro, chopped 1/2 lime, juice and zest 3 T balsamic vinegar Instructions: 1. Add beans, tomatoes, corn, onion, and water chestnuts to a bowl (glass looks pretty) and mix. Rinsing the beans well keeps the salad from looking gray. 2. Add cilantro, lime, and balsamic vinegar and mix again. Serve alone or with cucumber open-faced sandwiches for a perfect meal. Notice here what Solomon says in Proverbs. "To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue," Proverb's 16:1. These students were answering from their own pride. They had forgotten to give God the glory; the consequence was huge in the impact of their hearts. Maybe what we feel is not as important as what God feels, or knows about things. Maybe we should consider that our thoughts are most likely fouled, but God's are perfect. The Bible says that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and the same with His ways to our ways. Just a thought. Have a great month!. Pastor Ballard

3 July Birthdays July Anniversaries 04 Reg & Karen Maas 08 Dan & Glenda Edgerly 16 Tom & Marlyn Rogers 31 David & Penny Ballard 02 Owen Miller 04 Carolyn Lacy 05 Fatima Escamilla 06 Marcus Bradley 06 Rebecca Ortiz 07 David Carr 08 Jared Weakly 10 Hannah Martin 11 Zachary Triplett 13 Joe Van Dyke 16 Miah Pollay 20 David Otte 23 Leah Bernard 23 Claudia Little 23 Mayra Lopez 24 Larry Kokinos 25 Margaret Brown 30 Jovany Reyes 30 Marlyn Rogers 31 Ethan Miller

4 Pathfinder District Jamboree -- Ft. Stevens State Park, June 26-28

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