It Is Finished! - By Ken Lawler

When Jesus was on the cross what do you suppose was going on in Heaven?  One thing my Dad believed you would have seen was God holding on to the Archangel Michael's harness (the straps across his back that held his breastplate on) to keep him from going to help Him.  I think an indication of what may have been going on, while The Lord was on the cross over 3 hours, is found in Exodus 12 and Job Chapters 1 & 2.
 
First of all we need to look at the first Passover in Egypt (Exodus 12).  The Lord's instructions to Moses and Aaron was to have each family take a yearling male lamb or kid, without blemish, and shut it up from the 10^th of the month until the 14^th, then kill it.  The purpose of this 3+ day period was to make sure there wasn't anything wrong with it.  You might say the lamb was being tested to make sure it was without blemish.
 
In Job we are informed that Satan has, or at one time had, access to God's throne.  Whether he can still go there, what he does there, why he goes there, or how often, we can only speculate, but on those two occasions in Job he was trying to find fault with a "perfect and upright" man.  Remember that he is no stranger to God's throne.  He was created as Lucifer (morning star), called "son of the morning" in Isaiah 14:12.  Ezekiel calls him "the anointed cherub that covereth" (Ez. 28:14) and "the covering cherub" (Ez. 28:16).  Covereth and covering is the same Hebrew word, meaning "to entwine (or screen), to fence in, to cover over, or to protect."  An indication of his original role in Heaven can be seen in the description of the Ark of the Covenant, Israel's holiest artifact in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and later in Solomon's Temple.  It was a gold-plated box with a pure gold lid called The Mercy Seat.  Mounted on this mercy seat were two golden cherubs.  Exodus 25:40 says God showed Moses a "pattern" when he was on the mount so he would know exactly what it was supposed to look like.  The implication is clear that Satan's role as Lucifer in the beginning was to cover and protect the real Mercy Seat located in God's throne in Heaven.
 
Now back to the cross.  We're not told exactly what time that morning He was crucified, but Luke 23:44 says He was on the cross at noon, and that He died just after 3 P.M.  During that time I think "The Lamb" was "shut up," and Satan was at God's throne bringing up everything he could think of that would be a blemish and disqualify Jesus as the Passover sacrifice.  You can see the scenario through Jesus' words He used while hanging there.  He starts out calling God "Father."  The trial in Heaven must have started about noon because it becomes dark in the middle of the day.  When no fault is found in Him and God imputes the sin of the world onto Him He cries out "My God, My God (not Father), why hast thou forsaken me?" The word forsaken means to leave behind or to desert.  Their fellowship had been broken because God cannot look upon sin without judgment, and at that point God is judging Him for the sin of the world.  As soon as the atonement for sin has been completed the fellowship is restored and His last words are - - "Father, it is finished."  His blood is now over the door posts and lintel of every believer's heart and God can Pass Over our sins.  At that time John records He "bowed His head and gave up the ghost."

WHAT ARE THE COLORS IN A RAINBOW? by Wanda Hess

R         RED
O         ORANGE
Y         YELLOW
G         GREEN
B          BLUE
I           INDIGO
V         VIOLET

Sesame Street had a show devoted to Rainbows.  The actor gave this name ROY G BIV to help the puppets remember the colors of the rainbow.  It was one of those things that stuck in my head.

When you spot a rainbow it may catch you by surprise. It is like seeing a red cardinal bird in the snow.  Or perhaps you are one who knows the scientific results from water and light creates the prism to produce a rainbow.  So after a rain are you looking to the sky for that rainbow?  My daughter when heading to her Drs. appt. 6 years ago and saw a double rainbow. And that day she found out she was having twins!

The Legend of the Leprechaun is an Irish mythology and folklore that a Leprechaun has a pot of gold hidden deep in the Irish countryside. And then it is attached to a rainbow because of searching and hoping for the wealth of gold.

God’s promise was a rainbow. In Genesis 9:11-17 And I will establish my covenant with you: neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy. Verse 13: I do set my bow (rainbow) in the cloud and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. (a promise).

I believe he will keep his promise. Does the rainbow help me to remember that or is it an alert of God’s other promises. I might not have found my pot of gold but when I see a rainbow it makes me smile and forget the cares of that moment and enjoy the rainbow with a light heart.

With God all things are possible.

God will take care of you.

Many books talk about rainbows: A Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman, The Rainbow Book by Kate Ohrt and All the Colors of the Rainbow by Allan Fowler to mention a few. Even songs talk of rainbows: Kermit the Frog sang “Rainbow Connection” and In the 1940’s a song I’m Always Chasing Rainbows”

So if you are chasing rainbows or searching for the Pot of Gold.  
                       Remember a Promise is a Promise no matter who says it.

Kitchen Korner - SPICED NUTS - by Dolly Lawler

Here's a recipe my nephew's wife gave me.  She said her dad found the recipe in a magazine when he was very young and made it every year during the Christmas season for their family.  She said she does not remember having a Christmas without Spiced Nuts.

SPICED NUTS
4 cups nuts
2 egg whites
2 TBS. water
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. cloves
½ tsp. nutmeg

 

• Preheat oven to 300.
• In medium mixing bowl, slightly beat egg white with water.
• Stir in nuts, coating well.
• In a separate small bowl, mix sugar and spices.
• Pour sugar mixture over nuts; stir until evenly coated.
• Spread in 15" x 10" x 1" baking pan.
• Bake ½ hour, stirring 3 times.
• Cool on waxed or parchment paper.  (Spread so nuts are not clumped together while cooling.)
• Do not cool in pan or they will be VERY difficult to remove. 

Please submit a favorite recipe to:
lawlers@windstream.net
 

Let This Cup Pass From Me! - By Ken Lawler

This is the first in a series of four articles about topics that apparently I and a lot of Christians disagree on.  These topics are:  what was going on in the garden, on the cross, in the tomb, and the Atonement.
 
In the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives Matthew records Jesus saying, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:  nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt."  Matthew also tells of Him being "sorrowful and very heavy," and saying, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death" (Matt. 26:37-39).  I have heard numerous sermons during my lifetime on these passages and this event and every one (except when my Dad preached on it) explained the events as Jesus' humanity showing through, and most of them said, in so many words, that Jesus was asking His Father if there was some other way than the cross He wanted it.  I don't believe it for a minute!
 
Let's look at the word cup and how The Lord used it.  The Greek word translated cup meant two things.  First, it's a drinking-vessel.  Second, it's used for the contents of a drinking-vessel, i.e. a cupful (draught), figuratively used as one's lot or fate.  It's obvious Jesus is using the word in reference to His lot in life, or His fate; His being sacrificed on the cross for the sins of the world.  In Matthew 20:22 He asks James and John and their mother if they are "able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of."  In the garden, according to Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36, and Luke 22:42 He refers to what is happening there asthis cup.  The cup is obviously referring to the crucifixion, while this cup, I think, is referring to what was happening at that moment in the garden.  According to Luke 22:44 He was "in an agony, and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."  I believe He felt like He was dying there in the garden (this cup), before He was going to get to the cross (the cup).  He then shows His total trust in His Father when He says, "nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."  Luke then says an angel came down and strengthened Him.  I suspect Satan was unleashing everything he had to kill Him there in the garden and keep Him from the cross.
 
Jesus came to Earth to die on the cross as the Passover atonement for man's sin.  Just hours before this garden agony, just after His entry into Jerusalem, He discussed in detail with some Greeks that Philip and Andrew had brought to see Him what was about to happen.  He reminded them that a kernel of wheat had to go in the ground and die before it could bring forth much fruit.  He then said, "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say?  Father, save me from this hour:  but for this cause came I unto this hour."  Don't sound to me like a guy looking for a way out of a bad situation.
 
I'm sure Jesus wasn't looking forward to the severe beating He was about to take and the crucifixion; but it doesn't sound to me like He was trying to get out of it.

JOHN 3:16 - by Wanda Hess

1.            GOD – the greatest lover,
2.            SO LOVED – the greatest degree
3.            THE WORLD – the greatest company
4.            THAT HE GAVE – the greatest act
5.            HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON- the greatest gift
6.            THAT WH0S0EVER – the greatest opportunity
7.            BELIEVETH – the greatest simplicity
8.            IN HIM- the greatest attraction
9.            SHOULD NOT PERISH- the greatest promise
10.          BUT – the greatest difference
11.          HAVE – the greatest certainty
12.          ETERNAL LIFE – the greatest possession

by Davies

Have a thoughtful day and pass it forward!  

Kitchen Korner - OH BOY! BISCUITS - by Dolly Lawler

Right off hand I can't think of any food Ken likes better than homemade biscuits covered with sausage gravy.  After eating it all these years, I'd have thought he would be tired of it by now.  Nah baby nah.  I have several good biscuit recipes, but this is our favorite.  I've been told these biscuits are very much like the delicious ones at Bob Evans.  I'm not necessarily trying to plug Bob Evans, but I do use his zesty hot sausage to make my gravy.  He's a good guy, what can I say.
 

OH BOY! BISCUITS
(Makes 8-9 large biscuits)
 
Ingredients:
 
2 cups self-rising flour
¼ tsp. baking soda
¼ cup butter or margarine (½  stick)
1 cup buttermilk
 
Directions:
 
1.  Preheat oven to 425°.
2.  In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour and baking soda.
3.  Using a fork, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4.  Make a well in center of flour mixture and add the buttermilk at once; stir until
     moistened.
5.  While still in the bowl, knead dough by gently folding and pressing dough 10 to 12
     strokes or until nearly smooth.
6.  Turn out on lightly floured cutting board and press the dough out to about ½ to ¾
     inch thick.
7.  Cut dough with a floured 3-inch biscuit cutter.  (Carter Bates gave us his mother's
     antique biscuit cutter and it's perfect.)  If you don't have a cutter, you can use a
     drinking glass. (I usually cut 7 biscuits from dough, then rework the scrap dough to
     cut a couple more.)
8.  Place biscuits, just touching, in an 8x12 inch baking pan sprayed with Pam.
9.  Bake 15 to 20 minutes.  (I test mine by sticking a toothpick in one.  If it comes out
     clean, they are done.  We like our biscuits more white than golden.  Either way,
     they're great.)
10.Remove biscuits from pan and serve hot.
 
Please submit a favorite recipe to:
lawlers@windstream.net

Seven Things God Cannot Do - By Ken Lawler

We were all taught in our earliest Sunday school class that God can do anything; there is nothing He cannot do.  So where does this article come from and where is it going?  If you google "things God cannot do" you get 104 million hits.  Here's the first 9:  MomentsWith The Book lists 3 things; Sermon Central, 5; Let Us Reason Ministries, 8; Christianity Today, 10; The Church of God International, 12; Third Millennium Ministries, 15; andBeliefnet, 20.  Got Questions.org says, "The only thing that God cannot do is act contrary to His own character and nature."  Apologetics Press says the idea is, "a conceptual absurdity."

I know it's actually not conceivable that an omnipotent God is limited in any way, but because of His nature, there are things He cannot do.  How many things is anyone's guess, but the following is a list of seven things, as best as I remember them, from a sermon my Dad preached. 

1. He cannot refuse a repentant sinner.  John 6:37; Acts 2:38-39
2. He cannot remember forgiven sins.  Ps. 103:11-12; Isa. 43:25
3. He cannot accept anyone other than through Jesus Christ.  John 14:6; Acts 4:12
4. He cannot forgive the blaspheming of The Holy Spirit.  Matt. 12:31-32;                I John 5:16
5. He cannot leave sin unpunished.  Eze. 18:20a; Matt. 12:36; John 16:7-11;              II Peter 2:9
6. He cannot tell a lie or be tempted with evil.  Titus 1:2; James 1:13
7. He cannot allow four things to be "shaken," Heb. 12:27.  The Greek word saleuo(sal-yoo'-o) means to waver or be agitated or toppled or destroyed.  These four things are (according to my Dad):

• The Throne of God.  Ps. 45:6, 93:1-2, 103:19; Heb. 1:8
• The Word of God.  Isa. 40:8
• The Church of Jesus Christ.  Matt. 16:18
• The True Child of God.  John 3:16, 8:51, 10:28, 11:25-26

Friends & Family - by Wanda Hess

This month I have written a tribute to a very dear friend who now has Alzheimer’s Disease and is a resident at the Springfield Masonic Home.  She doesn’t remember the fun times we had and even my name or recognize my face.  She gave me a gift many years ago of a book called “Leaves Of Gold: An Anthology Of Prayers, Memorable Phrases, Inspirational Verse And Prose.”  Many times I have used this book and would like to share some of those with you.
 
WORTH

It is not what the world gives men , honor, praise or gold;
It is what I do give the world,
So others do unfold.
If my work through life I can
Another soul unfold,
Then  I have done what cannot be
Made good, by praise or gold.
One time thought in tiny word
May give a great one birth,
And, if that thought was caused by me,
I lived a life of worth - Richard F. Wolfe
 
HAPPINESS

Happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued. is beyond our grasp, but which,if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you-Hawthorne
               
A FRIEND IS A PERSON

Who will help you in at the hour of sickness;
Who will lend you a dollar without deducting the interest;
Who will help you up hill when you are sliding down;
Who will defend you in the hour when others speak evil of you;
Who will believe in your innocence until you admit your guilt;
Who will say behind your back what he says to your face;
Who will shake hands with you wherever he meets you, even though you wear patches; and
Who will do all these things without expecting any return - Dorothy C. Retsloff
 
OLD FRIENDSHIP

Beautiful and rich is an old friendship,
Grateful to the touch as ancient ivory,
Smooth as aged wine, or sheen of tapestry
Where light has lingered, intimate and long.
Full of tears and warm is an old friendship
That asks no longer deeds of gallantry.
Or any deed at all-save that the friend shall be
Alive and breathing somewhere,  like a song - Eunice Tietjens
 
To my friend, “ Thanks for the Memory”      By Wanda Hess

Kitchen Korner - CORNBREAD PERFECTION - by Dolly Lawler

All cornbread is "good."  Can it be that one might be better than another?  When it comes steaming hot from the oven with a good crust on it, I would be hard pressed to claim one over another.  (You're thinking, "I hear a 'BUT' coming.")  Well, sort of.  I've made this recipe several times and it has an edge on my other cornbread recipes.  Why don't you try it and see what you think.  Better yet, see what Grandpa thinks about it.

CORNBREAD PERFECTION
(Makes 8-10 servings.)

Ingredients:

1 cup plain yellow cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tbs. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. baking soda
2 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs
½ cup butter (1 stick)

(This is not a sweet cornbread.  If your family only likes sweet cornbread, add ¼ cup
sugar to the above recipe.)

Preparation:

1.  Preheat oven to 425°.
2.  Whisk together first 5 ingredients in a large bowl.
3.  In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk and eggs.
4.  Stir egg mixture into cornmeal mixture just until combined.
5.  Heat a 10 inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it just begins to smoke.
     (If you don't have a cast-iron skillet, shame on you.)
6.  Add butter to hot skillet; stir until butter is melted.
7.  Stir melted butter into cornbread batter; then pour batter into hot skillet.
8.  Bake at 425° for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden and cornbread pulls away from
     sides of skillet.
9.  Invert cornbread pone onto wire rack; serve warm.

By Dolly Lawler
 

Please submit a favorite recipe to:
lawlers@windstream.net

A to Z - By Wanda Hess

---

In the May newsletter I talked about dandelions.  My, my  was I surprised with all your comments about dandelions! I want to add that a whole town up north in Amish Country has a 3 day Dandelion Festival! That is a lot of love for the dandelion.  For this newsletter I recently went to a “Friends of the Library Book Sale” and purchased a book  by Ken Anderson called “Where to Find it in the Bible. The ultimate A to Z resource.“ I have picked out some words that I thought were interesting.  But now I need your participation; so get your Bibles.  Circle the words you find of interest and look up the passages.  I have listed quite a few so enjoy!

A – ANGER  Deuteronomy 19:4-7
B- BODY Matt 8:31
C-CONCERN Job 1:4-5
D-DOG Exodus 11:7
E-EYES- Deut 29:2-3
F-FAST FOOD  Genesis 18 6-8
G-GRANDMOTHERS Titus 2 3-5
H-HIKING Deut 8:4
I- INSECTS Exodus 8:21
J-JAMBOREE- 2 Samuel 6:5
K-KITCHEN Exodus 29:31
L-LUGGAGE- 1 Kings 10:2
M-MORNING STAR-Revelation 22:16
N-NEIGHBORHOOD-Jeremiah  30:20
O-OWL-Leviticus 11:13-17
P-POLICE John 18:12
Q-QUACK Job 13:4
R-RENEGADE Jeremiah 11 7,8
S-SUNDAY Nehemiah 10:31,13:16-17
T-TWINS-Genesis 25:21-26
U-UFO Jeremiah 10:2
V-VOTE Numbers 27:16
W-WATERFALL Psalm 42:7
X-XENOPHOBIA-Jeremiah 22:3
Y-YOUTH-Psalm 71:5
Z-ZEAL-Ephesians 2:10;6:10-20

In closing I would say the Bible contains a lot of subjects, wouldn't you agree? Enjoy your Bible, search the pages, find the answers.  It’s the best book you have in your home!

KITCHEN KORNER - By Dolly Lawler

Summer gardening brings forth so many good vegetables; among them are broccoli and cauliflower. Here's a good Amish salad recipe for you to try. There's just something about this tasty salad that hits the spot with me and I hope it does the same for you.

AMISH BROCCOLI-CAULIFLOWER SALAD

Ingredients:

1 large head of fresh broccoli
½ head cauliflower
½ cup diced mild onion
½ cup crisply, fried bacon, crumbled
½ cup shredded cheese (colby or longhorn)
½ to 1 cup raisins (optional)
1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup sugar
2 Tbs. vinegar

Preparation:

Using only the flowerets of broccoli and cauliflower, break or cut into small pieces. Add diced onions and toss well. Blend mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar. Mix well. Pour the dressing over the vegetable mix and blend well. Add raisins, crumbled bacon bits and cheese. Stir to blend; chill and serve.

Note: For color, add 6 medium sized radishes, thinly sliced.
Yield: approximately 8 (4 oz.) servings

Please submit a favorite recipe to:
lawlers@windstream.net

Does Jesus Exist? - By Ken Lawler

Have you ever wondered if someone as important to human history as Jesus is was ever mentioned in secular history?  The answer to the question is YES!  Giving credit where credit is due, everything you will read in this article I read in the Jan/Feb 2015 Biblical Archaeology Review, by Dr. Lawrence Mykytiuk.  He is associate professor of library science and the history librarian at Perdue University.  His Ph.D. is in Hebrew and Semitic Studies.

One source is Caius/Gaius (or Publius) Cornelius Tacitus (c. 55/56-118 A.D.).  He was a Roman senator, orator and ethnographer (he studied human cultures), and was arguably the best of the Roman historians.  He also despised Christians.  In his last major writing, titled Annals, written around 116-117 A.D., he includes a biography of the Emperor Nero.  Nero was accused of setting the fire that partially destroyed Rome in 64 A.D.  He tried to shift the blame to Christians, which was the occasion for Tacitus to mention them in his writings.  Here's part of what he wrote to identify who started the fire.  The culprits whom the crowd called "Chrestians."  The founder of this name, Christ, had been executed in the reign of Tiberius by the procurator Pontius Pilate.  He was unaware that his name was Jesus and Christ was his title.

Another source is the Jewish historian Josephus.  He was a Jewish priest in first century Palestine.  During the first Jewish Revolt against Rome (66-70 A.D.) he was a commander in Galilee, but soon surrendered and became a prisoner of war.  After prophesying that the Roman commander Vespasian would become emperor, and he did, Vespasian freed him and he continued to live in Rome, where he composed his historical and apologetic writings.  He even took a Roman name, calling himself Flavius Josephus.  Most Jews viewed him as a despicable traitor.  In one of his great works, titled Jewish Antiquities, he mentioned Jesus twice.

Keep in mind when you read the following that the reason he gives the details he does is that the names James (Iakobos, ee-ak'-o-bos) i.e. Jacobus and Jesus (Iesous, ee-ay-sooce') i.e. Jehoshua, were very common names in 1^st Century Israel.  Normally, a person was identified by his father's name (i.e. James, son of Joseph), but that wouldn't work because Joseph was also a very common name.  Therefore, Josephus identifies which James he's referring to by naming his famous brother.  Here's what he wrote:  Ananus (the high priest) called a meeting (literally, Sanhedrin) of judges and brought into it the brother of Jesus-who-is-called-Messiah, James by name, and some others.  In another place he writes:  Around this time there lived Jesus, a wise man.  For he was one who did surprising deeds, and a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly.  He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks.  When Pilate, upon hearing him accused by men of the highest standing among us, had condemned him to be crucified, those who in the first place came to love him did not give up their affection for him.  And the tribe of Christians, so called after him, have still to this day not died out.

Choices and Decisions - By Tom Graham

Choices! Everything we do and who we are is based on the choices we make. We often tell ourselves that our choices are good because they make us feel good, or feel happy or just feel right. If you have ever experienced anxiety or depression you can relate to how quickly our feelings and/or emotions can often deceive us into believing things regardless of the obvious truth. The truth is we all make good and bad choices every day. As adults we must face the consequences of those choices. It’s not our parents, our past relationships, our jobs, the economy, the weather, an argument, or our age that is to blame. Ultimately, we are the ONLY ones to blame for our choices; good or bad.

In Proverbs 14:12 it says “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” As humans, it is really easy for us to consider what “seems right to man” to be the absolute truth. Many people base their life choices solely on what “seems right or feels right.” The world we live in today bombards us daily through the television, the web, and social media with the idea of doing “what feels good,” what “seems right.” Young and old alike are constantly being challenged to embrace a worldly view. No wonder people today are more confused than ever and it seems people are making more and more poor choices in their lives. Speaking from experience, as a former young person, if I had made all my choices based on what I thought felt good…my life would be extremely different and I fear not in a good way. I am not saying that all the choices in my life have been good ones. I have made my share of bad choices and I have lived with the consequences of those bad choices. As Christians, we are called upon to filter our choices based on what God has shown and taught us through His Word. In Proverbs 3:5-6 it says “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Being a Christian does not exempt us from the responsibility of making good choices. It is our responsibility to use our God-given mind to learn how to make good choices.

Writer David Peach states:

“Sometimes we don’t make decisions a spiritual matter or a subject of prayer because we are afraid of how God will lead. God wants to bless us, but blessings only come through obedience (Deuteronomy 11:26-29). When you finally make the decision you know is right, then accept what the Lord has shown you and do what is right in the situation. It may be something difficult to do, but the promise is that as you obey the Lord, you will have blessings in your life.”

In today's world, living our lives and making good choices has become harder than ever. Does God promise us that every choice we make will be perfect and right? Of course not. But he does say in James 1:5 that “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” and the Good News Translation states 1 Corinthians 10:13 “Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.”

Choices can sometimes be quick and easy to make. Sometimes they can be long and difficult to make. Trust God with all the choices in your life. I pray now that you will seek God's wisdom in all the choices you make in your life. If God is not a part of your life, I pray that you start now and begin a relationship with Him. For more information on becoming a Christian please click the link or go to http://www.sbc.net/knowjesus/.

Greetings from Wee Care Childcare

We’ve had a very busy and exciting summer here at Wee Care.  Our summer school-age program – Adventure Squad – had about 40 children enrolled for the summer.  The kids enjoyed field trips such as the Air Force Museum, Carillon Park, Wegerzyn Gardens, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Johnston Family Farm and swimming at the Tipp City pool.  Thank you to Ms. Cathy, Ms. Kristen, Ms. JoAnn, Mr. Chase, Mr. Ron, Ms. Maria and Ms. Zora for helping to make the summer Adventure Squad a huge success!  Also, thank you to the Tecumseh Local Schools transportation team for transporting our children to and from their field trips.

We are excited to be implementing our new faith-based curriculum, Pinnacle Curriculum.  This curriculum allows our teachers to help the children grow and learn in all developmental areas while keeping to a particular Bible theme.  We have found it to be very easy to use and implement.

As summer is drawing to an end, our preschool classes are now forming.  We have two Pre-K classes and one younger preschool class.  Ms. Kristen is our Pre-K teacher in the purple room; Ms. Debbie is our Pre-K teacher in the yellow room; and Ms. Vanessa is our preschool teacher in the rainbow room.  We also have Ms. Sarah, Ms. Cathy and Ms. Miranda who will be helping in the afternoons.

Our infants in the blue room are keeping Ms. Lala, Ms. Deb, Ms. Karen and Ms. Courtney very busy.  The toddlers in the orange room are having so much fun with Ms. Jenn and Ms. Nancy and Ms. Maria.  Also, the red room kids are continuing to make progress in their potty training, with the help of Ms. Emma and Ms. Kelly.
Our before- and after-school latchkey program is just getting started.  Ms. JoAnn is our morning latchkey lady, along with the help of Ms. Nancy.  In the afternoons, we have Ms. Tiffani, Mr. Chase and Ms. Zora.  We have about 43 kids enrolled in the latchkey program.  Thank you to the Tecumseh and Bethel Local Schools for providing bus transportation for the kids to and from school.

We consider it a great honor to be able to provide a much needed service to our community.  Please pray for our teachers, parents and, especially, the children who are part of our childcare program.

God bless,
Wee Care Childcare Staff

Question: Can a Christian lose salvation?

Answer: First, the term Christian must be defined. A “Christian” is not a person who has said a prayer or walked down an aisle or been raised in a Christian family. While each of these things can be a part of the Christian experience, they are not what makes a Christian. A Christian is a person who has fully trusted in Jesus Christ as the only Savior and therefore possesses the Holy Spirit (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8–9).

So, with this definition in mind, can a Christian lose salvation? It’s a crucially important question. Perhaps the best way to answer it is to examine what the Bible says occurs at salvation and to study what losing salvation would entail:

A Christian is a new creation. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). A Christian is not simply an “improved” version of a person; a Christian is an entirely new creature. He is “in Christ.” For a Christian to lose salvation, the new creation would have to be destroyed.

A Christian is redeemed. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18–19). The word redeemed refers to a purchase being made, a price being paid. We were purchased at the cost of Christ’s death. For a Christian to lose salvation, God Himself would have to revoke His purchase of the individual for whom He paid with the precious blood of Christ.

A Christian is justified. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). To justify is to declare righteous. All those who receive Jesus as Savior are “declared righteous” by God. For a Christian to lose salvation, God would have to go back on His Word and “un-declare” what He had previously declared. Those absolved of guilt would have to be tried again and found guilty. God would have to reverse the sentence handed down from the divine bench.

A Christian is promised eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Eternal life is the promise of spending forever in heaven with God. God promises, “Believe and you will have eternal life.” For a Christian to lose salvation, eternal life would have to be redefined. The Christian is promised to live forever. Does eternalnot mean “eternal”?

A Christian is marked by God and sealed by the Spirit. “You also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13–14). At the moment of faith, the new Christian is marked and sealed with the Spirit, who was promised to act as a deposit to guarantee the heavenly inheritance. The end result is that God’s glory is praised. For a Christian to lose salvation, God would have to erase the mark, withdraw the Spirit, cancel the deposit, break His promise, revoke the guarantee, keep the inheritance, forego the praise, and lessen His glory.

A Christian is guaranteed glorification. “Those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” (Romans 8:30). According to Romans 5:1, justification is ours at the moment of faith. According to Romans 8:30, glorification comes with justification. All those whom God justifies are promised to be glorified. This promise will be fulfilled when Christians receive their perfect resurrection bodies in heaven. If a Christian can lose salvation, then Romans 8:30 is in error, because God could not guarantee glorification for all those whom He predestines, calls, and justifies.

A Christian cannot lose salvation. Most, if not all, of what the Bible says happens to us when we receive Christ would be invalidated if salvation could be lost. Salvation is the gift of God, and God’s gifts are “irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). A Christian cannot be un-newly created. The redeemed cannot be unpurchased. Eternal life cannot be temporary. God cannot renege on His Word. Scripture says that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2).

Two common objections to the belief that a Christian cannot lose salvation concern these experiential issues: 1) What about Christians who live in a sinful, unrepentant lifestyle? 2) What about Christians who reject the faith and deny Christ? The problem with these objections is the assumption that everyone who calls himself a “Christian” has actually been born again. The Bible declares that a true Christian will not live a state of continual, unrepentant sin (1 John 3:6). The Bible also says that anyone who departs the faith is demonstrating that he was never truly a Christian (1 John 2:19). He may have been religious, he may have put on a good show, but he was never born again by the power of God. “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16). The redeemed of God belong “to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God” (Romans 7:4).

Nothing can separate a child of God from the Father’s love (Romans 8:38–39). Nothing can remove a Christian from God’s hand (John 10:28–29). God guarantees eternal life and maintains the salvation He has given us. The Good Shepherd searches for the lost sheep, and, “when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home” (Luke 15:5–6). The lamb is found, and the Shepherd gladly bears the burden; our Lord takes full responsibility for bringing the lost one safely home.

Jude 24–25 further emphasizes the goodness and faithfulness of our Savior: “To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”

"Can a Christian lose salvation?" (n.d.). Retrieved [August 24, 2015], from http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-lose-salvation.html.