Bill’s Bestowals:
“A Look at Lent”

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —

his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

(Romans 12:2)

If you’ve had kids (or were one yourself ), I’m certain you could share examples
of moments in which an apology from a kid would be highly in order. We have a lot of
kids in our neighborhood – many of whom are unchurched – and Charis is a magnet for
them. Sadly, I’ve had to ask many a kid to refrain from name-calling, bossiness, general
selfishness, and even the occasional minor altercation.

When this happens I tend to appeal to their consciences, saying something to the
effect of, “You know, other kids will be a lot more eager to play with you if you wouldn’t
do that. You might even try saying you’re sorry.” Most are old enough to have had
earlier lessons concerning this, so they usually will go ahead and apologize. Having said
that, I’ve learned that they offer their apology with the same enthusiasm typically
reserved for doing homework or cleaning their room.

What that means: those kids are doing what they are told merely to manage the
perception of others (including me). There is no sense that they grasp that changing
their external behavior isn’t remotely the same as changing their internal attitude or
perspective. Because they don’t understand this, it is easy to see why I have had to
appeal to the consciences of a couple of them like a broken record.

A Christian author named Tedd Tripp made an observation in a book called
“Shepherding a Child’s Heart.” In it he said “A change in behavior that does not stem
from a change in heart is not commendable; it is condemnable. Is it not the hypocrisy
that Jesus condemned in the Pharisees?” 1 Dr. Tripp observes, however, that that is
exactly what we do with kids: we tend to correct their behavior – the symptom –
without addressing the heart beneath it.

Why do I bring this up? I assure you it isn’t to say that children deserve
condemnation! The real reason is to focus on US – on you and me! If we look deep
within, we will see so many places where God has been the watchful adult in the room,
appealing to our consciences to do what is right from the heart. Sadly, managing the
perceptions of others – as opposed to considering the need for change – is our nature.

1 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs,
which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all
uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of
hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matt. 23:27-28)

The Christian season of Lent is about to begin … and OUR heart is at THE heart of
the season. Lent asks us to scrutinize our hearts; to take a magnifying glass to them so
we will see what needs to change on the inside. When we do change internally,
external change follows without effort.

We may choose not to use the magnifying glass. If so, please remember how I
explained the cluelessness of children above. If we choose not to look … that’s us!
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday: February 22. A worship service will take place
at the church at 5 p.m. that evening. The day is called “Ash Wednesday,” due to the Old
Testament tradition of expressing deep penitence by sitting in ashes.

Shalom! Pastor Bill

February 2023 Calendar:

Sunday: Fellowship Hour at 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.
Worship at 11 a.m.

Thursday: Grief Share at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.
February 2: Fellowship Meeting 8:30 a.m.
February 4: PW Meeting 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall
February 7: Mission Committee Meeting 5 p.m.
February 8: Worship Committee Meeting 1 p.m.
February 12: Movie Day in the Fellowship Hall 2 p.m. – “The Gods Must Be Crazy”
February 13: Stewardship & Finance Meeting 1 p.m.
February 14: Building & Grounds Meeting 10 a.m.
February 14: Membership & Evangelism 6 p.m.
February 15: Session Meeting 5:30 p.m.
February 19: Potluck Lunch following Worship
February 22: Ash Wednesday Service, 5 p.m.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
8 – Linda Spurgin
14 – Al & Cindi Hernandez
21 – Bill Hays
21 – Chelsea Stanbro
25 – Jason Myers

SERVING THIS MONTH:
Ushers: Leon Myers & Susan Seitz
Communion Preparers: Susan Seitz
Communion Servers: Leon Myers, Wes Stiefer, Garrett Lundberg

Bill Hays & Chuck Schroyer

SPECIAL COLLECTION SUNDAYS:
February 5: Personal Care Collection
February 26: Goodland Academy