The Chaplain’s Corner

 

 

March 12, 2001

 

 

Hello everybody and welcome to The Chaplain’s Corner.  I want to remind you that March is Women's History Month, so I encourage you to spend time this month learning about the achievements of great women in our history.

Also, take the time this month to honor the women in your life that had an impact on you and others in their sphere of influence.

Until next time!

 

Mary Alice

 

 

 

LIVES THAT CHANGED LIVES

Priscilla
The Missionary Tentmaker
A.D. 54

Aquilla and Priscilla, a noble Christian couple, had been driven from Rome
by the decree of Claudius Caeser. A large Jewish colony dwelt at Rome in a crowded quarter on the banks of the Tiber. A Roman historian, Suetonius, tells us that Claudius banished the Jews from Rome because of the constant disturbances of certain Jews that followed Christ. During the early decades of Christianity, the Romans did not distinguish between Jews and Christians. Christianity had no doubt been introduced into Rome by some Jews who were converted at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. These Christians were undoubtedly persecuted by their fellow Jews, causing disturbances in the capital city. It was because of these disturbances that the whole Jewish colony was banished.

Aquilla and Priscilla were already Christians when they met the Apostle
Paul. They had settled in Corinth where they were in the business of
tentmaking. Upon his entrance to the city of Corinth, Paul met this couple
and made his home with them. They were attached by a three-fold tie: they were Jews by birth, Christians by profession, and tentmakers by
trade. While Paul was ministering in Corinth, he worked with his friends
at their trade.

He was so successful in his missionary work, that at the end of a year and
a half the Jews raised such a persecution that all three were driven from
the city to Ephesus, where Paul met his friends and sailed to Syria.
Sometime after Paul's departure, a learned and eloquent Jewish man of
Alexandria came to Ephesus. His name was Apollos. Apollos had heard of
and accepted the Christian religion and was working enthusiastically among his own people. When Aquilla and Priscilla heard him preach they were impressed by his ability and zeal, but they came to realize that he was not fully educated in Christian teaching. They invited him to their home and offered to teach him more fully the truth of Christianity. Priscilla and Aquilla became his teachers, and it is actually Priscilla is given more
honor in this matter which is shown by her name being placed before that of her husband in the written record (Acts 18).

A few years later the couple evidently returned to Rome, for Paul in his
letter to the Romans sends them greetings (Romans 16:4). In this single
verse we learn that Paul remembered them as his "helpers" in the gospel
work, no doubt thinking of the days in Corinth. Again, he says they had
saved his life at the risk of their own. And, lastly, he speaks of "the
church which is in their house." Their home had become the meeting place of the Christians in Rome at a time when it was neither possible nor safe for them to have a special house of worship.

 

 

 

 

“Those who say it cannot be done, should not stand

in the way of those doing it.”

 

~Author Unknown~

 

 

 

Excerpted from Lessons from a Father to His Son.  Thomas Nelson Publishers.

 

Struggling to Kneel – a true story by John Ashcroft

 

Though we all enjoy the brilliant array of fall colors, few of us understand the process that produces the glorious display.  As days grow shorter, trees produce less green chlorophyll and leaves reveal their natural, spectacular color.

 

Much like a tree, my dad’s true colors were most vivid at the end of his life.  When he had just hours left to live, I saw my father at his brightest and finest.  It was a day I will never forget.

 

Before each of my inaugurations as governor of Missouri, I requested there be a special time where friends and officials join together to ask God’s guidance in the inaugural festivities and in the administration I would direct.  I wanted to show my individual dependence on God and our governments corporate dependence on His mercy.  In 1985 and 1989, people from every corner of the state attended these services.

 

The night before I was sworn in to the Senate in 1995, my father arranged a dinner for 15 to 20 close friends and family.  My father eyed a piano in the corner of the room and said, “John, why don’t you play the piano and we’ll sing?”

 

“You name it, I’ll play it, Dad.”

 

“Let’s sing, ‘We Are Standing on Holy Ground.’”

 

After the song, I found myself thinking out loud.  “We’re having a good time,” I said, “but I really wish this was a dedication service.”

 

The impending responsibilities of the Senate were weighing heavily on me.  I didn’t have an inflated view of my importance as a senator, but I wasn’t lackadaisical about it either.  The people of Missouri had chosen me to represent them, and I wanted to do so with integrity and character.  My lifelong friend, Dick Foth, spoke up.  “We can do something about a dedication service, John.”  At Dick’s suggestion, we gathered early the next morning at a beautiful house near the Capitol maintained by friends to bring Congress members together for spiritual enrichment.  We chatted informally and then sang a hymn or two.  At the time I didn’t realize how weak my father was, but he had been losing weight in November and December and had told an acquaintance of his, “I’m hanging on by a thread, and it’s a thin thread at that, but I’m going to see John sworn into the Senate.”

 

As we talked, the earnestness of my father’s voice suddenly commanded everyone’s attention.  “John,” Dad said, “please listen carefully.”  My children and I turned our full attention on Dad.  The others leaned in.  “The spirit of Washington is arrogance and the spirit of Christ is humility.  Put on the spirit of Christ.  Nothing of lasting value has ever been accomplished in arrogance.”  The room was absolutely still.  “Someday I hope that someone will come up to you as you’re fulfilling your duties as a senator, tug on your sleeve, and say, “Senator, your spirit is showing.”

 

Back when I was eight years old, my father had used a breathtaking dive in an old Piper Cub airplane to convince me that my actions had great consequences; now, nearly a half century later, he wanted me to remember how I did what I did would have eternal impact.   I asked for prayer.  “It’s too bad we don’t have any oil,” I added.  In the Bible, David and Saul were anointed as they each undertook their duty as king of Israel, as were some leaders in the early church.  I had adopted that practice – being anointed prior to each of my terms as governor.

 

“Let’s see if there’s some in the kitchen,” my father suggested.”

 

Dick Foth disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a tiny bowl of Crisco oil.  I knelt in front of the sofa where my father was seated, and everyone gathered around me.  Then I noticed my father swing his arms, trying to lift himself out of the couch.  Given my father’s weakness – a damaged heart operating at less than one-third capacity – getting out of that couch was a major feat.  I felt terrible.  Knowing he didn’t have strength to spare, I said, “Dad, you don’t have to struggle to stand and pray over mer with these friends.”

 

“John,” my father answered, “I’m not struggling to stand, I’m struggling to kneel.”  Some statements take awhile to sink in; others hit you with the force of a nuclear explosion.  I thought my father’s words would vaporize me on the spot.  A thousand reflections raced through my mind in the first half second.  There was a measure of shame, but a good shame, the kind that arises when you realize you have vastly underestimated the character of someone or his actions.  I was overwhelmed, humbled and inspired.  He was not struggling to stand – he was struggling to kneel.  I was taken back to those early morning fifty years before when I slipped underneath my father and joined him on his knees.  He prayed that we would do noble things.  Now, still on his knees, he was taking me there.

 

Editor’s note: John Ashcroft was sworn into the Senate on January 4, 1995.  His father died the next evening.

 

 

WOMEN ....

 

They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. They fight for what they believe in. They stand up for injustice. They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution. They go without new shoes so their
children can have them. They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally. They cry when their
children excel and cheer when their friends get
awards. They are happy when they hear about a
birth or a new marriage. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They have sorrow at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken
heart. en come in all sizes, in all colors and
shapes. They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show
how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world spin! Women do more than just give birth. They bring joy and hope. They give
compassion and ideals. They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have a lot to say and a lot to give.

Community Bible Study

 

About our Bible Study:

 

The identifying mark of a Christian community is a place of love. But beyond the words of love.

 

	Sharing of love with each other.
	Showing acts of kindness and encouragement during times of hardships and difficulty.
	Challenging each other to growth in the Lord.
	Restoring broken relationships and broken lives to full fellowship

 

While worship and fellowship is vital in our local churches, many of these needs can also be met in a smaller, more intimate setting where we know and are known by each other.

I believe this objective is accomplished through our Community Bible Study.

 

Come join us in studying the Word of God.

 

When: Every Thursday @ 10:00a.m.

Where: Spirit Wind Church

Bible Study for March 29:

“Using Discernment With Prophetic Words”

Teacher: Mary Alice Kelly

 

For information or a ride call the church office: 897-2075 or Mary Alice 364-2586