God is Dead?
"God is dead," says Nietzsche's Zarathustra; and there are many who, in the face of the evil of the world, are afraid he may be right…" (Streeter, Forward). Friends, it saddens me, to the depths of my soul that so many have come to this conclusion in their lives. They have arrived at this verdict due to the presence of evil in our world. They say that if God is all-powerful, then why doesn't He do something about the evil in the world; and if He does nothing, then in reality He is not an omnipotent being, thus He is not God.
This argument simply does not fly. Through this affirmation man has limited God by both human standards and comprehension (Is. 55:8-9). Men, like Rabbi Kushner, take a strong position for a limited God. They proclaim that "God would like people to get what they deserve in life, but He cannot always arrange it" (Wiersbe, 26). And yet, the concept of a "limited God" is not new. Philosopher Alfred North Whitehead stated that God is just a part of the process of things. In other words, God is just along for the ride; He has the potential to do things, but one should not expect too much from Him (Wiersbe, 28).
Thus, the question can and should be asked, "How Big is God?" Well, God is far bigger than man's limited finite mind can conceive. For "with God all things are possible" (Mat. 19:26; Mk. 10:27). The prophet Isaiah captivated the greatness of God when he penned, "have ye not known? Have ye not heard? Hath it not been told you from the beginning? Have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in…to whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? Saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their hosts by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth…Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is not searching of his understanding" (Is. 40:21-22, 25-26, 28). Those who would dare question His might must meet the challenge set forth to Job when God said, "Who is this that darketh counsel by words without knowledge" (Job. 38:2).
There should be no doubt that God is omnipotent, and yet, a being that is all-powerful, would He not have the power to limit Himself? "It is difficult for our human minds to conceive of a God who obeys His own laws and the limitations which He places upon Himself" (McWhorter, 21). To a certain degree, God has limited Himself. "It is obvious that God cannot nor will He do anything that is contrary to His own nature or to the nature of the truth He has built into His universe. For instance, God cannot lie (Titus 1:2); this would go against His very nature. Also, God cannot make a square circle, for this would go against the laws of nature, which He has placed upon this earth. He has also bound Himself when it comes to man. By giving man the freedom of choice, has not God limited Himself? Let me illustrate, there should be no doubt that God wills that man be led by His Word. However, man often rejects His commands, thus rebelling against God. God wills that the church be a place of purity and yet, man continues to defile the body of Christ by allowing sin to reign in their mortal bodies (Rom. 3:10; 6:12). From this, one can see that just because God desires man to do something does not mean man is going to do just that. Thus, God is limited because of man's free moral agency.
This, however, does not mean that God is the victim of His own nature or is handicapped by the universe He created. Nor is He the victim of the freedom of choice that He gave to man. "Among other things, God's omnipotence involves the fact that, in a world of natural laws and human freedom, He is able to accomplish His perfect will and yet remain true to character and the principles He has built into His universe" (Wiersbe, 36). Friends, isn't that the embodiment of omnipotence?
Allen Weakland
Sympathy
We want to express our sympathy to the family of Joe Cross. Joe passed away from this life on Friday, March 21st. Services were held here on Monday, March 24th at 4:00 p.m.
Restoration Fran Hill came forward on Sunday, Marcy 23rd. Fran says she feels she has been neglectful of her duties as a Christian.
Current Concerns
Sharon Fisher was admitted to ICU at Medical Center Hospital on Tuesday, March 18th. She is not doing well. She is currently on a ventilator. No visitors at this time.
Jurlean Warren will be going to Lubbock soon for tests.
Doyle Pitman is in room 549 at Medical Center Hospital.
Heather Combs, granddaughter of Maxine Newton, is having difficulties in her pregnancy with twins. She has asked for our prayers that she will be able to carry to full term and have healthy babies.
Prayer List
Bill Arbuckle; LeeRoy Bell; Mildred Bell; Patsy Carol; Hattie Mae Gilmore; Larry Granat; Mildred Heslip; Davian Ramos; Mable Riggs; Nick Smith; Buddy Sutherland; DeLora Wood.
Shut-ins
Mary Dunn; Fay Gann; Cecil and Mildred Hext; Virgie Price; Charles Tucker.
Events
Watch In Search of the Lord's Way with Mack Lyon every Sunday morning at 7:30 am on CBS, channel 7. This week's topic will be entitled, "I Can Do All Things."
Kathy Nunley is hosting crib showers for Heather Mapes, daughter of Mike and Nancy Roemisch and one for Anita Thompson, granddaughter of Rudy and Emma Ochoa. There are cribs placed in the east foyer for your baby gifts. Both babies are due sometime in April.
FYI
The Wednesday morning Bible Class subject will be the book of Revelation.
The Tipton Home Truck will be here on the week of April 7th. They have asked for the following items: Tylenol, liquid laundry detergent, Kleenex, chicken broth, pre-sweetened Kool-aid, cereal, gallon-sized zip lock bags, aluminum foil, and spaghetti sauce.
You may now pick up any dishes that you left behind on the table in the east foyer under the news and notes board.
If you would like to order a copy of Don Carroll's and John Carroll's song on CD, please fill out a CD order form. The cost per CD is $2.00.
Youth
We are needing hosts for the monthly youth devotionals. Please sign up to host one or more on the sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the east foyer.
There will be a graduation shower for Allison Easlon on April 6th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the annex. Holly Wesson will be hosting it. You may contact her if you have any questions.
Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of March are Maxine Newton and Patsy Mitchell .
We have received our new edition of House to House and Heart to Heart newsletter. Please feel free to pick up a copy on the table in the east foyer.
We are trying to fill our pantry. Every two weeks we will have new suggested items. This week's suggestions are rice, bagged pinto
beans, and canned ravioli. Thank you!
| March 30, 2008 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
Announcements | Mike Smith | Mike Smith |
Song Leader | Steve Horton | Cameron May |
Sermon | Allen Weakland | Allen Weakland |
Opening Prayer | Mike Smith | Mike Smith |
Scripture | Juan Morolez | Jr. Munoz |
Second Prayer | C.M. Riggs | Mike Roemisch |
Closing Prayer | Jeff Wesson | Charles Wood |
|
||
West |
Jimmy Nunley |
Cody Wesson |
East |
Rudy Ochoa |
Jeff Wood |
Other Responsibilities: Elder: Mike Smith ~ Deacon: Jimmy Nunley ~ Pulpit: Scot Straw
Table: Tom Sorenson ~ Song Leaders: Ronnie Lane
Sunday AM
"Call For Balanced Christianity"
(Luke 24:36-48)
Sunday PM
"Great Expectations"
(Psalms 141:1-10)
Our Records
Bible Class... 92
Morning Worship... 152
Evening Worship... 86
Wednesday... 137
Contribution $4,913.75