|
Remember in Your Prayers
Mike Shelburne
had back surgery last Thursday at Mercy Hospital,
surgery and
recovery went well.
Cecil Pensoneau
will have surgery Monday
the 9th at Mid West
City Hospital.
Ann Owens,
Garry Bailey’s aunt, is suffering from breast cancer.
Olga Tomlinson,
Phil Tomlinson’s mother, passed away, her
funeral was last
Monday. Our sincere condolences go out to
him and his family.
Grant Reed’s
grandfather has had several heart attacks the last few
weeks, will have
surgery in the future.
Marie Thompson,
Patti Spencer’s aunt had
heart surgery at Baptist
Hospital
THE END
Never quit until it
is, indeed, the End.
Different people put the End at different places. Some people put the end very
near the beginning: “That will never be done,” “It can’t happen,” “Things never
go my way.”
Some people put the End at obstacles or delays: “I told you it wouldn’t work,”
“I was afraid this would happen,” “They will never get it worked out,” “Now
we’re going to lose.”
My hometown Wellington High School football team played in the Kansas 4A state
championship games in 2000 and 2001. They played Fort Scott both times and both
teams won once. This year Wellington lost two district games and barely made
the playoffs. The “locals” (most of the town of 7000 who fanatically follow the
team) said that while the 2002 team was good, it just wasn’t as strong as the
last two years.
The 2002 playoffs began. Wellington defeated previously undefeated Marysville.
Then Wellington defeated previously undefeated Scott City. Then came the title
game against undefeated Fort Scott, for the third year in a row. Underdog
Wellington led 21-0 at halftime. Late in the second half the score was 21-14
with Fort Scott having their way. They had a first down inside the Wellington 5
yard line with just under 2 minutes to play.
“I knew they would blow it” - “They’re going to tie the game and beat us in
overtime” - “We haven’t done anything right the second half” - “Our guys
couldn’t stop a girls team now” (no offense!). But it wasn’t yet the End.
Three plays later Fort Scott still had not scored. 4th down inside the 1-yard
line. 18 seconds left to play. Wellington stopped the run for no gain. State
champs! A group of guys had not let their heads get filled with defeatist talk
while defeating three straight undefeated teams, ending up with their backs to
the wall!
Never quit until it is, indeed, the End. If Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, Peter,
Paul or Jesus would have put the End near the beginning or assumed the End at
hardship, what would NOT have happened for the cause of the Lord and
salvation?! If “It can’t be done” or “This is a struggle, let’s quit” gets into
our hearts, then we are doomed.
Some people need to finish what they start. Some need to start what they want
to finish. Everyone needs to be strong in between times. 2003 looks to be
exciting for Northridge. We can build - a building, people, or numbers -
when we decide that is what we will be and do, work and sacrifice, change
and mature. Some things will be hard. Someone will put the End before the End
(Satan is a member of every church!). But nothing should stop the progress of
the Kingdom.
- Cliff
|