FELLOWSHIP FOOTNOTES

Newsletter of Hamilton Bible Fellowship

March 2007

I grew up a nominal churchgoer, became a Christian at age 21, and have since been involved with bible or evangelical churches. So, for me, "lent" is the opposite of "borrowed. . . ." The dictionary defines Lent as "the 40 weekdays before Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday, observed as a season of penitence, expressing remorse for one’s sins." Since we have been involved with the community Ash Wednesday Service (4 years), I have come to appreciate the potential significance of this observance.

For most folks, Lent means giving up something. Perhaps this has its roots in the idea of "penance" - different from penitence in that it involves doing something (or not doing something) as some kind of "payment" or restitution for sins. The scriptures are clear that Jesus has already done that - fully and completely. Yet, there are things we can give up; not as payment for, but in response to what Jesus has done to pay for us. First on the list is "hubris" - a good working definition is "being full of ourselves." It may seem a particularly contemporary condition, especially in an educated, prosperous and technologically advanced culture. But it really started in Genesis 3, where the original humans were plied with "Did God really say . . ." and finally tempted with "you can be as God!" The rest is history (literally). Humankind (us) have been running toward ever elusive independence since.

The opposite of hubris is humility. This is not pretending to be something we’re not: attractive people pretending they’re ugly; intelligent people pretending they’re stupid. We need to first make realistic assessments. Even Jesus chose humility:

. . . who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something

to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the very nature of a servant, being made

in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself,

and became obedient to death - even death on a cross. Philippians 2:6-8

The ultimate biblical irony may be that Jesus, as God, chose not to hold onto it - while humans, tempted with "you can be as God!" are still grabbing for it. He chose to lay aside all the rights and privileges, for those exercising their choice to run away from God and be their own "gods." True humility for us is having the attitude of Christ (Phil. 2:5). It is recognizing that we are not independent; that we are not in control - however intelligent, prosperous and advanced - especially when we are these things! Jesus invites us to come to him, to get relief from the heavy burden of "independence." The one who most exemplifies gentleness and humility can offer us the deepest kind of rest from that unnecessary yoke (Matthew 11:28-30).

So Lent is good. It is a season, before our celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, of recognizing the reality of our sin, and our need for God’s grace. It is a time to remember that "God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we are yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). For Lent, it would be good to give up trying to be independent. So giving up something (for Lent, or for good) is OK - just don’t try to do it on you own.

Pray for the Coxes, specifically for all the work that has to be done in preparation for filing a refutation to the summary judgment lawsuit. Pray for wisdom for the lawyer, also. I know Fred Rhodes would have prayed.

Pray for ongoing health issues, for Dianne Button, Jean Deiter, Jim Fister, Janet Griffith and any others.

Daylight Savings begins earlier this year: overnight before Sunday March 11^th. Don’t be embarrassed by showing up for church an hour late! (Clocks are turned ahead.)

To repent is to alter one’s way of looking at life;

it is to take God’s point of view instead of one’s own.

Anonymous

Before God can deliver us we must undeceive ourselves.

Augustine

COMING EVENTS CALENDAR:

Table Talks (dinners in homes with discussions) will take place the weekends of March 23-25 and March 30 - April 1. Watch on Sundays for sign ups. We’ll be discussing some new ideas for church organization and operation. We’ll also be looking for more specifics about how to utilize the facility for ministry.

HCS Masquers production of "No, No Nanette" is March 23^rd and 24^th, 7:00 in the auditorium. Come enjoy the work of the many HBF folks involved!

The HBF Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sunday April 22^nd, during the morning service. It is not limited to business - we have much to celebrate this year.

March Birthdays: 1 Bob Pils; 19 Josh Hodge; 27 Meghan Schindler