 Sunday, March 11, 2007 |
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Today, we observe
our Annual Girl Scout Sunday. We thank God for
our Girl Scout Leaders who work so hard to instill
exemplary leadership qualities in our Girl Scouts.
We pray Gods continued blessings upon our
future leaders of America - the Girl Scouts of Shiloh
Baptist Church.
The chilly winds and
snowy days of the last week make it hard to realize that
Spring is almost here. In some ways, this last week is
metaphoric for life. It is just when life seems the most
unnavigable that the change is about to come.
It was during those
moments of despair the Psalmist said, I will look to
the hills, from whence cometh my help? There
are times when life seems hopeless.
For the Union Army
during the Civil War, that sense of despair was palpable
at the onslaught of the Battle of Antietam. The South had
won more battles than anyone would have imagined. Robert
E. Lee had crossed into Union territory in what would
only have seemed impossible just months prior. However,
with the victory at Antietam, the bloodiest battle in the
Civil War, came the break-through for which the Union had
hoped. Following this battle, Abraham Lincoln was
so invigorated that he took the bold move of declaring
the Emancipation Proclamation, a document that called for
the end of slavery in all the states in rebellion against
the Union.
What can we learn from
Lincoln? First, that we must never give up hope, even at
lifes most discouraging moments. In fact, it is
often when life seems bleakest, that break-throughs are
soon to come.
Secondly, we must never
give up the belief that if our causes are just, God is on
our side. Martin Luther King Jr. said that the moral arc
of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice.
Thirdly, always believe
that the promises of God are irrevocable. Slavery was a
moral abomination. Lincoln came late to a belief in the
equality of humankind, but he did get there. When we have
right on our side, we never have anything to fear.
The weather has been
uncooperative, but spring will come. It always has, and
it always will
Readings for March 18,
2007: Joshua
5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3,
11b-32
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OUR PURPOSE
Building the Village by Caring
Concept: Our pastor, the Reverend Wallace Charles Smith, envisions a holistic Ministry of Building by Caring, which includes a 3-tier approach - Care for Ourselves (spiritually), Care for Our Relations (family, friends and members), and Care for Our Community (outreach). In building our capacity to care we will also create an atmosphere that will increase our church's membership, winning more souls to Christ; they will know we are Christians by our love;.
