Month: May 2020

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Updates

Upson Downs 5-25-2020

This is the week of joyful sadness as we remember Ravi Zacharias, gone from our world too soon. We are also reminded of Rich, born in 1946 (a very good year) and his dying at age 74, just like Ravi. I’m not trying to draw too many comparisons, or to overly stretch the similarities, but we who knew Rich also know him as a great man and a true apologist for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Rich and Regan’s 47th anniversary is May 27th, and the Zacharias were married 48 years at the time of his death. If the two men haven’t met in heaven yet, I am confident they will some day, maybe gathering with some of their heroes: C.S.Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, Malcom Muggeridge, still learning from each other, sharpening their minds, and sharing a love of Jesus. 

We are shifting our Bible study to an in-depth dive into Church leadership, looking forward to a SALT class in partnership with Hope International University, led by the team of Jack McCorkel and Gene Sonnenberg. How blessed we are! 

Today we celebrate Memorial Day with an outdoor barbecue, remembering those who have served and sacrificed on our behalf. Grace and peace to all.

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Updates

Upson Downs 5-15-2020

We celebrated Mother’s Day last Sunday. Some relaxed, and some worked (or had others work) but we all enjoyed ourselves. Our families know how to honor us well. Because of the Lord, our families extend far beyond blood relatives; in this time of sheltering, all moms were esteemed even if their immediate relatives were distant. This is as it should be in the Body of Christ.

God wants family for all. Speaking of that, last night,God’s extended family gathered outside, both in person and remotely, to honor a very special 70th birthday.  It was a challenge to pull off a surprise for one who “knows all, sees all,” but we were fairly successful, enjoying a luau, hula dancing, precious memories, and “lovelies.”

Barb has been a friend to all, a gracious pastor, a mentor, a partner, a shoulder to cry on, and the touch of Jesus in all our lives. We could have spoken all night about how what Barb has meant to us, but we had bedtimes!

One missing from the gathering, but ever present among us, was Rich. God knew what He was doing (surprise!) when He put Rich and Barb together as pastors to lead Church of the Servant-King. Our small congregation is uniquely blessed by their partnership, and we will always be indebted for the ways they loved each other and us in Christ.

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Updates

Upson Downs 5-9-2020

Life in the Body of Christ

Like everyone else, we are in the throes of corona-virus concerns. We are mostly off work, working from home, or transitioning to a different work schedule. We are trying to balance due-diligence and carefulness while also demonstrating calm and lack of fear. 

The ever-unfolding events make it difficult to keep firm footing. Keeping up with the latest info can be a full time endeavor. We want to be good stewards of our time. For those off work we are trying to redeem the time. Long put-off errands are finally being tackled. Procrastination is a little harder to justify. All (some!) overdue reading is being undertaken, and part of the writing endeavors are starting to materialize.

So what else is going on besides covid-19? Our dear sister Cheryl has come down for some much needed R&R. Through the years she has been a faithful partner and support. In more recent times she has come to help take care of her brother Rich. Since we are virtually “confined to quarters,” she is stuck with us for an indefinite stretch.

While not undertaking an Extreme Home Makeover, we are embarking on various home improvement adventures: cleaning closets, attending to yard work, repairing various nonfunctional items, fixing roofs, cleaning carpets, planting gardens and so on. We have an abundance of unskilled but willing workers who will pitch in when needed, and we even have some skilled workers. We are trying to keep our more vulnerable members more sheltered: the pregnant ladies and those of a “certain age,” currently defined as over 65. 

  • A new pomegranate tree
  • A new large garden planter at the Ark
  • Ainsworth St.
  • The Kilns improvements underway
  • Laundry area ~ new ceiling

Our younger members have made many trips to the store, for us and also for our neighbors. We want to be available to our neighborhood to shed the love of Christ abroad. Our children are still being homeschooled which requires our attention. Meals are being fixed and shared on a daily basis. 

So we are busy. But we still have moments to work together on puzzles, pray together, read by the crackling fire, talk, encourage one another, and share the abundant life together as we are in greater proximity on a daily basis than ever before. 

We continue to pray for our nation and our world as we find ourselves in the midst of this crisis. We wish to be found faithful. Jesus makes the astounding statement in Matthew 16:18 that even the “gates of Hell shall not prevail” against His Church. May we demonstrate this truth today and all the days ahead.

Categories
Gospel Teaching

Little children…

Please see our post “Bible Study Summaries” for information on the format of this post.

Matthew 18:1-14

Discussion 4/30/2020

I’ve not been like a child. Anything I’ve learned, I’ve become an “expert,” using anything I’ve learned to separate and not unite. I’ve been the opposite of humility, and called to repent.

I read the story of Moses & Jesus as a child. My mother asked me to choose between them as to who was the greatest and I chose Jesus. In my life I asked who is the greatest as they jockeyed for position. 

Participant

I feel this story in Matthew 18 says, “Look, see this child, be like him: unimportant, etc. Jesus becomes impatient with the disiciples’ questions. How do you view yourself? How do you position yourself?”

“Jesus is teaching what followers should be like. See children in a new light. Be humble. Don’t miss the warning of a millstone being hung around your neck and be thrown into the sea.”

“What does it mean to become like a child?”

Participant question

Correction and direction.

“I resent people that correct me. Take correction and direction like a child. The disciples were all the time.”

On the word “child,” it was (in Greek) the most diminutive meaning little child or newborn. He could be referring to infant.”

“They, the disciples, will have a great responsibility caring for the little ones.”

“Be careful if you look down on “despise” others, how you treat your brothers and sisters.”

There is a warning to the Pharisees setting up others to fail.

Children image courtesy https://images.app.goo.gl/BgFezvNhvD8Ur1Cc7
Woe to those who are teachers…

Teaching

Now this section is from our teacher, Jose. His thoughts and impressions.

Referring to Romans 8:12-17: There is only one king by righteousness. Then come the sons. And they cry “Abba, Father,” in the spirit of sonship. We are all heirs of God, provided we suffer with him. 

In this kingdom there are two tiers. There are kings and heirs. They are those who respond adequately to the call of Christ. 

Trust is the essential quality. 

Jose Mejia

The one “led astray” is the one the shepherd goes after.

Categories
Gospel Updates

Upson Downs 5-1-20

This week we are digging into Matthew 18 for Bible study. As the time nears for Jesus’ suffering and death, things intensify greatly. More seems to be directed specifically to His disciples- who will remain faithful until the end? The same question is always posed to us; picking up one’s cross and following Him are not occasional acts!

Jose teaching recently with social distancing and remote connection support

We have been glad for those who are joining us remotely for Bible studies while we continue to maintain careful procedures at home. Recently we were reminded that in this time of pandemic, we should not be practicing social distancing, rather, we should practice physical distancing and social solidarity. What an important distinction!

…we should practice physical distancing and social solidarity

We give thanks for a new, healthy baby in our midst, and for all our wonderful kids who seem to be faring quite well in this time of uncertainty. We hope we are modeling calm and courage in the midst of the storm, always remembering that Jesus is in the boat with us.