Southside Oracle Archive

Vol. 49, No. 34                    SOUTHSIDE ORACLE                October 27, 2006

Absolute Grace

"My grace is sufficient for you " (2 Corinthians 12:8)

Last week Roy Ratcliff, preacher for the Mandrake Road congregation in Madison, was interviewed on Channel 4 news. On Friday Jim Stingl wrote a column in the Journal/Sentinel after a similar interview with Roy. The occasion for both interviews was the release of Roy's new book, "Dark Journey Deep Grace: The Story Behind a Serial Killer's Journey to Faith."

The book relates to Jeffrey Dahmer, the serial killer in Milwaukee convicted in 1994 of killing 15 men and boys. After his conviction Roy was God's instrument to baptize him into Christ while he was in prison at the Columbia Correctional Institution. A few months later he was killed by a fellow inmate.

The book is about Jeffrey Dahmer's controversial conversion to Christ. Some people have understandably questioned his sincerity. Was he not "conning" others to gain a personal advantage? Roy is convinced that he was truly sincere in his repentance. Only God can judge the heart and we must leave that to Him.

However, the major controversy about his conversion is not the genuineness of Jeffrey's repentance, but the possibility that God would ever forgive such heinous crimes. Some folks have even suggested that if he goes to heaven they don't want to be there with him.

The problem most of us have in accepting the salvation of a serial killer relates to our understanding of the nature of God's grace. We do acknowledge that we are all sinners and need divine mercy. After all Paul tells us, "It is by God's grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8). But will God's mercy extend to a serial killer? We wouldn't grant him grace. We would execute him!

You see, while we may acknowledge God's grace and claim it for ourselves, we cannot comprehend that God would extend it to a serial killer. There is a limit to God's grace! But that's the difference between God and us. In the back of our minds we still think that we must reach a certain threshold of personal goodness to merit divine salvation. But thanks be to God that we can still declare with Paul, "God's grace is sufficient for us."

Monroe E. Hawley

The Bulletin Board

Family Bible Day was a great success last Saturday with 104 in attendance, the best attendance we have had for this event. Our thanks to Danny and Lauri Giombi for their work in directing it and to all who pitched in to help.

The Sick - Elfriede Wandsnider had a heart catheterization at St. Luke's Hospital last week, but was able to be with us Sunday. She expects to have back surgery in the near future .... Tony Benson was in Oconomowac Hospital last weekend, but went home on Monday

Elders' Forum - Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. is the time for our elders' forum in which the elders will respond to written questions that have been submitted. If you have a question, leave it in the box on the table in the foyer.

ATTENDANCE RECORD

(*} first service, 117: second service, 100

Daylight Savings Time goes into effect Sunday.

Come to worship an hour later.

The monthly Tuesday ladies' Bible class will meet on the second Tuesday, November 14^th, at 7:00 p.m.

The memorial service for Vic Kurmis Sunday afternoon was very well attended. Different people shared their memories of Vic. Burial will take place later.

Calendar of Events

October 29 - Elders' Forum, 6:00 p.m.

November 10, 11 - Elders/ ministers retreat, Port Washington

November 12 – Elders/deacons meeting, 4:30 p.m.

November 12 - Praise and Palate, 6:00 p.m.

November 15 - Christian Workers' Meeting, 9:00 a.m.

November 18 - Senior Dinner sponsored by youth group, noon

Love Is

Slow to suspect - quick to trust.

Slow to condemn - quick to justify.

Slow to offend - quick to defend.

Slow to reprimand - quick to forbear.

Slow to belittle -quick to appreciate.

Slow to demand - quick to give.

Slow to provoke - quick to conciliate.

Slow to hinder - quick to help.

Slow to resent - quick to forgive.

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