Southside Oracle Archive

Vol. 50, No 16                    SOUTHSIDE ORACLE                    June 22, 2007

The Bulletin Board

Camp Notes - Southside is well represented at the junior session at Fallhall Glen. Campers are Nala Mudd, Myranda Orlovsky, Mitchell Orlovsky, Dylan Ribar, Hannah Schraven, Branden Vugrnick, and Amy Giemza. Serving on the staff for one or two weeks are Corrina Orlovsky, Mark Orlovsky, Cathy Ribar, Ian Ribar, and Rachel Orlovsky. Seventy-four campers are reported for the first week.

Guest Speaker - Glenn Hawley will be our guest speaker Sunday morning at both services. Glenn preached for Southside for ten years until 2002. Leanna will be with him. Daryl Miller will bring the lesson in the evening.

Daryl Miller is teaching at Soul Quest at York, NE this week. Ashley Eppler is also attending.

ATTENDANCE RECORD

(*) first service, 115; second service 67

Calendar of Events

June 17 - 30 - Junior Camp, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

June 26 - July 1- Youth/adult service trip, Fallhall Glen

July 1 - 14 - Middle Camp, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

July 15 - 28 - Intermediate Camp, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

July 29 - August 1 1 - Senior Camp, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

August 6 - 10 - Midwest Family Encampment, Green Lake

Strangers in a Foreign Land

"I am a stranger here, within a foreign land,

My home is far away, upon a golden strand,

Ambassadors to be of realms beyond the sea,

I'm here on business for my King."

After returning with a tour group that visited three foreign countries, I was reminded of this hymn that we sometimes sing. In the eyes of the people of those lands we were representatives of the United States. Our behavior - good or bad - reflected on the impressions that people of those lands have of Americans. True, their impressions have already been molded to some degree by American television. Our guide in Jordan was asked what he watched on the small screen and he responded, "The Bold and the Beautiful"!

However, the personal behavior of the tourist speaks more loudly than the television tube. The dress of some Americans is offensive to those in predominantly Moslem nations. The abrasive demands of some of our countrymen and the rudeness they sometimes display reflects negatively on all of us. The image of the "Ugly American" is fostered more by the behavior of tourists than anything else. On the other hand, simple courtesy and appreciation go far toward removing the unfortunate image created by other countrymen. Moreover, the tourist must remember that as a visitor from another land, he is playing by the rules of that country, not his own. He must be conscious that his behavior ultimately reflects on how people of other lands view our nation.

The same principle is at work in the relationship of Christians to people of the world who do not subscribe to the principles of Jesus that we seek to follow. Peter recognized that when he wrote, "Beloved, I beseech you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the passions that war against your soul. Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so in case they speak against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." (1 Peter 2:11,12).

When as Christians we are viewed in relation to the secular world, we are indeed aliens and exiles. We are in the world, but not of the world. Our lifestyle is (or at least should be) different from the average person who is not committed to living by the teachings of Jesus. Those in the world generally know what our claims are, especially in the moral realm. They also see our lifestyle. They are quick to pick up any contradiction between what we claim to be and how we act. If I curse and swear when I am frustrated, my message about Jesus will not be well received by those who see that I do not practice what I preach. On the other hand, true Christian conduct on my part will result in respect, perhaps grudgingly, for the cause that I uphold.

Truly, in the words of our hymn, disciples of Christ are ambassadors to a lost world as we seek to influence it for the glory of God.

Monroe Hawley

My Creed

I want to do one kindly deed each day,

To help someone find a better way.

I want to lend a hand to one in need,

Or find some lonely stray that I may feed.

I want to sing for someone a lovely song

To give him courage when the road is long.

If just one smile can lighten pain,

Then I shall feel that I have not lived in vain.

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