Paris Hilton: the attraction of a story out of control.

I hesitate to place a picture of Paris Hilton on anything, including my ministry web blog; but I wanted to illustrate the media frenzy surrounding her release from jail. Isn't it amazing the attention and media focus on her life in general and this story in specific. So many issues and causes deserve attention, resources and support in our society and Paris Hilton's jail sentence and her release has generated phenomenal time and space in the media. Many of us really haven't watched that closely and most of us really don't care, but there seems to be a fasination with such a story in our culture, if only in the media. It is a story that you can hardly avoid!

That is what takes me back to the Bible. If you read the Psalms, David and other psalmist struggle throughout with the concept that those who disregard God seem to escape justice and even prosper. They are often wealthier, happier, without hardship and even more attractive than the rest of us. "How long will the wicked be jubliant?" the Psalmist asks. (Ps. 94:3) If we focus on the prosperity of the worldly, then our blessings diminish quickly. So we are charged with a daily task of reminding ourselves of some everlasting Biblical truths. Sin and wickedness only last for a season. Beauty fades, but the inner spirit will prevail. Character is more important than reputation. Wealth is fleeting and can be lost in a moment. Things don't matter, people matter. Life is short, so don't waste it, abuse it or indulge it, but invest your life in things above, not on things in this world. Love ultimately wins. Eternity is forever and one day the things we have suffered through on this earth will quickly pale into insignificance against the glorys of heaven. So be faithful! Be true! Walk in love and goodness! God blesses the righteous we are told, but the wicked the "wind blows away." (Ps. 1:4 NIV)

Atlanta Christian College Banquet held at FCC.

Monday night, June 18th about 70 people gathered in the Family Life Center for a special fund raising banquet for Atlanta Christian College. First Christian Church has a rich heritage of investing in missions here and around the world. Members of west Georgia Christian Churches were invited to listen to a progress report by Interim President Dean Collins. First Christian Church and Bethany Christian Church gave $4,750.00 to start the donations. It is exciting to know that young people are being trained for full-time Christian service and we at First Christian Church can partner with them for a future that helps affect the Kingdom of God on earth. Pictured here, left to right are Dean Collins, Interim President, Wye Huxford, Dean of Chapel, Michael Gunnin, ACC Church Relations, Dr. Eddie Grover, former ACC President and Sandy and Larry Vierling, members of First Christian Church and Larry is a Trustee at ACC. It was a great night and the work of Atlanta Christian College and other missions we support do a great job in Jesus name!!

Loving Kids is a Primary Interest in the Church.

A great number of children have gathered for our Summer Vacation Bible School this week which we call "Avalanche Ranch". Children have sung, ate, played, prayed, ridden, sang, learned and built things. All with one purpose to find an enjoyable home in our Lord Jesus.
We are reminded that faith is something to articulate and pass on to the generations coming behind us. That doesn't happen by wishing it to be so, but it comes through planning, effort and strategy.
Christian singer, Steve Green several years ago released a song in which he sang, 'may all who come behind us find us faithful'. That is a prayer that all of us who are parents and grandparents should pray.
Dueturonomy chapter 6 says, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
So loving our children, even all children in our community is a most important interest in the church! Let's do that well, to the glory of God.

PENTECOST OFFERING SURPASSES EXPECTATIONS!

On June 3rd, one week after Pentecost, we receive a special offering to reduce/eliminate our remaining debt on our Worship Center. We received $62,973.00! The Worship Center debt is now eliminated, thanks to so many who made this special time of offering an important time of responce to God's continued work in this place.

Now free from this debt we move forward into the future with great hope and desire to serve the community around, the Lord within and our brothers and sisters in Christ who are at our side.

Uncle Phil's Diner Performance is a HIT!

WOW! Uncle Phil's Diner was a great time for all. Fantasitc crowds on both Friday and Saturday night enjoyed good fun and food as we stepped aside from the week to experienced the joy of being together and we discovered that it is "fun" to be in the Lord.

A NOTE FROM A GRATEFUL MEMBER.

"To Uncle Phil's Diner Directors, cast, crew and cooks,

A heart felt thank you for the wonderful production of the Dinner theater. Often

times laughter is the best medicine! The production was top-notch! May God bless each of you

and our church."

In His Hand,

Kay Farr