A Look in the Mirror

Our society is addicted to "reality." I guess it started a good while back with crime shows like Cops and Real TV. Then, we made the switch to relationship shows like The Bachelor(ette). It seems that nothing is too sacred or outlandish for people to turn into a reality television show. There is even one now that consists of two families swapping mothers/wives for two weeks (if this isn't evidence that our nation's family values are out of whack, I don't know what is). The lure of these shows is the fascination we have with seeing "real" people in "real" situations... seeing who they REALLY are! Yeah right! With cameras in their face and the world watching, how real do you think these people are being? Reality or not, the key word is "show." Do we ever put on a show for others? What is the truth about who you are? What if everyone you know was able to look in your mirror and see exactly what you see ... who you really are (James 1:23-25)?

How would your friends react? Would your Christian friends be shocked at the person you are in secret? Would your non-Christian friends be shocked to find that you are a Christian at all? Are you the kind of person who "observes himself (in the mirror), goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was?" (1:24).

Most importantly, what do you see when you look in the mirror of truth? Perhaps you yourself are fooled into seeing something that's not true (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). This is especially dangerous when it relates to eternal salvation. The devil says, "Everyone's ok," and "God doesn't mean what He says." But God will keep His promises, including, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

The REAL you peeks out when no one is looking (Mama always said). And the REAL you is determined by your actions not by your intentions. Make your reality pleasing to God by obeying His will.

Congratulations
to Ken and Natalie Hirsh on the birth of Benjamin Hirsch, at 11:58 a.m on Thursday morning, April 21, 2005. The baby weighed in at 8.2 lbs, and was 22-1/2" long. Natalie, Benjamin, and Ken were all doing fine at last report. We thank God for this wonderful blessing.

May Calendar
The May edition of the Orange Street Activities Calendar and Men To Serve List is available today in the foyer. Be sure to get a copy so that you may be informed of the events and the duty schedules for the coming month.

From Ladies Day
Anyone wishing a copy of the recipe book from the recent “Ladies Day” should sign-up on the list posted in the foyer.

Anyone wishing to have audio CDs of the Ladies Day event should see Shirley Bauer.

Pig Roast
Next Saturday, April 30 @ 6:00 PM - in the Annex. See Bulletin Board for what you can bring/sign-up for. Sign up today, even if you can't bring any thing. This will be our monthly home devotional for April.

Add To Your Directory
Due to an oversight - we failed to run Mona Howard’s contact information after she moved up north a few months ago. Please add the following information to the extended family pages of your directory:

HOWARD, Mona Doris  (click here for directory)

Fellowship Tonight
All are invited to meet in the annex, tonight after the PM worship for a period of food an fellowship in honor of the April birthdays and anniversaries. Members and visitors alike are invited.

This Week. . .
Monday - 7 pm: The Ladies Work Group is scheduled to meet tomorrow evening in the ladies work room.
Wednesday - 7:30 pm: Our monthly singing class (instead of our regular classes)
Friday - Youth group leaves for Weeki Wachee Youth Retreat.

It is easy to give up and quit when the going gets rough, as it will, most certainly, sooner or later. Long roads usually have some detours and rough places over which one must travel in order to reach the desired goal.