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Newsletter 2020
         I have found it curious (sometimes funny) how we can do something nice to communicate appreciation, fondness, missing someone, or even love and have to deal with unforeseen negative ripple effects. For example,
the last ship I was stationed on in the Navy was home-ported out of the Bay area. Since most operations involving other members of the Pacific Fleet involved working with ships out of San Diego, this meant that I spent a lot of time at sea, or in port in San Diego away from my bride and children. It became a habit that in addition to phone calls as often as I could, I would send flowers to Pam to convey my love. I would do the same when the ship was in Hawaii. Nothing fancy (one can only afford so much on enlisted pay) but a bouquet to say “I love you and I miss you”. One evening I was pretty much doing nothing when a shipmate approached me and I could see he was upset and for some reason he appeared to be upset with me. My suspicions proved true when in an agitated voice he said,
“I just got off the phone with Kathy (his wife) and she is mad because she has been talking with Pam. Pam told her that you sent flowers and that you do so on a regular basis!”

A little confused at my sending flowers sounding like an accusation, I replied, 
“yeah, that’s true”.

Then the reason for his agitated state was revealed,
“well, Kathy is madder than hops at me cause I don’t ever send flowers! You need to stop sending Pam flowers cause you are making me look bad!”

That conversation did not work out for him because I did not stop and let him deal with the consequences of not sending flowers to his wife. I guess he fell into the category of the husband who when accused of never telling his wife he loved her, said: “I told you when I married you twenty-five years ago that I loved you. If I ever change my mind, I will let you know”.

This little piece of my history came to mind because it is February and many a husband, boyfriend, or want-to-be boyfriend give the economy a boost through the sale of flowers, chocolates and even jewelry. When we wish to communicate to a special someone “I love you”; “I still love you after all these years”; sometimes we even multi-task and our expression of love includes a “I know I have been a bonehead, but remember, I love you”. Guys are not the only ones who use Valentine’s Day to express their love. Women have been known to be just as enthusiastic in conveying their love on this special day. Valentine’s Day is a day when we each share with that special someone that we love them. It does not mean that we love them less on other days of the year; at least I hope not. “I love you” should be words spoken by couples to each other every day they draw breath.

“I love you” are words that we should use every day to express our hearts to our Lord. Those are not words
that are to be held in check until we find ourselves in worship services on Sunday. These words conveying our
hearts, as well as words conveying our gratitude for Him loving us, redeeming us, and living in us are not to follow the philosophy of the old codger that did not feel it necessary to remind his wife he loved her. They are to be part of our daily vocabulary and meditations. The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 116:1-2“I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy, because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.”(ESV). Let us with each waking day, remember that God hears us and our cries, and remind Him
of our love.

Have a blessed February,
Vic
Thoughts From the Fourth Corner
by John Hagala

     Parkour, the art of movement. A challenge for many athletes, including its own practitioners. It is
constantly developing, changing, and forming depending on the one who trains it. An emphasis in this sport is running while overcoming any and all obstacles that stand in the way of traceurs (parkour practitioners). I recently discovered the absolute joy of practicing this beloved sport of mine with friends. I was much more motivated to work harder than ever before. In this same vain, I have been working out regularly with one of the friends who joined me as well as teaching him some parkour. On the parkour fun with my buddies, one of them, Joseph, began reciting a particular scripture verse, where Paul calls His fellow Hebrews to the race of endurance, and to fix our eyes on Christ. Immediately, I was inspired. I thought, ‘That’s parkour!’ The [point of parkour is to dodge, duck and weave your way through the environment set before you keeping your eyes on the goal. In parkour, the goal is to get from one point to another. The fastest direction to that point is a straight line, but obstacles lie in your way. In life, the fastest direction to God is a straight line. However, many obstacles lie in our way. Will we succumb to fear and try going another direction? Or will we trust in the Lord to give us the strength to overcome the obstacle set before us? Like everyone, I have tried and failed, both at parkour and life, but I refuse to give up trying, because look how many obstacles I’ve already overcome! If I’m not strong enough for a particular, obstacle, I need only put time and effort into training my weakness, and to rely on God more and more. To have a friend alongside me can make all the difference, and motivate me more, as I hope to also motivate those who run the race with me. So run! Motivate! Live a life that strengthens you in Christ. Having trouble evading an obstacle? Find someone who already has, and learn. Learn, and never stop learning. Run, and never stop running.

Parkour!

“Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every
weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him en-
dured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 HCSB

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”
Proverbs 27:17 NLT

-John

    OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVOLVEMENT 

  • Erna’s Cards & Care Group, Wednesdays, 2:00 PM 
  • Men’s Breakfast, 2nd Saturday of each month, 8:30 AM 
                           G.A.L.S.
  • Dinner & Devotion - 1st Monday of each month, 6- 8 PM 
  • Women’s Quilting Group - 2nd Monday of each month, 4:30- 8 PM 
ARE YOU INVOLVED IN A HOME GROUP? 
Click here for more information
Please let us know if you have an email address as the newsletter also goes out over email. 
If you have any updated information or anything to add to the newsletter you can 
make the request to the Church Office. 
ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF!
Sunday, February 23rd after Worship and Word
Bring your favorite recipe of chili to be judged by popular vote. A prize will be awarded.
Cornbread needed!
All are invited to eat and enjoy.
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Men's Breakfast Saturday
February 8th @ ​8:30 AM
In the Fellowship Hall

  THANK YOU so much to all of you who contribute to the church pantry. People are being blessed by you.

G.A.L.S. Dinner and Devotion 
Dinner & Devotion - 1st Monday of each month, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

CALLING ALL MEN AND WOMEN WHO LOVE TO COOK! 
We know you are out there! Why not submit a recipe or two to share in our newsletter. Just give them to Nanette in the office.
Click the link above to go to the Recipes page.
Puget Sound Christian School is participating in a year-round fundraiser by clipping Box Tops. If you would like to help support our school, bring in your stash of Box Tops, please drop them off at the church office with Nanette or at the school office with Bobby Curts. Every little bit helps!!!