Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/404341
ApastorIknowtellsa story of his friend chang- ing a tire on a dead flat road in Kan- sas. While he worked he saw an approach- ing car two miles away. He knew there was no chance it would hit him because he and his car were as visible as the other car. His rea- soning sustained him until the moment he was hit. He was drop-kicked fifty feet but sustained no in- jury beyond a few bruises from landing on pave- ment. The driver stopped and ran to him, amazed he was okay. When they both calmed enough to talk he asked her how she could have hit him when he was so visible. She said it was the strangest thing; the more she focused on avoid- ing him the more inevita- ble hitting him seemed to become. This true story forms a perfect illustration of our shared need to en- gage a lifestyle of progres- sive repentance. The Bible calls us to re- nounce sin simply because it hurts when we abuse ourselves or others. But not bringing injury is not enough. The more we fo- cus on avoiding the sin we renounce the more in- evitable becomes its re- turn to power. If we would be free we must re-focus on the God-in-Christ who comes into the world to set us free, just as that Kan- sas driver needed to focus on where she wanted to drive instead of where she wanted to not-drive. This re-focus is the essence of repentance and — because life is littered with people changing flat tires in our path — it must be a life- style if we are to live in freedom. Every awakening is pre- ceded by a necessary sea- son of repentance in the Church. God is not wait- ing for the world to don sackcloth and ashes; we Christians are the model. But Christians must get a clue we are seriously off course and begin to act on that clue in order to clear obstructions from God's highway. Our own book says judgment begins with us; the abysmal track re- cord of Christians choos- ing abortion, divorce, and a host of idolatries speaks for itself. When John the Baptist proclaimed the near ar- rival of the Son of God he demanded more from peo- ple than renunciation of corruption. He called for fruit in terms of behav- ior imitative of the God in Whose image we are made, pragmatic fruit like feeding and clothing the poor. These behaviors are not repentance, but they are hard evidence we are re-focused on God instead of ourselves. Jesus said we must seek to become new wineskins in Mat- thew 9:17. The wine repre- sents the Holy Spirit, but first century wine was still fermenting when it was placed in skins. If those skins are not new — and thus stretch-able — they burst from the expand- ing wine coming to full potency. The take-away is progressive re-focus of our attention and energy on the One Who pours out His Spirit in us. One per- son repenting launches an expanding life. Many repenting make a cul- ture opening for the Great Awakening God wants to lavish on His people. It is what happened to Peter in Matthew 14 and Paul in Acts 9 — in its dis- comfort and its amazing- grace promise. When Je- sus calls Peter steps out of the boat and begins to walk toward his master on the water. The moment his mind drifts to his prob- lem — a man cannot walk on water — he looks down and begins to sink. The moment he looks back to Jesus and takes His hand, he can and does walk on water. I like Paul on the Damascus Road even bet- ter. Paul has been serv- ing God as he understands Him most of his life; yet he detours into vigilan- tism. The Spirit knocks him onto his backside and asks why he is kick- ing against the goads in- stead of serving the goat- herd. The fruit of Paul's process of re-focus is the life of contentment and the confidence he can do all things in Christ who strengthens him described in Philippians 3 and 4. No- body wants to be knocked on their backside, but if we repent instead of kick the rewards are incredible. One thing we need to remember at all times, returning to that Kan- sas highway. The man was unhurt beyond a few bruises; that is a miracle by any conception. God has given us a season of miracles — of all kinds — beyond any season in his- tory. There is going to be discomfort as we look up — rather dazed — from the pavement on which we have landed. But the de- posit of grace is already in our pockets and more abundant life is the prom- ise in our hearts. JamesA.Wilsonistheau- thor of Living As Ambas- sadors of Relationships and The Holy Spirit and the End Times — available at local bookstores or by e- mailing him at praynorth- state@charter.net. GODTALK Repentance in awakening Jim Wilson The Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY Mor- mon church founder Jo- seph Smith had a teenage bride and was married to other men's wives during the early days of the faith when polygamy was prac- ticed, a new church essay acknowledges. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says most of Smith's wives were between 20 and 40 years old. One of them, how- ever, was a 14-year-old girl who was the daughter of Smith's close friends. The essay posted this week on the church's web- site marks the first time the Salt Lake City-based reli- gion has officially acknowl- edged those facts, though it also has not denied them. It'spartofarecentpushby the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to open up about sensitive issues within the faith, many of which are unflattering or uncomfort- able to discuss. Other articles posted in the past couple of years have addressed sacred un- dergarments worn by de- vout members; a past ban on black men in the lay clergy; and the miscon- ception that Mormons are taught they'll get their own planet in the afterlife. The new article about Smith's wives during the 1830s and 1840s in Kirtland, Ohio, and Nauvoo, Illinois, comes about 10 months after the church acknowledged polygamy was widely prac- ticed among its members in the late 19th century. "As a collection, these are remarkably revealing ar- ticles, continuing the new open and transparent phi- losophy of historical writ- ing," said Armand Mauss, a retired professor of soci- ology and religious studies at Washington State Uni- versity. The information will be surprising to many Latter- day Saints who either didn't know or were encouraged to dismiss speculation as anti-Mormon propaganda, Mauss said. Mormons don't prac- tice polygamy today. Splin- ter groups who call them- selves fundamentalist Mor- mons still practice plural marriage, including War- ren Jeffs' sect on the Utah- Arizona border. Latter-day Saints began practicing polygamy after Smith received a revelation from God. He took his first plural wife in 1830 in Ohio, three years after he mar- ried his first wife, Emma, the article shows. He and his first plural wife sepa- rated, but he renewed the practice a decade later in Il- linois. That's where he mar- ried the teenager. The essay noted that while inappropriate by to- day's standards, marriage among teen girls was legal and somewhat common during that time. The article acknowledges that many details about po- lygamy in early Mormonism are hazy because members were taught to keep their actions confidential. But, research has indicated that Smith's marriage to the young girl might not have involved sex. Some plural marriages were designed to seal the man to the woman for eter- nity only, and not life and eternity as Mormons be- lieve, the article says. Those types of marriages didn't seem to involve sex. Little is known about Smith's marriages to the already-married women, the article says. They also might have been the type of unions that didn't in- volve sex. Plural marriage was an "excruciating ordeal" for Emma Smith and con- founding for some men, too, the article says. Some peo- ple left the faith, and oth- ers refused to take multiple wives while remaining Lat- ter-day Saints. When Latter-day Saints trekked cross-country to Utah in 1847, nearly 200 men and more than 500 women were in plural mar- riage, it says. MORMONS The many brides of founder Joseph Smith "Life at its Best" Topic for Oct. 27 & 28 at 6:30 pm: "Vegan Cooking School, Part 1" This coming Monday and Tuesday begins a two-part vegetarian/vegan cooking class. Linda McConnell has taught this class for several years and is a recognized authority on how to prepare healthy but delicious dishes. Linda's school is based on the premise that a plant-based diet is superior in every way and provides all the necessary vitamins, minerals, protein and fat the body needs for optimal performance. Because seating is limited, make your reservation today by calling 727-3733. Please specify which location you will be attending. Suggested donation is $5.00. Location: Monday: Corning Seventh-day Adventist fellowship hall, 610 West St. Tuesday: Red Bluff Seventh-day Adventist fellowship hall, 720 S. Jackson Tehama County Church Directory Red Bluff.... ABUNDANT LIFE FELLOWSHIP 21080 Luther Rd. • 528-2499 Pastor J.E. Heitman • WORSHIP Sunday 11AM & 6PM ANTELOPE HOME FELLOWSHIP(SBC) Berrendos School 401 Chestnut St • 200-4112 • Pastor John Bohrer • WORSHIP • Sun. 10:30AM APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY 1321 Nelson Dr. • 527-8541 Pastor Rudy Cepeda • WORSHIP • Sunday 1:00PM & Friday 7PM BETHEL ASSEMBLY OF GOD 625 Luther Rd. • 527-0445 Pastor David Blythe • WORSHIP • Sunday 10AM CALVARY CHAPEL 12375 Paskenta Rd. • 527-8219 Pastor Gilbert DeLao Jr. • WORSHIP • Sunday 9:00 & 11:00 am CHURCH OF CHRIST 1605 Park Ave • 529-3063 • Evangelist Gary Den WORSHIP • Sun. 11AM & 6:30 PM • Bible Study • Sunday 10AM & Wed 7PM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Antelope 545 Berrendos • 529-2506 • Bishop Phillip Smith • Sunday 11AM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Red Bluff 545 Berrendos • 527-7012 • Bishop Jim Wilhite • Sunday 9:00AM CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS 857 Washington St., Open Daily 9-11am Pastors Brad & Susan Harms•WORSHIP•Sunday 2PM•Bible Study Thur 2-4pm COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 598 Round -Up Ave. 527-4203 Pastor Dr. Paul Wright • WORSHIP • Sunday 9AM • PRAYER • 6PM CORNERSTONE CHURCH OF GOD Hwy. 36, Jorgenson 527-9210 • Pastor Roy Duggins • WORSHIP • Sunday 10AM & 5PM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 501 Pine St. • 527-4361 Pastor Bruce Cloutier • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:15AM FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH Hickory & Madison • 527-4688 Pastor Dan Woolery • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM FIRST CHURCH OF GOD Jackson & Luther • 527-5717 Pastor Rod Thompson • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:15AM FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Johnson & Hickory • 527-3361 Pastor Jesse Morris • WORSHIP • 10:30 AM FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH 585 Kimball Rd. • 527-5083 Don St. John • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 525 David Ave. • 527-5754 Pastor Nancy Pharis-Cure • WORSHIP • Sunday 11:00AM FREEDOM CHURCH 601 Monroe St. • 355-2284 • Pastors Pete & Bev Williams • WORSHIP Sunday 10:30AM • YOUTH Thurs. 7PM GATEWAY BAPTIST CHURCH, IND. FUND. 12830 Glasgow Dr. 527-2964 • Pastor Jeff Eldred • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM & 6PM GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF RED BLUFF 22630 Antelope Blvd. 530-727-7344 • Pastor Carl Miller • WORSHIP • Sun. 11:00AM • Antelope School LAKE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHURCH Lake Club • 347 6970 Jim Bredow, Pastor • WORSHIP • Sunday 8:30-10:15AM NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH 1625 Johnson St. • 527-8134 SERVICE • 10:00AM NEW HOPE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 645 Antelope Blvd, Suite 13 528-0642 • Pastor Christopher Church • WORSHIP • Sun.10AM • Youth, Thurs. 6 PM NORTH VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH (Ind.) 345 David Ave • 527-0543 Pastor Scott Camp • Sunday 11:00AM • northvalleyredbluff.com NUEVA VIDA 11841 Hyw 99W • Red Bluff • Spanish-speaking Pastor Freddie Villasenor • WORSHIP • Sunday 11:00AM OPEN VISTAS AWARENESS CENTER 900 Walnut St. • 529-9285 Rv. Tresha Wing • SERVICE • Sunday 10:00AM OUT OF THE BOX MINISTRIES-COWBOY CHURCH 585-3070 22812 Antelope Blvd. –– Wednesday 7:00PM –– Sunday 10:00AM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Jefferson & Hickory St. • 527-0372 Rev. Beth Hoyt • 11:00AM Worship • 9:30AM Sunday School PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD 370 Kimball Rd. • 527-6346 Pastor Mike Cox • WORSHIP • Sunday 11:00AM RED BLUFF COMMUNITY CHURCH 1920 Park St. Pastor Stan Kolbert • SERVICES • Sunday 9:30AM • 282-2248 SABBATH COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN 705 So. Jackson St. • 529-1890 Pastor Ron Largent • WORSHIP • Saturday 10:45AM SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH 515 Main St. • Father Sherwin Colaste MASS • Saturday 5:15, Spanish 7PM • Sun. 8:30AM, 10:30AM, Spanish 12PM THE SALVATION ARMY 944 Walnut St. • 527-8530 Major Kit Wetter, Pastor • SERVICES • Sunday 10AM & 11AM SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHRUCH 720 S. Jackson • 527-3733 Pastor Robert A. Clark • WORSHIP • Saturday 10:30AM ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH Jefferson & Elm • 527-3414 Pastor Dallas D. Dubke • WORSHIP • Sunday 8:30AM & 11AM ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Jefferson & Elm • 527-5205 Rev. Maryly Adair • Sunday 9:30AM, Holy Eucharist Rite II SUNRISE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP GARBC Corner of Cedar & Jackson 529-6884 • Pastor Chris Hurton • WORSHIP • 10:50AM • Bible Study 9:30AM TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL 8529 Placer Rd., Redding 243-5726 • For service dates & times • 529-9246 TRINITY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 20920 Hampton Rhodes Dr. 528-8668•Pastor Loren Browning • WORSHIP • Sun. 10:45AM - Wed. 7PM THE ROCK CHURCH OF RED BLUFF 285 Gilmore Road • 527-7234 Pastor Vik Hylen•WORSHIP • Sun. 10AM & 6:30PM - Wed. 7:30PM - Mens Prayer Sat. 9AM VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP 738 Walnut St. • 527-2449 Pastor Steve Igarta • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM WALNUT GROVE CHRISTIAN CENTER RHEMA Bible Church • 527-9065 435 Round Up Ave.• Pastor Michael Ragsdale • WORSHIP • Sun. 10:30AM ZION CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES 836 Washington St. 529-1836 • Pastor Joshua John McKim • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:15AM Bowman... COMMUNITY CHURCH Bowman Rd. & Landes • 347-6130 Pastor Mark Lugg • WORSHIP • Sunday 10AM Corning... BELIEVERS CHURCH OF GOD 783 Solano St. • 824-6502 Pastor Dan Steigmn • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:00AM CHURCH OF CHRIST 1418 South St. • 824-3603 WORSHIP • Sunday • 10:30AM CHURCH OF CHRIST 1440 Yolo St. • 824-4333 David King, Minister • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM & 6PM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Marguerite & Blackburn • Bishop Scott Davis • WORSHIP • Sunday 10AM CORNING FOURSQUARE 404 5 th St. • 824-5776 • Sr. Pastor John Gehrung WORSHIP • Sunday: adults 9:15, 10:30 AM • Tues.10AM prayer meeting FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH Marin & Pear Sts. • 824-0989 Pastor Joycel • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:45AM & 6PM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 506 Colusa St. • 824-3490 Pastor Chris Fissori • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:15AM • Sunday School 9AM FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 1421 Marin St. • 824-5739 WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 824-5535 • 471 Marguerite Pastor Julie Horne • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM GOOD NEWS LIGHTHOUSE 1520 East St. • Pastor Ben Rorie WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM • Bible Study 10AM • 824-0175 , Cell 701-9292 HARVEST CHRISTIAN CENTER CHURCH OF GOD 1006 6th St. 824-2091 • Pastor Michael Sharp • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:00AM IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH 824-5879 814 Solano St. • Father Juan Manuel Ponce • MASS • Sun. 10AM, Spanish 12PM MT. OLIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH 341 Solano St. • 824-5530 Pastor Dallas D. Dubke • WORSHIP • Sunday 9AM NEIGHBORHOOD FULL GOSPEL CHURCH 901 South St. • 824-2323 Pastor Ken Killinger • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:50AM & 6PM NEW LIFE ASSEMBLY CHURCH 824-3426 • Pastor J.R. Gonzales WORSHIP • Sunday 10:00AM - Sunday School 9AM OLIVE BRANCH BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP 565 1st St. • 824-3661 • SERVICE • Sunday 10:30 AM SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH West & Butte • 824-2153 Pastor Robert A. Clark • WORSHIP • Saturday 11AM SONLIGHT WORSHIP CENTER 1520 East St. • 824-0175 Pastor Lenny Duval • WORHSHIP • Sunday 1:30 AM ST. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 820 Marin St. • 680-0353 Rev. Diana Lueckert • CHURCH • Sunday 11AM Capay... COMMUNITY FRIENDS CHURCH • 4th & Moller Ave. • 865-2806 Pastor Toni Brown • WORSHIP • Sunday 9:30AM Cottonwood... FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2400 Rhonda Rd. Rev. Paul Shrum • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM Dairyville... CONE COMMUNITY METHODIST CHURCH 11220 Hwy. 99E • 527-2329 Coordinating Pastor Nancy Pharis-Cure • Clay M Pastor Chris Bauer • WORSHIP • Sun. 9AM El Camino... COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Hwy. 99W • 385-2314 Pastor Nancy Pharis-Cure • WORSHIP • Sunday 9:30AM SHADY REST FULL GOSPEL CHURCH 7211 Hwy. 99W 385-2155 • Pastor Andrew Dalson • WORSHIP • Saturday 7PM Gerber... BAHA'I FAITH OF TEHAMA COUNTY 385-1091 Prayer meetings Fridays 7:30PM Brickyard Creek Apartments FAITH HOPE LOVE MINISTRIES 21941 Chard Ave. 385-1431 • Pastor Ina Driggers • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM GERBER BIBLE FELLOWSHIP 301 Samson @ Ventura 385-1718 • WORSHIP • Sunday 10AM Los Molinos.... COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Sherwood & Josephine • 384-2656 Coordinating Pastor Nancy Pharis-Curie•CLayM Pastor Ray Watkins • WORSHIP 11AM MILL CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH HWY 99E and Taft St., 384-1564 Pastor Carl DeBiase • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM & 6PM SPIRIT OF LIFE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD 25235 Orange St., 310-4990 Rev. Kenneth & Pamela Auld • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM Manton... MANTON COMMUNITY CHURCH Forward Rd. • 474-5156 Pastor Michael Stiener•WORSHIP•Sunday School 9:30 Sun. 10:45 Paskenta... PASKENTA FLOURNOY BIBLE CHURCH 13140 Round Valley Rd. Sunday 10:30AM • 833-0557 Platina... ST. HERMAN OF ALASKA MONASTERY Begum Gorge Rd. Abbot Herman • LITURGY • Sunday 8:30AM Rancho Tehama... COMMUNITY CHURCH (Non-Den.) • 585-2526 WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRIES Stage Coach Rd. • 585-2961 Rev. Richard & Della Tucker • SERVICES • Sun. 10:30AM, Wed. 6PM Tehama... ASSEMBLY OF GOD Third St. • 384-2603 Pastor Walter Br ight • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM ST. STANISLAUS CATHOLIC CHURCH • 824-5879 Corner of 4th & D • MASS • Sunday 8:00AM - English Vina... VINA COMMUNITY CHURCH 5th & D Street • 839-2340 Pastor Larry Peterson • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM HOYT-COLE CHAPEL OF THE FLOWERS 816WalnutSt.-RedBluff FD 652 Thisdirectorysponsoredby: TEHAMA ESTATES A Retirement Community for the Active Senior Citizens 750 David Ave. - Red Bluff - 527-9193 Your Ad Could Be Here Call Daleen at 527-2151 ext.101 Hospice Gift and Thrift Store Thank you for ongoing support – M.-F. 9-5 • Sat. 10-4 Riverside Plaza Main Street 530.528.9430 FAITH » redbluffdailynews.com Saturday, October 25, 2014 MOREAT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS B3