Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/310107
Covenantasboth concept and real- ity has its origins in the people of the Old Testament. The earliest recorded covenant is between Noah and God the Father. God prom- ises to bless Noah and his descendants and to never again flood the earth; Noah promises to serve God all his days. A later covenant is between Abram – later Abraham – and God the Father. In it God promises to bless and prosper Abram and his de- scendants and the patri- arch promises to serve God to the exclusion of all oth- ers. He commits to circum- cision as a sign of his be- longing to Yahweh – God. The covenant with Moses is more elaborate, spelling out ten standards of behav- ior that will indicate human faithfulness to God while He gives them the prom- ised land, Eretz Israel, and blesses and prospers them in the land. By the time of the Mosaic Covenant other nations and cultures were entering into such agree- ments, but the Hebrews were unique in claiming their covenants were with the One God and originated with Him. Covenants are agree- ments between two corpo- rate parties, one of whom is clearly the senior and stronger partner. They state rights and responsi- bilities for the protection and blessing of the weaker by the stronger and the ser- vice or obedience to be ren- dered by the weaker to the stronger. Covenants differ from contracts in that they are open ended – more like a cornucopia than a closed container. Within the pa- rameters of the Covenant – the Ten Commandments in the case of the Biblical Old Covenant – both parties are free to expand. God can do more than He promised and the people can offer more profound service, but neither is free to give less than originally promised. The first American cove- nant – as opposed to a char- ter or contract of incorpo- ration – is the May- flower Compact of 1620. The Pilgrims pledge to give all glory to God and ad- vance the Christian Faith as they estab- lish a human gov- ernment for making such laws as would facili- tate their divinely ordained purposes and the general good of the people. In other words, the people them- selves are the senior and stronger party; they cre- ate and commit to blessing government in order that it might serve them. Other American civil covenants – such as the Constitution – follow this pattern. The point here is that most people think govern- ment the senior and stron- ger party because it has the backing of armed forces and agencies. But the ge- nius behind our Constitu- tion and the laws created to implement it is that the people are sovereign. We created and bless a govern- ment – but only so long as it serves us as the stronger and senior partner to whom it owes allegiance and sub- mission. That is why we specify which powers gov- ernment may wield and state that any powers not specifically granted are not its property. That is why we have a Bill of Rights for the protection of the people and nothing for the protection of government. Truth is we have never lived up to our end of the covenant with God; I refer here to Old and New Cove- nants that – in Christ – ap- ply to all peoples every- where. The beauty of the found- ing of America is that our first leaders understood and proclaimed this re- ality. Some periods have been better than others, the Great Awakenings com- ing immediately to mind. But the sovereignty we hold over government was a gift of the sovereign God to Whom we owe all we have. Instead of serving Him we have all too often exercised the sovereignty we were given to enslave some and slaughter others. We have ceded power to government it was never meant to have. We did all these things be- cause of what we thought emergencies – as though God failed to foresee the westward expansion, the Great Depression, or even the War on Terror, and we had to step in and do what He could not. This is idola- try – worshipping ourselves and our intellect in the place of God. And the fruit is in the bin. Today we have massive unemployment, fifty million Americans on food stamps in the richest country in history, a government spy- ing on us and threaten- ing our right of religious liberty, free expression of ideas, and the responsibil- ity of parents to seek ap- propriate medical aid and education for their children without government inter- ference. Even our children's diets are under supervi- sion. There is a way to ad- dress this impasse in a po- tent way, but it will require a lot more than some mas- sive get-out-the-vote drive and educating the popula- tion regarding our origins and destiny. The next post- ing of this blog will begin that address. JamesA.Wilsonistheau- thor of Living As Ambassa- dors of Relationships and The Holy Spirit and the End Times – available at local bookstores or by e-mailing him at praynorthstate@char- ter.net. GODTALK The constitution as covenant LEEJIN-MAN—THEASSOCIATEDPRESS A South Korean follower pours water on a small statue of Buddha on Tuesday to celebrate Buddha's birthday at Jogye temple in Seoul, South Korea. Followers throughout the country celebrated with flowers and prayers. THE WORLD Jim Wilson Most people think government is the senior and stronger party because it has the backing of armed forces and agencies. But the genius behind our Constitution and the laws created to implement it is that the people are sovereign. By Michele Chabin Religion News Service JERUSALEM Ahead of Pope Francis' Holy Land visit, the heads of Chris- tian churches in the region plan to launch an interna- tional awareness campaign following a series of anti- Christian vandalism be- lieved to have been carried out by Jewish extremists. News of the campaign, which was announced on the websiteoftheLatinPatriarch- ate of Jerusalem Wednesday, comesweeksbeforethepope's May 25-26 visit to Israel and the West Bank. The announcement was spurred by what the patri- archate called a "wave of fa- naticism and intimidation" against local Christians and institutions. On Friday, graffiti de- claring "King David is for the Jews, Jesus is garbage" was discovered scrawled on a wall opposite a Jerusalem church. Four days earlier, a Cath- olic official discovered that the words "Death to Arabs, Christians and all those who hate Israel" had been spray- painted in Hebrew on a col- umn in front of the Office of the Assembly of Bishops at Jerusalem's Notre Dame Center. The words were topped by a Star of David. "Mere coincidence?" the website asks. "We do not doubt the will- ingness of the State of Is- rael to finish with these acts which don't serve the image of Israel," said Auxiliary Bishop William Shomali of the Latin Patriarchate in Je- rusalem. "But efforts failed and acts of vandalism con- tinue increasing." On Thursday, a Vatican of- fice that maintains all Cath- olic Church property here, asked Israeli authorities to "work urgently against ex- tremist elements" to ensure peace and safeguard Chris- tian holy places. JERUSALEM HolyLandchurchesdecryhategraffiti TehamaCountyChurchDirectory Red Bluff.... ABUNDANTLIFEFELLOWSHIP 21080LutherRd.•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 12881 Baker Rd., 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 Tom Turner • 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 9:30 AM Sunday School • 11:00 AM Worship • Childcare Provided 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 Joyle T. Martinez 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 • Marguerite & McLane Pastor Howard Sanborn• 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 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. 340-2873• Pastor Anthony Roman• 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 585-2975 Pastor Don Luke • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM/6:00PM Tehama... ASSEMBLY OF GOD Third St. • 384-2603 Pastor Walter Bright • 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, May 10, 2014 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A8