Outreach Center Network News Letter
February 2018
In this issue:
Love of a Friend - A Devotion
Outreach Center Directory
Lexophilia
Ten Ways to Love Others
Love is: From a child’s perspective
Final Thoughts
Each article will begin with ###. You may move to the next article by searching for this.
### Love of a Friend
The month of February is often known as the month of love. February 14, Valentine's Day, many people will give gifts, candy or flowers, along with speaking of their love to their wife or husband.
Do you remember several years ago when James Taylor had the hit song "You've got a friend"? In his song he sang: "winter, spring, summer or fall, all you’ve got to do is call, and I'll be there. You've got a friend."
There was another song sung by Sonny and Cher Bono in the mid 1960's. The song was called "I've got you babe." The song stressed that no matter what else might happen, I've got you babe. I can always depend on you to be there. We love each other and that's all we need.
James Taylor divorced his wife Carli Simon just a few years after singing his song to her. The Bonos, after having a T.V. show for several years found that they could not live with each other. Ten years after they sang "I got you babe" they were divorced.
The strongest, best, most faithful things of this world do fall apart in time. Cars, buildings and clothes wear out. Our bodies fail to function. Eye sight dims. Marriages end. And yet, as sure as cars rust, buildings fall down and clothes wear out, God's love for us is sure, everlasting and strong. We can trust that God will always be there; that He will never leave us. Why? Why can we depend on God's love?
There are two reasons. The first is found in man. If one is honest they must admit that people can be good, but also bad or evil. This evil is called sin. It is this that brings divorce, broken friendships, and enemies.
The second reason is found in God himself. When he says something is, it is. That is how our world came into being. He has said many times that he loves us and forgives us our sins. Not just cause; but BECAUSE of Jesus and what he did. Our sin made us enemies of God. It broke our friendship with Him. Instead of us taking the wrath of God, Jesus took it for us by dying on the cross. God now says we are His friends because Jesus made it so.
So you see, the God who speaks has said so. God has never been found to be a liar. Can anyone else make that claim? Therefore listen to Him.
9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:9-11
Pastor Dave
### Outreach Center Directory
I have had the request by several people to put together a directory for the outreach centers, leaders and pastors. This directory would have both phone numbers and email addresses.
We use to do this and update it when the outreach centers were a part of Lutheran Blind Mission. This seems good to me as it will help develop friendships and support.
First, if you do not want your name, phone number or email to be published in a directory, please let me know.
Second, are some of you willing to help me with this project? Jerry in Florida has stepped forward to help. A few more people would be great.
Thank you.
Pastor Dave
### Lexophilia
"Lexophile" is a word used to describe those that have a love for the use of words, such as "you can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish", or "to write with a broken pencil is pointless."
Here are some fun lexophiles.
When fish are in schools, they sometimes take debate.
A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.
When the smog lifts in Los Angeles U.C.L.A.
The batteries were given out free of charge.
A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail.
A will is a dead giveaway.
With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.
A boiled egg is hard to beat.
When you've seen one shopping center you've seen a mall.
Police were summoned to a daycare center where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.
Did you hear about the fellow whose entire left side was cut off? He's all right now.
A bicycle can't stand alone; it's just two tired.
When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.
The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine is now fully recovered.
He had a photographic memory which was never developed.
When she saw her first strands of grey hair she thought she'd dye.
Acupuncture is a jab well done. That's the point of it.
### Ten Ways to Love Others
In that we talk a lot about love in February, you might read this. Note there are ten items. Ask the group to consider which is the hardest for him/her to do. This might be a goal to work on this month.
1. Listen without interrupting ..... Prov 18
2. Speak without accusing .... James 1:19
3. Give without sparing .... Prov 21;26
4. Pray without ceasing .... Col 1:9
5. Answer without arguing .... Prov 17:11
6. Share without pretending .... Eph 4:15
7 Enjoy without complaining .... Phil 2:14
8. Trust without wavering .... Cor 13:7
9. Forgive without punishing .... Col 3:13
10. Promise without forgetting .... Prov 13:12
### Love is:
From a child’s perspective
1. "When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."
- Rebecca - age 8
2. "When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You know that your name is safe in their mouth."
- Billy - age 4
3. "Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other."
- Karl - age 5
4. "Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
- Terri - age 4
5. "Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
- Bobby - age 5
6. "If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."
- Nikka - age 6
7. "Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."
- Tommy - age 6
8. "Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day."
- Mary Ann - age 4
9. "I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."
- Lauren
### ### Final Thoughts
In upcoming issues we can and will look at many of the same topics as well as others. If you have questions, thoughts or suggestions, please send them to me or post them on the blind ministry email list.
Pastor Dave