THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER
"Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. " (John 5:39)

VOLUME 4, NUMBER 1, JANUARY 4, 2004

“O, GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD”

            Here we are on the first Sunday of 2004.  Surely the last few days have been a time of reflection for all of us.  A year has gone by; a year that was “laden with happiness and tears” as the song Sunrise/Sunset says.  There were so many good things that happened last year, and there were some that were not so good.  But here we are, at the dawn of a new year.  It is always a time of anticipation and wonder.

            How do we summarize the year that has gone by with all of its ups and downs?  If we could make a definitive statement about it, what should that statement be?  I think Psalm 105:1-6 would do just fine.  The Psalmist wrote;

            “O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.  Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.  Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.  Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.  Remember his marvelous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.”

            What has God blessed us with individually and as a congregation in 2003?  Well, we are still here.  We are still together loving each other and loving and serving the Lord.  We had a whole year to get to know each other even better, a whole year to spend time together, to worship together, to rejoice together, and to sorrow together.

            We have been able to see kids grow up and leave for college, stepping out on their own a little bit and that is the way it is supposed to be.  Their places in services have been filled by BABIES!  O, do we have babies.  Prayers were answered and loving parents were blessed with children and there are more on the way. 

            “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.”  (Psalm 107:1)

            “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:15)

            We have seen precious souls added to the body of Christ in 2003 and we have been blessed by the addition to the family at Northern Kentucky of some who have expressed the desire to be a part of this congregation.  Yes, some will be leaving very early in 2004 for new places and new challenges.  Yes, we will miss them and they will miss us.  But we can rejoice in the time spent together and the fellowship we share with Christ and each other that is not affected by miles or time. 

            Sickness played a major role in the life of this congregation in 2003 and it was hard.  But what I saw and continue to see, and what I am so thankful for, are the incredible displays of courage, faith, and hope.  We have all seen the love of one whose spouse went on to await their coming.  We have seen the steadfast resilience and ready smiles of those personally battling a dreadful disease.  And we have all been blessed by a little boy who shows so much strength without even knowing it – who seems to feel that it is his role in life to make those adults around him feel better when he possibly can.  We have all been blessed by the faithfulness and the courage of his parents as well.

            “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

            “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Col. 3:15)

            None of us know what is waiting for us in 2004, or if the Lord will return before the year is out.   I don’t know about you, but not knowing is something else that I am thankful for.  What not knowing means is that we just have to work hard everyday – beginning each day thankful and ending each day thankful. 

            There were some physical, material things that I wanted in 2003 that I did not get, and all of them taken together don’t amount to a hill of beans.  I’ve got the Lord, I’ve got Vicky, I’ve got my children, and I have my brethren.  We are all equally blessed.  What more can a faithful child of God ask for except to look forward with anticipation to our trip home to heaven?

            “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

                                                            Greg Litmer

SHOW A LITTLE FRIENDLINESS

As human beings, we are fitted for service.  We are at our best when we’re helping someone.  Here’s how:

            1. First thing in the morning, begin looking for some way to help someone have a better day.  A card, letter, phone call, visit, maybe just a kind word.

            2. Make time for someone who is struggling – someone who is lonely, or hurting, or maybe someone who is just discouraged about who and what they are.

            3.  Tell someone you love them.  No matter how big or little you are, isn’t it nice to know someone cares?  Tell’em, It’ll help you both.                                                 

Dee Bowman