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Vol 1                                                             Issue 2
                                The Edifier

Middlebury Chapel                                             Summer 1994
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                                WORDS TO LIVE BY

                              A Comfortable Church          
                                  by Ken Deck      
                                  
        I must confess that I am one who appreciates comfort.  A good time 
is to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon in a hammock,  under a couple shade 
trees, with a good book and a pitcher of lemonade.  Yet I recognize that 
comfort becomes no more than sloth if it is more than a temporary rest 
from activity.
        The questions I present then are:  Are we comfortable in the 
church?  Is this comfort a respite from our service to God, or are we 
becoming at ease in mediocrity?
        All too often the church has found itself lost at home.  Sitting 
around the kitchen table with the same old toast, wondering why things are 
stale, as the jungle presses in at the kitchen door.  
        This has been the case through most of Christian history.  Yet 
there are people, even in the most apostate of times, who were 
uncomfortable.  They let their discomfort case them to press in to God, to 
stretch the confines of the comfort of the church in their time.  The 
Morovian brotherhood, the Anabaptists, the Methodists and the charismatic 
renewal to name a few.
        They press in toward God, seeking His face, and in doing so caused 
the church itself to become uncomfortable and therefore received 
persecution for their zeal.
        Each of these radical movements eventually lost the fire of their 
zeal and in turn became the comfortable old guard with whom the next 
generation of zealots had to contend.  Each in turn said they were 
comfortable and stopped pressing in toward God.
        Are you pressing in toward God here at Middlebury Chapel or are
you just going through the motions? Perhaps some old grievance or hidden 
resentment has become a root of bitterness and has tangled you like a 
vine, immobilizing you. 
        If you would touch God you must set aside grievances and 
resentments that have long outlived the events that set them in motion.  
The imprisoning effect they have on you is inescapable.  You become a 
prisoner in a cell of your own building and serving as your own jail 
keeper. 
        Perhaps you feel you have tried in the past and failed, so there 
is no point in continuing the struggle.  This failure should do no more 
than strengthen our resolve to pursue God for God Himself has promised a 
reward to the Zealot.  (Deu 4:29)
        If we are content to meet week by week to sing a few songs, hear a 
few verses and go home, our Spiritual clock has stopped ticking. 
        If we no longer care to pursue excellence in what we do in the 
church, if the fact that we know the words to the songs prevents us from 
recognizing a spiritual sacrifice to God, we are approaching a comatose 
condition.
        If there remains however a flame, or even a spark, that wants more 
of God, then let us resolve to pursue Him until He answers (Heb 10:36).  
To run toward Him (I Cor 9:24; Heb 12:1).  To give ourselves as zealots to 
the cause of worship.

        Zeal-ot (n.):  a person who is zealous, esp.  to an extreme of 
        excessive degree; fanatic.

        Zeal:  to be excited, praise, intense enthusiasm, ardent endeavor 
	or devotion; SYN see passion.

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                                   TESTIMONY
                                by David Staley

        Services to the Lord is an important duty for the Christian.  
Truly, the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power.  Power 
given to us by the Holy Spirit to do the good works God has prepared in 
advance for us to do.  One Christian to be recognized for his obedience 
and service to God is Rich Herbert.
        Rich became a Christian when he was very young, and was provided 
with a solid biblical upbringing by his mother.  Rick's father held a view 
that was contrary to his mother's which caused conflict in the family.  
Yet, God used this to draw the rest of the family closer as they 
diligently prayed for Rick's father and his salvation.
        When Rick was a junior in High School his father died, and to the 
family's knowledge, without accepting Jesus.  This disillusioned Rick 
about God's faithfulness for he knew his mother held fast to Acts 16:31 
which says that if you believe in the Lord Jesus both you and your whole 
household will be saved and she believed that this applied to her husband. 
At the funeral though, a friend told Rick's mother he had led her husband 
to the Lord a few days before his death, and God's faithfulness was 
revealed. 
        As Rick grew older he had problems and walked away form the Lord 
several times.  He continued to have struggles with his walk with Jesus 
until 1981.  He then began regular attendance here at Middlebury Chapel 
where he began to see god showing him to trust in Him.  God told Rick that 
he was doing a work in his life and a foundation was firmly laid that can 
be seen today.
        The Lord used Rick in a mighty way at a job he worked at doing 
maintenance at a Senior Citizen Apartment.  One particular lady struck him 
as outgoing and after befriending her, he asked her to come to church.  
She did, but it took quite a time for her to respond to the message of 
salvation.  Finally, God allowed Rick to pray with her to accept Jesus as 
her Lord and Savior.  Now Rich still brings her to church, and she leads 
Bible studies at home, as well as organizing preachers to speak at her 
apartment complex.
        There was also a co-worker that Rick worked with at the apartments 
who God drew to Himself through Rick.  This particular person took 10 
years to respond, but God showed Rick His faithfulness.  God also showed 
Rick the need to be patient just as He is patient with us.
        For the past three years Rick has been involved with the prison 
ministry at the Summit County Jail where the fruit is very ripe.  He has 
helped preach there, given his testimony and led many to the Lord.
        He is also actively involved with the youth here are Middlebury in 
the Brigade program.  He coaches the softball team, and trains the young 
boys in the scripture, as well as providing an example of a godly man for 
them.
        Today, Rick lives in Akron and his mother also lives with him.  
She is involved with her church where she has gone to for over 20 years.  
She is also involved with discipling women at the Summit County Jail.
        Rick has come to know that even though we are imperfect, God is 
perfect.  He is able to use us in spite of our shortcomings, for if we had 
to obtain perfection before He could use us, none of us would be fit for 
service.  We all have a place of service in God's Kingdom and the Lord has 
given us all different gifts.  God can and will use us, but He is looking 
in His children not for mere ability but rather for availability.

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				OPEN FORUM

Poetry:

                      Dandelions - We Love You!

                     Twas a sunny day in May
                     As I traveled on my way
                     When I was strangely moved to pray---
                     For my eyes beheld a scene
                     Of the yellow on the green!

                     In the wake of winter's storm
                     God's earth again was warm
                     And new life was there in form:
                     It was easy to be seen
                     For there was yellow on the green!
                     
                     But in the town and in the city,
                     These blooms are scorned--and that's a pity!
                     Men say that they are weeds,
                     And they hate their awful seeds,
                     Which will soon be in the air
                     To be carried everywhere!
                     But in the town and in the city
                     Don't forget---They once were pretty:
                     When they were yellow on the green!

                     In life too, we must remember
                     There's a May for each December.
                     Some times are tough, some days are lean,
                     But God controls the changing scene,
                     And His blessings come ---
                                        like yellow on the green!

                                                by Arleen McMahon


                          WALKING THROUGH ETERNITY

                     She has not gone away
                     To cause us pain nor tears
                     For she gave us so much of herself
                     Over these past and precious years.
                     
                     She gave us golden moments
                     To hold within our hearts
                     And tho' she has crossed the shores of life
                     We will never really be apart...

                     For the many things she taught us
                     And the sharings of joy and laughter too
                     Will live on in our memories
                     To bring us gladness
                     As she would have them do.

                     And now the Savior has beckoned
                     To come, receive her rich reward
                     Of happiness in glory
                     And abiding with the Lord.
                    
                     She has not gone away
                     To cause grief to you and me
                     She has simply gone a'walking...
                     Walking through Eternity!

                                        submitted by Les Beverlin

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                                   REVIEWS

Books:
Prophet by Frank Perretti
reviewed by David Staley

        Seeing how I am probably the only Christian who has not read "This 
Present Darkness" or "Piercing the Darkness", I might not be qualified to 
review "Prophet" by Frank Perretti, but I'll give it a shot!  I did enjoy 
the intrigue of the book and admired Frank Perretti's style of writing.  I 
believe the main message of this book was well delivered: the complex evil 
of abortion and the call on a young man's life to not only to return to 
God, but to speak out for Truth.  The pace and thrill of the plot was good,
except for the conclusion which seemed to end too suddenly for me.  I 
would recommend this book to be read by anyone who enjoys good fiction, 
especially those interested in the Pro-Life movement.

Music:
Gang Affiliated by Gospel Gangstas
reviewed by David Staley

        I have just purchased the debut CD by the Christian rappers Gospel 
Ganstas.  I was not disappointed.  I had heard about this group for a 
couple of years, and the wait was worth it to hear them!  The music is top 
of the line with some interesting  samples backing lyrics that are straight 
forward.  Note that some descretion should be used for younger listeners by
parents.  Don't get me wrong, there is no profanity and the Lord's name is 
never taken in vain, but there is a bit of rough "street slang" used.  
Every song has the central theme that Jesus Christ is Lord and the only way
to tackle life's problems and bring glory to God is through Jesus Christ.  
Give it an honest listen and I believe you too will not be disappointed.

Saviour Machine by Saviour Machine
reviewed by David Staley

        When I bought this tape I knew that it would be a forceful musical 
journey.  Sure enough it was.  Produced by Terry Taylor of Daniel Amos and 
mixed by Gene Eugene of Adam Again it is music of high quality and 
integrity.  I would give this recording a rating of Classic!  On the 
surface the music may sound typical of "rock" music.  But give it a careful
listen because the artistry of the music is latent.  As you listen you will
hear this is not your usual Christian rock band.  The vocal style is 
powerful and full of emotion and conviction.
        I have been waiting for a powerful artistic group that combines 
music, art and intelligent Christian lyrics.  Saviour Machine does that!  
Saviour Machine excites and confronts.  It is also great to blast in 
traffic!

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                                CONCERT CALENDAR

Date            Time            Artist          Location

Aug 9           6 pm            Dynamic Twins   First Assembly of God
                                                808 Metbliss Ave.
                                                Delphos, Ohio
                                                419-692-6741 for info

Aug 12, 13      7 pm            Rick Cua        same as above

Aug 19          7:30 pm         Dino            Ft. Recovery High School
                                                Ft. Recovery, Ohio
                                                1-800-551-FORT for info

Aug 27          7 pm            Bride           Canton Palace Theater
                                                Canton, Ohio
                                                216-923-5322 for info

Aug 28          ?               Glad            Mt. Vernon Nazarene College
                                                614-397-6862 for info

Sept 3          7 pm            AVB             Westerville North HS
                                                950 County Line Road
                                                Westerville, Ohio
                                                1-800-521-0290 for info

Sept 4          3:30pm          Acappella       same as above

Sept 4          7:30pm          Petra           Fulton County Fair      
                                                Wauseon, Ohio
                                                419-446-9352 for info

Sept 10         7:30pm          Kellye Huff     Brunswick Reformed Church
                                                Brunswick, Ohio
                                                216-225-5475 for info

Sept 18         7 pm            Steven Curtis   JAR Arena
                                Chapman         University of Akron
                                                216-923-5322 for info
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                                 FINAL WORDS

        Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of the Edifier! 
Your contributions help to edify all of us!  The next issue will be out in 
the Fall...may the Lord bless you and keep you!**************************

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