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Page 4B The Braselton News Wednesday, November 28, 2007 Church N e ws In the Eyes of the Father Parrish Myers eotf@comcast.net £3 l MM A tough question with no easy answers It is a question that many people, Christian and non- Christian alike, struggle with. It is a question that I myself have struggled with for many years. Even after seminary and almost 10 years as a pastor, I find no easy answers. What is the question, you ask? Why does a loving God allow suffering? Some of you are nodding your heads. You know what I’m talking about. Maybe you’ve asked, wondered or agonized over this issue, yourself. If God loves us as much as he claims to, why does he allow things like disease, famine, war and death? Some people will tell you that God doesn’t cause suffering. I would agree. I’ve never known God to start a war. People do. I’ve never known God to kill someone over turf. Gang members do. I’ve never known God to commit genocide. Dictators do. But, if God isn’t the cause of suffering, couldn’t he at least do a little something to stop it? Some people say God uses suffering for his purposes. They say he uses it to draw people to him as they go through difficult circumstanc es. They say he uses it in the lives of believers to show unbelievers the power of Christ in times of adversity. Well, forgive me for saying this, but that doesn’t cast God in a very good light, does it? I mean, people are suffering, and he’s capitalizing on it? Now, before you break out the tar and feathers, let me say that I understand what these people are saying. I understand that God can bring good out of even the worst of circumstances (Romans 8:28). But I have to be honest: that knowledge does me very little good when it’s my loved one who’s suffering. It brings me very little com fort when I have to watch someone I love waste away from cancer, Alzheimer’s, or some other awful condition. Unfortunately, I have got no better answer than anyone else. I don’t know why God allows so much suffering in our world today. I don’t know why God doesn’t do something to stop the suffering, or lessen it in some way. And, even if God chose to explain it to me, my puny little human mind wouldn’t be able to comprehend it, anyway. So, what am I to do? What are any of us to do? Trust him. Trust God even when we don’t understand him. Every morning, Chloe sees me leave for work. Every evening, Chloe sees me return home. In between those two times she has no idea what I do, where I go, or who I talk to. All she knows is that Daddy has been at work. Now, I could sit her down and tell her about my day, going over it in minute detail, but her little child’s mind wouldn’t know what to make of any of it. So, it is with God and the issue of suffering. I may not understand what’s happening, I may not understand why it’s happening, I may not understand God’s role in it. But one thing I must do is realize that my heavenly father is at work. And as hard as it may be to do, I have to trust him. Parrish Myers is a resident of Braselton, and is pastor of Pine Crest Baptist Church. You can e-mail him at eotf@comcast.net. His website is www. eyesofthefather. com. J & J FLEA MARKET 11661 HWY. 441 N. • ATHENS, GA 30607 706-613-2410 www.jandjfleamarket.com Thanks for making us Georgia's Biggest REAL Flea Market! FOR THE BEST BUYS, READ THE CLASSIFIED ADS New Liberty plans ‘Hanging of the Greens’ service New Liberty United Methodist Church, Braselton, will hold a Hanging of the Greens service Wednesday, November 28, at 6:30 p.m. Special music will be provided by the children’s choir. Chili will be served in the fellowship hall after the service. An opportunity will be provided for families to create take home Advent wreaths. Starting Sunday, December 2, at 8:30 and 11 a.m. services, a Christmas sermon series titled “A Christmas Made Simple” will be presented. “Do you remember when your eyes would widen in excitement at the sheer wonder of Christmas? It was easy to experience Christmas joy as a child," church leaders said. “Too soon, childlike wonder gives way to ‘I wonder how far my credit cards or my calendar will stretch.’ This year, rediscover the special wonder of Christmas.” For more information, call 706-654-2406. The church is located at 26 Charlie Smith Road. Lanierland Boys to sing at Holy Ground Holy Ground Baptist Church, Braselton, will host the Lanierland Boys for a singing on Sunday, December 2, at 5 p.m. The church is located at 224 New Liberty Church Road. For more information, call 706-654-4845. Paul Moore is pastor. The Vine plans special series The weeks leading up to Christmas are often called the “Advent Season.” The Vine, Braselton, will present a special series called "ADVENTure” during this time. “Advent is an Arrival, an Intersection, and an Adventure,” leaders said. “Advent is about mov ing toward Jesus as He is moving towards you. When the two of you meet, the ADVENTure begins!" Topics include: "Hope," December 2, "Peace," December 9, "Joy,” December 16, and "Love," December 24. The second annual Chateau Elan Christmas Eve candlelight service will begin at 6 p.m. on December 24. Hoschton UMC announces holiday event schedule Hoschton United Methodist Church announces the following Advent and holiday season services: •December 1, chicken stew and chili supper, 4 to 7 p.m. •December 2, Jackson County Comprehensive choral group to per form at 11 a.m. service, fellowship with lunch planned. •December 4, family Christmas dinner and lighting of the “Love Tree" at 6:30 p.m. •December 14, “Prime Timers" Christmas dinner at 11 a.m. •December 23, church choir Christmas cantata, at 11 a.m. ser vice. •December 24, Christmas Eve candlelight service, 6-6:30 p.m. The church is located at 12 Mulberry Street. For more informa tion, call 706-654-1422. Angel Food orders being taken now Angel Food Ministries is cur rently accepting orders for its December food boxes. Orders may be placed for the December menu at Lebanon United Methodist Church, Jefferson, A Call To Salvation Ministries, Jefferson, Zion Baptist Church, Braselton, Antioch United Methodist Church, Nicholson, and Faith Baptist Church, Jefferson. Orders will be taken until Sunday, December 2. Boxes will be distrib uted Saturday, December 15. Organizers said the Angel Food program is not limited to those experiencing difficult financial times, but for anyone wishing to save money on their grocery bill. The cost of food box is $25. The December menu includes: four, five-ounce rib-eye steaks; one, two-pound family lasagna dinner; one two-pound split chicken breast (2 pieces); one pound honey roasted pork sausage; one pound fully cooked chicken breast fajitas; one pound fully cooked meatballs; one pound all meat jumbo hot dogs; three pounds fresh apples; eight ounces biscuit mix; one pound 3-way veggie mix; one pound cut com; one pound sliced carrots; 14 ounces chicken broth; 24 ounces home-style hash browns; six-and-a- half ounces cheeseburger dinner; 10 home-style waffles; and one dessert item. BOX SPECIALS The first December special — available for an additional $18 — includes six, two-pound thick cut pork chops; two pounds beef ribs; two, eight-ounce rib eye steaks; four, four-ounce lean beef patties; and one pound Italian sausage. The second December special — available for an additional $18 — includes eight, eight-ounce sirloin strip steaks. The third December special - avail able for an additional $16 — includes 10 pounds breaded chicken tenders. The fourth December special — available for an additional $24 — includes five ruby red grapefruits; six tangerines; four golden dehcious apples; four blush pears; four red deh cious apples; four rome apples; six Florida oranges; four navel oranges; and six tangelos. The fifth December special — available for an additional $16 — includes one, nine-ounce beef sau sage; one, nine-ounce beef salami; one, nine-ounce beef summer sau sage; and three, seven-ounce cheese blocks (cheddar, smokey cheddar and pepper jack). The sixth December special — available for an additional $14 — includes three, 12-ounce packages of gourmet coffee (house blend, hazel nut cream and Guatemala antiquate). Specials are available to anyone who purchases a regular menu food box. Food orders may be picked up on Saturday, December 15, and par ticipants must bring a large box to receive their food. Orders may be paid by check, cash or food stamps. Organizers ask that orders be placed as soon as possible. More information about the pro gram is available at www.angelfood- ministries.com To place an order at Lebanon United Methodist Church, call Tim Thompson, at 706-202-5787, Doloris Thompson, at 706-372-2310, or either Tim or Doloris Thompson, at 706-367-4938 or send email to leba- nonumc @ yahoo.com. To place an order at Zion Baptist Church, call Jane Stovall at 678-617-5302; Kim Harris at 706-654-3625 or 678-618-9369; or Dana Smith at 706-658-7112. To place an order at A Call To Salvation Ministries, call Kathy Sullivan at 706-367-9612. To place an order at Faith Baptist Church, located at 2081 Hwy. 129 N„ Jefferson, contact Jennifer Goza at 706-367-8000 or 770-827-7401. Orders will be available on Saturday, December 15, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Orders must be picked up from the church in which they were placed. Benefit concert planned Dec. 1 Macedonia Community Baptist Church, Braselton, will host a Southern gospel benefit concert for Lannie House, cancer patient, on Saturday, December 1, from 1 to 5 p.m. The singing will feature "Perry House,” "God Send,” “Kenny Lee,” “The Mitchells” and more. The church is located at 5507 Winder Highway (Hwy. 53). Admission is free. A love offering will be taken. Food and refreshments will be sold. For more information, call Wanda at 706-654-2931 or 678-938-3689. Christmas craft fair set at Winder UMC Winder First United Methodist Church will hold a Christmas in the Country craft and gift fair, Saturday, December 1, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Food, drinks, door prizes, raffle and a visit from Santa are planned. Crafters who would like informa tion on getting a booth for this event, should contact John Janick at 678-677-1702 or janickj@the- janicks.com. All proceeds from the rental booth space will go to the Winder First United Methodist Church Youth Group to assist with mis sions and functions. 321 Pottery Factory Commerce ■<*- across from GUT&ACK 5TEAK House The only local GM dealer offering Saturday Service COOLANT FLUSH AND OIL CHANGE For most vehicles Hwy. 441 in Commerce 706-335-3196 800-798-7435 www.wayneneal.com SERVICE HOURS: M-F 7:30-6:00 • Sat. 8:00-4:00 K The Glenn Beck Program Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 noon www.WJJC.net The Jim Rome Show Monday - Friday 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm WJJC Radio 1270 AM The Mike McConnell Show Monday - Friday 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm 706-335-1270