About The Georgia post. (Knoxville, Crawford County, Ga.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (July 11, 2013)
PAGE 5-THURSDAY, JULY 11,2013 All Roads Lead to Atlanta From central Georgia, there are six different routes that lead to Atlanta, some longer, some shorter and quicker. Regardless of which route you take or how much time it takes, you will still arrive in Atlanta. Similarly, there are six major religions, each of which offers a different path to God: Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam, and Christianity. Yet, according to John 14:6, if interpreted without qualifica tion; only Christianity leads to God. Judaism began with Moses, 1200 years before Christ’s birth. Buddhists and Confu- cians were practicing their faith approximately 500 years before Christ; Hindus much earlier, around 2500 B.C. The religions that originated after Christ were Christianity (1st century A.D.) and Islam (6th century A.D.) Each religion has its own sacred writings: Judaism (Old Testament), Buddhism (Tripita), Hinduism (Vedas), Confucianism (Five Classics), Islam (Koran), and Chris tianity (Old & New Testa ments). Christian principles were infused in religions long before Jesus. Gautama Buddha founded a religion based on love identical to that taught by Jesus. Confu cius advocated the “Golden Rule” centuries before it was enunciated by Christ. Three world religions believe in one Supreme Being and Creator: Judaism worships Yahweh, Islam reveres Allah, and Christianity calls Him God. Since other world religions do not recognize Jesus as God’s son, Christians will readily condemn to the fires of hell such religious devo tees as the Buddhist monk in Tibet, the Hindu priest in India, the Confucian teacher in China, the Islamic cleric in Turkey, and the Jewish rabbi at Macon’s Beth Israel Temple. Regrettably, they do so without knowledge of the faith they denounce. At the precise moment in human his tory that Jesus uttered “I am the way ... no one comes to God except by me,” did His remarks apply to those who lived before Him? I refer specifically to the human race that lived and died during the 4,000-year B.C. era? And did His stipulation apply to per sons living in history subse quent to His pronouncement who never heard the gospel message? It seems that birthplace determines to a great degree which religion a man will follow. For example, a child bom in Thailand has a high probability of becoming a Buddhist. One bom in India becomes a Hindu. Those born in the Middle East embrace Islam. So why should luck of birthplace makes anyone more deserving of God? I suspect our Baha’i friends may have it right, when they say, “One mountain, many paths.” When Jesus declared, ”1 am the way,” could He have referred to His way of life and the Christian ethics He espoused? When Jesus said, “Follow Me,” He certainly wasn’t talking about mak ing confessional statements of faith. He was referring to EHOPs 35th Anniversary Celebration Haywood and Betty Joyner Ronnie Hollis, Jr. and wife, D’Ree Hollis Evangelistic House Of Prayer Church proud ly announces its 35th Anniversary Celebration beginning with Revival services on Sunday, July 14, at 10:30 a.m. Becky Hataway & The Pine Ridge Boys along with Aubrey Ray will begin the celebration in concert followed by Pastor Tim Long bringing the Homecoming Scriptural message. A covered dish dinner will follow and every one is welcome and invited to attend. Revival services 7:00 nightly July 15-19 with Pastor Micah Carr on 18-19. Con gregational singings as well as special singing will be provided nightly with Becky Hataway and The Pine Ridge Boys concluding the singing on Friday night. Finger foods will be provided Friday evening after service. A spe cial invitation is extended to all who have been part in some way to make EHOP the church it is today. If you have pictures of the old Prayer House off Giles Road please bring them! EHOP Church, as locally known now by John and Sally Breeden parishioners and family, was founded in 1978 by Pastor Heyward Joyner and his lovely wife, Betty Joyner along with a small group of faithful followers. EHOP Church began as Saturday night cottage prayer meetings in the early 1970s, years before the church was ever thought possible. Numerous families opened the doors of their homes to allow Pastor Hey ward Joyner and Christian families to gather for singing and preaching of the gospel mes sage. Pastor Joyner began a radio program on WAVC and he preached the word without fear of favor. Music was provided by young ladies known as The Gassett Girls, Frankie, Debra, and Linda, who sang songs and played piano and guitar. The late Bro. Curtis Taylor also played guitar as well as various gifted players that came and took part as God provided. As God blessed the group and it began growing, many homes could not hold the group gath ering. An old house located off Giles Road was donated by Ms. Clara Giles for weekly use as our gathering place of worship. Some donated cans of paint were put to good use and the old house took on a new look. Services were changed from Saturday night to Sunday morning. After people accepted Christ as their savior, baptism services were performed in lo cal creeks on Rowell Road and Union Church Rd. and later in a local pond. From there God continued to bless and we continued to grow until we were in need of more room. We believed God for a miracle and began praying for God to guide us in decisions for a better place with more room to grow. God answered that prayer as well as many others and land on Huckleberry Lane in Crawford County was purchased for a church Continued to page 8 McLeighton Funeral Service viewobituarksatWww.mcleightonfuneralseryice.com 375 S. Dugger Avenue Roberta, Georgia 478-836-3336 David & Donna McLeighton - owners ’Our Family Serving Your Family’ Billy Powell Columnist www.billypowellbooks.com the life-changing experience of becoming a new creature in Christ. Mere belief in Jesus will not make one iota of difference in how a person thinks or lives. It’s like saying, ”1 believe in Bud dha,” but until you know and practice Buddha’s Four Noble Truths, you will see no differ ence in your life.” Same holds hue for Jesus: lip service doesn’t produce salvation. I trust the foregoing dis cussion sheds insight on whether John 14:6 should be interpreted without qualifica tion or special dispensation granted to those who never knew Christ. The decision is uniquely yours to make. An old preacher friend offered the best approach. He said, “Don’t worry about it, Billy, God will work it all out.” X Relying OnA Faithful God Have you ever had days when you feel as though you can’t do it anymore? You have too many plates on the table, too many responsibilities to meet, too much to do, and way too little time. Believe it or not, I believe this is just the place where God can teach us the most. When we come to the point where we say, “I cannot possibly do this on my own. I need you, Lord,” that is when God can move powerfully in our lives. Sometimes we don’t like responsibilities; we try to shift them on some one else. But God wants us to depend on Him. He will take the heavy load. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. The Lord Almighty is with us. Psalm 46:1,7. We can rely on this. With the economic crisis that we’re in, we must depend solely on Him; not our jobs, our friends or even the gov ernment. None of us were created to be able to do it all on our own; although we try. He designed us to need Him so that we can live this life. Notice, when you step out on your own without acknowledging Him, He will allow situ ation and circumstances to bring you right back to Him. We quickly forget; He doesn’t need us, we need Him. We must take Him out of the backseat and put Him in the driv er’s seat becoming totally dependent. How do we do this? By surrendering our will to God’s will so that He can do great things through us and for us. Be blessed! CfturcH J-Cappenings Prayer Line, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Christ Abundant Life Ministries, S. Dugger Ave., Roberta. Call 478- 836- 3912. Word of God Tabernacle invites you to join them for the following weekly services: Sunday Prayer at 9:00 a.m., Sunday School at 10:00 a.m., Sunday Service at 11:00 a.m.; Monday Prayer at 9:00 a.m.; Wednesday Prayer at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday Bible Study at 7:00 p.m.; Friday Prayer at 9:00 a.m. Everyone is invited. Pastor Frank Martin, Sr. Lizella Baptist Church Special Needs Ministry will have a monthly event the 2 nd Friday of every month, 7-9 p.m. They also have a Parent/ Family/Caregiver Support Group for those who love someone with special needs. It is always the 1 st Tuesday of the month, 6-8 p.m. They have guest speakers and then a time of sharing. Camp Eunice - is a youth Bible camp owned and operated by The South Georgia Associated of Congregational Christian Churches. It is located on Hwy. 341, about 5 miles south of Roberta. Three week of camp are planned for this summer. July 14-19 Junior Camp, for those completing 1-5 grades: The daily schedule consists of two forty-five minute Bible classes and a chapel service each morning, geared to the specific age groups. The afternoon is given to recreation: sports, swimming, and other fun games. Each day concludes with the evening chapel service and devotions in the dorms. Camp fees received by May 15 will be only $75, but after the date will be raised to $85. Any inquires concerning registration or other matters can be directed to the Camp Director, Rev. John Aulds, 844 Avera Rd., Roberta, GA. 31078, Tel. 478-836-914. St. James Baptist Church will hold a Family and Friends Day, Sunday, July 14, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. and invites you to join them. Charles French is pastor. Lighthouse Community Church Homecoming and Revival - Location 4301 Jordan Rd., Byron, Ga. Sunday August 4th- Homecoming 10:30 A.M. Rev Joe Butterworth preaching with special singing by One Voice Sunday Evening August 4th- 7:00 P.M. Rev Rodney Hortman preaching with special singing by Francis Wilder Monday August 5 th- Rev Gary Berrier preaching with special singing by Zach Ware Tuesday August 6th-Rev Monty February preaching with special singing by Becky Hattaway and the Pine Ridge Boys Wednesday August 7th- Rev Myron Parkerson preaching with special singing by Becky Hattaway and the Pine Ridge Boys Roberta United Methodist Church will have Vacation Bible School, July 21 st - 24th, 6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. for ages 3 yrs. - 12 yrs. The theme is ’’Holy Day”, growing in Faith. For more information call 478-836-4228. Pleasant Grove Church family will celebrate its annual Summer Revival, July 29th - 31, 2013, 7:30 p.m. nightly. All area churches and organizations are invited to come and and help celebrate this joyous occasion. Speakers for the week will be: Monday - Rev. Morris Hillman - Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church; Tuesday, Rev. Corey Stubbs Pastor of Pine Grove Baptist Church - Yatesville, Ga; Wednesday - Rev. Dexter Jordan - Pastor of Stone Creek Baptist - Dry Branch, GA. The Zion Hill Baptist Church will have it’s annual Family and Friends Day Sunday, July 14, 2013 at 11 a.m. along with their regular morning services. The Zion Hill Baptist Church invites everyone to their regular services on 2nd Sundays at 11 a.m., 4th Sundays at 10 a.m. and 5th Sundays at 8 a.m. They have Bible Study every Wednesday at 7 p.m. Deadline for Church Happenings: Friday 5 p.m. Granite • Marble • Bronze • Coping • Monument Cleaning • Sandblasting ”Serving all Middle Georgia cemeteries 33 Kade E. Rooks P. O. Box 1711, Fort Valley, GA 31030 *478-825-2424 or 478-951-1571 *Fax: 478-825-3794
