The Messenger M O U N TA I N B I B L E C H U RC H Volume 27 Issue 5

May 2014

Mortified Moon Displayed Red Face (Stop blocking my sonlight!) On April 15 of this year the shadow of the earth began scurrying across the full moon’s surface for what would be a total eclipse. It took two and a half hours for earth’s shadow to clear the moon and right in the middle of it, there was about an hour when the moon appeared to be so mortified that the earth wouldn’t get out of its sunlight its face turned red. NASA referred to this ‘total’ eclipse as a ‘Blood Moon’ because the moon reflects the reddish hew. They also explain that a ‘Blood Moon’ can only occur during a total eclipse and a total eclipse can only occur during a full moon. The reddish hew it casts is simply the sunset red glow that rings the Earth. As earth blocks the light from the sun, this sunset red glow that rings the earth is refracted upon ‘our view of’ the moon resulting in the reddish hew as seen April

15. Then as more of the moon emerged from behind earth’s shadow, its red tint transitions to its normal color.

mined to block all God’s Sonlight to keep them buried under the avalanche of hopelessness.

I’ve been asked to comment upon the prophetic significance of the blood moons. I will make an application but not with regards to prophecy. Masses of Christians (in name only) have, in my opinion, eclipsed the light of the Son of God upon the nonbelievers of this world. We seem to have forgotten that every person has the celebrated opportunity to either allow the Sonlight to shine full strength through them or the inglorious option to eclipse the Sonlight and make the darkness the world is in ‘intensely dark.’

One might think we would eventually learn that the ‘me first’ priorities have not worked since the Garden of Eden and it isn’t about to start working now. Christians certainly have a sullied reputation among so much of the lost world. This is so prevalent that much of the next generation is hesitant to identify themselves as Christian. They would rather call themselves spiritual and avoid the name Christian altogether. James E. White writes, “Reticence to label oneself as Christian isn’t necessarily a denial of the faith but instead something that falls between Dorothy Day’s famous quote, ‘Don’t call me a saint – I don’t want to be dismissed so easily,’ and Soren Kierkegaard’s, ‘Once you label me you negate me.’”

As we take this superb opportunity and toss it away as inconsequential, the consequences mount up with a terrifying toll.

Bono (stage name for Paul David Hewson), the lead singer of the famous Rock Band U2, was quoted as having said, “I am a Christian, but at times I feel very removed from Christianity. The Jesus that I believe in was the man who turned over the tables in

Having grown deaf to the cries of those who are lost in the darkness and cannot find their way, we seem deter-

The Messenger

Red Face continued... the temple and threw the money-changers out. So many Christians seem obsessed as to whether President Obama’s claim to being a Christian is a convenience or a conviction. I have a much deeper con-

cern. Is our Christianity a convenience or a conviction? If our Christian faith is essentially a convenience, we are casting a shadow of eclipse across our world. We are blocking the Sonlight to the world. If we’re

going to make a lasting difference to this world, it must be through living the convictions of our faith! Let’s make a difference for Christ this May, Marv

About The ‘Red Moon’ Three times the Bible references the moon as appearing red like blood and all three say it’s a harbinger of God’s great judgment upon unrepentant man in the last days. Listen: “The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible day of the LORD arrives.” Joel 2:31 (NLT) “The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the LORD arrives.” Acts 2:20 (NLT) “I watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as

blood.” Revelation 6:12 (NLT) The sequence of four consecutive blood moons (known as a tetrad) has occurred several times before, in 1909-10, 1927-28, 1949-50, 1967-68, 1985-86, and 2003-04. Three more ‘Blood Moons’ in the next 18 months! If you missed it on 4/15, there will be more opportunities. North America will see a blood moon three times between now and September of 2015. The next three appearances of a ‘blood moon’ will be Octo-

ber 8 of 2014, and April 4 and September 28 of 2015. This rare sight and was virtually unheard of a few centuries ago. Before the 20th century, there was a 300year period when a ‘blood moon’ didn’t appear on earth. In general, evangelicals view the End Times not as the immediate end of the world, rather as a period when certain events must unfold, according to prophecy, over a long period of time prior to the return of

Jesus. Evengelicals, however, would agree that many of these End Times events -particularly as related to Israel -- are happening now. For an in-depth report on the history of the Blood Moon Tetrad, its connection to the Biblical Feasts of the Lord. Copied from the internet Sukkot is the Jewish ‘Feast of Tabernacles’ The Oct. 8 eclipse will be extra special: The moon will appear 5.3% larger than it did during the 4-15-2014 night's event, according to NASA.

Vacation Bible School Ahoy, matey…coming soon to a church near you….VBS! Yeah! Some of you are already asking when the big event will be. Well, mark your calendars for July 21-25. Remind your friends to save the date too. This annual week of games and fun is for all kids kindergarten through the sixth grade. More information will be available in your bulletin and on the church website in the month of June. Page 2

Volume 27 Issue 5

S.M.A.C.K. Spring Ministry at Church for Kids or SMACK had a really great party. Tuesday, April 15, was a beautiful day for an egg hunt. About 21 kids came and heard the story of the resurrection, played games, had lunch and enjoyed hunting for

eggs. Well, hunting might be a stretch as the eggs were scattered out on the grass and not hard to find. A special thanks to all the volunteers who came and decorated, prepared the food and helped with all the kids. Thank you Geiger

Group for organizing this annual springy, delightful party. Lori Henry Director of Children’s Ministry

A NOTE FROM SUE MORRISON: “MY DAUGHTER, KATHY IS ON THE MEND AND SHE SENDS PRAISES AND THANKS TO ALL WHO PRAYED FOR HER!”

INSIDE EVERY OLDER LADY IS A YOUNGER LADY -- WONDERING WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED. -CORA HARVEY ARMSTRONG

INSIDE ME LIVES A SKINNY WOMAN CRYING TO GET OUT. BUT I CAN USUALLY SHUT HER UP WITH COOKIES.

THE HARDEST YEARS IN

Wacky, Wild, Wednesday Our next and last, Wacky, Wild, Wednesday for this school year, is May 7 at 6:00. The theme will be GAME SHOW NIGHT! So plan to come and help your

team ‘beat the wheel’, or ‘get the points’, or prove they are ‘smarter than a fifth grader!’ We will end the evening with the biggest brownie sundae ever,

whoohoo! Lori Henry Director of Children’s Ministry

Smith and Matthew Arebalo. You all have earned another super attendance certificate and a trip to the treasure basket. Whoohoo!!!

I REFUSE TO THINK OF THEM AS CHIN HAIRS. I THINK OF THEM AS STRAY EYEBROWS. -JANETTE BARBER-

LAUGH AND THE WORLD LAUGHS WITH YOU. CRY AND YOU CRY

Super Attendance Congratulations to the following group of super kids: DJ Collins, Emily Rohe, Corey and Don Gusbeth, Genesis Johnson, Selena

LIFE ARE THOSE BETWEEN TEN AND SEVENTY. -HELEN HAYES (AT 73)

Way to go! Lori Henry Director of Children’s Ministry

WITH YOUR GIRLFRIENDS. -LAURIE KUSLANSKY-

The Messenger

Number 2 Is Getting Married Last August, our first born, James married a wonderful gal, Holly.

meet Chico.” Holly hesitatrant formed a coed softball ence University Hospital. ed, “Chico?” “Are you sure?” team. Dan, always the com- Dan is studying online for his Master’s Degree in Almost 2 years later, they petitor, was first to sign up. At one of the evening games, Athletic Administration James works as an Air were married. It was a they were short female and he is curTraffic Controller at the enbeautiful wedding, on a players. Nicki and a rently looking route center in Auburn Wash- dock overlooking Elliot Bay friend, who were in the for employington. The and the downtown stands to support the ment in Portenroute center area of Seattle. crew, were asked to fill land. He guides planes The weather was the needed positions, so hopes to be through the perfect. They seem the game would not be employed with Pacific Northto be very happy, Nike or one of west, an area and Vern and I are forfeited. At Nicki’s first at bat, she watched three the Portland that covers certainly grateful strikes go by. Not one Colleges. Canada to for them. swing of the bat! She northern CaliLee, my This month our num- slams the bat to the fornia and youngest, is OUR SON JAMES AND HIS ber 2 son, Dan, will ground, and starts yelling east to Idaho. BRIDE, HOLLY serving in the be married to his at the umpire. “What are OUR SON LEE, U.S. Army. He James hanlove, Nichole. They you doing? Do you know SO PROUD! dles flights in is currently met while working what a strike looks like? the ‘D’ sector stationed in at a restaurant. Have you been to umpire which includes South Korea Dan was hired as a school?” Dan laughed northern Caliat Camp Cawaiter/bartender and laughed. He enjoyed fornia and sey but is at The Vista Grille this so much he decided southern Orescheduled to in Sparks Nevada. he would have to ask her gon. At work be back in the Every now out. They he is known as states in June. and then he have been Chico. When He will report would see inseparahe was hired, they already to Fort Bragg North Caroon the schedule, ‘Nicki ble ever since. lina in July. He enlisted at had 6 employees named pickup.’ Puzzled who James. During the interview Nicki will the age of 19, when he and what that was, process, it was noted that he he was told that she graduate from was a quiet, shy, young is a graduate of CSU, Chico, is a med student who Medical man. He has thrived in thus his nick name was born. School May the Army. He found a will ‘pick up’ waitress 16th; they will confidence in himself that I A co-worker, Eric, invited shifts when she could. be married prayed he would find. James to go to a Mariner One night, they May 18th and He has grown in his posigame with him and his new worked the same will enjoy a tion in the Signal Corp as bride. James, a staunch shift. After closing, OUR SON DAN AND HIS honeymoon of Communication Specialist. Mariner/Seahawk fan, while cleaning up, INTENDED, NICKI two weeks. His goal is to make a cajumped at the chance. The they talked for an Then they will reer of the Army. With bride, Jane, ‘interviewed’ hour, telling their life move to Portall the military cut backs, I James the whole evening. stories to each other. land Oregon, pray that he will be able She has an older sister, Holly, To Nicki, this was a where she has to meet his goal. I am so who kept having one bad romantic encounter been acceptproud of him I could burst. date after another and saw she will never forget. ed in to surgiJames as a ‘potential’. Jane Donna Eastham When I asked cal school at called her sister after the Dan how they met, his Oregon game and said, “You need to version is a little difHealth & Sciferent. The restau-

Volume 27 Issue 5

Just A Mom A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a...?" "Of course I have a job," snapped the woman. "I'm a Mom." "We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, "housewife covers it," said the recorder emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar." “What is your occupation?" she probed. What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations." The clerk paused, ballpoint pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the

official questionnaire. "Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?" Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (the whole darned family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most runof-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom." Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door. Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" and great grandmothers Executive Senior Research Associates"? I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants.

TO FISH AT THE CRACK OF DAWN. THE WIFE LIKES TO READ. ONE MORNING THE HUSBAND RETURNS AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF FISHING AND DECIDES TO TAKE A NAP.

ALTHOUGH NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE LAKES AREA, THE WIFE DECIDES TO TAKE THE BOAT OUT. SHE MOTORS OUT A SHORT DISTANCE, ANCHORS, AND CONTINUES TO READ HER BOOK.

ALONG COMES A FISHING INSPECTOR IN HIS BOAT. HE PULLS UP ALONGSIDE THE WOMAN AND SAYS, "GOOD MORNING MA'AM. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

"READING A BOOK," SHE REPLIES (THINKING "ISN'T THAT OBVIOUS!"). "YOU'RE IN A RESTRICTED FISHING AREA," HE INFORMS HER. "I'M SORRY OFFICER, BUT I'M NOT FISHING, I'M READING." "YES, BUT YOU HAVE ALL THE EQUIPMENT. FOR ALL I KNOW YOU COULD START AT ANY MOMENT. I'LL HAVE TO TAKE YOU IN AND MAKE A REPORT."

"IF YOU DO THAT, I'LL HAVE TO CHARGE YOU WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT," SAYS THE WOMAN. "BUT I HAVEN'T EVEN TOUCHED YOU" SAYS THE MAN. "THAT'S TRUE, BUT YOU HAVE ALL THE EQUIPMENT. FOR ALL I KNOW YOU COULD START AT ANY MOMENT."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could

A COUPLE GO ON A VACATION. THE HUSBAND LIKES

"HAVE A NICE DAY MA'AM" AND HE LEFT. Page 5

The Messenger

Finding Contentment Through Giving Stewardship Guidelines from Focus on the Family As you know, here at Focus on the Family we're committed to coming alongside you in your ministry by offering practical tools you can use in your own household and also share with your congregants. In his eBook Generous Living: Finding Contentment Through Giving, author Ron Blue presents five action steps to help believers identify and take advantage of the opportunities God sets before them:

• Examine your priorities. Do they reflect what God says has eternal value? As you consider what matters most to God, put those things (or people) at the top of your list. • Inventory your assets. Just as financial resources must be managed carefully, the assets of time and talents must be stewarded carefully for maximum effect. • Ask the right questions. If you are asked to give your time, skills or pos-

sessions to a cause, before responding consider whether or not God would want you to use your resources— His resources—in this way.

your time, talents and resources—and give Him permission to interrupt your agenda.

• Eliminate expectations. Give without expecting anything in return. Sacrificial giving costs the giver something, and there may not always be an immediate reward (or visible result).

© 2014, Focus on the Family 8605 Explorer Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80920 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459)

• Give your schedule to God. The first thing each day, ask Him to show you how He wants you to use

You Can Be Great For God!! With a bold faith, obedience to God, and a desire to place the knowledge of the saving Grace of the Gospel in the hands of others who do not know Christ as their savior, you can be great for God. I know that may sound a bit scary to accept that challenge for Christ, as it sounds like God will require you to travel far away across the ocean and journey to the deepest darkest forests of Africa or the Amazon. Take heart and do not fear that is what God says you have to do in order to place the Gospel in the hands of those who need it. Yes, at some point and time God may lay on your heart at some time to go to the ends of the earth as Christ commanded us in Matthew chapter 28 and verses 27-30,

where he said “Go ye into all the world teaching and preaching even to the ends of the earth”, but right now right here in Tehachapi you can be a light in darkness at your workplace at school, and even strangers on the street. All it takes is willing hearts open to Gods leading in their everyday lives to be great for God, we are daily challenged to continue to “attempt great things for God. Expect great things from God,” as the great missionary William Carey once stated. It only takes one courageous life in Christ to bring hope to millions! It could be yours. You can be great for God. You should be great for God. The times we live in as we look around and see all that is transpiring in

our world today, poverty, loss of jobs a broken economy and a waste land of broken homes, all these things beg you to be great for God. It does not require you to be superhuman or a biblical scholar, most of the time it requires adhering to the Scripture with a sense of humanity, humility and spirit of servant hood. As Christ told us numerous times in the scriptures, blessed are the servants of his kingdom on this earth, as great will be their place when they come into his kingdom.

please consider joining the committee and participating in our outreach to the community on one of our street teams, praying for our country and our international missions outreaches, sponsoring a MBC missionary.

Please also put on your calendars, the 25th of June, it is a Wednesday night at 5:30pm in the Fellowship Hall for the 2014 Mountain Bible Church missions fest. We will have a sampling of international foods and interesting misWe have an active missionary speakers, who sions program here at the might touch your heart with Mountain Bible church, with a vision of how you can be a committee that meets the great for God. 1st Friday of every month, if Andy McCain you have a heart for placMission’s Team Leader ing the Gospel in the hands of those who do not have it

Volume 27 Issue 5

MY SECOND FAVORITE HOUSEHOLD CHORE IS IRONING. MY FIRST BEING, HITTING MY HEAD ON THE TOP BUNK BED UNTIL I FAINT. -ERMA BOMBECK

OLD AGE AIN'T NO PLACE FOR SISSIES. -BETTE DAVIS

I'M NOT GOING TO VACUUM 'TIL SEARS MAKES ONE YOU CAN RIDE ON. -ROSEANNE BARR

ONE FLAW IN WOMEN WOMEN HAVE STRENGTHS THAT AMAZE MEN. THEY BEAR HARDSHIPS AND THEY CARRY BURDENS, BUT THEY HOLD HAPPINESS, LOVE AND JOY. THEY SMILE WHEN THEY WANT TO SCREAM. THEY SING WHEN THEY WANT TO CRY. THEY CRY WHEN THEY ARE HAPPY AND LAUGH WHEN THEY ARE NERVOUS. THEY FIGHT FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN. THEY STAND UP TO INJUSTICE. THEY DON'T TAKE "NO" FOR AN ANSWER WHEN THEY BELIEVE THERE IS A BETTER SOLUTION. THEY GO WITHOUT SO THEIR FAMILY CAN HAVE. THEY GO TO THE DOCTOR WITH A FRIGHTENED FRIEND. THEY LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY. THEY CRY WHEN THEIR CHILDREN EXCEL AND CHEER WHEN THEIR FRIENDS GET AWARDS. THEY ARE HAPPY WHEN THEY HEAR ABOUT A BIRTH OR A WEDDING. THEIR HEARTS BREAK WHEN A FRIEND DIES. THEY GRIEVE AT THE LOSS OF A FAMILY MEMBER, YET THEY ARE STRONG WHEN THEY THINK THERE IS NO STRENGTH LEFT. THEY KNOW THAT A HUG AND A KISS CAN HEAL A BROKEN HEART. WOMEN COME IN ALL SHAPES, SIZES AND COLORS. THEY'LL DRIVE, FLY, WALK, RUN OR E-MAIL YOU TO SHOW HOW MUCH THEY CARE ABOUT YOU. THE HEART OF A WOMAN IS WHAT MAKES THE WORLD KEEP TURNING. THEY BRING JOY, HOPE AND LOVE. THEY HAVE COMPASSION AND IDEAS. THEY GIVE MORAL SUPPORT TO THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. WOMEN HAVE VITAL THINGS TO SAY AND EVERYTHING TO GIVE. HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

For Help and Answers Call the church office-----———————————-----822-7541 Crisis Prayer requests————-—Call Christine, 822-8849 Change address or phone———————————---822-7541 Doctrinal questions-----——————-–————--------822-7541 Wedding questions----———————-————---------822-7541

Hospital visits----------------——————————-—------822-7541 Counseling Information--———–———————------822-7541 Child dedication Service -———————————---822-7541 Student Ministries (Junior High to College)—-822-7541 Membership/Baptism-----———————————-----822-7541

The Messenger of Mountain Bible Church Office Manager and Editor: Donna Eastham

Contributing Writers: Lori Henry, Donna Eastham, Andrew McCain, and Pastor Slifer. Distribution: Neya Kuithe Sunday Morning Services at Mountain Bible Church: 8:30 and 10:30 Children’s Programs are available at the same times. Infant care (0-2 years) is available in the nursery. Senior Pastor: Dr. Marvin D. Slifer Children’s Ministries Director: Lori Henry Youth Ministries Director: Christy Boyd Human Resource Director: Christy Boyd

Trustees for 2014: Andy Eloff, Robert Garcia, Paul Hughes, Ron Rohe, Paul Smith, Ed Weston and Ron Williams. Elders for 2014: Dennis Collins, Sam Conklin, Ed Dunlap, Dae Lantz, Tom Lichtenwaldt, Darrin Mason, Andy McCain and Andy Ohmit. The Messenger is published monthly. All submissions to The Messenger are due the twentieth (20th) of each month. We would like contributions of news articles, photos and other information from the Youth Group, Men’s and Ladies Bible Studies, Missions Team, Let’s Eat Cafe, Energizers and Praise Team. Please remember to put your name on the article so we can give proper credit. The Messenger is published by:

Mountain Bible Church 630 Maple Street Tehachapi, CA 93561 661-822-7541

MOUNTAIN BIBLE CHURCH 630 Maple Street Tehachapi, CA 93561

Phone: 661-822-7541 Fax: 661-822-8557 www.mountainbiblechurch.org E-mail: [email protected]