Newsletter

TUCC Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 5 May 2008
Children's Retreat

"Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifice"
Is 43:24
(KJV)

In this Issue
Editor's Note
Sketches
Movie Review
அண்ணன் தம்பி
Mother's Day Special
News Briefs
Crossword
Cotton Candy Station, Children’s Retreat, April 2008
Editor's Note

"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you;"

A child works late in the night to finish her assignment. Her mother comes in with a glass of warm milk to help her stay awake. A mother comes back tired from work and finds her little one hot with fever. She springs into action; she gives him medication and comforts him through all the groaning and moaning. The list is never ending; she is the most persevering teacher, most caring doctor, cheapest mechanic and dependable chauffeur. She is a counselor and a personal organizer. Did I forget the chef? Is she a superwoman? No, she’s just a mom.

A friend of mine told me that it’s been a quite a while since she ate the cherry on top of an ice-cream because her children like it too! It made me realize how many little things a mother sacrifices for her children and how blessed we are for them.

Yours in Christ,
Preethi Samuel

 
Sketches top

Of a God bound man of burden

Name : Habakkuk
Time period : Around 640 B.C - 609 B.C
Claim to fame : One of the great Prophets of Old Testament who literally put God "on trial".
Early Life : Major of the Minor Prophets
Life Changing event : Injustice and Unfairness makes him to cry to the Lord with great burden to liberate Judah.
Surprising answer from God : God’s answer to bring a wicked nation (i.e. Babylonians) to destroy his homeland of Judah.
His Vision : Although God’s answer did not seem to make sense, Habakkuk pleads and waits on the LORD for a vision that would help him understand what God was saying and doing. God’s answer is an end time revolt. God also instructs Habakkuk to write the vision plainly so that the message would be passed to others. In a nutshell the vision is, "Suddenly the debtors will arise"
His Hope : Habakkuk leaves us with hope and joy in the face of injustice, unfairness, and betrayal. It is a Joy in a God who is always fair, and keeps our friendship in mind in all His works as we see in the beautiful prayer in Heb 3:17: "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, ...: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD...".
Larger message : To understand that the world is filled with injustice and unfairness and that this should not lead us to spiritual deadness. God reminds us, that though our lives are destroyed, He will remain faithful until the day when all sufferings come to an end. He who started the good work will bring it to completion.
Points to Ponder:
  • Is Habakkuk justified in putting God to trial?
  • Sometimes the toughest answer to receive from God is "Wait", and when that happens, is our heart fertile enough to hear His whisper
  • Has God given us the burden in our hearts to plead for others when they are confronted with injustice and unfairness?
  • Do we see any parallel between the life of Habakkuk and Job? In What way?
  • Can we think of yet another parallel between Project Habakkuk (WWII) and life of Prophet Habakkuk?

- Theoஃபில்Us

 
Movie Review top

It touches the heart of the most nominal as well as the most evangelical. It is a story of two churches. The Rock is a typical church with wonderful music, ministries and a board interested in expansion "for the glory of God". The other, Second Chance, is a result of the church planting ministry of The Rock. It has fewer members who struggle with various problems.

Michael W. Smith, the son of the senior pastor of The Rock is sent to Second Chance to work under its pastor, Jake. Meanwhile, the board at Rock "sells" the smaller church to the city in exchange for a bigger land away from the community. Jake and his people go through emotional stress, but they have no say in the matter. While at Second Chance Michael W. Smith gets to see the world around him through different eyes. He sees people’s need for love and hope and his own need for a servant heart. The turning point in the movie is when a worker at the Second Chance lowers the bar while judging a fellow staff.

The theme of the movie is the change that takes place in the hearts of the key characters. So often we think we are doing things for God, when all we are doing is satisfying our own visions, motives and desires.

The youth had a chance to see this movie last month during their "movie night". Here are some of their comments.
 
அண்ணன் தம்பி top
பொருமையின் எல்லை

- Joe Kingsly

 
Mother's Day Special
 		top
Mother's Day Special

Sis. Malar Godwin, wife of Pastor Godwin Kanakaraj reflects on being a working mother. She is a certified nursing Assistant and a mother.
What's the biggest challenge you face as a working mother?
My work starts early at 6.30 a.m. spending time in Bible meditation before going to work is a challenge.

What is your preferred way or what do you think is the most effective way to teach your child about God?
Making her memorize bible verses when she was young was a good way to start. Now that she is older the most effective way would be through things I do like giving and Christian living

Would you compare today's working woman to the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31?
A wise woman takes care of her family. So when work doesn't stress things at home I guess it is OK. Personally, if I'm at home I have spare time which I might waste it, so the work I do gives me personal satisfaction.

What is the best time of your day and how would you like to spend it?
Evenings are the best time of day. I love to spend the time with my family talking about the day.

What do you like to say to all the mothers?
A mother's role is very important in the family and its happiness depends on her. When her mood swings the whole family’s moods swings along with it!
 
Crossword top
Crossword No. 12 (Interactive)

Congratulations! Correct entries for Crossword No. 11 submitted by
Edith Andrews, Chennai, India
Charles, Cynthia & kids, Hoffman Estates, IL
Kharun, Josh & Sangeetha, Naperville, IL
 
TUCC newsletter is a publication of Tamil United Church of Christ, Chicago
All articles represent the views of the authors only (whether disclosed or undisclosed) and should not be assumed to represent the view of TUCC.