“God is Light, A blaze, piercing The darkness.” “For even darkness Cannot hide from God; To [God] the night shines As bright as day. Darkness and light Are both alike…” 1 john 1, (The letters of John & Jude, Barclay) Psalms 139:12 (The Living Bible)

“The Light Shines in the Darkness” John 1:5

With the usual crowd at His heels, Jesus was traveling with His followers to a village, when He saw a funeral procession. The only son of a widowed mother had died, and there were many who mourned with her. Looking upon the Mother, Jesus’ heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry,” He said as He gently touched the coffin. The bearers stopped! “Laddie, come back to life again!” Instantly, the boy sat up and began talking to those around him. Jesus gave him back to his mother. (Based on Luke 7)

The Words of Jesus (God With Us) “I am the one who raises the dead and gives them life again. Anyone who believes in me, even though he dies like anyone else, shall live again. He is given eternal life for believing in me and shall never perish…” John 11:25 (The Living Bible) “If you trust me, you are really trusting God. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a Light…” John 12:44 (The Living Bible)

Contents God Is Light.............Home Page

Poem and a special Thanks .......2 Death ...........................3 Jesus the Man ...................4

Poetry by Ron and Maxine.........5 “Letting Go” by Jo.............. 6 Donna in Brazil, The Star........7

*Volume 128 *No. 02 *Published by Christian Triumph Co. *Permit # 695 * FEB 2011

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“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the World to condemn it, but to save it.” John 3: 16, 17 (The Living Bible)

Perfect love

Christ’s Pardoning Love Lo, I saw my loving Saviour On the cross on which He died, Then my heart broke into weeping, “Lord, do save me,” I then cried. How He sent His loving Spirit I know not, nor do I care; But I know He gave me pardon, Yes, thank God, He answered prayer. When I learned that He had cleansed me From my every stain of sin, Then I felt so light and happy, For God’s kingdom I was in. Now I never cease rejoicing And so peaceful is my life, Since my Saviour in me dwelleth, For He ended care and strife.

O my brother, friend or sinner, Look to Christ and seek His grace;

He would give you all you’re lacking Prepare in heaven for you a place. (Poem from GOSPEL CREAM, written by L. Y. Janes and Mrs. L. Y. Janes, founders of Christian Triumph Company)

A SPECIAL THANKS TO Sherry for designing a new header for Christian Triumph’s Spanish periodical.

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Death Medical Dictionary: cessation of all vital bodily functions. This human body was created for our temporary moments on earth: The Apostle Paul tells of that beautiful body which is everlasting. “Now we look forward with confidence to our heavenly bodies, realizing that every moment we spend in these earthly bodies is time spent away from our eternal home in Heaven with Jesus. We know these things are true by believing, not by seeing. And we are not afraid, but are quite content to die, for then we will be at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5: 6 - 8 (The Living Bible)

Jesus: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24 (Holy Bible Oxford University Press)

Heaven: our eternal Home: “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying… ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death…for the former things are passed away.’” Revelations 21: 3, 4 (Holy Bible Oxford University Press)

He That Sat Upon the Throne: “Behold, I make all things new.” Rev. 21:5 (Holy Bible Oxford Univ. Press)

EARTH – 2011 10 promises

for the New Year:

The Holy Bible still has all the answers.

Prayer still is the most powerful thing on Earth.

The Holy Spirit still moves. God honors the praises of His people. There is still God-anointed preaching.

God is still pouring out blessings upon His people.

Jesus still loves us – there is room at the Cross – He is still saving the lost.

“Yes, our natural lives will fade as grass…but the Word of the Lord will

last forever…” 1 Peter 1:24-25 (The Living Bible)

(Sent by Anita) ����

By Peggy Phillips: Soon after I was saved, I had a dream. I saw Jesus standing at the foot of my bed smiling. He didn’t speak but that told me He loved me and approved of me. I needed that so much. He was so beautiful and that dream has never faded…He is so loving…Please tell people in every issue of the Faith Messenger how to be saved… “…anyone who asks for mercy from the Lord shall have it and shall be saved.” Acts 2:21 (The Living Bible)

REDEEM THE TIME

Yesterday is history and tomorrow is a mystery; The past cannot be changed, or even

rearranged; So make the best of the time you get, And tomorrow you’ll have no regrets.

Byrum C. Lee

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JESUS! THE MAN! Article II

One of us!

Jesus was born into an ordinary home in which the challenges of life were commonplace. The difficulties and insecurities of making a living meant budgeting and trying to make ends meet, even though God his true Father once stated, “For all the animals of the field and forest are mind! The cattle on a thousand hills! And all the birds upon the mountains! If I were hungry, I would not mention it to you – for all the world is mine, and everything in it.” (Psalms 50:10-12)

Even so, Jesus came to be one of us, to live and to suffer as we do. “Since we, God’s children, are human beings—made of flesh and blood-he became flesh and blood too by being born in human form, for only as a human being could he die and in dying break the power of the devil who had the power of death…And it was necessary for Jesus to be like us... so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God…For since he himself has now been through suffering…he knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and he is

wonderfully able to help us.” Hebrews 2 (The Living Bible)

Misunderstood!

At age 12, by law, Jesus became a man, and had to attend the Passover. How fascinated he must have been, eagerly entering the Holy City of Jerusalem, witnessing the sacred rituals. And yet, it was not distraction that caused him to remain behind in the city, when Mary and Joseph returned home. Neither was it parental carelessness that made them unaware of his lack of presence. Instead, the women in the caravan began the trip home earlier while the men followed later, traveling faster; the two groups then met in the evening. In theory, Jesus could have been with either group, but he had remained behind with the Sanhedrin to listen, to learn, and to discuss as a student would from his teachers. Certainly, Mary and Joseph were anxious and disturbed, and when they found Jesus, Mary asked him why he made them worry, “Your father and I have been frantic…” (Luke 2: 48 The Living Bible) Jesus valued Mary’s question, but in discovering his own unique identity, responded, “Did you not realize that you would find me in my Father’s house…?” In saying this, Jesus was -“taking the name father from Joseph and giving it to God.” (Page 25, The Gospel of Luke, Barclay)

Misunderstood but obedient, Jesus returned home to Nazareth. March issue: Baptism & Temptations.

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“Praise the Lord! For all who fear God and trust in him are

blessed beyond expression.

When darkness overtakes… light will come bursting in.”

Psalms 112- Living Bible

A Poem by a Hospice Chaplain

-Love

takes a twinkle

and turns it into a diamond

A laugh into a melody

A smile into joy

A touch into passion

And a heartache into compassion.

Love never ends

But in time

Must be lived in memories.

- Ron

The Mercy Seat:

The Prayer Garden

There are times and places which we find, which bring deep Peace to our spirits. I have found a special Place called, “Under the Mercy Seat!”

In our church Hymnals, we find a song entitled, “Under His Wings, I am Safely Abiding.” It is a beautiful song which calms our spirits---even so, “The Mercy Seat.”

It is a place of security for me. There is an abundance of Peace and Assurance. My confidence is multiplied and my spirit is cleansed. My heartbeat is strengthened---my oxygen supply is increased---my perception is clearer. My taste for this world is diminished. The glitter and the glamour are lessened. There is a sweet release from the cares of this world. Friends seem purer! I find strength instead of weakness---triumph over defeat---hope surpasses disappointment---there is joy for sadness!!! The mysterious, precious blood of Jesus transforms me there, and there is More! It is a place available for all who hunger and thirst!!!

It is the Mercy Seat of Blessedness!!!

Discover it!!! You’ll Treasure it!!!

It will change Your Life!!!

-by Maxine Tolbert Trigleth

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LETTING GO………by Jo

Letting go – is sometimes hard to do, especially when we lose a loved one in death, divorce, or in the ending of a friendship when betrayed.

Often, we feel we have been dealt a bitter cup. This is not an unusual thought. Jesus, our Lord, even asked, “O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” (Matt 26:42) Our Savior felt the human side of life. Scriptures are recorded so that we may know God cares and has answers even when we needlessly carry these burdens on our shoulders, weighing us down, sometimes, for years. “Oh, what needless pain we bear.” (What a Friend We Have in Jesus)

Jesus surrendered his all in the garden; we can learn to do the same as we believe in God’s promise, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.” Psa.55

We do miss our loved ones; we are disappointed at times, but in Nehemiah, we are assured that “the joy of the Lord is our strength.” (chapter 8:10)

In knowing that Jesus has been there and knows how we feel, we can find comfort in letting him carry our burdens.

“Rejoice in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer.” Romans 12:12

God wants us to “let go” and let him take over, for the past has no future. (Edited)

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The Present is for You! By Donna Lee Schillinger

February: Valentine’s Day! But if you will indulge me, can I take you back to December for just a few words as I share our Christmas in Brazil experience? As you may recall, my family and I are spending nine months in South America, six of which are in Brazil, based out of Joaçaba, a medium-sized town in the southern state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Our current latitude is about the Northern-Hemisphere equivalent of Mexico, which means temperatures year-round are balmy, and as we’re in the Southern Hemisphere, our seasons are reversed, so December 25 for us brings comparable weather to June 25 in Mexico – a climatic mismatch for songs like “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” and “Frosty the Snowman.” Indeed, even though I’m writing this on Christmas Eve Day, it is still not “beginning to look a lot like Christmas” around here, according to what our family is used to Christmas looking like. That’s not to say that Brazil has escaped the commercialization of Christmas. The people here are hustle-bustle with shopping into the extended store hours of the evenings and they are carting home excessive amounts of sugar and Champagne to prepare for holiday feasting and revelry. And, just as in the United States, the occasional nativity scene provides an understated acknowledgement of the real reason for the season, the coming of the Messiah to earth to bridge the gap between sinful man and Holy God. Yes, I am sad to say, that outside of the rehearsals for our Christmas cantata, I detect very little observance of the true meaning of Christmas – just as in the United States. And as a citizen of the country that been a leader in global trade and development, I am embarrassed at how well Brazil measures up to the standards we have helped to set which is why this evening, I’ll be singing my heart out as an alto in the angel choir of our Christmas cantata at church.

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The theme of the cantata is summed up in one of the lines of the songs: “Jesus is the birthday boy, but the present is for you.” The journey in song starts with our present reality: Beautiful Christmas … I want toys and presents, and I want to wrap presents too. In the second song, the children sing, “I want a fire truck and a Nintendo too … an electric guitar … a pair of skates that go really fast … I’m going to make a list of everything I want.” Then we croon a soft and sweet reminder that there was once a celestial being – King of the Universe – who abandoned his throne when the world sinned so that He could give life to those who would believe in Him. We recount how an angel appeared to Mary and later Joseph, their journey to Bethlehem, the angels’ good tidings of great joy, and the journey of the wise men. Finally, the invitation is to “make room for Jesus in this holiday and every day … There are those who only want the parties, presents and sweets of Christmas. If they only knew the reason for this day, their lives would be different and they would have a purpose … it would be easy for them to live in a way they never thought possible.” The children of the church, some as young as five years old, have been rehearsing these songs for almost three months and they have them memorized – ten songs with lots of lyrics! I am impressed – my daughter and I have been rehearsing for about six weeks and there is no way we can sing without looking at the words. Although we don’t have the songs memorized, Gwen and I have found the lyrics swimming around in our heads at all hours of the day and night. And so I know those children must be constantly singing those lyrics too. It’s a great message to have in our heads, and one that I pray, amidst the presents, lights and parties, will not be drowned out.

A belated “Merry Christmas to you all.”

THE GIFT OF A STAR This past Christmas, after my Dad had passed on, I remember feeling empty and lonely. At last, I put up my aging Christmas tree with its little red and green lights, thinking, “If I just had a star to go on the top, it might brighten my outlook.” Searching my home for several days, I finally found an old, dull- colored star that would have to work; it helped with the barrenness; I was thankful. In a day or two, I received a call from family; they needed me to care for their dog while away for a hospital procedure. In taking the dog, Bear, from his enclosure, I noticed a note nearby. It pointed to a beautiful, multi-colored star lying on the bed, inviting me to take it home if I wanted. I could hardly believe my eyes! I was so overjoyed! Not only did I have a brilliant, Christmas star but in the depth of my soul, I absolutely knew that God had been listening to my hurting heart! He cared about the loneliness and sorrow, and in His “mysterious ways” answered the need of a grieving daughter who deeply missed her Dad. The electrical star, at the top of the old tree, shone day after day, with the Hope of a brighter future. And the sounds of Christmas rang with the Angel’s message, “‘Don’t be afraid…I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord---has been born tonight in Bethlehem!’” GOD WITH US! Quotes from The Living Bible – Luke 2, Matthew 1 . By the FM editor

THANKS to all our prayer partners and readers of the Faith Messenger. Next issue: pictures of the local Bible class graduates, literature distribution, letters, and more. Please forgive any proofing mistakes this issue. (printer trouble)

“Jehovah God is our light.” Psa. 118

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