Welcome to our Osoyoos Christian Centre women's blog - there's a lot of NEW ground to cover so let's jump right in.
Hopefully - if I've done everything correctly here today - you will see some big changes here to our (YOUR) blog today. The first thing will be that we have two extra "pages". These pages are separate tabs you can click on to find more content. I'm going to reserve this first page for the messages - or message summaries that Joseph will provide. The text he will provide will give you an idea of content we are covering on our Sunday Sermons with a personal slant on it so that it gets you thinking and he may supply scripture, passages for you to refer to so that hopefully we can have you studying and we encourage you to email us or leave comments here with your input too! Lets get a conversation happening!
I will also leave the Events section on this front page so its easy for you to refer here for what's coming up at OCC.
The second page will be called "From My Heart" - (Look UP - there is a tab up top) these are my own writings which I think are relevant to us, especially they might have a feminine perspective. I certainly welcome all of our women to provide content here - poems, photos, scripture etc are all very welcome. Email: occwomenonline@gmail.com
The third page is going to be called "The Gallery" (Look UP - there is a tab up top) and every so often (if I get very ambitious then every week) you will be able to visit here to download FREE inspiring wallpapers for your computer, iPhone or iPad! If you have a favorite scripture - let me know and I will try to incorporate it into a wallpaper.
Please bring your friends here to download some encouraging graphics.
And you may even notice the addition of the Bible Gateway on the side panel of our blog - you can type into the search window to look up bible passages etc - which should be very helpful! Do you know that you can listen to audio there? When you find a scripture to read, look at the controls at the top and you will see a little speaker "icon" - click this and your passage will be read to you.
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GOOD WORD from Joseph
At Osoyoos Christian Centre, we're going through a sermon series from I Samuel.
One of the things that I find fascinating about this book is found in the historical narratives of Old Testament and that is the author's strong grasp of literary devices. This is just an observation, and time doesn't permit me to go into much detail - but as you go through this book be alert to how the author (who according to biblical tradition is Samuel himself for the most part) has woven this story.
At this time I just want to bring on thing to your attention and that is in 1 Sam 3:3-4b
"And before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, the at the Lord called Samuel"
... Do you see the imagery that the author uses?
The light was about the go out. I don't want to stretch this passage beyond it's reasonable application, but let's look at this within its social historical context.
We learn from Judges that everyone did what was right in their own eyes. I believe that in social milieu there could only have one outcome - a chaotic state where might makes right. Read through Judges and I believe you will see evidence of this.
In I Samuel 3:1 we read that
"the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was not wide spread revelation."
Take a look at this, the social historical context was one in which everyone did their own thing and the word of God was rare - what would you imagine that they were left with? Yep - pretty dark times! When I think about this context I can't help but get excited when I read 1 Sam 3:3:4 -- before the light goes out - God speaks.
This is just my opinion, but I believe the author is trying to say something to the reader by including this otherwise irrelevant detail, really it's just a lamp! I believe the author is trying to tell the reader that God does not abandon us no matter what. The Israelite congregation was in a state of spiritual darkness and before all hope was gone God speaks and he used his servant Samuel.
I don't know where you are in life right now - maybe the enemy has you believing that it is too late for you, that your hopelessness is a far gone conclusion. If that's the case you need to hear this, before the small light of hope goes out, God can and will speak to you. No matter how difficult is may be, God will not abandon you, listen because he will speak.
Blessings,
Joseph
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EVENTS:
Prayer at Kaye's Every Tuesday - 10:00 a.m.
7806 Gravenstein
Thursday Night Open Worship Every Thursday - 7:00 p.m.
Osoyoos Christian Centre
42 Finch, Osoyoos
For more info: 250-495-2550
Worship Music Practice
Saturday nights - 7:30 p.m.
Mariposa Gardens
Ministry to Seniors
3:00 Sundays
Fellowship Luncheon (pot-luck)
Sunday, March 6th - following service
Bring a dish, bring a friend!
Women's Sweet Night
Tuesday, March 8th
Hosted by Amanda and Betty
Speaker: Julie
more details to follow
RSVP appreciated: occwomenonline@gmail.com
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