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22 | April 20, 2017 | The Mokena Messenger faith mokenamessenger.com Robin’s Nest Your greatest moment, your best decision Robin Melvin Contributing Columnist The calendar shows the Easter season is over. We contemplated and celebrated Jesus’ death and resurrection, those great and powerful moments that split history. But for us who believe, Easter isn’t a passing holiday. It’s an everyday experience. Each morning, we can wake to the resurrection power of a new life, redeemed by Christ. The absolute greatest moment in my life is when I made what 19th century minister Oswald Chambers called a “complete and effective decision about sin.” It happened when I knelt at a dark-stained pine bench in a little Arkansas church. Pastor Mike knelt on the other side and leaned over to talk to me. The piano clanged “Just as I Am” and drowned out most of his words. I cried and nodded. “Yes, I believe Jesus died for my sin. Yes, I want Him to be Lord of my life.” That’s when Christ’s resurrection power took hold and I stepped from death to life. Though I didn’t completely understand what happened to me, I was at peace. After my first sweet taste of freedom, I was determined to die to everything holding me back from my Godgiven identity. I was sick of sin. There was a lot to learn, but I was done letting it steer my mind and my life. I’d made that “complete and effective decision about sin.” Chambers calls this “co-crucifixion.” In Romans 6:5-7 Paul urges us, “Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.” It’s nailed to the cross. It has no power over us unless we give it. I walked out of that little church forgiven and free. The sun was brighter because I didn’t look at the ground anymore. Jesus removed my guilt and lifted my head. My past sin was nailed dead, and my daily sin He’d teach me to strip, piece by ugly piece. Chamber explained that when we decide to kill sin in us, it’s the greatest moment of our lives. We’re not called to simply restrain it, suppress it, or counteract it; we crucify it. Mentally and spiritually, we may know it’s the right thing to do. But we must actually make the decision. No one else can do it for us. What if you let Jesus’ death and resurrection split your story? As the old you dies to unhealthy thinking and bad attitudes and wrong actions, the new you lives to find and become who you were created to be, whole and free. Trust me, my friend. It’s the best decision you’ll ever make. Let’s unite with Christ in his death and resurrection and celebrate new, abundant life. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author. They do not necessarily represent the thoughts of 22nd Century Media or its staff. In Memoriam Gregory T. Hobbs Gregory T. Hobbs, 73, of Frankfort, died April 11. He was formerly a junior high English teacher at St. Mary Catholic School in Mokena, which is where he met his wife. He also was a founding, current and two-time president of the Lincoln- Way Foundation Board of Excellence. He is survived by his wife, Karyl; children, Julianne (Jayson) Polad, Brett (Tania) Hobbs and Andrea (Michael) Judge; grandchildren, Maxton, Luke, Jake, Sawyer, Paisley, Thomas and Samantha; siblings, Ronald Hobbs, Martin (Marjory) Hobbs, Lawrence (Denise) Hobbs, Leo (Gail) Hobbs and Donald (Teresa) Hobbs; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation was held at Kurtz Memorial Chapel. A funeral Mass was held at St. Mary Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lincoln-Way Foundation Board of Excellence, www. lw210.org, would be appreciated. Faith Briefs St. John’s United Church of Christ (11100 Second St., Mokena) Blood Drive 8:30 a.m.-noon Sunday, April 30. Blood drive with the Heartland Blood Centers will be held in the Christian Community Center next to the church. To sign up, call (708) 479-5123 or visit www. heartlandbc.org. Traditional Service 8 a.m. traditional mass, 9:45 a.m. contemporary & traditional music in a service of praise and reverence. Supervised childcare available. For more information, call (708) 479-5123. Garden Club 8 a.m. Tuesdays. For more information, call (708) 479-5123. Cards for a Cause 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month. Bring your tape, scissors and colored pencils — if you have them — and plan for a creative evening with lots of fun. and fellowship while making baby quilts for infants baptized at St. John’s and lap quilts for shut-ins. Mokena United Methodist Church (10901 LaPorte Road, Mokena) Service and Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Sundays. Church service and Sunday school will be held. For more information, call (708) 479-1110. Bible Study 7 p.m. Tuesdays Breakfast 9 a.m. every third Saturday of the month Walking Club 7 p.m. Mondays Weight Watchers Wednesday Weigh-ins take place at 6:30 p.m., while the meeting is at 7 p.m. Junior High Youth Group 6-7:30 p.m. Fridays. For more information, email marleycommu nitychurch@gmail.com. Church Service 10 a.m. Sundays. Childcare is provided Sunday School 9-10 a.m. Men’s Group 6 p.m. Sunday nights in the church basement. All men are welcome. Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church (10731 W. La Porte Road, Mokena) Contemporary Worship 5 p.m. Saturday Worship 9 a.m. Sunday God’s Kids Club 10:15 a.m. Sundays. This club is open to those between the ages of 4-17. Mokena Baptist Church (9960 W. 187th St., Mokena) Faith That Stands 5 p.m. every Sunday. Join the service which takes a closer look at the book of First Corinthians. For more information, call (312) 350-2279. Ladies Bible Study 7 p.m. every Thursday. Meetings take place at The Talking Shirt Boutique, 19805 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena. For more information, call (312) 350-2279. Men’s Bible Study The men’s bible study is held quarterly at Cracker Barrel, 18531 N. Creek Drive in Tinley Park. The meetings are held at 9 a.m., and men will enjoy studying the Bible over breakfast. Discipleship 10:15-10:45 a.m. Sundays. The pastor or church leaders are available to meet with patrons to talk about discipleship. This meeting is for those interested in getting questions answered and starting a Do you have someone’s life you’d like Marley Community Church (12625 W. 187th St., Mokena) to honor? Email Editor Tim Carroll Senior High Youth Group at tim@mokenamessenger.com with Bundles of Love 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays. For information about a loved one who was 7 p.m. the second and fourth more information, email marley Adult Bible Study a part of the Mokena community. Monday of each month. Enjoy fun communitychurch@gmail.com. 10:15 a.m. Sunday Please see FAITH, 26
mokenamessenger.com mokena the Mokena Messenger | April 20, 2017 | 23 GRAND OPENING SINGLE FAMILY HOMES ORLAND PARK FROM THE MID-$400’S 10022 FRANCHESCA LANE ORLAND PARK, IL 60462 Located on 152nd St. and West Ave. For more information contact Bob Williams bob@beechendill.com | 708.800.8149 | www.beechendill.com An Independent Living Community with Brighter Days for Seniors Open House Saturday, April 29 th • 1-3pm Take a tour of our “1 of a kind” senior community • FREE Refreshments & Appetizers • FREE Goodie Bags • FREE raffle for 2 Hours Service by Best Care Home Health Care Agency • FREE Blood Pressure checks • FREE Fall Prevention demonstration • FREE Consultation on obtaining VA benefits to PAY for your stay at Tinley Court 16301 S Brementowne Rd. Tinley Park, IL 60477 708.532.7800 www.tinleycourt.com Member of Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce Since 1994 2017 WINNER
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