22 | May 4, 2017 | The Mokena Messenger faith mokenamessenger.com Robin’s Nest The gift of new life after rejecting sin Robin Melvin Contributing Columnist Hello, my friends. Spring is blooming, and it’s time to soak up some Vitamin D. Sunshine heals and strengthens body, mind and spirit. I believe God speaks to us in the breezes and birdsong. Take time out to be still, be quiet and be loved by your Heavenly Father. Last time, we talked about “co-crucifixion” with Christ. Today, let’s look at “co-resurrection.” After we make the decision to kill sin in us, His resurrection life penetrates our human nature. We are rescued from sin’s control and raised to new life with Him. What a deal. We give Him what’s broken, and He gives us the ability to have new life. Galatians 2:20 reminds us, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” And in Ezekial, we read, “… I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” Jesus’ spirit replaces our spirit. Our heart is now God-centered, not selfcentered. “The Holy Spirit cannot be accepted as a guest in merely one room of the house — He invades all of it,” Oswald Chambers explains. “And once I decide … my heredity of sin should be identified with the death of Jesus, the Holy Spirit invades me. He takes charge of everything. My part is to walk in the light and to obey all that He reveals to me.” When we become aware of wrong mindsets and behavior, we’re responsible to nail them to the cross where they belong. Sin has no power over us anymore. We choose to do die daily to anything keeping us from fully knowing our Godgiven design. In so doing, we not only live a full life, we also pass it to others. God doesn’t dump all our stuff in a heap and leave us to sort it out. He continues to reveal it until we’re ready to deal with it. Not to condemn us. The enemy of our soul does that. The guilt we feel — sometimes a gentle nudge, sometimes a swift kick — is information to steer us. It’s our road map to freedom, and He walks the whole journey with us. Our Father is not only patient in our process of becoming, He delights in watching us grow out of ourselves and into the person He created. So, we ask: What’s still hides my God-given design? Some mindsets and actions that belong to our old nature are sneaky. They’re so comfy, we wear them like smooth skin under silk sheets. In reality, they are itchy, wool blankets waiting to be dug up from a moldy basement. Yes, my friend, we don’t always feel so new, brave or empowered. But we are. We don’t live by feelings, we live by faith. It’s not always easy, but we pray, we read Scripture and trust that our new, resurrected life leads us on a path to holiness. Holiness? Now there’s a churchy word. Join me next time as we bring a lofty word down to earth. Courage and joy for your journey, my friend. 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 Wayne Kenneth Carlson Wayne Kenneth Carlson, 68, of Mokena, died April 24. He was previously employed by EJ&E Railroad and was a nuclear station operator at Exelon’s Braidwood Station. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn M. Carlson; daughters, Michelle M. Carlson and Lauren A. Carlson; grandson, Charles A. Junod; siblings, Judith S. Fronek, Kathleen J. Carlson and Jeffrey M. (Colleen) Carlson; motherin-law, Esther Jungles; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation and funeral services were held at Markiewicz Funeral Home. Interment Mt. Vernon Memorial Estates. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family for future memorials would be appreciated. Faith Briefs 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. Susan E. Macis Susan E. Macis nee Jaminski, of Mokena, died April 21. She is survived by her husband, Michael Macis; children, Daniel and Joseph; parents, Joseph and Eileen Jaminski; siblings, John (Mary), Thomas (Lisa), Mary Kay (Paul) McKendry and Patricia (Mariusz) Lugowski; and sisters-in-law, John (Mary) Macis and Kathy Janicki. Visitation was held at Vandenberg Funeral Home. A funeral Mass was held at St. Mary Catholic Church. Interment Good Shepherd Cemetery. William G. Simnick Jr. William G. “Bill” Simnick Jr., 59, of Mokena, died April 23. He is survived by his wife, Karen (nee Rutz); daughter, Kathryn (Jason) Burcham; son, Matthew (Colleen) Novander; and grandchildren Eli, Hazel and Miles. Visitation and services were held at O’Neil Funeral Home chapel. Interment Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials The MSA Coalition (9935- D Rea Road #212, Charlotte, NC 28277) would be appreciated. Do you have someone’s life you’d like to honor? Email Editor Tim Carroll at tim@mokenamessenger. com with information about a loved one who was a part of the Mokena community. 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. St. John’s United Church of Christ (11100 Second St., Mokena) 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. Bundles of Love 7 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month. Enjoy fun and fellowship while making baby quilts for infants baptized at St. John’s and lap quilts for shut-ins. Marley Community Church (12625 W. 187th St., Mokena) 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. Senior High Youth Group 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays. For more information, email marleycommunitychurch@gmail.com. Junior High Youth Group 6-7:30 p.m. Fridays. For more information, email marleycommunitychurch@gmail.com. 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 ages 4-17. Adult Bible Study 10:15 a.m. Sunday Have something for Faith Briefs? Contact Assistant Editor Amanda Stoll at a.stoll@22ndcenturymedia.com or call (708) 326-9170 ext. 34. Deadline is noon Thursday one week prior to publication.
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