Church guide

June 4, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): 2 Chronicles 21-22; John 14 Wednesday’s: 2 Chronicles 23-24; John 15 At 8:07 on the Saturday morning of January 13, 2018, over a million Hawaii residents and visitors received an emergency text message alert: "BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL." Panic ensued as people realized their lives could end in a matter of minutes. We all know now that it was an errant message, but that was not verified for an agonizing 38 minutes. The biggest fallout was not nuclear, but anger over a false alarm. Updated changes now require two people to confirm a legitimate warning before the send button can be pushed, a corrective message can now be sent in seconds if such an error happens again, and the employee responsible for the mistake has been reassigned.[1] More notably though is how the whole situation was received. This false alarm had everyone talking and quite concerned. Yet, a real alarm to all of humanity goes largely unheeded and ignored (John 3:36). The church has been given the responsibility of getting the word out; let's not send out a false alarm by remaining silent. Please keep our group in your prayers as we spread the Good News in Panama this week and next. Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M. [1] USA Today, 1/15/18, p.3A; 1/16/18, p.4A; Houston Chronicle, 1/17/18, p.A8

May 30, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): 2 Chronicles 10-12; John 11:30-57 Friday’s: 2 Chronicles 13-14; John 12:1-26 Saturday’s: 2 Chronicles 15-16; John 12:27-50 Sunday’s: 2 Chronicles 17-18; John 13:1-20 Monday’s: 2 Chronicles 19-20; John 13:21-38 The following is a true story. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. One morning last week I opened the back door of the house in order to allow our youngest dog, Zelda (not her real name), outside. After about 30 seconds, she began to make such a terrible racket – she always makes a terrible racket, but this time it was a higher-pitched racket – I rose from my chair to see what was transpiring. Here’s what I saw: Zelda had “treed” a squirrel! When I say “treed,” what I mean is that she had trapped a squirrel on a tree stump that stood about 3 ½ feet tall. I had contracted a tree service to cut this tree down two days previously. The squirrel was so used to being able to escape from Zelda’s attacks up a tall tree that it instinctively jumped up the truncated truck. After about two minutes of Zelda’s incessant barking, the squirrel attempted to make a run for it. Zelda pounced, and the squirrel became Zelda’s first conquest. My little devil-dog is good for something after all! Don’t get into such a rut of doing things the way you’ve always done them that you miss the truly important things in life. Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M.

May 23, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): 1 Chronicles 19-21; John 8:1-27 Friday’s: 1 Chronicles 22-24; John 8:28-59 Saturday’s: 1 Chronicles 25-27; John 9:1-23 Sunday’s: 1 Chronicles 28-29; John 9:24-41 Monday’s: 2 Chronicles 1-3; John 10:1-23 While serving as a youth minister in Seattle, Eric and his wife, Debbie, were casually invited to the sixteenth birthday party of a girl in their group. The invitation was made as she left an event and almost seemed like an afterthought. When the day arrived, Debbie sensed it was important to attend Christy's party, so they loaded their car with three teenagers and headed to the ice rink. Christy's mother mocked her daughter for attending church and it was only because her dad dropped her off that she went. Eric and Debbie stepped into this uncomfortable environment and were surprised to find they were the only people at Christy's party. There was cake, decorations, and place settings for thirty people, but nobody else showed up. They had a great time and got to spend time with Christy's parents. Several weeks later, Christy's mom sought out Eric because she had decided to become a Christian. The same woman who berated her daughter for going to church, was now embracing God's grace with tears streaming down her face. Eric curiously asked about this dramatic change and Julie replied, "I changed my mind about God and Christians because you came to my daughter's party."[1] Ministry and evangelism are more about compassion and presence than we often realize. Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M. [1] Not Like Me, Eric Bryant, 2010, pg. 76.

May 21, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): 1 Chronicles 13-15; John 7:1-27 Wednesday’s: 1 Chronicles 16-18; John 7:28-53 In a Peanuts comic strip, Lucy missed yet another fly ball. As she apologetically approached Charlie Brown on the mound, she said, “I thought I had it, but suddenly I remembered all the others I’ve missed…the past got in my eyes!” When we allow failures of the past to get in our eyes, we are inviting further frustration and possible failure. This includes, but is not limited to, our spiritual lives. There is good reason that the writer of Hebrews encourages us to look “to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2, ESV). The author of Hebrews calls on us to look to Jesus, who was looking to the joy set before Him. Connect the dots – notice the progression – follow the examples of Jesus and the apostle Paul who said: “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13b-14, ESV). Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M.

May 16, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): 2 Kings 24-25; John 5:1-24 Friday’s: 1 Chronicles 1-3; John 5:25-47 Saturday’s: 2 Chronicles 4-6; John 6:1-21 Sunday’s: 2 Chronicles 7-9; John 6:22-44 Monday’s: 2 Chronicles 10-12; John 6:45-71 A few days ago, I was walking my dog along one of the fence lines on the church’s property when I came across the scenario you see pictured above. I’ve seen this kind of phenomenon before, so my reaction wasn’t like those you have when seeing something for the first time, but my mind, for some reason, reflected on my Christian life. The question popped into my head: If my walk with God is represented by the tree and the fence is His Word, would this be a fair analogy of how intertwined the two have become? But then, just as suddenly, another question began to stir in my noodle: If the tree represents my life, and the fence represents the world, have I allowed the world to assimilate into my Christian walk to the point that it has become a detriment to my journey? If we’re honest, I’m afraid we would all answer this question in the affirmative. Try as we might, the world, affects our worldview, our attitudes, our loyalties. We must constantly be reminded of Paul’s command to the Roman Christians, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2). God grant that our lives resemble more closely the first scenario that came to mind as opposed to the second. Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M.

May 14, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): 2 Kings 19-21; John 4:1-30 Wednesday’s: 2 Kings 22-23; John 4:31-54 Researchers at the National Eye Institute released an interesting study on myopia at the end of 2009. By utilizing data from over 12,000 Americans, they determined that near-sightedness is soaring at an alarming rate. In the last thirty years the rate of incidence has jumped to over 40% among people ages 12 to 54. Some suspect the increase stems from greater time spent doing close-up work (primarily electronics) and decreased time spent outdoors. Susan Vitale, a lead researcher at the institute said, “It points to the need for research to look at the causes of myopia and factors that could, perhaps, prevent it.”[1] It’s obviously a physical concern, but this research could give us pause to reflect on a similar problem that’s occurring in our hearts as well. When we can only see the things near us, it’s time for a change of spiritual view. Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M. [1] Houston Chronicle, 12/15/09, pg. A4.

May 9, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): 2 Kings 7-9; John 1:1-28 Friday’s: 2 Kings 10-12; John 1:29-51 Saturday’s: 2 Kings 13-14; John 2 Sunday’s: 2 Kings 15-16; John 3:1-18 Monday’s: 2 Kings 17-18; John 3:19-36 In his book, Moments for Mothers, Robert Strand wrote about the conflicts of a family in Glasgow, Scotland. After years of rebellion, the daughter finally rejected her parents, their values, and their faith. She set out on her own to enjoy a life without restraints, but soon became enslaved to her liberated choices. Years of misery followed as she lived on the streets, sold herself for pennies, and depended on rescue missions for survival. Because of her self-imposed detachment from family, she didn’t know her father died, or that her mother never quit looking for her. One day she saw a picture that her mom had posted in each of the city’s homeless shelters. Scrawled across the photo of her mother were the words, “I love you still…come home!” In wonder and disbelief, she set out for her home in hopes that she was indeed still loved. By the time she arrived it was the middle of the night. Her heart raced as she stood on the porch and prepared to knock, but her countenance suddenly changed when she tapped on the door and it crept opened. She ran to her mother’s bedroom in fear that someone had broken in and harmed her. She desperately reached for her mom and the woman awoke quickly to embrace her wayward daughter. When the young woman explained her fears about the open door, her mother replied, “No dear. From the day you left, that door has never been locked.”[1] Much love, gratitude and appreciation to our moms—those still with us, and those who have gone before us. Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M. [1] Chicken Soup for The Mother’s Soul, Canfield & Hansen, 1997, pg. 43.

May 7, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): 2 Kings 1-3; Luke 24:1-35 Wednesday’s: 2 Kings 4-6; Luke 24:36-53 Marie Armenia wrote a wonderful piece about marriage in her column No Laughing Matter. The article noted some struggles she and her husband had in the early years of marriage over the issue of bananas. She liked to keep the bananas cold in the refrigerator and he did not. "The Bananas War" followed with each moving the yellow fruit to the place of their choosing only to find them later switched back by their spouse. Over time, they learned the deeper merits of true love and began cherishing the desires of the other more than themselves. Now, decades later, she notes The Bananas War still resurfaces from time to time, but it's uniquely different than when they first married. He will occasionally slip the bananas into the refrigerator because he knows that's how she likes them, and she will take them out because that's what he prefers.[1] Marriage is a beautiful instrument for whittling away selfishness. Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M. [1] Mature Living, September 2016, pg. 71.

May 2, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): 1 Kings 12-13; Luke 22:1-30 Friday’s: 1 Kings 14-15; Luke 22:31-46 Saturday’s: 1 Kings 16:18; Luke 22:47-71 Sunday’s: 1 Kings 19-20; Luke 23:1-25 Monday’s: 1 Kings 21-22; Luke 23:26-56 The late Stephen Covey wrote about differences between the Scarcity Mentality and the Abundance Mentality. People with a scarcity perspective on life view everything as a fight to get their portion of the limited supply. Whether it involves money, time, recognition, position, or even happiness, they don't think there's enough to go around so they power-up to beat out others who might get their piece of the pie. Those with an abundance perspective believe there's enough for everybody. They work towards win-win situations because they don't see life as a competition where someone has to lose. They enjoy sharing the credit, including others in decisions, giving their time to help someone else succeed, and expanding the circle of influence so greater accomplishments can be achieved.[1] Either perspective is an option, but only one is optimal and glorifies God. Choose wisely! Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M. [1] The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey, 2004, pg. 219.

April 30, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): 1 Kings 8-9; Luke 21:1-19 Wednesday’s: 1 Kings 10-11; Luke 21:20-38 On March 26, 2019, British Airways Flight 3271 took off from London City Airport in route to… well that depends on who you ask. All the passengers had purchased a ticket to Dusseldorf, Germany, but the pilots, flight crew and air traffic controllers were operating off of another flight plan. The pleasant jaunt became tense when the plane landed in Edinburgh, Scotland. Safety was never an issue, they just followed the wrong plan and ended up at the wrong destination - about 520 miles from where the passengers expected. London City Airport apologized via Twitter stating, “As pleasant as Edinburgh is this time of year, we’re sorry that passengers traveling to Dusseldorf on BA3271… initially landed in the Scottish capital.” The plane was refueled and took off again “after the involuntary stopover in Edinburgh.”[1] Such events remind us that you can be simultaneously sincere and wrong. When it’s a plane, you can eventually get to your destination, but when your eternity is at stake, make sure you have the right guidance because there’s no rerouting after death. Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M. [1] Houston Chronicle, 3/26/19, p.A2.

April 25, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): 2 Samuel 21-22; Luke 18:24-43 Friday’s: 2 Samuel 23-24; Luke 19:1-27 Saturday’s: 1 Kings 1-2; Luke 19:28-48 Sunday’s: 1 Kings 3-5; Luke 20:1-26 Monday’s: 1 Kings 6-7; Luke 20:27-47 The first of this year marked the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, and reminded us that since the historic Supreme Court ruling on January 22, 1973, over 60 million babies have been aborted (the combined current population of Florida and California). In 1984, President Ronald Reagan issued the first proclamation designating January 22nd as the National Sanctity of Human Life Day. He famously said, "I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born." President Reagan also stated, "I believe that until and unless someone can establish that the unborn child is not a living human being, then that child is already protected by the Constitution which guarantees life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to all of us." Tragically, the state of New York just countered Reagan's point by redefining a person as "a human being who has been born and is alive." By such definition, New York is declaring that the term "baby" only applies to a child that has been born.[1] It's hard to imagine, and so very sad, that such insanity is deemed logical and progressive by so many. Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M. [1] Denison Forum, 1/22/19; The Briefing, Al Mohler, 1/24/19

April 23, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): 2 Samuel 16-18; Luke 17:20-37 Wednesday’s: 2 Samuel 19-20; Luke 18:1-23 Ever since Popeye’s opened in Crestview the response has been pretty amazing! Most of the times I have driven past the eating establishment, the drive-thru line has been spilling out onto Hwy. 85 South. The one time my wife and I ventured to the spicy chicken establishment, we ate in. Then when leaving, we had to wait for some time before being able to back out of our parking space because of the incoming traffic. I dream of people hungering after the Word with the same ferocity of that of Cajun-spiced chicken! But then just yesterday, I received an alert on my phone about a fight that broke out between two employees at the new eatery. Two people were arrested, and a third – who attempted to break up the scuffle – was sent to the hospital with box-cutter wounds. This probably won’t slow down the business coming in to tryout the chicken cuisine, but can you imagine our congregation making the news because a fight broke out in the foyer? “Local preacher rushed to NOMC with meat cleaver wounds as he attempts to peacefully intervene between two brothers at each other’s throats.” What kind of message are we sending the world by our everyday language and actions? Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M.

April 16, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): 1 Samuel 30-31; Luke 13:23-35 Wednesday’s: 2 Samuel 1-2; Luke 14:1-24 On May 16, 1998, Christopher Sercye died, and his death left many people shaking their fists in angry frustration. In the early evening of that Saturday, Chris was playing basketball with some friends. Their game was tragically terminated when gang members jumped out of a car and fired two shots into the 15-year-old boy’s chest. His friends quickly carried him about 100 yards toward Chicago’s Ravenswood Hospital. They set him down in the alley about 35 feet from the emergency room and dashed inside for help. To their unbelievable surprise, the hospital personnel said it was against policy to leave their duties to treat people outside. Friends, neighbors, and police officers pleaded with the ER staff to come outside and treat the dying teenager. Some of the staff were outside smoking just 35 feet from Sercye but they said it was against hospital policy for them to get involved until the boy was inside the building. Although police officer James Maurer had been trained not to move a seriously wounded person, he commandeered a wheelchair and brought the boy inside after an ambulance failed to arrive within twenty minutes of being called by those trying to help. Christopher died about an hour later from the bullet wound that had perforated his aorta. John Blair, president and CEO of Ravenswood, initially stood by the actions of his bureaucratic hospital policies.[1] Many churches are surrounded by those mortally wounded from the smoking barrel of our adversary, yet there seems to be an unwritten policy that says we cannot leave the building to help. Comforted by the complacent resolve that we will help them if they can get through the door, we leave them to die just feet from the place that’s supposed to stand as a citadel of help and hope. May we learn from this great tragedy and dispense with practices that are devoid of Christlike compassion. Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M. [1] World, 5/30/98, p. 8; Houston Chronicle, 5/19/98, p. 7A.

April 11, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): 1 Samuel 17-18; Luke 11:1-28 Friday’s: 1 Samuel 19-21; Luke 11:29-54 Saturday’s: 1 Samuel 22-24; Luke 12:1-31 Sunday’s: 1 Samuel 25-26; Luke 12:32-59 Monday’s: 1 Samuel 27-29; Luke 13:1-22 Dave Sanderson was a part of the "Miracle on the Hudson" when he survived the most famous water landing in aviation history. He wasn't originally booked on US Airways Flight 1549, but because he finished his business in New York City ahead of schedule, he took the earlier flight so he could get home to his wife and four children. He vividly recalls Captain Sully Sullenberger's brief remark after both engines failed and the plane glided toward the Hudson river: "This is your captain: Brace for impact." He had an end of life experience as everything moved in slow motion while he prayed "to get things in order." He said, "That last minute before you crash into the river, it was like the movie of my life passing by me." Amazingly, all 155 people onboard survived. The 10th anniversary, January 15, 2019, afforded a fresh look at how it changed people like Sanderson. He credits this experience for steering him down a new path. Rather than suffering from PTSD, Sanderson says he's just like one magazine described him: "a case study for post-traumatic growth syndrome." Crises can certainly rock our world, and they can also be a catalyst for reaching greater heights. Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M.

April 9, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): 1 Samuel 13-14; Luke 10:1-24 Wednesday’s: 1 Samuel 15-16; Luke 10:25-42 A worried woman sought the help of her gynecologist in securing an abortion. She explained that she was desperate because she already had a child that wasn’t yet one. The doctor thought for a moment and then suggested what he believed to be a better alternative. He noted his plan would be healthier for her body and make her life less stressful. He then blurted out, “If we’re going to kill one child, let’s kill the baby you already have. It will be safer on your body and it will give you several months to get rested up before taking on all the responsibilities of being a new mother.” She was horrified by the doctor’s recommendation and told him so. She reminded him that it was a crime to kill a child and drew back from the man she thought she could trust. He relaxed his posture and then said he agreed. He had graphically communicated a terrible truth that eludes so many. Though harsh and abrasive, his strategy not only saved the life of an unborn child, but it redeemed the life of a woman who was about to make a tragic mistake, which she would never forget and always regret. Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M.

April 4, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): Ruth 1-4; Luke 8:1-25 Friday’s: 1 Samuel 1-3; Luke 8:26-56 Saturday’s: 1 Samuel 4-6; Luke 9:1-17 Sunday’s:1 Samuel 7-9; Luke 9:18-36 Monday’s: 1 Samuel 10-12; Luke 9:37-62 An interesting experiment with monkeys communicates volumes about tradition. Four monkeys were placed in a confine with one poll in the center. At the top of the poll was a bunch of bananas. One monkey soon scampered up that poll for the bananas but just before reaching the prize, he received a blast of cold water from a showerhead over the bananas. He quickly retreated down the poll and abandoned his quest for the food. In turn, each of the three monkeys climbed the poll and got the same result. After repeated attempts, the four monkeys quit trying to retrieve the bananas. The scientists then replaced one of the monkeys with a new recruit. When he started for the poll, the other three original monkeys quickly prevented his attempted climb. He soon got the message that the poll was prohibited. One by one, each of the original three monkeys were replaced by new ones. Every time the new monkey went for the pole, the others stopped him. Eventually, the room contained four monkeys who had never experienced the cold blast of water, but they wouldn’t venture up the poll for those bananas. Tradition had been established and they wouldn’t break it. Rich tradition should never be discarded just because it’s no longer new, but it should not be maintained just because it’s comfortable and familiar. This little experiment reminds us we can be like primates when we simply dismiss an idea with that old cliché, “We’ve always done it like this.” Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M.

April 2, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): Judges 16-18; Luke 7:1-30 Wednesday’s: Judges 19-21; Luke 7:31-50 On October 27, 2018, Robert Bowers entered the Tree of Life Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and opened fire on the congregation as they worshiped together. This murderous rampage resulted in eleven deaths and Bowers himself was injured in a gunfight with law enforcement officials. Bowers was taken to Allegheny General Hospital and was cared for by Ari Mahler, a Jewish registered nurse. Mahler treated Bowers with dignity and grace. He said, “I didn’t say a word to him about my religion.” “I wanted him to feel compassion. I chose to show him empathy. I felt the best way to honor his victims was for a Jew to prove him wrong.” Mahler explained his motives for such care: “Love. That’s why I did it. Love as an action is more powerful than words, and love in the face of evil gives others hope.” Such a palpable demonstration of grace should inspire all of us to emulate that type of transformative love in every relationship, friend and foe alike. Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00pm

March 28, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): Judges 4-6; Luke 4:31-44 Friday’s: Judges 7-8; Luke 5:1-16 Saturday’s: Judges 9-10; Luke 5:17-39 Sunday’s: Judges 11-12; Luke 6:1-26 Monday’s: Judges 13-15; Luke 6:27-49 On February 23, 2019, Jim & Candy Duke were walking along the beach in Corpus Christi, Texas and found a bottle washed up on the shore. They noticed a message inside, so they carefully removed the cork and discovered a postcard instructing the finder to mail it immediately for a $.50 reward. It was one of 1,796 bottles dropped across the western half of the Gulf of Mexico over the course of several days in 1962 and 1963. These bottles were part of a “drift study” by the U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, now known as the National Marine Fisheries Service. Satellites and GPS have long-since made such studies obsolete. Four months before President Kennedy told a Houston crowd in 1962, “We choose to go to the Moon,” this bottle was put adrift and had been drifting ever since - nearly six decades. Without direction, we run the same risk of just drifting through life until we become totally obsolete. Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M.

March 26, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): Joshua 22-24; Luke 3 Wednesday’s: Judges 1-3; Luke 4:1-30 What happened to Zion Williamson on February 20, 2019 went viral on the Internet. The star basketball player for Duke University fell down on his team’s first possession when his left shoe literally blew apart. Fans at the gym, the television audience, and now literally millions of people around the world have been stunned by one of the most bizarre mishaps in sports. By one shoe not fulfilling its purpose, Nike’s value fell by over $1 billion, Duke lost its #1 ranking heading into March Madness, and the NBA’s #1 draft prospect suffered an injury that caused him to miss the last five games of the regular season.[1] We seldom think about the purpose of a shoe until consequences like this are seen. But what about the purpose of you? Our purpose can seem inconsequential until we don’t fulfill it, but just like Williamson’s shoe, unfulfilled purpose can have far-reaching negative impact. Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M. [1] Houston Chronicle, 2/21/19, p. C5; USA Today, 2/22/19, p. 1C.

March 21, 2019 Cause to Pause Reflections On Our Life in Jesus Christ Today’s Bible Reading (from Biblegateway.com): Joshua 7-9; Luke 1:21-38 Friday’s: Joshua 10-12; Luke 1:39-56 Saturday’s: Joshua 13-15; Luke 1:57-80 Sunday’s: Joshua 16-18; Luke 2:1-24 Monday’s: Joshua 19-21; Luke 2:25-52 In 1935, Charles Darrow brought his invention of MONOPOLY to Parker Brothers. The “experts” at Parker Brothers rejected the game for “containing 52 fundamental errors.” Ironically, in 1936, Mr. Darrow was well received by the embarrassed Parker Brothers. The persistent Charles Darrow had spent the year of his rejection demonstrating the potential success of the game by selling numerous editions of the board game himself. Parker Brothers helped make the unemployed heating engineer from Germantown, Pennsylvania a multi-millionaire. Since that time, over 100 million copies of MONOPOLY have been sold in 31 countries. Each year Parker Brothers prints more than $40 billion worth of MONOPOLY money – more than twice the amount printed annually by the U. S. Mint. MONOPOLY’S success has produced 3.2 billion of those little green houses – enough to circle the globe.[1] Persistence does have its benefits! Best regards, Mark Dillman Minister, Airport Rd. Church of Christ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.airportroadchurchofchrist.org Visit us on Facebook: Airport Road Church of Christ L.I.F.E. Groups meet on 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M. [1] MONOPOLY Board Game, 1985; “The Game of Life,” Lee Strobel, Seeds Tape Ministry, M9131, 7/28/91).