STANDING STONE BIBLE

WEEKLY

May 6, 2024

A Point from pastor

Below is an excerpt from a letter written to the students and faculty of Notre Dame on February 17, 1969 by Theodore Hesburgh, their president. Sad that many of our college campuses today lack this type of leadership and gumption:

I believe that I now have a clear mandate from this University community to see that: (1) our lines of communication between all segments of the community are kept as open as possible, with all legitimate means of communicating dissent assured, expanded, and protected; (2) civility and rationality are maintained; and (3) violation of another’s rights or obstruction of the life of the University are outlawed as illegitimate means of dissent in this kind of open society.

Now comes my duty of stating, clearly and unequivocally, what happens if. I’ll try to make it as simple as possible to avoid misunderstanding by anyone. Anyone or any group that substitutes force for rational persuasion, be it violent or non-violent, will be given fifteen minutes of meditation to cease and desist. They will be told that they are, by their actions, going counter to the overwhelming conviction of this community as to what is proper here.

If they do not within that time period cease and desist, they will be asked for their identity cards. Those who produce these will be suspended from this community as not understanding what this community is. Those who do not have or will not produce identity cards will be assumed not to be members of the community and will be charged with trespassing and disturbing the peace on private property and treated accordingly by the law.

After notification of suspension, or trespass in the case of non-community members, if there is not within five minutes a movement to cease and desist, students will be notified of expulsion from this community and the law will deal with them as non-students.

There seems to be a current myth that university members are not responsible to the law, and that somehow the law is the enemy, particularly those whom society has constituted to uphold and enforce the law. I would like to insist here that all of us are responsible to the duly constituted laws of this University community and to all of the laws of the land. There is no other guarantee of civilization versus the jungle or mob rule, here or elsewhere.

We can have a thousand resolutions as to what kind of a society we want, but when lawlessness is afoot, and all authority is flouted — faculty, administration and student — then we invoke the normal societal forces of law or we allow the university to die beneath our hapless and hopeless gaze. I have no intention of presiding over such a spectacle. Too many people have given too much of themselves and their lives to this University to let this happen here. Without being melodramatic, if this conviction makes this my last will and testament to Notre Dame, so be it.

How important is the rule of law? Again, from above, "when lawlessness is afoot, and all authority is flouted... then we invoke the normal societal forces of law or we allow the university to die beneath our hapless and hopeless gaze." As John wrote, "Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness" (1 John 3:4). We should not be surprised at the lawlessness we are seeing on the college campuses. They are a reflection of our culture as it continues to degrade into sinful, ungodliness. As sin abounds, so will lawlessness.

Church Notes...

The CCS (Colossae Collaborative School) is a homeschool help offered by SSB. Preparations for the 2024/2025 school year are taking place now. If you have an interest for your children or want to learn more, send a note to the SSB Office.

THIS WEEK

Here are the highlights of classes and events THIS week

Joyous Hearts - Wednesday morning is the monthly Joyous Hearts gathering. This is for ages 55 and older to enjoy a devotional, conversation, and snack. Join in at 10am this Wednesday.

LIGHThouse Cookout - Most Wednesday night events are on pause for the summer. The youth (6-12th grade) will continue to meet including a special LH cookout this Wednesday night at 6:30. Note: Students finishing 5th grade can now join the LIGHThouse as incoming 6th graders. LH finishes at 8:15 pm.

Carite Clubz Airplanes - Kids in grade 2nd and 3rd grade can join in a final paper airplane contest Wednesday night 6:30-8:10 pm.

WCC - The Westminster Confession Class is Saturday morning from 8-9:30 am. This theology class uses the Westminster as an aid in guiding us to Biblical truth. There is a great deal of time spent turning pages in the Bible. Join us.

No Sunday Evening Activities - This Sunday evening, Mother's Day, there will be evening ministries at church.

upcoming events

Make note of the classes and events available in the near future

Summer Bible Camps - Glad Tidings is a camp ministry we have sent several kids to. They offer camps for pre-school age through High School (and a "wilderness" camp). Visit their web-page HERE and consider signing up the kids. Camps run end of May through July. SSB will help with money if that is a concern.

Summer Kid Events - VBS is on July 8-11 (mornings). We are also hosting a CEF club on June 17-20.

Creation Days Conference - August 10th will be this year's annual "Creation Days." The format, this year, will be an all-day conference. The Creation Truth Foundation will be teaching at SSB (including breakout talks). Food and childcare will be provided.

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

- 1 Thessalonians 5:9

Oh that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would conceal me until your wrath be past, that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me!

- Job 14:13

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

- Romans 1:18

the Lord's day

We joined together in communion at the table. Considering that table, we returned to the table that God had the Israelites prepare in Egypt (Exodus 12) on the night of their great Passover. The lamb of the Israelite families was a symbol of the Lamb of God and we drew several connections. Oh the mercy of God to withhold His wrath from us just as He passed over those homes then. God still sees the blood! As we sang, this is our story, this is our song!

The message took us briefly to 1st John 5 considering prayer over our marriages. We should all be praying for marriage. Pray for your marriage and spouse. Pray for other marriages. Marriage is under attack but remember that it is operating in a broken world, your spouse - just like you - is a sinner. But God is in the midst of your marriage.

View Past Worship Services

This Month in Christian History

Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria, died in May of 373. You may not know the name but we owe him gratitude. Perhaps more than any other man, he fought for the divinity of Christ in his writings. This forced him into exile five times. To Athanasius, the basis of sound doctrine was the degree it expresses two basic principles of the Christian faith: monotheism and the doctrine of salvation. He pressed against most other earlier theologians in suggesting that the Word of God who rules the world (John 1) is the living Logos of God… God Himself. Prior to him, most insisted that there was a subordination between the absolute God and the Word as a subordinate deity. He remained faithful to his vision of an uncreated Christ. Athanasius is also regarded as the first to list the books of the New Testament as we know them.

“Misconceptions about what it means to be a born-again Christian still persist. It's pretty simple really. You just bow your head, say a simple prayer and when you open your eyes - you're a registered Republican with a firearm.”

- Thor Ramsey

Prayer Prods

McFarling's legal struggle
Those in mourning (including Magills)
Several recovering (Leon, Joyce M & others)
Gerald B tired but joyful
Pastor Jaime and direction from God
High School Seniors graduating these days
Cancer battles: including Peggy, Joyce N, & Ron M
Ashland Church Project

Weekly Prayer Prods