Articles from this month's issue of the Berean News

Photo Opinion Q: What is a special memory you have of your mother?
	Joyce The best memory of my mother is how energtic she was when she played games with us and how the other kids thought my mom was "cool." She loves to read and instilled in us that enjoyment. As a child I remember her as a happy person who enjoyed what she was doing.
	Dennis When I was a child, my mother used to read to me from Egermeier's Bible Story book at night before going to bed. This, plus the fact that we ALWAYS went to church on Sundays helped set the course for my spiritual life.
	David My mother sitting up with me late some nights talking to me when I was feeling down, reassuring me that everything would be OK.
	Sharon Her labor of love in the preparations to entertain the brethren. So many meals served -- and such rich fellowship and blessings as a result.

Viewpoints Overtaken in a Fault by Joe Knapp Each of us has been overtaken in a fault at some time in our life. And with each of us, it has happened more than just once. In fact, the fault is our constant companion to one degree or another, in one area or another. The fault may be an unintended mistake, a careless comment, a slip in a weak moment, a permitted consideration of something wrong, or a purposeful entering into some temptation. Thus the "fault" can be anything from the simplest mistake to a purposeful sin. The fault may be thoughts, words or actions, and it may be in areas of responsibility, respect, or moral values for self or others. Most of us are embarrassed enough when we alone realize we've done wrong. If someone else sees it, we are the more embarrassed, especially if we know the person, or expect to see them again. Even more of a problem than this for most people is when someone comes to give them some advice concerning one of their "faults." Such approaches can provoke quick and strong reaction from many people, even when not presented as a criticism, but as a desire to help. This is due to any even greater embarrassment reaction that the fault is out in the open. It is also due to the self-pride reaction that I don't need such advice from anyone, and to the self-defense reaction that they have no right to do such a thing. Once such a reaction occurs, whether of vocal defense, or of quiet withdrawal and separation, the situation has just deteriorated for both parties involved. Such are difficult to overcome. But should we Christians allow ourselves to automatically have such reactions when someone tries to help us overcome a fault? Whether it is one of our brethren coming to us, or someone from the world, have we a "right" to such a reaction? What do the scriptures say? "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Prov 27:6. Faithful are the criticisms of a friend because they are for our good, but the compliments of an enemy are not to be trusted. "He who turns a sinner from the error of his ways, will save a soul from death, and cover a multitude of sins." James 5:20. If we are able to help someone in their walk to purity, we not only benefit them, but we also cover a multitude of sins within us. The same applies when they try to help us. We should all want to have our faults addressed and corrected that we can be found more pleasing to God. "Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" Psa 51:10. "Who can understand his own errors? Cleanse me from secret faults." Psa 19:12. If these cleansings do not come directly from God, but rather from someone He has sent, does it make them any less correct? We should also recognize that we have a responsibility to each other. We as Christians are commanded to love one another as Christ loved us. This agape love is doing for the other what God wants done in every situation. Certainly helping one to overcome faults is an important situation in which God wants us to be involved. But if love is not the motive, the situation should not be addressed. Only if love is the motive should it be addressed, and then it can also become the goal and result. Anything less is self-serving, leading to pride and even arrogance. We must approach such situations only with the intent of blessing the brother or sister in what we are about to discuss. We need to help them understand that what we are doing is for their eternal good, according to the word of God. And here we need to present scriptures that speak to the point of the problem, and not such as we think give us the "right" to "correct" others. Galatians 6:1 speaks directly to the situation. "Brethren, if you see your brother overtaken in a fault, you who are more spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of meekness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." We need to be with our brethren to observe them "overtaken in a fault". We may be "more spiritual" in this particular point, but they may be more spiritual than us in other areas. We all are subject to different temptations, so none can claim more spirituality in all things. If we see the fault in them, this is our moment of responsibility to help them in love. The next may be their moment to help us. Shouldn't we do for them now, as we would want them to do for us then? Being "in a spirit of meekness" when we approach such a situation assures that we are not self-seeking. Our motives must be purely for the good of the other. (Ro 15:1, 2) "Considering ourselves" also helps to keep us meek, that we don't gain a pride in this and thus fall into our own temptation. It is to be the goal of each of us to be made clean and whole. (Psa 51:10) We also have a responsibility for each other: it is not a choice. (Gal 6:1) Let us help each other when overtaken in a fault that God may be glorified in our love for each other.

Roy's Reflections Mothers and Grandmothers by Roy Boswell   "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2 Timothy 1:5) How many sights do you know that are lovelier than a fully grown man tenderly taking his elderly mother's arm and supporting her as she walks from the car to the door or from the waiting room to the doctor's examining room? Have you seen anything warmer than a grandmother reading a story to a child who sits transfixed or lies in peace or giggles like mad on her lap? Young mothers are beautiful, but what is it about a white-haired, elderly mother who still tenderly touches her fifty-year-old son and fixes his hair down as she did all those years ago when he couldn't do it for himself? Charles Stanley wasn't eavesdropping but was glad he heard what he heard. It was mid-fall, and the trees along the parkway were ablaze with color. At a point where all this could be appreciated, he happened to be standing next to a woman who was expressing the view to her elderly mother. "Isn't it wonderful of God to take something just before it dies and make it so beautiful?" the daughter said as she gazed at the fallen leaves. Her mother replied, "Wouldn't it be nice if He did that with people?" The younger woman looked at the stooped, white-haired figure beside her and said so softly that she thought no one else heard: "Sometimes He does." I know that civilized societies and countries are held together by governments that seek the welfare of the law-abiding majority. I know that and I'm grateful for it. I also know that society is blessed by devoted school teachers, conscientious social workers, honest judges, and ethical lawyers. We've all seen what passionate men and women can do for societies when they embody noble principles in the centers of power. And only a fool can dismiss as nothing the thousands of community organizations in the cities and towns of the world that cater to the emotional and physical needs of countless unfortunate people. But all these beautiful men and women had mothers and grandmothers (or those who stood in the place of mothers and grandmothers) who helped to shape their characters. For good or evil, it's people who change people &emdash; and there are no people who change people more than mothers and grandmothers! One little boy put it very well when asked what a grandmother was. He said: "A grandmother is a lady who has no children of her own, so she loves everybody else's. Grandmas don't have anything to do except be there. If they take you for a walk, they slow down past leaves and caterpillars. They never say 'hurry up.' Usually they're fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes. They wear glasses, and sometimes they can take their teeth out. They can answer questions like why dogs hate cats and why God isn't married. When they read to you, they don't skip words or mind if it's the same story again. Everyone should try to have a grandmother because grandmas are the only grown-ups who always have time for you." Mothers and grandmothers have been praised since the world began. One of the most famous men in history was writing an encouragement to a young man he knew, urging him to gallantly complete a difficult commission he had been given. In the course of it he reminded the young man of the splendor of the lives of his grandmother (Lois) and mother (Eunice), and in this way he urged him to live nobly. The famous man was Paul, a special messenger of Jesus Christ, and his young friend was Timothy. And did the young man follow in the steps of his mother and grandmother, living his life nobly? History tells us that he became a leading figure for many years in the Christian movement in Ephesus and that he was clubbed to death by a ferocious mob because he publicly denounced the immorality of their worship of the Ephesian goddess, Diana. A grandmother and her daughter took a little boy of nervous temperament and helped shape him into a kind but bold spokesman for societal righteousness and decency. It shouldn't be hard for us to imagine Timothy giggling and thoughtful, wide-eyed and sleepy, quiet and questioning in the laps of the two most important and influential people in his life as he was being molded to play his part in the changing of the world for the better. Charles Stanley's young woman was right: sometimes God takes something before it dies and makes it so beautiful &emdash; a white-haired stooped little grandmother, for example.

Church Chat by Mary Dobbs "The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything&emdash;but they make the best of what they have." The Memorial of our Lord's Supper was held at 7:30 PM., Friday, April 6. It was held at the Park District Log Cabin in Lombard because the Church of God congregation that purchased our church held their memorial at the church. It was very cozy and significant as Mike Knapp gave the sermon reminding us of why we partake of the emblems. Easter Sunday (Resurrection Sunday, praise God!), we were served a delicious breakfast by our hard working Service Committee, Donna Mathewson, Karyn Horak, and Cynthia Bogda. (Marvin Bogda also helped out.) We then were led in a worshipful praise service, with a lovely song sung by our choir. Dennis Thorfeldt then gave a moving sermon entitled "What If" and continued his study on the Sermon on the Mount. SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS: Our Bible classes have just completed a six month study of Paul's journeys. The last project was to write a letter to someone just as Paul might have done. The older group wrote their scrolls using the Greek alphabet. They did a great job, too! The children were also asked to write a letter to Pat Knapp (Sunday School Director), telling her what they felt Paul's mission, message, and journeys were all about. It's always a real blessing to see the insights that the children have. The children will begin studying about the "Tabernacle" during the month of May, and with a little help, they will be building a scale model, with everyone participating. And just what have the Youth for Truth been up to this year? Lots! Our teens&emdash;Amber & Jim Larson, Ray & Nicole Spano, Jenny Boswell, Seth Mathewson, Leah Schwebke, Andrew Teunis, and Sara Whittaker, have been busy learning a little bit about each book of the Bible, who wrote it, to whom it was written, why it was written, when it was written, what is the central theme of the book and where it falls into order (They've completed through the Book of Titus so far). During their Sunday meetings they also review what they've learned from the sermon speaker that day, they pray together, have a lesson and journal our question of the week. As you can see, it's a very busy hour of discussion and learning. The YFT went to the Chicago Wolves hockey game (as a large group) on February 25 in Rosemont. It was especially memorable because our group was highlighted several times during the game on the overhead monitors as "Youth for Truth, Cicero." Special thanks to Bob Spano for being an additional adult chaperone that evening. The YFT are looking forward to hosting teen guests for the May Convention (May 5-6) in the Lombard facility, as well as skating with our membership at the Lombard Skating Rink on Sunday, May 20 from 12:00-3:00 PM. If you're going to be in the area for either event, join them! Steve and Ann Teunis are the Youth Directors and we thank God for their leadership. Jackie and Joe Funari spent a week in Ireland visiting Medieval Castles. Jackie and Joe thoroughly enjoyed their trip, especially the beautiful green countryside and that good old Irish Stew. They did tell me that they did not bring any Hoof and Mouth disease home since their heels were sanitized when they came through customs at O'Hare Airport. This trip was especially enjoyed by Jackie since she needed much rest and relaxation after her recent surgery. Joe and Pat Knapp were on the move again. This time they drove to California with their granddaughter Megan. They visited their son Peter, daughter-in-law Lisa, and baby Brenna, who had the audacity to turn into a toddler, walking and talking without waiting for Grandma to get there and see all the in-between stuff! Their daughter and husband from Canada, Sue and Ben and children Sarah, Lucas, and Emily met them there. They had a wonderful vacation going to Disneyland and the ocean. After spending 4 days in Long Beach, they caravaned to Ontario, California for the Western Christian Believers Conference over Easter weekend. The Conference was a blessing. There were about 100 brethren there including Henry and Freida Tiemeyer. Freida looks very well, has regained strength, and was able to walk easily. Joe Knapp was the adult Program Director and Pat Knapp the Children's Program. Helayne Crawford had the Evening Activities, and Tim Chabot the Teen group. Peter Knapp led the choir which sang beautifully. After the conference, several brethren fellowshipped at Dave Karavas' home. Sue and Pat, Sarah, Lucas, and Megan climbed a small mountain behind Dave's house. Mike and his 3 boys had climbed the same mountain 2 years ago, so Sue was not to be outdone. On the way home, they all stopped at the Grand Canyon and viewed God's beautiful, awesome creation. About 10 women from the Cicero church and a few friends attended the Annual Moody Women's Seminar on Saturday, April 21st. Janet Parshall and Sheila Bailey were the featured speakers, and Kathy Troccoli was the vocalist. A blessing was received by all. Praise God!

Berean Christian Conference News We are pleased to announce that the 52nd Annual Berean Christian Conference is scheduled for June 30 through July 7, 2001 in Grove City, PA. The campus of Grove City College will once again be the main site for all conference activities. As in years past, the seven day conference offers a broad variety of sermons, studies, interest groups and recreational activities for all ages. Nursery (ages 0-2), Vacation Bible School (ages 3 through grade 5), Junior High (grades 6-8), and Teen (grades 9-12) Programs are planned, in addition to the adult program. For the complete program listing, see the Events page. This year's conference theme is "Looking unto Jesus," drawn from Hebrews 12:2. Registration begins at 12 noon on Saturday, June 30. The conference chairman is our brother Denis Couture of Rochester Hills, MI. Conference accommodations are handled by our sister Pam Eckley of Westminster, VT. If you have any questions, or would like a program and registration form, please contact the conference publicity director: Ann Teunis

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