Photo Opinion Q:What is one of your fondest memories of our Church building in Cicero?
	Stella Buying the building [in Cicero] was such a blessing! I think more time was spent there than at home. We were all such a happy family getting together with whatever talents we had and our attendance doubled. Having a church of our own has sure blessed us!
	Mike I have two fond memories of this building: One is the Laurie Iannaccone seminar on evangelism; the other is, on several different occations, being alone in the chapel to pray.
	Pam I remember when we first moved into this church, people were crying tears of joy that God had provided a church for us to worship in. One reason I will remember this church building fondly is that Bob and I were married here in 1974.
	Lois I'll always treasure memories of attending Sunday School and Y.F.T. with great teachers / directors like Sisters Vicky Kociara, Charmaine Thorfeldt, Dawn Jensen, Betty Wiater, and Br. John Misiorowski. The fondest memories by far will be raising my children and having them dedicated here.

Perspective KJV by Larry Urbaniak   I grew up on the King James Version of the Bible. When I was a kid, everybody in our church used the KJV. We could all read together and we all would read exactly the same thing. Other translations were brought to Bible studies and were used, but they were always compared to the KJV. It was unofficially the authorized version for all of us. Even today it is my favorite. When I quote memorized verses, it is from the KJV. When I study and use concordances, I start with the KJV. Although I have over three dozen translations in my personal library, I always compare any of them I may be using with the KJV. I was a math major and an English minor in college. Because of my minor, I took a number of Shakespearean courses. Many other students struggled with the old English that Shakespeare used. However, I was pretty comfortable with it because it was so much like the KJV English. And then I felt that my studies of Shakespeare helped me read and understand the Bible more, too (KJV). Recently reading a book written to be a guide to Biblical studies (by Michael Joseph Brown), I came across a good summary of the history of the KJV. It started by calling the KJV "...poetic, lyrical, and probably the noblest English translation of scripture ever accomplished." It was commissioned on February 10, 1604 by King James I of England. Until that time, there had been two competing English Bibles: the Bishop's Bible and the Geneva Bible. James ordered "a translation be made of the whole Bible, as consonant as can be to the original Hebrew and Greek, and this is to be set out and printed without any marginal notes and only to be used in all Churches of England in time of Divine Service." The work was done by a committee of 54 men, each of which was assigned a section of the Bible. It took seven years. The committee published its finished work in 1611. The KJV quickly went through several editions, most of which made changes in the text. For example, the 1614 edition differed from the original in over 400 places. It took about 40 years for the KJV to replace the old Geneva Bible in people's hearts. In 1870, the Church of England officially authorized another revision. Even American scholars were invited to participate. But they had to agree that the American edition could not be published until 14 years after the British edition. There was overall agreement that the work on this edition was very carefully done. In the New Testament alone there were over 30,000 changes made, many based on more recently discovered (and better) Greek texts. No other translation sounds as majestic when read in public as the KJV. One of its outstanding features is the sheer beauty of its language. That is no accident. All of the translators were experienced in public reading of scriptures and in public worship. They often chose the final wording of a passage by their instinct of what would sound best when read aloud. I have very mixed feelings about the fact that not everyone uses the KJV today. It certainly was easier for the leader of a Bible study when he knew everyone was starting with the KJV. When someone is called on to read a passage of scripture in a study today, the leader never knows what translation will be read. Of course, there is also an advantage of having many translations available to compare and contrast in studies. There will always be new translations of the Bible. Modern ones make passages easier to read and understand. The KJV language is very outdated and often difficult to understand, unless you are a Shakespeare lover. Many new discoveries of old manuscripts (including the Dead Sea Scrolls) have shed light on confusing verses and made more accurate translations possible. It is a very good idea to be aware of the biases, doctrinal and otherwise, of any translation that we use in reading or study. The comparison of translations sometimes helps us realize this. Although I understand the preferences that people have for different translations, for me the KJV will always be my favorite.

Viewpoints Stop Wandering! by Mike Knapp Numbers 9: 15-23 tells us about the cloud that protected Israel by day and the pillar of fire that guided them by night. Israel's experiences in the wilderness are object lessons for us. Are we listening to what is being said? Under the cloud, you have protection, you have refreshment, and you have direction. Leave the cloud, you are under the elements, and your direction is gone. Most don't consider their actions as taking them away from God, but disobedience, sin, and inaction when you should be moving will take you from under the cloud. This can be true of an individual Christian as well as a congregation. What happens if a group sets up camp but does not leave with the cloud? &endash;A denomination forms. When looking at where Israel wandered and what they did and learned, we see several lessons. What are the lessons of wandering the wilderness? unlearn slave behavior towards the world learn slave behavior towards God come to know God learn God's laws learn how to worship learn how to live purely learn to live God's way learn how to follow God's direction learn how to fight and conquer When traveling in the wilderness, you quickly learn what is truly needed and what are luxuries. This is what the nation of Israel did wandering in their wilderness. You learn to abandon things you thought you had to have and make due with a few basics. As when you wilderness hike today, carrying everything you need to survive on your back, you find every gram counts. You also find what you really need and what you want. You learn to abandon those things that aren't necessary. Abandonment &endash; this is a word that we need to add to our vocabularies. We have used the word consecration for a long time, and it is a beautiful word, but has lost its meaning for people in the 21st century. Perhaps abandonment can help people see what it means to follow Christ, not just as savior, but as Lord. When you are moving through this world, wandering our wilderness, you must abandon everything but what is truly needed. In the wilderness we become one body, trained to conquer for God. The Law trained Israel; the Law trained Jesus. The Law can even train us now. As David puts it, the Law is our way. Read Psalm 119. The Law is the schoolmaster to Christ. It teaches us all about Christ and how to live a Christ-Life! No, we don't live by it; we learn by it. Perhaps we have become too familiar with the wilderness. Perhaps we don't want to move into the land. It will take work. It will take faith and courage. It will make us move away from our comfort zones. We enjoy the wilderness now, ever learning more and more about our God and his plan &endash; but when do we apply what we have learned? When do we use it to live as free people, expanding the Kingdom of God in the Promised Land? We must cross the Jordan. What are our marching orders? What way do we go? We wander in the wilderness to learn God's way &endash; which way is that? Jesus tells us in Mt. 28: 18-20, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the holy spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this; I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Make disciples What is discipleship? Discipleship is like hiking a mountain or wandering a wilderness. You can tell people about it and even show pictures. People get an idea. But if that is all you do, that's evangelism, a very important start. Discipleship is when you take that person you've told, or has been told about the way by another, and actually walk the way with them, guide them on the trail, sweat, stumble, climb, and encourage him or her. That's discipleship. We each need to pray for those we are to disciple and those that are to disciple us. It is not an option. Baptize them Baptism isn't an option. It is an act of obedience. It is amazing how people will balk at simple acts of obedience. Don't let the philosophies of this world blur your vision. Obey. Teach obedience to all Jesus' commands What are some of the commands? Try underlining each command Jesus gives in a gospel; you'll be amazed. Jesus is not a "warm and fuzzy" idea or person. He is our King, master, and Lord of lords. He has specific plans and purposes for each of us. We must hear his voice and heed. We must teach other disciples to do the same. Can you do it all? No. However, the Lord will teach you about all of his commands if you are willing to follow. You will need some help though, that is where the church comes in. We need each other &endash; like it or not! What are commands His church should follow? Feed the hungry. Give water to the thirsty. Shelter the homeless. Clothe the naked. Care and heal the sick. Visit the prisoners. We've wandered long enough. The wilderness is an important stage, but not where we are to live. We train to conquer the land. We love God's kingdom &endash; but what are we doing for it? How are we reclaiming what Satan has stolen and destroyed? How are we living the in-the-present-tense blessings on the other side of the Jordan? We are in training to be priests. Instead we have acted like the time of the judges, every man doing what is right in his own eyes. We need to become complete churches, not pieces and portions, not settling for less than what God promises to us. We can hide behind prophecy and say our churches shrink because of the time we live. Perhaps. Perhaps it could be that we have not lived up to God's privilege; we don't obey Christ's commands. What if you were told you only had six to 12 months to live? It shouldn't matter &endash; but for most of us it does because we are not living like we will die tomorrow. All of us are under a death sentence, some just find out when it will be carried out. Philosophers say, "Live like you will die tomorrow, study like you will live forever." It is a good plan. What have we learned in the wilderness? A strong sense of holiness A deep desire for full consecration A knowledge of Christ's imminent return An understanding of what the Kingdom means for all A love of doctrine, especially the ransom A commitment to evangelism A willingness to sacrifice all for the Kingdom A reliance upon the Lord versus a denomination Where are we now? Still wandering in the wilderness. It's time to enter the Land. It is time to work with God on his Kingdom. The stone of Daniel grows from the time it is thrown. What are we doing to work with God in this? To obey is better than sacrifice.

Roy's Reflections The How of the Why by Roy Boswell September 11, 2001 is a date that will forever remain etched in the memory of almost all Americans. While there has been a profound response of compassion, heroism, unity and patriotism on the part of our nation (and many other nations), the work of terrorists has brought great anguish and grief to millions. "Why did this happen?" is a question on the mind of all Americans. "How can life have any meaning if it is so cheap and cheaply taken?" is a question that naturally follows. "How will we go on from here?" trails afterward. These are the questions generated by suffering and loss. They are questions that are found at the eye of every storm. They should not be ignored, nor should they be addressed simplistically. Several years ago, an unknown writer in a Christian magazine addressed these very same questions in a powerful way. I saved that article for use as a sermon illustration at some future date and I'm glad I did. The following is an excerpt from that story of survival: When Jewish psychiatrist Victor Frankl was arrested by the Nazis in World War II, he was stripped of everything&emdash;property, family, possessions. He had spent years researching and writing a book on the importance of finding meaning in life&emdash;concepts that later would be known as logotherapy, When he arrived in Auschwitz, the infamous death camp, even his manuscript, which he had hidden in the lining of his coat, was taken away. "I had to undergo and overcome the loss of my spiritual child," Frankl wrote. "Now it seemed as if nothing and no one would survive me; I no longer had a physical nor a spiritual child of my own! I found myself confronted with the questions of why this happened to me and whether under such circumstances my life would be ultimately void of any meaning." He was still wrestling with these questions a few days later when the Nazis forced the prisoners to give up their clothes. "I had to surrender my clothes and in turn inherited the worn out rags of an inmate who had been sent to the gas chamber," said Frankl. "Instead of the many pages of my manuscript, I found in the pocket of the newly acquired coat a single page torn out of a Hebrew prayer book, which contained the main Jewish prayer, "Shema Yisrael" (Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one God. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.) "How should I have interpreted such a 'coincidence' other than as a challenge to "live" my thoughts instead of merely putting them on paper?" Later, Frankl wrote in his book Man's Search for Meaning, "There is nothing in the world that would so effectively help one to survive even the worst conditions, as the knowledge that there is a meaning in one's life. He who has a 'how' to live for… can bear almost any 'why'." We will never understand all of the "why" of the attack on Sept. 11th. And as surely as we do not know exactly "who" was involved in orchestrating this attack, no man can say "when" our grief will be completely comforted and our anger totally appeased. But "how" we can move forward from this moment on and "how" we can find strength to go on beyond this ordeal is clear: the answer has remained the same throughout the ages. He is "how". His name is Jesus, the Son of God. He is the way. Turn to Him. Lean on Him. Trust Him. Follow the Son to God His Father, and you will find peace for your soul and strength for your spirit. "O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would hearken to his voice!" (Psalm 95:6-7).

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