I remember the first time I read through Romans chapter 5.  I was working my way through the book, preparing to teach from it that summer in Africa (2003).  I remember standing up in my room in College Station as I began to grasp for the first time the incredible gifts God gives to His children.  As I was reading, one of my good friends called, wanting to play disc golf, and I remember rushing through the call so that I could get back to Romans 5.

I’ve had the chance to study the chapter further in grad school, and I am overjoyed to find that it has lost none of its power.  The passage begins with “therefore, since we have been justified through faith…” which brings to mind Christ’s incredible life, death and resurrection, in which He triumphed over law, under which all of us stood condemned because of our sin.  But now, because of Christ, through faith, the dominion of sin has been shattered, and death has been defeated.  And we, who were once enemies of God, because of His great love for us which He showed by sending His Son, now have peace with God.  And we, who were once condemned as sinners, now stand in grace.  And we, who once had no hope, now boast in the hope of the glory of God, even to the point of “glorying in our sufferings” (which seems like a crazy thing to do, and would be without Christ), because our suffering shapes us and helps us grow as Christians, and reminds us that one day soon there will be no more suffering.  And we are assured that the God we hope in will not let us down, because He has poured His love into us through the Holy Spirit.

Our challenge from Paul through this beautiful passage of expectation and assurance is to take hold of these certainties: this peace and grace and love, and to live in hope “between the times” as we wait and work patiently, looking forward to the return of our Savior and Lord, who, someday soon, will come to complete the work He has already begun.

David Taylor

There will be a workday for the Ladies Wednesday morning after their Bible Class to make baskets for the shut-ins.

Oldham Lane Church of Christ will be holding its Spring Evangelistic Meeting April 1st - 4th with Kent Allen as the speaker.  The theme is “My God and I.”  There is a brochure with more information on the bulletin board across from the office.

We are still collecting canned Ravioli and Spaghettio’s for Medina Children’s Home.  A truck will be here to pick up these canned goods during the week of April 2-6.

We have the opportunity once again to participate in Christian Homes of Abilene Coins for Kidz campaign by collecting our change and putting it into the cans they have provided.  You can pick yours up today off the table in the foyer.

You are invited to Mary Cutbirth’s 90th birthday party on April 7th from 2-4 p.m. at the Woodlawn Church of Christ Fellowship Hall.  If you would like to contribute to her book of memories, please e-mail her granddaughter, Bretta McLeroy, at bretta.mcleroy@dcisd.org. Since the book of memories will be a surprise, you may send a card with a memory to her daughter, Frances Hardaway, at 617 Washington Blvd., Abilene, TX 79601.  Came and help us celebrate!

STATISTICS FOR WEEK OF MARCH 18, 2007