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Newsletter
I OCTOBER 2002
NO ROOT, NO FRUIT
Before a person becomes a Christian (I mean a real Christian,
not just someone who says he is) his "want to" is broken. He is
not interested in God. He is bored by church and by reading the
Bible. He cannot "make" him-self "want to" do right and cannot
"make" himself "want not" to do wrong. When a person is born again,
God re-pairs his "want to." Even though he still feels the pull
of temptation, he will have a new set of desires. He will love
God and want to talk to God in prayer and see what God has to
say to him in His Word, the Bible. He wants to be around other
people who love God; church attendance becomes meaningful. There
is a new desire to obey God.s.
Why do we do what we do? The answer is simple: we do what we do
because of what we are. It's like fruit trees. Apple trees bear
apples, pear trees produce pears, and peach trees grow peaches.
The fruit is the natural result of the nature of the tree. I suppose
you could tie apples to a peach tree, but that would not make
it an apple tree. In the same way, adding religious activities
to one's schedule doesn't make one a Christian. Just as the fruit
of the tree naturally flows from the nature of the tree, even
so the attitudes, words, and actions of our lives reveal our true
selves. Jesus said, "Even so, every good tree bears good
fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit….Therefore, by their fruits
you will know them." Matthew 7:17 & 20
e.
--A
Treasury of Bible Illustrations
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LETTER
FROM THE ISF ASSISTANT
Dear International Friend,
It seems like we have just experienced what some are saying
has been the hottest summer we have had in a long time. If we
were to survey those who have spent most of their lives here
in the Pittsburgh area, they will tell you they wholeheartedly
agree. The cooler temperatures are a welcome relief. Some of
you have started school and we wish you success with your studies.
Others have moved away and we will miss you here in Pittsburgh
but we wish you God's best as you make the new adjustments in
your life.
Our world continues to be an amazing and interesting place to
live in. Did you know that in Albania nodding your head means
'no' and shaking your head means, 'yes'? The guinea pig is from
South America, not Guinea, and it is a rodent, not a pig. On
some Caribbean Islands, the oysters can climb trees.
We enjoyed having some of you at our last gathering when Julie
Gurnee's family of five generations was present. Surely that
is a great blessing, especially to her great grandmother. Not
many are able to enjoy their great-great grandchildren so we
wish her many more years. At our October gathering we hope to
have a couple who have recently returned from traveling in South
Africa speak to us. Their names are Thornton and Alberta Merrifield.
Both have spent a number of years in Africa and we are sure
that you will find them to be interesting speakers.
So our October ISF gathering will be on Friday, October 4th,
at 7:30 PM in the beautiful Ballroom of the William Pitt Union.
The William Pitt Union is located in Oakland on the corner of
Bigelow and 5th. Avenue. To get to the Ballroom, use the entrance
on 5th. Avenue and then follow the signs.
As always there will be a full course dinner, good music, special
children's activities in the Kurtzman Room, but especially good
International fellowship. It's all free, so do plan to come
and invite your friends.
Hope to see you on October 4th!
--Terry
Tiberio, ISF Assistant
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WORDS
OF WISDOM
THE
GREATEST HANDICAP
…FEAR
THE
BEST DAY
…TODAY
THE EASIEST THING TO DO
…FIND FAULT
THE MOST USELESS ASSET
…PRIDE
THE GREATEST STUMBLING BLOCK
…EGOTISM
THE GREATEST MISTAKE
…GIVING UP
THE MOST DISAGREEABLE PERSON
…A COMPLAINER
THE WORST BANKRUPTCY
…LOSS OF ENTHUSIAM
THE MEANEST FEELING
…TO REGRET ANOTHER'S SUCCESS
THE BEST GIFT
…FORGIVENESS
THE GREATEST MOMENT
…DEATH
THE GREATEST KNOWLEDGE
…GOD
THE GREATEST THING IN THE WORLD
…LOVE
SEPTEMBER
ISF GATHERING
90
were present from the following 10 countries: China,
Ghana, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Russia, Syria, Sudan, Zimbabwe, USA.
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Hope
to see you at the October ISF Gathering on October
4th, in the Ballroom of the William Pitt Union!
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