(Last Update: 6/11/2000)
The rock Jesus referred to, the Bible and history bear out, is Peter's confession that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The apostle Paul later wrote in Phil 2:5-11, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (NIV) It is difficult to fathom the love of God shown to us through Jesus. What happened on the cross was so powerful that both the past and the future continually point to it as the focal point of the history of man. And the gates of death (Hades...the realm of the dead) cannot shake or destroy what Jesus did for us. We are moved by the love of God to try to follow in his footsteps. His salvation is such an awesome gift! We are thankful and seeking to live to reflect our gratitude to the Lord and to be witnesses for him in this world. We are the Church Of Christ in Odessa, Missouri. We meet at 210 N. 4th in Odessa, Missouri (1/2 hour drive on I-70, east of Kansas City).
We assemble regularly at the following times:
The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 2:2, "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." In Colossians 1:28 he wrote, "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ." One of our primary goals as a church is to mirror the apostle as he walked, talked and thought about Jesus. Jesus is our Savior and he is our Lord. He has given us eternal life by his mercy and his grace. He has given us hope. He has given us purpose. He has given us love. He has given us family. He has given us forgiveness. He has given us freedom. We praise God, from whom all blessings come!
FYI--About ourselves...we have completed a new auditorium (sanctuary) which will seat around 260 people. Our attendance on Sunday mornings now averages around 150.
If you have any questions or comments about our web page or some aspect of the church in Odessa, drop us an email. We'll try to answer your querry.
DEVOTIONAL MATERIAL
"Touched"
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for one wall covered with small index cards. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But ... these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was the one that read, "Girls, I have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for My life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match.
A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed".
The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read", "Lies I Have Told", "Comfort I Have Given", "Jokes I Have Laughed At." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled At my Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I have Done In My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I Hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my own signature.
When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed not so much by the quality of the music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew the file represented.
When I came to file marked "lustful Thoughts", I felt quite a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at it detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.
An animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the card to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out along, self pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever know about this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.
But than as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus! I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moment that I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have too read every one?
Finally, He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His yes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands, and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things... but He didn't say a word. He just cried with me. Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file, and one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could say was "No, no" as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards! But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written in His blood.
He gently took the card back. He gave me a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how he did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He carried me out of the room. There was no lock on its door... all that was left was the room with Jesus' footprints and drops of blood on the ground.
Taters
People are like Potatoes ! Some people never seem motivated to participate, but are content to watch others do... They are called "Speck Tators." Some people never do anything to help, but are gifted at finding fault with the way others do things... They're called "Comment Tators." Some are always looking to cause problems and really get under your skin... They are called "Aggie Tators." There are those who are always saying they will, but somehow, they never get around to doing... We call them "Hezzie Tators." Some people put on a front and act like someone else... They're called "Imma Tators." Then, there are those who walk what they talk. They're always prepared to stop what they're doing to lend a hand to others, and bring real sunshine into the lives of others. You can call them "Sweet Tators."
Authors unknown
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Odessa Church Of Christ
210 N. 4th
Odessa, MO 64076
email address: odessachurch@geocities.com
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