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An
Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at
Creekwood |
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Rebuilding
Lives! On
August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made
landfall on the Gulf Coast causing one Earlier
this week, on August 29, 2006, the Gulf Coast
commemorated the storm that brought so much
devastation to the area.
Bells tolled in New Orleans marking the moment
one year earlier when New Orleans’ levees buckled
causing 80 percent of the city to be flooded.
In a ceremony in Gulfport, MS, firefighters and
police officers carried 14 red roses in memory of 14
residents in that community who were lost to The one-year mark also serves as a reminder of how far the survivors have come. Overlooking the calm waters of the Mississippi sound, which a year ago flooded the shoreline, Mayor Brent Warr reminded a gathering in Gulfport: “We’re not well. We’re not finished. But I will say this: We’ve made it. Let’s move on. Let’s move forward. Let’s do that together.” Although there is still so much to be done, there has been progress. Lives continue to be rebuilt along the Gulf Coast. And, many more lives need to be rebuilt, and not just those who were affected by Hurricane Katrina. ALL of our lives – without exception – have been affected by an even greater destructive force: SIN. Because of our sin, we are separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) and His will for our lives. Sin will bring horrible and eternal destruction to us, unless a remedy is found (Matthew 7:13-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). The GOOD NEWS is that there IS a remedy for the problem of sin! Our lives can be “rebuilt.” Jesus died on the cross pay the price for our sins and to offer us pardon. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). The blood of Jesus will cleanse the sins of those who: believe in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) in His name (Acts 2:38). He will CONTINUE to cleanse those who CONTINUE to follow Him (1 John 1:7). You see, Jesus is in the “REBUILDING BUSINESS!” In the words of T.O. Chisholm: “Bring
Christ your broken life, Your empty
wasted years “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become NEW” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The Savior is waiting and wanting to rebuild YOUR life, if you will just submit your life to Him in trusting obedience. David A. Sargent, Minister Church of Christ at Creekwood *Details regarding events on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall were gleaned from an article from the Associated Press entitled: “Katrina: One Year and We’re Still Here.’” http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/29/katrina.events.ap/index.html To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:
HTML version: subscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net Follow this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchzip.com Archived issues of "Living Water" can be accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org
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