Clyde Slimp

Clyde's Column

• Our Summer Speaker Series is almost here!  Scott Adair will kick off the series with a helpful overview of the parables.  The first Wednesday night in June (6^th) will kick off this special series.
• Marty Knight will be leading an R&C mission team to Cluj, Romania from July 18-31.  Currently there are six from R&C who are seriously considering making the trip.  So that R&C can help be a sending church for this group, there will be a special contribution on Sunday, June 3 to support them.  There will be a prayer service this Sunday night during which Marty will say a few words about the trip and prayers will be led for all of R&C’s mission efforts.  To God be the glory for all of the efforts currently underway or being planned!
• Missionary Loy Mitchell taught my wife and me a simple song called “Lift Jesus Higher” years ago while we were in Zimbabwe, Africa for a campaign.  It calls for us to lift Jesus up for the world to see, and quotes the words of Jesus from John 12:32, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”  For Jesus, being lifted up on the cross would lead to being lifted up from the tomb, and finally lifted up to the Father.  The shame of death by crucifixion would ultimately bring great glory to the Father.  The world could not come to the Father until and unless Jesus was lifted up on the tree.  Now the magnetism of Jesus and the cross draws all people to Jesus so that Jesus can lift us up to the Father.  And, we are called to lift Jesus up in our lives as we follow him.  As he said, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.  My Father will honor the one who serves me,” (John 12:26).  We still sing the song, now with our boys during family devotionals.  It’s a fantastic song to sing.  It’s a tough challenge–a magnificent challenge–to live it out!  “Lift Jesus higher, lift Jesus higher/Lift him up for the world to see/He said “If I be lifted up from the earth/I will draw all men unto me.”