t may be easy or tempting to look at the life of another and decide that they are the victim of their own poor choices. We are blessed with great discretion when observing the faults someone else lives with. Last Sunday at Hillside we examined the advice given to the church at Ephesus. Paul instructed the believers to "walk wisely" and make the most of their time because the days were evil. They were also to keep from being full of anything except the Holy Spirit. Then he encouraged them to relate to each other joyfully and thankfully with no pride at all.

Our life of faith requires us to examine ourselves and our own choices based on the standards and advice the Word gives us. If we were serious about following the biblical standard for living then "walking wisely" would mean knowing and following God's plan. It would mean self-discipline and submission to the will of Christ in all things. If we were truly full of the Spirit then we would bear the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians chapter five. If we lived thankful lives people would know it.

All these qualities are part of having and living the "mind of Christ". To claim to be His disciples and live by any other standard but His is the most basic lie of all. It also is the one we all are tempted to tell. It is tempting to desire the Lord's forgiveness but then keep trying to live the life He purchased on our own terms. That's not "walking wisely", that's walking foolishly.

The powerful lives we could live we often forfeit because we don't follow the perfect pattern given by the Creator Himself. This dulls the effect of the "Sword of the Spirit" in our world and limits what we can do for Him in the short time we all have.

A good-sized group of youth and their sponsors took several hundred pounds of laundry soap to the Show-Me Youth Home in Camdenton Last Saturday afternoon. They had collected money and soap the past few weeks for the project and were excited to get to deliver the goods first-hand. The youth group was able to collect enough soap to share with the other sites in the Show-Me organization.

Adults and teens completed several hours of work at the Marshfield Activity Center last Saturday as a mission to the community. They covered windows with plastic sheeting, removed old radiators, painted various places and did odd jobs to help out. The Missions Ministry at Hillside does all sorts of projects to help and do good in the name of Christ.

The teen youth presented several skits Sunday evening that demonstrated some of the issues facing teens in today's culture. They wrote and produced the segments during the monthly "Youth in Service" Sunday night worship time. The skits were direct and powerful. Many of the things going on in their lives need the involvement of everyone around them.

If you know someone in Jr. High or High School be an encourager and a ready ear.

We are anticipating the best Sweetheart Banquet ever this year on February 14th. Phil McKinley and the G'Men from Branson will entertain. The catered meal will be wonderful as always. The best part will be spending the evening with someone special in the company of Christian brothers and sisters. Everyone is invited. Call the church to make reservations.

You are always invited to join with us in praising and serving the Lord at Hillside Christian Church.