Checkpoint

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 240127 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

An unexpected police checkpoint greeted Debbie yesterday as she drove into Cookeville from our home, about 7 miles away. We have grown accustomed to driving through police stops in Africa, but she was startled to see one in rural Tennessee! Over eight officers halted all vehicles traveling in both directions for a sobriety checkpoint during the morning. Although by law, they may ask for identification and car papers, search the vehicle with probable cause, and have drivers take sobriety tests, Debbie was simply asked, "Have you had anything to drink today?" Thankfully, the impish English teacher within did not overpower the common sense respect due to our local law enforcement!! Instead of listing all the non-alcoholic beverages she had drunk, she politely smiled and responded, "Not at all," and was waved on.

The reality of DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol) checkpoints might cause some of us to debate this strategy's effectiveness or its implications for our liberties. Instead, we will choose a positive application today. All of us need "in our face" reminders of the consequences of sin. Certainly, DUI destroys individuals and families. However, seemingly less noxious habits we maintain in secret or public can ruin our lives or witness. Walking maturely in Christ means having regular spiritual self-checkpoints, like attending church to confess our faults and profess our worship or self-reporting successes and failures in obedience to our Lord during a Bible study. This discipline exceeds the physical or job performance evaluations that other God-ordained ministers might use with us in public settings like DUI checkpoints or work evaluations. (Check out 1 Timothy 3-5 if you wonder about this.) If we are not intentional, we drift from the narrow way.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Thankfully, our schedule of physical and mental checkpoints nears an end. On Monday, Verlin expects to follow up on his right foot injury; on Wednesday, Debbie has a colonoscopy scheduled in Nashville. In addition, Verlin expects to complete 12-14 hours of online psychological testing or history. We will then have a follow-up visit at the Vandy Neurological Clinic on February 8, with some family meetings to finish. Perhaps these rendezvous will lead to more testing, although likely not. Then, our results will be synthesized and discussed with the Christian Health Service Corps' (CHSC) leadership to proceed as needed.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Pray for the upcoming CHE West African Internship in Ghana. (The photo shows last year's interns learning to create sack gardens, a tool already shared in Cote d'Ivoire to witness and plant some new churches. Click this link to read about the gardening technique.) Ask for available and called trainers to attend by managing their personal affairs and finances and wisdom for transitioning leaders as they plan.
   
• 🙏 Pray for a resolution to Verlin's foot pain, especially the wisdom of diagnostic discernment, to know if he needs further testing or intervention. He felt significant pain again this week.
   
• 🙏 May we all be faithful to examine our lives for spiritual drift. Let us ask the Lord for "ears to hear" and start by doing a check-up soon!
  

Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin & Debbie

Verlin and Debbie

 

Christian Health Service Corps (CHSC) is a mission of dedicated medical professionals who participate in the CHE Global Network. Together, in a loose affiliation of individuals, churches, denominational, and nondenominational agencies, we share God's Light and Truth through Community Health Evangelism (CHE). Verlin and Debbie accept donor partners to contribute as led to provide support as we maintain residential ministry to expand CHE ministries in Cote d'Ivoire under the auspices of CHSC & Ivorian partners. Tax-deductible contributions by check are to be made payable to the CHSC with Andersons #0118 written on the memo line. Mail to CHSC - PO Box 132 - Fruitvale, TX 75127. Give online via the CHSC @ www.che4a.org (3% fee) or TDF - specifying Verlin and Debbie Anderson in the optional Memo.

 

Prior: Unexpected
        - 240120 PDF
Prior Videos: Simple Servants
        - Reflect & Rejoice
 

2023 Q2 Report: Pruning Priorities
  -  2nd Q 2023 Report 230722 PDF

2022 Budget COMPLETED:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2022-Budget.pdf
 
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