For the members, family and friends of the Downey Adventist Church
Easter Possibilities
Chained Up by Cary Fisher
T
here was a man that would walk around his neighborhood and every time he went by a certain house, a dog chained in the backyard would excessively bark at him as all dogs seem to do at strangers. After walking the same route day after day and having the same dog barking at him, the man started to pay some attention to dog. As he would come close to the fence, he realized some things. The dog’s name was Rusty and was actu-
ally pretty friendly even though Rusty seemed to be neglected for attention, was extremely dirty and in very poor health. Later, the man found out that the dog had been chained in that backyard for over ten years without ever being released from it. The man was so pained by the dog’s living conditions that he approached Rusty’s owner and demanded that he let Rusty go home with him. The owner finally agreed and for the first time since
being a puppy, Rusty was set free from his chains. The man cleaned Rusty up and nursed him back to health, and he witnessed a beautiful, friendly dog that was happy to be alive. This story perfectly illustrates what Jesus had done for us. Since birth, we have been chained to our sinful nature. We are like Rusty and need someone to come and unleash us. Our circumstances, choices and personality flaws have concontinued on page 2
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—The Rev. James Martin
INSIDE
Easter Worship Service ur Easter Worship Service will be March 26. As we wrap up our series on Agape, we will celebrate the greatest example of love possible, Easter. With Jesus’ sacrifice, we were set free from the bondage of sin.
The message of Easter is not only that Christ is risen, not only that suffering is not the last word, not only that God gives new life, but this: Nothing is impossible with God.
Join us for this very special service. Be sure to invite a few friends and family members. This message of freedom is life changing! =
Taste of Health Seminar Pictures page 3 Looking for Love page 4 Taste & Inspiration on page 5 What’s happening? see pages 6 & 9 Our Church Family page 7 Kid’s Page on page 9