We Will by R. Wilson
“Do you Riverside Christian Assembly promise to teach this boy the word of God, to study, to be approved, that the doctrine you pass on to this soul will be pure?” asked the pastor.
Like thunder “We will!” Was the resounding response, again and again. “Will you stand behind this child’s parents in prayer and accountability?” “We will!”
“Will you do your utmost to see this child is trained in the admonition of the Lord?” “We will!”
And the thunder storm came to a peaceful still. Rev. Drew received the child. Paused. And prayed a solemn blessing upon the young soul.
Gideon Russel Felix
“The Lord is with you, mighty man” reads the certificate dedicated to Gideon Russell Felix. He will be a man of God…named after the great leader in Judges who overthrew the shackles of the Midianite oppression against 135,000 enemies with a thin crew of 300. God called him. God was with him. God used him. Let it be so with the young Felix. His middle name is etched after Seattle Seahawks quarterback and outstanding Christian Russel Wilson. Greatness awaits this new member. His parents Jesse and Dani are incredibly involved members of RCA and have been with the congregation almost since the beginning. Gideon joins two blessed sisters, Adaline and Selah. The family attends on Saturday nights.
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Calvin Eze Nwankwo
“Long live the King!” Calvin Eze Nwankwo has a royal name. “Eze” is Nigerian for “King.” As Rev. Drew and Rev. Manny took the anointing oil, they explained: “Calvin is set apart. He is now dedicated to the service of the Lord like a prophet who speaks for God. They were anointed with oil. And like a priest who serves faithfully in the temple. They were anointed with oil. And like a king who governs the people. They were anointed with oil. So this child shall be a mighty voice for God, a consistent servant for God, and a leader among his peers, for God. First-time parents Brandon and Beverly absolutely adore Calvin. Their families came in full support of his dedication. Brandon and Bev have given their son a legacy of godliness, excellence, creativity, athleticism and high-achievement. Young Calvin will be a man of God and a powerful influence.
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Great Things on the Way
Feb20-22 Youth Winter Retreat
March7 UFC Poker Night
March 14 Darts Part II
Picture of the Week
What an amazing class Professor Jim Tucker gave on "Great Presentations" to some of our Sunday School teachers, worship team, youth leaders, karate instructors, Celebrate Recovery leaders, and several pastors.
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Godonomics: 7 Angels, 2 Lovers
By C.S. Anderson
St. Valentine’s Day is the season of celebrating romance, so we will analyze a popular song that came out in the 1980s called Seven Spanish Angels. The song was composed by Troy Seals and Eddie Setzer. Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, and others recorded the ballad.
The song is about seven angels “at the altar to the sun,” overlooking a valley where two lovers are tragically gunned down by a group of riders. However, the angels are “praying for the lovers in the valley of the gun.” Now we know from Scripture that angels do pray, at least after a fashion, but why would they be praying for these lovers? If the cause of these two lovers was just, and apparently it was, why wouldn’t the seven angels have intervened for the hapless couple rather than let them die violently?
The song begins in this manner: He looked down into her brown eyes/ And said, “Say a prayer for me” / She threw her arms around him/ Whispered, “God will keep us free”/ They could hear the riders coming/ He said, “This is my last fight/ If they take me back to Texas/ They won’t take me back alive.”
The chorus then breaks in about seven Spanish angels at an ancient altar praying for the pair. In the next verse, the riders come, there is a short gun battle, and the man is killed. His woman picks up his now empty gun, and is shot down as well.
Perhaps these angels were “praying for the lovers” to make a stand for something greater than themselves. This song is about true love, devotion, courage, and sacrifice. In the Pyramid of Virtues, these traits would be at or very near the apex. That is what I take from this ballad. The angels performing a miraculous deliverance for the two lovers would make us feel warm and fuzzy, but the lovers’ example of love and courage is of far greater worth for those of us living in this fallen world.
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RCA Hooping It Up
By: F. Castle and Jael Brattrud
Last Thursday RCA went to another basketball game at CBU. It was an exciting game, with the CBU Lancers trailing the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners throughout most of the 1st half.
During the 2nd half the scores went back and forth—first one team then the other would be ahead. Finally, the Lancers established a lead that was kept until the final score, which was 74 to 69. Lance Up!
Many of our youth attended the game. Jehu was even inspired to practice his basketball more diligently so that he might play on this same Lancer team someday.
Cici does an amazing job as a Lancer cheerleader. Her backflips are a thing to behold.
These events are an important ministry of RCA. They enlarge our youths’ academic and athletic visions.
We are excited to attend future CBU games. So, come on out and join us for another action-packed event.
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Bethany Castillo preached a powerful message to the adults Wednesday night!
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