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Have you ever had a financial gun to your head? I have, and it's no fun. I thought that after surviving legal battles, bill collections, garnishment and rip-oils, I could weather the last bit of this recessional storm and survivetillthe times got better. In hindsight, I can see the moves and circumstances that have left me in my situation today. I can see how hope, when placed on fleeting things, is really no hope, but only empty wishful thinking. I can see how we see what we want to see and often forget to measure the cost not only in dollars, but also in time spent and lost with family and friends, and also the cost in terms of health, ’ a good name and self esteem. Seven years ago I purchased a retail franchise in Oakville. Six months into the business the franchiser sold to another concern. As a result of that action, the landlord where I had been renting exercised a little clause allowing them to put me out of my location â€" $120,000 borrowed went out the window. A new location had to be found and fixtured to the tune of $85,000 plus inventory. Less business coming in and higher costs of operation made it more than difficult. Staff problems, family and By D. M. Bruce My World Crumbles The Oakridge Nursery Program is committed to providing loving care guided by Christian values for children es 4 and under. Oakridge believes that c ‘ dren are precious gifts from God and represent the future of our church and communities. The nursery program strives to provide a positive experience for both the children and parents. Responsible attendants will care for your children during all church services. Our facility allows for the children to be divided into three rooms, Sleepers, Crawlers and Toddlers according to age and need: Psalm 1271/3 0 Sleepers are primarily infants 0-3 months or any child that needs a nap during the services. 0 Crawlers are children 3.12 months who sit or crawl during play and who enjoy a more active environment 0 Toddlers are children who can walk on their own and can safely participate in even more active play. A comfortable private area is also available for nursing mothers. The nursery program includes age appropriate toys, a safe and supervised play area, Christian videos, story time for the toddlers and snack time Nursery attendants will interact with all the children to encourage coo rative play and to promote a happy an secure environment Policies and procedures have been designed in order to ensure that the nursery program remains efiective and organized while providing a level of personal care that assures each child' 18 safe and happy in the nursery. We always welcome new volunteers to the nursery. Please contact Annette Hanks 842-9882 if you wish to become involved in this ministry. “Chi_ldren are a befitagefi'om the OAKRIDGE SUNDAY NURSERY PROGRAM God has been good. Through Oakridge, He sent food, He sent people with gifts of money and clothing for the kids, and prayers and hugs and lots and lots of love. God has opened the door to a new job â€" things are still a struggle, but now my focus is right on my Saviour. In this life gains and losses come to all â€" but this life is short compared to eternity. You will live jbr eternity, the question is where? Slowdownandtumyoufocusto what really matters for eternity. Asyoumn see, allofmyfocusand attention was on myself and how I deservedbetterJactedasifGodwas my servant and that He should answer my prayers because I was a Christian.lactedasifâ€"Yes,youare a nice God but what have you done for me lately? I forgot about the sacrifice His Son Jesus Christ made for my by dying on a cruel Roman cross to give me life eternal with financial problems â€" I wondered what made me ever get into “God how can you let this happen to me!", I thought, “There are people out there that are real crooks and they’re making a profit. Don’t you even care, God. ” As time went hyl became ang6rier. It was up and down for years, 6days a week with no vacations. I attended few of my kids’ activities. “Lord, I'm trying! Where business? are You?" Finally, I lost-my businms. I was able to pay off almost everyone but now I was behind on my mortgage, insurance, telephone, gas... you name it, and I could .not even buy groceries. I nearly lost my home, my family and my health. Home Fellowship groups are an important part of Oakrldge from 12-20 people meet once a week in dilfetent omes, from September to June, to study a portion of the Bible, or topics related to the Bible. Interesting and varied ideas, lead to lively interaction. One of the most imhpomnt aspects of the evening is e prayer time, remembering needs of the chureh, about it. ' ' ‘ ThisFalLinlhenewchurch, mhope to start weekly afternoon classes sudl 223313;, “Elfilnflféigf‘fli‘; um 6010 cut/tell? colour paintin, etc. A nursely will be available for dren. We also plan to I Domtfldemautomobflwâ€" they start a Fitness Group. cause 20% of all fatal accidents. We try to care for those in need at 2 Donota‘ayatbome 17%ofall times of sickness or bereavement, by accidents WW- providing meals or other help. 3. Do not'wall: m tbesireetâ€" 15% of The ladies at Oakri e come from a 4 “”WW’OWM‘W variety of oun ’ have dllferent .Do nft travel by'alr, rail orwater personalities, erent needs, but we ‘ 161' 01’4” m result/hm all love the Lord and use about each these activities other. We are hopin'ietoc!apeL have many 5 Only 001% ofallacadentsbamen nlore ladies join us at in clmrch _ . , local and {vorld affairs, and also personal needs in a confidential setting. There is time for coffee and a chat at the en of the evening. The ladies at Oakridge enjoy getting together. Often there is a shower for a new bride, or a new baby. We also have our own spedal evenings when we might have a speaker with an interesting topic, or a demonstration of a craft, and a short spirimal message. AtChrisunas,weliketohaveaquiet evening of sharing thoughts and memories, and an ‘old fashioned cookie exchange’. We have a prayer chain for special emergency matters and if there is a need, you can be sure that very soon quite a few ladies will be praying Women’s activities Friendship l . We see our church as a family. Who could ever say there are too many families? In :33 when family units are under and their very function is being uestioned, we still believe in 21mm 'es. The family is the basic unit of society, designed by God to nurture people, to care for them, and toMpromote sharing. This is es eci y important for many of to ’5 single parent families. We see ourselves so much as family that we (all ourselves brother and sister, and seek to meet one another's needs. The Bible tells us, “Love one another, for love is of God." (1 John 4:7) Can there be. too much of this in our loveâ€"starved world? A. We see our cburcb as a family of God. We are brothers and sisters because, through our faith in Christ, we have been born into God’s s'pliritual family. Although we claim e right to be called God’s children, we do not believe that membership in our church, or in any other church, for that matter, Eyes us this ' t. Only personal 'th in Jesus ' gives anyone therighttomllGodhisspirimal Father. So, our purpose in meeting together is to worship God our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Good question! Those of us who began Oakridge Bible Chapel seven yearsago asked ourselves the same question. We think we found some good answers, and that is why we have kept on going and growing. 3 . We see our church as a dynamic family of God. A family is meant to be a living and growing community, and that is just what we have been doing! Over 250 people, young apd 0151,. married apd_single, join in the celebration each Sunday. We look forward to :lfw and exdtin programmes or win the whaling months. If u bilge not already found 9. ohm home, we want you to know that there is a place waiting for you at Oakridge. Come, hear the m e of Christ, enjoy the fellowship 0 our family and grow with us in the S irit! Married - or single â€" you ‘ be welcomed! My name is Heather. I attend Oakridge Bible Chapel with my family. i was born with a birth defect called a Club Foot. It is a condition that diects the tendons in the back of the lower leg, causing them to constrict. Like people, no two eases are the same. In my case, my foot curved down and in as I grew. By the time 1 was 13, I had gone through three sets of corrective surgery. Each was l)s‘tirccessful but, fsinczlwla hadn't stop growing, my cot ys went back to its original shape. In October of 1992, my doctor told me about the , Ilizarov External Fixator, a l' device that len ens and straightens the ' bs. That sounded pretty freaky, and sounded worse when we learned what it looked like â€" metal rods through my leg and foot bones for 4 to 6 months. The thing that hit " Iglrid hardeflstjn was that allted the e 8 Iwan to do would be affected. [had the initial operation onJanuary4andasho I was back to school 1' 3 weeks... for two half days. But by the first week in Febru , my foot was swollen eyond description, and I was having painful muscle spasms. When I went back into the hospital, the surgeon slit the muscles on the bottom of my foot, which allowed them to compensate for the extra growth my foot was experiencing. It was during this time that a couple of key things hap ed. Since I had been through a lot 0 pain in mylife, I figured whatever it was God wanted to teach me from pain I had already learned. But I was wrong A lot of people get the wrong Oakxidge Bible Chapel’s AWANA prognmme has been sumes opemting for over four vm'rc 11w AWANA mam-ammo k cmrifimflv dpdanpd fnr have an Dirk from three were of ige through to Grade 6." We will commence this year's AWANA pro with registration on October 17,1993 and finish in April, 1994. It is our intention to old club every Sunday evening from 6:15 pm to 7:45pmat0akridge Bibleclupel. The limetableforatypialAWANAevmingisasfoll ows: An exciting, activity-oriented time characterizes the typlal club night. Uniforms and awards are earned. Come and join us! lfyou have any questions, please phone Laurie ang at 824-2484. An exciting, activity-oriented program for boys and girls AGES THREE AND FOUR KANDGRADESI2 GRADESSto6 6:15 7:15 Li’i’fieAWANiAT V V eis‘speafiro' dai édforboysmd '- frofil’dlreeywsof hroughtonJeé. ally gn ‘ ' girls 6:25 7:15 7:45 BIBLE LEBSON l GAMES/SPORTSI BIBLE LESSON HANDBOOK TIME I GAMES/SPOKE GAMES/SPORTS I BIBLE LESSON I HANDBOOK TIME REGISTRATION AND FLAG CEREMONY CLOSING PRAYER AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CUBBIES l SPARKS I AWANA PROGRAM PALS/PIONEERS I CHUMS/GUARDS BOYS with the'pajn. It didn’t go away all at once, but it didn’t bother me as much #2. God has used my pain and the experience of watching others suffer to bring me closer to Him. And through this He has not only changed me but has taught me to care about others. The Apostle Paul wrote, “God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in trouble with the comfort we have received from God." 2 Cor, 1: 3,4 Through God, our pain can turn to joy. His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind. ” - ”Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. ” idea about pain. They figure God is punishing them, but really He’s not He, wantsustobehap bemuseiieloves us. And, sometimes e onlywaywe an be hap with what we have is bygoing througlgyt'ough times. I got an excellent teen devotional book thatIusedandIalsobegantomdthe Bible every which me a “light attheendof etunn ",thoughlwas still in pain. These past six months have taught me two spiritual lessons. #1. Through God's} love we can overcome physical, mental, and spiritual ain. As I read my 'devotio and praised God for the many good things He had done, the pain became less important to me. I was PAIS/ CHUMS/ PIONEERS GUARDS CUBBIES - gtobeabletocope wi the pain. It didn’t go