The Hillsboro Christian

In This Issue of The Hillsboro

By Brad Clouse

In 2006, Oprah Winfrey selected Elie Wiesel’s Night to be included in her famous book club. In this book, Wiesel writes about his experiences as a Jewish prisoner in the Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps. The following is an excerpt from Oprah’s interview with Wiesel:

OPRAH: There may be no better person than you to speak about living with gratitude. Despite all the tragedy you've witnessed, do you still have a place inside you for gratefulness?

ELIE: Absolutely. Right after the war, I went around telling people, "Thank you just for living, for being human." And to this day, the words that come most frequently from my lips are, "Thank you." When a person doesn't have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity. A person can almost be defined by his or her attitude toward gratitude.

OPRAH: Does having seen the worst of humanity make you more grateful for ordinary occurrences?

ELIE: For me, every hour is grace. And I feel gratitude in my heart each time I can meet someone and look at his or her smile.

Despite all the tragedy Wiesel experienced, he still had a place in his heart for thanksgiving. Such a testimony reminds us of what the apostle Paul wrote to the church of Thessalonica: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18).” Of course, giving thanks to God is easy when things are going well. But how can we give thanks to God when things are not going well? Paul never allowed his circumstances to prevent him from giving thanks.

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were flogged and thrown into prison with their feet fastened in the stocks. Despite their circumstances, they were both “praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them (Acts 16:25).” In all circumstances, Paul never failed to give thanks to God; and with all he experienced, God never failed him. No matter the circumstances, our God is always good. His love for us never fails: "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever (Psalm 136:1).” We also have the wonderful promise that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).” This Thanksgiving season, may we never lose the place in our hearts for giving thanks to God.

In this edition of The Hillsboro Christian, Adam shares the various benefits provided to us as God’s people when we give thanks. Also, Micah takes a moment to reflect on thanksgiving as found in the book of Psalms. We are excited to have Jim Bush as our guest contributor for this edition of The Hillsboro Christian. He takes a moment from his busy schedule as the Regional Director of Recruiting for the Russell School of Ministry to share a timely word on gratitude with us.

Christian who walks with the Lord and keeps constant communion with Him will see many reasons for rejoicing and thanksgiving all day long.

(Warren Wiersbe)

"Pride slays thanksgiving, but a humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow

unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!"

Ward Beecher)

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” (Psalm 100:4 5)

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Corinthians 15:57)

In Christian love, Brad

Brad Clouse, a Louisville, Kentucky native, graduated from Louisville Bible College in 2010 with a Master's Degree in Sacred Literature after earning his former degrees at the same university. Brad served at smaller churches in Adair County Kentucky while in college before being called to Ohio in 2009. Brad ministered to the New Vienna Church of Christ congregation for 12 years before being called to the Hillsboro Church of Christ as the Senior Minister.

He is pictured here with his wife, Julie, and his children, Will, Annaleigh, and Samantha.

r a y e r

Health and Other: Denver Conley

Ohio Mission

Janet Pence

Shalom Orphanage

Sandy Spruill

Sharon Webb

Wayne Wiedenbein

Shut Ins: Barbara Boris Jewel Calmes

John Porter Carol Setty

Ruby Wallingford

Cancer: Jeffery

Kari Crafton Judy Roush

Mark Sears

Family Loss: Missions: The Brittons, The Millers, The Newmans

HCC Leadership: Steve Allen

Brad Clouse Roger Epley Dan Fauber

Micah Herrick Mike Labig Adam Steele

Richard VanZant Military: Tyler Amos Ryan Burns

Mark Conover

Thadeus Conover Corey Hughes Phillip Mycroft

GRATITUDE:

Rediscovering the Joy of Thanksgiving

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

~PHILIPPIANS 4:6, 7 3:17 (NIV)

IT HAS BEEN ONE YEAR since I stepped away from a leadership role at the Hillsboro Church of Christ. It seems an appropriate time for me to pause and reflect on all that has transpired over the past 12 months. Much has happened in that time in your life and in mine. We have received blessings that have filled us with joy, and we have experienced challenges, some that may have tried our very souls.

When Brad Clouse asked me to write on the subject of ‘gratitude’ for The Christian this month, I readily accepted but did not take a lot of time in the moment to consider what I would share or if I really had anything to share. Rather than formulating a strategic plan or outline for those future thoughts, I just marked my calendar and asked Susie to give me a reminder one month out, which, by the way, she faithfully did . . . once . . . twice . . . . and . . . . I decided it was time to hit pause and do a little reflecting before I received reminder number three.

If there is one quality that seems to be vanishing in our culture and is seen far too seldom in the Christian community, it is the virtue of gratitude. Why is that, I wonder? When gratitude, according to the vast testimony of biblical writers, is to be the indispensable, ever present posture of our souls, why is it so glaringly absent?

Part of the answer is why I asked Susie Burns (HCC’s Publications Coordinator) to give me a reminder for this assignment ‘procrastination.’ I tend to procrastinate, stall, and suppress. The reasons for this may be many, but among them is that I, and maybe you, tend to live overstretched, marginless lives (which is something I am trying to address). Anxiety and pressure are our ever present companions, and they are thieves of ‘gratitude.’

Other gratitude thieves are the monsters, ‘I Deserve’ and ‘I Want.’ They are gluttons that never push away from the table but always demand we feed them more and more. They are never satisfied. They are never full. In feeding them, there is no end. Together, these four thieves suck away the joy of our salvation, leaving in its place the gnawing pain of doubt and the emptiness of dissatisfaction. We have forgotten that “godliness, with contentment, is great gain (1 Tim. 1:6).”

So, let us together hit ‘pause’ for a moment. There are some things we can do that will “restore the joy of our salvation” (Ps. 51:12) and reinvigorate the spirit of gratitude within us.

STOP: It is hard to cultivate gratitude on the fly. To be truly grateful, we have to be willing to push the ‘pause’ button. So, put the cell phone down, turn off the TV, and take a little time. Be still.

LOOK: What do you see with your eyes? Look to the heavens and observe the grandeur of God’s marvelous creation. Look around you at the flowers and trees and the activity of nature that surrounds us. Make note of the people God has placed in your life that have invested in and shaped you.

LISTEN: What do you hear with your ears? The babbling of a brook? The song of a mockingbird? The gentle breeze that cools a summer evening? The encouraging voice of a loved one or dear friend? The soft voice of the Spirit speaking through His Word?

CONSIDER: What does all of this say? What does it communicate about the God Who made you and loves you? What does this stir within you? What does this require of you? How should you respond?

APPRECIATE: Savor deeply the things you have observed, the things you see and hear, the eyes with which you see them, and the ears with which you hear them. “Count your many blessings. Name them one by one.”

GIVE THANKS: Surely the goodness of God, the provision He supplies, the prayers He has answered, and the unrequested blessings we have received day after day, year after year, will cause us to bow in humble adoration and deep GRATITUDE for the overwhelming grace and mercies of our heavenly Father, which are new every morning (Lam. 3:22, 23).

When following this simple pattern, while considering the past 12 months, it is easy to count numerous things for which to give thanks.

• I am so grateful for the years of ministry and relationships that God gave Jean and me with the Hillsboro Church of Christ family.

• I am grateful that God opened the doors for Brad Clouse and his family to assume the leadership role here at HCC.

• I am grateful for Brad’s commitment to the Word and his enthusiastic spirit in walking in obedience to Christ.

• I am thankful for Adam Steele, Micah Herrick, and Megan Apgar for their commitment to Christ and desire to shepherd the family of God well.

• I am grateful for the entire HCC staff for their partnership in ministry and their ongoing friendship and prayers.

• I am grateful for the elders and ministry leaders of HCC, whose hearts for the kingdom of Christ fuel their passion and service.

• I am grateful for the vision of Central Christian College of the Bible, under the leadership of David Fincher, which has invested much to maintain a ministry training center in the Cincinnati area through the Russell School of Ministry.

• I am most thankful for the open door God granted me to be a part of this new paradigm of ministry training.

• I am thankful and beyond excited that HCC is on the ground breaking edge of raising up the next generation of leaders by investing in the ministry of RSM and the training and mentoring of two of HCC’s young men who, sensing the strong calling of the Lord on their lives, are now students at RSM.

• I am grateful that God has proven Himself faithful through the hardship of the Covid years.

• I am grateful that there are thousands of believers who have not bowed their knee to the god of Culture.

• I am beyond grateful that the blood of Jesus Christ covers my sin. I am forgiven!

• I am beyond grateful that God is on His throne, He has not forsaken His children. We have hope beyond this life that makes every hardship in this life as nothing in comparison (Rom. 8:18)!

all

eternally grateful. May Jesus Christ be praised in your life, and in mine,

now

the day He calls

CONSIDER . . . APPRECIATE . . . GIVE THANKS.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jim Bush grew up in a ministry family and following in his father’s footsteps became a minister of the Gospel also. It was just one year ago that Jim recently concluded a 33 year ministry with the Hillsboro Church of Christ where he served in multiple capacities through the years. The last eight of those years he served as the lead minister with the Hillsboro Church. Jim now serves the Russell School of Ministry, located in Florence, Kentucky, as the Regional Director of Recruiting. Jim and his wife (of 47 years) Jean continue to reside in Hillsboro.

ICOM

(International Conference on Missions)

The International Conference on Missions will be held this year from November 3rd through the 5th at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., Columbus, Ohio, 43215.

Our church has registered our whole family for ICOM!! That means you and your immediate family can experience an international conference at no additional cost! Walk through an exhibit hall with over 325 organizations to meet, attend five workshops on various missional topics, worship with thousands of attendees, and more!

If you missed the October 25th registration deadline, it’s not too late; you can still register when you arrive at the convention. The church has already paid for you to go, so be sure to use the code below so you will not be charged.

Attending onsite, use code: unity22

DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS

Simply put a leader is someone who influences a group or team of people whether it is influence of a family; influence of a team; or influence of a large organization. Each one of us needs to recognize our circle of influence and strive to be the best leader we can be.

Developing leaders is vital for the sustainability of any organization and the church is no different. Jesus himself invested in twelve men to continue His mis sion after he was gone. This mission is just as im portant today as it was when Jesus established His church. We need to be intentional about growing leaders.

To this end, we have created an opportunity for you to explore your leadership potential and to grow as a leader to Reach Higher. We call it HOPE UNIVERSITY.

How you can participate:

Hope University is open to anyone interested in learning more about their leadership potential and gaining more leadership skills. You will explore four areas of leadership; what we are calling the 4C’s: Calling, Character, Competency, and Courage.

Each tract is designed to challenge you, lift you, and teach you how to be a leader in your circle of influence. As you journey through each tract, you will be assigned a coach who will collaborate with you to answer questions and who will challenge you to grow. In addition to a coach, you will also have a mentoring partner who will share their leadership experiences with you and provide guidance, motivation, emotional support, and role modeling. There will also be opportunities for collective fellowship, fun, and food with other participants, coaches, and mentors.

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, there will be a ‘LUNCH N LEARN’ right after the second service on NOVEMBER 27TH. THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP PLUS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW Hope University works and how you can be involved. If you would like to attend, please go to our website and register for this event . . . . . We HOPE to see you there!

Website: hillsborochurch.net/hopeuniversity

One of the most repetitive parts of raising kids is teaching them manners. A kid who has good manners will bring much praise to his or her parents.

by Adam Steele

“Your child is so polite” these words will make you feel like you have this parenting thing figured out. But, it takes a lot of consistency to train your children in manners. You must remind them every time you give them something, “What do you say?” We are fishing for that “Thank you.” It is important to instill good manners in your children. Being kind and considerate will aid them in the future. But, is that the only reason we teach our children to say, “Thank you?” Is it just so that our children are thought of as being polite and well mannered? Is it possible that God has something greater in store for us?

Whenever we are commanded to do something, there is always something deeper that God is trying to teach us through the command. Sometimes he is asking us to extend grace to others that we have received from him. For instance, the motive for us offering forgiveness to others is that God has granted forgiveness to us. The reason we love others is that God loves us. There are also times when he is attempting to teach us a lesson beyond the act of obedience itself. The commands to the Jewish people regarding sacrificing animals for their sins were about more than just a simple transaction over the cost of sins. He was teaching his people that sin re-

quires blood to be forgiven. He is giving the context they will need in the future to properly understand the work of Jesus on the cross. God’s attributes and character are reflected in his commands. When we obey his commands, we imitate him. Often when God gives us a command, there is a lesson for us beyond simply doing what he says because he said so.

Let's think about prayer for a moment. One of the reasons we pray is that we hope for God to change things. We are asking him to intervene in our lives or the lives of someone we care about. We ask him for comfort, provision, healing, protection, etc. While there is something meaningful taking place as we come to our Heavenly Father and ask for him to provide for us, there is more going on. In order for us to engage in real, genuine prayer requires that we believe certain things. We must believe that God exists. We must believe that God cares about us enough to consider our requests. We must acknowledge our own inability to affect the change that we desire. Prayer reinforces our dependence upon God. Prayer doesn’t just change things; it changes us.

Thanksgiving can provide a similar multi level benefit to our lives. In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in

Christ Jesus for you.” When God gives us the command to practice thankfulness, there are some practical reasons for this. If we practice thankfulness, it will make our interactions with others more amicable. We will get into fewer disagreements. We will not be perceived as rude or ungrateful. Other people may praise our parents for their top notch parenting abilities. However, I think that God has more in store for us than simply improving our lives. When we practice thankfulness “in all circumstances,” we are forced to acknowledge that all the good things we experience are a gift from God. As James says in chapter one, verse seventeen, “Every good

and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” Thankfulness requires us to keep a proper perspective on what happens to us and around us. When we practice thankfulness, it doesn’t just change our circumstances; it changes us. We are more fully aware of just how much we have been given by God and just how worthy he is of our praise and worship. So, make sure your kids say, “thank you,” because it might be exactly what God uses to change them to be more like Jesus.

Grace and Peace, Adam

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Adam Steele is originally from western Pennsylvania. When he was eleven his parents moved to West Virginia where he lived through his time in high school. Adam attended Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, MO.

While in college he met his lovely wife April. Adam and April have two children Silas and Sadie. Before coming to Hillsboro, OH they served at First Christian Church in Jackson, TN. Adam has a passion for ministry and for God’s word and has served as Youth and Families Minister at HCC since 2016.

NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

Elliot Purdin was immersed into Christ on October 2nd, 2022. He was baptized by his father, Kyle Purdin. Congratulations, Elliot, on this most important decision, and welcome to the family. Keep Elliot in your prayers as he continues to grow in this new relationship.

The T.H.E.O. Ministry (They Help Each Other) was organized by Dick & Eileen Carpenter in 1978.

Membership is for all single adults in the church. We have a luncheon each month on the last Sunday (except during the summer).

The purpose of this ministry is to provide a funeral dinner for those who have lost a loved one that was a member of our congregation. Food and money are donated by the members of the church.

If any of the congregation would be willing to donate food or money, there is a signup sheet at the Welcome Center, or you can call Martha Haigh at 937 393 1056.

Ascending Thanks !

Thanksgiving in the Psalms

As we see in this month’s topic, we are called to cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving in our hearts. One of the best places I know to turn when talking about an attitude of thanksgiving is the Psalms. Psalm 100:4 tells us to “enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name (ESV).” So is there a portion of the Psalms that can teach us what this should look like? I would contend that we should turn to the Psalms of Ascent.

As Jewish pilgrims made their regular journey to Jerusalem for worship and sacrifice, they would have to make a journey ascending the mountain upon which Jerusalem and the Temple were located. While climbing the mountain together, they would sing through Psalms 120 134, thus the Psalms of Ascent.

I would like to share with you the journey of where these Psalms have led me as I have read through them over the course of the last several weeks.

Psalm 120

A warrior who longs for peace. Someone who “buffets their body” daily in constant preparation but has a glimmer of hope and longs for what God can and will provide. Lord, would you place your peace over our hearts? Let us prepare each day for what the enemy might choose to unleash but ever keep the truth of your return and the peace that will accompany as the striving cause of our hearts.

Psalm 121

Head knowledge versus heart knowledge is a constant life struggle. We know in our heads that, no matter the circumstances we come into contact with, God is in complete control. But when circumstances fall “out of place,” we can feel our heart rate quicken, and a desire to panic and run set in. “The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night (vs. 5 6 (ESV)).” We have to actively remember and know to the core of our souls that he established and created nature, so even the greatest of natural forces are submitted to him.

Psalm 122

I wonder if it is a fair comparison to look at our own congregation as the writer looks at Jerusalem. You can tell that Jerusalem is not the greatest end (Israel as a nation and people is), but Jerusalem is key. Not that our congregation is the most important of all congregations, but for our context, it is at the center of corporate worship, fellowship, and growth.

Psalm 123

Lifting our eyes shows the height of God. Not simply in the sense of literal size but in the magnitude of Glory. As we ponder the things that cause us to raise our eyes monuments, structures, mountains, ancient trees, space, planets & stars, etc. all bring an innate reverence. When we raise our countenance, it gives honor to what is above. Soli Deo Gloria.

Psalm 124

How easy it can be to look at cool things that have happened in our lives and pat ourselves on the back. But the Psalmist finds it so important for the

people to speak the truth aloud that he stops and repeats it, entreating the hearers to do the same.

It is so important to speak the truth aloud verbally. Surely, I can know the truth in my mind, but saying it out loud seems to have an impact on the heart directly. The other day I was writing out some basic truths of the Gospel, and I was brought to tears just in writing the truth. READ THE WORD OUT LOUD!!!

Psalm 125

In answer to a cry for peace and comfort, I read the words, “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever (vs. 1 (ESV)).” You, Lord, are a strength and a shield from without and within. There are moments when the darkness of this world feels overwhelming. I know in my mind that you are the High King of Heaven, and my complete trust can lie fully in you. But, God, there is a terror in my heart of reliving my darkest moments. I beg for your healing and grace, Lord. “For the scepter of the wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous (vs. 3a (ESV).”

Psalm 126

God is a God of restoration whose desire is to turn tears into joy and laughter. This surely does not negate the reality that there are seasons set aside expressly for mourning. We each have things that lay so heavy on our hearts that viewing them can feel crushing. At one moment, we may feel sorrow for sin that has taken hold in our hearts; at another, for the pain and suffering of a loved one; at still another, for the loss of something or harder still, someone we hold dear. God doesn’t reject us for our pain. Instead, he invites us, full of pain, into his house and restores us to send us back out, full of his joy!

Psalm 127

Unless the Lord…what purpose is there in anything unless the Lord? Everything we can pursue is more excellent and perfect if it is pursued by his guidance and direction. If this is the case, we must begin to look more closely and ponder whether the things that we are doing are in our own power or directed by Him. Unless the Lord…I labor in vain!

Psalm 128

As I read verse three, I realize that it is in concert with what I teach young married couples. When a man leads well and walks in the ways of the Lord (cf. Deuteronomy 6), his wife is able to flourish. When they, together, are strong, then their children are as well. Key to this is a father who teaches his family (Deuteronomy 6:5ff). A church of families who are healthy like this becomes a shining beacon.

Psalm 129

This world is a messy place, but some scriptures about affliction from enemies can be difficult to understand unless we redirect our frustrations away from human persecutors and toward the principalities and spiritual powers of this dark world. Great is the apparent power in this place, yet “they have not prevailed against me.” Or rather, they have not prevailed against the power of God that is at work within me. And when we make that shift of focus, we can be far less apprehensive in the calling of a curse against our enemy.

Psalm 130

This Psalm is rich. But the phrase that stands out is verses 5 and 6. Waiting from your soul seems to include a beautiful stillness. A cry for mercy is followed by stillness. It is almost surprising that there is not a Selah that follows. But the waiting is certainly not hollow. No, it is eager. Twice he waits more than the watchman before morning. “8

o’clock, and all’s well!” God, would you help teach our souls to wait on you? An eager anticipation that does not wane while your perfect timing plays out.

Psalm 131

As I grow, either in faith or in age, I seem to find more comfort in the reality that the highest things of God are far above us. While our Lord invites us to ponder over him and read of him through his word, it is not our place to require or expect of him an answer for his deeds. It makes me think of Job. There are a great deal of things that we cannot begin to comprehend. The level of egotism that it would require to say to God, “heed my counsel; my way is right!,” is absolutely astounding. Yet there is such hope in the reality that my trust is in one so great that the vastest reaches of human intellect and reason cannot even reach his footstool!

Psalm 132

The anointed one, Messiah, Chosen one, Christ. How beautiful it is to live on this side of the cross. Knowing full well that this shout of joy for the offspring of David is the One whom this Psalm praises. But also how it must have felt through the years. How it would have been to live under the righteous kingship of David, to live during the building of the Temple, to live under a good king like Hezekiah or Josiah, to see the Temple rebuilt; to see Jesus returning on the back of a foal.

But the Lord has seen fit to place us on this side of the cross. So it is our joy and pleasure to sit and ponder over the glories that have arrived and wait on this still yet to come. ALL GLORY BE TO CHRIST!

Psalm 133

The blessing of unity. It is what Jesus prayed over the church. It is what the apostles demanded as they planted churches across the middle east and

westward toward Rome. It is central to the writing of Paul in his regular description of the church as a body that requires all its parts to function.

The precious oil. The oil only to be used by the priests of God. The pleasant smelling oil that would cover the body of an anointed priest. The oil that was a tangible and olfactory reminder of holiness and devotion. Unity is a visceral reminder that a people is set aside, devoted, and connected to God.

Far to the North in Israel is Mt Hermon. If memory serves, the dews that collected on this mountain would flow down. The dew would become streams that brought water to the valleys below. The water brought with it life. Each plant gets its fill to grow well. Each beast was getting its fill to flourish. The inhabitants of the valley then were rich from what the land provided. Unity brings wealth that cannot be measured simply because of all that it impacts.

Unity brings holiness and provision that flows from the head down and over the whole body.

Psalm 134

Now we are prepared to worship. We have witnessed all the beauty that God has done. Worship is our response to God for who he is and what he has done through Jesus, all the time reflected by what we say and do both personally and corporately. Give thanks with a grateful heart! Give thanks because of all that he has done! Give thanks because he is worthy, and he is good!!

If this has been a blessing for you, I urge you to take a journey of your own through the Psalms of Ascent. May you be blessed, and may your heart be full of thanksgiving!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Micah Herrick began ministry in 2012 after being commissioned for ministry by his home church, White Oak Christian Church, in Cincinnati, OH. Micah is currently serving HCC as Worship Minister, as well as leading our Evangelism team and coordinating our online presence. He has served in both Youth Ministry and Worship Ministry in Richmond, IN and Knightstown, IN before coming back to Ohio to serve in Hillsboro. He is pictured here with his wife, Rebecca.