Faces of Faith

One day, we will all pass in review By Don Davis For the Kannapolis Citizen Those who have been in the military understand pass in review is that moment during a military parade when the troops are reviewed by the commander and distinguished guests. The unit that performs the best is normally recognized by the commander. Those who are not as sharp are normally instructed to practice to improve during the next scheduled parade. The Bible tells us we, too, will somewhat do a pass in review in the judgment. The difference is that each will stand alone and give an account of those things we have done or not done within our lifetime. This is the judgment seat of Christ. A while back, a man told about his personal experience of nearly drowning. He recalled how in his mind he twirled out into space and suddenly relived his life as if he were seeing it on a movie screen. His experience is normally called “life after death.” Everyone who is given a second chance, as this man, should be thankful to God. The hardest thing for me to understand is how someone whose life is spared in such an incident could ever depart from God again. I would think once they are revived they would commit themselves to God and serve him the rest of their lives. I recall receiving a call one Sunday night after church services, asking me to go to Rowan Regional Medical Center. When I arrived, I discovered a young girl had come close to drowning at High Rock Lake. Her story was similar and as soon as she knew she was OK, she wanted to talk to a minister. Thank God I was given the opportunity to be there and to hear her testimony of what had happened and to see her pray to receive Christ. Though very young, this youth never wanted to face such a situation again without knowing she was safe in her Lord. You say, “What has that to do with military parades?” When the military passes in review they are judged to determine if they meet the standard of the military inspectors designated by the commander. In like manner every one of us is going to face the judge, Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:27 says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after the judgment.” In the examples I have described above, one person felt he knew the Lord and the youth was sure she was lost and would have not been accepted into God’s eternal kingdom. If she had met Jesus that night, he would have said to her, “Sorry, I never knew you.” The Bible makes it clear. In 2 Corinthians we find, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in the body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad.” The question I would ask every reader: Are you ready to “pass in review” for the great commander, the only one who counts, Jesus Christ? Please be ready. Don Davis is a local pastor and writes a religious column for the Kannapolis Citizen. If you would like to submit a religious column, contact Editor Joanie Morris at 704-932-3336 or jmorris@kannapoliscitizen.com. Camp Grier director visiting First Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis will host Dave Cohn, director of Camp Grier, for a special presentation about the camp tonight at 6:30 in the Fellowship Hall. All children and teens, first grade and up, and their parents are welcome to attend. An optional fellowship supper will be served at 6 p.m., with a suggested donation of $5 per person, maximum of $15 per family. Camp Grier is owned and operated by the Presbyteries of Charlotte, Salem and Western North Carolina. It is located just outside of Old Fort, at the foot of the Blue Ridge. The camp provides summer camping for children and youth, rising second grade through high school. Camp activities include small group Bible study, crafts, hiking, swimming, tubing and other nature activities. A basketball court and soccer and softball areas have recently been added. Housing varies from main camp lodges to rustic A-frame log houses, depending on the age group. For more information about the camp, please visit www.CampGrier.org. For more information about Dave Cohn’s visit, please call 704-938-4623. Lane St. Church of God wins big Eleven youths from Lane Street Church of God won in three different categories at a state-level competition in late April. The three categories were: • Strings plucked (guitar) • Synchronized movement • Group skit They have the opportunity to compete at the national competition which will be held in August in San Antonio, Texas. The group is looking for donations to help them achieve their goal of going to the national competition in August. If you would like to help, contact Charles Church, music pastor, at 704-431-8898. Youth-run service this Sunday at First Presbyterian Church The FUSION Youth Group of First Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis will lead the 10:55 a.m. worship service at the church this Sunday. They will honor their mothers with their favorite hymns and celebrate Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit to the church. FUSION Youth Group is made up of teens in grades 6-12, and is under the direction of Michael and Cheryl Lange. The public is welcome to attend this joyous worship service. For more information, please call 704-938-4623. Send us your church news The Kannapolis Citizen welcomes news from local churches. Fax church news or sermon topics to 704-933-3453, e-mail them to news@kannapoliscitizen.com or mail them to 221 West A St., Kannapolis, NC 28081. We welcome church bulletins or newsletters. Please submit items by noon Monday each week. For information, call the Citizen at 704-932-3336.