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The Wesley Steeple Page 1 Weslåy United Methodist Church 1164 San Bernàrd, Austin, TX 78702 The Wesley Steeplå J UNE , 2005 V OLUME 2, I SSUE 2 Inside this issuå: Evangelism Team WomenÁs Outreach Ministry Newslettår Committee 2 Wedding Announce ment Êids Across America The Book Nook 3 Upcoming Events 4 Prayår Partners 5 June Birthdays and Anniversaries Sundày School Notes Young Adult Ministry 6 June 2005 Calendar 7 History of Juneteenth 8 Á Stay Focused on Christ this Summer!Á (ÁFor we do not preañh ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselvås as your servants for JesusÁ sake. For God, who said ÁLåt light shine out of dark ness,Á made his light shinå in our hearts to give us the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.Á II Corinthians 4: 5-6 NIV ) The Apostle Paul certainly had a råason Áto sing the bluesÁ if anyone did! Even though he had givån his best to foster the success of the Corinthian church, still his apostolic authority had been challenged, his integrity questionåd, and his ministerial methods compared to those of falså prophets and teachers. Later, in II Corinthians 11: 23-33, Paul would elaborate on his sufferings and privations in the ministry. Paul had firsthand knowledge of distressing and despairing circumstànces. One of the ways Paul was sustained in distressing times was by fîcusing on Christ rather than on himself. Lifting up Christ kept his heart focused on Christ and not on the events/ condi tions that he encountered or that existed. The most miseràble people seem to be those preoccupied with themselves. Self-centeråd people are prone to be moody and despondent, as they base thåir happiness on changeable circumstances around themselvås. When our self-esteem and happiness are based on mortal materiàlism, instead of on the unchanging truth of GodÁs ÁWîrdÁ, we can expect to experience inner turmoil almîst constantly. Because PaulÁs life was Christ-centered, and not self-ñentered, the apostle was sustained when distressing times came upon him. The clàssic example of this Christ-centered life-style may be found in Acts 16: 23-34, where Paul had been put in prison and had suffered a cruel beàting. His focus on Christ could be seen as he sang and prayed. Insteàd of sulking in the dark cor ners of his cell, Paul prayed and pràised heaven down! Christ sustained him during that crisis time and used he and Silas as Áservants for JåsusÁ sakeÁ II Corinthians 4:5). Paul preached not himsålf, but Christ the Lord and then himself as a servant for JesusÁ saêe. PaulÁs experiences should exemplify for todàyÁs believers that we, too, can be sustained the same as he, if our vi sion is clear. Lifå is tough and the struggles are relentless! Death, diseàse, and stress stalk the streets of the Austin aråa, as well as the nation, daily. The Christian enjoys no immunity, nor is he/she ex empt from the effects of a sinful wîrld