University City Church of Christ Sharing Biblical knowledge, Spiritual A Publication by and for the Members 4626 NW 8th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32605 Insights, Life and God’s Love Volume 9, Number 1 universitycitychurchofchrist.org

KETURAH AND HER BAND OF 14 MEN

Abraham had many mothers for his sons (and daughters?). Women were truly considered “chattel” or belongings. Their lives were full of childbirth and hard work. Early translations do not use the word “pain” but “hard work and many pregnancies”. So that is understood as a consequence! And God made women to bare this burden. enters the picture at this point. She bore six sons, , , Medan, Midian, , and . Later Jokshan was the father of and Dedan, who had three sons, Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim. Then Midian had five more sons: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abidda, and Eldaah. (I spelled out all these Jewish names so you could appreciate them!) Keturah may have been or NOT wealthy or beautiful as was , but as his wife (concubine?) she gave fourteen sons and grandchildren! Money in the bank, so to speak! Today we like to feel these “sons” were God's gifts to Abraham and the nation of Israel. All seem precious to the Clan. While Abraham still lived he gave great gifts to “these also” sons. Abraham sent them far away from HIS special . Probably so there would be less jealousy! As the says God gave the rest of the herds, his lands and his many women and children to Isaac, who began his hard core of devoted and prolific descendants. WOMEN were not often named.

Since WOMEN bore the children, we know these men had wives and children, nameless or not! These UN- named women (chattel) were also a part of God's great plan. And so are today's children. Modern women (and men) do not feel so obligated to fulfill this role. Keturah had many male descendants and we are NOT told the particulars of these situations. Many women today have the option to limit their family numbers. In China they are limited to one. I feel God has his opinion of that! So be grateful modern woman can, at least, have her choice about such matters! (I hope!)

Bettye Roberts

Abraham

Hagar Sarah Keturah

Ishmael Isaac

Zimran Jokshan Medan Midian Ishbak Shuah

Sheba Dedan Ephar Epher Hanoch Abida Eldaah

Asshuritess Leummites Letushites

KETURAH AND HER BAND OF 14 MEN

Drawing Leo Hines

LOVE is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

LOVE does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

LOVE never fails. I Corinthians 4-8

Sweet Winter

Most of you already know how much I dislike cold weather. I get stiff, my joints complain, and the blood in my brain seems to turn to molasses, making even my thoughts march along at a ferociously slow pace. And, yet, look at the title at the top of this page. I wrote that! All I can say to answer your unspoken question is “Honeybell.” And the story doesn’t begin with the sweet, plump citrus hanging so heavy on the Honeybell tree’s branches in early February. The story begins the previous winter as the fragrant orange blossoms are thick on those same braches, filling the air with potent scent. Those blossoms then give way to the tiniest buds of fruit, providing no hint of the joyous juice soon to be produced. I say, soon, but this process takes the whole rest of the year, and at least a full month of the next year! (Right up to this time of year, as a matter of fact.) A process that takes nearly a full year reaches its culmination, its completeness, at the very time of year I am near despair. In the midst of the coldest weather season, God sends me hope. Hope that I can survive my discomfort. Hope that this season can be endured. Hope that the warmth of His love will be renewed in me. (Just as soon as I thaw out, that is.) And He sends that hope in the form of the sweetest juice I have ever experienced. This is not just sweet juice, but juice overflowing. The Honeybell citrus was bred to be a juice fruit, so full in each piece that you experience it to your elbows as you remove the peel. (I’m not exaggerating. If you’ve never opened one yourself, be sure to have a couple of towels at the ready.) Just as Jesus tells us, His disciples, to cling to the good – even in the midst of trials and tribulations – so is the sweetness of the Honeybell to me. It is my assurance every February that the spring, then summer, will come. And that I can endure until then. Perhaps even thrive, sustained by His sweetness. Care to join me? If you’ve made it this far, seek me out today and I’ll tell you where you can find your own bit of “sweet heaven,” right here in this place. Even in the midst of winter. I’m glad to share my hope with you, yes, to share His hope with you. And to share some juice as well. Ron McQuinn

Love is the Key

A smile, a hug or kind Words Unlocks a broken heart Unconditional love can make the difference When one is lonely and discouraged

Jesus holds the key But He wants to share it With a crumbling world defeated by sin; This was never our Creator’s desire.

A loving God molded mankind From mere clay and breathed in life. He promises eternal love to all Who would obey His precious gospel.

Father God and Brother Love Are committed to their promises. They made us to live with them. How deeply our waywardness grieves them.

Jesus came to show us the way back to God; He lived amongst us, died and rose again To seal a contract of love if we would believe And accept the key of eternal life.

Leo Hines

Anniversary Celebrations

17 Hamilton, William & Breanna 21 Carr, Jimmy & Jan

February Birthdays

01 Braun, Bill 12 Holway, Steve

01 Liebler, Robert 13 Coffield, Darren

01 Robinson, Edith 13 White, Shannon

02 Payne, Dan 13 Wright, Rose

03 Kelley, Tyler 15 White, Samuel

05 Floyd, Evelyn 16 Houlihan, JoLee 06 DiCicca, Kayla 16 Vocelle, Luke 07 Blake, Martha 18 Carbaugh, Jeannette 08 Little, Marilyn 18 Houser, William 08 Stewart, Emily 22 Kinsman, Kyle 09 Gatton, Khloe 23 Fletcher, George 09 Gatton, Melissa 23 Wilson, Tokara Joseph 10 Colbert, Angus 10 Hendricks, Janet 24 Wilson, Thelma

10 Latta, Caleb 25 Latta, Kyle

11 Johnson, Eleanor 26 Harris, Debbie 26 Vitarelli, Matt 11 McQuinn, Ron 11 Taylor, Scott 27 Howell, Katherine 12 Bell, Maraysha 28 Macgregor, Duncan 12 Copeland, Kellar 28 Pinkston, Crystal 29 Hood, Larry

UCCC Herald Newsletter Editorial Policy: All submissions are considered based on Bible principles, applicable references, available space and editing.

All Publications must have the approval of UCCC Herald staff and Elders Send electronic submission(s) to [email protected] by the 4th Monday of each month

Dear Church Family,

Thank you for making UCCC’s past, five Spring Arts Bible Festivals successful. We invite your participation in UCCC 6th Annual Spring Arts Bible Festival, Sunday, March 15, 2015, Noon- 2:00 pm. All art work/crafts must be based on our festival theme: Anchored in Christ, taken from Hebrews 6:19

We welcome your submission(s) to express your faith through the arts.

In Christ,

UCCC Spring Arts Bible Festival Team Janet Hendricks Beatrice Hines Bettye Roberts