FROM THE WORD

The High Cost of Anger

Just off the coast of Massachusetts the sailors in a small schooner felt a terrible shock. Could they have hit a hidden reef?  Rushing to the side of the ship where the impact was felt, they saw a huge swordfish preparing for another attack. Swimming far out, the angry fish turned and headed for the hull of the ship with all his might. The small craft shuddered as his weapon hit.  Most swordfish weigh about 250 pounds and average seven feet in length. Big ones measure from ten to fifteen feet, weighing from six hundred to eight hundred pounds. You can imagine the terrific wallop this big battering ram made.

This usually peaceful fish was so angry that he tried to pierce the hull with his long, flattened, sword-like upper jaw. Quickly sailors manned a boat and harpooned the attacker. His sharp-edged upper jaw, half the size of his long round body, was badly hurt. Both of his eyes were gone. Had he not been caught he couldn’t have lived from the wounds that he had inflicted upon himself in his angry attacks on the small sailing vessel.

Don’t condemn the silly swordfish for destroying himself, for whenever you display anger, resentment, bitterness, or envy you are ruining your health. Poisonous stress hormones produced in your body make you tired. Anger can cause severe headaches or pain in other parts of the body. Doctors state that 60 to 90 percent of all illness is emotionally induced. Your anger takes away your enjoyment of life, for you can’t think clearly or enjoy life when anger controls your thoughts.

Job 5:2 says, “Wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.” The Jerusalem Bible puts it this way. “Resentment kills the senseless, and anger brings death to the fool.” No one likes to be called a fool or be told they are silly or senseless, but isn’t Job’s appraisal right on? Losing self-control has consequences. Friendships can be damaged or ended, or family members may stop getting together or even communicating. Words may be spoken that leave wounds that are never forgotten.

Sometimes physical altercations may leave injuries or send someone to the ER. Sometimes loss of self-control requires one to get a new address to live with others that may have the same problem.

Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the source of strength for self-control. We must have a vital connection with God to be victorious. (If anger and resentment are not your particular problem, what other area of your life do you need greater self-control? Think about it.) If we don’t listen to Jesus we will pay the high price of anger now and lose heaven too. It’s too late for that swordfish to learn self-control, but it’s not too late for us

Pastor Fred Dana

CENTRAL CORNER

This Week (April 18 to 23): 

• Tuesday @ 10:00 AM – Women’s Bible Study

• Tuesday @ 7:00 PM – Prayer Meeting with JeAnn Davis (John 17)

• Wednesday @ 7:00 PM - Spanish Group Prayer Meeting

• Various L.I.F.E. groups (in-home small group Bible studies) take place across Sacramento. To locate one near you contact our small groups’ coordinator, Richard Anger @ (916) 681-3990

• Sabbath @ 9:00 AM - Morning Manna – Silvia Ballesteros

• Sabbath @ 9:30 AM - Central Study Hour with Pastor Mike Thompson + Children/Youth/Adult Sabbath School Classes

• Sabbath @ 10:50 AM - Worship Service with Pastor Chris Buttery

• Sabbath @ 1:00 PM – Small Group Ministry Luncheon

• Sabbath @ 2:00 PM – Spring Concert

Upcoming Events

Youth & Family Life Vespers continues Friday, April 22 at 7 PM (and every second and fourth Friday in the Family Life Room). Armona Union Academy Choir will be sharing their music and other gifts with us. It will be an exciting and powerful beginning to the Sabbath. Mark your calendars!

Spring Concert: Sacramento Central’s Spring Concert, “Father Forgive Them,” is April 23 at 4 PM in the Sanctuary. Invite your family, friends and neighbors!

Princess Tea: This is a social setting for young ladies who are 10-years-old and older and their mothers. It will be held in the Camellia Room on Sunday, April 24 from 11 AM to 1 PM

Family Matters

Congratulations! We are so happy to officially welcome Patty Portalanza and Philip Ward to the Central family after their baptisms this past Sabbath. May Jesus be close to you and may you filled with His Spirit as you continue your journey with Him.

Watch Us on Television! Enjoy viewing Central’s flagship programs, Central Study Hour, every Friday night at 8 PM and Sabbath morning at 6 AM (PST) on 3ABN Proclaim! Also enjoy our Receiving the Word, 30-minute programs weekly on Sunday at 11 AM, Tuesday at 11:30 AM (NEW TIME), Wednesday at 8:30 PM, and Thursday at 9 PM (NEW TIME) on Sacramento Faith TV (Comcast – 20; CCI – 19; AT&T – 14). These can also be viewed on our website (www.saccentral.org) and our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/thecentralconnection). Let everyone know where they can receive timely Bible messages!

Podcasts Available! If you didn't know, every Central Study Hour and worship service can be viewed and downloaded by going to our website (https://zqh.orf.mybluehost.me/saccentral/sermons). This is an easy way for you to invite friends and family to listen to important Bible messages coming from Central church. The podcasts are uploaded a week after the live presentation.

News & Events From Elsewhere

Forever One Marriage Retreat, with Drs. Pamela and Claudio Consuegra (English), and Drs. Cesar and CarolAnn De Leon (Spanish), will be conducted September 16 to 18, at the La Torretta Lake Resort and Spa in Montgomery, TX. Early bird registration is June 30. Visit http://www.beforeverone.org/ to receive more information.

NEWS HEIGHTS

Resources

Plenary presentation videos from the 2016 Emotional Wellness Summit are now available. Videos include sessions with Vice-Admiral Vivek Murphy, MD, MBA, 19th U.S. Surgeon General; General Conference Health Ministries Director Peter Landless, MD; and many more. The Emotional Wellness Summit is designed for health professionals, health leaders, pastors, and individuals wanting to learn more about prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies for better mental health. 

Shadow Empire: Starting April 28, through a four-part event called Shadow Empire, thousands of people will explore this fascinating subject as revealed through the Bible, in addition to a source that illustrates the topic perfectly: the life of the Emperor Constantine. This series is hosted by Voice of Prophecy Speaker, Director, Shawn Boonstra, who recently traveled to countries such as Serbia, Italy, and Turkey to make history come to life and reveal little-known details about this historical figure.  Boonstra was even granted rare access to a major archeological dig site, on the location believed to be one of Constantine's homes.  To learn more about hosting this event in your home, click here. To watch the trailer, visit http://www.shadowempire.com/

Be Inspired 

Improving Your Mind Health. You only get one brain in this life, so it’s obvious that we better take care of the one we’ve each been given. Watch this fast-paced, engaging 5-minute video on improving your mental health.

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