tcolumns, events Praver for daily bread reflects God's abiding interest in our lives BY REV. HENRY PILLOW Pastor Happy Home Faith Pentecostal Holiness Church "Give us this day our daily bread." Matt. 6:11 One of the most obvious lesr sons that this petition teaches us is the privilage and duty of Christians to pray for tempo ral blessings. It may seem strange that in the very center of this great prayer, our Lord should suddenly switch the emphasis from something as majestic as the will of God to a subject as earthly as bread. We are to pray for grace and guid ance, but we are also to pray for rain which produces bread. The fact that God answers prayer for temporal blessings is taught through the Scrip tures. Also many great-Chris tians give testimony to the gra cious provisions of our Heav enly Father. For example, George Mueller maintained his great orphan age, raising large sums of money, without any appeals to anyone except God. Since God is our Father and Provider, He is interested in all that affects us. Those who are parents can readily appreciate this. Loving parents care about such trivial things as broken toys, however worthless they may be. And if we, being evil, show such con cern for our children, surely God is not indifferent to any thing that concerns His chil dren. Since God is interested in all that touches our lives, He de lights in our bringing these concerns to Him in prayer. This does not mean, however, that he will grant every request just as we make it. PERSPECTIVE There are two kinds of peti tions that we offer. One is where the will of God is known Such a prayer would be for the salvation of a loved one. We are explicitly told that God is not willing that any should per ish. But there are other re quests that we make where we do not know {he will of God. Those petitions should be made with a qualification: "Not my will but Thine be done." An example of this kind o: petition is the matter of pray ing for the sick. I am sure tha God sometimes miraculouslj heals the sick in answer tc prayer. But I am equally sure that He does not always heal God has a plan in the hereaftei just as surely as in the present Some people have become bit ter toward God because He permitted their loved one te die even though they hac prayed for their healing. We have the wonderful privilege of bringing all our needs te God, but in so doing, we are noi to seek to bend His will to ours but always to conform our wills to His. One of our constant concerns is daily bread. Therefore we are to pray for it with perfeci assurance that Our Father is interested in what is so vital tc us. The God who is not willing ' that any should perish for lack of spiritual bread is unwilling : buy that any should perish for lack of material bread. i Jesus demonstrated His con : cern for our physical needs during his earthly ministry. The first miracle that He per formed was to supply wine for the guests at an obscure wed ding feast to which He and a i few friends had been invited. More than once He fed the hun gry multitudes that followed Him. i After one long day of min istry the disciples broke upon the Master with the suggestion that He send the multitudes away so they could buy themselves food. But Jesus replied, "They need not depart: give ye them to eat." Their hunger i was a cry to Him for daily bread, and He mer inai need abundantly. One of the most beautiful stories in The Bible takes place after the resurrection. Peter and his friends had spent a night fishing with nothing to show for it. As they came to shore the next morning,, they found the Master waiting for them, inviting them to come and eat fish that He had pre pared. "All things were made by Him, and without Him Was not anything made that was made." Yet He is not above preparing breakfast for a little handful of fishermen who have come in from a fruitless night of toil. It is to a God like this that we prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread." County commissioners urged to assume role as community leaders Local leadership is a critical part of making sure every at risk child in North Carolina gets a caring mentor. Gov. Jim Hunt told more than 300 county officials at their annual meet ing Aug. 14. “I believe one of our greatest challenges is to give our young people the guidance and nur turing they need to become healthy, thriving, responsible and productive citizens,” Hunt said. "But too many of our young people in need are fall ing through the cracks. They don't have anyone lifting them up and steering them in the right direction. And we’re pav ing the price.” Hunt has proclaimed 1998 as the Year of the Volunteer and has challenged county leaders to lead the effort to help match Unfortunately, Mail Order Pharmacists Only Have Your Number. Mail order pharmacies only know you as a name and number — not a person. But, when you come to us for your prescriptions, we get to know you so we can care for you and talk with us. Because as far as we're concerned, you're always Number One. % BLOUNT'S MUTUAL DRUGS Downtown Edenton 482-2127 y*jmL rpT Family rt C are T.R. HOLLEY GENERAL BUILDING CONTRACTOR 407 North Oakum St. EDENTON, NC 27932 482-7289 (Office) 482-7271 (Home) MASTERCRAFT Floor Service Wood Floor Sanding Finishing • Re-Finishing Installation Oak - Maple - Hickory Walnut - Pine Floating Floors 221-8418 A National (■HWfrd Wood Flooring \ Association AZALEA MOBILE HOMES of N.C., Inc. 'Quality is our first consideration ‘ Rt. 5, Box 788 - Highway 64 West Williamston, N.C. 27892 Hours: Monday • Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Closed Sunday Edenton Motors © CHRYSLER Plymouth Baa TRUCKS 1-800-643-3878 482-8421 North Broad Street Extended ELIZABETH CITY BRICK CO. READY MIX CONCRETE Aluminum Awnings • Storm Windows Swimming Pool Supplies Concrete & Solite Block Wall & Ceiling Finishes • Insulation Masonry Supplies • Roofing • Siding North Road Street • Elizabeth City, NC 335-2965 Edenton-Chowan Food Pantry Helping to feed the hungry in our Community" To make a contribution come by our facility on McMullan Avenue or mail to P.O. Box 643, ■ Edenton, NC 27932 Whiteman's Service Center Route 1, Rocky Hock 221-4547 HOURS: Monday - Saturday 7:30 a.m. -10:00 p.m., Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. JOHN GROFF Building Contractor P.O. Box 681 • Edenton. NC 482-8576 * 40,000 mentors with at-risk children by the Year 2000. The NC Association of County Commissioners meet ing focused on showing county officials how to lead volunteer or mentoring efforts, and was an offspring of the statewide volunteer summit the Gover nor hosted earlier this year to help communities develop vol unteer action plans to meet community needs. Hunt has made community service and volunteerism one of his administration’s top pri orities. To help provide a central re source for citizens to become a mentor or to volunteer in their communities, Hunt an nounced a new statewide toll free number: 1-877-SERVE NC. The number is set up to help any citizen in North Caro lina link up with local commu nity efforts, from mentoring to education to the environ ment. Since January, more than 20 counties have answered the Governor’s call by hosting their own volunteer summits to identify community needs and develop plans to meet those needs, and nearly 40 more local summits are planned. WEST EDEN STREET BEHIND SOUNDFEET SHOES DOWNTOWN EDENTON, NC MOST ITEMS 500 & UP MONDAY, THURSDAY & FRIDAY 11:00 A.M. UNTIL 2:00 P.M. LANE'S a ) r ■-JX Family Bar-B-Que SPECIALIZING IN W** OLD FASHIONED BAR-B-QUE Open: Monday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. "All Kinds of Fresh Seafood Daily" Owned and Operated by Ima B. Lane TELEPHONE: 4824008 CHURCH STREET EDENTON, N.C. We Never Stop Making Things Better Edenton, North Carolina (919) 482-2632 For Delicious Sunday Sundaes & Treats Stop by Today's 482-2402 West Queen St., Edenton Floyd D. Alexander President ALEXANDER Electrical Contractor, Inc. of Edenton INDUSTRIAL • COMMERCIAL INSTITUTIONAL • RESIDENTIAL P.0. BOX 325 • EDENTON, NC 27932 (919) 482-2400 » CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN & FRESH SEAFOOD PHONE: 482-4721 NOBLE BROTHERS Cabinets & Millwork - 221-8418 "WE BUILD DREAMS" WESTOVER GENERAL STORE DELI MEATS & SUBS COLD MEAT PLATTERS VIDEO RENTALS LIVE BAIT TELEPHONE: 482-3323 HIGHWAY 17 BUSINESS $3 Have The Chowan Herald Delivered To Your Home fOnly $15.95 per year ^ Anywhere in Q Chowan County! Many counties are also lead ing efforts to establish them selves as “Communities of Promise,” committing them selves to the goals of Ame rican’s Promise set out during the President’s Summit on America’s Promise and Volunteerism. These goals in clude helping young children through mentoring and sup porting our volunteer efforts. Several counties have also set up local volunteer centers to link volunteers with those in need. “I want to see every commu nity in North Carolina do the same,” Hunt said. Hunt also announced a new effort to help local communi ties establish their own volun teer centers where people can find the resources and help they need. Using leftover pri vate resources from the Vol unteer Summit, along with Otner resources, me aiaic win provide matching grants for counties to have their own vol unteer centers. Hunt also urged counties to host community-wide work days like “Make a Difference Day” on Oct. 24, bringing the entire community together to complete projects at local parks and schools - in just one day. “As leaders, it is our respon sibility to give our young people the guidance and nurturing they need to grow up healthy, vibrant and w'ith every chance possible to succeed,” Hunt said. “It is our responsibility to make sure that every child who needs a mentor can get one. It is our responsibility to make sure that no child, no adult, no friend in need goes without the help they deserve. I challenge you to make it happen.” Rabies Continued From Page 3-B nosed with rabies in North Carolina: one in 1994, one in 1995, and three in 1996. Vacci nation of horses provides the best protection against rabies. Rabies vaccination for horses and livestock is not mandated by. state law but should be de cided on a case-by-case basis considering cost and emotional value of the animal. There are several vaccines available. HQWAN J_JOSPITAL EDENTON North Carolina Telephone: 482-8451 Blount's Mutual Drugs liuujbn Care 323 South Broad Street Edenton, N.C. Telephone: 482-2127 EDENTON PLUMBING TELEPHONE: 482-4555 DAVENPORT LANE EDENTON, N.C. Harrell Brothers Construction General Construction Since 1965 • Quality Work • 221-4239 Your veterinarian can assist you in choosing the best one. If.your horse, pet, or live- j stock is bitten or is seen fight ing with a raccoon or other wild animal, use impermeable gloves when examining your animal. Contact your veterinar ian and county animal control officer to determine what needs to be done. The public should be aware of the presence of rabid rac coons, foxes, skunks and bats in North Carolina and avoid wild or unfamiliar animals. If bitten or otherwise exposed, vigorously scrub the wound, seek medical attention, and call animal control to capture the animal for testing. “Since rabies is incurable and almost always fatal once signs appear, any exposure to rabies should be acted on quickly,” said Dr. Hunter. “There have been no human deaths from rabies in North Carolina since the early 1950s, due in part to public awareness and excellent state and local health services.” For more information, con tact Dr. Lee Hunter or Dr. Stephanie Kordick, Veterinary Public Health Program, De partment of Health and Hu man Services at (919) 733-^410 or visit the rabies website at http://www.dhr.state.nc.tis/ DHR/docs/rabies. r Stay up with Jerry and watch the stars come out. JERRY LEWIS LAROR DAY TELETHON SEPT. 6-7 Muscular Dystrophy Association www.mdausa.org