Family News and Notes
Copies of the Minutes from the Men's Business Meeting and a Financial Statement for the month ending December 31, 2005, are available on the table in the foyer. If you are interested please take a copy.
Youth Activities Planning Meeting: Attention all parents, youth, and others interested in our youth. On Sunday, January 15, we will have a meeting after the evening service to try to plan our monthly youth activities for 2006. We will have a finger food supper (sandwiches, chips, dips, etc.) and then discuss the monthly activities and try to fill the calendar with hosts and chaperones who will help with at least one activity/devotional per month for all age groups. If you would like to host an activity but can't attend the meeting, please let David McCain know before the meeting so you can be added to the calendar of events.
VBS Interest and Planning Meeting: We will have our first of several meetings to begin thinking and planning for our summer VBS, on Sunday evening January 29, after the evening service. All teachers and helpers who can possibly participate are encouraged to attend. We are considering the theme of : "The Christian Soldier's Armor," but will discuss other ideas, and try to firm up dates, times, and teachers. We will strive to keep the meeting to 30 minutes duration.
Ladies Day is coming in April: April 01 has been selected as the date for our Annual Ladies Day Seminar. Iris Ramsey has agreed to be the speaker. Ladies, please mark this on your calendar and reserve this for a special day of edification and fellowship!
Ola Mae Simpson is feeling better, but it will take a good while for her to recover from her broken hip. Still in the hospital.
Julia Terrell is now at her daughter & son-in-law's house (Sharon & Bob Palmer). She will need to be there for a couple of weeks.
Chuck Kyle (Charles & Dorothy's son) is in the VA Hospital in Shreveport. He had 3 stints put in and is still in ICU. Doctors will review what other procedures he may need. He hopes to be able to come home Monday or Tuesday.
Wayne Pickrel got a pretty good report from his recent blood test and was scheduled for a CAT Scan last Friday. No update on that.
Patsy Duncan seems to be much better and hopes to soon have the pins removed from her toes.
Juanita DuBose (Judy Freeman's mom) did not have her heart valve replaced as the doctors determined her heart was not strong enough for the surgery. She will be treated with medication for the present and then be re-evaluated later. She is now at home.
**********************************
PRAYER LIST:
Betty Abbey, Justin Barker, Rachel Barker, Louis Bell, Winell Blackard,
Annah Brown, Billye Campbell, Perry Cooper, Irene Duncan, Patsy Duncan,
Betty Ferrell, Hollis Lee, Joyce Lee, Georgia Lide, Courtney Marshall, Elna O'Neal, Wayne Pickrel, Marie Plemmons, Dorothy Sargent, Alva Mae Sheets, Edith Shiflet, Ola Mae Simpson, Rebecca Tippitt
ALSO: Melba Boyd, Cristell Cato, Austin Cody, Juanita DuBose, Letha Fomby, Ruby Jeffery, Wayne Lineberger, Lonita Thompson
**********************************
Heart-Healthy Thinking
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8).
* * * * * * * * * * * *
It is really important for us to guard our thinking. Experts say that physically, we are what we eat. No doubt spiritually, the same is true. In other words, we are what we think! If we fill our minds with garbage, our minds will become literal garbage dumps. If we choose to set our minds on evil things, likely evil actions are soon to follow.
Solomon wrote, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Prov. 23:7). Over and over again, Jesus warned of how a wicked heart and evil thinking will result in sin and defilement of the individual who contemplates evil, or who lets his mind dwell on unrighteousness (Mk. 7:15-23, Mt. 12:34-35, 15:19). The Bible says, "Love thinketh no evil" (I Cor. 13:5). The implication is that our hearts (the mind and will of man, our attitudes and desires) control our actions. Thus if we pollute our thinking, polluted living will follow. However, if we purify our thinking, then pure living will naturally follow, as our lives are guided by the Word of God hidden in our hearts (Psa. 119:11).
As children of God, we should seek to concentrate our thinking on the highest plane of spirituality possible. If when we obeyed the Gospel, we truly died to sin, as Romans 6:1-10 teaches, then our mind-set toward sin should have been replaced with a mind-set devoted to righteousness. The Apostle Paul wrote, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:1-3).
When we begin to cause our minds to dwell on things which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, then our lives will begin to be virtuous and worthy of praise. When we begin to think righteously and to fill our hearts with spiritual things, happiness will surely follow, for Jesus promised, "Happy are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Mt. 5:8).
Heart-healthy eating is all the rage these days for those folks who seek to improve the quality and longevity of their lives. While you are trying it in your physical diet why not try it in your spiritual diet as well. It may or may not work physically, but it is guaranteed by God to work spiritually for the joy of your heart eternally (I Tim. 4:7-10).
David McCain
**********************************
The SALEM STORY
Johnny Ramsey
When we stand before God, the judge of all (Hebrews 12:23), what will our sentence be? When life's journey shall have ended, will we regret our poor decisions that caused us to be lost (Galatians 6:7)? Or shall we rejoice to know that our sojourn was meaningful (I John 4:17)? "Only one life, it will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last." How very true those sentiments! When the clock of life no longer ticks because eternity has been ushered in what will our destiny reap the whirlwind of shameful activity (Hosea 8:7) or the joy of our salvation? When God's "book of remembrance" is opened (Malachi 3), what will be the contents? Can we say what Nehemiah did? "Remember me, O my God, for good." (Nehemiah 13:32).
IT WILL BE A DAY OF REST. Yes, rest from the wicked world and a sinful environment awaits the faithful child of God (Hebrews 4:9). In Revelation 21:3-5 we see the fruition of godliness in a realm that knows no sickness, sadness or separation. Earthly corruption never enters and the toils of life are gone (II Corinthians 5:1). Fleshly lusts forsaken (I Peter 2:11) and even death shall have been turned into victory! We will be glad we obeyed. "Redeeming the time because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:16).
IT WILL BE A DAY OF REUNION. Christ will take us to be with Him. (John 14:3). According to Matthew Abraham and Isaac and Jacob will be there. hold? What kind of day will judgment disclose?
IT WILL BE A DAY OF RECKONING. Will it be reward or remorse when we stand before our Maker? Will there be a handwriting on the wall of our record that proclaims our doom (Daniel 5)?
PROPER GOALS
Johnny Ramsey
Living in this old world would be much more tedious were it not for goals toward which we strive. Standards of excellence challenge us. The joy of achievement drives us onwardand to the Christianupward! Paul mentioned the "pressing on" motivation of Christianity in I Cor. 9:24-27 and in the third chapter of Philippians. In the beauty of Psalm 27 we learn that having the Lord as our light and our salvation provides within us the goal of heaven. Abraham looked for an abode that God provides (Hebrews 11:10). Every loyal follower of the Master can borrow James Wolfe's dying words in 1759:
"Now God be praised; I will die in peace."
Since riches will not profit us (Prov. 11:4) and we shall see the vanity of all earthly possessions (Ecc. 2:11) we dare not hold such fleeting treasures as our ultimate goal (I John 2:17). Because our life is "but a vapor" that swiftly passes away we cannot make length of days our most important consideration (James 4:14). Indeed, we labor in vain unless our Creator is the basis of all our plans (Psalms 127:1). When we allow God to "work in us" (Phil. 2:12) our labor is not in vain (I Cor. 15:58). Sadly, millions in our day launch out on their own in pursuit of nebulous goals of carnal amusement (II Tim. 3:4) and then come to the end of the way and wonder why their sojourn was fruitless. Such foolish emphasis caused them to "counterfeit coin" (Jeremiah 6:30) and thus, good for nothing (Neh. 2:20) on heaven's market! In the shallow existence of many in our age of debauchery the sentiment of Oscar Wilde in 1900 is apropos:
"I can resist everything except temptation."
But, for those who have become partakers of the divine nature (II Peter 1:4) and even deepen in the virtues of the gospel (Col. 1:9-10) there is purpose in living and glorious hope beyond (Titus 1:2, Phil. 1:21).
**********************************
