Family News and Notes
There are copies of the Minutes from the Men's Business Meeting on the table in the foyer. If you are interested, please take a copy.
There will be a VBS Teacher & Helpers meeting today, 5:00 PM, before evening services. All Teachers & Helpers are encouraged to attend.
We will be having a Monthly Youth Devotional at the McCain's house this evening following the evening service.
Ladies PLEASE, sign one of the lists on the table in the foyer as to what type salad you will be furnishing for the Ladies Day scheduled for April 01. Also, give your recipe to Joan Cook by March 1 so she can prepare recipe books.
We will be having a Gospel Meeting from April 16 thru 19 with Brother Johnny Ramsey doing the preaching. We'll have more details on this later, such as times and topics.
Ron Traughber had heart by-pass surgery on Tuesday at Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, and is doing well. They did the surgery using a new technique that is much less invasive. He should now be in a room and out of CCU. His recovery, as a result of the new technique should be much faster than normal.
Billy & Gene Campbell have been sick but were able to be at mid-week service last Wednesday. Good to see them out and about.
Patsy Duncan is recovering well from her recent surgery on her big toes but still needs to stay off her feet for a while. . She also had another shot in her eye. She has volunteered to be a study-patient regarding the procedures she is undergoing with her eye, which may help others with hertype problem.
Edith Shiflet has been ill at home and has been unable to attend services. Add her to your prayer list.
Deloris Blackburn of the Northridge congregation is recovering at home following an accident where she broke both her feet. The left foot is in an air cast and the right foot in a hard cast, which could require additional surgery later. Add her to your prayer list and also add Jack. Their address is: 401 Hickory Mount Pleasant.
Eileen Unger (sister of Joanne Miller) was taken to ER in Pittsburg Sunday evening with chest pains. She is being monitored and an update will follow. She is feeling much better.
Horace George (brother-in-law of Shirley Parker) has been diagnosed with cancer of the lung and in other areas of his body, as well. Shirley's sister (Horace's wife) has Alzheimer's. The family needs our prayers.
Velma Baker (mother of Iris Ramsey) is critically ill following cancer surgery last week at ETMC in Mt. Vernon. She is in Room 113. She now has pneumonia on top of all her other problems. She not expected to make it through the next few days. (at last report)
Funeral Services were held Wednesday in Nash, Texas for Leroy Reese (brother of Lurlene Johnson) who passed away on Monday in Texarkana. Please remember this family in your prayers.
Larry Freeman (son of Hallie Lang and brother to Rhodney, Jerry, Linda and Brenda) had surgery last Monday to repair an old injury to the rotator cup in his right shoulder. He is back at home but it will require 2 to 3 months before he can use that arm again. Then he will have to undergo therapy to rebuild his muscles.
THANK YOU . "Dear Christian brothers and sisters, your thoughtfulness is very much appreciated. I appreciate every act of love, kindness, and compassion and most especially your prayers. Continue to remember me. I am gaining strength every day. I miss all of you and love my dear Christian family.
--Ola Mae Simpson"
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PRAYER LIST:
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,
Ruby Pipkin, Marie Plemmons, Thelma Reed, Helen Roper, Dorothy Sargent,
Alva Mae Sheets, Edith Shiflet, Ola Mae Simpson, Julia Terrell, Rebecca Tippitt, LaShedra Traylor
ALSO: Velma Baker, Deloris Blackburn, Melba Boyd, Terri Cautomanous,
Cristell Cato, Austin Cody, Letha Fomby, Larry Freeman, Horace George, Ruby Jeffery, Chuck Kyle, Wayne Lineberger, Lonita Thompson, Eileen Unger
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MURMUR NOT!
"Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." I Corinthians 10:10-12
We've all known people who are chronic complainers, murmurers, whiners, and troublemakers. As my mother used to say, "they act like they were weaned on a sour pickle!" They are no fun to be around, are they? They don't seem happy unless they've got something to gripe about, or can stir up some trouble where there is none, except for the trouble which results from their zealous efforts in sowing discord and heartache among others.
There's the gossip who says, "You wouldn't believe what so and so said about you." Then, there's the critic who doesn't speak to you, unless it's to point out some fault she has found with you. Finally, there's the chronic complainer who never had a positive thought except for being positive he's not happy with you. It's bad enough when you meet folks like that in the world, but it is absolutely disastrous when you find them in the Lord's church. If you ever see them in your mirror, you need to make some immediate attitude adjustments!
The verse at the top of the page references the Israelites of Moses' day, who were a fussy, grumbling, complaining bunch all the way from Egypt to the Promised Land. God providentially provided their release from Egyptian bondage, and had great blessings awaiting them in the "land that flowed with milk and honey," but they were never satisfied. Not content enough in their present situation to be thankful for their escape from Egypt, they completely failed to comprehend the peace and freedom God had miraculously provided for them. Not patient enough to await the future bounty which God had in store for them in Canaan, they brought destruction and misery upon themselves, because they lacked the good sense to understand that sacrifice with God is better than the most sumptuous banquet feast at Satan's table.
God put up with their whining for a time, but ultimately it got them into serious trouble (Numbers 11:1, 26:65, Hebrews 3:17). That's why the apostle Paul wrote to the Lord's church at Corinth and in essence said, "let that be an example to you!" You see, God doesn't want His people to be "fussbudgets." God's rule for His children is: "do all things without murmurings and disputings" (Phil. 2:14).
Sadly, the sourpuss is Satan's servant, even though he may not realize it. One of the things the old Devil can't stand, is for God's people to dwell together in unity, which the Bible says is good and pleasant (Psalm 133:1). Satan can't have that now, can he? So he sends his servants (the sourpusses, the faultfinders, the strife-stirrers, the complainers and troublemakers) to pour water on godly works, to find fault with God's servants, and to generally stir up the hot coals of strife.
The Bible has much to say about the faultfinder, the troublemaker, the contentious and those who constantly stir up strife, and none of it is favorable to them, nor hopeful for their eternal destiny (see Prov. 16:28, 17:1, 14, 19, 18:6, 21:19, 22:10, 26:21, Rms. 2:8-9, 13:13, I Cor. 3:3, Gal. 5:20, Phil. 2:3, I Tim. 6:3-4, and James 3:16). The Bible also tells the church how to deal with such folks in Titus 3:9-11, where Paul wrote, "...A man that is an heretic ("a factious man" - ASV) after the first and second admonition reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself."
Brethren, we must not be sad sourpusses, contentious complainers, or testy troublemakers. Instead, we must be people who understand what a great privilege it is to be counted among the children of God. We should daily give thanks to God for being set free from slavery to sin and Satan, that we live the earth's only "abundant life" (Jn. 10:10), as we journey towards great rewards in the "Promised Land" of heaven. We ought to be happy as Christians and let others see and hear our joy, and witness our gratefulness to God for His bountiful blessings (Phil. 4:4-8). Finally, just remember the old children's song, "It isn't any trouble just to S-M-I-L-E!"
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A FAMINE IN THE LAND
Johnny Ramsey
Amos was one of the greatest preachers God ever had. A fearless prophet, a dedicated servant and a thorn in the flesh of the wicked was he! No prophet was ever more fiercely loyal to his heaven-given message. Amos was so unprofessional that he could neither be fired nor hired. He was not overly concerned with popularity or prominence among his fellows. His spirit reminds us of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, or John the Immerser. The world has been richly blessed with the devotion to duty these men of God manifested. We need a "double portion" of their spiritual might!
Amos warned the nation of Israel of the impending doom of captivity due to their indifferent attitude toward the divine mandates. The great prophet compared their condition to a basket of summer fruit, over-ripe, rotten and smelly! Since Israel did not hate the evil or love the good they disagreed with God and could not walk with Him (Amos 3:3; 5:15). While "at ease in Zion" their worship was just so much noise under heaven, and they could not flee from the wrath to come (Amos 4:12; 5:18-6:1).
In his most graphic illustration, the prophet from Tekoa reminded his audience that such complacency had produced "a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the word of God." (Amos 8:11). This was far more serious than natural famine! Surely we can see the parallel in our day in our affluent society that has forgotten God and forsaken His holy word. In Hosea 4:6, and 13:9, we learn that Israel destroyed themselves by lack of knowledge. Truly, a famine of spiritual matters was their problem and ours. May we begin now to correct the situation by a fervent, diligent return to Bible study.
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FIVE "BE CAREFUL'S"
Be careful with your thoughts for they become your words.
Be careful with your words for they become your actions.
Be careful with your actions for they become your habits.
Be careful with your habits for they become your character.
Be careful with your character for it becomes your destiny.
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