Family News and Notes
It has really been a busy week .. I just barely got this together.
You will notice a "Amended Calendar" in your bulletin. Please replace last week's copy.
Copies of the Minutes from the Men's Business Meeting last week and Financial Statement for the month ending March 31 are available on the table in the foyer. If you are interested, please take a copy.
David McCain is still sick at home at the printing of this bulletin. He was to see his doctor Friday.
Johnny Ramsey will be preaching today.
Deborah Biesemeyer had to return to Baylor Hospital for treatment. Her pain level got so high that she had to have some relief.
Juanita DuBose (Judy Freeman's mom) has been admitted to Pleasant Springs Healthcare Rehab. She is in Room 138. She will be here in rehab for several weeks. Judy's dad, Wesley, will be staying with Rhodney and Judy until Juanita is dismissed.
We have a couple of new mailing addresses. Please correct your Directory.
Wade & Vicki Miller
Autumn & April
162 CR 1773
(103 East Point Drive)
Mount Pleasant, Texas 75455
Ruby Lawhan
2312 Matthew Street
Mount Pleasant, Texas 75455
903-572-0934
Charles & Norma Lewis
2312 Matthew Street
Mt. Pleasant, Texas 75455
903-572-0934
email: charles.lewis4@cox.net
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You're Invited to our first ever Ladies' Day at the Blossom Church of Christ
Date: Saturday, May 6, 2006 from 9:00 am1:00pm
Theme: "Stocking Your Christian Kitchen"
Speaker: Yvonne Butler of College Church of Christ
Please RSVP with an approximate head count by April 19, 2006 (982-6083 or 982-7063).
Registration will begin at 8:30 am, and we will serve a salad luncheon at noon. Please plan on joining us for an uplifting day filled with singing, prayer, and two encouraging lessons.
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PRAYER LIST:
Justin Barker, Rachel Barker, Jean Bell, Deborah Biesmeyer, Winell Blackard, Annah Brown, Billye Campbell, Nancy Chastain, Perry Cooper, Irene Duncan,
Patsy Duncan, Vernon Garrett, Hollis Lee, Joyce Lee, Georgia Lide, David McCain, Courtney Marshall, Elna O'Neal, Wayne Pickrel, Marie Plemmons, Helen Roper, Dorothy Sargent, Alva Mae Sheets, Edith Shiflet, Ola Mae Simpson, Julia Terrell, Rebecca Tippitt, LaShedra Traylor
ALSO: Wanda Abbey Rivera, Melba Boyd, Cristell Cato, Austin Cody,
Juanita DuBose, Wesley DuBose, Larry Freeman, Horace George, Pat Hughes,
Betty Newman, Thelma Reed, Ruby Jeffery, Wayne Lineberger, Lonita Thompson
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RELIGION OF SUBSTANCE
(Guest Article from The Southwesterner)
By: Floyd Kaiser
With a couple of the trendier restaurants recently opening in town, we were given the opportunity to try something new. I took the bait a couple of weeks ago.
In both places, soon after being seated, the young and peppy waitresses came and introduced themselvesnice touch. But, what really got my attention was their use of the superlatives. When I placed my order, I thought I had really achieved an exceptional choice when the waitress exclaimed, "awesome." However, my sense of immeasurable success in choosing a meal was instantly deflated when my wife ordered and it was "awesome" as well. I then begin to notice all around me were others whose orders were also "awesome" and even "fantastic." As a matter of fact, ALL the patrons were ordering with the same brilliance that I thought I alone possessed.
Suddenly my understanding of human nature and the world's capacity to manipulate that nature emerged to explain what was taking place here. These waitresses (and waiters) were trained to do this! They were stroking their customers' ego while planting the suggestion that that the food was going to be delicious. After all, when one orders food, he doesn't want to hear, "You're going to regret this" or "I wouldn't do that, if I were you."
The thing about words like "awesome" and "fantastic," however, is that you don't want to use them too often, or it becomes a tad ridiculous.
The marketing strategy of these restaurants, and a multitude of other examples, points out how people of our day are so easily moved by what, in reality, is quite superficial. Glitz and glitteralong with an abundance of superlatives are seen as more important than substance and reality. Say "awesome" enough about anything, and some will believe it.
the same is true with religion. With many today there is little substance, but a great deal of hype. "A church that loves," "Unforgettable worship," "A spirit that is contagious" are phrases which, when repeated enough with a generous measure of enthusiasm, become believable, even if the substance is not there.
What is true religion?
James gives us a glue when he writes, "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world" (James 1:27). Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter" (Matthew 7:21).
It is not mere superlatives or emotionalism that comprise true religion. It is not the mere putting on of a religious face. It is substance that attests to one's religion. It is observable obedience, costly self-sacrifice and a will that is humble. It is not just a talk of faith but also a walk of faith. It is not just words of love but also actions that meet the greatest needs of one's fellow man. It is being persecuted because one lives differently from the world and stands with truth, and rejoices all the while. It is not just sitting in a church building, but giving Jesus a seat in one's heart that displays itself in actions and words. It is not just talking about the Bible as being the "Good Book," but it is wearing it out with use. It is not just referring to scripture as being "somewhere in the back of the book," but knowing the book, chapter and verse, and even being able to quote it. It is not just a memorized prayer before a meal, but a spirit that becomes so fervent in communing with God that all sense of time is lost. It is not pushing the limits of holiness but becoming repulsed by deeds of darkness. It is not religion that talks about being awesome, but religion that really is!
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The Book of Books (Part 2)
By: Johnny Ramsey
CAN WE UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE?
So MANY People extol the Scripture for its beauty and pathos and yet often these same individuals do not believe the Bible is capable of being understood. When a person comes to me with this idea of not comprehending the Book of books, I ask the following questions:
1. Did god create us?
2. Does He love us?
3. Did God give us the Bible?
4. Does He want us to be saved?
5. Would God give us His message in such a manner as to confuse us?
6. Is the creator capable of conveying His thought to His own creation?
A logical, honest answer to these questions certainly will make us reluctant to believe that we cannot understand the Bible. In I Corinthians 14:33; Ephesians 5:17; and II Corinthians 1:13 we learn that "God is not the author of confusion" and that we can understand the Lord's will! Jesus said:
"Ye shall know the truth and the
truth shall make you free."
Yes, we can know the truth. Praise God for that! It has always surprised me that critics of the Bible expect us to understand them when they say we cannot understand the Bible. Is man more capable of expressing himself to man than is the Creator? Who can believe it? In Acts, chapter two, we read that men gladly received Peter's sermon on Pentecost and were obedient to it. If hundreds could understand his sermon and obey it then, why cannot men today understand the same sermon written down? The truth is: we can understand the Bible if we so desire.
Some skeptics counter by telling us that "we cannot understand the Scriptures alike." But, friends, to understand implies uniformity. If we understand anything we will see it just alike. If we disagree, someone misunderstood something! Let me illustrate. Suppose you ask the distance between New York City and Los Angeles and the answer given would be 3,000 miles. Now everyone who understands the answer would understand it exactly the same. If some thought the answer was 1,500 miles he would just be mistaken. If we understand the Bible we will all see it alike. Where there is disunity, someone is wrong.
(continued to next week)
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