Family News and Notes
Sarah Sparks was baptized into Christ Monday evening, while at church camp in Tolar, Texas. Welcome this new sister.
ATTENTION: When you have a need to use a staple puller (or some other method) to remove staples from paper or bulletin boards, please, please, make sure you pick up the staples from the carpet. They don't vacuum up very well and they look horrible laying there on the floor. And, someone else will have to pick them up.
SYBSNET (Summer Youth Series) will not meet this week but will meet again on July 3rd at Westwood Church of Christ in Paris. Bro. Elmer L'Roy will be the speaker.
We now have available 4 Hearing Aids and those who wish to be able to hear better may take advantage of these new units. Check with the Sound Room staff for one of these units. Make certain you return the unit the sound room personnel following services.
David and Janice, and some of the youth, are at Indian Creek Youth Camp in Jasper, Alabama, this week. Please pray for their safety.
If you wish to send cards and/or letters to the youth that went, send to:
(Your Kids)
c/o ICYC
P O Box 1381
Jasper, AL 35502-1381
e-mail: icyc@icycal.com
Web-Site: www.icycal.com
Elna O/Neal continues to recover at home from her recent surgery on her shoulder. Elna has several health problems but her attitude is good. She was able to attend worship services last Sunday morning. Keep her in your prayers.
Bud Roach is doing great following his recent surgery. He is doing the required rehab following this type surgery and hopes to be back to near 100% soon.
Hollis & Joyce Lee were both able to be out and about last Sunday and were with us for worship services. They still are not doing well but insist on getting out.
Irene Duncan was dismissed from the hospital Friday morning and is now back at home. She is doing much better. Her medicines have been changed by her doctor.
Charles & Dorothy Kyle are back from their work with the Sojourners. Good to see them.
The Brandon Marshall family has been sick at home this past week, but are doing much better.
Address and phone for Deborah Biesemeyer:
Deborah Biesemeyer
12111 FM 90
Mabank, Texas 75147
Phone: 903-887-1498
Deborah would appreciate cards, letters, and/or phone calls.
Dennis Buchanan, who many of you know, has been ill. His platelets dropped dramatically this past week and he was admitted to the Tyler Cancer Center for bone marrow test and was given some medication to help him. The results of the bone marrow test will not be known for a couple of weeks. Please keep Dennis in your prayers.
THANK YOU . "Thanks for the cards and phone calls I've received since my accident when I broke my arm. I am doing better each day, but it will be some time before I can use my right hand and arm again. I will remain here in Houston until the cast comes off. Pam Farmer"
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PRAYER LIST:
Justin Barker, Rachel Barker, Jean Bell, Deborah Biesemeyer, Winell Blackard, Annah Brown, Nancy Chastain, Perry Cooper, Hollis Lee, Joyce Lee, Georgia Lide, Courtney Marshall, Elna O'Neal, Wayne Pickrel, Marie Plemmons, Johnny Ramsey, Helen Roper, Dorothy Sargent, Alva Mae Sheets, Edith Shiflet, Ola Mae Simpson, Julia Terrell, Rebecca Tippitt
ALSO: Melba Boyd, Dennis Buchanan, Cristell Cato, Austin Cody,
Juanita DuBose, Wesley DuBose, Horace George, Edna Graves, Ruby Jeffery,
Wayne Lineberger, Wanda Abbey Rivera
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TRADITION OR TRUTH ???
Michael Light
(Guest Article from Bangs Church of Christ)
In recent years there has been a consistent charge leveled against the churches of Christ that we have been too "traditional." The charge implies that what we have taught, and are still in many places teaching, is simply our tradition and not necessarily based on scriptural truth. Many of our accusers are themselves members of the church, who bemoan the fact that we will not turn from our traditional teachings on a number of subjects.
They say that we are too traditional in our worship. The men who level these charges would like to introduce innovations in the worship and refashion it along the lines of more spontaneous or "Pentecostal" styles. Is their criticism warranted? Have we in the church become too traditional in our worship?
The Greed word, paradosis, translated "tradition," means literally "a handing down or passing on" (W. E. Vine). It refers to anything (teaching or ordinance) that is handed down from generation to generation. The New Testament refers to two kinds of traditions. The first is the traditions of men, which if taught as doctrine will keep men from heaven and render their worship vain (Matthew 15:9). Jesus strongly condemned the false religious leaders of His day for this very thing (Matthew 15:1-9). The second is the traditions of God, which are to be believed, taught, practiced and adhered to (II Thessalonians 2:15; I Corinthians 11:12).
If the charge has reference to the traditions of men, the answer is no. In fact, the church of Christ (as set forth in the New Testament) is the only church in the world that does not believe, teach and practice the traditions of men in worship. There is New Testament authority for every act of worship one finds in the Lord's church (Colossians 3:17). In fact, the faithfulness in adhering to the pattern set forth in the scriptures is one of the distinguishing characteristics of the followers of Christ (John 14:15; Matthew 7:20).
The change agents, those who encourage us to leave the scripture's way for some other (non-scriptural) way must be vehemently opposed. They would beco0me the very thing they say they oppose. They would leave the traditions of God for the traditions of mere men. If we follow their godless lead (II John 9-11) our worship will become vain (Matthew 15:9).
If their charge has reference to following the apostolic traditions, the answer is still no. How could the church be guilty of being too faithful to God's divine form and pattern (II Timothy 1:13). The Bible teaches us that those who do not abide (remain) in the doctrine of Christ are without God (II John 9). Living without God is precisely what the denominational world has done for years and now many who once were of us have forsaken the truth and are also living without God.
In I John 2:19, we have some great insight into what we now see of our digressive brethren (those who want to change the nature {the acts themselves} of our worship). The passage says, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no9t doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not of us." Until we see these people for what they are (false teachers, who have left the ways of God) we will never understand why they do what they do. When a man no longer views the Bible as anything but a "love letter," (and as such not authoritative) the door is wide open for him to go far afield on any or every subject, including worship. God said in the above passage that their going out from us is a result of their leaving the truth. Mark it down, one who is pushing for change, or mocking the old way ( God's way is as old as man) has lost his/her conviction for the truth and is moving toward traditions of men.
It is true that many in the church are simply going through the motions (correct form but wrong attitude) of worship. But this is not an indictment against the prescribed form of worship; it is a problem of the heart. The acts of worship as God gave them are perfect for the expression of love, devotion and gratitude the human heart can possess.
For our worship to be acceptable it must be done both in spirit (proper motivation and with a sincere heart) and in truth (according to the divine record, the Bible) [John 4:24]. It is impossible for our worship to be acceptable if we have the proper form but our hearts are not in it. And, likewise it is impossible for our worship to be in the proper spirit if we do not follow the directive of God (Matthew 7:21; Leviticus 10:1, 2).
Many today are more interested with pleasing the worshiper than the God we are supposed to be worshipping. God has clearly told us what He wants. It is simply a matter of us deciding to whom we will submit God or men (Joshua 24:15)?
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THE MORE ABUNDANT LIFE
Johnny Ramsey
Jesus made it exceptionally clear in John 10:10 that He was the source of life beyond the normal concept of mere existence. How very true it is that Christianity provides more and better things; the book of Hebrews alone proves that assessment. In the grand book of Psalms, we have three sections that tell us of the extravagant blessings of a closer walk with God. In Psalms 23, 27, and 46 we come face to face with the superlative joys that pervade the lives of faithful followers of the Savior.
In Psalm 46 we learn that God is our
Refuge Strength Present Help
Peace Sustainer Guide
And, so we ardently sing:
"God is the fountain whence
Ten thousand blessings flow
My portion and my all."
In Psalm 27 the writer speaks of our Redeemer as our
Light . John 8:12
Salvation ... Luke 19:10
Hiding Place .Deut. 33:27
Helper ... I Peter 5:7
Therefore, in great confidence and joy we sing:
"By the waters still, over troubled sea
Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me."
The precious beauty of the memorable Psalm 23 focuses on these qualities of the Shepherd of our Souls:
He is our Provider Protector
Restorer . Leader
Comforter Landlord
Such blessings cause us to joyously sing:
"Though so helpless I cannot see
What the future may hold for me
Jesus knows and my guide shall be
I'll never forsake my Lord."
`When we seriously consider the more abundant life Christ brings to us, we are compelled to share with those about us the resplendent values of the gospel system.
The more abundant life is:
Centered in ChristActs 4:12
Based on the BibleJohn 12:48
Bound for HeavenMark 10:30
Influential to OthersMatthew 5:16
Glorifying to GodEphesians 3:21
Spiritually UpliftingRomans 8:6
A New and Living WayHebrews 10:20
After the power of an endless life, Jesus Christ is the personal guarantee of a better arrangement for mankind that anyone could offer. For the love of God shed abroad in our hearts, let us seek and find the more abundant life (Romans 5:5).
"The love of God glows like a flame
Through endless years it is the same.
The love of God will never fail nor lose its glory
Till we see Him face to face."
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