Family News and Notes
Now that the summer vacation period has passed and school has started again, our Visitation Program will resume. The first meeting will be on Tuesday, September 05, at 7:00 PM in the Multi-purpose Room here at the building. The purpose of this meeting will be to make assignments of visits that need to be performed each week following, and to enjoy a group fellowship with those that wish to attend. There will be refreshments such as cake, cookies, coffee, tea, etc., rather than a meal as we have previously enjoyed. Everyone is encouraged to attend. Visitation is one of our duties that we have toward one another. The elders encourage your participation. Any questions or suggestions should be directed to Grady Duncan (903-572-3888).
Devotional Tina Brown is hosting the devotional this evening after services in the Multi-Purpose Room. Boys are to bring soft drinks and girls are to bring cookies or some sort of dessert.
On Tuesday morning, August 22, there will be a Ladies Luncheon at 11:30 AM at Special Touch. All ladies are invited to attend.
Reminder Ladies Bible Class will resume on Tuesday, September 5 at 10:00 AM. All ladies are encouraged to attend.
Bonnye Horton has been dismissed from the hospital after receiving a pacemaker last week. She is doing better.
Edith Shiflet has been dismissed from the local hospital and is back at her home in Omaha.
LaShedria Traylor has been sick this past week and was in Room 330 at Titus Regional Hospital. She requests your prayers.
Others who have been on our sick list seem to be doing better.
Keep all these folks in your prayers and check the prayer list often.
Jason Lee, son of Van & Terri Lee, graduated from University of Texas last week. Congratulations Jason.
NEW GRANDCHILDREN:
Braden Dean Duncan was born at 10:03 AM, Thursday, August 17, 2006, weighing 8 pounds and 3 ounces and 19-1/2 inches long. Parents are Odis & Kim Duncan. Extra proud brothers are Joshua and Riley. Grandparents are: Jim & Barbara Duncan and Braden was born on Barbara's birthday. What a gift!? A photo was not available at the printing of this bulletin. Perhaps later?
John David Freeman entered our world on Monday, August 14, 2006 at 12:47 PM, weighing in at 7 pounds and 13 ounces. The proud parents are David & Crystal Freeman. Grandparents Rhodney & Judy Freeman and Buddy & Becky McCollum are still soaring in the clouds. This is the second grandchild for Rhodney & Judy in the last 4 weeks.
THANK YOU "Each of you, our brothers and sisters in Christ, have been so very kind to us over these many months. Your concern for our health and your expressions of love are much appreciated.
We love all of you.
Perry & Josephine Cooper"
THANK YOU "If only you could know the thanks that fill each thought of you and the smiles that warm each memory of the generous things you do, you would know you are treasured more than words can say. Thanks so much for the prayers, cards and phone calls while I was sick. Keep me in your prayers.
In Christian Love
Wanda Carlock
THANK YOU "Dear Brothers and Sisters at North Jefferson: Many thanks to each of you for your concern and prayers for me during the past weeks of my illness. I will be receiving further treatments for quite a while yet. I am looking forward to a full recovery.
Your sister in Christ,
Linda Jones"
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PRAYER LIST:
Justin Barker, Rachel Barker, Jean Bell, Winell Blackard, Annah Brown, Nancy Chastain, Josephine Cooper, Perry Cooper, Linda Jones, Hollis Lee, Bonnye Horton, Joyce Lee, Georgia Lide, Wayne Pickrel, Marie Plemmons, Bud Roach, Helen Roper, Alva Mae Sheets, Edith Shiflet, Ola Mae Simpson, Julia Terrell, Rebecca Tippitt
ALSO: Cristell Cato, Austin Cody, Juanita DuBose, Wesley DuBose, Edna Graves, Ruby Jeffery, Wayne Lineberger, Wanda Abbey Rivera, Theo Teague
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NEVER TAKE ME BACK THERE
Guest Article by Glenn Colley
Sixth Avenue Church of ChristJasper, Alabama
The Apostle Paul wrote to the "churches of Galatia," (Galatians 1:2). His heart was firmly set on defending the liberty in Jesus, that no one would bring Christians into bondage (2:4). The specific bondage threatening was from those who persuaded the disciples to go back into the law of Moses and adopt circumcision as part of their service to God. Because the law of Christ contained no such instruction, and because binding one part of Moses' law obligated the individual to all of Moses' law, Paul fought against these Jewish enemies.
How dangerous was this "religion" which included circumcision? "After all, " some might argue, "the participants were devoutly religious." here is Paul's answer:
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace" (Galatians 5:1-4).
Even Peter was influenced by these Jewish friends who sought to pull people away from the simple law of Jesus (Galatians 2). Paul "withstood him to the face" when Peter showed the Jews favor over the Gentile Christians. Paul's frustration peaked. He couldn't believe that even Peter, a 'pillar of the church" (Galatians 2:9), would be slipping from the truth of Jesus under the pressure of these religionists.
Now consider what Paul wrote: "For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor" (2:18). Paul is saying, "I don't want to live like that. I've destroyed the things in my life which are against Christ and true service to Him. I will not give in to this false teaching with it's offensive practices!"
"For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor."
I suggest that we would all do well to adopt the same attitudes toward false doctrines and worship practices today. When an individual becomes a Christian, though he is at that time a "babe" in Christ (Hebrews 5:12-14), he has made a commitment to Christ which has a definite bearing on ALL sin. In that sense he has "destroyed" or "put to death" (Colossians 3:4-6) all attitudes and actions which he knows, or will learn, are against Jesus.
Don't try to bring me down with denominationalism, for I want to know only Christ's church (Matthew 16:18). Don't try to bring me down with women leaders in worship, for I want only to worship according to God's will (I Timothy 2:12). Don't try to bring me down with clergy/laity class divisions, for Jesus taught us to all be brethren (Matthew 23:1-12). Don't try to bring me down with teaching on marriage and remarriage which ignores simple teachings of the Lord, for Jesus said what He meant and meant what He said (Matthew 19:9). Don't try to bring me down with a new hermeneutic which leaves men without solid truth, for I want the illuminated path the scriptures offer (I Timothy 3:16, I Timothy 2:15). Don't try to bring me down with pleas to unify with religions which teach baptism is irrelevant and unnecessary to a person's salvation, for I want to trust Jesus for my salvation (Mark 16:16). I'm a Christian; a simple follower of Jesus. I do not want to build again the things which I destroyed.
Stand tall. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Don't let others pull you down into ideas contrary to God's book. Jesus told the Devil himself, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).
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JONAH'S KINFOLK
By Johnny Ramsey
The book of Jonah contains only 48 verses but they are dynamic and loaded with pertinent lessons for all of us! One of the rare characters of the Bible is this reluctant prophet who ran from duty to avoid preaching to his political enemies. Jonah was a super patriot but a sorry prophet. He reminds me of some brethren I have known who are strong Democrats or Republicans but virtually useless as Christians. They are far more ardent fans of their favorite football team than sincere as soul-winners for Jesus. They had much rather cheer for a touchdown than rejoice over the salvation of a sinner. Such folk may pout or complain about a lack of comfort in the church building while being willing to sit in a stadium in a rain storm. We always find time for those things we deem worthy of our investment in time, energy and money. Psalm 119:77 gets it right:
Let thy tender mercies come unto me,
that I live: for thy law is my delight.
Jonah knew that God's message was powerful enough even to convert the people of Nenevah. But, he did not want them saved and blessed by Jehovah. What kind of a preacher would deeply regret responses? Some folk evidently have not wanted to share the gospel with blacks, the poor, Russians, Cuba, etc. How narrow is their view of the great commission that Christ intended for every creature in every nation till the end of time! Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15 forever disrupt the mind set of the KKK and other white supremacy groups. All men stand on level ground before the grace of God at the foot of the cross! The universal nature of redemption is clearly seen in the light of Isaiah 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together,
saith the Lord: though your sins be as
scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they
shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18
As J. M. McCaleb's brilliant song of evangelism stated
Where sin has gone must go
His Grace The Gospel Is For All!
Jonah reminds me of the selfish prayer:
Bless me and my wife and Joe and
his wife. That is fourno more.
Amen.
Spiritual unconcern kills the fire of evangelism while the souls of millions die in sin. Prejudice, bigotry and bias fan the flames of respect of persons while the demons in hell rejoice over our interest in comfort, ease and personal pleasure. Jonah has a lot of kinfolk todaysadly, even in the church. In worship assemblies we sometimes pray for the lost but is that as close as we personally get?
An important part of praying is a
willingness to become part of the
answer.
Loving our neighbor as we love ourselves would certainly mean that we yearn for their salvation also (Matthew 22:37-40).
An old gospel song challenges our attention unless we want to become like Jonah:
Arise the Master calls for thee,
The harvest days are here
No longer sit with folded hands
But gather far and near.
The noble ranks of volunteers
Are daily growing everywhere
But still there is work for millions more
Then for the fields prepare ...
The early church went everywhere preaching the Word (Acts 8:4) and Paul even shared the gospel with Felix and Agrippa while on trial. Surely, we can do much more than ever before, or do we want to be like Jonah? Eternity will tell the answer!
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