Family News and Notes
The Men's Business Meeting is scheduled following evening services today. Men, please make plans to attend.
Visitation Team No. 3 will meet in the Multi-purpose Room following services this morning. This is Bob Hedges' Team.
World Bible School Action News is received periodically by Grady & Patsy Duncan who wish to share the news with you. Please check the round table in the foyer for the updates.
Clarksville Fall Ladies Day on Saturday, October 23, 2004 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Clarksville church of Christ 2405 Hwy 82 West, Clarksville, Texas. Speakers will be Della Blanton and Heather Boren. A salad luncheon will follow.
Clarksville Fall Lectures, October 23 thru 27, 2004. Theme "The Love of God" Everyone is invited to attend. For a schedule of times check the brochure on the round table in the foyer.
Ladies Devotional this afternoon at 4:30 PM in the Multi-purpose Room. All the ladies are invited.
Clarksville Bible Quiz is scheduled for Tuesday evening November 02, 2004. Topic will be from Zechariah Chapters 8 thru 10 from the KJV of the Bible. Everyone is invited to go and participate.
At the printing of this bulletin Alva Mae Sheets was still in Titus Regional Medical Center.
We need to continue to remember Wesley DuBose (brother of Judy Freeman). He remains in ICU at Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview. He is about the same and really does not comprehend much regarding his surroundings or who is talking to him.
Narci Cooper's arteriogram on Thursday morning found 2 blockages .. one in a main artery going to one of her kidneys and the other in her right leg. (This is the one she went to the doctor for for the pain in that leg.) In about a week to 10 days they will do a balloon angioplasty and put in 2 stints. She was scheduled to return home on Thursday to recuperate and get ready for the next round. The good news is that no bypass was needed.
We have a note from the Secretary at Mammoth Springs church of Christ in Mammoth springs, AR: "We are enjoying Lee, Kelley and the boys very much.
Claudia (Secretary)"
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PRAYER LIST:
Justin Barker, Louis Bell, Annah Brown, Sue Browning, Josephine Cooper, Perry Cooper, Zenith Hargrove, Bonnye Horton, Howard Horton, Ruby Lawhon, Winnie Patton, Dorothy Sargent, Alva Mae Sheets, Ola Mae Simpson
ALSO: James & Marie Butler, Tom Dooley, Wesley DuBose, Marie Holloway, Lavon McClish, Patricia McCracken, Kelsey Meyers, John Moses, Lynn Parker & his family, V. G. Strong, Lois DeWahl, Joan Williams
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My Grandfather Was Not A Monkey!
I don't know about you, but I refuse to believe that my great, great, great, great... grandfather was a monkey, a fish, a reptile, an amoeba, or any other animal or bug. Of course, I've got two brothers and a couple of sons who act like monkeys on occasions, but it's just an act, I hope!
The atheists and evolutionists would have us to believe the human race evolved from lower forms of life. From "goo to you," so to speak! However, what their theory postulates goes counter to what logic demands and rational observation proves. The evolutionary hypothesis would have you to believe that the material universe is moving from a state of disorder to a state of order, or from a state of simplicity to a state of complexity.
However, logical observation of natural processes demonstrates just the opposite. The material universe and even life itself, unless carefully maintained, moves from a state of order to a state of disorder. The universe is running down. Decay, not evolution, is the natural order we observe in this world.
For example, think about what happens to a house that is not maintained. I once bought a tract of land which had an old house on it that had not been lived in for many years. Back in the late eighteen or early nineteen hundreds that big old farmhouse must have been the fine home of a fairly wealthy family. But, for whatever reason, as time marched on, the house had been abandoned. At the time I purchased the property the house was literally falling down, and now, a little over ten years later, the house lies in a heap of rotting timber. The house evolved all right, but not from a cabin to a mansion, but from a mansion to a shack, and finally to a good bonfire and wiener roast waiting to happen!
I don't deny that life begins as a single-cell embryo, which then divides and multiplies to become a much more complex multi-celled human being. Nor do I deny that either animals or man are capable of evolving within the bounds of our species, as we adapt to our environment through the process of natural selection (or "survival of the fittest," as it is sometimes called). However, what I do deny is that evolution occurs between species, so that a monkey given enough time can evolve into a man. That makes about as much sense as believing that if you leave a Volkswagen Beetle alone long enough, it will turn into a Lear Jet!
The Bible says, "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. 1:1), "for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is..." (Ex. 20:11). Which makes more sense, to believe the Bible's account of creation by God, or to believe that the universe and all living things are the results of the random chance of billions of years of evolution?
Ichoose to believe the Bible. How about you? Are there any monkeys hanging in your family tree? If so, they wouldn't claim you David McCain
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The Monkey's Viewpoint
Three monkeys sat in a coconut tree,
discussing things as they're said to be.
Said one to the others, "Now listen, you two,
there's a certain rumor that can't be true,
That man descended from our noble race;
why, the very idea is such a disgrace!"
"No monkey ever deserted his wife,
or starved her babies and ruined her life.
And you've never known another monk,
to leave her babies with others to bunk,
Or to pass them on from one to another,
till they scarcely know who is their mother."
"And another thing you'll never see,
is a monk build a fence 'round a coconut tree,
And let the coconuts go to waste,
while forbidding all other monks to taste.
Why if I put a fence 'round a coconut tree,
starvation would force you to steal from me."
"Here's another thing a monk won't do,
go out at night to get himself stewed,
Or use a gun, a club, a rope, or a knife,
to take some other monkey's life.
Yes, man descended, the ornery cuss,
but, brothers, he didn't descend from us!"
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What Young People Need From The Older Members Of The Church
They need your love!
Young people need to know someone loves them. When's the last time you hugged one of them at church (other than your own children), and expressed your love for them? If the older members of the church don't love them, I guarantee you, some of Satan's servants will. The only reason cults and fringe groups ever flourish is because they extend unqualified love to their young devotees. Sadly, I have sometimes heard young people complain that the older members don't care about them. Let's not ever let that be a legitimate complaint here.
They need your encouragement!
How good it makes them feel when an older person takes an interest in them, and tells them, "Well done!" We ought to always strive to make a special point of talking to the kids and teens to see what's going on in their lives. Be careful that you never pour cold water on their zeal, or say anything unthoughtful that might cause them to despise the church. When's the last time you invited some kids out for a pizza, or hosted a youth get-together in your home? You might be surprised how good it would make you feel, not to mention the good it will do for them, if you took the time to get to know them by sharing a little time together over a meal.
They need your wisdom and good example!
They live in a tough world with all the temptations of drugs, alcohol, pornography, bad language, and the other filth they are bombarded with everyday. In order to be successful in winning against Satan, they need to have some good role models to follow. They need the friendship of older members who know and can show what it is like to live in the world but not be of the world. They need to see older members who find joy and peace in always putting Christ and His church first in their lives. David McCain
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