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Family News and Notes

Young People please do not forget the "Amazing Race" set for November 13th from 4PM7PM with a meal and fellowship to follow, here at the building. There is a Sign-up Sheet in the foyer for all young people who want to participate. Pre-School High School. Lots of fun to be had...

REMINDER: ...We need Volunteers to help clean the building for the month of November. If you are willing and able to help with this good use of your talents please sign the sheet on the

table in the foyer.

At the printing of the bulletin Narci Cooper' was scheduled for surgery in Tyler Friday afternoon around 2 PM to correct her condition.

Johnny Barrett had his surgery Tuesday morning. He is in room 415 at Titus Regional Medical Center.

Edith Shiflet is now back at home following her recent surgery. She is doing better.

Marie Holloway of Odessa (sister of Nelda Dunn and Elna O'Neal) is still not doing well following her recent heart attack. She is at home.

Perry Cooper has returned following his tests at the VA Hospital in Shreveport. He is now in Rehab at Titus Regional Medical Center, Room 515.

Glenn Parham is in East Texas Medical Center in Tyler. He is scheduled for surgery for a blockage of his carotid artery.

Ercell Fetters (Jim Duncan's mom) is experiencing health problems and Jim as requested that we place her on our prayer list.

At the printing of this bulletin, Wesley DuBose (brother of Judy Freeman) is still in very critical condition and there has not been any change. The family remains vigilant

Brett Dennie (son-in-law of David and Janice McCain) lost his grandfather Thursday evening. The funeral was conducted Saturday in Seagoville.

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PRAYER LIST

Justin Barker, Johnny Barrett, Louis Bell, Annah Brown,

Sue Browning, Josephine Cooper, Perry Cooper, Narci Cooper,

Zenith Hargrove, Bonnye Horton, Howard Horton, Ruby Lawhon,

Glenn Parham, Winnie Patton, Dorothy Sargent, Alva Mae Sheets, Edith Shiflet, Ola Mae Simpson

ALSO: James & Marie Butler, Tom Dooley, Wesley DuBose,

Marie Holloway, Lavon McClish, Patricia McCracken, Kelsey Meyers, Lynn Parker & his family, Lois DeWahl, Joan Williams

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How Would Jesus Vote?

Guest article from the Kensington Woods

Church of Christ bulletin written by: B. J. Clarke (C)

It is very important for you to notice about the [C] which is printed after my name. Please observe that no [R], [D], or [I] follows my name. I am not writing as a Republican, Democrat or even as an Independent. I am writing this article as a Christian. When I enter the voting booth on the first Tuesday in November, I will not enter as a Democrat, Republican, or an Independent. After all, it wasn't a Republican or Democrat who died for my sins. And it won't be a Democrat or a Republican sitting on the judgment seat on the Day of Judgment. I belong to Christ. He died to purchase my redemption. Therefore, when I enter the voting booth, I will remember that no political party owns me. Christ owns me.

The question is this: Will I vote as a Christian in name only? Will my voting reflect Christian principles, or will it help to elect a candidate whose positions are blatantly antagonistic to the moral teaching of the Christ to whom I belong? When I vote, will I turn a blind eye to the positions of the candidate I am voting for simply because he/she has a [D] or an [R] after his/her name? Will my allegiance to the political party my family has always voted for be greater than my allegiance to Christ?

We should strive to imitate Jesus in all that we do. Paul told the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitated Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). We are to endeavor to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). We should follow the example of Christ and "follow in his steps" (1 Pet. 2:21). We ought to walk even as He walked (1 John 2:6). Whatever we do, in word or in deed, we are to do all by the authority of Jesus (Col. 3:17). We are to do all things to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31).

So how would Jesus vote? Jesus revealed enough about Himself and God's will to enable us to know beyond a shadow of a doubt what matter most to Him in an election. We know that Jesus "loved righteousness and hated iniquity" (Heb. 1:9) and that "righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people " (Prov. 14:34). Therefore, if Jesus were to vote He would vote for the candidate whose agenda would do the most to advance righteousness. Accordingly, we should vote for the candidate whose platform most closely reflects the righteous principles contained within God's Word. Admittedly, determining this is not always an exact science. At the same time, it is not as fuzzy as some would have us to believe.

We get some help on the specifics of what we should look for in a leader from the counsel Jethro gave to Moses. He told Moses to choose "out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers" (Ex. 18:21). Here is a Devine litmus test for us to use in evaluating a candidate for leadership. Look for a candidate that fears God. To truly fear God is to reverence His Word and keep His commandments (Ecc. 12:13). It is possible for a candidate, in his public speeches, to give lip service to honoring God, only to turn around and advocate an agenda which is blatantly anti-Biblical. Titus 1:16 informs us that some profess to know God, but by their works they deny Him. Their actions speak louder than their words. Likewise, if a candidate cites a Scripture, says "God Bless America" at the end of his speeches, and then promotes the shedding of innocent blood by advocating the right to abortion, his actions speak a lot louder than his words.

It would be wonderful to find a candidate who endeavored to keep all of the commandments of God, but most often this is not the case. So what should we do when none of the candidates "fear God" to the fullest extent? The only thing we can do is look for a discernible, verifiable difference between the positions of the candidates and then vote for the one whose platform most closely aligns with the righteous principles of God's Word.

I am fully aware of the fact that neither of the candidates for President is perfect. Nor do I agree with either candidate on every single issue. Nevertheless, we need to remember that we are not electing the Messiah in November. The Messiah already reigns in heaven above, and He reigns in the heart and life of the true Christian. Therefore, my vote should reflect a commitment to the principles of the Messiah.

So, how would Jesus vote? When I know that Jesus loves righteousness and hates iniquity (Heb. 1:9), and when I know He hates the shedding of innocent blood (Prov. 6:16-17) and that He opposes "same-sex marriage" (Gen. 2; Matt. 19:4-6), I cannot and will not punch a card, pull the lever, or touch the screen for a candidate who is determined to promote that which my Lord opposes.

(edited)

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