Our_Bulletin_3_30

Family News and Notes

Gospel Meeting this Spring!!!

Scheduled for Thursday, May 1st thru Sunday, May 4th. The services will be conducted by brother David Coats of Gonzales church of Christ, Gonzales, Louisiana. His wife, Wendy will be with him.

We hope you haven't forgotten......We will be having a Fellowship Luncheon in the Multi-Purpose Room today following the morning worship services. Everyone is welcome.

Next Sunday is Building Fund day. If you are able to contribute toward this fund you may do so on that date.

Please check the table in the foyer for the sign-up sheet for cleaning of the building for the month of April. If you are able to help please sign the sheet.

Woodrow Cooksey has surgery last Monday at 9:00 a.m. He is in Titus Regional Medical Center.

Delores Adams passed away Tuesday afternoon, March 25th, 2003, at 4:45 PM. Her funeral was conducted Friday at 2:00 PM with burial at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

"Justin Barker went to Scottish-Rite last Monday for tests and evaluation in order to determine proper treatment for his condition. Doctors determined that his condition, while probably not life-threatening, was not curable. He will return in April to be fitted with leg braces and see another doctor for confirmation of this diagnosis. While difficult times lie ahead for Justin, we hope that with love and support from his family, both physical and spiritual, he will remain the happy and friendly little boy he is now. We are so grateful for the monetary gifts that have helped pay the expenses of traveling to Dallas to see the doctors and most of all the tender words of concern, the cards, and the many prayers offered up to God on Justin's behalf. Please continue to pray for Justin and his family that we will have the strength to accept God's will. We know that God is powerful and well able to heal but whatever His will may we have the faith to trust Him, knowing that His love for Justin is greater even than ours. - We love you all so much,

-Justin's Family"

THANK YOU.. "We would like to express our thanks for the prayers, calls, and cards that we received concerning David's accident and surgery. It is a comfort to know that so many kept David in their thoughts. He will have many months of therapy ahead of him. We appreciate the continued prayers. Thank you so much!

--In Christian love

The Booher Family (David, Cathy & Kelly)

P O Box 382275

Germantown, TN 38183"

THANK YOU "Dearest Christian Friends: Thank you for singing at the funeral for our dear husband, father and grandfather. The singing was beautiful. - Mary Adams & Family"

THANK YOU "Dear Members: A big thank you for all the cards, calls, food, and prayers. I am doing much better and plan on being back soon. Keep me in your prayers.-In Christian Love, Julia & Tillman Ethridge"

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You are cordially invited

to a

Bridal Shower

honoring

Sharla Duncan,

bride elect of

Casey Cross

Sunday, April 6, 2003

2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Northridge Church of Christ

(I-30 Access Road)

Mount Pleasant, Texas

Selections at:

Dillards, Hamiltons,

Casseighs, Masons,

And Linens & Things

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PRAYER LIST:

Justin Barker, Billy Carter, Sandra Cooper, Patsy Duncan, Myrtice Grissom, Howard Horton, Corine Hudson, Hollis Lee, Joyce Lee, Wade Miller, Meryl Riley, Murphy Ross,

Dorothy Sargent

ALSO: Woodrow Cooksey, R. C. Grissom, Minnie Moore

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Tom's Pen

Baseball, Beatitudes and the Bible

by Tom Wacaster

Another baseball season is upon us. Spring training will be in full swing and in the not too distant future the first game of the season will be played. The training, exercise, discipline, and preparation will culminate in the beginning of yet another season of hopes, dreams, and aspirations. I am sure that the managers, players, and fans have dreams of reaching the playoffs and going on to win the world series. But for now, they must face the reality that dozens of games lie ahead. One sobering reality is the undeniable truth that after each team has played its first game, precisely 50% of those teams will have lost their opening games. As is often the case, that first game sets the tenor for the remainder of the season, and until a game is won there is little doubt that the players struggle with getting their attitudes right. What, you may ask, does all this have to do with us? Well, there are certain dreams and aspirations we have with regard to our spiritual lives. We want to do what is right. We read the beatitudes set forth in God's word, and we start wanting to make the application to our life. We desire to be "poor in spirit," or to "hunger and thirst after righteousness." We attempt to incorporate meekness into our lives, and to "mourn" as God would have us do. Try as we may it seems that often those dreams of spiritual maturity allude us. And so we try again. And we often fail again. But you see, each time we make a mistake we learn from it. Gradually we make progress. Growth is slow, but growth is certain to those who persevere. How do we react when we lose the first game? Do we become discouraged and throw in the towel? Does our attitude toward Christian living become soured and do our dreams of maturity vanish because of one loss, or one defeat? Or do we determine that we will not allow that failure to keep us from getting up, grasping God's hand, and trying again? Now listen to Paul: "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; smitten down, yet not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body" (2 Cor. 4:7-10). Legion are the number who have been knocked down and STAYED there! Too many soldiers have fallen on the battle field by some minor wound and refused to get up and fight again. Jesus only promises the crown of life to those who are faithful until (yea, even in the face of) death. The baseball season will soon be underway. I wonder how many teams will be in the running for the playoffs come early October. I wonder also how many of us will be found faithful when the time for reckoning comes. More than we care to admit, our success in spiritual matters depends largely on us. Think about it.

Sermons for Sunday:

AM: "Exhortation To Holiness"

PM: Questions & Answers

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How to Approach Bible Study

by Lee Moses

As children of the heavenly Father, we desire to become well acquainted with our Father's word. We realize the obligation we have to become knowledgeable in His word (II Tim. 2:15; II Pet. 3:18), and we realize the privilege that is ours to know His will (Ephesians 3:3-5; I Pet. 1:10-12). Questions may be raised concerning how is best to do this, including: Is simply reading the Bible sufficient? Do I need anything other than a Bible to study the Bible? Do I need to have a particular mental approach when studying the Bible? Although this article is by no means exhaustive on the subject, we will endeavor to answer these three questions.

Is simply reading the Bible sufficient? If by this is meant a casual reading, or skimming, the answer is no; although regular Bible reading is important. Reading is where one begins his Bible study, not where he ends it. God is a "rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6, emph. LM). If one wanted to be a doctor, he would not skim through one or two medical books. Reading the Bible is good, but rightly dividing God's word requires more than a casual reading. One must spend time thinking about what he has read in God's word. Many passages speak of "meditating" upon God's word (Josh. 1:8; Psm. 1:1-3; 119:148; I Tim. 4:13-16; et al.). At times, we must dig to find the meanings of various Bible passages that may not be clear upon first reading. Also, an effort should be made to commit portions of Scripture to memory (Psm. 119:11; Heb. 2:1; I John 2:1; Matt. 4). If our Lord was able to use Scripture embedded in His mind as a defense against temptation, we can certainly be aided in this respect as well.

Do I need anything other than a Bible to study the Bible? No, one does not need anything other than a reliable English translation of the Bible (e.g. King James Version, American Standard Version, New King James Version) to understand everything one needs for his soul's salvation. However, there are many tools available that can help the Christian to avoid confusion, and to make better use of his study time. A good English dictionary, New Testament word dictionary (e.g. Vine's), and concordance are indispensable tools in Bible study. There are many commentaries available which provide research, such as cultural background and word study, which will assist in understanding the sacred text. One should always use a discriminate mind when selecting and using commentaries-brethren such as J.W. McGarvey, Guy N. Woods, H. Leo Boles, and Robert R. Taylor, Jr., have written commentaries that are quite reliable, without the denominational bias found in many of the well-known commentary sets. But even when consulting sound commentators such as these, one must always let the Bible be the final word on itself.

Do I need to have a particular mental approach? "Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments" (Ezra 7:10). Once anyone realizes that the Bible is the word of God, he will approach its study with deserved respect. The attitude must be: (1) Seek-I will seek what God has to say. I truly want to know what His will is, and I do not care what any man says differently. I will not go to the Scriptures to try to justify my conduct or to prove my personal views. (2) Do-I will do whatever the Lord asks of me. Knowledge without application is useless. (3) Teach-Ezra had prepared himself to teach God's word, and so must we. The apostles were given the Great Commission to teach (Matt. 28:19-20); and since we are to observe those things commanded them, we have that command as well. But we must prepare ourselves through regular, reverent Bible study if we are to be able to teach, or to serve God in any other capacity.

We are very privileged to have readier access to the Bible today than at any time in previous history. If we approach our Bible study diligently, wisely, and respectfully, we can know that our house is built upon the Rock (Matt. 7:24-25).

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