Our_Bulletin_6_22

Family News and Notes

Our Summer Youth Series continues this week and we will be meeting at the Talco Church of Christ on Monday, June 23rd at 7:00 PM. Bro. Curtis Ritchwood will Guest Speaker. Topic is: Timothy.

There are some more copies of updates to the Church Directory available on the round table in the foyer. If you need one for your family please take one, but limit yourself to one copy per family, please.

Jeanette Parham has been sick at home.

Corine Hudson is still not feeling well, but has been able to return home from the hospital.

Glenn Parham was admitted to the hospital Wednesday with pneumonia. He said he did not feel like having visitors at the present time. He is in Room 401 at Titus Regional Medical Center.

Bud Roach has been dismissed from the hospital and is still recuperating at home.

Billye Campbell has been sick at home for a number of days but was feeling somewhat better toward the end of the week.

Clovis Davis, Aunt of Edith Shiflet, is in the hospital in Texarkana.

Myrtice Grissom has been sick at home this past week.

Sandra Cooper is feeling a little better but is scheduled to undergo some more tests in July at M. D. Anderson in Houston.

Elsie Clark, sister-in-law of R. C. Grissom, passed away in California. We need to remember R. C. and the family in our prayers at this time.

Brother Avon Malone passed away last week and his funeral was held at 2:00 PM on Thursday at Brown Trail Church of Christ in Bedford, Texas. Brother Malone has preached at meetings for us in the past.

Please check the Prayer List on the back page for others that we need to keep in our prayers.

THANK YOU "To our dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Thanks to all of you for your support to both of us during our surgeries and recovery, for the many cards, phone calls, thoughts, prayers and trips to Paris. I am now fully recovered. Woodrow has a way to go yet. He still needs your prayers."

--In Christian Love,

Woodrow and Geneva Cooksey

THANK YOU "I want to thank you for the prayers and cards sent to my sister, Minnie Moore. It was so thoughtful of you. I talked with Minnie last Sunday. She is back at the Nursing Home and is slowly recovering. She sounded OK." --God bless you all.

Alva Mae Sheets

THANK YOU "Dear Brethren: A heartfelt 'THANK YOU' goes out to all those who helped us move last Saturday. We could never have done it without you, and we greatly appreciate your help. A special thanks also to the many who helped pack and watch babies in the weeks prior; also to those who were not physically able to be there, but prayed for us. We sincerely appreciate you all. " In Christian Love

Lee, Kelley, Luke Garland and Travis Lee

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PRAYER LIST:

Justin Barker, Louis Bell, Iona Carpenter, Billy Carter, Woodrow Cooksey, Sandra Cooper, Barbara Duncan, Julia Ethridge, Howard Horton, Corine Hudson, Hollis Lee, Joyce Lee, Ruby Pipkin, Meryl Riley, Bud Roach, Dorothy Robertson, Murphy Ross, Edith Shiflet

ALSO: Donald Deaton, Tillman Ethridge, Linda Ferrell, Keith Fetters, Minnie Moore

Tom's Pen

Leaders And 'Ordinary' Members

by Tom Wacaster

The Lord designed His church so as to provide capable and qualified leadership. That's why the Holy Spirit set forth the qualifications for elders and deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9). While leaders are important, we must not overlook the fact that a congregation needs its "ordinary members" in order to function. The five talent man is a blessing to the Lord's church. But so is the one talent man. Those who serve as elders, providing they serve well, are to be counted worthy of "double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching" (1 Timothy 5:16). In view of Paul's admonition that we "Render...honor to whom honor" is due (Rom. 13:7), it is important that we not forget the value that the "ordinary member" plays in the function and growth of the church. All too often this "ordinary member" perceives of himself as unimportant at best, and a "non-entity" at worst. That kind of attitude is self defeating. It will lead to apathy and indifference, rob one of his zeal, and bring the work of the Lord's church to a screeching halt if it is allowed to spread throughout the congregation. From time to time we express our appreciation to those of you who work behind the scenes. In many instances we do not even realize the work you do and the influence you render for the cause of Christ. But be assured that God knows your labors, and that's all that counts anyway. Your reward will be great in heaven. I do not know who wrote the following poem, but it certainly expresses my sentiments and the value of those of you who are "ordinary members."

"An Ordinary Member"

"Just an ordinary member

Of the church," I heard him say,

But you'd always find him present,

Even on a rainy day.

He had a hearty hand clasp

For the stranger in the aisle,

And a friend who was in trouble

Found sunshine in his smile.

When the sermon helped him

He told the preacher so,

And when he needed comfort,

He let the preacher know.

He always gave so freely

And tried to do his share,

In all the ordinary tasks

For which some have no care.

His talents were not many

But his love for God was true.

His prayers were not in public,

But he prayed for me and you.

"An Ordinary Member"?

I that I would say,

He was Extraordinary

In a humble sort of way.

A great big thanks to those of you who help in so many ways. Rest assured your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58). May your number increase.

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Worth repeating: "One of the mysteries of life is how the boy who wasn't good enough to marry the daughter can be the father of the smartest grandchildren in the world."

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How Much Inclusion Does"Inclusive" Include? (Part II)

by Lee Moses

Last week, a column from The Dallas Morning News was examined in which the writer insisted that the Boy Scouts of America needed to accept homosexuals as within the confines of their requirement to be "morally straight." The writer used extremely faulty logic to defend his premise. However, it is usually not logic to which these "extreme inclusivists" appeal. Their approach is generally an appeal to the emotions, completely void of logic. Homosexuals are portrayed as victims needing sympathy. Pennsylvania's Ethnic Intimidation Acts has been amended to prohibit what may be perceived as intimidation toward "sexual orientation, gender or gender identity." In a church bulletin article, Gospel preacher Preston Silcox cites references demonstrating that if one attending a worship service in Pennsylvania were offended by what he heard, "the preacher and leaders of the congregation might soon receive certified letters inviting them to a deposition or a court appearance." Effectively, the homosexuals have been given free reign to promote their perverted viewpoint, while those who wish to present what God has to say on the subject have been muzzled by various governing bodies.

Inclusivism has certainly not been restricted to the secular. The United Methodist Church has adopted the slogan, "Open hearts, open minds, open doors." To some, such a slogan might seem harmless; however, the attitude of inclusivism held by this denomination is expressed in their view on divorce and remarriage:

When a married couple is estranged beyond reconciliation, even after thoughtful consideration and counsel, divorce is a regrettable alternative in the midst of brokenness. . . .

Divorce does not preclude a new marriage. We encourage an intentional commitment of the Church and society to minister compassionately to those in the process of divorce, as well as members of divorced and remarried families, in a community of faith where God's grace is shared by all [http://www.umc.org/abouttheumc/policy/nurturing/d-divorce.htm].

One who has read his Bible knows that this teaching directly contradicts what Jesus taught (Matt. 5:32; 19:9). Other "churches" have taken inclusivism a step further, happily accepting openly practicing homosexuals among their number. Some have gone so far as to say that it is not even necessary to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; considering themselves in spiritual fellowship with Muslims, Jews, and others who blasphemously deny the Deity of Jesus Christ. How can one believe in Jesus, yet not believe what He said: "I am THE way, and THE truth, and THE life: NO man cometh unto the Father, BUT BY ME" (John 14:6, emph. LM).

God does not teach exclusivism regarding the availability of the Gospel "Come unto me, all ye that labour . . ." (Matt. 11:28, emph. LM). This includes homosexuals, people living in adulterous relationships, and practitioners of false religions (I Cor. 6:11). However, God demands that those who would be His people come to Him, not that they stay where they are:

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty (II Cor. 6:17-18).

God has given a narrow road to follow an exclusive road (Matt. 7:13-14). Man does not have the right nor the ability to include on this road what God does not permit.

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