Family News and Notes
Men's Business Meeting tonight after services. All men are encouraged to attend.
Ladies Bible Class meets at 4:30 PM this afternoon. All the ladies in the congregation are invited to attend.
Funeral services were conducted Thursday at 11:00 AM for Kenneth Wisdom, Sr., (Jesse Wisdom's grandfather) at Lowe's Funeral Home in Quitman. Burial was at Weaver Cemetery.
Hazel Phillips remains in ETMC in Tyler. If you wish to send her a card we feel it would cheer her up. Hazel Phillips
Room 4419A
East Texas Medical Center
1000 South Beckham
Tyler, Texas 75701
Billy Carter is still in Room 300 at Titus Regional Medical Center. He is experiencing breathing difficulties, but hopes to be able to go home soon.
Bob Hedges had an Arteriogram in Tyler on Wednesday. No blockage was found and he was able to return home.
Weldon Miller is still sick at home. Hopes to get to feeling better soon.
Elna O'Neal did not have to have the anticipated surgery last week and she is back at home. She still does not feel quite up to par.
We have lots of other sick folks but I don't have any updates from anyone on them. If you know anything please let someone know, won't you?
THANK YOU "We thank the members of North Jefferson Church of Christ for all the food and other items during the holiday season. It meant so much to us to know that people care. Please remember us in your prayers. God bless you,
Frances, Ethan and Brandi"
THANK YOU "Thank you for the food donation to the Frances Walton and Diane young families during the holidays. Your willingness to provide for those in need is appreciated. Frances Walton"
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PRAYER LIST:
Justin Barker, Rachel Barker, Louis Bell, Annah Brown, Sue Browning,
Billy Carter, Josephine Cooper, Perry Cooper, Zenith Hargrove, Howard Horton, Ruby Lawhon, Hollis Lee, Weldon Miller, Winnie Patton, Hazel Phillips,
Dorothy Sargent, Alva Mae Sheets
ALSO: Denise Dering, Ercell Fetters, Marie Holloway, Patricia McCracken, Kelsey Meyers
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The Brevity Of Life
The older I get the faster life seems to go by. Either the years aren't as long as they used to be, or my life is speeding up; I'm not sure which! Maybe it's just that my perspective has changed. Whatever, it seems like only a few months ago, I preached my first sermon at the ripe young age of thirteen. Actually, though, it was forty-eight years ago. It seems like only a few weeks ago that I graduated from college and began working full-time in the ministry, but actually I've been out of school for a little over twenty-six years now, and back in August I began my twenty-seventh year of full-time Gospel preaching. It seems like just yesterday that I began my tenure with the North Jefferson congregation, but as of today, I have been "your preacher" for exactly one year and three months - Happy Anniversary!
Indeed, as the old song says, "Swiftly we're turning life's daily pages, swiftly the hours are changing to years. How are we using God's golden moments? Shall we reap glory? Shall we reap tears?" (*1) How true! Every time I preach or attend a funeral, I am reminded of the frailty and brevity of life. As James wrote, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away" (James 4:1).
A wisp of smoke, a cloud of steam, we're here only for a short time and then we're gone. As another song reminds us: "We know not today what the morrow may bring..." (*2) In fact, we know not whether we will even have a tomorrow. Today we are concerned about time, but tomorrow may find us in eternity. The simple truth is, today is the only day anyone is assured of, which is all the more reason to make it count. That's why each of us should live as if today is our last day on earth. Who knows, it may well be!
What are you doing today for Jesus? Some of you intend to become good Bible students someday. Why not become one beginning today? Some of you are going to speak to that co-worker about his/her soul someday, when you get "around to it." Why not speak to him/her today? Some of you are planning to get back in church before long, and once again be faithful to God like you know you ought to be. Why not repent and come home to the Lord this very day? One of these days, before long, you're planning to call off that feud, "bury that hatchet," and be reconciled to that estranged brother, or sister, who hurt your feelings so many years ago. Why not make up with that estranged loved one today?
You've been intending for some time now to write that loving letter, or to make that apologetic phone call, haven't you? Think how good you'd feel, if you did it today! I know when you become a millionaire you are going to be a generous giver, but why not start today by being generous with the blessings God has already given you? I have no doubt that those of you who are not faithful Christians, fully intend to get right with God, at yet some future date, when the time is right, before it is everlastingly too late. Why not obey the Lord, even today?
Tomorrow may never come. Tomorrow may be too late! Tomorrow may only be filled with regrets, and heartaches, and "what ifs," and "why didn't I," if you don't use TODAY to its fullest. As the unknown poet said, "Life is short, our time goes fast, only that done for Christ will last." Indeed, today is the day of salvation (II Cor. 6:2)! With that in mind, let us live each day to it's fullest, in view of eternity! David McCain
(*1) From the song, "Swiftly We're Turning", by Tillet S. Teddlie
(*2) From the song, "Living By Faith", by J.L. Heath
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The Obstacles in Our Path
(guest article)
from
Bangs Church of Christ bulletin
In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock.
Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping roads clear, but none did anything about getting the big stone out of the way.
Then, a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. On approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. As the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been.
The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was tor the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many others never understand. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one's condition.
"It is good for me that I have been afflicted.; that I might learn thy statutes" (Psalm 119.71)
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A Lesson on Manners ...
The Irate Driver
A man was being tailgated by a stressed-out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.
The tailgating woman hit the roof, and the horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection with him. As she was till in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up in the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a cell.
After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.
He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping the guy off in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the "Choose Life" license plate holder, the "What Would Jesus Do" bumper sticker, the "Follow Me to Sunday School" bumper sticker and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk.
Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car."
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