Family News and Notes
If you are able and have made plans you may contribute to our Building Fund today. Thanks.
MEN'S BUSINESS MEETING following evening services next Sunday. All men are encouraged to attend.
Beginning March 6th a new Sunday morning Young Adult Class will begin. This will be held in the multi-purpose room. Team teachers will be: Jerry Freeman and Bob Hedges. There is no strict age definition of "young adult" so EVERYONE is welcome.
There will be a Egg Hunt / Weiner Roast / Devotional on Saturday, March 19th at 3:00 PM at Connie and Ronnie Stewart's. This will be for Toddlers thru High School. More information later.
Our LADIES DAY has been scheduled for Saturday, April 2, 2005, beginning at 10:00 AM. here at the building. Sister Sarah Fallis will be guest speaker. If you would be interested in working on one of the committees please let Amy Jones know. There is plenty of work for everyone to do. Sign-up sheets for the salads for lunch will be put out in March. All ladies are invited to attend.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR Area Wide Singing on Saturday, April 09, 2005 from 7:00 PM9:00 PM at North Jefferson Church of Christ. Everyone is invited.
Rachel Barker went to Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas last Monday for tests and evaluation. She will have more tests next week.
Ralph Phillips is still in the hospital in Paris. Room 514. He is improving. Address is:
Dubuis Hospital
Long Term Care
865 Dishong Drive
Paris, Texas 75460
Hazel Phillips is back in East Texas Medical Center Tyler for tests and treatment.
Edith Shiflet has been in Titus Regional Medical Center for several days but is now back at home.
Jerry Freeman had tests last Monday in Dallas and will be treated with medication to try to solve his problem.
Helen Roper is at home suffering from swelling and infection in her leg. She is on heavy antibiotics. She will be returning to see her doctor in a week or so for further tests and treatment.
Glenn Parham is feeling much better following his recent surgery in Tyler. He is now at home.
Billy Carter is not doing well. He continues to have problems and is thankful for our prayers.
Clifton White, son-in-law of sister Ettie Wright, passed away last week. His funeral was conducted on Thursday with burial at Spring Hill Cemetery. Please keep this family in your prayers.
THANK YOU "Brothers and Sisters in Christ You have made our sad burden easier to bear with all your acts of kindness. Every card, flower, church donation, food and encouraging word has not gone unnoticed. May the Lord bless you. Please keep us in your prayers.
The Cooper Family"
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PRAYER LIST
Justin Barker, Rachel Barker, Louis Bell, Annah Brown, Sue Browning,
Billie Campbell, Billy Carter, Josephine Cooper, Perry Cooper, Zenith Hargrove, Howard Horton, Ruby Lawhon, Hollis Lee, Joyce Lee, Glenn Parham, Winnie Patton, Hazel Phillips, Ralph Phillips, Helen Roper, Dorothy Sargent, Alva Mae Sheets,
Edith Shiflet
ALSO: Ercell Fetters, Marie Holloway
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IN CHARGE OF SELECTING MEN TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MARCH
Tim Jones
IN CHARGE OF SELECTING MEN TO LEAD PRAYERS FOR MARCH
Grady Duncan
IN CHARGE OF SELECTING MEN FOR COMMUNION TABLE IN MARCH
Rhodney Freeman
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Textbook For Life
"For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life" (Prov. 6:23).
t is without a doubt the greatest book ever written. It's been at the top of the world's best selling book lists for hundreds of years. Translated into virtually every major language and into thousands of dialects, it is the most practical, down-to-earth book ever penned on how to have a happy, peaceful, and secure life, both here and for eternity. Of course, you recognize I speak of the Holy Bible, God's textbook for life.
Do you want to be a success in your work? Do you want to have a vibrant marriage and a happy home? Do you want a secure future? Do you want to make sure your life is not wasted, but rather filled with meaning and purpose? The Bible can tell you how to have, be, and do all of these things. In fact, if properly understood and applied to our lives, the Bible is a rulebook for playing the game of life, a textbook for personal happiness, a battle plan for victorious living, and a roadmap to heaven. Let me give a few examples to show what I mean.
First, the Bible is a practical book, in that it tells us how to succeed in the material world. If you would be successful in your endeavors to earn a living, the Bible counsels diligent labor in your chosen field. Paul wrote, "attend to your own business, and work with your hands: so that you may behave properly towards outsiders and not be in any need" (I Thess. 4:11-12). Solomon penned, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might" (Eccl. 9:10). Fairness, kindness, consideration, honesty, and integrity are also critical elements of success in the business world. Christian workers are instructed, "Provide things honest in the sight of all men" (Rms. 12:17). Jesus said, "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise" (Luke 6:31). Perhaps the most critical key to success is the admonition of Paul to follow the instructions of our superiors and work like we are working for the Lord. "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free" (Eph. 6:5-8).
Secondly, the Bible is a personal book, in that it tells us how to find personal happiness, a successful marriage, and a happy home. God's plan for the happy family includes a father who is the head of his household, the provider for his family, the spiritual leader in his home, and one who treats his wife and children with kindness, love, and respect (Eph. 4:28, I Thess. 4:11-12, Eph 5:21-6:4). It also includes a mother who is first a loving and submissive wife, secondly a devoted mother to her children, and thirdly a keeper at home (Eph. 5:21-23, Titus 2:3-5). Lastly it includes children who are obedient and respectful to their parents (Eph. 6:1-3, Col. 3:20). The truly happy home will be the home of faithful Christians, who are totally united in the religion of Christ (Eph. 5:21-33).
Finally, the Bible is a peace-providing book, in that it tells us how to have a peaceful life here on this earth, while at the same time giving us hope for a secure future in the paradise of God. For the Christian who obeys the Word of God, the Bible promises the peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7). It also promises to the faithful and righteous servant of God, eternal life in heaven to come (Mt. 25:46).
W hat do you want out of life: success, peace of mind, a great marriage, happiness, security, a great future, to live forever? Truly these things can be yours if you will make the Holy Bible your textbook for life! David McCain
Due Honor: Just a word of thanks to our sweet ladies for letting the light of Jesus shine in your lives by all you do to help the sick and bereaved. Both the Cooper and the Wright/White families expressed humble appreciation for the meals you served their families last week and this week during their respective times of sadness and loss. Special thanks to Veleta McFerrin for organizing these efforts, and to all of our diligent calling committee members, our delicious cooks, and our special servers who help her. It's a well-oiled effort that brings joy to others and glory to God! D.Mc
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(The following two articles are from Adamsville, AL Church of Christ bulletin)
ARE YOU AVERAGE?
(Selected)
The difference between average and top people can be explained in three words: and then some. The top people do what is expected of them, and then some. They are thoughtful of others, they are considerate and kind, and then some. They meet their responsibilities and obligations fairly and squarely and then some. They are good friends to their friends and can be counted on in an emergency, and then some.
FAIR-WEATHER CHRISTIAN?
(Selected)
Can I be a fair-weather Christian?" A good friend once told me, "If you're not a Christian everywhere, you're not a Christian anywhere. And if you're not a Christian all the time, you're not a Christian at anytime!"
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A WEEK OF GOOD THOUGHTS
(From Jacksonville Church of Christ bulletin)
Suppose we start this very day to live our lives in a different way; suppose we vowed and constantly tried to help those in trouble on life's wayside; if we showed by our deeds a hit of His love wouldn't earth be a bit more like heaven above?
ON MONDAY: Look for a smile today and return it with one of your own. Give someone faith and hope, it's such a beautiful loan.
ON TUESDAY: Gather a thought that's kind, one that's sincere and deep. Be sure to pass it along for such are too precious to keep.
ON WEDNESDAY: Forget yesterday's sorrows, mistakes, sadness, and pain. Life your heart with hope as flowers to sun and rain.
ON THURSDAY: Offer a word of comfort and prayer to help someone in need. A little thoughtful gift, some flowers, or a smile makes us all rich indeed.
ON FRIDAY: You shall not pass this way again, so do any good you can do. Don't put it off till tomorrow or the chance may be lost for you.
ON SATURDAY: Today will soon be a memory so don't let it come to an end, without a smile, without a song, or just a word from a friend.
ON SUNDAY: Don't let worry and care depress you, or brush your joy away. But arise and give thanks to God above, for His love and another "Blest Day."
"let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others" (Phil 2:3,4).
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