Bulletin for 10-30-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

None this week

Prayer requests:

Chloe Birdwell, relative of the Weeks’s, great improvement, is home now, doing outpatient therapy here in Dallas. Keep praying, please!

Bobbie Taylor, has gall bladder problems. Surgery scheduled for Nov 3.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Tonita, Paul’s friend, heart valve replacement needed

Dianthia Grubbs, is being treated for her stomach problems.

J R Medellin, Tiffany’s (Chance) husband, still doing well. Vanessea is doing well after her surgery.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, not doing well.

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Remember Luis in his mission/church planting in Poland.

Article:

The Lord Bless You and Keep You

When I was growing up I loved it when the chorus from Freed-Hardeman came through our area. I thrilled to hear the songs they sang, especially the spirituals, and was impressed with “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” with its seven-fold ‘Amen’ at the end. Later I attended Freed-Hardeman and sang with the Chorale. Although we didn’t use this song as our closing song, we still learned it and I enjoyed singing it. It was around this time that I discovered that what we were singing was actually a text from the Law of Moses.

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Tell Aaron and his sons, “This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.’ ” So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.’” (Numbers 6:22-27 NIV)

This was a blessing that God gave the high priest to give to the Israelites. Notice the reason was to “put my name on the Israelites” — and this blessing really is all about God. It was the Lord who would bless them, keep them, be gracious to them, and give them peace. Through this blessing they were to learn that they belonged to God and that all blessings came from him.

It would be easy for them — and it is easy for us — to forget that all blessings are from God. After all, they were the ones who would go out, get the ground ready for planting, plant the seed, tend the crops as they grew, harvest the crops, and then store them for later use. We can be the same way: we are the ones who study and plan, go to work, do our jobs, and (in our mind) earn our wage. Yet even though we have a part to play, God is still the one who causes all of this to happen.

You may have seen the film, Shenandoah. In that film the father, played by James Stewart, was leading his family in prayer at the dinner table. This is what he said: “Lord, we cleared this land. We plowed it, sowed it, and harvest it. We cook the harvest. It wouldn’t be here and we wouldn’t be eating it if we hadn’t done it all ourselves. We worked dog-bone hard for every crumb and morsel, but we thank you Lord just the same for the food we’re about to eat, amen.” Although humorous, it does well represent how people view what they enjoy in life.

This father somehow thought himself self-sufficient, not realising that all that he had, including his ability to work the land, came from God— and not to mention that the seed he planted was not something that he could make grow. Only God could do this.

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray he included the request: “Give us each day our daily bread” (Luke 11:1-4). When we pray this we aren’t to expect food to instantly appear on our tables. We realise that God blesses us through the abilities he has given us to be able to work and earn a living. But we need to acknowledge that it is God who gives us what we have and enjoy. He is the one who blesses us.

Do we have what we need to live? Then we need to thank God for it! Do we live a good life? Then thank God! Do we enjoy relationships with family and friends? Thank God for this as well, as we realise he is gracious to us. Do we have peace in our lives? Again we need to thank God for this.

All that we have is God’s blessing to us. May we always be thankful to him!

Jon Galloway, link to original article

Bulletin for 10-23-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

None this week

Prayer requests:

Chloe Birdwell, relative of the Weeks’s, great improvement, is home now, doing outpatient therapy here in Dallas. Keep praying, please!

Bobbie Taylor, has gall bladder problems. Surgery scheduled for Nov 3.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Tonita, Paul’s friend, heart valve replacement needed

Dianthia Grubbs, is being treated for her stomach problems.

J R Medellin, Tiffany’s (Chance) husband, still doing well. Vanessea is doing well after her surgery.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, not doing well.

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Remember Luis in his mission/church planting in Poland.

Article:

Thank you for not eating my tomatoes

If Bermuda grass is the horticultural bane of our existence as Southern gardeners, the rabbits are the counterpart in the animal world. Many of us have heaved a sigh of relief after watching a familiy of bunnies playing in the vegetable garden and then finding out that they did NOT eat that ripe tomato or squash that would have been ready to pick tomorrow. 

Many are the times when we have had to replant a row of vegetables after the first row had been mown down by these voracious fuzzy monsters. We have come to expect it.

A prominent political pundit recently made a detour from his usual insightful political commentary to offer women some marital advice. Suffice to say it was not well received by either men nor women. 

“It wouldn’t hurt for a wife to tell her husband, ‘I know it’s your nature to want a variety of women. Thank you for your fidelity.” 

There is so much wrong in this thinking. First, a caveat. We should always be thankful for one another as husbands and wives, or any relationship for that matter.  (Romans 1:8, 1 Corinthians 1:4, Colossians 1:3,  2 Thessalonians 1:2, 2 Thessalonians 1:3.)

This gentleman went above and beyond thanks and respect, though. Beyond….in a bad way. First, he assumes that all husbands constantly desire to stray from their marriage vows, but in reality this is the exception. The inspired words penned in the Bible paint a different picture.

“I have made a covenant with mine eyes: why then should I think upon a maid?” (Job 31:1, KJV).

“But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding; he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul” (Proverbs 6:32).

Secondly, one has to wonder what kind of an idea that puts in the mind of a man who is prone to infidelity. If he gets a blue ribbon for keeping his promise made at his wedding, does he get the red, second-place ribbon if he only cheats a few times? 

“Marriage is honorable in all, and the marriage bed undefiled; but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge (Hebrews 13:4).

Third, this is demeaning to women. Do we also have to thank our men for not beating us, or murdering us? They could, you know. We are the weaker vessel. This demeanor of bowing and scraping and expressing thanks for avoiding a sin described as “against his own body” is lowering women to the level of property, a concept not found in the Bible. This sin is so egregious that God outlines it as the only condition for remarriage after divorce (Matthew 19:9). 

Fourth, this idea is demeaning to men. We are not simply highly evolved apes, and should not behave as such. Man (“anthropos” or mankind) was created in the image of God. Marriage was instituted in the first week of creation. God expects better!

Having looked at all this, we can still agree that appreciation goes a long way. We must never become so complacent in good marriages that we don’t once in a while…maybe even often… tell one another how much we appreciate the godly, decent, and upright nature and actions of our spouses.

This of course includes marital faithfulness, but does not single it out. I have often turned to my husband after seeing a troubled marriage and said, “I’m so glad God gave us each other.”

If you cannot in honesty manage a blanket compliment like that, be specific. “Thank you for not eating my tomatoes.” 

Christina (Tina) Berglund link to original article

Bulletin for 10-9-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

None this week

Prayer requests:

Sympathy: Sharon Best, Steven’s mom, has passed to her reward. Graveside service is Tuesday, Oct 11 at 1 pm at Aurora Cemetery.

Chloe Birdwell, relative of the Weeks’s, great improvement, is home now, doing outpatient therapy here in Dallas. Keep praying, please!

Bobbie Taylor, has gall bladder problems. Surgery to be scheduled.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Please pray for him, his family and friends.

Tonita, Paul’s friend, heart valve replacement needed

Dianthia Grubbs, has been having some testing done for her stomach problems.

J R Medellin, Tiffany’s (Chance) husband, still doing well. Vanessea is doing well after her surgery.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, not doing well.

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

Spiritual food

“For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:1-4).

Rebellion led the Israelites to wilderness wanderings. While in the wilderness, this vast crowd had physical needs. They needed the basics: food and water. God provided for them.

The “spiritual food” was manna (Exodus 16:4). It came from heaven, and thus was spiritually provided rather than naturally given. Likewise the “spiritual drink” was water provided by God from rock. It was not naturally given. Both the manna and the water provided physical nourishment for the needs of God’s wandering people.

During Jesus’ ministry, large crowds followed him. On one occasion, Jesus was in a desolate place, by the sea of Galilee, with a crowd numbering over 5,000 (John 6:10). They were hungry and in need of physical nourishment. Jesus provided “spiritual food” for them.  Taking five loaves and two fish, Jesus provided enough food for the people to eat their fill with more left over than what they begin with.

The next day, Jesus left the crowd and was on the other side of the sea. The people got in boats and found him. Jesus said that they were seeking him, “not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves” (John 6:26). He then commanded them, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal” (John 6:27).

The crowd then quoted Nehemiah 9:15 (and others like Psalm 78:24-25), apparently intending that Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat. Perhaps also implying that the one time Jesus gave them food was not sufficient. If Jesus claimed to be from God and desired for them to listen, then he should sustain them like God did for a generation.

Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:32, 33).

This bread from heaven which gives life to the world intrigued the crowd. “Sir, give us this bread always,” they implored.

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst’” (John 6:35).

The “spiritual food” that God provided to the Israelites was natural food spiritually given. It sustained them physically. But it did not have the desired spiritual effect, as Paul says, “Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness” (1 Corinthians 10:5).

Now the antitype of that “spiritual food” is come to the world. Jesus is “the bread of life” which will spiritually nourish all those who partake of him. He is the “spiritual drink” which will quench the spiritual thirst of all who drink of him.

Those who come to Jesus can live eternally (John 6:48-51).

“Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever” (John 6:58).

Jesus understood that while feeding the physical body is important, feeding the spiritual man takes precedence.

“Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, ‘Rabbi, eat.’ But he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.’ So the disciples said to one another, ‘Has anyone brought him something to eat?’ Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work’” (John 4:31-34).

Are you spiritually well-fed?

Lee Parish, link to original article

Bulletin for 10-2-22

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Birthdays and Anniversarie

None this week

Prayer requests:

Sharon Best, Steven’s mom, her cancer seems to have returned in liver, aggressive chemo planned.

Chloe Birdwell, relative of the Weeks’s, great improvement, in extended care now. Keep praying, please!

Bobbie Taylor, has gall bladder problems. Surgery to be scheduled.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Please pray for him, his family and friends.

Tonita, Paul’s friend, heart valve replacement needed

Dianthia Grubbs, has been having some stomach problems

J R Medellin, Tiffany’s (Chance) husband, still doing well. Vanessea is doing well after her surgery.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Leslie Girvin, had a fall and sprained both wrists, 6-8 weeks recovery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, not doing well.

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Sympathy: Please remember the family of Darlene Hollingsworth in your prayers. Her son, Jonathan, is on David’s Special Olympics team. She passed away and services will be held this week.

Article:

A message to your church

If Jesus wrote a message to your church, what would it say?

In the Revelation of Jesus Christ, our Lord gave seven messages to seven churches. These churches, located in the province of Asia, were the initial recipients of the whole letter John penned (Revelation 1:4, 11).

John received a startling vision of the Lord. The authority of the Holy One to send these messages is established by the description John gave (Revelation 1:12-16), and the declaration Jesus made (Revelation 1:17-20)..

Jesus knew these churches. To each of them, he began with, “I know.” He is the one who “holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands” (Revelation 2:1). Jesus knows who his people are, both collectively and individually, and he sees their labor for him.

Each message was individualized. Each drew upon the unique nature of the particular community among whom the saints dwelt.

Ephesus was hard-working, persevering, intolerant of evil, discerning, and enduring. From the outside they would seem to be ideal. But their motivation was lacking. They had left their first love and needed to repent.

Smyrna was suffering and poor in the eyes of their community. They were slandered by self-described Jews. But in the eyes of the Lord they were rich, praise-worthy, and victorious. Jesus encouraged faithfulness at the cost of death. He conquered death, and promised the same to them.

Pergamum shared a ZIP code with Satan. The seat of emperor worship was located there. The pressure to deny Jesus would have never relented. Even though they saw one of their own killed, they held firm to Jesus’ name and did not deny his words. Yet they were tolerant of those who proposed compromise. Food was scarce, peer-pressure was harsh. Some among them were willing to go along with the demands to worship the emperor. For the sake of these compromisers the congregation needed to repent. Jesus would provide the nourishment and the freedom that truly mattered.

Thyatira was working, loving, faithful, and growing. But some were tolerant of sexual immorality and idolatry. Some needed to repent, while others needed to hold fast. Jezebel was once a queen, but Jesus is the true king, and he grants his authority to those who conquer.

Sardis had a name of usefulness, but to Jesus they were dead. Most were not serving Jesus, but there were still a few “names.” Remember, Jesus knows who his people are. He knows their names. If you are his, he knows your name. While many garments had been soiled, some were walking with white garments. They were worthy.

Philadelphia was small and held in contempt by many, but Jesus was proud of their faithfulness. Those who were vexing them would one day bow before them. He tells them to hold on, keep your crown, and receive the name of God, the name of the church, and the name of the Lord.

Laodicea was not useful. They were not hot like the springs in Hierapolis, nor were they cold like the refreshing water in Colossae. These Christians took the temperature of their city instead of changing it. They thought they had everything they needed, but they were lacking everything of importance.

Jesus knew all these Christians. He loved each of them. The promise he made to Laodicea is one of the sweetest promises we can imagine: Open the door and have fellowship, conquer this life and reign for eternity.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Revelation 3:21).

Jesus implores everyone to hear what he says to the churches (Revelation 3:22).

If Jesus directed a message to your congregation, what would it say? If he wrote one directly to your heart, what would the message be?

Lee Parish, link to original article