The Visitor » The Visitor – April 13, 2008

Here and There
by Wes Price
Thank you for your generous comments on my sermon last week on the story of Esther. Her courage in the face of possible disaster ought to serve as an example to us when our faith is challenged. Although God’s name is no where mentioned in that book, His presence is woven in every detail. Mordecai’s comment to her ought to be remembered long after the details of the story are forgotten. It speaks of our submission to the providence of God. “Who knows but what you have come into the kingdom for just such a time as this.”
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This morning we are privileged to have Ann Taylor’s brother-in-law, Ken Ratcliff, here to speak for us. We always profit by his messages.
We extend our congratulations to him on his 50th anniversary of his graduating from the SMU Law School, the purpose which brings he and Eugenia to our fair city.
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The new issue of House to House is available in the foyer. Please
remember that you have a responsibility, not just take one for your own reading, but as a means of sowing seed among your friends, family and acquaintances. It is discouraging to find a large number of these still remaining from quarter to quarter. While you might not be able to do anything else in the kingdom, you can make these available to others and help spread the news about the church of Christ. Think about it.
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Roger Jackson recently moved his mother to a new nursing facility in Cedar Hill. Her name is Dorothy Jackson and her new address is Crestview Court, 224 W. Pleasant Run Road, Cedar Hill, TX 75104, Room 202B. I know she would appreciate having a card from you and perhaps even a personal visit. I know also, that Roger would be pleased.
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I received a card recently from Rick Ramsey expressing his thanks for the thoughts and prayers on his behalf following his recent surgery. He is still recuperating nicely and we hope that he and Rhonda can make a visit soon to see us and express their thanks in person.
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“Sincerity Is A Virtue,” will be brother Mack Lyon’s next lesson on Channel 27, KDFI-TV at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, April 20.
He writes, “Sincerity is fundamental to every virtue of religion. It is
absolutely essential to a right relationship with God, to building interpersonal relationships in the family, in business, at school or anywhere else, and it is indispensable to peace within.
Join him for that lesson and invite others to view it as well.
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It’s about time we had a “spring cleanup” here at the building. We have set aside, Saturday, May 24. We will cook up a delicious breakfast to be served at 8:00 a.m. and then spend the remainder of the morning working in and around the building. Just because we have Alletha Lee and Dan Talbott on the payroll for certain responsibilities, we still have plenty to do that is above their assigned duties. So MEN AND WOMEN, plan on joining us for a good breakfast and on getting some good work done.
It might be helpful to me, if you will make suggestions about projects that you might have noted needs attention.
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GOOD STORY – WRONG APPLICATION
The use of parables was one of the favorite ways in which Jesus did his teaching. People tend to remember a story better than they do statistics and cold hard facts. There is a danger. We may remember the interesting story and forget the application. Or, we may make a wrong application.
I recently read a popular book by a popular writer in which he teaches that men are saved simply by believing. In fact, he stated that after one is saved by believing he should then repent of his sins, confess his faith in Christ and then be baptized.
He stressed that salvation is a gift. That is true. We do not pay any part in our salvation. However, the writer failed to recognize that while we do not earn salvation, there are things to be done in order to receive the gift.
The writer illustrated his point by telling of a time when he was in another country doing mission work. His father became gravely ill. He had no money to buy a plane ticket. He learned that a company was giving away free tickets. Too good to be true! There must be some catch! No, it was true. However, to receive the free ticket, one had to take a duffel bag full of mail to be delivered at one’s destination. He gladly did as required. He arrived in time to see his father die
Does that illustrate receiving a gift without doing anything? The writer obviously did not realize he illustrated the opposite of what he meant to do. Would he have received the free ticket if he refused to take the duffel bag? No. It did not earn the ticket but it was required in order to receive the free ticket. A gift may have strings attached.
In the same way, our obedience to the gospel does not earn our salvation, but it is required! Faith does not earn salvation. Repentance and baptism do not earn salvation but are required.
Lewis G. Hale

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Prayer List
Royal Smith will have a procedure April 15.
Forrest Smith, brother of Rita Harrison, is improving.
Addie Bennett, former member of Jefferson Blvd., had surgery Friday.
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Ada Couch, Oleta Landin, Catherine Coronado, Arline Swanson, Doris Henry, Evelyn Dillon, Susan Walden, granddaughter of Evelyn Dillon, Forrest Smith, Rick Ramsey, Charles Hoffman, Morris Miller, Kathy Fitzgerald, daughter of Martha Kirk, Nancy Spurgeon, Carmen McMillion, Vertie Lee Stanley, Mary Perkins, Treva Traylor, Lucille Reid, Urbanell Cox, Bonnie Hinton, Carolyn Glidwell, Oleta Arnstrong, Jennie Wright, Billie Morgan, Bea Dipprey, Ruby Faas, Lois Rodriquez, John & Lillian Rowland, Ida Smith, Nell Tubbs, Naomi Sanchez, Holly Lee, Weldon Siler, Catherine Jayroe, Geraldine Hurley, Oleta Rodgers, Dr J & Dorothy Coats, Carol Patterson, Lula Murray, Joe Benedick, Marjorie Moore, Myrtle Brunton, Dorothy Mooney.
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Men’s & Ladies’ Bible classes Tuesday, April 15 @ 10:30 a.m.
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You are invited to see our weekly bulletin on the church’s web site at
jeffersonblvd.org
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VITAL SIGNS: APR. 6
Bible Study 77
Morning Worship 102
Afternoon Worship 57
Offering $4,371.50
Budget $3,410.46
Wed. APR. 2 45
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Reflections
by Jack Armstrong

This week we lost a good friend over in Duncanville, who probably was known by some of you, Wes Jasperson. He started the Ben Franklin store on Main Street. He passed away on 4/2/08 after a short illness. He was a fine man and loved by all who knew him, and set a fine example for all who were around him. He and his wife, Ann helped many young folks get started in life by giving them jobs at their store, and encouraged them to go to school to improve their educations.
Speaking of young people, we have a couple here at the JBCoC who really brighten things up for us, Grace Locke and Haleigh Kloetzli. Wish we had a whole pew of them, but due to the age of our bunch guess we’ll just have to rely on our grandkids visits.
I was over getting my ears lowered at the barber shop the other day and Frank (my barber) and I started talking about age, and he said “I want to tell you about a fellow who comes all the way from Oak Cliff to get his hair cut and still drives his own car and is sharp as a tack.” When he said that I knew who he was talking about, and asked him if the fellow was Paul Lawrence, and he said it was. He had told me he thought the man was 97 years old and has a sister who is almost 100 and that was a dead give away.
Just to show you that people really do see the way we live and are influenced by it. Paul didn’t even realize how he was affecting Frank but he was, because he had just told me that the man had to be a Christian by the way he talked and acted. That’s why we have to always be careful what we say and do so they will know we belong to the Lord, and want to join us in his work!
We think we are really doing something just to be in class, and sometimes even find reasons not to do that. Sorry Wes! We’ll try harder.
Well, folks it’s been good visiting with you and we’ll see you next time the Good Lord willing. Hope all is better for all our sick and shut-ins, we love you and miss you!
Remember ….
“When Duty Becomes Desire

(Semper Fidelis) – Always Faithful