The Visitor » The Visitor – August 17, 2008

Here and There
by Wes Price
The Bell family surely blessed this church last Lord’s day. First, by the presence of a large number of that clan, who came to help R.C. and Juanita celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary; then, by the preaching of grandson, Robert Guinn who brought us such a fine lesson; and then by the children’s reception honoring the Bells on this anniversary. We were grateful to be part of their celebration and have so many of them with us for the morning services.
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My wife and I will be away from you for a few days covering parts of the next two weeks to attend a Preaching Seminar in eastern Tennessee. In my absence, Spencer Ross will be preaching for the morning service on Sunday, August 24th and Paul Lawrence will bring the lesson on Sunday evening. I am confident that you will not be lacking for good lessons in my absence.
Spencer will also be teaching my Sunday morning Bible class.
We will be returning on August 28. Please keep us in your prayers.
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Next Sunday, August 24, Mack Lyon’s lesson will be “The Baptism of Jesus.” He writes, “John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness of Judea saying, ‘Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand…Then came Jesus from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized of him.” It was then that God spoke from heaven saying, “This is My beloved Son.” Both Matthew and Mark were inspired of the Holy Spirit to write about it. WHY?
Join Mack for an insightful answer to his question at 7:00 a.m. on Channel 27, KDFI-TV.
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We learned this past week that Dixie Vickery has moved to a new home. Her new address is 1230 Abrams Road, # 281,
Dallas, TX 75214 and her telephone number is 214-821-3424. I know she would love to hear from some of you.

TEMPORARY
The Bible sharply differentiates between the temporal and the eternal. If we are wise we will invest our energy in the eternal rather than the temporal. Let’s consider some things that fall under the category of “temporary.”
Our earthly sojourn is only temporary. The great men and women of the faith understood this. These faithful pilgrims (1 Pet. 1:1-2; 2:11-12) realized they were just passing through this veil of tears and therefore exerted their energies in seeking a heavenly country (Heb. 11:16). We would be wise to do the same. There’s only one life to live, each of us must choose to live it appropriately (Heb. 9:27; Matt 6:33).
Our earthly goods are only temporary. The previous statement is not completely accurate. Whatever goods we may possess actually belong to God (Jas. 1:17). He has simply placed them under our oversight for faithful use (1 Cor. 4:2; Matt. 25:14). Eventually these things will perish (Rev. 18:17). Like houses and hotels from a Monopoly Game, everything eventually goes back into the box. Therefore, we must be called not to invest too much energy in the pursuit of things (Matt. 6:19-21; 1 Tim. 6:9-10; 1 John 2:15).
Our earthly relationships are only temporary. I completely understand that relationships between faithful Christians will continue into eternity. However, we dare not think that they will be identical to what is experienced here. On earth, there is no closer tie than that of holy matrimony. Still Jesus made it clear that there will be no marriage or giving of marriage in heaven (Matt. 22:29-20). Earthly relationships will pale in comparison to what we will experience in God’s presence (Re. 21-22).
(continued)

Prayer List
Joyce Locke is at home recuperating from foot surgery.
Larry Reynolds, son-in-law of Addie Bennett, began chemo treatments and the doctor said that he is doing well & may be able to go home this weekend.
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Jack & Oleta Armstrong, Grady Theobalt, Jimmy Mooney, Lula Murray, Jennie Wright, Doris Henry, Roger Schrum, Catherine Coronado, Robert G.Bell, Evelyn Dillon, Angie Sabedra, Fran Womelsdorff, Morris Miller, Nancy Spurgeon,Carmen, Sylvia and Muriel McMillion, Vertie Lee Stanley, Treva Traylor, Urbanelle Cox, Billie Morgan, Bea Dipprey, Ruby Faas, Lois Rodriquez, John and Lillian Rowland, Ida Smith, Weldon Siler, Holly Lee, Cathy Wood, Catherine Jayroe, Marjorie Moore, Geraldine Hurley, Joe Benedick, Dr. J and Dorothy Coats.
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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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What a wonderful way to begin Sunday mornings. Watch “In Search of the Lord’s Way” on Channel 27 at 7:00 a.m. followed by “The Truth In Love” at 7:30 a.m. on Channel 52.
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New Address
Dr. “J” & Dorothy Coats The Villa at Mt. View 2918 Duncanville Rd.
Room 603 Dallas, TX 75211
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VITAL SIGNS: Aug. 10
Bible Study 72
Morning Worship 106
Afternoon Worship 48
Offering $3,670.00
Budget $3,410.46
Wed. July 6 53
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(continued from Page Two: “Temporary”)
Our earthly accomplishments are only temporary. Promotions,
degrees, achievements, test scores and so forth will be of no value in
glory. That’s not to say that there is no place for them here. Rather,
we should value them for what they are – temporary. The only
accomplishments that have lasting value on earth pertain to serving
the living God (Ecc. 12:13). Therefore, let’s look for ways to glorify
God even as we seek to achieve our necessary goals (1 Cor. 10:31).
~ Bill Burk

Reflections
by Jack Armstrong
Think you’re too old —
John Wesley traveled 250,000 miles on horseback, averaging 20 miles a day for 40 years; preached 40,000 sermons; produced 400 books; knew 10 languages. At 83 he was annoyed that he could not write more than 15 hours a day without hurting his eyes, and at 86 he was ashamed he could not preach more than twice a day. He complained that there was an increasing tendency to lie in bed ’til 5:30 a.m.
Sounds like someone else we’ ve all known and loved, like Bro. Ramsey Wright? Or Bro. Wes Price?
We are all so happy Bro. Wes’ procedure came out well and he’s feeling much better in certain areas of his anatomy!
Speaking of the aged I would like to give you a little poem called:
“Beatitudes for Friends of the Aged”.
Blessed are they who understand my faltering step and palsied hand.
Blessed are they that know that my ears today must strain to catch the things they say.
Blessed are they who seem to know that my eyes are dim and my wits are slow.
Blessed are they who looked away when my coffee spilled at the table today.
Blessed are they with a cheery smile who stop to chat for a little while.
Blessed are they who never say, “you’ve told that story twice today.”
Blessed are they who know the ways to bring back memories of yesterdays.
Blessed are they who make it known that I’m loved, respected, and not alone.
Blessed are they who know I’m at a loss to find the strength to carry the cross.
Blessed are they who ease the days on my journey home in loving ways.

Does this sound a little familiar to some of you? It sure does to me in lots of ways.
Hopefully we will get to see a specialist next week to see what’s causing Oleta’s infection problem. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. We love you all and thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement, and we miss you sorely.
We have to remember….. “And This Too Shall Pass”
Semper Fidelis
(Always Faithful)