The Visitor » 2008 » August » 29

Here and There
by Wes Price

What a joy it is to be back among you after a very busy week at the Preaching Seminar in East Tennessee. My wife and I both profited greatly from the variety of lessons and excellent speakers. We just hope we can bring you a measure of the spiritual food we received, which is of course, why we went.
As much as we enjoyed worshiping with a host of brothers and sisters (over 800) from the south eastern states, including Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky and from other states including more than just us from Texas. They all possessed an enthusiasm for the truth of the gospel and energized us with a joy for the salvation of the souls of men and women every where.
Our dear friend, George Bailey, was one of the speakers and he still has the wonderful gift of preaching scripture after scripture from memory. We were honored to be present at the Monday evening program when he was honored for his significant contribution award. If ever a man deserved one, he did. His lovely wife, Ela Beth was there and we had the privilege of taking them to dinner on Monday at noon. Just being around them makes us feel humble for the privilege of being called a gospel preacher.
Thanks to Spencer Ross for his fine preaching and teaching and to Paul Lawrence for his message last Sunday evening. It is a good feeling when we have to be away to know that capable men will be here serving you.
We also visited briefly with Ken Upchurch, one of the elders from the Hattiesburg, Miss. church and learned that we will be having Cy and Stephanie Stafford with us sometime in November. We’ll be looking forward to seeing them.
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The church offices will be closed on Monday to honor Labor Day.
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On our return trip, we took a side visit to Camden, Arkansas to see Alletha Lee. She sends her love and best wishes. She is doing well and enjoying working at various ministries in the church there. She is still living at the present with Teresa and is looking forward to having her own home soon. From our observation, she is doing quite well and I believe is making a great adjustment to a new home. Please continue to remember her in your prayers. She sends thanks to all who have written or called.
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Join Mack Lyon Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. on Channel 27, KDFI-TV for “In Search of the Lord’s Way”.

BLURRING THE DISTINCTIVES
There was a time when people knew the difference between the church of the Lord and other religious groups around us. We were not afraid nor ashamed for people to know that we were different. Now there is no virture in being different for the sake of being different, but, when differences matter that is another question.
We have in so many instances been so careful lest we offend someone that we compromise the truth of God. If my speech or actions are rude, then I need to repent and ask forgiveness. If the truth itself offends, I cannot apologize for God. In all too many cases brethren have spoken truth but failed to speak it in love. That we must not do.
Someone in the past contrasted two preachers. He said, “One made me realize I was lost and he seemed glad. The other made me realize I was lost and he wept.”
To the man in error, truth itself is painful enough. We must not add to the pain by an unkind and unloving spirit.
There is a fatal danger we must carefully avoid. We must not be so cautious lest we offend someone that we fail to tell them the truth. One of the greatest failings of the church today is that of keeping silent when we need to speak up for God and his word. Timidity has caused many a person to be lost. I do not know the source, but some wise person observed, “We do not have as much to fear from the “wolfishness” of the world as we do the “sheepishness” of the sheep.”
Are you among the “sheepish” ones? If so, pray for courage and go to the lost with the message of salvation and hope.
Lewis G. Hale

Prayer List
Lillian Rowland is home.
Ed Horn – Methodist Central – Room 6014.
Sylvia McMillion fell and sprained her wrist.
Robert G. Bell, son of R.C. & Juanita Bell, has a blood clot in his leg.
Dorothy Mooney had day surgeryThursday. She is home & doing well.
Ada Couch – Denton Regional Hospital of Corinth. She is having tests.
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Oleta Landin, Marie Works, Joyce Locke, Jack & Oleta Armstrong, Grady
Theobalt, Jimmy Mooney, Larry Reynolds, Jim Couch, Lula Murray, Jennie
Wright, Doris Henry, Roger Schrum, Catherine Coronado, Evelyn Dillon, Angie Sabedra, Fran Womelsdorff, Morris Miller, Nancy Spurgeon, Carmen & Muriel McMillion, Vertie Lee Stanley, Treva Traylor, Urbanelle Cox, Billie Morgan, Bea Dipprey, Ruby Faas, Lois Rodriquez, John Rowland, Ida Smith, Weldon Siler, Holly Lee, Cathy Wood, Catherine Jayroe, Marjorie Moore, Geraldine Hurley, Joe Benedick, DrJ. 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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The following is the name, address & phone number of some of
the family of Charlie Mais who passed away last week.
Ken & Shari Moore 3059 Creekview Dr. Gapevine, TX 76051
Phone Number 817-329-3251
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VITAL SIGNS: Aug. 24
Bible Study 69
Morning Worship 93
Afternoon Worship 52
Offering $3,145.00
Budget $3,410.46
Wed. Aug 20 43
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The Ladies’ & Men’s Bible Classes will resume Tuesday, Sept. 9th.
Class will begin at 10:30 a.m.
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Congratulations to new Great Grandparents, Jack & Oleta Armstrong. The baby’s name is Mahila Rain Cornett & she weighed 7lbs. 1oz. The proud grandparents are Angie & Mike Cornett.

Reflections
by Jack Armstrong

Reflecting back to several years ago when we were fortunate enough to have Bro. James LeFan come and hold a Gospel meeting for us, I can still remember it as one of the finest most revealing messages I’ve ever heard! His sermons were on “The Lord’s Day”….
The Lord’s Day is my tower of strength. It is the day of days for soul refreshment. In my moments of quiet meditation I have often asked myself, “How long would strength remain in my heart if it were not for the soul renewing worship of the Lord’s Day.” How wise my Heavenly Father was to provide this day for his children.
It is at this time that God has especially planned and provided soul food for my hungry and thirsty spirit. The hour is too important to be consumed with the trivial and non-essential. It is not the time for entertainment. I want to hear a life giving and soul saving message from God. I want instruction on how to overcome temptation, reassurance of God’s love and providence, and a brief glimpse again of the glory of the Father’s house.
I do not ask that the message be easy only that it be true. Let God’s man, Bro. Wes, point my way to duty, and let me be wise enough to follow. Let the messanger lay bare my sins, and let me be humble enough to repent. And oh my God grant that the messenger never lose the courage faithfully to rebuke my sin; otherwise, it might destroy me forever. If there is sin in my life may he know that he has not been true to my eternal interests until he has disclosed it to me, and helped me to find cleansing. Have you ever felt this much about the Lord’s Day and how very important it is to us all, and how important it is to take part in our Lord’s Communion Service around His table.
Also to contact those who are slack in their attendance for reasons other than health or things beyond their control, and let them know we love them and how important it is that they also attend on the Lord’s Day and all other services!
I fervently believe Bro. Wes fills the things mentioned above and has done his very best to lead us in the right direction, and wisely let us know in his gentle way where we are going wrong, and how we need to change our ways.
The Communion Service is the most important reason we attend worship service on each first day of the week! The sermons are to remind us of the way to go and how to get there! There is a little saying that a fine ‘ol preacher once came up with, that says it all. Bro. George Bailey said, “we’ve reached our goal When Our Duty Becomes Desire.”

Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)