The Visitor » 2010 » July » 09

Here and There by Wes Price will resume when Wes recovers from surgery. We pray he will be back with us soon. =========================================
Roger Owen

Have you ever met any “pecuiliar” people in your lifetime? (Besides me?) What kind of people were they? Were they “good” people or “bad”? “Normal” or “not all there”? Did you like being with them or dislike being with them? How did you view them? What did you think of them?

“Pecuiliar” is a strang word to me, and I guess that fits since most of us would use the word “strange” as a synonym for “pecuiliar”. I mentioned in the sermon last Sunday that I am kind of a “non-conformist” when it comes to following the crowd. I avoid crowds. I drive the back roads. I drive the speed limit – whatever it is – no matter how fast everyone else is driving. I obey rules when it seems to me no one else does. I take the grocery cart to its designated place in stead of leaving it in the middle of the parking lot like most everyone else does. I have been referred to as “weird”, “strange”, “odd”, “different”, etc. by a lot of folks, but I can’t seem to recall anyone ever telling me I am a “pecuiliar” person to my face!

So, I ask again, is it good or bad to be pecuiliar? I see folks stressing over blending in with the crowd. I see folks wanting to be just like everyone else. “Normal” seems to be the description of anyone who is just like the majority – not different in any sense, and this seems to be the goal of most people. No one wants to “stick out like a sore thumb” or be noticed unless they are a severe egomaniac. Everyone wants to be just like everyone else. A third time I ask, is this good or bad?

I guess it depends on what the other people are doing, how the other people are acting, or what the other people are saying. Compared to the majority of people, Jesus would have to fit in the “pecuiliar” category. If we try to avoid sin in a world full of it, we would HAVE to fall in the “pecuiliar” category, wouldn’t we? When we insist on doing ministry works, or anything else just because we want to be like all the other churches, are we doing it to keep from being “pecuiliar”? There are instances in life where being pecuiliar is not all that necessary, but there are other times when we are commanded to be “pecuiliar”. At the same time, there is no reason to be different just for the sake of being different, or a non-conformist just for the sake of being non-cooperative.

When the King James Version translates Titus 2:14: “and purify unto hiimself a pecuiliar people”, Paul is not writing that the purifed people are strange or weird, or even different. The Greek word refers to “having more than enough, rich, wealthy, a costly possession”. In other words, it cost Jesus A LOT to make us his possession! And we are “pecuiliar” in the sense today that we are different from those who have not been purified!

The other use of the word pecuiliar by the KJV is in I Peter 2:9: ”a pecuiliar people”. The Greek word used here means “a laying up, keeping, acquiring, obtaining, saving, a special possession”. In I Thessalonians 5:9 and in Hebrews 10:39 the KJV translates the same word as “salvation” or “saving”. In II Thessalonians 2:14 the KJV translates the same Greek word as “obtainment”. And in Ephesians 1:14 the KJV translates the word as “possession”. I have not been able to find the word “pecuiliar” in any translation except the King James.

Thus, there is no basis for the idea that Christians are supposed to be weird, strange, different, unique, non-conforming – just for the sake of being so. But Christians ARE supposed to be“SEPARATE” from others when it comes to sinful living: “Therefore go out from their midst and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you.” II Corinthians 7:17. Chapter 7, verse 1 reads, “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God”. If I am viewed as a “pecuiliar” person for wanting to be clean from sinfulness, then so be it! ===================================================

God Will Take Care of Us All

PRAYER LIST
Wes Price is now home and doing better. Evelyn Dillon-Charlton Methodist – should be in a room The cardiologist does say her heart is not her problem. More specialists have been called in.

Mary Ruth Percival is still recuperating at home with a broke ankle.

Jimmy Mooney will begin treatments for cancer soon.

Pete Diamond, cousin of Sylvia & Muriel McMillion – His MRI shows improvement and will begin strong chemo treatments soon.

Continue to remember:

Sylvia McMillion, Rick Ramsey, Jimmy Mooney’s mother (Dorothy), R. C. Bell, Lois Rodriquez; Sherry Reynolds and Larry Stovall; ;
Let us all continue to pray for the Tyson Family.

REMEMBER ALL OTHERS ON THE PRAYER LIST
Donna Denise Allen; George Bailey; Addie Bennett; Dr. “J” Coats; Perry Cotham; Urbanelle Cox; Carol & Peter Diamond; Tom Duvall; Ruby Faas; Rita Harrison; Doris Henry; Bill Hinton; Bob and Madeline Hinton; Ed Horn; Mary Catherine Jayroe; Jean LaPine; Nancy Lindley; Sylvia & Muriel McMillion; Billie Morgan; Bobby Muirhead (sister of Billie & Jean Thompson); Lula Murray; Henrietta Pummill; Mildred Sala, Nancy Spurgeon; Treva Traylor; Marie Works.

Vital Signs: July 4, 2010 Bible Study 49 Offering: $3,352.00 Morning Worship: 78 Bugget: $2,893.27 Afternoon Worship: 38 Wed. Eve. Bible Study, 6/30 – 29 =================================================== We want to offer our much love and sympathy to Jacob and Joyce Locke and most especially to the family of Jacob’s nephew. The wife of Jacob’s nephew passed away suddenly. The funeral was Friday at Diana, TX

The following is from Tom Dipprey: Two Wednesdays ago I gave some information on a graduating High School student going to the Rockport, TX congregation that was diagnosed with brain tumors. I received notice from my niece in Rockport that the surgery to remove the tumors was successful and he is old enough to be treated with chemo at M.D. Anderson. He was able to view the fireworks on Sunday. His name is Trevor and continue to pray for the future treatments ahead of him.

“Looking Forward” by Jack Armstrong
“OK”, so we are all looking forward to the day Bro. Wes and Alma Faye get back with us. Of course, Alma Faye has been with us for a few Sundays anyway, but what will be great is when we see them side by side down front!!

Bro. Owen has done an excellent job while Wes has been out and we want to thank he and Linda for all they’ve done for us and the great Bible School lessons and the wonderful, meaningful sermons Roger has been bringing us.

While we are passing out compliments we don’t want to leave out the man who has been instrumental in keeping things together, Bro. Jacob Locke, even though he has been in pain and ailing himself he just keeps right on trucking and keeping things rolling!

I’ve seen him up there leading our songs when I know it was a strain to just get up the steps. We love you Bro. Jacob, and your dear wife too! You and Joyce are “Number One” in our way of
things, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Go by folks and pat him on the back and tell him how very much we appreciate them and what they do!

Several of you have asked about our son, Larry, and I’m sorry to have to tell you that his health is not good. He keeps on going but it’s hard for him to maintain things any more. He wants to tell all of you how much he misses you and loves you and would like to get back to worship, but is just not able to do so. Thank you all for caring and asking about him. If you would like to drop him a note his address is… 1322 Acton St., Duncanville, TX 75137. We feel so lucky he was able to join our other kids for lunch on Father’s Day at El Fenix as it is a rare occasion for him to be able to get out.

Do some of you know that when folks can’t make it to services our Mamie Maarschalk sends a note and a bulletin to them to keep them up on what’s going on. I know I’ve told you about this before, but there may be those who haven’t heard. What a wonderful ministry that is for Mamie, who is barely able to make it to services herself, but thankfully she always seems to get there, and thanks to Steve Browning for helping her in and out each Lord’s Day. He also keeps our P.A. System at the right level and records the sermons.

We also want to thank Kerryn Cox for all that he does for us.

We haven’t been able to find out who made all the blankets for our cold natured ladies but if you know let ‘ol blabbermouth here know so we can give her a little praise for a great job!
Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)