The Visitor » The Visitor – August 15, 2010

Here and There – by Wes Price
For those of you who have been blessed by the thoughtfulness of a dear Christian lady by receiving the church bulletin each week, be eternally blessed. That dear lady departed for her eternal home last week. We had the privilege of doing the memorial service for Mamie Maarschalk on last Tuesday morning. As you know, she lived alone but was very independent. When she did not respond to her neighbor’s calls, the neighbor called one of her nieces who called the police to help gain entry to her home. There she was, asleep in her bed, as she had often said, let me go to be with the Lord peacefully. Our hearts grieve for her passing, but we rejoice for the steadfast faith she manifested in her life to the Lord and to His church.

My personal thanks to all the church family who came to share in the service at Laurel Land Funeral Home. A special word of thanks to Betty and Tom Conyers and Louise Gerner for having a delicious meal prepared for the family here in our Fellowship Hall. Mamie’s family were very pleased with all that was done on their behalf in this time of sadness and loss.

————–
TONIGHT! DON’T FORGET! Come prepared at the evening service to stay for our “Sack Supper,” in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a couple of sandwiches or whatever you might like to eat. We will provide the watermelons and the soft drinks for the occasion. It might even be a time when you could invite a friend to come with you. At any rate: BE THERE!

————–
It probably goes without saying to caution our senior citizens about this extremely hot weather. Be very careful about getting out in it. And too, make sure your home air conditioner is functioning properly. If you need a fan to help circulate the air in your home, let the church office know and we will see that you have one. Please don’t take any unnecessary risks with your health and the heat.

—————

I’m still amazed at the number of calls I receive each week concerning my health. And I’m grateful. Please continue to keep me in your prayers and remember all of our other members who are suffering ill health at this time. ==================================================

Do You Hear the Basics?
“I fear that some are drifting away from the old landmarks that so clearly characterized the…earlier days. Some of the old themes that used to be handled with telling effect by the pioneers are now seldom preached from some pulpits. It is, however, a noticeable fact that when first principles are shunned, evangelistic results are correspond-ingly meager. The men who are eminently successful in bringing souls to Christ are the men who preach a full gospel. Its facts, commands, and promises are all declared…Show me the man who eliminates first principles from his preaching, and I will show you…a man who is in doubt as to whether the disciples…have any distinctive message for the world.” – N. B. Hardeman, preface to Tabernacle Sermons, Vol.1, 1922 “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” – Acts 20:27

A Straight Line in a Crooked World In a book about historical figures, Jeff O’Leary described Sir Thomas More (1478-1535), an English lawyer, scholar, and statesman as “a straight stick in a crooked world.” I immediately thought of how that this should describe Christians. To the saints at Philippi, Paul wrote, “That ye may be blame- less and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain” (Philippians 2:15; ef. Deuteronomy 32:5). Please note that these saints were living in a crooked and perverse world. Crooked means bent, curved, or twisted. It is from the Greek word skolios. You may have heard of scoliosis, the medical condition which involves an abnormal curvature or misalignment of the spine. The saints at Philippi were living in a morally bent and spiritually twisted world. Their world was filled with darkness and soot. In the midst of this world, they were to shine as lights and to be without spot (Matthew 5:14-16; James 1:27). Peter wrote, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priest-hood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Please note that these saints had been called out of darkness. They were supposed to be pecuiliar or different. They were supposed to be holy. Obviously, our world is much like that described by Paul and Peter. It is crooked and perverse and dark. As Christians, we must not bend to it. We must stand strong (Ephesians 6:10-17). We must be a straight line in a crooked world. – Wade Webster. —————

PRAYER LIST
Charlie Brown’s eye surgery went well. Jack Armstrong is A-Okay after his test showed no problems. Jimmy Mooney does have cancer of the liver.
Rick Ramsey will also have tests this month. Muriel McMillion is having heart problems and will have tests this week. Also pray fervently for the Tyson family.

Continue to remember: Sylvia McMillion; Mary Ruth Percival; R. C. Bell; Jim Birkhead; Lois Rodriquez; Jimmy Mooney’s mother, Dorothy.

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; Nancy Lindley; Pat Mitchell; Billie Morgan; Bobby Muirhead (sister of Billie & Jean Thompson); Lula Murray; Vernon Percival; Henrietta Pummill; Mildred Sala; Dan Sherbit; Nancy Spurgeon; Treva Traylor; Marie Works.

Vital Signs: August 8, 2010 Bible Study 58 Offering: $2,382.00 Morning Worship: 86 Budget: $2,893.27 Afternoon Worship: 49 Wed. Eve. Bible Study, 8/4 – 30 ———– SYMPATHY

We want to offer our much love and sympathy to the family and friends of Mamie Maarschalk. Mamie passed away Friday, August 6, 2010. Her funeral was Tuesday, August 9 at Laurel Land Funeral Home officiated by Wes Price. She was a wonderful Christian lady that will be missed so much.

We want to offer our much love and sympathy to Jimmy Morris and family. Jimmy’s sister, Geneva Wyatt of San Antonio, passed away Tuesday evening. Funeral arrangements are pending.

———– .

“Looking Forward” by Jack Armstrong

I’m looking forward to hearing some good news when I go in Friday, August 6th, for a CAT SCAN, but if it turn’s out not to be good news, we’ll handle that too! As Wes has pointed out many times in the past we should go into everything we do with the thought in our minds…”Let your will be done Oh, Lord.” The very two best examples I know for this are Wes Pice and Rick Ramsey. If we could all learn to turn it over to the Lord. But not just those two have that frame of mind. Ruth Manning called yesterday to see how things are going, and to wish me well. We talked about that very thing, as have many of you here at the JBCoC.

We had a large crowd to go over to El Fenix on Sunday. Roger and Linda, Wes and Alma Faye went too, and made it a great get together! We’ve said before and I’ll say again, how great it is to have a wonderful church family to be with and to do things together and to fall back on when things get a little down.

We were so happy Cloyce and Kay Jurecka were able to be there when Wes was able to stand up there at the podium and make his wonderful offer of thanks to all and to recognize those who had been such a help in helping him get through the terrible ordeal.

Every one be sure and look at the “Southwest Now” magazine for the month of September because Oleta and I are going to be there with a story about our get together (fifteen years ago) and some things that have taken place since. I didn’t know when I married Oleta she was such a celebrity!

Since I’m not quite up to par I’m going to cut this one a little short. I just want all to know how much I’ve enjoyed writing these little columns, and visiting with you all these years.

We’ll see you next time the Good Lord Willing. We pray all our sick and shut-ins are doing much better.

Thanks to all of you wonderful folks for your prayers, words of encouragement, calls and cards during my recent health scare. Ya’ll all are the greatest! Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful) =============================================== REMEMBER THE SACK SUPPER – THIS EVENING, 8/15/2010 AFTER THE 5:00 P.M. SERVICE – PLEASE COME !!!