The Visitor » 2011 » March

Here and There by Wes Price

The Children’s Home of Lubbock has asked us to join with other congregations of the Lord’s church to collect hair brushes in their latest collection campaign, called, “Big Heart Campaign.” I have notified them that we will be willing to do so. They will be calling on us on June 17 th collect the hair brushes we have collected. If you prefer to donate money, you may make your check out to Jefferson Boulevard Church of Christ and we will combined all we receive and forward it to them. Come on now, let’s make a good showing.

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Don’t forget our fellowship breakfast on Saturday, April 9, and the breakfast will begin at 8:30-9:00 a.m. The shredding truck will be present at 10:00 and remain until 12:00 if we need him that long. Come join us, even if you don’t have any papers to shred. You’ll enjoy the good fellowship, not to mention the delicious food.
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Sunday, April 3, Phil Sanders will present a lesson entitled, “God Our Father.” Now, that’s timely but I didn’t choose my sermon topic on this subject after seeing what the program was going to be. The God who created us is indeed a father who protects and provides for our needs, but He longs for His children to draw close to him.

Join Mack and Phil on Channel 27, KDFI-TV at 7:00 a.m. each week. ————-
We learned this past week about the illness of a man who has befriended many of us at Jefferson Blvd. His name is Gene Sweeden and he had the auto repair shop on the corner of Hampton and 12th Street for many years and in recent years moved his shop to Duncanville. He is at present a patient in Methodist Central, waiting for tests to be completed to determine what cancer treatment his doctor prescribes. I know he will appreciate being kept in your prayers, as well as his wife, Kay. We’ll keep you posted.

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We know Rick Ramsey’s doctors have recommended radiation treatments but Rick does not know when his first treatment will begin. We will pray fervently for the outcome of his treatment even as we have done often before.

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THINGS WHICH SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED

A young lady was expecting her first child but she had a miscarriage. There was excessive bleeding. Ex-rays, MRIs, etc. were done. They showed cancer but those who examined the pictures did not see it. Doctors admitted that at that point she had a type of cancer easily remedied, but, they did not detect it! After seven plus years, she passed away. It should not have happened.

Recently a four-year old was badly injured in a car accident. He was hit by a young woman driving seventy miles an hour while text messaging. Not knowing she was about to hit someone, she did not even slow down. His life is forever changed. It should not have happened!

A young man was pampered by his loving parents. He was never told “No.” He grew to manhood without learning responsibility. He never had to give account for his actions. He was never taught how to take control of his life. He lost both parents and was left adrift, not knowing how to work and earn a living, not knowing how to manage any resources his parents left him. He was in jail several different times and finally died from a dissipated life. It should not have happened!

Christ came to earth to live as a man and lived without sins. He was put to death. Without compalint, he died for our sins. He was raised again for our justification. Thousands never hear the story. Thousands of others have heard the gospel story but did not believe it and obey it. They died without hope. It should never have happened!

Any person who dies in sin does so needlessly. What about you?
Lewis G. Hale ============================================ PRAYER LIST
Rick Ramsey will have radiation treatments but the date has not been set. Let us all pray fervently as we have done before. The Schoolfield’s are improving. Charlie Brown–Health South Rehab Hospital in Arlington, Room 210 B. Charlie is listed as Alva C. Brown. Mary Winn, sister of Rita Wood, will have Angioplasty on April 14. R.C. Bell does not know yet what his treatment will be. Morris Miller, brother-in-law of Fran Womelsdorff, is now under Hospice Care. Fran would like for us to pray for her sister, Ann.
Continue to Remember: Oleta Armstrong; R.C. & Juanita Bell; Roger Borne; Charlie & Nadine Brown; David & Mary Jean Calvert; Betty Choate and family; Betty Conyers; Virginia Flanagan; Rita Harrison; Vivian Kenney; Nancy Lindley; Mark Locke; Jo Morris; Vernon and Mary Ruth Percival; Phil Murphy; Mildred Sala; Sherry Sandage; Charles Turner, friend of Ann & Paul Tomaszewski; Nathan Vincent; Fran Womelsdorff; Jennie and Willie Wright.

Remember All Others On the Prayer List: Addie Bennett; Dr. “J” Coats; Urbanelle Cox; Carol & Pete Diamond; Ruby Faas; Doris Henry; Bill Hinton; Ed Horn; Mary Catherine Jayroe; Billie Morgan; Bobby Muirhead, sister of Billie and Jean Thompson; Lula Murray; Henrietta Pummill; Nancy Spurgeon; Treva Traylor; Marie Works. ————–

Vital Signs: March 20, 2011 Bible Study 43 Offering: $2,982.50 Morning Worship 77 Budget : $2,864.42 Afternoon Worship 41 Wed. Evening, 3/16 – 33

————– Ladies’ and Men’s Bible Classes Tuesday, March 29, at 10:30 a.m. ————–

Sunday Afternoon Worship: 5:00 P.M.
“Looking Forward”
by Jack Armstrong

Oleta wants to thank all again for all the wonderful cards, calls, and especially your prayers while she has been ill. She is much stronger now and we are hoping she can make it to services today, March 20.

This is officially the first day of spring and everything is blooming out everywhere.

I missed getting my column in on March 13 but if you didn’t get a chance, go back and read the beautiful little poem on the back page of the Visitor, “I Know Something Good About You”. In the very first paragraph it says… “Wouldn’t this old world be better If the folks we met would say I know something good about you” and then treat us just that way?

Oleta and I were sitting in the waiting room at our doctor’s office and I saw a neat little note tacked on the wall in front of us, and jotted it down to pass on to you… “Worrying does not empy tomorrow of it’s troubles, it empties today of it’s strengths.”

We had a good number of visitors last Lord’s day and I sure hope they come back to be with us on a regular basis! We pray that Charlie Brown is doing much better, as well as the Schoolfields, Steve Browning and Fran Womelsdorff. Someone made the remark to me that our sick list has gotten almost as large as our roster.

We are so happy that Elvira Solis decided to be a part of this congregation and we also pray that Bro Wes’ study with her husband Vincent will lead to his becoming a Christian also.

Well, folks I finally realized how old I am this past Friday. My old back told off on me. Larry fixed my lawnmower and brought it home to me so I decided to go out and try it out. Well, I started it up and mowed one section of the back yard and ran out of breath. So I parked it and decided to call my lawn crew (as Oleta told me to do in the first place) to come and do the job. Guess at 85 its time to cut out some of my old chores.

We pray all of our sick and shut-ins are doing much better. See you later the Good Lord Willing.

REMEMBER OUR GOAL
“When Duty Becomes Desire”
Semper Fidelis
(Always Faithful)

Here and There by Wes Price We missed having Roger and Linda with us last week and we will not have Roger with us this morning. He will be preaching in Butch Nichols’ place at Wiley. Linda chose to be with us instead of going with Roger because she loves the people of this church so much. How’s that for stealing someone’s heart? I’m not sure whether we will have the privilege of seeing the triplets on this visit to their grandparents but we wish them well in their travels. ————-
I have arranged for the Shredding Company Truck to be with us on April 9, from 10:00 to 12:00. If you have documents that need to be disposed of, please bring them with you when you come to share a fellowship breakfast with us at 8:30 a.m. You will not be sorry that you did. Our cooks will do their usually good job of preparation. We ask that you make a donation toward the cost of the shredding, but the breakfast will be our treat. ————-
We were pleased this past week to welcome three new members to Jefferson Boulevard church. Elvira Solis, Rosanna Tosti and this past Wednesday night we wel- comed back an old friend, Donna John. Please help us to make them feel welcome into our fellowship. ————- We were sorry to learn that Beth Whitaker’s aunt, Virginia Flanagan, fell at school where she was substituting teaching and fractured her shoulder and her pelvis. She is now at Billie Morgan’s home where she will be under nursing care for the healing process. Her doctor did not recommend surgery, so we know she will be enjoying a good measure of pain. Being Beth’s aunt, of course, means that she is the sister of Billie. I know they would welcome a visit. Give them a call before you go. Let’s keep both of them in our prayers for their healths sake. ————- WHAT NOW? How we react to the challenges of life will shape our character and our future.What can we do when our lives are interrupted with heartbreak or illness?How do we face calamity and an uncertain future? These are the questions that Phil Sanders will answer in his address Sunday morning March 27, on Channel 27, KDFI at 7:00 a.m. ============================================ “WHY WHY ME, LORD?” The problem of human suffering is one of the most difficult problems with which we have to deal. It is an age old problem. When the “friends” of Job came to comfort him, they did not know of any evil with which to charge him. But, they were very sure he was guilty of wrong doings or else all the woes which had come upon him would never have happened. They pleaded with him to come clean and confess whatever he had done. Job knew he was innocent and said so. Yet, Job was very confused because it seems that he also thought that bad things only happened to bad people and he knew he was not bad! How many people have I visited in the hospital who have asked me, “Lewis, what do you think I have done that is so bad that God is doing this to me?” I always tell them if it had not been for the devil, there would be no suffering in this world. God can intervene at any time but God does not always choose to do so. He has set natual laws in order and when we live in harmony with those laws, things go well. When we live contrary to those laws, we suffer. If a Christian jumps from the top of a ten-story building, he will fall. Also, accidents happen to saint and sinner. Since a Christian has the privilege and power of prayer, he has help a sinner does not have. Whatever befalls us in life, remember that God still loves us and never doubt his love and goodness.
Lewis G. Hale

PRAYER LIST
Rick Ramsey’s last CAT Scan did show a problem. He will be meeting with his doctors to decide the best treatment.

The Schoolfield’s are improving.

Charlie Brown–Health South Rehab Hospital in Arlington, Room 210 B. Charlie is listed as Alva C. Brown.

Oleta Armstrong is improving but still requests no visitors.

Mary Winn, sister of Rita Wood, is having heart problems and will have results of her tests Monday.

Virginia Flanagan, aunt of Beth Whitaker and sister of Billie Morgan, is recovering from a fall and is staying with Billie.
Continue to Remember: R.C. & Juanita Bell; Roger Borne; Charlie & Nadine Brown; David & Mary Jean Calvert; Betty Choate and family; Betty Conyers; Rita Harrison; Vivian Kenney; Nancy Lindley; Mark Locke; Jo Morris; Vernon and Mary Ruth Percival; Phil Murphy; Mildred Sala; Sherry Sandage; Charles Turner, friend of Ann & Paul Tomaszewski; Nathan Vincent; Fran Womelsdorff; Jennie and Willie Wright.

Remember All Others On the Prayer List: Addie Bennett; Dr. “J” Coats; Urbanelle Cox; Carol & Pete Diamond; Ruby Faas; Doris Henry; Bill Hinton; Ed Horn; Mary Catherine Jayroe; Billie Morgan; Bobby Muirhead, sister of Billie and Jean Thompson; Lula Murray; Henrietta Pummill; Nancy Spurgeon; Treva Traylor; Marie Works. ————–

Vital Signs: March 13, 2011 Bible Study 37 Offering: $2,980.50 Morning Worship 70 Budget : $2,864.42 Afternoon Worship 35 Wed. Evening, 3/9 -33

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NEW PHONE NUMBER: Dan Sherbit: 214-489-9860

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PLACED MEMEBERSHIP: Donna John: 214-942-1108 T Tyler Street Manor Apartments 922 W. 9th Street, Apt # 910 Dallas, TX 75208 ————–
PLACED MEMBESHIP: Rosanna Tosti: 214-467-7908 4635 Bonanza Dallas, TX 75211 ————– Ladies’ and Men’s Bible Classes, Tuesday, March 22, at 10:30 a.m. ————–
Sunday Afternoon Worship: 5:00 P.M.

“Looking Forward”
by Jack Armstrong

I pray I can deliver this one in person this week. Seems like Oleta and I have been out forever! We may have to place membership when we do get back. Oleta is doing better now and even went to the beauty shop Thursday. So here’s hoping! She is still awful weak, but is getting around better.

I’ve said before, I just don’t know how folks make it through life who don’t have a wonderful church family to count on! Our hearts go out to our dear friends Charlie and Nadine on all the troubles they’ve had lately. Our prayers are also with James and Ann Schoolfield for their health problems, and all those listed in our last bulletin!

When we are unable to attend church services it seems like the weeks never end.

It reminds me of the story about the preacher who preached an extra long sermon one Sunday, and one of his members came up and asked him why he preached so long this week? He answered, and said “Well, usually when I deliver a sermon I put a mint in my mouth and judge the time by the length of time it takes to disolve the mint, but this week I reached in my pocket and took out a marble!”

I can remember back in the good old days when the morning service went for a couple of hours. All the men in the congregation were given a chance to make a short talk, and then the preacher would deliver his usual hour long sermon. Then we would stand around and talk for a spell before going home or to someone’s house to enjoy a fine meal together. By the way, remember our method of cooling the building was to open all the windows.

Now folks fuss if the preacher goes over five minutes or so. Let’s face it we have become spoiled. Remember when we would all meet out in the park and all the ladies would bring all sorts of good stuff to eat, and we would get done just in time to get back for the evening service. The kids would run and play and have a great time and look forward to church!

Well, folks thank you for all your wonderful comments on the column, and we’ll see you next time the Good Lord Willing. REMEMBER OUR GOAL:
“When Duty Becomes Desire”
Semper Fidelis
(Always Faithful)

Here and There by Wes Price
My wife and I bring you greetings from Mack and Lois Lyon. Mack will be 90 on his next birthday in November. We also visited with Phil Sanders and he expresses his thanks for the support we give In Search of the Lord’s Way. The Lectureship at the North MacArthur church was excellent and my only regret is that all of you weren’t there to enjoy it with us. I am confident that the messages delivered will bear good fruit in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. Especially, with regard to maintaining the faith of the gospel in a time when some of our own churches are embracing the liberal philosophies of the denominational world. It does make a difference to which church one belongs. ——————
My special thanks to Roger Owen for filling the pulpit in my place. What a blessing he is to me and to this whole congregation. ——————
Our congratulations to Alletha Lee on the birth of her first great-grandchild, Hunter Lee Woodard on February 22. ——————
The church received a lovely thank you note from Belinda Bunch, Ben Choate’s daughter for our expressions of love and sympathy in Ben’s passing. ——————
I have received several affirmations about having the shredding truck come and help us get rid of documents which are identity sensitive and need to be shredded. I’m waiting for a more predictable Saturday, perhaps this month, when we can share in a fellowship breakfast while the shredding company makes confetti of our documents. Watch for that date. ——————
A little preview of things to come: Day Light Saving Time will occur on Sunday, March 13. Be sure to make a note and move your clock ahead one hour before you retire on Saturday night. Remember, it’s “spring forward” and “fall back.” ——————
Join Mack and Phil on In Search of the Lord’s Way on Sunday morning, March 13, for their lesson on the question, “Is God Active Today?” Tune in Channel 27, KDFI-TV, at 7:00 a.m. ======================================================= BEYOND BAPTISM by Kevin Rhodes Just prior to his ascending to heaven, Jesus said, “All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world? (Matthew 28:18-20). This short passage emphasizes the recognition of our Lord’s authority, charges believers with the responsibility of spreading God’s message of salvation to the lost throughout the world, and specifies that obeying this message by submitting to immersion is what makes a relationship with God, with Jesus, and with the Holy Spirit possible. However, the last verse contains an important exhortation as well. Those who have obeyed the gospel need ongoing instruction from more mature Christians in order to correct their misunderstandings, to encourage them in their walk, to help them adjust to the new pressures of the new life, and to develop in them a pattern of submission to Christ and His Word.

In many cases, people have been converted to baptism, but not to Christ. They have become convinced to obey the gospel’s command to be immersed for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) but have not surrendered their will to God’s revealed will. This does not mean that people must know everything about New Testament Christianity prior to their obedience, but we certainly should make sure that they understand that their baptism indicates a commitment not for a moment but for a lifetime.

Most of all, we must be as involved, as energetic, and as committed to grounding new Christians in the faith as we are to getting them into the water. After all, our goal is not to place a tally on the tote board but to see a soul reach heaven. We must never believe that a person’s attendance guarantees his growth. We must remember that people have problems prior to their conversion that require attention even after their conversion. We must continue to focus on humble obedience to the Master’s will, first in our own lives, and then in others’ (Galatians 6:1). We must recognize that our responsibilities to a person’s soul extend beyond baptism.

PRAYER LIST
Charlie Brown – Arlington Memorial Hospital, Arlington, TX. Charlie had hip replacement surgery Friday. Oleta Armstrong is recovering at home, and requests no visitors yet. James Schoolfield has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, and had a stress test Friday. Ann Schoolfield is scheduled to have eye surgery on March 10. Vivian Kenney, 96 year old sister of Oleta Landin, is now home and does have kidney failure. The doctors say there is nothing that can be done. Please keep Vivian, Oleta, and their 91 year old brother in your prayers. Phil Murphy, son-in-law of Tom Duvall, had knee replacement surgery, February 28. Joe Hancock had hernia surgery Tuesday, and his wife, Sharon, may need surgery for a herniated disc. .
Continue to Remember: R.C. & Juanita Bell; Roger Borne; Charlie & Nadine Brown; David & Mary Jean Calvert; Betty Choate and family; Betty Conyers; Rita Harrison; Nancy Lindley; Mark Locke; Jo Morris; Vernon and Mary Ruth Percival; Mildred Sala; Sherry Sandage; the family of Roger Schrum; Rick Theobalt; Nathan Vincent stationed in Kuwait; Jennie and Willie Wright.
Remember All Others On the Prayer List: Addie Bennett; Dr. “J” Coats; Urbanelle Cox; Carol & Pete Diamond; Ruby Faas; Doris Henry; Bill Hinton; Ed Horn; Mary Catherine Jayroe; Billie Morgan; Bobby Muirhead, sister of Billie and Jean Thompson; Lula Murray; Henrietta Pummill; Nancy Spurgeon; Treva Traylor; Marie Works. ————– Vital Signs: February 27, 2011 Bible Study 46 Offering: $ 2,699.25 Morning Worship 74 Budget : $2,864.42 Afternoon Worship 31 Wed. Evening, 2/23 28
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Congratulations to Dan and Eugenia Talbott. They now have 12 grandchildren and this last one is a great granddaughter, Rachel Renee Radabaugh. She was born March 2, 2011 and weighed 7 lbs. and 14 oz. Her proud parents are Rick and Rhonda Radabaugh and they live in Ohio.

“LOOKING FORWARD” by Jack Armstrong

First of all thank all of you wonderful friends who have kept us in your prayers, called, and sent beautiful notes while we have been out (seems like two months) and as we have said many times you are the greatest!!!

Oleta has had a lot of problems that are very hard to get over, but she is making some progress and can walk much better using her walker. I want to thank our dear ‘ol friend, Bro. Wes for bringing her a wheelchair, and also to our dear friend, Tom Conyers for bringing me our Visitors each week that I send to the absentees, and to Alma Faye for gathering their names each Lord’s day afternoon. I also want to thank Larry for keeping us supplied in groceries and all the other things he does to make things nicer. We would have been lost without him and thank the Good Lord for him!

One of our neighbors up the street is very good to see after those in our neighborhood who are sick. She brought a loaf of delicious banana nut bread that was still warm. They are the family that come around at Christmas time and sing carols to us. They are Eric and Amy Fields and their sons are Scott and Andrew. They are a wonderful Christian family.

There is a wonderful student nurse over at Charlton Methodist who is just an exceptional young lady who Oleta and I learned to love very much. She went out of her way to make things better for Oleta and I. Her name is Sara Waddell, and only has four months to go over at Concorde School of Nursing in Arlington. I called her supervisor at Charlton and her school to tell them what a fantastic job she does with and for her patients! To top it off she is a beautiful young lady! Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful) ===================================================