Warmest Thoughts
And Best Wishes
For a Happy Holiday And a
Blessed New Year!
ELDERS AND THEIR WIVES
Don & Norma Bryan
Ken & Gail Darnell
Charles & Barbara Greenawalt
Troy & Leana Futrell
Larry & Evelyn Moore
Kenneth & Thelma Thuleen
CHURCH STAFF
Joe & Teri Winnett
Vicky & James Williams
Helga Blackstone
We are currently allowing mask use to be optional during the Sunday morning Bible Study and worship assembly and Wednesday evening Bible study. We recommend that those who are unvaccinated or have personal health concerns to continue to wear a mask. We thank you for your consideration of and care for others. Masks are available if you need one.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 ESV)
“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” ~~ 1 Peter 3:13-15
• A mother mouse and a baby mouse are walking along when suddenly a cat attacks them. The mother mouse shouts “BARK!” and the cat runs away. “See?” the mother mouse says to her baby. “Now do you see why it’s important to learn a foreign language?”
• When my grandson and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, our grandson whispered, “It’s no use, Grandpa. The mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights!”
Lessons from a Skunk
Back when I was a teenager, I and my brother were helping my dad with his lake cabin. While I was unloading some plumbing supplies, Gary was pulling off some trim from the crawlspace. Suddenly, my brother let out a yell, and a distinctive smell filled the air. It was the smell of a skunk. It had taken up residence under the cabin.
There is an old saying: “If it smells like a skunk, it is a skunk.”
In our society, it is not unusual for people to label sin as good. But it doesn’t matter how much the spin doctors try to convince us, sin is sin. And those who say otherwise face judgment.
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20).
– Larry Fitzgerald Woodlawn, church of Christ, Abilene, TX
Highland Lakes church of Christ