The following articles were first published in The Highland Herald, September 12, 1999. The elders were Don Bryan, Claude Fletcher, Dale Miller and Kenneth Thuleen. Deacons were: Troy Futrell, John Griffith, Henry Kattner, Clarence Mobley. Pulpit minister was Joe Winnett. Attendance for Bible class that day, 54; for morning worship services, 104; evening service, 79; and, for Wednesday night, 61. The budget was $2,362.62.

BURNING ANGER

In 1973, news reports said that police in Greenrock, Scotland, questioned a man in an arson investigation. The man admitted setting fire to his father’s house. But he told them it was because his father and his brother had “beaten” him. He then explained what he meant: they had “beaten” him in the game of dominoes!

“A fool’s wrath is known at once, but a prudent man covers shame.” Proverbs 12:16

Regarding anger, one important difference between the fool and the wise man is time. The fool fights back quickly and wildly. The wise man takes time to consider the matter. He knows that anger toward people usually does not help anyone, but rather destroys friendship, property, health, and happiness.

A wise man also realizes that a burst of anger is not a show of power, but, a show of weakness. Angry words and actions often reveal that the person is immature, impatient, and unable to endure problems.

“A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.” Prov. 29:11

WE CAN MAKE IT BETTER

I think that I shall never see

A church that’s all it ought to be.

A church whose members never stray

Beyond the straight and narrow way.

A church that has no empty pews,

Whose preacher never has the blues,

Where elders “eld” and deacons “deek,”

And none are proud, all are meek.

Where gossips never peddle lies,

Or make complaints, or criticize;

Whose members all are sweet and kind,

And to each other’s faults are blind.

Such congregations there may be,

But none of them are known to me.

So let us work and pray and plan

To make THIS church the best we can.