Warmest Thoughts – Best Wishes
For a Happy, Healthy
and Safe Holiday
And a Blessed New Year!
Staff:
Helga & Bill Blackstone
John & Tina Brewer
Esmeralda Medina
Sherry Wills & Ken Love
ELDERS AND SPOUSES:
Ken & Gail Darnell
Troy & Leana Futrell
Cary & Brenda Miller
Joe & Teri Winnett
We allow 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 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)
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Jesus Christ you are serving.” ~~ Colossians 3:23-24
On the Lighter Side . . .
An older, tired-looking dog, wandered into my yard one day. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of.
He calmly came over to me and I gave him a few pats on his head. Then he followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.
An hour later, he went to the door and I let him out.
The next day he was back… greeted me in my yard, walked inside, and resumed his spot in the hall, and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks.
Curious, I decided to pin a note to his collar which read: “I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful, sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.”
The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: “He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3, and he’s trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?”
Choose Your Own Ending
When I was a child in school I came across the Choose Your Own Adventure book series. It touted that “you are the star of the story,” and you could choose from 40 possible endings. The reader made choices at critical parts of the story and would then turn to a certain page to continue the story. I hated it when I ended up falling into a canyon! Just like in real life, every choice had consequences. In the Bible, Israel was faced with a great many choices that determined the nation’s outcome. Observe the Passover, or neglect the command (Ex. 12:21-28)? Stay with God, or return to Egypt (Ex. 14:10-12)? Obey God’s law, or rebel (Ex. 24:3-8)? Allow fear to rule, or trust God’s strength (Num. 13-14)? Serve God, or return to idols (Joshua 24:14-15)? On and on it went! There were many other crucial moments in the history of Israel, but none more pivotal than the day Christ walked among them. The choice was eternal life, or eternal punishment (John 10:10-11; Matt. 25:31-46; Mark 16:16). Like those who first heard the gospel in the first century, we also have set before us a blessing or a curse, and we are given the privilege to choose our own ending! His word over our own will (Matthew 7:24-27). Love over hate (John 13:34-35; Luke 6:27). Spirit over flesh (Romans 8:13). It’s your adventure. What will you choose?
Highland Lakes church of Christ