Madge Wallace hated Harry Truman. Well, it was said she didn’t care much for anyone in Independence, Missouri, but she seemed to really have it in for Harry. To her, he was just a “filthy farm boy.” Early on, she might have had a point.
Harry lost his family farm and failed at two different businesses until he finally found his place in politics. But that wasn’t good enough in the eyes of Madge. As a senator, she constantly criticized him, as vice president she scorned him. Even when he was elevated to the Presidency after Roosevelt’s death people close to her said: “It galls her to see him in the White House running the country.”
When Truman famously fired MacArthur she ranted: “Imagine a captain from the National Guard telling off a West Point general! Why didn’t he let General MacArthur run the Korean War in his own way?” When Truman ran against Governor Thomas Dewey in 1948, Madge stood firmly behind his opponent. “Why would Harry run against that nice Mr. Dewey?” she wondered aloud, “I know dozens of men better qualified to be in Mr. Truman’s place in the White House.”
That was pretty bad criticism, considering Harry was supporting Madge and she was living in his home since he came to Washington. Why would Harry do that for his biggest critic? Well, Madge Wallace was Harry Truman’s mother-in-law!!!
The people closest to us can sometimes be our biggest detractors. Those that should support us, are the ones that can nip at our heels the most. It might be that way, and unfortunately so, in our families but it should never be that way in our church family!
Jude says grumbling, and fault finding are ungodly ways (Jude 15-16). Paul tells us that we are to encourage and build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), not tear each other down (Ephesians 4:29). Jesus warns us not to unfairly judge our brother (John 7:24). Scorn, ridicule, and backbiting are not to be the ways of a Christian.
If you can’t say anything nice, the problem might be you!
The elders have decided that the time is right to move a little more the way things were in the “good ol’ days” before COVID-19. With our new mask policy in place, we believe members will be able to spend more time together on Sunday morning as we reinstitute our morning adult Bible class. The Sunday morning adult Bible class will start up on Sunday, July 4th and for the time being we will have just one class in the auditorium. We still have not found a safe way forward concerning children’s classes, so we are asking that all children remain with their parents in the Sunday adult class.
The lessons we have been studying on Wednesday night we originally planned for the Sunday AM class, therefore on July 4th we will simply switch the last few lessons in that series from Wednesday to Sunday. In other words, the class that was scheduled for Wednesday, July 7th, will instead be taught on Sunday, July 4th, etc.
Beginning Wednesday, July 7th, we will have a brand-new study taught by Joe Winnett. Be watching for details about this new study. Thank you for your patience, co-operation and understanding as we take another step back toward what used to be normal.
“And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”” Romans 10:15
Photo by Adrianna Calvo on Pexels.com
It is a blessing to see Christians sharing the good news of Jesus to those who are without hope. In the following report from our brother Sylvester we can be thankful to see our Christian brethren spreading the hope in the way that they share God’s love with others. Let us pray for and support in the work of the gospel. For the elders, Ken D
Part three of NIGERIAN GOSPEL NEWSLETTER: JANUARY- MARCH 2021
Benevolence Ministries
For the relief of widows, orphans and others in need, we received funds from 10 different sources that amounted to a total of $14,900, and we were able to achieve the following:
Food Relief: We purchases a total of 70 bags of rice and 15 bags of beans. These we further shared into smaller sacks which we distributed to:
i. 10 churches in Akoko-Edo county
ii. 18 churches in Etsako counties
iii. 15 churches in Owan Counties.
iv. Some food went to feed the Vigilantes on both Auchi and Ibillo roads as they risk their lives in trying to keep the roads safe
v. Some drivers at the Auchi/Benin/Onitsha motor parks who help us to transport the boxes of tracts by way bill to other parts of Nigeria
vi. Neighbors and passers bye
Note: All the food distribution go along with packages of tracts and gospel materials
Widows’ Equipment:
Some of the funds also went into the purchase of Equipments for widows. We were able to purchase and give out:
i. 8 Sewing Machines and
ii. 4 Grinding Mills. We also received funds to purchase
iii. 1 New Motorcycle for use in Ugbogbo congregation
New Equipment, supplies, and resources for work:
New Equipment, supplies, and resources for work:
In this quarter, from funds received, we were able to purchase the following equipment for use in the press and for the work of evangelism generally:
Two laptops for use in the press
1 laminating machine as well
490 Bibles- 40 Giant Prints, and 450 Regular Print Bibles
Reading Glasses
1 new motor bike for the work of evangelism.
Ugbogbo Church Building Expansion Project:
Because of our growing size, we embarked on a project to expand our current hall for worship. This project was started in November of 2020. Now it is nearing completion. We have added 20 feet to the side and 11 feet to the length of the existing building. That is not a small addition.
Thanks and Appreciations to all Our Donors and Supporters: We hereby express our heartfelt appreciations to everyone who have sent money regularly or on a one-time basis to help in any of the ministries we are involved in. We are so thankful that you are standing behind us in these good works. There is very little that we can achieve without your financial support. Therefore, You are our indispensable partners in this souls-saving business!
The story is told of a missionary who once visited a very primitive tribe of people. These people had very little contact with the outside world, and they were totally unfamiliar with many things we take for granted. One of the things they had never before seen was a mirror. The only way they knew what they looked like was the very poor reflection one can sometimes see in the water. One day, the missionary hung a mirror on a tree. The tribe‘s chief happened to walk past the mirror, so he stopped, stood there, and looked at it for quite some time. Then he walked directly to the missionary and asked him to explain. The missionary explained what a mirror was and that it was a reflection of what he looked like. The chief promptly walked back to the mirror, took it off the tree, and smashed it on the ground. The missionary asked him why he broke the mirror to which the chief replied, ―Because the face that was being reflected was ugly.
When I heard that story, I could not help but think that in spite of all our sophistication, we still behave quite primitively at times. God’s word functions as a mirror to our soul. We can look at it and learn exactly what we look like to God and others. Sometimes, the reflection is not very flattering. So we’re left with a choice. Do we try to destroy the mirror? Do we refuse to look in the mirror again? Or do we do what we can to improve the way we look? I know what the tribal chief did, but what do you and I do? Give it some thought.
“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does (James 1:23-25).
Steve Higginbotham Karnes church of Christ, Knoxville, TN
The elders have decided that there has been enough improvement in the COVID situation to justify an adjustment to our mask policy. A large percentage of our membership is now vaccinated, and we have seen no cases of COVID-19 being spread in our church assemblies. Therefore, we believe the following adjustments are warranted for all services:
Masks will still be required to enter and exit our building or while moving about.
Once you are seated and socially distanced from others, the wearing of the mask will be optional.
Should you need to get up and move around the building, we ask you to please put your mask back on. Once seated again & distanced you can remove the mask again.
At the end of services everyone is asked to put the mask back on as we exit the building.
Our hope is that these adjustments will maintain a reasonable level of safety and yet allow us to worship our Lord without the discomfort associated with wearing a mask. Thank you for your cooperation.
BEAUTIFUL FOOTPRINTS
“And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”” Romans 10:15
Photo by Adrianna Calvo on Pexels.com
BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES
It is a blessing to see Christians sharing the good news of Jesus to those who are without hope. In the following report from our brother Sylvester, we can be thankful to see our Christian brethren spreading the hope that is in them through a very active biblical printing ministry and a World Bible School ministry. Let us pray for and support in the work of the gospel. For the elders, Ken D
Part two of NIGERIAN GOSPEL NEWSLETTER: JANUARY- MARCH 2021
The Print Ministry received wonderful contributions in the quarter. Several first time and anonymous donors sent help with which we were able to achieve the following results:
Highlights of OPM: The Print Ministry
i. 150,000 Total number of booklets produced
ii. 511- Total number of shipments made in the quarter
iii. 59 – Total number of converts recorded in the quarter
Photo from Sylvester Imogoh
Summary Notes and Comments
1. Our work in the Nigerian Evangelism through the OPM has continued to grow. In this quarter, we have more opportunities for distributing the message of salvation to willing hearers through Volunteer Distribution Agents that we now have in almost all parts of Nigeria. Right now, we have more brothers who have volunteered to help in the work. For example, in Abuja and the Federal Capital Territory, [FCT], we now have two more brothers making a total of 4 who receive materials from me via our Way Bill system and redistributes same. Two of these new agents are helping to forward the boxes of tracts and booklets on to farther northern parts of Nigeria such as Plateau, Taraba, Adamawa and other northern states that represents the core of Islam in Nigeria.
2. We have now fully transitioned into the production of the Basic Bible Lesson Series booklets. These are by far better than the 4- page tracts we have been printing. These series are more acceptable and better in all ways and cheaper than conventional books.
3. In this quarter, we have shipped tracts for uses in evangelism in:
i. Bible schools
ii. Rural and urban evangelism
iii. Prison ministries
v. Cameroon Refugees camp in Ogoja-Northern Cross Rivers state
We are appealing for more donors to help produce more materials for the work of evangelism in Nigeria. Thanks and Appreciations to all Our Donors and Supporters: We hereby express our heartfelt appreciations to everyone who have sent money regularly or on a one time basis to help in any of the ministries we are involved in. We are so thankful that you are standing behind us in these good works. There is very little that we can achieve without your financial support.
Therefore, you are our indispensable partners in this souls-saving business!! Sylvester Imogoh
While at Disney recently, our kids so enjoyed the “It’s a Small World” ride. If you have never had the “joy” of this, it is a boat trip through various animatronic cultures all singing the same song in different languages. Part of the song goes, “there’s so much that we share that it’s time we’re aware, it’s a small world after all.” Spiritually speaking, there is so much that we share because of Who made us and how He made us (Gen. 1:26-28). Here are some things that make it a “small world after all”:
There is no race or color of skin that is superior to another. Racism is absolutely sinful. In fact, the people that some want to look down on because of race, ethnicity, or social status — the Bible says are our kin because we all come from “one blood” in Adam (Acts 17:26). EVERY soul, “red and yellow, black and white,” is precious in His sight” (2 Pet. 3:9).
There is a common problem that afflicts all of us. It is not cancer, HIV, Alzheimer’s, or any other malady. True, those may afflict, but they are not common to everyone. What is common is sin (Rom. 3:10; 3:23). It is the disease that has been plaguing all humanity since Genesis 3. There is no man-made cure for this universal affliction.
All people of accountable age need the gospel. The gospel is for all. Into our hands the gospel is given. Jesus is God’s one solution for the common problem of humanity. In Jesus Christ, God has delivered the cure for the sin problem of ALL (Jn. 3:16). If every soul is valuable, and if every soul is afflicted with the same disease, and we have the cure for the disease, what should we do (1 Cor. 9:16)?
God loves us all. We ALL are His creation. We ALL are His crowning work of the 6 days He worked. Even if we do not feel of any worth or we have made such a mess of our lives, He does not put our worth in culture, age, race, sex, beauty, girth, or any other thing. He loves us and longs to bless like He has since the beginning (Gen. 1:28; 12:1-4). It truly is a “small world after all.”
Andy Baker, Graeber Road church of Christ Rosenberg, TX
NEW MASK POLICY The elders have decided that there has been enough improvement in the COVID situation to justify an adjustment to our mask policy. A large percentage of our membership is now vaccinated, and we have seen no cases of COVID-19 being spread in our church assemblies. Therefore, we believe the following adjustments are warranted for all services: • Masks will still be required to enter and exit our building or while moving about. • Once you are seated and socially distanced from others, the wearing of the mask will be optional. • Should you need to get up and move around the building, we ask you to please put your mask back on. Once seated again & distanced you can remove the mask again. • At the end of services everyone is asked to put the mask back on as we exit the building.
Our hope is that these adjustments will maintain a reasonable level of safety and yet allow us to worship our Lord without the discomfort associated with wearing a mask. Thank you for your cooperation.
BEAUTIFUL FOOTPRINTS
“And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”” Romans 10:15
Photo by Adrianna Calvo on Pexels.com
We have been blessed in the last two years to support Madison Stone, granddaughter of our own Troy and Leana Futrell, in a mission effort in Zambia, East Africa. Her time in Africa has come to an end and she has sent the following note to us. We are thankful to have been partner with her in this effort. Let us keep Madison in our prayers and ask God to bless her future efforts in His kingdom. For the elders, Ken D
The first week in May marked the end of my second school year teaching in Zambia. While there I taught K, 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. In addition to working with the children of the families on the team, I also taught music, art and science to other children on Fridays. Just as in America, COVID disrupted the lives of our team and the local people. As a result, I was not able to help out in the areas I had previously thought I would be involved in. God opened other doors while I was in Zambia. I had anticipated working with the nursing students and at the local primary school but was not able because of COVID restrictions. I was, however, able to develop relationships with some of the nursing students outside of school. I also had the opportunity to work in the pediatric ward and in the new operating theater. The pediatric ward was being refurbished. I helped paint and set up the new play area for the kids. In the new operating theater, I helped sort and organize medical equipment, hang curtains in the ICU, set up furniture and clean so they were able to use the space after the grand opening. Spending more time in the hospital helping on these wards allowed me to build relationships with some of the medical personnel. I was also able to learn more about the hospital, patients, as well as the history of Mukinge Mission Hospital.
Photos by Madison stone
Thank you so much to the Highland Lakes Church of Christ for the spiritual and financial support over the past two school years. My time in Zambia would not have been possible without your generous support. I appreciate the prayers that have been said on my behalf and I have been blessed by this church more than you will ever know!
One of my favorite Bible prophets is Jeremiah. He was faithful to God in a time being meant for much persecution and punishment. It was not only foreign kings hating Jeremiah, but, so did his own people. He was imprisoned in a mucky, miry pit for being true to his true King. It is Jeremiah who pens an entire lament over the condition of God’s people. “Oh that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!” (Jeremiah 9:1).
He saw the departure from God in the way his brethren were treating each other. “Let everyone beware of his neighbor, and put no trust in any brother, for every brother is a deceiver, and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. Everyone deceives his neighbor, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity” (Jeremiah 9:4–5).
In recent days we have seen these very verses come to life. A few weeks back it was one side speaking against the conditions of the world and now it seems the worm has turned and the shoe is on the other foot. Either side you’re on brings with it sorrow, hurt, confusion and perhaps violence and corruption.
Many are crying out that this must be the end of days. I am pretty certain that “of that day and hour knows no man” (Mark 13:32; Matthew 24:36). We are living in dark days where the devil has free course. But, that has been true, in various ways, for over 2,000 years.
The devil has done great damage to our country. He has swayed the minds of many to depart from Bible principles to cleave to a way that seems right but leads to death (Proverbs 16:25). We abandoned God’s way over the past few generations to the point that speaking His name in prayer is ridiculed, avoided and deemed unlawful. We have left Him out of our families and even denied His definition of what constitutes a family. We have embraced so many sinful ideals and practices that it seems there can be no hope for our country.
This must have been Jeremiah’s lament as he saw his country go down the same road. However, Jeremiah had knowledge that you and I need to remember today! Hope for God’s people does not rest in the kingdom of men. It does not abide in any political party or any one nation. His power and might are not dimmed by the failures of people. Here are some words that should lift your head and heart as we press on to the high calling of Jesus Christ. “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22–23).
If Jeremiah could utter these words having been through all he did for the cause of God, certainly, we can find hope to continue being God’s chosen people in this world (1 Peter 2:9). – Joe D. Chase, North Loop church of Christ, Gladewater,
FAREWELL……FOR NOW This week the church lost a servant and a shepherd. Brother Ken Thuleen passed from this life after 90 years of mostly serving others. He served his country as a member of the United States Air Force. He served his family as a husband and father. He served his community for many years as a law enforcement officer. He served his Lord as a faithful Christian and he served his brethren as an elder of this congregation while his health allowed. The frailty of human flesh has required us to say “Farewell” to Ken, but we anticipate our fellowship with him will be restored in the Lord! Brother Ken will surely be missed, but we only say farewell….for now. Ken passed away on Friday, May 14th, 2021. Funeral services took place on Thursday, May 20th, here at the Highland Lakes church of Christ building. Joe Winnett officiated. Interment followed at Lakeland Hills Memorial Park in Burnett, TX, with the Highland Lakes Honor Guard providing Military Honors. Our love, prayers and condolences go out to Thelma, sons Kenneth Earl and wife Jungsil, Jeffrey, James and wife Rebecca, “daughters of the heart” Earlene Montero, Vonaceil Chandler and Gary, Pam Stephens and Richard, and to all the other members of the grieving family. May God be your comfort and your strength.
CONGRATULATIONS to Tyler Meredith on his graduation last weekend from the Sunset International Bible Institute In Lubbock, TX. We were blessed to help support Tyler for his two years in the school of Preaching. We pray God’s blessings on him as he “Preaches the Word” and on his upcoming wedding to his fiancé, Samantha.
NEW MASK POLICY The elders have decided that there has been enough improvement in the COVID situation to justify an adjustment to our mask policy. A large percentage of our membership is now vaccinated, and we have seen no cases of COVID-19 being spread in our church assemblies. Therefore, we believe the following adjustment(s) are warranted:
• Masks will still be required to enter and exit our building or while moving about. • Once you are seated and socially distanced from others, the mask will be optional during worship. You are not required to remove your mask to sing, etc. but you can if you want to. • Should you need to get up and move around the building, we ask you to please put your mask back on. Once seated again & distanced you can remove the mask again. • At the end of services everyone is asked to put the mask back on as we exit the building. Our hope is that these adjustments will maintain a reasonable level of safety and yet allow us to worship our Lord without the discomfort associated with wearing a mask. Thank you for your cooperation.
BIBLE CLASS NEWS News from the Heart of Texas Bible Camp, Brady, TX Session One — Grades 4-7 — June 6-11 — directed by Virgil Webb Session Two — Grades 8-12 — June 13-18 — directed by Robert Baugh and Dale Sheehe. If you know a child/children who would like to attend, please ask Joe for an application. Paperwork needs to be sent to the camp very soon because there is always a deadline.
BEAUTIFUL FOOTPRINTS
“And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”” Romans 10:15
Photo by Adrianna Calvo on Pexels.com
It is a blessing to see Christians sharing the good news of Jesus to those who are without hope. In the following report from our brother Sylvester, we can be thankful to see our Christian brethren spreading the hope that is in them. Psalm 40:10 ESV – “I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.” Let us pray for and participate in the work of the gospel. For the elders, Ken D
Part one of GOSPEL NEWSLETTER: JANUARY- MARCH 2021 In Ugbogbo: We recorded a total of 20 conversions in this quarter from the combined efforts in all our local outreach ministries: i. Ugbogbo Community Outreach – which includes our evangelism efforts through door-knocking, visitations, invitations to worship services, hospital outreach, etc. ii. Market Evangelism – which involves evangelism through our church ladies in open village markets, shops and stores, etc. iii. World Bible School, and Schools Evangelism – which involves outreach through school going children in their schools, with permission from the schools’ authorities. iv. Tracts’ Rack at the Igarra post office – where we display tracts and books for public consumption. v. The Local Vigilantes – who read and help to distribute our tracts and books to drivers and passengers on the road. World Bible School, Rural Evangelism and Local Missions: Schools finally resumed after the lockdown that affected schools’ activities from last year. Now we are gradually able to return to schools with our WBS lessons. But so much has been lost. The WBS team from the US continues to send me names of internet students that requires follow-up contacts here. So many times, my work involves connecting and forwarding such names to the nearest preachers in the locations indicated. v In January, Anthony Oluria reported that the staff and students of the Bear Valley Bible Institute [satellite campus] in Port Harcourt took our tracts and went out for Evangelism and Field work for two weeks v Since February 12th, I got the name of Moses Dukuye in Warri from Rodney Hyde. Our brethren are still working on him. v My very good coworker in Uyo area of Akwa Ibom state- M B Archibong reported that they conducted a WBS seminar that attracted attention from several counties. v On Sunday January 31st, I went to be with the small congregation in Otuo for their Sunday morning worship. v And on Saturday, February 13th, we all went to work with the rural congregation in the village of Ikiran -Ile here in our county. More work is being planned for the next quarter. Thank You! Sylvester A Imogoh – Minister- Ugbogbo Church of Christ, Igarra, Edo state, Nigeria
Guilt is defined as “a feeling of responsibility or remorse for some offense, crime, wrong, etc.” What is good about this? When sin is committed and guilt follows, it could lead someone to repentance. It is good guilt that burdens the soul to the point that the need of a change is seen. It is even better guilt when the wrong is seen and the need of a change brings about godly sorrow and produces obedience to the Lord (2 Cor. 7:10). Think of those who have felt the tremendous pressure of guilt:
Saul felt the pain of guilt as he tried to kill David over and over (1 Sam. 17-31), but it was not good guilt because it never led to full repentance.
David felt the guilt of sinful adultery (as pointed out by Nathan the prophet) and confessed, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Sam. 12:13). His penitent heart and God’s forgiveness led him to say, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (Psa. 32:1).
Peter felt guilt when he denied the Lord after having said he would never deny Him. “And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly” (Mat. 26:75). His guilt was good guilt because it led him to true godly sorrow (John 21).
Judas felt crushing guilt after he betrayed the Lord. “Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see you to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself” (Mat. 27:3-5). Unfortunately, his guilt did not produce godly sorrow to the saving of his life and soul (Acts 1:25).
So, guilt can work in a positive way or a negative way. Feeling guilt is often good because it means the heart is still tender and sensitive to the sting of sin (2 Kings 22:19; Rom. 6:23). It means repentance is still in reach because the heart has not yet been hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:12). The challenge for all is to recognize why guilt is felt. Assess if one is truly guilty and, if so, be motivated to change from guilty to guiltless (Jonah 3:8-10; Mat. 21:28,29; Luke 15:10).
Derrick Coble West Sparta church of Christ Sparta, TN
The elders have decided that there has been enough improvement in the COVID situation to justify an adjustment to our mask policy. A large percentage of our membership is now vaccinated, and we have seen no cases of COVID-19 being spread in our church assemblies. Therefore, we believe the following adjustment(s) are warranted:
Masks will still be required to enter and exit our building or while moving about.
Once you are seated and socially distanced from others, the mask will be optional during worship. You are not required to remove your mask to sing, etc. but you can if you want to.
Should you need to get up and move around the building, we ask you to please put your mask back on. Once seated again & distanced you can remove the mask again.
At the end of services everyone is asked to put the mask back on as we exit the building.
Our hope is that these adjustments will maintain a reasonable level of safety and yet allow us to worship our Lord without the discomfort associated with wearing a mask. Thank you for your cooperation.
WEDNESDAY PM BIBLE CLASS
May 19 . . God’s Knowledge of Man. . . .Kynn Maxwell
William Christian, son of Bill Christian and brother of Wanda Christian, passed away on Saturday morning, May 8th. A Celebration of Life will be on Friday, May 21st, at 12:30 pm at 17006 Tx-29, Buchanan Dam, TX. Our prayers, sympathy and love go out to Bill, Wanda and to all who knew and loved William.
Steve Donahue, the father of Sharon Winnett and father-in-law of Jonathan Winnett, passed away on Tuesday, May 11th. No public funeral services are planned. Our love, prayers and condolences are with Sharon, Jonathan, the grandchildren and all the other grieving family members.
BIBLE CAMP NEWS
News from the Heart of Texas Bible Camp Brady, TX
Session One — Grades 4-7 — June 6-11 — directed by Virgil Webb
Session Two — Grades 8-12 — June 13-18 — directed by Robert Baugh and Dale Sheehe. If you know a child/children who would like to attend, please ask Joe for an application. Paperwork needs to be sent to the camp very soon because there is always a deadline.
BEAUTIFUL FOOTPRINTS
“And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”” Romans 10:15
Photo by Adrianna Calvo on Pexels.com
As the current pandemic situation improves, we will see many people travel to different destinations, to some of the sites of God’s creation. However, the greatest of God’s creation, that should be our greatest concern, are the souls of people that we can go to teach, to encourage and to help them to become God’s new creation in Christ Jesus.
Our congregation has helped people in many places hear God’s gospel. For decades, our support has gone to help seek the lost in one of the most populous nations of the world, India. A nation, currently the 2nd most populated one, with 1.4 billion people needing the salvation of our God. We monthly help support a local Indian preacher, PJ Krupalini, through the India Evangelism ministry overseen by the elders of the West Freeway church of Christ in Fort Worth, TX.
Our congregation has helped people in many places hear God’s gospel. For decades, our support has gone to help seek the lost in one of the most populous nations of the world, India. A nation, currently the 2nd most populated one, with 1.4 billion people needing the salvation of our God. We monthly help support a local Indian preacher, PJ Krupalini, through the India Evangelism ministry overseen by the elders of the West Freeway church of Christ in Fort Worth, TX.
Due to the conditions in India, it is rare that we get to hear directly from there, but we know some good and needed work is being done there to people needing God’s love. People are being taught and baptized, congregations are being established, church buildings are being constructed, benevolent works are being carried out, preachers are being trained, Bible materials are being produced and distributed and the true God is being proclaimed.
Recently we heard that Royce Frederick, who has directed the India Evangelism work and has frequently made trips to India, has passed into the next life. He had spent his whole life centered on doing God’s will and spent much of it in foreign mission work. We know that this will cause some new challenges and possible changes in this work. It is our plan to continue supporting this good work. We want to keep these efforts in our prayers during this transition and ask that you do so that God will be glorified. For the elders, Ken D.
“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)
Mask use is optional during our Sunday morning Bible Study and worship assembly and the 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 always available if you need one.
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Scripture of the Week
“Praise be to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion, Who comforts us in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” ~~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Something to Smile About
A dog ran into a butcher shop and grabbed a roast off the counter. Fortunately, the butcher recognized the dog as belonging to a neighbor of his. The neighbor happened to be a lawyer. Incensed at the theft, the butcher called up his lawyer neighbor and said, “Hey, if your dog stole a roast from my butcher shop, would you be liable for the cost of the meat?” The lawyer replied, “Of course, how much was the roast?” “$7.98.” said the butcher. A few days later the butcher received a check in the mail for $7.98. Attached to it was an invoice that read: Legal Consultation Service: $150.
A linguistics professor was lecturing to his class one day. “In English,” he said, “A double negative forms a positive. In some languages, though, such as Russian, a double negative is still a negative. However, there is no language wherein a double positive can form a negative.” A voice from the back of the room piped up, “Yeah, right.”
Think About It
Think About It
You Can’t Push a Chain
A chain is a handy device. You use it to pull a car
out of the ditch. You can hoist a heavy item. You
can use one to anchor a boat or secure a gate.
But can’t push with a chain. It will pull or hold,
but try to push and it’s pretty much useless.
People are a lot like a chain. When linked
together they can be powerful, if you pull them and
don’t try to push. You start pushing them and the
links go every which way.
Too many times we try to lead folks by just
pushing them. We’re in the back trying to get things
moving and it rarely works well. All that shouting
and cajoling and needling might move things an
inch or two, but the bang for the buck is
underwhelming.
If we stand at the front and start pulling,
however, things change. Things snap into place.
The effort is multiplied. The strength of the whole is
unified.
In any role — parent, teacher, mentor, boss
— that we want to help lead others, we would be a
lot better off if we try pulling instead of pushing.
– Barry Haynes, Hope church of Christ, Hope, AR
Highland Lakes church of Christ 