“And he said to all, “if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The word “disciple” means a follower, learner, understudy, or apprentice. The Greek noun and verb for “disciple” occur about 270 times in the New Testament (but only in the Gospel accounts and Acts). In the fullest, most biblical sense, discipleship involves living as close to Christ as possible, being fully attentive to His words and ways, being willing to sacrifice on His behalf, and being deeply desirous of reflecting His love and grace to others.
According to Luke 9:23, the path of discipleship is: Universal. Available to “all” or “anyone” (Matthew 11:28-30). Perpetual. Discipleship is a “daily” thing. It’s not something to pursue just when we feel like it or if it’s convenient. Personal. Real discipleship necessitates that one “deny self.” No one else can do this for us! To “deny” means to say “no” to something or to refuse. See John 13:38 and Hebrews 11:24. Denying self means that we do not live for ourselves, but for God and His will. Painful. To “take up the cross” involves taking up an instrument of death; in this case, a death to selfishness and pride. We dare not become advocates of “non-impact discipleship.” When it comes to discipleship, there IS such a thing as “NO PAIN / NO GAIN.”
However, even in suffering and pain, there is the joy of knowing we’re drawing closer to Jesus (Romans 8:18; 2 Timothy 3:12; Hebrews 12:1-2). Practical. Jesus said, “Follow me.” At the heart of this statement are love, obedience, purpose and direction. It’s too easy to adopt just enough “Christianity” (2 Timothy 3:5) to be religious, but NOT have an inside-out faith that transforms our lives! In an age of cost-cutting and down-sizing, one area where cuts simply cannot be made is in our relationship with our Lord.
“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 are excited to receive a lengthy missionary report from the Emperados in the Philippines. Due to its length, it will be posted in parts. This is part two of five. Please keep this work in your prayers. For the elders, Ken D Dear Family and Friends,
Photo by Richard Emperado
September 29, I will drive 7 hours to Cebu to take a one-hour flight to Davao to visit four provinces in Mindanao. I will be there traveling, preaching, and teaching on the Book of Acts in several churches we planted. I fly home on the evening of the 7th, then drive all night to catch the first ferry across to Negros, and hopefully be home in time for breakfast and to help celebrate Becky’s 54th birthday on Monday. I still have a few years on her, I turned 62 in August and now I get to avail of senior citizen discounts on many things. After Becky’s birthday, I will be heading to Leyte to visit Baybay, Bato, and Naval.
Bato is so blessed because they have a new building being built on land bought before COVID with the help of Austin Avenue Church of Christ. The carpenters from Negros traveled back there this week to help finish the ceilings, electrical work, and the door. We were so thankful that Austin Avenue was able to send a little more funds. The prices on all the materials and supplies were just going up weekly. We had to delay finishing it too, for a while, because our trusted carpenter & crew from Negros had another job they had to finish here. Thank you so much to our sponsoring church, Austin Avenue Church of Christ for all your love and support through the years for the Bato church. We pray with them having their new building they will be able to reach out and continue to grow. The lockdowns from COVID and not being able to meet in person for such a long time really hurt the growth of the church in so many places. We pray with time, we will be able to hold monthly MOSES classes next year in places where they are struggling and restore lost members and reach out to new families as well
After visiting Bato, I hope to be able to travel to Naval. The Sugar Grove Church of Christ helped plant this church many years ago. Mark Howell, Peter Ehlig, and Carla Wells came to help. We were supposed to plant a church in Mindanao, but it wasn’t safe to take Americans at that time, so we diverted to Naval, and God has continually blessed that work, through struggle, trials, and typhoons. Mark preached nightly at the function hall of the university, and many obeyed the Lord. Ken Wilkey was with us too on that trip. I can remember smiling listening to Wilkey “cracking jokes” with Mark. There is never a dull moment when the “great” Ken Wilkey is around.
“Back to the grind” is a transitional phrase bridging a brief or extended period of relaxation to the resumption of laborious or repetitive activity. Numerous studies have shown that taking breaks increases focus and productivity. Yet, experience teaches us that it can be difficult to get moving again after a period of rest. The mind must be convinced, or the body will not follow. This is why Monday is seldom our favorite day of the week and why it is so challenging to get back into the swing of things after a vacation.
Getting back into the grind is likely an expression that takes us back to simpler times when people used millstones to grind their grain into flour. So important were these to the livelihood of the people that it was forbidden in the Law of Moses to take someone’s hand mill or upper millstone as a pledge for repayment of a debt owed (Deut. 24:6).
Jesus says, “the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah” (Matt. 24:37). There will be no tell-tale signs marking its approach. Just as usual, people will be “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” (vs. 38). Men will be working in the field and women will be grinding at the mill (Matt. 24:40-41). Milling grain was so much a part of everyday life that Jesus likened it to the conditions which existed “in the days of Noah” before the Flood came upon the world of the ungodly.
It is difficult for us to imagine life in the first century. This writer remembers hearing lengthy conversations of previous generations as they hearkened back to “the good ol’ days” when baking bread in the home was replaced by sliced bread at the store. Although our grandparents may have baked bread in the home, they did not have to mill the flour from which such bread was made. Theirs was a simpler time — but not an easy life. In an age of smart phones and gadgets, we lose appreciation for the basic necessities of life. In teaching us to pray, Jesus says, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11). His provision is promised to those who “seek first His kingdom” (Matt. 6:33), but our minds and hearts have become so distracted as to give temporal things and events far greater importance in our lives than those things which carry eternal significance. We have crowded out basic spiritual essentials. We hardly think about daily bread, much less appreciate its relationship to God’s blessing and our work to put it on the table. We are too far-removed from the grind and, sadly, that is to our great disadvantage.
Glen Elliott Greenbrier church of Christ, Greenbrier, AR
Last Sunday, $5,000.00 were given in a special contribution to help those who were severely affected by the disastrous hurricane, Ian. This money was sent to the “Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team” last week. A heartfelt “thank you” to all who so generously gave to this worthy cause.
“We are grateful for the text messages and calls that sent prayers for healing our way. We are thankful for the blessings that God has given us. In His love, Billy Hazlewood and Valerie Cook”
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 are excited to receive a lengthy missionary report from the Emperados in the Philippines. Due to its length, it will be posted in parts. This is part one of five. Please keep this work in your prayers. For the elders, Ken D
Dear Family and Friends,
Howdy! We hope this note finds you all doing well and enjoying your fall. So many things happening here in the mission field for the Emperado family and the work in general. We are sorry we have not been faithful in sending reports in a timely manner the last couple of months. We have been living in interesting times, and sometimes it is hard to write and share about our struggles.
Photo by Richard Emperado
Howdy! We hope this note finds you all doing well and enjoying your fall. So many things happening here in the mission field for the Emperado family and the work in general. We are sorry we have not been faithful in sending reports in a timely manner the last couple of months. We have been living in interesting times, and sometimes it is hard to write and share about our struggles.
Back in June, I had to take Becky to the emergency room because of shortness of breath. She had to be admitted to the ICU due to congestive heart failure, and things were very scary for a few days while they ran tests. We were blessed to have excellent nurses at the ICU, there were only two patients in the ICU while Becky was there. We also found a very good cardiologist, Dr. Rosario. Becky spent five days in the hospital, and when we went to pay the hospital bill when checking out, we found out the cardiologist did not charge us at all, which saved us almost half the bill. Such a tremendous blessing, to find a cardiologist who has a “heart” for missionaries. She told me that she was raised by a Bible believing devout mother and those childhood influences made her who she is now.
Even on follow-up visits, she would not charge Becky at all. We have to insist to pay and leave money to her secretary. Unbelievable! Right now, Becky is on several medications and being monitored. We go back in November for another round of tests to see how she is doing and see what needs to be done next. She was also diagnosed as diabetic and monitors her sugar daily. Thankfully with diet and prescription pills, her sugar levels are where the doctor wants them to be. She is breathing much better, and has more energy, but still finds it very difficult to walk long distances with a mask on. Please keep her and her doctor in your prayers.
On the other hand, since COVID restrictions have finally eased up in the last six months, I have been able to travel again and to do what I do best – visiting the young churches we planted all over the country. I have over 30 churches clamoring for my attention and visits. It is a bit overwhelming, after being confined to Negros Island for two years, but I love this work and never feel like it is a burden. It is such a joy to be able to travel again by planes, cars, & inter island ferries without all the paperwork or testing to be done coming and going.
Recently we had a lot of bananas get really ripe, so I started to make a big batch of banana muffins. I took them out of the oven, gave them a taste, and realized right away that something was wrong. I had forgotten to add the butter! I had put the amount of butter called for by the recipe in a bowl and melted it in the microwave. There it stayed, forgotten, until I discovered my error. The muffins tasted…alright, but they weren’t what they could’ve been if I had not failed to add this critical ingredient.
What is (are) your missing ingredient(s)? In Mark 10:17-22, a man, described as a “Jewish leader” in Luke 18, comes to Jesus with an important question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” After telling him to follow the law, the man asserted that he has done so since his youth. But Jesus was able to seize upon the missing ingredient that he lacked, and he wasn’t very happy about it.
What are we lacking? Are we even asking the question? Do we even want to know? If you want eternal life, then it is a question you must ask. Being a Christian is a process that begins upon obedience to the Gospel.
Paul, the apostle, suffered a great deal for Christ. We would describe him as a person of great faith, and unashamed of the Gospel. Yet he described himself as someone with still more to do. In Philippians 3:10-14 he says that he has not yet obtained eternal life and arrived at his goal. He says: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” If Paul says this, then we cannot sit on our hands and say we have no more work to do.
Therefore, it is necessary that we ask the question: What yet must I do? We should follow the lead of the rich young ruler and ask God about it. We should consult God’s word, comparing ourselves to the recipe for life found there, and we should add whatever ingredients are missing to make ourselves all that we can be in service to our Lord. – Joshua Pettigrew, Monticello church of Christ, Monticello, AR
Today we will be taking up a special contribution to help those who are suffering because of hurricane Ian. The money will be sent to the “Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team” which already has started to work in connection with the Gulf Coast church of Christ in Fort Meyers, Florida. Please note on your check that it is for this disaster relief, or give cash to one of the elders. Thank you!
OCTOBER DINING OUT MEAL
Our Eating Out Together . . .will be on Thursday, October 13th at 5 PM at “River City Grill” in Marble Falls. This is a good time for fellowship and getting to know each other better. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the back of the auditorium.
SPECIAL MEN’S DAY NEXT WEEKEND
Man up! Riding for the Brand
Saturday, October 15, 2022 10:00 a.m. to 4 P.M. (come to coffee at 9 AM).
Cherokee Home for Children will be hosting a day for men to come together in brotherhood and comradery to hear a great speaker, and to have fun as men. It is a special day just “for the boys”. Men, make your plans to attend!
Guest speaker this year will be radio talk-show host, equine specialist, and businessman, Scott Knudsen, of Fredericksburg, Texas. He is a dedicated Christian and family man.
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
Our congregation continues to keep praying for the work in Nigeria. We are always thankful to hear news of good things happening there. Our brother Mike Udam reports on his work the last three months. Praise God and keep him in your prayers. For the elders, Ken D.
Photo by Mike Udam
REPORT OF WORK FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2022
The third quarter of the year was very eventful all to the glory of God. The church has been growing according to the will of God.
I had 5 speaking appointments this quarter that took me across the country and 9 days in Kenya for mission work. The Lord blessed our work with 10 baptisms during this period. 4 baptisms at Obudu when we organized the Four Field Discipleship program and 6 baptisms during the WBS Great Workshop.
The church at Ukpagada had two of her leaders Patrick Woshor (my interpreter) and Okwo Festus (my Head of Department in my former school), graduate from Darrell Memorial Bible Institute, Obudu (an affiliate of Sunset International Bible Institute, Texas). We are getting very close to having men fill the office of elders and deacons in the near future.
Currently, we have activated the plan for our 3 days Annual Gospel Meeting from November 24th to 26th, 2022. We pray that souls will be won to Christ and his kingdom expand. Also, if the Lord wills, I will be in Rwanda for a week in December to hold leadership training and kick start the process of mission work in Rwanda and South Sudan. I will keep you all posted.
Good News: A few days ago, I got elevated to the position of Vice Principal and posted to a new school in my village just a five-minute drive from my house. I am grateful to God for the elevation. This position will expand my contact with more students to be enrolled into WBS. 75 percent of the students in the school are refugees fleeing the war in South West Cameroun. Keep me in your prayer.
My daughter NT Rose, 17, got admission to read Sociology at the University of Nigeria Nsukka. However, with the lingering strike embarked by the labour unions, she is still at home awaiting when the strike will be called off.
I truly appreciate our partnership. I know when things improve, I will certainly visit the USA to meet with you all face to face. I am also open to zoom meetings if the need arises.
Voter fraud is not new. We should not be surprised. Politics brings out the worst in people — pride, greed, lust for power, and dishonesty. Why would anyone think we have risen above ballot box manipulation? Many times in our history corrupt men have used intimidation, false registration, bribery, and vote alteration to steal elections. Perhaps just as often it is very hard to prove these crimes in court. The “winners” and “losers” are not always decided on a fair basis.
There is another election that is exceedingly more serious. The Bible says that Christians are the “elect of God” (Col. 3:12). Thankfully, we are not elected by a human vote! When we are baptized for the remission of sins, God adds us to the church (Acts 2:38, 47). Upon the basis of that decision God chooses or elects us. In fact, in a way above our feeble comprehension, Christians are “elect according to the foreknowledge of God” (1 Pet. 1:2). That is the only election result that truly matters. Yet there is attempted fraud in this spiritual election just as there is cheating in political elections:
Miscounting. Some teach that everyone or almost everyone will go to heaven. This is not true. Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” Because “narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13-14). There is no changing or cheating this fact of God’s election. Yet most talk about heaven as if all people will go there except the worst of the worst like Adolf Hitler or Jack the Ripper. Do people even know what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount?
Coercion. Others believe man has no part in the process of divine election. They say we can do nothing to be saved. If that is true, then we do not choose to be saved (or lost). God makes that choice for us according to this theology. Preachers teach this Calvinistic view of election when they say, “You can’t ‘do’ anything to be saved because Jesus did everything for your salvation when He died on the cross. You must wait for God to save you if you are one of His elect.” This is unbiblical. God “desires all men to be saved” (1 Tim. 2:4), but the choice is ours. “Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17).
Disqualification. God’s elect are not chosen unconditionally. Christians have the duty to remain faithful. Yet many believe a child of God can never fall from his elected position. Paul did not teach this. He said, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:27). Christians sometimes overturn their own election. There is a way to avoid any problem with this election. After listing the Christian graces, Peter said we should “be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble” (2 Pet. 1:10). That is election integrity. – Kerry Duke West End church of Christ, Livingston, TN
Topic for Wednesday PM Bible Class: October 5th – The Gift of Evangelism – Taught by Ken Darnell
GOSPEL CHARIOT MEETING
On Friday, October 7th, at 7 PM, some representatives from the “Gospel Chariot” will be at the Leander church of Christ in Leander, TX. They will talk about various new outreaches and the work that this fleet of mobile teaching centers is doing. If you are interested in going, please talk to Ken Darnell or Cary Miller.
FOOD, FRIENDS, AND FUN
Our Eating Out Together . . . will be on Thursday, October 13th at 5 PM at “River City Grill” in Marble Falls. This is a good time for fellowship and getting to know each other better. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the back of the auditorium.
MAN UP! MEN’S GATHERING
Man up!Riding for the Brand
Saturday, October 15, 2022 – 10:00 a.m. to 4 P.M. (come to coffee at 9 AM)
Cherokee Home for Children will be hosting a day for men to come together in brotherhood and comradery to hear a great speaker, and to have fun as men. It is a special day just “for the boys”.
Guest speaker this year will be radio talk-show host, equine specialist, and businessman, Scott Knudsen, of Fredericksburg, Texas. He is a dedicated Christian and family man.
There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the back of the auditorium and RSVPs have been extended to Friday, October 7th! Men, make your plans to attend!
WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL NEWS
Henry tells us that 484 pieces of World Bible School material were shipped to Nigerian students recently.
PRAYER REQUEST LIST
Please let the secretary, Helga, know, either by a written note or an e-mail message <secretaryhlcoc@nctv.com>, if you would like to have your prayer requests published in the PRAYER REQUESTlist in the bulletin or if you want a listing removed. You can also call or text me on my cell phone, this number is in the directory.
Also, remember to cut out that list ever so often for your own special prayer time.
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
Our congregation has had the privilege over the last several years in supporting the Sunset International Bible Institute in their Solar Mission Program by contributing funds to help a major multi-continent effort using hand-held solar-powered audio players to reach the world with the Gospel. While we have contributed every year to this worthy effort, we wanted to share this story that SIBI related that touched our hearts. Please pray for the sacrifices and efforts made to do God’s will as well as the love shown by brethren for others in Christ. For the elders, Ken D
Sudanese Preachers Sacrifice to Help Ukrainian Refugees.
Barry Smith, director of the Sudan Project, was in Uganda distributing SIBI solar players to a group of South Sudanese preachers who live in the refugee camps. The brothers asked Barry about the war in Ukraine, the welfare of Ukrainian brothers and sisters, and what American Christians were doing to help them. Following fervent prayer for Ukrainian brothers, they decided to take a love offering to help. They asked Brother Smith to forward their donation to SIBI. The amount these poor but generous Christians collected in their local currency was equivalent to $11.18 USD. Barry believes that many of these preachers emptied their pockets, giving what they would have used to purchase food for their long walk back to the Sudanese Refugee Camp. Like the Macedonians, these Sudanese preachers “gave…beyond their means, of their own accord, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 8:3- 5)
Corinth was a busy metropolitan city in the days when Paul helped start the church there. But Corinth also had a much-deserved reputation for moral bankruptcy. Folks who were in the practice of using prostitutes were said to have ―Corinthianized. This term later came to be used to describe moral decay in general. The sins out of which the Corinthian Christians came attest to the type of society it was (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
At the time Paul wrote his first letter to the church there, they were a troubled group, struggling to jettison the influences of their past. Factions had formed in the church over preachers. There was an immoral relationship among them that they not only refused to deal with, they were proud of their tolerance of it. They were taking each other to small claims court. They were trying to navigate sticky marriage situations. There was dissension over what to do about eating food that had been offered to idols. Their worship assemblies had become chaotic and divisive. And if that were not enough, a sizable number of Christians there were denying a fundamental tenet of the Christian religion – the resurrection of the dead. What could we possibly learn from a church that was so messed up?
Churches will have problems as long as they are made up of people. Christians are not perfect people. We are saved people. We are holy people. We are sanctified people (1 Cor. 6:11). But we retain weaknesses, and we do sin. This will be our lot until the Lord returns.
Congregational leadership cannot ignore problems. Shepherds are not shepherding if they refuse to care for sick sheep and ward off dangerous wolves. Though the ideal is to avoid problems, we can benefit from them if we respond properly to them (1 Cor. 11:17-19).
God’s longsuffering is immeasurable. It is amazing that even with all of their problems, they were still God’s church (1 Cor. 1:2). They were still set apart in Christ. They were still saints just like every other saint. This did not mean that they could ignore their problems and maintain that good standing indefinitely (cf. Rev. 2:5; 3:20). But it does shine a bright light on the longsuffering of God, reminding us that he has the final say on the status of his churches.
We should have confidence in each other. Though they had their share of problems, Paul was confident that they would fix them and not forfeit their eternal salvation (1 Cor. 1:8-9). Because we live in a skeptical and cynical world, it is easy to look at each other – brothers and sisters in the same family – with the same kind of carnal skepticism and cynicism. Instead, let’s follow Paul’s example and show more confidence in each other. “But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way” (Heb. 6:9).
As Paul reminded our brothers and sisters in Corinth, the church is God’s temple (3:16-17). As such, we are to embody all that it means to belong to God (cf. 6:19-20), showing our contemporaries that there is a difference between the life of a sinner and the life of a saint. In addition, the church is to function as the body of Jesus Christ (10:17; 11:29; 12:12-20), putting aside our own personal agendas and working together in harmony. May God bless us to that end. – Eddie Parrish, Brown Trail church of Christ, Bedford, TX
Our Fellowship Meal immediately following our worship is hosted by: John & Tina Brewer, Bill & Mary K. Flanary and Kathy Patterson. If you are a visitor, we invite you to be our special guest!
WEDNESDAY BIBLE CLASS
Topic for Wednesday PM Bible Class: (September 28th)
Video Class or Singing Night
GOSPEL CHARIOT
On October 7th, at 7 PM, some representatives from the “Gospel Chariot” will be at the Leander church of Christ in Leander, TX. They will talk about various new outreaches and the work that this fleet of mobile teaching centers is doing. If you are interested in going, please talk to Ken Darnell or Cary Miller.
OUR EATING OUT TOGETHER . . .
. . ...will be on Thursday, October 13th at 5 PM at ―River City Grill‖ in Marble Falls. This is a good time for fellowship and getting to know each other better.
There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the back of the auditorium.
MAN UP! Riding for the Brand
Saturday, October 15, 2022 10:00 a.m. to 4 P.M. (coffee at 9 AM)
Cherokee Home for Children will be hosting a day for men to come together in brotherhood and comradery to hear a great speaker, and to have fun as men. It is a special day just ―for the boys.
Guest speaker this year will be radio talk-show host, equine specialist, and businessman, Scott Knudsen, of Fredericksburg, Texas. He is a dedicated Christian and family man.
There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the back of the auditorium and RSVPs have been extended to Friday, October 7th! Men, make your plans to attend!
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
In the last six months, we have been, as a congregation, concerned for the well-being of the Ukrainians during the war in their country. We wanted to make you aware of a new relief effort for Ukraine by Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock, TX. We ask you to: Pray that the containers will reach the people in time for winter. Pray that this will continue to open doors for the Gospel to be preached. Pray for an end to this war and the loss of life. If you would like to see us support such a relief effort, tell one of the elders. For the elders, Ken D
Sunset’s Global Relief Ministry (GRM) Covering Ukraine with Prayers and Love, Food and Warmth with
Almost 1,000,000 Meals is now Headed to Ukraine.
On September 7, SIBI sent almost 1,000,000 meals to Ukraine. With the help of Breedlove Foods and Global Samaritan, SIBI was able to send the meals which will be delivered by a network of Ukrainian Bible Institute alumni and churches throughout Ukraine. Breedlove Foods, based in Lubbock, Texas, provides dehydrated meals around the world through partnerships with organizations like USAID. The meals provide a full serving of nutrition. Each 2-pound bag mixes with 8 cups of boiling water to make enough food for 50 servings. Global Samaritan is an Abilene-based group that provided the logistical support to assist SIBI in getting the shipping container where it needs to be in Ukraine. Please pray that the container will reach its intended destination in early October.
Help for the Bitter Winter with another 1,000,000 Meals to be Sent Soon with Coats, Blankets, and More.
Winters in Ukraine are bitterly cold; the average high temperature in Kyiv is 32 degrees during December. Millions living in Ukraine have lost everything in this war. They are living as best they can, but heating and warmth for this winter is a growing concern.
To help alleviate this concern, SIBI is sending two more containers in October that should reach the people of Ukraine in time to the worst of the weather. In addition to more food, these containers will have sleeping bags, blankets, coats, socks, and gloves.
Richard Baggett and Ukrainian Christians are forming a network of Ukrainian Bible Institute alumni and churches who will distribute the aid so that the name of Jesus Christ can be proclaimed among the hurting. It is a blessing to have such a trusted network of people who are committed to spreading the gospel and use this aid to meet the needs of those hurting from the war.
“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 