Highland Lakes church of Christ

I was reading through one of the many reports from the mission field that cross my desk. There was good news from Burma. The new government there has expanded religious freedom which has allowed the establishment of several new Churches of Christ.

One quote from a Burmese brother caught my eye: “We did not expect many people to come last Sunday for worship as most of them are working in the fields in heavy rain every day; but, to our surprise, 57 people gathered for worship.” The report included the picture of 3 sisters-in- Christ who walked 3 miles to attend the services. CORRECTION: They waded 3 miles through about 6 inches of water that was standing over the roads during this rainy season. In truth, everybody had to wade to church and of the 57 who did, 3 ladies waded 3 miles to get there!

This story forced me to ask myself some questions. Would I walk 3 miles to go to church? Yes, I think I would. Would I be willing to wade 3 miles through ankle deep water to be there? I hope I would! Why would I ever feel it was a chore to step out of my climate-controlled home into my air-conditioned/heated car and drive a few minutes to the church building? I don’t know.

One thing is sure…there were many SOGGY feet at that worship service in Burma…but all that was forgotten as they gathered to worship with their Lord!

These numbers are beginning to sound like something out of a Sci-Fi movie that I watched in the 1950’s as a kid! Nevertheless, here we are in 2015!

Of course, New Years for most of us are nothing new. We start get-ting our tax forms in the mail. We have to learn to write our checks with the proper year again. And as Christians, we consider where we have been and where we are going.

On balance, I believe we have much to be encouraged about. Our budget/contribution is strong which allows us to fund our many works both local and international. World Bible School continues to thrive as we continue to have the privilege of teaching thousands in Nigeria, West Africa.

Last but certainly not least, our community pantry continues to be a bright spot in our community for those in need. Many who thought this church was just a building have come to know the loving faces of those who use this building to serve Christ! So, come on 2015…we anticipate the changes and opportunities you will bring!!!  – Joe

LET EACH ONE SAY

As life goes onward day by day,

Let each one to his conscience say

That flesh is weak but God is strong,

That right is right and wrong is wrong.

That I have found my workday flies,

But therein all my life’s hope lies.

That on life’s upward path I’ll run,

My face forever to the sun.

That I shall do my best today

Not let one moment waste away;

And, as I travel on life’s road

I’ll try to share a brother’s load.

That force has power, but love has more;

That peace is mightier than war;

That real success is only won

By deeds of kindness one has done.

Bulletin Digest

From the very beginning, back before the Fall, ours was meant to be a desperately dependent existence. It’s like a tree and its branches, explains Jesus. You are the branches, I am the trunk. From me you draw your life; that’s how it was meant to be. In fact, He goes on to say, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). He’s not berating us or mocking us or even saying it with a sigh, all the while thinking, I wish they’d pull it together and stop needing me so much, Not at all. We were made to depend on God; we are made for union with Him, and nothing about us works right without it. As C. S. Lewis wrote, “A car is made to run on gasoline, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other.”

This is where our sin and our culture have come together to keep us in bondage and brokenness, to prevent the healing of our wounds. Our sin is that stubborn part inside that wants, above all else, to be independent. There’s a part of us fiercely committed to living in a way where we do not have to depend on anyone—especially God, Then culture comes along with figures with one thing in common, that they are loners, they don’t need anyone. We come to believe deep in our hearts that needing anyone for anything is a sort of weakness, a handicap. That is why a man never, ever stops to ask for directions. They know how to get there, they’ll find their own way, thank you very much. Only when they are fully and final-ly and completely lost will they pull over and get some help, and they’ll feel like a wimp for doing it.

Jesus knew nothing of that. The man who never flinched to take on hypocrites and get in their face, the One who drove “a hundred men wi’ a bundle o’ cords swung free,” the Master of wind and sea, lived in a desperate dependence on His Father. “I’ll assure you, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what He sees the Father doing”; I live by the power of the living Father who sent me”; “The words I say are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.” This isn’t a source of embarrassment to Christ; quite the opposite. He brags about His relationship with His Father. He’s happy to tell anyone who will listen, “The Father and I are one” (John 5:19; 6:57; 14:10; 10:30).

Why is this so important? Because so many people I know live with a deep misunderstanding of Christianity. They look at it as a ‘second chance’ to get their act together. They’ve been forgiven, now they see it as their job to get with the program. The true essence of strength is passed to us from God through our union with Him. Notice what a deep and vital part of King David’s life this is. Remembering that David is a man’s man, a warrior for sure, listen to how de describes his relationship to God in the Psalms.

I love you, O Lord, my strength. (18:1)

But you, O Lord, be not far off; O my strength, come quickly to help me. (22:19)

O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God. (59:9-10)

David is unashamed to admit his desperate dependence on God. How about you? What do you think?

Thoughts from reading “Healing the Wound” by John Eldredge (Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul) Ken Darnell

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

Jesus shares a parable in Luke 13:6-9 that beautifully shows the relationship between privilege and responsibility. The story concerns a certain fig tree that was privileged enough to be planted in a vineyard. Being in the vineyard, the tree enjoyed special care and protection that was not usually given to fig trees. However, in spite of the special care and nourishment the tree received, it gave no fruit! Not only was the tree useless (for fruit), but it actually was a hindrance to the rest of the vineyard. It took up space that a good and fruitful tree could be using and took nutrients from the ground without giving anything back in return! Imagine how you would feel if you were the owner of such a fruitless tree. How would you feel about a lamp in your house that used $50.00 worth of electricity each month but gave no light? Would you leave it plugged in? How long would you pay for such a useless thing?

By being fruitless, the fig tree invited its own destruction. The owner of the vineyard wanted the tree cut down, but the vinedresser persuaded the owner to be patient and give the tree one more chance to produce. If the tree failed to provide fruit during the last chance season, then the owner’s patience would be exhausted and the tree would be removed!

What do you suppose Jesus was telling us in this parable? Are we blessed? Has God “planted” us in the favorable conditions of His vineyard? If so, are we bearing fruit as we should?

God is patient, but there is an end to His patience! If we enjoy His special favor within the church, then we have the responsibility to bear fruit to His glory!

John 15:1-8 “I am the vine and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and, every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up and they gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”  – Joe Winnett, Minister