TAKE A STAND

Posted on July 11, 2013 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

As Christians we must be careful not to be intimidated by the world. We must stand up for our convictions.

Years ago, Jimmy Durante, told of a baseball game being umpired by a runt of a fellow. An enormous player was at the plate and an equally large catcher stood behind him. The count was one and one. The little umpire watched the pitch sizzle across a corner, and yelled, “Two!” “Two what?” snarled the catcher, mashing his mask into the umpire’s face. “Yeah, two what?” growled the batter, raising his bat. The umpire looked from one brute to the other and said, “Too close to tell.” He felt the pressure to remain neutral.

The will of the world and the will of God are in constant conflict. In every way possible the world is trying to get us to conform to its standards (or lack thereof) while God desires the best for us by urging us to conform to His will. Do we have the courage to stand up for God and righteousness?

This world is not the Christian’s friend. In fact, we are enjoined, charged, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever” (1 John 2:15-17).

This is no time for the Christian to be wishy washy. Rather than being conformed to the world we must be transformed by the renewal of our minds, as the apostle Paul urges.

In a day when anything goes in morality and religion, we need to hear again the inspired words of Jude, “I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith, that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3b).

Christians have no option but to take a stand! – John Gipson Windsong church of Christ

Posted in Front Page | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

JUNE 30, 2013 WEEKLY NEWS

Posted on July 11, 2013 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

Thank You …

“It’s wonderful knowing caring people like you – a circle of friends who can be counted on to lend a hand whenever it’s needed, a circle of friends who are thoughtful and generous – and this comes to bring you all the thanks that you deserve so much.”  “Thank you so much for your prayers and support for Hunter and the rest of the family.”  Love always, Mary, Cissy, and Hunter

With Sympathy, love and prayers for the families and friends …

John Brewer, whose mother, La Verne Stocklye, passed away on Wednesday, June 19th, in Irving, Texas.  Funeral services took place on Saturday, June 22nd, at the Donnelly’s Funeral Home in Irving.  She was buried at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens in Irving.

Wanda Christian, whose mother Alice Louise Christian, passed away on June 21st.  Funeral services took place on Wednesday, June 26th, at the Waldrop-Hatfield-Hawthorne Funeral Home in Llano.  Long-time friend, Doug Lindley officiated and Bill Blackstone led the congregational singing.

Our fellowship Meal …

Meal will take place after our evening assembly on June 30.  Bill & Mary K. Flannary, Charles & Barbara Greenawalt and Don & Paula Welch will be hosts and hostesses.

Visiting For the Master Visitation Program …

Team #1, led by Teri & Joe Winnett, will meet on Wednesday, June 10, in the library for their assignments.

Food Pantry Needs …

Personal hygiene products, canned meat, peanut butter.

Posted in Weekly News | Leave a comment

CHURCH AND GOVERNMENT

Posted on July 11, 2013 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

As you probably know, the Supreme Court of the United States made two decisions last Wednesday concerning homosexual marriage.  I think it is important for us to understand what has changed in theses rulings, and what was not changed.

One decision concerned Proposition 8 which blocked gay marriage in California.  This law was passed by the voters of California and then was struck down by lower federal courts.  The governor of California and his Attorney General refused to defend the voter’s choice by appealing the court decision.  Private groups tried to appeal to the Supreme Court but their appeal was denied on a technicality…they had no “legal standing” to defend the law.  What is troublesome about this decision is that the will of the people can be ignored by a handful of politicians who refuse to defend a law they don’t like.  Presumably, if Californians choose a new governor who will defend the law then it can be reinstated.

The other decision concerned the federal law known as the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).  The Supreme Court has decided that the federal government has no power to tell states how to define marriage.  What does this mean?  It means that the debate defending traditional marriage (one man and one woman) is over at the federal level.  BUT, the court confirms that the debate will continue within individual states.  Each state can define marriage for itself and the federal government will accept it.  Thirty-four states have legally defined marriage as being the union of one man and one woman.  Nothing in the Supreme Court decision will change that.  On the other hand, states that legally adopt gay marriage will be able to get federal benefits for those marriages.

So what does this mean for God’s people?  It means the society around us is becoming more secular and less concerned with values of God’s Word.  It means America, like many nations before it, is facing the trouble that historically comes to any people who ignore God’s values.  What should we do?  “Put on the whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:11).  PRAY for our nation and its leaders (I Tim. 2:1,2). SHARE the word of God with all who will listen (2 Tim. 2:24-26).  LIVE your faith for all to see (1 Cor. 16:13,14).  In all this we must remember that our spiritual warfare continues…. – Joe

“Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away” (1 Cor. 2:6).

Posted in Front Page | Tagged , | Leave a comment

JUNE 23, 2013 WEEKLY NEWS

Posted on July 9, 2013 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

WBS Workday. . .

There will be a World Bible School Workday on Thursday, June 27th. Those who enjoy coming together for this very important work, will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the educational building. Come and join this group, because it is also an enjoyable fellowship. Anybody can do this work, training is free!!! All are welcome.

The Fellowship Meal

Our Fellowship Meal will take place next Sunday evening, June 30th, after our evening worship assembly. Hosts and hostesses will be: Bill & Mary K. Flanary, Charles & Barbara Greenawalt and Don & Paula Welch.

Congratulations . . .

. . . to Adam Garcia, Jr. He received the honor of being outstanding camper in his cabin, the “Chipmunk Cabin.” He had to qualify in various areas. He is a well-rounded young man and we are very proud of him. Way to go, Adam, and God bless you in everything you are doing!

. . . to Gail & Ken Darnell on the birth of a new granddaughter, Lydia Jade Darnell. She was born at home in Commerce, where the family resides. She entered this world at 2:30 am on June 18th, weighing in at 7 lbs., 6 oz., and being 20 & 3/4 inches long. Everyone is doing fine.

Thank You . . .

Dear Church Family,

Thank you for all your prayers, calls, cards and concerns expressed. I am beginning to feel somewhat better and hope to be feeling well again soon. I also want to thank those who filled in for me and cleaned the building.

In Christian love, Vicky Williams

 

Dear Ladies of the kitchen,

Sam & I want to say a big “thank you” for your beautiful food spread. We all enjoyed it very much. It was very good. May God bless and reward each of you with a special blessing. Your kindness and thoughtfulness was appreciated more than you know.

In Christian love, Sam & Dody and Family

 

Thank you, God, for the recent rains! Please bless us with more, so our lakes will be filled up!

Posted in Weekly News | Leave a comment

ARE WE MATURE?

Posted on July 9, 2013 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

2013 06 27 IPhone 007

 

Someone has said, “If we aim at nothing, we are likely to hit it.” A definite goal is needed, and Jesus provides one for the church. We are to go into all the world teaching the Good News of Jesus and baptizing those who believe. But what then? Jesus answers, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20a).

The apostle Paul understood his duty, and expressed it in these words, “Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).

When we ask, “What does maturity in Christ mean?” part of it, at least, is in the negative: the putting away of childish things, childish traits and childish qualities of mind. The apostle Paul said, “When I became a man, I gave up childish ways” (1 Corinthians 13:11b). To do that is a life program of becoming a mature Christian.

There are many things about little children that charm us, but when childish ways of behavior are carried on into adult years it is a sad thing to see. One trait of a child in the earliest years is self-centeredness. He does not have any clear consciousness of other people. The “baby” of advanced years from thirty to ninety, is affected with the same type of blindness. People who insist on “having their own way”, regardless of others, are sick people. Alfred Adler says emphatically that when an individual has difficulty adjusting himself to a group, he demonstrates his immaturity. He is not normal. And this “having my own way” hangover from childhood can be disastrous in the church.

The Bible calls upon me to examine myself. Where am I in my spiritual life? Am I still in the childhood state of pouting and crying? Am I growing up? Have I reached maturity? Have I grown up enough to hear the words of the apostle Paul, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others”? (Philippians 2:4).

When we are able to focus on others rather than self, we are growing toward maturity in Christ. May God help us to that end! John Gipson, Windsong church of Christ

Posted in Front Page | Tagged , | Leave a comment

JUNE 16, 2013 WEEKLY NEWS

Posted on June 13, 2013 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

VISITING FOR THE MASTER

(VISITATION PROGRAM) Team #2 (leaders: Cary & Brenda Miller) will meet on Wednesday, June 19th, at 6:30 pm in the Library for their assignments.

FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

Personal hygiene products, canned meat, peanut butter.

THANK YOU NOTES

We would like to thank those that showered us with love, compassion, and support after the loss of our son and brother, Michael. A special thank you to Ken for showing the video, John, for leading the wonderful song service, and Joe, for a sermon that was both touching and healing. Also, a heartfelt thank you to those that provided and served an excellent meal for the family.

It was a beautiful memorial service here at the church and also at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In Christian love, Sam and Dolores Garrison and Family

Dear Christian Brothers and Sisters,

Thank you very much for the outpouring of cards and gifts during my brother’s passing. Your thoughtfulness and kindness, along with your love just overwhelmed me.

Your loving Sister, Brenda

“I thank God for you” (2 Timothy 1:3)

Dear Brothers and Sister,

We enjoyed our stateside visit with you and are so grateful for all you do for us and the work in Cambodia. Thank you for the wonderful fellowship luncheon after services. We appreciate you and are richly blessed to be working and serving our Lord and Savior together. As we travel back home, Cambodia, we take with us your love, prayers and your strong encouragements. May God continue to bless you richly.

Grace, Peace and Love, Dennis and Sharon

Thank you, God, for the recent rains! Please bless us with more, so our lakes will be filled up!

Posted in Weekly News | Leave a comment

ABOUT FATHERHOOD

Posted on June 13, 2013 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

The Word of God gives fathers many important instructions. Some are directly addressed to the them, some are just presented in common or generic terms to all, simply basics for every day Christian life and development.

Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Proverbs 10:1 – “A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.”

Proverbs 12:6 – Good results may happen, when Father (and/or Mother) follows this good command: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Quotes to ponder by people from ancient and more recent times:

Publius Syrus An angry father is most cruel towards himself.

Euripides Lucky that man whose children make his happiness in life and not his grief, the anguished disappointment of his hopes.

Knights of Pythagoras A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child.

Jewish Proverb When a father gives to his son, both laugh; when a son gives to his father, both cry.

William Shakespeare It is a wise father that knows his own child.

Mark Twain When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.

Charles Wadsworth By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong.

Alexander Pope We think our fathers fools, so wise we grow. Our wiser sons, no doubt will think us so.

Bartrand Hubbard I’ve had a hard life, but my hardships are nothing against the hardships that my father went through in order to get me to where I started.

Sigmund Freud I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.

Joseph Joubert Children have more need of models than critics.

May God’s richest blessings rest on all Fathers and Grandfathers!

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!!!!

Posted in Front Page | Tagged , | Leave a comment

JUNE 9, 2013 WEEKLY NEWS

Posted on June 6, 2013 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

CAMP TIME!

This congregation will be sending eight campers to the “Heart of Texas Bible Camp” this year! Six will attend the first session beginning this Sunday, and two more will attend the second session beginning next Sunday. Please keep our campers in your prayers: Brianna Arnold, Adam Garcia, Alondra Garcia, Melora Jame, Michael James, Jeremiah James, Jason James and Lexi Welch.

THANK YOU

Dear friends, Once again, I thank you for your thoughts and prayers during my hip surgery. It is so comforting to know that you, my Christian friends, send up prayers for my recovery. I believe that God heard and answered your prayers and mine. Recovery takes time, but I am much better and no more pain in my hip. Thank you for your friendship. Sincerely, Jack Mabe

VISITING FOR THE MASTER

(VISITATION PROGRAM) Team #2 (leaders: Cary & Brenda Miller) will meet on Wednesday, June 19th, at 6:30 pm in the Library for their assignments.

FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

Personal hygiene products, canned meat, peanut butter.

Posted in Weekly News | Leave a comment

OUTBACK RELIGION

Posted on June 6, 2013 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

If you want a good steak and baked potato, Outback Steakhouse, is a pretty good choice. By now, we all have heard their advertisements on the radio or television. The announcer, in his Australian brogue, says, “Outback Steakhouse. No rules. Just right.”

That sounds great, doesn’t it? There is some appeal to a place where there aren’t any rules or restrictions and no matter what, everything turns out all right. One day it dawned on me that many people have “Outback Religion”. When it comes to their relationship with God they want it to be “No rules. Just right.” They want to be able to come to God on their own terms and yet have Him welcome them just the same.

More and more it seems we find people who find comforting the thought of having a meaningful relationship with God, but who are unwilling to follow the rules. I suppose it has always been so that many wanted God on their terms, but it has always been true that Jehovah has never allowed man to call the shots or make the rules. Either we come to Him as He wills or we don’t come at all.

When I claim a relationship with God but I want to keep my bad habits, and ungodly practices, and sinful relationships, then I am looking for “Outback Religion”. But God does have “rules” and here are three things to remember about them.

1. The “rules” are God’s. The natural tendency is to “kill the messenger”, but we must realize that if one is speaking the truth, he is only a messenger of the will of God. Jesus said, “If you love me you will obey what I command” (John 14:15). To be sure, making our own rules is a violation of God’s will (Revelation 22:19).

2. “The rules” are for our good. Ultimately, what God requires of us is in our best interest. Throughout the centuries of His dealing with mankind, God has never forbidden something good for man nor has He required something harmful. As a matter of fact, even under Old Testament “rules”, if we carefully study His requirements, there is an additional side to the fact of God’s just pointing out what was sinful. We find, and they would have had, too, a wonderful assurance: His “rules” were meant to provide, protect and preserve! Truly, a wonderful, loving and caring God through the ages!

3. “The rules” will judge us. Whether we live by them or not we will be eternally judged by the will of God. Jesus said, “There is a judge for the one who rejects Me, and does not accept My words: that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day” (John 12:48).

When we submit ourselves wholly to living by the will of God, “He purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7-9). Or, we might say that when we live by God’s rules, He makes us “Just Right”!

Posted in Front Page | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

JUNE 2, 2013 WEEKLY NEWS

Posted on May 31, 2013 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

We Welcome . . .

. . . Dennis & Sharon Welch this Sunday morning, June 2nd. Dennis will speak to us in Bible class about their work in Cambodia and he will also preach to us. Dennis and Sharon, we are always so happy to have you with us, hear about your work and be inspired by Dennis’ report and message!

Our Fellowship Meal will take place today, June 2nd, it will be a luncheon, hosted by Janet & Myron Fietz, Josie & Adam Garcia and Vicky & James Williams.

Upcoming Events:

June 5th: Memorial service for Michael Garrison, the son of Sam Garrison, at 10 a.m. at our building.

June 12th: Deacons’ meeting combines with Elders/Preacher meeting.

Food Pantry Needs

Personal hygiene products, canned meat, peanut butter.

With Sympathy

Our dear sister, Hilda Whitson, passed from this life on Thursday, May 23rd. She was the last founding member and a valued worker, up to a very advanced age, of the Highland Lakes congregation. Funeral services took place on Monday, May 27th, with Joe Winnett officiating. Interment took place at the Fall Creek Cemetery in Spicewood.

Our prayers, sympathy and love go out to all the members in her family, to friends and everyone who knew her. We will miss her greatly!

Congratulations

Doc and Sandy McDaniel are the proud grandparents of a beautiful baby boy. Their daughter Ashley gave birth to a sweet boy named Brice Mac Beviacqua on May 15th. He weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz. and was 21 and 1/4 inches long. Everybody is doing great.

Posted in Weekly News | Leave a comment