October! Can you believe it? Only three months remaining in 2009! Can you remember all the promises you made to yourself back in January? Take better care of myself…Eat better…Exercise…Lose weight…Spend more time with my family…Read the Bible and pray every day…Save…Enjoy life and living…How are you doing? It’s not too late to get on track. Today is the best day of your life. Yesterday is past. Tomorrow may never come. Today is the only day that really matters. Eat better today. Take that walk today. Better health is a result of eating better and reasonable exercise. Turn the TV off. Get up from the computer. Put down the paper. Put down the cell phone. Spend some time face to face with your spouse, your children, and your parents. Look. Listen. Laugh. Spend some time with God reading His word and talking with Him in prayer. Don’t just survive. Live!

This Sunday morning we will look into God’s word to see that our entire lives can be different, better, more significant when we learn to “Let Our Duties Become Our Desires.” We each have our own individual duties in life, responsibilities that are personally only ours. Sometimes, we look at these duties as things we “have to” do. I have to get up early to go to work. I have to pay the bills. I have to mow the lawn. I have to cook dinner. I have to clean the house. I have to do my homework. I have to study for the test. I have to go to Bible study. I have to go to worship. I have to study, pray, give, wait. On and on we could go. Of course, I have never heard anyone say “I have to go fishing” or “I have to make a trip up to Darlington” or “I have to go on vacation.” Just a simple change in vocabulary can affect our entire lives. Change the words “have to” to “get to” or “want to” and see what a difference this small change can have in your attitude toward life. We no longer “have to” go to work. We “get to” or “want to” go to work. We no longer “have to” study, pray, give, or wait. We now “get to” and “want to” do these things. If you would like to read ahead, read Philippians 2:1-18.

On Sunday evening we will conclude our series “1st Century Success in the 21st Century.” The church of Christ in the first century was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. They were steadfast in the apostle’s doctrine, in fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayer. They lived their lives adding and abounding in the Christian Graces. They loved God and they loved one another. They were not easily discouraged. They were focused. Finally, the church of Christ in the first century lived transformed lives. Our brothers and sisters in Christ of the first century are wonderful examples of faith, hope, and love for us today.

Our Ladies’ Day 2009 is now just a few days away scheduled for Saturday, October 17th. This is a ladies only event. Our ladies have been praying, meeting, planning, organizing, and looking forward to this day for many weeks. Ladies at St. Andrew Road: Please invite and remind your family, friends, and neighbors about this special Ladies’ Day. Men: We have been asked to be here to help with lunch. There is a sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board in the lobby. Please sign up if you can help serve.

The renovation plans for our facilities are proceeding according to schedule. There will be a very important meeting of the men of the congregation this Sunday morning, October 4th immediately following the morning worship hour in the Fellowship Hall. Please make every effort to be at this meeting. Thank you for your patience, your support, and your cooperation as we grow into the 21st century. To God be the glory! Great things He has done.