Wednesday, June 29, 2011

It’s me again, back into my somewhat normal schedule of studying, writing, preaching, visiting, spending as much time as I can with the grandchildren, and blogging. Cindi and I made the move back to Arkansas from our home for the past five years in Columbia, South Carolina. We moved to Enola, Arkansas, out in cattle country about 20 miles outside of Conway three weeks ago. Life is good, slow, quiet, and peaceful. Country life is definitely different from city life. This morning at 7:00 a.m. my neighbor’s dog, Molly was lying in the middle of the road enjoying the beautiful morning and only slowly moved from the oncoming lane when a farmer in a pickup truck loudly sounded his horn. Can you believe the nerve of some people? A couple of days ago a deer was grazing on some of the grass in my front yard while at the same time a rabbit was enjoying the back yard.

Yesterday I was set to repair the drain under our bathroom sink. I thought I had everything I needed. You know how it is. Lowe’s in only a mile or two away, right? Wrong! More like 20 miles away! Now we have a country store just up the road from our house, so I jumped into my Dodge to see if they had the 1 ¼ inch fitting I needed. Nope! Only 1 ½ inch fittings. There were three older gentlemen sitting on the bench just outside the store. One of them asked me if I was able to get what I needed. We talked for a minute or two and he said, “Follow me. I think I have just what you need.” I did. He did. The drain is working just fine now. I asked him what I owed him. “Not a thing” he said, only come by and visit with us sometime.” I will.

The church of Christ in Enola is a group of about 150 Christians who are very kind, loving, and hard-working. The population of Enola is 188 according to the sign posted on the highway as you drive into town. I am honored to be a member of the congregation. I am especially honored that they have asked me to work alongside of them as their minister and friend. God has always provided for Cindi and me in every way. We are thankful. I am thankful.

I am especially thankful to be closer to my daughter, my son, and my three grandchildren. When we were in Columbia, SC we were about 800 miles away from them. I missed too many birthdays, too many soccer games, too many dance recitals, too many teachable moments, too many hugs and kisses, too many scraped knees that needed a bandaide, and too many questions that needed answers, answers that can only come from a grandfather. Yesterday I spent a few hours with my two oldest grandchildren. We sat on the back porch for at least a half an hour just watching two humming birds fighting over the nectar in the hummingbird feeders.

To my fellow Christian brothers and sisters at St. Andrews Road in Columbia, SC, thank you for allowing me to work with you for the past five years. God blessed us all tremendously with physical and spiritual blessings. He is still blessing us even though we are apart. I will be at St. Andrews Road this weekend to perform the wedding ceremony of my dear friends, Jerry Satterfield and Shirley Dockray. I will also be preaching at both assemblies at SAR on Sunday. What a joy it is to be a Christian and know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

COMING SOON… Gospel Meeting with Brad Harrub – June 24-26
VBS at St. Andrews Road – July 10-14
Well, I guess by now just about everyone in the neighborhood has heard that I am moving back to Arkansas to be closer to my family. I plan to be here with you this Sunday, June 12th for the morning and evening service. We have been busy packing and plan to load the truck on Monday, June 13th and leave out on Tuesday, the 14th. If you can help us load anytime on Monday, your help will be greatly appreciated. We really don’t have a lot to load. We will be back in Columbia Friday, July 1, Lord willing and plan on being with you on Sunday, July 3rd for worship and fellowship.

The past five years have been simply wonderful for me at St. Andrews Road. We have had too many victories to count and a few sorrows that have brought us closer to God and to one another. God has blessed us. The congregation is strong and well-equipped for whatever God has in store for you. We have planted, we have watered, and God has given the increase and will continue to do so in the near and distant future. Please stand along side our elders as they continue the task of appointing additional deacons to serve the church and also as they begin the search for a new minister. My thoughts and prayers will ever be with you. Please pray for us.

This Sunday morning and Sunday evening our lessons will be on the subject of FAITH. I will present “8 Practical Definitions of Faith” for your hearing and consideration, four definitions in the morning and the remaining four at the evening service. I have preached sermons on faith many times before, but these two lessons will give us all a new perspective on what it means to walk by faith and not be sight. These are difficult times for too many of us. We need to believe and keep believing in God, that He is and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Please plan on being here for these two lessons from God’s word.

REMEMBER: Brother Brad Harrub will be with us for a “Christian Evidences Seminar” on Friday, June 24th through Sunday morning, June 26th. Check out the bulletin board in the lobby and our website for additional information on this vital series of lessons on Christian evidences.

Our young men will be conducting the evening worship hour on Sunday, June 19th (Father’s Day). Brother Hutchison and our young men always do a fine job leading the service. We have the finest group of young people in the world. Be here to support them.
I leave you with one of my most favorite passages of Scripture:
1 “My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.”
Proverbs 3:1-8

Saturday, June 4, 2011

COMING SOON… Gospel Meeting with Brad Harrub – June 24-26
VBS at St. Andrews Road – July 10-14

Recently there has been much talk about a California man’s prediction that the “Day of Judgment” would arrive on Saturday, May 21st at 6:00 p.m. Obviously, the Bible is right again. Jesus stated to His disciples in answer to their question about the end of the world and His promised return in Matthew 24:36: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, but My Father only.” Of course this is not the first time this man attempted to disprove our Lord Jesus Christ. He did the same thing in 1994. And even now, Mr. Camping stubbornly refuses to apologize for his pride and his rejection of Jesus’ words and states that the “Judgment Day” actually occurred as he predicted, except that the Day was a “spiritual judgment” and that the actual Judgment Day will arrive in five months. Wow! How foolish! Through the years since Jesus ascended to His Father many have carried out their deceptions or misconceptions about the return of our Savior. The Bible is God’s revelation once for all to the world. Believe Jesus. Don’t be fooled. Jesus will return just as He has promised. Prepare. Stay prepared. My grandfather, Noonen Burleson always said, “Boy: Plan to live and prepare to die.” Paul wrote “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

Cindi and I made a trip to Arkansas last weekend to visit our family and to check on Ben, Lyndsee, and Lily. They have settled into their new home very well. They are worshiping with the Robinson and Center Church of Christ in Conway, Arkansas. The congregation there is currently seeking a man to work with their youth. Ben has submitted his name for consideration for the position. Please pray for God’s will to be done for them. Cindi is staying a few more days to work. I returned to Columbia on Tuesday. Thank you for your prayers for us.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration and selection in submitting the names of those men you believe are qualified to serve as deacons at St. Andrews Road. The elders have our selection sheets and are prayerfully considering each submission and discussing the work of the church with those men. May God bless us as we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness!
Our Sunday morning series “Growing in Gladness” will conclude this Sunday with a lesson on how we can grow in gladness through our Bible classes. Are you currently attending one of our Bible classes on Sunday morning at 10:00 and on Wednesday evening at 7:00? If not, how about making a change. Get up a little bit earlier on Sunday morning. Come out on Wednesday evening. See for yourself just how much you can learn and grow in your knowledge of God’s word. Faith does come by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).

On Sunday evening our series “Christian Teenagers” continues. We are considering the many challenges our teenagers face every day and Biblical examples of young people who faced the same challenges and were victorious in maintaining their faith in God: Joseph - sexual purity, David – bullies, Daniel - eating and drinking what is sinful, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego - idols. This Sunday evening we will look at Esther and see how she refused to be selfish and determined to consider others, her family, and her nation above herself. I hope you are being encouraged and challenged by these lessons.