Merry Christmas to you and your family from up in the country! We enjoyed our children and grand children today, Saturday, December 24th as they made the short trip from Conway to give us a little bit of heaven on earth. I hope you will be experiencing a similar love with your family and friends. Christmas is on Sunday this year, tomorrow. At the Enola church of Christ our worship will be just as deep, just as loving, just as passionate, as always. We do not have to change a single element of our worship together. Every Sunday we celebrate and commemorate the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and eternal promise of the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Every Sunday we sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with all our hearts to the Lord. Every Sunday we pray to our Father about our needs and the needs of those we love while giving thanks for God’s continual provision. Every Sunday we study God’s word just like the church did in the Bible. Every Sunday we examine ourselves and remember the sacrifice of Christ in the Lord’s Supper. Every Sunday we share from the bounty of blessings we have received from the hand of God into the hands of our eldership to be directed and distributed for the cause of Christ in our area and throughout the world. What a wonderful blessing it is to be a Christian and a member of the Enola church of Christ.
Thank you for allowing me to be your minister and friend for the past 6 months. God continues to bless us as we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, just like Jesus spoke about in His sermon on the mountain in Matthew 5-7. We have some among us, our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering with sickness, pain, disease, relationship issues, temptations, trials, and testings. Let us put the lessons we have been taught over the past few weeks on prayer to work in our lives for ourselves and those around us who are suffering. I am praying for them. Join me in doing the same every day. Remember what Jesus said, “Ask…Seek…Knock…” When we ask, seek, and knock, He promises that we will receive, find, and the door will be opened to us. We do not always receive what we ask for. We do not always find what we are seeking. We do not always knock and have the door we knocked on open up for us. God promises to fulfill our needs according to His rich mercies. Too many times we stand in opposition to God in our personal lives and then wonder why our prayers and efforts seem to fail. May we stand close to our Father in word and deed so that His blessings toward us will shower down upon us like the recent rains we have experienced.
The coming year; 2012 will be one of the best yet. God is so good. Let us always be thankful.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Can you believe that Christmas is only a week away now with 2012 rushing in right after? Just think about all the changes that have taken place in 2011. Whew! I get dizzy just thinking about it. Cindi and I have experienced some drastic changes for sure. Some changes have been very positive: Cindi’s graduation from SC with her MBA, our move from South Carolina back home to Arkansas, a new ministry with the church of Christ at Enola, a new home, new friends, living closer to our children and grand children. I could go on and on. We have also experienced changes that have been sorrowful. I don’t have to make a list. God has provided for us all along the way. What will 2012 hold for us? Whatever comes our way, whatever challenges, changes, and chances we experience, God will provide for us what is needed. I am so excited about our future together as a congregation of God’s people. May we continue to grow warmer through fellowship, deeper through discipleship, stronger through worship, BROADER THROUGH MINISTRY, and wider through evangelism. The Enola Church of Christ is doing just fine. We are growing in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
EVERYONE INVITED! The Burleson’s would like to invite the entire congregation to an OPEN HOUSE at our new home this coming Sunday afternoon, December 18th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. No gifts please. Your presence will be your precious gift to us. Just come by after lunch and visit with us. Check your bulletin this Sunday morning for our new address. We live right behind Phil and Learleen.
We will host the December Birthday and Anniversary Get-Together at our house on Sunday, January 1st immediately following the evening service. We will provide the cupcakes, drinks, and utensils. You can bring your favorite finger-food if you would like. This is a slight change in our usual last Sunday in the month format due to Christmas being on Sunday this year. If you or a member of our immediate family has a birthday or anniversary in December, please come to the Burleson’s for a time of celebration. In January our get-together will be Sunday, January 29th for our January birthdays and anniversaries.
On Sunday morning we will once again ask the most important question in the world; “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” then analyze the question. Am I ready to be saved? Am I willing to be saved? Am I able to be saved? One might be ready, but unwilling, like King Agrippa. One might be willing, but not ready, like the Ethiopian nobleman. One might also be ready and willing, but not able, like Cornelius. Are you ready, willing, and able? No excuses. No rationalizations. No more waiting. Come and be saved.
On Sunday evening we will focus our attention on “Growth- What Does It Take – Growing Broader Through Ministry.” Our lesson text is found in Matthew 25 where Jesus describes that great judgment scene. He talked about how He was in need and people either helped Him or didn’t. Those who helped Him went to heaven. Those who didn’t were turned away. Wehen we serve others, we serve our Lord.
EVERYONE INVITED! The Burleson’s would like to invite the entire congregation to an OPEN HOUSE at our new home this coming Sunday afternoon, December 18th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. No gifts please. Your presence will be your precious gift to us. Just come by after lunch and visit with us. Check your bulletin this Sunday morning for our new address. We live right behind Phil and Learleen.
We will host the December Birthday and Anniversary Get-Together at our house on Sunday, January 1st immediately following the evening service. We will provide the cupcakes, drinks, and utensils. You can bring your favorite finger-food if you would like. This is a slight change in our usual last Sunday in the month format due to Christmas being on Sunday this year. If you or a member of our immediate family has a birthday or anniversary in December, please come to the Burleson’s for a time of celebration. In January our get-together will be Sunday, January 29th for our January birthdays and anniversaries.
On Sunday morning we will once again ask the most important question in the world; “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” then analyze the question. Am I ready to be saved? Am I willing to be saved? Am I able to be saved? One might be ready, but unwilling, like King Agrippa. One might be willing, but not ready, like the Ethiopian nobleman. One might also be ready and willing, but not able, like Cornelius. Are you ready, willing, and able? No excuses. No rationalizations. No more waiting. Come and be saved.
On Sunday evening we will focus our attention on “Growth- What Does It Take – Growing Broader Through Ministry.” Our lesson text is found in Matthew 25 where Jesus describes that great judgment scene. He talked about how He was in need and people either helped Him or didn’t. Those who helped Him went to heaven. Those who didn’t were turned away. Wehen we serve others, we serve our Lord.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Cindi and I are changing addresses once again, hopefully for the very last time, Lord willing. We will be moving to our new home just a short distance back toward Conway Saturday morning, early and will certainly appreciate the help that our brothers and sisters in Christ at Enola will be giving us. It’s hard to believe that I have been your minister for almost 6 months now. In some ways it is hard for me to remember being anywhere else. In other ways it seems that we have only just begun to enjoy all that God has in store for us here in our Enola home. Please pray for the sale of our house in South Carolina. We took a trip to SC the first of this week to sign a new six month contract with a realtor, rake leaves, paint two rooms, and see that everything there is ready for a new owner. We don’t know who the next owner will be. God does know and we ask that His will be done for us. He always provides what is needed.
This Sunday morning, December 11th we will begin a new three-lesson series entitled “What Must I Do to Be Saved? – An Analysis of the Question.” We will look at the question with three words: Ready, Willing, and Able. In order to be saved, one must be ready to be saved. In order to be saved, one must be willing to be saved. In order to be saved, one must be able to be saved. We always have some in our services who have not yet become Christians. It is my prayer that these lessons will help those who have not yet trusted and obeyed Christ to do so. Wouldn’t it be great to begin the new year as a Christian? I am here to help you.
On Sunday evening we will continue in our series “Growth, What Does It Take.” This Sunday evening we will consider the fact that we will grow stronger through worship. When we come together as the church of Christ, we sing, pray, give, commune with Christ in the Lord’s Supper, and study God’s word. In order to be strong we must worship God in spirit and in truth. We must worship Him with our heart, not just with our lips. We must worship God in remembrance and in self-examination. The church at Corinth were weak, sickly, and spiritually asleep. Why? They were not worshipping God in the right way. We will take a look at their situation and make sure that we worship God honorably.
Our Church Luncheon last Sunday afternoon was tremendous even in the pouring down rain all day long. In all my years of preaching I have never seen that much food in one place. Wow! I just stood there at the dessert table in awe at the beauty of such blessings. The best part of the luncheon was the beautiful fellowship we enjoyed together. Our Brother Greg Floyd is doing a fantastic job already as one of our new deacons planning and organizing new and various activities for the church that we might grow warmer through fellowship. To God be the glory in all that we do in His name.
Christmas is now only a few days away. The New Year 2012 follows. What shall we do? May we put into practice all that we are studying and learning from our Bible classes and from the pulpit! I will. Will you? We can do it.
This Sunday morning, December 11th we will begin a new three-lesson series entitled “What Must I Do to Be Saved? – An Analysis of the Question.” We will look at the question with three words: Ready, Willing, and Able. In order to be saved, one must be ready to be saved. In order to be saved, one must be willing to be saved. In order to be saved, one must be able to be saved. We always have some in our services who have not yet become Christians. It is my prayer that these lessons will help those who have not yet trusted and obeyed Christ to do so. Wouldn’t it be great to begin the new year as a Christian? I am here to help you.
On Sunday evening we will continue in our series “Growth, What Does It Take.” This Sunday evening we will consider the fact that we will grow stronger through worship. When we come together as the church of Christ, we sing, pray, give, commune with Christ in the Lord’s Supper, and study God’s word. In order to be strong we must worship God in spirit and in truth. We must worship Him with our heart, not just with our lips. We must worship God in remembrance and in self-examination. The church at Corinth were weak, sickly, and spiritually asleep. Why? They were not worshipping God in the right way. We will take a look at their situation and make sure that we worship God honorably.
Our Church Luncheon last Sunday afternoon was tremendous even in the pouring down rain all day long. In all my years of preaching I have never seen that much food in one place. Wow! I just stood there at the dessert table in awe at the beauty of such blessings. The best part of the luncheon was the beautiful fellowship we enjoyed together. Our Brother Greg Floyd is doing a fantastic job already as one of our new deacons planning and organizing new and various activities for the church that we might grow warmer through fellowship. To God be the glory in all that we do in His name.
Christmas is now only a few days away. The New Year 2012 follows. What shall we do? May we put into practice all that we are studying and learning from our Bible classes and from the pulpit! I will. Will you? We can do it.
Friday, December 2, 2011
December has arrived and with it the cold temperatures, 27 degrees up in the country and beautiful clear blue Arkansas skies. This morning, Thursday, December 1st, the frost on the grass looked like snow. A chubby Blue Jay was sitting in the bare crape myrtle in my back yard in the cold breeze. Every season offers both blessings and challenges. December reminds us that the year is coming to a close and a new year is on the horizon. December says, “Merry Christmas.” We think of family, friends, food, fellowship, and how blessed we are to live in America, the home of the brave and the land of the free. We will be shopping for special gifts to give to those we love and an extra gift or two for people we may not even know, orphans, widows, widowers, the lonely, the poor, the neglected, and the stranger. Some of us will be dropping hints about something special we might like to receive. I’ve hinted to Cindi a time or two about how much I really need a pair of cowboy boots. I’m thinking that we might need to stop by a western wear store just to look around. No problem. Jesus said it. Luke wrote it (Acts 20:35). Paul quoted it. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
This Sunday, December 4th will be a very special time for the church at Enola and all who might join us for worship and fellowship. We will meet for Bible study at 10:00 a.m. like always then unite for worship together at 11:00. Immediately following the worship hour we will meet over in the fellowship building for a luncheon together. Every member will be bringing their best potluck dishes to share and enjoy. Every guest will be cordially welcomed to stay and enjoy the luncheon with us. As soon as we get everything cleaned up we will meet back in the auditorium for an afternoon service. We will then break for the day to spend time with family, friends, and neighbors. This will be my first such luncheon since becoming a member of the Enola congregation. I get excited just writing about it. God is so good to us. We are so very blessed. May we honor Him and show our gratitude to Him today and every day.
This Sunday morning our lesson is entitled “Am I willing?” Sometimes God is willing and sometimes God is not willing. Sometimes we are willing and sometimes we are not willing. When we pray, we should always pray with the knowledge, desire, and the words, “Not my will, but Your will be done, O Lord.” We will look at TRUST. Peter was willing, then wasn’t. We will look at OBEDIENCE. Jesus own brothers were not willing, then were. We will also look at SACRIFICE. The Pharisees were willing to a point, but were not willing to finish to the end. I hope you will be here for this lesson that will challenge your thinking and your life.
On Sunday evening we will continue in our series entitled, “Growth – What Does It Take.” We can grow. Growth takes proper food, reasonable exercise, and time. We can grow warmer through fellowship. We studied about fellowship last Sunday. We can also grow deeper through discipleship. What does it mean to be a disciple? How can we grow deeper this way. We’ll answer these questions from the Bible.
The new Bible study quarter begins on Sunday and Wednesday with some teachers continuing and a few new teachers. If you are not involved in one of our Bible studies, this will be a great time to start. I hope you will. I certainly do benefit from our time together studying God’s word.
This Sunday, December 4th will be a very special time for the church at Enola and all who might join us for worship and fellowship. We will meet for Bible study at 10:00 a.m. like always then unite for worship together at 11:00. Immediately following the worship hour we will meet over in the fellowship building for a luncheon together. Every member will be bringing their best potluck dishes to share and enjoy. Every guest will be cordially welcomed to stay and enjoy the luncheon with us. As soon as we get everything cleaned up we will meet back in the auditorium for an afternoon service. We will then break for the day to spend time with family, friends, and neighbors. This will be my first such luncheon since becoming a member of the Enola congregation. I get excited just writing about it. God is so good to us. We are so very blessed. May we honor Him and show our gratitude to Him today and every day.
This Sunday morning our lesson is entitled “Am I willing?” Sometimes God is willing and sometimes God is not willing. Sometimes we are willing and sometimes we are not willing. When we pray, we should always pray with the knowledge, desire, and the words, “Not my will, but Your will be done, O Lord.” We will look at TRUST. Peter was willing, then wasn’t. We will look at OBEDIENCE. Jesus own brothers were not willing, then were. We will also look at SACRIFICE. The Pharisees were willing to a point, but were not willing to finish to the end. I hope you will be here for this lesson that will challenge your thinking and your life.
On Sunday evening we will continue in our series entitled, “Growth – What Does It Take.” We can grow. Growth takes proper food, reasonable exercise, and time. We can grow warmer through fellowship. We studied about fellowship last Sunday. We can also grow deeper through discipleship. What does it mean to be a disciple? How can we grow deeper this way. We’ll answer these questions from the Bible.
The new Bible study quarter begins on Sunday and Wednesday with some teachers continuing and a few new teachers. If you are not involved in one of our Bible studies, this will be a great time to start. I hope you will. I certainly do benefit from our time together studying God’s word.
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