Life's Ups and Downs

     Life is a series of ups and downs, a balance of give and take, like the waves of the ocean on the beach, ever coming in and then back out again.  A baby is born and we are so very happy.  A loved one dies and we are so very sad.  One week we have a windfall.  The next week we have an unexpected expense.  If you haven’t figured this out yet, open your eyes to see.  Live a little while longer.  Understand that this is how it is.  I’m not being negative about this fact of life, just honest and accepting.  I have found that when I accept the facts of life, my frustration vanishes.  One thing is for sure:  The world cannot take more than God can give.  This is also a fact of life.  I am so thankful.

     This coming Sunday morning (17^th) we will end our series of sermons entitled “All Means All.”  We have been looking at the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-10 to see that Jesus has been given all authority.  He told His disciples to go into all the world to disciple people then baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  We are commanded to observe all that Jesus commanded.  We cannot pick and choose the commands that we will or will not observe.  Jesus said that we must observe ALL His commands.  This Sunday morning we will conclude this series with the final “all” of the Great Commission:  Jesus promised to be with us ALWAYS, even to the end of the age.  I hope you will be present for worship and fellowship this Sunday.

     On Sunday evening we are looking at The Old Rugged Cross:  the requirements, the experiences, and the end of the Old Rugged Cross.  “On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; and I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.  So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.”  There are requirements if we pick up the old rugged cross to carry it as a Christian.  It takes Courage, Reason, Obedience, Sacrifice, and Sincerity.  Last Sunday we looked at courage.  This Sunday evening we will consider reason.

     Our Homecoming 2013 on March 3^rd was so good.  Brother and Sister Coker were with us.  Brother Coker preached and shared many memories of the twelve years he served as our minister (1990-2002).  We were blessed to have 173 present.  The entire day was filled with smiles, happy hearts, and rejoicing in the love of Christ Jesus.  I am so very happy to be a member of the Enola Church of Christ and especially happy to be the minister.

     We are having a very special Ladies Bible Study every Monday evening at 6:30 in the Annex Building.  Cindi is teaching the class from God’s word to help every woman present to find peace in life.  Life is often filled with responsibilities, pressures, difficulties, temptations, and everyone and everything it seems, pulling at us.  This class is designed to help every Christian woman find peace in the midst of such stresses in life.  This is a ladies only study.

     Spring is on the horizon.  Last Saturday was one of those days that we look forward to all winter long; 72 degrees, sunshine, flowers breaking through the soil…Don’t you just love it?  Then, Monday comes and wait a minute…What happened?  30 degrees!  Wind blowing the rain sideways.  Cold!  Whew!  Just a reminder that winter is not quite finished with us yet.  God has everything in hand.  I’m glad.