Watermelons are finally affordable!

     This week we have enjoyed the beautiful weather with cooler temperatures and several showers of rain.  We’re thankful to the Lord God for His rich blessings toward us.  Just today I noticed that the cattle in several pastures were lying down; a sure sign of plenty.  Could it be that David remembered all those days and nights out in the fields watching over his father’s sheep when he wrote Psalm 23?  He wrote about the Good Shepherd; “He makes me to lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul.”  In my mind I can almost see David, as a young man noticing the sheep or cattle lying down in green pastures, full, satisfied, content, and at peace.  Oh, if we would trust Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, if we would follow Him, if we would hear Him and obey Him.  What a difference this would make in life today and into eternity. 

     Our sermon tomorrow, Sunday, August 4^th will be lesson two in our series “Have a Good Day.”  Last Sunday we looked at the first ingredient:  Live One Day at a Time.  The second ingredient in the recipe for a good day is “Count Your Blessings.”  Too many people, Christians too, are too busy counting their issues, ailments, limitations, problems, and worries instead of their blessings.  Now don’t get me wrong.  I realize that we live in a real world, a world of the negative things listed above.  We must focus on our blessings, not our issues.  We hit what we aim for.  We aim at what we focus on.  What are we focusing on?  Problems?  Or Blessings?  Right in the middle of our problem, we can, if we will remember to count our blessings.  Right in the middle of dealing with our issues, we can, if we will remember to count our blessings.  The past is history.  Tomorrow may never be.  Today is where we are right now.  Are we truly living life the way we need to be living it right now, today, this very moment?  I hope you are.  When you find that you are counting the wrong things, stop and count your blessings.

     On Sunday evening we are looking at some things that can make our break our mission to show and share the gospel of Christ with those we know and love.  Last Sunday we looked at five words that can make our break our mission: Sanctify, Ready, Hope, Meekness, and Fear.  This Sunday evening we will look at five feelings that can make or break our mission for Christ.  

     School will be back in session in just a few days.  Be a little more attentive when you are out and about.  Traffic is heavier with all those college students back for the fall semester at our local colleges, especially around Conway.  It won’t be long before we’ll be seeing school buses picking up and dropping off our children and grandchildren.  Leave a little bit earlier for work and when you are running errands.  Please, please put your cell phone away while you are driving.  You can tell when someone is talking on their cell phones or texting while driving.  They are usually driving too slow then too fast then back to too slow.  They weave and wobble left and right.  How do I know this?  Well, I was behind a driver on Highway 64 today doing this.  When he looked up from his phone into his rearview mirror and saw the big DODGE symbol on the front of my truck, he refocused, put his phone down, sped up, and drove away from me.  Parents:  Sit your teenage or collage age drivers down and speak with them about life and death, texting, cell phones, and driving an automobile. 

     May God bless you and your family is my prayer every day.  Hope to see you tomorrow at the Enola Church of Christ facilities, up in the country, just north of Enola on highway 107.