All is well in my old Kentucky home...

Hello from beautiful Louisville, Kentucky and your friend Mickey Burleson and the Watterson Trail Church of Christ.  We’re having a wonderful summer, busy as always showing and sharing the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.  God is blessing us.  We’re thankful.

Our Tuesday Summer Series is going very well.  Brother Luke Ashby came over from the New Harmony congregation last night (16^th) to share a sermon on “Christ is Declared” as we celebrate “The Christian’s Confidence” and a study of the book of First John.  Think about all that John the Beloved felt, heard, and saw as Jesus walked on the earth.  John was there, right there when Jesus stilled the storm, right there when Lazarus came out of the tomb still clothed in his grave clothes, right there when Bartimaeus called out for mercy and received his sight, right there when Jesus spoke with Moses and Elijah, right there when Jesus was tortured and murdered, right there when Jesus asked him to take care of His mother, right there when Jesus arose and showed His wounds, right there.  Then John writes about it and so much more in his letters in the Bible.  He says in First John 1:3-4; “that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.  And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”  One of these days, maybe soon, maybe later we’ll feel, hear, and see that what John wrote is indeed true.  Now I know through faith.  Then, faith will not be required.  And what a day that will be!

This Sunday (21^st) my sermon will be taken from only one verse, Romans 15:4.  Paul teaches us about the strong (fathers) and the weak (children).  He says that the strong should take care of the weak.  Jesus did.  God gave us His word, the Bible to help us live the way we should.  Fathers are to be teachers.  We should be patient, comforting, and hopeful.  I want to be like Jesus.  Do you?

On Sunday afternoon at 1:30 I’ll be preaching the first of four lessons from Peter, Andrew, James, and John, one lesson from each of these fishermen.  If you would like to read ahead, read Acts 3:1-10.  Peter and John were walking to the temple to pray.  They spotted a lame man who was over 40 years old sitting at the beautiful gate asking for help.  He was born that way.  Peter stopped and said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have, I give you…”  Peter spoke in the name of Jesus and the lame man arose and walked.  What a sight!  What a different world we would live in if each of us would simple make it our aim to do what we can with what we have.  Too many of us dream about and talk about what we could, or would, or should do if only we had this or that.  But what are we doing with what we have? 

God is excellent.  Trust Him and obey Him.  His way is the best way and the only way to real and lasting happiness.

Summer Series at Watterson Trail begins tonight...

It’s June.  Summer is upon us and with it we welcome our Tuesday Summer Series at Watterson Trail.  Every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in June, July, and August we welcome 13 gospel preachers from the area who will preach to help us learn more about the confidence every Christian enjoys in Jesus Christ.  We are studying through the book of First John.  This evening (June 2^nd) Brother Alvin White from just across the bridge in Jeffersonville, Indiana will kick off our summer series in a dynamic fashion.  Then next Tuesday (June 9^th) we will welcome Brother Drew Custer from the Okolona congregation.  He will be speaking on the topic; “Christ is Verified.” I hope you will be present for every summer series session.  Our children, preteens, and teens will have classes designed especially for them.  Young adults and older adults will be meeting in the main auditorium for our special summer series.  I know that this series of lessons from God’s word will be a blessing to everyone.

God is blessing us here at Watterson Trail.  We are in the process of selecting additional elders and deacons to serve the congregation and our community.  I am in the midst of preaching lessons aimed at helping us to know the heart, mind, life, and legacy of a servant of God.  Our next series will help us understand the qualifications God has set in place for every elder and deacon.  You can find these qualifications in Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus.  Please pray for us as we endeavor to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ our Lord.  A larger foundation supports and larger congregation.

Words I will not say:

1.       “Can’t” – Philippians 4:13

2.       “Never” – Mark 9:23

3.       “Quit” – Galatians 6:9

4.       “Depressed” – 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

5.       “Hate” – Romans 5:5

6.       “Doubt” – Romans 10:17

7.       “Broken” – Acts 27

How about you?  Don’t say “I can’t” because you can through Christ who strengthens you.  Don’t say “I can never make it” because if you believe, all things are possible to him who believes.  Don’t say “I quit” because only those who refuse to quit will receive the good from their labors.  Don’t let depression master your life because though we are hard-pressed on every side, we are not crushed.  Though we are perplexed, we are not in despair.  Though we are persecuted, we are not forsaken.  Though we are struck down, we are not destroyed.  God will provide.  Don’t hate.  God’s love is everywhere, poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  Don’t doubt.  Get into God’s word, the Bible.  Faith comes through reading, hearing, and meditating on His word.  Life may try to break us.  When you read about the shipwreck in Acts 27, note that Paul and the others who suffered through the storm used the broken pieces to make it to safety.

May God bless us to trust Him and obey Him.  I will.  Will you?