Our invitation - "Come to Jesus."

March 9, 2019 - Hello.  Welcome.  In Matthew 11:1, Jesus “finished commanding His twelve disciples” and taught and preached in their cities.  He answered John’s question (3); “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” with (4) “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see.”  After speaking about John’s mission and His own, He rebuked the cities who should have believed in Him but would not repent (20).  He then prayed a prayer of thanksgiving to His Father (25-27) after which He extended His great invitation (28-30); “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

I heard about a Christian brother who skipped out on the assembly of the church one Sunday.  Here is his story.  

I didn’t meet with the church for worship and fellowship on the Lord’s Day this week.  On Monday a friend met me on the street and said, “I noticed that you were absent from our assembly yesterday.  Will you be there next Sunday?”  “No,” I replied.  “I can’t make it.  Don’t look for me.”  Two Christian brothers saw me on Tuesday at Walmart and asked me about my absence.  I said to the first, “I wish I could have been there on Sunday, maybe next Sunday” and to the second, “My schedule looks impossible, but I’ll try to make it.”  On Wednesday morning at the Post Office a fourth Christian brother asked if I would be at church next service.  “I’ll certainly try to be there, but I may not be able to make it.”  Before I reached my car a fifth Christian stopped me, and then and there I promised I would be there for sure.  I don’t know whose official duty it was to contact me, but I couldn’t resist the invitation from five Christian brothers and sisters.  

What lessons can we learn from this story?  #1 - We all like to go where we are wanted and needed.  If we want the saved and the unsaved, the different and the indifferent, as well as our absentee brother or sister to attend when the church meets together to hear the best news in all the world, we must let them know.  #2 – I must take advantage of every opportunity to help others to stay on the pathway to true happiness here and then heaven hereafter.  If we really want them to come, we will look for the opportunity to invite them and remind them.  #3 – We’re all in this together.  Note that one invitation wasn’t enough to shake this wayward brother into action.  Though he rejected the first invitation with little concern, note the positive impact of every other invitation and reminder.  

Sunday morning – “A Scripture Text for Life – Proverbs 3:1-6.”  We’ll look at David’s negligence and the cost of yielding to the devil’s temptations.

Sunday evening – “God’s Eternal Promise – Forgiveness.”  Amazing Grace how sweet the sound...

Steadfast...Unmovable...Always Abounding...

Hello from Morrilton, Arkansas in view of Petit Jean Mountain beside the beautiful Arkansas River.  It seems that old winter is fighting hard to stay with us.  Wednesday (27^th) was a warm and sunny 65.  They say that it will be 17 on Sunday evening.  As we all know and take comfort in, spring is just around the corner.  I’m glad.  It will be so good to see the flowers popping up and the trees budding out again.  God has everything under control.  

The Harding Street church of Christ is doing just fine, continuing in the Way of Jesus Christ in simplicity and steadfastness.  It seems that the world around us moves further and further away from three solid Christian principles:  continuance, simplicity, and steadfastness.  Is faith in God through His only Son, Jesus Christ, repentance, confession, baptism, and true Christian living so difficult to understand in these modern times?  What does Hebrews 11:1 tell us about faith?  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Could it be that the very reason life seems hopeless to too many people is found is this simple verse of Scripture?  Think about it.  Faith is the very substance of hope.  Though we may not “see” God, His Son, the Holy Spirit, or heaven yet, our faith is the evidence and our confidence in their reality.  When we “mess up,” make a mistake, do something wrong, fail to meet expectations, or commit sin, saying “I’m sorry” and changing our hearts, minds, and actions is common sense and exactly the right thing to do.  Either Jesus the Christ, the Savior or He isn’t.  There is no in between.  He is.  To deny Him is to reject the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Jesus is the One and Only way to the Father (John 14:6).  No matter what people say or believe or teach, baptism is required for salvation because Jesus declared it to be.  To His disciples He said, “Go, teach, baptize, and teach and He would be right there with them” (Matthew 28:18-20).    Why do some feel as though these basic principles are from some “bygone era” and should be discounted as “old-fashioned” and irrelevant in this, our modern-day society?  It is true.  The Bible is still relevant, still vibrant, still alive, still convicting, still needed, still true yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever.  Count on it.

Sunday is March 3^rd and so we begin a new series of lessons entitled “A Scripture Text for Life.”  I am so excited to share this series with you from Proverbs 3:1-6.  Every Sunday morning sermon will be taken from this simple text.  Our first lesson is taken from verses 1 and 2 “My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of day and long life and peace they will add to you.”  Simple and to the point!  You would think so.  After all, we all want good and happy days and a long and peaceful life.  But we have a few problems that stand in the way of remembering and keeping what we know to remember and keep; problems like deception (Eve), passion (David), fear (Peter), greed (Judas Iscariot), and impatience (Probably you and me).   What was it that empowered Jesus to stay strong in the midst of these temptations?  He remembered.  He kept.  We’ll consider these things and commit ourselves to remember and keep God’s commands.  Come and see.

Wow! God certainly does fulfill His promises!

Welcome!  I’m so happy that you are reading my blog post this week and every week.  In addition to this article be sure to check out the other sections of our new website:  www.hardingstreetcoc.com: the Harding Street bulletin, our calendar, education information and coming soon; good reading for ladies, a youth page, and audio sermons.  We want to communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ any and every way we can to those who are searching for the Way to goodness and mercy all the way to heaven.  David wrote about the Christian life in Psalm 23:6 when he wrote; “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  Of course these promises rest upon Jesus as the Shepherd of our lives.  We (The church of Christ that meets at 906 E. Harding Street) are truly a people who love God.  We want to serve Him every day.  We want to show and share Jesus’ tender loving care as we serve others.  We want to reflect the Light to those around us.  We truly want to teach, love, and care with the same passion and compassion that Jesus has for all the world.  May God, the Morrilton community, and the world see Jesus living in us!

This week has been one of those weeks every preacher dreams about and hopes and prays for.  On Sunday (17^th) we welcomed Brother Don Atkins to the church of Christ at Harding Street.  Brother Don will certainly be a wonderful asset to the church.  He will be teaching the auditorium Bible class beginning in March.  They will begin a study of the Judges.  We then had the great privilege of witnessing three new deacons accept their appointment; Brothers Marion Chenault, Jamie McCoy, and Brent DuVall.  Then at the close of Brother Bane’s sermon we celebrated a new Christian being born into the family of Christ as Emmy Lou DuVall confessed Jesus as Savior and was baptized into Christ by her dad, Brent, who was just appointed as a deacon.  Then, later on Sunday we had a new Christian brother added to the church as Seth Hall confessed Jesus as the Son of God and was baptized into Christ.  On Wednesday evening we announced the news that David and Pam Petroff have decided to be members at Harding Street.  God always fulfills His promises.  What did the Apostle Paul write in 1 Corinthians 3:6?  “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.”  This we will do.  This God will do.

This Sunday (24^th) we have Brother Bob Turner and his lovely wife visiting with us.  Brother Turner will share a lesson from God’s word at the worship hour then speak to the auditorium class about a new project he is directing called “The Leadership Project.”  If you’d like to investigate this new work, the website is www.leadership-project.com.  And don’t forget the hyphen.  

Our Sunday evening lesson is entitled “Jesus – Concerning Salvation.”  We often sing the song “Trust and Obey.”  The chorus of this song teaches us about true faith in Jesus:  “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”  When we look in the Bible we find that faith is actually a combination of trust and obedience just like the song says.  The writer to the Hebrews in chapter 11 and verse 6 teaches us about true faith: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is (TRUST) and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (OBEDIENCE).”  We’ll consider this on the evening worship hour. 

Happy Valentine's Day - All you need is love!

February 14, 2019 – Hello…And Happy Valentine’s Day today! Love.  Oh yes!  All we need is love.  You know this is true.  What would happen today in your life and mine if we decided to love the way Jesus did, the way He taught, the way He asks us to?  Well?  Let’s do it.  Let’s love and see.

Sunday we will gather together at 906 Harding Street in Morrilton, Arkansas to remember Christ Jesus our Savior who loves us and gave His all for our salvation.  As we remember His sacrifice on this Lord’s Day let us take a serious and honest look at how we’ve lived our lives so that we may worship God in spirit and in truth.  If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).  It could be that our relationship with God is just the way it needs to be.  Great!  Just keep on keeping on; teaching, loving, and caring, just like Jesus.  Brother Bane will be preaching on the morning and I’ll be preaching on the evening.  Next Sunday, February 24^th Brother Bob Turner will be with us to preach and then share some valuable information on the “Leadership Project” at the 10:15 Bible Class hour in the auditorium.

Congratulations to our three new deacons:  Marion Chenault, Brent Duvall, and Jason McCoy.  They will be appointed on Sunday just prior to the sermon to serve alongside David Blaylock, Tony Chenault, and Gary Watters.  To God be the glory in all that we do today and in the coming days to further the gospel of Christ in our Morrilton community and throughout the world.  Our task is to plant the seed of the word of God, to water the seed with faith, love, and hope, and then wait with prayer, patience, and perseverance for God to fulfill His promise to “give the increase” according to His will and purpose (1 Corinthians 3:6).  And this we will do!

We are so very happy to announce that Brother Don Atkins has decided to work and worship with us here at Harding Street.  Don has been with us for worship and fellowship for the past couple of months.  God is blessing us just like He promised by sending us laborers into His harvest.  What does Jesus say in Matthew 9:37-38?  Read it and see.  When we pray, God hears and answers.  I am praying for my Christian brothers and sisters; for those who have fallen away to return and for those who have not yet been born in Christ to hasten to trust and obey.  Do you remember the sermon I preached not too long ago on what it takes to grow?  Remember:  FOOD (God’s word spoken, taught, preached, and heard), EXERCISE (Putting into practice what we learn from God’s word), and TIME (Patient and steadfast).

LADIES:  There will be a COUNTY-WIDE Ladies Meeting concerning our upcoming LADIES’ DAY this Tuesday, February 19 @ 6:00 p.m. in the Annex at Harding Street.  This meeting is for all ladies at Harding Street (We’re hosting this year) and also ladies around the county.

Can you believe it? February already! - Spring is just around the corner!

February 3, 2019 - Hello from beautiful Morrilton, Arkansas to reading a little about the happenings in the Harding Street Church of Christ.  What a view we have from our front entrance; Morrilton High School and Devil Dog Stadium.  It seems that I have always been and ever will be a Devil Dog fan.  Every morning when I drop out of my Ford F150 truck seat to go into the church office I glance across the street and thank my heavenly Father.  

Our weather has been really been a bear recently; 18 one day and then 70 a few days later.  I am so happy that the ice and snow is further north.  Winter will soon give way to Spring and I’m glad about that.  God knows what He’s doing.  It will be so good to see the flowers popping up and the trees budding out again in just a few weeks, Lord willing.  

The Harding Street congregation is doing just fine, continuing in the Way of Jesus Christ in simplicity and steadfastness, holding strong to the faith that is in Christ.  It seems that the world around us continues to move further and further away from these three principles:  continuance, simplicity, and steadfastness. (Consider what recently took place in the halls of government in the state of New York.)  Is faith in God so difficult to “get?”  What does Hebrews 11:6 tell us about faith?  And what about repentance?  When we sin; saying “I’m sorry” and changing our hearts, minds, and actions is common sense and Biblical truth (Acts 2:38).  Is God asking us to do something that we just cannot do?  I don’t think so.  And what about confession?  Either we deny Jesus as the Christ or we confess Him as the Christ.  There is no in between (Matthew 6:24).  And baptism?   No matter what people say or teach to the contrary, baptism is required simply because Jesus declared it to be (Matthew 28:18-20).  And is true sincere Christian living so difficult to grasp?  Why do some feel as though these basic principles are from some bygone era and should be discounted as “old-fashioned” and irrelevant in this, our modern-day society?  Fact is:  The Bible is indeed a very old book; but still relevant, still vibrant, still alive, still convicting, still needed, still true in this day in which we live. And here at Harding Street we will ever read it, respect it, rely on it, teach it, and preach it until our Savior comes again.

Brother Bane and I will change things up a little bit this month.  Brother Bane will be preaching on Sunday morning today, the 10^th and the 17^th.  I’ll be preaching Sunday evening tonight, the 17^th and the 24^th.  We will have a guest preacher on Sunday, February 24^th for the worship hour and Bible class in the auditorium, Brother Bob Turner.  Brother Turner will be visiting with us to preach and then share some very important information with us about a “Leadership Project” that we might get involved in, a ministry that is designed to help us develop leadership within the church.  We’ll see how it goes.  In March I’ll be doing all the preaching on Sunday AM and PM, Lord willing.

Remember that TODAY is the final day to turn in your “Deacon Recommendation Forms.”  We hope to appoint some additional deacons to help David, Tony, and Gary with the ministry of the church.  The elders will be meeting with those you have recommended and plan to announce the names for further consideration on Sunday, February 10^th, Lord willing.

Check out the new Harding Street website – www.hardingstreetcoc.com.  We’re still working on it so be patient as we learn what and how to do what needs to be done.  God is blessing us.

A lot going on in and with the Harding Street Church of Christ...

January 25, 2019 – Hello and welcome to you on this beautiful Arkansas Friday!  Sunday (27th) it will be so good to have the opportunity to meet together on the last Lord’s Day in January, the first day of the week.  We will study the Bible together.  Through the study of God’s word our faith grows stronger, our mind becomes sharper, and our confidence in Christ is reaffirmed after a week of life and living.  We will pray together today.  A family that prays together stays together.  We want to stay together and “be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).  Today we will sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs together.  We sing because Jesus sung (Matthew 26:30).  Just think about the voice of the Son of God has!  One day we’ll hear it.  We sing like Paul sang; with the spirit and with the understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15).  The church is to “speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).  We are to “let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).  “Worship” can become and for many has become more about what pleases people rather than what pleases God.  We will share in the Lord’s Supper, the bread representing Jesus’ body, the fruit of the vine representing Jesus’ blood.  We have communion together every Sunday.  In the Bible the church met to “break bread” on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).  We are continuing steadfastly in the Apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42).  We will “lay something aside” giving as we have purposed in our hearts, not grudgingly or of necessity, but cheerfully and bountifully for the work of the church (1 Corinthians 16:1, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8).  Let us always worship God in spirit and in truth.

We have a lot going on at Harding Street.  We need every member’s TLC (Tender Loving Care).  We need every member's prayers.  We need every member.

We are updating our “Those to Serve” List - EVERY MEMBER @ HARDING STREET:  Please if you have not yet filled out a “Member Profile Sheet,” please do so before you leave on Sunday.  Copies are located on the table in the lobby.  Just fill it out and place it in the plastic holder on the table.  Our deacons need to know who can serve in the many and varied positions in the service of the church.

Additional Deacons – Last Sunday (20^th) we began the process of appointing additional men to serve as deacons at Harding Street.  David, Tony, and Gary need our help.  We have until next Sunday evening, February 3^rd to make our recommendations to the elders.  The eldership will then meet with those we have recommended and place the names before the congregation on February 10^th.  The church will then have two weeks to review these men and Lord willing, we will appoint additional deacons on Sunday morning, February 24^th.  Copies of the “Deacon Recommendation Sheet” are located on the table in the lobby.  Please recommend as many men as you deem qualified (I Timothy 3:8-13).  Thank you.

Sunday we will complete our lesson series “God’s Power through the Principles of Prayer."  We have looked at the DEMAND that we pray, the DESCRIPTION of prayer, and the DIRECTION of Prayer.  Sunday we will consider the DYNAMIC of prayer, the force that moves the hand of God in our lives. 

COMING SOON: Our new and updated website www.hardingstreetcoc.com. 

IN PROCESS: Renovation of Kitchen in the Annex/Installation of Commercial Dishwasher.

BIG PLANS for 2019 - And we're on our way!

January 17, 2019 – We have big plans for so many great and positive changes in the Harding Street church of Christ in this new year.  The elders met with several of the ladies about renovating the kitchen and the ladies restroom in the annex to better suit our needs.  New partitions, new cabinets and counters, and a new commercial dishwasher are now in the works.  

We want to be better organized in our service to God, to the church, and to our guests.  The church of Christ at Harding Street is blessed by God with so many gifted and talented members.  It would be so good to have every member using their gifts and talents to glorify God.  So, if you have not yet filled out a “Member Profile Sheet,” please do so this Sunday.  Copies are located on the table in the lobby.  Just fill it out and place it in the plastic holder on the table.  Our desire is to fulfill the Lord’s directive in I Corinthians 14:40.

We have three of the finest men in the church serving as deacons; David Blaylock, Tony Chenault, and Gary Watters.  They have so much work to do and are in need of help.  This Sunday (20th) we begin the process of appointing additional men to serve as deacons at Harding Street.  To the church:  Please read I Timothy 3:8-15 and recommend men of the church who will serve the church well as additional deacons.  We have until Sunday evening, February 3^rd to make our recommendations.  The eldership will then meet with those we have recommended and place the names before the congregation on February 10.  The church will have two weeks to review these men and Lord willing, we will appoint additional deacons on Sunday morning, February 24^th.  Copies of the “Deacon Recommendation Sheet” are located on the table in the lobby.  Please recommend as many men as you deem qualified.  Thank you so much for your love and commitment to the Lord’s church at Harding Street.

Our theme for January on Sunday morning is: “God’s Power through the Principles of Prayer.”  We have looked at the DEMAND that we pray.   Last Sunday we looked at the DESCRIPTION of prayer; “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and the giving of thanks.”  TODAY we will consider the DIRECTION of Prayer.  Jesus spoke about prayer in Matthew 6:5-6 and said, “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites.  For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men.”  It seems that these people had lost the “direction” of prayer.  They were praying to men.  Jesus said, “Pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”  We pray to the Father in the name of the Son for everyone and in everything.  This we will do.

We’re in the process of getting our website www.hardingstreetcoc.com up and running again.  Linda Fulkerson from the Downtown congregation has special expertise in this area and is working on our site now.  I can’t hardly wait to see how it will look and all the great things we can do to further the gospel of Christ over the internet.  May God bless our efforts with a harvest of new Christians in the coming days is my prayer!  Our task is to plant and water.  God gives the increase in His own time and pace.

Things are always looking up at Harding Street!

January 10, 2019 – What a day, glorious day - TODAY!  God is alive and well.  Sunday is the Lord's Day.  We will gather together to worship Him in spirit and in truth; family and friends, members and guests assembled in the name of Christ Jesus to sing, pray, offer our gifts, hear a message from the word of God, and remember Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection in the Lord’s Supper.  I’m so glad to be a member of the Harding Street Church of Christ at 906 E. Harding Street with you.

We enjoyed a wonderful feast on Tuesday evening (8^th) for our monthly Area-wide Fellowship and Singing.  What a joy it was to see so many smiling faces from so many congregations in our area.  We are not alone in our commitment to Christ.  Thank you to every Christian brother and Christian sister for planning and preparing such delicious soups, stews, breads, desserts, and drinks for our family and our guests.  You are the very best of the Lord’s church at Harding Street.  I am so proud to be your minister and friend.  God is blessing us with all that we need as we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness in life and living (Matthew 6:33).

Remember our theme for January on Sunday mornings: “God’s Power through the Principles of Prayer.”  Last Sunday we looked at the DEMAND that we pray. Prayer should be first (1 Samuel 12:19-25).  Prayer is a command (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  Prayer is the way to blessings (James 4:2), the cure for worry (Matthew 7:7-11), and the pathway to peace (Philippians 4:6).  THIS SUNDAY we will look at the DESCRIPTION of prayer.  Our text will be 1 Timothy 2:1-4.  Just what does it mean to make “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and the giving of thanks for all men?”  What do these things mean?  Paul writes to his son in the faith concerning the desire to “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence (dignity)” and that the church should pray for this.  He says that this is “good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  We’ll consider these things during the sermon time on Sunday, Lord willing.  Hope you can come and hear.

Every Harding Street member is asked to pick up and fill out a “Member Profile Sheet” located on the table in the lobby.  Fill it out and place it in the plastic holder on the table as soon as possible.  We need your help in all areas of ministry here at Harding Street as we “abide in faith, hope, and love, these three, but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).  In all that we do we want to “let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).  To be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work or the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58) is our prayer, plan, and practice.  Working together in the name of Christ our Savior will show our community and the world Jesus living in us.

We’re reviving our website.  Our website www.hardingstreetcoc.com will soon be up and running.  We plan on using our site extensively in the coming days to promote the gospel of Christ here and around the world.  Just wait and see.  You’ll be able to read about the past, present, and future of the church of Christ at Harding Street.  We’ll have our calendar posted on the site, news concerning our ladies, our youth, and our education programs, as well as the many other events and activities at Harding Street.  We plan to have a special page for our local and world missions.  Anyone will be able to visit our website to download and hear the gospel sermons right from our pulpit here at Harding Street.  You’ll be checking our website out every morning, noon, and night.  To God be the glory in all that we do.

Three days in - 2019 - So far, so good. God provides. I'm happy about that.

January 3, 2019 - Hello to you on this third day of 2019.  So far so good.  Did you make any “resolutions” for 2019?  Lose weight.  Spend less.  Save some.  Finish what I start.  Clean out the garage.  Be more patient.  Have less “screen time.”  Talk less and listen more.  Have fun.  Be happy.  The other day my youngest grand and I were together running errands trying to check off a list of things that needed to be done:  #1 – Walmart to get items, #2 – Post office to mail a letter, #3 – Lowe’s to return an item that didn’t work, etc.  She had the list and I noticed later that she had added a few items to it from the back seat; #4 – Sing Christmas songs, #5 – Tell jokes, #6 – Play games, #7 – Have fun, #8 – Be happy.  Isn’t it amazing what we can learn from our children?

Proverbs 3:1-6 is one of my favorite passages from the Bible.  Verses 1 and 2; “My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.”  

Don’t you want length of days, a long life, and peace?  I do.  So, we must not forget the laws and the commands of God.  I receive the promises only when I meet the conditions of the promises.   When I remember God’s law and let my heart keep His commands, then whatever my length of days may be or whatever “long life” may mean and whatever peace can be mine, will be.  Life cannot always be measured in quantity.  A better measure of life could be in quality.

Verse 3 and 4; “Let not mercy and truth forsake you.  Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.”  

What do you think it means to “let not mercy and truth forsake you?”  Can mercy and truth actually forsake us, or is it that we forsake mercy and truth?  I guess either way, we must always let mercy and truth show in and through our lives from our hearts like a necklace.  We must never “hide” such valuables from the world.  Our world desperately needs mercy and truth.  When I am merciful and truthful, Solomon says that I am truly successful in life and living.  People will see me as a light to the world and so will God.

Verse 5 and 6; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”  

Sometimes our thoughts and feelings are pretty good.  However, at other times our thinking and what we feel about a situation cannot be trusted.  We can always trust in God, in His ways, His will, and His word, the Bible.  Those who know me know that I am somewhat directionally challenged.  I need guidance to stay on the right path.  What about you?  When we submit to God’s leadership, to His will, way, and word, to what is right according to Him, He promises to direct the paths of our life.

Our theme for January on Sunday mornings at Harding Street will be “God’s Power through the Principles of Prayer.”  Do you pray?  Would you say that the church of Christ at Harding Street is a praying church?  When should we pray?  How?  Does prayer matter?  This Sunday (6th) we will focus our attention on the DEMAND that we pray.  Prayer should be first (1 Samuel 12:19-25 – A very interesting aspect of prayer).  Prayer is a command from God (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  Prayer is the way to blessings (James 4:2), the cure for worry (Matthew 7:7-11), and the pathway to peace (Philippians 4:6).  Let us pray.  Great things are on the horizon.

Happy New Year - Almost!

December 28, 2018 – Hello to you my friends.  Sunday is the final Lord’s Day in 2018!  The Burleson's certainly have traveled a long way since this time last year.  Cindi and I are so very thankful to be members of the Lord’s church at Harding Street in our home town of Morrilton, Arkansas.  This time last year we lived in Louisville, Kentucky, 540 miles away from you and from our children and grandchildren.  I was preaching at Watterson Trail in J’Town.  Cindi worked as Director of Compliance and Risk Management in Jeffersontown, Indiana.  We had no idea of the changes that would take place in our lives in only 12 months.  Today we live in Morrilton, Arkansas in our own new house.  I am the new minister and one of the elders at Harding Street.  Cindi is an instructor and the Director of the Center for Insurance and Risk Management Studies at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.  And most importantly, we live only 18 miles from our children and grandchildren.  I stand completely amazed and marvel at the ways and purposes of God in life.  What will 2019 hold for us, for my family and yours, for the church of Christ at Harding Street?  The answer to this question I cannot even fathom to imagine considering what I have just written about 2018.  I do know this.  God will provide the answers to our questions, the solutions to our problems, the healing to our hurts, and the strength, wisdom, and help when we need it.  In the sermon time on Sunday (30^th) we will consider what we should focus as our PRIORITY ONE in this new year, 2019.  

Adam and Eve had their unique responsibilities in Genesis 2.  Moses and the Israelites were given the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20.  Solomon wrote about “the whole duty of humanity” in Ecclesiastes 12.  Micah wrote the three things that were most important to God in Micah 6.  Jesus was asked about the “first commandment” in Matthew 22.  He answered this question and then proceeded with the second and then taught about the intensity of His command in John 13.  What is our task today in this new year?  What should be our PRIORTY ONE in 2019?  Come this Sunday at 9:00 a.m. to see.  Simple.  To the point.  Come to Jesus.  Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.  Live in trusting faith in Him. 

Thank you for the confidence you have placed in Brother Bill Brice, myself, and Brother Charles Camp as your eldership.  We will give our all to live out the sermon you’ll hear preached today.  I hope that we will unite together as one congregation of the Lord’s people to Teach as Jesus taught, Love and Jesus loves, and Care with the same passion and principle that Jesus cares for His church and for the lost.  Everyone can use a little “TLC” every day.  Let’s make it our aim to show and share TLC everywhere we are with everyone we meet starting right now.

Every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. right after the morning worship hour we have Bible study sessions for all ages.  Our children are learning so much from God’s word.  Our teens are learning about righteousness from Abel, courage from Caleb, faith from Timothy, humility from Ruth, discipline from David, duty from Esther, compassion from Joseph, friendship from Jonathan, responsibility from Josiah, sacrifice from Jesus, bravery from Joshua, and service from Samuel in a series entitled; “You Don’t Have to Be Old to Be Great.”  I’m teaching the class and please parents of our teenagers; make sure your teen has the opportunity to be a part of this very important study. 

God bless us as we finish out 2018 growing the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Harding Street Church of Christ is growing and looking forward to 2019

December 20, 2018 – Sunday is the day!  We will fulfill our plan at Harding Street to establish a solid foundation for the church in the appointment of elders.  Lord willing, Brother Bill Brice, myself, and Brother Charles Camp will be appointed to serve the congregation as your elders.  During the Sunday morning sermon time Brother Bane will speak about the duties of the eldership to the church and the duties of the church to the eldership.  He will ask the three men who will serve as our elders and every member of the congregation at Harding Street to commit ourselves to loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to loving the church with the same passion.  He will ask us to dedicate ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word in the church and in our community.  He will ask us to endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.  And we will answer the call to this great commission with a resounding “I will.”  

Please continue to pray for your elders as we seek God’s wisdom and guidance in shepherding the church in the ways of Christ Jesus our Savior.  Please be patient and helpful as we learn and grow closer to God and to one another in the most holy faith.  There is much to do and God always provides the means, the plan, and the people to accomplish His purpose for us in the near and distant future.  One of my elders once spoke to me about time and patience.  He said, “Brother Mickey, there is so much to do and there is simply not enough time today to get it all done.  If we don’t get everything done that needs to be done today, then we will find a stopping place and begin again tomorrow.  If Jesus returns between now and then, well, what we didn’t get done won’t matter anyway because we’ll be with Him in heaven. And if Jesus hesitates in His return, then we’ll just pick up where we left off and continue on.  So, let’s just smile, work together, and do what we can do while we can do it.”  Sounds good to me!  What about you?

Brother Buzz Toland will be with us Sunday evening (23^rd) at 5:00 p.m. to report on all the good work we are doing together sharing the gospel of Christ in the mission field.  Please do your very best to be here this evening to hear the good news and show him our continued support.  Come a little bit early this evening at 4:30 for a very special 20 minutes of singing.

There is a small “mailbox” located in the lobby on your left as you enter.  This “mailbox” is for our church mail.  Let’s say you would like to give a Christian brother or sister a “thank you” note, a birthday card, a sympathy card, a card of encouragement, or some other communication.  You can save time and money by just bringing the card with you and leaving it in the appropriate slot; ab, cd, etc.  Also, please check the “mailbox” when you arrive for worship and Bible study for your mail.  This is a temporary box.  We’re having one built that will serve us even better. 

Men:  There is a “Wednesday Evening Devotional” sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the lobby.  Please go by and sign up to give a short devotional lesson or thought on a Wednesday evening of your choice.  We need to hear from you.

Teens:  We are having a Teen Get-Together at the home of Mickey and Cindi Burleson, 10 Winthrop Road in Morrilton on Saturday evening, December 29^th from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.  Food, singing, games, Alabama/Oklahoma NCAA Semifinal Game watching, and just being together as we close out 2018 and plan for a brand new year.  Hope everyone can schedule to be there.  We plan on doing this every month in 2019.

We're almost there. Have a terrific weekend.

December 15, 2018 – Can you believe that Christmas is only 10 days away?  My dad told me about time and how it is.  The older you get the faster time seems to pass by. Plan to stay after Bible class tomorrow for a special Birthday potluck lunch together in the annex.  God is blessing us.  Together we can do so much more.

Congratulations to Katie Chapman upon her obedience to the gospel of Christ on Sunday, December 2^nd.  We will present her baptismal certificate and a book “Now that I’m a Christian” after the worship hour on Sunday morning.  Please let her know how proud we are of her commitment to Christ Jesus. She is one of our champion teens.

We are continuing in our plan at Harding Street to establish a solid foundation for the church in the appointment of elders.  We have three men who are now in view to become our next eldership; Bill Brice, myself, and Charles Camp.  The congregation has done an outstanding job in prayer, consideration, and recommendation of these three men.  Please continue to pray for these men as they also pray for God’s wisdom like Solomon did in I Kings 3, for guidance like Moses did in Exodus 18:1-23, and for strength like Jesus did in John 17 when He was about to give His life for our salvation.  May God bless our efforts to further the cause of the gospel in Morrilton, the great state of Arkansas, and throughout the world.

Next Sunday, December 23, Lord willing we will appoint the new eldership of the Harding Street Church of Christ during the sermon time on Sunday morning.  Brother Bane will officiate the appointment on behalf of the church and ask each Christian brother who will serve as an elder to dedicate himself to faithful patient service and faithful steadfast leadership in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Plans are to begin the process of recommending and appointing deacons as soon as we enter the new year, 2019.  

There is much to do.  Jesus spoke to His disciples in John 4:34-35 and said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.  Do you not say, ‘There are still four months, and then comes the harvest’?  Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest.”  Just this morning (13^th) I was walking down the sidewalk in town trying to get the first thing done from my “to do” list when I heard someone call my name.  I looked up to see one of our Christian sisters who has fallen away from her once firm and committed faith in Christ Jesus.  We talked for a few minutes about this and that, work, my mission to tackle the things on my list, my return to Morrilton, then we spoke about what is most important; the faith.  I don’t know if our meeting will accomplish what I would like it to but I do know that she now knows that someone is praying for her and that there is a pathway from where she is to where she can be all because Jesus walked that path.  My desire and prayer is to walk the pathway that Jesus walked in my thinking, speech, and actions.  How about you?  Are you walking in the footsteps of Jesus?

There is a small “mailbox” located in the lobby on your left as you enter.  This “mailbox” is for our church mail.  Let’s say you would like to give a Christian brother or sister a “thank you” note, a birthday card, a sympathy card, a card of encouragement, or even a Christmas card.  You can save time and money by just bringing the card with you and leaving it in the appropriate slot; ab, cd, etc.  Also, please check the “mailbox” when you arrive for worship and Bible study for your mail.  Please, let’s make an extra effort to build each other up in the most holy faith by sharing words of love and encouragement.  Our “mailbox” is just one way to accomplish this very thing.  Do you remember what Jesus said in Acts 20:35? Jesus said it.  Paul quoted it.  Luke wrote it:  “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  Oh, how true it is.  See for yourself.

There is much to do. There is work on every hand. Here am I send me.

December 6, 2018 – Christmas is only 19 days away.  Then “Happy New Year – 2019” is next up.  What will the new year hold for you and me, for us at Harding Street church of Christ?  I’m thinking about all the wonderful times we’re going to have as a Christian family; the tremendous opportunities for service, fellowship, and growth that will be presented to us and the many and various challenges that await us, challenges that will strengthen our faith, revive our hope, and lead us to a deeper and fervent love for one another and for our Savior Jesus Christ.  I’m thinking about, praying for, and planning for the many people who will walk through these doors at 906 E. Harding Street to hear the gospel, see that gospel lived out in our community by the church, and then want to have what we have.  I’m praying for you and me, that we will look at the world through the eyes of Jesus to see their need for salvation in Christ and show and share His invitation with them.  We can do this.  One day at a time.  And of course, LORD WILLING.  Jesus promised His return.  He didn't say when.  So we must plan for tomorrow and prepare for and stay prepared for His return, maybe today.

At Harding Street are continuing in our plan to establish a solid foundation for the church in the appointment of elders.  

This Sunday, December 9 – I will be in Louisville, Kentucky at the Watterson Trail congregation preaching on Sunday morning and afternoon, then officiating a wedding.  Brother Bane will announce the names of those who have been recommended by the church to be the next eldership at Harding Street at the morning worship hour.

(The church will have 2 weeks for prayer, consideration, and discussion as to the qualification or disqualification of those recommended.  REMEMBER – God has given us the qualities we should look for in the elders who will lead us and serve us.  There are no perfect men.  We are looking for men who love God, His church, His word, the saved and the lost.)

Sunday, December 23, Lord willing – The Official Appointment of Elders of the Harding Street Church of Christ.  During the sermon time on Sunday morning we will officially appoint those you have recommended and approved to the eldership at Harding Street.

Plans are to begin the process of recommending and appointing deacons as soon as we get the eldership appointed.  “There is much to do.  There is work on every hand.  Hark!  The cry for help comes ringing through the land.  Jesus calls for reapers, I must active be.  What wilt Thou, O Master?  Here am I, send me.  Here am I, Lord, send me.  Here am I.  Ready at thy bidding, Lord send me.”  You probably recognize this hymn # 693 in our books.  Like me, you have probably sung this hymn many times.  We must not only sing this hymn, but believe it and apply it to our lives.  Will you, will I “be active” and answer Jesus’ call for help with a resounding, “Here am I, send me?”  I will.

Come by the teen class room when you have a chance and note the new decorations on the wall in the corner.  Katie Chapman started something new and exciting.  She was the first to place here handprint on the wall along with her name and the date of her baptism, December 2, 2018.  The other class members followed suit.  To those who have not made your decision yet to confess Jesus as Lord and Savior and put Him on in baptism:  Just keep listening, reading, thinking, and moving forward.  When the time is right for you to believe and obey Christ, just do it.  I am ready to help you.

From my heart to yours. We're growing. God is good!

Can you believe it?  It’s December already.  The count down to Christmas and “Happy New Year – 2019” has begun.  Cindi and I are “in” (with an exception or two) our new house at 10 Winthrop Road.  Take Moose Street toward the river, past the “old hospital” now the residence of our senior citizens, first street to the left, then look for #10 on the right up in the trees.  We’re planning an open house before Christmas as soon as we get our things in place.  We want our Christian family to know how wonderful it is to be home in the beautiful town of Morrilton, Arkansas.

At the Harding Street congregation we are continuing in our plan to establish a solid foundation for the church in the appointment of elders.  

SUNDAY, December 2 – All Recommendation Forms must be turned in to Brother Bane or Brother Burleson by evening service today.  Thank you to every Christian brother and sister for your prayers, consideration, and your dedication to see the Harding Street church of Christ be the light to the world we can be.

This week the ministers will then meet with the men the church has recommended to discuss their desire and qualifications.

Next Sunday, December 9 – I will be Louisville, Kentucky preaching on Sunday morning and afternoon, then officiating a wedding.  Brother Bane will announce the names of those who have been recommended.

(The church will have 2 weeks for prayer, consideration of those placed before the church, and discussion with ministers as to the qualification or disqualification of those recommended.)

Sunday, December 23, Lord willing – The Official Appointment of Elders of the Harding Street Church of Christ.  What a way to close out the year and enter the new year with a renewed sense of purpose and dedication to the cause of Christ in the Morrilton area and into the whole world.  Together we can accomplish all that God has in store for us according to His own divine purpose.

This Sunday (2) Brother Bane will be preaching the great gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Let us focus our whole being on Jesus’ love for the world.  When we sing, let us sing like we mean every word we say.  When we pray, let us realized that we are speaking to God, the Creator of everything and that He wants to hear us and give us all that will make us better.  When we share in the Lord’s Supper, let us remember Jesus’ sacrifice while examining our lives.  When we give, let us do so cheerfully and generously.  And when Brother Bane preaches, let us hear and do what is good and right.  I’m so happy to be a member of the church of Christ at Harding Street.  Worship every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. with Bible Study following at 10:00.  Sunday evening at 5:00 and Wednesday evening at 7:00.  Come and see.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family - God is Good

From the Heart of your Minister and Friend – Mickey Burleson

November 23, 2018 – Hope you are enjoying your Thanksgiving weekend.  I try to make the holiday last as long as I can.  Oh, how good God is to all of us, richly blessing with every thing we need according to His will and purpose.  I am thankful.  I think the businesses in the area are sort of taking advantage of my own way of thinking.  “Black Friday” now begins on Friday before Thanksgiving and lasts and lasts.  Sometimes we get so wrapped up in buying and selling that we forget to be thankful.

Last Sunday (18th) we introduced our plan to lay a solid foundation for the church in the appointment of elders to serve and lead us.  We also looked at the qualifications of an elder.  I hope I didn’t complicate God’s expectations and directions too much.  We plan to appoint elders first then continue to the appointment of deacons.  Here is the plan in a “nutshell.”

Sunday, November 25 – Pick up a Recommendation Form from the table in the lobby, prayerfully consider the Christian men at Harding Street, and recommend any who would be good shepherds to guide us toward heaven.  We’re not looking for perfect men, just men who love God, love His church, and earnestly desire to honor Him in life and living.  Fill out the form and give it to Brother Bane or Brother Burleson.

Sunday, December 2 – All Recommendation Forms to be turned in to Brother Bane or Brother Burleson by evening service.

(Ministers will then meet with the men who have been recommended to discuss desire and qualifications.)

Sunday, December 9 – Announcement to the church of those who have been recommended.

(The church will have 2 weeks for prayer, consideration of those placed before the church, and discussion with ministers as to the qualification or disqualification of those recommended.)

Sunday, December 23, Lord willing – Official Appointment of Elders of the Harding Street Church of Christ.

God will lead us and show us the way.  Join me in praying for our future elders now, even before we know who they are.  Isn’t that what faith is all about; “For we walk by faith and not by sight.”  

Our sermons today and this evening will focus once again on “Growth – What does it take.”  We’ll consider Growing Broader through Ministry this morning and Growing Wider through Evangelism this evening.  God bless us.

From the Heart of your minister and friend, Mickey Burleson

November 15, 2018 – Can you believe that next Thursday is Thanksgiving? Morrilton, Arkansas is certainly beautiful this time of the year.  As you travel I-40 west from Little Rock about 50 miles north and west on the Arkansas River at the foot of Petit Jean State Park you’ll come to the only “Morrilton” in the United States of America.  As you exit I-40 just look up to the top of the ridge and see God’s handiwork of just about every color; green, gold, silver, yellow, tan, and brown.  Make a slight right turn and drive about a mile.  On the right you’ll see our beautiful Morrilton High School with Devil Dog Stadium and our new Devil Dog Arena.  Look left and you’ll see our property at 906 E. Harding Street; the meeting place of the Harding Street Church of Christ.  I can almost watch the Devil Dog’s play football from my office.  What a prime location for preaching the gospel and showing and sharing Jesus’ grace to the world.

Cindi and I will close on our new house in Morrilton this week and plan on moving right in. We plan to host an open house for the church sometime early December, Lord willing. I have a mighty long list of “honey-do’s.”  What do they say?  “The longest journey begins with but a single step.”

The ministry at the Harding Street Church of Christ is moving forward with God’s rich grace and provision.  This Sunday (18^th) I will introduce our plan to lay a solid foundation for the church in the appointment of elders to serve and lead us to ever greater service.  We will also look at the qualifications of an elder.  We plan to appoint elders first then continue to the appointment of deacons.  Here is the plan in a “nutshell.”

This Sunday, November 18 – Distribute Elder Recommendation Forms – Forms are located on the table in the lobby.  Turn in forms to Brother Bane or Brother Burleson.  Forms will be kept confidential.  Instructions are on the Recommendation Forms.  Only signed forms will be considered.
(The church will have 2 weeks for consideration and filling out forms.)

Sunday, December 2 – All Recommendation Forms to be turned in to Brother Bane or Brother Burleson by evening service.

(Ministers will then meet with the men who have been recommended to discuss desire and qualifications.)

Sunday, December 9 – Announcement to the church of those who have been recommended.

(The church will have 2 weeks for prayer, consideration of those placed before the church, and discussion with ministers as to the qualification or disqualification of those recommended.)

Sunday, December 23, Lord willing – Official Appointment of Elders of the Harding Street Church of Christ.

We’ll see how it goes.  God is so good to us. Our only desire is to serve His will and purpose.  Take a look in your Bible in Titus 1 and read about Titus’ commission from the Apostle Paul: “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you…”  Paul then gives Titus the Holy Spirit’s list of characteristics that would qualify a man to serve as an elder of the church of Christ.  Now just change “Titus” to “Mickey” and “Crete” to “Morrilton.”

From the Heart of your minister and friend...

November in beautiful Morrilton, Arkansas...We had a terrific Sunday last week (4^th) with 147 members and guests assembled together for worship, study, and fellowship.  We had almost 100 to stay for Bible class at 10:00. And what about that celebration lunch we enjoyed together?  What a sight to behold!  Such wonderful blessings of food and fellowship, laughter and happiness!  Thank you for your kindness and your generosity.  Cindi and I cannot begin to tell you how honored we are to work with you as we travel this pathway of life together toward heaven.  We’re making big plans. Come and see.

CHRISTIAN MEN & FAITHFUL MEMBERS OF THE HARDING STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST:  We are in need of qualified Elders and Deacons to serve the church of Christ at Harding Street.  

Christian Brothers:  Please check out a couple of passages in the Bible (I Timothy 3:1-15 and Titus 1:5-9 – Qualifications of Elders and Deacons) and be ready to say, “YES” to the call to service and leadership here at Harding Street. Read the list of qualities every Christian man should endeavor to have. Examine yourself through the eyes of Jesus our Savior.  Note that "Perfection" is NOT mentioned in God's list of qualifications.  If you find that you are lacking in any of the characteristics listed, begin today to make corrections and then plan to take your place alongside your fellow Christian brothers to serve the church of Christ at Harding Street as an elder or a deacon.  WE NEED YOU!  I can just “see” it now; qualified men standing before the church accepting the call to service and leadership as elders and deacons ready, willing, and able to show and share the gospel of Christ in our Morrilton community.  And know that you have two experienced gospel preachers, Brother Bane and Brother Burleson to stand with you all along the way.  To God be the glory in all that we think, say, and do.  He will show us the way.  He will provide.

I came across this article in my files and thought we could use a bit of humor as we think about the personal duties and privileges we each have as members of the church of Christ at Harding Street.  The article is entitled; Why * d*dn’t b*y that comp*ter…

Wh*le look*ng for a comp*ter for the off*ce, * fou*d one that was cheaper than all the rest.  *t looked l*ke all the others except one th*ng, two letters on the keypad wo*ld not work.  The other twenty-fo*r letters worked j*st f*ne.  *t had all the n*mbers and p*nct*at*on marks, but for some reason, * j*st co*ld not make myself cons*der *t.  Yo* m*ght th*nk *t was wrong not to s*ggest we b*y th*s part*c*lar comp*ter, after all, *n the Lord’s ch*rch yo* can always f*nd a few members who do not work and are absent *n the*r attendance.  Everyone knows that *t really makes no d*fference whether every member works or not.  There *s always someone else who can *s*ally make *p the d*fference.  *nder these c*rc*mstances * do not th*nk yo* wo*ld have wanted a comp*ter w*th a keypad on wh*ch all the keys wo*ld not work. 

Why then do expect our Lord to be sat*sf*ed when all the keys *n H*s ch*rch aren’t work*ng?  *n case yo* are wonder*ng how keys not work*ng w*ll ca*se so m*ch tro*ble, j*st look what happens when “U” and “I” are not work*ng!