Archive for 'December, 2009'

As we are in the middle of the Holiday Season I hope that this time of the year finds you all well. I wish each and every one of you a Blessed Holiday Season. I now leave you with a powerful message.

24 Things to Always Remember And One Thing Never to Forget:

1. Your presence is a present to the world.

2. You’re unique and one of a kind.

3. Your life can be what you want it to be.

4. Take the days just one at a time.

5. Count your blessings, not your troubles.

6. You’ll make it through whatever comes along.

7. Within you are so many answers.

8. Understand, have courage, be strong.

9. Don’t put limits on yourself.

10. So many dreams are waiting to be realized.

11. Decisions are too important to leave to chance.

12. Reach for your peak, your goal, and your prize.

13. Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.

14. The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets.

15. Don’t take things too seriously.

16. Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

17. Remember that a little love goes a long way.

18. Remember that a lot . . . goes forever.

19. Remember that friendship is a wise investment.

20. Life’s treasures are people . . . together.

21. Realize that it’s never too late.

22. Do ordinary things in extraordinary ways.

23. Have health and hope and happiness.

24. Take the time to wish upon a star.

And don’t ever forget … For even a day . . . How very special you are. - Source Unknown  

God bless you all and have a great week!

Michael

    Did you know that giving can extend your life? A research project reported on in the July 2003 issue of “Psychological Science” revealed that those people who serve as caregivers for others have a significantly higher life expectancy than those who do not help others.

    The research states that reason for this is not known. But, as Christians, we know the concept of giving as the foundation of our faith.

    When a Sunday school class interviewed one of the most selfless man in town – they asked him why he gave so much of his time, of his energy and of his means. He answered, “First, because the need was there; and second, because it gives me so much satisfaction.”

    Our Master not only preached and taught about giving, as He gave Himself. In His very important mission proclaiming the Kingdom of God, He never neglected a needy person.

    Peter, who had followed Jesus very closely, stated to the centurion Cornelius in Acts 10:38 “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good . . . .”

    As a caregiver, you may not live a LONGER life. But the life you live WILL be full of joy and of satisfaction.

    If you want to begin, simply follow Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:42 “and if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”

    Find somebody in need and meet that need. And have a long and blessed life.

God bless you all and have a great week,

Michael

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Sermon: Michael Bryan

Song Leader: Shelton Boyd

Opening Prayers:  AM-Mark Rogers     PM-Joe Swinney

Closing Prayers:   AM-Billy Lucas     PM-Tim Walker

Serving Lord’s Table: Jim Jacobs, Joel Owens, Jerry Miller, Finley Barnett, Jason Myers, & Dustin Simmons      PM-Jim Jacobs

Pick-up Cards: Tyler Jones & Jacob Toliver

Worship Helpers: Canyon Jarrett & Odell Walker

Nursing Home: Jim Goldsmith

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Devo: Lane Boyd

Song Leader: Shelton Boyd

Prayers: AM-Kelly Woolard       PM- Michael Byran

   A little boy asked his father what was the highest number he had ever counted.  Replying that he didn’t know, the father asked his son his highest number.  It was 973.

   “Why did you stop there?”  wondered the father.  “Because church was over.”

   I suspect that you have probably sat through worship services where your mind was focused on something just as trivial rather than on God.

   It’s easy to let the mind wander.

   “I can’t wait to see the ball game this afternoon.”  “I wonder what we’re having for lunch.”  “I’ve never noticed before that the carpet down there is starting to unravel a bit.”

   Is it any wonder that we so often leave the worship assembly with the feeling that it wasn’t very meaningful?

   Worship should be a time when we are confronted with the majesty and glory of God.  As we reflect on God’s power, we realize how much we need Him in our times of weakness.  As we reflect on God’s wisdom, we realize how much we need Him in our times of indecision.  As we reflect on God’s holiness, we are made aware of our own sinfulness and the need for forgiveness.  As we reflect on God’s love, we realize the effort God has gone to make that forgiveness available.

   It’s not a ritual we go through every week.  It is an opportunity to express our praise to the One who means more to us than all the earth.  As we truly worship and praise God from the heart, we become more aware of how much we want to live close to Him.  We leave with the challenge to “be holy as He is holy.”

   “For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.  For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him:  Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.  Give to the LORD, O family of the peoples, Give to LORD, glory and strength.  Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts.  Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!  Tremble before Him, all the earth” Psalm 96:4-9.

Ken Williams, Livingston, TN

Bulletin Digest, Abilene, TX

Help Jimmy & JoAnn Doan celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary Saturday, December 12, from 2:00-5:00 at Waterview Church of Christ, 1409 N. Waterview Dr., Richardson, Texas 75080.  No gifts please.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

-All Bus gifts are due

-Ladies’ Annual Christmas Party @Family Center 3:00-5:30

-Youth Progressive Dinner immediately following evening service

Sunday, December 13, 2009

-Adopt A Grandparent Program Luncheon following AM service in the Family Center

-Girl’s Night Out Reception 5:00 in the Family Center

-Fellowship Groups meet after pm service

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Sermon: Michael Bryan

Song Leader: Burl McCoy

Opening Prayers: AM-Jim Jacobs    PM-Lane Boyd

Closing Prayers: AM-Jim Goldsmith    PM- Joel Owens

Lord’s Table: Logan Cravens, Kacey Toliver, Lou David Allen, Russ McGuire, Billy Jones, Jerry Russell      PM-Logan Cravens

Pick-up Cards: Tyler Jones & Kyle Owens

Worship Helpers: Cody Buczyna & Jonathan Juarez

Nursing Home: Joe Neill

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Devo: Burl McCoy

Song Leader: Joel Owens

 Prayers: Opening-Dustin Simmons     Closing-Jerry Russell

    Christian people who really want to serve the Lord with willing, servant hearts sometimes neglect their own well-being. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:19). And that’s not about being egocentric, but it implies that treating yourself right — respecting that God knows you, made you, has a plan for you (Psalm 139:13-16). Properly caring for yourself, both body and soul, while recognizing that your body is the temple of God becomes the basis for treating others properly(I Corinthians 6:19-20).

    That means taking care of yourself!

    You would take care of your best friend so that he or she could take care of others. You would try to understand that friend, and comfort and strengthen that friend all you could. You need to do the same thing to the person in your mirror, as well! This is not about being selfish, but about being respectful of God’s purposes for you!

    Christian writer Fredrick Buechner put it this way, “A bleeding heart is no help to anybody if it bleeds to death.” That means not only taking care of yourself physically, but feeding yourself with divine nourishment from God’s Word, being merciful to yourself, accepting the bread of life from Jesus, and accepting God’s forgiveness. When we do these things, we are then able to share them with others more completely. - (c) 2007 Paul Faulkner

God bless you all and have a great week,

Michael