10/01/2012
J O H N W. M O O R E BUILDING ON JESUS
The existence and permanence of any edifice is dependent upon the strength of its foundation. Building on an inferior foundation can cause damage to a structure and even bring about its ruin. When erecting a building, the architect, engineer, and builder must be careful to build upon on the right foundation. Ministers, pastors, teachers, and parents should all consider themselves builders of churches and immortal souls. As we seek to build, we must be careful how we build and what we build upon. In the first Corinthian letter, the Apostle Paul warned the church not to build upon the notoriety or wisdom of men (I Corinthians 2:5-3:23). Instead, he pronounced that a building must be constructed on the foundation of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 3:11). Any other foundation will crumble over time and eventually be destroyed forever. Building on the foundation of Jesus demands that we begin with His grace for the hope of our salvation, His life as a model for ours, and His doctrine as a creed for our church. At the Dripping Springs church of Christ, we are seeking to build the church on the rock solid foundation of Jesus. Come build with us as we prepare for eternity.
J O H N W. M O O R E CAN THINGS BE BETTER?
“It’s just like my heart is being ripped from my chest and then stepped on every time we fight. I’ve never hurt so badly before. How can someone who promised to love me forever say such degrading things to me? I feel so lost, so miserable, so dejected! Our home is broken and it needs to be fixed. I worry about our children, their future, and our future. I so desperately want things to be better. I want to be happy and alive again. I want us to be whole. We need help. I need help. Our family needs help. Can things be better?”
Have you ever felt this way about your family or your marriage, or know of someone who has? Occasionally I hear or read about troubled homes, and have compassion for those who are hurting because of conflict. Some situations are quite desperate and differences seem almost irreconcilable. Others, while not at the brink of disaster, merely exist with each family member leading quiet but separate lives, all the while living under the same roof. Still others, while generally satisfied with their marriage and home life, may at times find themselves struggling to make the relationships grow and thrive. Indeed, many are wondering if things can be better.
I want you to know that not only can things become better - they can become great when Christ Jesus is in your home. Nearly two thousand years ago, Jesus of Nazareth entered into the troubled homes of Palestinian Jews who were struggling with the pressures and worries of life. Some were struggling because of illness (Mark 1:29-31), some because of familial conflict (Luke 10:38-42), and others because of sin (Luke 19:1-10). In all three cases Jesus left these homes better than He found them. In the modern world the healing power of the Lord’s Word and the memory of His compassionate life can also leave our homes better than they have been. When Jesus enters a home and its members embrace His life and His teachings, that home will be happier, fuller, finer, complete, and most assuredly better.
LET’S KEEP OUR PRAYERS GOING FOR THE SICK & THE FAMILIES OF THE DECEASED:
Imogene Jones fell in the parking lot at Wal-Mart a couple of weeks ago. She is experiencing a lot of pain as a result of the fall. A Cat Scan was taken this past Thursday. She’s hoping to results soon. Mary Helen Strahan is having severe pain due to arthritis and sciatica nerve problems. She is receiving oxygen in the home on a consistent basis. She has to stay in the bed most all time to keep the pain down. Continue to pray for her and her family. Randy Jones, son of Imogene, hasn’t been able to work the pas couple of weeks. A medicine was changed to try and help his blood be thicker. Also, a change was given regarding pain tablets. Randy is also having difficulty breathing. Continue to pray with Randy and the family. Bobby Williams is experiencing pain, but things have been somewhat better. Bobby went in for an annual test this past week and another is scheduled this week. Let’s continue to pray with Bobby and Betty. Robert Sanders, a friend and Bobby and Betty ask for the prayers of all that are of the church as he strives to handle some personal problems Louise Nolen is still taking therapy and has some trouble with her arm. She went to the doctor this past week relating to a sinus problem. Grateful for prayers. Jimmy Presley and Mary Ann. Jimmy had surgery on his legs (bone grafts) the 27th at ETMC in Tyler. He was in the hospital until Saturday. He may have to remain in the hospital until November. Jimmy’s Nursing Home address is at the Azalea Nursing Home 810 S. Porter Ave. Tyler, Texas 75701. He would appreciate cards and visits. Call before coming to learn if he will be in his room. The Pressley family appreciates our prayers. Vinson, Linda Hampton’s son had gallbladder surgery this past 9/1 , but is home now. Appreciates our prayers. Scott Wright says “Hello” to everyone and appreciates everyone’s prayers. Scott hang in there! Scott is now in a facility in Dallas. He, along with others, is taking special classes for eight hours each day that encourage proper adjustment back into society. Only about 25 days to go!!!
Hosea Esqueda, former Trendsetter Construction Employee and father of Luis (one of Trendsetter’s Supervisors) is receiving therapy, and at present is much worse. Prayers are requested. Buddy Lange, Sr. (a Trendsetter employee) has cancer and is very serious. Prayers are requested. Bill Hampton is staying at his sister’s home east of Hagansport. One doctor is advising Bill to remove his big toe if things don’t get better in two weeks. He hopes to be with us this Sunday, Katie Cabel has been having bad headaches and neck pain. She started medication Friday the 10th hoping to clear up the problem. If not, the doctor is going to do an MRI to see if the problem is an inner ear problem. Ashley is working diligent on classed to receive her RN. Margie Hargrove just took a chemo treatment Friday the 30th. The one the first week of Sept. will last 12 hours. Margie has an incurable cancer. She is in San Antonio with her mother (formerly Bonnie Belcher) to special treatments. August 16 was her first chemo treatment. It lasted 16 hours. The 2nd one is scheduled for the 23rd. She is in stage 4. She request our prayers. I gave her an online bible study course to study. You may want study from: netbiblestudy.net. It is great. Margie says, “Hello”. Mike Thompson, Margie’s dad is very sick. Prayers are requested.
Oneal Ingram and Jeri are still in the assisted living in Gilmer. Oneal is not experiencing pain, due to the tumor one of his kidneys, but he is very weak. Oneal had a doctor’s appointment this past Thursday and another is scheduled the 13th. Both are to try to assist him in walking. Dillon McQueen and Dillon Craig were involved in an automobile accident E of Talco on FM 71 and received broken bones. They are improving. Prayers are requested. John David waiting for a scheduled time for an appointment one day next week. Ennis Brown, son of former Tilmon Brown, and lives just south of Gerald and Jane Holmes, has cancer very bad. Let’s pray for Ennis. Bobbie Edge’s mother, Ella Williams, fell a few weeks ago and broke her shoulder. She is in a facility in Round Rock near her daughter Sharon and taking therapy. Richard Williams a cousin of Bobby Edge, living in the Longview area has cancer, and request prayers. Mary Hellen Strahan’s son Paul continues to request special prayers. Mr. Crawford, father a Trendsetter Supervisor, James Crawford is critically sick with cancer. Cindy, Mary Helen’s niece is still having difficulty with her knee that has been replaced. Also, in the procedure a nerve was injured and she is having difficulty with her foot. Barbara Latta’s sister, Robbie Harvie, is receiving special care in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Colean Dixon continues to appreciate prayers for her and the families of her sisters. Ken and Kathy Love are doing fair and continue to request our prayers. Carolyn Sargent continues to need prayers. She has been able to attend services the past two week. Carolyn is not able to speak. Hoyt Taylor has been diagnosed with cancer and appreciates our prayers. James Via is in need of our prayers for continued recovery. Mike Deming’s mother and dad are having health problems and are in need of our prayers.
Arms of Hope (Boles and Medina Children’s Home) have requested a donation for .a gift for Abigail and other AOH children. One in twenty children in Texas is homeless. On your contribution, please not AOH Children. Also, please bring your pantry items for the Arms of Hope. A list is in the foyer. They will pick up in October.
Reputation is made in a moment: Character is built in a lifetime.
My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. Job 27:6
Remember Grandma? Grandma used to get up on Sunday morning before daylight, cook a big breakfast for her large family, milk three or four cows, churn, clean house, kill and dress a couple of chickens so the visiting preacher could have his favorite “Gospel bird” for dinner, bathe and dress the kids, then go with the family is a wagon five miles to the meeting house and get there early for Bible Study and worship. And all this was done without much complaint or criticism. And Grandma rarely ever complained if the preacher went overtime with his lesson. You see, even with her busy schedule, she wanted to take time to be holy. Today, breakfast comes in a cereal box, the store provides the milk and butter, “Colonel Sanders” prepares the chicken, and the distance to the church building is often measured in blocks instead of miles and can be driven in modern, air conditioned (or heated) cars. Yet, some folks just can’t make it to Bible Study. Now, I wonder why? HinBullt--- “But seek ye first the kingdom of God…” (Matt. 6:33)