The Human Problem

Scripture

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me.”

~Matthew 16:28, NLT

Quote

Selfishness is never so exquisitely selfish as when it is on its knees.

~A.W. Tozer

I am reading through the Psalms in the Good News Translation and a few days back, I read Psalm 38, a prayer of David. I am aware of David’s greatness: what God accomplished through this man is unbelievable but David was human and his bent toward self comes out in Psalms 38.

Forty-eight times in this prayer, David refers to himself. He makes reference to other, including his enemies, eight times and there are nine references to God.

Most of us do not listen to the details of our prayers but God convicted me some time ago about how selfish I tend to be in my prayers. I am like an immature child, I dive right in and go to asking. My son doesn’t do that, he begins his prayers with a litany of praise. God has convicted me through him. So, I have been trying to discipline myself to put the LORD first and others second and save my supplication until last. It is a struggle.

Remember the story of the staff eating out: if I am familiar with the restaurant, I know what I want before I sit down and when the waiter or waitress comes to the table and says, “What will it be today?” Without a moment of hesitation, I blurt out, “I want the tortilla soup, the club sandwich and the salad with one of those delicious croissants.”

I did this very thing a couple of years ago and everyone at the table starting laughing. Joe David was laughing at me and they were probably laughing the expression on his face. I said, “What, did I do wrong?” He said, “Daddy is customary to let ladies order first.” I said, “But I am paying for it.” He said, “That’s beside the point.” Hey, it’s a hard habit to break.

• Buford is suppose to come home today. He walked all over the hospital yesterday. PTL
• Kane got home from HH at 8:00 PM [12/4/15] last night.
• We enjoyed the CHRISTMAS PARTY with Jeff’s class. I love parties. I limped in and limped out but it was worth it. We had 21 counting Sue and Granny.
• My good friend and landlord Ray Edwards is sick. We think it is a UTI: should know for sure today.
• We’ll have a slightly different order of worship Sunday: The Choir will do their Christmas music in middle and we will close with a baptism I hope. There will also be a short sermon, I hope.
• GOLDEN GIRLS and Senior Adults CHRISTMAS PARTY is Saturday at 9:30 at Cracker Barrel in Hartselle.
• Deacons Meeting Sunday morning at 8:15.
• Children’s Christmas Play and Supper is Sunday night December 13th at 5:30. This Sunday night is AWANA and Worship at 6:15.

Putting Self In His Place

SCRIPTURE

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

~Galatians 2:20, NLT

QUOTE

“Satan would have us believe that total surrender to Jesus Christ will cost not only our life but our happiness.”

~Yaakov [adapted]

Those who believe Satan’s lie live is constant fear of surrender: their chief fear is losing their happiness. How can there be happiness when fear is the dominant factor in your life? I am not saying that surrender is easy; for many of us, it is a long slow process. It is especially hard when you are selfish to the core, a little spoiled, a little pampered and use to indulging the flesh. Your self is going to whine and fight for survival. Surrender is not for the weak of heart but it is for those who are willing to turn lose and depend totally on God’s grace. Do like Paul, treat self like a dead man: don’t acknowledge his presence. Put Mr. Self in his place, a coffin.

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Chuck Swindoll says–Begin the process by releasing your grip. Stop fighting surrender and let go. You will be amazed at how much more energy you have and how much more positive your attitude will become. In reality, life will become easier. Rebellion requires a lot of energy.

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SONG

“From The Inside Out”

A thousand times I’ve failed
Still your mercy remains
Should I stumble again
Still I’m caught in your grace
Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame

Your will above all else
My purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise
Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame

My heart and my soul
I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise
Become my embrace
To love you from the inside out

• We got a great rain, Praise the LORD Jesus! Hallelujah!
• They are in the process of waking Gary Garner up. He is off the ventilator.
• Cain is progressing also, PTL.
• Tracey Hill was moved from DGH to Huntsville last night for more test: pray for Tracey.
• Pray for Judy Davis. At present Judy has been ordered to stay in and rest.
• We had 99 last night for the GATHERING and in stormy weather.

The Flesh

SCRIPTURE

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

~Galatians 5:17, NRSV

QUOTE

We can not hope to win the war against flesh if we deny it’s presence and power.

~Chuck Swindoll

MY THOUGHTS

If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ, you have the Spirit of God dwelling in you but you are also indwelled by your old fleshly or Adamic nature. The flesh is that self-serving, self-promoting, self-loving, self-righteous mindset that lives by natural instinct, the greatest of which is self-preservation. When Paul uses the term ‘flesh,’ he is not referring to the physical body but the self-centered tendency that has infected body, soul and spirit. This self-centered tendency, left to itself becomes destructive.

To offset this tendency, the scripture calls upon us to practice self-control. In other words, you cannot allow the self to run wild without it leading to trouble. Attending services, tithing, doing deeds of kindness are all easy compared to self-control.

Douglas Freeman wrote a four volume work on the life of Robert E. Lee; unfortunately, due to government education, Lee has been vilified and Lincoln iconized. The government history books have it backwards. I am convinced that the future will reveal that Lincoln is our Solomon, the beginning of the end. Lee was a good Soldier and capable leader but he was a great Christian. When Lee was very old, a young woman brought her baby for Lee to bless. She placed the infant in Lee’s arms; he looked deeply into the child’s eyes and then he looked up at the mother and said, “Teach him he must deny himself.” If we would deny the self, Christ like humility would emerge on its own. The flag in the back ground is the VIRGINIA BATTLE FLAG. It has nothing to do with race. [in case a liberal moron happens to read the blog]

EXTRA

• I love it when folks agree with me. The thoughts from above were stimulated by the writings of Chuck Swindoll, “So You Want To Be Like Christ.”
• It’s beginning to look a lot like a BLOCK PARTY everywhere you go. We start sitting up tonight.
• Gary Garner has lymphoma type cancer that is treatable. He goes to the oncologist today. I had a good visit with him Monday. I want you to keep praying for Gary. He was at church last Sunday morning. His vision is so bad that he cannot drive: Larry went and picked him up. He had a great excuse to stay home but he came to church.
• Pray for Sarah and Tracey: Mike’s memorial service is today at 11:00. We serve the family at 11:30 in the parlor. We need veges and desserts.
• June and I made a startling discovery last night as we were visiting.  If we were in Alaska, you would say this guy lives off the grid. I did his dad’s memorial service a few months ago and I had no idea he was our neighbor. His house is less than a half mile from where we live. It has caused me to do some soul searching.
• Check this out:

Shinning Like A Bright Light

SCRIPTURE

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

~Philippians 2:15, NLT

QUOTE

When people are full of themselves, they leave no room for others.

~Bill Mandrell

I don’t shop on Black Friday; I don’t shop period unless its on line. The females in my herd don’t miss a Black Friday sale and I get reports from them about the rudeness of people who are pushing and shoving trying to be the first to get a TV or gadget. Reportedly, fights have erupted and tempers have flared as people push and shove in an effort to get what they want. How many of these people care about the person in front or behind them? Are we as believers guilty of the same thing; perhaps in another setting. Do you hinder the fellowship of the church by seeking our way instead of being willing to yield to the majority? What do you call a person who is willing to destroy the fellowship of a church just to get their way? Solomon said, “A troublemaker plants seeds of strife and a whisper separates best friends.”

Today, I challenge you to think of someone else other than yourself. Do something that will indicate you putting their interest first. Some one near you is hurting. There is someone within your reach that you can help TODAY. When we start taking the word of God seriously, our relationship will be transformed. People will see the LIGHT shinning through us.

THIS IS WHAT MEMORIAL DAY IS ALL ABOUT

MEMORIAL DAY EVE WORSHIP CELEBTATION AT 10:15

• Tribute to the Fallen

• Wendy Greenhaw singing National Anthem

• Video “We Will Fight” with Ronald Wilson Reagan

• Tribute to those who have served

• Patriotic Music

• A Challenge to do what you can, while you can

Ziphites, Do You Have Them?

SCRIPTURE

“Listen to my prayer O God, pay attention to my plea! For strangers are attacking me; violent people are trying to kill me. They care nothing for God.”

~Psalm 54:2-3, NLT

QUOTE

“Peace if possible, truth at all cost”  

~Martin Luther

Benedict Arnold

Psalm 54 is a prayer of David which he wrote when he was trapped in the wilderness of Ziph [10 miles South of Jericho]. The Ziphites were descendants of Judah, just like David. They were supposed to be his brothers but he refers to them as “strangers” or “foreigners” because they betrayed him twice. They were King Saul’s spies and they alerted Saul every time David took refuge in their land. Three things characterize a ZIPHITE. [1] They are not what they profess to be. We do not betray our brothers. Benedict Arnold was a great commander in the field. He was brave and Washington respected him for his courage. Arnold had the misfortune of serving under a glory hog, General Horatio Gates. Arnold would fight the battles and Gates would write up false reports taking all the glory. Congress continued to promote Gates and they ignored Arnold. Eventually Arnold, influenced by his new wife [a Tory] betrayed Washington and could have cost us the war had he not been found out. Betrayal leaves a deep scar. Washington trusted Arnold and that is what makes betrayal sting so deeply. It hurts to be betrayed. [2] The Ziphites were self-seekers. They betrayed David because they believed it was in their best interest. They didn’t care for David or the Kingdom of Israel, they only cared about pursuing their own personal interest. [3] The Ziphites cared nothing for God which explains why they had no concern for David. Christian brotherhood is always greater than biological kinship. When David was having a bad day, he wrote a song or sang one. How do you handle a bad day?

When you have no where to turn, turn to Christ. His love is proven and His faithfulness is unblemished. He is our refuge in time of trouble.

TODAY WE PRAY FOR FAMILIES OR FRIENDS FACING TRIALS

Saeed Abedi in prison in Iran

VBS AND VBX JUNE 8-12

VBS Coke Wagon Crew: Don, Jewel and Jan

• WOW! What a night. The band loved the kids being with us and it was great to have a crowd for praise and worship: just think, we could have a crowd every Wednesday night if we were all in love with Jesus. I was blessed by the band and Shohn and her crew. What a great job she does with our children and what about those AWANA workers. I should have took their picture. Way to go guys, we appreciate you! A special thanks to Big Mama for ordering and picking up the pizza. That deep pan is something else!
• SENIOR DAY this Sunday in the a.m. service: Seniors will be recognized in the a.m. service and Joe David and Lori will take them to lunch.
• BACCALAUREATE Sunday Night at 6:00. We have a great line up and we are doing something we have never done before: imagine that!
• WEE CARE Graduation Sunday evening at 2:00.
• We will have a Deacon’s meeting this week at 8:15.
• May 29 Senior Adult Cook Out.
• June 6…Rally for Biblical Marriage in Montgomery. I think the time is 3:00 PM
• June 8-12…VBS and VBX
• June 14…Vote on Minister of Music [AM in the foyer, secret ballot]
• I learn something new everyday about computers, I just can’t always remember what it is the next day but I accidently came across a page on the dashboard of the blog that rated the top ten and so I copied and pasted one from February 10, 2011. There was a snow on the ground. When it popped up, I thought “Who posted this, I don’t remember anything about Ziphites,” but it all came back to me as I read it. Mandy and Floyd did not read in in 2011 or today…they just glace through the extra to make sure I’m not slipping something by them. I have a good story on both. I know that Ginger reads it wall to wall everyday.

Who Needs A Password

SCRIPTURE

Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise, who shout on parade in the bright presence of God.

~Psalms 89:16, MSG

QUOTE

Praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation.

~C.S. Lewis

I think everything related to a computer has a password and I hate passwords because I cannot remember them. One older lady tried to make “incorrect” her password. Her logic was if she entered the wrong password her computer would say…”Your password is INCORRECT.” The problem is, the folks on the other end of the line demand that you create a unique password and sometimes they demand that it be a combination of small case, large case with at least two numerals. Are these people smoking crack or what!

Praise is a program that is easy to get into because the PASSWORD is simple. God is really into the simple because He wants all of us to come to a knowledge of the truth. The PASSWORD to praise is THANKSGIVING. If you’ve been unable to get into PRAISE, perhaps you are using the wrong password. Delete the ‘Me’ or the ‘Music Style’ and try ‘Thanksgiving’ in any case: see if it does not get you into praise.

• June fusses at me for doing blogs on Holidays and I should listen to her because not many people read blogs on holidays but I can’t help myself and I know that Jimmy and David will read it. I think those who go through Facebook are having some problems getting to the Blog. I don’t know who changed what but it wasn’t me. The simplest thing to do is make the Blog a FAVORITE and then it is one click and you are there. My own daughter has not been reading the blog or even looking at the pictures. I ask her today if she saw Mandy’s Christmas sweater and she didn’t know what I was talking about. Another so called friend who knows all about computers used the Facebook glitch as an excuse.
• Mrs. Martha Newby’s Celebration of Life Service is Sunday at 3:00 at SARDIS SPRING BAPTIST CHURCH. Visitation is prior, 12:30-2:45. I borrowed a picture from the SS Facebook Page [Below]. My Christmas has changed and below are three reasons why. God is good. Out of pure kindness He put these wonderful people in my life: Thank You Jesus!

Martha Allen Newby, James M. Newby and Naola Bailey

• We are trying to get ready [Today] for the BILLY GRAHAM MY HOPE video of HEAVEN. I’m going to need some help around 10:30 or 11:00. If I can get two good men for 15 minutes; “We’ll get’er done”. I will also need Brent Anders to help me rig up the sound but it will be later in the day. I don’t think I have his number: someone text me his number and I will call him.
• SUNDAY SCHEDULE: Deacons and Wives Meeting at 8:50…LCBS at 9:00…Worship at 10:15 and 6:00.

Bonus From Bobby

Semper Fi!

Early one morning a retired Marine yelled to his wife: “Honey, come see what I created! It is an abstract panorama depicting the last six years of the Obama presidency.” She yelled back: “Flush the toilet and come eat your breakfast!”

Congrats Bobby: I would call this one “Bobby’s Best”. It is a grand slam, no pun intended.

EXTRA/LCBS LESSON PREVIEW FOR NOVEMBER 30

Ministry In The Face of Mental Illness

Introduction

All our Bible Study groups are to begin their class with an intercessory prayer time. Most of the prayer request will relate to sickness. On any given Sunday, our classes report 10-20 request related to cancer. I doubt if you can find a person in our church that does not have a friend or family member battling cancer. The one thing that does not come up is MENTAL ILLNESS. Why is this? They say that one in ten suffer from some form of depression. Let me give you a list of types mental illness and I doubt that the list is exhaustive.

• Anxiety Disorders
• Mood Disorders [Bi-polar, huge mood shifts]
• Psychotic Disorders [Schizophrenia]
• Eating Disorders [anorexia, bulimia]
• Control Disorders
• Personality Disorders
• Obsessive Compulsion Disorders
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorders [usually related to the sexually abused or possibly someone who had an abortion]

You see the list and the statistic that one out of ten suffer from one of the above. Do you think it is possible to be a member of a church which has 600 plus members and none with a mental health issue. What comes to your mind when you hear the words “Mental Illness?” {You think psychotic, someone who needs to be in an institution} Most of the people around us who suffer from mental illness are not psychotic: many are simple depressed. One of my favorite scriptures is Hebrews 10:24-25…And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds,not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Depression is a form of discouragement. As a child of God, your assignment, if you choose to accept it, is to encourage someone this Sunday.

Don’t take the Marine approach…”Suck it up you loser. Stop whining–no one cares. It is a cruel world-get use to it.” I made this mistake for years. My logic was simple: “I am a child of God and I know to be in Church on Sunday morning. I don’t need a call, a card, a visit or for my wife and children to beg me. If you are a child of God, you should be like me. I will visit lost folks but I am not pandering to the whining immature Christians that need to be encouraged every week.” If you are hard wired like myself, you may not need a lot of encouragement to do what you know is right but everyone is not wired the same and herein lies the problem. Some people need more encouragement than others. It does not mean they are weak, bad, or inferior: it simply means they need encouragement.

SCRIPTURE TEXT [2 Corinthians 1:2-7, NLT]

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. ³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. ⁴ He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. ⁵ For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. ⁶ Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. ⁷ We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

As Charles said in the TG service, “All God’s blessing are meant to be shared.” God gives us comfort so that we can pass it along to others. Did you notice: the more we suffer for Christ, the more God showers us with His comfort. Let’s just list the insights before we get into the questions…

1. God’s blessings are meant to be shared.
2. The more we suffer for Christ, the more comfort we receive.
3. God is a merciful father.
4. He is the source, the giver of all comfort.
5. Being merciful and giving comfort connects HIM to hurting people. [Psalms 34:18]

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. More young people [18-24] die from suicide than by traffic accidents. Does this shock you? Why do you suppose this is true?
2. For youth the age of 10-24, suicide is the third leading cause of death. What is the problem? Why are young people taking their own life?
3. Have you ever considered suicide? Be honest.
4. Why is our culture looking at divorce, drugs, destructive habits and unhealthy relationships as a way out?
5. How does God bring comfort the hurting? [The life of His Son, His Spirit and His word but he also using believers to share comfort with the hurting]
6. Think of your circle of friends: do you have a friend the is hurting? [grief, disappointment, depression]
7. What is the most effective way to comfort? [Use Job and friends at a case study]
8. What was the most effective thing that Jobs friends did by way of giving comfort? [presence, listening]
9. What was the most ineffective? [preaching, giving advice, passing judgment]
10. To be effective at giving comfort: what one thing do we need? [call it compassion, love, sensitivity, concern, whatever but if you don’t have it, you’ll do more damage than good. If you really don’t care: stay at home]
11. Jobs friends felt a moral obligation to give comfort: it was like a religious show: is this enough?
12. Think small–little acts of kindness make a huge difference to the hurting. You can’t solve their problem. You can relieve their pain. You cannot rescue them from a bad situation but you can do small things that indicate your love and concern. What are some small things that we can do? {cards, calls, emails, gifts, take them out to eat, bake them cookies or a cake, small gestures of kindness]
13. How big of a problems is our sense of helplessness. We reason that since we cannot do something miraculous, why do anything. Do you think that our being overwhelmed by their problem causes us to be inactive?

INSIGHTS

1. Mental illness is not a myth; it is a real problem that we need to address.
2. We cannot fix mental illness anymore than we can cure cancer but we can do something.
3. The one thing our hurting friends and family members need to know is that “We love them and they have our support.”
4. We all need to remember that mental illness can strike at any time and the older we get the higher the risk. Be merciful, someday you may need mercy.

STORY

Years ago, more than 20: June and I were in Memphis, Tennessee attending the COLS of Ramona Eaton’s mother. One of the associates from Belleview did the service at the grave side and he told this story which I will attempt to retell. An elderly lady had a very disturbed mind. She imagined that two men were stalking her relentlessly. She went to her children for help but they ignored her. She talked to her neighbors but they treated her like she was crazy. Finally, in desperation, she went to see her pastor. She explained everything in detail and he listened intently. He not only listened, he cared about the woman. While she was talking, God whispered in the ear of the preacher and gave him detailed instructions on what to do. When the woman concluded, she said, “You don’t believe me do you?” “Yes mam,” said the pastor, “I believe every word.” She was so excited, “You mean, you believe that two men are following me day and night?” “Yes I do and I know their names,” said the wise pastor. “You know their names,” said she. “Yes mam, there names are actually in the bible” and then he opened his bible and read Psalm 23. He said, “Come over here and let me show you…see there is verse 6 ‘Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.'” He said, “You are so blessed. God has sent two people by the name of Goodness and Mercy and they are going to watch after you as long as you live.” The woman was overcome with joy.  From that moment on she had perfect peace and she clung to the promise in Psalms 23:6. She never had another anxious moment about being followed.

You might say, “Well, she was still crazy.” As Elmer Jackson says, “We all have a screw loose somewhere.” Where as the woman was not perfect balanced, her pastor did his job and he gave her comfort which is what we are supposed to be doing. Am I right or wrong?

 

Hindrances To Revival #14–SELFISHNESS

Day 18 of 24

SCRIPTURE

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

~Galatians 5:16, NLT

QUOTE

A true revival means nothing less than a revolution, casting out the spirit of worldliness and selfishness, and making God and His love triumph in the heart and life.

~Andrew Murray

Life can be reduces to a dog eat dog level where we continually try to get our own way. When this happens, every area of our life is cheapened. Our relationships become loveless and we flood our minds with mental and emotional garbage. We think speed and busyness with fix things but our frenzied pace kills our joy and robs of the abundant life. We bow to the gods of pleasure, sports and entertainment but these add to our emptiness. Our cutthroat competition and our all consuming-yet- never-satisfied wants lead us further and further from the things that have eternal significance. Our unbridled lust for “what we want” makes us spiritually impotent, unloving, unlovable, small minded and vicious toward rivals.

All things considered, this is only one side of the problem, the Holy Spirit is antithetical to our selfishness. Our selfish ways are offensive to God’s Spirit and we cannot have REVIVAL a part from His stirring, moving, convicting, and outpouring. What if we all repented of our selfishness and turned to Christ for forgiveness? Would it make a difference?

• Today we pray for SENIOR ADULTS.
• Deacons meeting this morning at 8:00, LCBS at 9:00 and worship at 10:15 and 6:00.
• Featured this am in worship is the Zambian A cupola choir.
• We are in our last week of 24/24 and it has been taxing physically but I believe it will be productive spiritually. Our REVIVAL begins a week from today. If you are on the PRAYER WHEEL don’t let up. If you are not on the wheel pray every time you think of the revival.

What’s In It For Me?

 

SCRIPTURE

You just told that man to leave everything and follow You. Well, all of us have done just that, so what should we be expecting.

~Matthew 19:27, The VOICE

QUOTE

“The world spins, but not around you!”
― Jasper Comstock

MESSAGE

Jesus has just told the rich young ruler that He would convert his earthy treasure into heavenly assets if he would sell all, give it to the poor and follow HIM. After hearing this exchange, Peter asked the above question, “We have left all to follow YOU, what is in it for us?” I am shocked Jesus did not crawl his case for asking such a selfish question but it is the question that we fallen humans most often ask. One chapter further, Zebedee’s wife [the mother of James and John] brings her two sons and kneel before Jesus. Jesus says, “What do you want?” It was obvious that she wanted something and her request were purely selfish; she wanted her sons to have prominence in the coming kingdom. A few verses later, two blind men come to Jesus, “LORD, Son of David, have mercy on us.” Jesus said, “What is that you want?” Of course they wanted their sight. This is an ordinary day in the life of Jesus: everyone hitting on Him for something they want.

As Joe David pointed out in yesterday’s message: we have a tendency to despise the Jews for the very things that we are guilty of ourselves. We look at these N.T. characters like the wife of Zebedee and wonder, “How could these people be so self-centered? Jesus is on His way to a cross and all they think about is what they want.” What did you think about yesterday during in worship, were you totally focused on HIM or thinking about something you wanted? What are you thinking about today? Is it not something you want? There must come a time in our life when we give more consideration to what Jesus wants than what we want.

EXTRA

• Another good day and another PTL Sunday night. Joe David did excellent yesterday morning and I had a ball last night. I love to preach and I am always delighted to have some one to preach to. I want to thank Noah and Sloan and the band for our music. I love our kids, they do a great job. We also had good attendance in both services and a great offering. Thank YOU Jesus!
• Ben Blankenship’s grandmother  {Elaine Winton} passed away on Saturday and visitation for the family is Tuesday night at Pecks…6:00-8:00.
• Terry and Becky’s daughter Kassie Brenner goes in at mid-night [Sunday]. The baby is expected sometime today. Cassie is at Huntsville Women and Children.
• It is hard to believe that summer is over for the kids, school is in session and we are getting ready for our fall session of AWANA. Shohn is hosting a training session Wednesday night [August 20] for those who did not get to go to the clinic. You will be beginning at 5:30 and supper will be provided. The GATHERING will take place at 6:30 in the sanctuary.
• August 27th will be a picnic and fun night for entire church plus AWANA registration. The first night of  AWANA is September 3. The first night of the Wednesday night suppers is September 10th.
• Election Results: Jason Bowling elected to Personnel, Rickey Fields and Tracey Holladay to Budget, Beth Jones to WEE Care, Ashley Holladay and Jim Tanner to Nominating Committee and Trustees are Rickey Fields and Sam Anders, Deacons are Jeff Bass and Jeff Garner.

It’s no mistake, it’s Bryan Drake

Happy as a couple of Clarks

Beautiful Hannah Marie Clardy loved the Block Party

Doc Holladay… Missionary/Tooth Puller/Lover of Children

Break Time!

David and The Giants

ditto

Giving Preference

SCRIPTURE

Don’t let selfishness and prideful agendas take over. Embrace true humility, and lift your heads to extend love to others. Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests; be sincere, and secure your neighbors’ interests first.

Philippians 2:3-4, The VOICE

QUOTE

Christ is the humility of God embodied in human nature; the Eternal Love humbling itself, clothing itself in the garb of meekness and gentleness, to win; to serve and to save.

~Andrew Murray

MESSAGE

I don’t think there is any question, the most difficult thing for me to do is give preference to others. At the discussion table, at the intersection, at a restaurant, or any place you can imagine, I have a hard time putting others before myself. What do you think of a guy who cannot wait on others at a restaurant but has a tendency to blurt out, “I know what I want.” Remember the Greek word for ‘I’ is ego. I happened to know the guy and he is full of himself. What about a church member who gets upset with the pastor because he put a VISITORS ONLY on the parting spot he claims as his own. This actually happened and eventually, the pastor was forced to resign. He marked off six choice parking places that members had used for years. They allowed selfishness and prideful agendas to take over, ran the preacher off and got their spots back. What about a person who parks in a handicap area when he or she is not handicapped forcing some truly handicapped people to walk hundreds of feet. Giving preference to others is a hard thing to do. In Philippians 2 Paul tells us how Jesus did it in exemplary fashion.

1. Jesus did not cling to his rights. The way the above church members were thinking was: “This is my church, I was here before the pastor or his visitor friends, by rights, this is my parking place. I have given enough in tithes and offering to pay for this spot and no one is taking it, especially someone who has done nothing for my church.” The “MY CHURCH” folks are known as stockholders.
2. Jesus humbled Himself. It is impossible to give preference without practicing humility. Those who refuse to humble themselves will always put themselves first. Humility is an unselfish virtue which explains why so few have it.
3. Jesus loves us as much as He loves Himself. Paul knew that the second to the greatest commandment would solve all of Philippi problems. Have you noticed: when you really love someone, their preference is usually yours because you find your delight in pleasing them.

EXTRA

• I don’t know what happened. I was hurting in my right leg last week and the first of this week and then yesterday morning while I was cleaning the Baptistery, I must have done something because now I am down in my back. I’ve been to the cow-puncher three times in the last 24 hours and usually I snap back faster but this time I feel like I’m getting worse. I haven’t done anything today other than read and go to the doctor.
• Joe David is preaching Sunday which is good but by faith I am preparing for Sunday night. No Deacon’s meeting Sunday morning.
• Sunday is election day.

Winnies

Three insanely beautiful, one just insane.

Are we having fun or what!

Total Failure

SCRIPTURE

They do not know God’s righteousness, and all the time they are going about trying to prove their own righteousness they have the wrong attitude to receive his.

~Romans 10:3, J.B. Phillips

QUOTE

The problem with the hypocrite is his motivation. He does not want to be holy; he only wants to seen as holy. He is more concerned with his reputation for righteousness than about actually becoming righteous in Christ.

~Augustine/Yaakov

I attended school for 19 straight years without a break and that included a couple of summers. Obviously, I was not a road scholar but I managed to get by, underline “get by.” In 1965 Athens High School did not give D’s which was a huge disappointment to me: 70 and below was failure. They gave D’s in college but they had no value because you could not transfer them. They had D’s in Seminary but a D in Seminary was 75-82. I graduated from Athens College in the summer of 1971 with a 2.1 [very low C]. I graduated Seminary in May of 1974 with a middle C, 86-87, which would be equivalent to a 2.6 roughly. Throughout my illustrious scholastic career I managed to finish every course with something above a zero. I did fail two or three classes in high school but I managed a few points. I think I failed one class with a 68 so most of my failures were near misses because my goal was to “get by.”

In my spiritual life, I have failed every test and not only have I failed; I have yet to score a single point. My spiritual GPA is 0.0. The problem stems from the fact that my righteousness never counts and it is not a near miss but a total failure. I have this little flaw, I am very vain and I cannot do anything without giving Jack consideration. I think a lot of Big Mama’s husband and Chloe’s granddaddy. I don’t want to suffer; I want to survive, actually to succeed and not for the glory of God. I want Jack to look good and for that I get a zero. I have proved my righteousness and it is filthy and totally unacceptable. Thank God for the righteousness of Christ that comes by faith. The Jews were not ready to receive His righteousness because they had not given up on their own.

• I got to stay in and study yesterday which is always a blessing. Big Mama gave me clear advice before she left: GOLDEN GIRLS this morning [April 5] at 9:00, Cracker Barrel in Hartselle. Then I forgot to do the phone message and only a couple of the Golden Girls read the blog. I am going to post this early and if you know one of these Golden Girls, please tell them we meet in the morning.
• Ladies, you have two opportunities for ministry Sunday: FRONT PEW SHOWER baby shower for Danielle Blackwood. Wedding Shower for Trey Williams in the Parlor at 2:00 PM
• I tried to fill everyone up on donut holes last week but that is impossible and expensive. The donut holes are the most expensive thing they have. We may have to go to straight donuts for a couple of weeks. Big Mama and I have a big tax payment to make by April 15. It is not right folks, the middle class cannot survive under this massive tax burden. Remember, we will have a full breakfast on Easter Sunday.
• I named my garden tiller [Troy-bilt] Billard after my uncle Billy and Willard and my tractor is named Whitey-Hugh-Gene, sounds pretty cool don’t you think. Josie and Ty’s grandfather Breedlove whose nick name was Whitey overhauled it some 12 years ago; Joe Fitzgerald keeps it running and the front bumper was a gift from Hugh and of course it is Daddy’s old tractor. Every time I get on it, I think of all those who helped me keep it going. Life would be tough without friends. I want to thank God for my friends.

 

Whitey-Hugh-Gene

Josie Tate Spending the night with G-Dad and B-Mama