May
25
May
24
Being Ready
Recently I discovered an interesting story about Captain Ray Baker. Captain Baker flew for the Strategic Air Command during the Vietnam War. The Air Force trained him, along with the other pilots to run out of their barracks to their planes at the sound of a buzzer. No matter what was going on the sound of the buzzer required immediate action. Many times during dinner he had to drop his utensils and bolt to his bomber. Captain Baker stated that he had been so well trained that one day while on furlough, he ran out of a restaurant when he heard a buzzer.
I do not know about you, but I am thankful that I worship at a congregation that seems to be always ready to go into action when there is a need. The recent tornados and flooding in our country has caused us once again to reach out to those who are in need. Some of our men gave of their time and energy to travel to Alabama and work in the relief efforts. Others in the congregation have made the trek to Disaster Relief in Nashville to pack boxes of food supplies as well as other needed items. And when the call for financial assistance came, once again you were ready and willing to help. I don’t believe that are being ready to serve in times like this is the result of training similar to what Captain Baker had received. I believe is has more to do with one of those special words found in the Bible. That single word is compassion. It seems to me that compassion is an inner feeling resulting in outward action. We hurt for people who are hurting and we find ourselves wanting to do something for them. The apostle Paul put it this way; “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12).
It is not just Maple Hill that has been involved in helping those who are in need of help. Record numbers of people are turning out at Disaster Relief to help. The call has gone out and people have responded. Since the end of April through May 13 Disaster Relief has been able to send out 34 tractor trailers loaded with food, cleaning supplies, bedding etc. The amount of goods that have gone out totals three and half million dollars!! I don’t think this just happened. I think it came from compassionate people who have a strong desire to show their love in action. We will never know the names of all those who have helped out of compassion, but I feel certain that God is smiling down on their actions.
May
23
DivorceCare
A new 13-week sessions began on January 10 and meet on Tuesdays from 7-9pm. Please contact Bill Macke with any questions at 476-4931.
May
19
Running
I have written about marathon races before. It is amazing to me to see individuals run in these distant races. I admire their commitment as well as their determination to succeed. I have heard a great deal about the Boston Marathon as well as the Music City Marathon. Recently I read of another marathon which had its beginning in 1921. The Comrades Marathon is the oldest ultra-marathon. It covers 90 km (56 miles). This race is held annually in South Africa. Bruce Fordyce is a name most of us would not be able to call to mind. He completely dominated this marathon in the 1980’s, winning it nine times between 1981 and 1990. In 1986 he set a record for the Marathon that lasted until the year 2007. It is truly amazing that this man continues to run in this race every year.
Each day you and I get up to continue our race of life. It is truly a marathon that all Christians participate in. Sometimes we grow weary other times we seem to have a burst of energy that carries closer to the finish line. It takes endurance to run and finish the race of life. It is worth noting that when the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians, he spoke of how he was “reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Philippians 3:13) and in the next verse he states he was pressing on “toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” The race Paul was in took him to prisons, street corners, court rooms, kings palaces just to name a few. And he continued to press toward the goal. Our Lord Jesus Christ has set an example of how to run life’s marathon. The Bible tells us that he was able “for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Did you catch the word he used. “joy.” It seems that when you are in a race, especially a marathon race, it will be important to consider it a joy, or to be something that gives one a great deal of satisfaction. The Hebrew writer continues and states that despite “hostility from sinners,” He completed His race. Jesus could remember the joy and beauty of heaven, and he endured. You and I have not had the privilege of knowing first hand the joy and beauty of heaven. By faith though we know the secret to finishing well. It is to look forward to the joy that awaits us after life’s race—eternal life with Him. Remember the Christian’s race is not a competitive event but an endurance run
May
18
HUGS
The Wilson County Health Department has a program, HUGS-Help Us Grow Safely-for New mothers, prenatal babies and infants at risk. Judy Lea, RN, heads this program which provides education, health, mental health, nutrition, exercise classes as well as home visits. Under this program is Merit Moms, which provides educational and preparedness classes to pregnant teen students in the schools. New mothers need many items, so ladies, if you would cut out coupons pertaining to baby products and place them in the box on the table below the Ladies Bulletin Board, these will be given to Judy to help her students. Thank you for taking the time to help with this Program.
May
17
May 2011 Bible Reading
May 1: Acts 20-21
May 2: Acts 22-23
May 3: Acts 24-26
May 4: Acts 27-28
May 5: Judges 1-3
May 6: Judges 4-5
May 7: Judges 6-8
May 8: Judges 9-10
May 9: Judges 11-13
May 10: Judges 14-16
May 11: Judges 17-19
May 12: Judges 20-21
May 13: Ruth 1-4
May 14: Romans 1-3
May 15: Romans 4-7
May 16: Romans 8-10
May 17: Romans 11-14
May 18: Romans 15-16
May 19: I Samuel 1-3
May 20: I Samuel 4-7
May 21: I Samuel 8-12
May 22: I Samuel 13-14
May 23: I Samuel 15-16
May 24: I Samuel 17-18
May 25: I Samuel 19-21
May 26: I Samuel 22-24
May 27: I Samuel 25-27
May 28: I Samuel 28-31
May 29: II Samuel 1-3
May 30: II Samuel 4-7
May 31: II Samuel 8-11
“The word of the Lord stands forever.
And this is the word that was
preached to you.”
I Peter 1:25
May 1: Acts 20-21
May 2: Acts 22-23
May 3: Acts 24-26
May 4: Acts 27-28
May 5: Judges 1-3
May 6: Judges 4-5
May 7: Judges 6-8
May 8: Judges 9-10
May 9: Judges 11-13
May 10: Judges 14-16
May 11: Judges 17-19
May 12: Judges 20-21
May 13: Ruth 1-4
May 14: Romans 1-3
May 15: Romans 4-7
May 16: Romans 8-10
May 17: Romans 11-14
May 18: Romans 15-16
May 19: I Samuel 1-3
May 20: I Samuel 4-7
May 21: I Samuel 8-12
May 22: I Samuel 13-14
May 23: I Samuel 15-16
May 24: I Samuel 17-18
May 25: I Samuel 19-21
May 26: I Samuel 22-24
May 27: I Samuel 25-27
May 28: I Samuel 28-31
May 29: II Samuel 1-3
May 30: II Samuel 4-7
May 31: II Samuel 8-11
“The word of the Lord stands forever.
And this is the word that
was preached to you.”
I Peter 1:25
May 1: Acts 20-21
May 2: Acts 22-23
May 3: Acts 24-26
May 4: Acts 27-28
May 5: Judges 1-3
May 6: Judges 4-5
May 7: Judges 6-8
May 8: Judges 9-10
May 9: Judges 11-13
May 10: Judges 14-16
May 11: Judges 17-19
May 12: Judges 20-21
May 13: Ruth 1-4
May 14: Romans 1-3
May 15: Romans 4-7
May 16: Romans 8-10
May 17: Romans 11-14
May 18: Romans 15-16
May 19: I Samuel 1-3
May 20: I Samuel 4-7
May 21: I Samuel 8-12
May 22: I Samuel 13-14
May 23: I Samuel 15-16
May 24: I Samuel 17-18
May 25: I Samuel 19-21
May 26: I Samuel 22-24
May 27: I Samuel 25-27
May 28: I Samuel 28-31
May 29: II Samuel 1-3
May 30: II Samuel 4-7
May 31: II Samuel 8-11
May
6
I Want New Parents
With the coming of spring comes baseball and softball season. For one umpire of girls softball the season got off to a rocky start. It was the second inning when one of the player’s mothers started chanting: “We want a new ump! We want a new ump!” As she was chanting this she was keeping perfect time with her feet as they stomped the bleachers. It wasn’t long before other parents joined in the chanting. The little girls seemed to be embarrassed about all that was going on. This scene went on for about an inning at which point the umpire turned to the crowd, took his protective mask off and shouted back to the crowd, “I want new parents! I want new parents!” It must have struck a nerve with the parents because the heckling died away.
Today has been set aside at Maple Hill as “A child is born” day. I could have written about our children, how fast they grow from the cradle to driving a car. I could have written about children being a “heritage to the Lord.” There are many subjects that would have been appropriate. I chose however to write about parents. It’s important for parents to set a good example, because their children are watching them. Christian parents can encourage good habits and behavior more than anyone in their child’s life. I often think what a better world we would have if parents took the time to be more involved in their child’s life. It is much more than going to your child’s ballgame, it involves more than going to work to provide for them. I think that many times parent pat themselves on the back and say they have done a good job because they did work and provide, they did attend a ballgame or a recital, they did send them to the best schools. If we are honest with one another, it is much more than that. If parents want to encourage good habits and behavior how important would it be to pray for and with your children? Pray that they learn how to talk with God. Paul told the Colossians “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it” (Colossians 4:2). How valuable would it be to read and teach them the Bible so they learn God’s truth. Under the old law parents were “Teach (God’s commands) diligently to your children,. talk to them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:7). Why not take the time to tell them about Jesus, leading them to faith in Him. “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God “(John 3:3).