Maple Hill church of Christ

Sherry’s Run

Danielle Gray — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:59:21 +0000

Sherry’s Run is offering FREE colon cancer screening test kits to you, your family and friends. You may pick them up at the Welcome Centers. After taking the at home test and filling out your contact information, place 3 postage stamps on the envelope and drop it in the mail. The results will be mailed to your home within 2 weeks. If you have any questions see Corrie Cluck or call (615) 925-2592 or email sherrysrun.

Men’s Breakfast

Danielle Gray — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:00:58 +0000

Our next Men’s Breakfast will be May 19. Be sure to watch for the sign-up sheet and sign up.

Horned Owls

Joe Widick — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:32:48 +0000

I knew what I wanted to write about for Mother’s Day back on a cold winter day. Tammye Whitaker came to my office to discuss the class she teaches. As we talked she shared with me how each morning she gets her binoculars and looks at the mother owl as she tends to her young babies. The care is evident! Tammye told me that on some mornings you can see the frost on the back of the owl. She has carefully seen that her babies are taken care of even at her inconvenience or discomfort.

Mothers are special! It is difficult to imagine all the care and love that is given by a mother. Very few roles demand the kind of unconditional, self-sacrificing perseverance and commitment as that of motherhood. I know that my character and faith has been shaped and molded by both my mother and by my wife. It is difficult to imagine where we would be without our wives and mothers influence.

Even though I am not a golf fan, the story of Phil Mickelson touched my heart. Phil, walked up the 18th fairway at the Masters Golf Tournament in 2010 after his final putt to clinch one of golf’s most coveted prizes for the third time. With all the excitement of being the winner, Phil made a beeline through the crowd to his wife, who was battling life-threatening cancer. They embraced, and the camera caught a tear running down Phil’s cheek as he held his wife close for a long time. It was evident what was most important at that moment in his life. Our wives, the mothers of our children need to experience the kind of sacrificial, selfless love that has been shown to us by the lover of our souls. The apostle Paul put it this way; “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” (Ephesians 5:25). Prizes come and go, events in our lives take place and then they are over, challenges are accepted and conquered, but it’s the people you love—and who love you—that matter most.
I was reminded of some important truths the day Tammye shared with me her story of the great horned owl mother. The care, protection and the unconditional love leaped from her story. Mothers play such an important role in the family. The importance is seen in a statement from Isaiah who said concerning God; “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you, and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” “As a mother” who continues her care! Maybe like a horned owl who stays all night watching over her little ones. Mothers, wherever you might be today, thank you for your unconditional love care and protection.

Car Seats

Joe Widick — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:55:42 +0000

My son and daughter-in-law have been at the Pepperdine lectures this past week. This has given both sets of grandparents the opportunity to keep their daughter Josie. I met Josie’s “nanna” at Columbia Wednesday and brought Josie to Lebanon. Amidst all the excitement of getting things transferred from one car to another, came the challenge of moving the dreaded car seat. To start with we could not get the car seat out of “nanna’s car.” Once that was accomplished, I had to get it in our car. I don’t know who designed all of the buckles and hooks that make the car seat work, but I know they did not have me in mind when they designed it. For young parents who use car seats daily, there is not a problem. For me, it was a complicated process of figuring out what went where. What I knew was that Josie needed to be safe and sound in that seat. Success finally came and off to Lebanon we went. I know the value of car seats and tremble to think that our children did not have car seats. However, it seems there could be a less complicated way of using a car seat.

As I listen to various people discuss matters of religion, I am sometimes amazed at how complicated they try to make things. It seems that we want to make it appear that God really didn’t know what he wanted us to do. As I study God’s Word, I have found over and over again that God has said what he wanted to say and he has said it in such a way that it can be understood. In Psalms 119:129-130 David penned these words by inspiration; “Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light it imparts understanding to the simple.” What a beautiful spirit to have! Is that the same spirit that I have when it comes time to study and know God’s word? “Wonderful” seems to be a term that tells me it is more grand than I can even imagine. “Unfolding” lets me know that throughout God’s word there is a story that needs to be told and page by page the writers continue that story. “Light” indicates to me this story has a purpose that of showing me what I need to know in order to be with God forever and ever. “Imparts” has the idea of giving me something that I need. The last four words tell me that this word is not a complicated book that I can never grasp. I do not look at those four words “understanding to the simple,” as an insult to my intelligence but rather a statement that says the all-knowing God has written a book that you and I can know and use. Let’s not make God’s word a complicated journey where we wonder about our salvation. After all there are enough complicated matters in life, like putting a car seat in a car!

Retirement

Joe Widick — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:59:54 +0000

Buzz, Buzz, Buzz is how the commercial starts. Then there is a man or lady who comes on the radio and begins talking about not having to get up and go to work today, because it was the first day of his/her retirement. The commercial then proceeds to talk about how he/she was prepared for retirement because of their financial planner who had invested wisely. All said the commercial was comforting because the individuals had a plan and they worked the plan.
Too often in life we hear individuals say they have to take life one day at a time. I understand what they are saying, however I also believe there is a need to look at what we are doing in the grand scheme of things. Are we making the proper plans, preparing for the future? Obviously this is not a journey about financial planning, but rather spiritual planning. What plans am I making for that time either near or in the distant future when I will be no more. As one takes each day, one day at a time, am I planning for that time when I will meet God? What type of plans am I making?
Have I invested time in reading his word? “The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” (Psalms 119:72). Sounds like a rather significant investment that David was making for the future.
Have you invested time in serving? Do you remember the challenging words of Christ as He talked with James and John? Jesus said; “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” (Mark 10:42-43).
Have you invested time in praying? While Jesus was in the upper room he had opportunity to get very close to his disciples, knowing that he would not be with them much longer. Read carefully the words of Jesus as recorded in John 16:24; “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
We worry and concern ourselves about that fateful day when we retire. I guess at that point the worry does not go away because one thinks did I save enough? Were my investments sound? There is one thing that I don’t want to worry about. I don’t want to worry about that day when I stand before God to be judged, wondering whether or not I have made the proper investments with my life. I look forward to entering into the joys and beauty of heaven for and eternity praising God for showing me how to invest my life.

Honduras Pictures

Landon Roeder — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:18:20 +0000

Jeff has posted pictures from the last 3 Honduras mission trips on his websites. Click on the following links to relive the memories.

2010 Honduras Photos

2011 Honduras Photos

2012 Honduras Photos

May 2012 Worship Assignments

Dwayne Wright — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:48:04 +0000

May2012-FINAL

Worship Assignments

Landon Roeder — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:10:57 +0000

Are you scheduled to help lead worship? Click HERE to view the latest worship assignments.

Star light Star bright

Joe Widick — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:29:56 +0000

n 1940 Walt Disney productions used the ancient nursery rhyme “Star Light Star Bright, First star I see tonight…” in the movie “Pinocchio.” Through the years that have come and gone, many a parent has recited that nursery rhyme to their children. It is always amazing to me to look up into the starry night and see the handiwork of God. While in Honduras in the middle of March the starry nights seemed to be more brilliant than ever. After a hard and hot day working in peoples homes and in the clinic, we would retire to the Mission Lazarus refuge for the night. After our nightly devotional, Elaine and I would walk to our room. Each night the stars shinned brightly. They seemed a little closer than the night before, and they truly seemed closer and brighter than when we gaze into the sky in Lebanon. Such a beautiful sight to behold. It served as a nightly reminder of the creative design that God displays for us. One night Elaine reminded me of a passage from Isaiah; “Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” (Isaiah 40:26).
In a hurry up world where seemingly there is little to no time for most to stop and think about God, we were able to pause and reflect on what Isaiah called his “great power and mighty strength.” It reminded me that all of this that was before me, was not by mere chance, but that it required a designer, because after that is what is required when you have design as opposed to chaos. The 40th chapter of Isaiah is truly an amazing chapter to read. From the start Isaiah is wanting to bring comfort to God’s people. Thirty one verses later Isaiah has told us of the power of our creator. He speaks of his greatness. He gives us evidence that the word of God is truly inspired, because only God would have known of the earth being round. Why not take a few moments and read through this great chapter and prayerfully you will feel the comfort of knowing that our God is truly an awesome God.
Today, I am far removed from a hillside in Honduras. I sit in a comfortable chair in a beautiful office, in a secure building. It bothers me that too many times I don’t stop long enough to reflect on just how great my God is. He gives me evidence each day and night as well as at the changing of seasons. I need to resolve in my mind to have a deeper appreciation for the world that God has prepared for me to live in. “Star light, star bright; first star I see tonight…” Thank you Lord the beauty of your creation.

Annual Camping Trip

Danielle Gray — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:30:50 +0000

Our camping trip to Defeated Creek is just about 6 months away. It is always the first
weekend in October and this year the dates are October 5 – 7. You can make your reservations for your campsite, 6 months from our trip date. Make your plans early to be able to book a good site. We always have a great time. Hope we see you there.