Once an elderly gentleman became too ill to take care of his affairs and was placed in a nursing facility.  His neighbor, Harold, began mowing the yard every week.  The homeowner never knew who cut it.  None of the other neighbors ever gave it a thought.  The local newspaper never came to do a story about the ongoing generosity.  Even Harold’s family was unaware of his service.  However, his deeds were not completely anonymous, because the Lord took note of each act. We certainly want to be respected and loved by others, as we serve.  We want to set a good example for others to behold and emulate.  Yet, the great reality is that God sees it all.  Jesus describes His Father as the “One who sees in secret” (Mt. 6:4, 6, 18).  If Jesus [...]

Over the past several weeks there have been a number of deaths that have effected us personally and as a congregation.  Each of these has brought about a sense of loss and its attendant sadness. The Scriptures certainly allow the living to grieve at the deaths of their loved ones.  When Jacob died, the text says, “Joseph fell on his father’s face, and wept over him and kissed him.”  They mourned for 40 days there in Egypt and another 7 days at his burial in the Land of Canaan.  John 11 is quite clear concerning the pain that Mary, Martha, and their friends were experiencing at the death of Lazarus. As Christians, we are called to grieve, “but not as those who have no hope.”  This is a call to look ahead and to move [...]

Title: Chili SupperLocation: Multipurpose BuildingDescription: Everyone is invited to a “chili supper” after the evening worship service.Date: 2012-03-04

Title: Men’s BreakfastLocation: Multipurpose BuildingDescription: The Elders will be hosting a Men’s Breakfast in the multipurpose building at 9:00 AM. Dennis Crowder from Jackson Street Church of Christ will be the guest speaker.Start Time: 9:00 AMDate: 2012-02-18

While I was preaching in Indianapolis, I came out of our building one morning only to discover a man in my car.  Without much thought I inquired, “What are you doing in there?”  As he jumped out of the car and started to leave, he simply said, “Oh, nothing.” How would you respond if someone were to come up to you this Sunday and asked, “What are you doing here?”  Honesty might demand some to reply, “Just showing off my new dress,” or “hoping to close that business deal,” or, like my coin thief in Indy, “ Oh nothing.”  You might think of more, but I know at least five good reasons for each of us being present this Sunday at 9:00: TO WORSHIP GOD — We honor Him by our presence and the worship [...]

An angel of the Lord directed Philip to share the story of Christ with a treasurer from Ethiopia. After observing a nearby body of water, the eunuch said, “Look!  Water!  What prevents me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36).  For  genuine believers nothing stands in their way except their willingness to obey. In a broader perspective, what keeps us from doing more for the Lord?  What keeps us from seeking and promoting His kingdom?  For some, it might be health or education or even opportunity.  However, for most of us, it is merely a matter of getting started and doing it. Today you can start you own visitation ministry — write down ten individuals or families that you want to visit over the next month and get started one at a time.  Today you can start [...]

During Jesus’ day, one of the groups of the Jews was known as the Sadducees.  Though they did not believe in a resurrection after death, one day they posed Jesus a hypothetical question.  If a woman married a sequence of seven men, each of whom died before the next wedding, who would she be married to in the after-life? Jesus certainly understood that they were attempting to trap or stump Him with the question.  He simply responded, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God”  (Matthew 22:29). Many of our struggles, anxieties, and doubts arise from the same two issues — ignorance and lack of faith.  Today, many people talk about the Bible, but they fail to read it with any depth or regularity.  Positive thinking and [...]