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BulletinGold
#119
|
November
2010
|
Vol.
10
Num.
9 |
Editors:
|
David Bragg
|
Edward
Thomason
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| BulletinGold |
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In
This
Issue:
|
Articles
|
Nuggets
|
Poems
|
Quotes
|
-
Being Grateful,
David R. Ferguson
- The Bible’s Advice on Thanksgiving, Edd Sterchi
- Do Everything With Thanksgiving, Gerald Cowan
- Holiday Temptation
- Turkey Hotline, Shane Robinson
- What a Christian Was Intended to Be, Lance Cordle |
- For A
Better and Joyful Life
- HAPPINESS is Found in Little Things
- Scriptural Guidelines for Giving, Harry Middleton
- How
do you look at life? |
- Begin Each
Day… By Clay Harrison
- The Making of Friends,
Edgar Guest
- Let
Me Give
- My Daily Prayer |
quotes & sayings
for
bulletins and signs
|
| Editorial by David Bragg |
To many
Americans the month of November is a month of thanksgiving. Families
will gather and prayers will be offered. But are we truly thankful
people? This question lies at the heart of the articles, filler
materials, poems and quotes of the November issue of BulletinGold. I
thought that this article from my friend, David Ferguson,
could
set
the
tone
for
this month's edition of BulletinGold.
David
Bragg
http://www.davidbragg.org/
Being
Grateful
By
David R. Ferguson
Being
a
grateful
individual
leads
to
one being more like Jesus. It is
the vehicle for making us a better person. It involves focusing one’s
mind on the positive, and not the negative. The mind of the high-virtue
Christian is a disciplined mind, a pure and godly mind. Paul wrote,
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are
noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever
things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any
virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things."
(Philippians 4:8 NKJV)
David
understood
this,
for
he
sought
to
repay the kindness of his friend,
Jonathan, by protecting Jonathan’s son. Even though this flew in the
face of all conventional political wisdom at that time that would have
called for David to kill all the heirs of his rival, Saul, to protect
his claim to the throne. David answered to a higher calling, God, and
chose instead to do what was righteous. David said, "Is there still
anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness
for Jonathan's sake?" (2 Samuel 9:1 NKJV) Jonathan had a lame son named
Mephibosheth who still lived, and when he was brought trembling before
David, the king declared: "Do not fear, for I will surely show you
kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all
the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table
continually." (2 Samuel 9:7 NKJV) This was an act of gratitude
resulting from the great and enduring friendship between Jonathan and
David.
One
writer
described
gratitude
as
a
vaccine,
an antitoxin, and an
antiseptic. A vaccine is a preventative, an antitoxin kills poison, and
an antiseptic is a cleansing agent. A grateful person is a healthy
soul. Staying grateful keeps your soul from poison. Additionally, it
keeps removing wrong attitudes from your life as well.
Paul
wrote
to
the
church
at
Philippi,
saying about Jesus, "…Who, being in
the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but
made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and
coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the
death of the cross." (Philippians 2:6-8 NKJV) Paul is saying that Jesus
left the glory of heaven to come to the earth to live humbly as a
servant and then die horribly in order that you and I might live. So
how do you express your gratitude? Let us start by giving thanks to God
from a penitent heart for sending His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to
die for our sins.
May
the
Lord
bless
you
and
your
family!
-
David R. Ferguson preaches for the Lakeland Church of Christ in
Mattoon, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's
website: http://lakelandchurchofchrist.web.officelive.com/default.aspx
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| Panning
for Gold Feature Articles: |
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The Bible’s Advice on Thanksgiving
By
Edd Sterchi
It is very interesting to note the various contexts
in which the word “thanksgiving” occurs in the New King James Version
of the Bible. Here are just a few of the places:
* In Lev. 7:11-15, it is connected with offerings and sacrifices to God.
* In Psa. 26, it is connected with the proclaiming of God and His
“wondrous works.”
* In Psa. 95, it is connected with a joyful attitude due to God’s
salvation.
* In Psa. 147, it is in connection with honoring God’s goodness and
constant blessings.
* In 2 Cor. 9:10-12, it is in connection with helping those who are in
need.
* In Col. 4:2, it is in connection with continued prayers.
* In 1 Tim. 4:3-4, it is in connection with our meals.
So in examining these texts, we see that
thanksgiving is not something separated from the everyday life of the
child of God. It is to be an integral part of our daily lives. It is a
way of living - true thanksgiving is thanksliving!
Christians have so much for which to be thankful,
and daily we should live and give our thanks to God.
“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the
faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”
(Col. 2:6-7).
- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Jackson church of Christ in Jackson,
MO. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.jacksonchurchofchrist.com
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Do Everything With Thanksgiving
By
Gerald Cowan
Gratitude is one of chief virtues and
ingratitude is one of the most serious deficiencies. Could
ingratitude ever be called a sin? Our present lesson draws upon
some of Paul’s thoughts in his letter to Colossae.
Paul knew how to be grateful for faithful
Christians in a church he had not established or worked with (Col.
1:1-11). Though he preferred to serve where other Christians had not
gone, he appreciated and was concerned for the church everywhere (Rom.
15:20, 2 Cor. 11:28, Phil. 1:18). He was grateful for the Christians in
Colossae because of their faith, their love for all the saints, their
hope of heaven, and the fruit the gospel was bearing in their lives. He
prayed that they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s
word, walk worthily of the Lord in everything, be fruitful in
every good work, grow and be strengthened by God, be patient and
joyful, and give thanks to God the Father all things.
The Colossians shared with all Christians
everywhere (1:12-14 and 2:7). The Father makes all acceptable and
suitable to share the inheritance of the saints in light. He has
changed our relationship with Himself and with the world we live in. In
His Christ we have redemption and forgiveness of sins. We can walk in
and with Christ in the way taught by His apostles, rooted and grounded
and complete in Him – buried baptism and raised up to a new life in Him
(2:13-14).
Christians are admonished to be thankful in
everything (3:9-17, 4:2), because of the changes in themselves as
redeemed persons. Thanksgiving should be evident in the interaction of
members of His body, the church.
With so much to be thankful for, it is
disturbing that many do not display proper gratitude. Christians in our
country have more to be thankful for than most in the world, not only
in the material and social things, but especially in the spiritual. But
we spend a lot of time in the complaint department – there seems to be
no end to our ingratitude. We have so much to be thankful for – we
should spend more time counting our blessings and thanking our God.
- Gerald Cowan preaches for the Dongola church of Christ in Dongola,
IL. He may be contacted at Geraldcowan1931@aol.com
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Holiday Temptation
The following was e-mailed to me from friends in
Indiana. While it is humorous, as we face the temptation to overindulge
over the holidays we should let it remind us that "your body is the
temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye
are not your own" (1 Corinthians 6:19). As Christians, let us
respect and care for these temples.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the
earth and populated the earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach,
green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman
would live long and healthy lives. Then using God's great gifts, Satan
created Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Krispy Crème Donuts.
And Satan said, "You want
chocolate with that?" And Man said, "Yes!" and Woman said, "and as long
as you're at it, add some sprinkles." And they gained ten pounds.
And Satan smiled.
And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep
the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white
flour from the wheat and sugar from the cane and combined them.
And woman went from size 6 to size 14. And God said, "Try my
fresh green salad," and Satan presented Thousand-island Dressing,
buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman
unfastened their belts following the repast.
God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables
and olive oil in which to cook them." And Satan brought forth
deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own
platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went
through the roof.
God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it
"Angel Food Cake," and said, "It is good." Satan then created
chocolate cake and named it "Devil's Food."
God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer
calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created
McDonald's and its 99-cent double cheeseburger, and then said, "You
want fries with that?" And man replied, "Yes! and super-size
them!" And Satan said, "It is good." And Man went into
cardiac arrest.
God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.
Then Satan created HMOs.
- via THE SOWER, a weekly publication of the Arthur church of Christ,
Arthur, IL. Ron Bartanen, who serves as minister and editor, may be
contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com
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Turkey Hotline
By
Shane Robinson
A telephone hotline was set up to answer questions
about how to prepare and cook holiday turkeys. That’s right! The
Butterball Turkey Company was ready to answer consumer questions about
cooking turkey. One woman called to see if a turkey she had in her
freezer would be suitable for baking. She told the representative how
it had been in the bottom of her freezer for 23 years (yes, 23 YEARS).
The Butterball representative said the turkey would
be safe to eat if the freezer had been kept below zero for the entire
23 years, but even if the turkey was safe to eat, the flavor would
probably have deteriorated to such a degree that she would not
recommend eating it. The caller replied, “That’s what I thought. We’ll
give the turkey to our church.” This was a true story shared by Paul
Harvey a few years ago (Paul Harvey, daily radio broadcast, 11.22.95).
We may get a chuckle out of this story, but we must
make sure we are not like the woman who wanted to give the 23 year old
turkey to God’s people.
• We may be like the lady when we do not assist others in the work of
the church because it does not benefit us – the lady in the story
probably just wanted to get the turkey out of the freezer.
• We may be like the lady when we do not truly give as we have been
prospered – the lady in the story wanted to give God the leftovers.
• We may be like the lady when we do not leave the right impression on
others when we speak about the church – the lady in the story showed
how much Christianity meant to her.
“Seek First The Kingdom Of God” - Matthew 6:33
- Shane Robinson, preaches for the Lake Hills church of Christ in
Chattanooga, TN. He may be contacted through the congregation's
website: http://www.lakehillschurchofchrist.org/
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What a Christian Was Intended to Be
By
Lance Cordle
Scripture describes a Christian as one who has been
baptized for the remission of sins and is now walking in newness of
life (Romans 6:1-4)…Are you?
The Bible describes a Christian as a saint
(separated from and living differently from the world) (1 Corinthians
1:2; Hebrews 12:14)…Are you?
Scripture describes a Christian as a priest, one who
is able to approach God freely, on behalf of oneself or someone else (1
Peter 2:9)…Are you?
The Bible describes a Christian as a sheep which
follows the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20)…Are you?
Scripture describes a Christian as a light in the
midst of darkness (Philippians 2:15, 16)…Are you?
The Bible describes a Christian as a functioning,
useful member (part) of a body, the body of Christ (1 Corinthians
12:27)…Are you?
Scripture describes a Christian as a block in the
greater edifice, or spiritual building (1 Peter 2:5)…Are you?
The Bible describes a Christian as a child within
the family of God (Romans 8:14, 16; Ephesians 5:8)…Are you?
Scripture describes a Christian as a servant who
works and labors on behalf of our Master (Ephesians 6:6)…Are you?
The Bible describes a Christian as a citizen of
heaven—one may have temporary residence here on earth, but who is
acting in accordance with the privileges and responsibilities of the
spiritual country (Philippians 3:20) …Are you?
Scripture describes a Christian as a sojourner—one
not really at home on earth, but journeying toward a better place (1
Peter 2:11)…Are you?
- Lance Cordle preaches the Calvert City church of Christ in Calvert
City, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website:
http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com
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| Nuggets
& Quick Riches - misc. goodies |
For
A
Better
and
Joyful
Life:
Always try to help a friend in need.
Believe in yourself.
Be brave...but it’s ok to be afraid sometimes.
Study hard.
Laugh often.
Don’t be overly concerned with your weight; it’s just a number.
Always try to see the glass half full.
Meet new people, even if they look different to you.
Remain calm, even when it seems hopeless.
Take lots of naps.
Be weird whenever you have the chance.
Love your friends, no matter who they are.
Don’t waste food.
RELAX!
Take an occasional risk.
Try to have a little fun each day...it’s important.
Work together as a team.
Share a joke with friends.
Fall in love with someone…and say “I love you” often.
Express yourself creatively.
Be conscious of your appearance.
Always be up for surprises.
Love someone with all of your heart.
Share with friends.
Watch your step.
Be assured things will get better.
Remember that there is always someone who loves you.
Exercise to keep fit.
Live up to your name.
Seize the moment.
Hold on to good friends; they are few and far between.
Indulge in the things you truly love.
Cherish every Sunday.
At the end of the day...PRAY...and close your eyes.
And smile at least once a day!
- Via Undercover Newsletter, adapted; via The Encourager, the weekly
bulletin for the Calvert City church of Christ, Calvert City, KY.
Lance Cordle preaches for the congregation. He may be contacted
through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com
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HAPPINESS is Found in Little Things
“HAPPINESS is found in little things: a baby’s smile, a letter from a
friend, the song of a bird, a light in the window. The master
secret of happiness is to meet the challenge of each new day with the
serene faith that: “All things work together for good to them that love
God!”
- Author Unknown; via THE SOWER, a weekly publication of the Arthur
church of Christ, Arthur, IL. Ron Bartanen, who serves as minister and
editor, may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com
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Scriptural Guidelines for Giving
By
Harry
Middleton
Our primary concern in all matters must be the
seeking of God's approval. This is certainly true in giving. It would
be well for us to examine our attitudes as well as our resources in the
light of God's word. Consider the following guidelines for acceptable
giving.
First GIVE YOURSELF (2 Corinthians 8:5). Even in the
eyes of God the "gift without the giver" is meaningless.
Give LOVINGLY (2 Corinthians 8:8). We prove the
genuineness of our love for God by giving. Those who love little will
give sparingly while those who love much will give bountifully.
Give LIBERALLY (2 Corinthians 8:2-3). A spirit of
generosity will cause us to give even more than we think we are able.
Give PURPOSEFULLY (2 Corinthians 9:7). The heart
must be involved in every activity devoted to God.
Give CHEERFULLY not grudgingly (2 Corinthians 9:7).
God loves those who delight in giving because of an abiding sense of
gratitude.
Give THANKFULLY (2 Corinthians 9:11). The
realization that God will bless and enrich us with the ability to give
produces thanksgiving to God.
Give INFLUENTIALLY (2 Corinthians 9:13). The
Christians in Corinth were told that their unselfish giving would cause
others to give glory to God.
Brethren, an application of these principles would
assist us in our efforts to "abound in this grace also" (2 Corinthians
8:7). Let us think carefully and prayerfully on these things.
Don't give till it hurts. Give until it feels GOOD!
- Harry Middleton serves as one of the ministers for the Lebanon Road
church of Christ in Nashville, TN. Adam Faughn serves as the pulpit
minister for the congregation, and he may be contacted through the
congregation’s website at: http://www.lebanonroadchurchofchrist.org
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How do you look at life?
How do you look at life? Is it a drab and dull
existence? Is it a life filled with the sense of compulsion and
drudgery? Or
is it a life that is exciting, challenging and full of real joy, peace
and power? Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life” (John
10:10).
Many try to separate themselves from the things
which pertain to life and godliness. Far too many think that joy is
coupled with worldly pleasures. The Bible teaches contrary to that
notion. First John 2:15-17 plainly states that we are to “Love not the
world, neither the things that are in the world.” What a great tragedy
when men try to separate religion from the life that they live! Many
look upon religion as a system that really has no joy or excitement.
Therefore, they put human desires in place of faith and trust. When
this occurs, life really does lose its true meaning. A person’s life is
empty and sad without Christ.
The good news of real living is found in
Christianity. It is this that will bring real joy and true peace to our
lives. In Christ we are never anxious for anything, because “we know
that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them
who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
- Author Unknown; via the Belvedere Beacon, the weekly bulletin of the
Belvedere church of Christ, Belvedere, SC. Ken Chumbley preaches
for this congregation, and he may be contacted at their website: http://www.belvederechurchofchrist.org
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| Hearts
of Gold - poetry |
Begin
Each
Day…
By Clay Harrison
Begin each day with a simple prayer
to let God know you're glad He's there.
Praise Him for the things He's done
as He unveils the morning sun.
Rise and shine; get out of bed,
and thank Him for the day ahead.
Wear a smile, don't look depressed;
show the world that you've been blessed.
Stand straight and tall, don't be afraid
for this is the day the Lord has made!
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The
Making
of
Friends
By
Edgar
Guest
If nobody smiled and nobody cared and
Nobody helped us along,
If every moment looked after itself
And good things went to the strong,
If nobody thought just a little about you and
Nobody cared about me,
And we stood all alone in the battle of life,
What a dreary old world this would be.
Life is sweet, just because of friends we have made
And the things which in common we share,
We want to live on, not because of ourselves,
But because of the people who care.
It is doing and giving for somebody else,
On which all life’s splendor depends,
And the joy of this world,
When you’ve summed it all up,
Is found in the making of friends.
- via The Contender, the weekly bulletin published by the Walnut Grove
church of Christ in Benton, KY. Kevin Williams preaches for the
congregation. He may be contacted at wgcoc@bellsouth.net
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Let
Me
Give
I do not know how long I'll live
But while I live, Lord, let me give
Some comfort to someone in need
By smile for not-kind word or deed.
And let me do whate'er I can
To ease things for my fellow man.
I want naught but to do my part
To lift a tired or weary heart.
To change folks' frowns to smiles again-
Then I will not have lived in vain,
And I'll not care how long I'll live
If I can give-and give-and give.
- Selected; via THE SOWER, a weekly publication of the Arthur church of
Christ, Arthur, IL. Ron Bartanen, who serves as minister and editor,
may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com
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If I can do some good today,
If I can serve along life's way,
If I can something helpful say,
Lord, show me how.
If I can right a human wrong,
If I can help to make one strong,
If I can cheer with smile or song,
Lord, show me how.
If I can aid one in distress,
If I can make a burden less,
If I can spread more happiness,
Lord, show me how.
- Selected; - via the weekly bulletin of the Harrisburg church of
Christ in Harrisburg, IL. You may visit their website at http://www.harrisburgchurchofchrist.org
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| Gold
Mines ---- quotes, sayings & sign messages |
“Character is like the
foundation of a house—strong below the surface.”
"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great
nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on
religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ!" (Patrick Henry)
- via THE SOWER, a weekly publication of
the Arthur church of Christ, Arthur, IL. Ron Bartanen, who serves as
minister and editor, may be contacted through the congregation's
website: http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com
A friend is someone who will help you move. A real friend is someone
who will help you move a body. -- Unknown
A friend is someone who has an interest in you, but not a controlling
one.
- via The Encourager, the weekly bulletin
for the Dongola church of Christ, Dongola, IL. Gerald Cowan
serves the congregation as minister. He may be contacted at Geraldcowan1931@aol.com
Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are
consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes.
This is not coincidence. (Erma Bombeck)
I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old
and new. (Will Carleton)
“Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men, but
be careful that you do not take the day and leave out the gratitude.”
(E.P. Powell)
“Remember God's bounty in the year. String the pearls of His favor.
Hide the dark parts, except so far as they are breaking out in light!
Give this one day to thanks, to joy, to gratitude!” (Henry Ward Beecher)
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| BulletinGold
Extra ---- recent postings on
our Blogsite |
|
Five Truths Taught By
Cornelius, by Mark Ray
Be Still and Know! By Ben Thompson
God Spoke To YOU (Matt. 22:31,32), by Douglas Hoff
The Final Authority, by Gary L. Grizzell
Until Shiloh Come (Gen. 49:10), by Gene Rowe, Jr.
Trials of Abraham’s Faith, by George W. DeHoff (Deceased)
Is the Bible a Dead Book? By Gerald Cowan
A Visit From the Preacher
The Value of Teachers, by Alan Smith
Return to Fundamentals, by Bob Spurlin
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