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It's unbelievable, but another year has passed, and the busiest season
of the year is here. I plan to take a rest from BulletinGold
during December. Therefore, there will not be a January 2005 issue
sent out. I pray that all of you will have a safe and blessed
holiday season and a happy New Year.
Yours in Christ, Donna Richmond
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Panning for more
Gold
----
preacher's articles this issue
Living Life to the
Fullest
by: Charlie Thomason
If you know me at all, I know you're aware of how passionate I am
about helping people live life to the fullest! Paul had a burning
desire to save his Jewish brethren with the gospel (Romans 10:1).
I have a burning desire to help everyone I can to know Jesus Christ as
Savior, and then to help them understand how important it is to make
each day count! Paul wrote in Colossians 4:5, "make the most
of every opportunity." (NIV) The NKJV says, "redeeming
the time."
We would all be better students, teachers, employees, employers,
neighbors, friends, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers,
sisters, and citizens in our community if we would realize how brief
life can be and how precious each day-no, each moment-is!
We would forgive more, talk more, and hug more. We would watch TV
less, be less selfish, and do less stupid stuff that doesn't amount to a
hill of beans!
God help us to enjoy and live up to the incredible life He has so richly
given to us!
Charlie Thomason preaches for the Faith Village Church of Christ in
Wichita Falls, Texas.
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A New Year to Use
by: Lawrence Barr
What are you planning for this new year? I want to suggest something
that will help us to use it better. The idea is that we are all parts of
one body, and none of us is alone! Since we have become a part of
Christ, we partake of His nature. He very clearly said, "I and the
Father are one." The Father, Son and Holy Spirit have no selfish
agendas. They are truly one in purpose, care, joy and sorrow.
That is how we should be, and must be, if we belong to the Lord! Each
one of us is a member of the other. When my little toe hurts, the rest
of my body does not ignore it. That toe is me. My head knows it and my
hand knows it. So with all my parts I care for that sore toe.
When something good or bad happens to a member of the body of Christ,
that thing is happening to the entire body. In a way, when I try to
comfort or help another part of the body, I am helping my other
self.
So think "body" this year. Think of the whole to which we
all belong. We belong to each other. Let us be as connected to one
another as the parts of our physical bodies are connected. Then we will
fulfill the prayer of Jesus, "that all of them may be one, Father,
just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that
the world may believe that you have sent me" (John 17:21, NIV).
Henceforth let us resolve we shall no more look at a brother or sister
thinking what that person owes us or ought to do for us. Instead let us
build one another up. Then, and only then, will we find all our
individual needs met!
Lawrence Barr preaches for the Indiana Church of Christ in Indiana,
Pennsylvania.
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Mapping Out Your
Course
by: David A. Sargent
Have you ever been lost? I have! On one occasion, I was
part of a group that went hiking on a mountain trail in Northeast
Georgia. The scenery was breathtaking! The view from the top
of the mountain was worth every effort in reaching it. But on the
way down the mountain, we decided to take a different trail. We
walked and walked for miles, hoping that the trail would lead us to our
proper destination. The longer we walked, however, the more we
realized
that we were lost. We had an appointment that evening, so time was
of the essence. We didn't have time to backtrack, so we kept
walking, looking for familiar surroundings. Then we found
something that revealed to us not only where we were, but also where we
needed to go to reach our proper destination. It was a map!
If it weren't for that map, we might still be in those mountains!
Neal Pollard has made the following observations about a map:
1. It cannot assist until it is consulted.
2. It will not help those who ignore what it says.
3. It is composed by those who know its subject.
4. It can be misread.
5. It will yield the same directions for anyone who picks it
up and properly uses it.
6. It completely allows for the free will of the user.
7. It is meant to be practical rather than abstract.
8. It has helped many successfully reach their final
destination.
9. It is not meant to predict unexpected occurrences for the
traveler while it is in use.
10. It shows borders, boundaries, and what is both possible and
impossible in travel. *
These ten factors are especially applicable to the use of Heaven's Road
Map, the Bible. God's Word informs us that ALL of us are lost due
to SIN (Romans 3:23; 6:23). However, God's Word also reveals the
way of salvation. That Way is through a proper relationship with
Jesus Christ, God's Son.
Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to
the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). The Bible gives us
the following directions to reach our proper Destination (Heaven): place
your trust in Christ (Acts 16:31), repent of sin (Acts 17:30-31),
confess the deity of Christ (Romans 10:9-10), be baptized (immersed) for
the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38).
Then we must continue to follow Heaven's Road Map for the rest of our
lives, being careful not to "veer off course" (1 John
1:7). We must continue to follow that narrow and difficult way
which leads to life everlasting (Matthew 7:13-14).
The Psalmist declared, "Your Word is a LAMP to my feet and a LIGHT
to
my path" (Psalm 119:105).
The RIGHT course has been "mapped out" for ALL.
Will YOU consult the "Map" of God's Word, and follow
Jesus all the way to Heaven!
God bless you!
David A. Sargent is the minister of the Church of Christ at Creekwood
in Mobile, Alabama.
Archived issues of "Living Water" can be viewed and accessed
from our
website at: www.creekwoodcc.org
Neal Pollard is a minister of the Cold Harbor Road church of Christ
in Mechanicsville, Virginia.
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Quick Riches
----misc. goodies this
issue
How Shall We Live?
by: Garland M. Robinson
Should we put our Bible in the closet and keep it out of sight and
mind when we go on vacation? Shall we forget about it when we are
at work or school? Should we forget it's God's manual for ordering
our life in every area, no matter where we are or what we do?
Should it be ignored when we go to the polls to vote? Should we be
mindless zombies and defy all morality and principle to support our
favorite party? I think not. And you do, too! Does
God's Word rule your heart and life?
Garland M. Robinson is the editor of "Seek the Old
Paths." He attends the East End Church of Christ in
McMinnville, Tennessee. Go to http://www.seektheoldpaths.org
to subscribe and to find many great biblical resources, including
Restoration history.
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Serving in Silence
by: Dennis Russell
The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth in Luke chapter 1 is one of
great faith and hope. The reference to Herod (vs. 5) reminds us
that this was a dark time in the world. Herod the Great was a
tyrant who held on to his throne at all costs. He would even
execute his own family members if he felt they were a threat to his
throne.
In contrast to this were Zechariah and Elizabeth, Godly individuals who
were lights shining in a world of darkness. Verse 6 gives us a
look into their character, which allowed them to shine in this darkness.
First, they were "both righteous before God." To be
righteous means to be just, to be in a right relationship with God.
They were declared righteous by God because of their faith.
Secondly, they walked in "all the commandments and ordinances of
the Lord blameless." To walk refers to their conduct.
They conducted themselves according to the word of God. Their
lives were patterned
after the divine standard. Biblical righteousness is an inward
quality that manifests itself in obedience to God's word.
Here are two people who were steadfast in their confession of faith.
They were committed to living out (expressing) their faith. What a
testimony of faithfulness. Do we stand righteous before God?
Are we patterning our lives after the divine standard? Do we give
consistent and visible expression to our faith?
Dennis Russell preaches for the Foster Road Church of Christ in Santa
Maria, California.
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Hearts of Gold
----poetry this issue
In the Safety of
His Arms
by: H. L. Gradowith
I'm glad I have found in Him a hiding place,
A haven from the storms I daily face,
No problem's too big, no pathway's too weary,
And even when I am troubled and teary
I know that He'll be there and He'll see me through.
When those whom I love fail to be all they should,
When those I depend on don't do all they could...
When I'm disappointed and broken-hearted
Over a friend once loved but now departed...
I know that He'll be there and He'll see me through.
When the uncertainties of life block my way,
And when the price of sin seems too high to pay,
When clouds of doubt arise confusing my mind,
And when it seems that I am falling behind...
I know that He'll be there and He'll see me through.
When I am weary and feeling all alone,
When I need someone for my sins to atone;
When I am called to the bedside of a friend,
When I am told that life for me soon will end...
I know that He'll be there and He'll see me through.
When this old body fails to work anymore,
When my thoughts turn to that far and distant shore,
When, at long last, the Savior calls me to rest,
When I seek entrance at the home of the blest,
I know that He'll be there and He'll see me through.
H. L. Gradowith (Tim Smith) preaches for the Enon Church of Christ near
Dothan, Alabama.
May God Bless You as You Study and Obey His Word. Tim Smith
Enon Church of Christ http://www.geocities.com/fp5699/
See The Humor Archive at Yahoo! Groups:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gradowithsdailyhumor/
See The Poem Archive at Yahoo! Groups:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gradowithspoems/
Gradowith's Homepage:
http://www.geocities.com/gradowith/GradowithsHomepage.html
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The Apple of Thy
Eye
by: author unknown
Lord, hear me when I cry to Thee,
Give ear unto my prayer,
For Thou art omnipresent, Lord,
Thy spirit's everywhere.
Oh, let my mouth speak nothing ill,
Let not my footsteps slip,
But keep me in the righteous path,
Keep me within Thy grip.
Lord, Thou Who savest all of those
Who put their trust in Thee,
Oh, as the apple of Thy eye
I pray Thou wilt keep me.
Under the shadow of Thy wings
Hide me forevermore.
That I might fully rest in Thee,
My precious, loving Lord.
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Gold Mines
----quotes & sayings
for bulletins and signs this issue
The closest distance between a problem and its solution is the
distance between your knees and the floor.
When life needs rebooting, remember-Jesus saves!
You feed your body; why starve your soul?
A short cut is often a temptation in disguise.
Kindness is difficult to give away. It usually comes right back.
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