The Censorious Eye (part two)
The censorious eye would have cut Adam and Eve to shreds and put their helpless souls on the road of perdition. This judgmental spirit would have driven the stake of death into the heart of Manasseh, pinned David's headless body to the gate of Jerusalem, nailed Peter to a cross of wood with the two thieves on Golgotha, and pelted the defenseless body of the adulterous woman with rocks.
The censorious eye takes no prisoners. It moves across the landscape of humanity, rending into pieces all those who refuse to be in its own image. Exhibiting a "scorched earth" mentality, it converts lives and reputations into fragments and boasts of a trail of unending bodies. Its assumptive mystical powers transform the hearts of men into literary objects, analyzing and condemning feelings, motives, and intents.
The censorious eye is destitute of mercy. Willfully oblivious to its own faults and failures, it scrutinizes the lives of others with the spirit of condemnation. It struts about with a superior air, viewing with disdain all those who are not kindred in spirit. It dips its pen in venom and poisons the bloodstream of men who, many times, are unknowingly objects of its influence. It bloodies reputations, fuels suspicious, fosters distrust, and foments strife. It transforms ambassadors of love into warriors of hate. Smiting one's breast with an introspective look and a plea for mercy (Luke 18:14) is conduct wholly foreign to its own experience.
The censorious eye is insecure. Honestly would elicit admission of a feeling of discomfort in its own skin. Bigness in its own eye is secured by diminishing the size of others. Advancement made in the life of another by hard work, sacrifice, and discipline is viewed as a personal threat to be suppressed instead of conduct to be emulated.
The censorious eye lacks discernment. The hypercritical man is often a self-appointed purveyor of truth. He is unable to perceive the difference in contending and being contentious. It ranks personalities above principles. The rancorous nature of its words negates the sound of its message. It wraps the truth in a verbal thunderstorm. It walks with cleated feet in an ostensible defense of the gospel of love.
The censorious eye is prejudiced. It grants diplomatic immunity to its friends. It peers indulgently at beams in the eyes of allies while exhibiting a search and destroy mentality regarding the motes in the eyes of assumed enemies. It ignores errors in those of like mind while inflating and publicizing the faults of those who refuse to bow to its own demands. It claims consistency for its own actions while decrying the absence thereof in the lives of others.
The censorious eye is unrelenting. It never quits. Its eyelid never droops in weariness. It can hammer a perceived fault for years and never experience fatigue. The passing of time does not abate the strength of its vision. Its sphere of operation is never invaded by doubt as to its conduct. It is ever vigilant. It has an insatiable thirst for new prey to be added to the old list of those it has deemed to be "heretics."
The censorious eye is evil. It traverses the sewers of life in ceaseless search of ammunition to riddle the character of objects of its wrath. It shoots to kill. It possesses the heart of a vulture and the spirit of a tabloid. It screams with sadistic delight over human debris that its own efforts have fashioned. It wraps a piece of truth in a package of lies. Its ear is ever open to rumor. It revels in "hearing and telling some new thing" about those whose hearts are not kin to its own. It holds a "Gnostic" view of itself. It hates with vigor. It can justify in its own sight the most vicious act perpetrated upon victims of its own anger. "But if thine eye be evil, they whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness" (Matt. 6:23).
The censorious eye runs roughshod over every tender sentiment of the gospel. Its bullying disposition and threatening demeanor darken the spirit of all who come under its influence. Its lungs breathe the air of envy, and its heart pulsates with bitterness. It quenches evangelistic ardor, breeds fear, nullifies love, and positions brethren on the field of battle, at war with one another. When God calls an end to time, the censorious eye shall cry in vain for mercy, "For he shall have judgment without mercy that hath showed no mercy, and mercy rejoiceth against judgment" (James 2:13).
-Frank Chesser
Restoration
Fran Arbuckle came forward asking for God's forgiveness and our prayers. She states that she has allowed
hindrances to get in the way of her attendance.
Current Concerns
Nell O' Beth Willoughby had a blood transfusion on Friday, February 23rd. This came as a result to an
infection she obtained in her intestinal tract from the antibiotics that she was taking.
Elizabeth Collins, Hattie Mae Gilmore's sister-in-law, is in the hospital in Brownwood, TX. Elizabeth had
a stroke. Hattie's brother, Lawrence, was transferred to Abilene Monday morning due to heart problems.
Darwin Carroll, father of John Carroll had emergency appendectomy in El Paso yesterday.
Prayer List
Mark Brewer; Fannie Copeland; Doug Duncan; Harvey Garvin; Burt Groves; Mildred Heslip; Marion Lee;
Justine McCollum; JoAnna Minter; Wilma Mitchell; Ruth Norman; Jim Reyna; Patsy Sanchez; Janelle Shirley;
Jim Weaver; Delora Wood.
Shut-ins
Mildred Bell; Mary Dunn; Sharon Fisher; Fay Gann; Cecil and Mildred Hext; Lela Jo McElroy; Virgie Price;
Charles and Pearl Tucker
Events
Watch In Search of the Lord's Way with Mack Lyon every Sunday morning at 7:30 am on CBS, channel 7.
This week's topic will be titled, "In Christ, There's a New Life."
Jim Young from Jonesboro, Arkansas will be here to begin a three day gospel meeting on Sunday, March 4th,
so please mark your calendars so that you won't miss out on hearing God's word proclaimed. We will have a
potluck luncheon immediately after the Sunday morning services to welcome Jim and his wife. There flyers in
the foyers if you would like to pick some up to give out to family, friends, or neighbors.
Our next ladies' night will be on March 13th. Please bring salads. Also, we are asking that you bring items to
replenish our pantry. We will have a game night.
FYI
The New Mexico Christian Children's Home will be here on March 5th. Some of the items they have requested
are canned meats, tea bags, and Chap Stick. Monetary donations are also accepted and appreciated.
Thank You
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ at the Eisenhower congregation, We want to thank each and every one
of you for the kind words, the many cards, the prayers and the wonderful dinner that you prepared for the
family at the passing of our mother Ruby Brown. You surely made a hard time for us much easier. May God
bless you for your goodness and kindness. We love you with the love of the Lord.
To the ladies: The basket of goodies that you sent to me at the hospital while I sat with my mom was very
much appreciated.
Thanks so much for all the prayers, calls, cards, and food. Christian friends are so priceless in the sorrow
we have experienced. Your kindness will never be forgotten.
Office News
Other Responsibilities:Elder: Charles Wood ~ Deacon: Jeff Wesson --
Pulpit: Scot Straw ~ Table: Richard Siler ~ Song Leaders: Ronnie Lane
Sunday AM "Where Could I Go But to the Lord?"
Psalms 37:3, 9
Our Records
Thank you for your kindness and sympathy at a time when it was deeply appreciated. Thank you for all your
kind expressions of love and support during this sad time. Ronnie and I both appreciate it all so much. Also
to the ladies, thank you for the basket for those of us that sat with Mrs. Bivins at the hospital. It was very
much appreciated.
Love, Donna and all the Bivins Family
Bill & Darlene Brown and Roy & Hazel Brown
Vickie Ryan
In Christian Love,
Ireba Chaffin and Family
Our food coordinators for the month of March are Devida Montgomery and Glenda.
Please note that correction sheets for the Pocket Directory are available on the table in the east foyer.
These are our members who were accidentally left off the first printing. We are sorry that these names
will have to be out of order until the next printing.
Opportunities to Serve
March 4, 2007
Morning
Evening
Announcements
Charles Wood
Charles Wood
Song Leader
Ronnie Lane
Ronnie Lane
Sermon
Jim Young
Jim Young
Opening Prayer
Charles Wood
Charles Wood
Scripture
Juan Morolez
Bill Brown
Second Prayer
Bill Butler
John Carroll
Closing Prayer
Don Easlon
Tony Marrs
Lord's Supper
West
Lon Howard
DJ Ray
Alex Martinez
Kirk McFarlandMarcus Crain
Cameron May
East
Jimmy Nunley
C. M. Riggs
Rudy Ochoa
Bill TolbertLarry May
Sunday PM "Profiles of Courage"
Joshua 1:18; Acts 28:15
Bible Class...100
Morning Worship...171
Evening Worship...107
Wednesday...127
Contribution... $4,386,75