Flying by the Instruments
On July 16, 1999, a plane piloted by John F. Kennedy, Jr., crashed into the coastal waters of the eastern U.S., killing all those on board. Most experts believe that the crash resulted from Mr. Kennedy being affected by a condition that some call "Black Hole" syndrome.
This condition is defined as " the loss of visual sight of the horizon. In that case, the eyes give the brain no clue as to which is up or which is down. If the airplane should turn slightly or nose down slightly, the body's inner ear compensates to make the pilot believe he is flying straight and level. If for some reason the pilot makes another correction, at that point he can make a bad situation even worse. That is what some people are saying happened to John Kennedy" (Edmund Pinto, former Assistant Administrator of the FAA).
Pilots who wish to fly regularly at night are trained to trust their plane's instrument readings over their own perceptions. A pilot affected by the aforementioned syndrome could very easily look out his window and think that he is flying on a level course, but may actually be plunging straight to his death. The instruments, however, will correctly reveal reality, and if believed and followed, will keep a plane safely in the sky.
That concept must be carried over into our lives as Christians. Too often we become affected by a type of "Black Hole" syndrome when we should be flying by the instruments. That is, our perceptions of God and his presence in our lives are sometimes guided more by what appears to be true instead of what the Bible says is true. Evaluating life in that way results in a skewed view of reality.
In Tragedy
For, example, when we face the death of a loved one, the loss of health, job insecurity, or marriage problems, we
sometimes question whether or not God is with us or against us. We ponder, "If God is on my side, I would expect
things in my life to be smoother and happier. Maybe God is not as close to me as I have been led to believe." The fault
in such reasoning is that one is being governed by human perception instead of divine revelation.
The Bible is clear about the presence of God in the lives of his children. "He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor
forsake you.' So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear." "What can man do to me?"
(Heb. 13:5-6) "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Ps. 46:1) "For the eyes of the Lord
are open to their prayers." (1 Pet. 3:12) When we begin to doubt those truths we can know that we have begun to fly
by perception instead of by the instruments.
In Triumph
How tempting it is to view our prosperity as the result of our efforts alone instead of the outcome of God's providential
care. When payday arrives some are prone to thank the boss, the company, or just oneself. It may look like we are the sole
reason for our material possessions, but the Bible says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes
down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." (James 1:17) It is only when we
begin to take credit for that which is really a blessing from God. Such thinking leads to a self-sufficient attitude that
squeezes God out of the picture. (Rev. 3:17)
How are you flying?
-Eddie Parrish
Restoration
Jack Wright came forward Monday evening during our gospel meeting asking for God's forgiveness and our prayers.
He states that he was harboring some hatred feelings that needed to be put behind him to make himself right with God.
Let's keep Jack and others who may have experienced such feelings in our prayers.
Current Concerns
Shawn Michael and Dusty Eckard, friends of Juli Marshall were involved in a serious car accident on March 5th. Latest
report is that Dusty may get to go home, but it was doubtful that Shawn Michael would survive. Our prayers go out to
this family who have experienced such a tragedy.
Nell O' Beth Willoughby is scheduled to have a peg inserted (temporary feeding device) so she can get some nutrition.
She is still in room 836 at Medical Center Hospital but may be released on March 8th. All tests and MRI were negative.
Nell's biggest problem now is getting enough nutrition.
Prayer List
Mark Brewer; Fannie Copeland; Darwin Carroll; 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, "The Discipline Of God."
Jim Nash from Highland, TX will be here to on Sunday, March 18th, 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 family.
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.
The Granbury Church of Christ will be hosting a Singing School on March 25th through March 30th. More information
is posted on the bulletin board in the east foyer.
FYI
The time change will take place on Saturday, March 10th at midnight. Don't forget to move your clocks up one hour.
Odessa Christian School is now accepting 3 year olds through 6th grade and 7th through 12th grade College Preparatory
applications.
Thank You
Thank all of you so very much for the book and for all the kind and loving words that you all took time to write. I already
miss you all and I will never forget you all. My heart is there with all of you. May God bless you all.
In Christian love,
Carolyn Wilkerrson
Thank you Eisenhower Brethren for the Grocery Items &/or funds so lovingly donated to help car for the children. You
are very special to us!
The New Mexico Christian Children's Home
Address Changes
Carolyn Wilkerson, 803 N. Rhombert #4, Burnett, TX 78611.
Doris Roberson, 5100 Randol Mill Road #1202, Ft. Worth, TX 76112, Lakewood Village Retirement, 817-446-0133.
Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of March are Devida Montgomery and Glenda Hillis.
| March 11, 2007 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Announcements | Charles Wood | Charles Wood |
| Song Leader | Steve Horton | Rudy Ochoa |
| Sermon | Roelf Ruffner | Roelf Ruffner |
| Opening Prayer | Charles Wood | Charles Wood |
| Scripture | John Bethune | Marcus Crain |
| Second Prayer | Steve Horton | Jack Wright |
| Closing Prayer | Leon Sledge | Mark Ingram |
| Lord's Supper | ||
| West | Bill Ryan Jeff Wesson Ruben Chacon Frank Vargas |
Jeff Wood Cody Wesson |
| East | Ronnie Lane Tony Marrs Victor Martinez Jr. Munoz |
Craig Wesson |
Other Responsibilities:Elder: Charles Wood ~ Deacon: Jeff Wesson --
Pulpit: Scot Straw ~ Table: Richard Siler ~ Song Leaders: Ronnie Lane
Sunday AM ~ What Must I Do To Be Saved? Acts 8:1-13
Sunday PM ~ Following the Crowd to Damnation. 2 Kings 16:10-13
Our Records
Bible Class...108
Morning Worship...168
Evening Worship...144
Wednesday...94
Contribution... $5,502.25
Youth...$50.00