Eisenhower Edifier                    June 8, 2008

You're invited to The Eisenhower Church of Christ for our 2008 Wednesday Night Summer Series

June 4th— "Lovest Thou Me More Than These?"– Allen Weakland
June 11th– "Love God With All Your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength"– David Vestal
June 18th– "Be Not Conformed to This World"–Kevin Bullard
June 25th– "Worship in Spirit and in Truth"– Burt Groves
July 2nd– "Study to Show Thyself Approved"– Greg Fleming
July 9th– "What Communion Hath Light With Darkness"– Steve Horton
July 16th- "Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?"- Mark Ray
July 23rd- "Do Not Add To or Take Away"- Tom Hicks
July 30th- "Be Ye Steadfast, Unmovable"- Kevin Rhodes
August 6th- "Christ Liveth in Me"- David Easlon
August 13th- "Add Christian Graces"- Denny Wilson

For more information: 432-337-5313- 807 East 21st Street All services will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays
Please Join Us!

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When Self is at the Center

Self-centeredness is not solely a modern day dilemma. In fact, our Lord confronted this issue in His day (Luke 18:9-14). When a man becomes preoccupied with self, it is manifested in various ways: (1) self-absorption (narcissism), (2) self-glorification (arrogance, boastfulness), (3) self-service (selfishness, greed), (4) self-will (stubbornness), (5) self-obedience (humanism, lawlessness).

With all of that understood, it is vitally important for all of us to exhibit the right kind of associations with others. The relationship that should exist between brothers and sisters in Christ should be like none other. We should sincerely care for each other's welfare. The only thing that stands in the way of this being accomplished is self. When self is at the center, numerous things occur:
First, our religion toward God becomes idolatry. Idolatry consists of anything that "dethrones" God and replaces Him with something else (Col. 3:5). The substitution of self for God is the very essence of sin (Gen. 3:1-6). Paul gives a vivid picture in the book of Romans, chapter one, verses eighteen through twenty-five of what happens when man worships the "creature" more than the "creator." When man is willing to replace God with self, then he has manifested the ultimate idolatry.

Second, our relationship with others will degenerate. When we come to a point in our lives that we care for self more than others, we must realize that those around us will suffer. Paul said, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others" (Phil 2:3-4). The greatest sacrifice man can offer another is that of service. The New Testament teaches that personal relationships thrive only when we "submit" ourselves to the needs of others (Eph. 5:21).

Finally, our attitude toward self becomes detested. Self-respect comes from one thing and one thing only, serving others. When man becomes preoccupied with self, not only will he not serve his fellowman, he will also begin eroding the foundation on which his self-respect is built. Friends, a wholesome self-concept comes not from the "BE SOMEBODY" philosophy, rather it comes from "SERVE SOMEBODY" belief. This is the kind of attitude our Lord exhibited while upon this earth and is the same kind of mindset He requires of us today (Phil 2:5).

Paul informed us that there would be a time when "men will be lovers of themselves" (2 Tim 3:2). Can there be a more apt description of our own age? Yes, self-centeredness is an age old problem; however, we do not have to repeat history. Let us avoid such and not become preoccupied with self and allow the love and law of Christ to conquer our own lives where we can say, "None of self and all for thee."

Allen Weakland

Current Concerns
Jurlean Warren had tests done on Tuesday, June 3rd at Scott & White Hospital in Temple . All of her tests results turned out good. Don Cavanaugh will be having back surgery on Monday, June 9th at the Midland Memorial Hospital.
Vickie Ryan had a doctor‘s appointment this past Monday after suffering with high blood pressure and a possible viral infection this past weekend. She seems to be doing okay, but still needs our prayers.
Rusty Lingle had to undergo an emergency appendectomy this past weekend in San Angelo. He is back home recuperating.
Linda Beard, grandmother of Briana Lingle is suffering from cancer and is very critical at this time. Briana and the children will be flying to North Carolina to see her grandmother and to be with the family.
J.Y. Durham, a friend of Fran Arbuckle was admitted to the Alliance Hospital on Saturday, May 31st due to a fall and a past history of heart problems. The doctors have discovered that he has a blood infection and an infected knee. J.Y. is currently in I.C.U. and on a ventilator.

Concerns Update
Veatrice Lawrence, mother of Christie Gleaton, who had an aortic valve replacement and a four bypass surgery done last week has been taken off the ventilator and the tubes were removed from her chest but has suffered a slight stroke. She has a long way to go. Please keep Veatrice in your prayers.
Danny McCright, brother to Fran Arbuckle has finished his radiation treatments and is now going through Chemo therapy.

Prayer List
Bill Arbuckle; LeeRoy Bell; Mildred Bell; James Drake; Mildred Heslip; Bethany Lewallen; Nick Pearl; DJ & Adah Ray; David Ryan; Mable Riggs; Estella Morolez; Billy Walker; Bill White; Delora Wood.

Shut-ins
Mary Dunn; Fay Gann; Cecil and Mildred Hext; Virgie Price; Charles 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 entitled, "The Resurrection of Christ"
Our Summer Series begins Wednesday, June 4th at 7:00 p.m. Please make plans to attend and invite your family and friends as well.

FYI
The Wednesday morning Bible Class will not be meeting during the summer.
Our next Ladies' Night will be held on Tuesday, June 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the annex. Please bring finger foods.
Fran Arbuckle has a new (unlisted) home telephone number which will not be posted; however, if you need that number, please call the office and we will give it to you.

Youth
We are needing hosts for the monthly youth devotionals. Please sign up to host one or more on the sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the east foyer.

Office News
Our food coordinator for the month of June are June Smith and Maxine Newton
We are trying to fill our pantry. Every two weeks we will have new suggested items. This week's suggestions are jello, soup and canned meats.

Other Responsibilities: Elder: Bill Brown ~ Deacon: Scot Straw ~ Pulpit: George Warren ~ Table: Frank Vargas ~ Song Leaders: Ronnie Lane

Sunday AM "He Ran and He Ran" (Mark 5:1-6)
Sunday PM "Victory Where There was Once Defeat" (Joshua 7:1-5)

Our Records
Bible Class... 106
Morning Worship... 151
Evening Worship... 138
Wednesday... 138
Contribution $5,372.75