A Parent's Worst Nightmare
Faithful Christian parents fear for the spiritual wellbeing of their children. We are thankful the Lord has blessed us with children and grateful he has seen fit to entrust us with their precious souls. For the joy and fulfillment they bring to our lives we give glory to God. But we are also sobered by the awesome responsibility of guiding them in the ways of God. While we are aware of the general principle of Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not depart from it," we still realize each individual-regardless of upbringing-has a free will and must decide for himself whether he will faithfully serve the Lord (Rom. 14:12). Despite the powerful impact of persistent godly training in the home, despite our daily and diligent efforts to mold our children into the image of Christ, despite all we can and ought to do as fathers and mothers to raise them to know God and love him with all of their hearts, we are aware that we cannot actually make our children be faithful. For all that we can do we still cannot make them go to heaven (if we could, we surely would). The sweet babies we have nestled in our arms and held tightly in our bosoms can be nurtured in the chastening and admonition of the Lord, but still grow up and fall from grace if, as adults, they do not "take heed" (1 Cor. 10:12; Heb. 3:12). Having witnessed the heartache of brethren in Christ who have watched their own flesh and blood gradually and finally depart from the faith, we feel deep inside the pangs of anxiety knowing our own children may-somehow, someway-allow the devil to take them captive and turn them from the pathway of eternal life to the way which leads to everlasting destruction.
It is not likely that children raised in Christian homes will completely abandon all semblance of morality and pursue a life of gross fleshly indulgence, though, unfortunately, that does sometimes occur. What many Christian parents fear is not that their children will become rank atheists or join a Satanic cult, but that they will simply stop attending the assemblies of the church. This often happens if they marry those who are either not spiritually minded or who are members of denominations, and thus it concerns brethren when their children marry outside the Lord's church. It hurts them to see their children allow themselves to be influenced by worldly spouses to forsake the assemblies of the saints. It pains them to see their own flesh and blood converted by denominational spouses to false religion. Spiritually speaking, their worst nightmare is that their precious children whom they have nurtured from birth will not remain identified with churches of Christ or if they do, that they will not attend weekly worship.
My worst nightmare for my children's spiritual wellbeing is, in a sense, far worse. Our gracious God has blessed my wife and me with three beautiful children. As their father and the head of our home, I recognize that I am charged by God to "nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:1). More than anything I want them to be right with God and be with him in heaven forever. That is why I fear they might succumb to the lusts of the flesh, or that they might marry denominationalists and forsake the assemblies or leave the church altogether. But there is something which concerns me as much-even more-than seeing them live in fornication or join a denomination. There is something of which, at times, I am terrified, something which could cause them to lose their souls even if they do marry a member of Christ's church and attend worship each week. What is it? That they will be lukewarm.
One does not go to heaven just because he has been baptized for the remission of sins and is a member of a local congregation of the Lord's church. Showing up once a week to take the Lord's supper does not, of itself, make one approved of God and heaven bound. It seems that is enough to satisfy some parents. They appear to believe all is well with the souls of their children because, after all, they have been scripturally baptized and are present for Sunday morning worship at a local congregation somewhere. But what good will it do for our children to remain "identified with churches of Christ" if they are not diligently seeking first the kingdom of God (Mat. 6:33)? Even if they attend worship weekly, will they be saved if they have so much love for the world and so little interest in worshipping God and exhorting their brethren that they do not faithfully attend all of the Bible classes and worship periods of the church? Will all be well with their souls if their commitment to Christ is so weak that they cannot be depended upon to take part in the work of the church?
To be continued...
-Tyler Young
Current Concerns
Joe and Gracie Mendoza's infant boys are still struggling with health issues. Andrew is having difficulties eating and
Michael was taken to Dallas for surgery on his eye. They are only 4 months old. The Mendozas are friends of Juan &
Stella Morolez.
Update on Current Concerns
Grace Register, daughter of Devin and Stacy Register, was able to go home on Saturday, June 2nd.
Dana Erwin is back at home recovering after her surgery.
Prayer List
Fran Arbuckle; LeeRoy Bell; Beulah Cox; Dana Erwin; Sharon Fisher; Katy Lou Horton; Joe and Gracie Mendoza;
Patsy Sanchez; Nina Sledge; Marilyn Upshaw; Jurlean Warren; Charles Watson; Delora Wood.
Shut-ins
Mildred Bell; Mary Dunn; Fay Gann; Cecil and Mildred Hext; Lela Jo McElroy; Wilma Mitchell; 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, "Marriage is Honorable."
It's that time again ladies! Our next Ladies night is scheduled for June 12th at 7:00 p.m. in the annex. Pantry items
needed are powered milk, spam, and instant mashed potatoes. Bring finger foods. Please contact Sonia Wood for
further information regarding this special event. Hope to see you there!
FYI
Kelly Marrs has a new address: 7306 Aberdeen #2404, Lubbock, TX, 73424.
Thank you all for the cards, for your prayers, for the visits while in the hospital. I love you all. May God bless and be
with you.
In Christian Love,
June Turnbow
Dear Eisenhower family,
Thank you for the wonderful welcome to Odessa Friday! We were thrilled to see so many come out to greet and unload
us- it made it go so quickly. We are so appreciative for the accommodations made for us and all the meals provided for
us-we feel well cared for. We may be homeless, but not without family. Thank you for your love and prayers. We are so
grateful to be here to work with you.
With love,
Allen, Christy, Hannah, & Joshua
Office News Our food coordinators for the month of June are Nancy Easlon, Kayli Martell, and Julie Driver.
| June 10, 2007 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
Announcements |
Charles Wood | Charles Wood |
Song Leader |
John Carroll | Steve Horton |
Sermon |
Allen Weakland | Allen Weakland |
Opening Prayer |
Charles Wood | Charles Wood |
Scripture |
Scot Straw | Bill Tolbert |
Second Prayer |
Jack Wright | Don Easlon |
Closing Prayer |
Bill Tolbert | John Bethune |
|
||
West |
Mark Ingram Ben Ellison Larry May Harmon Rex |
Bradley Martell Trini Wood |
East |
Mike Smith Bill Butler Richard Siler David Easlon |
Frank Vargas |
Other Responsibilities: Elder: Charles Wood - Deacon: Ronnie Lane
Pulpit: John Wood- Table: Johnny Warren - Song Leaders: Ronnie Lane
Sunday AM
"Lovest Thou Me More Than These?"
(John 21:15-17)
Sunday PM
"Christ's Pathway to Joy"
(Philippians 4:4-6)
Our Records
Bible Class...118
Morning Worship...193
Evening Worship...96
Wednesday...119
Contribution...$5.930.13