Is Your Christianity Attractive?
Many of our religious friends tend to discredit the attractiveness of true Christianity. Conceptions like the introduction of mechanical instruments into worship, exchanging sprinkling or pouring for immersion, replacing biblical hermeneutics with humanism and altering traditional worship with contemporary worship are only a few points to support such a statement. By these alterations, are they not saying that Christianity offers no attraction in and of itself! Friends, are men at liberty to modify the ways of God so as to make it more faddish, thus creating something that is more pleasing and delightful to the eyes of men? Beloved, Christianity is attractive enough to draw any and all who would truly be pleasers of God. And yet, what are these traits which make Christianity attractive?
First, Christianity is attractive when proper love is shown (Jn. 13:35). However, many seemed to be more concerned with biting and devouring one another (Gal. 5:15) than they are speaking the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). Beloved, how did our Heavenly Father make the Gospel attractive-was it only by the giving of His Son which was motivated by love (John 3:16; I John 3:16)?
Second, Christianity is attractive when proper speech is used (Eph. 4:29). Have we become so calloused to all of the filthy or lewd speech in our society that we no longer see a need to be civil or pleasant in our town? Our Lord made it very clear that our speech should always be seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6). Only by speaking properly can one manifest one of the true attractions found within Christianity. Third, Christianity is attractive when one manifests his fidelity to God (Col. 3:17). In a time when "doing your own thing" is both popular and is promoted as the one and only true ethic, there stands an attractiveness in yielding to our Maker's will (Rom. 9:20-21). How did Naomi lead Ruth to forsake Moab (Ruth 1:16-18)? Was it not through Naomi's own fidelity toward the Heavenly Father!
Friends, as you can see, there are attractive traits found within Christianity which can draw the attention of those who are looking for true beauty. Let us wear these traits so as to let the beauty of Christ be seen in us.
-Allen Weakland
Oh, To Be A Man Like Jeremiah
I'm not sure whether it has ever struck you how great a man Jeremiah truly was. If you were to ever read
the epistle that bears his name and make yourself familiar with the circumstances of the day, I'm convinced
you would become a great admirer of his. The qualities which he exhibited were the very traits that were
needed in that day. Because during the time he spoke and wrote, it seems that no one believed him and no
doubt counted him as the town jester. However, even in the face of adversity, Jeremiah never lost his
compassion nor affection for the people, for he said, "Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a
fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people." (Jer. 9:1).
Another trait, that was so prevalent in the life of Jeremiah, that lent to his success can be seen in how he
demonstrated a firmness and an unflinching strength in his quest to please the Almighty. Even when "the
prophets prophesy falsely and the priests bear rule by their means and my people love to have it so"
(Jer. 5:31), Jeremiah longed for the day when his people would see the error of their ways and return once
again to the God of heaven. (Jer. 4:3-4). Though the stubbornness of his people broke the prophet's heart
(Jer. 23:9), he knew that the only way his people would ever return to being a nation that sought, with their
entire heart (Jer. 29:13), the righteousness and godliness of the Lord (Matt 5:6), was for him to boldly
proclaim the Word of God as it burned within his soul. (Jer. 20:9).
Beloved, these qualities that made Jeremiah a man of God are the very attributes that are needed today. When the church acknowledges the need to show a conviction for the Word of God and couples it with proper compassion, only then will we possess the proper virtue to be men of God.
-Allen Weakland
Current Concerns
Dennis Gerig, father-in-law of Betty Gerig is very ill and not expected to live past Saturday, June 14th.
He has complications with pneumonia. Dennis lives in Berne, Indiana. He is 96 years old. Monte and
Betty are traveling back to Indiana to be with their family during this time of sadness.
Joe Gomez, friend of Robert and Ruben Chacon was been diagnosed with Guillian Barre Syndrome and
is in I.C.U.
Earl Brewster, brother of Pearl Garvin, had 4 bypasses on July 6th in San Antonio at the V.A. Hospital.
Venny Allen, friend of Julie Driver, was involved in a car accident in Midland on Sunday July 8th. He is
in ICU Midland Memorial Hospital. He is 16 years old. No visitors at this time.
Trevor Parker, friend of Allen Weakland who teaches at the preaching school in Victoria, has had cancer
in the past. The doctors have recently found another lump.
Lannie Simmons, 5 year old great niece of Charles and Susan Simmons, is having severe headaches and
will be undergoing more tests to determine the cause.
Prayer List
Fran Arbuckle; LeeRoy Bell; Sharon Fisher; Teresa Ford; Joe and Gracie Mendoza; Jimmy Nunley; Patsy
Sanchez; Shelline Stokes; Marilyn Upshaw; Lucinda Webster; Angela Welsh; Nell O' Beth Willoughby;
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, "The Grace of God in Man's Salvation."
The Lakeview Christian Home will be here on the week of July 16th. They have requested canned fruits,
however, any kind of canned food would be appreciated.
We will be having a pot luck luncheon on July 15th immediately following morning services for Victor
and Gracie Martinez. They will be leaving us shortly after this date. Come join us in saying farewell and
best wishes. Be sure to sign the book for them in the foyer.
You are invited to the 90th SURPRISE birthday Party for MARTHA RIGGS
To be held July 21, 2007 From 2-5 PM come and go or come and stay
At the Hillcrest Church of Christ MPR 650 Ambler, Abilene, Texas
No gifts please. They are making a memory book for her, so if you would like to write a letter of how she
has touched your life you can send it to the address on the bulletin board in the east foyer.
We will be hosting a crib shower for Ella Nicole Starcher, daughter of Chris and Cindy Starcher and granddaughter of Mike and June Smith beginning on Sunday, July 15th. There will be a crib placed in the east foyer where you may put your gifts.
Youth
We are planning a trip to the Roughneck game on Saturday, July 28th for all the youth. For those 6th
grade and under we are asking that a parent accompanies them to the game. This is for their safety. The
cost of the tickets is $15.00. This includes the ticket, a t-shirt, a soft drink, and a hot dog. All we are asking
for the kid's tickets is $5.00. The remainder will be covered. Parents will have to pay the full price of $15.00.
If anyone would like to contribute towards the cost of these tickets, you may use the special contribution
envelopes or give it to the office. If you are unable to pay for this event, please let us know. You will be
covered. We need a head count by Friday, July 13th in order to reserve enough seats. Please call the office
by noon on that day. Further information will be posted as the date gets closer.
FYI If you would like to contribute the Jim Reyna's medical fund, you may use the special contribution envelopes on the table in the east foyer and place it in the tape order box or you can give your donations to the office staff or the elders. We will try to send whatever we have collected on September 17th. Be sure to take time to read the article posted on the bulletin board which involves our very own beloved Steve Horton and Burt Groves.
Thank You
A special thanks to all of our brothers and sisters that have really made our family feel very welcomed
and has really made us comfortable with all of you. We also want to thank Allen for our baptism. I thank
God every day for giving us the blessing to have such wonderful people in our lives.
With love, The Huffman Family
Thank you for the cards. I am now living in Salado, TX P.O. Box 1321 76571-1600.
Lela Jo McElroy
Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of July are Rocio Chacon and Barbara Martinez .
| July 15, 2007 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Announcements | Lon Howard | Lon Howard |
| Song Leader | David Easlon | Steve Horton |
| Sermon | Allen Weakland | Allen Weakland |
| Opening Prayer | Lon Howard | Lon Howard |
| Scripture | C.M. Riggs | Rudy Ochoa |
| Second Prayer | Mike Smith | Jack Wright |
| Closing Prayer | Tom Sorenson | Scot Straw |
| Lord's Supper | ||
| West | Bill Tolbert Johnny Warren John Wood Rex Harmon |
Cameron May Jeff Wood |
| East | George Warren Jeff Wesson Juan Morolez Wallace Cunningham |
David Easlon |
Other Responsibilities: Elder: Lon Howard - Deacon: Richard Siler -
Pulpit: Mike Roemisch
Table: Frank Vargas - Song Leaders: Ronnie Lane
Sunday AM
"Check the Bank Book"
(Ephesians 1:15-23)
Sunday PM
"The Power of the New Covenant"
(Romans 1:16-17)
Our Records
Bible Class...104
Morning Worship...180
Evening Worship...116
Wednesday...93
Contribution...$5201.89