God's Bottle of Tears
This episode in his life caused him a good measure of anxiety and heartache. Tears fell from his face as the Holy Spirit moved him to record his feelings in Psalm 56. It was there he said,"Wherever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? (56:3-4). Then he expressed these comforting words of confidence: "You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (56:8-11).
The imagery of God putting David's tears in a bottle is a touching means of expressing God's concern for his people and his awareness of our suffering. There may be times when our spirits seem overwhelmed with fear, with cares and concerns that bring tears to our eyes. As our grief drives us to call upon God for relief, we may wonder if he really hears our prayers, if he really knows our tears. David's words assure us that God keeps a careful record of our hearts, and knows every tear that falls. Not only does he know when we're crying, but our tears of pain are precious to Him, stored up in his own bottle. He can think of that bottle as God's way of saying,"I know and I care." As He said to a sobbing Hezekiah, when he faced the prospect of an imminent death,"I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears" (2 Kings 20:5). No wonder Peter urges cast"all you care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1st Pet. 5:7). As the very hairs of our heads are numbered, as a sparrow does not fall to the ground without God taking note of it (Mat. 10:29-30), so it is that not a single tear falls with God tenderly collecting them in His bottle.
How great must His love be for us, that He would take note of our sorrows. He knows those sorrows, because he became a man in Christ and shed not only tears for us (Luke 19:41; Heb. 5:7) but shed His precious blood that we might be delivered from sin and have the hope of being with Him one day, where"he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more" (Rev. 21:4). Until that great day, we will have our sorrows. Our tears will fall. But a comfort which eases the pain and helps dry the tears is knowing our God knows, and keeps His bottle of our tears near His heart.
-Tyler Young
Restoration
Patsy Mitchell has asked for forgiveness and prayers. She wants to be a better example for her family and friends.
Current Concerns
Krystian Chacon, son of Javier and Rocio Chacon, will be undergoing laser surgery on Tuesday, November 21.
Kayli Martell is undergoing tests this week.
Alvie Adams is out of ICU and will be going back to Houston for more chemotherapy.
Bessie Peevy had hernia surgery and is recovering at home now.
Iola Cunningham got a good report back from her angiogram.
C.M. Riggs did not have to have stints put in, and is doing fine.
Gene Calbert, friend of Julie Driver, is struggling with cancer treatments and has now had a heart attack.
He is not expected to come out of the hospital this time.
J. C. Eager is in Covenant Hospital in Lubbock for physical therapy.
Dub Mowery, friend of Roelf Ruffner, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. He is a retired preacher from Big Sandy, TX.
Prayer List
Bill and Fran Arbuckle; Mark Brewer; Darwin Carroll; Toni DeCristofaro; Ruth Davis; RuLonna Edwards;
Marion Lee; Justine McCollum; Wilma Mitchell; Elizabeth Ann Newbold; Ruth Norman; Jackie Rex; Jim Reyna;
Montrella Ruffner; David Ryan; Janelle Shirley; Delora Wood.
Shut-ins
Mildred Bell; Ruby Brown; Mary Dunn; Sharon Fisher; Fay Gann; Cecil and Mildred Hext; Lela Jo McElroy;
Virgie Price; Alma Stallard; Charles and Pearl Tucker; Nell O Beth Willoughby
FYI
Odessa Christian is having their Arts and Crafts Fair on Saturday, December 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Booths are available for $25.00. More information is posted on the bulletin board in the east foyer.
Events
We will be hosting the annual city wide fellowship this year on Wednesday, November 22. Please be sure to come
if you can.
Jean Grenier will be here on Wednesday, November 29 to report on his efforts in Canada.
Allen Weakland will be conducting a meeting here on Sunday, December 3, through Tuesday, December 5. Begin inviting your friends.
Watch In Search of the Lord's Way with Mack Lyon every Sunday morning at 7:30 am on CBS, channel 7. On Sunday, November 19, the lesson will be titled "The Holy Spirit And The Christian."
The New Mexico Christian's Home will be having their Needs Drive. Their truck will be here Wednesday, December 13. All items are appreciated. Some suggestions items are muffin mixes, brown sugar, and chocolate chips. Monetary donations are also accepted.
Thank you
Cecilia and John Bethune wish to thank everyone for their prayers. The surgery went well and there was no cancer.
A big thank you to all of the ladies who participated in sending the college care packages.
I loved everything but most
especially the notes. David Easlon
Dearest friends,
Thank each of you for the great food and fellowship you shared with us on our last Sunday at Eisenhower.
Each and every person means so much to us. Although we will be many miles apart, we will keep you close to our hearts.
We love you and will miss you greatly. Rod and Charis Nutter
Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of November are Mary Bayless, and Cindy Crain.
The Truth For Today Commentary on "Psalms 51-89" are available in the office ($28.50). The following books
are also available in the office: Some Questions About Worship ($12); Truth for Today Commentary on "Ezekiel,"
and "Psalms 1-50" ($28.50); Fishing For Men : The Art of Personal Evangelism ($9); The Word Became Flesh:
A Study of Christ and His Work ($11); and Some Questions About Bible Authority ($10).
This will be the last week that we will be mailing out the edifier with the exception of those of you who have requested
to have it sent by regular mail. You will now be able to access our edifier on our website:
http://www.eisenhowerchurch.org/edification.htm.
With regards to our actual members, if you do not have access to the website, we will be printing out extra bulletins
to place in the auditorium. We will not be mailing out any edifiers to our actual members. This new method will ensure
up to date news and information. Thank you for your patience and understanding through this transition.
Attention men to serve: Please be sure to check your bulletins on the website so that you can keep up with when you are going to help serve. The monthly men to serve list will also be available in the foyers.
| November 19, 2006 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Announcements | Charles Wood | Charles Wood |
| Song Leader | Ronnie Lane | Steve Horton |
| Sermon | Mark Ray | Mark Ray |
| Opening Prayer | Charles Wood | Charles Wood |
| Scripture | Mike Smith | Frank Vargas |
| Second Prayer | Johnny Warren | John Wood |
| Closing Prayer | Leon Sledge | Tom Sorenson |
| Lord's Supper | ||
| West | John Bethune Bill Tolbert Bill Brown Bill Butler |
Ezekiel Martinez Jeff Wood |
| East | George Warren John Carroll Don Easlon Ruben Chacon |
Alex Martinez |
Sunday AM ~ "Strength Through Suffering" ~ 1 Peter 5:12
Sunday PM ~ "What About Agag" ~ 1 Samuel 15
Our Records
Bible Class...119
Morning Worship...178
Evening Worship...116
Wednesday...126
Contribution...$4672.97