For everyone in the greater Atlanta area and beyond, Darrel is holding a meeting at Lanier Church of Christ Wednesday, Sept. 24 through Sunday, Sept. 28. Come see us if you get the chance. We'll be staying with our grandkids (oh! and their parents) and there is plenty of floor space for anyone coming on over.
Sure wish we could be there! I would love to hear Darrel preach. Lanier C of C is where in Ga? Tho obvious..Lanier? I still do not know where that is located. My Mom and brother live near Cleveland, Ga.
hey, we're up for some of that floor space, however, we won't be able to make it to the meeting. It'll be nice to visit though, even though it may be short! :) We're really looking forward to spending some time with y'all.
My family attends at Gainesville. I have a general idea where you are preaching. I try to stay away from Atlanta traffic now I do not have to drive thru Atlanta or around it. I drive I-85 to the Helen exit St.Rd 17 and go on back roads to my brothers house. I hope your meeting is successful!
We have a friend that's going to be in your neck of the woods this week I think. His name is George he's an old Jamaica veteran, not Jamaica or old mind you. I meant he and Jeff H used to go together back in the good ol' days. George still goes but anyway, stop trying to make this so complicated! ;) Okay,I know, it's me. Anyway, I hope you get to meet him! :D
I bet your party was awesome. Trevor's probably telling you about ours right now. He said he was going to give you a call. Thanks for the great cards!!!!
Isn't that the signal that companies coming? Can't wait. My sister Jan, her daughter Ella, and my Aunt LaNelle are coming out here on Thursday for six days. Trevor and Karalei are coming over for the weekend and Terry and Kalyn and kids are here so we're in for a grand ole time!
sounds like fun! Oh and we went by the rental property for you yesterday and Burt looked at the tree and said it's taken care of. I'm sure he's going to call, but not sure when he may actually get around to it...just thought I'd pass along the info that I had. :)
very cool. You worshipped with my grandparents, the Zipperers. Devon and I were at FC togather for a short time. I hope all of your family (rather large if I remember correctly) is doing well.
1 Peter 4:11 says: "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." I have been considering Acts 2:38 that speaks of our repentance and baptism but also speaks of receiving the Holy Spirit. When we receive the Holy Spirit, I believe that we all receive something that is the same and that we receive something that is different. We receive the knowledge of the truth the same way. We receive it through the word. We receive the same message, preserved for all time, and the understanding is from God. (Or the Holy Spirit specifically) However, I would like all of you to consider this passage in 1 Peter as to what the gift is? I also believe that we are given a purpose designated by God. We have a place in the church of Christ to accomplish something that God needs to have done. It is our own purpose with the need of our own particular peculiar traits that only we can accomplish. It may have to do with who we know. It may be a particular ability. It may be an opportunity based on where we are at a specific moment. As Moses was used at the age of 80, our purpose may not come about until a time we least expect it. Romans 12 speaks to us about our place and our abilities in the kingdom of God and that we are to use our ability to aid the brethren and all men. What is your purpose? If you think you are not needed in worhship, this passage makes you reconsider. If you think you "can't" do much, I think that according to this passage you are wrong. If you have a desire to be lazy or at ease, you are neglecting your ministry. What is God's purpose for you? Another very good question is "Do you have to agree with it?" What does it take to accept God's plan for you? Moses tried to object and pass on the opportunity? Is that what you are doing? How long will it be before men put spiritual things ahead of their careers, family, and recreation? How long before they put it ahead of their ease? What will make the change?
Where I live, I am concerned that a lot of my Christian friends (inclding myself and my husband, although we have come a long way- have longer to go, though) have gotten caught up in materialism. You mentioned the "rich young ruler" above. Anytime I have every heard anyone mention this in a sermon or Bible study, they always come to the conclusion that God is not asking US to sell all we have, but what if he is? We have many examples in the NT and in early church history of Christian selling all they had and having all things in common. Are we missing that today? Why do we always jump to the conclusion that this doesn't apply to us today?
I was recently at a congregational meeting where we were discussing the contribution and the fact that we may want to consider ceasing our support of a needy evangelist over seas so that we could pay rent if it increased, or eventually pay for a church building. I got very upset that someone would even suggest stopping our aid to a needy saint so that we could pay rent or buy a building. The reason that I got upset is because I know that a large number of members at our congregation could increase their giving if they really wanted to, but when I suggested this at the meeting, someone scoffed and said, "Well, I don't know about anybody else here, but MY family is already giving all that we can." I know for a fact that this person pays for satellite T.V. every month and frequently goes out to the movie theater. I just shook my head and couldn't believe what I was hearing.
We get so comfortable in the luxuries of living in this free, great country that often we forget that we don't NEED those luxuries. We are just comfortable with them and wouldn't even consider giving them up in order to keep sending money to someone who really needs it. I plan on going and talking to the person whom I quoted, but I'm a little intimidated because he is a man and I am a woman, and I don't want to sound disrespectful in any way. He is kind of an intimidating person anyway.
For Ian, by doing all that he can to please God. In that role, you will find what you are good at. Then do more of what you are good at without losing what you learned along the way. Too many of us want to determine what we are good at as being what is easy. Darrel
For stupidugly, your concern is real. Materialism is throughout our society. It is a form of being carnal. Spiritual men and women will set aside the things of this life for the things of the next life. However, we do not see our weakness many times. The only way to be a spiritual man or woman is to tale on the attributes God tells us to. That is not simple or easy. Be kind to the brother that has not achieved this yet. Be careful of your own example. While you condemn his "extras", do you have your own "extras" that are being held? The rich young ruler could not leave his possessions and neither can many others. The only person that will change them is them. Therefore, you must show the greater attributes of Christ in order to offer someone the desire to change. If your example is less than perfect, be careful what you say and how you say it. When congregational decisions are made, speak up. If the group doesn't decide along the lines of spiritual things, then go to work showing what spiritual things should be. Lastly, remember that patience is taught in many ways. Pray for the spiritual development and the patience needed to dwell with men. Darrel
Thanks so much, Darrel. I really needed that. My example is definitely far from perfect! And I loved what you said a couple of blogs down about raising kids, too! I totally agree. I needed that, too!
Yep, I'm fixing the above for the Ladies Bible Classes (one in the morning and one in the evening) that meet here at my house. Are you jealous yet???? If so, come join us! Oh, we're going to study some, too :)
By the way on Ferrel Jenkins website there are places you can go to get a look at the Bible places of today. YOu probably know all this. ONe of my daughters has her degree in history and loves bringing the geography and history part all together. It is alot of study to prepare to teach.
Does Darrel still deal with the problem head-on? I will never forget our experience of working with Darrell. I wish I had experienced more bosses like him! It was a unique experience for both of us! WE will always be grateful for the opportunlity to have worked with Darrell.
The green table is SO AWESOME! It fits perfectly. I set it up so that one side is down and one is up and I'm going to put my cook books on it. Thanks for letting me steal it from you! I love it.
Hey! I am glad I wasn't forgotten. :-) What a move you guys made! All across the country - you live in the same town as my mother-in-law (not a christian). Wow! When we make it out there again, we will be worshipping with you guys. Don't know when that will be though. How do you like it in New Mexico? I need to call Susan and CW and set up a lunch date. We try to get together every few months. I don't know why that is so hard to accomplish sometimes. Yes, we do live close to Lauren ... about 40 minutes away. We visit Lanier church a few times a year and it is always good to see all our friends there. Good to hear from you!
I was talking to someone recently that described what seems to be some erroneous thinking about raising children. We all want our children to grow up and be independent, self-supporting adults. We want them to see God's word and let it guide them into good decision making. We want many good things for our children. I have seen too many mothers keep their children from being independent because they must ask for everything from them including walking outside. They are so overcontrolled that they have no independence or self-esteem. I know the kind of world we live in, but who rules it, God or Satan? If we are christians that believe that God is in control, then we do not need to over-protect our children. If you live in fear, you will teach your children to live in fear. First, you must teach your children to obey. That is done with clear rules, consistent discipline, and total control of REBELLION. Once your children will do what you ask, you can let them go with others and they will act well there too. If not, consistent discipline. Later on, you can give instructions and your children will follow those instructions. I am seeing christian parents living in fear, denying God's word, and not disciplining not teaching independence. Stop it! Please don't raise pansies and call them adorable. Standing for the truth of God takes character and that means being able to stand for what you believe in. Teach your children to do for themselves. I know of some parents that are still covering for their children as teenagers. They don't allow them to complete tasks themselves. They are in a hurry so they help them. The child needs to know that he can accomplish things on his own. Also, we create a dependence on the parents that doesn't stop when they get grown. Adults living at home because they won't support themsleves is a sin as far as I am concerned. Where will our elders of the future come from when we make our kids dependent? Please, consider your actions. Make your kids strong. Teach them to think and to do. All of these things God instructs the christian to do. Also, while we are on the subject of kids, don't give them everything. All you did in your life is in your memory to be recalled in seconds. You did not get all of your freedoms at once. If you give all that you had till the age of 18 to your kids by the time they are 12, all that is left are adult things. Sex, drugs, alchohol. They are not emotionally ready for these things but they have been denied nothing in their lives so why not? Don't you see. Hold things back for later. Even if you can afford to give them rich gifts, they need to wait. You are their parents first and not their buddy. I will tell you if you raise your children properly, you will be their buddy as an adult and you will be proud of them too. I certainly am. My children have been a blessing. Now they're my friends. Nuff said. I'll stop now. Thanks for listening.
Well said! I also love how parents are sheltering their children so much that they never have to face the smallest trials and are then shocked when they go to college and go hog wild! Those kids have no idea how to handle peer pressure or unfairness or the pull of the world in general. If they can't stand against the small things when they're young, they most certainly will not stand against the big things!
I think consistent discipline is key. I'm also a firm believer in spankings, even though that is becoming taboo even among some Christians. I just don't think "reasoning" with your 2 or 3 year old always gets the job done.
You never know who is going to turn up on someones Blog page. This is Robin E. WE all use to live in Crawforville , Fl together. Dana & I worked for Darrel at Carlstedts. How are you all? I agree with alot of your comments on raising kids.
