What are you doing to help?

Paul told Timothy that "The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (2 tim 2:2) He also told Titus to have the older people teach the younger people on how to live and behave, (titus 2). How serious do we take that teaching? Was it just for those guys? I hope that you would agree that's for everyone.

We live in a culture that is growing more desperate for instruction and guidance but so few people will speak up to offer godly advice in a kind way. James reminds us that "if anyone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back again, you can be sure that the one who brings that person back will save that sinner from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins." (James 5:19-20)

We have such a tremendous opportunity to let our light shine and help be the guidance so many people are looking for but afraid to ask. In doing that we may find that we are helped as well.

Do what you can do to ensure that we don't resemble what Paul was so frustrated by in the Galatians. He said in Galatians 1:6
, "I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel..." Don't desert God's instructions for Satan's, you will regret it.

"Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence." (Psalm 27:11-12)

What are "his ways"? Can we understand them? Eph 5:17 tells us that we aren't supposed to be "foolish, but understand God's will". If understanding is possible, then we CAN learn what will make our life easier according to his instructions. I like the way Solomon says it in Prov 22:3 "The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, but the naive go on, and are punished for it." Once we know what God wants from us then we can more easily recognize a plot to ruin our lives and we can hide ourselves from that.

Paul told us to "not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with Good", that should be our goal and by doing so we smooth out the issues we face in life.

God will help

Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; you have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me. Psalm 27:9-10

It's wonderful to know that God longs to help us, let him!

Vacation Bible School 2011

Join us this Saturday, July 16th for our Vacation Bible School. It will begin at 9am and end at 2:30pm at the Stuart church of Christ in Stuart, OK right across the street from the school. The theme this year is "Believe it or not it's in the bible". Ages 2 through high school

Come discover all the amazing stories God's word tells us about and how those amazing stories help us in our amazing story. Come join us. It's not a vacation from the bible but a vacation with the bible.

Stuart's Zoo trip

A group from the Stuart church of Christ took a group of kids up to the OKC Zoo. What started out to be a questionble day as far as the weather goes, turned out to be the perfect day to go. Although the crowds were plentiful, it was still good fun. There was a walk for MS at the Zoo earlier in the morning.

Sometimes it seemed the fake animals were the bigger attraction than the real ones.

It was a day well spent with family and friends. At the end of the day many of the kids decided to take some of the animals home with them. Luckily they went with the plastic noisy ones over the large stinky ones.

Thank you for all the people that helped make this trip a success. Our next event is Lazer Tag in Ada sometime in May or June, let me know which you prefer.

Oklahoma City Walk MS 2011: National MS Society - Oklahoma Opportunity - VolunteerMatch

The Stuart church has tentatively scheduled a "day at the Zoo" for April 30th. This just so happens to be a day that the zoo has sponsored a Multiple Sclerosis walk from 7am-noon. You don't have to be up there the entire time, but it would be great for our church to be part of it. The following link should give more information, or just google Oklahoma City MS walk at the zoo.

Oklahoma City Walk MS 2011: National MS Society - Oklahoma Opportunity - VolunteerMatch

The Holy Spirit - who he is and why we need him

Begining April 1-3 Royce Sartain will be hosting a gospel meeting over the Holy Spirit. We'll begin at 7pm. The church building is located at 418 Roosevelt Ave. in Stuart, OK.

Royce has had an exciting ministry in Europe, Africa, Asia, and other places. He's very enthusiastic and quite dynamic. Please consider joining us, you'll be glad you did.

Waiting for something good

For a lot of people instant gratification wins out over faith all the time. It can be difficult to just "wait" for something good when we see others seemingly satisfied with what they don't wait for.

My wife is nearing the end of her pregnancy and we're about to welcome a new kid into this world. With all our kids we never found out what sex they were until they were born, well with the very real posibility that this one could be our last one, I'm anxious to see what it will be. Although the wait can be frustrating I know it will be worth it. Perhaps that's the way heaven will be like. Heaven is the greatest promise we could ever be given, yet we have to wait for it.

What is something you had to wait for... and you're glad you did? I'd be interested in hearing about it.

when a good soldier has fallen...

Jesus said in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." This is the ultimate act of love and devotion that anyone could do for someone. Soldiers will never forget the one's that made the sacrifice for them. In the Lord's Army we too have soldiers that have fallen, but their ultimate act wasn't done in a single scirmish but most often their sacrifice was displayed over time through their selflessness, through their loyalty to God's Kingdom. There are many that we know that have made an impact in our life, and we will never forget how they lived for God so boldly. Thankfully, in Christ, there really isn't an "end", but rather a brand-new beginning. As a good friend of mine said at the passing of his father, "[seeing that person again] makes the goal of heaven that much sweeter." I encourage you to live for Christ with all the passion you can muster, to love others the way God has loved each one of us.

New year to let our light shine

I'm not sure what you felt like you accomplished in 2010, but here's your opportunity to do it better.  The neat thing about NOW is that there aren't any regrets right now, well there shouldn't be.  Our past is where we have our failures, disappointments, and mess ups; but the present is the time to make it right. 

I can attest to the fact that I didn't do everything I wanted to do in 2010, lot's of things were started and like too many people, few things came to fruition.  However, the best I can do is the best I can do - and give it another try with more determination.  If you have some great success stories from last year (or any time), or goals you'd like to post that might in some way keep you more accountable, then feel free to respond and let me know.  Have a great year!

LOCK IN and much more

On Tuesday, December 21st, the first day after school is out, we are going to host a lockin at the Outreach Building.  BUT... It's more than that.  We're going to head out to Jack & Shirley Emerson's place for some "capture the flag", then we're going to have a cook out, after that we'll go Christmas Caroling for some of our neighbors, THEN the lock-in officially begins.  There's going to be a basketball tournament; all kinds of games: cards, dominoes, other board games; crafts; and movies.  We might even squeeze in some sleep...but don't count on it.  Come join the fun!

Oh yeah, it's for ages 2nd grade and up, but in order to get in you got to have a parental consent form signed.  Give me a shout and I'll get one to you, or just drop by the church sometime before Tuesday. 

Fifth Quarter this Friday night!

This Friday will be the first of only two Friday homegames that Stuart has on the schedule.  It's our goal to get as many players (and their families) to come by and enjoy some sub-sandwhiches and a build-your-own sundae after the game against Calvin.  Enjoy the food and more importantly enjoy the company, come by and support our local athletes.

The next scheduled fifth quarter that we'll be hosting is on January 28th against Red Oak.