Eastland eBulletin 9.10.06

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Area Meetings
. Sept 10-15 - Shively; Hebron Lane; Caneyville; Memphis (IN); North Madison
(IN).
. Sept 15-16 - Teen's Studies at Mt Washington.
. Sept 17-22 - Kenwood; Hodgenville; Overland (Lawrenceburg); Westside
(Salem, IN).
. Sept 24-29 - Harrodsburg.
. Sept 30 - Ladies' Day at Lakeview (Columbus, IN).

Potpourri
. Remember the kid's bulletin in the foyer.
. Today's speaker is Reggie Robarts.
. The monthly kids' singing will be this afternoon at 4:25.
. A new calendar and duty roster and financial statement are in the
literature rack in the foyer.

September Duties
. Transportation: S Boatright, Price
. Lord's Supper: A, H & E Sutton
. Meals: B Sheehan, M Boatright
. Deacon: M McPherson
. Ushers: C Barnett
. Sound: J Price

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Your Cell Phone & Your Bible
Author Unknown

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell
phones?

. What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
. What if we turned back to go get it every time we forgot it?
. What if we flipped through it several times a day?
. What if we used it to receive messages from the 'text'?
. What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
. What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
. What if we used it when we traveled?
. What if we used it in case of an emergency?
. What if we upgraded it to get the latest version?

This is something to make you go...hmmm...where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing.

. Unlike our cell phone, we don't worry have to about our Bible ever being
disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill!

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The Look
By Cloyce Sutton II

"But Peter said, 'Man, I do not know what you are talking about.'
Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned
and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord. And he went
out and wept bitterly."
(Luke 22:60-62, NASB95)

Few incidents from the life of Jesus are chronicled by all four gospels.
The few we have are significant. That is certainly the case with Peter's
denial of Jesus.

Jesus had warned Peter of coming disaster (v 31-32). Peter, a chronic victim
of "foot-in-mouth disease", denied that he would deny Jesus (v 33). Then
reality set in (v 55-57).

Three times, Peter denied Jesus. Three times a rooster crowed. At the moment
of the third denial, Peter and Jesus were in a position where each saw the
other (v 61).

Who knows what passed between them? Jesus' friends had betrayed, denied, and
abandoned him. In his eyes must have been heartache, disappointment, and
immeasurable burden. Peter thought himself beyond temptation. In his eyes
must have been regret, despair, and self-loathing.

Only Luke records the gaze between Peter and Jesus. Of the disciples, only
Peter and John were present (John 18:15). Since Luke claims eyewitness
testimony (1:1-4), Peter was apparently Luke's source. Years later, he
remembered.

The real tragedy of Peter's sin is that it was preventable. The real tragedy
of our own sins is that they too are preventable.

Jesus warned Peter (v 31-34); He warns us (1 Corinthians 10:12). For Peter
there was a way out (v 31-32, 40, 46); we have a way out (1 Corinthians
10:13). Jesus assured Peter of repentance and recovery (v 32); He assures us
of the same (1 John 4:4; 5:4-5).

If Peter's eyes said, "What have I done," Jesus' eyes must have said, "What
will you do?" When we fall, that is always the question.

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Spiritual Practice
By Cheri Harvey

We recognize that when we wish to excel at something, whether it is playing
a sport, playing a musical instrument, academics, etc., it takes PRACTICE!
The same goes for our spiritual growth, but how often do we think about
practicing spiritual techniques? In an attempt to help us be more mindful of
developing our spiritual selves, this is the first in a series of articles
suggesting some spiritual practices for our daily lives. As we begin these
practices, let's feel free to share our experiences and encourage each other
as we move forward.

Slow Motion Scriptures
Sometimes we become so familiar with our favorite scriptures that we speed
through them and they become routine and lose the depth that they once held
for us. The purpose of this practice is to slow down and let God's word sink
into us again to the fullest depth. Practice this each day this week and see
what you notice. You can either use the same scripture each day, or pick a
new one each day - it's up to you and what God puts in your heart regarding
this practice.

The steps are:
1. Select a favorite scripture and commit it to memory.
2. Sit comfortably in a quiet place, close your eyes and begin to let your
breath slow down so you can get quiet.
3. Recite the scripture out loud, pausing at least one second (or an
inhalation/exhalation) between each word to allow the meaning of that word
to sink into your soul and resonate within your spirit. For example, if you
chose the 23rd Psalm, you would begin it like, "The. Lord. is. my. shepherd;
I. shall. not. want."
4. Since it's very different slowing things down, if you lose your place as
you are quoting, just start over or pick up where you left off and continue.
5. When you are finished reciting the scripture, sit quietly for a few
moments, allowing the words to settle in.
6. After a few minutes, you may wish to jot down a few notes about your
experience during the practice or about any new thoughts that came to you
during or following the practice, or perhaps you will be in a mindset to
pray.

May this practice bring a blessing to you this week.

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