• Remember the kids’ bulletins in the foyer.
• Cloyce Sutton is today’s speaker. Copies of his sermon notes are available in the literature rack in the foyer.
• February Calendars are now available. Duty roster should be available later this week.

• Are you resting or rusting?
• Never argue with an idiot. People watching might not be able to tell the difference.     (Franklin Sanders)
• Never ruin an apology with an excuse.
• History repeats itself — which is good, because most people didn’t listen the first time.

• Transportation: Bratton, Broderson
• Lord’s Supper: Mary B, Rosa H, Rusty S
• Meals: Cathy & Megan W, Sandy R
• Deacon: Tim P (Rick W)
• Usher: Jon P
• AV: Bob B, Jon P, Matthew D
• Snow Removal: Perry B, Tim P, Todd T, Cloyce S

White Christmas
By Robert F Turner (in Plain Talk, December 1971)

There is an old joke about the preacher’s notes which the janitor found and read. In the margin of the typed outline the preacher had written, “Argument weak here — yell and stomp feet!” Other solutions to the same problem are “shed a tear” or “get angry and quit.” It is a “snow” job, no matter how it is pulled. Our attention is diverted, and we are robbed of the sound Bible lesson we have the right to expect.

But the preacher and others who use such methods of “getting by” are also cheating themselves. If I shortchange an audience, I have lost an opportunity to do what my whole life is dedicated to do. My own growth is stymied, my self-respect lowered, and I have less of the character Christ intended me to develop. (Colossians 2:23) I have given myself a “snow job.”

These self-inflicted “snow jobs” begin early in life. You failed to study for that test, and as the questions pile up and the clock ticks on you blame a loose shutter, a fly, a whispering neighbor — anything handy. How can they expect you to work under such circumstances? So, you justify failure — to yourself — and learn nothing from an experience that could have taught you to prepare for the next exam. Later you may take a drink — for courage; and a pill — to forget the failure drink promoted. And it may never dawn on you that you are victim of your own “snow” jobs.

Once a certain lawyer asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, and he was told to love God totally, “and thy neighbor as thyself” (Luke l0:25f) “But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’” Did he not know? He knew! His question was a “snow” job, at his own expense.

Tell the preacher his tears are not enough, and shouting does not make an argument scriptural. It will be good for him — and for you. Quit kidding yourself that “poor little orphans” justify a galaxy of churchhood projects; or “sound on the issues” is a ticket for heaven. Many churches are smothering under a self-inflicted “snow job,” and brother, it is not a “Joyous White Christmas!”

There Are Two Seas
By Bruce Barton

There are two seas in Palestine. One is fresh, and fish are in it. Splashes of green adorn its banks. Trees spread their branches over it, and stretch out their thirsty roots to sip of its healing waters.

Along its shores the children play, as children played when He was there. He loved it. He could look across its silver surface when He spoke His parables. And on a rolling plain not far away He fed five thousand people.

The river Jordan makes this sea with sparkling water from the hills. Men build their houses near to it, and birds build their nests; and every kind of life is happier because it is there.

The river Jordan flows on south into another sea.

Here is no splash of fish, no fluttering leaf, no song of birds, no children's laughter. Traveler's choose another route, unless on urgent business. The air hangs heavy above its water, and neither man nor beast nor fowl will drink.

What makes this mighty difference in these neighbor seas?

Not the river Jordan. It empties the same good water into both. Not the soil in which they lie, not the country round about.

This is the difference. The Sea of Galilee receives but does not keep the Jordan. For every drop that flows into it another drop flows out.

The other sea is shrewder, hoarding its income jealously.

It will not be tempted into any generous impulse. Every drop it gets, it keeps.

The Sea of Galilee gives and lives. This other sea gives nothing. It is named The Dead.

There are two seas in Palestine.

There are two kinds of people in the world.