September162007 - Eastland 2007 Bulletins

Eastland eBulletin 9.16.07

For Your Benefit...

Last Chance! Pleeeeease let Chuck Barnett take your picture today if you have not done so already.
Remember that the new quarter begins 3 weeks from today, on Sunday, October 7.
Remember our own meeting with David Thomley, October 19-21. The theme is on Spiritual Leadership 101. These are basic lessons about the qualities and duties of leadership in the home, in the church, and in our spiritual lives.

Calendar

Sunday Night! — Monthly singing @ 5:00.
Sept 16-21 — Hodgenville, Galena (IN), Memphis (IN), Lakeview (Columbus, IN).
Sept 23-28 — Taylorsville Rd.
Sept 28-29 — Mt Washington (Teens & College age).
Sept 29 — Ladies' Day (Lakeview)

Idea of the Week

For this week:

Get together with a group of fellow-members and visit area gospel meetings.

This time of year, there are meetings galore! Most of the ones we announce or post are within a relatively short driving distance.

Yes, they take some time (preparation time; travel time there; worship time; travel time back). Yes, you might have to plan ahead (what day of the week; who's driving; etc). Yes, it's another thing to cram into your schedule.

But…

As with anything worthwhile, look at the benefits. You get to visit other Christians. If you go in a group, you get to spend time with some of your own members. You get to hear the Word proclaimed. You get your spiritual batteries recharged.

For the next few weeks, at least once, get Berean (Acts 17:11)!

Heavenly Hands

Reggie Robarts

An email cropped up when I was riffling through some of my old files the other day that I had completely forgotten receiving. It was dated January 19, 2001. It was from a boyhood friend who lived in my neighbor with whom I had grown up. We had lost touch for many years, but were reacquainted in the early 90's, and had seen each other regularly during the following years on my visits to Jacksonville. He had changed greatly in the intervening years, not only physically (bald head, paunch, etc.) but in what really matters, his spiritual outlook. He had retired from his occupation and moved back home from Houston where he had spent his career. He was busily engaged in charitable work and trying to serve the elderly who needed help in the community. We began corresponding via email and he often sent inspirational type messages like the one that follows. He passed away last year and I miss his notes and talking to him. When I read this article it sparked some thoughts of my own. Here is the email:

Whose Hands?

A basketball in my hands is worth about $30;
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth $33 million
…depends on whose hands it is in.
A baseball in my hands is worth $8;
A baseball in A Rod's hands is worth $25 million (per year)
...depends on whose hands it is in.

A tennis racket in my hands is useless;
A tennis racket in Roger Federer's hand is multiple Major Tennis Championships.

...depends on whose hands it is in.

A rod in my hands will keep a vicious dog away;
A rod in Moses hands parted a sea.

...depends on whose hands it is in.

A slingshot in my hands is a kid's toy;
A sling shot in David's hands is a mighty weapon.

...depends on whose hands it is in.

Two fish and five loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches;
The same thing in God's hands will feed thousand.

...depends on whose hands it is in.

Nails in my hands might produce a small birdhouse;
Nails in Jesus' hands produced a sacrifice that makes salvation possible for the whole world

...depends on whose hands they are in.

My contribution to this article is some thoughts about what the Bible tells us about God's hands in the world, in men's affairs, and in our hearts.

God's hand(s) are expressive of a number of things in Scripture. We know that God's does not literally have hands like our own physical appendages because God is Spirit (John 4:24) and a Spirit does not have flesh and bones (Luke 24:39). The "hand(s) of God" are an anthropomorphic expression describing God's actions toward His creation.

In Moses' song of deliverance from Egypt he praises the majestic power of God's right hand with the shattering of the enemy that allowed Israel's escape from captivity (Exodus 15:6; Deuteronomy 5:15). It was God's strong right hand that the Psalmist credits with clearing the land of promise of heathens and giving over to His chosen people (Psalms 44:3). He is pictured by Jeremiah as lifting up His hand in punishment against Babylon for her sins against Israel. The destruction by God's hand would be so severe that Babylon would be left a smoking crater (Jeremiah 51:25). God's hand can be a mighty force in defeating an enemy and uplifting His own people. His strong right hand is not to be taken lightly.

But God's hands can be tender, loving and caressing to those who will turn their lives over to Him. In 1 Peter 5:6-7, we are told what we must do and what the benefits are. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you". It would be appropriate here to add what is said in verse 10 of the same chapter: "And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." His mighty hand can enable you to do great and wonderful things, not the least of which is being pleasing to Him. You may be in good hands with All State, but in the hollow of whose hand do you want to be held when this rocky journey of life is over?