A New Beginning by Jeff Jenkins

  The calendar has turned once again to a new year.  If you are like me, the new year brings with it some predictable behavior.  I cannot get used to writing the date with the correct year.  Also I will make a decision that I am going to improve some part of my life.  Many people do so.  The advertisements on television, radio, and any medium inform us how widespread this practice is.  There seems to be an increase in weight loss systems/products, stop-smoking programs/products, fitness plans/products, and products that help us organize better.  Evidently, we all are pretty predictable.  The resolutions we make seem to revolve around a few areas of life. 

   None of the previously mentioned resolutions are bad.  We all need to be healthier and more organized in our unhealthy and stressful lives.  But I want to ask you to consider a decision that has even greater benefit to your overall mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.  In addition to resolving to improve your physical health, how about a resolution that you will improve your spiritual health.  The book of Genesis teaches that we are created beings “in the image of God.”  Being made in the image of God, we have a responsibility to seek Him in faith, and we have the special privilege of knowing He cares for us.  Examples of ways to improve your spiritual health are:  going to regular worship services, joining a Bible study or prayer group, beginning a personal devotional time, reading good books on knowing and following God. 

   Jesus taught that we should ‘store up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves cannot break in and steal.’  Consider making a resolution to renew your relationship with God.  It will pay eternal dividends.  If you need some direction in doing so, feel free to call me.  I’d love to help you with this very important commitment.

Summer '07 Newsletter

Neighborhood Cookout by: Jeff Jenkins
As Spring began in 2003, Doris Pinkleton asked me one day as I picked up my son from school about West Hills Pres. Church hosting a neighborhood cookout. She said that she and Margaret Bennett recalled a day when there was an annual cookout for the neighborhood that played a role in creating a good relationship among residents in West Hills. Doris and Margaret had wondered if it could be done once again. She asked to have it at West Hills Church because of location, space, and parking. I gladly agreed that the neighborhood would be welcome.

After accepting, I then reported to the leaders of the church for approval, which they were delighted to give. They went farther in offering to provide hot dogs, drinks, and condiments as well as the tables and chairs needed. We believed that it was our responsibility to offer our facilities to bring neighbors together.

After setting a date, Doris, Margaret, and I set out to promote the event. Coca-Cola provided a banner for the entrance to the neighborhood. A flyer was produced and carried door-to-door. Several residents were willing to pitch in to make this event happen.

Unfortunately, as time for the cookout approached Doris got sick.  On the day of the cookout she was hospitalized.  We signed a card that day to send to her.  We wanted her to know that her efforts to bring us together had succeeded.  We prayed for her that day and carried on with the cookout.  Attendance was good.  Folks enjoyed themselves—eating, talking with old friends, and meeting new ones. 

                In the Lord’s providence He called Doris to Himself soon after that cookout.  Doris had made an impact in many lives.   She had motivated and taught students; she had cared for family and friends; she had been a good neighbor.  We who live in West Hills who have enjoyed the cookout and fellowship for the past four years are indebted to her for taking the time and effort to ask us to get together. 

                I have told this story at each of the cookouts, and I repeat it now, because I want us to remember and give thanks for Doris Pinkleton. I want us to have a greater appreciation for our neighbors. And I also want it to inspire us to be good neighbors in keeping with one of Jesus’ great teachings, “love thy neighbor as thyself.” 

                Keep your eyes open for flyers and signs;  we will have the cookout in the Fall this year.

What Was I Thinking? By Steve Brown  ______________________________________

Steve Brown, for those who don’t know him, is a breath of fresh air.  In this book he displays his wit, insight, and wisdom as an experienced Bible teacher.  Any Christian would find this book to be informative, challenging, and encouraging.

   Steve Brown has served as a pastor, seminary professor, and now radio Bible teacher and conference speaker.  In the Introduction of the book he sets the context for what follows by acknowledging that the truth he has always believed is still what he holds and teaches.  But over the years he has learned the ‘right tune.’  By this he is referring to the right attitude and emphases that the Scriptures place on various doctrines.  Steve’s purpose in ministry is “Getting you Home with freedom, joy, and faithfulness.”  This book attempts to do this by teaching:  God is a Lot Bigger, Jesus is a Lot More Radical , The Battle is a Lot More Supernatural, People are a Lot Worse, People are a Lot Better,  Self-righteousness is more dangerous, Obedience is More Difficult, and Love is Stronger Than He (Steve) Thought They Were.

Family Nugget

A friend of mine once asked each of his grown children what they remembered most fondly from their childhood?  It was when he [my friend] would get on the floor and wrestle with the four of them.  The most meaningful activities within families are often those that are spontaneous and personal.  What boys and girls want most is time spent with their parents.  Excerpted from Focus on the Family Bulletin.  Call WHPC for full article.

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Some hints for good grandparenting:  1) play with your grandchild, 2) maintain a positive attitude and a healthy lifestyle, and 3) provide for your grandchildren.

Fall '06 Newsletter--text only;  E-mail a request for the full newletter including images and other announcements.

Why This Newsletter? by:Jeff Jenkins

You are receiving today the first of our new bimonthly newsletters. This is not like other church newsletters you may have seen.

This newsletter is meant to serve our neighbors, not just to serve our church. In the past few months we have completed a planning process to determine who we want to be as a church in the coming years.

One way we can make a difference in our community is to spread the good news of God to those around us, and this newsletter is one medium through which we hope to do that.

In the coming editions you will find announcements and articles that inform you about significant issues of our community and society. We also hope to have articles addressing current events that impact us morally or in relation to faith. We will have book reviews that will help readers find solid material to help them in faith and life. We want to report noteworthy news about our community, especially as it reflects the accomplishments of those who reside in West Hills.

It is our genuine hope that these newsletters will be enjoyable, informative, useful, and edifying in your life, so that you may achieve what the Jesus taught as the greatest command, “to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and….love your neighbor as yourself.”
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Family Nugget

Question: Should happily married couples never fight or argue?

Answer: No. Happily married couples have learned how to fight or argue—how to ventilate anger without tearing one another apart. Healthy disagreements remain focused on the issue around which the disagreement began, not on the other person.

Excerpted from Focus on the Family ® Bulletin. Full article and other information available at W. Hills Pres. Church.
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Laughs from Life's Pulpits

A minister told his congregation, "Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark Chapter 17."

The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the minister asked for a show of hands of those who had read Mark Chapter 17. EVERYONE in the church raised a hand!

The minister smiled and said, "Mark only has 16 Chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying."
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Community Ministry FISH of Roane County is a nondenominational Christian-based organization which provides transportation for medical purposes to individuals who have limited resources, social network, or other transportation.

FISH is always seeking volunteer drivers to help them provide this assistance. If you would be interested in volunteering or finding out more about FISH, call 882-9505 or 376-5340.

FISH is a United Way agency.

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Miss Julia Takes Over - A.B. Ross

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If you enjoyed Jan Karon’s Mitford series, you are going to love the Miss Julia books by Anne B. Ross.  Southern writers just seem to be able to capture the quirky and all-too-human personalities of characters you seem to have known all your life.  Ms. Ross calls attention to the humorous side of ordinary circumstances.  Her satire is pointed but never mean.

                You’ll meet Miss Juilia Stringer, a newly-widowed lady of a “certain age” who, after a life of penny-pinching frugality forced on her by her late husband, discovers that she is actually a wealthy woman.  You’ll smile at the silver-tongued Presbyterian minister who is quite certain that the recently departed Mr. Stringer intended to use his money to build the church a family-life center—named in his honor, of course.  You’ll see the courage in an unmarried single mom, trying in the only way she knows to take care of her son.

   From side-splitting hilarity to human pathos, you will recognize and grapple with the ethical and moral issues confronting our society.  Underneath the struggles you may also see the faith, hope, and charity of a delightful mix of characters you may come to know as friends.