Bro. Ron speaks of Paul and Christ

Sunday morning attendance was good, missed those who couldn’t be with us. Our prayers continue to be with you. Several visitors were in our midst and they are always welcome anytime we have service. We pray they were blessed and uplifted by being with us. The choir’s special was “Great Is Thy faithfulness.” Other special music was “Beyond the Open Door,” by James Butler. Bro. Ron’s message, “Paul and Christ,” scripture from Philippians and Colossians. Paul was in prison because of his faith in Christ. Paul knew what it is like to surrender. Paul’s living for Christ includes the gospel. The key verse Sunday was Phil. 1:21 when Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” We have been bought with a price, purchased out of the slave market of sin. It is God’s will that all will be saved but everyone won’t be saved because of their choice. Paul’s purpose in life was to live in Christ. He said conduct your self worthy of the gospel as a citizen of heaven, preach Christ crucified, proclaim Christ, tell others about Him. Lift Christ up here on earth because we will exalt Him in glory. Live Christ because we’re alive in Him, dead in our trespasses. Trust Christ and in your ways acknowledge Him. Paul suffered for the cause of Christ; to live Christ is to gain Christ the hope of glory. Paul wanted to know Christ and the power of His resurrection that brought him back to life again and to find out what it means to suffer and to die with Him. We eagerly await Christ’s return. In light of living for Christ what can we do? Know as much as we possibly can about Him, tell as many people as we possibly can about Him, and do as much as we possibly can for Him. How can we do his? Read Phil. 4: 13.  Paul was “All In For God.” Our ambition should be to please God.
Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. we had our regular quarterly conference with good attendance, much business was discussed with the time we had left in the 6 p.m. hour we had a time of singing by the Who So Ever Will group. This is always a blessed time.
Saturday, Feb. 2 there will be a “drop-in wedding anniversary celebration honoring Preacher John and Peggy McMillian from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Crossroads Baptist Church, 106 South Wesley Chapel Road in Eatonton. Their 60th anniversary will be January 30. Everyone is invited to stop by on Feb. 2 to help them celebrate. Preacher John is a well-loved former pastor of Brownwood Baptist.
Peggy Harper and Carter Brown joined Lorene Almand, Anthony Almand and Rhonda Duran for a late birthday lunch for Lorene at Ryan’s in Athens recently.   
James Harold and Ellen Smith, Pastor Ron Swann and Margie Ward visited Peggy Harper and family during the week. Keep Peggy on your prayer list as she recovers at  home from knee surgery on Jan. 11.   
Margie Ward and Millie McNair visited Bernice Davis and family Sunday afternoon.

Children
When a child gets off the track, he can be put back on by pulling a switch.
It’s hard for children to learn manners when they never see any.   
The best thing parents can spend on their children is time not money.
Years ago the board of education was a shingle.
A perfect example of minority rule is the baby in he house.
Children and canoes are alike – they go best when paddled from the rear.
The best inheritance parents can leave a child is a good name.
“Stay at home” parents seldom beget go to church” children.
The great man never loses his child’s heart.   
Money may not be everything but it keeps you in touch with your children.
Babies are angels whose wings grow shorter as their legs grow longer.
It is easier to build a boy than to mend a man.
Lead a child to Christ – save a life.
Parents don’t bring up children anymore – they finance them.
Ideas are like children – your own are wonderful.
It’s a shame that adults do not make friends as easily as children.
Pray For Our Country

Printed in the January 24, 2013 edition.