Woodland
Hills Church of Christ
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Sunday, September 10, 2006 Volume 50, Issue 35 IF I WERE THE DEVIL I would gain control of the most powerful nation in the world. I would delude their minds into thinking that they had come from man’s effort, instead of God’s blessings. I would promote an attitude of loving things and using people, instead of the other way around. I would dupe entire states into relying on gambling for their state revenue. I would convince people that character is not an issue when it comes to leadership. I would make it legal to take the life of unborn babies. I would make is socially acceptable to take one’s own life, and invent machines to make it convenient. I would cheapen human life as much as possible so that life of animals are valued more than human beings. I would take God out of the schools, and make even the mention of His name grounds for a law suit. I would come up with drugs that sedate the mind and target the young, and I would get sports heroes to advertise them. I would get control of the media, so that every night I could pollute the mind of every family member for my agenda. I would attack the family, the backbone of any nation. I would make divorce acceptable and easy, even fashionable. It the family crumbles, so does the nation. I would compel people to express their most depraved fantasies on canvas and movie screens; and I would call it art. I would convince the world that people are born homosexuals, and that their lifestyles should be accepted and promoted. I would convince the people that right and wrong are determined by a few who call themselves authorities and refer to their agenda as politically correct. I would persuade people that the church is irrelevant and out of date, and the Bible for the naive. I would dull the minds of Christians, and make them believe that prayer is not important, and that faithfulness and obedience are optional. I guess I would leave things pretty much the way they are. Paul Harvey
TAFT AYERS R.U.S.H. We will be heading to Freed Hardeman for this weekend on September 15th. We are set to return on September 17th from this event. The price will be $35 and you need to sign up on my office door by the 8th of September. CHILI BOWL 6 I say this each year, but I cannot believe that this is the sixth year for this annual event. It is going to be a great weekend of fun, fellowship and football for everyone that can attend. We will be going on Friday night for a devotional, followed by a Jacob Evans show. On Saturday, there are classes, speakers, flag football, and of course....CHILI. We will also be worshipping at the Rosemark congregation on Sunday morning for the concluding service and the potluck meal afterwards. There is no cost at all for this weekend. Make sure that you sign up on my office door. There is no deadline for this event, it would just help us out very much if we could get an idea of how many we will be carrying. WHITE WATER RAFTING Our excursion to the Ocoee river is approaching yet again. We will be leaving for this trip on Saturday morning, the 30th of September. We will return on Sunday night, the 1st of October right before our PM services. This year we will be making the trip with Rosemark, North Jackson and Quail Ridge. Check the youth board for details about this trip. Much Love,
FAMILY NEWS OUR SICK/HOMEBOUND WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS BRIDAL SHOWER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Also, if you are currently helper and would like to break, please mark through your name on the sheet. OUR RECORD SERMON CD’S AVAILABLE FLU SHOT CLINIC ADULT CLASSES-FALL QUARTER
CHILDREN’S CLASSES FALL QUARTER
TENNESSEE CHILDREN’S HOME
FALL FOOD & SUPPLY DRIVE
DESCRIPTIONS OF A FOOL "My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandants with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding...Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." (Prov. 2:1,2,5) This passage and others like it prove that the purpose of Proverbs is to show the way to true wisdom. This work of heavenly wisdom contains some of the most profound sayings to have ever fallen upon mortal ears. And if the contents of this sublime section of scripture are heeded they can guide our feet into the paths of righteousness. However the sad reality is that many will never allow these precious precepts to lead their lives. The inspired description of such an individual is simply that of a "fool." Following are some descriptions of a Bible fool. First, Proverbs describes the fool as "the simple." "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished." (Prov. 22:3) Someone said that experience is the best teacher, but this verse reminds us that experience is also the hardest teacher. One who is "simple" or naive and inexperienced must turn to Proverbs to guard them from their vulnerabilities. Through the wisdom of all the ages they can avoid scars that might last a life-time. Second, Proverbs describes the fool as one who is "right in his own eyes." "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise." (Prov. 12:15) It has correctly been said of this type person, "you can tell him a mile away, but you can’t tell him much." This type of person needs the Proverbs to understand that wisdom will not come to an end when he dies. Third, Proverbs describes the fool as one who is calloused to the truth. "Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?" (Prov. 17:16) This has reference to the person who knows what is right, and has been faced with the truth many times, but chooses to reject it. That person who can look into the mirror of righteousness and deny his blemishes must turn to the Proverbs and see the imperfections of his sins. Fourth, Proverbs describes the fool as being wicked and godless. The very existence of such a person is so tragic that the Bible says: "He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy." (Prov. 17:21) This person lives his life in rebellion to God and has total despise for His word. The one who is totally opposed to good needs the Proverbs to have his heart pricked and his conscience touched. Fifth, Proverbs describes the fool as a scoffer. "He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee." (Prov. 9:7,8) When a scoffer truly turns to Proverbs he will stop laughing at perversion and will start crying over transgression One of the most tragic ways a man could ever be described is to be called a fool. May we never forget the advice of the man after God’s own heart; "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doeth he meditate day and night." (Psa. 1:1, 2) See You Sunday in Bible Class,
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