Ah, what a nice rain that the Lord provided last week. It’s beginning to cloud up again. We may receive some more, much needed, rain toward the end of this week. God answered our prayers before and He will again. Just pray and believe.
Sunday services were opened with hymns led by Brother Jake Hampton. Brother Jerry Huff welcomed our guest and members of our congregation.
Brother Les spoke from the Bible text, Matthew 14:22-29, which basically teaches us to believe in Jesus and take steps in faith toward Him. We are to learn of Him, accept Him at his Word, seek fellowship with other Christians and worship Him. Sometimes it takes great courage to step out of our old way of life and begin to live for Jesus with faith that He will be there at all times to help us over the rough waters of life. When Peter took the first step out of the comfort of the ship to walk, as Jesus did, upon the storm raged waters of the sea, he found that Jesus was there with an immediate out stretched hand to lift as he began to sink, because of his fear. The only words it took to find God’s help was to cry out, “Lord, save me” (Matthew 14:24-31). Please know that these are the words of faith that God is waiting to hear from anyone needing to be saved; “Lord forgive me for my disobedience and sin. I believe that you sent your Son, Jesus, to pay the price for my sins by willingly dying on that rugged cross and then proving His power over death when he, victoriously, arose from that grave to return to his original home in Heaven and, lovingly, become the intercessor between His Father and us, his redeemed children. Those words will also lift any of His children from the immediate dangers that they might face in life. I know that one very dark night when I felt the front end of my car leave the pavement as I missed the sharpness of a curve on an unmarked detour, all I had time to say, “God help us!” My husband and I and three children along with our family dog were in the car that night as it rolled several times down a steep embankment. When we finally climbed out of the wrecked car, we found the only thing that flew out on the ground was our Bible that had been lying on the console. The Bible was open and there lying exactly beneath it was a bumper sticker that I had purchased earlier and laid on the front window dash. It read, “ANOTHER FAMILY FOR CHRIST.” From the moment I saw this phenomenal scene, I knew that God had answered my prayer and we need not be afraid. None of my family or I were seriously hurt. The car was totally smashed, especially on the driver’s side. I still have that Bible and those words are very vivid in my heart and mind.
If you weren’t at church Sunday, you missed hearing God’s wonderful Word, a great Sunday school lesson and some loving fellowship with others who love the Lord and you with all their heart.
Eloise, Miranda and Elise Hallmark enjoyed a girl’s weekend out together by going to a big Christian music concert that was held in Kansas City this last weekend. I haven’t had a chance to talk to them about it yet, but I’m sure they had a great time.
Les Hallmark visited with his mother, Verla Hallmark, last Sunday afternoon. Verla is a wonderful lady and I know she enjoyed that visit.
Visiting with Maxine Lirley this week was Gary and Alice Lirley, Jeane Huff and Ralph and Barbadeen Laughlin. Maxine has been busy restoring a large garden statue of an angel holding a child. The statue had been broken so Ralph Laughlin came to its rescue with special glue that will hold plaster together without pulling apart, in cold or hot conditions. He will also spray the statue with a clear Marine type spray to seal its beautiful colors and porous texture. The statue will soon be on display, once again, at the Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center. Maxine is also joyous that her roommate, Barbara Short, is out of the hospital and doing well.
The Metcalf Reunion held at the Red Bank Church fellowship room was well attended. There was more than enough food to go around and everyone was in a visiting mood. That’s what reunions are all about. It was good to see that the crowd was mostly made up of the younger generation. Many cousins met for the first time that day. More details will be posted about the reunion in the Herald at a later date.
Take care and know that God is real. Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork.”
