Greetings to everyone. It’s a little chilly outside today, but the weatherman says a warm up is on its way soon. We hope for the warmer days. Hope is what keeps one going and striving for better days ahead. God gave hope of better days to come to those who put their faith and trust in his Son, Jesus. Those that do not chose to accept Jesus as their Lord and Master gives up all hope of Eternal Life with Him. I would think that the worse part of spending eternity in Hell, would be the realization that all hope is lost to ever be able to leave there, and that there would never be a moment of peace, coolness or the joy of receiving the blessed gift of eternal life with our God and his Son, Jesus, in a place he prepared for his children called, “Heaven.” It will be cool and peaceful there.
Attendance was still a little low at Red Bank Church on Sunday because of illness, but the Spirit of God was very high. Brother Jerry was back with us to begin the morning services with a warm welcome and an introduction to the Sunday school lesson for the day. Brother Gary led the congregation in morning hymns. Brother Les gave a special birthday offering in honor of his two sister’s birthdays. Special prayer was for those among us with the flu, for Sister Lisa Ellison, and for protection for those spreading the gospel in countries that are not Christian. Special music was provided by Eloise and Les Hallmark. A warm welcome and a hand of fellowship was given to Jennifer Lakey who came forward asking to become a member of our church family.
The morning sermon was taken from John 20:24-29. Brother Les began the sermon by asking, “What do we want to see from God today?” He went on to say, “Just looking around, one can readily see the handy work of God. As Christians, we can look back in our lives and realize that God was always there for us and that He will never leave us or forsake us. God always proves Himself to us. One does not have to say, ‘God, are you really real?’ Just as He proved Himself to Thomas, he will prove Himself to us if we will believe in His love and power.” Jesus told Thomas to reach forth and touch the wounds in his hands and side, and be not faithless, but believing. “Jesus saith unto him, ‘Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.’” (John 20:27-29).
Visiting with Maxine Lirley this week was Gary and Alice Lirley. She was found in her favorite corner of the game room working on another puzzle. She reported that she had been feeling pretty well these days. Only a few aches and pains now and then, but was thankful that was all.
Brother Les and his family seem to be getting over the flu. He said that he had a back set of the flu last week, but was much better now. When I called him, he told me that he had talked to Tattie and Jerry Maggard who have been fighting the stomach flu in their family. Their little daughter, Zorrianna, is doing much better. Jerry said that he noticed that Zori’s vocabulary had advanced a lot lately. He told brother Les that he heard her coughing, so he asked her what she was doing. She looked up at him and said, “Coughing.” He said that he heard a vehicle pass by on the road near their house and asked, “Who was that?” Zori blurted out, “Gary Harvell.” Jerry was surprised that she said his name that plain and even knew whose vehicle was passing by. She’s not quite two years old yet.
When I spoke to Jeane Huff, she said that she felt like she was coming down with the flu. She must have gotten it from her husband, Jerry. He is just getting over it. We pray that God will strengthen and heal her quickly. This particular flu bug is a mean one. We need to take all possible precautions to prevent coming in contact with it.
That’s all the news I have for now. Take care and stay well.
