We are being blessed with a nice, slow rain today. It’s just what we needed. I’m grateful that we are not experiencing earth quakes or tornado weather like they are in Oklahoma. I visited with my daughter-in-law today on the phone. I asked her if they had been affected by the earth quake. She reported that it definitely shook their house enough to cause her vertigo problem to kick in. She said their chandelier would start swinging every time the earth quake and after shocks would hit. Last night the wind was strong enough to cause one of their trees to fall over. They have a tree close to their house and she wants our son, Les, to cut it down before the wind blows it over too. That’s probably a good idea.
Saturday, a surprise birthday party was held for Willene Adams. Family and friends gathered in the Red Bank Church fellowship room for this event. Willene said that she thought Irene and Roger were taking her to visit with some family members that had come in on vacation. When they stopped at the church house, she thought that it was odd that they were going to meet there. Of course, when she walked in she saw that there were lots of family members and lots of friends there to celebrate her ninetieth birthday. She had family come from as far as California and Arkansas just to attend her birthday party. Several others drove a good distance too. Her family planned a wonderful program to celebrate this occasion called, “This is Your Life, Willene Adams.” Needless to say, Willene joined in and enjoyed every bit of the fun. She even sung one of her favorite songs for us. She is a super lady in our book.
The Sunday morning church service at Red Bank was opened with Gary Lirley leading in hymns in absence of Jake Hampton. He was busy caring for his father, Larry Hampton, who is suffering from pneumonia and other complications. Remember to pray for Larry and his family. Jerry Huff gave the morning welcome. It was announced that the annual Thanksgiving dinner will be held on Nov. 20 after church services. Celebrating her birthday with a mission offering was Alice Lirley. It was good to have several of Willene’s family join us for Worship service. Before the morning sermon, Brother Stan Adams gave a testimony of how God provides in every circumstance of life. No matter how rough life gets, God is there for His Children. Willene Adams and her daughter, Irene Swearingen, blessed everyone with special music.
The morning sermon was taken from Matthew 13:10. In this Scripture, Jesus explained to his disciples that the reason he spoke in parables was to help clarify the Scriptures to those that did not understand what was being read to them. Jesus spoke the parable of the sower of seeds to get his message across to the multitude that gathered because he knew that they understood farming. He explained that some of the seed sown, meaning, “His Word,” would fall by the way side; some would be devoured by the fowls that flew by; some seed would not take root because it would fall upon stony places with earth too shallow to grow and protect the tender roots from the hot sun. And, some would be choked out by weeds. The seed that fell onto good ground would thrive and bring forth much fruit; some thirty, some sixty or even a hundred fold. As Brother Les said, “Once our hearts become fertile ground for God’s seed to grow, our lives will be changed for the good. We will have the right attitude and the right form of love for our fellow man. We will desire to please God and much fruit will be harvested from our lives for His Glory.”
I understand that the Ava Victory Academy will hold their annual Veteran’s Day luncheon and program next Sunday afternoon, Nov. 13. This is always a great event to attend. They will have a variety of soup and desserts available to eat and the students always present an inspiring program to honor our veterans. There is no charge, but donations will be accepted. Veterans are urged to attend. Plan to be there if you can.
That’s all the news I have for now. Take care and enjoy each day that God gives us.
