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  • 25Apr

    Toil, Solitude and Prayer

    by Drew in Seeking Things Above.

    In an age when we are equipped with every imaginable gadget and buckets of advice covering every subject known to man, we are just as lost and unproductive as we have ever been.

    Perhaps the answer to success is not in the latest organizational tool or in time management techniques.  Paganini had a formula that he claimed was the secret of his creative power: toil, solitude, and prayer.  In the end, there is no better way to excellence than to unplug from all of life’s distractions and spend time in meditation and prayer. Continue reading »

  • 18Apr

    Neil’s Niche

    by Neil in Neil’s Niche, Seeking Things Above.

    I really like Paul’s final words to the recipients of 2 Timothy.  First off, let me admit something to you: I admire the apostle Paul, I admire the strength and courage that he produced, and the fact that he was able to take so much abuse from every one around him (2 Corinthians 11) and still maintain the strength to worship the Lord.  Now back to 2 Timothy.  This book was Paul’s last; it’s as if he realizes that the end is coming, and so he packs the letter with emotional exhortations.  When reading this piece of history, one can almost see the tears streaming down Paul’s face as he pleads all those reading to stay strong, even when it seems that everything is out to get them.  He realizes that his time has come and that this is probably the last bit of communication he would have with those whom he loved in his earthly life, and so he adds one final benediction, a way of giving comfort and solace to those who would be left on Earth after he was called home.  He writes, “The Lord be with your spirit.  Grace be with you,” (2 Timothy 4:22).  This final prayer was so that the people receiving Paul’s letter (and the subsequent news of his death in the coming months) would take heed in the fact that the Lord would not abandon the people since Paul was gone.  The Lord does not care for one individual person more than another, but He wishes to be with all mankind all the time.

    What say you of yourself?  Can you say the same thing?  Does the Lord dwell within you when you are outside the friendly confines of church?  Or does it embarrass you to think that the Lord continues to be with your spirit, even when He sees a sin.  Let’s all determine this week to remind ourselves of the presence of the Lord in our lives, so that we may seek righteousness all the more zealously.

  • 18Apr

    How Much Is Eternity Worth?

    by Drew in Seeking Things Above.

    I’m sure you have seen commercials advertising life insurance that costs the insured only 35 cents a day.  Just 35 cents a day and your family will be taken care of in the event of your death.  Sounds like a good deal, doesn’t it?

    The truth is, you can’t get something for nothing.  The insurance companies have studied the models, and they are betting that enough people will live long enough so that 35 cents a day makes it possible for them to pay out benefits while also making a profit.  Also, they know that by breaking the premiums down by day, their prices sound more reasonable.  Thirty-five cents a day is $10.50 a month–$126 a year.  That still doesn’t sound like much, but over several years the premiums add up. Continue reading »

  • 15Apr

    Ashville Road Update (4-15-10)

    by Drew in Ashville Road Updates.

    Dear Brothers and Sisters at Ashville Road,

    This week’s update is a couple of days late due to illness at the Kizer house. Jackson and I have been under the weather, but we’re feeling better today, and since there are still several days until we get back together again on Sunday, I thought it would still be good to send out a message to everyone at Ashville Road.

    Our gospel meeting concluded last night with Steve Higginbotham. Thanks to all who prepared food for Sunday’s fellowship meal, as well as those who fed Steve before the weeknight services. I think everyone who came will agree that Steve did an excellent job. If you didn’t get a chance to hear Steve, or if you just want to hear him again, sign up for a CD or download his lessons on www.arcoc.com/listen.

    Let me say thank you one more time for the surprise gift you gave our family last Sunday in commemoration of our tenth anniversary. We were truly overwhelmed by the way that you honored us and feel so blessed to be with such a thoughtful and loving congregation.

    This Sunday is Neil and Hannah’s wedding shower from 2 to 4 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Neil and Hannah do so much for our congregation. Let’s be sure to encourage them as they prepare for their life together.

    Remember our sick, especially Virginia Guthrie, who is undergoing rehabilitation at the Village and Allison Odom, who was hospitalized again because of Chron’s disease.

    Floyd Johnston will be coming home from the hospital soon following a serious heart operation. He is in Lecil and Jeanne Evans’s Care Group. If you can prepare a meal for the Johnstons once they get home, please contact Lecil or Jeanne and let them know.

    This Sunday night the teens will be going to the Area-Wide Youth Series at Logan Martin. Stan Mann will be driving the van, which will leave the building at 4:30.

    This Wednesday night, our Spring Series continues with my father-in-law, Charles Cochran. He will be sharing yet another passage contributing to church growth, 1 Kings 18. Please make every effort to be there. You won’t regret it!

    One last thing. I’m trying to put together a team for the “Men Who Cook” contest benefitting underprivileged young people in our community. The contest will be held at the new Leeds Middle School on May 8. I need men who can help me cook a few dishes and serve them at the contest. If you’re interested, send me an email, or let me know in person.

    Sunday will be a busy day for Neil, as he will be preaching in my absence while I am away preaching a meeting in Greenwood, Mississippi. The preacher at Greenwood is a friend of mine from college, Nathan Segars. I look forward to working with these brethren, but there’s no place like home! I’ll be back April 25 and look forward being back home with my church family and doing Q&A Sunday night.

    -Drew

  • 11Apr

    Why Come to Every Service?

    by Drew in Seeking Things Above.

    According to a Gallup Poll from a few years ago, the churches of Christ have the highest percentage of members who attend at least one worship service each week (68 percent).  This is good news, although we should not get too excited just yet.

    The good news is that we have more members than any other group committed to the divine mandate to gather together on the first day of every week to observe the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7).  This may be due in part that the churches of Christ are one of the few groups that even give their members an opportunity to do this on a weekly basis.  Many denominations offer Communion only monthly or quarterly.

    But we have services on other days when we do not observe the Lord’s Supper.  Take the Gospel Meeting this week, for example.  This is an opportunity for evangelism and spiritual growth.  Weeknight services may not function in the same way as Sunday services, but they are still very important.  Do you plan to attend?  Coming on Sunday is a good start.  But how about coming back each night?  Better yet, how about inviting a friend?

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