Grant County church Of Christ
May 20, 2007
Memorial Day
Joshua 4:19-24 Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What are these stones?' "then you shall let your children know, saying, 'Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land'; "for the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, "that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever"
They may be a small bronze plaque on the side of the road, a 40 story tall building or as big as a mountain which has distinct characters carved upon its face. These memorials may symbolize joy, sacrifice, honor, or even pain.
Maybe you have a personal memorial. A trinket from grandmother, furniture from the home place, or perhaps an old tool. A memorial then serves as a reminder of someone we love or with whom we have shared something in common.
The Bible is literally packed full of memorials: In the Old Testament we have: God’s Memorial- Exodus 3:14, 15; I AM that I AM; Memorial of salvation - Exodus 12:14 (Passover); Memorial of Consecration - Exodus 13 - first born son/beast; War Memorial - Exodus 17:14-16 sins of Amalek.; Memorial of the Patriarchs - Exodus 28:9-12. (Onyx stones on Aaron’s coat); Memorial judgment of the heart - Exodus 28:29.; Plague memorial - Exodus30:11-16. (financial offering at 20 yrs old).; Memorial of burnt offerings - Leviticus 2:1, 2; Memorial of rest Leviticus 23:24ff. (Holy convocation); Memorial of things sacred Leviticus 24:1-9 (shewbread); Memorial of Authority Numb. 16. (Korah’s party censers attached to altar); Memorial of spoils of war Numbers 31. Memorial of history Joshua 4 (Crossing Jordan); Memorial of peace Zechariah 6:11-14.
In the New Testament we have: Memorial of preparation (of Christ’s death) Matthew 26:1-13; Memorial of prayer Acts 10:2-4 (Cornielus); Memorial of alms Acts 10:2-4. (Cornielus); Memorial of sacrifice Luke 22:19, 20. (Lord’s Supper).
Every day that we live we are erecting memorials. One good example of a carefully placed memorial can be found at Kaka’ako Waterfront Park, in Hawaii. Here, a bronze memorial pays tribute to the survivors of the victims of drunk drivers. There on the shore of the beach 3 distinct bronzed family members stand with a hole in their chest where their heart should be. As the evening sun begins to set, its rays fill those holes and serves as a sign of a brighter tomorrow.
Carefully placed random acts of kindness, sacrifice, Christian service and gracious living will all serve as memorials for the world to see.
Jerry Carmichael
"IF THESE HAD BEEN MY CHILDREN"
Jerry W. Carmichael
One of my greatest roles in life has been that of "father". In years passed, our house has rung with merry voices and childish laughter. However, I have no children. God gave us, on loan, two precious souls to nurture and cherish for a period of time to fit them for the Kingdom.
If these had been my children, I would have loved them so much that I couldn't bear to punish them. I would have over-looked their childish tantrums and if they should strike me while angry, I would have smile indulgently. But they were the Lord's and I am His servant. Therefore, I had to raise them His way. "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly" (Proverbs 13:24).
If these had been my children, I would have allowed them to dress, act, talk and become like the world around them. But they belonged to the Lord and He has warned, "Do not be conformed to the world" (Romans12:2).
If these had been my children, I would have provided them with every material thing they asked for. I would have worked day and night to give them all the best of everything and try to help them to ever avoid having to work for anything. But, they belonged to the Lord and He has said, "An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning, will not bring happiness in the end" (Proverbs 20:21).
If these had been my children, I would have brought them up in "the way that seems right unto a man." How sad it would have been to find out too late that, "the end thereof is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12).
Thanks be to God Almighty for His wisdom in raising "His" children. "And you fathers do not provoke your children unto wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
WHEN I GIVE
WHEN I GIVE NOTHING:
· I cast a vote to close the church.
· I take a "free ride" on the gifts of others.
· I appear to have more important things to do with my money.
WHEN I GIVE LESS THAN LAST YEAR:
· I have experienced a decrease in income.
· I have changed my priorities.
· I question the need for the work the church is doing.
· I have forgotten that inflation affects the work of the church too.
WHEN I GIVE GRUDGINGLY:
· I find no joy in my giving.
· I am a disappointment to the Lord, for He loves a cheerful gver.
· I am forgetting what God sacrificed for me.
WHEN I REFUSE TO PURPOSE IN ADVANCE:
· I fail to follow God's plan (2Cor.9:27).
· I make it difficult for the church to plan for the coming year.
· I make it appear that I am unwilling to be ready to give.
WHEN I GIVE WEEKLY:
· I help fulfill the planned programs of the church.
· I make it easier for myself by avoiding the accumulation of my weekly obligation.
· I find joy and satisfaction in my giving.
· I follow the God-given plan (1Cor.16:1-2).
· I take my responsibility to give to God seriously.
WHEN I GIVE PROPORTIONATELY:
· I shall be blessed in my giving and will be enriched in every way (2Cor.9:11).
· I shall increase my gifts as my income increases.
· I give as God has prospered me (1Cor.16:2).
VISITORS
We would like to thank all of our visitors who are with us today, you are our honored guests. Please complete one of the visitor cards in the back of the pew and place it in the contribution basket at the appropriate time. We welcome you back at anytime!
FAMILY NEWS – Please continue to pray for following
Ì Joyce Fehrman has been released from Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Center. She will undergo extensive physical therapy at home for approximately 12- 18 months.
Ì Linda Castle is still recovering from her surgery and doing well.
Ì Clinton Benson’s grandmother died recently and he and Miranda will be traveling to New York for the funeral.
SPECIAL THANKS
Thanks to the Connelly family for the recent donation of Bibles to the children’s class and toys for the nursery. These items will certainly be put to good use. Thanks again!
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 8-13, 2007- Door-knocking Campaign and Gospel Meeting (with David Shannon) from Mount Juliet, Tennessee. Sixty members from that church will travel to Dry Ridge to knock the door of every resident in the county. Please continue to pray for this effort.
July 15-18, 2007- Vacation Bible School- with help from the Green Street church in Henderson, KY and the Seven Oaks church in Mayfield, KY.
