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August 29, 2010

 

ARE YOU DOWN IN THE PIT(S)?

"And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stripped Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colors that was on him, and they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it" (Genesis 37:23-24)

Have you ever felt like Joseph must have felt on this occasion?  Forsaken by those who loved you--having that which was precious to you taken away (his freedom and his coat)?  Their original thought was to kill him, but eventually they chose to get rid of him by selling him to Ishmaelite traders.  They thought they were through with Joseph, but God intervened.

Trials in life make us bitter or better.  Problems can either be opportunities to strive to do the right thing or they can be obstacles that cause us to shrink back and not to do what we can to fix the problem.

A friend once called me with a personal problem.  His words were, "I'm about at the end of my rope--I do not know where to turn."  He was down in the pits, but instead of withdrawing and giving up, he asked for help.  He surrounded himself with resources (his friends) who could give him counsel and insight into how he could get out of the pits.  Today he is much better because he allowed the "bumps" in his road to lift him up to a higher plane of living.

Joseph no longer had his family, but he had the greatest friend man ever had--his God (Romans 8:31).  His days of despair were not over.  He ended up in the pit (prison) again because he maintained his integrity and his accountability to God.  "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9).  Even in prison, God was watching over him and blessed him (Genesis 39:21-23).  In the end, God made Joseph the second in command of the pagan nation of Egypt.  Joseph was reunited with his people, and ultimately (providentially) his family became the nation of Israel that inherited the Promised Land.

God had promised that He will not forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6).  Even when we must travel through the valley of death, He has promised to stay with us (Psalm 23:4).  May we look for the help He makes available to us, and may we strive to use the problems of life as stepping stones to great service and as opportunities to grow and to become better, stronger children of God.  

 

 ~~Don Williams, The Lincoln Light, Huntsville, AL

THE BENTLEY’S ARE COMING

Richard, Laura, and Jonathan Bentley will be moving to Clinton around the 1st of October to begin their work with the Clinton congregation.  We look forward to getting to know the Bentley’s and working with them in our service to the Lord. 

R U S H

Freed-Hardeman University

September 17 - 19, 2010

RUSH is for high school AND middle school kids. You must see Joey Smith by this evening if you want to go.

DIANA SINGING

We will be taking the van to the DIANA SINGING Sept. 10.  The singing is held in a hay shed built especially for this event that began in 1969. Now over 3,000 visitors regularly attend the singing.  This will be an overnight trip and cost will be determined.  Sign the list in the foyer if you would like to go.  See Gail Sharp for more information.

FINGERFOOD FELLOWSHIP

Our Fingerfood Fellowship for this month will be following our morning service today instead of after our evening service.  Please stay for this special fellowship.

CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY

Joey Smith is collecting anything (photos, bulletins, directories, etc) of historic value to the Clinton congregation.  He is going to put together a permanent collection and display of these items.  If anyone has anything they'd like to donate from "the old days" of Clinton, please give them to Joey.

FALL COAT/CLOTHING GIVEAWAY

The youth group will be collecting coats and clothing for a Giveaway in the fall as a service project. If you have any to donate, please place them in the closet across the hall from the pantry.

CONGREGATIONAL CAMPOUT

October 1 – 2, 2010

Everyone is invited to come and enjoy a time for food a fellowship at Anderson County Park, a great place to camp on Norris Lake.  Bring a lawn chair and a throw as we gather around a campfire for singing and a devotional on Friday night.  Spend the night Friday if you wish or come back Saturday for some outdoor activities.  Pick up a flyer for a camping list and some of the activities that will take place. See James McCrary for more information.

QUILTERS NEEDED

Quilters and “Wannabee” quilters meet on Monday evenings starting around 5:30 to quilt.  Come when you can.  No experience necessary!

YOUTH DEVOTIONALS

Beginning in the fall, when school starts back, we are going to start monthly devotionals for our youth at various members’ houses.  Please give Joey your input on what evening you think would be best for the devotionals.  Sign the list in the foyer if you would like to host one of these monthly devotionals.

PRAYER LIST

Please remember the following in your prayers:

Jennifer Carden, Norma Cooper’s grandson’s wife, had brain surgery on Thursday.

Garry Jones is now in India but has not been feeling well.

Betty Lay has been having some heart trouble.

Scott Melton is undergoing medical treatment.

Nicholas Miller, a 16-year-old neighbor of Ouita Northcutt has leukemia.   A Blood Draw is being planned for his benefit.

Lisa Muse is having some serious medical tests done and is in need of our prayers.

Jim Nash is undergoing dialysis.

Carl Rutherford’s sister, Phyllis, fell and broke her hip and has developed a blood clot.

Lou Amorabella, Maydene Asbury, Pearl Colvin, Steven Day, Vera Douglas, Helen Gilbreath,  Amber Kenyon, Betty Lay, Joellen Macrina, Jean McAmis, Scott Melton, Derek Miller, Nicholas Miller, Jim & Lillian Redden, Peggy Sebring, Elmira Trentham, RoyLyn Young, Our troops, Our elders, Our Mission Works

SHUT-INS

Wally Caulo---Wartburg

Iva Jones---Briarcliff

Ann Nygard---Courtyards Assisted Living

 

Please let Gail Sharp know if anybody needs to be added to or removed from the prayer list.

PANTRY ITEM

Canned Fruit

Two Seas in Israel

Just yesterday I returned home from my first trip to Israel. Wow, it was a trip that I will never forget. It certainly helped to put countless biblical events into perspective. One of the interesting things I noticed while in Israel is that there are two seas. You know them, the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. The Sea of Galilee is alive. It is still fished by local people, and its banks are alive with lush vegetation. In stark contrast to the Sea of Galilee is the Dead Sea. It is appropriately named, because nothing lives in its waters, and the land that surrounds it is barren and desolate.

How can two seas, which are so close together, be so different? Both seas are fed by the same water supply, the Jordan river. So what accounts for one being alive and the other dead? The answer is this simple. The Sea of Galilee not only receives fresh water from the Jordan, but it gives that same fresh water on to the Dead Sea. However, while the Dead Sea receives the fresh waters from the Jordan, it has not outlet, it doesn't give, it hoards all that it receives, and is thus dead.

Come to think of it, there are two kinds of people in this world. Which are you?

Copyright C 2010, Steve Higginbotham. Permission is granted to copy these articles.

Serving the Congregation Today

                          AM                         PM

Song Leaders:  Joey Smith               Congregational Singing

Opening Prayer:  D. Nicholson         James McCrary  

Lord’s Table:  Mike Smith, Hobert Humphrey, Quentin Ashworth, Bob Hamby

Closing Prayer:  Ben Smith                Quentin Ashworth

PM Table:  Hubert Sharp

Announcements:  Dale Mowery

Greeters:  Mike & Annette Smith