We live in a demanding, frustrating, and exasperating world for the entirety of our lives, as we eagerly desire something different.  It seems we are in demand at every turn with over expectations of our time, money, physical ability, and desire.  We schedule time off for family and ourselves while requirements pile up in the backdrop of life’s circle.  They tell us family is important and neglect has led to broken homes.  We are instructed to prioritized demands according to importance, so we are sure to be on task.  You have heard it: God, Family, and Career.  That task alone is overwhelming, because life does not organize that easily (At least organized that easily by us.)

God is the author and sustainer of life, which goes to reason our failed attempts when God cries out for us to come to Him.  God desires to be our God all the time.  You see, that is the struggle.  The struggle is not with juggling schedules, demands, and appointments.  “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)

Do not fight the wrong fight and make sure you are equipped to fight the right battle with the appropriate weapons.  This passage continues to describe the armor of God consisting of truth, righteousness, readiness of the Gospel, faith, salvation, and the Word of God (Spirit).  “Word of God” here is given to mean the product or fruit from possessing the spoken Word of God given to us in the Bible as displayed in our lives.  We are clearly designed by God, but we still have choice to be sustained by God through his maintenance of our lives.  This choice can be made by a simple and solid decision.  We can simply make up our minds to give ourselves back to him through the sent Christ.

You see, our schedules, appointments, and priorities all fall into place by His design and not ours, His battles and not ours, His armor and not ours.  We cannot change where we live and the conditions, but we can change whom we live it for and where we will live after this life.

Mike Bailey

KAREN & KATHY NEED HELP!!!
They desperately need more half-gallon ice cream lids and have called upon you to help them.  Please eat more ice cream and bring your lids up here!

We’re all about family!  We are just starting Coins for Kidz to help change the lives of so many young children and families.  If you have not picked up a can yet, please take one with you today!

The Bible Bowl ministry is welcoming donations of any items that can benefit the cost of trips for a community sale event during the first weekend in July at the Mabry’s.  Contact Dixie, Tyler, or Jana.

The Ladies Class is asking for store bought cookies for VBS.  You can place them in the box in the foyer.

The Youth Ministry is seeking scholarships for the teenagers to attend Camp Pine Springs.  If you would like to sponsor one of these fine young people, contact Brad, Mike, or Cherrelle.

Thursday, the youth will be handing out VBS flyers starting at 4:00pm and will then go to Brad’s house for a cookout.

There will be a pancake breakfast on Saturday starting at 9:00am for anyone willing to help pass out VBS flyers afterward.

There will be a Special Contribution today for Aaron & Marissa Bailey.  This will be to assist them in purchasing a vehicle for their work in Tanzania, East Africa.

STATISTICS FOR MAY 29, 2005