From time to time I and others in the teaching-preaching profession give presentations.  I remember when Robert Oglesby, Jeanene Reese and I went to Baltimore, Maryland.  It was a huge international conference.  We attended several classes before we were to present our material the next day.  The question came up, "Wonder how many will attend our session?"  We were unknowns in the world of Problem Based Learning.

We decided early on when we were preparing our materials that it really didn't matter how many attended.  We were responsible for presenting good materials for the crowd that attended.  Whether one or one hundred, we would do our very best.

We should have that kind of attitude with life.  All too often, we forget there is always someone who is watching our performance."  Our lives are lived, even in those private times, with an audience of ONE.  The Lord is the one who observes and whom we wish to please.  Paul put it this way.  "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Col 3:23-24

Does the size of the audience change the intensity and faithfulness of my effort?  Do my actions and attitudes change when I know there are others looking?  Is my level of excitement and involvement in the work of the Lord affected by the size of the audience?  Let's live our lives seeking to please ONE person, the Lord.  What a powerful church we would have if we all served from that perspective!

Sonny Guild

There is an Education committee meeting today at 3:30 in the Deacon’s Office.

The city-wide Teen Devotional will be held here this evening at 6 o’clock.  You are welcome to stay and worship, if you wish.

We want you to use our LENDING library, but we’d like to see the books returned.  Two books were taken recently and the borrower didn’t sign or date the cards: My Utmost for His Highest and The Truth that Leads to...  Julie Bailey recently donated several novels.

The Women for Christian Homes organization will be making crafts (rather than baked goods) for this years fund-raiser, Christmas in November.  They are needing donations to purchase crafts materials.  Boots Jarrett, Joy Nunnally or Mary Middleton is willing to receive your donation.

The church at Tye is sponsoring a breakfast (dutch treat) for people interested in prison and jail ministries.  It is Nov. 1 at 7 a.m. at the Towne Crier.  They would appreciate your input.

The Merkel Church of Christ is holding a meeting Oct. 17 - 20.  Times and other details are on the bulletin board across from the office.

But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love.  He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.

Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.  For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?  Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

- I Thessalonians 3:6-10

STATISTICS FOR OCTOBER 10, 2004