Monday, October 31, 2011

Evergreen or Broadleaf?

I love autumn. Along with the beauty of the trees, I also enjoy the sunny days and the cool nights. I love to see the bright orange and red leaves on the trees. But, have you ever noticed that most evergreens (pines, cedars, furs, etc.) don’t change, even in the coldest months? Do you know why they don’t? 

From some online research I found that as foliage is concerned, they have to have protection to survive the cold months of the oncoming winter. The tissue of leaves on most trees is too tender to withstand icy nights. So, during autumn, plants either have to toughen up to protect their leaves or dispose of the leaves. 

Evergreens toughen up, so they are able to keep their needles. On the outside, they have a thick wax coating that resists freezing. They also have substance inside of them that fights freezing. 

However, the leaves of broadleaved trees do not have the same thick coating, and the cells on the inside are watery and will easily freeze. The tree has to seal off and shed these leaves to ensure winter survival. It makes me consider how tough am I? 

Does God want me to “toughen up” like an evergreen? I strongly believe so. He has provided everything we need to survive the harshest nights. Psalm 28:7 NLT says, “The Lord is my strength and my shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” What a perfect verse for this season. Remember, the nights may be longer and colder. But allow the Lord to be your inner strength and know that, just like the thick coating of wax on the outside of the evergreens, He is your shield. So, be sure to sing Him a song of Thanksgiving.

November Church News

November Church News
Monroe First Congregational Holiness Church
1113 South Broad Street
Monroe, Georgia 30655
Pastor Greg Baldwin
Sunday School 10:00, Sunday Worship Service 11:00 & 6:00,
Tuesday Worship Service 7:30
Follow us on facebook: www.facebook.com/monroechchurch
Welcome
Here at Monroe CH Church, we are a family of believers. We want to capture the hearts of every generation and join together in pressing “toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Thank you for joining with us to magnify and worship the Lord today. If you don’t already have a home church, we would love to have you with us each week. Along with our mid-week service on Tuesdays, we also have small groups on Tuesdays. We are certain that we have something suited for you.

Weekly Sunday School Trivia Questions
October 30st~ What is the “glory of children?”
November 6th~What will an idle soul suffer?
November 13th~Who loves at all times?
November 20th~ What is the name of the land where Sarah was buried?

Nursery Guidelines
The nursery is staffed by one adult and one young adult and will be
available during the sermon portion of the service.

Words for Life
I love autumn. Along with the beauty of the trees, I also enjoy the sunny days and the cool nights. I love to see the bright orange and red leaves on the trees. But, have you ever noticed that evergreens (pines, cedars, furs, etc.) don’t change even in the coldest months? Do you know why they don’t? As foliage is concerned, they have to have protection to survive the cold months of the oncoming winter. The tissue of leaves on most trees is too tender to withstand icy nights. So, during autumn, plants either have to toughen up to protect their leaves or dispose of the leaves. Evergreens toughen up, so they are able to keep their needles. They have a thick wax coating that resists freezing. However, the leaves of broadleaved trees do not have the same thick coating, and the cells on the inside are watery and will easily freeze. The tree has to seal off and shed these leaves to ensure winter survival. It makes me consider how tough I am? Does God want me to “toughen up” like an evergreen? I strongly believe so. He has provided everything we need to survive the harshest nights. Psalm 28:7 NLT says, “The Lord is my strength and my shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” What a perfect verse for this season. Remember, the nights may be longer and colder. But allow the Lord to be your strength and know that, just like the thick coating of wax on evergreens, He is your shield. So, be sure to sing Him a song of Thanksgiving.

Prayer Requests
In your prayer time this week, please remember:
Jesse Mullins, Jamie Rowden, Margaret Hicks, David Pace, Sandra Phillips, LeWanda Ramey, Dee Cordle, Melissa Christian, Shane Charles, Gary Butler, Bro Billy Autry, Sherman and Joy Baldwin, Robert and Glenna Deel, Gene McCullough, Eva and Delano Casper, Lisa Perry, & Scott Williams.

Announcements
§  Nursing Home Ministry is the first Saturday of each month. Sister Judy Daniel directs this ministry & would appreciate your prayers & support.
§  November 3rd~Brotherhood Meeting with Thanksgiving dinner @ 7:00
§  Christmas in Mexico~we will be sending Christmas poppers to the Monroe Church in Mexico again this year. Please bring the following items: toilet paper rolls, bags of individually wrapped candy (no chocolate-it melts), small toys (balloons, crayons, small bouncy balls, etc.), & Christmas wrapping paper. The Mexican Christmas party (to stuff and wrap the poppers) will be November 5th @ 5:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall.
§  November 11th~Dinner & a movie. Dinner @ 6:00; Movie @ 7:30. Pastor’s Pals-Bro Greg & Sis Tina will provide child care in the nursery during the movie. Menu & movie to be announced soon.
§  November 13th~Robin and Steve Snider will be worshiping with us. Steve will be preaching.
§  November~WM’s Thanksgiving dinner
§  December 4th~William Strickland, our new director of Missions USA, will be with us.
§  Remember to check the projection for additional announcements.

November Birthdays
Jessica McWilliams~November 3rd
Judy Daniel~November 5th
Greg Baldwin~November 9th  
Bobby Driver~November 13th
Rachel Cobb~November 18th
Zoey Michael~November 24th
Madison Lazenby~November 26th

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Shine!

I love candy, especially the chocolate variety. As we come up on Halloween, I almost always hear conflict about celebrating the holiday. Growing up, my mom taught us that the day itself (along with dressing up and trick-or-treating) is not evil. It is only evil if you make it evil. And, since none of us worship the devil-on Halloween or any other day-October 31st has been a fun fall day for us. I recently heard my Mom say, “Darkness only prevails where there is no light.” How true is that?! 

When I am sleeping, I like for my bedroom to be as dark as possible. Since I work at night, I usually sleep during the daytime. It is hard to keep the sunshine out during the day, so I wear an eye mask to shield my eyes from the light. But, sometimes I move around a lot in my sleep, so my mask makes its way up on my forehead. It doesn’t take long for me to wake up because of the light shining in my eyes. Even if the mask doesn’t move much, it will get twisted just enough that lights starts peeping in around the edge of my mask.

Have you ever considered the light your life shines on those around you? Hopefully they don’t want to hide from it like I try to get away from the light when I sleep. J But, your light can be a powerful thing. Psalm 112:4 NLT says, “Light shines in darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.” John 1:4-5 NLT says, “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” 

Instead of standing back and allowing darkness to have its time, why not bring in the Light? Psalm 27:1a NLT says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation.”  So, let your light shine, and save me some chocolate!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Wear Sunscreen

I did not write this, but I've always enjoyed reading this essay. The commencement speaker at my graduation read it. It was written by Mary Schmich. Hope you enjoy!


Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. 

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

A Hug or a Hamburger

One of my favorite TV shows is “The Closer” on TNT. It follows the life of a female detective who is from Atlanta, Georgia but lives and works in Los Angeles, California. On one of the episodes that I recently watched, the detective said, “It never hurts to start with being nice.” I read a story awhile back that I’d like to share.
Scott was walking home one day when a boy ahead of him tripped and dropped all of the books he was carrying, along with two sweaters, a baseball bat, and a glove. Scott knelt down and helped the boy pick up the scattered articles. They were going the same way, so he helped carry part of the load. As they walked, Scott discovered the boy’s name was Will, that he loved video games, baseball, and history; and, that he was having lots of trouble with his other subjects and that he had just broken up with his girlfriend. They went to Will’s home and watched some television, laughing and sharing small talk. Then, Scott went home.
They continued to see each other around school, had lunch together once or twice, then both graduated from middle school. They ended up in the same high school, and had some interaction over the years. Then, finally, they were seniors. Will asked Scott if they could talk. Will reminded him of the day years ago when they had first met. “Did you ever wonder why I was carrying so much stuff home that day?” asked Will, “I cleaned out my locker because I didn’t want to leave a mess for anyone else. I was depressed, and I was going home to commit suicide. But after we spent some time together talking and laughing, I realized that if I had killed myself, I would have missed that time and so many others that might follow. So you see, Scott, when you picked up those books that day, you did a lot more, you saved my life.
In Matthew 25:35-40, Christ said, “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me in. I needed clothes, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you looked after me. I was in prison, and you came to visit me.” Then the righteous will answer Him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
You never know when someone has been placed in your life as a test of your character. So, share a hug or a hamburger with someone; it could change their life.

How big is your tree?

Proverbs 11:30 NLT says, “The seeds of  good deeds become a tree of life; and those who win souls are wise.“ If this were the only standard for “wise,“ how much wisdom would you have? There are different ways to witness. The life that we choose to live has a large impact on those around us. Matthew 5 tells us, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.“ 
There are many different types of witnessing: door-to-door, handouts, singing, street-corner preaching. But, I think that one of the most important tools for witnessing is our own lives, on a daily basis. I have often heard the saying, “My life may be the only Bible someone will ever read.” If that were the case, how many people around you would know Jesus? Like that city on a hill, sometimes (as Christians) other people are looking at our light when we don’t even know it. Be sure that when they look at you, they are able to see Christ through your actions.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

SOLD!

During a church service a while back, Mom said something that really stuck out to me. She said that instead of testing to see what we can get by with, why not sell out completely to God? Not worrying about how we can get around a guideline, but living so that whatever it takes to be closer to the Lord, that is what we’re willing to do. I thought of a song by Watermark called, “My heart, Your home.” The lyrics say, “Come and make my heart Your home, Come and be everything I am and all I know, Search me through and through, Til my heart becomes a home for You…Let everything I do, Open up a door for You to come through, So that my heart will be, A place where you want to be.” I don’t know about you, but when I know that company is coming to my house, I try to make sure everything is clean and in order. How much more should we make sure our lives are in order when we want the King of Kings to take up residence in our hearts and lives? Put things that occupy space and time in the places where they belong so that we can allow Jesus to make our heart home to Him.

October Church News


October Church News

Monroe First Congregational Holiness Church
1113 South Broad Street
Monroe, Georgia 30655
Pastor Greg Baldwin
Sunday School 10:00, Sunday Worship Service 11:00 & 6:00,
Tuesday Worship Service 7:30
Follow us on facebook: www.facebook.com/monroechchurch
Welcome
Here at Monroe CH Church, we are a family of believers. We want to capture the hearts of every generation and join together in pressing “toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Thank you for joining with us to magnify and worship the Lord today. If you don’t already have a home church, we would love to have you with us each week. Along with our mid-week service on Tuesdays, we also have small groups on Tuesdays. We are certain that we have something suited for you.
Weekly Sunday School Trivia Questions
October 2nd~ Who sharpened the tools for the Israelites when they had no blacksmiths?
October 9th~Whose name means “Because I asked him of the Lord?”
October 16th~How old was Noah when the Great Flood occurred?
October 23rd~ How many arrows Joash shoot into the ground at Elisha’s command?
Nursery Guidelines
The nursery is staffed by one adult and one young adult and will be
available during the sermon portion of the service.
Words for Life
“Don’t doubt in the darkness what you knew to be true in light.” I heard that on You Tube the other day. It really resonated with me. My car is red-always has been, always will be. At night, in darkness, my perception of its color may change; but, it is only my perception that changes-the color remains the same. I recently watched “Soul Surfer.” In it, they have a Bible study. During one of the lessons, the leader tells the class, “If you’re dealing with something that’s hard to handle or just plain doesn’t make sense, do whatever it takes to get some perspective. Talk to your parents, a friend…pray about it. From a different point of view, you’ll often discover that things aren’t quite as confusing as they seem.” No doubt God has made you a promise. At times, when it seems as if you’re going through a dark night, it may be hard to see that God is fulfilling His promise to you. But, remember, God’s promise has not changed. Psalm 34:5-6,8 NLT says, “Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; He saved me from all my troubles. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!” Don’t doubt what the Lord has promised you. He has a will and a purpose. Even if your circumstances have changed, God is still the same.
Prayer Requests
In your prayer time this week, please remember:
Dee Cordle, Melissa Christian, Tony Howard, Shane Charles, Brandon Keene and Jonathon Carter (deployed soldiers), Gary Butler, Bro Billy Autry, Sherman and Joy Baldwin, Robert and Glenna Deel, Gene McCullough, Eva and Delano Casper and Martha Brand, Lisa Perry, Jill Thornton & Scott Williams.
Announcements
§  October 6th~Brotherhood Meeting @ 7:30
§  October 9th-12th~Revival with Jonathan Church
§  October 17th~WM’s
§  October 21~Dinner & a movie. Dinner @ 6:00; Movie @ 7:30. Pastor’s Pals-Bro. Greg & Sis Tina will provide child care in the nursery during the movie. Menu & movie to be announced soon.
§  Nursing Home Ministry is the first Saturday of each month. Sister Judy Daniel directs this ministry & would appreciate your prayers & support
§  Christmas in Mexico~we will be sending Christmas poppers to the Monroe Church in Mexico again this Christmas. Please start bringing the following items: toilet paper rolls, bags of individually wrapped candy (no chocolate-it melts), small toys (balloons, crayons, small bouncy balls, etc.), and Christmas wrapping paper.
§  Remember to check the projection for additional announcements.

October Birthdays
Amanda Bryson~October 2nd
Johnnie Bryson~October 3rd
Delisa McDaniel~October 5th
Wesley Michael October 20th
Haley Lazenby October 28th