Baird Texas church of Christ

I stand amazed at how much the Bible speaks about singing and how little we say about it. I have at times heard folk speak of "only singing" as though it were purely optional.

Passages abound in the Psalms. A small sampling includes Psalm 30:4; 4:76; 59:16; 89:1.

The New Testament is far from silent about singing: Ephesians 5:10 speaks of it as "from the heart"; Romans 15:9 says to sing "to the name of the Lord"; I Corinthians 14:15 stresses the "understanding" of what we sing.

Look into the Revelation and see how singing is a vital portion of the heavenly scenes, such as in Revelation 5:9; 14:3; 15:3-4. The emphasis in each instance is on the singing as directed to God. In singing, we extol and praise God for who He truly is. Such praise is at the very heart of what we call worship!

There is little emphasis on the "music" and what is said focuses on the "heart" of the singer. It is noted that we understand and put emphasis on the message in singing. It does not so much require a beautiful voice but a gratitude-filled heart to sing as God desires us to sing. It is not the sound produced but rather the inner "praise" that is expressed. Singing is worship! It is a sublime expression of something God desires. --Austin Emery

Saturday, March 29, 2008, Ray Young of Denver City, Texas, will be the speaker for a men's retreat at Lake Cisco Christian Camp. The theme will be "Be Strong". There will be a continental breakfast and devotional at 8:30 a.m. Lessons and discussion groups will be from 9 a.m. to 12. Lunch will be provided. This event is sponsored by the Daugherty Street church in Eastland. There is a notice of this on the bulletin board at the back of the auditorium.

Remember the devotional at 1:45 each Thursday at the nursing home.

TODAY is the first Sunday luncheon. Please stay and have a meal with us whether you brought food or not. We'd enjoy your presence.

This month, the third Sunday of the month we will resume having finger foods after the evening worship.

There will be no Monday game night for the kids tomorrow night only.

Lana Walls, like many others, has been suffering from the flu but is improved and back at work.

John Carroll is having trouble with his lower leg and was to see a doctor on Thursday.

Jim Baker has been having severely irregular heartbeats and spent a few nights in the hospital. Hopefully, medication can control the problem. He, too, was fighting the flu.

Remember in prayer: Jim Baker, Clara White, Mary Westbrook, the Yawns, the Welch's, the Sowell's, Andrews, Dawrmen Newton, Lucille Sachsenmeyer, Steve Warren, Juanita Tollett, Kathy Warden, Dora Hounshell, Leitress Hughes, Mary Payne, Rick Joy, Frances Greenway, Lynn Vannocker, Betty Taylor, Chiggar Pruitt, the elders, the church, the presidential candidates and all voters.

Being an American citizen is a privilege! Show your appreciation by voting in this very important election.

Outstanding Conversions in Acts

1. About three thousand souls on Pentecost. (Acts 2)

2. Conversion of the Samaritans. (Acts 8)

3. Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch. (Acts 8)

4. Conversion of Paul (Acts 9)

5. Conversion of Cornelius, first Gentile. (Acts 10)

6. Conversion of Philippian Jailor. (Acts 16)

7. Conversion of Lydia, by the riverside. (Acts 16)

8. Conversion of the Corinthians. (Acts 18)

9. Conversion of the Ephesians (Acts 19)

THINK IT OVER

Never once did the Lord have a path free from trouble. When he went into the wilderness, he was tempted of the devil.  When he tried to rest, the multitudes followed; when he taught in the synagogue, they became angry and sought to throw him off the top of the hill. When he sought peace in the garden, they came with swords and led him away to be tried. And those whom he loved enough to die for, crucified him. In spite of it all, he never grumbled about burdens. Instead, he went about doing good.  Let us be about our Father's business also.

From APPLES OF GOLD:

The test of good manners is being able to put up pleasantly with bad ones.

Best rule I know for talkin' is the same as the one for carpenterin': Measure twice and saw once.

Who gossips to you will gossip of you.

Economy is an important virtue and debt can be a danger to be feared.

Speech is the index of the mind.

It's Not Funny

I read a comic in a church bulletin that had two young people talking to each other. One made the comment, "You know I am beginning to unravel the mysteries of the Old Testament. I've started reading it."

The humor is obvious, but there is no humor in the fact that so many of our brethren know so very little about the Bible. Many feel it is just too difficult to understand, but they never try reading it.

In Nehemiah 8:8, we are told, "So they read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." Understanding of the word of God is no different for us. We must "read in the book" before we can begin to understand.

No one would expect to master any discipline without first studying in that field. Likewise, to understand the Bible, we must dig into its depths. Dig deep, for therein one will find great, eternal treasures. Marty Edwards