About The Jenkins County times. (Millen, Ga.) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (March 3, 2023)
JCTimes 3-3-23.indd 3 3/2/2023 9:56:54 AM ■■■ ■ thejenkinscountytimes.com The Jenkins County Times Friday, March 3, 2023 - Page 3 Words of Encouragement By Joshua Johnson, Special Contributor for The Times Pastor Oak Hill Baptist Church, Millen James 3:8-10 “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poi son. Therewith bless we God, even the father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed- eth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” I heard a story about a certain father and son who were out replacing some siding on their old bam. As they lifted each slat into place the father would hold the board in place the son would hammer in the nails. The son was not watching what he was doing, missed the nail, and stmck the son with great force on his thumb. At that he let out a curse word, shaking his hand as uitfaitk Pastor Jordan Clayton Senior pastor at East Burke Baptist Church in Sardis. the pain throbbed. After a few moments the pain be gan to subside and the son apologized to his father for using such language in h is presence. The father sat the boy down and explained that he had been overhear ing his son use foul lan guage quite a bit. The wise father told the boy to spend the next few months trying not to curse. Every time he felt like curs ing, he should drive a nail into the side of the bam. After a few months the father and son revisited the bam to survey the results of the exercise. There were twenty-one nails driven into the board. “Now,” the father said, “pull out all the nails and make the board look perfect again.” The son pulled out the nails, patched the holes, sanded it smooth and then painted. Feeling pleased with him self, the son went in search of his father. “Look Dad, the board is perfect!” “No son, the holes are still there. They are just hidden from sight by caulking and paint. Our words are just like these nails in a person’s heart. Cmel words leave a hole in our heart, just like these nails did. The hold is always there, just hidden from sight.” The father explained that once words have been spo ken, they can never be tak en back. The damage has been done. Dear Friend, I ask you to examine your words and the effect they have on others. Let us ask God to help us be an en couragement to others in stead of putting holes in their heart. BIBLE REBINDING . Bonded Leather • Genuine Leather - Cowhide (912|«-639 125 North Man Str«t. Sylvama Georgia 30467 “Table Time” Acts 2:46 - “Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts... ’’ I remember my first date with my wife, Lauren. In May of 2012, I took her to Dublin, GA to eat at my favorite Italian restaurant, Deano’s. We sat across the table from each other and nervously navigated a get to know you conversation. Thankfully that conversation and first date led to other dates, and then marriage. Almost every date we went on involved eating - sitting at a table and talking as we shared a meal. God created us for intimate, personal relationships. He created us for a vertical relationship, with Himself, and for horizontal relationships, with others. We all have many relationships in our lives, from work, to neighbors, to the grocery checkout line, but how many of our relationships are personal and intimate? Relationships grow through time spent together, through conversation and shared experiences. One of the tools God gave us for growing relationships is the table. In the verse shared above. Acts 2:46, it speaks of the growing early church. One of the ways we see them growing is by “breaking bread from house to house”. They were experiencing “table time” together. “Table time” is intentionally gathering around a table for a shared meal. Our culture today is not good at table time. Our exodus from the table and a shared family meal began with the introduction of the TV, TV dinners, and TV trays, and has now accelerated to busy schedules, WiFi, and smart phones. In 2023, can I challenge you to intentionally pursue more table time? We need to be more intentional about table time in three areas of our life this year: family table time, friendly table time, and faith table time. Family table time is when the family at home gathers around the table. The table is a place for daily communication that leads to unity in the family. A shared meal around the table may be the only time your family is together all day. When seated around the table, family schedules get in sync, expectations from Dad and Mom are established, the day’s events get shared. Pastor Tony Evans has said that we need to be more concerned about what’s happening in our house, than what is happening in the White House. Friendly table time is when you share a meal with another individual or family for the purpose of intentional relationship building. God created us for relationships with others. As Christians we are commanded by Jesus to make disciples, and discipleship involves doing life together. Jesus did much of His ministry around a table. In fact. He was even accused by the religious leaders of His day of eating with sinners! Is there a neighbor you can invite over to share a meal with? A co-worker? Another family in your neighborhood or church? Faith table time is table time with your church family. If you are not involved with a church family, you need to begin to seek one out today. Get on google, and search for a Bible teaching church in your area and go visit it. Make a choice to attend, get involved, serve, and invest in that church. “Breaking Bread” in Acts 2:46 refers to the fact that the early church always celebrated the Lord’s Supper when they ate together. They did this when they shared a meal because of persecution - they didn't know when they would see each other again. One of the tmths that the Lord’s Supper reminds us of is that we are to “make every’ effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and of all, who is above all and through all and in all. ’’ (Ephesians 4:3-6). The Lord’s Supper reminds us of why we love each other in the church - because we love Jesus first. Table time builds relationships, turns faces, minds, and hearts toward each other, and promotes unity. We need more Table Time in 2023. Will you be more intentional about Table Time in 2023? Help visitors find you! List your church in the directory> for six months $60 or one year $120 Call: (912) 451-NEWS or 478-401-5007 M-T-F This section is a complimentary service for Jenkins County and surrounding area churches listed in the Church Directory. We will run your church news for two weeks. Email announcements to jenkinscountytimes@gmail.com or drop them off at our office Tuesday, Thurday or Friday at 425 Hwy 25 S., Millen, GA. Our deadline is noon on Fridays for the following week. East Burke Baptist Church Sunday Services 11 a.m. Pastor: Jordan Clayton Hwy 24 Sardis, GA Please call 706-526-1733 for more information. Millen Baptist Church Come join us!! Morning Worship 8:30AM & 11AM Sunday School 10 a.m. 219 N. Gray St, Millen, GA 478-982-5411 Pastor Brad Asbury pastorbradasbury@gmail.com Oak Hill Baptist Church Sunday School: 9 a.m. Sunday Morning: 10 a.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. Choir practice - Bible Study Youth Group - Kids Mission Group 3233 Oak Hill Church Rd„ Millen, GA 30442 Pastor: Joshua Johnson 478-982-1616 www.oakhillmillen.com Trinity Episcopal Church 4401 Country Club Rd, Statesboro, GA Sunday Eucharist 8:15 a.m. and 10:30a.m. Father Charles Todd, Rector Jonathan Murphy, Music Director. 912-489-4208 www.facebook.comTrinityEpiscopalStatesboro Q 478-401-0495 w o) 513 Cotton Ave Millen, Ga Shana Brinson BRINSON (» Iimw&Afywy, Ini. ~ MuiMI BUOG lOTCtt Kayla Shuman gf Auto Insurance 0 Home Insurance gf Life Insurance gf Health Insurance a Commercial g* Medicare w insurance w supplements & Title Bonds gf AFLAC Products @ www.brinsoninsurance.net Hey readers! Want to celebrate your friends, family, coworkers' birthday? Send us their photo and a brief birthday wish the week before the birthday and they will be in the paper! They could win a cupcake from 4 and 20 Bakery in Sylvania!
