Newspaper Page Text
From A Pastor’s Heart
Page 6A - The Lee County Ledger, Thursday, November 22,2001
What the Bible Teaches
By Frank Taylor
Looking back on a life of
empty materialism, Solomon
probably longed for the true
treasure of friendship. In his
pensive journal, Ecclesiastes, he
gives us three reasons why “two
are better than one.”
1. A Friend Gives Encourage
ment When we’re Weak: “Two
are better than one; because they
have a good reward for their
labor. For if they fall, the one
will lift up his fellow: but woe
to him that is alone when he
falleth; for he hath not another
to help him up.”(Eccles. 4:9-10)
We need to steady ourselves
on the strong arm of a friend
when we stumble. When we're
ready to throw in the towel on
Christianity because the
“abundant life” seems scarce.
When the impersonal pink slip
appears in our “in” box after
thirty years of dedicated service.
When we strain to see a light in
the dark, dank dungeon of
depression.
When we fall, we need a
friend. A true friend is there to
help us up, not put us down.
There’s no greater blessing than
a friend’s encouragement to us
when we’re weak. But “woe” to
those who don’t have such a
friend (Eccles. 4:10). How
frightening, how perilous, how
lonely to reach out when we’ve
fallen and find no one there.
Who catches you when you
fall? Who knows you well
enough to sense when you’re
slipping and loves you enough
to pull you up? Such relation
ships usually don’t crop up
overnight. They’re cultivated
over time. But cultivating deep
friendships can be tough
plowing, especially for men.
Why? “Real men stand alone.
Real men don’t cry. Real men
don't share their feelings. So
suck it up and move on.”
There’s a sophisticated Greek
word for that attitude: “Hog-
wash!” More men need to open
up and admit their frustrations,
weaknesses, and fears. That’s
how friends are made. And
relationships are one of the
ways
God
sustains
every-
one-
including
men.
2. A
Friend
Lends
Support
When We’re Vulnerable:
“Furthermore, if two lie down
together they keep warm, but
how can one be warm alone?”
(Eccles. 4:11)
When we feel vulnerable and
exposed, God often brings His
caring touch through the
tenderness of a friend. Maybe
the cruel hand of divorce has
suddenly yanked the security
blanket from your life. Maybe
your soul still shivers from the
doctor's icy prognosis (“Its
cancer.”) And now your life,
your dreams, your family... are
all a huge question mark. Or
what about the news from your
teenage daughter that hit like
the winter storm (“Mom, Dad,
I’m pregnant.”). At times like
these, we need the warmth of a
friend. Someone who will toss
the dry log on the fire and pull
his or her soul up close to ours.
And wait with us until the night
passes.
3. A Friend Provides Protec
tion When We're Attacked:
“And if one can overpower him
who is alone, two can resist
him.” (Eccles. 4:12)
Lone Ranger Christians make
easy targets for Satan’s arrows.
Don’t be fooled. We’re never
out of Satan’s sights. He’s
always ready to pick off
unguarded believers (IPet. 5:8).
Whether attacked from within
or without, we need the
protection of faithful friends.
When everyone else is poised to
throw stones, friends will stand
between the judgmental crowd
and us. Friends won’t lie to
protect us or refuse to confront
us when we’re wrong, but they
will stand with us when the
assaults come.
(Rev 21:1-5 KJV) "Andlsawa
new heaven and a new earth: for
the first heaven and the first earth
were passed away; and there was
no more sea. {2} And I John saw
the holy city, new Jerusalem,
coming down from God out of
heaven, prepared as a bride
adorned for her husband. {3} And
I heard a great voice out of heaven
saying, Behold, the tabernacle of
God is with men, and he will
dwell with them, and they shall
be his people, and God himself
shall be with them, and be their
God. {4} And God shall wipe
away all tears from their eyes; and
there shall be no more death, nei
ther sorrow, nor crying, neither
shall there be any more pain: for
the former things are passed away.
{5} And he that sat upon the
throne said, Behold, I make all
things new. And he said unto me,
Write: for these words are true and
faithful."
Everyone I know likes to hear
comforting words from time to
time, and the scriptures quoted
above are perhaps some of the
best examples in all the Bible. Can
you imagine a world without sin,
hatred, killing, doubt, despair,
crying, and so many other things
that bring us sorrow? My mind
can scarcely imagine a world like
that, but the Bible tells us there is
coming a time when the world and
all things in it will be ruled fairly
and justly by God Himself.
It has been only two months
since the world stood in shock as
thousands of people were mur
dered by religious fanatics. Many
survivors of those tragic events
are still having trouble sleeping
and putting their lives in order.
The anthrax scare is fuel added to
a fire already burning, and now
another plane crashed in a com
munity already rocked by recent
events. Countless people are won
dering if good sense will ever rule
the day.
The truth is, our world is not
getting better. Granted, there are
seasons of great revival and God
is still working in places He is
welcome, but hatred and sinful
living are still very real. I love our
nation and respect our govern
ment, but we have come a long
rs
Ronald E. Parish
way from the values our found
ing fathers intended this nation to
possess. They weren't perfect and
neither are we. This whole world
needs a savior, and God has pro
vided Him - Jesus Christ, the Son
of the living God.
If you missed our homecoming
on November 4, you missed a
wonderful time in the Lord. Many
people visited us from other
churches, and we all had wonder
ful fellowship together. It's good
to come back home after being
away for so long. By the way, if
you are looking for a church
home, please come by to see us.
You would be welcome.
We are still looking for a piano
player. If you are interested,
please get in touch with me. Our
desire is to find someone who can
play some of the contemporary
worship music as well as some of
the old hymns of the church.
Thank you for your consideration.
If you have any questions, sug
gestions, or comments, please
contact me at (229)888-2588 or
send e-mail to
eacog@mindspring.com. You are
most welcome to visit us at East
Albany Church of God, 216 Pine
Bluff Road, Albany, Georgia.
Drop by to see us on the web at
the following address: www.
eacog.home.mindspring.com
Sincerely
RONALD E. PARISH
Pastor, East Albany Church of
God
The “Word” For The Week
By Dr. Dennis Prutow
Take Time for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is upon us. For
most Americans it’s just another
holiday. Kids get off from school.
Some businesses give four-day
weekends. Many high schools still
have their big football game on
Thanksgiving Day.
College football stadiums are
packed. This is also the traditional
beginning of the Christmas shop
ping season. Children visit their
parents. Retired folks visit their
grandchildren. Families gather
around sumptuous meals of tur
key, ham, dressing, gravy, salads
and all the trimmings. It’s a fun
and festive time.
Thanksgiving Day is also an
opportunity for much more.
Thanksgiving Day is a time to
pause from the hustle and bustle
of daily life and thank God for the
blessings of life, happiness, fam
ily, food, work, and shelter.
Thanksgiving Day is a day to
recognize God as the great Pro
vider. He is the One who gives life.
He is the One who provides food.
He is the One who enables us to
work. He is the One who gives us
homes and families. He is the One
placing us in the midst of freedom
and opportunity in a wealthy na
tion. He gave us the ingenuity,
strength of mind, courage, and
fortitude to carve out a life in a
sometimes-hostile world. All these
things are manifestations of His
love. “Give thanks to the Lord, for
He is good; for His lovingkindness
is everlasting” (Psalm 136:1).
For a free audiotape on this sub
ject, call 1-800-777-0389; e-mail
free_tape@juno.com; or visit
www.sterlingpulpit.org
From The Bible
By Jerry Kingery
Cease from anger
Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the
heavens; and thy faithfulness
reacheth unto the clouds. Thy
righteousness is like the great
mountains; thy judgments are a
great deep: O LORD, thou
preservest man and beast. How
excellent is thy lovingkindness, O
God! therefore the children of
men put their trust under the
shadow of thy wings. They shall
be abundantly satisfied with the
fatness of thy house; and thou
shalt make them drink of the river
of thy pleasures. For with thee is
the fountain of life: in thy light
shall we see light. O continue thy
lovingkindness unto them that
know thee; and thy righteousness
to the upright in heart.
Fret not thyself because of evil
doers. neither be thou envious
against the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down
like the grass, and wither as the
green herb. Trust in the LORD,
and do good; so shalt thou dwell
in the land, and verily thou shalt
be fed. Delight thyself also in the
LORD; and he shall give thee the
desires of thine heart. Commit
thy way unto the LORD; trust
also in him; and he shall bring it
to pass. And he shall bring forth
thy righteousness as the light, and
thy judgment as the noonday.
Rest in the LORD, and wait
patiently for him: fret not thyself
because of him who prospereth in
his way, because of the man who
bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake
wrath: fret not thyself in any wise
to do evil. For evildoers shall be
cut off: but those that wait upon
the LORD, they shall inherit the
earth. For yet a little while, and
the wicked shall not be: yea, thou
shalt diligently consider his place,
and it shall not be. But the meek
shall inherit the earth; and shall
delight themselves in the abun
dance of peace.
The LORD knoweth the days of
the upright: and their inheritance
shall be for ever. They shall not
be ashamed in the evil time: and
in the days of famine they shall
be satisfied.
from Psalms 36 and 37
For a free Scripture packet,
please write From the Bible,
BIBLE FOUNDATION. PO Box
908, Newberg, Oregon 97132.
email: bf@bf.org
Attend The House of Worship of Your Choice This Sunday
^ountu Churrh Of Christ Kinchafoonee BaDtist Leesbura Church of God Leesburg First Bapt
Lee County Church Of Christ
Maurice Johnson, Jr. Minister
Bible Study 9:30 AM
Worship 10:30 AM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Mid-Week Bible Study 7:30 PM
Smithville Baptist
Lance Fendley, Pastor
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Evening Worship 7:00 PM
Wed. Prayer Service. 7:00 PM
Leesburg Presbyterian
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Women of the Ch 3:30 PM
3rd Sun & 3rd Wed .. 6:30 PM
Union Wors. Service 7:30 PM
Every 6 weeks
Lords’s Supper 11:00 AM
Philema Road Baptist
Dan Harris, Pastor
Sunday School 9:45 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Wed Bible Study 7:00 AM
Alpha Baptist
Rev. Joe Jenkins
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Discipleship Training 6:00 PM
Evening Worship 7:00 PM
Wed. Prayer Service 7:30 PM
Antioch Baptist Church
Rev. Lem Wright
1st and 3rd Sunday
Sunday School 9:00 AM
4th Sunday
Worship Service 10:00 AM
Zion Hope Baptist
Rev. H. L. Holsey
Sunday School 10:30 AM
Sunday Worship 11:30 AM
Phillip Grove Baptist
Rev. Solomom Loud Jr.
Highway 195 Leesburg
Sunday School 10:30 AM
1st Sunday 12:00 PM
Mt. Pleasant Baptist
Pastor Levi Robinson
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Worship Service 11:15AM
Tuesday
Tuturial Service . 5:30-7:00pm
Prayer and Bible Study 7-8 pm
Kinchafoonee Baptist
Rev. Charles (Chuck) Smith
Sunday School 9:45 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Training Union 6:00 PM
Evening Worship 7:00 PM
Wed. Services 7:30 PM
Smithville United Methodist
Pastor - Randy Carnley
Worship 10:00 AM
Sunday School 11:00 AM
Palmyra Baptist
J. D. Bolden
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship .... 12:00 PM
Bible Study (1st Sun) 5:00 PM
Eve. Wor. (1st Sun) ..7:00 PM
McAfee Grove
Missionary Baptist
Minister Robert Lewis Morgan
First & Third Sundays
Sunday School 10:30 AM
Morning worship 11:30 AM
Second & Fourth Sundays
Sunday School 10:00 AM
New Hope AME
Rev. Alfreda Williams
every 1st and third Sunday
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Sunday Worship 11:00 AM
Macadonia Baptist Church
Sunday School 10:30 AM
Wed. Bible Study 7:00 PM
First Sunday
Morning Worship.... 11:45 AM
Third Sunday
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Jordan Grove Baptist
Rev. R. O. Calhoun
Sunday School 9:45 AM
Worship Service 11:00 AM
Unity Church of Christianity
Rev. Joanna Gabriel
Dial-A-Prayer 435-7077
Comer of Ledo & Hugh Roads
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Leesburg United Methodist Church
Leesburg Church Of Christ
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 PM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Wednesday Evening 7:30 PM
St. Stephen’s Episcopal
Father Ron Davidson
298 Leslie Hwy 759-1506
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Living Hope Fellowship
Four Square Gospel Church
Highway 19 S. Leesburg
1/2 mile north of 19 Bypass
Worship Service 10:00 AM
Evening Service 6:00 PM
Wednesday Evening 7:00 PM
Children Church during both Sunday
Services
New Piney Grove Baptist
Pastor Henry L. Holsey
Third Sunday Services
Sunday School 11:30 AM
Worship 12:30 PM
First Sunday Sen/ices
Sunday School 11:00 AM
Mt. Hope Baptist Church
Pastor: Rev. M. W. Willis
Services 1st Sunday
Sunday School 5:00 PM
Church 6:00 PM
Services 4th Sunday
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Church 11:00 AM
For any corrections or additions to the Church Page, Contact The Lee County Ledger at 759-2413
Leesburg Church of God
Rev. Sean Faircloth
Sunday School 9:45 AM
Morning Worship 10:40 AM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Wed. Fam. Training 7:00 PM
Wooden Grove Baptist
1st & 3rd Sunday Services
Worship 11:00 AM
Weekly
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Tuesday Night
Bible Study 7:00 PM
Thundering Springs
Baptist Church
Sunday School 9.45 AM
Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Church Training 5:00 PM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Wed. Prayer Services7:00 PM
Leesburg United
Methodist Church
Pastor Russ Elkins
Worship.... 8:45 and 11:00 AM
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Adult Choir 5:30 PM
Youth Fellowship 5:45 PM
Evening Worship 7:00 PM
Wed. Supper/Bible Study 6:00
Green Grove Baptist
Smithville, GA
Rev. H. Waters
Sunday School 11:00 AM
Every First Sunday
Morning Worship 11:45 AM
Kingdom Vision Christian Center
Rev. Earl S. Harrison, Pastor
1027 N. Philema Road N.
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Sunday Worship 11:15AM
Wed. Bible Study 7:00 PM
Lutherian Church of Our Savior
Rev. Bill Behrend
101 Hickory Grove Road
Sunday School 9:30 AM
Worship 11:00 AM
The
Lee County
Ledger
Your Source of
Local News
759-2414
dm
Member FDIC
located on Robert B. Lee
Drive in Leesburg - 759-2800
and 2609 Ledo Rd 430-8080
Member FDIC
The Future of
Banking is Here.
Clyde’s
Auto Part
Turner Field Industrial Park
1507 Rodgers Street
Albany, Georgia 31705
Clyde Massey
(912) 436-1502
We Buy Wrecked Cars
CraigoSS 1 .
Mathis
Attorney At Law
124 Fourth Street
759-2243
Funeral Home
Crematory/Memorials
Mike Mathews - Gary Mathews
3206 Gillionville Rd.
Albany, GA 31707
435-5657
Leesburg Cemetery
Jnmj/a£ut
Hughes
Hardware
1497 S. Hwy. 19
432-0037
Worrell Paint
and Body Shop
Would like to thank
you for the support
you have given us.
U.S. 19 -
South of Leesburg
439-1555
Jack; Fo it
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
Crematory and Memorials
Crown Hill Cemetery
1503 Dawson Road • P.O. Box 92
Albany, Georgia 31702-0092
Phone: (912) 883-4152
“Sevice Since 1880”
BUMPER
BUMPER
759-6561 759-6482
Walnut St., Leesburg
Leesburg First Baptist
Rev. Bobby Harrell
Sunday School I 8:15 AM
Worship I 9:30 AM
Sunday School II 9:30 AM
Worship II 11:00 AM
Evening Worship 7:00 PM
Wednesday
Church Supper 5:30 PM
AWANA 6:20 PM
Prayer Meeting 6:30 PM
Youth Meeting 7:00 PM
Sovereign Grace
Baptist Church
Steven Youngblood, Pastor
121 Creekside Dr. - Lees.
Morning Worship.... 10:30 AM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Wednesday Awana .. 6:30 PM
Amazing Grace
Baptist Church
Pastor, Dr. Ron Baxley
2217 Ledo Rd., Albany
Morning Worship
& Sunday School ... 10:45 AM
Evening Worship
& Youth Choir 6:00 PM
Wednesday 6:30 to
(Youth only) 8:00 PM
House Of God
Saints In Christ
Elder A.F. Caldwell, Pastor
Sunday School 10:30 AM
1st, 2nd, & 4th Sundays
Morning Worship.... 11:45 AM
2nd & 4th Sunday
Evening Service 6:30 PM
Wed. Bible Study 7:30 PM
Fri. Sharing Ser 7:30 PM
Piney Grove #3
Pastor W. G. Groover
Every Sunday
Sunday School 10:00 AM
2nd and 4th Sunday
Worship 11:00 Noon
Emmanuel Community
Baptist Church
Al Bryant, Pastor
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Every Wednesday
Bible Study 6:30 PM
Shady Grove
Baptist Church
Rev. Marcus Glass, Pastor
1st and 2nd Sunday
Worship Service 11:00 AM
Every Sunday
Sunday School 9:50 AM
Wed. Bible Study 7:00 PM
Fourth Sunday
Evening Service 6:00 PM
Liberty Primitive Baptist
Morning Worship.... 10:30 AM
2nd and 4th Sunday
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
IBANK
An affiliate of Synovus Financial Corn.
Member FDIC
430-5383
1531 U.S. 19 South
Leesburg
in front of Winn-Dixie