God's Purpose for Golden Agers

As a golden ager, do you ever get to thinking, "I'm over the hill. I'm done. There's nothing more I can do." God places a premium on age, and He intends for us to be useful and active in our golden years. God asked Noah to build an ark when he was more than four hundred years old. God told Moses when he was eighty to lead Israel out of Egypt. Solomon wrote in Proverbs, "Gray hair is a crown of splendor." Henry Ford once said, "If you take all the experience and judgment of men over fifty out of this world, there wouldn't be enough left to run it." I like what one old lady said, "I'm glad I'm old, because if I weren't old, I'd be dead." (wb)

Golden Agers' Rally

It's a little more than a month off, but I want to remind you of our annual Ellis County Golden Agers' Rally Thursday, July 31st. As a part of our activities, Gene Edmonds and "His Harmony" quartet will present a program of gospel music. That will be at 6:00 Thursday the 31st.  I read a thing recently entitled "Top Ten Signs You're Not Reading Your Bible Enough". I don't have room for all of them right here, but here are a few. (1) The preacher announces the sermon is from Genesis and you have to check the Table of Contents. (2) You open to Psalms, and a WW11 savings bond falls out. (3) You think Abraham, Isaac and Jacob may have had a few hit songs in the 60s. (4) The kids keep asking too many questions about your usual bedtime story, "Jonah, the Shepherd Boy, and His Ark of Many colors." More may follow later. (wb)

The Spiritual Body of Christ

In 1 Corinthians 12 (and other places) Paul makes it clear that the church is the spiritual body of Christ. He points out that just as our physical body is composed of many members (hands, feet, eyes, ears, heart, lungs, etc.) so is the spiritual body of Christ. All the saved are added to the church (Acts 2:47), and that makes us members of His body. He further teaches when one member suffers, we all suffer with it. One day last week I knocked the skin off my left arm near the elbow. What did my right hand do? Came to the rescue!  Washed it, doctored it, and soothed it! That's the way it should be in Christ's spiritual body, the church. When a brother or sister is hurting, we come to their aid. Right now, think of someone who's hurting. Give them a call, send a card, or do whatever you can to help heal that hurt. "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."  (wb)

Ruth's Death

Ninety-seven year old Ruth died last week. Though not a Brown Street member, she had received our Thursday meals for several years. At her funeral, several family members expressed to me their appreciation for all that was done for her. We never know how far reaching the effects of our service may extend. In II Cor. 2:25 Paul refers to Christians as the "aroma of Christ." Jesus tells us that when we "let our light shine" others will see our "good deeds and praise our Father in heaven." So, "let us not become weary in doing good."  (wb)

Singing

For those who like to sing - and that should be all of us - we have a couple of golden opportunities coming up. Our next monthly area wide singing will be at the Northside congregation in Waxahachie Friday evening, June 13th. Then, the next month here at Brown Street Friday, July 11th. How better could one spend a Friday evening? The name of our Lord will be glorified, we enjoy the fellowship with folks from other congregations, and it will improve this part of our worship since we learn to sing by singing.  This is for everyone, not just golden agers. Please make a note on your calendar now and reserve those two dates, June 13th and July 11th. (wb)

Billy Joe Cooke

Billy Joe Cooke - - What a guy! Words fail me in trying to adequately express our appreciation for his many years of faithful service as a deacon. I do not know how many years, but it is more than thirty-five because he was serving when we arrived here. Billy Joe has always had a great attitude which makes him a joy to be around, and when there was any kind of workday, he would always be there. His work as a deacon often took him away from his family; so, we thank them, too, for sharing him. Paul wrote about deacons in 1 Timothy 3:13, "Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus."  Billy Joe, you have served well, and we thank you!

Discontinuing of Assisted Living Singing and Wednesday Morning Class

We have only one more Tuesday afternoon assisted living singing before we break for the summer. That will be Tuesday, May 20th, at 2:00 at Covenant Place.  Wednesday morning class has been discontinued until September.  (wb)