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                Responsibility and trust come from the common well of faithfulness. When we engage faithfulness, we create a new attitude towards the responsibilities of life. We are vigilant in making sure that our responsibilities are fulfilled and that we have done an excellent job. We understand the trust that others have placed in us, and feel the burden to live up to that level of trust. We do not see responsibilities as a burden, but as a stepping stool. This is how we build trust so that one day we can be responsible for bigger things.

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?”  (Luke 16:10-12)

Christ reminds us that when we are able to manage the small things then in time we will be able to handle the big things in life. If we want our parents or guardians to trust us, then we must show them that we are capable of being trusted by making good decisions and being faithful. It is when we display these attributes that we begin to show who we really are.

- Kyle Macon

           Years ago the country star Don Williams released a song called I Believe In Love. The song contained the following lines:

Well, I don’t believe that heaven waits, For only those who congregate.
I like to think of God as love: He’s down below, He’s up above.
He’s watching people everywhere. He knows who does and doesn’t care.

At the time this song was released, this was probably a novel idea. Most people in decades past have connected Christianity with church attendance (congregating). They understood that communing with the saints of God, praising God in worship, and studying to learn from God as a group of individuals was a part of God’s plan to save souls. Today’s world has adopted the views of this song. Today, many in the world make no connection whatsoever between salvation and church attendance. Unfortunately for these people, God absolutely makes this connection. He tells us not to forsake our assemblies (Hebrews 10:25). This is a direct commandment for anyone who wants to please God and reach our eternal home in Heaven. We must never underestimate the power of a worship assembly. Ironically, Don Williams hinted at that power in another line of his song:

I don’t believe virginity, is as common as it used to be.

Perhaps Mr. Williams should have thought a little more about his song lyrics. Could it be that virginity (morals) was not as common as it used to be because so many were abandoning their local congregations for some sort of personal religious experience? Could it be that the teaching and preaching from classrooms and pulpits has the ability to sway people to obedience to Christ? Could it be that this teaching prevents moral ignorance that leads to death? Could it be that the support of other Christians dealing with their own demons can lift up those that face temptations during their times of congregational worship? Could it be that congregating actually helps us in our journey on this earth? The answer to all these questions is a resounding YES. Mr. Williams may not believe it, but God has stated it. Heaven does indeed wait for those that congregate because congregating is a commandment from Almighty God.

Walter Rayburn

There are a few things that one needs to know to prepare for disaster:

1. The kind of disaster: There are general things that apply for every disaster, but some will require specialized needs and tools.
2. The length of the survival period: Will it be weeks, days, months, or years?
3. The amount of people: Will you be preparing for yourself, your family, or your community?
4. The precautions needed to be safe: What will it take to be secure?
5. The people who you will trust:  Military, government agencies, churches, or strangers?
6. The destination when the disaster hits: where will you go?

Deciding these minor things beforehand can create a significant difference in ones survival, but they will have no impact if we are unwilling to hear that there is an imminent disaster. A serious disaster is quickly approaching, and there are many who refuse to hear the call of those who see it. We must realize that the return of Christ can be either a disaster or a salvation. For those who aren’t prepared, the Master makes no room and leaves them in the outer darkness (Matt. 22:1-14). The coming disaster is the return of Christ, and we must prepare ourselves to spend eternity with or without God. If you haven’t decided already, it will be too late when the tragedy hits.

- Kyle Macon

In October our minister was able to accompany his father-in-law (Johnny Mack Young) on a mission trip to Ukraine. This was Walter’s third trip to this country. His father-in-law has been conducting such trips since 1995.Ukraineis a very large country that sits on the western border ofRussia. It is a mission field that has been wide open since the fall communism in Eastern Europe. Opportunities for preaching the Gospel and challenges for relatively young congregations create the need for long-term and short-term missionary efforts to this nation.

This year, Walter was able to work in two different cities. The first stop was the city of Skyvra. While there, Walter and Johnny worked with a small congregation presenting lessons in a Gospel Meeting format. They were also able to do local visiting for various members of the Lord’s Church in this city. Walter and his father-in-law also took this opportunity to encourage the church in Skyvra. This congregation has been struck with illnesses and unexpected deaths in the past year. It was a congregation that needed spiritual uplifting. Hopefully, this was accomplished in small part by Walter and Johnny Mack’s visit.

The city of Dunetsk was the next stop for Walter and Johnny. They worked with the local congregation in this city by presenting numerous lessons. They also visited the local congregations in surrounding towns and villages in order to present lessons. One of the main goals of this visit was to improve relations between the church and the English Department of the local university. Walter and Johnny Mack presented numerous English classes to the students of the university which used the Bible as the textbook. They received positive feedback from these lectures and hope to keep this door open as it represents fertile ground for evangelistic opportunities.

            What does your shadow look like?  We all know that a shadow is nothing more than a solid object blocking the light from a light source (light bulb, fire, sun).  When this happens, that solid object will cast a shadow.  It makes sense that our shadow looks a whole lot like us.  However, Christians should aim for a different shape of shadow.  When we live our lives for Christ, we should be swallowed up in the shadow of the cross.

The shadow of the cross is a phrase Christians use quite frequently.  It simply means that Christians seek to live their lives at the feet of the cross.  We seek to remember that sacrifice in everything we say and do.  We strive to bow down at the feet of Jesus on a daily basis.  Christianity is all about being consumed by the redeeming feature of the Cross of Calvary.

How is your shadow looking?  When you make the decision to live for Christ, you are no longer your own possession.  You have turned your mind, body, and soul over to serve the King of Kings.  When you truly make this commitment, you begin to look more and more like Christ every single day.  The next time you are walking on a sunny day and notice your shadow, remember the spiritual shadows that follow all mankind.  How is your spiritual shadow shaping up?

Walter Rayburn

On April 15th, 2012, Owl Hollow church of Christ will be hosting a Super Sunday focused on God’s plan financial stewardship. Owl Hollow has come to recognize the pressures that come with economic times such as ours,  and wants to help prepare all those who desire to know what God wills on this subject. With that in mind, Manly Luscombe will be presenting 3 lessons taking aim on how we manage and utilize the money that we have for the benefit of ourselves and the Kingdom of God.  A fellowship meal will take place after morning services, and will be followed by the final session of the day. We hope that you will be able to attend and join us in better learning how to serve God with our money.

           First on our list is Truth Be Told: Exposing The Myth Of Evolution. This book was written by Kyle Butt and Eric Lyons and is published by Apologetics Press. This book is designed for use as a science textbook for grades 4-6. It is an excellent defense of the Bible’s teachings concerning monkey-to-man evolution; as well as other topics. This book is filled with pictures, easy-to-understand illustrations, and end of chapter reviews to ensure your child has understood the material. This book may be purchased from ApologeticsPress.com.

            Next on our list is Rose Book Of Bible Charts, Maps, and Timelines. As the title suggests, this book is filled with visual aides to help with Bible study. Included in this book are beautiful illustrations of theTemple, the Tabernacle, theArk, and others. There are also charts that help to condense large portions of God’s Word into one or two pages of material. This book will be an asset to you throughout your life. Beginning with very small children being able to see what items in the Bible actually looked like and ending with complicated matters such as main ideas from world religions or fulfillment of Biblical prophecies. This book may be ordered from most Christian bookstores or Christian book catalogs, which we have in our church office.

These resources are not meant to replace the study of God’s Word. However, they can prove to be invaluable as you raise your children in the world today.

Walter Rayburn

Kyle Macon