Life In The Body

News and Notes for the :

Shelbyville

Church of Christ

January 22, 2012

Encountering Jesus

A number of years ago, there was a woman in Kansas City who walked into a Haagen-Dazs ice cream shop. While she was waiting in line, she turned around to find actor Paul Newman standing behind her. He was in town filming the movie Mr. & Mrs. Bridge, and he didn’t realize it, but he was standing behind one of his biggest fans.

Paul Newman smiled at her and said "hello." She took one look at those blue eyes and her knees almost buckled. She tried to speak, but nothing came out. Mortified, she turned back around, paid for her ice cream, then quickly walked out of the store.

When she was outside, she sat down on a bench and took a moment to catch her breath. As she calmed down, she realized she didn't have her ice cream cone. She was getting ready to walk back in to get it when Paul Newman walked out. He asked her, "Are you looking for your ice cream cone?" She was still speechless but she nodded. He said, "You put it in your purse with your change."

There are some people who hold such great significance in our lives, that meeting them affects us in a powerful way. But if a celebrity or an athlete can have that kind of effect on people, just imagine how much difference it would make in a person’s life to come face-to-face with Jesus Christ!

Think of the difference made in the lives of the Samaritan woman, the man possessed by a multitude of demons, Zaccheus, James and John, the lame man by the pool of Bethesda, the paralytic lowered by his four friends, Saul (later known as Paul), the woman caught in adultery, the blind man, the leper, the thief on the cross, and countless others.

There's a popular video making the rounds on Youtube this week (with over 14 million hits!) entitled, "Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus". There is much I like about the video and some that I don't like. Religion is not the problem; false religion (hypocrisy) is. Many people fail to realize that Jesus was a religious person himself! But, it is true that religion (in and of itself) cannot save us; Jesus can. Religion cannot change our hearts; Jesus can. Religion cannot empower us to live holy lives; Jesus can.

Our goal as Christians should not be to get people to follow a religion. Our goal should be to bring people to Jesus, to let them see him for themselves, and to allow that encounter to change their lives. Perhaps the most powerful thing we can say to people is what Philip said to Nathaniel (John 1:46) and what the Samaritan woman said to the villagers (John 4:29): "Come and meet Jesus for yourself."

-- Alan Smith

Barking At The Moon

An old judge told of a troublesome dog, that whenever the moon was shining, went out and barked at it all night! Someone asked the judge what eventually came of the matter, "Oh," said the judge, "the moon just kept on shining."

One of the hardest things for a Christian to ever do is to keep on shining when being barked at by others. Many times even insignificant matters can disturb and discourage us. Paul’s approach was: "Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" ( Phil. 3:13-14 ).

No doubt the enemies of Christ often barked at Him and tried to get Him to react in a mean and sinful way. But, He was the light of the world and wouldn’t give up His glory. He just kept on shining, and in doing that He left us an example to follow (1 Pet. 2:21) when those who are teaching error bark at you for exposing their error. Do you bark at those who try to teach you the truth?

Service at Holy Brook

We are scheduled to do the service at Holy Brook this week. It starts at 2:00 p.m. This will be our first time there so we want to make a good showing. However, because several are out of town this week we will really need your help. If at all possible, please be there at 2:00. Thanks.

Special Acknowledgment

We are trying to build up the membership of this congregation. In order to do that, we must have more young people in order to be able to attract other young people and couples with children. Some of you have started bringing your grandchildren and that’s great, the more the merrier. I’m sure others of you have grandchildren as well and we urge you to bring them as often as you are able.

To those who are bringing kids, WELL DONE!! To the rest, please make a special effort to bring yours and also bring their friends or even your neighbor kids. Every time you invite someone to come to church with you, you tell them you care about them and your tell the community we are friendly congregation that loves lost people.

Communion To Shut-ins

The elders are still looking for a few men to assist in taking the communion to our members who are shut-in. If you are willing to be added to the rotation, please let one of them know.

Special Treat Next Week

Being a 5^th Sunday we are going to have a special guest speaker next week. Phil Miller will be delivering the message. You will most certainly want to be there for that. If you would like to do a message sometime, let me know.

Prayer List :

Lyle Gaddis : Lyle is back at the Manor. He’s in rm 408.

Lillian Nichols : Lillian’s infection is responding to treatment, but her general condition has not improved. She still requires 24 hour care.

Those in need of ongoing special prayer :

Gail Boldt : Age related maladies – mobility issues

Shirley Gaddis : Several age related maladies

John Robert Moore : Age related maladies

Madonna Nichols : Recovering from cancer

Francis Reynolds : Very painful arthritis, etc.

Butch Reynolds : Recovering from heart procedure

Stella Zanders : Age related maladies

Agnes Stevens : ( Bob’s Mom ) Age related maladies

Tina : ( Brenda’s friend ) is waiting for a liver transplant.

Carolyn : ( Brenda’s friend ) Very painful cancer - hospice

Today’s Scripture Readings : 

I John 1: 5 – 2:12

Visitors are always welcomed.

We invite you to visit our assemblies.

Schedule of Services :

            Sunday Morning :     Bible Study ….   9:30 a.m.

                                               Worship .……  10:20 a.m.

            Sunday Evening :      Worship …….   6:00 p.m.

            Wednesday :             Bible Study …..  7:00 p.m.

Ya’ll  Come !