THE WHITE HOUSE MID-WEEK MESSENGER
(a ministry of)
White House General Baptist Church
P.O Box 1485, White House, TN 37188
(4012 Highway 31W - Phone 672-3530)
Pastor: Larry Treadway - phone: 672-9661 (cell – 210-5735)
Investing in Eternal Things
(Weekly Devotion for February 1, 2012)
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
A young man kneeled before a beautiful young woman. “Darling,” he said, “I want you to know that I love you more than life. I want you to marry me. I’m not a wealthy man. I don’t have a yacht, a Rolls-Royce or lots of money like Johnny Green, but I do love you with all my heart.” The young woman paused for a moment and said, “Darling, I love you with all my heart too. But before I say ‘yes,’ tell me a little more about Johnny Green.”
Sometimes our focus and attachment is on money or other material things on earth. Everything on earth is temporary. Everything is aging. Everything is decaying and everything is wasting away including you and I. We see by the recent economic conditions that nothing on this earth is secure. Some thought their 401K plans were secure to find out they were not. Others thought their long time jobs would always be there to now experience cut backs and lay offs. There are even a few that felt Wall Street was invincible, and today they can see severe cracks in it’s foundation
There are similarities between the stock market and the church. In the stock market you seek to find a stock that you think will pay off in the future. So you invest your monies hoping that the stocks will reach their potential and make you money on the deal. In the church we are called to make investments. Except in the case of church our investments is guaranteed a positive return.
We all have a wealth of time, talents, and treasures. But, how do we want to use the time, talents, and treasures that God has given us for his glory?
You can do one of three things with your finances as well as your life. You can waste it, spend it, or invest it. You can waste your life apart from Christ on sinful behavior. You can spend your life doing little or nothing for God. You can invest your life and make a difference for God in this world and the lives of others.
Take the “Investment Test.” There are four sections . . .
(1) The durability test . . . Will it last? Is it eternal?
(2) The heart test . . . Where is my heart’s desire in life?
(3) The mind test . . . Where is my focus in life?
(4) The master test . . . Whom or what do I serve?
Bro Larry
Church News
Our outreach for January ended with $1150.50 (enough for 2300 rolls of toilet tissue for our Hope Food Bank. THANK GOD FOR HIS BLESSINGS & THANKS TO WHGBC FOR GIVING ABOVE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE LOCAL CHURCH FOR THIS OUTREACH.
Our Honduras mission team members returned and will be sharing the blessings from their trip Sunday evening. Following the evening service, the youth will go to the pastor’s house for a Super Bowl event. Even though the kick off is set for around 5:30, thanks to the DVR they will not miss a minute of action. Also, Sunday is the last day to sign up for our Marriage Enrichment Weekend. Presently, we have 14 couples signed up.
CALENDAR
Wednesday
- Adult Worship / Study @ 7 p.m.
- Youth “True Love Waits” study @ 7 p.m.
- Children’s ministry @ 7 p.m.
Thursday
- Girl Scout Meeting @ 6 p.m.
Sunday
- Prayer time @ 9:30 a.m.
- Sunday school @ 10 a.m.
- Worship @ 11 a.m.
- Choir Practice @ 4:30 p.m.
- Evening Worship (Celebrating with the Honduras Team) @ 6 p.m.
- Youth Super Bowl Party @ 7 p.m.
PRAYER LINK
If there is a prayer need and especially if you wish your prayer requests to be part of our church’s prayer need list, email: bettymooneyhan@comcast.net or you can call 615-323-8115 or 615-654-9170.
CHRISTIAN NEWS & VIEWS
CINCINNATI (BP) -- A federal appeals court has delivered at least a temporary victory for religious freedom and free speech in the confrontation between Christian counseling students and university programs that affirm homosexuality.
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Jan. 27 in favor of an Eastern Michigan University (EMU) graduate student who declined to affirm the "sexual orientation" of homosexual clients because of her religious beliefs. As a result of her refusal, the university expelled Julea Ward from the counseling program in 2009.
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'Tolerance is a two-way street.'
-- Sixth Circuit ruling
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A three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit unanimously overturned a federal court's summary judgment in favor of the school. The judges sent the case back to the federal judge for a trial, saying a "reasonable jury" could find Ward did not breach a code of ethics and EMU violated her "religious views and speech." The panel did not say Ward should win, only that the case should receive a trial under its ruling.
Advocates for religious freedom and free speech commended the decision.
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP) -- Bishop T.D. Jakes says he has moved away from a "Oneness" view of the Godhead to embrace an orthodox definition of the Trinity -- and that some in the Oneness Pentecostal movement now consider him a heretic.
Jakes -- long a controversial figure among evangelicals because of his past unwillingness to affirm the Trinity -- stated his belief Wednesday (Jan. 27) at the second-annual Elephant Room (theelephantroom.com), an event that brings together Christian figures from different backgrounds for what organizers call "conversations you never thought you'd hear." This year's Elephant Room was held at First Ba ptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla., and was simulcast to other locations nationwide.
WISDOM & SMILES
Quotes
"What happens in church should NOT stay in church!! Tell the world about JESUS!"
"If you could watch my life backwards, you'd see a Jenny Craig success story."
Troublemakers
After the revival had concluded, the three pastors were discussing the results with one another.
The Methodist minister said, "The revival worked out great for us! We gained 4 new families."
The Baptist preacher said, "We did better than that! We gained 6 new families."
The Presbyterian pastor said, "Well, we did even better than that! We got rid of our 10 biggest
trouble makers!
Flight Delay Announcement
A passenger on a Southwest flight says that he once faced a flight delay just before they boarded.
A flight attendant picked up the microphone and announced:
"We're sorry for the delay. The machine that normally rips the handles off your luggage is broken, so we're having to do it by hand. We should be finished and on our way shortly."
Indiana Rainstorm
After a hardy Indiana rainstorm filled all the potholes in the streets and alleys, a young mother watched her two little boys playing in the puddle through her kitchen window.
The older of the two, a five year old lad, grabbed his sibling by the back of his head and shoved his face into the water hole. As the boy recovered and stood laughing and dripping, the mother ran to the yard in a panic.
"Why on earth did you do that to your little brother?!" she said as she shook the older boy in anger.
"We were just playing 'church' mommy," he said.
"I was baptizing him in the name of the Father, the Son and in the hole-he-goes."
Moment Actions of the Faith
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.
Evangelical alternatives to traditional exercise
If you find the standard exercises too boring, try these evangelical exercises to burn up a few calories:
Beating around the bush - 75 calories
Jumping to conclusions - 200 calories
Climbing the wall - 150 calories
Passing the buck - 50 calories
Throwing your weight around - from 50-500 calories, depending on your weight
Dragging your heels - 175 calories
Making mountains out of molehills - 500 calories
Adding fuel to the fire - 150 calories
Straddling the fence - 75 calories
Tooting your own horn - 25 calories
Evangelism In A Different Light
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So Who Are You?
(Weekly Devotional for January 18, 2012)
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
From James MacDonald’s Daily Devotions
Are you an encouraging person? Do you say encouraging things? Do you show it? When’s the last time, the last person you encouraged? Would you be willing to bring that question to another person? Why ask? Because there are times when we just don’t see it—we don’t realized that our “encouragement” is anything but that. What do I mean? Here are some examples:
“Well at least you’re not as fat as you used to be.”
“With all the mistakes you’ve made, this one really isn’t one you should be concerned about.”
“You probably were just never meant to be the top sales person. Why don’t you stop trying to be the best and just be who God made you to be.”
“Those other kids are just a lot more naturally talented than you are. It wasn’t really a fair game.”
Maybe you chuckled at one of those, but most of them are things I’ve heard. Certainly it is true at times that the heart and intent of the person offering the “encouragement” meant well, but simply executed poorly. We get stingy with our encouragement or say enough on the positive side of the ledger “to count” as encouragement, but then lace it with the arsenic of an attitude or a partial praise as seen in the statements above.
I am suggesting that the encouragement of others is a vital ministry and calling for the church. It is a powerful gift that gives life and hope and even healing to the family of God.
Church News
I was especially impressed by the attendance on Sunday morning. We had such a large number in Honduras, I did not expect that. Thanks to each of you for supporting your church by your attendance, prayer, and service efforts.
We are still in the process of encouraging couples to sign up for our marriage enrichment weekend on February 10th & 11th. It begins on Friday evening at 6:30 for any opening meal together and will finish around noon on Saturday. I am also offering to couples the opportunity for a re-commitment of their wedding vows on the next day, Sunday. The whole day will be special as the stage will be set up in wedding decorations with the re-commitment service in the morning and the youth “True Love Waits” ceremony in the evening.
CALENDAR
Wednesday
- Adult Worship / Study @ 7 p.m.
- Youth “True Love Waits” study @ 7 p.m.
- Children’s ministry @ 7 p.m.
Friday
- Senior Outing @ 10:30
(Lunch – Monells at the Manor)
Sunday
- Prayer time @ 9:30 a.m.
- Sunday school @ 10 a.m.
- Worship @ 11 a.m.
- Youth Service (Guest Minister – Lance Carter) @ 6 p.m.
PRAYER LINK
If there is a prayer need and especially if you wish your prayer requests to be part of our church’s prayer need list, email: bettymooneyhan@comcast.net or you can call 615-323-8115 or 615-654-9170.
CHRISTIAN NEWS & VIEWS
Country Singer Josh Turner Says Jesus Gives Him Wisdom on Life, Fame
It’s not about the money or the fame or the glory, but about changing people, multi-platinum country music artist Josh Turner shares on iamsecond.com, a website built to inspire people to live for God and for others.
“Singing allowed me to express myself in ways that I wouldn’t be able to do otherwise,” Turner stated. It also allowed him to explore his faith more through song. During the fame of his hit song "The Long Black Train," he realized God's blessing. Turner had a realization about his newfound fame: It wasn’t about the money or the glory, but about the people. “It’s about changing people, it’s about touching people and influencing people in a positive way, and so from that point on, that’s what I’ve tried to do,” he affirmed.
He also realized that there was no song he could write or no record he could make that was going to “save” him. Only a Savior could do that. “I’m thankful to have Jesus as my Savior,” Turner expressed. “My relationship with God has always been one to where I’m talking to him all day, every day, about anything and everything. It’s just a continuous ongoing conversation that I have with the Lord, and I feel like that’s brought me closer to Him.”
“I don’t feel like God called me to be a Gospel singer. He didn’t call me to be a Christian singer, he called me to be a country singer, and I just happen to be a Christian.”
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CINCINNATI (BP) — Ken Ham is convinced that if one wants to understand the doctrines of God's Word, Genesis is the place to start. Ham, president and founder of Answers in Genesis -- which runs the Creation Museum -- says Genesis 1-11 is foundational to the rest of the Bible. "We must start with Genesis if we are going to teach God's people how to defend the faith in this age of unbelief and skepticism," Ham said.
Opened in 2007 near Cincinnati in northern Kentucky, the nearly five-year-old Creation Museum is a 75,000-square-foot facility that offers the visitor a high-tech, multimedia experience that shows how science affirms the Bible's account of history. More than 1.5 million guests have visited.
The museum includes 150 exhibits (many with lifelike animatronic features) taking the guest through the "7 Cs of History" that are foundational to the Bible's message: creation, corruption, catastrophe, confusion, Christ, the cross and the consummation.
One exhibit features the first Adam in the Garden of Eden surrounded by animals. Next to the Adam of Eden, the federal head of the human race, is a lamb representing the second Adam, the Adam through whom our redemption is made possible.
The museum also includes a 225-seat special effects theater that offers guests a visual thrill ride through the major events of biblical history. Guests experience more than 6,000 years of biblical history with the aid of stunning visual effects including videos, slides, dioramas, animated figures, riveting music, sound effects and sensory experiences that will be sure to surprise the audience and keep everyone immersed in the story. The Creation Museum with all its exhibits and theaters provides a faith-strengthening chronological walk through history that is both informative and inspirational.
The next major project for Ham and Answers in Genesis is the Ark Encounter. Plans are underway to construct a full-scale Ark according to the biblical dimensions, with the goal to use it as a modern-day illustration to help people accept the Bible as true history -- and to present the Gospel. It would open in 2014.
The Ark replica would become the largest timber-frame structure in the U.S. Because two national U.S. studies indicated that the Ark Encounter will attract up to 14,000 guests on certain days and an average of 8,000 guests a day during the summer -- creating long lines to enter the Ark -- even more attractions are now a part of the master plan.
The Ark Encounter (arkencounter.com) will be family-oriented and (in stages) include a replica of the Tower of Babel; a Walled City; a first-century Middle Eastern village; a journey in history from Abraham to the parting of the Red Sea; a walk-through aviary, live entertainment; a children's adventure area, petting zoo and animal shows; themed restaurants. For the entire article visit: http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=37016
WISDOM & SMILES
Quotes
"The bonds of matrimony are a good investment when the interest is kept up."
"The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it." - William James
"Life is like a ten-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use." - Charles Schulz
Paid For
My wife and I, both graduate students, recently celebrated the arrival of our first child. At my wife's insistence, we had paid our entire medical bill and were now worried about meeting other payments.
We were discussing our sad financial situation one evening when our son demanded a diaper change. As my wife leaned over the baby's crib, I heard her mutter, "The only thing in the house that's paid for, and it leaks."
Four Waiting Fathers
Four expectant fathers were in a Minnesota hospital waiting room while their wives were in labor.
The nurse comes in and tells the first man, "Congratulations, You're the father of twins."
"What a coincidence!" the man exclaims. "I work for the Minnesota Twins baseball team!"
The nurse returns a short while later and tells the second man, "You are the father of triplets."
"Wow, what a coincidence!" he replies. "I work for the 3M Corporation."
When the nurse comes again, she tells the third man that his wife has given birth to quadruplets.
"Another coincidence!" he tells her. "I work for the Four Seasons Hotel!"
At this point, the fourth guy faints. When he comes to, the others ask him what was wrong.
He moans, "I work for Seven-Eleven!"
Servicemen Foot Race
Two gas company servicemen, a senior training supervisor and a young trainee, were out checking meters in a suburban neighborhood.
They parked their truck the end of the alley and worked their way to the other end. At the last house, a woman looking out her kitchen window watched the two men as they checked her gas meter.
Finishing the meter check, the senior supervisor challenged his younger co-worker to a foot race down the alley back to the truck to prove that an older guy could outrun a younger one.
As they came running up to the truck, they realized the lady from that last house was huffing and puffing right behind them. They stopped and asked her what was wrong.
Gasping for breath, she replied, "When I saw two men from the gas company running as hard as you two were, I figured I'd better run too!"
You Will Never Be Sorry
...for thinking before acting.
...for hearing before judging.
...for forgiving your enemies.
...for being candid and frank.
...for helping a fallen brother.
...for being honest in business.
...for thinking before speaking.
...for being loyal to your church.
...for standing by your principles.
...for closing your ears to gossip.
...for bridling a slanderous tongue.
...for harboring pure thoughts.
...for sympathizing with the afflicted.
...for being courteous and kind to all.
Some Guys Are So Hooked on Golf
They Have to Practice Their Putting Anywhere They Can
