Luke 6:1-11. Is Jesus the Christ, that is, the one promised by God to rescue man from his sin? In this passage, Luke explains how Jesus declared Himself to have authority over the Sabbath (and even the rules for the Sabbath invented by man).
Revelation 14:1-8. Throughout all of history, God is preparing to rescue the earth. He has already made every provision and is orchestrating His plan in every detail, including the end times to come. In this passage, John outlines this group of believers called the 144,000. Who are they? What is their purpose? How are they unique?
Hello Everyone!
Two weeks ago, I rhetorically asked Bill Holeman several questions. Bill kindly obliged and so much as said, “Jim, I expect to see the answers to your questions in next week’s bulletin.” I can’t afford to be on Bill’s bad side (worse yet would be Henry and Homer’s bad side). What follows is my original question and the official authoritative answer (and remember”you read it here first!).
Why doesn’t Homer talk so much anymore?
Homer’s not a smart-aleck like Henry, so he doesn’t have as much to say.
Why didn’t Joyce get to say “howdy”
Joyce forgot to say “howdy,” but that is her fault. She should have gotten up on my knee.
What other songs does Jackie know?
Jackie knows only “Deep and Wide.” He is not limited, but I am.
Can you reference the meaning of the song “Deep and Wide” from the Bible?
Jonah 2:2-3, evil is represented as deep, like “Hell.” Matthew 7:13, many go the broad way (wide) which is opposite of God’s Way. But Jesus can turn them around as the fountain that cleanses from sin: Jeremiah 2:13 and Revelation 21:6. Bro. Rigsby, take Jim out to BIOLA and enroll him in a Basic Bible Doctrine Class.
Whatever happened to the “This Little Light of Mine” magic trick?
I don’t get in a rut and use the same things over and over again. That’s why I never use Jackie and Henry and Homer over and over with the same routines.
Do you always laugh at your own jokes?
I only laugh when the boys tell one I’ve never heard before.
Exactly how many times has Henry’s nose been mashed and his toes smashed?
The same amount of times that their leg gets cut off when I drop the suitcase lid on it.
How do you keep the same old jokes and the same old routines told to the same old people (oops) that have the same old laugh fresh?
Most of the time I get bawled out if I leave out one of my old jokes that people want to hear again.
Have you ever had to “come in there and whup you” when Henry asks for a drink of water?
All I do is threaten. I would be reported to the Child Welfare Department if I did whup them.
Why didn’t you ask everyone to “come over and help us” in Kentucky, like you always do?
I forgot. “Come over to Kentucky and help us!”
Does Henry drink anything other than water?
He only asks for water, it’s cheaper on me.
I’m confused. Were you asking us to pray that a camper would give you a new hip like the (then little) young man who offered to give you his heart?
Sorry, I don’t want any of y’all’s old worn out hips. I’m turning into the Bionic Man. I’ve got new teeth, new eyes, new ears, a new heart with a pacemaker, and soon, I’ll have a new hip. Anyone got a new brain they will give me?
Bill had more to say, and his big announcement will have to wait until next time. His answers have prompted me to ask one more question: “Will these questions and answers be included as an appendix in your book?” Which begs just one more question: “You don’t need an appendix, do you?”
This banter could go back and forth for a long time, but I think Pastor Rigsby has already signed me up for some class (oh, you know what I mean). Just my luck”Holeman and Rigsby conspiring together against me!
Revelation 13:1-18. John’s vision included the revealing of the world’s three great enemies: Satan, the Anti-Christ, and the False Prophet. This “terrible trio” will wreck havoc like the world has never seen. In his epistle, John explained that today, all people face three great enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil. By God’s grace, these can be overcome. The terrible trio will also be defeated according to God’s time and plan.
Luke 5:27-39. Luke further verifies that Jesus is God at a dinner with Levi (Matthew) where Jesus associates with those perceived to be “sinners,” and then explains that the purpose of His coming was not to repair the old Judaic system.
Hello Everyone!
I received word late this (Saturday, August 21) afternoon concerning David Swartzlander’s death. A week ago Saturday (August 13), a double funeral took place in the Swartzlander family. Two days after his mother’s (Betty) death, David took his life. We were told that David’s father, Phil, was brought to the funeral (he has advanced Parkinson’s disease) but did not seem to be aware of what was going on.
This is tragic news. I can’t even begin to imagine the incredible pressure and forces (temptation?) David must have repeatedly fought, wrestled with, and endured until the enemy’s attempt at a final fatal blow.
It didn’t take much effort on my part to become overwhelmed with all the thoughts and questions, emotions and physical weakness associated with the circumstances surrounding David’s death.
It is just a time like this when I must turn my gaze from the howling wind and the crashing waves that surround me and look only to Jesus Christ. Eternity will reveal what greater purposes He accomplished “through it all.”
There is great comfort in knowing and believing…
“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”—Hebrews 13:5.
“Fear not, I am with thee:
O be not dismayed.
For I am thy God,
and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee
help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
—How Firm A Foundation.
Hello Everyone!
Each new day brings a promise of hope ??Ǩ?maybe today.??Ǩ For believers it is both the hope of the beginning of eternity and renewal in the work God has given us to do. My hope is that I will get caught up (??Ǩ?in the air,??Ǩ but if that is not today, then ??Ǩ?with the work??Ǩ God has set before me.). I will work until I get caught up. Oh, you know what I mean.
Since I am behind (and please note: that is simply ??Ǩ?behind??Ǩ and not ??Ǩ?left behind??Ǩ), I would like to make you aware of two special needs for which you can help through prayer, and a third in my lighthearted ??Ǩ?memo.??Ǩ
You may have read in the prayer section that Betty Swartzlander died last week. She had not been ill and the cause of her death is humanly unknown. David, Phil and Betty??Ǩ?Ѣs son, has assumed difficult responsibilities, including telling his dad (who has advanced Parkinson??Ǩ?Ѣs disease) about Betty??Ǩ?Ѣs home-going. Would you pray that God would comfort, encourage, and sustain Phil, David, and the entire Swartzlander family during these days of grief and adjustment?
God may have prevented me from sending out the bulletin normally this week so that I could ask you to also pray for Peni Ozmon. Shirley heard today, Monday afternoon, that Peni??Ǩ?Ѣs health is declining, that she has lost ten pounds, and the pain relief patches and medications aren??Ǩ?Ѣt working. God has graciously answered prayers before and Peni has enjoyed times of relief and even remission of the cancer. And, He has the ability and power to do the same again. Would you ask God to again be merciful, giving Peni renewed health in body and soul, easing the pain, and even removing the cancer, if He so chooses?
Bell Gardens had their annual ??Ǩ?City Anniversary Carnival??Ǩ this weekend at Bell Gardens Park, but the real ??Ǩ?entertainment??Ǩ (with a purpose, of course) was at the other end of Perry Road. That Bill Holeman is (still) a bundle of energy. It is a good thing he has Henry and Homer to keep him in line (no, wait; that??Ǩ?Ѣs Joyce??Ǩ?sometimes I forget who is really pulling the strings??Ǩ?you know what I mean)! Several questions came to mind as Bill reported on all that God is doing in Eastern Kentucky. So, I??Ǩ?Ѣve written myself a memo. Someday I just might ask Bill these questions. Until then, I hope they will help me remember to pray.
Memo to self: Questions to ask Bill Holeman.
P.S. Even though I didn??Ǩ?Ѣt ask this time, thank you for bringing Jackie. It was sure good to see him again.