January 30, 2000 Humble Messenger

Humble Messenger
Volume 8, Week 5 January 30, 2000

Uncle Tee srf
Sometimes someone your family is close to and enjoys having around can be quite a problem. They may have some real good qualities, but there are also definite negatives.

Let me tell you about Uncle Tee.

Uncle Tee often talks about whiskey, beer, and wine, and when he does he makes it sound good, smart, and sometimes even sexy! He does this in the presence of the children! Sometimes he will talk about women in a vulgar way, and even describe them in lewd attire and lurid conduct. Again, it makes him no difference who is present. Sometimes he will ridicule God's standard of morality and if he tells a Bible story, it is usually so contorted it is not close to what the true story is. And can he talk! He can tell stories that intrigue, make you cry, and make you laugh. In fact, he can be good for relaxation at times. But, if his story telling interferes with getting needed things done, or with homework, or with doing Bible lessons, it makes him no difference. He will speak to any listening ear as long they will listen. Information? Uncle Tee has it! Some of it is downright incorrect, but much of it is quite useful. How to decide between the two and teach the children ...?

What to do? We could make strict rules about his speech. We could be sure he doesn't have free reign with the children to tell them whatever he finds they like. We could limit his storytelling so priorities get taken care of. All that's easy said‹but will we? Can we? He's been around a long time. Kind of grown accustomed to him. What will the children think? If we can't get control of the situation, maybe we ought to just bar him from the house. Tough!
Let's read Php. 4:8. And Mt. 6:33. Psa. 1:1-3 might help.

Oh, by the way, "Tee" is his nickname. Short for his more formal name, "Television."  

Building Spiritual Singing srf
"In the Garden"
We sing to "teach" one another, Col. 3:16. We sing to express "thanks" and "praise" to God, "making melody in our heart to the Lord," Eph. 5:19; Jam. 5:13. "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth," Jn. 4:24. There-fore, our singing needs to be rational, meaningful, and scriptural.

"In the Garden" is a song written by C. Austin Miles and found on p. 458 of Hymns for Worship. It is used in our assemblies. What does it mean?

Obviously, "the garden" is imagery. But of what? Of prayer? If so, what is "the voice I hear falling on my ear"? "He speaks, and the sound of his voice..."-- in prayer? "He bids me go; thru the voice of woe"-- back to the challenges of life from the "garden" of prayer?

Is it the "garden" of life and fellowship with God? Then, "I'd stay in the garden with Him...but He bids me go..."--death? If so, does he "stay in the garden" of life while we leave to face death alone? "His voice to me is calling"--is this an allusion to His leading us across the valley of death into eternity?

Maybe the "garden" represents Bible study and meditation on God's Word. If so, what does "He bids me go; thru the voice of woe, His voice to me is calling" refer to? To duty and practical application of what I learn?

"The joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known." No other Christian has experienced this? "None other" relationship knows such blessing?

Whatever we interpret the song to mean, it must be rational, meaningful, and scriptural. Otherwise it is not worship.  

"Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart." Psa. 111:1 (italics mine, srf)

'' February 13-18 ''
 Sunday­Friday
   Gospel Meeting
   HERE!

Margie Blackburn's (281/441-2066) sister, Mary Baugh, is in the hospital. She suffered a number of mini-strokes and is in a coma . . . Fred Ferguson's (281/ 324-1775) father underwent prostate cancer tests last week . . . Jim Porterfield's (281/454-5605) father was taken to the hospital last week with arrhythmia. He had a defibrillator implanted and was given medicine to shrink his enlarged heart. He was expected to return home at the end of last week . . . As this is the fifth Sunday of the month, the assembly this evening will be devoted to singing . . . Our gospel meeting with Joe Fitch begins Feb. 13. A meal list is posted in the foyer. Joe's wife, Laverne, is planning to accompany him. A visit over lunch or supper provides a good opportunity to serve, as well as to better know and appreciate these men (and their wives) who have dedicated their lives to preaching the gospel. Joe will teach the Wednesday morning class, Feb. 16. We encourage all who can to make plans to attend. Advertisements for the meeting can be obtained in the foyer. One sheet has the basic data (speaker, where, when). The other sheet ("An Invitation") explains who we are, what this special effort is, and what one can and cannot expect  . . . Erratum: A line in last week's article, "The Quiet Ones"  read, "Pro. 21:4 -- Teaches that fits in secret pacifies anger." "Fits" should have been, "gifts."  

Wednesday Evening Close  
Feb. 2 David Dickey
Feb. 9 Kris Emerson
Feb.  16 Gospel Meeting
Feb.  23 Mark Ary
Mar. 1 Bill Faulkner

Transportation for Zelma Bobbitt    
                FEBRUARY   
 Wed. 2 pm Michael Gove
 Sun. 6 pm Larry Legg
 Wed. 9 pm Dwight Osteen
 Sun. 13 pm 
 Wed. 16 pm Jim Crain
 Sun. 20 pm 
 Wed. 23 pm Rocky Rodriguez
 Sun. 27 pm 

SCHEDULED TO SERVE