In the early 1950s, Ray Robinson was working in Troy, Alabama with Goodyear.  The son of the woman who owned the boarding house where he was staying once told Ray, “I have someone that I’d like for you to meet.”  He took him across town to Troy State University and introduced him to a young lady from Fort Deposit, Alabama who was studying to be a teacher.  Her name: Louise Moorer.  Ray and Louise went on a date.  Six months later they were married. When Ray and Louise got married, Ray was on a two-week leave from the Air Force.  He was stationed at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.  He drove down from Illinois to Fort Deposit, got Louise, drove over to Mississippi – because you could get married a lot more quickly there – and Ray married a woman of noble character that would be his loving companion and closest friend for 65 years. Those 65 years brought them great joys and deep sorrows, including the loss of a son, a daughter, and their one remaining son paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident.  But through it all, their love for one another and their faith in God remained strong. One evening after their 60th wedding anniversary, their granddaughter, Mary Kent, asked Ray about the secret to a long and happy marriage.  He looked at her in the eyes and smiled.  He said, “Oh, that one’s easy.  Just two words… ‘Yes ma’am!’” Reflecting on that moment, Mary Kent recently wrote: “I wish, in that moment, he had been behind the camera to capture the sheepish smile that he could still put on my grandmother’s face after all those years. It was the kind of smile that can only come out of the gratitude for being deeply and unquestionably adored.” When Louise was diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease late in her life, Ray stayed by her side, caring for her, until she died.  He would tell you he was only reciprocating the loving care she had always provided for him. The Bible instructs: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25).  How did Christ love the church? Selflessly:  Jesus put the needs of others – our needs – above His own.  Our greatest need is salvation from sin.  Jesus took our sins upon Himself and died on the cross so that we can be reconciled to God through Him (1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21). Sacrifically: He “gave Himself for her,” Paul says.  He purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28), for only His blood can cleanse us from sin (1 John 1:7). God will save from sin, add to the church, and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9). “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25).  Do you want to know what that looks like?  Consider the love of Ray Robinson for his dear wife, Louise.  That love is worthy of emulation. Submit your life to Christ and love others like Christ loves you.  I think that’s what Ray would tell us, for that is the way that he lived and loved. -- David A. Sargent * In loving memory of Raymond Kent Robinson, Sr. (6/4/1929 - 10/13/2021) and Louise Moorer Robinson (2/25/1931 – 6/8/2017).  Until we meet again. David A. Sargent, Minister Church of Christ at Creekwood  1901 Schillinger Rd. S. Mobile, Alabama  36695

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.  

Do you give thanks in all circumstances?    
--

Doug Kashorek

518.645.1509; email; sermonlines.com

 

The 36th Street Church of Christ

610 36th Street, Vienna, WV  26105

Unfortunately, even after some grumpy people become Christians, they bring their grumpiness with them. Since they have always been this way, they often believe grumpiness is an integral part of who they are rather than a flaw that needs to be changed. Other Christians may have been happy earlier in life but find themselves being grumpier as they get older.

     Folks, grumpiness is at odds with the joy of the Lord --- “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” (Gal 5:22).

     As grandpa would say --- “Grumpiness is a drag on your voyage through life.  Grumpiness is like barnacles on the hull of a boat. Barnacles are the bane of boat owners because the little crustaceans cluster by the thousands, increasing drag and decreasing a boat’s fuel efficiency. Grumpiness (like barnacles) attaches itself to our outreach and edification efforts and become a real drag on our effectiveness. Grumpiness also weighs us down and keeping us from experiencing all that it means to “walk by the Spirit” (Gal 5:16, 25).

“Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways.

The Lord be with you all.” (2Th 3:16 ASV).

By John A Gray 

Daily Devotional
Author Unknown

1. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.

2. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.

3. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.

4. There is no key to happiness, the door is always open.

5. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.

6. Do the math… count your blessings.

7. Faith is the ability not to panic.

8. Laugh every day. It's like inner jogging.

9. If you worry, don't pray! If you pray, don't worry.

10. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home every day.

11. Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.

12. The most important things in your home are the people.

13. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.

14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

16. Life is moving too fast, so enjoy your precious moments.

17. We do not remember days, but moments.

18. Nothing is real to you until you experience it. Otherwise, it's just hearsay.

19. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.

20. The goals and dreams that you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle, it makes progress only when it sticks out its neck.

A Chinese gentleman lived on the border of China and Mongolia. In those days, there was constant conflict and strife along the perimeter. The man had a beautiful horse. One day, she leaped over the corral, raced down the road, crossed the border, and was captured by the Mongolians. His friends came to comfort him. “That’s bad news,” they said sadly. “What makes you think it’s bad news?” asked the Chinese gentleman. “Maybe it’s good news.” A few days later the mare came bolting into his corral, bringing with it a massive stallion. His friends crowded around. “That’s good news!” they cried. “What makes you think it’s good news?” he asked. “Maybe it is bad news.” Later, his son, while riding the stallion and trying to break it, was thrown off and broke his leg. “That’s bad news,” cried the friends. “What makes you think it is bad news?” asked the Chinese gentleman. “Maybe it’s good news.” One week later, war broke out with Mongolia, and a Chinese general came through, drafting all the young men. All later perished, except for the young man who couldn’t go because his leg was broken. The man said to his friends, “You see, the things you thought were bad turned out good, and the things you thought were good turned out bad.” ^[1]

And therefore, it is with us. We don’t know if the things we want will really be good for us, or bad. We can’t see the future. That’s why Paul tells us in 1Th. 5:18, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

“We can’t see the future. That’s why James tells us to pray, saying, in 4:15, “If the Lord wills. . . .” But God does know the future. He is The Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. He knows the end from the beginning, and He knows how all things will turn out.

Rom 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

God will work out the circumstances of our life out for good if we will only put our faith in Him and do not waver. So let us always give thanks to Lord for He has great things in store for us if we are willing to be patient and wait.

By Mark T. Tonkery

^[1]Morgan, Robert J.: Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook : 2002 Edition. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001, S. 361