In the spirit of the old saying, ³A bird in the hand is worth two in the
bush,² someone has said, ³A Bible in the hand is worth two on the shelf.²
Carry that a step farther to say, ³A Bible in your hand isn¹t worth anything
to you if it isn¹t:
Opened, because you can¹t read a book that you don¹t open.
Read, because you can¹t understand a book that you don¹t read.
Understood, because you can¹t obey a book that you don¹t understand.
Obeyed, because you can¹t be saved by the ³implanted word² (James 1:21)
if it isn¹t opened, read, understood and obeyed.
The very familiarity of the Bible to us is sometimes a barrier to our
interest in it. Another old saying, ³Familiarity breeds contempt² is
sometimes true in this case. The Bible is there. It is always available. We
have often read it and think we know it well. It does us no good as long as
it remains a closed book on our tables. We might as well not have it as to
have it and not use it. In fact, we do not really have it unless it is
transferred from the pages to our heart and becomes the living Word in our
lives. Let¹s read it, but more importantly, let¹s live it!

PULPIT REVIEW FOR 2002
Dennis Gulledge

As the calendar marks a new year I would like to take this opportunity
to look back over my efforts in the pulpit of the Mabelvale church. It is
always my intention to preach ³the whole counsel of God² (Acts 20:27), to
preach ³the cross² (1 Cor. 1:18), to preach ³Christ crucified² (1 Cor.
1:23), to preach the gospel (1 Pet. 1:25), to ³preach the word² (2 Tim.
4:2), and to preach ³the truth in love² (Eph. 4:15). Even though my work is
largely behind a pulpit I am not a ³pulpit minister² or preacher, as the
term has grown in popularity these days. You can take the pulpit away and I
will still preach. I prefer to think of myself as simply a gospel preacher.
My sermons this year consisted of various categories as specified here.
I concentrated on three different series of lessons throughout the year.
First, I did a five- part series of sermons on ³Why do People Not See the
Bible Alike?² Second, there was a series on ³Dangerous Philosophies Facing
the Church.² Third, I began a Sunday evening series of sermons on the Minor
Prophets, which series is continuing. In what I might call in- depth
studies I focused on election, redemption and the sealing of the Holy Spirit
in Ephesians 1. In every gospel sermon Jesus Christ should be exalted, but
specific sermons focused on various aspects of our Lord: total commitment to
him, Christianity ­ a new religion, the resurrection of Christ, the blood of
Christ, the birth of Christ, the words of Christ, remission of sins, Christ
or Muhammed, faithfulness to Christ, etc. Fundamental themes were treated
under such topics as the church, giving, stewardship, the law of God or
tradition, the kingdom of heaven, the origin and meaning of sin, the oneness
of God, the days of creation, the Christian life, salvation, marriage, etc.
Some sermons related to attitudes in such areas as how to handle scruples
(opinions), excuses, reverence for God, unfaithfulness, etc. Sermons
dealing with the Lord¹s church focused on being un-denominational, the
picture of the church in Ephesians, the validity of the restoration plea,
what is right with the church and the kingdom of heaven. Of the seventy-six
sermons I preached from the pulpit last year many were textual, others were
topical, and some were expository. Nineteen sermons were taken from the Old
Testament and forty-five were taken from the New Testament. Some sermons
were in response to specific requests.
It was my privilege to share Sunday preaching responsibilities with a
number of others including Scott Perry, Richard Allen, Eddie Cloer, Tom
Childers, Wayne Brewer, Danny Sullivan, Gary Colley, Alan Diles, and James
Balcom. On one occasion our young men conducted evening worship services,
and on another occasion the ³old² men, namely Sam Griffith, Bill Graddy and
Bill Golden, shared the pulpit. Hopefully, the efforts of us all have
contributed to the growth and edification of the Mabelvale church. The year
2003 will mark our continued efforts to preach the gospel at Mabelvale.

VOLUME 40 NUMBER 1 JANUARY 6, 2003

OUR SICK

William Lane Lambert, infant great grandson of Johnny & Nita Boyd, is in
intensive care, with a respiratory virus, in a Houston Hospital.
Peggy Bokony is in room 1015 of Baptist Hospital.
Cleta Morgan is at home with pneumonia.
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THANK YOU

A sincere thanks for all the cards, phone calls, flowers, visits and for the
food, for the ladies who prepared and those who served the meal Friday.
Thanks to Dennis and to all the pallbearers, but especially for the prayers.
We love you. The family of Papo Blakeney.
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50th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

The children of Herman and Patsy Johnson request the pleasure of your
company at a reception to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
Saturday, January 18, 2003; 2:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon; Southside Church
of Christ; 21 Glenwood Street Cabot, AR
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VISITATION REORGANIZATION

There will be a Visitation Reorganization Meeting on Sunday, January 19th,
following the evening service. Please bring finger foods. Everyone on teams
August - November and anyone else who is interested in being on a team for
February - May are encouraged to attend.
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SERMONS FOR JANUARY 12

Morning
Restoring New Testament Zeal (Colossians 4:12-13)
Evening
Habakkuk­ The Prophet Of Faith
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BABY SHOWER

There will be a Baby Shower for Colette Wilson on Sunday, January 12th, from
3:00 to 4:30 PM in the multi-purpose room. She is expecting a boy.
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Change of E-mail for Harold Pigue:
Hpigue@MSN.com

SEARCH
Week of January 12
THE PURPOSE OF MIRACLES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
That God has exercised His miraculous powers is not questioned. There are
frequent Biblical references to miracles. However, the exercise of His
sovereign power not to do miracles is often questioned. There are some long
periods in Bible history when God did not do miracles. Why should it be
thought strange that we might be living in another such period?

EVENTS OF INTEREST
January 19.........Visitation Reorganization Meeting
February 1.........Bible Bowl

OUR RECORD JANUARY 5, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 205
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 180
P.M. WORSHIP 154
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 126

CONTRIBUTION 6355
BUDGET 6351
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MEN TO SERVE
January 12, 2003

Chuck Farris David Gulledge
Dennis Gulledge James Goode
Keith Golden Darren Gowen
Phil DePriest Jim Henson

Evening John Griffin
Jason Griffin
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

January 15 Johnny Boyd
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USHERS FOR JANUARY

Morning Mike & Nathan Moore
Evening Ray Wehunt & David Gulledge
Wednesday Jim & Shawn Wallace
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GREETERS FOR JANUARY

Jim & Charlene Mauldin
Anita & Jason Griffin
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

January Gene Sullivan
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