Two friends were walking through the desert and got into an argument.
One friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was
hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand: ³Today my best friend
slapped me in the face.²
They kept on walking until they found an oasis. Thirsty, they stopped
for water. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire, fell in, and
started drowning. His friend saved him. That evening, he wrote on a stone:
³Today my best friend saved my life.²
The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, ³After I
hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now you write on a stone, why?² He
replied: ³When someone hurts us we should write it in sand where the winds
of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for
us, we must engrave it in stone where it will be long remembered.²
Learn to write your hurts in sand and carve your benefits in stone.
Someone observed that it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to
appreciate them, a day to love them, but an entire lifetime to forget them.

³so that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him...² ­
2 Corinthians 2:7

WILL ANYONE LOSE ANY ENEMY WHEN WE DIE?
Dennis Gulledge

I was happy to notice the release of a new biography of T. B. Larimore
written by J. M. Powell. It reminded me of the older biography, ³Larimore
And His Boys,² by F. D. Srygley. A statement in the latter work has always
stuck with me. Larimore is quoted as saying, ³While I have friends who
would gladly bear my every cross for me, you know I have some enemies.
While I cannot understand why I have such friends, I do not see why I should
have enemies. I am an enemy to no one. Long ago I solemnly resolved that
no one should lose an enemy when I die² (p. 62). Biographer Srygley added
his comment on the above: ³In an intimate acquaintance of twenty years, I
have never heard him use an expression, which would indicate that he had any
feelings of bitterness or resentment toward any one. He has often spoken to
me of unkind treatment received from others, but never has he manifested any
feeling of anger toward them.²
Larimore knew as we all do, that there is no way for a faithful
Christian to go through life without making some enemies along the way.
Look at the Bible examples. David, and those like him, had enemies (Psa.
108:13). The Old Testament prophets had enemies (Lam. 1:21). The Lord¹s
apostles had enemies (Gal. 4:16). Jesus had and has enemies (Heb. 10:13). A
child of God will have enemies simply because of his relationship to the
Christ (Mt. 5:11; 2 Tim. 3:12). Some people are enemies of the cross of
Christ (Phil. 3:18), enemies of the gospel (Rom. 11:28), enemies of God
(Jas. 4:4), enemies of the Lord¹s church (Acts 8:4-5) and enemies of all
truth (Mt. 13:25).
How admirable was the attitude of brother Larimore that led him to
resolve that no one would lose an enemy when he died. He must have
exemplified the inspired principle enunciated by Paul who said, ³ If it be
possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men² (Rom.
12:18). There are some that find it hardly possible to live peaceably with
all men. But, maybe they don¹t try to the extent that lies within them..
Gospel preachers can certainly learn something from the spirit of
Larimore if they learn nothing from the spirit of Christ, though preference
is given to the latter. Better than the spirit of any man is the spirit of
the Lord who, even though he suffered at the hands of enemies, never
retaliated (1 Pet. 2:23). It is through his own apostle Paul that we learn
that simply speaking the truth can make enemies for a gospel preacher (Gal.
4:16). If I am to have enemies let it be because I have not shunned
preaching the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). It may not be in the same
demeanor as others that I do so, but it will be done. And may it ever be
with the speech of love as Paul directed (Eph. 4:15), rather than by the
acid pen, the caustic tongue and the venomous monologue that some think best
communicates the gospel of Christ.
The faithful gospel preacher loses nothing by being actuated by love for
the souls of men. May it be that when we die no one but enemies of God
loses an enemy in us.

VOLUME 39 NUMBER 47 DECEMBER 2, 2002

OUR SICK

Prayers are requested for Jay & Martha Franklin¹s 12-year-old grandson who
will begin 45 weeks of chemotherapy.
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THANK YOU

Once again I am made to realize how blessed I am to be a part of the
Mabelvale church family. Your lovely cards, your calls of concern and the
beautiful plant all made a difficult time much easier. The good food,
waiting for me when I got home, was much appreciated too. I am especially
grateful for all your prayers; I never want to be without those. My family,
and I thank you, as does my sister Claudia and the other members of the
Arthur Long family. Eva Joe Williams.
Pearlie Baldwin wants to thank everyone for all they have done for her.
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CHRISTMAS PARTY

Dale Morris¹ Sunday morning class and Bill Boyd¹s Wednesday evening class
will have a Christmas Party at the home of Brad & Jill Horton on Saturday,
December 14th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. More details will be announced in class.
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WAL-MART GIFT CARDS

Rick Wooldridge would like for everyone to purchase $5.00 or $10.00 Wal-Mart
Gift cards again this year for the Paragould Children¹s Home. You may give
them to Rick or place them on the secretary¹s desk in the office.
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SERMONS FOR DECEMBER 8

Morning
The Birth Of Jesus: What We Know, Don¹t Know and Should Know (Matthew
1:18-25)
Evening
Jonah-Prophet With An Attitude
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A reminder of the Elders and Deacons meeting at 3:00 PM on Sunday, December
8th to discuss the budget.
SEARCH
Week of December 8
CHRISTIANITY IS A MIRACLE
Jesus, the carpenter¹s son of Nazareth, the itinerant preacher said, ³I will
build my church.² Have you ever considered the odds against His succeeding?
Much to the surprise of a lot of people and the chagrin of others, He did
it, and it became the fastest growing and most wide spread movement in the
annals of history. Why? How?

EVENTS OF INTEREST

December 7.........Keen Age Banquet At 6:00 PM
December 14......Adult 2 Class Party
December 16......Ladies Party at Nancy Leslie¹s home

OUR RECORD DECEMBER 1, 2002

A.M. WORSHIP 157
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 198
P.M. WORSHIP 158
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 107

CONTRIBUTION 5948
BUDGET 5570
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MEN TO SERVE
December 8, 2002

James Goode David Gulledge
Dennis Gulledge Keith Golden
John Griffin Jason Griffin
Darren Gowen Jim Henson

Evening Brad Horton
Roger Horton
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

December 11 John Griffin
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USHERS FOR DECEMBER

Morning Gary & Blake Poole
Evening Cliff Boyd
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GREETERS FOR DECEMBER

Lori & Caty Douglas
Ray Wehunt
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

December Harold Pigue
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