In the Scriptures we have the parable, proverb, the type, and allegory
named. We also have the fable used, but not named. Among the ancients there
were but few designations, and their parables included all we put into the
parable, simile, and proverb; sometimes they interchanged the parable and
proverb. The Savior taught almost constantly by the medium of parables. What
were some reasons the Master teacher used them?
The word parable is from two Greek words para ³beside² and ballein ³to
throw³ and means ³placing beside, a comparing, comparison: a story by which
something real in life is used as a means of presenting a moral thought.²
The actors in a parable are real; human beings are the actors and they do
nothing which they could not do; things were not related which could not be
accomplished by the agencies employed. The parable is the oldest and most
common of all the figures of speech and there were several reasons for their
use:
1. To reveal truth: making the people to understand the unknown by a
comparison with the known (Luke 8:4-15).
2. Teaching one part of a group while concealing truth from another part
(Matt. 13:10-16); His reason for not giving them the truth was because they
would not follow it (7:6). 3. Embalming the truth that it may never be
forgotten.
4. To present a truth to the mind, and yet keep the person for whom intended
from seeing the point until the mind had assented to the truth that being
taught (Matt. 21:33-46).

How To Be Perfectly Miserable
Carl Garner

As a service to those who have made the decision to be miserable, we
offer the following ten guidelines for being miserable and enjoying it:
1. Think and talk about yourself as much as possible. In every conversation,
use ³I,² ³me,² and ³my² as often as possible. Center all your thoughts on
your own interests, and whatever you do, do not become interested in or
concerned about others. Talk about your troubles to everyone you see. It
will not be long before no one will talk (or listen) to you, and then you
can really be miserable (Rom. 15:1-2).
2. Measure your happiness by the amount of money or possessions you own. If
the first suggestion does not sound good to you, then this one will work.
Compare what you have (or do not have) with everyone you know. Determine to
have more or better than your neighbors, and resolve not to be satisfied
until you are successful. Of course, by then your neighbors will have
something new, and you can start over (Heb. 13:5; Luke 12:15).
3. Be suspicious and jealous of everyone. Do not trust anyone, especially
anyone who might be in competition with you. When another person receives an
honor, explain to everyone that you could have done better if you had just
tried. To be really miserable, you must envy everyone else, their success,
and their happiness (Rom. 12:10-16).
4. Be sensitive, easily offended, and impossible to be comforted. Make
everyone walk on eggshells around you for fear of offending you. Make it
clear to all that you will not take anything off anybody. Look for insults
in the comments of others, even when none are intended. Then return insults,
humiliating everyone who speaks to you (1Cor. 13:4-7).
5. Never forget a criticism or another person¹s mistakes. If you want to be
miserable, you must have a good memory. When someone has criticized you even if you think they have anytime anyone makes a mistake, mark it down and periodically remind them of
their blunder (Col. 3:12-14).
6. Think the worst about everyone. If a rumor begins about someone else,
tell those you see that you suspected it all along. If possible reach the
worst possible conclusion from seeing the deeds of others. If an action
could have been motivated by greed or envy, assume that it is everybody (Mark 2:14-28).
7. Demand agreement with your opinions. Make sure everyone knows of your
opinions, and then show hurt and disappointment when others disagree. Make
sure everyone knows that your superior wisdom and insight demands acceptance
of your conclusions (2 John 9-11).
8. Never forget a good deed you have done. Be proud of your occasional
charitable acts, and if people do not know about them 6:1-4).
9. Shirk your duties whenever you can. Let others know that you are too
occupied in important things to be responsible for mundane matters such as
helping the needy, visiting the sick, or cleaning the church building. If
you cannot avoid these duties, then put them off till next week.
10. Refuse to forgive or show mercy to anyone. Accept no reasons for failure
in others. Make everyone aware of someone else¹s mistakes, and refuse to
accept anything but perfection from your friends--if you have any left (Eph.
4:32).
You might be able to be perfectly miserable without following these
guidelines, but if you fall short, that is just one more way of achieving
depression, despair, and distress. You have to make your choice and then
work at it. Have a miserable day! --edited

VOLUME 40 NUMBER 4 JANUARY 27, 2003

OUR SICK

Peggy Bokony has been moved to room 1015 of Baptist Hospital.
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RESPONSES

Christian Walch was baptized after the morning service on Sunday, January
19th. Karla Bates and Tamera Long came forward to be restored on Wednesday,
January 22nd.
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BIBLE BOWL

A reminder that the van will leave at 7:00 AM on Saturday, February 1st, to
go Cullendale in Camden for the Bible Bowl competition. It will return about
5:00 PM.
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50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

We are invited to celebrate the 50th Wedding Anniversary of J. L. (Jay) and
Martha Franklin hosted by their children on Saturday, February 8th from 1:30
PM to 4:00 PM at the Bryant Senior Adult Center, 702 SW 4th Street, Bryant,
AR. R.S.V.P to 888-7089 or 88-5266. They request no gifts.
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ALL COMERS CLASS RESUMES

The All Comers Class will resume on Tuesday, February 11th, at 10:00 AM. We
will begin a study in the book of Joshua.
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Food Zone Team for February is: Charlene Mauldin, Regina Threet, Virginia
Lowe, Millie Lynn

SERMONS FOR FEBRUARY 2

Morning
My Responsibilities As A Christian

Evening
Premillennialism

Scott Perry will be preaching for both services while Dennis is away at the
Freed Hardeman Lectures.
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SEARCH
Week of February 2
FRIENDLY TO THE CHURCH BUT NOT TO CHRIST
Reliable polls show public confidence in church ­organized religion­ is down
to 45%­that is down from 60% just one year earlier, and it¹s the lowest
since they¹ve been taking these polls. If you are a church member that must
concern you. It does me. Why have people lost confidence in ³church² and
what can be done about it?

EVENTS OF INTEREST
February 1.......Bible Bowl
February 2-7....FHU Lectures
February 11......All Comers Class Resumes at 10:00 AM
February 18......All Comers Class
February 18........Evening Ladies Class

OUR RECORD JANUARY 26, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 206
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 179
P.M. WORSHIP 144
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 140

CONTRIBUTION 5314
BUDGET 6351
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MEN TO SERVE
February 2, 2003

Brian Brewer Wayne Brewer
Michael Wilson Dave Tollett
Rick Wooldridge Danny Wooldridge
Ray Wehunt Mark Bolding

Evening Jim Wallace
Shawn Wallace
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

February 5 Cliff Boyd
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USHERS FOR FEBRUARY

Morning John & Jason Griffin
Evening Richard Butler & Devin Long
Wednesday Keith Golden & Ken Sullivan
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GREETERS FOR FEBRUARY

Gary & Jennifer Poole
Stan & Michele Smith
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

February Bill Boyd
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