Don't Take A Vacation
Jeff Coalson

Well, it¹s summer again and it¹s time that a lot of people take their
vacation. The word "vacation" means "freedom from activity; rest; respite;
intermission." It is good and proper to take a rest from secular physical
and mental labor. On the other hand, though, it is never proper to take a
vacation from God, even in the summer.
Don¹t take a vacation from worshipping God. Some families, when they go
off on vacation fail to attend worship services or Bible class. Whether you
are at home or on the road, God still expects us to attend the services of
the church faithfully (Heb. 10:25).
Don¹t take a vacation from modesty. God¹s law on modesty does not change
just because the weather changes. We are to dress modestly whether we are on
the beach, at the ballfield, or wherever we may be.
Don¹t take a vacation from working in the Lord¹s kingdom. The summer may
be a busy time with a number of special events. But don¹t forget that we are
to put God first (Matt. 6:33) and that we are to be "always abounding in the
work of the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58).
Take a vacation from your secular job, but do not take a vacation from being
a Christian. After all, we do not want God taking a vacation away from us.

Commerce Church of Christ Bulletin

When Is It Our Duty To Forgive?
Guy N. Woods

Forgiveness is the very foundation for a Christian¹s hope. Without
forgiveness, no one could look forward to a joyful after-life, "For all have
sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23), and "The wages of sin
is death." Thankfully, though, " the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom.6:23). But how was our forgiveness received?
Was it solely the responsibility of God to forgive regardless of our
actions? How about in our relationships with one another? Guy N. Woods was
asked this question, and states in a Scriptural manner when it is our duty
to forgive:

Is it our duty to forgive those who sin against us when they neither ask
for nor want forgiveness? It is not only our duty not to do so, it is an
utter impossibility! The question recurs because people persist in
disregarding what the Bible teaches regarding genuine repentance, by setting
up their own concept of what repentance is and by attempting to conform
thereto. Those who do this actually imply, whether they intend it or not,
that forgiveness is the cancellation of bitter, revengeful, and uncharitable
feelings toward those who sin against us, substituting a disposition of
kindness, love and regard for the offending one or ones; and they urge that
such must ever more characterize faithful Christians. But, (1) many devoted
and dedicated disciples of the Lord never experienced bitter, revengeful and
uncharitable feelings toward those who sinned against them; and (2) the
attitude or disposition by so many regarded as obligatory in such cases is
not repentance, anyway. God never entertains "bitter, revengeful and
uncharitable" feelings toward even the vilest of sinners; but He forgives
only those who repent. Jesus prayed for those who hated Him so much they
sought for, and obtained His death; but He did not forgive them until they
repented.

The words, "remission," and "forgiveness," often translate the same
Greek word (aphesis) and the meaning is release, the sending of sins away,
and thus the restoration of a peaceful relationship which the offense
interrupted. Unless the offender wants this relationship, it is impossible
for the offended to effect it, however much he might desire it and seek it.
Our Lord makes clear our obligation in such cases when He said, "Take heed
to yourselves; if thy brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive
him. And if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn
again to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him" (Luke 17:3, 4). To
this the reply is often made, "Well, we must always be ready and willing to
forgive," as indeed we must; but, this is not forgiveness and ought not to
be confused with it. It is our duty to love all men, even our enemies and to
pray for their well-being; but we can forgive them only when they
repent. 1976.

OUR RECORD JUNE 2, 2002

A.M. WORSHIP 246
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 163
P.M. WORSHIP 143
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 155

CONTRIBUTION 5683
BUDGET 5570
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MEN TO SERVE
June 9, 2002

David Gulledge Dennis Gulledge
Jason Griffin John Griffin
Ron Douglas Keith Golden
James Goode Jim Henson

Evening Roger Horton
Greg King
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

June 12 Keith Golden
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USHERS FOR JUNE

Morning Ray Bryan
Evening Greg King
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GREETERS FOR JUNE

Doyce & Lana Tarkington
Audrey Oliver
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

June Harold Pigue
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VOLUME 39 NUMBER 22
June 3, 2002

OUR SICK

Eleanor White went home on Thursday.
C.Y. Blakeney is in Room 222 of Southwest Hospital.
Larry May, father of Kellie Golden, had surgery for a brain tumor on Sunday
at St. Joseph¹s Hospital in Hot Springs. He is stable after the surgery.
Ken Sullivan is scheduled for back surgery on Wednesday, June 5th .
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THANK YOU

Thank you for the visits and prayers while I was in the hospital. Also for
the cards and phone calls. Also we would like to thank those who brought the
delicious food! It was greatly appreciated. Jr. & Marie Stracener.
We would like to thank those brothers and sisters who helped us move into
our new home. Sasha and Angela Babenko.
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BASKETBALL NIGHT

There will be a men¹s and young men¹s basketball night, this Friday, June
7th, from 7 to 10 PM at the CAC Gymnasium. *********************************
NEW DIRECTORY

A new pocket size church directory will be printed soon. Please check the
accuracy of your name and address on the sheets that are on the table in the
foyer. If you wish please add your E-mail to be printed in the directory.
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SERMONS FOR JUNE 9

Morning
The Christian Must Be Holy (1 Peter 1:13-16)
Evening
The Dangerous Philosophy Of Postmodernism
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Baby shower for Karen Bittle Stephens on Saturday June 8th from 2:00-4:00 PM
at 47 Ledgelawn Drive, Little Rock, AR. Direction are on the bulletin board.

SEARCH
Week of June 9
CHRIST, THE CHRISTIAN¹S HIGH PRIEST
Many of us frequently speak of "what Christ has done for us." We are
thankful for His sacrifice of Himself as the "Lamb of God that takes away
the sin of the world." But, as the Christian¹s High Priest, Christ continues
to do what no other person can do for us.

EVENTS OF INTEREST

June 16-2S...Sardis Lake Christian Camp in Mississippi
June 23-2.....Vacation Bible School
June 30.........Fifth Sunday Potluck