Talking to Mules
Author Unknown

One day a visitor leaned on the old fence around a farm, while he watched the farmer plowing with a mule. After a while, the visitor said, "I don't mean to tell you how to run your business, but you would not have to work so hard if you would just say, 'Gee' and 'Haw' to that mule instead of just tugging on those lines." The old farmer stopped and pulled a big handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his face. Then he said. "Reckon you're right, but this animal kicked me five years ago and I ain't spoke to him since."

Some of us hold a grudge for a long, long time. We can remember distinctly the words that were spoken to us or the way we were mistreated and "we'll never forgive, nor forget." Unfortunately, grudges do not hurt others nearly as much as they hurt us. But no matter how hard it may be, we'll tug on those reigns until the day we die, rather than seek reconciliation.

"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:31-32).

Are there any mules that you're not talking to?

If you wanted to take a brick from a construction site. which would you try first; one from the unused pile of bricks or one that the bricklayers had already used to make a wall? Of course. anyone would take one from the unused pile because it would be unattached. It would be very difficult even with tools to remove a brick from the center of a wall.

Perhaps you can see the illustration. Some Christians are very active in the church and are very close to their brothers and sisters in Christ. Then there are some who seem very indifferent to Jesus Christ. They seldom associate with their brothers and sisters in Christ because their interests lie elsewhere. Now which Christians do you think- Satan will try first? Again, of course.. those unattached to the church will make it much easier. And those uncommitted Christians are the first at which Satan strikes.

"Like a mighty army moves the church of God." If we band together like an army. we will be much less vulnerable. Let's all become more dedicated and bonded together with love so we can all stand steadfastly against the devil.

Personal Work Group

The Personal Work Group is scheduled to meet tonight, after the evening worship services in Assembly Room "B". Members and those who would like to be members of the group should plan to attend.

In Sympathy

Our hearts go out in deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Bertha Walling (the grandmother of Bobby Wells) who passed away last week. May God provide His comfort in this time of loss.

Tonight!!

We meet for prayer at 5:30 pm each Sunday evening in classroom #3.

The youngsters of our number meet at 5:40 pm each Sunday evening for a few minutes of story and song in the auditorium before worship services.

When I pray for a friend who is desperately ill it is not "the least" I can do for him but "the most". The prayers of a Christian have a powerful effect (James 5:16) because they tap the power of God. Soothe the fevered brow, speak reassuring words but don't forget "the most" you can do is invoke God's help.