Welcome to my bulletin article site. What I do is minister to young Christians, their families, their friends, and others in the Fort Gibson, OK area. So check-in every now and then, and I'll try to have an encouraging word for you.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
A local church wants to help caregivers by Barrett Vanlandingham April 5, 2011 Every 69 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease. It is the sixth leading killer, and it afflicts over five million Americans. In addition, there are about 15 million caregivers who put in some 17 billion hours of unpaid care for their friends and loved ones each year. This information comes from the Alzheimer’s Association website. The Fort Gibson Church of Christ wants to be part of the solution for caregivers who simply need a break from the day in, day out responsibilities of caring for someone with dementia. So, they’ve started up a Caregivers Day Out program that meets twice a month on Tuesdays. This provides caregivers a safe place to bring their loved ones for a few hours from 10am-1pm. Those who attend play cards, dominoes, watch a movie, or just visit with friends. Pulpit Minister Dan Rouse presents a Bible lesson. And a tasty lunch is always served. Caregivers don’t have to worry because there are plenty of dedicated volunteers to stay with the guests. The caregiver is welcome to stay as long as they would like. Or they can use the time to run errands or just go and take a break from the constant pressure of caring for a spouse with Alzheimer’s. The Bible is very plain about our responsibilities when it comes to taking care of the needs of our family. The apostle Paul says, “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8).” The Bible is also clear about the importance of Christians helping to take care of the poor, hurting, and afflicted. Acts 20:35 reminds us to help the weak, and that “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” One of the biggest burdens among caregivers is not necessarily the level of difficulty in the work involved, but rather, feelings of isolation. Oftentimes, an afflicted spouse requires round the clock care, seven days a week. This makes it extremely difficult for caregivers to go to the store, run errands, or even clean the house. That kind of constant pressure would be hard for anyone. Even a brief break can be a huge help for all involved. This is where Caregiver’s Day Out can help. If you are interested, please call the Fort Gibson Church of Christ office at 918-478-2222 for dates and times. God bless and have a nice day!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Great friendships know no age boundaries
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 29, 2011
A large roomful of pre-schoolers and senior citizens, and teenagers teamed with widows and widowers. Dozens of unlikely friendships gathered Saturday night at the Fort Gibson Church of Christ for a special banquet.
It’s part of their Adopt-a-Widow and Special Friend program. The children decided on a menu of chicken pot pie, fruit salad, and spinach salad. Dessert was dirt cake which tasted suspiciously like crushed Oreos mixed with Cool Whip and cream cheese topped with a gummy worm. The children did all the food prep themselves, served the guests, sat and visited with their widows and senior friends, and then put on a very entertaining talent show which included a lot of audience participation.
The reason I spent so much time setting up my thought for the week is simply to paint you a picture of the beautiful friendships that can take place when generations spanning 90-years get to know one another.
The Bible has much to say about the wisdom of interaction and communication among the young and young at heart. Think about this:
1) In Titus 2:3-5 older women are encourage to live in such a way as to teach the younger women to be good wives and mothers. 2) In 2 Timothy 1:5 the apostle Paul makes mention of Timothy having been taught well in matters of faith by his mother and grandmother. 3) Noah’s sons must have respected their father a tremendous amount to go along with a 100 year ark-building project that surely made their family social outcasts. 4) The great friendship between the widowed Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi is still quoted in weddings today: “Wherever you go I will go.” 5) Samuel’s parents saw great value in allowing Eli the priest to have a hand in training their child for service to God. 6) Joshua spent 40 years being mentored by Moses, and finally, 7) the prophet Elijah spent time with his successor Elisha.
It is no accident that the Bible speaks so often of the wisdom of the older generation. The young have much to learn from the experiences of those who have already lived through many of the trials now being faced by those who are younger.
On the other hand, in Matthew 19:14 Jesus certainly saw the value in letting the children come to him. He even went as far as to say that we all need to be more like children.
Yes, conversations between the young and young at heart are often entertaining to say the least. Sometimes, awkward is the best adjective, while other times, priceless or heart-warming are better descriptions. But the outcome for those on either end who put forth the effort is always a blessing.
Next week, I will tell you about a new program for the Fort Gibson community aimed at providing support for caregivers of loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s.
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 29, 2011
A large roomful of pre-schoolers and senior citizens, and teenagers teamed with widows and widowers. Dozens of unlikely friendships gathered Saturday night at the Fort Gibson Church of Christ for a special banquet.
It’s part of their Adopt-a-Widow and Special Friend program. The children decided on a menu of chicken pot pie, fruit salad, and spinach salad. Dessert was dirt cake which tasted suspiciously like crushed Oreos mixed with Cool Whip and cream cheese topped with a gummy worm. The children did all the food prep themselves, served the guests, sat and visited with their widows and senior friends, and then put on a very entertaining talent show which included a lot of audience participation.
The reason I spent so much time setting up my thought for the week is simply to paint you a picture of the beautiful friendships that can take place when generations spanning 90-years get to know one another.
The Bible has much to say about the wisdom of interaction and communication among the young and young at heart. Think about this:
1) In Titus 2:3-5 older women are encourage to live in such a way as to teach the younger women to be good wives and mothers. 2) In 2 Timothy 1:5 the apostle Paul makes mention of Timothy having been taught well in matters of faith by his mother and grandmother. 3) Noah’s sons must have respected their father a tremendous amount to go along with a 100 year ark-building project that surely made their family social outcasts. 4) The great friendship between the widowed Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi is still quoted in weddings today: “Wherever you go I will go.” 5) Samuel’s parents saw great value in allowing Eli the priest to have a hand in training their child for service to God. 6) Joshua spent 40 years being mentored by Moses, and finally, 7) the prophet Elijah spent time with his successor Elisha.
It is no accident that the Bible speaks so often of the wisdom of the older generation. The young have much to learn from the experiences of those who have already lived through many of the trials now being faced by those who are younger.
On the other hand, in Matthew 19:14 Jesus certainly saw the value in letting the children come to him. He even went as far as to say that we all need to be more like children.
Yes, conversations between the young and young at heart are often entertaining to say the least. Sometimes, awkward is the best adjective, while other times, priceless or heart-warming are better descriptions. But the outcome for those on either end who put forth the effort is always a blessing.
Next week, I will tell you about a new program for the Fort Gibson community aimed at providing support for caregivers of loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Making Godly decisions will help you avoid negative consequences
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 22, 2011
Sunday morning I was in a hurry to get to the church building for a prayer meeting before services. So in my attempt to put that final touch on my hair, I grabbed a tube of styling gel. But just before I took the cap off, my wife Lisa said, “Wait a minute! That’s not hair gel, that’s shampoo!” We both had a good laugh. Then I told her, “Once again, I’ve learned the lesson that just because something looks like it might be the right thing doesn’t mean it is the right thing.”
I probably learn this lesson several times a week in one area of life or another. Maybe you do, too. I have quoted Solomon’s words before in regards to finding absolute truth, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12). And while applying shampoo instead of styling gel is not likely to lead to death, it certainly could have slowed down my plans for going to a prayer meeting!
Many of the decisions we make are much more important, and require time in prayer. Scripture places a lot of importance on including prayer in your decisions. Paul says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18)
We all know hindsight is 20-20, but perhaps if Peter would have been praying in the Garden of Gethsemane instead of sleeping (Mark 14:37-41), he would have made better decisions later in the chapter. His denial of Christ three times before the rooster crowed is a huge example of someone opening his mouth before thinking. How unfortunate to be chosen as an apostle, yet be included in a two-thousand year old book in the section of what not to do! The Bible is full of Godly people, many of whom made poor choices before coming to their senses. Just think about David’s lust for Bathsheba! That is one more reason to “Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) .”
Christians should not be so naïve as to think we never make mistakes. Remember Paul’s words from 1 Corinthians 10:12, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
That is why having a prayerful attitude is so important. The world we live in presents more choices than ever before. Not only that, but because of technology those choices come at us faster than ever. If we’re not careful we can make the mistake of trying to make quick decisions in an effort to keep up. Sometimes, the outcome can be much more detrimental than shampoo over styling gel. May God bless you this week in your choices!
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 22, 2011
Sunday morning I was in a hurry to get to the church building for a prayer meeting before services. So in my attempt to put that final touch on my hair, I grabbed a tube of styling gel. But just before I took the cap off, my wife Lisa said, “Wait a minute! That’s not hair gel, that’s shampoo!” We both had a good laugh. Then I told her, “Once again, I’ve learned the lesson that just because something looks like it might be the right thing doesn’t mean it is the right thing.”
I probably learn this lesson several times a week in one area of life or another. Maybe you do, too. I have quoted Solomon’s words before in regards to finding absolute truth, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12). And while applying shampoo instead of styling gel is not likely to lead to death, it certainly could have slowed down my plans for going to a prayer meeting!
Many of the decisions we make are much more important, and require time in prayer. Scripture places a lot of importance on including prayer in your decisions. Paul says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18)
We all know hindsight is 20-20, but perhaps if Peter would have been praying in the Garden of Gethsemane instead of sleeping (Mark 14:37-41), he would have made better decisions later in the chapter. His denial of Christ three times before the rooster crowed is a huge example of someone opening his mouth before thinking. How unfortunate to be chosen as an apostle, yet be included in a two-thousand year old book in the section of what not to do! The Bible is full of Godly people, many of whom made poor choices before coming to their senses. Just think about David’s lust for Bathsheba! That is one more reason to “Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) .”
Christians should not be so naïve as to think we never make mistakes. Remember Paul’s words from 1 Corinthians 10:12, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
That is why having a prayerful attitude is so important. The world we live in presents more choices than ever before. Not only that, but because of technology those choices come at us faster than ever. If we’re not careful we can make the mistake of trying to make quick decisions in an effort to keep up. Sometimes, the outcome can be much more detrimental than shampoo over styling gel. May God bless you this week in your choices!
Friday, March 11, 2011
The truth of God’s word is no illusion
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 15, 2011
My son has been playing “magic” tricks on me all week. And even though Britton is only 12-years old, some of his illusions are truly amazing. Sometimes he uses them to tell Bible stories. So, I began to think to myself that if my own sweet, innocent son can wow me with sleight of hand, imagine what the devil can do with thousands of years to practice his deceptive craft.
Christians should always be wise to the devil’s cunning. There is nothing that makes Satan more happy than to pull the wool over the eyes of the unsuspecting. If he can’t lure the strong Christian off track, he will gladly settle for picking on a vulnerable loved one.
In 1 Peter 5:8 the writer says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (NIV)
Strangely enough, as obvious as a roaring lion is, it always manages to find a victim as long as it’s in its element. The Bible refers to the devil as the prince of this world (NIV, John 12:31, 16:11). The earth is his element. The souls of mankind are at the top of his menu. The devil is intimidating, aware of our weaknesses, and relentless in taking advantage of opportunities to tempt us. God allows the devil to roam freely, just like a lion in the jungle. And while he may be as obvious as a roaring lion, his followers are often much more sneaky.
Jesus warns us about those who have chosen the path of darkness, those who have teamed up with the great deceiver. "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (NIV, Matthew 7:15)
But to the Christian, Satan’s schemes are very recognizable by simply comparing the fruit he is offering through his followers, to the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus says, “By their fruit you will recognize them (NIV, Matthew 7:16).”
Paul says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… (NASB, Galatians 5:22-23)”
As Christians, it could be overwhelming trying to learn all the tricks of the devil. I used to get stressed because I didn’t understand everything about every religious group out there. The good news is that we don’t have to. We really only have to know what God’s word says in order to quickly spot a fraud or a potential tool for Satan to use against us.
Spiritually speaking, new tricks or at least new twists on old tricks are invented everyday. But God’s word remains unchanged. May God bless you this week as you look to him and his will revealed through his word.
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 15, 2011
My son has been playing “magic” tricks on me all week. And even though Britton is only 12-years old, some of his illusions are truly amazing. Sometimes he uses them to tell Bible stories. So, I began to think to myself that if my own sweet, innocent son can wow me with sleight of hand, imagine what the devil can do with thousands of years to practice his deceptive craft.
Christians should always be wise to the devil’s cunning. There is nothing that makes Satan more happy than to pull the wool over the eyes of the unsuspecting. If he can’t lure the strong Christian off track, he will gladly settle for picking on a vulnerable loved one.
In 1 Peter 5:8 the writer says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (NIV)
Strangely enough, as obvious as a roaring lion is, it always manages to find a victim as long as it’s in its element. The Bible refers to the devil as the prince of this world (NIV, John 12:31, 16:11). The earth is his element. The souls of mankind are at the top of his menu. The devil is intimidating, aware of our weaknesses, and relentless in taking advantage of opportunities to tempt us. God allows the devil to roam freely, just like a lion in the jungle. And while he may be as obvious as a roaring lion, his followers are often much more sneaky.
Jesus warns us about those who have chosen the path of darkness, those who have teamed up with the great deceiver. "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (NIV, Matthew 7:15)
But to the Christian, Satan’s schemes are very recognizable by simply comparing the fruit he is offering through his followers, to the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus says, “By their fruit you will recognize them (NIV, Matthew 7:16).”
Paul says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… (NASB, Galatians 5:22-23)”
As Christians, it could be overwhelming trying to learn all the tricks of the devil. I used to get stressed because I didn’t understand everything about every religious group out there. The good news is that we don’t have to. We really only have to know what God’s word says in order to quickly spot a fraud or a potential tool for Satan to use against us.
Spiritually speaking, new tricks or at least new twists on old tricks are invented everyday. But God’s word remains unchanged. May God bless you this week as you look to him and his will revealed through his word.
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Rebelling against God’s word doesn’t change the truth
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 8, 2011
In a world where the majority of people believe that truth is relative, our incentive for sticking with God is just as powerful as ever. You see, just because someone doesn’t believe in God’s ability to save us from eternal damnation doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Whether you’re in Fort Gibson or Hollywood, truth is truth.
Christians have always been in the minority. Scripture tells us plainly that the road leading to life is narrow, while the road leading to destruction is broad (Matthew 7:13-14). Jesus goes on to say that while many people walk the wide road to hell, only a few people take the narrow path that leads to heaven.
In recent days, actor Charlie Sheen has begun to find out (again) what happens when you travel the worldly path that he thought would bring him happiness. His children have been taken away, he has lost his job, and everytime he sits down for an interview to defend himself he digs a deeper hole as he brags about his history of illegal drug abuse. Even the liberal media appears shocked and disturbed at his attitude.
Hundreds of years before the New Testament writer, Matthew, quoted Jesus’ statement about the broad and narrow roads, Solomon wrote these words in Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
It is truly a challenge to be very persuasive in convincing young people that the popular ways of the world are hardly ever in line with God’s ways. But just one look at the entertainment news will clue you in on the consequences of sin. We find out about the heartbreaking stories of the rich and famous almost immediately through TV or internet. But just like the children of Israel who continually rebelled against God, people today keep living life on their own terms instead of trusting our heavenly Father to lead the way.
Fort Gibson is certainly not exempt from the consequences of sin. We see it everyday. I hear heartbreaking stories all the time of people who thought they wouldn’t get caught in one escapade or another. But sin always has a way of catching up to the one who committed it. Truth always floats to the top.
The silver lining is this: no matter how many times we choose to walk the wide and crowded path that leads to destruction, God is always nearby, with arms outstretched, ready to forgive as we repent. Have a blessed day!
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 8, 2011
In a world where the majority of people believe that truth is relative, our incentive for sticking with God is just as powerful as ever. You see, just because someone doesn’t believe in God’s ability to save us from eternal damnation doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Whether you’re in Fort Gibson or Hollywood, truth is truth.
Christians have always been in the minority. Scripture tells us plainly that the road leading to life is narrow, while the road leading to destruction is broad (Matthew 7:13-14). Jesus goes on to say that while many people walk the wide road to hell, only a few people take the narrow path that leads to heaven.
In recent days, actor Charlie Sheen has begun to find out (again) what happens when you travel the worldly path that he thought would bring him happiness. His children have been taken away, he has lost his job, and everytime he sits down for an interview to defend himself he digs a deeper hole as he brags about his history of illegal drug abuse. Even the liberal media appears shocked and disturbed at his attitude.
Hundreds of years before the New Testament writer, Matthew, quoted Jesus’ statement about the broad and narrow roads, Solomon wrote these words in Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
It is truly a challenge to be very persuasive in convincing young people that the popular ways of the world are hardly ever in line with God’s ways. But just one look at the entertainment news will clue you in on the consequences of sin. We find out about the heartbreaking stories of the rich and famous almost immediately through TV or internet. But just like the children of Israel who continually rebelled against God, people today keep living life on their own terms instead of trusting our heavenly Father to lead the way.
Fort Gibson is certainly not exempt from the consequences of sin. We see it everyday. I hear heartbreaking stories all the time of people who thought they wouldn’t get caught in one escapade or another. But sin always has a way of catching up to the one who committed it. Truth always floats to the top.
The silver lining is this: no matter how many times we choose to walk the wide and crowded path that leads to destruction, God is always nearby, with arms outstretched, ready to forgive as we repent. Have a blessed day!
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