I talked to Vivian Meeker tonight and she has been diagnosed with early Alzheimers. She is very nervous about getting too far from home and has been attending Arlington Heights where her daughter attends. She misses everyone at Parkway. I wish God would touch her with his healing hand.
Maggie Perez' brother George Cruz has passed away.
Here is part of a note I received from Joe Shaw...
"...We both thank you all for all of the prayers that have been made on the behalf of our family. We are still part of Parkway's family so don't think we have left you all. My wife sought you all out and you have been a true blessing to us. We will be back to you soon. We love you all, Joe, Dianna, and Joseph"
From Jennifer Nuckles...
Please add my brother Reid Storm to the prayer list. He is 29 and has a blood clot in two places. We are waiting test results to find out what next... probably surgery with stents.
Amy Torno's dad, Gene Mabry, needs extra prayers.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
International Students
How often do you have someone ask you where you go to church and ask if they can visit? Probably not very often and yet that’s what happened at the singing Saturday night at Arlie’s place. We had six International students there from Texas A&M Corpus Christi… three Saudis and three Turks… all Muslims who want to visit our services.
The ESLI (English as a Second Language International) program offers International students in state tuition upon completion of the two year ESLI program. That must be a powerful attraction because there are approximately 500 International students at the university. Many of them have a great curiosity about American culture and Christianity.
About six months ago after Darrel Hymel reported on his work in China we contacted the office of International Education about starting a “conversation group”. Our interest in starting a conversation group was to mimic what Darrel Hymel was doing in China… taking advantage of student’s interest in learning English to expose them to Christianity.
We tried doing it off campus at first with minimal results and then we were given permission to move on campus. Since then we have had as many as six students at a time conversing with us and practicing their English. Most of them have been oriental students. Other religious organizations are involved in this as well… we are relative “late comers”.
We sent out an invitation, through our contact in the International Education office, to the International students to attend the singing/refreshments get-together at Arlie’s. Our contact asked if I would like to meet with the director of the ESLI program. I have an appointment this Tuesday. Jeff Carr is going with me.
Saturday night we not only had the six International students in attendance but also the director of the ESLI program and one of her assistants. The whole thing was greatly encouraging.
It seems that a lot of doors are opening for us. Please pray for this effort. In addition we need a female presence in our weekly conversation group meeting (Fridays at 4 pm). I’ve already asked Stefanie and she has agreed but one or two others would be really good.
Thanks.
The ESLI (English as a Second Language International) program offers International students in state tuition upon completion of the two year ESLI program. That must be a powerful attraction because there are approximately 500 International students at the university. Many of them have a great curiosity about American culture and Christianity.
About six months ago after Darrel Hymel reported on his work in China we contacted the office of International Education about starting a “conversation group”. Our interest in starting a conversation group was to mimic what Darrel Hymel was doing in China… taking advantage of student’s interest in learning English to expose them to Christianity.
We tried doing it off campus at first with minimal results and then we were given permission to move on campus. Since then we have had as many as six students at a time conversing with us and practicing their English. Most of them have been oriental students. Other religious organizations are involved in this as well… we are relative “late comers”.
We sent out an invitation, through our contact in the International Education office, to the International students to attend the singing/refreshments get-together at Arlie’s. Our contact asked if I would like to meet with the director of the ESLI program. I have an appointment this Tuesday. Jeff Carr is going with me.
Saturday night we not only had the six International students in attendance but also the director of the ESLI program and one of her assistants. The whole thing was greatly encouraging.
It seems that a lot of doors are opening for us. Please pray for this effort. In addition we need a female presence in our weekly conversation group meeting (Fridays at 4 pm). I’ve already asked Stefanie and she has agreed but one or two others would be really good.
Thanks.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Church News
Please add my mom to the family and friends prayer list. A week ago she slipped out of a rocking chair, and her right hand took the brunt of the fall. Although she has no broken bones, the doctor took more x-rays recently because he doesn't remember seeing an injury quite like this. Thank you, Sandy Case
Maggie Perez just called to say that her brother, George Cruz, has been sent home with hospice care. His organs have begun to shut down. She covets our prayers for the family.
Bonnie Davis' sister, Gennie Washington, who has been on our prayer list has passed away. Please pray for the family.
Courtney Snively's grandfather passed away last week.
Singing and refreshments this Saturday at 7 pm at Carriage Park Townhomes. See Arlie for more info.
Maggie Perez just called to say that her brother, George Cruz, has been sent home with hospice care. His organs have begun to shut down. She covets our prayers for the family.
Bonnie Davis' sister, Gennie Washington, who has been on our prayer list has passed away. Please pray for the family.
Courtney Snively's grandfather passed away last week.
Singing and refreshments this Saturday at 7 pm at Carriage Park Townhomes. See Arlie for more info.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Lacking One Thing...
Mark 10:17-31.
This segment of scriptures records the account of a righteous man who asked Jesus what to do to inherit eternal life. Although he had led a good life he lacked one thing… he was told to sell what he had, give the proceeds to the poor and follow Jesus.
I think this passage has limited application for Christians today (after all we are not instructed to sell all that we have and give it to the poor). Still passages like this cause me to examine myself as to whether or not I have the proper attitude towards money. I guess one way to find out would be to sell it all and become poor… that seems a little extreme.
Another way to find out would be to see if I could give away small amounts of money to the poor… that would be less extreme. If I am unwilling to give even small amounts then certainly giving away everything would be a moot point. Not that giving away small amounts equates to giving away everything but it is an indication that the right attitude is in place.
The man in this passage is not called “rich” but he had “great possessions”… the same thing really. A lot of times during a period of self examination we ask the question, “What does rich really mean”… am I really rich? Would this apply to me? We can answer that question by first answering this one, “What does being poor really mean”?
Being poor in Jesus time meant being abjectly poor; limited clothing, shelter and food. That rarely describes the poor we deal with today. And yet if one were abjectly poor, like in New Testament times, then anyone who had plentiful clothing, shelter and food would be “rich” in comparison and bear some responsibility to the “poor”. The simple answer is, in comparison to the poor… yes we are rich.
I have mixed feelings about the “righteous man”. I hope that like Peter I would have turned my back on everything and immediately followed Jesus, but I have a fear that like the “righteous man with great possessions” I would have walked off “sorrowfully”.
Fortunately, we have not been charged to sell all that we have, but we have been charged with the responsibility to have compassion on those who have needs. Let’s not be too hard on that “righteous guy” if we can’t even help on a minimal level.
This segment of scriptures records the account of a righteous man who asked Jesus what to do to inherit eternal life. Although he had led a good life he lacked one thing… he was told to sell what he had, give the proceeds to the poor and follow Jesus.
I think this passage has limited application for Christians today (after all we are not instructed to sell all that we have and give it to the poor). Still passages like this cause me to examine myself as to whether or not I have the proper attitude towards money. I guess one way to find out would be to sell it all and become poor… that seems a little extreme.
Another way to find out would be to see if I could give away small amounts of money to the poor… that would be less extreme. If I am unwilling to give even small amounts then certainly giving away everything would be a moot point. Not that giving away small amounts equates to giving away everything but it is an indication that the right attitude is in place.
The man in this passage is not called “rich” but he had “great possessions”… the same thing really. A lot of times during a period of self examination we ask the question, “What does rich really mean”… am I really rich? Would this apply to me? We can answer that question by first answering this one, “What does being poor really mean”?
Being poor in Jesus time meant being abjectly poor; limited clothing, shelter and food. That rarely describes the poor we deal with today. And yet if one were abjectly poor, like in New Testament times, then anyone who had plentiful clothing, shelter and food would be “rich” in comparison and bear some responsibility to the “poor”. The simple answer is, in comparison to the poor… yes we are rich.
I have mixed feelings about the “righteous man”. I hope that like Peter I would have turned my back on everything and immediately followed Jesus, but I have a fear that like the “righteous man with great possessions” I would have walked off “sorrowfully”.
Fortunately, we have not been charged to sell all that we have, but we have been charged with the responsibility to have compassion on those who have needs. Let’s not be too hard on that “righteous guy” if we can’t even help on a minimal level.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Church News
Christine Madden was baptized Sunday night. I'll get a picture up as soon as I receive one.
Here are a few items from Jeff Carr...
Gospel Meeting in Sinton with Warren Berkley this week (June 14-18, M through Thu only). Weekday classes at 10am. Worship every evening at 7pm.
Next few Friday nights is a meeting with International Students at A&M CC beginning at 4pm. See Jeff Carr if your interested in participating.
Saturday, June 26th, 7p. Singing at Carriage Park town Homes (This is where Arlie lives, see her for more details)
Last Sunday of the month, June 27th, in evening, Young People's Gathering at the Carr home AFTER evening services.
Here are a few items from Jeff Carr...
Gospel Meeting in Sinton with Warren Berkley this week (June 14-18, M through Thu only). Weekday classes at 10am. Worship every evening at 7pm.
Next few Friday nights is a meeting with International Students at A&M CC beginning at 4pm. See Jeff Carr if your interested in participating.
Saturday, June 26th, 7p. Singing at Carriage Park town Homes (This is where Arlie lives, see her for more details)
Last Sunday of the month, June 27th, in evening, Young People's Gathering at the Carr home AFTER evening services.
Plenty or Poverty
He who tills his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty. Proverbs 28:19
Look at the way this proverb is put together. You can have either “plenty of food” or “plenty of poverty”.
The Lord wants his people to be industrious. There are plenty of Proverbs that teach this. Having a good work ethic is something parents should teach their children. My dad was a great role model for me but even now as an adult I am still influenced by people who are hard workers.
I was talking to my brother Greg the other day and he said when he was in high school he had a job washing dishes at a restaurant. The manager called him over and said he wasn’t working hard enough. Greg told him he was working harder than the other guys and the manager responded, “don’t pattern yourself after them”. Greg said for the next month he worked as hard as he could and the manager noticed and approached him impressed with Greg’s work ethic and offered him a job as a cook. Greg said, no… I quit. The manager was disappointed at losing a good worker.
Greg told me that our brother Scott gave him some advice one time. Scott told him that when the boss is away most people slow down, but that is when you should work twice as hard… not to impress the boss but to earn the respect of the other workers and to differentiate yourself from them.
People who are industrious and who take pride in their work ability will never go hungry they will have plenty. And they will be noticed and rewarded for their skill.
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men. Proverbs 22:29
Look at the way this proverb is put together. You can have either “plenty of food” or “plenty of poverty”.
The Lord wants his people to be industrious. There are plenty of Proverbs that teach this. Having a good work ethic is something parents should teach their children. My dad was a great role model for me but even now as an adult I am still influenced by people who are hard workers.
I was talking to my brother Greg the other day and he said when he was in high school he had a job washing dishes at a restaurant. The manager called him over and said he wasn’t working hard enough. Greg told him he was working harder than the other guys and the manager responded, “don’t pattern yourself after them”. Greg said for the next month he worked as hard as he could and the manager noticed and approached him impressed with Greg’s work ethic and offered him a job as a cook. Greg said, no… I quit. The manager was disappointed at losing a good worker.
Greg told me that our brother Scott gave him some advice one time. Scott told him that when the boss is away most people slow down, but that is when you should work twice as hard… not to impress the boss but to earn the respect of the other workers and to differentiate yourself from them.
People who are industrious and who take pride in their work ability will never go hungry they will have plenty. And they will be noticed and rewarded for their skill.
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men. Proverbs 22:29
Saturday, June 5, 2010
From Arlie
On Saturday, June 26th at 7p.m. all are invited to sing in the park at Carriage Park Townhomes. We will serve ice tea, decaff. coffee, and sodas and desserts after the singing.
If it should rain or be too windy or hot, we will sing at the Cooksey's instead. Please mark your calendars and bring songbooks and folding chairs. We will pick up a long table and chairs from church earlier that day to put food and drinks on.
Children are welcome. It is well lit for safety.
If it should rain or be too windy or hot, we will sing at the Cooksey's instead. Please mark your calendars and bring songbooks and folding chairs. We will pick up a long table and chairs from church earlier that day to put food and drinks on.
Children are welcome. It is well lit for safety.
Know Your New Parkway Members
Here are a few facts about the Bakers...
Daniel - 9/15/1981
Hometown: Bacliff, TX
School and Major: Texas A&M - Agronomy specializing in Turfgrass Management
Occupation: Golf Course Superintendent - Rockport Country Club
Julianne - 12/23/1981
Hometown:Centerville, TX
School and Major:Texas A&M - Elementary Education
Occupation: Mom!
Elijah - 8/15/2008
Hometown: still to be determined
School: Daddy will help pay for Texas A&M
Occupation: not a Golf Course Superintendent
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