2
Hohenwald Church of Christ Family News Vol. 72, Issue 1, January 1, 2017 Shepherds Darrell Hinson 931-209-5146 Rick Jones 796-4377 Ronnie Riley 796-4251 Deacons Chad Brewer Charlie Brewer Rick Brewer John Eglinton John Ellis Tom Gosser Billy Don Jackson Jon Jones Jeff Peery Steve Selby Honored to Serve in January: Announcements: Darrell Hinson Song Leader: Steve Selby Preside at Lord’s Table: Jon Jones Lord’s Table: Main: Scotty Duncan/Dresden Barnes/Hunter Bastin/Adam Coble/ Scottie Bass/Charlie Brewer Wing: Jace Fite & Jason Fite Prepare Communion: Margaret Templeton Deliver Communion: Paul Brown & Jessie Eglinton Sunday, January 1: Opening Prayer: Rick Jones Closing Prayer: Bill Lynch Minister: Greg Smith 931-306-7089 Check out our website: hohenwaldchurchofchrist.com Sun AM Bible Study: 9:30 a.m./Worship: 10:30 Sun PM: 6 p.m. Wednesday Bible Study: 7 p.m. Finding Resolve The noun form of the word “resolve” means to have a firm determination to do something. This is the word from which we get “resolution”, as in, New Year’s resolution. Many of us have made them: those things we are resolved to do in the New Year such as lose weight, get organized, or save more money. Unfortunately many New Year’s resolutions don’t hold up very long. Several years ago when my family and I were members of a YMCA, I can recall my surprise when all of a sudden it was difficult to get on one of the elliptical trainers or treadmills in the cardio room. I figured New Year’s resolutions were the culprit. By the second week of February everything was back to normal. It kind of reminds me of setting a goal to read the Bible completely in one year. Everything was great until I got to Leviticus. This is why the best reading plans for getting all the way through God’s Word in a year includes readings from the Old Testament and New Testament each day. In other words, sometimes we need strategy or help in continuing our resolve. Some worthwhile spiritual resolutions might include taking a look at our own lives. Lamentations 3:40 tells us: Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Teachers give tests throughout the school year because if you wait until the end of the year to find out how well the class is retaining the material you have no time to help the students who are struggling. The same needs to be true with each of us regarding our spirituality: we need to test ourselves several times each year to make sure we are on the right track. We need to ask ourselves if the things we say to others are an encouragement. What kind of sermon am I preaching with how I treat others? Am I forgiving others the way I want to be forgiven of my own wrongdoing? The list can go on, and is as varied as the membership of our church family, but you get the idea. I encourage all of us to begin with a consistent prayer life that allows us to lean on God for guidance and strength so that each of us has the resolve to be the best children of God we can be in the year ahead. Blessings for a good 2017! Keep the faith, Greg
