By Emily Agee

“I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see that he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the Lord answered me, and said, write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up it not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people” (Habakkuk 2:1–5).

Thought for the week: A child’s faith

“Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little children ask no more, for love is all they’re looking for, and in a small child’s shining eyes the faith of all the ages lies. And tiny hands and tousled heads that kneel in prayer by little beds are closer to the dear Lord’s heart and of His Kingdom more a part than we who search, and never find, the answers to our questioning mind. For faith in things we cannot see requires a child’s simplicity, for lost in life’s complexities, we drift upon   uncharted seas and slowly faith disintegrates while wealth and power accumulates. And the more man learns, the less he knows, and the more involved his thinking grows, and in his arrogance and pride, no longer is man satisfied to place his confidence and love with childlike faith in God above. Oh, Father, grant once more to me that a simple childlike faith again, and with a small child’s trusting eyes, may all men come to realize that faith alone can save man’s soul and lead him to a higher goal.”

Announcements

The Rev. and Mrs. Robert Murphy Sr. will celebrate his third anniversary as pastor of the Plantersville Grove Baptist Church in Plantersville on Sunday, Oct. 14, at 3:30 p.m. Dr. Albert L. Jones, pastor of the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Wilton, will be the guest speaker. Deacon Melvin, Dr. Queen Morrow M.C. and the Rev. Irvin Williams, pulpit conductor, will be present. All pastors and their churches are invited.

Worship service at the Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise service led by Jennifer Peoples and Julian Lowery. Songs sung: “Down At The Cross,” “My God Is An Awesome God” and “I Need You Lord Jesus.” The scripture was read by Perry Nunn with prayer by Pastor Dukes and Carl Singleterry. The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes with his theme “Put On Your Spiritual Ear.” Let’s get busy for God; small things can grow to be large for God. Problems start small in your life but can grow. God wants you to stay focused and stay busy with your gift. Are there some things in your life that need to be put back in order? Are you able to take criticism? Do you understand your purpose? Don’t get caught up in what you think, and do what God has told you to do. Trust God; he can make your mountains come down. God is in control of every situation, not by power, not by might, but by God spirit, said the Lord. Your mountain could be sickness. He is a healer. Is it financial? He can handle that too. Ask God, “What would you have me do?” All things are possible with him, and being right in anything (relationships or work). Work faces oppositions and negative opinions. You can make it if you can take it. Keep working for God. The work must be finished. Don’t quit. You can’t be a quitter and be a blessing to God. Remarks by Pastor Dukes.

On our sick list this week, we ask you to remember in your prayers: Lee Anna Worthey, Rena Dickerson, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Harold Frazier, Latoria Allison, Evelyn Austin, Tom Tinsley and Valerie Morris. May God heal, strengthen and keep them in his care is our prayer.

—Emily Agee is a religion columnist for The Clanton Advertiser. Her column appears each Thursday.