By Emily Agee

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” (Psalm 121:1–8)

Thought for the week: ‘The Now of Life: Faith, Dedication and Hope’

“Now!

This little now is all the time that’s given

To anyone of high or low degree;

And how one spends it, for himself or heaven, decides his own eternal destiny!

This little now, could I but grasp its meaning

Its mighty import, as the days go by,

I should be more awake, have less of dreaming—

I should live now instead of by and by.

The only time in which to serve my Master,

In which to help my helpless fellow men!

Oh, let me labor just a little faster,

In serving others I may heaven win.

This little space holds in its narrow limits

The grandest of achievements time can know,

The utmost failures human life exhibits,

The highest joy, the deepest depths of woe.

He who completes his tasks assigned by heaven,

Who wins unfading laurels for his brow,

Will heed the great commander’s orders given,

To watch and pray and work for others now.”

Announcements

Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise service themed “Living with justice and mercy.” Scripture was from Luke 6:9: “Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; it is lawful on the Sabbath day to do good or to do evil, to save life or destroy it? What is your answer?” Songs sung were “Gospel Train,” “Every Praise to Our God” and “Power in Jesus.” The scripture was read by F. Arrington with prayer by Carl Singleterry and Pastor Dukes.

The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes. His theme was “A New Beginning.” A just man fell seven times but rose up again. If you fall, get up, don’t just lie there. We all have fallen. Did you get up? We all need a new beginning from time to time.

Does guilt keep you down or are you embarrassed about your past? Don’t look back, look forward. Read Luke 9:62. Press toward the mark which is Christ Jesus. Yesterday is gone. Press toward Jesus.

The good news when you fall is you can get up. Pray and tell God you are sorry, seek forgiveness and start over again. Get up and serve him with your whole heart. We have cracks and flaws, but no reasons to stay down. Respond to God in the present and change your future.

Ask to be cleaned up. Restore your brother in the spirit of meekness. It’s not about falling; it’s the spirit of getting up. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path. If you fall, get up. A new beginning means you have the power of God. Benediction was by Pastor Dukes.

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Ms. Barbara Agee in their time of bereavement. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 8 at 11 a.m. at Hopewell Baptist Church in Clanton. Agee Brothers Funeral Home directing.

On our sick list we ask you to remember in your prayers: James Singleterry, Martha Binion, Dorothy Sims, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Harold Frazier, Janice Floyd, Robertha Lee, Lee Anna Worthey, Lisa Wright, Versa Davis and J.R. Booker. 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.