By Emily Agee

“Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel; Thus saith the Lord, learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? For to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee. But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities. Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. Thus shall ye say unto them, the gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion” (Jeremiah 10:1-12).

Thought for the week: ‘If We Only Understood’

“Could we but draw back the curtains

That surround each other’s lives,

See the naked heart and spirit,

Know what spur the action gives;

Often we should find it better,

Purer than we judge we should;

We should love each other better,

If we only understood.

Could we judge all deeds by motives,

See the good and bad within,

Often we should love the sinner

All the while we loathe the sin;

Could we know the powers working

To overthrow integrity,

We should love each other’s errors

With more patient charity.

If we know the cares and trials,

Knew the efforts all in vain,

And the bitter disappointment,

Understood the loss and gain—

Would the grim eternal roughness

Seem—I wonder—just the same?

Should we help where now we hinder,

Should we pity where now we blame.

Ah! We judge each other harshly,

Knowing not life’s hidden force;

Knowing not the fount of action

Is less turbid at its source—

Seeing not amid the evil

All the golden grain of good;

And we would love each other better

If we only understood.”

Pastor Elijah Good and Sister Ruth Good will celebrate his 37th Pastor’s Appreciation and Church Anniversary at The World’s Church of the Living God on Sunday, March 23 at 11:30 a.m. The theme this year is: “What a Mighty God We Serve.” Bishop W.C. Hunter, the general overseer of all World’s Church of the Living God churches of Chattanooga, Tenn., will be the guest speaker. The World’s Church of the Living God in Clanton is located at 1205 Second Ave. N. All ministers and friends are invited to attend.

Announcements

Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise service by the praise team with prayer by Pastor Dukes and Bro. S.T. Brown. Scripture was read by Steven Nunn. Songs sung by the senior choir were “Let It Be,” “I Will Fly Away” and “Just a Little Talk with Jesus.”

The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes. His theme was “The Power of Togetherness.” Coming together for a specific reason – each one has a reason to finish his or her own race. There are different courses in the race. You have to finish it.

Paul said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course.” Learn to master your game of life. The game finishes when you take your final breath. No one else can run your course.

Church family must link up. The Bible said let us, every one play a role in your success. Link up with your church family and become one. Run light – throw off sin and anything that hinders. Don’t take baggage; let something go in your life. Focus on positive things. Encourage yourself if needed.

Seek someone you can model your life after, but look at Jesus and how he made it over. He is an ultimate role model. He knows all of our struggles.

Benediction was by Pastor Dukes.

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Billy Hawkins in their time of bereavement. Funeral services are incomplete at this time. Agee Brother’s Funeral Home directing.

On our sick list this week, we ask you to remember in your prayers: James Singleterry, Martha Binion, Lee Anna Worthey, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Robertha Lee, Harold Frazier, Dorothy Sims, Labell Kine, Joe Varner, Mildredge Archie, Nathan Shortridge, Lisa Wright 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.