By Margie Ward

By Margie Ward

Today is a beautiful day. Spring is everywhere, more and more flowers are blooming and greenery putting out. More rain is on the way as they said on TV, anything could happen in March, and we have seen it happen before. God is so good and in control of it all.

On Sunday morning our church attendance was good with visitors present. We pray they were blessed by worshipping with us. We welcome them to come anytime as God leads. The choir’s special was "Great Is the Glory of the Lord." Bro. Jeff’s message was "Pressing Toward the Goal" from Philippians 3: 12-16. Paul now turns away from the possibility of the Judaizers influencing the Philippians believers and focuses on another potential problem, the problem being misunderstood as having achieved spiritual perfection. This concern stems from a problem Paul faced with the Corinthian church. 1 Cor. 4:8. Paul reveals his concern. He repeatedly states that he is imperfect, and he speaks positively about his spiritual journey, his reaching and striving forward. God wants us to press forward each day to please Him. Paul referring to spiritual maturity, said he refused to focus on past spiritual accomplishments, realizing how much ground lies ahead of him to cover, witnessing to lost, reassuring the saved. We must realize that we can’t be spiritually perfect until Christ returns, realize that pressing toward the "goal (standing before God justified) is the work of Christ and Him alone.

On Sunday night at 6 p.m. a good attendance was present. Bro. Jeff’s message was "What Is Your Comfort Zone?" from Matthew 14: 22-33 and other scriptures. The boat was the comfort zone then the storms began to brew. God called Peter to
step out of the comfort zone. This takes courage and faith. When we have storms in our lives Jesus is aware of them and is with us. He is big enough to meet all our needs. He will always show us when we make mistakes. Concentrating on circumstances can bring us down, but we can always count on Jesus. What is our comfort zone? Do we get out of it to visit, help others, make calls, send cards, attend church or have quiet time with God? We have to fill our spiritual life.

On Friday night we had another great singing with the Sunny South Quartet and Lance Alexander. We know God is and will continue to bless them for coming and for singing His praises. We thank them so much for using their talents for His good and His glory. We also thank all the visitors that came and enjoyed this time with us.

On Saturday another workday was held at the church. A lot of men showed up for this, and we do appreciate them and their dedication. The heating and air is being installed in the new building, the plumbing is well underway, and the sheetrock is being put up in the Sunday school rooms. We are making progress, and we thank God for being with us and proving our needs each day. We do give Him all the Praise, Honor and Glory, for without Him we could do nothing.

NO WORKDAY MARCH 22 — will work again Saturday, March 29 at 8 a.m.

The Associational Evangelist Conference will be held March 20, at 7 p.m. at Centennial Baptist Church. The speaker will be Allen Larm. Everyone is invited to attend.

Brownwood Brotherhood will have a supper at Bonner’s on Thursday night, March 27 at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, March 8, at Providence Christian Academy in Lilburn, the Christian School Band Students and Home Educated Band Students participated in Bandemonium 2003. This is a day
long band festival where students have sectional rehearsals and big group band practice. Over 100 students participated. A concert was performed for parents at 3 p.m. All students received free T-shirts. Sarah Wood, daughter of Sonny and Mary Wood was one of the band members.

The Rev. and Mr. Jeff Rogers visited Mrs. Jeri Baugcum at Medical College of Georgia Hospital in Augusta on Thursday. We’re glad to report Jeri is home now.

Mrs. Gaynelle Hicks, Pat Hicks, Wayne, Rosselle and Tina Hicks of Stone Mountain visited Ricky and Lisa Hicks on Friday and attended the singing with them on Friday night at Brownwood.

Emily Bohannon, granddaughter of Frank and Betty Bohannon is spending her spring break from the University of Georgia in England and surrounding areas.

Miss Laura Gardener of Savannah is spending several days with Rev. and Mrs. Jeff Rogers and family.

Julie and Billy Phillips, Sonny, Mary, Sarah and Rebekah Wood had dinner on Sunday with Margie and Albert Ward.

HOW TO LIVE

There are four directions for the Christian to look:

Look back — and praise Him.

Look up — and trust Him.

Look around — and serve Him.

Look ahead — and expect Him.

Prayer Changes Things

God is in Control.