West Main

THANK YOU!!

I Think I Might Have a Problem

 

I recently listened to a brief, but informative talk on the subject of happiness. The speaker commented on how we have happy experiences versus how we remember happy experiences. For instance, he tells the story of one gentleman who recounted how he absolutely enjoyed listening to an exquisite piece of music for twenty minutes, but then felt the experience was completely ruined in the last second by a horrible sound. Now the question is, was not the man happy for twenty minutes, or was the twenty minutes of happiness totally wrecked by one sour note? The speaker commented on how the man had a happy experience, but what was ruined was the memory of the experience.

 

The experience of happiness in contrast to the memory of happiness prompted me to think about my own memories. For example, I had wonderful experiences living in Vermont, but my memories of Vermont have the taint of personal sadness. I confess that I often choose to forget the happy experiences that I unquestionably enjoyed, and remember my experience in Vermont as a sad one. However, the amount of happy experiences outnumbers the sad ones. Like the proverbial, “fly in the ointment,” I rightly or wrongly choose to focus more on the “fly” (i.e., the sad moments) over the abundance of ointment (i.e., happy experiences).

 

In contrast to myself, the Apostle Paul says, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil 4:12-13). Is contentment equal to happiness? Can you be content, but not happy? I would also like to ask the Apostle, “Paul, would you not prefer being happy living in plenty over being happy and in want?” Would Paul consider my question legitimate, or would he say, “Terry, you are missing the point, or rather the person—Jesus Christ.” The question of happiness is not an issue of either/or (either in plenty or in want), but rather, the issue is whether you know the “secret” of happiness: A life with Jesus.

 

In addition, Paul further reveals the secret of happiness when he says to the Philippians, “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Phil 3:7-8). Paul would have described happy moments in his previous life without Jesus, but when he comes to know Jesus, he completely alters his memories of happiness. How we remember seems to depend on how we know Jesus, and not just on how many experiences of happiness or sadness we may experience in life.

 

I think I might have a problem. My problem is I may not know the secret of happiness as well as I thought I did. If you ask me, “Do you know Jesus?” I would answer unequivocally, “Yes, I know Jesus!” Yet, if you ask me, “Are you happy?” I would answer . . . ?  Well, I am not confident how I would answer. Much of my response probably depends on the day and time you were to ask me. Some moments, I am happy, and other moments I am sad. Paul says he “can do everything through [Jesus] who gives [him] strength.”  Yet, I would say, “But Paul, surely it takes more strength to be happy in hard times than it does in easy times!” I think Paul would say, “Terry, what did I say was the secret to happiness? Did I say it rests on your strength? Why are you asking about whether or not you will need more strength? I said, ‘You can do everything through Jesus who gives you strength.”

 

I think I might have a problem. My problem is a lack of faith and trust in the secret—Jesus Christ. I know the secret is Jesus Christ, but I seem to struggle in keeping the secret. I forget Jesus too quickly in both easy times and hard times. In easy times, I tend not to seek Jesus in prayer, and in hard times, I tend to focus on my problems and not the person of Jesus. What about yourself, dear brother and sister? Are you happy? Do you just know the secret to happiness, or are you keeping the secret of happiness?

 

– Terry

 

 

 

Christmas Baskets

 

If you are bringing food for Christmas Baskets, please place it along the back wall of the auditorium.  If it is frozen, please put it in the big freezer off of the Fireside Room and label it “Teen Baskets.”

 

Also at the back of the auditorium is the “Angel Tree.”  Thank you for taking all of our “angels”. (These are members of the families we are helping.)  You may bring your gifts back unwrapped, but PLEASE include the FAMILY NUMBER AND CHILD NUMBER on each gift so that we can make sure it goes to the right family!  Have all donations (food and gifts) to the building by this Sunday, December 19.  Call Pannell with any questions.  Thanks for your support!

 

 

Our Annual Business Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 4, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room.  All members are encouraged  to come.

 

Christian Relief Fund – We send an extra donation in December for our “adopted” children to be able to receive a  Christmas present from us.  You may donate when the collection is passed around during class time or you may put your donation in the contribution plate in an envelope marked for Christian Relief Fund.  Thank you for your generous support of our children.

 

Daughters of the King will start up again in January.  Be watching for more information.

 

Men’s Retreat at Little River Christian Camp is January 28-29.  Plan now to attend.

 

 

Prayer Requests . . .

Please remember Mel Hamilton as he recovers from his fall.  He will be having another surgery soon ... Please continue your prayers for healing for Sharen Rose for her broken arm and for Glenda Rennels as she recovers from surgery ... Pray for good blood test results for Cooper Albright ... John Kelton’s friend, Leslie, who lives in Colorado, has been ill.  Please pray for her health and for the doctors to find out what is wrong ... Becky Anderson asks prayers for a brother-in-Christ, Tim Clegg, who needs our prayers for his health.  He had open heart surgery this last week and just recently lost his dad.  Pray for his family also ... The 14 year old son of Colleen Abbott’s co-worker, ran away from home.  Please pray he will return home safely ... Carlena Eddy asks prayers for her nephew and family on the passing of his wife following open heart surgery.  She was only 38 and they have a ten year old daughter.  Also pray for safe travel for Carlena as she travels down south for the service ... Eva Loy Knight reports that Bob Faulconer’s mother passed away Friday.  Thank you for your prayers ... Pray for Fred Pearson and family on the passing of his wife, Marie.  A memorial service will be held at the building at 11:00 a.m. this Saturday ... For our President and all of our military men, women and families.

Praise: The doctor told Charles Anthony that they got all of the cancer!  Thank you for your prayers.

 

Youth Group – Sunday night following the kids’ program and fellowship time, we will have our Annual Christmas Party at the Christopher’s home.  Please bring a dessert or treat and a WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT! Call Pannell with any questions.

 

Christmas Program Rehearsal and Presentation

We will have our final rehearsal this Sunday at 4:30 p.m. After rehearsal we will have some snacks and then get ready to present our program at 6:00 p.m. Please bring lots of your favorite finger foods for our  fellowship time following our evening service.

 

 

News and Notes

 

*** We will NOT PUBLISH a bulletin the week of December 26^th.  If you have any news or notes that need to be announced  for that week, please turn them into the office by December 21^st. ***

 

Bulletin Mailing - During the holiday season, our bulletin will probably be delayed in getting to you in a timely manner  - please read your bulletin on the internet.  It is posted to our website at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Thursday morning.  We want you to be up-to-date on all of the current activities and news.

 

Placing Membership

Angelina Darland and Mason & Beth Marshall have recently placed membership.  Angelina has been attending West Main for quite some time and the Marshalls have just recently started attending.  Please be sure to get acquainted if you haven't already.

 

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Dec 19: Christmas Program Rehearsal at 4:30 p.m.

              Christmas Program Presentation at 6:00 p.m. with

              Evening Worship and Fellowship Time to Follow in the Fireside Room

 

Jan 11: Ladies Class Resumes

 

January 28-29: Men’s Retreat at Little River Christian Camp