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Not The End, It’s The Beginning

      Commencement is the ending of one thing and the beginning of something new. As the graduating class of 2014 closes the “school days” phase of their young lives, they almost immediately crack open the pages of a new chapter. As you move in that direction, I challenge you to remember…

      “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, I have no pleasure in them. (Ecclesiastes 12:1) Though you’re growing up, there is still time for you to be great servants in God’s kingdom while you’re young. Truly nothing does more to insure success in life than to “seek first the kingdom of God and His Righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33)

      Remember to forget. Paul so rightly noted the importance of “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14) Chances are each of you has made a choice or two that you regret. But do not allow the devil to convince you that your mistakes render you incapable of serving God faithfully in the future. Instead, press on toward the most important goal of heaven.

      Remember your family and friends who have had a part in giving you the opportunities you now have to excel to even greater heights. The wise person does not claim full credit for his/her accomplishments, but recognizes the support that enabled their success. Paul reminded young Timothy that his great faith dwelt first in his mother and grandmother…possibly to remind him that he’d had help to become the man of God that he was.

      Remember, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17) There may be many purposes for which you intend to accomplish things in your lives. But remember Paul’s words here, and know that the Lord expects everything you do to be done in His name and for His glory. The world will overwhelmingly try to convince you that you should live so as to please yourself and others who will give you something in return. But when you work as if you are working for the Lord, you can be sure that your reward will be greater than all that men could give you.

      “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

- - - - Darrell Powell

News & Notes

1. Prayer List: Stabler’s Hospital: Dot Killingsworth, In Need of Prayer: Shane Arrowood, Bryson Box, Terry Claunch, Camren Coleman, Lisa Cook, Bonnie Croley, Tim Croley, Trina Croley, John Curry, Nelson & Nell Daughtry, Mary Goodwin, Richard Harrell, Michael Hartin, Devin Hawkins, Austin Herring, Bobo Hill, Sue Hunt, Charlie Jones, Claudia Labriola, Peggy Lassiter, Gwen Myers, Barley Newton, Alice Padgett, Rebekah Pierce, Bill  Perry, Terry Reaves, Linda Reynolds, Brenda Richburg, Johnny Sims, Andy Taylor, Mary Lou Terrell, Leroy Waller, Barbara Woods, and Betty & Wayne Young. Crowne Health Care: Dorothy Buck, Hilda Cauthen, Jewel Cauthen, Gladys Childs, Arlene Coletrane, Ruth Davis, Betty Findley, Davis & Ruth Hester, Kathy Johnson, Sarah Knight, and Annie Ruth Tetter. Pine Needle: Lydia Ann Raybon and Elizabeth Perdue.

 2. Baptized Into Christ: Joy Horton and Shannon Sharbuno were baptized into Christ on Wednesday. They are both in Butler County Correctional Facility. Write them at 800 Walnut Street, Greenville, Alabama 36037. Please pray for Joy and Shannon.

 3. Requesting Our Prayer:     Jessica Gibson responded to our Lord’s invitation. Please remember Jessica, Andrew and their children in your personal, private prayers.

 4. Sympathy Expressed: Our love and sympathy is express to the families of Jimmy Gardner, Evelyn Smith, and Joseph Coletrane. God bless you.

 5. Facebook: Walnut Street members who are on Facebook are invited to join our “Walnut Street Church of Christ” Group. This is a tool we are using to share news and updates with Walnut Street members about things in our lives. Feel free to share your news. Send a message to Charles Box if you are not in the group. Another way you can use Facebook in a positive way is to “Share” the daily lessons that are posted by Charles Box.

6. Anniversaries: Celebrating an anniversary this week: June 1^st Jim and Tiffany Till, June 4^th Walter and Debbie Johnson, June 6^th Justin and Ashley Pierce, and June 7^th Gary and Gettie Ledger.

 7. Birthdays: Celebrating a birthday this week: June 1^st Lily Smith, June 4^th Jordyn Bagents, and June 6^th Dylan Garlock.

 8. Walnut Street Events: (a) Bridal Shower – Brittany Olive - June 1^st – 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. – All ladies are invited, (b) Graduation Party – June 1^st after evening service – to honor Alaina Bagents, Hunter Owens, and Terry Reynolds – Bring finger foods – Dessert Committee will have clean-up, and (c) Baby Shower – Memory Bush – June 8^th after evening service - Bring finger foods – Everyone is invited. Beverage & Bread Committee will have clean-up.

 9. Wedding Invitation: Brittany Renay Olive and Bryan Matthew Brown together with their parents invite you to witness their marriage vows on Friday, the twentieth of June two thousand and fourteen at six o’clock in the evening, the Grand on Foster 170 North Foster Street in Dothan.

 10. Vacation Bible School: Walnut Street Church of Christ – June 22^nd – 26^th – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Theme: “Happily Ever After…The Salvation Story”. See Darrell Powell to learn what you can do to help.

 11. Sixth Session Backwoods Christian Camp: July 6^th – 14^th is sixth sessions at Backwoods Christian Camp. I hope many of our children from Walnut Street will attend during that session. Young people from everywhere are invited. Campers fees are $130. All Walnut Street campers fees are paid from our Carl Sessions Camp Fund.

 12. Area Events: (a) June 1^st-4^th – Gospel Meeting – Highland Home Church of Christ – Speaker: Jason Chesser – Weeknights 7:00 p.m., (b)  June 1^st-5^th – Gospel Meeting – Sasser Church of Christ – Speaker: Garland Robinson – Weeknights 7:30 p.m. and, (c) June 6^th – Area Wide Singing – Eastern Meadows Church of Christ – 7:00 until 8:30 p.m.

Remember Who You Are

      Many people find the reading of 1 and 2 Chronicles difficult. But, the story behind these books is that God wanted the Jews to remember who they were. God wanted them to understand that each person mattered to God and to His people. In the same way, God wants us to remember who we are.

      Remember where you were. In 2014 the Walnut Street Church had three young people who graduated from High School. These good young people are Christians. However, like all of us, they were sinners. “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Romans 6:17-18) Remember where you were and never go back!

      Remember whose you are. You are now a Christian. (1 Peter 4:16) You have been called out of sin and into Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:14) We are strangers and pilgrims while on earth. However, because we belong to Christ we must avoid those things that war against our soul. “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” (1 Peter 2:11)

      Remember what to do. The thing that every Christian must do is to remain steadfast. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.” (Hebrews 10:35) The three of you who are graduating, have been faithful to God. By all means hold fast to your faith, no matter what comes. Do not allow the world to squeeze you into its mold. (Romans 12:1-2) Do not give up the confidence and boldness that you have in God. Your faith in Christ and your service in His kingdom is the most important thing in your life.

      While there is still hope, obey the gospel. (Acts 2:38) As Christians let us remember that, “He that endureth to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)

                                          ---- Charles Box