Fall Fastivals

 This upcoming Labor Day Week-end is a big week-end here in NW Arkansas. A lot of fall festivals all over the area - two of our daughters and I are planning on attending at east two of them along with the local parade. Hopefully we will be able to take in all the other fall festivities, and  maybe a yard sale or two. I love to see all the creative ideas of others an maybe try to adopt and re-create them for myself and others God has blessed us with 4 seasons here and I love them all - but fall is my absolute favorite. The warm days, cool evenings, smell of spices in the air, and the changing of the leaves. also the anticipation of the winter season to come and the joy of Christmas.

I missed an awesome sight the other day Fred and one of our daughters we sitting outside early one morning and a doe came out of the woods near the house, followed by a fawn. A few minutes later another fawn appeared and they all enjoyed a quiet morning breakfast. The fawns still have their spots but have grown so much in just two months. Everything is here  on earth for a purpose and for us to see and enjoy. We have to take time, sit back, and smell the roses, (and watch the deer).

Our Sunday school class has been put on hold for a bit as COVID is increasing here in NW Arkansas. Even our Pastor Vance Eubanks contracting it, but so far our church services remain as usual. Since Vance could not give the message this morning, our Youth Director Matt Tibbet gave the sermon. AS we come to the end of the Book f Colossians, Paul was coming to the end of his life as he wrote it. He was writing to the churches about all of those people who encouraged him along the way. He wrote a letter to the people of Laodicea - he wanted thos letter to be exchanged with the one he had written to the believers at Colossae. Tychicus was a gentile from Asia. He was not a Jew but was a leader of the church in Ephesea. He was also in prison with Paul  at one time and Paul sent him to Colossae. Paul trusted him to relay the message to the church. Onesimus was a runaway slave whom Paul sent with Tychicus. Aristarchus was a Jew who was always with Paul when anything happened. He was sort of a good buddy who was always at his side. Aristarchus sent his greetings to the peple at Colossae. Mark, who was also known as John Mark, wrote the gospel of Mark. He left Paul and Barnabas in a disagreement when they were on a missionary journey together. they later reconciled and he was with Paul when Paul wrote this letter. Justus (Jesus) and  Epaphras were also with Paulin prison and sent their greetings and prayers to Colossae. Luke, the doctor, was trained in the region of Colossae and also traveled with Paul on Paul's journeys. Demas is the only person who Paul does not praise. Demas loved the world so much that he abandoned his faith. Archippus  was in Colossae and Paul wanted him to continue the preaching of the gospel in the church there. Nympha was a woman whom Paul had  held up in praise as the church met in her home. what do these people have to do with us? We like to tal about Noah, Moses, and David but never talk about these people. we don't talk about them because they are so much like us. Hold these people up in one hand - if Paul would write a letter to our church what would he say about us?  Paul probably would not mention us as he mentioned the others who had made church their life. We are not as committed to our church. We often have nothing to offer the church. We are spiritually consumers - taking but not giving back. We may be halfway to Demas' thinking, and Paul would not mention us. How do we become committed like those Paul mentioned?  They did not lose sight of the cross ns neither should we. 

We have a unspoken prayer request that we ask you to pray for as soon as you read this. Thank you.