Donate for Disaster Relief in Tuscaloosa Through PayPal

Dear Friends,


As you probably know our community of Tuscaloosa, AL was devastated by a Tornado on 4/27/11. Many have lost their own lives, everything they own, and loved ones. You can now give electronically through Pay Pal to the Tuscaloosa Tornado Disaster Relief Fund sponsored by Cottondale church of Christ. Churches have requested we set this up to allow funds to reach us more quickly. This works the same way as when you use Pay Pal using Ebay. All donations will be used to provide relief to those affected by the Tornado. Go to this link below to give. Thank you in advance for your generosity.


http://goo.gl/ON7Wm

Two Disaster Relief Teams Are Working Tomorrow. Can You Help?

Cottondale church of Christ has two teams of volunteers giving relief in Tuscaloosa tomorrow in the aftermath of the Tornado that destroyed our town. Can you help us?

Team 1 will be distributing water and snacks at the fire college by University Mall from 9-2 pm. If you can help this team call Tracie Sims at (205) 310-3359. They will meet at Cottondale church of Christ at 8:15 am.

Team 2 will be assisting David and Erica Watkins recover their belongings and clean up their yard. Their home was destroyed by the Tornado. Molly Blomeley will be keeping the Watkins children and Erica’s sister’s children. She could use some additional help. If you can help this team call Charles Steiner at (205) 310-2480. They will meet at Cottondale church of Christ at 9:15 am.

Tuscaloosa Disaster Relief

Cottondale church of Christ is collecting donations to provide disaster relief in the aftermath of the tornado that has left Tuscaloosa, AL devastated. Donations can be sent to:

Cottondale Church of Christ

2025 Prude Mill Road

Cottondale, AL 35453

Call (205) 310-2480 to get more information.

All donations will go to provide relief for those in need in Tuscaloosa. Thank you.

Finding the Way of Escape

It is very difficult to feel too sorry for Samson. He knew what he was facing. He knew he was in an environment “out to get him.” In fact, Samson was so oblivious to the danger he was in, Satan did not have to use one of his greatest weapons, deception. Delilah was not beating around the bush at all. She wanted to know the source of his great strength. She wanted to know where “her man” was vulnerable. With each passing opportunity, it had to be more and more obvious that the purpose of Delilah and the Philistines was to take down Samson. Samson should have learned from the story of Joseph, shouldn’t he? He should have learned that there comes a time that even the strong need to run away. Before we ever read of the events in Judges 16, we already know Samson had a weakness for the ladies. As “strong” as he was, by his own choices, he had a significant “achilles heal” and he gave in to it on multiple occasions. I understand temptation. I understand that every person is not tempted by the same things. I also understand that some people handle temptations differently than others. But, I do not really understand the “Samson Condition.” What is the “Samson Condition?” The “Samson Condition” is being right in the heart of trouble, and not realizing how vulnerable you really are. Frankly, Samson played games. He found a level of humor in riddles that lead Delilah and the Philistines down the continual wrong path. He knew the intention but he stayed right in harms way! Did he think he was too strong? Did he think he would always be able to resist? Maybe he just was not thinking. The Bible tells us in Judges 16 that she continued to press him every day. She wore him down and out. Eventually, he poured out his heart to her and exposed the source of his great strength. His hair was cut, his eyes were removed and he, ultimately, lost his life. Could it be that sometimes people “pretend” to care for us when they really do not care at all? Samson was blessed with this amazing, storybook strength. His feets, as a blessing from God, were legendary. But, he was made very weak by his own choices. If you let Satan “stay in the game” long enough, eventually you too will be worn down. I’m reminded of the passage in 1 Corinthians 10 that tells us with every temptation, there will be a way of escape. I know there is a way of escape, but we have to exercise the judgment to know what that “way of escape” is!!!

            The words of 1 Corinthians 10:12 give us something to really consider. “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” Be careful. Use good judgment. Do not willfully put yourself in situations that you know will expose your vulnerabilities. Always know where that “way of escape.”

~ Clark Sims 

Why Am I Disappointed?

I love college basketball. In fact, the NCAA tournament that is going on right now is probably my favorite sports event of the year. Along with that, I am a passionate Alabama Crimson Tide fan. So, as you can probably imagine, I was very disappointed when my team did not make the tournament field. But, why am I disappointed? Did Alabama deserve to be in the tournament? I believe I could make an intelligent argument either way. They have played wonderfully lately, including big wins against tournament teams. They won their division in the conference. They were playing their best basketball toward the end of the season. However, there were some weak performances on the schedule as well. Their computer rankings were poor. Did they deserve to be in the tournament? If you remove my passion, I could see it either way. So I am still left to ask, what is the primary source of my disappointment? I think I know what it is. Much of my disappointment is tied to teams that did get in! In the 68 team tournament field, I can list a significant number of teams that deserved it less than ‘Bama! How did they possibly “get in” over us? What did the “selection committee” miss that I see so clearly?

My disappointment is directly tied to my human perspective. It seems to be, basically, human nature to rate myself compared to you. It’s not just basketball tournaments. It is job interviews, yards, restaurants, dating, and the list goes on and on. In much of life, that is the best we can do. It’s what selection committees, contest judges and job interviewers have to do. Not everyone has the same “human” perspective. Sadly, many times we bring this same way of thinking into our spiritual lives. The Pharisee did it in Luke 18. He felt pretty good about himself, identifying all the good he was doing and his thankfulness that he was not like the Publican standing off to the side. Truthfully, though, God measures by a different standard. His standard has nothing to do with human competition and who does more and who is worse. Honestly, according to His standard, none of us are ever going to be “good enough.” We’ve all sinned and fallen short of His glory. God simplifies His standard for us in 1 Peter 2. He tells us His perfect Son, who became flesh and dwelt with us and was tempted like us, yet without sin, established the perfect example. He tells us our challenge is clear. Walk in the steps of My Son!

While I’ll always have a level of disappointment with the tournament, the job, the contest that got away. That’s just the way it is from a human perspective. Some times it goes like you want it, sometimes it doesn’t. But, there is never any reason for disappointment at the hand of the Great Judge He is. As I submit to Him, and walk in His steps, I have a place promised in a mansion, that is being built for me!

~Clark Sims

Cookies Outside the Gym!?

I’ve been trying to go the fitness center regularly to exercise. I know I desparately need daily exercise. Frankly, I have not always gotten the exercise I needed. But, I am trying to do better. Recently, I made my way to the center to exercise and noticed some kind of activity just to the side of the front door. Further examination of the activity made it clear to me that in front of the fitness center, where people go to exercise, including many people like me who are in significant need of breaking bad habits, someone was selling Girl Scout Cookies! In order to enter the place you needed to be, you had to walk right by the cookies. Going in and coming out! You can guess the decision I made.

The words are found in 1 Corinthians 10:13. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. In this verse, God makes it clear to us that we are going to be tempted and we do not have to “give in” to it. We know our adversary goes about as a roaring lion, “seeking whom he may devour.” We even know the Son was tempted like we are, “yet without sin.” We know it’s coming. We know who is behind it. We know that even the “standard” faced it. But, not all temptation is the same. It is likely all who are reading this can think of those things that are particularly “tempting” for you. We know it is best to stay away, to not put ourselves where that temptation is. That is always the best choice and gives us the best chance for success. There is no “way of escape” that is better than removing yourself from the temptation. However, we know that is not always realistic. Sometimes, to get to the gym, which is where you know you need to be, you have to walk past the cookies, which represents a very real temptation for you. Sometimes we just do not have the choice of staying away.

Joseph had to “go to work.” He handled the temptation the best he could. He faced up to Potiphar’s wife and resisted, knowing he could not commit this great wickedness and sin against God. He also recognized the point he could not “stay around it” any longer. It was then that he ran away. He knew that the decision to run away would result in earthly difficulty but spiritual victory.

We’ve all got “fitness centers” in our lives that are very real responsibilities, things that we do not want, or need, to avoid. In front of many of them are tables filled with “Girl Scout Cookies” that present very real temptations to us. I am thankful our God “is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.” 

~ Clark Sims

Q and A: When and Why Should the Lord's Supper Should Be Observed?

Question: Some friends I talk to go to a church where they only have the Lord’s supper occasionally. They have it on special occasions like Christmas Eve, Easter, weddings, and every once in a while at church on Sunday. Where should I go in the Bible to show we should have it every Sunday?

Answer: The Lord’s supper consists of two things. One is the unleavened bread, which represents Jesus’ body. The other is the fruit of the vine, which represents Jesus’ blood. When Jesus died his flesh was broken open and his blood was poured out. Therefore the bread and juice is a symbol for his body and blood. Jesus died for the sins of the world (John 3:16). His death made forgiveness and redemption from sin possible for all mankind (Matthew 26:26-28, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 1:7).

There is a significant reason why the Lord’s Supper is to be taken on Sundays. Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday three days after his death (Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1, Luke 24:1, John 20:1). So when communion is taken on Sunday there is a connection between Jesus’ death and resurrection. This connection would not be there on any other day of the week. Sunday is the only day the supper should be partaken of.

The Lord’s supper was partaken of each Sunday by the early Christians. The church was established on the day of Pentecost fifty days after Jesus died. Pentecost always occurred on a Sunday (Leviticus 23:15-16). Luke writes in Acts 2:42 that the disciples of Jesus “continued steadfastly in the breaking of bread.” Saying they did so steadfastly is an indication the early Christians had the Lord’s Supper unwaveringly as the church would assemble for worship on Sundays.

There is also non-inspired historical evidence that the early church observed the Lord’s supper weekly on Sundays as is indicated in the New Testament. The Didache (didache means teachings in Koine Greek), a late 1^st century or early 2^nd century Christian document, in 7:14 says that Christians “come together each Lord’s day of the Lord, break bread, and give thanks.” There is no doubt that the Bible teaches that the Lord’s supper should be observed each and every Sunday. There is no doubt that the early church observed the Lord’s supper each and every Sunday. There is no doubt that the 21^st century church should observe the Lord’s supper each and every Sunday and continue to do so until heaven is our home!

- Charles Steiner