Many of you attended Dot Syler’s funeral services this week. We all have special memories of why we loved Dot. For me, it was the welcome I received at Singing Oaks when we placed membership some 9 years ago. Dot and Tom were the first people to invite us into their home. Needless to say, the meal was great thanks to Dot’s culinary arts. Her concern for us continued by helping us get connected to our church family.
She was an important Bible teacher to many in this congregation. Her former Sunday School student, now minister, Danny Hawk, gave her eulogy. Because of her influence in Danny’s life, he was able to put our thoughts and feelings into a great perspective regarding Dot. He said that any time he was speaking to a teacher’s conference or gathering of Bible teachers, Dot’s life and dedication to teaching children was always his first example of what it meant to be a good teacher. This statement was one of the greatest things he could have said about Dot. He told this to 100’s of people and continues to this day to speak of Dot’s devotion to teaching.
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There are numerous passages in the Bible about doubt. James 1:6 is my favorite: “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
My fellow ministers were talking to me today regarding Harvest Sunday. A couple of them told me that it was apparent that there was some worry in my mind concerning Harvest Sunday. Like most, I had not really recognized this for what it was. Concern can also lead to doubt which becomes a “faith issue”.
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In The Story we read of Paul’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd missionary journeys. Everywhere he went he experienced hardships. He recalls to the Corinthians that he was a servant of Jesus Christ. He reminds them he had been in prison frequently; been flogged most severely; had been exposed to death again and again. Five times he’d received from the Jews, 40 lashes, minus one; three times he’d been beaten with rods; stoned once; three time shipwrecked and spent a night and day in the open sea; has had to be constantly on the move in danger from his own countrymen. He had been in danger from rivers, bandits; danger in the country and at sea and danger from false brethren. He had labored and toiled and gone without sleep, was hungry and thirsty, cold and naked. Besides all these things, he had the worry and concern for all the churches. Even with Satan on his heals with every step he took, he did not feel weak because Christ was with him.
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In our study of “The Story”, Chapter 23 reveals the beginning of Christ’s ministry. Considered a young man at the age of 30, Jesus takes on the difficult role of explaining why he came to earth.
Can we practice his method of teaching today? Do we recognize the people in our society who need the gospel of Christ or who need to respond to the gospel story may not be like us? They might be unwed mothers, they might be ex-criminals, they most likely are poor, and they probably don’t fit in to our circle of friends and families.
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During 2013, Singing Oaks served 10,330 members of the Denton community. We distributed $30,513 in food as well as provided assistance with utilities and rent. We were open a total of 105 days and were visited by almost 3,000 individual family units. In addition to financial and food assistance we gave away 107 bicycles. We gave out Bibles, prayed with people about their struggles, and offered them a church home and a place to worship.
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