VIEWPOINT

You might not know it from his demeanor at the church assemblies, but Murray Kirkland was the character who loved to stir things up in a fun loving way.  He enjoyed trying to have the last word (but he didn’t always get it around Nancy!) 

What we did see was the heart that had been refined over the years.  We saw the humility and genuineness.  He said what he meant and meant what he said. His integrity was un-questioned. 

Murray was a big man – in size and in heart.  He was generous and openhanded.  He cared about people, and no one was more important that the members of his own family.  He provided and helped and shared right up the last days at home.  Some of his last times at church were focused on making sure Faith had opportunity to be present – he didn’t want her to miss Bible class. 

We saw in Murray the transforming power of the word of God.  The person who once had been a bit rowdy non-conformist became the person who overcame pain and discomfort to be part of our assemblies.  Maybe the most important story is this:  When someone suggested that Murray and Nancy someday might want to sell out and move to another location, Nancy thought that might be an interesting idea.  “You can go if you want to,” he said.  “But I’m staying here – this is our church family. 

The family is going to miss him.  RA

TRUTH IN ADVERTISING?

Do you ever read the want ads? Some are interesting.  One invalid lady advertised for a housekeeper, and concluded with the words — "A cheerful Christian, if possible!"  Turn that over in your mind a time or two. Was she implying that it was almost impossible to find a Christian endowed with cheerfulness?  What an indictment! Did her request grow out of some past experience with a Christian?

Men throughout the ages have extolled the virtue of cheerfulness:

"What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. They are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable." --Addison

"Cheerfulness is health; its opposite, melancholy, is disease." – Haliburton

"A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones." – Solomon

"If good people would but make their goodness agreeable, and smile instead of frowning in their virtue, how many would they win to the good cause." – Usher

"An ounce of cheerfulness is worth a pound of sadness to serve God with." – Fuller

Of all people, cheerfulness should dwell in a child of God. The psalmist said, "When the cares of my heart are many, thy consolations cheer my soul."  The Christian has the certain knowledge of victory in Jesus. What could be more welcome?  Remember his promise:  "In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).  — John Gipson