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Bulletin

Lay Lake Church of Christ

Volume 4                  May 24, 2009          Number 21


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"Visitors Must Be Appropriately Dressed”

Thomas F. Eaves, Sr.

Several weeks ago I visited a youth development center in the State of Tennessee. The facility was very modern and except for the guards and high chain link fences one could envision himself as being on a junior college campus. Entering the outer office (waiting area & receptionist’s office) I came face to face with a bulletin board. One rather bold notice stated in clear language,

  • Visitors must be appropriately dressed.
  • Underwear and bras must be worn,
  • No halter tops, no shorts.
  • No revealing clothing.

I commented to our guide about the notice and he said, “Inappropriate clothing causes problems.” I thought to myself, the world recognizes what some Christians fail or refuse to see! Truly some of those in the world are wiser than some in the church of our Lord. Members of the body of Christ often feign ignorance and ask, “Well, just what is modest?” The world replies, “Halter tops, shorts, revealing clothing is immodest, inappropriate dress.”

Inappropriate clothing causes problems! I thought of King David, the man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), who lusted after (saw Bathsheba and inquired about her, 2 Samuel 11:2-3), and committed adultery with her (2 Samuel 11:4). Both were guilty of the sin of adultery and David further compounded his sin by plotting the death of Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba, and went so far as to commission him to carry his own death warrant to Joab, the commander of Israel’s army (2 Samuel 11:14-21).

The statement, “Inappropriate clothing causes problems,” brought to my mind Matthew 5:27,28. Jesus, in the great sermon on the mount said, “...every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” To create this lust is to be guilty of the sin of lasciviousness (Galatians 5:19), which Paul classifies as a work of the flesh which will keep one out of heaven (Galatians 5:21).

Inappropriate clothing causes problems but there is one type of clothing which does not create problems for the wearer or the one whom observes. “In like manner, that women adorn themselves in MODEST APPAREL, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold or pearls or costly raiment; but (which becometh WOMEN PROFESSING GODLINESS) through good works” (1 Timothy 2:9,10).

It is indeed a tragedy that some parents cannot recognize what those in the world who work in real life situations know to be fact, inappropriate clothing causes both spiritual and physical problems.

Prayer List

Sandy & Nicholas Arrington; Jeff Clark; Mary Thompson; Christy Patterson; Wanda Knowles (Wendell’s sister); Bill Nelson (Frieda’s dad); Richard Dunphy (Don’s dad); Elizabeth Smith; Don Dean; Colin Chandler; Gladys Gaut (Kenny’s mom); the Beasely’s (Jesse’s parents); J. C. Hyche (David’s dad); Harold Lee; Jean Andrews (Kyla’s grandmother); Bob Spurlin; the Jones family; Amanda Vick; Victor Parker; Martha Eckert; Adam Pilling; Robert Kelley; Corey Boothe.; Matthew & Levi.

Upcoming Activities & News

Scripture Reading Today: 1 John 5:5-12 (immediately following our announcements).

“And the Lord Added. . .”: Autumn Howard and Angel Reis were baptized after worship last Sunday night. Welcome to God’s family at Lay Lake!!!

Birth Announcement: Nicholas Bryce was born on May 19th weighing 6 pounds and 15 ounces. He is 20 inches long. Sandy & Grand-parents (Joe and Ginger) are all doing well!

Fellowship Meal: Everyone is invited to our fellowship meal TODAY immediately following our morning worship.

Fifth Sunday Prayer Service: on May 31st. All of our Christian men are encouraged to participate.

Backwoods Christian Camp: 1st Session will begin on June 7th.

Workday at Backwoods: May 30th

Thanks: to everyone who helped with our “work evening” Friday night!

June Bug: June 19,20 We need everyone’s help!

May Birthdays & Anniversaries

  • 24 - Joe & Ginger Cash
  • 27 - Mandy Payne

!!! Welcome Visitors !!!