The article discusses how parents should prioritize spending quality time with their children over keeping an overbusy schedule of activities. It argues that children need parents, not playmates, and that parents should focus on disciplining and instructing their children according to God's word. The article also says that some parents try to buy their children's affection instead of spending real time with them. It concludes that parents must prepare their children for eternity rather than just appeasing them now, and that truly prioritizing children means nurturing them spiritually.

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Hugh Vol. 43 December 11, 2018 Number 49
IT’S ALL FOR THE CHILDREN
Barry Kennedy
How many times have parents made this statement? It usually follows a
discussion about the hectic schedule they are trying to juggle in this fast-paced world
of ballgames, homework, social get-togethers, and the list goes on and on. When there
seems to be no end in sight, the fallback statement is “It’s all for the children.” No
doubt, most parents want the very best for their children. Sadly, far too many parents
do not know what is best. It has been said many times, “Children do not come with an
instruction manual.” Of course, many books have been written by “experts” in the field
of child rearing but writing a book does not necessarily make one an authority. Every
child is different and thus requires different measures in their upbringing. The area
where many parents go wrong is in the avenue of priority. That being said, what should
parents be offering their children when they say, “It’s all for the children?”
Parents not Playmates. It may seem impossible to imagine a parent not
wanting to play with their children. What joy it brings to the heart of the family to
spend time together in play. This seems however, very contradictory to the point that
children need parents not playmates. Of course, one must consider that moderation is
the key. There is a time for play. Parents should certainly offer their children
wholesome and nurturing opportunities to play. That does not take away the God given
command that parents have to discipline and instruct those same children in the way
that they should go: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he
will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
The difference in a playmate and a parent is seen by the boundaries we must
set. The world offers many avenues from which our children can choose. Many parents
find themselves wanting their children to have what they may not have experienced in
their own childhood. Those who may not have had the privilege of play in their youth
might find themselves offering their children an overdose of play while neglecting the
structure that parents are instructed to provide (Ephesians 6:4).
Time not Trinkets. Another area where some parents deceive themselves in
thinking it’s all for the children is in the way parents try to buy their children’s
affection. Of course, most of those who are guilty would never admit that this is what
they are doing. Some find themselves feeling guilty because of all the time spent in
careers, personal hobbies, and such, that they find themselves buying things to avoid
the real problem. When one considers what God’s Word has to say about rearing
children, he cannot help but to see what God understands, parenting takes time.
“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And
thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when
thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou
liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7).
--article continued on page 2--
ELDERS
Mike Childers..............397-6453
Dennis Hallmark .........255-5557
Mark Hitt.....................322-0917
Bobby Lindley.............260-9193
DEACONS
Wade Bryan.................419-5552
William Harris.............416-8149
Ricky Lindsey .............255-8136
Jeff Mansel..................871-0357
Jimmy Spearman.........840-8957
Michael Wilson ...........891-0891
PREACHER
Barry Kennedy ... (931)787-7108
SECRETARY
Renee Childers
Office...........................842-6116
Fax...............................842-7091
E-MAIL
eastmaincoc38804@gmail.com
WEB PAGE
eastmaincoc.com
SUNDAY SERVICES
Worship....................... 9:00 a.m.
Bible Classes............. 10:15 a.m.
Worship..................... 11:15 a.m.
Singing or Devotional
Last Sunday of the Month
MID-WEEK
SERVICES
Wednesday Classes .....7:00 p.m.
EAST MAIN CHURCH OF CHRIST
1606 East Main Street
P. O. Box 1761
Tupelo, Mississippi 38802
“Thou shalt observe to do all that they inform thee”
(Deut. 17:10)

2. --article continued from page 1--
God made it very clear to the children of Israel that
His gifts needed time. Time to a child is opportunity
to build the foundation for their future. Time, not
trinkets, will prepare these precious gifts for their
eternity. Every moment we have to listen, or to make
a spiritual application to the circumstances they are
facing, is one more step toward a future with God.
God has blessed mankind with a beautiful gift.
That gift is the gift of children (Psalm 127:3). What
we need to realize is that God wants them back. No
doubt, there are many parents who are striving to offer
their children the best this life can give. Far too many
fail to realize that the only thing that is of any lasting
value in this life is our preparation for the day of
judgment. When we bring life into this world, we take
upon ourselves an awesome responsibility to nurture
those precious gifts in the admonition of the Lord
(Ephesians 6:4). Could it be possible that all the
“things” that we do are really for our children? Do we
truly have their best interests in mind or are we just
trying to appease them? Maybe we are just trying to
get them out of our hair? We must remember that our
children are a blessing from God, and we must
prepare them for their eternity. That is the greatest gift
that we can give to our children. When we inventory
our time and our parenting, we are forced to ask the
question, “Can we truly say that it’s all for the
children?”.
Community Outreach
Program
The Community Out-
reach Program would like
to thank those who
adopted a child for
Christmas and who
bought supplies for the
Nursing Home residents,
both were a HUGE success. The C.O.P. (Community
Outreach Program) would also like to thank the elders
for all of their support.
Nursing Home Singing
The monthly singing at the Tupelo
Nursing Facility on Briar Ridge Rd.
will be held this Sunday, Dec. 16
from 2-2:30 p.m. Please bring a song
book if you are able to attend.
Men’s Tool Swap
The men are invited to a “dirty
Santa” tool swap on Tuesday, Dec. 11
in the multipurpose room at 6:30 p.m.
We will be grilling so bring your meat
of choice. Sides will be provided.
Also, please bring a used or new tool (wrapped) up
to a $20 value.
Ladies’ Ornament Swap
The ladies are invited to an
ornament swap on Thursday, Dec. 13
at 6:00 p.m. at Kristie Webb’s home. A
food list is posted in the foyer beside
the tract rack. Also, please bring a
wrapped ornament to play “dirty Santa.”
Sr. Youth Caroling
The Sr. youth are invited to
meet at the building on
Thursday, Dec. 20 at 5:30 p.m.
for pizza and then to go
caroling to some of our Senior
Saints homes. More details to
follow.
Thank You Notes
Thank you to the young people and their families
for the great dinner! We love you all.
Perry & Linda Hand
Community Outreach Item:
Toothpaste
John Duke is stationed in Long Beach, MS.
Caleb Williams is stationed in Norway.
Dylan Kelly, Steve Kelly’s grandson, is in Kuwait.
Ty Nichols, Patsy Nichols’ grandson, is in Oklahoma

3. Daily Bible Reading
December 12.......................................... 1 Timothy 1-6
December 13.......................................... 2 Timothy 1-4
December 14.........................................Titus-Philemon
December 15.............................................Hebrews 1-5
December 16.............................................Hebrews 6-9
December 17.........................................Hebrews 10-11
December 18.........................................Hebrews 12-13
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Larry Long (Dec. 13), Weston
Beckner (Dec. 14), Lynn Sanderson (Dec. 15),
Twinette Wallace (Dec. 16). Anniversaries:
Wesley & Raleigh Bass (Dec. 17).
Our Sick
Summer Smith is home recuperating from surgery.
Lauren Lindley is at the Baldwyn Nursing Facility for
therapy. Jean Mounce had a good checkup at UAB on
Monday. Evelyn Willis, Judy Bates, Rodney Voyles,
and Caroline Willis, Lynn Sanderson’s mother, are all
home sick. Jill Rice, Debbie Vines’ mother, has been
moved to Sanctuary Hospice House. Suzanne Long
will undergo eye surgery in Memphis Thursday. Gail
Geno will have back surgery in Memphis Dec. 26.
Tommy Goff, Patsy Nichols’ brother, is at M D
Anderson for a check-up following his surgery.
Charles Tharp continues on home hospice care.
On-Going Illnesses
Laverne Raper, Frankie Estes, Donny Dulaney,
Adam McCurley, Linda McCurley, Mary Jordan,
Bretta Robinson, James Goddard, Ray Scribner, Bill
Goff, Linda Bryan, Mitch Maclean, James Nichols,
Sheba Tuggers, Sherry Gregory, Shirley Owens,
Mickey Bailey, Sammy Carson, Nathan Hale, Leroy
Brown, Mike Stroup, Jadon Parish, Mary Ann
Wallace, Carol Nichols
Nursing Homes/Assisted
Living
Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway, Shirley
McCarthy, Mary Southern, Veona Harris
Home Devotional
In what chapter of the Bible do you find?
Lord’s Supper..................................1 Corinthians 11
Contribution....................................1 Corinthians 16
Faith ....................................................... Hebrews 11
Good marriage ............................................ 1 Peter 3
Heaven ................................................ Revelation 21
Name the days of creation:
➢ Day One—Light
➢ Day Two—Clouds and sky
➢ Day Three—Flowers, grass and trees
➢ Day Four—Sun, moon and stars
➢ Day Five—Fish and birds
➢ Day Six—Animals and man
➢ Day Seven—Rested
Memory Verse:
➢ Why do I need Jesus?
➢ Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and
come short of the glory of God.”
➢ Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have
separated between you and your God, and
your sins have hid His face from you, that
He will not hear.”
Put the following Bible characters in
chronological order:
➢ Joshua
➢ Abraham
➢ Eve
➢ Daniel
➢ Moses
Can you tell a Bible story from the
following picture?

4. Put the following Bible characters in
chronological order:
Men to Serve Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018 a.m.
Announcements.............................Dennis Hallmarkl
Bible Reading.......................................John Mounce
Opening Prayer ..............................Roger Sanderson
Lord’s Supper
Mike Ratliff & Larry Presley
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Zac Tucker, Jake Kennedy, Josh Kennedy
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Ian Willis, Aaron Willis, Sam Hood
Lead Singing....................................James Simmons
Closing Prayer..................................Andrew Wynne
Ushers ............. Jason Dickinson & David Ramseyer
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer .........................................Tim Davis
Closing Prayer................................... Stuart Childers
Lead Singing......................................Hugh Scribner
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Prayer ..................................................... Chad Willis
Lead Singing.........................................Wesley Bass
Contact William Harris (416-8149) if unable to serve.
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Greeters ................................Lee & Heather DuBois
...............................Greg & Keisha Gholston
Prepare Lord’s Supper—December..................Perry
& Linda Hand
Nursery............................... Carrie Hitt & Addie Hitt
Pantry......................................................Cake mixes
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 12-5-18..............................................192
Sunday 1st
Worship, 12-9-18 ...............................190
Sunday Bible Class ..............................................185
Sunday 2nd
Worship.............................................187
Contribution (budget $7,900)..........................$7,971
The Christmas Card Envelopes
have been put on the bulletin boards down
the east hallway for you to place your holiday
cards in for the members here at East Main.
If anyone has accidentally been left off, please tell Renee and she will get
you one put up!