"Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a man can make him `unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him `unclean'." Mark 7:14

What comfort there is in knowing God considers our hearts rather than our actions! Often in our everyday lives we find outselves performing in less than a Christian way. Expediencies prevent us from considering the needs of others, easily blaming others harshly for their faults but ignoring our all too familiar unChristian like behaviors. We have been given, however, very good tools to help us avoid these situations. God gave us a conscience, well tuned through Christian teachings to "feel" the wrong we have committed, and has taught us how to pray, both for forgiveness and strength, to avoid future wrongs. Through prayer and the guidance of our conscience, we can believe that God looks beyond our careless behavior and into our hearts. While we may not be able to "read" other people's hearts, we should learn to know our own heart, and give thanks to God for his forgiveness.

What talented people our church is blessed with when schedules and illnesses disrupt the service there are those that step in at the last minute and share their talents. Thank you, Eileen Reid for sharing your musical gifts. And to Marla Pollard and Mr. Grantham who were working the slide and sound program so Allen Pollard could help with the Hamburger Luncheon.

Carol Munch's childrens' sermon was also enjoyed by the congregation. Last Sunday the lesson was based on the game "Life." It was a very relevant point for all of us, that while the game of "Life" is played with money, real life choices should be based on God's teachings. During Lent, the young children will be collecting money, in the big Easter Egg, for the Heifer Mission. This is a world-wide program that gives livestock to individual families in countries experiencing extreme poverty. By providing livestock they have an opportunity to start a means of earning money and provide food for their families. This year a flock of chickens will be purchased for every twenty dollars donated.

Saturday, March 14th, the United Methodist Church North West District Spring Meeting will be held at the FUMC in Mineola.

Happy Anniversary to: Billy Jim and Marilyn Pollard, Drs. Tom and Debbie Cherry, and Randel and Stephanie Womack.

Happy Birthday to: Susanne Hays, Daisy Young, Marilyn Pollard, Bobby Ball, Marc Stokke, Cliff Mire Jr., Dean York and Sami Jo Taylor.

Thought for the Week: "Of those to whom much is given, much is expected. " Luke 12:48