In 1957, Ford Motor Company introduced an automobile that they dubbed the car of the future. It was named after Henry Ford’s son Edsel. You may remember the car. It had a funny looking front end and some experts said it was way too expensive. It was a manufacturer’s flop. In just two years the vehicle ceased to be made, and Ford lost a lot of money promoting it.If we fast forward about five decades, we find an occasional Edsel at a car show. It is completely restored and is worth considerable amount of money. Don’t you wish you had kept yours?

     My wife likes antiques. I must confess that going into an antique store can be a real adventure. Sometimes we find things that I am very familiar with because I grew up using it. Occasionally you find an item that you just simply must have. We have a few of those in our house. [But] There is one thing that never grows old and is impossible to purchase. Jeremiah the prophet wrote “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning. . .” God’s loving kindness is always available and never ceases to be. Have you sought Him lately? --Norm Russell

     You may recall the song “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” by Andy Williams. It has to do with all of the good things that take place around the Christmas season. One would have a difficult time disputing the truth of that piece of music. I for one enjoy Christmas as much as anyone.

     However, I am also greatly excited about Spring. To me this too is a happy time of the year. Winter is past, the sun is shining, grass is turning green, flowers are blooming, and people are coming out of hibernation to greet the season. Their attitudes are changing and there are more smiles and glad hearts. God created the seasons when He created the world in which we live. He knows the human heart and as we greet the new and warm days and nights, let us thank Him for the joy He provides us.

     There are those who find this a most enjoyable time and I hope you are one of them. Open your eyes to His creation and marvel at the wonder of it all. Let us not allow the burdens of our world to interfere with our reaping the benefits of God’s handiwork. Stop for a moment give Him thanks, He would appreciate it. Come worship with us Sunday.

     New Website Feature: In the upper-right-hand end of the Navigation Bar you can now choose between 3 different background colors to find the one easiest for you to read. Also, you'll see an option " - A + " that lets you change the size of the text on the screen in case you need bigger or smaller writing. Hope this makes things easier for visitors!

     In early April, this site was hacked and destroyed. We have most of the site fixed now: You can go listen to (or download) sermons, read devotionals, and so on. We're still need helpers to run this site. If you are interested in helping, please contact me using the "Contact Us" button above. You can also submit or email stories or testimonials you would like to share in the same way or email to admin@churchofchristnb.com. 

       The navigation buttons now appear at the TOP of the screen now and are always visible. You'll find Norm's Sunday Bulletin articles under "Forums and Info" and the sermons under "Sermon Downloads" - where you can go listen to them or download them for later. To save one, right-click on it and choose "Save Target As..." or "Save Link As.." whichever is right for your browser. We'll get the sermons updated as soon as time allows.

     I am a person who enjoys the beauty and fragrances of flowers. My favorites are the Daffodil, Star Gazers and the Casablanca. The Daffodil because it is the flower that announces the coming of spring. Drive any road and you will find clumps of them growing and you wonder “Who planted them?” The Star Gazers and Casablanca because of their beauty and aroma. They release a fragrance that can virtually fill any size room. My wife loves these flowers as well. However, because of some allergies, she cannot be around them. If she is, she will pay a price.

     In considering this, there are people who often enter our lives that seem to be extremely pleasant to be around. They seem to be positive, helpful, and encouraging. As time passes and you get to know them better you wonder if the person you met is the person you know. They have changed. You still like them, and you enjoy being around them. But, what kind of influence are they having on you? Are they making you a better person? Does being with them make you feel better about yourself? Have any of your values been compromised by being with them?

     People are like flowers. You like them, but being in their presence can be a detriment, or they can be a blessing. Come worship with us Sunday, and remember: EVERYONE is welcome here!.

Norm Russell