As we prepare to enjoy the company of our family and friends this Christmas please be sure and fill your life and you home with genuine Christmas love. Please consider these words.

CHRISTMAS LOVE

-A paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way.
Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of LOVE will endure.

*Come join us for our specialChristmas Sunday WorshipService. Both our children and praise teamwith our band under the direction of Bro. Wayne Edenswill bless our hearts with inspiring Christ honoring music. Please also remember our Christmas Candlelight Service on Wednesday night @ 6:45 PM with caroling to follow.

Blessings,

Pastor Doug Lehman
Eagle Heights Baptist Church- Bentonville, Arkansas

The Making of a Happy Holiday…

What does it take to make you really happy? They asked that question of 52,000 Americans in Psychology Today. These were their answers: friends or social life; job; being in love; recognition and success; sex; personal growth; good financial situation; having a house or apartment; being attractive and beautiful; the city I live in; my religion; recreation and exercise; being a parent, marriage; your partner’s happiness. The interesting things about this is most of these attempts to find happiness is only through external situations/stimulus instead of matters of heart and soul.

The popular idea of happiness for many is having the right circumstances. We get caught up in the “When my ship comes in mentality..” ”When I get out of school, then I’ll be happy.” “When I get a job, then I’ll be happy.” “When I get married, then I’ll be happy.” “When I have kids/grand kids, then I’ll be happy.” “When the kids leave home, then I’ll be happy;”

The classic chapter on the search for happiness is Ecclesiastes 2. Solomon, in verse 1 said, “I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity.”

If you want to save yourself a lot of time, read Ecclesiastes 2. Solomon said, I tried it all and I found three dead ends: accumulating things, experiencing pleasures, achieving success. They were all dead ends and those are the things we spend our life trying hardest to get. He was the wealthiest, he had all kinds of pleasure, he was the most successful man of his time.

We think that by accumulating things we’re going to be happy. “If I could just win the lottery, then I’d be happy…” Ask Tiger Woods if all his earnings have made him happy. The television adds lie; you can’t buy happiness.
We experience pleasure, we search for the latest thrill.  Solomon said, I’ve tried it all. Achieving success. If I could just get people to look up to me, then I’ll be happy. We’re very status conscious in the NW Arkansas. Solomon says, I was the king of an empire. I had slaves. But that didn’t bring happiness.

v. 17 “So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for^(A) all is vanity and a striving after wind.All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” The popular idea of happiness is having the right circumstances. But God’s way to happiness is having the right attitude and the right attitude will bring an enjoyable Christ honoring Christmas.

Come worship with us and enjoy Jay Edwards and his saxophone special this Lord’s Day. This Sundays message- “City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalks” Isaiah 7:14 (Soon It Will Be Christmas Day Series). Young Adult Class will meet with Pastor this Sunday-Kitchen/Fellowship area.

See ya Sunday!

Pastor Doug

Eagle Heights Baptist Church

3801 SW Eden Brooke St.

Bentonville, AR. 72712

479 464-5070

www.eagleheightsbaptist.org

The Fellowship of Joy…

The odds of seeing an albino moose are astronomical and to see this in the upper peninsula of Michigan, near Wisconsin,  is even greater than  astronomical.   To see two of them together is nearly impossible.

You will probably never have a chance to see this rare sight again, it is a shot of a lifetime.

Has this thought ever gripped you, that it is only the small birds that sing. Never a note of music do you hear from the turkey, the eagle, or the ostrich; only from the small birds such as the robin, canary, lark, etc. Am I big in my own estimation? Then I shall never know fully what is real joy. The consecrated are those who become smaller and smaller in their own estimation, but greater in the Lord’s. -Handfuls on Purpose, Bk12, Pg205

Just as rare as an albino moose- is to find a believer that has learned to balance their dignity and depravity in the sight of the Lord. It will always be unwise to compare ourselves with ourselves. Allow the Lord to be your yardstick to measure your life against. He must increase but we must decrease…We all desire to be held in esteem, but Christ esteem is true esteem. Let’s release what we must and hold that which is rarely found…

Blessings,

Pastor Doug Lehman

Eagle Heights Baptist Church

Bentonville, AR.

Don’t forget our Thanksgiving Fellowship Dinner this Sunday Evening @ 6 PM

Living Uncomfortably…

In Acts 20:22-36, we read part of the words of Paul to the leaders of Ephesus “And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem , not knowing what will happen to me there…”

Part of being a true Christian is finding comfort while living uncomfortably. I’m not talking about physical discomfort, per se, but rather the emotional discomfort of carrying on in Christ’s name until He returns. Paul knew what he faced, and he knew it wasn’t going to be pretty. He loved those he was leaving behind. And he had things they needed to discuss with them before he left. He was preparing them. And he was encouraging them to carry on without him. He was telling them in plain language how to survive on their own… and to prosper and continue his work even though uncomfortably at times.

Paul’s message to the leaders from Ephesus is our message from Christ. He has gone before us, but He prepared us for this time. He has turned us over to God and given us all of the tools and information for not only surviving until we see Him again… but also winning others to Him in the meantime.

WE can carry on in the name of Jesus. We can be His hands and feet on this earth, and I promise you, HE will walk beside you every step of the way.

Blessings,

Pastor Doug

I look forward to seeing you Sunday for another wonderful time of worship together. Come early, bring your bible and enjoy a great study in God’s word at 8:45 AM. The coffee and donuts will be ready. Guys remember, we can get that deer and still be in church for worship! See you there.

Dear Friends and Family of Eagle Heights Baptist Church,

Many times I sign off on a letter by extending a desire for the Lord’s blessings to be on the reader. We are tempted at times to doubt the Lord’s goodness and blessings towards us. This painting could very well picture you or me. Believe in your blessed Savior and doubt your doubts!

BLESSINGS

Jesus came. Jesus loved. Jesus loves. Jesus gave. Jesus gives. Jesus fulfilled. Jesus blessed. Jesus is here and still blesses.

We read in the Bible about all of these situations in various stories. But they’re more than stories. They are a reality. They are examples. These examples are how we should live, give, love, fulfill, and bless.

There are so many people – especially these days – who need love.

There are so many people who need help.

There are so many people who need blessings.

There are so many people who need us to come.

Christ came for us. He asks no less from us.

Be a blessing. Be in Bible study hour and Worship this Lord’s Day!
Yes, you guessed it…

Blessings,

Pastor Doug

Friends and Family of Eagle Heights Baptist Church, If you like antiques then this quote from yesteryear may help you…The following quote is from Archibald Brown of London who was one of Charles Spurgeon’s first students in his college in England.

“Renounce all the policy of the age.  Grasp the Book of God. Trust the Spirit who wrote its pages.  Fight with this weapon only and always. Cease to amuse and seek to arouse.  Shun the clap of the delighted audience and listen for the sobs of a convicted one.  Give up trying to please men who have only the thickness of their ribs between their souls and hell, and warn and plead, and entreat, as those who feel the waters of eternity creeping upon them.”

After that sobering reminder…Who could you invite to our wonderful experience of worship this Lord’s Day? Last Sunday Kirk brought a friend and now he has eternal life and will be baptized this Sunday.

Please do not forget our Harvest Festivalthis Saturday evening! See attached poster!

I look forward to seeing in God’s house this Sunday @8:45 Am for our Bible study time with a smile on your face, a friend by your side and a Bible in your hand!

Blessings,

Pastor Doug

1 Timothy 3:7 “And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” Cross references–2 Corinthians. 8:21 ,Mark 4:11, 1 Tim 6:9; 2 Tim 2:26

When the Apostle Paul – a man who was originally an enemy of the Lord, but later went to work for him – crystallized the character of us as Kingdom servant-leaders, he included this tag line: “He must also have a good reputation with outsiders.”

How do you gain a good reputation with outsiders – the world of people beyond the church?

Let me suggest what captures the minimums of reputation for marketplace success:

Show up on time.

Do what you said you would do.

Finish what you start.

Say “please” and “thank you.”

Fail on those four essentials, and your reputation/testimony could well be on its way to being non-existent!

This Sundays message entitled -”Our Hope of Glory”

Sunday night-An Open Forum for the Family of Eagle Heights Baptist Church-6 PM (bring a snack/pie)

Only one week left for prep for our Fall Harvest Fest…make plans now to be a part and love children/youth as Jesus did.

See you Sunday with an open heart and a friend by your side.

Pastor Doug

Three Questions That Help Fight For Your Marriage

Let’s face it, marriage is hard work. There has to be almost a viscous drive to fight through boredom, business and major setbacks to get to the great stuff. Otherwise, the marriage goes into survival mode, or worse, it becomes another court date and lawyer fee. These are three questions we should ask regularly to make sure we still fight for vitality and stay out of survival mode:

1) What can I do better? _______________________________________

This question makes me wince at first, because it opens my male ego to possible collapse, but I ask it anyway. If my wife knows she is given permission at scheduled intervals to coach me as her husband, our children’s father, etc., then wisdom often emerges over frustration. She doesn’t have to calculate when the planets will line up perfectly to discuss my recent return to emotional aloofness or my ADD on house projects. Those things go on the what-can-Doug-do-better list. I don’t require it, but often she returns the favor and asks me the same question. Sometimes I oblige and other times not. Either way, something crazy starts to happen when we ask this simple question to one another, we start getting better at being together.

2) If you were me, what would you do? _________________________

Here’s a question that helps diffuse an impasse or argument that is heading nuclear. Stop, breathe and give your spouse the opportunity to experience this whole situation from your point-of-view. If you were me, what would you do? Your spouse is given the chance to do two things at once: A) Describe to you how they hoped you would have handled him or her, and B) it helps them get into your skin voluntarily instead of being forced to see it your way. You’ll be surprised how clarity shows up sooner rather than later, and often with less collateral damage.

3) What do you love about me?____________________________

It’s really a trick question, because it’s more about them than you. Let me explain. When your spouse can reflect and verbalize what they love about you, then you discover how your love gets noticed the most by him or her and what makes him or her feel loved. She might say, “I love when you send me a random text or call and tell me how beautiful/special I am.” And yet, she may never mention that you put in a load of clothes or load the dishwasher. He might say,“I love it when you show me affection without me asking.” But he may never mention how incredible you make the flowerbed/garden look in the spring. It doesn’t mean that the unmentioned is not important, it’s just not where your love is transmitted the most. Subconsciously, your spouse is revealing that love is greater felt by what rises to the top of his or her what-I-love-about-you list. Of course, keep up the clean up and flowerbeds, but you definitely want to maximize the affirming words and unprompted kisses, because that’s where the love is highlighted most!

This week’s Pastor Dougs Blog for Eagles @ Eagle Heights Baptist Church Bentonville, AR.

*Baptist Men! Don’t forget our Flapjack Fellowship at 8AM. We will enjoy a good breakfast, fellowship and special speaker Brett Ferguson. Bring an appetite and a friend. The coffee pot will be on early!

A good website for you to use in your daily Bible reading and devotions is “http://www.ewordtoday.com”

Three Questions That Help Fight For Your Marriage

Let’s face it, marriage is hard work. There has to be almost a viscous drive to fight through boredom, business and major setbacks to get to the great stuff. Otherwise, the marriage goes into survival mode, or worse, it becomes another court date and lawyer fee. These are three questions we should ask regularly to make sure we still fight for vitality and stay out of survival mode:

1) What can I do better? _______________________________________

This question makes me wince at first, because it opens my male ego to possible collapse, but I ask it anyway. If my wife knows she is given permission at scheduled intervals to coach me as her husband, our children’s father, etc., then wisdom often emerges over frustration. She doesn’t have to calculate when the planets will line up perfectly to discuss my recent return to emotional aloofness or my ADD on house projects. Those things go on the what-can-Doug-do-better list. I don’t require it, but often she returns the favor and asks me the same question. Sometimes I oblige and other times not. Either way, something crazy starts to happen when we ask this simple question to one another, we start getting better at being together.

2) If you were me, what would you do? _________________________

Here’s a question that helps diffuse an impasse or argument that is heading nuclear. Stop, breathe and give your spouse the opportunity to experience this whole situation from your point-of-view. If you were me, what would you do? Your spouse is given the chance to do two things at once: A) Describe to you how they hoped you would have handled him or her, and B) it helps them get into your skin voluntarily instead of being forced to see it your way. You’ll be surprised how clarity shows up sooner rather than later, and often with less collateral damage.

3) What do you love about me?____________________________

It’s really a trick question, because it’s more about them than you. Let me explain. When your spouse can reflect and verbalize what they love about you, then you discover how your love gets noticed the most by him or her and what makes him or her feel loved. She might say, “I love when you send me a random text or call and tell me how beautiful/special I am.” And yet, she may never mention that you put in a load of clothes or load the dishwasher. He might say,“I love it when you show me affection without me asking.” But he may never mention how incredible you make the flowerbed/garden look in the spring. It doesn’t mean that the unmentioned is not important, it’s just not where your love is transmitted the most. Subconsciously, your spouse is revealing that love is greater felt by what rises to the top of his or her what-I-love-about-you list. Of course, keep up the clean up and flowerbeds, but you definitely want to maximize the affirming words and unprompted kisses, because that’s where the love is highlighted most!

This week’s Pastor Dougs Blog for Eagles @ Eagle Heights Baptist Church Bentonville, AR.

*Baptist Men! Don’t forget our Flapjack Fellowship at 8AM. We will enjoy a good breakfast, fellowship and special speaker Brett Ferguson. Bring an appetite and a friend. The coffee pot will be on early!

A good website for you to use in your daily Bible reading and devotions is “http://www.ewordtoday.com”