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The devil is not dead.  He is active in our daily lives.  For this reason and many others, the Holy Spirit lives within us if we have asked Jesus to save us, to be our Master, to rule our hearts.  The moment you first believed in Jesus, and the moment you first began to live out the calling Jesus has given to all to spread His name and message of salvation to the ends of the earth, is the precise moment that the devil set his limited and stubborn mind to entice you away from following Jesus Christ with a whole heart.  

The devil is not dead.  He wants us, but of course cannot have us because we belong to Christ who says: “never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  The joy of the Christian life, the fuel that keeps us going, is Christ.  What is more, nothing whatsoever on this earth or in the realms of what is unseen, can separate us from the love of Jesus Christ.

The devil is not dead.  So what do we do to stay focused?  How do we protect our loved ones from his influence?  How do we as Jesus said, “accomplish more” than even Jesus did while He was on earth?

1 - Learn to pray throughout the day, like breathing in and out...like the mental checklists that we tend to always have running, whether they are about what to buy or what to get done.

2 - Understand your nature.  We are frail yet we are loved by God, so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, for us that whoever believes in Him will not die but have eternal life.

3 - Soak up the words of the Bible, at least as intensely as the soil in your garden soaks up water on a scorching Texas summer afternoon.  Carry your Bible with you, whether a pocket-sized copy or a bigger one, or even just continually referring to your Bible app on your phone.  It is a mystery, but nonetheless more reliable than the rising and setting of the sun:  Jesus Christ is the Word of God.  He is God.  The words of the Bible are consequently alive and will pierce you into a spiritual awakening if you allow Jesus to be your Great Physician for all matters- spiritual and physical.

In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul writes God’s words to us, from a prison cell, where he was kept because of his boldness for living a life focused on accomplishing what Jesus requires of all of us- wholehearted devotion to spreading Jesus’ message of eternal life and peace.   Here is the prescription from the Bible, for holy focus, Ephesians 6:10-18:

Caldwell Brethren Connection

August 2015

Church10:30 am

Sunday School9:30 am

Caldwell Brethren Church 401 South Main Caldwell, TX 77801 (979) 567-7203 lifeatcbc.org

Minister – Rev. Vanessa MitchellContact Info: Cell (979) 574-0268E-mail - lajoiededieu@gmail.comAddress: 2070 Carter Lake Drive

College Station, TX 77845

Contact Information or Suggestions for Newsletter:Connie Maresh - (979) 567-3138E-mail - cfmaresh49@yahoo.com

Information Deadline for September Newsletter:

August 23, 2015

“The Devil is Not Dead”

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10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.

The devil is not dead.  So what?  You have Jesus every second of this day and the rest of your life.

Will you take action to live more deeply in the love of Jesus Christ?Will you pursue Jesus’ holy focus?It will change your life in the most soothing and uplifting ways imaginable.Let’s do this together, as a church family.

In Jesus’ Inexpressible Joy,

Sister Vanessa

July 8th Board of Elders MeetingMeeting was called to order by President Anna Wotipka. 6 Elders and Sister Vanessa were present.

Items of Interest -

• Devotional volunteer for August will be Arvell Poehl.• Secretary, Treasurer and Mission reports were presented and accepted.• Anna handed out an updated copy of Church By-laws.• A motion was made, seconded and approved to let Donnie Suehs repair 10 pews.• Will contact plumber to fix leak in yard next to walkway.• Will get information for ceiling tiles that need to be replaced in the fellowship building.• Pastor report – doing well with children choir and visitation.• August outreach – will prepare 20 packages of school supplies (basics - crayons, spirals, pencils,

etc.) to give to children who need help. All donations accepted. Will assemble packages on Game Night, August 5th.

• Suggestion to reward and recognize children at second Sunday luncheon.• Will check with Franklin Karasek if there are any active servicemen or women in Burleson County.

Want to send care package in time for Veterans Day.

Submitted by Secretary, Rose Autrey

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Caldwell Brethren Christian Sisters News

The Caldwell Brethren Christian Sisters held their meeting on Sunday, July 12, 2015 with President Anna Wotipka presiding. 10 members and Sister Vanessa attended the meeting.

- The Secretary, Treasurer and Corresponding Secretary reports were given and approved.

- The Sisters will reimburse Sunday School for last night of VBS meal (Pizza).- A motion was made, seconded and approved to buy school supplies for a family of 2

children

***************************************Do Not Forget! August is a 5-Sunday month. Christian Sisters will be collecting canned and nonperishable foods for Caldwell Christians’ Care Food Pantry.

***************************************

We had the blessing of celebrating July birthdays with the residents of Aperion-Copperas Hollow Nursing Home on Thursday, July 9th. Our Christian Sisters ministry team led the outreach effort! Sister Vanessa gave a devotional on the value of "being still," from Psalm 46:10.

Special thanks to all that supplied cookies and punch. We really had a great time serving these friends and having fellowship with them. We had 3 birthday honorees, ranging in age from 80 to101. Our Lord and Saviour is so GOOD!

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If you haven’t tried our Family Night, you are missing some great fellowship, food, fun and games. We have “42” dominoes, Chickenfoot dominoes, Uno, and other games and are open to any ideas.

We will have Family Night on Wednesday – August 5th and 19th from 6-7:30 PM.

IF YOU HAVE TIME, BRING A FRIEND AND COME CHECK IT OUT!

Church Attendance

Average for June - 32

July 5 - 38 July 12 - 49 July 19 - 29

August 2 – Rose AutreyAugust 9 – Carl MareshAugust 16 – Margaret HaislerAugust 23 – Ben TrcalekAugust 30 – Vickie Brandon

Congratulations! John and April Crow are the proud parents of a babyboy, Cody Edison (7 lbs. 10 1/2 oz., 21 inches long). He was born on Thursday, July 9 at 2:07 PM. Everyone is doing fine.

Birthdays in August4 – Fred Havel 12 – Lillian Matcek6 – Margaret Haisler 18 – Rose Autrey8 – Anna Wotipka 19 – Mark Skrabanek 8 – Delbert Hyvl 26 – Hubert Haisler

Anniversaries in August - NoneHoly Communion will be

observed on Sunday, August 2nd.

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Holy Communion – August 2School Supplies – Fill Bags – August 5 – 7 PMFamily Game Nights – August 5 & 19 - 6-7:3O PMBoard of Elders Meeting – August 12 - 7 PMNoon Fellowship Luncheon & Christian Sisters Meeting – August 9

August 2015

Our Church & MembersOur Community & CountryOur Families with Young Children

Robin DickeyBraxton FritcherFred HavelFrances LambrechtTrent MatcekAnnie PolasekLeroy Whatley

Patsy BlahaKathy BledsoePhyllis BrimerJames BuendelThomas CannonJesse & Joyce FloeckGiselle GaucinDeAnna HarrellRev. Jim HeckmanRachel HerreraJovita KnesekKaren KostohryzDebbie Krueger & FamilyGary LambertRev. Milton MalyKimberly MartinWayne & Karen Martin Family Kay Royder

Claudia MatcekJanna McBrideDarryl MeyerGiselle & Tony MoralesBarbara PawelekKathryn Poehl SadowskiTavy SalinasB. J. SebestaTerri SuehsAnne ThiessenMike ThompsonRankin & Kayla WilliamsMrs. Bobby WoodsCarolyn WooSusan WotipkaChristians in Mid EastShanti People Group in China

Our Missionaries Carolyn Groseclose – Northern Africa Pastor Pavel & Stanya Kozak – Czech Republic Phil & Eunice Raiford – Eastern Nicaragua Robert & Anne Thiessen – Southern Mexico All Military Personnel Serving & Protecting Our CountryLaw Enforcement Police Officers & 1st Responders

A little girl was sitting on her grandfather’s lap as he read her a bedtime story. From time to time, she would take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek. She was alternately stroking her own cheek, then his again. Finally she spoke up, “Grandpa, did God make you?” “Yes, sweetheart,” he answered, “God made me a long time ago.” “Oh”, she paused…Grandpa, did God make me too?” “Yes, indeed, honey,” he said, “God, made you just a while ago.” Feeling their respective faces again, she observed, “God’s getting better at it, isn’t he?” ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Congratulations!

Kristen Brandon and Desmond Dawson are the proud parents of a baby girl, Taylor Anette (7 lbs. 8 oz., 20 ½ inches long). She was born on Wednesday, July 22 at 5:34 PM. Everyone is doing fine.

THOUGHT: The Bible is meant to be BREAD for daily use, not CAKE for special occasions.

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Caldwell Brethren Church401 S. Main Street, Caldwell, TX 77836 (979) 567-7203

lifeatcbc.org

2015Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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2 Holy Communion

Usher –Rose Autrey

3 4Fred Havel

5Family Game

Night6-7:30 PMFill School

Supplies Bags

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Margaret Haisler

7 8Anna Wotipka

Delbert Hyvl

9Noon Fellowship Meal & Christian Sisters Meeting

Usher – Carl Maresh

10 11 12Board of

Elders Meeting7:00 PM

Lillian Matcek

13 14 15

16

Usher –Margaret Haisler

17 18Rose Autrey

19Family Game

Night6-7:30 PM

Mark Skrabanek

20 21 22

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Usher –Ben Trcalek

24 25 26Hubert Haisler

27 28 29

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Usher – Vickie Brandon

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Minister – Rev. Vanessa Mitchell Cell (979) 574-0268 E-mail - lajoiededieu@gmail.com Church Sunday School 10:30 am 9:30 am Children’s Choir Practice @ 10:15 am in Fellowship Hall

Board of Elders Anna Wotipka - 979/218-9043 Martha Huffman - 979/567-7089 Rose Autrey - 979/219-1227 Robin Dickey - 979/535-4230 Bettie Poehl - 979/567-3189 Ben Trcalek - 979/272-3278 Arvell Poehl - 979/567-3189