by Chris Elrod

I love doing youth ministry!  One of the greatest blessings of my role is seeing the way God works through and within our teenagers.  It’s amazing to see all the ways He blesses them and uses them for His glory!  Sometimes I even find myself being challenged by their faith.  Last weekend, at our Spring Retreat, was one of those times where I was both in awe of our God and challenged to be better.  I sat down to study with a small group of students.  One of which is brand new to the church but is eagerly seeking a relationship with Christ.  She was invited to Bible Class by one of our young ladies who had been praying for an opportunity to lead someone to Christ and His church.  What amazed me was the young lady who she invited had also been praying to find good friends as she started at a new school!

HOW COOL IS THAT???  Here we have two teenagers praying to God, one asking for opportunities to share His love and the other asking to be blessed with good friends!  God works in providing the opportunity for these girls to meet, and boom, both prayers are answered.  Our God is awesome and is at work to bring about the salvation of souls.  This left me in awe of our God! 

However, after I reflected more I saw an area where I needed to be better.  How often am I praying for opportunities to lead souls to Christ?  Not as often as I should.  This is my new prayer, and I hope you will make it your prayer as well!  You never know who in your life might be praying for answers, salvation, for new friends, or for a church home.  Maybe you will be God’s answer to their prayer.

Yet on the other hand, maybe there are people who don’t know what they don’t know when it comes to Christ.  Maybe there are people who don’t know what they are missing!  And maybe if we would just look up, we would see the fields are white, ready for the harvest (John 4:35).  We can’t forget, God wants to save everyone (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).  He will provide us with opportunities, but we need to open our eyes to them!  I don’t know about you, but I needed this reminder!  I hope you will join me in praying for opportunities to share the Gospel with others!  I am thankful for our youth and their faithful example! 

The wall is coming down, more chairs will be added, the opportunity is now!

by Justin Morton

This past Friday, March 20^th, marked the beginning of the Spring season.  With this season comes a much busier schedule for many.  During this time of year many of us spend more time on the go than we do at home.  But with all the happenings of this season, let’s remember a few great opportunities we have as a spiritual family in the coming weeks.

This afternoon beginning at 4 p.m. is our annual Walter Hill Egg Hunt.  This is always a fun event for our little ones.  Many of you have already helped out in preparation for this special event by bringing filled eggs to be used in the hunt.  We are excited about this event for all our children and look forward to watching them hunt eggs and have their picture taken with a very special guest. 

April 3-5 is the annual Lads 2 Leaders weekend at the Opryland Hotel.  Several of our young people have been preparing for this weekend over the last several months.  Many of our kids and teens will be participating in this great event by leading singing, giving a speech, debating or participating in the Bible Bowl.  Our Walter Hill kids have spent hours upon hours preparing for all the events they will be participating in.  Please be in prayer for all of the participants, not just those from Walter Hill.  It is such a blessing to see so many young people across the United States participating in such a great training program. 

Lastly, the weekend of April 17-19 is going to be a great weekend.  We have brother Dan Chambers from the Concord Road church of Christ in Brentwood, TN coming to be with us for our annual Gospel Meeting.  Dan is a great preacher of God’s Word, and he will do a wonderful job of presenting truths from God’s Word.  There will be a session on Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 7 p.m. and then we will have worship on Sunday at 9 a.m. followed by a combined adult Bible class in the auditorium at 10:30 a.m.  We will not be having an evening service that day. 

In addition to these events, the Walter Hill Youth, Young Families, Half Timers and Prime Timers also have various events and activities upcoming.  So yes, spring is in full swing and our calendars are filling up fast.  But we want each of you to be part of our family here at Walter Hill, so let’s not forget to take the opportunities we have to be together with God’s people, to encourage God’s people and to learn with God’s people.

by Justin Morton

This week marks the beginning of what I, and perhaps even some of you, believe is the greatest few days in all of sports.  It’s the beginning of the NCAA Division 1 Basketball Tournament.  This tournament features 68 teams who are competing in a single-elimination tournament for the right to be crowned the NCAA National Champions.  The tournament takes place over the course of a few weeks and leads up to the Final Four on April 4^th and the National Championship game on Monday night,  April 6^th.

What makes this tournament so special is the chaos and excitement it brings.  The teams who are the favorites to win do not always win the games.  Sometimes the underdogs rise up and pull off the upset.  Every year surprises seem to happen, and an unexpected team always makes a deep run.  Because of this unpredictability, the tournament has fittingly earned the name March Madness.

What truly sets March Madness apart from other sporting events is that every team has a chance when the game tips off.  On any given night, a powerhouse team may struggle: their shots don’t fall, turnovers pile up, or players get in foul trouble.  In that same game, someone on the underdog team has a career night shooting the ball.  That’s what I love about this tournament—when the ball tips off, expectations fade and opportunity takes over.

This tournament reminds me of our Christian walk.  There are times when we face challenges and obstacles that seem bigger, stronger and far beyond our ability to overcome.  Yet, God has given us everything we need to stand firm.  David declared, “For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29).  Isaiah also reminds us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).  Even though on paper it may look like we are overpowered by whatever obstacle or opponent we are facing, with God on our side, we always have the opportunity to overcome. 

As we watch the excitement of March Madness unfold, may we be reminded that no challenge we face is too great for our God.  This week, let’s step forward in faith, trusting His strength, leaning on His promises, and believing that with God, victory is always possible.

The last few months have been one of change with our building.  We are being challenged to Rise Up and Build, and while the theme for 2026 should be focused on our spiritual lives as God’s people, Rise Up and Build also applies to our facility at Walter Hill.

The construction project continues to progress towards completion.  There have been some inconveniences along the way, but you have accommodated the changes gracefully.  In the next two to three weeks the auditorium will rotate to face the new expansion and the wall we have been facing for the past twenty years will be removed as more space is made available for additional seating.

When the chairs are turned in a different direction, we all will be sitting in a different place.  Because we tend to sit in the same area we always sit in, this change can provide us with an opportunity to sit close to people we did not sit close to previously.  New friendships and relationships may be built.

Since everyone will be trying to find their “new” place, kindness will be the key, especially during the remainder of the construction phase.  Not only will our seating be rotated, but we will also be sitting close together.  Showing kindness while we are adjusting to a new seating arrangement will reflect the life of Jesus in us.

In addition to the changes in the auditorium, some of our Bible classes will be changing rooms, some permanently and some temporarily during the construction.  This should also occur in the next two to three weeks.

Yes, there are physical changes being made to our building, but there are some things that will not change.  God’s word will never change.  What God said thousands of years ago was true then and it is true now.  Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and we can only come to the Father through Him.  We can believe and trust that salvation is found in none other than Jesus Christ.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

May we Rise Up and Build upon these Christian graces.  By doing so, God will be honored and we will bring glory to His name.

by Chris Elrod

  Please take some time to visit a shut-in widow or widower.  It’s a simple task that can make a real difference.  The kind of difference Christ has called us to make!  Ephesians 2:10 describes our purpose as Christians, it says we are created in Christ Jesus for good works.  The type of work that makes a difference in people’s lives.  Galatians 6:10 tells us to do good to everyone as we have the opportunity, but to especially do good to those in “the household of faith.” 

  I believe we all want to do good, and we all want to make a difference.  The problem is with that word “opportunity.”  Our opportunities feel too limited.  We are all super busy.  We work all day.  There are a million and one things to do around the house.  Not to mention we are exhausted.  By the time we get home, all we feel like doing is putting our feet up and trying to relax.  Saturdays are the one day we can finally do what we want to do.  And those come too rarely and end too quickly.

  We can absolutely make excuses.  We can absolutely justify ourselves and rightly declare we have no time. Or we can rise above the excuses and make time for those who could use a visit.  I sometimes think about what it would be like to be in their shoes, rarely leaving the house and often alone.  I know if I were in that position, I would want people to come and visit me.  I know I would love having people come see me.  I know I would be so excited to talk with people and be so encouraged by their visit.  Put yourself in their shoes and then meditate on the golden rule.  “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets,” Matthew 7:12.  If you would want people to visit you, then it seems you should visit others.

  Making a visit might not change the political landscape, lead to a baptism, or result in world peace, but it will certainly put a smile on a brother or sister’s face.  It will brighten their day or even their week and be a huge source of encouragement to them.  Visiting those who are shut-in is a meaningful and impactful way to make a difference in someone’s life.  Please take some time to visit a shut-in widow or widower this week and in the weeks to come.

  James 1:27: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” 

by Justin Morton

Have you ever found yourself focusing on what you lack rather than appreciating all that you have?  This attitude is not unique to our time.  It has been a struggle even for God’s people all the way back when the Israelites were in the wilderness.  Just three days after the children of Israel miraculously crossed the Red Sea and praised God for their success, their gratitude faded and the complaints began (Exodus 15:22-27).  This pattern is repeated throughout their time in the wilderness.

In Numbers 11, the Jews once again expressed their complaints.  After suffering severe consequences, we read: “Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving.  And the people of Israel also wept again and said, ‘Oh that we had meat to eat! ⁵ We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. ⁶ But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at’” (Numbers 11:4-6).

Despite God’s miraculous provision of manna each morning (Exodus 16:4, 35), the Israelites longed for something different.  Their discontentment overshadowed the blessings they received, and they quickly forgot how God had provided for them.  Every step of the way, God had been faithful.  And yet, the Israelites were not appreciative of what God was doing and instead longed for something different. 

The Israelites journey reminds us how easy it is to overlook the blessings we have and become dissatisfied, even though we are surrounded by evidence of God’s care and provision each day.  We can look around at all the things we do not have or all the ways our lives could be better, and we take for granted the blessings God has rained down on us.  When we take our blessings for granted, we risk missing the evidence of God’s care and provision that surrounds us.

God has blessed us immensely (James 1:16-17).  Instead of complaining, let’s worship and praise God for His blessings (Psalm 107: 1, 8, 15, 21, 31).  The more time we spend focusing on what we lack, the less time we have to be grateful for what we possess.

The story of the Israelites teaches us that gratitude is a choice.  By shifting our focus from what we lack to what we have, we can develop a spirit of gratitude and avoid the pitfalls of complaining.  Let us always choose gratitude over grumbling. 

by Justin Morton

You have plenty of them and so do I.  No, I’m not talking about struggles; I am talking about opinions.  Many years ago I heard a saying that has stuck with me ever since: “Opinions are like armpits, everyone has a couple and they usually stink.”  I am not sure where I first heard this, but that statement is something I have never forgotten.  In today’s world, people’s opinions are everywhere and how we respond to them matters more than ever.

With the technology we have available at our fingertips, anyone can share their thoughts for the whole world to read.  Sometimes we may agree with what we read or hear from others.  Other times, we do not.  But regardless of our agreement, everyone has the right to their opinion.

The real challenge is how we respond to the thoughts and opinions of others.  Too often we allow the opinions of others to get under our skin, affect our mood, and cause us to feel the need to respond.  And then, with fingers typing faster than we can think or with words coming out of our mouth before we can process what we are saying, we say things that can hurt, demean and cause great harm to those who read or hear our reply.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to a higher standard.  The apostle Paul reminds us to “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.  And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness…” (2 Timothy 2:23-25).  Did you notice what Paul said?  The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone.  This seems to be a forgotten quality for some servants of God today.

We must never forget our purpose as followers of Jesus.  We want to make other followers of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20).  Sometimes we hear or read someone’s opinion, and we lose our cool and get involved in “foolish” controversies.  Brethren, this can be quite destructive when it comes to winning souls.  As Christians, we represent Jesus and should never respond in a way that could harm His great and holy name.

The wise man said that a fool is quick to quarrel (Proverbs 20:3).  I don’t want to be considered a fool, do you?  Friends, the next time you are tempted to jump into an argument, whether that be in public or behind a keyboard, pause and remember you represent the King of Kings.  Others are watching to see how we respond.  Let us all strive to be known not for quarrels but for our wise responses in a world of opinions. 

Salt and Light Between Sundays

In Matthew 5:13–16, Jesus tells the audience during the Sermon on the Mount – and by extension us – that they are salt and light.  What does that mean?  The light portion of that illustration is a fairly easy concept to grasp – perhaps because light is visible, and the difference between darkness and light in a room is immediately apparent.  But what does Jesus mean when He tells us we are salt?

Because salt dissolves in liquids or blends into food, we do not really notice it unless we intentionally look for it.  Yet we know whether it is present or absent based on the outcome.  From that perspective, light represents things that are easily visible and noticeable – our actions that others can clearly see.  Salt, then, would represent influences that are not easily noticed by others but that nonetheless have a real impact – particularly what we allow into our minds, shaping our thinking, attitudes, and perspective.

Salt is a preservative – it prevents things from decaying.  In a similar way, what we choose to allow into our minds can help preserve our spiritual health.  Over time, that inward influence will translate into outward action – ideally into the kind of light others can see.  As Jesus says, “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden… In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16).

These thoughts call to mind Between Sundays, a book written by a member of the church, Steve Miller, which focuses on how we live as Christians in our daily lives, outside the walls of the church building.  That book calls to my mind Jesus’ teaching about being salt and light.  The light our lives shine into the world is closely connected to what we choose to take into our minds.

Resolve daily to be the light.  One way to begin is by carefully considering what we allow into our minds each day.  Ultimately, that should help us be the city set on a hill that cannot be hidden rather than salt that has lost its usefulness and is trampled underfoot (paraphrasing Matthew 5:13–14).  Tangible ways we reflect that light include how we speak, the diligence with which we approach work, school, or other tasks, and in how we handle conflict.  But those are outputs.  Let’s not neglect the salt – or input – side:  filtering what we allow into our minds through the lens of Scripture – taking in those things that are honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).

by Justin Morton

It has been really neat watching our kids collect the Apologetics Press Bible trading cards.  These cards have inspired our Walter Hill kids, some as young as 2-3 years old, to bring their Bibles, take sermon notes, and participate in church activities.  You never know when a teacher or shepherd is going to hand you a card for something they see the kids do.  Their enthusiasm is contagious, and it is a joy to witness.

HOW TO USE THE CARDS AT HOME

Parents, we encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity that you have to use this resource for family Bible time.  Each card features facts, scripture references, and a main application point.  These are perfect for sparking meaningful discussion and learning together.  Why not set aside 10 minutes after dinner to review a card together and discuss its application point?

EARNING MORE CARDS

Kids can earn additional trading cards by memorizing certain Bible facts and memory verses.  Memorization pages can be found in the main lobby.  Students can choose to memorize as many facts and verses as they want for their age group.  The individuals to recite your facts to are listed on the age-specific pages.  Students can find these volunteers before or after Bible class or service to recite their memory work.  We appreciate all of our volunteers for helping us with this.

TRADING CARD PARTY

On February 1st, we will be having a trading party!  We will start after our morning services, probably around 10:30AM and wrap up around 11:15AM.  We will have some tables set up down the hallway so the kids can pull out their cards and make trades with one another and enjoy fellowship with friends.  This will also be an opportunity for kids to earn additional cards by answering questions about general Bible knowledge.  These questions will have different difficulty levels: easy (1 card), moderate (2 cards) or difficult (3-5 cards).  We are looking forward to this event in a couple of weeks!

APPRECIATION

As I watch the excitement each week, I am thankful we have shepherds who are very supportive of this effort.  We want to thank them for their willingness to make this possible by supplying these Bible trading cards.  Their support helps our young people, and even our families, grow in faith and knowledge.  Don’t forget the elders have cards to trade as well!

We invite all of our families to join in the fun and learning.  Whether your child is just starting out or already has a good collection of cards, let’s make the most of this opportunity to grow in our knowledge of God’s Word.

By:  Johnny O. Trail

     While I was a student at MTSU, I was a political science major.  I aspired to become a lawyer at the time, and I participated in the collegiate mock trial tournaments that were held in our region of the country.  I enjoyed participating in mock trial and won an award from the MTSU chapter of the organization.

     I really enjoyed cross examining the witnesses that were provided by the opposing counsel.  Carefully worded leading questions would help provide the testimony that I felt was most beneficial to my team’s position.  Participating in cross examinations and the overall mock trial experience was highly educational.

     There is another type of “cross examination” that humankind needs to be engaged in regularly.  That “cross examination” is done considering the cross that carried the weight of our Savior suspended between heaven and earth.  Our sins separated us from God, and some type of restitution had to be made for the redemption of humankind.  Jesus came to serve humanity by giving His life’s blood for our transgressions.  Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” 

     Our “cross examination” should result in realizing that the only possible atonement for our sins was offered by Jesus at Calvary.  There was no other way that God could secure our salvation other than through the death of His Son. Through obedience to the gospel (I Corinthians 15:1-4), His blood washes away our sins.  Revelation 1:5 says, “And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.  To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” 

     Our “cross examination” should result in understanding the horrible nature of sin and the cost for our redemption.  The agonizing death Jesus endured at the cross informs us of how terrible sin truly is.  Matthew 27:26-31 says, “Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.  Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him.  And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.  When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand.  And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”  Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head.  And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.”  We may see nothing wrong with our transgressions of God’s law, but the death of Jesus says otherwise.   Jesus was tortured, spat upon, ridiculed, and murdered for our sins.  The terrible cost exacted upon Him should tell us how dreadful our transgressions are.

     Our “cross examination” should convict us of the love of God and the great lengths Jesus was willing to go to for our salvation.  Only a loving God, would create beings in His spiritual image that would later need the redemption provided through His only begotten Son at Calvary.  1 Peter 1:18-23 says, “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.  He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.  Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” 

     Our “cross examination” should result in our loving obedience to the commandments of God regarding salvation.  If Jesus found it necessary to be compliant unto death to secure the souls of those who were His disciples, we should at the very least be obedient too.  Philippians 2:5-8 says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” 

     With all these things in mind, we need to “cross examine” ourselves when we are partaking of the Lord’s Supper.     1 Corinthians 11:26-28 says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.  Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”  This self-examination does not mean that we have obtained sinless perfection (I John 1:8-10), but it does mean that we understand our lost and undone condition without the perfect sacrifice of the Lamb of God at Calvary.

     In essence, we are called upon to examine ourselves regularly to keep ourselves holy and pure in Jesus Christ.          1 Peter 1:13-16 says, “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”  A regular “cross examination” will help us be sensitive to sin and express continual love for a Savior who died on a cross where I should have been nailed.