"His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:12)

Harvest was an important event to the farmers of Christ's day. The grain with the stalks could be carried to a place prepared where it would be spread out and, either by animals treading over the harvest or by pulling a sort of sled over it. The grain would be separated by tossing them into the breeze. John's listeners probably had little trouble understanding the parallel; but what of us today? What spiritual significance does this offer us?

When we submit ourselves to the threshing floor of God's kingdom, the winnowing fan of the inspired word will separate us from:

The chaff of ignorance - "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)

The chaff of indolence - "Be diligent to present yourselves approved to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15)

The chaff of selfishness - "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in a trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:1 - 2)

The chaff of hatred - "If someone says, ‘I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also." (1 John 4:20 - 21)

The chaff of moral laxity - "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

The chaff of hopelessness - "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." (1 Peter 1:13)

The chaff of uncertainty - "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7 - 8)

Let us use the winnowing fan of God's word to separate the chaff while in this life, lest the Lord come and, with the winnowing fan of judgment, separate us from the life of God's eternal heaven.

Joe C. Magee, Central, Shawnee, Oklahoma

A special thank you to Paul Harris and Jim Pettyjohn for building a ramp for us and to Dwyane for his visits while I was in the hospital. Clydean and Harold Decker

Look forward to seeing you here Sunday!

Ethel Fast was admitted to Unity Health Center on Sunday afternoon and was dismissed on Monday.

Vesta Johnson was admitted to Unity on Wednesday of last week with double pneumonia. She is in room 307.

Inez McNutt was admitted to Unity last Saturday evening with possible pneumonia in her lung. She is in room 216 and was hoping to be dismissed on Friday.

Fay Crosby was dismissed from Unity last Thursday after spending several days. It was good to see her in both services Sunday.

Cyndi Potter, sister-in-law of Karen Hilditch, has been in a coma since last Friday and is on life support.

Lucille Bowers' sister, Mickey Briscoe, has been moved to rehabilitation in St. John's Hospital in Tulsa. She is recovering well from the broken hip she received in a fall.

Chuck Carter's brother, Billy Don, remains in critical condition in a Ft. Smith hospital. He has developed pneumonia after his by-pass surgery.

Anita Jacques' brother is in critical condition in Missouri.

Elva Gill's granddaughter, Jennifer Tucker, is having several health problems at the present time.

Harvey & Carletta Moore have returned to Houston. Harvey was scheduled to have tests at the M.D. Anderson Hospital last Wednesday. Your prayers are appreciated and requested.

Gertrude Andes, Jack Aylor, Gwen Barrett, Jearline Bates, Chad Beard, Betty Bernard, Betti Boswell, Lucille Bowers, Harold Carothers, James Childers, Harold & Clydean Decker, C.F. Drain, Ola Fitzwater, Mary Gaines, Geneva Green, Dwight Harber, Phyllis Heald (Doris Whittern's daughter), Anna Jarvis, Earnest Johnson, Phil Lairson (Rosie Brightwell & Ellen Childers's nephew), Lloyd Lofties, Betty Martin, Mary Martin, Ida McIntyre, Don Allen McNutt, Inez McNutt, Aubrey Mercer, Harvey Moore, Ruth Nevills, Winnie Page, Monroe Pettyjohn, Ruth Pratt, Polly Reese, Alice Rice, Horace & Leoh Roberts, Naomi (Richards) Rutledge, Lillie Smith, Sarah Smith, Chub & Dorothy Strickland, Charles Thomas, Floy Turner, Alvie Vanlandingham, Dean Wall, Doris Whittern, Argil Wiggins, Emma Wilson, Carl Worley, Viola Yates, Verna Nell Young, and Tollie Zitterkopf. All these members and friends have continuing health concerns or other special circumstances. They appreciate your remembrance of them in prayer.

The Central Teens will be having "First Sunday Devos" the first Sunday each month starting in October. If you are interested in hosting the teens in your home, talk to Janet or me and we will get you on the schedule. Thank you in advance!

This Sunday we are having our "Sunday Funday". We will be spending the afternoon together until evening worship. This week we will be playing softball, so bring a change of clothes and some money for lunch and your ball glove. We will return to the building by 5:00 p.m. to prepare for Bible Hour.

Bible Hour is starting back up this Sunday! If you have a child ages 2 years to 3^rd grade, bring them upstairs Sunday evening for Bible Hour. And if you are interested in helping, in any way, let us know!