person (the seller) values, another person (the buyer) seems not to…at least not yet. Either way, both want to ‘make a deal.’ Thus, the headache! Maybe it’s because of the inspector? He takes a snap shot in time (no pun intended) at the house searching every nook and cranny to see if there is any fault. And if he’s worth his salt, he’ll find a fault. Seriously, who doesn’t want to know what needs to be fixed? Truth be known, he is actually doing us both a favor. When we look at the brick and mortar from an inspector’s lens, it reveals things that the seller didn’t think was all that bad. Still, as the seller…this is my home and it’s always been good for me! Now someone comes along who wants to take this home as theirs and all those OK things are now not so “OK.”
This home has been our investment. But not so much in the roof and walls, as in the memories found within each room. Because, to be honest, this is our “home.” We celebrated here together and we’ve wept here together, all within these walls. Memories don’t come cheap and we should never undervalue the time we spend with our family, from the earliest of years to the ’empty nest.’ And now these walls will see a new family making new memories and celebrating together. But our home HERE is not a forever home. The memories we made will not stay within these walls. Our hearts hold and cherish ‘the home.’ There will be a day when the walls of this old house crumble with age. But our memories will be passed on from generation to generation…as the Lord allows.A Time of Transitions
In the summer of 2002 more than 30 high school freshman and sophomores along with several adult sponsors from Texas came to Colorado to conduct a Vacation Bible School. Though we didn’t know it at the time, that was the beginning of a relationship that would last for the rest of our lives. When the group came back the following year, the summer of 2003, they helped our family pack and move from the Windsor church of Christ to work and worship with the Waterview church of Christ in Richardson, Texas. Thirteen years later we find ourselves, again, at a point of transition. Words fail me to express how much the brothers and sisters at Waterview have meant to my family and me. 
Few know that in the late spring of 2002, Jim Stigers called my father-in-law, Jim Knight for the sole purpose of finding a small congregation where the Waterview youth group might go to conduct a VBS. Their original plans had been to go to Nebraska, but due to some complications, the youth was without a mission point for the summer of 2002. My father-in-law, one of the leaders at the small, Colorado congregation, was glad to visit with his old high school friend and welcome the group to Colorado. Jim Stigers, one of the Waterview elders, read the following announcement, and perhaps there was no one was better suited to do so.
The following was announced on Sunday, July 24th:
“The future of Waterview church of Christ is bright! Jason Moon has just completed his first full year as the pulpit minister. Robert Oglesby, Robert Taylor, Warren Shepherd and Dustin Jones have forged a team that not only has welcomed Jason, but now Greg Parks into the ministerial service at Waterview. They work with the elders and deacons to set goals and objectives that reach heavenward…literally. Only the Lord knows how many families will continue to be blessed by Waterview church of Christ as they serve, grow and mature in Christ.
For the past 13 years, the Bruce family has been a part of the fabric of love and devotion, courage and faithfulness established by decades of faithful elders and solid preaching found here. In January 2015, Myron stepped away from full-time ministry but continued, on a part-time basis, striving to lead our hearts and minds toward a clearer, more focused worship to God. That has been and always will be his mission. But this morning, we need to inform you that the Bruce’s have announced that they will be moving from Plano and the Waterview church of Christ to live in Wichita Falls. He will continue to lead our Sunday morning song service until August 14th, but then will be making the transition to Faith Village in Wichita Falls where they will continue to work and worship.
“In the spring of 2003, Vicki and I, with our three children (Logan…9, Emili…8 and Dillon…5) began a journey from the comfort of Colorado and the Windsor church of Christ, to the Dallas metro-plex joining Waterview as the Congregational Life Minister. We didn’t really know anyone, but over the years, have grown to love everyone. Now thirteen years later, we can’t begin to “Count Our Many Blessings.” The joy of raising our family to serve and worship God with this body of believers makes this day very difficult. To us, you are more than just a member at Waterview. You are, and forever will be, our brothers and sisters in Christ!
These next few weeks we will be packing up boxes and take pictures off the walls. But more importantly, we’ll be storing up the memories and reflecting on the years God has given us with you. Raising our children in the shadow of this congregation is something we will never forget! With a common love, we have grown close to each of you!
The old hymn writer said it best, “When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.” However, God’s word expresses our deepest emotions. In Numbers chapter 6, God spoke to Moses telling him to instruct his brother, Aaron, with the following: “Thus, you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: ‘The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace!’.”
We love you and thank you for blessing our life!”
The Third of Three Gifts
For the past 23 years, this home has been blessed by one, then two and eventually three gifts from God. They came in the form of Logan, Emili and Dillon! We have loved them, carried them, walked with them, and prayed with them. Having children is truly a blessing from God. But the childhood years don’t last long. In just a ‘blink of an eye,’ those little ones are asking for the keys to the car, and before you know it, they drive away from the house alone, for the last time. They have grown up, just like you had hoped 
and planned, but now what? With an “Empty Nest,” what comes next in this life? Some parents celebrate their long lost freedom. Others morn the change, and fall into a great depression. Still others fall apart and fall away. Things will be different for sure, but this article isn’t intended to address the ‘empty nest’ as much as it is to focus on the last one to leave home.
This coming August, after 27 years of marriage, Vicki and I will find ourselves in one of those ‘nests.’ We’ve known it was coming, and we’ve been preparing for it for quite some time. But if the truth be known, it got here a lot quicker than I was hoping for. When Logan & Emili graduated, we felt their absence to be sure. The home was different with only three when we had grown accustom to five of us loving and struggling together. But then, in a matter of months, our family of three became the ‘new norm.’ It was good and we’ve have enjoyed Dillon as an only child during his high school years. Still, we blinked and those years changed to months and the months changed to weeks. And as I pen this letter, the weeks are counting down to days.
Every parent asked the question; ‘Am I ready for them to leave home?’ But perhaps we should be asking; “Are THEY ready to leave home? Have I done the right things, have I given the proper advise and pointed them ‘in the way he should go’.” (Proverbs 22:6) We do what God calls us to do as parents, and then we pray for their safety and for the decisions they will make. As parents, there’s not much more we can do! God gave us those little ones to cherish, nurture and raise for the sole purpose of bringing them back before His throne.
My kids are growing up faster than I would have ever imagined. Our oldest son, Logan, has one more semester at Freed Hardeman University. He is planning to graduate in December. Emili, our second child, will be starting her fourth year there. Lord willing she will be graduating in May from Freed-Hardeman. And now this fall, our youngest son Dillon, will be driving down our street on his way to Tennessee as he prepares to stretch his wings and leave the nest. The Bruce home will return to the same condition it was 23 years ago, because life goes on and children grow up. We know that, and we all move across the time-line of life. And, like it or not, it’s the design and plan that our God has established.
Each year as Logan and Emili have moved out on their own taking on the challenge of college, I selected a song with a specific message I wanted them to remember. For Logan, it was “God Bless You, Go with God.” For Emili, “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow.” Dillon, the inspiration for the song that I believe most aptly expresses my hope and prayer for you could have been written about you. In you I see a young man who understands what it means to be humble and kind. Read these two scriptures first before reading the message of the song. You have blessed your mother and me when you shared it with us!
From God’s Word…Humble: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
Kind: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Matthew 7:12)
1) You know there’s a light that glows by the front door, don’t forget the key’s under the mat. Childhood stars shine, always stay humble and kind. Go to church ’cause your momma says to, visit grandpa every chance that you can, it won’t be wasted time. Always stay humble and kind.
Chorus:
Hold the door, say please, say thank you. Don’t steal, don’t cheat, and don’t lie. I know you got mountains to climb but, always stay humble and kind.
When the dreams you’re dreamin’ come to you, when the work you put in is realized,
let yourself feel the pride but always stay humble and kind.
2) Don’t expect a free ride from no one, don’t hold a grudge or a chip and here’s why, bitterness keeps you from flyin’. Always stay humble and kind.
Know the difference between sleeping with someone, and sleeping with someone you love.“I love you” ain’t no pick up line so, always stay humble and kind
Chorus:
3) When it’s hot, eat a root beer popsicle. Shut off the AC and roll the windows down. Let that summer sun shine. Always stay humble and kind.
Don’t take for granted the love this life gives you. When you get where you’re goin,’ don’t forget turn back around and help the next one in line.
Always stay humble and kind.
Dillon, as you face new challenges in this life you must remember to accept them with God’s guidance. Open doors will appear before you, but the threshold of those doors can only be successfully crossed if you go with God. If you will continue to live by the motto and “Always stay humble and kind,” I can only imagine where and what you will do! It has been an honor watching you grown into the strong young man you are today.
.
The Ancient Future…Mar. 15th
With the day coming to a close and the sun beginning to set on the West Texas horizon, I remember the confrontation quite well. It was pretty cut and dry from 
my view of point, my brother called me a baboon and I was going to ‘let him have it.’ The only problem, mom was watching us from the house. She didn’t hear my brother’s words, but she saw my actions. Needless to say, we both got a ‘whippin’ for misbehaving. And do you know what I learned from that experience? To fight my brother out of mom’s sight…not really. What I actually learned was simple, my actions have consequences. We can learn a lot by examining our past.
Teams will watch game films of their rival to learn their weaknesses. And children will remember the swat long after the sting is gone. The experiences of the past can have a vast effect on our future. Surely the Israelite nation remembered God’s powerful hand as it fell upon the Egyptians and their army. Simply put, what we remember of our past can have a huge impact our future. Remember the ‘ancient’ past and let those memories guide your tomorrow. Yesterday can serve as a tool for learning to give us insight and understanding. Only then will we be better prepared to grasp the future.
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, March 15, 2015
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“To God Be the Glory” – 4
“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear His voice.” Are you listening to the voice of God as you read His word? Are 
you aware of His presence all around you? “Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done. And great our rejoicing through Jesus His Son.”
“Ancient Words” – no book
God’s words are holy words…and they have been long preserved, but why? How can ‘ancient words’ be of any importance to a modern, technologically sound culture? The answer is found as you continue the song; “…for our walk in this world.” Do the words of God guide you today? Will you find them to be ‘ever true?’ Maybe you should ask if they are changing me…and changing you.
“Rock of Ages” – 454
An old hymn that dates back almost 250 years is still as true as ever. Notice the old English and capture the meaning of the message; “Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee. (2 Samuel 22:3) Let the water and the blood from Thy riven side which flowed (John 19:34) be of sin the double cure, cleanse me from it’s guilt and power.” Christ death, confirmed with the tip of the spear held in the centurion hand, provided the cure for all mankind. The cure from both the guilt of sin and the power of sin. That’s the double cure…
“Tell Me the Story of Jesus” – 387
Before the Lord’s Supper we’ll review the ‘story of Jesus.’ Obviously recognizing His birth, His ministry and ultimately His death and resurrection. Notice the third verse, “Tell of the cross where they nailed Him, writhing in anguish and pain. Tell of the grave where they laid Him, tell how He liveth again!” If this story is indeed precious to you, every word will be written on your heart! Have you thought how well you are doing that? If we want to a glimpse into our future, we’d better understand what brings us here today!
“Great is Thy Faithfulness” – 57
How faithful is God to His people? Can we count on Him to do what He has said He would do? If you have any questions in your mind as to whether or not God cares, and if He will be faithful to what He has promised, look no further than the second verse of this hymn. “Summer and winter and spring time and harvest; sun, moon and stars in their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.” Even the world around us speaks to the faithfulness of God. The evidences are pretty convincing and still, so many ignore the signs and plunge headlong into a future that is void of all godliness.
“Blessed Be the Lord God Almighty” – 72
Before the lesson we sing to God this new, contemporary song of praise. It has the elements of a prayer as we sing, “Father in heaven, how we love You. We lift Your name in all the earth. May Your kingdom be established in our praises as Your people declare Your might works. Blessed be the Lord God Almighty!” Considering our future, it’s a good thing we remember that He does reign forevermore!
“All Things Are Ready” – no book
Are you ready? When you think about your future and what tomorrow holds…are you ready? We remember the ‘invitation’ as we sing this old spiritual song, “All things are ready, come to the feast. Come, for the door is open wide. A place of honor is 
reserved for you at the Master’s side.” Talk about a promising future! If only you and I will not only hear the invitation, but if we will come…
“Standing on the Promises” – 452
Some might ask you where you stand on a particular topic. Do you have a conviction as to what you believe? As you sing this closing song you are making it pretty clear where you stand, “I’m standing on the promises of God!” You see, where you stand and what you believe, will help determine what will you do. And decisions are made from what we believe. Could it be that the things from our past shape our beliefs and daily decisions? Because you know the decisions you make today will ultimately determine your future. So perhaps our past is actually our future…our ‘ancient future.’