Books on my "To Read Shelf"

Here

Here are some books that I am going to tackle this next year:

"Leading from the Second Chair"

"Lasting Impact"

Nine Marks of a Healthy Church


IF ....


So what are you reading?

2017 Highlights.

Here are some highlights of the past year for me and my family.


10. Grandma Betty passed away just shy of her 90th birthday. We had a memorial day service this past summer.

9. Nicole got new braces and new glasses.

8. Nicole joined STRING SINFONIETTA of the Richmond Youth Orchestra Program. She played in various venues that only some people dream of.

7. Brian played Basketball. His first season in a sport this past summer won the championship ... and involved in the Winter League. Something new having an athlete in the family.

6. Camp. Another season of camp .... Co-deans of JC training and also Vice-Chairman and Chairman by default. Been an interesting season of support of the camp.

5. Music lessons come to an end. Brian (Guitar) and Kendra (piano) decided to take a break for now.

4. Day Trips - Lake Anna and to the Riva .... were some fun adventures for us.

3. New Van. Our old van 1999 ...went to that Van Heaven in the Sky.

2. New Schools for the kids. With Kendra going to High School (Trying out chorus and drama) and Nicole in Middle School and Brian rising to middle school it was all a new adventure due to:

1. New Home. We bought a House. A place we can call our own. Valerie and I's highlight was moving. Looking at homes in the Spring. Buying and closing in the summer and getting settled the last few months. It sure has been a season of NEW this past year ... Can't wait to see what 2017 holds for us ....

You can help the Spiritual Health of your Church in 2017

Here are 4 suggestion to help your church in the upcoming year:

1. Intercede. Prayer for your preacher, staff, leadership, - elders, deacons etc.

2.Support your Church. Attend. Nothing says this is my church by just being there.

3. Contribute. Use your time, talents, and treasure that God has given you to give back to the Kingdom.
Nothing says Healthy - when you have people who have too much time helping the church; saying we have too many volunteers, and too much funds ... usually the church generally struggles in these areas.

4. Pay attention to the preaching and teaching. Don't just merely listen, but do what it says. Follow along to see if it lines up to what the Word is saying. Nothing excites the leadership more than knowing people listen and apply.

Who is with me?

The Hands that Held Mary's Child

I came across this Christmas Hymn written by Thomas Troeger which I read at our Christmas Eve Service.

I had pointed out the minor role but godly faithfulness of Jesus' step father, Joseph.

"The Hands that First Held Mary's Child" (1985)


The hands that first held Mary's child
were hard from working wood,
from boards they sawed and planed and filed
and splinters they withstood.
This day they gripped no tool of steel,
they drove no iron nail,
but cradled from the head to heel
our Lord, newborn and frail.

When Joseph marveled at the size
of that small breathing frame,
and gazed upon those bright new eyes
and spoke the infant's name,
the angel's words he once had dreamed
poured down from heaven's height,
and like the host of stars that beamed
blessed earth with welcome light.

"This child shall be Emmanuel,
not God upon the throne,
but God with us, Emmanuel,
as close as blood and bone."
The tiny form in Joseph's palms
confirmed what he had heard,
and from his heart rose hymns and psalms
for heaven's human word.

The tools that Joseph laid aside
a mob would later lift
and use with anger, fear, and pride
to crucify God's gift.
Let us, O Lord, not only hold
the child who's born today,
but charged with faith may we be bold
to follow in his way.

William B. Gulick Dec 21, 2016

William B Gulick grew up in Covington, Kentucky. Baptized into Christ in July 1940. He graduated High School in 1947. He received his BA degree from Cincinnati Christian University in 1951 and graduate work in 1952.

He married Ethel E Walker in August 1949. During their student years they served Hamilton County Infirmary, Laurel Home Church of Christ, Kentontown Christian Church and Banklick Christian Church.

The Gulicks arrived in Tamilnadu, India in 1953. He taught at South India Christian College and then began and directed the Christ Nagar Institute in Ennore, Madras.

The Gulicks studied privately for 1st examiniation in Tamil before their first furlough, Bill attended the Missionary Language School of United Theological College in Bangealote. He passed 3 Tamil exams give by the South Indian Language Board.

During Furloughs, Bill took classes at the University of Cincinnati and mission seminar at Abilene Christian University in Texas. He was the first missionary in residence at Cincinnati Christian University (Then Cincinnati Bible Seminary) and again in that capacity in other furloughs.

Health required the Gulicks to leave India in 1973. While Assistant Professor in Cincinnati Bible Seminary, Bill taught Missions and Bible, and took further classes there and at University of Cincinnati. He preached at Taylor Mill, Price Ave, Williamston, and Mt. Olivet churches of Christ before moving to Virginia in 1982.

He retired in 1995 from thirteen years of ministry with the Tri-City Church of Christ, Hopewell, Virginia.

He attended several churches and supported the Kingdom - during his retirement ...through the India Fund and supporting the India work, working with Indian community and churches in the US, and several congregations in the Central VA area including Southwest, Chippenham, and lastly Bonnie Brae Church of Christ. He is preceded in death by his lovely wife, Ethel.

Bill Gulick the last couple years moved to the Christian Village in Mason, Ohio to be closer to some family and friends. There will be a Memorial service forthcoming.
1
Source of Bio Comes from Bill Gulick's book "What Christ Taught" 1955. First English Edition 1998.