SUMMER VACATION

Summer vacations are a grand item. They allow us to travel and see our loved ones. Vacations also allow us to show our children the wonders of God's creation. It may even be that vacations allow some of us to see our grandchildren. However, as we travel away from home, let us never forget our responsibilities here at home. One of these is the church.

Brother Floyd Ledbetter gave me a book mark that stressed being responsible and loyal to the church while away. It lists three ways we can be loyal during summer. I believe these are worth repeating.

1. Attend church while away on vacation. Do not take a vacation from church!
2. Be faithful in giving before you go on vacation. The church is relying on your contribution even while you are away.
3. Commit your entire summer to Christ. There are tremendous opportunities and ways we can serve the Lord on our time off. When we think about it, everything we have derives from God. We are to give back to Him our time and talents.

God has so richly blessed us, and we need to find new ways to serve in His kingdom.
[by Steve Miles from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, July 14, 1996, p. 2-3]

STOP!! THERE ARE RULES!!

Life on planet Earth came with a Book of Instructions. Let's see what it says.
It says do not steal anything, anywhere, anytime.
It says do not believe the booze baloney, do not get drunk.
It says wait until you marry and then sleep only with your spouse.
It says women should wear modest apparel.
It says be honest in everything and do not ever lie.
It says you do not do what you "want;" you do what you "ought". And it specifies which is which.
It says wisdom is seeing life from the viewpoint of God.
And that book is still the best blueprint for living. It will endure when all the other "experts" are gone!
[by M.P. Hoban from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, July 14, 1996, p. 3]

THINGS A MOTHER WISHES SHE HAD KNOWN EARLIER AS SHE STRIVES TO RAISE HER CHILDREN

1. I wished I'd known earlier that your feelings are fragile too. You seem so strong and resilient, able to bounce back so easily...but....
2. I wished I had known earlier how easy it is to take you for granted.
3. I wished I had known earlier how much little things matter, and given more attention to detail.
4. I wished I had known earlier that hurt never takes care of itself...it needs to be nursed to heal.
5. I wished I had known earlier how much you need to hear the words "I appreciate you" and other affirming compliment.
6. I wished I had known earlier that we can both win. Resolving issues doesn't need to have a loser or a compromiser.
7. I wished I had known earlier how I treat you affects how I feel about myself. When I treat you badly, I suffer the consequences of feeling really bad about me.
8. I wished I had known earlier the power of memory. Offenses are not easily forgotten...and it is important to do things that establish good long term memories.
[by Ian Grant of Pass the Salt, Radio Rhema]

THE MEMORIAL

Probably to most Christians in most congregations today, the memorial of Jesus' death begins with the gathering of the men around the table and ends with the returning of the trays to their assigned spot. The involvement is centered around examining one's own conscience while remembering the death of Christ.

The remembrance is good, and I would take nothing from it, but it is sad that a wonderful occasion for service and closeness to Christ is being missed in our impersonal routine.

When Jesus died, believers took His body from the cross. Believers wrapped His body in a linen cloth, with spices, and believers laid Him in the tomb. Then, early on the first day of the week, mourning women - believers - came to the tomb with more spices to complete the preparation of His body for the long rest in death.

It is in memory of that death, and of His triumph over death, that we meet each first day of the week. The memorial ordained by God is unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine. And in most Churches of Christ throughout the United States, who "makes preparation" for the remembrance of His body? Is the bread, like the shewbread which was the shadow of the true feast, baked fresh, lovingly and reverently prepared by the hands of believers? No. Sadly, it is usually a stale cracker baked by a Jewish company that is used in the majority of the congregations for this sacred remembrance.

God was very exacting in the Old Testament about minute things that had to do with worship. Even if He would tolerate less strictness under the rein of Christ, is it not reasonable to think that reverance and care concerning His Son's memorial would please Him more than would a casual attitude?

And if God would permit our laxness, somehow it just does not seem in keeping with the feelings we should have for Christ when Christians sit back in unconcern and allow heathen hands to do work so vital to our memorial.

Can you imagine Mary and Joanna and Mary Magdelene going out to the market and buying bread for worship. No - instead, I see them planning among themselves just who would have the privilege from week to week, each one eagerly looking forward to the Lord's day morning when she would take the best flour and oil, the best fruit of the vine, and prepare that beautiful memorial. Undoubtedly, all the time she would have been selecting and measuring ingredients, mixing, cooking, readying those symbols so necessary for worship, she would have been thinking of the great love memorialized in the supper. She would have worked with buoyant spirit, too, realizing that her own hands were performing this special service to God: God had made those physical things a part of worship, and God was dependent on physical hands to do that work; she must have thrilled with the thought that hers were the hands that could do such service for Him that day!

And I am sure that, since the vessels customarily used in Jewish worship had been especially shaped of gold and silver then dedicated solely to temple use, the early Christians looked with great care to the vessels that were used in portraying their Lord's death and burial. There would have been no casualness in the cleansing of them, no begrudging of the work involved.

Instead, for whoever had that privilege, the preparation itself would have been a part of their service, their own private time of fellowship with God.

That same attitude would have carried over in the cleaning of the place of worship, in the preparation of food for the sick, in every physical act they did for God. Wherever He needed human hands to do His work, they must have happily offered theirs in service.

How much we miss when, in shortsightedness, we fail to see these special opportunities for closeness with God!
[by Betty Burton Choate from Sycamore Chapel Bulletin, Nov. 3, 1996, p. 2-3]

FAITH AND WORKS

An old Scotsman was operating a small rowboat for transporting passengers across one of the little lakes in Scotland. One day a passenger noticed that he had carved on one oar the word "Faith" and on the other oar the word "Works." Curiosity led him to ask the meaning of this. The old man said, "I will show you." He dropped one oar and plied the other called "Works," and they just went around in circles. Then he dropped that oar and began to ply the one called "Faith", and the little boat went around in circles again - this time the other way around. After this demonstration, the old man picked up both "Faith" and "Works" and plying both oars together sped swiftly over the water, explaining to his inquiring passenger, "You see, that is the way it is in life as well as in the boat."
[from Sycamore Chapel Bulletin, Nov. 3, 1996, p. 3]

A YOUTH'S ONE-TIME VISIT

"I refused a date to the movies, choosing rather to go to the Wednesday night prayer meeting. I looked for several people who were important to me."

"I looked for my Sunday School teacher, but he wasn't there. I looked for the familiar face of a couple of deacons whom I know, but they were not there. I looked for the members who seemed to be real spiritual and who had greeted me warmly at the Sunday morning services, but they were not there."

"Perhaps these Christians friends do not think the Wednesday night services are so very important. I guess next Wednesday night I'll go to the movies."
[from Sycamore Chapel Bulletin, Nov. 3, 1996, p. 4]

A LACONIC ANSWER

Long ago the people of Greece were not united, as they are today. Instead there were several cities and states, each with its own leader. King Philip of Macedon, a land in the northern part of Greece, wanted to bring all of Greece together under his rule. So he raised a great army and made war upon the other states, until nearly all were forced to call him their king. Sparta, however resisted.

The Spartans lived in the southern part of Greece, an area called Laconia, and so they were sometimes called Lacons. They were noted for their simple habits and their bravery. They were also known as a people who used few words and chose them carefully; even today a short answer is often described as being "laconic".

Philip knew he must subdue the Spartans if all of Greece was to be his. So he brought his great army to the borders of Laconia, and sent a message to the Spartans.

"IF you do not submit at once," he threatened them, "I will invade you country. IF I invade, I will pillage and burn everything you hold dear. IF I march into Laconia, I will level your great city to the ground."

In a few days, Philip received an answer. When he opened the letter, he found only one word written there.

That word was "IF".

During the past one hundred and fifty years, the leaders of this congregation of our Lord's church have faced many "IF" situations. In their efforts to shepherd the flock some of the following concerns must have been considered. "If we don't have larger contributions how are we going to pay the bills?" or "If this condition continues, some families will probably go to some other congregation." Probably another concern was "If this preacher leaves, where will we find another that will properly teach God's word?"

Not only the elders, but the deacons and preachers and faithful members have exhibited courage and perseverance in the face of many trials during these 150 years.

We thank God that over the years there have been workers willing to sacrifice their time and effort to provide a place of worship for this community.

The fact that this congregation is still in existence, still teaching the word of God and winning souls for Him, shows that the difficult times have been answered with the word "IF".
[from Sycamore Chapel Bulletin, Oct. 27, 1996, p. 2]

YOU MUSTN'T QUIT
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest! if you must - but never quit.
Life is queer, with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won if he'd stuck it out;
Stick to your task, though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with one more blow.
Success and failure turned inside out -
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt -
And you never can tell how close you are,
I may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst that YOU MUSTN'T QUIT.
[from Sycamore Chapel Bulletin, Oct. 27, 1996, p. 3]

A SMILE
Let other cheer the winning man,
There's one I hold worthwhile,
'Tis he who does the best he can,
Then loses with a smile.
Beaten he is, but not to stay
Down with the rank and file;
That man will win some other day,
Who loses with a smile.
[from Sycamore Chapel Bulletin, Oct. 27, 1996, p. 3]

THOUGHTS FROM DEUTERONOMY

The word "Deuteronomy" literally means "second law". This great book contains some of the precious teaching of the law of Moses, given as a reminder to the people of Israel right before they went into the promised land. It is not the most "action-packed" book of the Bible, but it contains some of the greatest principles of God from His laws, and maybe no book exemplifies this more than the fifth book of Moses. Let us peruse some of its teachings.

1. Motives for obedience - God's goodness and God's wrath. These two principles are abundantly sprinkled throughout the book. For example, in Deut. 6:20-25, the people are told that when their children asked about the laws and statutes of God, they were to tell them the story of the helplessness of Israel in Egypt and the goodness of God in delivering them by His power. He then gave these commandments "for our good always" (Deut. 6:24). Indeed, for a hopeless sinner, lost in the bondage of iniquity, the goodness of God is an awesome motive for repentance (Rom. 2:4). But some need a stronger hand. And in Deut. 8:11-20, God, in no uncertain terms, warns the people that if they do forget the commandments of the Lord, "ye shall surely perish...because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God" (Deut. 8:19-20). Moses, beautifully and powerfully, reminds the people that God will be good to them if they obey Him, but He will destroy them if they do not. And thus we see, in effect, another great teaching of the book - blessings follow obedience, and disaster follows disobedience (Deut. 30:16-18; Deut. 11:26-28; Deut. 28). The New Testament abundantly teaches the same for us (Matt. 7:21-23; II Thes. 1:7-9).

2. The standard for obedience is God's Word. In Deut. 8:2-3, the Lord reminded Israel of their 40-year sojourn in the wilderness; it was a testing experience, and one designed to humble them "that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord." The ways of man lead to death (Prov. 14:12; Jer. 10:23); adding to or taking from God's Word leads only to destruction (Deut. 4:2-3). God had given them this law, that they might know His statutes, and have a standard by which to live. (Deut. 12:8). That is the wrong standard. God's Word is the only proper standard for obedience.

3. Thus, meditate upon, learn, teach, and do God's Word. (Deut. 6:4-9). This may be the most important passage in the entire book, because of its emphasis upon learning God's Word, and teaching it to succeeding generations. Subsequent history shows the sad failure of Israel in this matter. God cautioned His people, in this very book that materialism would lead them to forget God (Deut. 8:11-20; Deut. 31:16-21). A few hundred years later, materialism (Hosea 10:1; Hosea 13:6) led to spiritual ignorance (Hosea 4:6) which destroyed the northern kingdom, and subsequently the southern (Isa. 5:13). The church today, we fear, suffers from the same malady. The increasing tendency of our society towards materialism and pleasure has led many of our brethren away from studying, preaching, and diligently teaching God's book; we now major in social functions, hoping that an over-abundance of "fellowship" will do what the Bible is meant to, i.e., spiritually strengthen God's people. It is time we got our kids off the basketball court and into the Bible class room. Deut. 6:4-9 is as true today in principle as it has ever been; it is still the only way to blessing (Deut. 6:2).

On and on we could go listing the beautiful principles taught in this oft-neglected book. With the exception of Psalms, I probably quote more passages out of Deuteronomy than any other book in the Old Testament. I believe it is that rich. Our people need its lessons. Christian, study the book of Deuteronomy, and be amazed at what it says.
[by Mark K. Lewis from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Sept. 22, 1996, p. 2-3]

LITTLE SPARROW
When I have a lot of worries,
And my soul is weighted down,
I can almost hear Him saying,
"Only crosses make a crown".
And when my eyes are burning
From the tears that I have shed,
Comes the gentle voice "Remember
What I suffered in thy stead".
When I look around for comfort,
And there is no listening ear,
Comes a whisper close beside me,
"Hush my child, for I am here"!
And somehow the heavy burden
That I almost couldn't bear,
Slips from off my aching shoulders,
And becomes as light as air.
And my heart is filled with gladness,
And with peace when it recalls,
He knows all things, down to the time
The smallest sparrow falls.
And a new hope stirs within me,
Like the beat of feathered wing,
And in His outstretched arms I find
A love to which I cling.
And I am no longer troubled
At the turning of the ways,
For long ago He told me
"I am with you all the days".
And I find a blessed haven,
Beyond the reach of man,
Just like the tiny sparrow
That He shelters in His hand.
[by Grace E. Easley from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Sept. 22, 1996, p. 4]

QUIET TIME

The Bible has many things to say about the value of silence. (Psa. 46:10; Hab. 2:20; Psa. 4:4; Zech. 2:13). In the words of Ecclesiastes, there is "a time to keep silent, and a time to speak" (Eccl. 3:7). We must discover the resources in silence that keep the world from being "too much with us." We must find time to shut out the distractions and the noise and recover our sense of direction.

Someone has made the rather ironic statement that the shorter and quicker our quiet time, the more of a burden it becomes. But our quiet time should be the spring from which our priorities flow. It should be the time we acknowledge and honor the Lord of our life, the place where we seek his guidance for our earthly journey.

I am reminded of Jesus' saying that...(Matt. 11:30). It sounds like a contradiction in terms to speak of a yoke being easy or a burden light. Yokes, after all, are placed on oxen in order to facilitate their work. But yokes also give direction and discipline to the oxen. In the same way Jesus' yoke gives discipline - badly needed discipline - to our lives. It is the same way with our quiet time. This discipline is not a burden. It suggests that we have found a direction in our lives.

Several years ago a young woman who was traveling in East Germany was arrested on the charge of helping East German citizens to escape. As she entered her confinement, she was a self-proclaimed agnostic. She had to endure the rounds with the interrogators, the idleness, and the menial labor imposed on her. Cut off from family and friends, she was totally without resources. In EVERY WALL SHALL FALL, Helen Battle tells how she looked out her window one day in spring and saw a beautiful blue sky. It occurred to her that, in the German language, the word HIMMEL means both "sky" and "heaven" - the place of God's presence. In her enforced quiet time, she began to find resources in prayer and Bible reading. Her tragic imprisonment began to give meaning and direction to her life. The world had been "too much with her" before.

We do not need to experience tragic events in order to enrich our lives. We can enter into our rooms and pray to our Father with the assurance that He will hear and answer our prayers. As we learn to spend more time in prayer and to trust God more fully, we will find the help we need to survive the crises in our lives.
[by Harold Hazelip from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Sept. 15, 1996, p. 2]

SLOW ME DOWN LORD

Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time. Give me, amidst the confusion of my day the calmness of the everlasting hills. Break the tension of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music of the singing streams that live in my memory. Help me to know the magical restorative power of sleep. Teach me the art of taking minute vacations of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to pet a dog, to read a few lines from a good book.

Remind me each day of the fable of the Hare and the Tortoise that I may know that the race is not always to the swift; that there is more to life than increasing speed. Let me look upward into the branches of towering trees, and know that they will grow tall because they grow slowly and well.

Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to send my roots into the soul of life's enduring values, that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny.
[by Betty Underhill from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Sept. 15, 1996, p. 4]

BLESSINGS FROM THE BIBLE

Real peace and comfort emanate from the scriptures (Rom. 15:4). If we would read the Psalms every night, we would sleep better. This meditation on the law of the Lord (Psa. 1:2), on things divine and holy, would enrich our spirits and revive our hearts (Ezra 7:10). The frantic pace of our secular world should be exchanged for a closer, more purposeful, walk with God. As the apostle Paul wrote...(Col. 1:10).

The Bible tells how to be sure we are on the right road by following the footsteps of Jesus (I Pet. 2:21). Since all genuine help comes from the Lord (Psa. 124:8), we should not allow Satan's detours and obstacles to overwhelm us (I Pet. 5:8). Scripture reminds us to stay close to Jesus (Matt. 17:5-8) and never allow the dazzling sights of sin to lead us into the quicksand of error (I Cor. 11:1). The Bible blesses us with the beauty of holiness (I Pet. 1:16) as well as the exposure of evil (I John 5:19). Christians possess peace "that passeth understanding" (Phili. 4:7) in a world that is filled with the carnage of doubt and the debris of restlessness (Gal. 5:19-21).

The Bible blesses us with the ability to discern error, reprove it and cling loyally to truth that never dies! We are commanded...(I Thes. 5:21). While we hold to the good, we are to confront and oppose error (I John 4:1; Titus 1:9-11). The apostle Paul, who wrote half of the New Testament scriptures, stated that he wrote...(II Cor. 1:13). We can "know" the word of God (John 8:32). As a child, Timothy was taught the sacred text (II Tim. 3:14-15). God lovingly revealed His will in terms and tones within our comprehension. What a blessing! L.O. Sanderson gave us these majestic words:

Holy book divine
Precious treasure mine
Lamp to my feet and a light to my way
To guide me safely home!

The Bible also blesses us with the Savior's plan of salvation. We do not struggle in vain at a mourner's bench, or with a catechism written by a synod or a prelate in abstract theological language. We even have clear examples in Acts showing us cases of conversion. Simple, yet profoundly beautiful, are the stories of sinners who became saints. When they heard the gospel...(Acts 2:41). After obeying the gospel, the man from Ethiopia...(Acts 8:38-39).

The Bible blesses us with directions concerning the life of a Christian. When Jesus is the center of our life...(Col. 3:16), we emulate His holy journey of perfection. Pursuing righteousness, abstaining from evil and positively...(Acts 10:38) will be the urgency and the passion of our pilgrimage, also. And so we sing:

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
All His wonderful passion and purity
May His spirit divine all my being refine,
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

What a challenge! What a joy! The Bible blesses us with the hope of heaven that demands evangelistic fervor in getting others there, too. We cannot be indifferent to the billions of lost souls all over the world that are unprepared to meet their Maker. If the "Golden Street" of glory beckons us, we must point others toward that magnificent home of the soul. When the name of the Savior is precious to us, we will not dare to hide the gospel from those who are lost (II Cor. 4:3).

All things...(II Pet. 1:3). We should rejoice that such is true. However, we are challenged to put into practice what the scriptures demand. We have been entrusted with the glorious good news. What a rich treasure has been placed in our hands! The Bible is, indeed, a blessing.
[by Johnny Ramsey from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Sept. 8, 1996, p. 2]

SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOUR THOUGHT

1. What does the Bible mean to you? Do you read it regularly? (Psa. 119:105). The Bible is the Truth which shines the "light" of righteousness into a world dark with sin. It is to be used by the Christian as the guide for all decisions he makes. Do you consider what the Bible says before you make your decisions in life?

2. What does the church mean to you? If you claim to love Christ, you should be concerned with what he things of the church. Paul said...(Eph. 5:25-27). Christ loves the church and died for it. How much do you love the church?

3. Do you want to go to heaven enough to go right now, no questions asked? Does something in this world have such a hold on you that you cannot say "yes" to this question? Do you have enough faith in the Savior to believe that if you did suddenly leave for heaven that he would care for those whom you love that you would be leaving behind?

4. Who's #1 in your life? Paul's attitude is the example to follow. He said...(Phili. 3:8).

Do you want a challenge? Make Christ #1 in your life! He was an extremist! He came into the most piously religious nation on earth and told them they were hypocrites and not truly spiritual at all! He said that "almost" was not good enough. His theme was...(Matt. 12:30). With him, it's Right vs. Wrong, Good vs. Bad, Yes or No, God or Satan. You must choose! There is no room in the middle of the road for the follower of Christ. Which will it be? Who's #1?
[by Tim Walker from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Sept. 8, 1996, p. 3]

NO TITLE

Mary had a little boy; his soul was white as snow;
He never went to Bible class, cause Mary wouldn't go.
He never heard the words of Christ, that thrill the childish mind.
While other children went to class, this boy was left behind.
And as he grew from babe to youth, Mary saw to her dismay
A soul that once was snowy white become a dingy gray.
Realizing he was lost, she tried to win him back.
But now a soul that once was white had turned an ugly black.
Mary changed, confessed her sins, and went to worship too.
Then she begged the preacher, "Is there something you can do?"
The preacher tried and failed, and said, "We're just too far behind."
I tried to tell you years ago, but you would pay no mind.
And so another soul was lost, that once was white as snow,
Bible classes would have helped - but Mary would not go.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Sept. 8, 1996, p. 4]

I CAN FACE LIFE'S PROBLEMS AND HEARTACHES

Christians have more to be happy about than any other people in all the world: they receive the blessings of sunshine and rain as all others do; they enjoy the beautiful earth with all its varying scenic wonders; they gaze into the canopy above them, and like others, wonder what undiscovered treasures lie beyond the limitless sky; but most of all, they possess the happiness of soul that the world can never know. Like the eunuch of Acts 8, they go on their way rejoicing because they have been washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Any Christian knows, however, that life brings its bitters with its sweets and that the mature child of God must be prepared to stand the tests that come his way. Longfellow expressed it this way:

Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days be dark and dreary.

The Christian life, like any other, if it is to become strong, must cross its river, climb its mountain, fight its foe, and repeatedly strengthen the walls of its fortress. If it falters, it must exert greater effort to keep pace; if it fails, it must get up again, and with undying love for Him who gave it life, go forth with surer steps. Someone has said that a Christian is like tea: his real strength comes out when he is in hot water! No Christian can have all joy, all peace, all happiness, or all bliss all the time, for Paul said, "All that live godly shall suffer persecution."

Problems, disappointments, and heartaches are the common lot of mankind, along with the many good things common to all. One thing must be remembered: one's attitude toward the unpleasant things in his life will determine his success or his failure. The Bible, of course, is the best guide at all times and under all circumstances, for it thoroughly equips us for every good work and tells us how to deal with hardships and trials, with sorrows and disappointments.

What shall we do then? We shall plant our feet firmly in the rich soil of God's Word, send our roots down deep into His love, and clothed with the whole armor of God, stand ready for whatever life sends our way. We shall enjoy the roses even though we may feel the prick of the thorns.
[by Willard Conchin from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Sept. 1, 1996, p. 2]

TEN RULES OF A GODLY MAN

1. The godly man is single-minded in his devotion and commitment to God. He is more interested in nurturing his family, church, and community than building up his business, career, or reputation.
2. The godly man refuses to joint the world's rat race, rejects the modern illusion of needing to have it all and abandons everything which conpromises his commitment to the first commandment.
3. The godly man's words demonstrate a heartfelt reverence for the things of God.
4. The godly man chooses to live a lifestyle that allows himself a day of rest and worship with his family.
5. The godly man renders great honor to his parents and to the parents of his wife, and assumes the primary responsibility for their welfare when they can no longer care for themselves.
6. The godly man does not wish or express malice or evil toward any person, but is secure in allowing God to make all things right.
7. The godly man is a one-woman man and treasures his wife more than any other human being. Whether in thought or deed, he steers clear of any path that would ultimately violate his marriage vows.
8. The godly man would not take or misuse the property, reputation, or time of another. This includes his neighbor, employer, and the IRS.
9. The godly man will not misrepresent what he knows to be the truth through his choice of words, gestures, or expressions. He also will not mislead others through misuse or omission of the truth.
10. The godly man is grateful for all God has entrusted to him, and does not envy or crave what God has given to others.
[from "A New Man" May 1996 from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Sept. 1, 1996, p. 3]

IF YOU WERE

[This little poem reminds us whose responsibilities we should take care of first]

If you were busy being kind,
Before you knew it, you would find
You'd soon forget to think 'twas true
That someone was unkind to you.
If you were busy being glad,
And cheering people who are sad,
Although your heart might ache a bit,
You'd soon forget to notice it.
If you were busy being good,
And doing just the best you could,
You'd not have time to blame some man
Who's doing just the best he can.
If you were busy being right,
You'd find yourself too busy quite
To criticize your neighbor long
Because he's busy being wrong.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Sept. 1, 1996, p. 4]

RIDE OUT THE STORM

Storms can be exciting, but they can also be very dangerous. Acts 27 tells of Paul, adrift at sea in the midst of a great storm. His main encouragement to his fellow passengers was to "ride out the storm."

Perhaps you have noticed that no matter what project you have, things are exciting at the beginning, but they usually get worse before they get better. Moses started out to lead the children of Israel from Egypt. Pharaoh refused to let them go. The people turned against Moses, and from there things got worse. Moses was a success, not because he got them to the promised land, but because he rode out the storm.

Job is an excellent example of perseverance. His main virtue is the fact that he rode out the storm. He weathered all of the temptations that Satan gave him and never charged God foolishly or cursed Him with his lips.

In our lives, a great deal of time and effort is spent in just "riding out the storm." In our work, there are good times and there are bad times. Often there are a lot more bad times than there are good times. Those that patiently persevere are the ones that eventually succeed. It seems that an education is often more a matter of perseverance than intelligence.

Problems with children and problems between husband and wives often bring great turmoil and disruption. The successful homes are not the homes that never had any problems. They are the ones that rode out the storm and worked to rebuild the relationships even stronger.

Some will leave when the church has trouble. There are others that stay and work to resolve the problems. Those who ride out the storm are the ones that the church depends on.

In our own personal lives, there are many storms that come: financial crises, emotional and physical problems. Some cannot ride out the storm, and they look for an easy way out. The successes in life are the ones that have ridden out the storm. They certainly are not people that never had the same problems the rest have.

We cannot prevent the storms that come in our lives, but we can control our reaction to them. These moments cause us to place our trust in God and to hold more closely to Him with the certainty that all things work together for them that love the Lord.
[by Neale Pryor from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Oct. 20, 1996, p. 2]

ARE YOU WILLING...

To close your book of complaints and to open the book of praise?
To believe other men are as sincere as you and treat them with respect?
To ignore what life owes you and think about what you owe life?
To stop looking for friendships and to start being friendly?
To be content with such things as you have and stop whining for the things you don't have?
To enjoy the simplest things of life and cease striving for the artificial pleasure of the day?
To forget what you have accomplished and meditate on what others have done for you?
To cease looking for someone to help you and to devote yourself to helping others?
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Oct. 20, 1996, p. 4]

THINGS I WISH SOMEBODY HAD TOLD ME ABOUT PARENTING

1. It is easy to discourage a child. Parents, especially fathers, wield so much emotional and spiritual influence in the home that one criticism, one harsh word, or one mocking expression can destroy a child's self esteem. (Eph. 6:4.)

2. It is hard to rebuild a child's self respect once it has been damaged. For every criticism it takes approximately ten compliments to offset the harm done.

3. In a battle of wills, parents must win. This is not advocacy of parents browbeating their children into submission, but there are occasions when the issue is right and wrong and, in those cases, mom and dad know what is best and must prevail.

4. Children need parents, not pals. Kids have an innate need for guidance. Many parents would rather "buddy up" with their children than train them. It is easier in the short run but, in the long run, the results can be disastrous. Children who have not been guided by mom and dad when they are young will resist any future parental guidance.

5. Parents need to gradually increase their children's decision-making responsibilities. Parents should cultivate self-sufficiency in their children. Do not wait until your kids are adolescents before you allow them to make some of their own decisions. Parents who make all their children's decisions while they are young will render them incapable of processing information to make wise decisions about their lives.

6. Parents must be flexible. Every child is born into a different family. Every child has differing strengths and weaknesses. Every child has differing personality traits. Hence, disciplinary methods and teaching techniques must vary. Every youngster grows and changes. We must not treat a teenage child like he is still a pre-schooler. Rigidity over time in methods of discipline can impair the maturing process of the child and can result in the older child's frustration with parental guidance.

7. Parents need to be proud of their children and tell them so. Nothing inspires our offspring like sincere praise. Compliments should be specific and genuine. Especially positive are commendations given to our children in public settings where others can hear.
[by Paul Woodhouse from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Oct. 13, 1996, p. 2]

THE GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING

Sometimes, when we love someone, we feel we just can't give them enough. We may even do without things we need ourselves. I think most parents feel that way about their children. Love makes us generous.

But generosity is more than giving.

If anyone could have showered gifts on those he loved, it was Jesus Christ. But He didn't. He provided for their basic needs; He saw to it that they had shelter and enough to eat. He watched them counting coins when He could have filled their laps with riches.

Jesus gave something more precious than gifts. He gave understanding. He knew how hard it is to live in this world. He felt what others felt and couldn't put into words. And out of His understanding He gave what people truly need, such as forgiveness for Zacchaeus' guilt, hope for the cynical woman at the well, recovery for a dying child.

The next time you want to give a gift to someone you love, don't worry about how much you can afford to spend or how big the present ought to be. Consider, instead, what generosity really means: understanding. That's something each of us can afford to give - all the time.
[by Phyllis Hobe from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Oct. 13, 1996, p. 4]

EVERYONE CAN DO SOMETHING

Christ's parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30) has been used over and over again to teach a very important lesson that some people have a hard time learning. Whether you let the talents represent an amount of money or abilities, the message is the same, use what God has given you or it will be taken away.

Everything we have on earth comes from God. As James wrote...(James 1:17). If we keep in mind that literally everything is a gift, a present, this verse takes on greater significance. Often one is inclined to think that the things he has are his because he deserves them or has earned them. But whatever we have gained or achieved on this earth we have done so because God granted it to us. (John 3:27)

Upon recognition of this fact, we immediately see our responsibility to do whatever we do to His glory (I Cor. 10:31). It might be with financial means or it might be by using abilites we have in His service. Whatever means we use to glorify God, we will be blessed with more, just as the five-talent man and the two-talent man were. Often in the exercise of one's ability we find other abilities that until then had remained hidden.

Then there are those who will insist, "I just don't have any talent." But to make that statement is to say that God has not blessed them in any way. Surely no one could conscientiously say that! I have always said everyone can do something! It is all a matter of stopping making excuses, like the one-talent man, and having the courage to thank God for what He has given you by glorifying Him in serving Him. If a healthy man puts his arm in a sling and never uses it, it will eventually wither and become useless. The same is true of our abilities.

It might be good if we all put the following warning up where we could see it every day:

WARNING: Our spiritual surgeon general has determined that lack of service to God is hazardous to your principal health and may cause cancer of the soul.
[by David Johnson from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Oct. 16, 1996, p. 2]

YOU NEED TO GO TO BIBLE CLASS

You can sleep late on Sunday morning and enjoy that second cup of coffee before going to worship services of the church. However, you cannot raise your hand during the sermon and ask that question that has been on your mind all week...you really need to go to Bible class!

You can go to a ballgame and yell for the home team and eat a hotdog. But a ball game cannot teach you how to get to heaven...you really need to go to Bible class!

You can show your son how to swing a bat, or your daughter how to make biscuits. But you are not really a good father or mother if you do not teach them the importance of Bible study...you really need to go to Bible class!

You can attend college, go listen to the professors and study way into the night. However, you can still be ignorant if you do not have a good knowledge of the greatest book ever written...you need to go to Bible class!

You can discuss religion with your friends and neighbors and swap opinions all day long. But if you cannot open your Bible and find passages that will settle the matter you are accomplishing little...you really need to go to Bible class!

You can have light fixtures in every room of your house, a fluorescent shop lamp over your workbench, flood lights on every corner, and six spotlights on the roll bar of your truck; but if God's word is not a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path, you are still living in darkness...you really need to go to Bible Class.

When you stand before the Lord on judgement day in a lost condition, do not make excuses or try to plead ignorance. If you do the Lord just might look down at you, and just before He says, "Depart from me," He might say, "You know, you should have gone to Bible class."
[by Dennis Doughty from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Sept. 29, 1996, p. 2]

WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE SAY, "WHY DOESN'T GOD HELP?"

In the life of every Christian there are times when problems seem to overwhelm him. He looks on every side for deliverance and there is no help to be found. On bended knees he reaches up to a loving Father for help and a holy God is moved by his prayers. In times like these Christians of all ages must remember that God knows, and that God cares, and that God has promised to help us.

The problem is that we want God to work immediately. Because we are burdened so much we can only see the burden and not the blessing that comes from adversity. We forget that trials are the avenues through which spiritual growth takes place. (James 1:3-4). We pray for our growth, we long for spiritual perfection (maturity), but we want to have it without trials!

In the midst of problems David called out to God (Psa. 27). Enemies had arisen to destroy him (Psa. 27:2). Because God promised deliverance, David sought it (Psa. 27:8). When help did not come immediately David almost fell (Psa. 27:13), but God delivered him. The words of David can help us in our trials. (Psa. 27:14).

The faith of young people is often fragile, and the seeming lack of answered prayers often bothers them. We must encourage them to pray, to seek His help, while at the same time teaching them to remember that He is God: He knows and He will answer at the right time. May God help us all, both young and old to learn to wait on Him.
[by Dan Jenkins from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Sept. 29, 1996, p. 2]

THE POWER OF WORDS

We're often careful of the things we do.
I wish the same with words were true.
Words can be beautiful things to hear,
Especially to ones we hold so dear.
But what about the harm they do
When spoken unkindly to me or you?
Do we think of others before we speak?
Or are we afraid those words won't keep?
The angry words just seem to flow,
But words of encouragement are few and slow.
The power of words can affect our life
Whether we live happy or in constant strife.
We're too proud to say, "I've made a mistake."
And in some tragic cases, words may come too late.
So the next time words flourish from anger within,
Refrain from words that lead to sin.
Don't dwell on the bad,
But the good that you've heard.
For it's one thing for certain:
There's power in the Word.
[by Ruth Payton Wair from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Sept 29, 1996, p. 3]

A MINUTE OF MEDITATION (I Cor. 13)

A mother has written, "If I live in a house of spotless beauty with every thing in its place but have not love, I'm a housekeeper, not a homemaker. If I have time for waxing, polishing and decorative achievements but have not love, my children learn of cleanliness not godliness."

Love leaves the dust in search of the child's laugh. Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window. Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk. Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys. Love is present through the trials. Love reprimands, reproves and is responsive. Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with the child, then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood. Love is the key that opens salvation's message to the child's heart.

"Before I became a mother, I took glory in my house of perfection; now I glory in God's perfection of my child, and as a mother, there is much I must teach a child, but the greatest of all is love."
[by Clarence DeLoach from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Sept 29, 1996, p. 4]

THE CHEST OF BROKEN GLASS

Responsibilities of parents and children toward each other change with age, particularly old age. "Old men are children for a second time," the Greek dramatist Aristophanes said. This tale is about that time in life when caring about someone means taking care of them. The obligation to "honor thy father and mother" does not end when father and mother grow old.

Once there was an old man who had lost his wife and lived all alone. He had worked hard as a tailor all his life, but misfortunes had left him penniless, and now he was so old he could no longer work for himself. His hands trembled too much to thread a needle, and his vision had blurred too much for him to make a straight stitch. He had three sons, but they were all grown and married now, and they were so busy with their own lives, they only had time to stop by and eat dinner with their father once a week.

Gradually the old man grew more and more feeble, and his sons came by to see him less and less. "They don't want to be around me at all now," he told himself, "because they're afraid I'll become a burden." He stayed up all night worrying what would become of him, until at last he thought of a plan.

The next morning he went to see his friend the carpenter, and asked him to make a large chest. Then he went to see his friend the locksmith, and asked him to give him an old lock. Finally he went to see his friend the glassblower, and asked for all the old broken pieces of glass he had.

The old man took the chest home, filled it to the top with broken glass, locked it up tight, and put it beneath his kitchen table. The next time his sons came for dinner, they bumped their feet against it.

"What's in this chest?" they asked, looking under the table.
"Oh, nothing," the old man replied, "just some things I've been saving."

His sons nudged it and saw how heavy it was. They kicked it and heard a rattling inside. "It must be full of all the gold he's saved over the years," they whispered to one another.

So they talked it over, and realized they needed to guard the treasure. They decided to take turns living with the old man, and that way they could look after him, too. So the first week the youngest son moved in with his father, and cared and cooked for him. The next week the middle son took his place, and the week afterward the eldest son took a turn. This went on for some times.

At last the old father grew sick and died. The sons gave him a very nice funeral, for they knew there was a fortune sitting beneath the kitchen table, and they could afford to splurge a little on the old man now.

When the service was over, they hunted through the house until they found the key, and unlocked the chest. And of course they found it full of broken glass.

"What a rotten trick!" yelled the eldest son. "What a cruel thing to do to your own sons!"

"But what else could he have done, really?" asked the middle son sadly. "We must be honest with ourselves. If it wasn't for this chest, we would have neglected him until the end of his days."

"I'm so ashamed of myself," sobbed the youngest. "We forced our own father to stoop to deceit, because we would not observe the very commandment he taught us when we were young."

But the eldest son tipped the chest over to make sure there was nothing valuable hidden among the glass after all. He poured the broken pieces onto the floor until it was empty. Then the three brothers silently stared inside, there they now read an inscription left for them on the bottom: Honor thy father and mother.
[from the Book of Virtues reprinted in Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Nov. 24, 1996, p. 2]

THE AMERICAN'S CREED

I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.
[by William Tyler Page from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Nov. 24, 1996, p. 3]

JESUS, THE ULTIMATE DEFENSE

The message is clear: we don't have to suffer defeat. We will be tested, and we may at times stumble and fall. Like Simon Peter, we may fail Jesus when the test comes. But, also like Peter, we do not have to accept that failure as final.

Remember Jesus' words to Peter? Jesus told Peter that Satan wanted to sift him like wheat. But then he added...(Luke 22:32). We do not stand alone in our "hour of trial." He stands with us. We are not helpless against Satan's temptations, for we have the ultimate defense - the presence of Christ.

There is encouragement in Paul's letter to the Corinthians. When he warned about the dangers and temptations facing them, he added the promise...(I Cor. 10:13).

We may feel the full force of Satan's power: may be tempted to believe there is no future in maintaining our integrity; maybe, in times, feel we are sinking. But we will not be defeated if we will remember that Jesus stands with us - and...(I John 4:4).

Leaning on his assurance, many people have successfully met their time of testing.

There was Joseph, who, when he was tempted by Potiphar's wife to enter an adulterous relationship, courageously said, "No!"

There were those brave Christians of the first few generations of Christianity who were told they must confess, "Caesar is Lord." Their time of testing came when they were called before magistrates and were asked if they were Christians. It came when they were told they could go home to families in freedom if they would only offer a "meaningless" sacrifice to a pagan god.

There have been those in our own country who have lived under totalitarian regimes which felt threatened by those with Christian commitments. There is always the temptation to bend, to compromise. Many Christians have successfully met such testing - some at the cost of their lives. There must be an act of the will which refuses to compromise. If necessary a Christian will accept being bypassed for a deserved and desired promotion; he will accept indignities with courage. Admirable will power was exercised by those early Christians as they were denied the common privileges open to others. They survived by an act of will.

Yet we cannot fight temptation alone. It is God who "delivers us from evil." We have a faithful high priest who pleads our cause and intercedes for us. God has promised He will not allow us to be tempted beyond our capacity.

Temptation is unavoidable, but failure is not. Because Jesus won the victory we can, too.
[by Joe R. Barnett from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Nov. 10, 1996, p. 2]

LOYALTY TO A BROTHER

One of two brothers fighting in the same company in France fell by a German bullet. The one who escaped asked permission of his officer to go and bring his brother in.

"He is probably dead," said the officer, "and there is no use in risking your life to bring in his body."

But after further pleading the officer consented. Just as the soldier reached the lines with his brother on his shoulders, the wounded man died.

"There, you see," said the officer, "you risked your life for nothing."

"No," replied Tom. "I did what he expected of me, and I have my reward. When I crept up to him and took him in my arms, he said, "Tom, I knew you would come - I just felt you would come."

There you have the gist of it all; somebody expects something fine and noble and unselfish of us; someone expects us to be faithful.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Nov. 10, 1996, p. 3]

OPPORTUNITY

Master of human destinies am I!
Fame, love, and fortune on my footsteps wait.
Cities and fields I walk; I penetrate
Deserts and seas remote, and passing by
Hovel and mart and palace - soon or late
I knock unbidden once at every gate!
If sleeping, wake - if feasting, rise before
I turn away. It is the hour of fate,
And they who follow me reach every state
Mortals desire, and conquer every foe
Save death; but those who doubt or hesitate,
Condemned to failure, penury and woe,
Seek me in vain and uselessly implore.
I answer not, and return no more.
[by John James Ingalls from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Nov. 10, 1996, p. 4]

THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS

When Abraham Lincoln rose on November 19, 1863, to dedicate the Soldier's National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where four months earlier thousands of Northern and Southern soldiers had fallen, he wanted to tell the country that if it could sustain the will to fight, the Union ultimately would triumph. In two minutes he said as much, and more. He told the world the United States would fight on, not just for its own sake, but for all nations conceived in liberty and dedicated to equality. Here it is, the greatest and most famous speech ever delivered on American soil.

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Nov. 17, 1996, p. 2]

A very religious farmer owned a mule that he taught directions like "whoa" and "haw" in Bible language instead of the "conventional" mule terms. "Praise the Lord" meant "get going," and "amen" meant "stop". There came a time when the farmer had no more need of the mule, so he put him up for sale. One man said he would buy the mule, and when the farmer explained that this was no ordinary mule - that he understood only Bible terminology - the interested man said that would be no problem but that he would test the animal just to be sure there was communication. He mounted the beast and said, "Praise the Lord," and the mule took off surprisingly fast, heading straight for a big bluff. "Whoa, whoa," said the rider, but the mule kept his pace. The frightened man then remembered the right word. "Amen!" he shouted, and the mule stopped suddenly, right on the edge of the bluff. Greatly relieved, the rider unthinkingly said, (you guessed it) "Praise the Lord!"
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Nov. 17, 1996, p. 3]

THE MAN WHO QUITS

The man who quits has as brain and hand,
As good as the next, but he lacks the sand,
That would make him stick with a courage stout,
To whatever he tackles, and fight it out.
He starts with a rush and solumn vow
That he'll be showing the others how;
Then something strikes his roving eye,
And his task is left for the by-and-by.
No man is beaten till he gives in;
Hard luck can't stand for a cheerful grin.
The man who falls needs a better excuse
Than the quitter's whining, "What's the use?"
For the man who quits lets his chances slip
Just because he's too lazy to keep his grip;
The man who sticks goes ahead with a shout
While the man who quits joins the "down and out."
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Nov. 17, 1996, p. 4]

Brother let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant too.

I will hold the Christ light for you
In the night time of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the peace you long to hear.

We are pilgrims on a journey
We are brothers on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.

When we sing to God in heaven
We shall find such harmony
Borne of all we go together
Of Christ's love and agony.

I will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh, I'll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we've seen this journey through.

Brother let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant too.

FIGHTING GOD

That's what our reading from the Old Testament is all about. Not only did Jacob fight with God, he won! Whatever else this scripture is about, perhaps it's telling us that God doesn't want robots. He wants live human beings with minds of their own.

God gave us this argumentative, passionate side to our nature. He loves us passionately, and in the best sense, he wants a return on his love. God always remains God, absolutely pure and Holy, but he gave us intelligence and discrimination. Our questions aren't a denial of his Holiness, they are a confirmation of the humanity which he took on himself.
[from Wellington Cathedral of St Paul bulletin, 4 Aug. 1996, p. 1]

Droplets sprouting...All you need to grow fine, vigorous grass is a crack in your footpath.
Talented...Your talent is God's gift to you - what you do with it is your gift back to God.
Situations vacant...The closest to perfection a person ever comes is when they fill out a job application.
Growing...The moment you cease wanting to become more virtuous, you cease being good.
[from The ALC (Abundant Life Centre) Informer newsletter, no. 33, 22 Sept. 1996, p. 1]

PESSIMISM

An optimist is a man who grabs his fishing rod when he discovers that his basement has been flooded with water. While the optimist is turning on the lights to dispel the darkness, the pessimist blows out the candle to see how dark it is.
[from The ALC (Abundant Life Centre) Informer newsletter, no. 29, 18 Aug. 1996, p. 1]

GOD THE FATHER

F - Faithful
A - Awe inspiring
T - Trustworthy
H - Honest
E - Encouraging
R - Righteous
S - Sacrificed for us
Man the father
F - Fortress of safety
A - Appreciative of a good roast dinner
T - Tall (and often a "policeman")
H - Handsome?
E - Easy to wrap around your little finger
R - Rugby a popular sport
S - Sometimes spends too much energy on work
[from Karori Baptist Church newsletter, 1 Sept. 1996, p. 1]

FULLY DRESSED BOY FOUND IN SHARK

Japanese newspapers reported in the early 1960s that the body of a boy 13 years of age, still clad in a shirt and linen pants, was found in a 2,000 pound shark caught near Nagasaki.

This incident satisfactorily disposes of the false statement often made by Bible haters that there is no fish with a throat large enough to swallow a person.

Even apart from this, and similar incidents, it is stupid on the part of an otherwise intelligent person to assert that Almighty God could not create a fish capable of swallowing a man.

Translations of the scriptures have used the word "whale" in connection of Jonah's experience (Matt. 12:40); but what the Word actually says is: "Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah..." (Jonah 1:17).

It is interesting to observe that some of the more recent translations do not have the word "whale" in the passage in Matthew. Such expressions as "sea-beast", "sea-monster", and "the great fish" are used instead. For example, J.B. Phillips renders the verse thus: "For just as Jonah was in the great fish's belly for three days and nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and nights."

The one and only sign which our Lord gave the sign seekers has been literally fulfilled; for He was crucified for our sins, buried out of sight for three days and nights, and rose again in fulfillment of the sign.

Let us not be like the many who after asking for a sign, and being given it, and having it fulfilled in detail, disbelieve it!
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Dec. 1, 1996, p. 2]

TWO TEMPLES

A builder builded a temple,
He wrought it with grace and skill;
Pillars and stairs and arches,
All fashioned to work his will.
Men said as they saw its beauty,
"It shall never know decay;
Great is thy skill, O builder;
Thy fame shall endure alway."
A teacher builded a temple,
With loving and infinite care,
Planning each arch with patience,
Laying each stone with prayer.
None praised her unceasing efforts,
None knew of her wondrous plan,
For the temple the teacher builded
Was unseen by the eyes of man.
Gone is the builder's temple,
Crumpled into the dust;
Low lies each stately pillar,
Food for consuming rust.
But the temple the teacher builded
Will last while the ages roll,
For that beautiful unseen temple
Was a child's immortal soul.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Dec. 1, 1996, p. 4]

FROM PARENT TO CHILD

I gave you life, but cannot live it for you;
I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn;
I can give you direction, but I cannot be there to lead you;
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it;
I can take you to Church, but I cannot make you believe;
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you;
I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside;
I can offer you advice, but I cannot take it for you;
I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you;
I can teach you, of course, to share, but I cannot make you unselfish;
I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor;
I can advise you about friends, but I cannot choose them for you;
I can advise you about sex, but I cannot make you pure;
I can tell you the facts of life, but I cannot build your reputation;
I can tell you about drugs, but I cannot say "no" for you;
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I cannot achieve them for you;
I can teach you about kindness, but I cannot force you to be gracious;
I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make your morals;
I can love you as a child, but I cannot make your place in God's family;
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God;
I can teach you about Jesus, but I cannot make Jesus your Lord;
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Dec. 19, 1996, p. 2]

PROPER FOCUS

The story is told of a farmer who had lived on the same farm all his life. It was a good farm with fertile soil, but with the passing of years, the farmer began to think, Maybe there's something better for me. He set out to find an even better plot of land to farm.

Every day he found a new reason for criticizing some feature of his old farm. Finally he decided to sell. He listed the farm with a real estate broker who promptly prepared an advertisement emphasizing all the many advantages of the acreage: ideal location, modern equipment, healthy stock, acres of fertile ground, high yields on crops, well-kept barns and pens, nice two-story house on a hill above the pasture.

When the real estate agent called to read the ad to the farmer for his approval prior to placing it in the local newspaper, the farmer heard him out. When he had finished, he cried, "Hold everything! I've changed my mind. I'm not going to sell. Why, I've been looking for a place just like that all my life!"

When you start identifying the good traits of any person, situation, or organization, you are likely to find that they far outweigh the bad. Focus on what you have. What you have not will likely seem insignificant.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Dec. 19, 1996, p. 4]

THE HEALING OF THE PARALYTIC

(This story from the New Testament is a miracle story of physical healing brought about through tremendous faith. It is a good way to remember that faith heals spiritually as well.)

After a time Jesus came again to Capernaum, which was not His home. As soon as the people heard that He was there they came in great crowds to see Him and to hear Him. They filled the house, and the courtyard inside its walls, and even the streets around it, while Jesus sat in the open court of the house and taught them. It was the springtime and warm, and a roof had been placed over the court as a shelter from the sun.

While Jesus was teaching, the roof was suddenly taken away above their heads. They looked up, and saw that a man was being let down in a bed by four men on the walls above.

This man was paralyzed, so that he could neither walk nor stand. He was so eager to come to Jesus that these men, finding that they could not carry him through the crowd, had lifted him up to the top of the house, and had opened the roof, and were now letting him down in his bed before Jesus.

This showed that they believed in Jesus, without any doubt whether He could cure this man. Jesus said to the man, "My son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven!"

The enemies of Jesus who were sitting near heard these words, and they thought in their own minds, though they did not speak it aloud, "What wicked things this man speaks! He claims to forgive sins! Who except God himself has power to say, 'Your sins are forgiven'?"

Jesus knew their thoughts, for He knew all things, and He said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? Which is the easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or 'Rise up and walk'? But I will show you that while I am on earth as the Son of Man, I have the power to forgive sins."

Then he spoke to the paralyzed man on his couch before them, "Rise up, take up your bed, and go to your house!"

At once a new life and power came to the man. He stood upon his feet, rolled up the bed on which he had been lying helpless, placed it on his shoulders and walked out through the crowd, which opened to make a way for him. The man went, strong and well, to his own house, praising God as we walked.
[by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Dec. 22, 1996, p. 2]

WE UNDERSTAND SO LITTLE

(Our understanding of God's creation is imperfect, so our faith must fill in the gaps, as this old folktale reminds us.)

Once there were two young brothers who had spent all their lives in the city, and had never even seen a field or pasture. So one day they decided to take a trip into the countryside. As they were walking along, they spied a farmer plowing, and were puzzled about what he was doing.

"What kind of behavior is this?" they asked themselves. "This fellow marches back and forth all day, scarring the earth with long ditches. Why should anyone destroy such a pretty meadow like that?"

Later in the afternoon they passed the same place again, and this time they saw the farmer sowing grains of wheat in the furrows.

"Now what's he doing?" they asked themselves, "He must be a madman. He's taking perfectly good wheat and tossing it into these ditches!"

"The country is no place for me," said one of the brothers. "The people here act as if they had no sense, I'm going home." And he went back to the city.

But the second brother stayed in the country, and a few weeks later saw a wonderful change. Fresh green shoots began to cover the field with a lushness he had never imagined. He quickly wrote to his brother and told him to hurry back to see the miraculous growth.

So the second brother returned from the city, and he too was amazed at the change. As the days passed they saw the green earth turn into a golden field of tall wheat. And now they understood the reason for the farmer's work.

Then the wheat grew ripe, and the farmer came with his scythe and began to cut it down. The brother who had returned from the city couldn't believe it. "What is this imbecile doing now?" he exclaimed. "All summer long he worked so hard to grow this beautiful wheat, and now he's destroying it with his own hands! He is a madman after all! I've had enough. I'm going back to the city."

But his brother had more patience. He stayed in the country and watched the farmer collect the wheat and take it to this granary. He saw how cleverly he separated the chaff, and how carefully he stored the rest. And he was filled with awe when he realized that by sowing a bag of seed, the farmer had harvested a whole field of grain. Only then did he truly understand that the farmer had a reason for everything he did.

"And this is how it is with God's works, too," he said. "We mortals see only the beginnings of His plan. We cannot understand the full purpose and end of His creation. So we must have faith in His wisdom."
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Dec. 22, 1996, p. 3]

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The chemists tell us that the human body consists of the following ingredients:
1. Sulphur - enough to rid a dog of fleas.
2. Lime - enough to whitewash a chicken coup.
3. Fat - enough for six bars of soup.
4. Phosphorus - enough for twenty boxes of matches.
5. Iron - enough for a six-penny nail.
6. Sugar - enough for ten cups of coffee.
7. Potassium - enough to explode a toy cannon.
Total value - two to three dollars.
Well, it's encouraging to know that we're worth something.
This is the chemist's estimate of the body of man. The Father of All has a different estimate of him. He asked...(Psa. 8:4-9).
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Dec. 22, 1996, p. 4]

YOUR CHILD DESERVES...
...to hear you pray earnestly and often.
...to go to worship and Bible classes with you regularly.
...to see you sacrifice for the Lord.
...to hear you talk to others about becoming Christians.
...to go with you to visit the sick and bereaved.
...to be taught the Bible by you.
...to hear you praise the church and her leaders.
...to be encouraged by you to seek and obey the truth always.
...to see you putting the Lord first in your giving.
...to know the Christ living in you.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Dec. 15, 1996, p. 3]

AN INVITATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE

On Monday a friend met me on the street. "I noticed you were absent from our last civic club meeting," he said. "Will you be there next Wednesday?" "No," I replied. "I can't make it. Don't look for me."

Two men asked me on Tuesday if I could come. I said to the first, "I wish I could, but I can't this week." The next one I told, "My schedule looks impossible, but I'll try to find the time to come."

Wednesday morning in the post office a fourth man asked if I would be at the meeting that day. "I'll try to come," I replied, "but I may not make it." Before I got to my car, a fifth man stopped me, and I promised I would be there for sure.

I don't know whose official duty it was to contact me, but I couldn't resist the invitation from five different men. If you want the unsaved, the indifferent, and absentees to attend church, you must let them know. If you really want them to come, you will find the opportunity to invite them. This is a task for every memeber of our church.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Dec. 15, 1996, p. 4]

PRAYER

This I would like to be - braver and bolder,
Just a bit wiser because I am older,
Just a bit kinder to those I may meet,
Just a bit manlier taking defeat;
This for the whole year my wish and my plea
Lord, make a regular man out of me!

This I would like to be - just a bit finer,
More of a smiler and less of a whiner,
Just a bit quicker to stretch out my hand,
Helping another who's struggling to stand,
This is my prayer for the whole year to be,
Lord, make a regular man out of me!

This I would like to be - a bit fairer,
Just a bit better, and just a bit squarer,
Not quite so ready to censure and blame,
Quicker to help every man in the game,
Not quite so eager men's failings to see,
Lord, make a regular man out of me!

This I would like to be - just a bit truer,
Less of the wisher and more of the doer,
Broader and bigger, more willing to give,
Living and helping my neighbor to live.
This for the whole year my prayer and plea
Lord, make a regular man out of me!
[by Edgar A. Guest from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Dec. 8, 1996, p. 4]

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS NO. 1

Nothing in the world is #1! Please understand that the term "world" applies to those things that appeal to the physical nature of man and to his tendency to sin. The earth is full of things that God has given us to enjoy, such as the wild animals and the forests, the lakes and the mountains, and these things are not what we refer to when we use the term "world". John said...(I John 2:16-17). Nothing that originates from the world is timeless. It is all based on man's darker side. Anything that can qualify as #1 must come from a higher source than mankind.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said...(Matt. 6:33). What is "his kingdom"? According to the teaching of Jesus, the kingdom is the church. Read carefully Matt. 16:13-19 to see that Jesus used the terms "my church" and "the kingdom of heaven" interchangeably in this passage. The church is to be #1 in your life! Think about it. Everything that is timeless (eternal) is found within the church: God's Word, God's promises to those who are obedient, the love of God (I Cor. 13:13), and more. You must understand that the kingdom of God is the church and that nothing is more important to God than your relationship to him. This relationship is established through his kingdom, the church. The church is the single most important thing in the world!
[by Tim Walker from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Feb. 2, 1997, p. 2]

DON'T BE HARD-HEADED!

One thing you should remember is to change your mind if you are wrong. Many people are too proud and stubborn to ever admit they are wrong. Such an attitude will keep you out of heaven. If you are never wrong, you must be a god! To confess you're wrong about something and to change your mind is only to admit you're human and need both guidance from above and help from below. A classic example of an extremely intense person who changed immediately when he saw he was wrong is Saul of Tarsus, whom we know as Paul the apostle. He tells his own story in Acts 22:1-16 and repeats it in Acts 26. He said...(Acts 26:9). Yet when he was shown how wrong he was, he immediately changed. He stopped being the persecutor and became one of the most persecuted! Don't be too proud or stubborn to examine your position at any time and to change if the facts show that you are wrong.
[by Tim Walker from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Feb. 2, 1997, p. 2]

IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE DIRECTION FROM GOD YOU MUST BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE CORRECTION FROM GOD
(Prov. 3:11-12).

As a professional stock-car racer, Darrell Waltrip was once proud of his image as "the guy folks loved to hate." When crowds booed, he'd just kick the dirt and smile. Then things began to change. He miraculously survived a Daytona 500 crash. He began going to church with his wife, Stevie. He and Stevie began to try to have a family. Stevie, however, suffered four miscarriages.

One day their preacher came to visit. He asked, "Your car is sponsored by a beer company. Is that the image you want?" Darrell had never thought about it. He had always loved watching kids admire his car, but the more he thought about it, he discovered that he did care about his image. He thought, If Stevie and my prayers were answered for a child, what kind of dad would I be? He remembered his preacher's admonition to "walk the walk, not just talk the talk."

He didn't know what to do to convince the car owner to change sponsors, but amazingly, an opportunity opened for him to sign with a new racing team sponsored by a laundry detergent company! After much thought and more prayer, he switched teams. Two years later, daughter Jessica was born, and a few years later, daughter Sarah. In 1989, he won the Daytona.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Feb. 2, 1997, p. 3]

A FATHER'S STANDARDS

Glenn Van Ekeren tells about an experience he had with his son one summer vacation. For the first couple of days, his son Matt seemed to misbehave constantly. Glenn seemed to be continually rebuking and correcting him. Thinking, No son of mine is going to act this way, he made it clear to his son in no uncertain terms that he expected his son to start behaving.

Matt tried very hard to live up to his father's standards. In fact, a day went by later in the week in which he hadn't done a single thing that called for correcting. That night, after Matt had said his prayers and jumped into bed, Glenn noticed that Matt's bottom lip began to quiver. "What's the matter, buddy?" he asked his son. Barely able to speak, Matt looked up at his father with tear-filled eyes and asked, "Daddy, haven't I been a good boy today?"

Glenn said, "Those words cut through my parental arrogance like a knife. I had been quick to criticize and correct his misbehavior but failed to mention my pleasure with his attempt to be a good boy. My son taught me never to put my child to bed without a word of appreciation and encouragement."
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Feb. 2, 1997, p. 4]

THE ROMAN SOLDIER

There is an old story about a Roman Soldier who was sent on a strange and horrible mission. Ceasar had decreed that all should renounce their religion and proclaim him their god; but, forty young followers of Jesus Christ refused to deny their Lord. It was the Roman Soldier's task to convince them of their mistaken loyalty.

It was in the dead of wintertime with much snow and temperatures so cold the rivers and lakes were frozen. The Roman Soldier was ordered to march these young Christians out as the sun was going down and the night winds began to increase. At the edge of a lake some soldiers built a large fire, while others huddled the young Christians together and stripped them of their clothing and marched them onto the frozen lake.

Bare feet struggling to move as ordered, the cold sharp winds that were like piercing knives, and the flesh and minds of these young Christians that seemed to explode in pain, was a prelude of what was to come, if they remained stedfast. They were told all they had to do was come to the fire, renounce Jesus and proclaim Ceasar as God and they would have clothing and warmth. If they did not, they would die!

The young Christians formed a circle and huddled as close together as they could. Those inside the circle were protected somewhat from the biting winds, while those on the outside would be the first to die. But, it was from the outer circle that a song began that was soon sung by them all:

"Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O God, claim for Thee the victory and ask of Thee the crown."

These words came to the ears of the Roman Soldier as he stood warming himself by the fire. Over and over again they came. "Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee..." He couldn't understand. What makes them sing in the face of death? This thoughts were sinking deeper and he remembered the stories of the blind...seeing, the deaf...hearing, and the stories of a crucified savior, but they say that their God made Him live again. Just then his thoughts were interruped. What were they singing now? It was different somehow. So he listened intently as the words came from the center of the lake.

"Thirty-nine wrestlers, wrestling for Thee."

Oh no! he thought. One of them has died. Just then he saw a figure crawling, pulling himself through the snow toward the fire, begging the soldier, "Oh please! Let me have my clothes and the warmth of the fire. I will renounce Christ, Ceasar is God!"

The Roman Soldier looked at him in pity and removed his own robe and placed it on the wretched man and said, "Take mine, I had rather die with your Jesus than live with my Ceasar."

A few moments later, the song continued from the center of the lake:

"Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O God. Claim for Thee the victory and ask of the Thee the crown."
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Jan. 26, 1997, p. 2]

...HE THAT IS GREATEST AMONG YOU SHALL BE YOUR SERVANT...

Everybody knows of Isaac Newton's famed encounter with a falling apple, and how Newton introduced the laws of gravity and revolutionized astronomical studies. But few know that if it weren't for Edmund Halley, the world may never have heard of Newton. Halley was the one who challenged Newton to think through his original theories. He corrected Newton's mathematical errors and prepared geometric figures to support his discoveries. It was Halley who coaxed the hesitant Newton to write his great work, Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy. And it was Halley who edited and supervised its publication, financing its printing even though Newton was wealthier and could better afford the cost.

Historians have called Halley's relationship with Newton one of the most selfless examples in science. Newton began almost immediately to reap the rewards of prominence; Halley received little credit. He did use the principles Newton developed to predict the orbit and return of a comet that would later bear his name, but since Halley's Comet only returns every 76 years, few hear his name. Still, Halley didn't care who received credit as long as the cause of science was advanced. He was content to live without fame.

Sometimes just the reward of what we are doing far outweighs the recognition we often think we need to have.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Jan. 26, 1997, p. 4]

WHERE ARE THE LAMPS?

In a certain mountain village in Europe several centuries ago (so the story goes), a nobleman wondered what legacy to leave his townspeople. At last he decided to build them a church.

Nobody saw the completed plans until the church was finished. When the people gathered, they marveled at its beauty. But one noticed an incompleteness. "Where are the lamps?" he asked. "How will the church be lighted?"

The nobleman smiled. Then he gave each family a lamp. "Each time you are here, the area in which you sit will be lighted. But when you are not here, some part of God's house will be dark."

Today we live in a world of darkness, a darkness in which even our secular problem-solvers are beginning to stumble. In spite of our "social conscience," all around us is evidence of ignorance, illiteracy, and dark imaginings. Rom. 2:19 tells us that we, as Christians, are "a light for those who are in the dark."

But the world is so big. And our lamp is so small. Yes, but we can light some small part each day. Look at the star-struck heavens. How small each star looks in the distance. Yet, put together, those tiny jewels can light the darkest night. Not one of those little lamps of heaven is ever missing - else the heavens would be less bright. Each of us is a star (or a lamp, if you will). And yes, we can make this world a bright place. It all begins with the desire expressed in Michelangelo's prayer, "God, grant me the desire always to desire to be more than I can ever accomplish."

To think and pray about: Light your lamps. Let God send you in a new direction today. Meet someone at the crossroads of his or her life. Put on a bright face whether you feel like it or not. Gladness will come.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Jan. 12, 1997, p. 3]

FALLING DOWN DOESN'T MAKE YOU A FAILURE, BUT STAYING DOWN DOES.

Most people know that Thomas Edison conducted countless experiments with countless kinds of materials in search for an effective filament to use in carbon incandescent lamps. As each fiber failed, he would toss it out the window. Ultimately, the pile of failures reached to the second story of his house.

One day in 1879, some thirteen months after his first failure, he succeeded in finding a filament that would stand the stress of electric current. Here's how: Edison casually picked up a bit of lampblack, mixed it with tar, rolled it into a thin thread, and thought, Why not try a carbonized cotton fiber? He worked for five hours to make a fiber but it broke in two before he removed the mold. He used two spools of cotton thread before a perfect strand emerged, only to be ruined when he tried to place it in a glass tube. He continued without sleep for two days and nights before he managed to slip one of the carbonized threads into a vacuum-sealed bulb. Turning on the current, he saw the glow of electric light that we now take for granted.

A failure doesn't need to mark the end. It can be one step closer to the success you desire.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Jan. 12, 1997, p. 4]

IT'S LATER THAN YOU THINK

Everything is farther than it used to be. It is twice as far from my house to the bus line now, and they have added a hill that I've just noticed. The busses don't stop for as long either; I've stopped running for them too, for they get away faster than they use to.

Seems to me they are making staircases steeper than they use to. The risers are higher or there are more of them or something. Maybe this is because it is so much farther today from the first floor to the second floor, but I've noticed it is getting harder to make two steps at a time anymore; it is about all I can do to make one step at a time.

Have you noticed that small print they are using lately. Newspapers are getting farther and farther away when I hold them, and I have to squint to make out the news. It is ridiculous to suggest that a person of my age needs glasses, but it is the only way I can find out what is going on without someone reading aloud to me; and that's not much help, because everyone seems to speak in such a low voice that I can scarcely hear them.

Times are sure changing. The materials in my clothes, I notice, shrinks in certain places. Shoe laces are shorter. They are next to impossible to reach.

People are changing too, for one thing they are younger than they use to be when I was their age. On the other hand, people my age are much older than I am. I realize my generation is approaching "middle age," but there is no reason for my friends to totter into senility.

I ran into a friend the other night and she had changed so much she didn't recognize me. "You've put on a little weight," she said. "It is this modern food," I told her, "It seems to be more fattening than it used to be."

I got to thinking about her this morning when I was dressing. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and it seems they don't use the same kind of glass in mirrors anymore.
[from the Reminder, 6th and Izzard, Little Rock via Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Jan. 19, 1997, p. 2]

THE VALUE OF ONE MEMBER

Ten little members standing in a line.
One disliked the minister, then there were nine.
Nine ambitious members offered to work late.
One forgot her promise, then there were eight.
Eight creative members had ideas good as heaven.
One lost enthusiasm, then there were seven.
Seven loyal members got into a fix.
They quarreled over projects, then there were six.
Six members remained with spirit and drive.
One moved away, then there were five.
Five steadfast members wished there were more.
One became indifferent, then there were four.
Four cheerful members who never disagree,
'Til one complained of meetings, then there were three.
Three eager members! What did they do?
One got discouraged, then there were two.
Two lonely members, our rhyme is nearly done.
One joined a sports team, then there was only one.
One faithful member was feeling rather blue,
Met with a neighbor and then there were two.
Two earnest members each enrolled one more,
Doubling their number, then there were four.
Four determined members just wouldn't wait,
'Til each one won another, then there were eight.
Eight excited members signed up sixteen more.
In another six verses, there will be a thousand twenty-four.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Jan. 19, 1997, p. 3]

GOD PLUS ONE IS ALWAYS A MAJORITY!

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress at the piano, a mother bought tickets to an Ignace Paderawski performance. When the night arrived, the two found their seats near the front of the concert hall. The boy stared in wide-eyed amazement at the majestic grand piano on the stage. The mother began talking to a friend sitting nearby and failed to notice her son slip away. As the house lights dimmed and the spotlight lit the piano, the woman gasped as she saw her son at the piano bench, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

Before the woman could retrieve her son, the famous concert pianist appeared on stage and quickly moved to the keyboard. "Don't quit - keep playing," he whispered to the boy. Leaning over, Paderawski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Then with his right arm, he reached around the other side, encircling the child, to add a running obligato. Together, the old master and the young novice mesmerized the crowd.

No matter how insignificant, or "amateur-ish" you may feel today, the Master has these words for you, "Don't quit - keep playing." He will add whatever is needed to turn your efforts into a masterpiece.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Jan. 19, 1997, p. 4]

MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES

The children of Israel lived for many years in the land of Egypt. Year by year, the Israelites grew stronger, richer, and more powerful. At last the Egyptians grew jealous of them.

"These strangers have the best of our land," they complained. "They are growing so many and so powerful that they will soon take the whole land and will rule over us."

At last, King Pharaoh sent out a proclamation that every boy in the home of a Hebrew should be put to death. He thought that in this cruel way he would stop the growth of these people. The poor mothers wept bitterly, and hid their children from the officers of the king.

Now, about this time, there was born in the home of one of the Hebrews a little boy who was a strong and beautiful child. His mother kept him hidden until he was three months old. Then she grew afraid that the cruel Egyptians might come to her home and find him, so she went down to the river and gathered bulrushes. These she wove into a basket, or ark, and daubed it with mud and pitch, so the water would not come into it; then she took her baby boy and laid him carefully in it. She took the ark and hid it in the rushes on the edge of the river. His sister stood afar off and kept watch to see what would happen to the child.

By and by, the daughter of Pharaoh and her maidens came down to the river to bathe. As the princess walked along the riverside she saw the ark hidden in the rushes and she sent her maidens to fetch it. She opened the ark of rushes and the child stretched out his arms to her. The princess lifted him from the ark and held him close to her heart. As she looked into his baby face, she was filled with pity and love for the beautiful boy.

"This is one of the Hebrews' children," she said. "Some poor mother has hidden him here. He is a splendid child; I will take him and bring him up as my own son."

Just then the sister drew near and heard what the princess said. Her heart was filled with joy.
"Shall I go and call a nurse of the Hebrew women that she may nurse the child for thee?"
The princess smiled. "Go," she said.

The girl ran swiftly to her mother and told her all that had happened. Trembling with joy, the mother hurried to the princess, and the child was placed into the arms of his own mother.

"Nurse this child for me and I will give thee thy wage," said the princess. "His name shall be called, Moses, because I drew him out of the water."

So, loved and tended by his own mother, Moses grew up in the palace of the king, and he was treated as the son of the princess. He grew to be strong and powerful, but he never turned from his own people, the Hebrews. Long years after, when he had grown wise enough to be a great leader, he took his people out of Egypt, back into their own land.
[by J. Berg Esenwein and Marietta Stockard from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Jan. 5, 1997, p. 2]

THE SIN OF OMISSION

It isn't the thing you do, dear,
It's the thing you leave undone
That gives you a bit of a heartache
At setting of the sun.
The tender word forgotten,
The letter you did not write,
The flowers you did not sent, dear,
Are your haunting ghosts at night.
The stone you might have lifted
Out of a brother's way;
The bit of heartsome counsel
You were hurried too much to say;
The loving touch of the hand, dear,
The gentle, winning tone
Which you had no time nor thought for
With trouble enough of your own.
Those little acts of kindness
So easily out of mind,
Those chances to be angels
Which we poor mortals find -
They come in night and silence,
Each sad, reproachful wraith,
When hope is faint and flagging,
And a chill has fallen on the faith.
For life is all to short, dear,
And sorrow is all too great,
To suffer our slow compassion
That tarries until too late;
And it isn't the thing you do, dear,
It's the thing you leave undone
Which gives you a bit of a heartache
At the setting of the sun.
[by Margaret E. Sangster from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Jan. 5, 1997, p. 3]

JESUS LOVES ME, THIS I KNOW...

Matthew was a tax collector, a hated man among the Jews for helping Rome tighten its occupation. Even so...Jesus loved Matthew, and eventually chose him as one of His apostles.

Peter had a quick temper, his emotions easily triggered by circumstances. He denied knowing Jesus three times during the most critical hour of Jesus' life on earth. Even so...Jesus love Peter and empowered him to lead the early church.

Saul "made havoc" of the church in Jerusalem, leading raids on the homes of Christians and imprisoning the devout. He consented to the death of Stephen, and was one of the official witnesses of his execution. He even requested letters of authority to extend the persecution of the church to other cities, including Damascus. Even so...Jesus loved Saul, appeared to him in a light from heaven, and called him to repentance.

No matter what a person may have done - no matter their character flaw - Jesus loves them. He loved them to the point of dying on their behalf on the Cross...including dying for your enemy...the friend or family member who disappoints you or frustrates you...indeed, including you.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Jan. 5, 1997, p. 4]

BEING FRIENDS

Being friends is a warm and glowing touch.
It's words of kindness that mean so much.
Through days and years that bond has grown...
A blessing only friends have known.
Being friends holds a meaning true,
It's past and present and yet it's new.
It's time wrapped up in things we do...
I'm glad God made a friend like you!
[by Emily Bertha Green]

ANDROCLES AND THE LION

(The appeal of this story lies in the fact that Androcles the slave can feel compassion at another's pain even though he himself has been so cruelly treated. It is a unique human capacity, to be able to put oneself in the place and point of view of another. In the end, his own kindness sets him free.)

In Rome there was once a poor slave whose name was Androcles. His master was a cruel man, and so unkind to him that at last Andorcles ran away.

He hid himself in a wild wood for many days. But there was no food to be found, and he grew so weak and sick that he thought he would die. So one day he crept into a cave and lay down, and soon he was fast asleep. After a while a great noise woke him up. A lion had come into the cave, and was roaring loudly. Androcles was very much afraid, for he felt sure that the beast would kill him. Soon, however, he saw that the lion was not angry, but that he limped as though his foot hurt him.

Then Androcles grew so bold that he took hold of the lion's lame paw to see what was the matter. The lion stood quite still, and rubbed his head against the man's shoulder. He seemed to say, "I know that you will help me."

Androcles lifted the paw from the ground, and saw that it was a long, sharp thorn which hurt the lion so much. He took the end of the thorn in his fingers; then he gave a strong, quick pull, and out it came. The lion was full of joy. He jumped about like a dog, and licked the hands of his new friend.

Androcles was not at all afraid after this. And when night came, he and the lion lay down and slept side by side. For a long time, the lion brought food to Androcles every day, and the two became such good friends that Androcles found his new life a very happy one.

One day some soldiers who were passing through the wood found Androcles in the cave. They knew who he was, and so took him back to Rome.

It was the law at that time that every slave who ran away from his master should be made to fight a hungry lion. So a fierce lion was shut up for a while without food, and a time was set for the fight.

When the day came, thousands of people crowded to see the sport. They went to such places at that time very much as people now go to see a circus or a game of baseball.

The door opened, and poor Androcles was brought in. He was almost dead with fear, for the roars of the lion could already be heard. He looked up, and saw that there was no pity in the thousands of faces around him.

Then the hungry lion rushed in. With a single bound he reached the poor slave. Androcles gave a great cry, not of fear, but of gladness. It was his old friend, the lion of the cave.

The people, who had expected to see tha man killed by the lion, were filled with wonder. They saw Androcles put his arms around the lion's neck; they saw the lion lie down at his feet, and lick them lovingly; they saw the great beast rub his head against the slave's face as though he wanted to be petted. They could not understand what it all meant.

After a while they asked Androcles to tell them about it. So he stood up before them, and, with his arm around the lion's neck, told how he and the beast had lived together in the cave.

"I am a man," he said, "but no man has ever befriended me. This poor lion alone has been kind to me and we love each other as brothers."

The people were not so bad that they could be cruel to the poor slave now. "Live and be free!" they cried, "Live and be free!" Others cried, "Let the lion go free too! Give them their liberty!"

And so Androcles was set free, and the lion was given to him for his own. And they lived together in Rome for many years.
[from Sycamore Chapel church of Christ bulletin, Mar. 16, 1997, p. 2]

(John 8:12)
By these words of Christ we are advised to imitate His life and habits, if we wish to be truly enlightened and free from all blindness of heart. Let one of our chief efforts, therefore, be to study the life of Jesus Christ.

The teaching of Christ is more excellent than all the advice of men, and he who has His spirit will find in it a hidden manna. How, there are many who hear the Gospel often but care little for it because they have not the spirit of Christ. Yet whoever wishes to understand fully the words of Christ must try to pattern his whole life on that of Christ.
[from Sycamore Chapel church of Christ bulletin, Mar. 16, 1997, p. 3]

GOD CAN HEAL A BROKEN HEART, BUT HE HAS TO HAVE ALL THE PIECES.

A boy once said to God, "I've been thinking, and I know what I want when I become a man." He proceeded to give God his list: to live in a big house with two Saint Bernards and a garden...marry a blue-eyes, tall, beautiful woman...have three sons - one who will be a senator, one a scientist, and one a quarterback. He also wanted to be an adventurer who climbed tall mountains...and to drive a red Farrari.

As it turned out, the boy hurt his knee one day while playing football. He no longer could climb trees, much less mountains. He married a beautiful and kind woman, who was short with brown eyes. Because of his business, he lived in a city apartment, took cabs, and rode subways. He had three loving daughters, and they adopted a fluffy cat. One daughter became a nurse, another an artist, and the third a music teacher. One morning the man awoke and remembered his boyhood dream. He became extremely depressed, so depressed that he became very ill. Close to death from a broken heart, he called out to God, "Remember when I was a boy and told You all the things I wanted? Why didn't You give me those things?"

"I could have," said God, "but I wanted to make you happy."
Remember God wants the best for us. Trust Him with your whole heart - He's the original surgeon.
[from Sycamore Chapel church of Christ bulletin, Mar. 16, 1997, p. 4]

SHARERS OF WISDOM

* Teachers are sharers of the priceless gift of wisdom, a gift more precious than any material thing.
* Teachers are sharers and partners in discovery. They help us find the facts we need to know, while helping us find out about ourselves and our abilities.
* Teachers are sharers in the process of learning, for by teaching others, they learn new things also.
* Teachers are sharers not only of information, but of ideas. They are givers not only of answers, but of ways to find answers.
* Teachers are sharers of enthusiasm, who impart to us the joy of love and learning.
* Teachers are sharers in the present and the future, for they affect not just one student, but whole generations, communities, and countries.
* Teachers are sharers of their time, energy, knowledge, and most of all, themselves.
[from Sycamore Chapel church of Christ bulletin, Mar. 9, 1997, p. 3]

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