A VIEW FROM THE DOOR
(Rev. 3:20)
The Christmas season of 1995 kept me busy helping to deliver flowers for my daughter who has her own florist shop in the small town of Hemet, California. It was also a learning experience for me!

Mary's door:
It was getting late that evening - the sunlight was just fading over the hills. This delivery was going to be the last for the day. As I pulled up to the double-wide mobile home, I gave my usual soft knock. After what seemed like a very long time, Mary came to the door. She sort of mumbled as she fussed with the lock. I was holding the bouquet of flowers so that she could see them when she finally got the door opened.

The door opened - but only wide enough for the bouquet to be squeezed through. The first words that she said were not, "Oh, how pretty," but rather, "Well, it's too big, where will I put it? My table is too small. It's too big!"

By then, I was ready to turn around, walk away, and keep the flowers for myself! I needed to get her to sign for the flowers, so I waited, and the door was finally opened just enough for Mary to take my slip of paper, sign it, and receive the bouquet. As I walked away from her door, I could only shake my head in disbelief.

Grace's Door:
The day I came to Grace's door, it was raining and cold. I drove through the gate and followed the driveway up to the house. There was a sign on the back door that read, "Please come to the front." I drove around to the side of the house and stopped. By the time I got out of the car and had the flowers in my hand, Grace and her granddaughter were outside. "Please come in."

One step inside and you could tell that they were baking Christmas cookies. It was so warm and the kitchen smelled heavenly. The flowers were given and while Grace signed for them, she said, "Suzy, offer the lady a cookie or two." I thanked Suzy and left. As I closed the car door and took the first bite of the cookies, I felt warm and cozy as I thought about the joy in that home.

Amy's door:
Amy was a different story. Amy's home was in an older trailer park. It was just about noon when I pulled up to a rather run-down trailer. This time, when the door opened, there was Amy. She was a little stooped, and that morning, she had buttoned her blouse one button short. Her hair was tousled, but she had a big smile.

She was overjoyed with the flowers and seemed just as excited to have someone come to her home. "Please come in, come, sit down and have some soup with me," Amy said. I was sad to have to be on my way, because she was so excited about the company.

As I thought about these three very different women, I was reminded of the scripture in Rev. 3:20, where Jesus says.... I thought about the fact that I am only a person delivering flowers, but Christ stands at the door with the gift of salvation to offer. He stands at the door of our lives, waiting to be invited in.

When Jesus knocks at our door, what does He find? Does he encounter a Mary, with space inside which is too small for Him to fit - with a door opened begrudgingly, and only a crack, at that?

Are we like Grace, bounding outside to meet Him? Inviting Him in and sharing that openness with the next generation? Passing on our attitude about the Lord, so that it will be easier for others to be open and willing to have Him in their lives.

Or are we like Amy? Sweet Amy, so aware of a need that we throw all caution to the wind, invite Him in, and insist that He stay and sup with us?
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Mar. 30, 1997, p. 2]

A SHUT MOUTH GATHERS NO FOOT
Constance Cameron tells a lesson her mother taught her. One day, when she was about eight, she was playing beside an open window. Inside, Mrs. Brown was confiding a personal problem to Constance's mother. After Mrs. Brown had gone, the mother realized that Constance had heard everything that had been said. She called her in and said, "If Mrs. Brown had left her purse here today, would we give it to anyone else?"

"Of course not," the girl said. Her mother went on, "Mrs. Brown left something more precious than her pocketbook today. She left a story that could make many people unhappy. That story is not ours to give to anyone. It is still hers, even though she left it here. So we shall not give it to anyone. Do you understand?"

She did. And from that day on, whenever a friend would share a confidence or even engage in careless gossip, she considered what they said to be the personal property of the other person - and not hers to give to anyone else.

The old saying bears great truth: "If you don't have something positive to say about someone or something, don't say anything.
(Prov. 13:3).
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Mar. 30, 1997, p. 4]

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOU'RE REALLY IN LOVE?

Psychologists and sociologists have often cited the attitudes that make for long-lived, well-balanced relationships. They are the same ones that we find in I Cor. 13:4-7.

1.	Patient. It lets the other person grow up on their own, instead of trying to do it for them. This should be an active patience, rather than a teeth-grating "when are they gonna grow up" tolerance.
2.	Kind. A gentle, favorable, optimistic attitude toward the other person. This attitude is characterized by gentle and understanding actions.
3.	Not envious. Rejoices in the blessings of the loved one. Love has no mind for exploitation.
4.	Not boastful or proud. A true lover is not preoccupied with his own self-importance. His ego is not excessively fed by:
	a.	His ability to love
	b.	His ability to be loved
	c.	His partner's attractiveness or desirableness. Nor does he act in a superior or haughty manner to his loved one.
5.	Not rude. The positive of this is, "Love is polite". To be polite is to make the other person feel special, not to take them for granted.
6.	Not self seeking. It is "other person seeking". Thinking of what you can give, not what you can get. That is, being preoccupied with the other person's successes, failures, blessings, hurts, etc.
7.	Slow to anger. Disagreements can be discussed without them disintegrating into meaningless arguments. The anger of true love rises when the other person is hurting themselves.
8.	Keeps no record of wrongs. Love forgives and forgets. It doesn't keep bringing up past arguments or mistakes. It also takes care of problems as they arise, instead of letting them pile up.
9.	Rejoices in truth. With "truth" being "the way things really are", love rejoices in the way someone really is. To want to change a person, is to be in love with an idea, rather than that person.
10.	Bears all things (protects). The loved one is special. Love tries to understand and protect the partner from physical and emotional harm. Love builds up. Telling and showing another person their worth is a protection for them from a hostile world.
11.	Believes all things (trusts). Love believes the best about the other, even when there's a misunderstanding between you. Love does not attempt to supervise every thought and action of another.
12.	Hopes. Love isn't blind to another's faults, but it believes in the other's potential, and focuses on the good side of things. This helps the good things to grow, leaving less and less room for the bad things.
13.	Endures. This does not mean being a doormat, but it does mean that you don't give up when a problem, argument, etc. occurs.

Many married couples fail to have this kind of love in their relationships. But if you want this type of a good, lasting marriage, you must start while you are dating to work on these attributes. It takes time for God's type of love to grow, so start now to work toward that end.
Practice God's type of love with your parents, friends, and dates; then it will come much easier in marriage later.
[by Rick Janelle from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Apr. 6, 1997, p. 2]

TOMORROW
On the front page of a recent newspaper was the story of three teenagers who had been shot, two were killed, one seriously injured. They had not planned on dying that day.

Do you plan for tomorrow? Most of us do and should, to some extent or other. We figure that given the law of averages, we will be around to see another day. None of us are so knowledgeable that we can know assuredly, beyond a doubt, that we have tomorrow - it is not promised.

Life is tenuous at best, it is very delicate. Truly we do not know what our life will be like tomorrow. We are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away (James 4:14).

We are prone to speak of doing this or that tomorrow even though we are not assured we will have a tomorrow. (James 4:16).

Such talk is evil because in bragging about our exploits of tomorrow or next week or next year we rely upon ourselves for tomorrow's surety, rather than placing our faith and trust in God to care for our tomorrows.

Where is your trust, in God to care for you on in yourself to provide for yourself without the need of God or anyone else?
Without a doubt, our trust should always be in God - is yours?
[by Gordon Gentry, Jr. from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Apr. 6, 1997, p. 3]

...AND HAVING DONE ALL, TO STAND. STAND THEREFORE... (Eph. 6:13-14)

There once was a Louisville University quarterback who dreamed of playing pro football. Upon graduation, however, no pro team drafted him. So, he wrote to several teams and finally got an opportunity to try out for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He gave his best effort, but wasn't chosen. His friends said, "You got a raw deal...it wasn't meant to be...I guess it's time to hang up your cleats." But the young athlete didn't give up. He continued to knock on doors and write letters. Finally, he received another invitation. But again, he didn't make the team.

Most people would have given up long before this point, but not Johnny. He was a fanatic about his personal dream. From his early days of playing sandlot football, he had been obsessed with this goal. So, patiently and persistently, he continued to pursue try-out opportunities. Finally, he was invited to try out for the Baltimore team...and he made the third string! Through training and many long hours of drills and fitness building, he worked his way up to be starting quarterback. Indeed, he became one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play in the NFL. The dreamer's name? Johnny Unitas.
Keep driving until you arrive at your goal!
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Apr. 6, 1997, p. 4]

WHAT? ME SERVE GOD?
(Exo. 4:10)
These are not exactly the type of rhetoric for which great spokesmen are remembered, and yet, this was the man chosen by God to represent the nation of Israel. Selected to negotiate for the release of well over a million people, this man Moses, slow of speech and lacking in eloquence, did what? He did exactly what God led him to do.

Why would God choose a man like Moses for the monumental task he was given, fully aware of his inadequacies and poor self-esteem? God had every right to do that. Moses was called to do the work of the Lord, work he felt that he was incapable of doing in a manner befitting the Almighty God.

How many of us have been called to do the Lord's work in some fashion or another, only to raise questions about our own shortcomings? We tend to discredit our spiritual gifts. We tend to doubt our abilities because we fear we will never live up to the expectations of God. God's only expectations are for us to follow the calling he has given us and to use the talents he has blessed us with.

You may not be the Billy Graham of the evangelism group and you may not be the Donna Reed of the hospitality group, but as long as you are giving glory to God, what difference does it make? Do not be afraid to use your God-given talents. Do not let a little criticism by men dampen your zeal to serve the Lord. Use your talents as best you can, keeping this goal in mind: "Yet, not as I will, but as you (God) will."
[by William Hooker from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Apr. 13, 1997, p. 3]

OUR CHILDREN ARE LIKE MIRRORS - THEY REFLECT OUR ATTITUDES IN LIFE

A man was asked to give a commencement address several years ago and as he sat on the platform after the speech, watching the graduates receive their college degrees, the entire audience began applauding for a student who had earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average. During the applause, a faculty member seated next to the speaker leaned over and said to him, "She may be Miss Genius, but her attitude stinks." The speaker later said, "Without even thinking, my hands stopped clapping for her in mid-air. I couldn't help but think, How sad."

No matter how beautiful, intelligent, talented, or athletic a child may be...there's no substitute for a child having a positive, loving attitude toward others! The foremost architect of that attitude is not going to be a teacher or a preacher, but the parents.

Be careful in the attitudes you "feed" your children daily. They become the diet of your child's mind, just as food becomes the diet of your child's body. Don't feed your children junk ideas, sour opinions, rotten theology, poison feelings, or wilted enthusiasm. Instead, feed your children with the best and most positive ideas, expressions of feeling, and opinions you have.
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Apr. 13, 1997, p. 4]

SOMEONE IS WATCHING YOU
Do you know that someone is watching the way you live? In 1957 this story began to unfold.

There was a young man of the age of twelve that obeyed the gospel of Christ and became a Christian. Soon afterwards, due to circumstances in his family, he had no transportation to attend worship services of the Lord's church.

This did not stop him going to church, it only slowed him down some. He chose to walk to church services. (Some will think that this is no big deal, for many people have walked to church.) Even though he lived more than five miles from the church building, he never missed a church service that weather allowed him to attend.

Across the road from the church building lived an elderly gentleman who had no use for religion. Now, as the spring of 1957 wore into summer, this old gent set out on his front porch each Sunday morning. He could not help but take notice of this young man. Every Sunday, the lad walked down the dusty road and entered the church building across the road.

In almost all rural communities, everyone knows most everyone else. This elderly man had been visited by nearly every member of that church. He had been invited often to visit their services, but to no avail.

Through the weeks of spring and summer, Mr. Doe (not the man's real name) and the young man greeted each other every Sunday. Mr. Doe could almost set his clock by the church's schedule of services and the youth's arrival. This continued throughout the summer of 1957.

One beautiful Sunday morning in September, Mr. Doe was on his front porch wondering where the young man was. It was past time for services and the lad had not walked past his house. The next week, Mr. Doe watched again for the boy, but once again, he did not come.

The following Sunday, after services, Mr. Doe walked across the road and asked one of the men what he knew about the young man. Did he know what had happened to the youth who had walked past his house each Sunday? He was told that the young man's family had moved and that he would not be attending church services there any more.

The first Sunday in October, Mr. Doe walked out onto his front porch, but did not sit down. Instead, he walked across the road and entered the church building. This was the first time he had attended a church service since he had been a lad himself.

The members were surprised, yet very happy to see Mr. Doe. After all these years, he had finally come. Mr. Doe became a regular guest at the little country church, and that winter he was baptized into Christ.

The preacher was curious, as well as were the others, as to what had finally convinced Mr. Doe to take note of his life and become a Christian. Mr. Doe explained that a young man whom he did not even know had persuaded him that there must be something special about being a Christian.

This man became a Christian because of a young man's example. The lad never realized that as he walked to church each Sunday, someone was watching him.
[by Ron Brown from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Apr. 20, 1997, p. 2]

HOW ARE YOU PUNCTUATING YOUR LIFE?
The following articles were written in 1873. As you read the articles, please note that each one is exactly the same, word for word, yet note how different the meaning set forth by differences in punctuation. Much in life depends on where we put the emphasis or punctuation.
The Good Man
He is an old and experienced man. In vice and wickedness he is never found. Opposing the work of iniquity he takes delight. In the downfall of his neighbor he never rejoices. In the prosperity of any of his fellow creatures he is ready to assist. In destroying the peace of society he takes no pleasure. In serving the Lord he is uncommonly diligent. In sowing discord among his friends and acquaintances he takes no pride. In laboring to promote the cause of Christianity he has not been negligent. In endeavoring to stigmatize all public teachers he makes no exertions. To subdue his passions he strives hard. To build up Satan's kingdom he lends no aid. To support the gospel among the heathen he contributes largely. To the evil adversary he pays no attention. To good advice he gives great heed. To the devil he will never go. To heaven he must go where he'll receive the just recompense of his reward.
The Evil Man
He is an old and experienced man in vice and wickedness. He is never found opposing the work of iniquity. He takes delight in the downfall of his neighbor. He never rejoices in the prosperity of any of his fellow creatures. He is ready to assist in destroying the peace of society. He takes no pleasure in serving the Lord. He is uncommonly diligent in sowing discord among his friends and acquaintances. He takes no pride in laboring to promote the cause of Christianity. He has not been negligent in endeavoring to stigmatize all public teachers. He makes no exertions to subdue his passions. He strives hard to build up Satan's kingdom. He lends no aid to support the gospel among the heathen. He contributes largely to the evil adversary. He pays no attention to good advice. He gives great heed to the devil. He will never go to heaven. He must go where he'll receive the just recompense of his reward.
[by F.W. Emmons from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Apr. 20, 1997, p. 3]

YOURS WORDS ARE WINDOWS TO YOUR HEART
Author J. Allan Petersen tells about a flight he took on a 747 out of Brazil. He was awakened from sleep by a strong voice announcing, "We have a very serious emergency." Three engines had quit because of fuel contamination and the fourth was expected to go at any second. The plane began to drop and turn in the night, preparing for an emergency landing.

At first the situation seemed unreal to Petersen, but when the steward barked, "Prepare for impact," he found himself - and everyone around him praying. As he buried his head in his lap and pulled up his knees, he said, "Oh God, thank You. Thank you for the incredible privilege to knowing You. Life has been wonderful." As the plane approached the ground, his last cry was, "Oh, God, my wife! My children!"

Petersen survived. As he wandered about the airport in a daze, aching all over, he found he couldn't speak, but his mind was racing, What were my last words? What was the bottom line? As he remembered, he had his answer: relationship. Reunited with his wife and sons, he found that all he could say to them over and over was, "I appreciate you, I appreciate you!"
Listen to what you are saying. Have you told that person who matters to you how you really feel?
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Apr. 20, 1997, p. 3]

HOW IS YOUR BACK?
A story is told of a preacher who held a meeting in the southwest. At one point in his sermon, the old minister spoke of Simon of Cyrene and asked the audience to determine in their own hearts their reaction to that scene.

Just then he came walking up the aisle on little fat, brown legs, with serious determination in his eyes. The preacher stopped speaking and the congregation was as quiet as death. "You asked what I would have done if I had been in the crowd when Jesus fell under the weight of His cross." He looked earnestly up at the preacher. "Sir, I would have helped Him carry it."

He was a Mexican boy around nine years old. His father was a miner and his mother was an outcast. The minister lifted his arm and cried: "Yes, and if you had helped Him to carry His cross, the cruel Roman soldiers would have beaten down across your back with their whips until the blood ran down to your heals!"

He never flinched. Meeting the preacher's look with one of cool courage, he gritted through clenched teeth: "I don't care. I would have helped Him carry it just the same."

Two weeks later, at the close of the service, the old preacher stood at the door, greeting people as they left. When the little boy, Pedro, came by, he patted him affectionately on the back. Pedro pulled away with a little cry. "Please don't do that. My back is sore." The preacher stood astonished; he had barely touched his shoulders.

He took him to a room and removed his shirt. Crisscrossed from his neck to his waist were ugly, bloody welts. "Who did that?" the preacher cried in anger. "Mother did it. She whipped me because I came to church."

Jesus said ...(Luke 14:27). We are told we must bear our cross in order to be a true disciple of Christ. There are many forms of crosses in an individual's life. We all have loads we struggle with from time to time, some more difficult than others.

Long ago, there was a man who had his share of bearing crosses. He wrote these words in II Cor. 4:8-9....

The apostle Paul was an amazing man. He was hit by more problems than most people see in a lifetime. If anyone ever had a right to say he had a bad back, it was Paul. He was thrown into prison, received 39 lashed on 5 different occasions, beat with rods, stoned and left for dead and shipwrecked.

Paul was not invincible but he knew a secret. He knew where his strength came from. (II Sam. 22:33). The Psalmist wrote in Psa. 73:26....

One difference between Paul and many Christians today is the fact that Paul was ready to bear whatever cross came his way, no matter how heavy or burdensome it was. He knew that God would be with him every step of the way.

When we face problems today we can find comfort and encouragement in passages like Deut. 31:6.

We are not promised a bed of roses when we give our lives to the Lord. We are promised a cross. Ours may not be the same as little Pedro's but it can be just as hard to bear. Once we recognize what it is that we are struggling with, we must meet it head on. We have to be totally convinced that God, through His strength and life, will help us see it through to the end.

How is your back? Is it scarred and bent over from the cross you've been dragging? Maybe you have done like so many others through the years and just given up, just left your cross lying in the sand. If that is the case, it is time for you to grit your teeth, ask God for strength, and get a firm hold on that cross again.
The trail to Heaven can be a long, hard struggle and many won't make it. You can bet that those who do reach the Home of Eternal Rest, will do it under the weight of the cross.
When it seems like you can't go on and you're at the point of giving up, remember II Cor. 12:9-10.
[by Travis Brown from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Apr. 27, 1997, p. 2-3]

HE WHO BURIES HIS TALENT IS MAKING A GRAVE MISTAKE
A man named Luigi Tarisio loved violins and began collecting them. He took great pride in scouting out rare finds and purchasing only those instruments that he knew to be of the finest quality. No one really knew about his passion, however, until after he died. It was while his estate was being appraised that some 246 valuable violins were discovered in his attic!

One of the most expensive violins had been hidden in the drawer of an old dresser. It was a Stradivarius he had purchased from someone who had also bought it solely as a collector's item. In commenting on this, W.Y. Fullerton noted that in preserving the instrument, Tarisio had robbed the world of beautiful music all the time he treasured his violins. Others before him had done the same. In fact, by the time the greatest Stradivarius violin in his collection was finally played, 147 years had passed!

The gifts, talents, abilities, and aptitudes that you have been given by our Creator are intended for you to discover, and then use until they become perfect. We are to uncover who we were created to be...not cover up what we fear we are. It is not only God's gift to you, but the very best you can ever give to others.
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Apr. 27, 1997, p. 4]

LETTER FROM THE FUTURE
January 22, 2023, (50th Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade)
Dear Mom,
Can you believe it's 2023 already? I'm still writing 22 on nearly everything. Seems like yesterday I was sitting in first grade celebrating the century change!
I know we haven't really chatted since Christmas. Sorry. Anyway, I have some difficult news and I really didn't want to call and talk face to face.
Ted's had a promotion, and I should be up for a hefty raise this year if I keep putting in those crazy hours. You know how hard I work at it. Yes, we're still struggling with the bills.
Timmy's been "OK" at kindergarten, although he complains about going. But then he wasn't happy about day care either, so what can I do? He's been a real problem, Mom. He's a good kid, but quite honestly, he's an unfair burden at this time in our lives. Ted and I have talked this through and through and finally made a choice. Plenty of other families have made it and are much better off.
Our minister is supportive and says hard decisions sometimes are necessary. The family is a "system" and the demands of one member shouldn't be allowed to ruin the whole. He told us to be prayerful, consider all the factors, and do what is right to make the family work. He says that even though he probably wouldn't do it himself, the decision is really ours. He was kind enough to refer us to a children's clinic near here, so at least that part's easy.
I'm not an uncaring mother. I do feel sorry for the little guy. I think he heard Ted and me talking about "it" the other night. I turned around and saw him standing at the bottom step in his pj's with the little bear you gave him under his arm. His eyes sort of welled up with tears. Mom, the way he looked at me almost broke my heart. But I honestly believe this is better for Timmy too. It's not fair to force him to live in a family that can't give him the time and attention he deserves.
And please don't give me the kind of grief Grandma gave you over your abortions. This is exactly the same thing, you know.
We've told Timmy that he's just going in for a vaccination. Anyway, they say the termination procedure is painless.
I guess it's just as well that you haven't seen him that much, nor spent much time with him.
Give my love to Dad.
Love, Jane
(NOTE: The author of this letter is unknown, but it appeared in an "Oilfield Christian Fellowship" journal.)

If you can read this without feeling a "chill" in your spine, you are, in my opinion, truly without hope. Why is it that we seldom consider where current trends in society will take us in the future?

I realize that it is unpopular in our time to openly advocate the sanctity of life, but we, as Christians are called to live and speak in opposition to the sins in our world. What if it became legal to end the life of a parent, just because their living made the lives of the children more difficult? How many mother-in-law would cease to exist?

Some say that we are not being sensitive to those who in their younger days foolishly had abortions. It is said that teaching about it opens and irritates old wounds needlessly. I strongly disagree.

First, those who have committed this sin and are now sorry for doing so, can be forgiven by God, just as any other sinner can be. When people are truly sorry for their past failures, they usually are eager to see others avoid the heartache that they have endured. Thus we have Alcoholics Anonymous, and many other kinds of support groups.

Second, the presence of people with a failure in their life should never sway a teacher or preacher of God's word from teaching what is right and holy. Even if all those present are offended, truth remains truth, and people have a right to hear it.

Third, we should rejoice if our hearts are tender enough to be hurt at the reminder of our past sins. Even though God forgives us, thinking of past failures should move us deeply.

I believe that unless we advocate a return to God's ways of life that our society can and will become a "living hell" on earth. Do we really want to live in a world where our right to live is determined by others whose main goal in life is their own wishes and desires?

May God help us to see where our disregard for the value of human life could lead us.
[by Rick Janelle from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], May 4, 1997, p. 2-3]

A LESSON FROM THE MORNING PAPER
(Luke 6:27-28.)
I sat at the breakfast table that morning, cherishing the last few moments with my newspaper before it was time to head out the door for work. Then it caught my attention; a story about a man who had been fatally shot in a mall parking lot while trying to stop a group of young thieves.

Of course, this brutal murder took its dreadful toll on more than one life. The unfortunate young man had recently married a woman who must have loved him very much. How do I know this, you ask? Did she scream for vengeance? Did she cry out for the just and immediate punishment for this hateful, senseless crime? No. She said something like this: "I am so proud of him. He always loved to help people. I think he's a hero." How could she speak this way?

How could she focus the spotlight on what her husband had valued in his life? Where did she get the strength to put aside her grief long enough to make sure everyone knew just who this wonderful person was that she had found and fallen in love with?

I don't know about you, but her example says a lot to me about true love and the ability to forgive your enemies. Her story reminds me of another person who put aside His pain and lived the command to scripture above when he said, "Father, please forgive them. For they know not what they do."
[by Jan Edwards from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], May 4, 1997, p. 3]

A MAN IS RICH ACCORDING TO WHAT HE IS, NOT ACCORDING TO WHAT HE HAS
Fulton Oursler told a story of an old nurse who was born a slave on the eastern shore of Maryland. She had not only attended Fulton's birth, but that of his mother. He credits her for teaching him the greatest lesson he ever learned about giving thanks and finding contentment. Recalls Oursler:
I remember her as she sat at the kitchen table in our house; the hard, old brown hands folded across her starched apron, the glistening eyes, and the husky old whispering voice, says, "Much obliged, Lord, for my vittles."
"Anna," I asked, "what's a vittle?"
"It's what I've got to eat and drink - that's vittles," the old nurse replied.
"But you'd get your vittles whether you thanked the Lord or not."
"Sure," said Anna, "but it makes everything taste better to be thankful."
Poverty is not a state of the pocketbook for many people, but a state of mind. Do you think of yourself as being rich or poor today? What is it that you truly count as "wealth" in your life? If you list things that are not material in nature, you are likely very wealthy indeed!
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], May 4, 1997, p. 4]

WORKS
We hear a lot today about how Christians do not have to do anything except have faith in God.

This view presents a problem for me because the Bible clearly says that there is work for every Christian to do. We, like our Lord when his parents found him in the temple, should say...(Luke 2:49).
Jesus said that we have the work of letting our light shine. (Matt. 5:16)
Jesus said that it does matter what kind of work we do. (Luke 13:27)
What else does the New Testament say about works? Jesus, before he left the earth, gave us work to do. (Matt. 28:19-20.) Amen. This is the work that we must be about today.
We must do works of righteousness. (Acts 10:35.)
We must abound in the Lord's work. (I Cor. 15:58.)
There are over two hundred verses that deal with the word "work" in the New Testament. Every man's work will be seen by the Lord at the great judgment. (Rev. 20:12).
[by Allen T. Parker from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], May 11, 1997, p. 3]

THE DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY ARE MARKED "PUSH" AND "PULL"
A man once went with a friend for a ride out in the country. They drove off the main road and through a grove of orange trees to a mostly uninhabited piece of land. A few horses grazed there amidst a couple of old shacks. Walter stopped the car and began to describe vividly the things he was going to build on the land. He wanted his friend Arthur to by some of the acreage surrounding his project. Walter explained to his friend, "I can handle the main project myself. It will take all my money...I want you to have the first chance at this surrounding acreage, because in the next five years it will increase in value several hundred times."

Arthur thought to himself, Who in the world is going to drive twenty-five miles for this crazy project? His dream has taken the best of his common sense. He mumbled something about a tight-money situation and promised to look into the deal later. "Later on will be too late," Walter cautioned. "You'd better move on it right now." Arthur failed, however, to act.

And so it was that Art Linkletter turned down the opportunity to buy the land that surrounded what became Disneyland, the land his friend Walt Disney had tried to talk him into.
Most opportunities take a step of faith whether for financial or relationship investments.
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], May 11, 1997, p. 4]

PREDESTINED TO WHAT?
Has God pre-determined who will be saved and who will be lost, regardless of what they might do or not do?
Does Eph. 1:11 teach this Calvinistic doctrine?
is found in the writings of the apostle Peter who said...(II Pet. 3:9). God does not want anyone to be lost. Since this is the case, he has made it possible for all men to come to repentance. There is not even a hint that this all is limited in any way. When Peter says that God wants all to come to repentance, that is just what the passage means.
Consider one other passage of scripture written by the apostle Paul. (Rom. 8:29-30.)
How many men did God foreknow? He foreknew all men. He has made it possible for all of them to be conformed to the image of Christ.

So what does the New Testament mean when Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus and to the church in Rome about the predestination of God? He is obviously saying that the plan which comes as a result of Christ dying for all men was in the mind of God. The church was not an afterthought, but was what the prophets had promised for many years. Yes, man is predestined. He is predestined to make the choice to live for God and live with him later, or to resist God and to die the eternal death. All men can be saved by obedience to the gospel.
[by Roy Wright from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], May 25, 1997, p. 2]

HOW HONEST ARE WE?
When Abraham Lincoln was in the grocery store business in his young manhood, it is said that he once discovered that he had charged a customer six cents too much on a bill of goods. That night, after he had closed his store, Lincoln walked three miles to the home of the person he had shortchanged and returned the six cents. Late one evening he waited on a woman who wanted a half pound of tea. Next morning he noticed a six-ounce weight on the scales. He immediately closed the store and delivered to her tea to compensate for the error. Many such incidents in his life won for him the affectionate title of "Honest Abe." He became a great president.

Men with such honesty need to be in high places. They are needed the world over in every calling of life, from the lowest to the highest, and let's not overlook the church - they are needed there too. Not only must we be honest with our follow man, but we are also under obligation to be honest with our God. He has given us life, a soul, a world in which to live and all the blessings that sustain life. It is nothing but fairness and honesty that we return a portion of what God has given us to further His cause. A refusal to do this is called dishonesty according to God's own indictment. This is His charge of dishonesty: (Mal. 3:8-9).
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], May 25, 1997, p. 3]

DON'T BE AFRAID OF PRESSURE - IT TURNS COAL INTO DIAMONDS
An old legend says that God first created birds without wings. Sometime later, God made wings and said to the birds, "Come, take up these burdens and bear them." The birds hesitated at first, but soon obeyed. They tried picking up the wings in their beaks, but found them too heavy. Then they tried picking them up with their claws, but found them too large. Finally one of the birds managed to get the wings hoisted onto his shoulders where it was finally possible to carry them.

To the amazement of the birds, before long the wings began to grow and they soon had attached themselves to the bodies of the birds. One of the birds began to flap his wings and others followed his example. Before long, one of the birds took off and began to soar in the air above!

What had once been a heavy burden now became the very thing that enabled the birds to go where they could never go before...and at the same time, truly fulfill the destiny of their creation.

The duties and responsibilities you count as burdens today may be part of God's destiny for your life, the means by which your soul is lifted up and prepared for eternity.
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], May 25, 1997, p. 4]

GODLY PEOPLE DO NOT DO WRONG TO ACCOMPLISH GOOD
From time to time we hear the idea expressed that in order to accomplish some worthy goal we need to or ought to, do what would otherwise be wrong, "The end justifies the means" or other words to this effect are sometimes spoken or thought by those who ought to know better. But it is never right to do a wrong thing for a right cause.

The church of Christ is engaged in a battle with the forces of evil (Eph. 6:12) and every faithful soldier in His army (composed of every Christian) is to arm himself only with God-given weapons and protect himself only with God-given armor (Eph. 6:10-17). Armed and protected with these he is to "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" and to firmly "stand" his ground (Eph. 6:10, 14). His armor is composed of truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, and salvation. His only weapon is "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

The enemy has a vast array of weapons, tactics, and defenses. Lies, falsehoods, evil speaking, political manipulation, innuendo, false teaching, and other such wiles of the devil are carried to the battlefield and employed against God's army. When confronted with such "fiery darts of the wicked" (Eph. 6:16), some of God's soldiers tend to want to lay aside their shield of faith, pick up those fiery darts, and hurl them back at the enemy. They think that it is only right and reasonable to "fight fire with fire." They are wrong. They have no asbestos gloves to protect them and they have discarded their only piece of equipment capable of quenching the fire of Satan's darts. They get burned (Prov. 6:27-28). Satan rejoices to see another defector coming to his side. Let's never forget that even in the midst of the most intense battles there is always a divinely-ordered right course of action (I Cor. 10:13). At such times we need to rely to the fullest extent upon our God-given equipment by which we are "thoroughly furnished" for the battle (II Tim. 3:17). Our own notions about what "ought" to be done need to be replaced with what our commander has instructed us to do.

These instructions must be acted upon as given and not surpassed because of any desire for vengeance or ignored because of our feelings of sympathy for Satan's soldiers who may not be fully aware of what they are doing (Luke 23:34). Knowing that soldiers in Satan's army are opposing themselves, have been deceived by Satan, and are in a trap from which they can only escape by acknowledging the truth (II Tim. 2:25-26), let's think of the battle as a compassionate rescue attempt. Even while they hurl their hated, lob their lies, and fling their fire into our camp we can see them as fallen creatures who were created in the image of God and for whom Jesus died. When we view the enemy in such a light and when we are aware that their destiny is to be in torment for all eternity if they do not repent, feelings of anger and efforts for vengeance ought to melt into feelings of pity and compassion and efforts to redeem.
(Matt. 5:10-12; Matt. 5:43-48; Rom. 12:17-21.)
[by Tim Nichols from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], June 1, 1997, p. 2-3]

WHAT IS MODEST AND WHAT IS IMMODEST?
Few care about dressing modestly. Go to any public place and flesh is on display - exposed for all to see. The Lord knew of the temptation such causes and said...(Matt. 5:28). Not only is one guilty when he/she looks and lusts, but the one who contributes to the lustful look of others by dressing immodestly is guilty as well.
Heaven warns women in particular, though men are certainly not excluded, saying...(I Tim. 2:9-10).
Notice the definition of these words. Adorn: "to put in proper order, arrange, garnish, trim, to embellish with honor, gain honor." Modest: "orderly, decorous, of good behavior, well-arranged, seemly." Shamefacedness: "bashfulness, i.e. (toward men), modesty or (toward God) awe: reverence, a sense of shame." It is the ability to blush, show respect, and reverence. Would we wear immodest attire when we go to church, court, a funeral, or before a dignitary? Some are now doing so; especially when they go to church! Sobriety: "soundness of mind, sanity, self-control, soberness." Becometh: "appropriately, after a godly sort, worthily, suitably, in a manner worthy of." Godliness: "devoutness, piety, godliness, reverence toward God." Who would brazenly suggest that a woman or man who exposes and displays the "form" of their body is one who is professing godliness?

Modest apparel is clothing that covers the body sufficiently so as to give no one cause to look and wonder and lust. If one has on such attire that causes another to give a "second look" because it caught their eye, then that one had better put on more clothes and/or dress so as not to cause another to lust!

We must dress modestly as though we were before God at every moment because we are! We must dress in public so as not to feel embarrassed or ashamed because of our dress. When you feel it necessary to pull up your neck-line or pull down your skirt, then you would do well to change clothes altogether. Why wear something that you constantly have to tug at to make it modest? Children of God who are serious about Christian living will take heed and adorn themselves in modest apparel. If you desire to go to heaven, you will dress modestly!
[by Garland M. Robinson from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], July 27, 1997, p. 2]

THE BIBLE
This book contains the mind of God, the state of men, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrine is holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the ways of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand object, our good its design, and the redemption of man its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be open in the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibilities, will reward the greatest labor, and condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], July 27, 1997, p. 3]

BE SWIFT TO HEAR AND SLOW TO SPEAK
Rabbi Harold S. Kushner writes in When All You've Ever Wanted Isn't Enough: "A business associate of my father's died under particularly tragic circumstances, and I accompanied my father to the funeral. The man's widow and children were surrounded by clergy and psychiatrists trying to ease their grief and make them feel better. They knew all the right words, but nothing helped. They were beyond being comforted. The widow kept saying, "You're right, I know you're right, but it doesn't make any difference." Then a man walked in, a big burly man in his eighties who was a legend in the toy and game industry. He had come to this country illiterate and penniless and had built up an immensely successful company. He was known as a hard bargainer, a ruthless competitor. Despite his success, he had never learned to read or write...He had been sick recently, and his face and his walking showed it. But he walked over to the widow and started to cry, and she cried with him, and you could feel the atmosphere in the room change. This man who had never read a book in his life spoke the language of the heart and held the key that opened the gates of solace where learned doctors and clergy could not.
(James 1:19.)
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], July 27, 1997, p. 4]

SYMBOLS OF FREEDOM
Upon arrival in the United States, immigrants are said to gaze upon the Statue of Liberty and break down in a shower of tears. The joy to finally be free and explore the opportunities of this great nation lay before them. When Americans gaze upon that symbol of freedom, the pride of those who have given their lives swell within our hearts. This still is the greatest nation on earth. When presented with the cross of Christ, does that feeling of freedom move Christians to tears? It should. (Rom. 8:2.) A freedom from all the soul's diseases cannot be measured at any price. Immigrants must study for weeks, and sometimes months, to pass the test given for citizenship. The test contains what it means to be an American and the laws of our country. Then they must be sworn in to obtain legal citizenship. (Eph. 2:19-21). Christians are citizens of the kingdom. They answer to a different set of laws. What man cannot do in his earthly set of laws and statutes, God has done in His. He removed sin from us and reconciled us to Himself through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Since Christians are citizens of the kingdom, their allegiance has changed. As new citizens of the United States become Americans, they no longer serve or obey the laws of their former countries. They now obey our laws. The same is true with the child of God. He now obeys the Master. (Acts 5:29.) When the laws of this country, or any other, conflict with the law of God, we are Christians first - Americans second.

The Statue of Liberty evokes an emotional response in most Americans. One usually feels emotion looking upon the flame and the tablets of stone. Yet does the emotion flow when gazing at the cross? Most of the world simply ignors it as if it doesn't exist. (I Cor. 1:18.) Those who ignore the cross of Christ will realize in the last day that it was not foolishness. Anything worthwhile is worth working for, no matter what others think. (Eph. 2:16.) The cross is the place where Jesus' blood was spilled. Without the spilling of His blood for us, we would still be lost and without hope. Man must comprehend what it means to be lost and condemned for eternity.

(Col. 1:20.) We now can have the peace which passeth all understanding through Jesus and His cross. That should make everyone's emotions explode with joy and adoration.

But why do we obey a different law? Whose law are we to obey? (Heb. 12:2.) Since Jesus is the author of our faith and the builder of His church, we are to obey Him. To obey Jesus is the same as the apostles obeying God rather than men. In the religious world we need to meditate upon this scripture. God has never allowed His commands to be changed by man or angels. (Josh. 1:7.) Joshua knew not to start with the "I think it means this" or "I think we should do this". He knew to go to the Lord for understanding. We need to go to the Word today. Just as an immigrant's allegiance changes, our allegiance must change from the world to the Lord. No one can serve two countries or two Masters.
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Aug. 3, 1997, p. 2-3]

TAX EXEMPT INVESTMENTS
A tax assessor came one day to a poor minister of the gospel to determine the amount of taxes the minister would have to pay. "What property do you possess?" asked the assessor. "I am very wealthy," replied the minister. "List your possessions, please," the assessor instructed.

"I have eternal life (John 3:16), a mansion in heaven (John 14:2), peace that passeth understanding (Phili. 4:7), joy unspeakable (I Pet. 1:8), a faithful and pious wife (Prov. 31:10), healthy, happy, obedient children (Exo. 20:12), true, loyal friends (Prov. 18:24), songs in the night (Psa. 42:8), and a crown of life (James 1:12)."
The tax assessor closed his book and said, "Truly you are a very rich man, but your property is not subject to taxation."
How very few people realize that the greatest blessings are tax free? How many work and strive for more of the taxable possessions (which they must soon leave here), and go from this life as spiritual paupers, with no "treasures" for eternity. "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Aug. 3, 1997, p. 3]

EXAMPLE
A father sat in his easy chair reading his Sunday morning newspaper. Suddenly he turned to his little boy and said. "Now, son, put that funny paper down, and get ready for Sunday school."
The little fellow said, "Daddy, aren't you going with me?"
"No," he said, "I'm not going with you, but I want you to hurry and get ready."
After a few minutes the little fellow asked, "Daddy, did you go to Sunday school when you were a little boy like me?"
"Certainly I did; I went every Sunday."
"Well," said the little fellow, "I bet it won't do me any good, either."
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Aug. 3, 1997, p. 3]

THE TONGUE WEIGHS VERY LITTLE, BUT FEW PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO HOLD IT
Ida and David both wanted all their sons to graduate from college. They knew their boys would have to pay their own way since David never made more than $150 a month. Still, they encouraged their sons to achieve all they could. Arthur, however, went directly from high school to a job. Edgar began studying law. When Dwight graduated, he didn't have a goal in mind, so he and Ed made a pact: Dwight would work two years while Ed studied, sending Ed as much as he could, and then they would reverse the arrangement. While working, Dwight found an opportunity that appealed to him more than college - West Point.

Both Ida and David were crushed by Dwight's decision. Ida was deeply convinced that soldiering was wicked. Still, all she ever said to him was, "It is your choice." David also remained silent, allowing his adult son full freedom to forge his own adult future. Yes, Ida and David wisely held their tongues - but they never withheld their applause, especially on the day their son, General Dwight Eisenhower, became President of the United States of America.
Refraining from giving advice may actually turn out to be the best gift you may ever give a person.
(James 3:5.)
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Aug. 3, 1997, p. 4]

THE BEAUTY OF TOGETHERNESS
Erasmus was a 16th century Bible scholar whose work made a profound impression upon the 46 men who made the King James translation of 1611. Once when visiting someone's home, he heard the housemaid offer repeated criticisms of her mistress. Wearied by her complaining, Erasmus said (in sarcasm), "Why don't you pull out her hair?" Rising the next morning, he was surprised to see strands of hair on the floor.

There is a great beauty in brotherly togetherness. (Psa. 133:1.) David compares unity to the oil which was used to anoint Aaron, the high priest (Psa. 133:2; Exo. 29:7). This oil was mixed with spices to produce a very pleasant, sweet smell (Exo. 30:25). In some cases, you could smell the high priest before you saw him!

There is a connection between smell and taste. Our digestive processes are stimulated by the smell of good food. However, some smells are downright nauseating and our appetites are suppressed by these odors.

When people fuss and feud, there is an ugly stench in the air. The saints may gather to feed on the Word of God, but the atmosphere is so repulsive that no one can have a spiritual meal. But when people put aside their personal differences for a Cause greater than themselves, there is a sweet and pleasant spirit in that place.

David compared unity to the dew on Mt. Hermon (Psa. 133:3). This mountain is more than 9,200 feet above sea level, is the source of the Jordan River, and for many months is covered with snow. Early in the day the vegetation of Mt. Hermon is covered with water from the previous night's dew. In a region where rainfall is often scarce, the heavy morning dew provides life-giving moisture for crops and cattle.

Unity is to God's people what water is to a farmer. Take away a congregation's unity, and the church becomes a lifeless desert. In some instances, a congregation has been destroyed because biting and devouring Christians consumed one another (Gal. 5:15).

James wrote...(James 3:18). Before we can reap the fruit of righteousness, there must be a peaceful atmosphere. Before there can be peace, peace must be sown.

If we want the kingdom to grow and the Word of God to increase, we must be peacemakers. If the church has the togetherness described in Psa. 133, then hell itself cannot stand in our way.
[by Doug Couch from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Aug. 10, 1997, p. 2]

THE INSURANCE CLAIM
A man injured on the job filed an insurance claim. The insurance company requested more information, so the man wrote the insurance company the following letter of explanation:

Dear Sirs:
I am writing in response to your request concerning clarification of the information I supplied in block #11 on the insurance form, which asked for the cause of the injury. I answered, "Trying to do the job alone." I trust that the following explanation will be sufficient. I am a bricklayer by trade. On the date of the injury, I was working alone, laying brick around the top of a three-story building. When I finished the job, I had about five hundred pounds of brick left over. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to put them into a barrel, and pushed it over the side. I then went back down to the ground and untied the rope, holding it securely to insure the slow descent of the barrel. As you will note in block #6 of the insurance form, I weigh 145 pounds. At the shock of being jerked off the ground so swiftly by the five hundred pounds of bricks in the barrel, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope.

Between the second and third floors I met the barrel. This accounts for the bruises and lacerations on my upper body. Fortunately, I retained enough presence of mind to maintain my tight hold on the rope and proceeded rapidly up the side of the building, not stopping until my right hand was jammed in the pulley. This accounts for my broken thumb (see block #4). Despite the pain, I continued to hold tightly to the rope. Unfortunately, at approximately the same time, the barrel hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the weight of the bricks, the barrel now weighed about fifty pounds. I again refer you to block #6, where my weight is listed. I began a rapid descent.

In the vicinity of the second floor, I met the barrel coming up. This explains the injury to my legs and lower body. Slowed only slightly, I continued my descent, landing on the pile of bricks. Fortunately, my back was only sprained. I am sorry to report, however, that at this point I again lost my presence of mind - and let go of the rope.
I trust that this answers your concern. Please note that I am finished trying to do the job alone.
The Christian life is not easy to live "on your own." You need people who stand beside you to support you and help you to succeed. That's why God created the church. There are no Lone Rangers in the family of God. We really do need each other. We are a community, a family of faith, and when we all work together, we can accomplish great things for Christ. (I Cor. 12).
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Aug. 10, 1997, p. 3]

LAZINESS AND POVERTY ARE COUSINS
One day, a grandfather told his grandchildren about his coming to America. He told of the trains and ship that he took from him home in Eastern Europe. He told of being processed at Ellis Island and how he had gone to a cafeteria in lower Manhattan to get something to eat. There, he sat down at an empty table and waited quite some time for someone to take his order. Nobody came. Finally, a woman with a tray full of food sat down opposite him and explained to him how a cafeteria works.
She said, "You start at that end" - pointing toward a stack of trays - "and then go along the food line and pick out what you want. At the other end, they'll tell you how much you have to pay."
The grandfather reflected a moment and then said, "I soon learned that's how everything works in America. Life's a cafeteria here. You can get anything you want - even very great success - if you are willing to pay the price. But you'll never get what you want if you wait for someone to bring it to you. You have to get up and get it yourself."
The difference between where you are and where you want to be can often be summed up in one word: work.
(Prov. 24:33-34.)
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Aug. 10, 1997, p. 4]

THE ART OF LISTENING
One of the greatest needs of our times of stress and strain is for concerned people who are willing to listen. James expressed the need in this way...(James 1:19). We have often reversed this principle as we have been "swift to speak, slow to hear."

Elders who would do the most effective job of "watching" over the needs of the flock must listen. Every Christian needs to develop ears that are open and compassionate. Who knows the care of your neighbor, your classmate, or even the person sitting next to you in worship services? Hundreds of questions could be buzzing in his mind. A consciousness of failure could be breaking his spirit. His home and marriage could be threatened. These people could be on the verge of an emotional explosion.

But you ask, "How can I help?" Why is it that most people just push their problems down deeper without talking to anyone about it? Why don't they open up to us?

Christians ought to be the best of helpers. Often, however, the attitudes of professed Christians have not been conducive to such confidence. The troubled person needs a compassionate and understanding soul in which to confide. If we are critical and selfrighteous, rest assured the one who feels ashamed and guilty will not approach us. If we are prone to "tell all we know" it would be dangerous to talk to us. People generally can sense whether or not we really care. Think about it; isn't it a cold fact that many don't feel safe talking to us about their problems?

Question: How well do you listen? Examine yourself in this matter. Do you really listen to God? He is talking to us in His word. Do you listen to your companion? Are you listening to your children? Do you listen to your friends? There are people all around us who are about to give up. They feel alone, afraid misunderstood and worthless. Remember that Jesus took time for the downtrodden. As Christians let us make a determined effort to be a listening, understanding friend. And when we have listened, perhaps we will better understand the words of Peter who said...(I Pet. 3:12). Listen, please! Many are hurting!
[from Chestnut Drive bulletin via Savannah, Georgia Church of Christ bulletin]

EFFECTIVE COUNSELING AVAILABLE
I read of a congregation of about 25 people who, because of widespread teenage delinquency as well as parental irresponsibility, advertised in their church bulletin that they had 200 counselors to work with teens.
The requisites for counsel were as follows:
1. The counselors themselves were to be home every night.
2. They must be informed about the location and activities of the teens at all times.
3. There must be absolutely no alcohol or smoking either by the teen or by their counselors.
4. The counselors were to arrange attendance of classes and worship of the church.
5. The counselors were to assume responsibility for the health and expenses of the teens as well as their education.
6. There was to be regular home devotions and Bible study.
Surprise: the counselors turned out to be the parents!
The following Biblical teaching is not "old-fashioned", it is still relevant. (Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:1; Eph. 6:4).
[by Robert Wingfield from Savannah, Georgia Church of Christ bulletin]

GOSSIP TOWN
Have you ever heard of "Gossip Town"
On the shore of "Falsehood Bay"?
It isn't far to "Gossip Town"
For those who want to go.
And "Idleness" is the train that will take you down in just an hour or so.
The "Thoughtless Road" is the popular route
And most folks start that way.
But it is steep downgrade if you don't watch out
You will land on "Falsehood Bay".
The principle street is called, "They say."
"I've heard" is the public well.
And the breeze that blows from "Falsehood Bay"
Is laden with "Now, don't you tell."
Just back of the park is "Slander Row."
'Twas there a good name died;
Pierced by a shaft from "Jealousy's Bow",
In the hand of "Envious Pride".
The people that live in "Gossip Town",
All reap the seed they sow.
And this you will find as they found,
If you ever chance to go.
[from Savannah, Georgia Church of Christ bulletin]

TOO HELPFUL
A woman approached the preacher after a sermon and thanked him for the discourse. "I found it so helpful," she said. The minister replied, "I hope it will not prove so helpful as the last sermon you heard me preach." "Why, what do you mean?" asked the astonished woman. "Well," said the minister, "that sermon lasted you three months."
[from Savannah, Georgia Church of Christ bulletin]

Control should be a vital part of every Christian's vocabulary. Everyone has a temper but we must work hard to bring our temper under control. Many things are said and done in anger that we live to regret.
[from Savannah, Georgia Church of Christ bulletin]

MUD OR STARS
Expect the worst, and you will get the worst. Expect the best, and you receive the best. Look for beauty, and you will find beauty. Search for the bad and you will always find it. Now we may not understand why, but life just works that way. What power in positive mental attitudes! Life can be what we, by our attitudes, make it! This very principle must have given birth to the song written during the war years...
"You've got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative,
Latch on to the affirmative, and don't mess with mister in between."

During World War 2, a young woman went to live with her husband at a camp in California's Mojave Desert. She immediately disliked the place; the heat was almost unbearable, 125 degrees in the shade; the wind blew incessantly; and there was sand everywhere - on furniture, food and clothes. In desperation, she wrote her parents in Ohio, complaining that she couldn't stand the place another minute and was coming home. The reply from her father came quickly. Just two familiar lines:
"Two men looked out from prison bars, one saw mud, the other stars."
The woman did some real thinking and decided to stay with her husband. She made friends in the camp, learned to love the people, and learned to love the country. The desert hadn't changed, but her attitude had. She had learned to "look up".

It is refreshing to find an optimist in our world that is dominated by negative attitudes. The Christian will stand in contrast to the world and sing...(Psa. 118:24).
[by Ronnie Parker from Saffron St. Church of Christ, Christchurch]

BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL
(Matt. 5:7). Mercy or its translation of loving kindness is the basis of man's relationship with God. When it is used, it is usually with reference to the outgoing love of God. It is the loving kindness of God that directed great characters of the Old Testament - Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Lot, Joseph, David. We have an example of man's loving kindness to man in Joseph and Ruth. An even more supreme example is Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God. Mercy is not only the remission of a penalty or the lessening of a demand or to mitigate the stress or severity of justice upon a person but rather is the outgoing love of God, and the reproduction of the outgoing love of God between man and his neighbour. It is not a sentiment, it's a way of life. John records that...(John 3:16). Action is portrayed by the fact that God actions his love the world by sending his only begotten Son. We as Christians need to be outgoing and count others better than ourselves (Phili. 2:3) and hold this attitude to all men as well as our neighbour.
[sermon by Graham Quate from Saffron St. Church of Christ bulletin, Christchurch]

IS IT IN THE HEART?
If there is a song in the heart, there will be a song on the lips. If there is no song on the lips, it may be there is no song in the heart. Some Christians are an everflowing fountain of praise. We know of congregations where brethren sing at fellowships, potlucks, on bus routes, before the assembly, after the assembly, in classes, in homes, when they are alone - wherever they go and while they go - they sing. We recall the singing by students at our Christian colleges. Students would sing in class, between classes, in the mail line, lunch line, on outings and in the dorms. No one said, "Sing." Singing is often a spontaneous outpouring of praise from thankful hearts redeemed from sin and walking in the light and love of a wonderful Saviour. The song in the heart must find expression on the lips. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the Pharisees censored our Lord because Jesus allowed the multitudes to praise him. Jesus replied...(Luke 19:40).

Likewise, some congregations have a lively, active program of evangelism in season and out of season. People are always making opportunities to talk to others about Jesus. True, these congregations do have soul-winning programs, but even in the slack seasons they continue to reap in the fields white unto harvest. In contrast other congregations have soul-winning programs but their reaping is seasonal and minimal. What often starts in a flurry of activity soon evaporates in the heat of the day. Laborers grow weary and turn their energies toward other activities and the grain rots in the field unharvested. What is the difference between these two types of congregations? In the latter, soul-winning is only a program. It is doubtful if love for the lost was in the heart.

Just as with singing, if the song is not in the heart, it will not find expression on the lips. In my experience, Christians who do little singing likewise do little evangelizing. The absence of one is the reason for the absence of the other. Programs can be helpful and are desirable, but programs do not make room for Jesus in the heart. First, let us learn to love what Jesus loved, let us learn to do what he did (and do it for the same reason) and this will turn us in the proper direction to cultivate a soul-winning heart. Soul-winning programs will then become simply channels whereby this love for the lost will find expression in reaching out to sinners. If that love does not first abide in the heart, it cannot find expression on the lips. Therefore soul-winning begins and ends with Jesus who is in every relationship the First and the Last.
[by Tom J. Marshall in Firm Foundation via Greerton Church of Christ bulletin, Tauranga, Nov., 1982, p. 1]

JUST ONE MISTAKE
He brushed his teen twice a day. He went through the clinic twice a year. He wore his overshoes when it rained. He slept with the windows open. He ate lots of vegetables. He got at least eight hours of sleep. He never smoked, or drank, or lost his temper. He always rested all day Sunday. He was all set to live to be a hundred.
He is survived by 18 specialists, four health institutions, six gymnasiums, and a great host of makers of body-building equipment and antiseptics.
He made just one mistake. He forgot God!
[from Greerton Church of Christ bulletin, Tauranga, Nov., 1982, p. 2]

In many times and in many places, we are called upon to either defend the Word of God or give an opinion; as Christians we are obliged to scripturally give answer to any who ask (I Pet. 3:13). As we grow as Christians and develop our faith and deepen our commitment, there is a time to question ourselves if we are to avoid distinction to what, we may ask ourselves, is the most important thing? To debate the legality of instrumental music in worship, to expend energy defending externals while ignoring eternals like holy lives committed to the service of mankind through Jesus the Christ. We can spend useless time it seems, seeking out legal principles to confirm established traditions and creeds, we can spend much time in debating on whether a Christian should drink alcohol or not. We can spend fruitless hours exposing the evils of dancing sometimes without much conviction or never really having found substance in disapproval. We can forever debate the evils of denominations and cults without any real understanding of what they are about. We can even create dissension amongst our nearest and dearest, and as we ponder, and if we are disciples and studying the word, then we must soon become aware that this situation is surely the same situation as Jesus found himself in; debate, wrangles, argument, all it leading nowhere, fruitless and answerable to God. We, if we are trustees of the Word, follow the example of Jesus and hack with the sword of truth a swath through all the trivia of so-called important issues. Consider the Samaritan; if Jesus was teaching anything. He was exposing the hypocrisy of established beliefs (Luke 10:25-37). This Samaritan was no pin-pricking finicky fault-finder; he saw the need, no matter what, he fulfilled the need to the inth degree and beyond.

We are committed to Christ-likeness, to the extoling of the gospel, to the conversion of the world, to the conciliation of mankind and God. We must confine ourselves to the externals with embellishment, to the unchanging undisputable commands of God. We find in the Gospel...(Acts 2:38), and having brought humanity to that position, it is enough to be going on with.
When we consider the question, "how many did you bring home", our answer will indicate what we thought of Jesus, and of how the valuable time given to us was used.
[by J.G.S. bulletin, New Zealand, vol. 6, no. 51, Dec. 1, 1982]

THE COMING OF CHRIST
There has always been the temptation to perceive religion as just "My God and I". Like Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration, we would forget the rest of the world and just enjoy our personal mountain-top experiences alone with the Lord. Yet it is significant to note that immediately following his transfiguration Jesus led his disciples back down the mountain to where the people were who needed him. We must learn that devotion to God, spiritually, does not take away from people, it send us to them!

We have studied the life of Jesus, but have we analysed what he was doing as he went from place to place? He was seeing and loving and teaching and feeding and healing - PEOPLE! If we would "follow Him" and become full grown men "unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ", we will have to become more aware of and sensitive to the needs of people. Jesus illustrated the meaning of "Love thy neighbor as thyself" with the story of the "Good Samaritan" in Luke 10. Loving your neighbor is seeing the needs of people and meeting them. James defined "pure and undefiled" religion as visiting the fatherless and widows in their affliction while we keep ourselves unspotted from the world.

Our Lord never intended for his people to isolate themselves from the rest of the world either in the mountain-top monastery or the four walls of the church building. Our lives are to be different from those in the world in being "blameless and harmless children of God without blemish", but we are to be...(Phili. 2:15-16). Sometimes we have hidden our lights under the bushel of the church building and the exclusive company of ourselves.

Surely the most disturbing, haunting example of all is the great judgement described by Jesus in Matt. 25. The difference between, "Come he blessed of my Father" and "Depart from me, ye cursed" was how they met the needs of the people with whom they came in contact. Jesus said, "Ye did it ... ye did it not ... unto me." This is to show us that "faithfulness", real devotion to God, is more than faithfully attending the assembly, worshipping scripturally, and being sound doctrinally. Of course, these things are vital, but they are not all. We simply cannot be impervious to the needs other people around us and still be counted faithful. Those needs may be physical, emotional, or spiritual but, chances are, there is someone near you every day who is needing.

Brethren, it is very possible that in our "personal evangelism" training classes we would do well to spend less time in teaching people how to refute every false doctrine and more time teaching them how to reach out to people in love and get involved in their lives. It has been proven that we can have more success in converting our friends who know we love them than strangers.
We are never so "religious", never so faithful, never so Christlike as when we are helping and loving people.
[by Mike Warner from Firm Foundation via Greerton Church of Christ bulletin, January, 1983]

(Matt. 13:44; Mark 8:34-38.) Don't throw everything away, just re-evaluate everything. The one thing that everyone wants to do is improve, but the biggest question we have to ask ourselves is, are we prepared to pay the price? (John 15:5; Rom. 8:14; II Tim. 2:15). To be what you wish to be you have to pay the price. (Isa. 31:1-4). To be a soldier of Christ, we have to study the code and the military drill to become the soldier God needs. (Eph. 6:10-18; Luke 23:33-34.)

Taking...Taking salvation, instruction and strength from Christ.
Making...involving a plan, e.g. the plan which God gave Noah to build the ark, His plan of salvation.
Giving...God has given us scripture, the Spirit, His body, Grace, freedom, reconciliation, redemption. It is more blessed to give than to receive and we too must give love, give others Christ, and give ourselves to God.
[from Dunedin Church of Christ bulletin]

(Luke 10:25). Parable of the Good Samaritan. Christ is trying to teach us through the word; two thirds of the teaching of Christ is found in the parables; Christ spoke in everyday language so everyone could understand; but so many people did not understand parables, so they blame other things or people, instead of their inability to understand it themselves, for Christ wanted the Christian to take heed. Matt. 7:24 tells a parable. Don't be like the builder whose foundation was not strong enough to withstand wind, rain and storms and it fell with a great crash; don't let our foundation slip from under our feet; let us stand firm and build our foundation to the glory of God. (Eph. 6:14-17.)

BOOK REVIEW
Friesen, Garry. Decision making and the will of God. Portland, Ore. Multnomah Press, 1980.

The traditional view of the will of God is divided into three parts: God's sovereign will, His moral will and God's individual will. The sovereign will of God is his secret plan that determines everything that happens in the universe. His moral will involves the revealed commands in the Bible that teach how men ought to believe and live. The individual will is God's ideal, detailed life plan uniquely designed for each person. Mr. Friesen's conclusion is that scripture does not teach the concept of the individual will of God. The context of the scriptures that seem to support it actually refer to God's moral will.

In decision making if the choices conform to God's moral will then a strong decision cannot be made and the Christian is free to choose. Insistence on only one "correct choice" generates anxiety, rather than gratitude for more than one fine opportunity. Nevertheless, one choice may still be wiser than another, but the freedom to choose is still there and also the responsibility of decision. The way of wisdom is the Biblical alternative to the traditional view:
1. In those areas specifically addressed by the Bible, the revealed commands of God are to be obeyed (His moral will)
2. In those areas where the Bible gives no command or principle (non moral decisions), the believer is free and responsible to choose his own course of action. Any decision made within the moral will of God is acceptable to God.
3. In non-moral decisions, the objective of the Christian is to make wise decisions that aim to glorify God.
4. In all decisions, the believer should humbly commit, in advance to the outworking of God's sovereign will as it touches his decision. Circumstances define the context of the decision and must be weighed by wisdom, not "read" as road signs to God's individual will. Open doors are God given opportunities for service not specific guidance from God requiring one to enter.
[from Wellington Church of Christ bulletin]

Our presence at any assembly of the church is literally a vote to strengthen the church, and is also a vote for Jesus Christ himself. On the other hand, each one who intentionally absents himself is voting for the weakening of the church and for satan and his cause. We must be present to win: There is no substitute for obedience.
[by Dorris Wilson from Sycamore Chapel bulletin]

THE FATAL SHOT
Recently I heard a story about Satan's attack upon a Christian. First Satan shot a poisonous dart at his heel; but the Christian was unharmed, because he had his feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. Satan's next attempt was at his loins; but the Christian repelled this because he had his loins gird about with the truth. Unsuccessfully, the devil tried a shot at his breast; but there was the breastplate of his shield of righteousness. The Christian knocked away another with his shield of faith and his helmet of salvation repelled another arrow. But the devil, not discouraged, slipped around behind the Christian and shot in the pocketbook and killed him dead as a hammer.
[from Church of Christ bulletin]

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE THAT DETERMINE THE BIG THINGS
Several centuries ago, the Emperor of Japan commissioned a Japanese artist to paint a particular species of bird for him. Months passed, then years. Finally, the Emperor went personally to the artist's studio to ask for an explanation.

The artist set a blank canvas on the easel and within fifteen minutes, had completed a painting of a bird. It was a masterpiece! The emperor, admiring both the painting and the artist's great skill, asked why there had been such a long delay.

The artist then went from cabinet to cabinet in his studio. He pulled from it armloads of drawings of feathers, tendons, wings, feet claws, eyes, beaks - virtually every aspect of a bird, from virtually every angle. He placed these silently before the Emperor, who nodded in understanding. The magnificence of any "whole" can never be greater than the magnificence of any singular detail.

To have an excellent life, strive for an excellent year. Within that year, strive for an excellent month, and within that month, strive for an excellent day. Within that day, strive for an excellent hour. An excellent life is the sum of many excellent moments.
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], June 1, 1997, p. 4]

WHOLE HOG
There was once a discussion around the barnyard. The old red chicken decided she and the other animals needed to do something special for the farmer who had taken such good care of them. "I know," she said. "I'll get everyone together and we will give him the freshest breakfast of his life."

As the old hen pondered the adventure, she decided to go to each of the animals and request a contribution for the farmer's breakfast. She approached the cow, "I want to give the farmer the best breakfast of his life. I've committed three of my best eggs. Will you give a bucket of fresh milk?" "Sure," said the cow. "I would love to do whatever I can. I'll also throw in some fresh cream and butter. He should really enjoy that."

Finally the old hen approached the pig. "The cow and I have decided to give eggs, milk, cream and butter for the farmer's breakfast. What will you give? Will you give us bacon and ham?" Sadly, and with a grunt, the old pig looked up at the hen, "You do not realize what you ask. The two of you are making a contribution, but for me it is total commitment!"

What has happened to our sense of commitment? We are often like the hen and the cow. We are willing to make a small contribution, but rarely are we willing to make a total commitment. The old pig realized that his life was on the line here. For him to give he must first give his life.

(Matt. 16:24-25.) This statement is not about a contribution to life. It is about a sacrifice of the life. Jesus demands that we give Him our whole selves.

Our commitment to Christ does not hinge on a few outward manifestations of activity in our lives, but it is illustrated by them. If the simplest activities of Christianity are missing in the lives, there is a serious statement of non-commitment made to those around us.

Commitment involves a life response to God. Once I obey, my life takes on new dimensions. I am now responsible for my behavior - not just in how it affects me but also how it affects others. My life is no longer my own. I have to live in a way that acknowledges and encourages the others in my spiritual family. Paul said...(Gal. 2:20).

When we choose to be inactive in spiritual matters, we choose to hurt others. If you choose not to participate in the activities that God directs, you encourage others to do the same. Those who watch us and imitate our faith are damaged by our lack of commitment.
[by Gary Knighton from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], June 8, 1997, p. 3]

A MAN OF FEW WORDS
Tom Kelly managed the Minnesota Twins to a World Series title in 1987, his first full season as their manager - and then managed them to their second world championship in 1991. Yet to watch him work, critics have wondered if his vital signs have been stolen. Asked one sports writer, "How has T.K. managed all this, while lowering his blood pressure to the equivalent of the water pressure in your first apartment? He doesn't chew on fingernails or Rolaids or tobacco or his players. How?"

One of Kelly's trademarks is that he is a man of few words. He enjoys throwing batting practice every day, in part because he believes that every minute he is throwing, he doesn't have to speak to the media. "I'm not really intelligent," T.K. claims. "I have a year and a half of college. But I have enough common sense to realize that I'm not intelligent. I realize that if I keep talking, I'll eventually say something dumb. So I don't give myself a lot of opportunities to open my mouth and stick my foot in it."
Tom Kelly is far from dumb. So is any person who is smart enough to limit what he says.
(Eccl. 5:12.)
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], June 8, 1997, p. 4]

THE FORMATIVE YEARS
In an interview recorded in one of the leading newspapers of the Southwest recently, a social worker stated that there was too much emphasis placed on "the teen-age factor" and not enough on the "formative years." He then defined the "formative years" as the period from birth to about eight years of age. Following are some of the statement from the interview.

"The teen-ager who throws rocks through a window in all probability threw toys while a small child. The young man who goes to jail for stealing probably was not taught when he was five not to take his brother's things." The contention was made that parents often try to shift their responsibility to others, when they, themselves, are at fault. The social worker asked, "If the children do not respect their parents and God, how can you expect them to respect anyone else?" One more statement which I consider of the utmost importance: "Not one in fifty who are charged in juvenile courts ever attended Sunday School or Bible Class regularly."

Parents, consider the above statements carefully and then ask yourselves, "What am I doing for my child during these 'formative years' to see that he will be a useful person in his adult years?" Children want to be like their parents - daughter like mother, son like dad.

What kind of example do you give them to follow? Do they see you study the Bible, hear you pray? If it is unimportant for "Dad and Mother," the children will consider it unimportant for them, also. Talk as you may, the example you set is what they will follow!"

God's Word says...(Prov. 22:6.) "Training" is far more than just teaching. The life you live before your children daily is part of their training. If you fail to do what you should, you are "training" your children to do the same thing! If you fail to attend church services, your child is so trained. If you, as an adult, send the children to church services, instead of taking them, you are training them to do the same thing when they are adults. What do you want your children to be when they are grown?

There is no greater joy nor blessing than the children that God places in our care. Yet the responsibility that comes with them is just as great. What your children are when they are adults depends to a large extent on what you do while they are in these "formative years" up to eight years. Your children have probably asked you on occasion, "What are you making?" Let me ask you a similar question: "What are you making of your children?" You can make useful citizens and Christians of them, or you can make juvenile delinquents or jail-birds. Whichever it is, it will not be by accident!

It is fine, during these "formative years" to nurture the children with the best of food. But don't neglect the spiritual food...(I Pet. 2:2). To "train up a child in the way he should go" is a solemn responsibility. Their physical welfare and their mental development are important. But even more important is their spiritual development! Don't send them to church services, BRING them. Study the Bible with them. Pray with them. By your example, let them see the importance of these things in your life while they are in these "formative years."
[by Clem Thurman from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], June 15, 1997, p. 2]

THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN
Do you remember the parable Jesus told about the Pharisee and the publican who went up to the temple to pray (Luke 18:9-14)? Well, as Jesus told the story the Pharisee prayed and thanked God that he was not like other men: extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like the publican. Whereas, when the publican prayed, he would not so much as lift his eyes to heaven, but beat his chest and said, "God be merciful to me a sinner." Jesus went on to say that it was the publican, not the Pharisee who went home justified that day.

This parable vividly teaches us the need for humility. We gain nothing by comparing or measuring ourselves against others. None of us can approach God with confidence based upon our own merits and moral goodness. We all must recognize that we are sinners in need of God's forgiveness.

Now I doubt very seriously that anyone of us would dare approach the throne of God in prayer as did this Pharisee. We've learned the lesson of this parable well. However, that is not to suggest that the attitude of this Pharisee is dead. Have you ever made statements similar to the following:

I might not have liked it either, but I would have never said what she said...
If I was going to be that late, I would have at least had the decency to call...
I would have never gotten so angry over something so small...
I may not be perfect, but I've never...
If that were me, I wouldn't have had any difficulty saying, No thanks, I'm a Christian...
Can you believe what so-and-so did? I would never think of being that cruel...
I suppose I could continue with many more examples, because they are things we say and hear so often. But aren't these statements similar to what the Pharisee said?

While certainly, none of us would have the audacity to approach God in prayer and say these things, we may find ourselves frequently saying these kind of things in other contexts. Do you think that God is only concerned about our attitude between "Our Father who art in heaven..." and "...in Jesus name, amen"?

Let's be more careful about our attitude. Let's make sure that we don't attempt to exalt ourselves over others while looking at others with contempt. Let's stop measuring ourselves against others. And let's remember that God is not only concerned about our attitude during prayer, but at all times.
[by Steve Higginbotham from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], June 15, 1997, p. 3]

FOLLOW THE ADVICE YOU GIVE OTHERS
An officer in the navy had dreamed from childhood of commanding a great battleship one day. He finally achieved his dream and was given commission of the newest and proudest ship in the fleet.

One stormy night, the captain was on duty on the bridge when he spotted a strange light rapidly closing with his own vessel. As his ship plowed through the giant waves, the light rose and fell just above the horizon of the sea. He ordered his signalman to flash a message to the unidentified craft on his port side, "Alter your course ten degrees to the south."

Within seconds a reply came, "Alter your course ten degrees to the north." Determined that his ship would never take a backseat to any other, the captain snapped a second order, "Alter course ten degrees - I am the CAPTAIN!" The response was beamed back, "Alter your course ten degrees - I am seaman Third Class Smith." By this time the light was growing ever brighter and larger.

Infuriated, the captain grabbed the signal light and personally signaled, "Alter course. I am a battleship." The reply came just as quickly. "Alter your course. I am a lighthouse."
(Prov. 15:32).
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], June 15, 1997, p. 4]

FAITH
I was recently asked by a young person, "Do you really think that faith has any place in this modern world we live in? And if so, what does the word really mean?" I replied that we use faith many times, in many ways in this so called "modern world." "Having faith in something or someone is simply the result of examining the past actions of something or someone we know well. Based on a solid knowledge of the past, mixed with an understanding of how a person or thing operates, we can accurately "predict", or "expect" things which we cannot "prove". For example, few people have actually "seen" the tiny explosion that occurs inside the cylinder of an engine. Yet hundreds of thousands of people turn the ignition switch of a car, having "faith" in the unseen and often unexplained workings of an internal combustion engine. Based upon past experience and the knowledge that the turn of a key would result in a car that will take us somewhere, we know what will happen. Think of all the ways we "live by faith" in people and things around us. We "know" that fresh, clean water will come from our faucet, even though we didn't watch the purification process. We "know" that using wall switches and plugs result in light, sound, etc. even though we cannot "see" the movement of electrons within the wires. "Faith", as the Bible uses the term is not "wishful hoping", or "pie in the sky by and by." It refers to a different type of knowledge. This form of knowledge is just as valid as knowledge gained by scientific investigation, but it is obtained differently. According to the Bible, "faith" is:
1. Being Sure of Things Hoped For. (Heb. 11:1.)
2. Being Certain of What we Do Not See. (Heb. 11:1; Heb. 11:7.)
3. The Invisible Backing of Past Heroes. (Heb. 11:2.)
4. The Power to Understand Divine Works. (Heb. 11:3.)
5. Testimony of Right Living. (Heb. 11:4.)
6. A Cancellation of Natural Laws. (Heb. 11:5.)
7. The Basis for Pleasing God. (Heb. 11:6.)
8. Dependence Upon the Obedience to God's Word. (Heb. 11:7.)
9. Trust in an Unknown Future. (Heb. 11:8-9.)
10. Counting things that are not as though they were. (Heb. 11:11-12; Rom. 4:17).
11. Seeing Invisible Things. (Heb. 11:13-16.)
12. Assurance of God's Faithfulness. (Heb. 11:17-19; Heb. 10:23.)
13. Confidence in Things to Come. (Heb. 11:20-27.)
14. The Motivation of Christianity. (Heb. 12:1.)
15. What Gives Life to the Just. (Heb. 10:38.)
16. The Shield of the Christian's Armour. (Eph. 6:16.)
17. The Guarantee of Answered Prayer. (Mark 11:22-24.)
[by Rick Jenelle from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], June 22, 1997, p. 2-3]

TWO MASTERS AT WORK
Strange times, these! We have a thousand questions about why God does what He does. We have no questions about what Satan does or why. We blame God for a multitude of things that God does not cause. We hold Satan blameless for a multitude of things he engineers.

We are angry at God for not stopping evil. We are never angry with Satan for causing evil. We question God's motives and purposes. We never question Satan's motives or purposes. God is good and goes good, but we hold Him accountable for evil. Satan is evil and does evil, but we credit him with accomplishing good.

Satan is the master of deceit (John 8:44). His style is not that of a "bulldozer" that levels everything in his path. He programs people to serve as his bulldozers. He influences people to level anyone and anything who opposes his objectives.

Satan's strength is in his incredible ability to deceive. Change a perspective. Alter a fact. Misinterpret a statement. Mock an attitude. Assign a motive. Mistranslate an intention. Attribute an evil reason. He uses deceit to redirect thoughts and emotions. When he combines his deceit with our desires, he knows he will have all the power he needs. Look at Jesus' temptations (Matt. 4:1-11). "Jesus, If you starve, will you accomplish God's mission? Do you really trust God's promise to take care of you? Since you came to be king of mankind, allow me to make you king of the earth."

Just as Satan is the master of deceit, Jesus is the master of forgiveness. Satan cannot create an evil that Jesus cannot forgive. He cannot create a sinner than Jesus does not love. He cannot place anyone in such peril that Jesus cannot rescue.

Jesus wants to free you from deceit and rescue you from the slavery of perverted desires. Jesus loves and liberates, redeems and restores, and protects and preserves.

Two masters are at work. One is the master of deceit who brings destruction. One is the master of forgiveness who brings salvation. One deceives to destroy. One forgives to save. Which master do you permit to be at work in your life?
[by David Chadwell from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], June 29, 1997, p. 2]

GOOD PRINCIPLES ARE NECESSARY
A dog once wandered to a preacher's home, and his three sons played with it, fed it, and soon became quite fond of it. It so happened that the dog had three white hairs in its tail. One day, the preacher and his sons spotted an advertisement in the city newspaper about a lost dog. The description of the stray they had taken in matched perfectly.

The minister later said, "In the presence of my three boys, we carefully separated the three white hairs and removed them from the dog's tail."

The real owner of the dog eventually discovered where his stray pooch had gone and he came to claim him. The dog showed every sign of recognizing his owner, so the man was ready to take him away. At that point, the minister spoke up and asked, "Didn't you say the dog would be known by three white hairs in its tail?" The owner, unable to find the identifying feature, was forced to admit that this dog didn't fully fit the description of his lost dog and left.

Years passed and the minister noted with sadness, "We kept the dog, but I lost my three boys for Christ that day." His sons no longer had confidence in what their father professed to be true.

Remember, your children watch the choices you make in all areas of your life and base their opinion on you on them. Be a person of integrity - one they will admire.
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], June 29, 1997, p. 4]

I've always been thankful for second chances. I need them. Those dearest to me know that so very well.
Without second chances, I wouldn't be married, have children who love me, have any friends, have a job, have people who read my mistake-ridden articles, or most importantly, have the promise of salvation.
Second chances.
I was sitting in a barber shop a couple of weeks ago and the thought occurred to me that there are somethings most folks don't give a second chance. I don't guess I could find a barber who would test that theory, but the barber is a good example.
See if I am not right. If you go to the barber shop for the first time, and they gap your hair terribly, or they clip your ear (it happens), or they just do an awful job cutting or fixing your hair, you probably won't go back. If that same thing happens at a barber that you've been visiting for years you'd probably return, but if it happens on a first time visit, you'll probably find another place to take your hair. They don't get a second chance.
There are other things that don't get second chances if a first visit is handled badly. Restaurants are one. And I'm sure there are many more, but for the life of myself, right now I can't come up with any.
Except churches.
Visit a church. If they do something that offends your sense of right and wrong, if the people are not friendly, if the sermon did not connect with you, if the singing is lacking, if you don't know what is going on and no explanation is given, if the services are cold and dead, then most folks won't go back. They won't give that church a second chance.
When thinking about our church, is all this necessary? Is it important? Well, if they don't come back they may never obey the gospel. And if they never obey the gospel, they will be lost. (Rom. 1:16; II Thes. 2:7-9).
All this should remind us of the importance of being a friendly church, of being sensitive to our visitors, of praising God with our best.
God gives second chances, (I Tim. 1:15) but often times those who need Him won't give us a second chance. So, let's use each opportunity to give the most of ourselves and present the best of ourselves.
Next time you stop in for a cut or a shampoo, remember the kind of church that we should strive to be. And let's not forget to be a church that gives second chances. (Col. 3:13; Eph. 4:32; Gal. 6:1-2.)
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], July 6, 1997, p. 3]

JESUS IS A FRIEND WHO WALKS IN WHEN THE WORLD HAS WALKED OUT
Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs during his baseball career, but on this particular day toward the end of his career, the Braves were playing the Reds in Cincinnati, and the great Bambino was no hero. He fumbled the ball and threw badly. In one inning alone, his errors were responsible for most of the five runs scored by Cincinnati.

As the Babe walked off the field and headed toward the dugout after the third out, a crescendo of angry cries and boos rose to greet him. Then...a boy jumped over the railing and ran out onto the field. With tears streaming down his face, he threw his arms around the legs of his hero.

Ruth didn't hesitate for a second. He picked up the boy, hugged him and set him down and patted his head. The cries from the crowd abruptly stopped. A hush fell over the entire park. In that brief moment, the fans saw two heroes on the field: Ruth, who, in spite of his own dismal day in fielding, cared about the feelings of a young fan; and a small boy who cared about the feelings of another human being.

No matter your performance on the playing field of life today, the Lord has a hug awaiting you at the day's end. He is your Number One Fan.
(John 16:33.)
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], July 6, 1997, p. 4]

DO THE THING YOU FEAR AND THE DEATH OF FEAR IS CERTAIN
On a summer morning as he was fixing his breakfast, Ray Blankenship looked out his window to see a young girl being swept along in the rain-flooded drainage ditch beside his Ohio home. Blankenship knew that farther downstream, the ditch disappeared with a roar underneath the road and then emptied into the main culvert.

Ray dashed from his home and raced along the ditch, trying to get ahead of the flailing child. Finally, he hurled himself into the deep, churning water. When he surfaced, he was able to grab the girls' arm. The two tumbled end over end and then, within about three feet of the yawning culvert, Ray's free hand felt something protrude from the bank. He clung to it desperately, the tremendous force of the water trying to tear him and the child away.

By the time fire-department rescuers arrived, Blankenship amazingly had pulled the girl to safety. Both were treated for shock. In that heroic moment, Ray Blankenship was at even greater risk than most people knew...since...Ray couldn't swim.

Today, let your courage respond to needs that you see, not to the fear you may feel.
(Deut. 31:6.)
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], July 13, 1997, p. 4]

YOUNG MOTHERS - WE LOVE YOU
What better way to express how we appreciate young mothers? The things written in this article are representative of the thinking of many Christians. They remind us of our responsibility, our challenge and our hope for the future. Mothers - we salute you! And if you want to know why, keep reading:

We love you because God has committed to your trust and care the priceless gift of little children. They are...(Psa. 127:3) and a reward to womanhood.

We love you because little children are a blessing to all people. Think how dull and insipid life would be without the sight and sound of little children. They are examples for us in so many ways. We need to observe their love, innocence, humility, purity, and forgiving spirit (Matt. 18:1-4; I Cor. 14:20).

We love you because we know how keenly and fearfully you feel about your responsibility to love, teach, train, nurture, provide for, and be an example to your children (Titus 2:4; Titus 5:2; II Tim. 1:5; Prov. 22:6; Deut. 6:4-9). You have shown your concern by taking advantage of opportunities provided by the church to help you in your task.

We love you because we know from experience how much of your time, energy, and patience it takes just to bring your children to Bible study and worship services whenever the saints assemble. Yet it is "worth it" and for the sake of the children and the Lord's church please don't let up. So many are counting on you.

We love you because you are trying to guide little minds toward the goal of sincere and mature worship and service to God. All of us who have tried to do the same know that it is not always easy to get up on a day when most don't have to worry about getting the family off to work and school, when you are still tired from a busy week, and maybe not feeling well, and get ready for Bible study and worship.

And when we hear little voices and shuffling during the services - don't be embarrassed. It just means a young mother cared enough to make the effort. Don't give up - God will bless you for it. (Deut. 31:6.)
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Aug. 17, 1997, p. 3]

YOU CAN'T TAKE YOUR MONEY WITH YOU, BUT YOU CAN SEND IT ON AHEAD
In the mid nineteenth century, tea cost about a dollar a pound, making it an expensive staple. George Hartford and George Gilman came up with a simple but revolutionary plan to lower the price. They bought tea directly from the ships in New York Harbor. Then, taking a low-percentage profit, they tried to achieve high-volume sales. Their tactics worked. They soon turned their mail-order business into a chain of stores called the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. - A&P.

From the outset, and even with a family of five children, Hartford generously gave thousands of dollars a year to charitable causes, ranging from the Pius X Mission in Skagway, Alaska, to the First Methodist Church in Urbana, Illinois. As his fortune increased, he established a foundation as a conduit for his giving. Hartford's desire was that his contributions benefit people such as those whose purchases at A&P stores had built his fortune. Later, he organized the foundation to receive his estate, so that by the time he died, bequests to individuals totaled $500,000, with $55 million going to the foundation, including $40 million in A&P stock. Thus, a portion of every dollar spent at an A&P store would eventually be "donated." Hartford in many ways is still giving his fortune away!
(Matt. 6:19-20).
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Aug. 17, 1997, p. 4]

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