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A "religion" that won't take you to church, can't take you to heaven.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam, Nov. 27, 1977]

Be a dad...most any man can be a father.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Many a child of God would be scared to death if he could feel his "spiritual pulse" and find out how nearly dead he is.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

If you would have God hear you when you pray, you must hear Him when He speaks.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The most important gift you can give to someone is a chance.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam, Dec. 18, 1977]

How can you be prepared for your first Sunday in heaven if you misuse your last Sunday on earth?
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

One, who is wrong with his brother, cannot be right with the Father.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Religion is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

God never imposes a duty without giving strength to perform it.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

It is possible to be straight in creed, but crooked in character.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam, Jan. 22, 1978]

Worldliness is human activity with God left out.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Not what we gain but what we give, measures the worth of the life we live.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Some parents send their children to Bible school, but take them to the circus; this may be why we have more clowns than gospel preachers.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Happiness is a thing to be practiced like a violin.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Your mind is your garden; your thoughts are the seeds; you will surely harvest either flowers or weeds.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

We say that in God we trust, yet we worry and try to manage our own affairs.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Cease to inquire what the future has in store, but take as a gift whatever the day brings forth.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Adolescence is the age at which children stop asking questions because they know all the answers.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam, Jan. 15, 1978]

Are you on spanking terms with your children, or do your children rule you?
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Finding one of your own faults and doing something about it is better than finding a dozen of your neighbor's faults.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam, Jan. 8, 1978]

The most uncomfortable person on earth is one who has just enough religion to make him uneasy, not enough to be enjoyed, and too much to be ignored.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The teeth may be false, but let the tongue be true.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Love is...slow to suspect, quick to trust; slow to condemn, quick to justify; slow to offend, quick to defend; slow to demand, quick to give.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Since there are so many mistakes to make, what's the use of making the same one over and over?
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The golden rule never tarnishes.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good oft we might win, but fearing to attempt.
[by Shakespeare from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Dear Lord, break to me this day the "bread of life." My heart is hungry. Save us from thinking, even for a moment, that we can feed our souls on things. Save us from the vain delusion that the piling up of wealth or comforts can satisfy. Help us to remember that the real quest for happiness is within. Oh, grant us the radiance of thy transforming presence all this day. Amen.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

You will never get ahead of anyone as long as you are trying to get even with him.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

When we live entirely for ourselves, we find it tiresome living with ourselves.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

It is good to pray when you are in trouble but earnest prayers will help keep you out of trouble.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The Bible never suffers from neglect; it is those who neglect it who suffers.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Our plans should be written in pencil so the Lord can erase them if He chooses.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The idle Christian is the raw material of which backsliders are made.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

It's a fine thing to have your own way as long as it's God's way.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

All that we are is the result of what we have thought; it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with pure thoughts, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

God scatters love on every side;
Freely among His children all,
and always hearts are lying open wide;
wherein some grains may fall.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Plastic surgery has done much to improve the human nose, but so far has failed to keep it out of other people's business.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Rearing children is like drafting a blueprint...you have to know where to draw the lines.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

All the water in the world however hard it tried,
Could never sink a ship unless it got inside.
All the evil in the world...the blackest kind of sin,
Can never hurt you one least bit unless you let it in.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

When you go to the church service, do you go to watch or worship?
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful and cheerful heart.
[by Plutarch from The Sycamore Sunbeam, July 21, 1996, p. 3]

Some people think their faith is strong enough to get them to heaven, when it isn't enough to get them to church.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The glory of life is to love, not to be loved, to give, not to get, to serve, not to be served.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

With the same letter heaven and home begin,
and the words dwell together in the mind,
for they who would a home in heaven win,
must first a heaven in home begin to find.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

TIME: Yesterday is a cancelled check...Tomorrow is a promissory note...Today is cash in hand...Spend it wisely.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The story is told of a young man who said to an old Christian, "I would give the world for a hope like yours." The Christian replied, "That is exactly what it cost me."
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The difference between a prejudice and a conviction is that you can explain a conviction without getting mad.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Climb the mountains and get their glad tidings. Nature's peace will flow to you as the sunshine flows in to the trees. The winds blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares drop from you like the leaves of autumn.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

It's right to be contented with what you have but never with what you are.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The Bible has survived the ignorance of its friends and the hatred of its enemies.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Treasures in heaven are laid up only as treasures on earth are laid down.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Come as you are. God will have you no other way.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The man who prides himself on having courage to say what he thinks should be sure he thinks.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Morale is when your hands and feet keep on working when your head says it can't be done.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Quiet minds cannot be perplexed or frightened but go on in fortune or misfortune at their own private pace like the ticking of a clock during a thunderstorm.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Fear God and all other fears will disappear.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Life is easier than you think...all you have to do is accept the impossible, do without the indispensable, and bear the intolerable.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

What are you saving in your memory bin as food for the restless soul when the winter of life comes?
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Who is wise? He that learns from everyone. Who is powerful? He that governs his passion. Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

There is nothing wrong in having nothing to say...unless you insist on saying it.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam, Feb. 26, 1978]

A smoking fireplace and a nagging wife can bring only misery to any man's life!
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Ain't nobody ever gonna be a complete failure...they can always be useful as a bad example!
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

If you want to live in a better world, let Sunday's prayers guide Monday's actions.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Beware...of your spiritual condition when the most pleasing part of the service is the closing song and the dismissal prayer.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Prayer is not an attitude attained but an attitude maintained.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

We are not judged by what we think we are capable of doing, but by what we actually have done.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Constant use will wear out anything...especially friends.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

If you wish to keep your light and heat, you must also keep your sun. If you wish to keep your perfume, you must also keep your flowers. If you wish to keep your forest, you must keep your trees, and if you wish to keep your rights and liberties in education, you must also keep your God. That is your heritage.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The day, with the work God gave me to do is done and now the night has come, quiet and calm and beautiful from Him. As shadows gather around the earth, I will trust myself, body and spirit, into His loving, tender care and go to sleep. His love is around me, and as flood tides from the ocean fill each cranny of the bay, so power and peace from God fill my life as I rest quietly in Him.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Sin is not wrong because it is forbidden...It is forbidden because it is wrong.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Trying to squash a rumor is like trying to unring a bell.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Those who live in the Lord never see each other for the last time.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Let's be honest about these prayer requests, and ask God to deliver us from all efforts to lie to Him in prayer.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

In the footprints on the sands of time, some people leave only the marks of a heel.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Parents are so busy teaching their children to be accepted by society, they don't have time to teach them to be accepted by God.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam, Jan. 1, 1978]

Once upon a time, child psychology grew on bushes in the backyard.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam, Nov. 13, 1977]

Let us be the first to give a friendly sign, to nod first, smile first, speak first, and...if such a thing is necessary...forgive first.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam, Dec. 15, 1977]

Each is given a bag of tools, a shapeless mass, a book of rules; and each must make...ere life is flown...a stumbling block or a stepping stone.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Oh, there is never sorrow of heart that shall lack a timely end,
If but to God we turn, and ask of Him to be our friend.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

When you weigh the faults of others, don't put your thumb on the scales.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Though another may have more money, beauty, brains than you; yet when it comes to the rarer spiritual values such as charity, self-sacrifice, honor, nobility of heart, you have an equal chance with everyone to be the most beloved and honored of all people.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Your luck is how you treat people. A good example is the best sermon.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

It is a good thing to remember, but a better thing to do,
Always to work with the construction gang, and not with the wrecking crew.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

To know how to grow old is the master work of wisdom, and one of the most difficult chapters in the great art of living.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

This day, Lord, is thy gift of grace,
Wherein I may discern Thy face...
The sunbeams quivering on the tree
Reveal Thy constant care for me;
This glad, green earth, the blue above,
May tell the wonders of Thy love.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Men will wrangle for religion, write for it, die for it, anything but live for it.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Past accomplishments are only foundation laying! Victories won only voice waiting opportunities. The mission of the church is scarcely commenced.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

A man that can keep a secret completely all his life either hasn't got any secret or he hasn't got a wife.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

We may not sow a melon seed and reap strawberries; neither may we think negative thoughts of fear and resentment and gather in good health and love.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The study of God's Word, for the purpose of discovering God's will, is the secret discipline which has formed the greatest characters.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Life is a continuing learning process...no one will ever corner all wisdom and knowledge; that honor belongs only to God.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Somebody loves you more than you know.
Somebody goes with you wherever you do.
Somebody really and truly cares
and lovingly listens to all of your prayers.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

God gave us two eyes, two ears, two hands, and two feet. He also gave us only one tongue. This probably means that we should look, hear, work, and serve twice as much as we should speak.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

No wonder young people act confused. Half the grown-ups insist that they try to find themselves, and the other half keeps telling them to get lost.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Do you have trouble standing? Try kneeling.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The human side of the church sometimes disappoints us, but the divine side is perfect.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

I am my neighbor's Bible;
he reads me when we meet;
Today he reads me in my home,
tomorrow on the street.
He may be a relative or a friend,
or a slight acquaintance be;
he may not even know my name,
yet he is reading me.
Dear friends in Christ and brothers,
If we could only know,
How faithfully the world records,
Just what we say and do.
Oh, we would make our record plain,
And labor hard to see,
Our worldly neighbors won to Christ,
While reading you and me.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

A man has to live with himself and he should see to it that he always has good company.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

A man's character is like a fence...all the whitewash is the world won't strengthen it.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

It is better to offer a hand than to point a finger.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

If there is righteousness in the heart,
there will be beauty in the character;
If there is beauty in the character,
there will be harmony in the home;
If there is harmony in the home,
there will be order in the nation;
If there is order in the nation,
there will be peace in the world.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The greatest of faults is to be conscious of none.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Tolerance comes with age. I see no fault committed that I myself could not have committed some time or other.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The righteous cannot rise beyond the highest which is in me so the wicked and the weak cannot fall lower than the lowest in me.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Swallowing your pride occasionally will never give you indigestion.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The best evidence of the Bible's being the Word of God is to be found between its covers.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The angels from their thrones on high
Look down on us with wondering eye,
That where we are but passing guests
We build such strong and solid nests;
But where we hope to dwell for aye,
We scarce take heed one stone to lay.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

This is what I found out about religion; it gives you courage to make the decisions you must make in a crisis, and then the confidence to leave the result to a higher POWER. Only by trust in God can a man carrying responsibility find repose.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Minds are like parachutes; they only work when they are open.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

It isn't the things that go in one ear and out the other that hurt, as much as the things that go in one ear and get all mixed up before they slip out of the mouth.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Speech may sometimes do harm; but so may silence and a worse harm at that. No insult ever caused so deep a wound as a tenderness expected and withheld; and no spoken indiscretion was ever so bitterly regretted as the word that one did not speak.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Guard within yourself the treasure of kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, and how to acquire without meanness.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Watch out for the FLU...
F...aithlessness,
L...aziness,
U...nconcern.
Flu...That's the worst kind of illness.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Without the way, there is no going; without the truth, there is no knowing; without the life, there is no living.
[from The Imitation of Christ attributed to Thomas a Kempis]

An admission of error is a sign of strength rather than a confession of weakness.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

A good character is a victory, not a gift.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam, Feb. 5, 1978]

The grindstone of life will either polish us or grind us down...depending upon what we're made of.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

There is nothing more beautiful than a rainbow, but it takes but rain and sunshine to make a rainbow. If life is to be rounded and many-colored like the rainbow, both joy and sorrow must come to it.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The best thing to give to your enemies is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity.
[by A.J. Balfour from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Some say progress involves risks. Well, you can't reach second base and keep your foot on first.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Many a person would have attained wisdom, if they had not presumed that they already had it.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Conceit seems to be the only disease that makes everyone sick but the one who has it.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Every man must live with the man he makes of himself and the better job he does in molding his character and improving his mind, the better company he will have.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

We must not hope to be mowers,
And to gather the ripe gold ears,
Unless we have first been sowers
And watered the furrows with tears.
It is not just as we take it,
This mystical world of ours,
Life's field will yield as we make it
A harvest of thorns or of flowers.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

God promises no loaves for the loafer. II Thes. 3:10.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

A man may appear to be holding a grudge, but actually the grudge is holding him.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

There is a wonderful, mystical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life...happiness, freedom and peace of mind...are always attained by giving them to someone else.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

USELESS WORDS

A is for the angry words I wish I'd never said,
N is for the noble things I wish I'd said instead.
G is for all the griping that I'm inclined to do,
E is for the empty words that I have said to you.
R is for true repentance for words I've said, or not,
May our future be much brighter and the useless words forgot.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Each new day is an opportunity to start all over again...to cleanse our minds and hearts anew and to clarify our vision. And let us not clutter up today with leavings of other days.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

A successful man is one, who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others throw at him.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

All God's pleasures are simple ones; the rapture of a June morning sunshine, the stream blue and green, kind words, benevolent acts, the glow of good humor.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Coming together is a privilege. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Our time would be much better spent telling folks how to get on rather than where to get off.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

If the women want to stay smart---they'll keep trying to be the weaker sex.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Keep a tight rein on your thoughts--they could break loose into words at any time.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Laughter is kind of like a needle and thread--it can patch up about anything.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Some folks spend their money for things they don't want just to make an impression on the folks they can't stand.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

We never get all of God until God gets all of us.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The real purpose of our existence is not to make a living, but to make a life...a worthy, well-rounded, useful life.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

A good memory is fine...but the ability to forget is the true test of greatness.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Be the true man you seek.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

If you don't accept the Word of God on a matter then anything you desire to fix up is acceptable...to man that is.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Why make the world a dreary place...Why be a rainy day? Why harp on old mistakes that we regret? Why be a rainy day? Why wear the dismal mask of hopelessness? Why be a rainy day?
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Things that have been tried...
1. Laughing at difficulties and found them disappearing.
2. Attempting heavy responsibilities and found them growing lighter.
3. Facing a bad situation and found it clearing up.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

To clear difficulties out of the way, there is no axe like a good principle.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

God wants good hearts, but He will accept broken ones.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Children are a great comfort in your old age...and they help you reach it faster, too.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Life with Christ is an endless hope, without him a hopeless end.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam and from Rotorua Weekly Reporter, 8 Apr. 1990]

Dear Lord, throughout this busy day
How shall I find the time to pray?
How can I possibly afford
To pause and have my soul restored?
I'd like some leisure time with You,
But there is so much work to do.
When I had voiced this fervent plea
I seemed to hear God answer me:
"My child, for every common task
You have my help, if you but ask,
You need not seek a place apart
To ease the longing in your heart.
Remember, God is yearning too,
To share in all the work you do."
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

God grant that I may never be,
A scoffer of eternity
As long as every April brings
The sweet rebirth of growing things.
Amen.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Life is no brief candle for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Religion is the spice which is meant to keep life from corruption.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Grandpa's prayer: Oh Lord, give me the wisdom of the owl to understand the good book and the nose of the fox to smell out temptation. Lend me the ears of the rabbit so I can hear the devil slipping up--bestow on me the eyes of the hawk to see sin coming. Glue my hands to the shovel of they work and oil my lips with kindness so my tongue can carry your word. Let my thoughts get caught up in the whirlwind of your goodness. Pound my brain with the hammer of your glory and strike my conscience with the lightning of your power. Flood my mind with the kerosene of thy light. Anoint my body with the gasoline of thy salvation and with the match of love, set me on fire! Amen.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

NEW EVERY MORNING...
I have proved it;
It is true.
Every morning
All year through
Is Thy love Forever new...
In the autumn,
Or the spring
I can feel it
Thrill and sing
Like a bird
Upon the wing.
In the winter
Or in June,
It has sung
The same sweet tune,
Every morning,
Every noon.
In my heart
The warmth, the glow
Whatsoever Blasts may blow.
This is life
To have it so;
This is life,
I know, I know...
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Search my heart, O Lord, and see if there be wickedness in me.
If envy, strife, secret sin, malice, or hatred is there within.
Forgive, O Lord, that I may be prepared to serve and worship thee.
Help me guard my lips that I may not speak
Unkind words and help me to keep close to thee lest I stray
Far from the straight and narrow way.
Help me to love, forgive and then forget the things that hurt and yet...
I know our sufferings cannot compare
With Gethsemane and the cross when Christ suffered there.
Help me to be faithful, kind and true.
The church may be judged by the things I do
Help me to be humble and walk daily with thee and be the kind of person that Thou would have me to be.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

THE NEWER HOPE

I see a thousand miracles; with each now holy dawn.
A swift fading memory of yesterdays now gone.
I shall not dwell upon the past, I must be moving on.
I feel God's love enfolding me; I feel it make me strong.
I feel it lifting up my soul above the doubt and wrong.
And I obey Him as I run to sing the world His song.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

EVERYWHERE ACROSS THE LAND
YOU SEE GOD'S FACE AND TOUCH HIS HAND...

Each time you look up in the sky
Or watch the fluffy clouds drift by,
Or feel the sunshine warm and bright,
Or watch the dark night turn to light,
Or hear a bluebird gaily sing,
Or see the winter turn to spring,
Or stop to pick a daffodil,
Or gather violets on some hill...
Or touch a leaf or see a tree,
It's all God whispering 'This is Me...
And I am Faith and I am Light
And in Me there shall be No Night.'
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

REAPING...

Time and tide await for none,
But swiftly do press on;
So do not tarry, lest you find
Your chance for sowing gone.
For when the reaping time is come,
Your soul will be filled with despair,
To find you have sown to the whirlwind,
And there's nothing to reap but the tare.
Sow seeds of love and kindness,
That the harvest, which may be nigh,
Will yield a goodly profit
For your reaping by and by.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

ARE WE WILLING...

To close our book of complaints and to open a book of praise?
To believe that other men are quite as sincere as we are and treat them with respect?
To be content with such things as we have and to stop whining for the things we have not?
To ignore what life owes us and to think of what we owe life?
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, til it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Can't sleep? Instead of counting sheep, try talking to the Shepherd.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The best way to forget your own problems is to help someone else solve theirs.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Poor soul...God's goodness hath been great to thee:
Let never day nor night unhallow'd pass,
But still remember what the Lord hath done.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

In the sight of God, we all live in glass houses.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Your strength is seen in what you STAND for,
Your weakness in what you FALL for.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

Isn't anybody going to grow old in living...Only those that lose their interest in living.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

I think I'll start repenting even at this early date
because I am not sure how soon it will be before it will be too late!
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

People ought to be able to forget their troubles as easily as they forget their blessings.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

MAY YOU HAVE JOY

May you have joy in the mad rush of preparation;
May you know peace in the tiny margins of time around the busy days;
May you have star-shine in clear night skies for looking at;
May you have silence now and then; and above all - beyond all ease -
May you have love to give and to receive.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

If you could see yourself as others see you - you probably wouldn't believe it.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

The person who is able to distinguish between tiredness and laziness in himself will go far.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

We flatter those we scarcely know,
We please the fleeting guest,
And deal full many a thoughtless blow
To those we love the best.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

I know not what the future hath
Of marvel or surprize,
Assured alone that life and death
His mercy underlies.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

LET MY LIFE SING...

Make me too brave to lie or be unkind.
Make me too understanding, too, to mind
The little hurts companions give, and friends,
The careless hurts that no one quite intends.
May I forget
What ought to be forgotten, and recall,
Unfailing, all
That ought to be recalled, each kindly thing,
Forgetting what might sting.
To all upon my way,
Day after day,
Let me be joy, be hope...let my life sing.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

LIVE TO MAKE A LIFE

Do not live to make a living,
Rather live to make a life.
For the measure of succeeding
Is your service in the strife.
All you ever leave behind you
When your soul has crossed the bay,
Is the good you've done to others,
As you tarried by the way.
Build a life as pure as crystal:
Build a spirit full of love:
Build your mind by noble thinking:
Build a faith in God above.
Build your life with care and patience,
As the sculptor hews the stone,
With the Master as your model
And your eyes upon the throne.
Noble lives have been a beacon
Lighting mankind's upward way:
They who serve are the immortals,
Fathers of a better day.
Let your life shine out in service,
Noble living...noble deeds,
And until time's course is ended,
Good will blossom from the seeds.
[by Wilfred A. Peterson from The Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Nov. 24, 1996, p. 4]

OUR LIFE ON TV TERMS...

So AS THE WORLD TURNS these are THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES. We are standing at the EDGE OF NIGHT looking at the SOMERSET, SEARCHING FOR TOMORROW, hoping for a BRIGHTER DAY that will take us to ANOTHER WORLD. Many become discouraged about the SECRET STORMS that confront us daily, but should always remember that we only have ONE LIFE TO LIVE. Some of us are YOUNG AND RESTLESS; many are RICH MEN AND POOR MEN; some of us are only out for GOODTIME; and many of us are too busy trying to keep up with THE JEFFERSONS. It's unfortunate that those who live in the EXECUTIVE SUITES are looking down on those who live in THE LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE. There is much GUNSMOKE in the STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO, and THE DOCTORS are busy with victims at the GENERAL HOSPITAL. So my friends, the PRICE IS RIGHT because with God there will be no LET'S MAKE A DEAL. We must either TELL THE TRUTH or FACE THE CONSEQUENCES. The Lord has said, I love ALL MY CHILDREN. So let us follow THE GUIDING LIGHT and retain the LOVE OF LIFE, enjoying these HAPPY DAYS, for we are ALL IN THE FAMILY.
[from The Sycamore Sunbeam]

CARING CHURCHES GROW!

John S. Savage writes recently in Catalyst as to why people either drop out of the church or remain faithful in the church. "What is it that keeps persons active in the church?" is a question he asked in his research. "We discovered three things: One is a very ongoing commitment to Jesus Christ and God. Two, they have two or more personal friends in the congregation to whom they can go to talk when something upsets them. And three, They have a support group, a larger group of people. When all three of those stay intact with each other, the person will unendingly remain in the life of the church."

After studying 240 converts to churches of Christ and 240 dropouts from churches of Christ, Flavil Yeakley, Jr., concludes in his recent book, "Why churches grow": "When subjects formed personal relationships with members of the congregation, they likely to remain faithful. When they did not form such personal relationships, they were likely to drop out of the church."

At first thought, one may think that a new convert to Christianity ought to be faithful regardless of personal relationships. One might reason that the Christian faith is a personal relationship between himself and God and that it ought to remain firm regardless of relationships with other Christians. The problem with this view, however, is that it overlooks God's way of reaching people. In every instance of conversion recorded in the New Testament, a personal relationship existed between the Christian and the one being converted to Christ. Following conversion, God adds a new convert "To the church" (Acts 2:47). From the view of God, Christianity is personal, but never private. It always exists in a network of personal relationships, especially with other members of the church. No wonder the most often used description of the church is the figure of a human body.

Churches which grow are caring churches. Members minister to each other and the world which is precisely what Jesus intended the church to be in the beginning. Churches failing to do this practice a private religion which isolates itself from the needs of each other and the needs of those outside the church. For they have cut themselves off from the power which causes growth - God.
[by Prentice Meador, Jr. from the Sandy Springs' bulletin]

THE KEY FACTOR

One of the key factors in church growth has little to do with attendance drives, promotion, personnel or programs. The number one factor in church growth is what I call "love relationships". If brethren are unable to maturely deal with the personality quirks of each other then they will likely continue to deteriorate as a group. The hardest part of being a father is to live closely with your children and day after day with them as they grow and change. It gets tiring and you want to rest or quit sometimes. If you do a good job it takes staying-power! And you will "learn" to love them even when they don't act as you think they should or the way you would prefer. But if you keep on truly loving them, your relationship grows and deepens.

The same concept works in the church. If the vast majority of the congregation learns to love each other in spite of their differences, strange as they may be, growth will occur. You see, people like to come back to be a part of a group of people where love is obvious. A loving atmosphere gives off warmth. A cold, sterile and whole truth, will not make up for the lack of love.
[by Bill Goodpasture from Savannah Church of Christ bulletin]

DOES THIS MAKE SENSE?
We hear a lot about sense these days: Horse sense, Common sense, No sense, Nonsense. The five senses. A sense of right and wrong.

May I suggest six senses that each young person should cultivate.

SENSE OF ORDER: Be aware that life in our universe is based on laws of order. Our Creator is not the author of confusion (I Cor. 14:33), and He encourages us to get our lives in tune with His laws (I Cor. 14:40).

SENSE OF REVERENCE: Honor God in all you do. Show Him the respect He's due, especially during public worship. Note-passing and talking during a sermon or the Lord's Supper says to God, "I don't have time for you right now." (Heb. 12:28).

SENSE OF PURPOSE: Your being here is no accident. God has a purpose and a blueprint for your life (Psa. 139:14-16). You have a reason for being (Eccl. 12:13).

SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY: The most common complaint I hear about the younger generation today is they are irresponsible. Be a dependable person, one who people can trust and have confidence in. The way you earn the trust and confidence of others is by your track record. Do you do what you say you will?

SENSE OF HUMILITY: You want to be great in life? Be humble (Matt. 23:11). See yourself as a servant, placed here by God to help others. Humility will become your springboard to greatness in God's kingdom (Matt. 18:4).

SENSE OF HUMOR: Learn to laugh. There is a sun dial in England with this inscription: I capture only sunshine! That's a great motto for our lives. Don't take yourself or life so seriously that you cannot laugh at mistakes or disappointments.

Our senses are vital to our existence. Let's develop them so that we can live more fully for the King. Now, that makes sense!
[by Donnie Hilliard from Savannah Church of Christ bulletin]

"A group of animals decided to improve their general welfare by starting a school. The curriculum included swimming, running, climbing, and flying. The duck, an excellent swimmer, was deficient in other areas; so he majored in climbing, running, and flying, much to the detriment of his swimming. The rabbit, a superior runner, was forced to spend so much time in other classes that he soon lost much of his famed speed. The squirrel who had been rated 'A' as a climber, dropped to a 'C' because his instructors spent hours trying to teach him to swim and fly. And the eagle was disciplined for soaring to the treetop when he had been told to learn how to climb, even though flying was most natural for him."

This parable by Charles Swindoll portrays what often happens in the church. We each have a gift. Our gifts differ. Some of us try to do so many things we lose our effectiveness in our most gifted area. As a result, the body suffers.

Rom. 12 exhorts us to use the gift we have. It shouldn't distress us that someone may do another thing better than we. If God made you a duck saint, you're a duck. Swim, friend, swim like mad. And don't get bent out of shape because you waddle when you run. Running isn't your thing. But, boy, can you ever swim.

Another thing. If you're an eagle saint, stop expecting squirrel saints to fly like you do, or rabbit saints to build the kind of nest you do. They're doing their own thing, using their own gift. Diversity of gifts makes the body effective.
[by Joe Barnett from the Sycamore Sunbeam]

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO YOU

There's a Gospel according to Matthew;
To Mark and to Luke and John, too.
There's another that many are reading -
The Gospel according to you.
All teachings we find in the Bible
Are but facts we believe to be true;
You must live them to make them the Gospel -
The Gospel according to you.
Every day you are writing your Gospel;
In this life you may never know who
May be helped or hindered by reading
The Gospel according to you.
Many read not the words of the Bible;
I will tell you what some of them do -
They are reading the book you are writing -
The Gospel according to you.
There's power in the minister's preaching;
So you say, I believe this is true;
But the thing that may tell most on others
Is the Gospel according to you.
God help you to Christ to be faithful,
And to live all His teachings so true,
So that all may be seeing His Spirit
In the Gospel according to you.
[from Sycamore Sunbeam]

"Daddy, I want to ask you a question," said little Bobby after his first day in Sunday School, "Yes, Bobby, what is it?" replied the father. "Well, the teacher was reading the Bible to us, all about the children of Israel building the temple, the children of Israel crossing the Red Sea, the children of Israel making sacrifices. Didn't the grown-ups do anything?"

You can't keep a chip on the shoulder that's put to the wheel!

As soldiers of the cross, we must strive lawfully if we would win the victory.

A selfish life can never be true and beautiful.

The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but to be able to hold your tongue in one language is priceless.
[by Sydney Smith from Savannah Church of Christ bulletin]

If you are not already practising the Lord's command to "do good to all people" (Gal. 6:10), look for opportunities all around you. Inject a solid Christian contribution to serving the disabled and disadvantaged people around you. (Luke 10:37).

If you are alert to the needs of your brethren, you can find the opportunity to assist them without waiting to be asked. Think of the example of Tabitha who was described as...(Acts 9:36). If you don't feel that describes you, why not?

I Thes. 5:11. How about showing some imagination, initiative and demonstrations of love towards your brethren. Tell them you appreciate them. Write them a note to build them up. Let them know you care. Surprise them that they were remembered! Make a gift to those in need which will be...Phili. 4:18. Don't let us take each other for granted.

GOOD CHURCHES HAVE PROBLEMS
"No internal problems," the man said. And our first reaction was that of admiration for this "ideal" church that knew no problems. But with further observation our thinking changed.

The Bible speaks of a church that had "no problems." The church at Laodicea was "rich, and increased with goods, and had need of nothing" (Rev. 3:17). On the other hand the Jerusalem church was faced with several problems. They had to witness the death of a hypocritical, lying couple (Acts 5:1-11). There was murmuring because of neglect of the Grecian widows (Acts 6:1-7). There were doctrinal problems over the question of circumcision (Acts 11:1-8; Acts 15:4-5). Jerusalem had its problems while Laodicea was "free of problems" - yet every Bible student knows that Jerusalem was the approved church while Laodicea was nauseating to the Lord.

Further, when one observes the problems of the Jerusalem church, he recognizes that the problems were a direct outgrowth of the work and activity of that congregation. Had there not been the spirit of benevolence that prevailed among its members, there would have been no occasion for Ananias' and Sapphira's lie or for the murmuring over neglect. Had there been no evangelization among the Gentiles there would have been no problem over circumcision. Jerusalem had problems because they were a working, active, thriving, growing church. And it may well be that Laodicea's absence of problems was a direct outgrowth of its lukewarmness and lack of vitality.

We conclude that a lazy, "do nothing" church may well be free of problems, but an active, working church can expect certain problems. A church that succeeds in converting alcoholics, drug addicts, divorcees; that seeks a "Samaritan woman" of our day, or a "Simon the sorcerer," or a "Mary Magdalene" can anticipate some problems. But, that church which chooses the alternative, preaching to and converting only the morally good who fit well into their own social and economic circles, while avoiding some problems, faces the greatest problem of all in their failure to obey the commandment of the Lord (Mark 16:15) and to follow His own personal example. A church that develops thinking people who objectively study every Bible question for themselves can expect some differences to arise in their earnest search for truth. A hospitable church must be prepared for charges of neglect in their show of hospitality. True zeal for the Lord will beget problems but woe to that church that neglects the Lord's work in order to avoid problems. The Lord's anathema is upon that church.

It's not the existence or non-existence of problems, then, that determines the strength of a church, but how the church deals with its problems. Love for one another, mutual concern, longsuffering, humility, love for truth, determination to do God's will - these are the qualities that make for a strong church. They cannot stop problems from developing, but they can enable a church to bring its problems to God-approved solutions.
[by Bill Hall from "Perspectives", the monthly publication of 77th Street Church of Christ, Birmingham, Ala.]

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

First impressions are important because they affect our attitudes and behaviour towards other people. They are often not always correction impressions. Some people put up fronts and cover themselves up. Don't let first impressions dictate the way you treat or deal with people when you first meet them. Don't let preconceptions get in the way. Accept people for what they are - not who we think they should be...or reading the wrong meanings into a person's actions.

What first impressions are you giving? We are advertising Christianity with our lives - we must watch how we live. As ambassadors for God's church, it is important to give the right kind of impression to others. The impression we give should reflect the church and therefore Jesus and God. We were able to tell each other what we really thought about each other in a Christian way...it really helped uplift everyone. It motivates us to change since we feel we need to live up to the good impression others have of us.

When dealing with your first impression of others, love is a powerful force. Even though things aren't going well you must persevere. Love never fails. We should never take our first impressions seriously but should try to see past them to the real person. Don't let preconceived ideas block out what's really there. The mission of the church is to find the real person - the frog really being a prince underneath.

None of us ever make an ideal first impression, therefore we often consider ourselves worse than we are. Society can judge people and really hurt them when they're one of the nicest people you've ever met. Christ was the ideal first impression - the way he lived, he didn't conform to what society expected of the Messiah - we should not be forced to conform - be yourself. Don't judge others...love them as Christian brothers and sisters should love each other no matter what society thinks.

Loving each other - Christians are all bound in a "web" of love - if one strand breaks everyone is affected in some way. We need every individual person...even one person can break up the unity we have. Loving is a conscious effort - you must force yourself to love those about you until it becomes a natural habit. We define the things which we don't like about other people...we decide what makes a good impression.

Jesus was rejected and he associated with the rejects. We don't have to be acceptable to society to be acceptable before God - who is far more important.
[from the Acts of Parkers Road, Nelson, Oct. 1983]

WHAT IS A MOTHER?

Mother's a breast where a downy head can rest in secure contentment;
Mother's an ear, to hear small woes, and to temper fear and resentment;
Mother's a light that burns in the night, when the rest of the family are sleeping;
And mother's a heart, when the world falls apart, and a shoulder is needed for weeping!
And when she is old, Mother's a book, with pages of loving and giving -
A story of hope, and faith in God, that inspires us to better living!
[by Marcella Hope Alexander from Sycamore Sunbeam]

A MOTHER'S LOVE REFLECTS GOD'S LOVE

It happened years ago on Mother's Day. The clerk at the Western Union office, a tall, thin, nervous type, had had a busy difficult day. Just before 9 p.m. a bedraggled, poorly dressed man approached the counter and presented a telegram.

The harassed clerk scanned it quickly and blurted "Fifty-seven cents, please." The clerk barked, "Hurry up, Bud, it's closing time." The man picked up his money and the paper.

As he reached the door, the clerk called to him impetuously, "Hey, mister, come here. Give me that telegram."

"I have only fifty-one cents."

The clerk reached into his pocket and brought out the needed six cents, commenting softly, "It's your mother, ain't it? Wish to God I had a mother to send a telegram to."

When Anna Jarvis had her Philadelphia Sunday school class observe "Mother's Day" back in 1908, little did she realize to what proportions the custom would grow. Jesus on the cross in the depths of pain remembered his mother. And why not? A mother loves her child even when no one else does.

A teacher on the first day of school asked her first-graders to give their names and what they wanted to be when they grew up. One young twohead spoke out confidently. "I'm Jimmie. When I grow up, I'm gonna be a lion tamer. I'll have lots of fierce lions and tigers, and I'll walk into the cage and..." He hesitated. "But of course, I'll have my mother with me."

Be especially thankful that your mother stayed with you in good times and bad. And remember, even if a mother fails in her love for her child, God won't!
[by Douglas F. Parsons from Sycamore Sunbeam]

No one can have Christ as the Saviour of his soul,
Who will not let Him be the Master of his life.
[from bulletin of Church of Christ, Savannah, Ga.]

I am opposed to putting garbage on television for the same reason I would oppose open sewers in our streets. It can be argued that what's in those sewers is natural and normal and "everybody does it" and that it's "not dirty", but everywhere in the world where sewage flows unconfined, it breeds disease.
[by Paul Harvey from bulletin of Church of Christ, Savannah, Ga.]

Our motivation. We must never loose sight of how much the Lord has done for us. The love that he freely bestows on us. As a child imitates his parent may we too behave in the manner which would reflect a portion of our Father's glory.
[from In His Steps, Mangere bulletin]

What makes a family: common blood, name, commitment, love.
What makes the church the family of God: common blood, name, commitment, love.

THE CHRIST CENTRED FAMILY

Of course the true child of God realizes the fact that Christ is the centre of his life in the family of God. By looking into the word of God we can see what indeed puts us into a situation that we can refer to Christ as the centre of our spiritual family. In Mark 3:35 Jesus said.... Also in Luke 8:21 he says.... These two passages relate the fact that we have no right to claim Christ as centre of our lives without submitting ourselves to his will.

By understanding that Christ is the centre of our Spiritual Family it opens so many doors for us. We can see this by comparing our spiritual family relationship to our physical family relationship. We realize that by being in the family we are heirs to all that our parents have to their name. If something tragic was to happen to your parents then you and your brothers and sisters stand to be the only heirs to any wealth that they may leave behind. In the same way the children of God are the heirs of God. (Rom. 8:16-17) Paul is telling us that as children of God we are heirs, of God, but not so much that we are heirs, but that we are heirs with Christ. He says in Rom. 8:17 again "if so be that we suffer with him". Who is "him" in this passage? None other than Christ. You can see what he (Paul) is getting at by noticing that everything centres around Christ. We are joint-heirs with Christ. If we suffer with Christ we will be glorified together. Yes, Christ is the center of the family of God. All scripture in some way or other directs itself towards Him.

We in the family of God must realize that Christ is the centre of our spiritual family, the church. There seems to be a move in today's religious world and even has darkened the doors of the kingdom to remove Christ from the church and put him on a pedestal above and beyond the reaches of the church. This is seen by people who are always preaching and teaching the love of Jesus and wonderfulness of his grace and mercy but leave out the importance of submitting ourselves to some definite laws, definite teachings that appear in the pages of the New Testament. We aren't saying that its wrong to teach the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus but we are saying that there definitely must be a balance. To split Christ and his church is like trying to split the atom with a butter knife. Jesus said....(Matt. 7:21).

Thank be to God for the family that we have, the church, with someone so great as its center our Lord Jesus Christ.
[by Scott Harp from the Hamilton Church of Christ bulletin]

A WINTER TUNE-UP SPECIAL

1. Adjust your light so that others may see your good works.
2. Set your timing so as to be in the assembly on time.
3. Adjust the brake of your tongue; it is in a slippery place.
4. Tune-up your heart and know the peace that passes understanding.
5. Align your direction that you may be able to steer yourself up the straight and narrow road to eternal life without a wreck.
6. Tune your mind so as to think on pure, noble and holy things.
7. For a quick start and a sure victory, be ready at all times to do the Lord's will, then do it.
8. Anti-freeze your heart; be fervent in spirit, serving God.
9. Lubricate your spirit with the oil of gladness; rejoice always, giving thanks in everything.
10. Retire with full assurance of a safe trip to eternal life of a careful and obedient driver.
[from Christchurch bulletin]

TRUTH ABOUT LIFE

Information is often accepted or rejected as being true or false simply on the basis of its source and whether or not it corresponds with one's already accepted body of knowledge. To one group of people anything the Bible says is rejected simply because it is from the Bible while another group accept if for the same reason. Some people are also the same way about science and psychology. They blindly accept their findings while others blindly reject them. My experience through several years of observation has been that true science and the Bible properly understood are in harmony. Information recently released by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Maryland are evidence of this. (Reader's Digest, March 1984, pp. 63-66).

The study began in 1946 to find early clues to disease. Some interesting information has resulted from the research. The study reveals a strong correlation between victims of suicide, mental illness, and physical illness who expressed lack of closeness to parent or parents. A significant percentage of the healthier subjects, on the other hand, came from families in which there was warmth and understanding. What appeared to be important was an environment which provided understanding, love, acceptance, and emotional support. Material well-being and higher social status seemingly do not enhance a child's chances for successful adulthood, but loving human relationships play a vital role in a person's ultimate success.

Those who understand the Bible know this to be it's teaching. I am thankful and appreciative of science and psychology and their findings, but I am also thankful that I do not have to rely on them as my source of information concerning life. My study and experience have proven to me that the Bible is the most reliable source of information about life. I appreciate science reaffirming the truth of the Bible but I will rely on the Bible as my authoritative source of learning about life. It has stood the test of time. I recommend it to you, it will not let you down.
[by Welborn Hayhurst from Invercargill bulletin]

The man who has no enemies has no decided convictions. The Lord Jesus Christ had many enemies, but he was an enemy to no man. Our great concern should be to so live that we will be an enemy to no one.
[from Gospel Advocate]

A humble duty faithfully discharged in loving service to God is more precious to Him than the achievement of some great worldly deed in which He is not honored.
[from Gospel Advocate]

An outward show of serving God is not true service to Him. Preaching the religion of Christ is of little worth, if we do not live it.
[from Gospel Advocate]

CHRIST AND DEATH

The scriptures speak of various kinds of death. Those dead in sin (Eph. 2:1); those who die to sin (Col. 3:3); physical death (Heb. 9:27); and the second death (Rev. 20:6) are some of the major ones. Likewise, much is recorded about life...physical, spiritual and eternal. One could say that the Bible is a book about life and death. And since Jesus Christ is the central figure of the Bible, his own life and death, and our relationship to him, make up its theme. In this short article we shall notice how our Lord's death is related to the various death's we can experience.

Hope for dead in sin

The idea of being dead in sin should cause fear and concern in the heart of every sinner. In vivid terms Paul describes such a condition. (Eph. 4:18-19). Christ is the only hope for those dead in sin. (John 5:24). No one has to abide in spiritual death. Jesus went to the cross and died for all who are dead in sin. He is their only hope.

Power in death to sin

Power in dying to sin comes through the death and resurrection of Christ. (Rom. 6:2-4, 11).

Peace in physical death

For some there is fear and terror in physical death. (Psa. 55:4-5). But Christ takes the fear and terror from death and replaces it with peace, joy and hope. (Rev. 14:13). In death there is mystery, uncertainty, and dread of separation from loved ones, but those who die in Christ have no terror. We have sorrow, but not as those who have no hope (I Thes. 4:13).

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin; The blood of Jesus whispers peace within. Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round On Jesus' bosom naught but calm is found.

Escape from eternal death

Another death awaits those who die out of Christ and unprepared to meet God in judgement. (Matt. 25:46). This eternal fire is called "the second death" (Rev. 20:14-15; Rev. 21:8). The sinner's only escape from this eternal death is through the atonement and hope Christ provided in his death and resurrection. He who abolished death (II Tim. 1:10) has said, (John 11:25). However, escaping the second death is conditional. Jesus said, (John 8:51). Eternal destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power awaits those who know not God and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord (II Thes. 1:8-9).

Every accountable person will experience three of the four kinds of death described (unless Christ returns while we live). Death to sin is the only one that is voluntary, and it is the only escape from eternal death. To reject Christ is to choose death. (Rom. 6:23).
[by Richard Harp from Enduring Words, vol. 4, no. 2, Feb. 1985]

YOU'RE NOT A NOBODY

I've always felt sorry for Charlie Brown. He is the famous Shultz cartoon character who sees himself as the world's biggest nothing. And Lucy is always ready to reinforce his self-image as a loser. "He's a real Charlie Brown" has become an American idiom for somebody who is a klutz.

God has never created a nobody! Every human being is worthy because he or she is in the divine image. Each one is loved beyond measure, and that love is proved by a look at Calvary.

It is the enemy within who defeats us more often than the foe without. Inaccurate concepts of ourselves result in failure.

Many of our contemporaries feel trapped and trampled. Everyone walks on them, and they lack sufficient self-esteem to stand up and challenge life. This seems to be a problem with far too many young people today. Many of the kids who fool with drugs or illicit sex do so to escape the pain of feeling they are nobodies, rejects, unwanted persons.

People with flat egos build their own fences, create their own barriers, set their own limitations. Their own worst enemy is the enemy within! They dream too small, if they dream at all. They see themselves as hopelessly alienated from God and of no importance to anyone in their world.

Feeling like a nobody and lacking confidence is an abnormality of the mind which Jesus Christ can correct.

James Harvey Robinson wrote that the most normal mind in history is the mind of Jesus. It had no hate in it, no fear, no anxiety, no impurity, no sense of inadequacy.

Jesus' mind centered on love, selflessness, and humble service to others. From that mind issued a quiet strength and self confidence which God created within him.

If your life seems empty to you, try the way of Jesus. Gain by giving, lead by serving, live by dying. Die to your debilitating self-consciousness, and live a Christ-controlled life which demonstrates the security of the position of a child within the family of God.

When you live in Christ and Christ lives in you, when Christ enters your heart and takes control of your mind - you are equal to any challenge life can hurl in your direction. You are not a weak person anymore, not a defeated individual, not a loser.

Out of God's infinite riches, the indwelling Spirit of Christ will (Eph. 3:15). With the merciful providence of God in your life (Rom. 8:28) and with the power of prayer at your command (I Thes. 5:16-18), you are equal to the task of living.
[by Rubel Shelly from The Ashwood leaves]

I Kings 1
1. What was done for David because he had no heat? they brought unto him a fair virgin damsel
2. What did Joab and Abiathar help Adonijah do? try to become king
3. What did David swear unto Bathsheba? that Solomon would become king
4. What special favor did David do to show the people that Solomon was king? let Solomon ride on David's mule
5. What did Adonijah do when he learned that Solomon was king? he caught hold the horns on the alter

I Kings 2
1. How long was David king? 40 years
2. What request did Adonijah make to Solomon through Bathsheba? can I have Abishag to be my wife
3. How did Solomon react to Adonijah's request? Solomon had him put to death
4. What reason did Solomon give for putting Joab to death? Joab had shed blood without cause
5. Why did Solomon kill Shimei? He went out of Jerusalem to hunt for his servants

I Kings 3
1. What did Solomon do with Pharoah's daughter? married her
2. What request did Solomon make of Jehovah? an understanding heart to judge thy people
3. What three things did God give Solomon? wisdom, riches, honor
4. What dispute did two harlots bring before Solomon? they were disputing over which was the mother of the live baby
5. How did Solomon learn who the real mother was? he commanded the live baby be cut in half but the real mother said give it to the other woman

I Kings 4
1. How many oxen did Solomon's house eat in one day? 30
2. How many stalls of horses did Solomon have? 40,000
3. How many proverbs did Solomon speak? 3,000

I Kings 5
1. What two kinds of timber in Hiram cut for Solomon? cedar and fir
2. How did Hiram transport the timber to Solomon? made them into rafts and floated them in the sea

I Kings 6
1. What was not used in building the temple? any tool of iron
2. What material did Solomon use to overlay the inside of the temple? gold
3. How long did it take to build the temple? 7 years

I Kings 7
1. How long did it take to build Solomon's own house? 13 years
2. What was the first thing Solomon made for Pharaoh's daughter? a house
3. What was the weight of the brass used in making vessels for the temple? their weight could not be found out

I Kings 8
1. What had David wanted to do that God did not permit? build the temple
2. For peace offerings, how many sheep did Solomon offer at the dedication of the temple? 120,000

I Kings 9
1. What did God promise Solomon if he did not keep his commandments? (1) cut off Israel, (2) cast out the temple, and (3) Israel shall be a proverb and a byword
2. Where did Solomon get his bondservants? from the people they were unable to destroy

I Kings 10
1. What song is named from a statement made by the queen of Sheba? the half has never yet been told
2. What did Solomon make his throne out of? ivory overlayed with gold
3. Where did Solomon buy his horses? Egypt

I Kings 11
1. How many wives did Solomon have? 700
2. How many concubines did Solomon have? 300
3. When Solomon was old, what did his wives do for him? they turned away his heart after other gods
4. What evil thing did Solomon do for his wives? built places to worship their idols
5. How many tribes did God give Solomon's son? one
6. How many tribes did God give to Jeroboam? ten
7. How long was Solomon king? 40 years

I Kings 12
1. What did Israel ask Rehoboam to do? make their yokes lighter
2. What council did the old men give Rehoboam? make their yokes lighter
3. What council did the young men give Rehoboam? add to their burden
4. When Rehoboam told the people how he was going to rule, what did they do? made Jeroboam king
5. What reason did Jeroboam give for telling the people not to go to Jerusalem? it was too far to go to Jerusalem
6. What did Jeroboam tell the people had delivered them from Egypt? the 2 golden calves - idols

I Kings 13
1. When the king asked the young prophet to eat at his house, how did he answer him? If thou would give me half thy house, I will not go in with thee
2. What caused the young prophet to eat in the city? an old prophet lied to him saying an angel of the Lord said come back
3. What happened to the young prophet for believing this lie? a lion slew him
4. What did the old prophet say about the words spoken by the young prophet? they would come to pass

I Kings 14
1. Why did Jeroboam send his wife to the prophet Ahijah? to see what was going to happen to his son Abijah
2. When did Ahijah say Abijah would die? when his mother entered the city
3. What did Ahijah say would happen to the bodies of Jeroboam's other sons? the dogs would eat the ones in the city. The birds ate the ones that died in the field

I Kings 15
1. Name five things Asa did while he was king? (1) put the sodomites out of the land (2) removed the idols (3) removed his mother from being queen (4) cut down his mother's idol (5) returned to the temple the dedicated things
2. What did Baasha do as soon as he was king? smote all the house of Jeroboam

I Kings 16
1. What did God say would happen to the sons of Baasha when they died? if they died in the city the dogs would eat, those that died in the field were eaten by birds
2. How long did Zimri reign in Tirzah? 7 days
3. How did Zimri die? he burned his house down on himself
4. What idol did Ahab worship after marrying Jezebel? Baal
5. How bad a king was Ahab? he was worse than any king before him
6. Why did the sons of Hiel die? because he rebuilt the walls of Jericho

I Kings 17
1. What did Elijah tell Ahab would not happen for several years? no dew or rain
2. How was Elijah fed at the brook Cherith? the ravens fed him
3. What happened because the widow fed Elijah when she did not have enough for herself? God caused the food not to run out
4. What did Elijah do for the widow? raised her son from the dead

I Kings 18
1. What did Obadiah do for 100 prophets? hid them in a cave and fed them
2. When Ahab saw Elijah what did he call him? troubler of Israel
3. Where did the 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah eat? at Jezebel's table
4. What was the purpose of the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal? to see who was the true God
5. Why did Elijah tell Baal's prophets to cry louder? he said their god might be on a journey or asleep
6. What happened to the water that Elijah put on his offering? fire from Jehovah lapped it up
7. What did Elijah do with the prophets of Baal? slew them
8. How long did it go without raining? three years and six months

I Kings 19
1. When Jezebel heard what Elijah had done to Baal's prophets, what message did she send him? she said she would do the same to him by tomorrow
2. How long did Elijah go without food? 40 days and nights
3. When Elijah said he alone was left serving Jehovah, how many did God say had not bowed to Baal? 7,000
4. Who did Elijah anoint to take his place? Elisha

I Kings 20
1. What excuse did Benhadad give for losing the first battle to Israel? Israel's God is a god of the hills
2. How many Syrians did Israel slay in one day? 100,000
3. Why did Jehovah say Ahab would die? he let Benhadad go free

I Kings 21
1. What did Ahab try to buy from Naboth? vineyard
2. How did Jezebel have Naboth killed? Had two men falsely testify that Naboth cursed God and the king
3. What did Elijah say would happen to Ahab's blood? dogs would lick it
4. What did Elijah say would happen to Jezebel? Dog would eat her
5. Who caused Ahab to be wicked? Jezebel
6. Why did Jehovah say he would not bring the evil he had promised in Ahab's day? he humbled himself

I Kings 22
1. Who said Ahab could defeat Ramothgilead? 400 prophets
2. Why did Ahab hate Micaiah? he prophesied evil against Ahab
3. What did a messenger tell Micaiah to do? prophecy good like the other prophets
4. What did Micaiah say that he would speak? what Jehovah said unto me
5. What command did Ahab give concerning Micaiah? put him in prison and feed him bread and water of affliction until I come in peace
6. How did Micaiah reply to Ahab? if thou return at all in peace, Jehovah hath not spoken by me
7. How was Ahab slain? a man drew a bow in adventure and the arrow smote him between the joints of his armor

II Kings 1
1. Why did God say Ahaziah would die? because he required of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron
2. How many men did Elijah call down fire from heaven and consume? 102

II Kings 2
1. What did Elijah use his mantle for? part the waters of Jordan
2. What request did Elisha make of Elijah? he wanted a double portion of Elijah's spirit
3. On what condition did Elijah say Elisha's request would be granted? if thou see me when I am taken from thee
4. What parted Elijah and Elisha? a chariot and horses of fire
5. What carried Elijah to heaven? a whirlwind
6. What did Elisha use Elijah's mantle for? he parted the waters of the Jordan
7. Why did two bears tear 42 lads? because they mocked Elisha for being bald headed

II Kings 3
1. What good thing did King Jehoram do? tore down the image of Baal
2. Whom did Elisha tell Jehoram to inquire of? the prophets of thy fathers and mothers
3. When God caused water to flow in trenches for Israel, what did the Moabites think it was? blood
4. What did the king of Moab do when he saw the battle was too sore for him? he offered his oldest son on the burnt offering

II Kings 4
1. Where did a widow get money to pay her debt? Elisha caused her pot of oil to grow and she sold many vessels of oil
2. What did the Shunem woman do for Elisha? made him a special room for him to sleep in when he passed by
3. How did Elisha repay the Shunem woman? he told her she would have a son
4. Why did the Shunem woman go after Elisha? because her son died
5. Why did the sons of the prophets say was in the pot of food prepared by Elisha? death (poison)

II Kings 5
1. Name four mistakes made by Naaman? (1) he went to the wrong place to be healed (2) he went with his own opinion about how to be healed (3) he thought he was too good to do an humble task (4) he thought money would pay for his healing
2. What happened to Gehazi because he accepted money from Naaman? he became a leper

II Kings 6
1. Why was the man concerned when his ax fell into the river? it was borrowed
2. How did Elisha retrieve the ax? he made it swim
3. How did Elisha escape from a host of Syria? he smote them with blindness, lead them to Sameria, and made servants of them
4. When Samaria was besieged, what sold for 80 pieces of silver? an ass's head
5. What sold for five pieces of silver? 1/4 kab of doves manure
6. What complaint did a woman made to the king? her neighbor helped her eat her son but then refused to let this woman eat her son

II Kings 7
1. When Elisha said there would be plenty of food tomorrow and the captain disbelieved, what did Elisha say? you will see it but you will not eat
2. What caused the Syrians to flee? God caused them to hear a great noise like a great army
3. Who discovered the Syrians had fled? 4 lepers
4. How did the captain of Israel die? the people trampled over him going to get food

II Kings 8
1. What did Elisha say about Benhadad's sickness? he would recover but die
2. What did Elisha say Hazael would do unto the children of Israel? (1) burn their strong-holds (2) slay their young men (3) dash in pieces their children (4) rip up their women with child
3. Who killed Benhadad? he committed suicide

II Kings 9

1. How did Jehu reply to Joram's question, "Is it peace?" what peace so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many
2. Who was the first woman to paint her eyes? Jezebel
3. How did Jezebel die? two or three eunuchs threw her out the window and Jehu trod on her with horses
4. What was done with Jezebel's body? the dogs ate all but her feet, hands, skull

II Kings 10
1. How many sons did Ahab have? 70
2. What did Jehu tell the elders of Sameria to do if they wanted him to be their king? bring me the heads of Ahab's sons
3. What great sacrifice did Jehu do to Baal? slew all the worshippers of Baal and tore down his house
4. How was Jehu like Martin Luther? he rebelled against the worst of the religious corruption of his day but did not restore complete obedience to God

II Kings 11
1. What king as a child was hidden six years in the temple? Joash
2. When Joash was made king at age 7 years, what did the people break down? Baal's house

II Kings 12
1. What did king Jehoash command the priest to do with the money brought back to the temple? use it for themselves and repair the breaches in the temple
2. How many years did the priest use the money without doing the work? 23
3. What caused the death of Joash? his servants made a conspiracy and slew him

II Kings 13
1. What wicked king did Jehoahaz immitate? Jeroboam, son of Nebat
2. What wicked king did Joash imitate? Jeroboam, son of Nebat
3. Why was Elisha angry with Joash? he smote the ground only three times meaning Judah would smite Syria three times when he should had smote the ground 5 or 6 times
4. What happened when a dead man was cast into Elisha's tomb? the man revived and stood up

II Kings 14
1. Why did Amaziah not slay the sons of his servants who had slain his father? the law of Moses said the fathers not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers but every man shall die for his own sin
2. What did Jehoash do at Jerusalem? (1) tore down the wall (2) robbed the temple

II Kings 15
1. How old was Azariah when he began to reign? 16
2. Where did king Azariah live? in a separate house
3. Why? he was a leper

II Kings 16
1. What very wicked thing did Ahaz do? he offered his son on a burnt offering

II Kings 17
1. What was Shalmaneser? the Syrian king who carried Israel into captivity
2. When the Assyrian king sent wicked rulers to rule Samaria, what did God send? lions
3. When Israel was carried into captivity, did most of them repent? no

II Kings 18
1. What king was Hezekiah like? David
2. Why did Hezekiah destroy the brazen serpent made by Moses? they were worshipping it
3. Who did Rabshakeh say could not deliver Judah? Jehovah

II Kings 19
1. Who did Hezekiah ask to save Judah from Assyria? Jehovah
2. For what man's sake did Jehovah say he would save Jerusalem? David's

II Kings 20
1. How long did Jehovah lengthen Hezekiah's life? 15 years
2. What sign did God give to show that he would lengthen Hezekiah's life? shadow went back 10 degrees
3. What did Isaiah say Hezekiah's son would be in Babylon? eunuch

II Kings 21
1. How old was Manasseh when he became king? 12 years
2. What spiritual condition did Judea reach under the reign of Manasseh? worst than the nations God had drove out before them
3. What kind of king was Manasseh? the worst that Judea had ever had
4. What kind of king was Amon his son? like Manasseh

II Kings 22
1. How old was Josiah when he became king? 8 years
2. What did Josiah do to the temple? repaired it
3. What did Hilkiah find in the temple? a book of the law

II Kings 23
1. What did Josiah do when he gathered all Jerusalem together? read all the book of the law
2. What did Josiah break down in the house of Jehovah? houses of the sodomites
3. Whose sepulchre did Josiah not disturb? the prophets that foretold that Josiah would burn the priest's bones on Jeroboam's alter
4. How good a king was Josiah? none before or after as good

II Kings 24
1. What King of Babylon carried Judah into captivity? Nebuchadnezzar during the time Jehoakim was king

II Kings 25
1. What was done to Zedekiah for rebelling against king Nebuchadnezzar? sons were put to death before his eyes and put out his eyes and carried him to Babylon

Ezra
Introduction
1. What nation carried Judah into captivity? Babylon or Chaldea
2. How long was Judah in captivity? 70 years
3. How many deportations were there? 3 606 B.C., 597 B.C., and 586 B.C.
4. What years did the Persian empire begin and end? 539-331 B.C.

Ezra 1
1. What nation returned Judah to their homeland? Persia
2. What king returned Judah to their homeland? Cyrus
3. How many kingdoms did Cyrus rule over? all the kingdoms of the earth
4. What charge did God give Cyrus? build them a house in Jerusalem
5. What year did the Jews begin returning to Jerusalem? 536 B.C.
6. Who was Sheshbazzar? one of the leaders in their return to Jerusalem

Ezra 2
1. Who was Zerubbabel? one of the leaders in the return to Jerusalem
2. What was to total number of the first group that returned? 50,000
3. Why were the children of Habaiah, Koz, and Barzillai put from the priesthood? they didn't marry Jews

Ezra 3
1. What did many of the old people do when the others rejoiced because the foundation of the temple was layed? they cried

Ezra 4
1. What request did Judah's adversaries make? let us help build the temple
2. For what purpose did the people of the land hire councillors? to frustrate Judah in their efforts to rebuild the temple
3. Bishlam and others wrote to what Pursian kings to accuse the Jews? Artaxerxes, Ahasuerus
4. Who was king of Persia when the rebuilding of the temple resumed? Darius I

Ezra 5
1. What did Nebuchadnezzar do with the vessels taken from the temple? used them in the temple at Babylon

Ezra 6
1. What did Darius tell Tatnai to do for the Jews? give them whatever they need to build the temple
2. What reason did Darius give for wanting the temple built? that they might offer sacrifices and pray for the life of the king
3. What did Darius say was to be done to anyone who altered his words? use the timber of his house to build a scaffold to hang him and his house be made a dunghill

Ezra 7
1. Who of the people of Israel did Artaxerxes say was to return to Jerusalem? anyone of their own free will
2. What special favor was shown by Artaxerxes to those who served at the temple? no taxes
3. What did Artaxerxes say should be done unto the people beyond the river? teach them the laws of God

Ezra 8
1. Why would Ezra not ask the king for protection? he had told the king that God's hand is upon all men that seek him

Ezra 9
1. Who were the chief transgressors in marrying foreigners? princes and rules
2. What did Ezra do when he heard of the mixed marriages? rent his clothes and pulled out his hair

Ezra 10
1. What three things were required of those that had strange wives? put them away the wives and children, offer a sacrifice

Nehemiah
Neh. 1
1. What did Nehemiah say had happened to the gates of Jerusalem? they were burned with fire
2. What had God promised to do to the scattered Jews if they would turn unto him? he would gather them
3. What was Nehemiah's job before the king? cupbearer

Neh. 2
1. What king did Nehemiah serve? Artaxerxes
2. What request did Nehemiah make of the king? send him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem
3. Why were Samballat and Tobiah grieved? the Jews were rebuilding Jerusalem

Neh. 4
1. How did Tobiah describe the walls the Jews were building around Jerusalem? a fox could break it down
2. While half the men worked, what did the other half do? held weapons of war
3. How were the workers equipt? a sword by his side and a weapon in one hand
4. How late each day did the Jews work on the wall? until the stars appeared

Neh. 5
1. What law did Nehemiah rebuke the rulers for violating? they had taken usury on their brethren
2. What position did Artaxerxes appoint Nehemiah to in Judah? governor

Neh. 6
1. Why did Samballat want to meet Nehemiah in one of the villages? they wanted to do him mischief
2. Why did Samballat say Nehemiah rebuilt the walls? so Nehemiah could become the Jews' king
3. Why did many of Judah write letters unto Tobiah? they had sworn to help him

Neh. 7
1. When did Nehemiah say the gates should be open? whenever the sun was hot

Neh. 8
1. When Ezra read the law of God what did the Levites cause the people to do? to understand the reading
2. What did Ezra have the people to do that had been done since the day of Joshua? made them stay in booths seven days

Neh. 9
1. How much time in a day did Israel read the book of the law of God? one fourth of the day
2. At what mountain did God give the law? Sinai

Neh. 10
1. What did the people sware not to do on the Sabbath? not to buy anything
2. What did they do with their land on the seventh year? let it rest

Neh. 11
1. Who lived in Jerusalem? rulers and 1/10 of the people
2. How did they decide which of the people would live in Jerusalem? cast lots

Neh. 13
1. Why was an Ammonite and a Moabite not to come into the congregation of God forever? refused to give bread and water to Israel, hired Balaam to curse them
2. What did God do to Balaam's curse? turned his curse into a blessing
3. What evil thing did Eliashib do for Tobiah? built him a chamber in the courts of the house of God
4. What sin did Nehemiah find the people doing on the Sabbath? they worked
5. When were the gates of Jerusalem closed? at night and on the Sabbath
6. On whom did Nehemiah threaten to lay hands? the merchants that brought their wares to the wall of the city on the Sabbath
7. Whose speech was confused? the children of those who had married foreigners
8. What king did outlandish women cause to sin? Solomon

Esther
Esth. 1
1. In what kind of vessels did king Ahasuerus serve wine? gold
2. How did Vashti make the king angry? she refused to show her beauty to the princes and the people when the king commanded her to do so
3. What was done to Vashti because she disobeyed the king? she was replaced as queen
4. What law did Ahasuerus make in every house? the man shall bear rule

Esth. 2
1. What requirements were given in the queen contest? young, fair, virgins
2. Why was Esther brought up by her uncle? her parents were dead
3. How long did the women prepare before going before the king? 1 year
4. what did Mordecai tell Esther not to make known? her nationality
5. What did Esther do to in Mordecai's name? she revealed a plot to kill the king

Esth. 3
1. Whom did the king promote to a high position? Haman
2. Why did Haman plot to kill the Jews? Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman

Esth. 4
1. Why did Haman promise to pay money to the king? to destroy the Jews
2. Why was Esther afraid to go in to see the king? it was a law that no one could go unto the king uncalled would be put to death unless the king held out the golden sceptre

Esth. 5
1. Who did Esther invite to her banquet? the king and Haman
2. For whom did Haman build gallows fifty feet high? Mordecai

Esth. 6
1. Who did Haman think the king wanted to honor? Haman, himself
2. How did Haman say the man should be honored? wear the king's clothes and crown, ride the king's horse led by the king's most noble servant
3. Who led Mordecai through the streets? Haman

Esth. 7
1. When the king found Haman on the bed with Esther, what did he think? trying to force the queen
2. How was Haman punished? hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai

Esth. 8
1. What did the king give to Esther? Haman's horse
2. When the king reversed the law made by Haman, why did he seal it with his ring? a law sealed with the king's ring could not ever be reversed or changed

Esth. 9
1. What request did Esther make of the king after Haman's 10 sons were slain? Haman and his sons were hanged
2. After the king reversed Haman's law, did the enemies of the Jews accept this reversal? no

Esth. 10
1. What position was Mordecai given? next to the king, Ahasuerus

Galatians
Gal. 1
1. What did Paul say about one who seeks to please men? he cannot be a servant of Christ
2. How did Paul learn the gospel he preached? through revelation of Jesus Christ
3. Before his conversion, what did Paul do to the church of God? persecuted and made havoc of it
4. Paul was sent to preach to whom? Gentiles
5. How long had Paul been preaching when he first saw any of the other apostles? 3 years

Gal. 2
1. Why was Titus not circumcized? to show that the doctrine taught by the false brethren was not true
2. What did James, Peter, and John ask Paul to do? Remember the poor
3. Why did Paul rebuke Peter? He separated himself from the Gentiles
4. Where did Paul rebuke Peter? before all the church
5. Man is not justified by what? works of the law
6. If righteousness is through the law then Christ died for what? nought

Gal. 3
1. Who are the sons of Abraham? they that are of faith
2. What gospel was preached unto Abraham? in thee shall all the nations be blessed
3. Everyone who is under the law is under what? a curse
4. Christ redeemed us from what? the curse of the law
5. How long before the giving of the law did God make the promise to Abraham? 430 years
6. Who fulfilled the promise made to Abraham? Christ
7. Why was the law of Moses given? because of transgressions
8. For what time was the law of Moses given? until the seed should come
9. How does one get into Christ? being baptised

Gal. 4
1. Christ was born under what law? the law of Moses
2. What did Christ do for those who were under the law? redeemed them
3. Paul said their desire to be under the law was a desire to be what? in bondage
4. What was Paul's physical condition? an infirmity of the flesh
5. How did the Galatians receive Paul? as an angel of God
6. What allegory did Paul use? the story of Hagar and Sarah
7. The bond woman represents what law? the one given on Mt. Sinai
8. What was done with the bond woman? she was cast out and her son

Gal. 5
1. A person who receives a part of the law is a debtor to do what? the whole law
2. A Christian's freedom is not to be used for what? an occasion to the flesh
3. What one command fulfills the whole law? Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself
4. Define the works of the flesh?
fornication - all sexual relations between unmarried persons
uncleanness - impure and obscene
lasciviousness - sensual, lude, lustful
idolatry - worship of idols, extreme admiration for any person or thing
sorcery - witchcraft, magic, enchantment
enmities - ill will or hatred
strife - conflict, hostilities
jealousies - envy, resentment toward a rival
wrath - violent anger
factions - group of persons attempting changes for their own interests
divisions - separation into parts, discord
parties - faction
envyings - be grudge
drunkenness - intoxicated
revellings - uproars, merrymaking
and such like - anything related to any of the above
5. What is the condition of one who is guilty of any of the works of the flesh? they will not inherit the kingdom of God

Gal. 6
1. What duty do Christians have toward one who is overtaken in a trespass? restore him
2. How may we fulfill the law of Christ? bear one another's burdens
3. What duty does one have who is taught by another? share with his teacher his good things
4. Upon what condition shall we reap? if we faint not
5. Christians are to do good to whom? all men
6. What did the teachers of circumcision not do? keep the law
7. What was branded on Paul's body? the marks of Jesus Christ

Ephesians
Eph. 1
1. Who wrote Ephesians? Paul
2. Where are all spiritual blessings? in Christ
3. Where is redemption, the forgiveness of sins? in Christ
4. Where is Jesus sitting? at the right hand of God
5. What law is not subject to the authority of Jesus? none
6. Who is the head of the church? Christ
7. What is the church? Christ's body

Eph. 2
1. What word did Paul use to describe those who lived in the lust of the flesh? dead
2. What can Christ do for those who are dead in sin? make them alive
3. Where are those who sit with Christ? in Christ
4. For what purpose are we created? good works
5. How much hope did the Gentiles have during the law of Moses? none
6. By what are the Gentiles made nigh through salvation? the blood of Jesus Christ
7. What did Jesus with the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile? he broke it down

Eph. 3
1. How did Paul receive the mystery of Christ? revelation
2. Did men know before Christ came that the Gentiles were to become fellow-heirs with the Jews? no
3. Through what is the manifold wisdom of God made known? the church

Eph. 4
1. How many bodies are there? 1
2. How many baptisms are there? 1
3. What causes a church to be tossed to and fro? listening to every doctrine, slight of men, craftiness, and wiles of error
4. What caused the Gentiles to be ignorant? hardness of their heart
5. What reason did Paul give for working with your hands? to give to him that hath need

Eph. 5
1. What did Paul say a fornicator or unclean person or covetous man did not have? an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ
2. What did Paul say to do about the unfruitful works of darkness? have no fellowship but reprove them
3. In whose name are we to give thanks? Jesus Christ
4. In marriage who is subject to whom? wives to husbands
5. Who is Christ the Savior of? the body
6. A husband's love for his wife should be like what? as Christ loved the church, as their own body
7. How did Christ cleanse the church? by the washing of water with the word
8. He that loveth his own wife, loveth what? himself
9. What should a man do concerning his parents when he marries? leave them

Eph. 6
1. When are children to obey parents? in the Lord
2. What is the first commandment with promise? Honor thy father and thy mother
3. What did Paul warn fathers not to do to their children? provoke them to wrath
4. What are fathers to nurture their children in? the chastening and admonition of the Lord
5. How should servants obey their masters? as service unto Christ
6. What is meant by a servant's eye service? work when his master sees him but not at other times
7. What did Paul tell masters to do? to forbear threatening
8. What are we not to fight against? flesh and blood
9. What is the one defensive weapon in which a Christian can fight? the sword of the spirit
10. Where was Paul when he wrote this book? in chains

Philippians
Phili. 1
1. What effect did Paul's bonds have on most of the brethren? they become more bold to speak
2. What two evil things motivated men to preach Christ? envy and strife
3. What strait was Paul in? a desire to be with Christ but a need to stay and teach others
4. What did Paul say should be worthy of the gospel? your manner of life
5. What two things were granted unto the Philippians in behalf of Christ? they believed on Him and suffered for him

Phili. 2
1. How did Paul say to count others? better than self
2. Name two things that Paul named proving the humility of Christ? took the form of a servant and became obedient unto death
3. What should every tongue confess? the Jesus Christ is Lord
4. What did Paul say that proves that we must work to be saved? work out your own salvation
5. Why did Epaphroditus come nigh unto death? for the work of Christ

Phili. 3
1. How did Paul count his personal accomplishments after the flesh? he counted them as lost or as dung
2. In describing the enemies of the cross of Christ, Paul said, "Whose end is destruction whose God is their belly whose glory is in their shame who mind earthly things."
3. God will fashion our vile body like unto what? his glorious body

Phili. 4
1. What did Paul beseech Euodia and Syntyche to do? be in the same mind in the Lord
2. What are we to think on? whatever is true, honorable, just, lovely, good report, virtuous, praise worthy
3. Where was Paul content? anywhere
4. Why did Paul desire a gift from the Philippians? he wanted fruit that would abound in their account

THE NECESSITY OF GOAL SETTING

Man has longed for success regardless of the station of life in which he finds himself. All want to be highly respected, noticed, and loved. Many of us want fame and wealth too.

This great brotherhood of ours has been successful from the Day of Pentecost because someone set some goals. Jesus set goals of taking the Word to all the world; Paul indicated that the whole known world was evangelized. (Col. 1:23) How did this happen? Was it the mixing of the proper circumstances or did people plan to succeed?

Goal setting must be both rigid and flexible at the same time. While that may sound paradoxical consider this. Goals should be set for all phases of church work where growth is anticipated. They should be short-ranged - six months, one year, two years - and long-ranged - five years, ten years, twenty years. The reviewing process will greatly aid in future planning, but might require some changes in the time structure.

For example, if the congregation is growing more rapidly than originally expected the plans for a new facility may have to be accelerated. Conversely slower than normal growth might suggest postponing the ground-breaking ceremonies for a while longer.

Two congregations in the same general area of the country with the same number and same basic composition will be reviewed for an analysis of goal setting. One congregation had no plans. They hoped to grow and if it was "God's will" they would. Certainly we cannot blame the Lord or state it was his will for them not to grow if none is evident!

The other congregation listed some annual and semi-annual goals as well as two, five, and ten-year goals. They prepared a little brochure and every member was given one with a full discussion of plans by the elders. When a new family came to the community and identified with them or was immersed into Christ, the elders met with them and explained the process as well. The end results were drastically different. Congregation A - the one with no goals - had limited growth while congregation B - the one with goals - experienced much growth and can do much more for the cause of Christ.

When one reads the book of Acts and learns about the early church we find the obvious goal of reaching all present. Even during the times of persecution when several were forced to leave their homes they carried the word (Acts 8:4). The first century church succeeded due to commitment and understanding the Lord and his will for them. They implemented the plans and have been the model for all succeeding generations.

When the church building is paid for, what will the congregation do with the extra funds? What plans have been made if a special need arises due to a natural disaster? What is the aim of the classes being taught at the building? Are the objectives clearly outlined so new teachers will fit into the plans and not have to grope for direction? What type of mission work is on the horizon? These are very real questions that should be asked to all congregations and one would do well to give serious thought to answering them where he worships.

Goal setting is necessary, biblical, and attainable!
[by William V. Clary from Christchurch bulletin]

In the church there are some Christians who are in doubt as to if they are saved or not. They feel that one can "slip up" and lose his privilege to enter heaven. On the other hand, some Christians are so sure that they are saved that they stop trying to be pleasing to the Lord and serving Him.

It would be difficult, I would think, to enjoy the Christian life if you had either of the two attitudes just mentioned. However, many of us may begin to feel either way at one time or another. For this reason we should try to visualize our lives as a continual walk on the pathway to heaven. The past is lighted by the light of the Son and as long as we serve the Lord within that light we are saved (I John 1:7). Although we may commit sins along this path, if we confess them the Lord will forgive us (I John 1:9).

At no time should we become smug and so sure of our salvation that we cease to work in the Lord's service. Paul stated in Phili. 3:13-14, ... Just as we work on our jobs with the hope of a paycheck, so we should work for the Lord knowing that He will reward us far above our record of service.
[by Tim Binkley from Sycamore bulletin]

Worldliness will vanish as the morning dew before the rising sun, if every Christian will be consumingly in earnest in the work of the Lord.
[from Savannah Church of Christ bulletin]

Is it wise to hide our sorrows as far as possible. It is not the trouble that we advertise the most that brings us the most sympathy.
[from Savannah Church of Christ bulletin]

Choosing good, moral and upright associates pays a large dividend.
[from Savannah Church of Christ bulletin]

We should not live in the past, rather we should benefit from it.
[from Savannah Church of Christ bulletin]

Sin dries the tears of contrition from the cheeks of remorse and dulls the ears of interest.
[from Savannah Church of Christ bulletin]

ARE WE PLANKTON?

"Plankton" is a term used to describe the microscopic vegetable life of the sea. These little plants drift wherever the currents carry them. "Plankton" is a Greek word which means "wandering" or "drifting". Thus, it is a most appropriate term for these little wandering, drifting plants.

Robert A. Raines, in his book New Life In The Church, says, "Plankton is also an accurate term to describe the people of twentieth century America. For we have lost our sense of direction...we are without purpose in the world." Mr. Raines has not made a startling new discovery, but he has found a term that very vividly describes the state of our culture in the closing decades of the twentieth century.

He not only indicts our society in general as being plankton-like, he also points a finger at the Church. He says, "The Church, too, has lost her sense of mission. The Church has accommodated herself to the cultural climate. The Church is no longer changing culture, but is being changed by culture." In essence, he is saying that the Church is also becoming "plankton." Instead of functioning to eliminate the "plankton" in our culture, it is becoming "plankton" itself.

Are we "plankton"? Are we drifting aimlessly with no real sense of mission or purpose?

Every member of the Body needs to evaluate himself in light of what Mr. Raines has said. The direction, or lack of it, in our lives as individuals and as a corporate Body is within our power to control.

Let's show ourselves to be a people of purpose and mission. Let's dispel this characterization of "plankton" by leading God-directed lives that make a difference in the lives of other people. Let's stop "going with the flow" and start a self-directed "flow" whose chief aim is to serve God and His Church.
[by George E. Miller from Ashwood Leaves]

THE CROSS IN MY POCKET

I carry a cross in my pocket a simple reminder to me
Of the fact that I am a Christian no matter where I may be.
This little cross is not magic nor is it a good luck charm.
It isn't meant to protect me from every physical harm.
It's not for identification for all the world to see.
It's simply an understanding between my Savior and me.
When I put my hand in my pocket to bring out a coin or a key
The cross is there to remind me of the price He paid for me.
It reminds me, too, to be thankful for my blessings day by day
And to strive to serve Him better in all that I do and say.
It's also a daily reminder of the peace and comfort I share
With all who know my Master and give themselves to His care.
So I carry a cross in my pocket reminding no one but me
That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life if only I'll let Him be.
[from Sycamore Church of Christ bulletin]

OUR PRIME BUSINESS

In Charles Swindoll's new book, Dropping Your Guard, was a little story that fascinated me. It was a true story of how the "Church of God Grill", a restaurant in Atlanta, got its name.

"When I lived in Atlanta, several years ago, I noticed in the Yellow Pages, in the listing of restaurants, an entry for a place called 'Church of God Grill'. The peculiar name aroused my curiosity and I dialed the number. A man answered with a cheery, 'Hello, Church of God Grill.' I asked how his restaurant had been given such an unusual name, and he told me: 'Well, we had a little mission down here, and we started selling chicken dinners after church on Sunday to help pay the bills. Well, people liked the chicken, and we did such a good business, that eventually we cut back on the church service. After awhile we just closed down the church altogether and kept serving chicken dinners. We kept the name we started with, and that's "Church of God Grill".'"

It's easy to loose sight of your objective. Do you think we ever will see a sign that says, "Church of Christ Grill", or Church of Christ Apartment House", etc.? I hope not. Three warnings:

1. Our prime business is saving souls and growing disciples. That's what Jesus said we are to be about. When we get off target then we are headed for trouble.

2. We are here to serve people and glorify God. There are many ways to do that. Your approach may be different from mine, but if you are reaching the lost in a way that is scriptural, go after it. What grieves me is when people who are not winning or training people, sit back and criticize those who are.

3. Let's encourage one another in love. I don't want the church to slide down to the point where it's just a "grill", do you? People do their best when what they are doing well is praised. More change will take place when those who are doing good are praised and lifted up than by running down those who are not. We have a world to change. Let's get with it!
[by Dick Marcear from Sycamore Church of Christ bulletin]

PUT 1ST THINGS FIRST

Yield yourself to the lordship of Christ. Commit yourself to the service of Christ. Devote yourself to honoring Christ. Make Christ King...in everything. "He is...king of kings." Rev. 17:14.
[from Sycamore Church of Christ bulletin]

A ship is safe in the ocean as long as the ocean is not in the ship and a Christian is safe in the world as long as the world is not in the Christian.
[from Sycamore Church of Christ bulletin]

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