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BulletinGold
#94
October
2008 Vol 8 #8
Editorial
----by
David Bragg |
The world is filled with questions.
This is nothing new. Solomon spent
his life finding and solving the mysteries
of our earthly existence. Still, the
questions kept coming (Eccl. 12:12).
Others have joined in the search for
meaning in life only to reflect Solomon's
immediate conclusion that all is vanity
(Eccl. 1:2). Is life really
meaningless? Must life be
empty? Are we to believe, as some
profess, that nothing in life is
dependable? Is there more?
Solomon, the wisest mortal who
ever lived, searched the dark recesses
of his empty life to arrive at a
brighter ultimate conclusion. Life
is only empty when it is lived without
God. In life only God is
dependable (Eccl. 12:13-14).
Today's questions are
unavoidable. If you will turn to
the Bible in the search for meaningful
answers you will find the answers for
life's most important questions.
Most importantly, you will be ready
for eternity where the questions that
seem so difficult now will then seem
so little and unimportant, when at
last you are in the presence of the
only One who can provide all of the
answers.
David
Bragg, co-editor
http://davebragg.blog.com/
__________________________via BulletinGold
|
Panning for
Gold
- Feature
Articles:
Is There A Word From the Lord?
Do We Care?
by:
Lance Cordle
During the last eleven years of Judah,
the people were exposed to two
distinct personalities: Zedekiah the
king and Jeremiah the prophet.
Zedekiah was a weak and vacillating
man. Whatever he saw that would
promote what he thought was his best
interests, he was willing to do. If
that meant allowing idolatry and false
prophets to flourish, he allowed them.
If he thought it was best to give an
impression that he was listening to
God, he would try to do that too.
Jeremiah,
however, was a strong and godly man.
He had resolved to say and do what God
wanted him to say and do. For over
forty years he preached a very
unpopular message. Rather than glibly
stating that the king and his kingdom
would last in spite of his conduct
before God, Jeremiah stated that God
would judge both the kingdom and the
king. His steadfastness caused him to
be mocked and ridiculed, manhandled
and rejected. He was beaten and spent
time in prison for simply speaking the
truth.
Imagine
the scene, then, as the weak king
looked about him and saw his world
slipping away (Jeremiah 37:17ff). He
sent for the prophet, the prophet he
knew would speak the truth. In secret
the king asked, “Is there a word from
the Lord?” Why ask this? Jeremiah had
been proclaiming God’s message for
years. Did Zedekiah hope that the
message had changed so it would be a
little more appealing?
No such luck. Jeremiah replied, “There
is!” He then said, “You will be
given into the hand of the king of
Babylon!” This was not exactly what
Zedekiah wanted to hear. The only way
out of this fate was for the king to
repent and turn to God. This was
something he was not willing to do.
The sad end of the story is that
Jerusalem fell and Zedekiah suffered
through painful atrocities. He tried
to escape at night, but was
unsuccessful. He was forced to watch
the execution of his sons. Then his
eyes were put out. Apparently one of
the last things he saw, if not the
last thing, was the death of his sons.
He was then taken to Babylon, where he
later died in prison—blind, and
broken. What a waste! What a tragedy!
How much personal sorrow we could save
ourselves if we would but listen to
the message of God! The question is
not, “Is there a word from the Lord?,”
but “Does it matter enough for me to
change my life?”
-
Lance Cordle, via The Family Friend, a
monthly newsletter published by the
Calvert City church of Christ, Calvert
City, KY. It is an excellent
resource for articles relating to the
family. To learn more consult
the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com
__________________________via BulletinGold
God’s Rule
Book
by:
Marvin Weir
Isn’t it
amazing that most people will accept
some rule book written by men over
the rule book written by God?
Countless millions profess to
believe in God and the Bible and
then put their trust in man-made
creeds. It is also amazing that
these people either cannot or do not
desire to see the error in their
reasoning. The Scriptures plainly
declare, “Every scripture inspired
of God is also profitable for
teaching, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction which is
in righteousness. That the man of
God may be complete, furnished
completely unto every good work” (2
Tim 3:16-17 ASV). It was Hosea who
wrote, “My people are destroyed for
lack of knowledge: because thou hast
rejected knowledge, I will all
reject thee, that thou shalt be no
priest to me: seeing thou hast
forgotten the law of thy God, I also
will forget thy children” (Hos.
4:6).
People who enjoy sporting events
have absolutely no problem in
comprehending the fact that there
are rules that govern these events.
After three strikes in baseball, one
is declared to be “out.” Do the fans
become upset and complain that this
rule should be ignored in some
cases? Surely there are
circumstances where a batter can
benefit from “four strikes” before
returning to the dugout!
In football, the team with the ball
has four attempts to travel ten
yards in the proper direction for a
“first down.” What if, after four
attempts, the running back is within
“one inch” of a first down? Does the
referee say, “Because this is such
an important game and you have come
so close to picking up the first
down, I’m going to give it to you?”
No. Such a statement is not made
because everyone understands that
the teams must abide by the rules of
the game.
Does one really believe in the games
of baseball and football who will
not abide by the rules of those
games? Not at all! They may believe
in another version of the game, but
they do not believe in the game as
outlines in the rule book that
governs it. Why cannot people see
this same truth in the spiritual
realm? One does not really believe
in God who refuses to accept His
Word as truth on any matter.
The players on a spots team must
abide by the rules that govern that
sport. The rule books for sports
were not designed to conform to the
players’ whims and wishes. The same
thing is true regarding the Bible -
God’s Holy Word. The Bible does not
conform to the thoughts and wishes
of men, but men must conform to the
Word of God (Rom. 12:2). One will
not save his soul or incur God’s
blessing by refusing to live by the
Holy Scriptures. Man must accept the
truth that his thoughts are not
God’s thoughts and his ways are not
God’s ways (Isa. 55:8). Let us note
some areas where men profess to
follow Christ but do not abide by
God’s rules.
The majority of those who profess to
be Christians believe they are saved
at the point of belief. They do not
believe baptism (immersion) is
necessary for salvation. They
conclude that “he that believeth as
is not baptized shall be saved.” But
the Word of God says, “He that
believeth and is baptized shall be
saved” (Mark 16:16).
The majority of people who profess
Christianity believe there are many
roads (ways) leading to heaven. But
God’s Word says, “Enter ye in by the
narrow gate: for wide is the gate,
and broad is the way, that leadeth
to destruction, and many are they
that enter in thereby. For narrow is
the gate, and straightened the way,
that leadeth unto life, and few are
they that find it” (Matt. 7:13-14
ASV).
Man believes he can join “the church
of his choice” and be saved. But the
Bible says “And the Lord added to
them day by day those that were
saved” (Acts 2:47 ASV).
Most churches today wear man-made
names, honoring their human
founders. But the Bible shows
Christ’s church is to wear His name
(Rom. 16:16) and honor belongs to
Him who purchased the church with
His blood (Acts 20:28) and is its
builder (Matt. 16:18).
Most professing Christians today
believe in salvation by “faith
only.” But God’s Word says, “Ye see
that by works a man is justified,
and not only by faith” (Jas. 2:24
ASV).
God’s rule book (Bible) says that
Christ is the “head over all things
to the church, which is his body”
(Eph. 1:22-23). It also says there
is only “one body” (Eph. 4:4) and
Christ promises to save only “the
body” of which He is head. One is
not a Christian and cannot go to
heaven who refuses to follow God’s
rule book!
-
Marvin Weir of Paris, TX; via the
Belvedere Beacon, the weekly
bulletin of the Belvedere church of
Christ, Belvedere, SC. Ken
Chumbley preaches for the
congregation and may be contacted
through their website: http://www.belvederechurchofchrist.org or
e-mail: church@belvederechurchofchrist.org
__________________________via BulletinGold
The Royal Law
by:
Rick Woodall
It’s
called the royal law. Although the
precepts behind such a principle
just make good common sense.
We find it first recorded in Lev.
19:18: “Do not seek revenge or bear
a grudge against one of your people,
but love your neighbor as yourself.
I am the LORD.”
The idea of loving your neighbor as
yourself is the remedy to a lot of
social problems that exist in the
world today. I can recall a
situation when I was preaching in
another state and we were living in
a house provided for us by the
church. One of our neighbors
was an irritated former minister of
the congregation I was serving. For
over a decade I tried to make some
headway in the situation. It
seemed as though I could not do
anything right. I was really
confused at first because I moved in
so eager to be a part of the little
community.
It was bad enough to know that I
would not be given a chance because
of my association with the folks I
was working with. On top of all this
was the discussion in this tiny
community. One day, a few
years later, a neighbor asked me if
God was going to provide a separate
heaven for this non-speaking
neighbor and me? The only thing I
did was move in and I was abandoned
and shunned by this angry person.
I tried till the day I left that
area to be kind and helpful with
hope of breaking down the wall that
was setting such a bad example to
all those watching. The words
of Jesus in this situation keep
echoing through my mind.
"You
have heard that it was said, 'Love
your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
But I tell you: Love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute
you, that you may be sons of your
Father in heaven. He causes his sun
to rise on the evil and the good,
and sends rain on the righteous and
the unrighteous. If you love those
who love you, what reward will you
get? Are not even the tax collectors
doing that? And if you greet only
your brothers, what are you doing
more than others? Do not even pagans
do that?” - Mat 5:43-47
My gift reminds me that the royal
law must be honored with a sincere
heart.
People attend church services and
seem to be striving and praising
God. Please don’t miss
the doors of heaven being open to
you over the way you treat a fellow
human being. Could that be why Jesus
said this? Is it a scripture
warning? "Not everyone who
says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter
the kingdom of heaven, but only he
who does the will of my Father who
is in heaven.” - Mat 7:21
This week take some time to Love
your Neighbor. It’s the will of the
Father.
With this in mind I am so thankful
for all my great neighbors and
friends here in Logansport.
-
Rick Woodall is the minister for the
Yorktown Road church of Christ in
Logansport Indiana. His weekly
devotional message, Life Thoughts,
can be found through this
address: http://mysite.verizon.net/yorktownroadchurchofchrist/
__________________________via BulletinGold
Error Can
Never Negate God’s Truth
by: Tim
Childs
The number
of false gods and devotion to the same
by even a majority of the world’s
population can never negate the
presence, power and working of the
true and living God.
The presence of
evil in today’s world can never negate
the reality of good and righteousness.
The practice and
work of hatred around us can never
negate the magnetic power of love and
compassion.
The father of lies
speaking words of deceit and
misinformation can never negate the
voice of truth spoken by the Heavenly
Father.
The doctrines of
demons espoused through the doctrines
and commandments of men can never
negate the doctrine of Christ and that
spoken and/or written by the Apostles
through the Spirit.
The heart filled
with the evil of unbelief in rejecting
Jesus as the Son of God can never
negate the heaven-revealed, victorious
faith of Christ in the heart of God’s
children.
The presence of the
broad way along with its majority of
travelers can never negate the fact
that the strait and narrow way is the
preferred, exclusive route to heaven.
The things a man
may think, do and say can never negate
the things that God thinks, God does,
and God says.
The rebellion and
faithlessness of disobedience in the
lives of some can never negate the
hope, joy and peace continually
experienced in the heart of those who
trust and obey the Lord.
The will worship of
many who make their worship vain
before God can never negate the
inherent value and blessing bestowed
upon those who worship God as he has
directed in spirit and in truth.
- Tim Childs preaches for the
Hillcrest church of Christ in Baldwyn,
MS. He may be contacted at hillcrestchurcho@bellsouth.net,
or through the congregation’s website:
http://www.thelordsway.com/hillcrestms
__________________________via BulletinGold
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The
Fire Burning Within
by: Tom
Moore
Jeremiah is
one of the great prophets of the Old
Testament. At times, this honorable
seer is referred to as the “weeping
prophet,” because of the heartfelt
messages he proclaimed. “And if
I say, I will not make mention of him,
nor speak any more in his name, then
there is in my heart as it were a
burning fire shut up in my bones, and
I am weary with forbearing, and I
cannot contain” (Jer. 20:9). These
words were uttered in a time of great
turmoil and ridicule as a result of
Jeremiah’s preaching. The Seer informs
us that he was trying to keep God’s
word to himself to ease his woes, but
found that the woes within him only
increased. Jeremiah could not help but
proclaim God’s word because of the
fire burning within him. God’s word in
Jeremiah was like a fire burning in a
wooden box – it just wouldn’t stay in.
Nearly seven
hundred years later, Peter and John
were preaching the word of God and the
priests and Sadducees became very
angry at the apostle’s teaching. As a
result, Peter and John were thrown
into prison, and on the following day
were threatened and told not to preach
any more in the name of Christ. “But
Peter and John answered and said unto
them, Whether it is right in the sight
of God to hearken unto you rather than
unto God, judge ye: for we cannot but
speak the things which we saw and
heard” (Acts 4:19-20). These
courageous apostles informed those who
had threatened them that God’s word
was burning with in them and they
could not be kept from proclaiming the
blessed Gospel.
Jeremiah, Peter and
John all had something we need a
little more of – a FIRE BURNING
WITHIN! There are too many Christians
who no longer have, or who have never
had a fire burning within. Too many
are allowing “any little old thing” to
keep them from spreading the good news
of the Gospel and opposing that which
is contrary to truth. Paul fearlessly
declared, “For I am not ashamed of the
gospel: for it is the power of God
unto salvation…” (Rom. 1:16). In light
of this great power, should not the
fire of God’s word be burning within
us?
The reason men like
Jeremiah had the fire burning within
them was that they knew of the
seriousness of making know the saving
message of God in its purity.
Proclaiming God’s word is serious
business for “for all have sinned”
(Rom. 3:23), sin separates man from
God (Isa. 59:1-2), and “wages of sin
is death” (Rom. 6:23). Sin comes as a
result of disobeying God’s word (1 Jn.
3:4). Thus, as along a man stays in
ignorance of God’s word he is without
hope.
Jeremiah had a fire
burning within because he cared for
the lost souls of men – he cared about
their eternal destiny. How concerned
are we about the lost souls of men? Do
we hurt knowing that millions are
dying without the Gospel? Are we going
to sit idly while our friends and
loved ones die in sin, or will we have
the fire burning within? James
wrote, “that he who converteth a
sinner from the error of his way shall
save a soul from death, and shall
cover a multitude of sins” ( Jam.
5:20). How much do you care for the
lost?
- Tom Moore preaches for the Avenue T
church of Christ in Temple, TX.
He may be contacted through the
congregation’s website: http://avenuetchurchofchrist.com/default.aspx
__________________________via BulletinGold
A Light for
my Path
by:
David R. Ferguson
"Thy word is a lamp unto my
feet, and a light unto my path."
(Psalm 119:105)
"In
the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was
God." (John 1:1)
"I
am the Light of the world: he that
follows Me shall not walk in
darkness, but shall have the Light
of life." (John 8:12)
Ever since I was a small boy these
have been some of my favorite
passages of scripture to be found
anywhere in God's Holy Writ.
Although it is true that many things
we hold and cherish most dearly in
our youth often fade as the years
flow downstream along the currents
of time, my appreciation for these
passages has increased, rather than
diminished, through the subsequent
intervening years. Even though these
verses were written millennia ago, I
believe they continue to hold
significant lessons for us today.
One of the lessons to be gleaned
from these verses is that the world
around us is in utter spiritual
darkness. The opportunity to achieve
advanced education may be at all
time record high levels, but true
and abiding wisdom among men has
plummeted reciprocally. Just as in
the days of Paul in the first
century when he was penning his
epistle to the church in Corinth,
mankind has exchanged the wisdom of
God in favor of the foolishness that
emanates from the darkness engulfing
the world. The darkened world
rejects the Light of the glory of
God in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians
1:31), Who is the Light of the world
(John 8:12), and the Word of God
incarnate in the flesh (John 1:8).
Secondly,
we can discern that our pathway is
distinct. Our Lord has marked out a
plan of salvation from our sins and
disobedience back into His fold, and
that path is through His Son, Jesus
Christ (John 14:6). As we walk with
the Lord we need have no fear as to
where He will direct us (Psalm
23:4). The way of the Lord leads to
blessings and holiness, for the way
of the Lord ultimately will bring
the believer to the very throne of
God!
Thirdly,
we can see that as we tread each
footfall of our journey, the Light
of Jesus Christ illuminates our path
ever greater, directing our steps
towards our goal. The Lamp of the
Word of God will not be
extinguished, and it will not lead
us astray. Be encouraged that the
way of salvation has not been hidden
under a bushel but is manifest for
the entire world to see. Jesus
Christ is the way, He is the Word
and He is the Light. Let the Light
of life guide you as your pilgrimage
takes you through this world of
darkness today!
-
David R. Ferguson preaches for the
Lakeland Church of Christ in
Mattoon, IL. He may be
contacted at davidferguson61@yahoo.com
You may also want to visit the
congregation's website at http://lakelandchurchofchrist.web.officelive.com/default.aspx
Also, you may want to check out
David’s blogsite: http://whatsgoingonfromthepreachersdesk.blogspot.com/
__________________________via BulletinGold
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Nuggets and
Quick Riches
-
misc. goodies this issue
We Need To Study The Bible
by:
Ronald Bartanen
A few
years ago I read of a high school in
Massachusetts giving a quiz in
preparation for a “Bible As
Literature” class. The school
was considered one of the best in
the nation. Following are some
of the answers in questions from the
Bible.
Sodom
and Gomorrah: Lovers
Jezebel:
Ahab’s donkey
Gospels:
written by Matthew, Mark, Luther and
John.
Eve:
created from an apple
Jesus
was baptized by: Moses
Possibly the misinformation-prize
would probably have gone to a young
man in the top 5% of the graduating
class. The question was, “What
was Golgotha?” His answer: “Golgotha
was the name of the giant who slew
the apostle David.”
If any of these sounded all right to
you, you undoubtedly need to study
your Bible. In fact, we all
do!
-
Ronald Bartanen preaches for Arthur
church of Christ, Arthur, IL.
He may be contacted at ron33dor@yahoo.com or via
the congregation's website at http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com
__________________________via BulletinGold
Bibles In
Man's Pocket Stop Bullet
by:
Ronald Bartanen
JACKSONVILLE,
Fla. -- A 54-year-old Orange Park
man credits two Gideons Bibles in
his shirt pocket for saving his life
when they stopped a bullet.
The man tells police that two men he
didn't recognize ambushed him with a
rifle as he carried bags to a trash
bin.
The two men fled in opposite
directions and have not been
arrested.
The man's name is being withheld
because his attackers are still at
large.
Other than a red mark and a pain in
his chest, he wasn't injured.
The man said he was carrying two New
Testament Bibles in his shirt pocket
to give to friends. Police took the
Bibles as evidence (News forwarded
to me by friends in Indiana).
NOTE: While in New Testament times
there was no danger of enemies'
bullets, there was a danger of
deadly "fiery darts." It was with
these that the apostle Paul compared
the attacks Satan employed against
Christians when he wrote,
"Where-fore take unto you the whole
armor of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and
having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins
girt about with truth, and having on
the breastplate of righteousness:
and your feet shod with the
preparation of the
gospel
of peace; above all, taking the
shield of faith, wherewith ye shall
be able to quench all the fiery
darts of the wicked. And take
the helmet of salvation, and the
sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God" (Galatians 6:13-17).
God's word, along with the
"Christian armor" described in this
passage, is the spiritual protection
we need against all of Satan's
attempts to destroy our faith and
ultimately our souls. We
recall the psalmist's
prayer,
"Thy word have I hid in my heart
that I might not sin against thee"
(Psalms 119:11). It's
important to have God's word in a
book-the Bible, but it's also
imperative that we have it in our
hearts.
- Ronald Bartanen preaches for
Arthur church of Christ, Arthur,
IL. He may be contacted at ron33dor@yahoo.com
or via the congregation's website at http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com
__________________________via BulletinGold
The Bible
by:
Robert Chapman
This old Book contains the mind of
God, the state of man, the way of
salvation, the doom of sinners and
the happiness of believers.
Its
histories are true, its doctrines
are holy, its precepts are binding,
and its decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be
safe, and practice it to be holy. It
contains light to direct you, food
to support you, and comfort to cheer
you.
It
is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s
staff, the sailor’s compass, the
soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s
charter. Here paradise is restored,
heaven is opened and the gates of
hell are disclosed.
Christ
is the subject, our good its design,
and the glory of God its end. It
should fill the memory, rule the
heart, and guide the feet. Read it
slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It
is a mine of wealth, a paradise of
glory and a river of pleasure.
It
is given you in life, will be open
at judgment and will be remembered
forever. It involves the highest
responsibility, rewards the greatest
labor and condemns all who trifle
with its holy contents.
-
Robert Chapman; via The Lantern,
Highway church of Christ, Sullivan,
IL Visit their website as http://www.highwaycofc.com
__________________________via BulletinGold
A $2,800
Bible?
by: Edd
Sterchi
The shaky
conditions of his economy led the
Roman Emperor, Diocletian, to declare
an all-out price-fixing in history’s
first attempt to curtail
inflation. The edict, proclaimed
in A.D. 300, set the price of beer,
soap, food and even the Bible!
To afford a
complete Bible at the emperor’s price,
the average American would probably
have to mortgage his
house. Under the edict you
were charged for a Bible on this
basis: A scribe’s work was price-fixed
at $2.80 per 100 stychoi (one stychos
equals the one line of Homeric 16
syllable verse). For carefully
copying 18,302 stychoi—the complete
New Testament—he would receive the
fixed figure of $512.45 (in today’s
currency) and not a drachma more or
less. For copying the complete
Bible he would receive $2,800.
You paid, in addition, the cost of the
papyri (a type of paper), which was in
short production and price-fixed under
the luxuries category.
Just think, for
$3.00 you can now buy a Bible with
full-color maps—at a savings of
$2,797.00! How many Bibles would you
have at $2,800.00 each? How much would
you read the Bible if you paid
$2,800.00 for it? It’s the same Book
either way.
- Edd Sterchi preaches for the
Harrisburg church of Christ in
Harrisburg, IL. He may be
contacted at sterchi@midwest.net
__________________________via BulletinGold
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Hearts of Gold
----poetry
this issue
Thank God for the Bible
Thank God for the Bible,
whose clear shining ray
Has
lighted our path, and turned night
into day;
Its
wondrous treasures have never been
told,
More
precious than rubles set around with
pure gold.
Thank
God for the Bible: in sickness or
health,
It
brings richer comforts than honor or
wealth;
Its
blessings are boundless, an infinite
store;
We
may drink at its fountain, and
thirst nevermore.
Thank
God for the Bible, sent down from
above,
Revealing
to mortals God's infinite love;
A
fathomless sea with its bright,
shining shore
Where
the glorified dwell and are safe
evermore.
Thank
God for the Bible -- rich treasures
untold
Are
laid up in store in its city of
gold,
That
beautiful home of the saved and the
blest
Where
no sorrow can come, where the weary
find rest.
Thank
God for the Bible! How dark is the
night
Where
no ray from its pages sheds forth
its pure light.
No
Jesus, no Bible, no Heaven of rest
--
Oh,
how could we live, were our lives so
unblest!
There
are millions who wander in darkness
today --
No
Jesus, no Bible, no knowledge to
pray;
God
help us to feel, and to act, in His
sight,
To
render our thanks, now, by giving
them light.
-
Gospel Digest, January 1959
__________________________via BulletinGold
There's A
Light
by: H.
L. Gradowith
There’s a light in the
darkness,
A light I can see;
Its
a Beacon, there shining
So brightly for me;
Through
the troubles and trials
That I face each day
Its
so nice to have a Light
To show me the way!
Many
times I grew weary,
Many times, indeed.
On
occasion, I doubted
And questioned the need
Why?
I wondered, Why should I
Be faithful and true?
I’ve
been faithful, that I have
What good did it do?
Other
people about me
Live just as they please,
They
are wicked and evil
And yet they know ease;
Where’s
the profit? The profit
In doing what’s right?
And
its then that I saw it,
That beautiful Light!
There’s
a light in the darkness,
A light I can see;
Its
a Beacon, there shining
So brightly for me;
Through
the troubles and trials
That I face each day
Its
so nice to have a Light
To show me the way!
As I
look back on the times,
Now long past and gone,
And
consider the many
Things that I have done:
There
are smiles and there are tears,
Great joy mixed with pain;
There
are burdens, and losses,
And so little gain.
If
Id known then If only
If but, how could I?
We
all live once, once only:
And then we all die.
We
all struggle, yes, struggle
Through
life’s long, dark night,
Aren’t
we thankful, so thankful,
For that Beacon Light!
There’s
a light in the darkness,
A light I can see;
Its
a Beacon, there shining
So brightly for me;
Through
the troubles and trials
That I face each day
Its
so nice to have a Light
To show me the way!
- H.
L. Gradowith For more
information on H. L. Gradowith and
GRADOWITH POEMS e-mail group visit http://www.geocities.com/fp5699/ - the
website of Tim Smith, minister of
the Enon church of Christ in Webb,
AL.
__________________________via BulletinGold
This ....
This Book unfolds Jehovah's
mind;
This Book salutes in accents kind;
This Friend our needs will amply meet;
This Foundation sends forth joys
sweet.
This Mine affords us boundless wealth;
This Good Physician gives us health;
This Sun renews and warms the soul;
This Sword both wounds and makes us
whole.
This Letter shows our sins forgiven;
This Guide conducts us safe to heaven;
This Charter has been sealed with
blood;
This Volume is the Word of God.
-author unknown (via February, 1945,
20th Century Christian); submitted by
Mark McWhorter. He may be
contacted at mtmcvb@concentric.net
__________________________via BulletinGold
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Gold Mines
----quotes
& sayings for bulletins and signs
this issue
“The man who knows the truth
and has the opportunity to tell it,
but who nonetheless refuses to, is
among the most shameful of all
creatures. God forbid that we should
ever become so lax as that.” (Theodore
Roosevelt)
"Without God, there is no virtue,
because there's no prompting of the
conscience. Without God, we're mired
in the material, that flat world that
tells us only what the senses
perceive. Without God, there is a
coarsening of the society. And without
God, democracy will not and cannot
long endure. If we ever forget
that we're one nation under God, then
we will be a nation gone." (Ronald
Reagan)
Great teaching and little souls do not
get along well together.
It is impossible to learn what you think
you already know.
“Occasionally he stumbled over the
truth, but always picked himself
up and hurried on as though nothing had
happened.” (Winston Churchill)
No heavenly rest can come to us unless
we are willing to accept the rest that
Jesus gives today. Take the Lord’s offer
of rest.
No peace is contained in the future that
is not hidden and available in the
present moment. Make peace, first with
the Lord and then with all others, as
much as you can.
Only when you know peace can you hope to
lead others to peace. For your sake and
the sake of others, as much as it is
possible for you, make peace and be at
peace.
The gloom that fills the world is but a
shadow. Behind the shadow, but always
within our reach, is the joy of the
Lord.
The shadow may be caused by letting
someone or something stand between us
and the Lord, obscuring or eclipsing Him
from our sight. Let nothing come between
you and your Lord.
Sometimes the shadow is only there
because we have closed our eyes to the
light of the Lord. Open your eyes. Look
for the Lord. See the Light.
You can rejoice in Him who drives away
all shadows, darkness, doubt, and gloom.
You can rejoice in the Lord always and
in everything.
- via The
Encourager, the weekly bulletin for
the Dongola church of Christ, Dongola,
IL. Gerald Cowan serves the
congregation as minister. He may
be contacted at Geraldcowan1931@aol.com
"Everything
you add to the truth subtracts from
the truth," observed Aleksandr
Solzhenitsyn. (Gregory Alan Tidwell,
The Spirit and the Truth, Gospel
Advocate, September 2007, 24)
It is
the final proof of God's omnipotence
that he need not exist in order to
save us. (Peter De Vries)
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