The Road Less Traveled

By Bob Prichard     Robert Frost’s 1916 poem, “The Road Not Taken,” is one of the most often quoted poems of all time. The poet speaks of two roads, each “just as fair,” but the traveler chose one, concluding “I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” Frost indicated that most have misunderstood the poem. The choice was actually random—the traveler didn’t know which was best. The difference wasn’t from a wise choice, but a random choice.     In life, we often have to choose between two roads that seem equally good or bad. We don’t know which road is better, because we cannot see the end of the road with either choice. We just have to choose. But what we must always remember is that when we choose the beginning of the road, we also choose the end of the road. That is why it is so important that we not only choose the right road in life, but that we periodically evaluate the road we are now on, to see if we should change roads.     Saul of Tarsus was on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians. He entered the city as a blind man, and exited as a follower of the Christ he persecuted. The Lord told Ananias, “Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake” (Acts 9:15-16). As Ananias taught him, Saul counted the cost (Luke 14:28) of starting on the road of service to Jesus Christ, and immediately obeyed when Ananias commanded him to be baptized (Acts 22:16).     Jesus warned that there are two ways—the broad way of the world and the narrow way of following Him. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). The narrow way is definitely “the road less traveled.” But it makes all the difference—not only in this life, but in the world to come. Are you on the right road today? Is it time for a change?

Bob Prichard serves as an elder and evangelist for the Hillview Church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama, since 2016. In his forty-five years of preaching he has served churches in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama.

Second Only To The Bible

By Bob Prichard     It was required reading in Jr. High School. I can still remember trying to slog through it, and not appreciating it at the time. It is the story of a fifty-year-old man setting off on a quest to do great deeds and right all wrongs. Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes was quite innovative when first published (part one in 1605, and part two in 1615). The exploits of this man of La Mancha have inspired many, whether he is a tragic hero, a non-conformist, or simply a buffoon. According to The Intellectual Devotional (2006), “of all the books published throughout history, Don Quixote is second only to the Bible in terms of total number of copies printed.”     With time, I have come to have more appreciation for Don Quixote—appreciation that I lacked when I was in Jr. High. With maturity, I have learned to appreciate many things that I saw little reason for at 13. Consider the accolade for Don Quixote, “second only to the Bible in terms of number of copies printed.” Have you noticed how often comparisons are made to the Bible? With all of the great and not so great books published every year, the Bible is the perennial best-seller. Perhaps it does not generate the same media frenzy as a new Harry Potter book, but the Bible continues to outsell every other book.     We know why this is so. It is because there is no other book like the Bible. Although other books make similar claims, it is the only book that is truly inspired—“God breathed.” No other book can offer what it offers.     We should join with the psalmist in praising the Bible, which is second to no other book. “For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: For all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction” (Psalm 119:89–9

- Bob Prichard serves as an elder and evangelist for the Hillview Church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama, since 2016. In his forty-five years of preaching he has served churches in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama.

Plato's Cave Allegory

By Bob Prichard     Greek philosopher and teacher Plato used his real life teacher Socrates to share his philosophical views. In The Republic, he records a scene of Socrates describing a cave where a group of men are tied down so that all they can see are the shadows reflected on the wall as objects are held up before a fire behind them. They see the shadow of a book, and think they see the real thing. When a man escapes from the cave, he is at first blinded by the bright sunlight, but soon realizes he is seeing the real thing for the first time. When he tries to tell the others, they reject him and hold to their own shadow reality.     Paul encouraged the Colossians against the Judaizing teachers, telling them that as Christ gave his life for us, he was “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2:14). Since they were no longer under the Law of Moses, Paul said, “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ” (Colossians 2:16-17).     The Jews thought that their holy days, new moons and Sabbath days were the real thing—but they were in fact only shadows of the greater reality of the New Covenant and the heavenly kingdom. “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers there unto perfect” (Hebrews 10:1). How privileged we are to live under the new covenant of Christ, and to look forward to being in the heavenly kingdom! We have not the shadow, but the real thing

- Bob Prichard serves as an elder and evangelist for the Hillview Church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama, since 2016. In his forty-five years of preaching he has served churches in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama.

Wrinkle's Headstone

By Bob Prichard     She never really cared that much for the piece of carved stone that her deceased husband had found in an old quarry, but Ruth Beeston thought it would serve well to mark the burial place of her dead cat, Wrinkle. She decided to put it up for auction, however, when a local art historian discovered that it was a thousand year old carving of the apostle Peter. Wrinkle’s former headstone brought $383,000 when it was offered at auction (World, December 25, 2004).     This sort of thing seems to happen often (at least to other people). Someone finds some old thing that everyone thinks is worthless, and then it is discovered to be a priceless antique. Just because something is old, it is not necessarily valuable. Some things are true antiques, and some are just “junque.” Some old things are incredibly valuable.      Consider how the Bible, a truly ancient book is treated. It is old─the newest parts being over 1900 years old, and some parts even much older. Many think that because of its age, it can’t really be worth much. And yet, to those with the proper discernment, it is the most valuable book ever written.     Paul told Timothy, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God [is literally ‘God breathed’], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Not only does it give us all that we need, but it is profitable and relevant. It is just as relevant today as when it was written hundreds of years ago.     Ruth Beeston required an art historian to tell her that she unknowingly had something of real value. Surely we understand today how valuable the Bible is, that it is profitable to us for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Unfortunately, many just use that family Bible as a place to store dried flowers, recipes, and the family tree. Wrinkle’s headstone was so much more than Ruth thought. What about the Bible? Have you realized the hidden treasures within?

- Bob Prichard serves as an elder and evangelist for the Hillview Church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama, since 2016. In his forty-five years of preaching he has served churches in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama.

Cogito, Ergo Sum

By Bob Prichard     “Cogito, ergo sum”—“I think, therefore I am” is perhaps the most famous philosophical statement ever made. Scientist and philosopher René Descates wrote these words in his Discourse on Method (1637). He reasoned logically that since he was able to think, he knew he existed. He continued to reason from this point that God exists.     Louis XIV had a different philosophy: “l’etat, c’est moi”—“I am the state.” It is not surprising that he would come to this conclusion in view of the fact that he reigned as king over France for seventy-two years. His absolute monarchy set a pattern followed in several other European countries. No doubt his style of tyrannical behavior contributed to the bloody French revolution of 1789.     Anna B. Warner penned a philosophy for all of us, however, with her words, “Jesus loves me! This I know, For the Bible tells me so.” In her 1860 hymn we find words of comfort and strength! This hymn is a favorite with children, but all of us can benefit from the words written for her Bible class of West Point cadets.     Even if you missed every other doctrinal point in the New Testament, surely you could not miss this one. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6–8).     “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:30–31).     “Jesus loves me! He who died, Heaven’s gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, Let his little child come in. Yes, Jesus loves me; Yes, Jesus loves me; Yes, Jesus loves me, The Bible tells me so.”

- Bob Prichard serves as an elder and evangelist for the Hillview Church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama, since 2016. In his forty-five years of preaching he has served churches in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama.

Be Grateful For Godly Dads

 

By Adam Faughn

    In the culture in which we find ourselves, being a godly dad is not easy. Certainly, it is never easy to be faithful to the Lord, but we are living in times in which the values and actions that it takes to be a faithful, godly dad are completely undermined by our society.

    As such, we should be very thankful for those men who step up and seek to be what God would have them to be and not what society tells them is good or right.

    For example, we should be grateful for those dads who discipline their children, helping to mold them into people who respect authority and boundaries. Our society tells us that parents just need to let their children find themselves and that discipline is cruel and restrictive. Scripture makes it clear, though, that discipline—when done in love and by God's standard -- is a sign of true godliness. Instead of making a dad feel bad for disciplining his children, how about you thank him for doing his best?

    Additionally, we should be grateful for those dads who put worship and the activities of the church first in their homes. Society will tell dads to make sure they raise their children to be "well rounded," so missing some worship services is fine, so long as the kids get all sorts of experiences. A godly dad, though, will show his children that nothing comes before worshiping the Almighty, and that might mean saying "no" to some things that would have been neat experiences. Thank those dads for showing their children what it means to have priorities in the right order.

   Also, we should be grateful for dads who work hard for their families. A lot of dads get accolades (maybe they are "likes" on social media) for all the fun stuff they do or that their kids get to do. Those things are fine, but we should also be thanking the dad who may not make as much money for all the fun things, but who works so hard so that his family has what they need, including a fine example of masculinity.

    And one more, we should be grateful for dads who show humility and admit their faults. Many in our society believe it is a sign of weakness to ever admit fault and ask forgiveness. A godly man, however, knows he is not perfect--though he is striving to be like Jesus--and is humble enough to seek to be better, even in his family. When you see a dad admitting wrong, do not gloss over it, but give that dad a word of thanks for his humility and example.

    There are many other areas which stand out from the culture if one is striving to be a godly dad, but these are enough to remind each of us of how difficult it is. If and when you see any of our dads at Central excelling in the ways that God would have him do, take a moment and thank him for being what God calls him to be and not what society is trying to make him be. Thank the Lord for godly dads!

- Adam Faughn preaches for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org Visit the Faughn Family blog, A Legacy of Faith

Thank You For________

 

By Adam Faughn     I have been around a number of people (and I have done this myself at times) who have the practice of thanking military veterans. They learn that someone has served in the past, so they say a simple word of thanks. Maybe it is as simple as "Thank you for your service." While a simple statement, it is typically quite obvious that the veteran is grateful and honored by the sentiment of gratitude that is being offered.     This weekend, our nation celebrates a holiday that has a different tone. Memorial Day is a day on which we show a level of gratitude, but it is different because we cannot talk to the ones for whom we are grateful. They have, to use the common phrase, "paid the ultimate sacrifice," and we remember how they gave their lives to serve the country and protect us. We might be able to have any number of ceremonies to remember or to honor their sacrifice, but it is impossible to personally thank any of them.     It is quite common on this weekend to hear some connection made between Memorial Day and the cross, especially in thinking about the Lord's Supper. I have preached sermons along those lines in the past, and I know many others do each year. Comments made before the Lord's Supper quite often draw that comparison, and those thoughts can be both timely and helpful as we center our minds on the sacrifice of Jesus.     There is, though, one huge difference. While there is the very obvious comparison of sacrificing one's life for the benefit of another, there is also one massive contrast. It is this: we can personally thank Jesus for His sacrifice because He overcame death.     While the Lord's Supper is clearly a remembrance of what He did on the cross, Paul commands us to do this until Jesus returns. How can that be? Death could not hold our Lord! The tomb is empty. Death has been defeated.     We often sing a spiritual song that begins with the lyrics, "I serve a risen Savior." Those are very simple words, but few things we ever sing could be more profound. He did die. He made the ultimate sacrifice. But three days later, to quote another spiritual song, "The tomb was found empty." Even if we were absolutely certain of its location, it would do no good to visit the tomb because Jesus's body is not there. The angel, in very simple words, said it best, "He is risen!"     On Memorial Day, I hope each of us will take at least a moment to be grateful for those who have paid with their lives for our freedoms. It is a good and honorable thing to do. Whether you take part in some formal ceremony or not, it is always good to pause and remember what others have done to make this possible.     Regularly, whether you express it in words or not, I hope you will live with gratitude in your heart for those who are remembered on another holiday, Veteran's Day. They may not have given their life's blood, but they served, and we are thankful for their service.     But every moment of every day, I hope that we, as God's people, will be grateful that our Lord and Savior is the only One to Whom we can express both. We should thank Him that He was the ultimate servant, and we should thank Him for His ultimate sacrifice. Because He lives, we can express both to Him. May we realize how amazing what He has done for us truly is

- Adam Faughn preaches for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org Visit the Faughn Family blog, A Legacy of Faith