By John Gipson
Sarah was young, beautiful, and she was
going to die if she didn't get help. That's why her
parents brought her from Los Angeles to the Mayo
Clinic. She had cancer, and the only alternative
seemed to be a hemipelvectomy, in which the entire leg and
half of the pelvis would be removed-a horrible
procedure. The doctor looked upon this
eighteen-year-old beauty with a perfectly proportioned body
and "eyes that radiated innocence and trust." Those
eyes seemed to say, "You will cure me." Dr. Michael J.
Collins knew what a mutilation lay ahead and with only a 5
percent five-year survival. He finally managed to
haltingly say, "Sarah,.I.well, I'll do everything I can for
you." Sarah said, "I know you will. Thank you."
In his book, Hot Lights, Cold Steel, Dr.
Collins describes the horrible operation. It was long
and bloody. Sarah's post-op was stormy. She ran
a fever for four days. But the thing that impressed
everybody at the clinic was how Sarah kept thanking everyone
for what they were doing and apologizing for being such a
bother." Her nurse related that Sarah was sad about
losing her leg, "but she says it's made her realize how many
things she hasn't lost. She says it's like a
millionaire who loses a thousand dollars; he's sad, but he's
still not that bad off."
With that attitude and spirit of
thankfulness, Sarah was adored by everyone at the Mayo
Clinic. Sadly, this lovely girl died within the year.
There is a picture of her hanging in the clinic. It is
taken from the back. She is standing on a hill looking
forward.
Now, what was it I was complaining about?
The Bible tells me, "give thanks in all circumstances; for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1
Thessalonians 5:18).
Yes, the Bible says it, but Sarah makes
it
- John Gipson, Little Rock, Ark.; via THE SOWER, a weekly
publication of the Arthur Church of Christ, Arthur, IL. Ron
Bartanen, who serves as minister and editor, may be
contacted through the congregation's website:
http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com
By Michael P. Reese
In the 1960’s my father-in-law, Ed
McCullough bought a G10 Bolens riding tractor. For over
twenty years this tractor faithfully mowed his lawn at 3637
McDowell Street in Canton, Ohio. In the early 1990’s Ed
decided to replace his Bolens and passed the tractor on to
me. For five or six years I used the tractor to mow the lawn
at our antique mall. I then brought the tractor home where
with the help of the mower doctor, Wayne Efaw’s masterful
repairs, I was able to keep my grass cut on a regular basis.
Each year I would charge, or replace the battery, tighten a
belt, or if I couldn’t make the repair, Wayne could. Each
year the mower faithfully performed its duty. I knew parts
were getting hard to find and the tractor was getting harder
to keep running. But somehow, each time I added gas and
turned the key the Bolens would start and faithfully perform
its grass cutting duties-until last night. The repairs had
become more frequent and more detailed in recent weeks. I
knew this might be the last season for the mower, but I
wasn’t ready for the news I received from Wayne upon his
diagnosis of the problem. The loud noise I heard just before
the engine locked up was a piston rod coming loose. The
mower was too old to repair. My faithful mower of over forty
years was now junk.
I can’t help but reflect on how my
mower mirrors life. We start out all new and shiny at
birth-our whole life in front of us. Then as the years pass,
we need repairs or costly maintenance to keep going. As the
Psalmist of old succinctly stated “The days of our lives are
seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty
years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is
soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). If by strength
we do reach eighty years we know it is appointed unto man
once to die and then the judgment.” Heb. 9:27
My mower will soon be replaced. But
there is no replacing the human soul. WE only get one chance
at life on the earth, then eternity begins. Human destiny is
sealed at death. There are no second chances. Are you
seeking first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33)? Are you
walking a faithful Christian walk (I John 1:7-10)? Are you a
faithful Christian?
Let us learn a valuable lesson from
my lawn tractor. Just as Thursday, September 8, 2011 marked
the last time the Bolens will mow my lawn, each one of us
will someday spend our last day on earth. Are you ready for
eternity?
- Michael P. Reese; - via The
Encourager, the weekly bulletin for the Calvert
City Church of Christ, Calvert City, KY. Lance Cordle
preaches for the congregation. He may be contacted
through the congregation's website:
http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com
By David R. Ferguson
Some of the hardest things for parents to
do is watch as their child is slighted. But what is even
harder for parents to do is watch their child get slighted
and keep their mouths shut about it.
Yes, this is a test that is hard to
endure, but the Lord does promise rewards for those who
follow after His righteousness. These times do make for
excellent teaching opportunities, and there is hardly any
better book to turn to and receive instruction in bearing
all things with patience than is the Book of James. This
general epistle was written by James, the Lord’s brother,
who ended up being a leader of the church in Jerusalem. His
epistle focuses on warning his fellow brothers and sisters
in Christ that all Christians will suffer trials, so do not
be surprised when this happens to you. “Blessed is a man who
perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he
will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised
to those who love Him,” writes James (James 1:12 [NAS]).
This is a great promise of encouragement to all Christians,
indeed! But then James is quick to point out in the very
next three verses,
"Let no one say when he is tempted, “I
am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil,
and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is
tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and
when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death." (James
1:13-15 [NAS])
James reminded his readers that it is our own
sin that convicts us, and it is our own sinful demise that
brings about the punishment we deserve, which is death. As
the Apostle Paul also stated, “For the wages of sin is
death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 [NAS]).
So the next time life throws you or your
children a curveball and you go down swinging, just remember
to take the advice of James:
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter
various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith
produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect
result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in
nothing." (James 1:2-4 [NAS])
- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Lakeland Church of
Christ in Mattoon, IL. He may be contacted through the
congregation's website:
http://lakelandchurchofchrist.web.officelive.com/default.aspx
Change is Difficult
By Joe Chesser
Changes are hard to make, and this is
true in almost every area of life. When a new coach is
hired, the changes he brings with him are difficult to
implement for the players who were trained by the previous
coach. A new boss runs into the same problems when he tries
to “improve” the business. The way a new preacher does
things is usually compared to the ways of the previous
preacher. The “new” is often resisted simply because it is
different. Change is difficult.
This is even true in small things.
You’d think that little changes should be easy to make, but
they’re often the most difficult. Our school’s policy
for using strobe lights on the school buses has been the
same for years. Strobe lights were to be used only in fog or
when visibility was very difficult, and then only when
stopped to load or unload children. But the school
administrator made a change this year. In the mornings
when the buses leave the bus lot before sun-up the strobe
lights are to be on. That was easy enough, but when
are they to be turned off? Well, that’s where the
change became difficult. Some thought they should be
turned off when the sun came up and visibility was
excellent. Others thought the strobe lights should be left
on until the bus returned to the bus lot. So in the mornings
some bus drivers were running their strobe lights in the
bright sun light while others had turned them off.
Finally, a directive had to come from the administrator that
strobe lights must be on when the buses leave the lot in the
mornings and should not be turned off until the buses
returned to the lot. Nonetheless, change is difficult.
If we can understand the difficulty bus
drivers and football players have with changes in policy and
practice, we should also have an idea why change was so
difficult for the Jews after Christianity replaced Judaism.
The things they had been taught and had practiced for
centuries had changed. Not only had the details of the
Law been changed, but also who God accepted as His people
had changed. The Law delivered by Moses was no longer
valid. The teaching of Jesus had replaced it (Hebrews
1:1-2). In the past only the Jews were God’s special
people, but now in Christ people from any nation can be
God’s special people (1 Peter 2:9-10). Still, change
is difficult.
Understanding the difficulty of change
should also help us have patience with those struggling to
accept the truth of the gospel. A person whose family
for generations had been taught that baptism is not
essential for salvation will find the truth difficult to
accept and practice. The same principle is true with
any erroneous teaching deeply entrenched in the minds of
people. Even when one learns what is true, change is
difficult.
God knows how difficult change is for
us. Peter tells us, “He is patient with you, not
wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to
repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Since God is patient with
us, shouldn’t we be patient with others? Even so,
change is difficult.
- Joe Chesser preaches for the Fruitland Church of Christ,
Fruitland, MO. He may be contacted through the
congregation's website: http://www.cofcfruitland.com/
By Jimmy Hodges
“Remember me for this, O my God, and do
not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of
my God and its services.” (Nehemiah 123:14, NIV)
Nehemiah wanted to be remembered for
good. This was more than just wishful thinking.
He was actively involved in doing good. He hears that
Jerusalem is in shambles. The news leads him to weep
and pray to God. He plans to return to Jerusalem and
rebuild the wall. He asks his boss, the king, to help
him with his plan.
The king grants Nehemiah his
request. Off he goes to Jerusalem on his rebuilding
project. Unlike many today, he does not travel with a
caravan of hype. He surveys the work, and then he
reveals his plan to the locals. The citizens support
him.
Finally, Nehemiah has
opposition. Sanballat and Tobiah were leaders in the
area. A fortified Jerusalem would pose a threat.
So the two did all they could to delay construction.
Nehemiah would not be stopped. Half the workers were
on guard for attack while the other half worked.
Nehemiah even slept with his clothes on so he could be ready
in a moment’s notice.
When the rich Jews were putting the poor
Jews into slavery, Nehemiah put a hasty stop to that
practice. Why should the Jews work so hard for
independence if they sold each other back into slavery?
Nehemiah points to his own example. He was not a heavy
tax burden to the people as governor, unlike his
predecessors. Even 2500 years ago, people appreciated
lower taxes.
While Nehemiah was leader, Ezra read the
law to the people. Upon hearing the law, the people
were prompted to confess their sins. After confession,
the people renew the covenant with God. So yes,
Nehemiah is remembered for good. In fact, he did so
much good it is hard to remember it all. I am sure I
have left some of the highlights out in this article.
Thankfully, God has a good enough memory to recall all of
Nehemiah’s good.
How about you? Do you have the same
desire? Do you want to be remembered for good? Follow
Nehemiah’s lead. Do good. Do so much good that
we have trouble remembering it all. Even though all
the details may evade us, we will remember you for
good. Thankfully, God will recall all your good.
- Jimmy Hodges, via THE
SOWER, a weekly publication of the Arthur Church of
Christ, Arthur, IL. Ron Bartanen, who serves as minister and
editor, may be contacted through the congregation's website:
http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com
By Mitchell Temple
To begin with, let me say that even though I am a Marriage and
Family Therapist, even though we have two teens and one pre-teen, even
though I have helped parents struggling with their kids for almost 20
years, even though my wife is an excellent mother . . . we do not have
all the answers when it comes to raising kids. We thought we did, then
our kids turned into teenagers! We struggle just like all parents with
kids. We pray for daily wisdom from God. We tell our kids, “Look, we are
new at this parenting thing, too! We have never raised kids before. We
are learning just like you are. Let’s be patient with each other.” My
wife and I often pray, “God, please don’t let us brain-damage our kids!”
Of all the advice that we have given to parents about building a
healthy family, I think the best advice is when we tell parents: “The
most vital thing you can do for your kids is not: giving great advice,
disciplining perfectly, being consistent one hundred percent of the
time. The best thing you can do, is give your kids the consistent, solid
assurance that you love their mom, their dad, beyond a shadow of a
doubt! You should consistently send the message that ‘neither death nor
life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present or the future, nor
any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation,
will be able to separate us…’ from one another.”
Kids today live in an ever changing and insecure world. They are
constantly exposed to change. They are constantly hearing that their
friends’ parents are splitting up. They wonder if their parents are
next. They need to know that you love each other. And that means you are
going to stick it out no matter what! They need your to explain that
love is more than feelings. Even if you don’t feel great about their
mother or dad, love means “I’m gonna stick it out till I do.”
As a therapist, I grow weary hearing couples say, “I just don’t
love my spouse anymore. I just am not happy.” My professional response:
“So what!” (Pardon the direct response.” You probably don’t feel like
you’re in love anymore because you are not behaving like you are in love
anymore! We make friends by behaving friendly. You feel close to a
friend because you both act like friends. Your friendship grows because
of this behavior and because of your commitment to the friendship. The
same is true in marriage. If you don’t feel in love anymore, you are
probably not acting like it! Behave like you are in love and the
feelings will come. Behavior does affect feelings. Thinking does affect
feelings. If you are not thinking the right things (attitude,
perception, patience, etc.), you will not feel the right things. Change
your thinking and behavior, and you will change how you feel. Right
thinking + right behavior = the right feelings.
We do not always feel good about our kids. In fact, we do not
always like our kids! But, we love our kids with all our hearts and are
committed to them for all eternity. Why do couples fall in love? They
are exhibiting the right thinking and the right behavior (i.e.,
expressing love constantly, focusing on the good in each other, putting
the other first, overlooking mistakes, saying “I’M sorry” even when it
is not your fault, etc.) Marriages deteriorate when we forget to act and
think the way we did when we were dating.
God hasn’t called us to comfort and happiness; He has called us to
holiness. Part of being holy is honoring our spouses and our commitment
to each other for life, “for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in
sickness and health, till death do us part.”
Do yourself, your kids, your God, and your country a favor
...don’t give up on your marriage! Think about the effects on your kids
of not having both parents together. They never get over it. Neither do
you. Do whatever it takes: swallowing pride, going to counseling, giving
up a hobby, throwing the TV in the dumpster, whatever! Give your kids
the best gift you can give them: the security that comes from knowing
that Mom and Dad are going to be together no matter what. That is what
God wants; that is what they want. Most of all pray with and for your
kids everyday. God can build Christ-like character in spite of our worst
mistakes!
- Mitchell Temple, M.S., M.S., LMFT, via Our Families Magazine,
Spring/Summer, 2007; copied from 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
By Jim Murrell
"Hereby perceive we the love of
God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to
lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16).
The rich man asked Jesus, "Good
Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"
(Mark 10:17). Then Jesus asked him if he had kept the law.
He said yes. In love Jesus responded, "One thing thou
lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to
the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come,
take up the cross, and follow Me" (Mark 10:21b). But the
rich man was "sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for
he had great
possessions" (Mark 10:22).
Jesus let him go. Jesus didn't run
after him. And there's another thing I want you to notice:
Jesus didn't lower His standards.
Is there anything you love more
than Jesus? You must willingly lay it down to be saved.
- Via the weekly bulletin of the Coldwater Church of Christ
in Coldwater, MS. Clifton Angel preaches for the
congregation and he may be contacted through that
congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/
Support Jim Murrell’s work for the Lord by visiting
www.iftruthbetold.org.
By Eddie Parrish
Without satellite imagery or drone
aircraft, ancient cities were guarded by “watchmen.”
These brave men would stand guard in towers and constantly
scan the horizon for potential danger (cf. Ezekiel
3:16-21). In addition, because they had no spotlights
or night-vision goggles, watchmen dreaded the dark. It
was their most vulnerable time. So they longed for
morning’s light.
Drawing on this cultural phenomenon, the
psalmist wrote, “My soul waits for the Lord more than
watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the
morning” (Psa. 130:6), just as those ancient soldiers
yearned for the morning of a new day, so should we.
Let us long for the day when the darkness of sin is forever
shattered by the light of eternal day!
-Eddie Parrish, via THE
SOWER, a weekly publication of the Arthur Church of
Christ, Arthur, IL. Ron Bartanen, who serves as minister and
editor, may be contacted through the congregation's website:
http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com
By Dan Chambers
It never ceases to amaze me what
goes on in some churches. Just when I thought I heard it
all, along comes this newspaper story: “D.C. Church Brewing
up Fellowship with its Own Brand of Suds”?
The article reported how one church
in Washington, D.C—St. Mark’s Episcopal Church—started
brewing its own brand of beer last fall, and every Sunday
after the 11 o’clock service there is a fellowship meal in
the “parish hall” which consists of sandwiches, soup,
salads, bread, soda, beer and wine.
For many years the beer they served
at these fellowship meals was “dominated by commercial
brands,” but that changed last summer when one of the
members started brewing beer especially for St. Mark’s. This
“heavenly brew” is packaged as “Winged Lion Lager,” with the
bottles featuring a winged lion, “the symbol of St. Mark the
Evangelist.”
Now get this—the priest insists
that “we do not encourage or dissuade people from drinking”
(beer or wine). To prove it, he said they also offer
“non-alcoholic beverages in a way that is as attractive as
alcoholic beverages.”
There was a time when you could
count on churches to warn people of the evils of drinking
and exhort them to stay far away from it. There was a time
when fellowshipping in public around alcohol meant going to
the local bar, pub or saloon. As this article shows, though,
times have changed. The truth about alcohol, however, has
not changed. Proverbs warns of the deceitful attractiveness
of alcohol and graphically portrays its brutal consequences:
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has
complaints?
Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed
wine.
Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it is red, when it
sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!
In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.
Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine
confusing things.
You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top
of the rigging.
“They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt!
They beat me up, but I don’t feel it!
When will I wake up so I can find another drink?” (Proverbs
23:29-35)
- Dan Chambers; ia The
Encourager, the weekly bulletin for the Calvert
City Church of Christ, Calvert City, KY. Lance Cordle
preaches for the congregation. He may be contacted
through the congregation's website:
http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com
By Jason Hilburn
One Lord’s day my family and I were out of town on vacation. We
were in an unfamiliar area, but a few days earlier I had called and
spoken to the preacher of a local congregation there. Based on my
conversation with him, we had decided we would worship with them that
Sunday morning.
During our visit with this congregation, we noticed that the
preacher was very friendly to us, but most of the members either simply
stared at us or acted as if we were not there. I discovered that if
there were going to be any communication between me and the members
there, I would have to initiate the conversation by introducing myself
to them. To be honest, it was an uncomfortable situation, and I felt
like I was “forcing” them to speak to me!
We decided that we would look for somewhere else to worship that
evening, so we visited another congregation who were supposed to be
meeting for worship at 6:00PM. We arrived about fifteen minutes early to
find several members singing in the auditorium. We thought that we may
have arrived at the wrong time, but we went in and sat down anyway.
Apparently some of the members had met early to sing for a while before
everyone assembled for evening worship. They stopped singing a few
minutes before 6:00, and many of them came to where we were sitting and
greeted us. Then others came in and worship began. Afterwards we had
more members come to us and welcome us. We actually stayed for quite a
while after worship, talking to them.
There is no question that there was a great difference between
these two congregations. While the first congregation gave the
impression that they did not care much about visitors, the second
congregation made it very clear that they cared and were interested in
others.
Although both congregations were about the same size, there were
several children at the first congregation and very few or no children
at the second congregation. Even so, my daughter remarked that she
enjoyed being with the second congregation more than the first. I had
not asked, but I suppose she felt so strongly about it that she
volunteered that information. My son agreed with her. Normally my
children would prefer to visit places where other children their age are
present, but this was an exception.
Dear reader, if you had a choice, assuming that both congregations
were doctrinally sound, with which congregation would you worship? It is
easy to answer such a question, but perhaps these are more difficult
questions to answer: How do we treat visitors? Are we like those in the
first congregation, or the second? Do we believe that it is “the
preacher’s job” to greet visitors and be friendly to others? Do we get
stuck in little cliques, forgetting or neglecting to reach out to others
who are present? How would we want to be treated if we visited another
congregation? Do we practice the golden rule towards our visitors?
(Matthew 7:12). Do we show our visitors that we love and care about all
people, not just our close friends and family members? Do we show
impartiality regarding whom we treat with loving-kindness?
Notice a warning James gave about how we might treat visitors:
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect...
...of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold
ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile
raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and
say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand
thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in
yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
...If ye fulfill the royal law according
to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.
But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of
the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and
yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all (James 2:1-4, 8-10).
James said some might treat a wealthy visitor better than they
would a poor visitor. Hopefully we would not be guilty of such
discrimination, whether it is because of a visitor’s financial
situation, skin color, or other superficial distinctions. However,
notice how the brethren in James’ example treated the wealthy visitor by
giving him special attention and a warm welcome. Is it not implied that
whether the visitor had been wealthy or poor, they should have eagerly
greeted the visitor and treated him in a warm, loving way? The lesson
for us is that no matter who visits the assembly of the saints, let us
make them feel special, giving them a warm greeting filled with love! To
refuse to do so is to refuse to “fulfill the royal law” in loving our
neighbors as ourselves. Again, we must consider how we would want to be
treated (Matthew 7:12).
Although we understand that our main purpose for gathering is to
worship God (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:20; 16:2), the Bible also says
that there are other purposes accomplished when we gather, such as
edifying one another, teaching one another, admonishing one another,
exhorting one another, and comforting one another (1 Corinthians 14:3;
Ephesians 4:16; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11). We are
also commanded to “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good
works,” but how could we do such things if we never spoke to one
another? (Hebrews 10:24-25). Should we not also “consider” our visitors
and “provoke” them “unto love and to good works”? How can we do such if
we do not even speak to them?
Whether a congregation is warm or cold is determined by the choice
each individual makes regarding whether or not to reach out to visitors.
Perhaps the first congregation assumed that since they had a friendly
preacher, that was enough to make visitors feel welcome. However, the
truth is that if a congregation is warm, it is because the congregation
as a whole has purposed in their hearts to make visitors feel welcome.
If a congregation is cold, it is because the members have not made such a
determination.
As an individual member of a congregation, how have you determined
to treat visitors? Will you ignore them, or will you implore them to
return? Will you look for visitors at the next assembly so you can
approach them and greet them? May we all give our visitors a warm
welcome, thus fulfilling “the royal law,” loving our neighbors as
ourselves.
- Via the weekly bulletin of the Coldwater Church of Christ in
Coldwater, MS. Clifton Angel preaches for the congregation and he may be
contacted through that congregation's website:
http://www.coldwatercofc.com/
By Dave Grant
Have you looked at the back of a
tapestry or needlepoint? Usually, there’s a tangled-looking
mess of threads of many different colors going in many
different directions. But if you turn it over, the design
has purpose and beauty.
Our lives can be compared to a
needlepoint in which the many different circumstances and
directions look like there is no design, rhyme or reason.
Many times we are unable to see how all those different
things can be woven together to create a beautiful picture.
I think that is because we are looking at the underside of
the picture. God is looking down at how it all works out in
creating something good.
”And we know that in all things God
works for the good of those who love him, who have been
called according to his purpose.” ( Romans 8:28).
Notice the Word says, “in all
things God works,” which would include all the distractions
and circumstances, both good and bad that we encounter in
this life. God works it for good—not He makes it all good.
He weaves together all our struggles, challenges and
victories to accomplish His purpose. That’s where we get the
beautiful picture of our lives from a jumbled mess of
threads and colors—God works it out!
His purpose is that we be conformed
to the likeness of Jesus. Now that’s a beautiful picture! We
may look at our lives and say, “No way!” But God looks at
our lives and starts weaving and working it all out for
good, and He sees Jesus!
- Dave Grant, via THE
SOWER, a weekly publication of the Arthur Church of
Christ, Arthur, IL. Ron Bartanen, who serves as minister and
editor, may be contacted through the congregation's website:
http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com
By Dan Williams
Gary Hart could well have been
elected president back in 1988—until he got caught in some
“Monkey Business” and had to drop out of the race in
disgrace. John Edwards was a candidate for president during
the 2004 and 2008 Democratic presidential primary
campaigns—until it came to light that he was engaged in an
affair while his wife Elizabeth was a cancer patient.
Elliot Spitzer was governor of New
York and was being promoted as presidential candidate for
the next election—until the revelation that he was
unfaithful to his wife by consorting with prostitutes.
Mark Sanford was governor of South
Carolina and was considered a promising candidate for
president in the next election cycle—until it became
apparent that he was committing adultery with an Argentine
“soul mate.”
Newt Gingrich, the former speaker
of the House, devoutly wants to be our next president, in
spite of the trouble he has explaining why he dumped not
one, but two, sick wives after beginning adulterous
relationships. Now his campaign has imploded, in part
because of tensions between his now-departed staff and his
young “trophy wife.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger managed to
limp out the last years of his second term as governor of
California before it was revealed that he had fathered a
child with a housekeeper; now his marriage and his
reputation are in tatters.
Anthony Weiner was widely expected
to run in, and win, the next election for mayor of New York,
until it came to light that he had conducted lewd textual
relations with numerous women. He became the punch line for
countless jokes and was forced out of Congress.
In a weird twist of fate, Bill
Clinton conducted Anthony Weiner’s wedding ceremony last
July. Clinton, of course, almost lost his presidency back in
1999 when he was impeached, but not convicted, after his
extramarital affairs became public knowledge.
So, what lesson are we supposed to
take away from that dismal list? Is it:
A. If a politician is in town, you should lock up your wife?
B. Are some women especially attracted to men in positions
of authority?
C. Does the arrogance of power lead office-holders to feel
entitled and make them reckless?
D. Is the temptation of adultery so compelling that it leads
men to sacrifice even their most cherished life goal?
All of those suggestions have some
validity, but Jesus suggests another lesson: “There is
nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing
concealed that will not be known or brought out into the
open” (Luke 8:17). An illicit affair thrives on the
expectation that “We can keep it secret-no one will know.”
As history has repeatedly
demonstrated, however, the idea that adultery can be hidden
is a fool’s dream.
Learn from the sad examples of so
many once prominent, now disgraced men: keep your heart
pure, your moral boundaries high, and your marriage strong.
Remember: “A man who commits adultery lacks judgment;
whoever does so destroys himself” (Proverbs 6:32).
- Dan Williams; - via The
Encourager, the weekly bulletin for the Calvert
City Church of Christ, Calvert City, KY. Lance Cordle
preaches for the congregation. He may be contacted
through the congregation's website:
http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com
