How Christians Ought to Act Toward “One Another”

By Edd Sterchi
* Have peace with one another (Mark 9:50)* Love one another (John 13:34-35)* Be members of one another (Rom. 12:5)* Be affectionate to one another (Rom. 12:10)* Honor one another (Rom. 12:10)* Give preference to one another (Rom. 12:10)* Be of the same mind toward one another (Rom. 12:16)* Do not judge one another (Rom. 14:13)* Edify one another (Rom. 14:19; 1 Thess. 5:11)* Be like-minded one toward another (Rom. 15:5)* Receive one another (Rom. 15:7)* Admonish one another (Rom. 15:14)* Greet one another (Rom. 16:16)* Care for one another (1 Cor. 12:25)* Serve one another (Gal. 5:13)* Do not provoke one another (Gal. 5:26)* Do not envy one another (Gal. 5:26)* Bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2)* Bear with one another in love (Eph. 4:2)* Be kind to one another (Eph. 4:32)* Be tenderhearted toward one another (Eph. 4:32)* Forgive one another (Eph. 4:32)* Worship with one another, singing praises to God (Eph. 5:19)* Submit to one another (Eph. 5:21)* Do not lie to one another (Col. 3:9)* Comfort one another (1 Thess. 4:18)* Exhort one another daily (Heb. 3:13)* Consider one another, stirring up love and good works (Heb. 10:24)* Do not speak evil of one another (Jas. 4:11)* Do not grumble against one another (Jas. 5:9)* Confess your trespasses to one another (Jas. 5:16)* Pray for one another (Jas. 5:16)* Have compassion for one another (1 Pet. 3:8)* Be hospitable toward one another (1 Pet. 4:9)* Minister to one another (1 Pet. 4:10)* Fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7) “By this all will know that you are My disciples...” (John 13:35)

Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/

One Body

By Clifton Angel
    Paul wrote to the congregation at Ephesus: "There is one body" (Eph 4:4). No argument can be made against the meaning of “one;" however, many differ on the "body". In an attempt to be tolerant of every person's beliefs, many have subscribed to a "Let's agree to disagree” type of Christianity. Many settle with, "Choose the church of your choice." Therefore, the "one body" is interpreted to mean a collection of all the varying denominations of "Christianity" no matter their teachings, beliefs, or practices. May I challenge that interpretation and conclusion?    The "one body" is most assuredly referring to the church which belongs to Christ. We know this by considering Ephesians 4:4 in light of Ephesians 1:22–23 and Colossians 1:18. Furthermore, we cannot deny the singular possessive pronoun Jesus used when He said, "I will build my church" (Matt 16:18). Therefore, if the "body" is the "church," there must be only "one church.”    Some agree to these passages and still conclude that various denominations make up the "one church.” 1 Corinthians 12:12–30 shows this cannot be the case. The context of these verses are concerning the miraculous abilities entrusted to human beings in the first century church. Such abilities are not given to us today (1 Cor 13:10); however, the principles still stand. God desires those with various personalities, desires, and abilities to work together for the same purpose, as the same “body.”     Paul is referencing people and not whole groups/churches as the "members" of the "body" (1 Cor 12:28). Consider verses 24–25: "God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” If my left foot is headed in one direction and my right foot another, they are not working together for the same purpose—and that would be painful! Likewise, if a group of people are teaching that you are saved by personal belief without the need for baptism and another group of people are teaching that you are saved by submitting to immersion in water for the forgiveness of sins, these two groups cannot be working together for the same purpose; therefore, they cannot make up the same body. Furthermore, if one group of people teaches that baptism is sprinkling which is administered soon after the birth of a child and another group of people teaches that baptism is full submersion of an individual who has matured to an age of understanding, these two groups cannot be working together for the same purpose; therefore, they cannot make up the same body.    Paul wrote, "There is one body" (Eph 4:4). Jesus said, "I will build my church" (Matt 16:18). Are you a part of the "one body"—the one church—which we learn of in the pages of the New Testament?

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

Grace, Obedience and Christian Living

By Jeff Arnette     Recently, we’ve been looking at what the Bible says about God’s grace and salvation. We’ve considered how grace gives us assurance of our salvation. In today’s lesson, we’re going to consider receiving God’s grace in vain. In essence, we will deal with what the Bible says about giving up our salvation. This is not a comprehensive list of every passage that deals with this topic, but these will give you a great starting place. As you study and reflect on this topic add your own verses to the list. Matt 5:13; 13:20-21; 18:32-35; 24:9-13, 42, 48-51; 25:11-12; 18, 24-30. Luke 9:61-62; 22:31-32. Jn. 6:66-69; 15:1-6. Acts 8:22-24. Rom. 8:13; 11:21-24. 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 9:27; 10:12; 15:2. 2 Cor. 5:20; 6:1. Gal. 5:4. Col. 1:21-23. 1 Tim. 1:18-20; 4:1-3; 5:8, 12; 6:10, 11-13, 20-21. 2 Tim. 2:18. Heb. 2:3; 3:12-14; 6:4-6; 10:29; 12:15. James 5:19-20. 2 Peter, 1:10-11; 2:1, 4, 20-22; 3:17. Jude 5-6 Rev. 2:5, 10, 16, 20-23; 3:1-3, 15-16.

- Jeff Arnette preaches for the Central Haywood church of Christ, Clyde, NC.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://centralhaywoodcoc.com/

Jesus Saves

By Donna Faughn
    While traveling down the interstate in southern Illinois recently I noticed a small yellow sign along the road. Had I been driving, I would have missed it, but I was the passenger in the front seat. It was a tiny sign, given the size of most signs along the highway, and it was up in some trees that were rather large. Its message was the title of this post.    Now, you may be thinking that I’m going to write something about the beauty of that message (and it is a beautiful message). Any mention of Jesus and His ability to save us from our sins is a beautiful message.    However, could it not also be a misleading sign? To the reader of that sign it seems as though Jesus will save anyone who just happens to see it. Many people have the misconception that Jesus will save them no matter how they live their lives. If that is the case, then the vilest of criminals can do whatever he/she wants to do and be saved. There is one problem with that belief – it ignores the Bible’s teaching about repenting of (turning away from) our sins, and no longer living that manner of life (Romans 6).    May I suggest that we must know who Jesus is, and believe in Him as the Savior of those who follow His example and commandments. The only way to do that is to learn about Him by studying His Word – the Bible. We cannot know what we must do to be saved by Jesus if we don’t know about His life of examples and His teachings about the salvation of our souls.     May I also suggest that the One who saves us from our sins might have something to say about who will be saved? Just one example of what He says about it is found in Mark 16:16, which reads, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” It seems to me that there is more to salvation than just reading a small sign.    Many people today turn their backs on the teachings of the Bible, but it is only in this book that we can learn about salvation. May I share with you a short list of exactly how to be saved?
Hear the gospel – John 6:44-45Believe – John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6Repent – Acts 2:38; 17:30Confess your faith in Jesus – Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:37Be baptized into Christ – Mark 16:16;1 Peter 3:21Live a faithful life – Revelation 2:10There is so much more that could be said about this topic. Let it suffice to say that there is no better life than one that is lived in obedience to God and His Word. Will there be problems that arise? Yes. Will things always go your way? No. Will you be ostracised by some people? Yes. Will your eternal home be in heaven if you have done your best to obey and live for God? YES!    That little yellow sign with those two words caused me to do a lot of thinking over the course of the last few days. While the message of that sign is beautiful and true, it is incomplete.    Jesus said, 
“…and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

- Donna Faughn attends the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY where her husband, Jim, serves as one of the elders. Be sure to visit the following for more great articles: Faughn Family blog, A Legacy of Faith **

How Can I?

By David Sargent
    Barry Newton recalls a phone conversation...
    The phone rang. On the other end was a familiar voice just beyond recognition. Then as he launched into asking, "How do I forgive myself?" I suddenly recalled his name and history.    "How can I forgive myself when I have wasted so many decades?"    Before I could even gather my thoughts he blurted out his current crisis. Even though his speech was not slurred, a slight bit of probing revealed what I feared. Alcohol was involved.    I've heard the ache and seen in people's eyes the pain arising from decades of destructive decisions.    The same satanic mantras tend to dominate those struggling with forgiving themselves:"There is no hope for me!""God doesn’t want me, I've done too much.""I can't be forgiven.""I will never be able to forgive myself."    Can a new future exist devoid of dragging along self-recrimination for past failures? *    Thanks be to God, the answer to that last question is "Yes!"    The Good News (the Gospel) is that although each and every person has sinned and continues to fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), God still loves us.  He loves us so much that He gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).    Newton affirms: "As horrible and destructive as sin is, HOPE exists! Forgiveness is possible because Jesus' death can overcome sin's poison."    "In Him [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins" (Ephesians 1:7).  Yes, we have sinned. We all have. But the blood of Jesus is greater than our sin.    Jesus will save those who place their faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).    Newton declares: "Those who have relied upon Christ, must refuse to listen to how Satan would drag up the past to condemn what God has forgiven."    Won't YOU submit to the Savior so that you may have forgiveness and receive the gift of eternal life?

- David A. Sargent, minister for the Church of Christ at Creekwood in Mobile, Alabama, is also the editor of an electronic devotional entitled "Living Water." To learn more about this excellent resource contact David via their website: http://www.creekwoodcc.org

Why did Paul Tell the Corinthians, “I thank God that I baptized none of you?”

By Bob Prichard       It seems strange that Paul would tell the Corinthians that he was thankful that he baptized none of them, when he taught more about the importance of baptism than any other New Testament writer. For example, he reminded the Roman Christians of their common experience of baptism into Christ: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4).     Most apparent contradictions in scripture are easily be explained by looking at the context (the surrounding verses). Problems filled the church in Corinth: abuses of the Lord’s Supper, abuses of miraculous spiritual gifts, problems concerning marriage, Christians taking one another before the law, and most importantly, divisions within the church. Jesus prayed for the unity of all of His followers: “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:21). The church in Corinth, however, was dividing itself into sects and denominations.     Paul wrote, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). Division was so severe, however, that some were saying “I am of Paul,” and others were saying “and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.” Paul asked, “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:12-13). The divisions were so severe that they were no longer simply Christians, or followers of Christ, but they were becoming “Paulite Christians,” “Apollosite Christians,” and “Cephasite Christians.” They were not following Jesus as much as they were following the preachers who had taught or baptized them.     It was because of these terrible divisions that Paul said, “I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:14-18). Paul did not want to contribute in any way to the divisions within the Corinthian congregation. He was glad there were very few Corinthians who could claim to be “Paulite Christians,” because he had only personally baptized a few. This is likely the reason that Jesus did not personally baptize.  “Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples” (John 4:2). Paul preached the whole gospel of Christ, which includes water baptism.

- 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.

Being Prepared

By Bill Brandstatter       After the recent winter weather, we were reminded again of the need to be prepared. People flocked to the store to prepare to be stuck at home because of ice and snow. The Bible is a book that says a lot about preparation. God prepared earth for man to inhabit. Then he prepared a helper for the man. Since that early beginning, God has been preparing. The Psalmist declares: “You prepare a table before me.” (Psa. 23:5) Jesus stated he was going to prepare a place for the faithful to inhabit in John 14:2, 3. God wants us to be prepared as well. Heaven is a prepared place for people who are prepared.     There are a couple of different words used in the New Testament that are translated “prepare.” One word means to be thoroughly ready. One use of this word is found in Mark 1:2-“Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.”’ This is a direct reference to John the Baptist.     The other word that is used means to get ready beforehand. This word is found in Rom. 9:23. There Paul declares, “And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory.” We need to be thoroughly ready for all that life has to offer and for eternity. We need to be ready since Christ could come back anytime. Jesus said, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” (Matt. 24:42.) Obviously, this statement indicates a need to be ready beforehand. Jesus told of the five foolish and five wise virgins. Five were foolish because they waited too late to trim their lamps. They waited and prepared too late. (Matt. 25:10-12).     Are we prepared? Being prepared for bad weather is important; but being prepared for eternity is even more important. Jesus said, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16)

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/

The Challenge Churches Don’t Want to Address

By Adam Faughn       Churches face a lot of challenges. Of course, there is no challenge so great that it cannot be overcome with God’s help. If we follow Him, there is nothing that can hold a congregation back.     I have noticed that there are a lot of enemies and challenges that churches will regularly address, and will do so with great fervor. They will clearly address sins that are bearing down on society and that are in the regular news cycle. The whole array of LGBTQ issues comes to mind. Certainly, these need to be addressed and the truth of God’s Word needs to be presented boldly.     It is also easy to talk about challenges that our local community might face that could stunt church growth. Maybe the congregation is willing to talk about how factories have moved out or other factors have played a role in the local community shrinking in size. Again, it would be foolish not to be realistic about the current setting.     But there is one challenge that many congregations do not want to address, and it becomes very clear why that is the case when it is named. What is it? Being comfortable.     Let me quickly say that there should be a certain level of comfort in the Church. After all, these are the best people on earth! And there should be some “normalcy” in how certain things are done. There is no reason to upend everything just to be relevant or just to try to make a point.     What I am talking about in this article is when a congregation is unwilling to evaluate anything simply because it might upset somebody. We cannot change Scripture; that is absolutely true. But are we willing to consider how we do things like Bible classes? Are we willing to change the emphasis of some events–or, perish the thought, even just stop them because they are not being effective?     Maybe the hardest question: are we willing to stop doing everything just “for us” and start really doing things to reach the lost, even if those things are harder and (sometimes) more frustrating?     We like what we like. And, over time, it becomes easier and easier to just do things and put things on the calendar to make us feel better. To be honest, that’s comfortable.     But Scripture does not tell us to be comfortable until death. We are commanded to be faithful until death (Revelation 2:10). And faithfulness rarely equals constant comfort.

- 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

Mother's Day

By David R. Ferguson       Happy Mother’s Day is a day we set aside for celebrating motherhood and thanking mothers. Mothers often receive gifts on this occasion, and it’s one of the busiest days for the Post Office each year. In fact, in 1973 the United States Post Office was so deluged that they were held up for eight days due to the exorbitant amount of mail being sent out to mothers all around the country.     Various countries around the globe celebrate Mother’s Day at different times of the year because it has a number of different origins. Some believe it originated in Greece with the mother worship of Cybele and Rhea. Cybele was a mother to the great gods, and Rhea was the wife of Cronus, a leader of the Titans, the forebears to the Greek gods of Olympus. A festival to Cybele was held between March 15 and March 18, so the people of Asia Minor believe that the custom of Mother’s Day began with them.     Mothering Sunday falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent in the United Kingdom, which comes in late March or early April. Although it has been celebrated for centuries, the origin of this ritual is unknown. Tradition has it that their masters released young apprentices that weekend so they could go and visit their families. There’s some speculation that it’s possible Mothering Sunday derived its roots from a Druid pagan practice occurring during the spring vernal equinox honoring the goddess of fertility.     In most countries around the world, Mother’s Day celebrating is a relatively new concept copied directly from western civilization. African countries tend to follow the pattern established by the United Kingdom, while East Asian nations model, promote and commercialize their holiday straight from the United States of America.     The Bible is replete with many stories showing the love and devotion of mothers. Nothing on this Earth is as wonderful to see and to know as a Christian mother, and we are greatly blessed here at Mentor with many wonderful ladies! The wise writer said, "A gracious woman obtaineth honor," and "A worthy woman is the crown of her husband...." (Proverbs 11:16a; Proverbs 12:4a) How true are these words!     May we always be mindful and treat with the utmost of respect our mothers, our wives, and our friends and sisters in Christ every day of the year.     So happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers who are reading this today! May you never forget that raising your child “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4b [MEV]) is the greatest gift you can ever give them! May God bless you today and everyday!

- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com

Godly Mothers

By Dan C. Bailey       In a world burdened with wars, economic crises, crime, and traumatic physical events such as hurricanes, floods, tornados, and earthquakes, a day to honor mothers may seem trivial. Yet, the greatest influence in the world, other than the Word of God, is a godly mother. "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies" (Proverbs 31:10). She helps to mold and fashion her children to become good citizens and future leaders. She is especially influential when she is a godly mother. She teaches her children to work hard, to pray, and to love the Lord and His Holy Word. A godly mother struggles with her children at worship services, knowing that they will someday become Christians and eventually inherit immortality. Her efforts are often taken for granted and even unappreciated by some, but you can be sure that God notices her great labors! The greatest attributes of a godly mother are love, service to the Almighty, and sacrifice. Isn't it interesting that these are the same qualities that were in Jesus, our Lord and Savior?     Mothers should be appreciated every day of the year. Fathers should help and encourage their wives in the rearing of the children. Children should obey, be respectful, love, and appreciate all that a godly mother has done for them. "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee" (Exodus 20:12). "For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death" (Mark 7:10).     When mothers get older they are still mothers, and they should never, on any occasion, be treated with contempt and disrespect. "Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old" (Proverbs 23:22). The children owe this, and so much more to their mothers. When Jesus was dying on the cross, He turned His mother over to the care of the apostle John. "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home" (John 19:25-27). The Son of God demonstrated His love and respect for His dear mother. How about you? ****************** "Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."  Proverbs 31:25-31

- Dan C. Bailey serves as a minister with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol, VA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.thelordsway.com/statestreetchurchofchrist/framedindex.asp?Group=Home

A Lesson Learned from Teaching the Song of Solomon

By Adam Faughn
    I’m only a couple of weeks away from finishing teaching a Bible class on the Song of Solomon. This is actually the second time I have taught through that book, and, while challenging, it is a joy.    Since the book is quite short, we are able to throw in a few “special studies” on marriage, but they all come from the concepts found in that great love poem. Overall, though, the vast majority of the class is just going through the poem and being encouraged by what is there.    It is interesting to me that, while Song of Solomon is “famous” for its very descriptive language, that part of the book is not found as often as you might think. My opinion is that those sections (such as where the husband describes his wife’s body) are so different from virtually anything else found in the Bible that we tend to think the whole book is that way.    However, in preparing and teaching this book, it stands out to me that these two people–both before and after their marriage–are friends. It is very obvious that they are attracted to each other, and that in a healthy way. But the friendship is what stands out to me just as much.    In the book, the couple beautifully expresses love, but it is more than the sexual love that makes the book so famous (and causes a lot of people to avoid it, sadly). Both of them show forgiveness, sentiment, and honor for the other person.    It is no wonder, then, that, as the book comes near its conclusion, you have some of the most beautiful words ever written about the relationship between a husband and wife: “Love is stronger than death” (___).    Too many couples do not get this balance right. Some build their relationship–or try to–on the “rush” of pleasure from the erotic side of marriage. While that is a wonderful part of marriage, that alone is not enough to make things lasting and powerful.    Others want to be friends, but do not build that “one flesh” part of marriage, which includes the sexual glue which holds a couple together. Friendship is so needed–it’s essential–but God placed sex within marriage as a cement to hold that couple together more closely than any other human relationship.    The Song of Solomon has a lot of lessons, but finding that completeness of friendship and sexual romance is one of the most powerful lessons any couple can take from this great poem. I know that teaching the book again has challenged me to be far better as a husband and to strike that completeness for “my beloved.”    Maybe I’ll teach it again one day! (But, until then, may I live it.)

- 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

**

What Went Through Her Mind

By Adam Faughn
    There are times when reading a passage of Scripture, I have to stop and wonder what someone was thinking or feeling as the events unfolded. At times, the Bible tells us what an individual was thinking, but many times, those details are not provided. While we do not need to try to come to some hard-and-fast conclusion about how someone felt or what they thought when the text does not reveal it to us, it is still an interesting exercise to engage in.    One of those times for me is in Acts 1, as a small group of the faithful were meeting in the upper room. Following the ascension of Jesus, 120 people were present in that room. The apostles would take that opportunity to appoint Matthias to take the place of Judas Iscariot, but most of what was done in that room was waiting, as Jesus had told them to do.    However, the Holy Spirit felt it was important for us to know at least some of those 120 who were present. The apostles were there, as well as "the women," presumably, those who had helped with the ministry of Jesus. Acts 1:14 ends by telling us that among those 120 were also "Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers" (literally, siblings).    When I read that detail, I cannot help but wonder what was going through the mind and heart of Mary. Those brothers had not believed in Jesus during His ministry. In fact, on one occasion, they had basically attempted to set him up, likely to be imprisoned or even killed (John 7:1-5).    Now, however, here were those same brothers, meeting with this small band of believers. Two of them--James and Jude--would go on to be inspired writers of New Testament texts. So far as we know, all of them remained faithful to Jesus.    What a blessing for that mother! The Bible does not reveal to us conversations that Mary had with those brothers during the ministry of Jesus when they struggled so much with believing in Him. We are left to our imaginations to wonder what she said, how she prayed, or what else she might have done. While we cannot go beyond the text, our hearts are filled with images of her desiring for these siblings to believe in their Brother.    Though it took some time, it would seem that the resurrection was the key (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:7). Now, those siblings were faithful to Jesus. We have to believe that Mary's heart was filled with praise and joy.    Today being Mother's Day, I believe her heart is similar to the heart of virtually every faithful Christian mom. Whether their children are faithful to the Lord or not, that is what they desire. They pray for it earnestly. They do what they know to do to help their children--small or grown--to know Jesus and be faithful to Him. Above anything else, that is what they want for their kids.    Those children may or may not be part of what is still a small band of faithful followers, but that is the heart of a Christian mother. And if anything can change those children, it is the same thing that changed the siblings of Jesus: His resurrection. Take them there. Remind them of His power over sin and the grave. Pray they will come to understand the eternal difference that miracle makes.    That is the heart of a Christian mother, and we praise God for each one of them today.

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

Every Mother's Day is a First

By Adam Faughn     For some, today is their first Mother's Day as a mother. They just had their first child, so today is special in that way.     For some, today is their first Mother's Day as a grandmother. They are seeing their own daughter hold a precious child for her first Mother's Day.     For some, today is their first Mother's Day as a mother of two (or three or...). They are getting extra kisses and hugs (and a well-deserved extra cup of coffee).     For some, today is their first Mother's Day without their mother living. So, today will be bittersweet.     For some, today is their first Mother's Day with an estranged relationship with their mom or child. There might be a phone call, but it will not be easy.     For some, today is their first Mother's Day since losing a child. There will be memories and, likely, some tears.     For some, today is their first Mother's Day with a child a long distance away geographically. It might be the first one where they are not physically in the same place.     For some, today is their first Mother's Day with a child back in the same area; thus, the first they can spend together in a long time.     We could go on, but markers on our calendar, like Mother's Day, are reminders of how each year contains firsts. Some are happy. Some are hard. Others are simply reflections of the normal passage of time. Each, though, is part of the tapestry of life, and mothers are an invaluable part of that picture.     God thought that mothers were so important that He gave every human being ever born a mother. A true godly mother, though, is rare. Today, no matter what "first" you are going through, if you are striving to be a godly mother, we honor and thank you. Reflect on why this Mother's Day is a "first," and use it as an opportunity to be grateful for what is good and learn from what might be a struggle.     To every mother, we say "Happy Mother's Day," but to those who are striving to be godly and righteous, we say a heartfelt and gracious "thank you."

- 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

The Balance of the Resurection

By Adam Faughn     This weekend, a large number of people around the world will celebrate the Easter holiday. Some will make it nothing more than a secular event, with egg-dying and talk of a bunny rabbit. Others will consider it a religious holiday, focusing their thinking on the resurrection of Jesus.     For New Testament Christians, we must be reminded that we are not commanded in Scripture to celebrate any sort of special religious "holiday." Instead, we are told to worship and remember each week on the first day of the week, and we are told to live each and every day in a way that reflects what we believe.     Still, with so many considering a central facet of Christianity this weekend, think just for a moment about the "balance" of how we consider the resurrection. When we think of that momentous event, there are two things we must not do.     First, we must not--in our thinking and teaching--leave Jesus on the cross or in the grave. Some of the most powerful and resounding words ever spoken are "He is risen" (Matthew 28:6). While we rightly focus on the cross in so much of what we do, we must not simply leave Jesus as the crucified Lord. We must remember that He is also the risen Lord!     If you take the time to carefully read the teaching that is recorded for us in the book of Acts, one thing you will likely notice is a strong emphasis on the resurrection. Yes, the cross is mentioned (many times, in fact), but Jesus's overcoming of the grave is of central importance in the teaching that was given (see Acts 2:32; 3:15; 4:10; et al.). The reasons are simple: they prove Jesus to be the One He claimed to be completely, and the resurrection gives us hope of our own resurrection.     Likely, you have heard it said that if Jesus did not overcome death, He is nothing more than just another good--but dead--teacher. That may be overstating things a bit, but it makes the point quite well. When we think about the death of Jesus, we need to be certain that we do not leave Him on the cross nor in the grave. We need to make sure we remember that He is risen.      Second, we need to remember that He was raised from something. For a good number of people, this is what they must work on for this weekend. They love the thought of Jesus overcoming death and the hope it provides, but they do not want to let their mind go back just three days to the horrific scenes of the cross.     To state the matter bluntly, we cannot have one without the other. For Jesus to overcome death, He had to truly be dead. That is obvious. But the Bible does not "sanitize" the picture of the cross for us. It leaves us with no option but to see how gruesome and even grotesque that type of death was. It is one reason Paul would later speak of Jesus's death and add the phrase "even death on the cross" (Philippians 2:8). Those of his day knew how awful it was. While we do not execute criminals in the same manner today, we cannot make the death of Jesus less than it was. It was horrific and awful. The resurrection points us back to not just that Jesus died, but how He died and was buried.     One of the beautiful things about our faith is that we have the complete picture. While at times it is helpful to focus on the cross and at other times it is helpful to focus on the resurrection, we need to spend a great deal of time remembering the totality of what occurred to bring our salvation and hope. We cannot leave Jesus in the grave, nor can we fail to go back to remember the death that He died. We are simply not left with that option if we want to truly consider what Jesus has done for us. "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures..." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

- 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

More Than One Sunday

By Adam Faughn     Today is one of "those" days for a lot of preachers. Because the calendar says something, there is a balancing act that many of us feel on these types of days. Do we preach about the "holiday," or do we avoid it?     Sometimes, it is a secular holiday, but one where people expect to hear something related to it. You might think of Mother's Day or Father's Day. It is just expected that there will be a sermon based, at least in part, on those subjects.     At other times, it is more of a national holiday. Maybe the expectation for a sermon based around these holidays is not as common, but they are sometimes used as the "jumping-off point" for lessons. These might include Memorial Day, Independence Day, or Thanksgiving.     There are two, however, that really cause preachers to do some thinking: Christmas and Easter. Because they are religious in nature, there is a tension: do we dive in and celebrate like so many others? Do we avoid them altogether? Do we preach against them? Ask around, and you can find people who will take any of these stances (and more).     But of those two, Easter is the one that is most interesting for some people, simply because we do know when it was. When it comes to Christmas, we do not know the time of year nor (especially) the date when Jesus was born. However, since Jesus was raised from the dead following Passover, we can know when in the year that occurred. And, since Jews still celebrate Passover, we can be certain each year when the "anniversary" of that tremendous occasion was.     However, it is quite interesting that the early Christians, who would have known that date on the calendar even better than we do, did not celebrate some type of "anniversary service" for the resurrection. We do not read of any special ceremonies for the first or fifth or seventh or tenth anniversaries of Jesus's death or resurrection. That silence is quite telling.     What is more telling, though, is that these Christians considered the resurrection all the time. If you read the book of Acts carefully, you will find a constant emphasis on the resurrection of Jesus because it was the basis of their hope, and it was their prime motivation. They did not need to have some annual reminder because they were thinking of the resurrection all the time!     I do not believe it is wrong to preach on the resurrection on this particular Sunday. After all, so many are expecting it, and it provides a chance to speak to something that is on their mind. I also do not believe it would be wrong for a family to talk about the resurrection in a home devotional to help cement in the minds of their children that this was an actual, historical event.     That said, we are nowhere commanded to have a special "resurrection Sunday" one day each year. We are nowhere given an example of the early Christians doing so. But we are shown that the resurrection filled their thinking and motivated their worship each and every Lord's Day, and it should ours, as well. "This Jesus God raised up" (Acts 2:32) "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead" (1 Corinthians 15:20)

- 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

Be Separated from the World

By David R. Ferguson "‘Come out from among them, and be ye separate,’ saith the Lord." (2 Corinthians 6:17)     This text touches a subject of vast importance in religion. That subject is the great duty of separation from the world. In every age of the church since its inception, separation from the world has always been one of the grand pieces of evidence of a work of grace in the heart. He that has been really born of the Spirit, and made a new creature in Christ Jesus, has always endeavored to "come out from the world," and live a separate life.     The world is a source of great danger to the soul. God’s creation is wonderful and good. I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about the pursuit of vain riches and glory, and the desire to please the carnal nature. That’s worldly and dangerous for a Christian. Sin, in all its forms, must be denounced and avoided by those professing to be followers of the Lord. The Apostle Paul says, "Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). "We have received, not the spirit of this world, but the Spirit which is of God" (1 Corinthians 2:12). "Christ gave Himself for us that He might rescue us from this present evil world" (Galatians 1:4). "In time past ye walked according to the course of this world" (Ephesians 2:2). "Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world" (2 Timothy 4:10).     James said, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). "Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4).      And John wrote, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever" (1 John 2:15-17). "The world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not" (1 John 3:1). "They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them" (1 John 4:5). "Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world" (1 John 5:4). "We know that we are of God and the whole world lieth in wickedness" (1 John 5:19).     But being separate from the world does not mean we should be isolated from the world: "Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in Heaven" (Matthew 5:16) The key here is letting the world see our good works. We can’t do that if we are of the world. Always keep God first in your heart.

David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com **

A Rejected Stone

By David R. Ferguson     In Acts chapter 4, Peter and John were arrested for causing quite a stir by healing a man and teaching about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead in verses 2 and 3. The next day the Jewish leaders, (the very ones who had condemned Jesus some months earlier), asked them by what power were they performing these miracles. Peter answered, and his answer was an interpretation of Jesus' word about the rejected stone found in Matthew 21:42. Starting at the end of verse 8 of Acts 4 Peter declares, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a cripple, by what means this man has been healed, be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man is standing before you well. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the head of the corner. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."     Notice Peter's interpretation, one point at a time. Verse 10: The stone is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Verse 8: The builders are the rulers of the people and elders. Verse 10: The rejection of the stone was the crucifixion of Jesus. Verse 10: The elevation of the stone to the head of the corner was the resurrection of Jesus. Verse 12: The implication of this new position at the head is that there is salvation found in no other. This is the same point that Paul made years later at the Areopagus in Athens: The resurrection declares that Jesus is the Son of God in power: All men everywhere must repent and seek after salvation in Him alone.     That was Peter's interpretation of the word of Jesus in Matthew 21:42 while speaking to the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. His testimony is still true to this day. We all must turn to Jesus Christ, and Him alone, to find salvation from our sins and have the hope to share in the resurrection with Him.     Salvation is in no other. It isn’t in any human creeds or cleverly devised fables. It’s not found in the accumulation of material wealth. Choose this day whom you will serve: Will it be the Living Savior, Jesus Christ? Or will it be mammon? May the Lord bless you this week!

David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com

A Selfless Act

By David R. Ferguson     With 3 minutes and 25 seconds left remaining in the championship basketball game of the men’s Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in 2006, 18-year-old Kristi Yamaoka, a cheerleader for the Salukis of SIUC, fell from 15 feet high up hard to the floor, landing on her head while performing a routine. In taking her tumble, she suffered a concussion and a broken neck. 14,000 worried basketball fans were silent in the arena as the medics attended to her, and countless other fans held their breath in anticipation as they watched the game on television. But as she was carted away for a precautionary exam at the hospital, Ms. Yamaoka gave a two-handed thumbs up from the gurney, moving her arms – the only things not strapped down – in time to the music and cheered as the pep band fired up SIUC's fight song, Go, Southern, Go. Her unselfish efforts elicited a standing ovation from the appreciative Savvis Center crowd, and it sparked much conversation and commentary on many national sports TV programs. When asked from her hospital bed about her cheering after sustaining such a dangerous fall, Ms. Yamaoka replied, "As long as my arms were functioning, I could do the fight song. I just knew that it would be a little easier for my team and squad to concentrate if they knew I was OK and not worrying about me," she said. "I didn't want the team to get distracted. I needed them to win for me." Kristi Yamaoka’s remarks undoubtedly displayed the highest of selfless motives. In our 21st century world, unfortunately, the struggles and failures so many people experience have as their root nothing other than their own selfishness.     Jesus Christ, the greatest example ever of unselfishness, set the agenda for His apostles and for us today when, in spite of His upcoming betrayal, condemnation, mocking, scourging, and cruel death at the hands of sinful men, Jesus announced to His disciples and to the world, "We are going up to Jerusalem," in Mark 10:33. Having heard this agenda, James and John made a request to be allowed to sit on either side of Jesus in His glory. The clashing of selflessness vs. selfishness occurred as they shifted the focus from Christ's ultimate sacrifice to seek and save the lost to their desired positions of honor, emanating from hearts that were egotistic. This blatant, self-centered request affected the disciples as a group, who displayed their own self-centeredness when they became "indignant with James and John" (Mark 10:41). Jesus had to call them together to calm them down and redirect their thoughts.     As James wrote in James 4:1, "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?" Choose to focus on serving others. Take the focus off yourself. Try to put others before yourself. Learn to live for others. To paraphrase Kristi Yamaoka, "Your team doesn’t need to be distracted."

-David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com

Don't Deny Baptism

- By David R. Ferguson     It seems rather sad that so many in the religious world wish to discount as necessary what God has deemed is important. Take, for example, the question of baptism. "And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this crooked generation.’ They then that received his word were baptized: And there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved." (Acts 2:40-41; 47b) This passage clearly shows how the hearers were not added to those numbered among the saved until they had been baptized.     Ananias told Paul, "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on His name." (Acts 22:16) This passage clearly states that our sins are not washed away until we are baptized. If our sins were already removed, there would be no need to have them washed away further.     Peter wrote, "that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water: Which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:20-21). This passage unequivocally says we are saved at the point of baptism. It’s the response of our good conscience to do as we have been commanded.     At the conclusion of the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, we have the following: "And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing." (Acts 8:39) The Ethiopian eunuch did not go on his way rejoicing until he had come up out of the water. Why was he not rejoicing earlier if he had already been saved? Why didn't the Spirit take Philip away before baptism if it was not necessary for the completion of God's saving power? The answer: He was not saved until he submitted to baptism.     Paul wrote to the Galatians, "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27). If we were already saved before baptism, we would already be clothed in Christ.     "Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him through baptism unto death: That like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection; knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin" (Romans 6:3-6). Paul tells us that baptism is the reenactment of Christ's death, burial and resurrection. We must crucify our old self, and we do not die to crucify our old self until we have been buried in the watery grave of baptism.     May God bless you today!

- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com **

Do You Know Him?

By David R. Ferguson "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him" (John 14:7 [MEV]).     Have you ever stopped to really consider the significance of these words stated by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Jesus was speaking to His Apostles who were asking Him to "...show us the Father...." (John 14:8) Jesus Christ told them, in essence, that they HAD seen the Father because they had seen Jesus! The Father and Son are One. Jesus told this to His followers in John 10:30 [MEV]: "My Father and I are One." They are One in the sense that they have the same purpose, which was to serve and redeem the lost souls of the world: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me. I am One Who bears witness of Myself, and the Father that sent Me bears witness of Me.” (John 3:16-17 [MEV]; John 7:29 [MEV]; John 8:18 [MEV])     They are also One in their glory and willingness to share this glory with us: “I have given them the glory which You gave Me, that they may be one even as We are One: I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfect in unity, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (John 17:22-23 [MEV])     They are One in that Jesus Christ was with the Father eternally: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. “Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM.” (John 1:1-3 [MEV]; Hebrews 13:8 [MEV]; John 8:58 [MEV])     Even though Jesus Christ was God, He willingly took on the form of a man to become Immanuel, God with us, the conduit through which we access the Father: “A virgin shall be with Child, and will bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is interpreted, “God with us.” Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. But He emptied Himself, taking upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in the form of a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a Cross. (Matthew 1:23 [MEV]; Philippians 2:5-8 [MEV])     May God bless you!

David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com **

Some Things I Learned From My New "Hobby"

By Jim Faughn     In recent years, I’ve taken up a new hobby. I now go on scavenger hunts on a fairly regular basis.     Well, to be honest, it is not a hobby. Also, in the interest of honesty and transparency, they also are not really scavenger hunts.     Actually, what I have started doing more of recently is an attempt to “carry my weight” with regard to some of the things that Donna has done for years. Part of that effort involves what feels to me like a scavenger hunt, but is actually a trip to the grocery store. I’ve been known to tell people at the store on some occasions that my wife sends me to Mars because I’m so lost that I might as well be on Mars.     Please allow me to share with you a couple of the things I’ve learned on those trips and to use the second of those things as a “springboard” to some further discussion. First, variety may be the spice of life, but it is also very confusing. Who knew that there were so many brands, styles, sizes, etc. of “a can of green beans” (and seemingly every other item in the store)?     A corollary to this is that I’m very thankful for modern technology. My iPhone allows me to take and text a picture to Donna to make sure I’m getting the correct item. (I’m not sure that she appreciates this as much as I do, though.)     The second thing that I’ve learned has applications way beyond a grocery store and is far more important than getting the right food item. I’ve learned that you can meet a lot of nice people at a grocery store. This is especially true if you are a man who looks confused, finds a person (usually a woman) who is willing to help, and is humble (or desperate) enough to ask for help.     I am very appreciative of the willingness of people who have helped me. I have noticed, however, that not all of them help in the same way.     In my experience, the methods used to help fall into three categories. First, the kind person (employee or customer) can let me know that the item I’m looking for is on a particular aisle in the store. Sure enough – when I go to that aisle and do a little investigating, I am pleased to find “my treasure.”     Second, there are those who point in the direction where I can (and do) find what I’m looking for. Sometimes, “method #1” and “method #2” are combined. That combination is more helpful than either method used by itself.     Neither of those two methods, used either individually or combined, will work as effectively or will be appreciated nearly as much as the method I appreciate the most. There are people (again – both employees and/or customers) who will take the time and have enough interest to walk with you and lead you to the item.      You’ve probably already figured out the application of this that I need to try to incorporate into my life. Maybe you do as well.     We come into contact each day with people who are looking for something that they hope will make their lives better. Those of us who are Christians know what that is. More accurately, we know Who that is.     Instead of only telling people about Jesus or even pointing people to Him, wouldn’t it be better if we actually walked with them and led them to Him?      Along with that, why don’t we try walking with those who have found Him? We all need encouragement along the way, don’t we?     A relationship with the Lord was never meant to be a hobby. It is intended to be much more than that. The very short version of what it is intended to be is that this relationship is supposed to be what our lives are all about and what will prepare us for being with Him for eternity.     You may remember an event that is recorded in Acts 8. A man is asked if he understands what he is reading from the scriptures. His response was, “…How can I, unless someone guides me?…” (Acts 8:31)     As I type these words, I honestly remember very little about the people who have helped me during my trips to the grocery store. However, I do know and dearly love those who have helped (and are helping) me on my “ultimate journey.”     I hope that there are people like that in your life who have led you to Jesus and who are willing to continue to walk with you as you serve Him. I also hope that you can be that kind of person for somebody else.

- Jim Faughn serves as and elder for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY. Be sure to visit the following for more great articles: Faughn Family blog, A Legacy of Faith

Farewell-Goodbye

By Jim Faughn     As far as I know, I’m not planning to take any extended trips anytime soon. I am also not planning on this being my last post on A Legacy of Faith.      Since only God knows the future, I was careful to use the word “planning” in those statements. I’m sure that you can think along with me of at least a couple of places in the Bible which deal with the mistakes made by people who are totally confident about their futures. It is interesting to me that the two passages that came immediately to my mind–Luke 12:16-20 and James 4:13-17–concern people who saw for themselves a bright future. I suppose that’s what we all desire, but, as most of us learn from experience, that may not always be the case.     Actually, this post comes from the weird way in which my mind works (when it does work). I was listening to something while I was walking one day. As I was listening, a word was used that, for some reason, kind of got stuck in my head. It’s a word that may not be used as often as it once was, but it is by no means a word I had never heard before. The word was farewell.     Until I started thinking about that word and then did a little research on it, I guess I thought that “farewell” was equivalent to “goodbye,” “so long,” “catch you later,” and other phrases people use when they are departing from one another. While we may use those words and phrases without thinking too much about them, I discovered that two words – the ones in the title of this post – actually carry with them a message.     There are actually two words within the word “farewell” – “fare” and “well.” When the definitions of those two words are put together in one word, a message is actually being sent that expresses a desire that the person or people from whom you are departing gets along (fares) well.     I also learned that, when I say “goodbye” to a person, I’m not just saying, “I’m leaving,” I’m getting off of the phone now,” etc. Instead, according to what I read, “goodbye” is a kind of shorthand way of expressing something that was more in vogue long ago. Over the years (centuries actually), “God be with you” became shortened to “goodbye.”     So what? Why in the world, you may be thinking, did I go to the trouble of looking all that up and why did I think that you would waste your time reading it?     Well, for one thing, I’ve already told you that my mind works in weird ways. The people who know me best can attest to that!     Yet another reason is that I sometimes get curious about things that some may see as inconsequential. I can tell you, however, that I have found out some very interesting things doing what some might refer to as “chasing rabbit trails”     I would like to think, though, that there is another reason or two for all of this. For one thing, the two words in the title sound a little more formal (and now meaningful) than some of the more flippant and casual words and phrases commonly used today.      I am far from being a person who is concerned about formality. At the same time, I often wonder if we haven’t lost something by being overly casual and informal.     I think that what prompted me the most to type all of this, though, was something that I need to consider. Maybe you do as well.      Each time that I open my mouth I am sending some sort of message. It might be advisable for me to understand the meanings of the words I am speaking and the message I am sending. This is not just true when I am leaving somebody, finishing a conversation, etc. It is true all of the time. We need to remember that it was Jesus who said…     I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matt. 12:36-37)     Since we seem to get bombarded daily with things that are negative, discouraging, and destructive, I think that it would be good to remember to send messages from time to time that are positive, encouraging, and helpful.     So – with that, I will say… farewell and goodbye.

- Jim Faughn serves as and elder for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY. Be sure to visit the following for more great articles: Faughn Family blog, A Legacy of Faith **