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.
