AMERICA is a Beautiful Word

[178 words] What do you see when you look at the word “America?” What mental pictures do the seven letters create in your mind? To me the capital letter “A” suggests our magnificent snow-covered mountain peaks, and the wigwams of the original Americans. The letter “M” symbolizes the broad shoulders of our pioneers; shoulders-to-the-wheel pushing…

Study. But How?

[215 words] “Did you behave in worship?” asked a mother. “Yes ma’am,” answered her boy, “I even heard the lady behind me say, ‘I’ve never seen a child behave like that in all my life!’” We need to be careful how we interpret the word of another. Such is especially true with the Word of…

Fashion Police

[453 words] A few weeks ago my wife and I were preparing to go out for the evening and as she came into the room I asked, “Are you wearing that?” Her quick witted sarcastic response to my question was, “Who are you, the Fashion Police?” Before we go any further I want to clarify…

The Importance of Integrity

[325 words] The term integrity has been defined in various ways. Some would say it is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principals. Others would say it is doing the right thing all the time simply because it is the right thing—doing the right thing knowing no one will know whether you…

When I Was Absent from Worship

[251 words] 1. It made some people question the reality of my religious faith (James 2:17). 2. It set an example of neglecting the assembly and failing to obey an inspired command (Hebrews 10:25). 3. I failed to observe the example set by the early church in partaking of the Lord’s Supper on the Lord’s Day (Acts 20:7). 4. It…

Who is Your Barnabas, Paul, and Timothy?

Most young boys admire and look up to their father as they are growing up. I was no different. I wanted to be just like my father. Grow up to be strong, smart, funny, kind, loving, honest, hard working, a farmer, and many other things just like my father as I got older. As a…

Biblically Correct

We hear much on the TV about being “Politically Correct.” It has some precepts which are correct. It tries to encourage or insist on citizens using certain words and phrases which are kinder, and less inflammatory, which is good! But without God it is merely man’s opinion. However, we Christians are endeavoring to be “Biblically…

Behind Me

I’m gonna lay down all of this life’s burdens And I’m gonna lay down all of this life’s cares, Yes I’m gonna leave them all far behind me When I reach that Lovely Country over There! I’m gonna leave all my frowns behind me And I’m gonna have a heart that never breaks; The Lord’s…

Christian, Be Quiet

I don’t know that I have ever heard a sermon on the need for quiet. Yet, the Bible teaches that God will “quiet you by his love” (Zeph. 3:17). Peter lauds the need  for a quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:4). Habakkuk instructs all people “…the Lord is in…

Some Thoughts About the Cross

The events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus hold special meaning for all Christians. Perhaps the following thoughts might add a special dimension to these events. Simon, a Cyrenian, literally carried the cross of Jesus. When we read this account, can it not serve to remind us to take up our cross and follow Him? Can…

Crucified with Christ

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” Galatians 2:20. If we replay the gospel backwards from the religious confusion we have today,…

The Mission or the Model?

The assembly of people that began on the Pentecost following Christ’s resurrection serves as a model for us, even in the 21st Century. We follow the patterns that were set up by the early church in that we respect the way they understood the authority that governed them. We observe how the early church worshiped,…

Me and Self

I live with my beautiful bride, Judy, and a cranky old man named My Self. Sometimes, when I rise early for my 45-minute walk, Self tells me, “You can’t go out and walk today. Your knee hurts.” “Well, we’re going out anyway,” I reply. “I’m just trying to say your right knee is going to…

The Leftovers

At the risk of appearing snobbish or ungrateful, I’ve got a confession to make: I don’t like leftovers, i.e. cold food that is in need of being reheated. I always have the best of intentions to pull last night’s meal out of the refrigerator, throw it in the microwave, nuke it, and consume it, but…

Members Who Weaken The Church

The strength of the church lies in her supernatural elements, her sure foundation, her divine cornerstone, and her resilient spirit. The weakness of the church lies in her human elements. The church is weak in proportion as her membership is weak, uninformed, insincere, or derelict in the performance of duty. NON-ATTENDING MEMBERS: They are found…

Be a Better Person

Don’t we all wish that everyone would be a better person? Do we not hope that some bad people would turn their lives around and start doing good? Do we wish our neighbor would treat us better than before‘? Do we hope that the people we meet each day would show us respect and treat…

Not Far

The distance to some destinations may make us anxious, such as the distance from our thirteenth birthday to being “on our own.” Jesus spoke of another distance that evidently was intended to instill focus and determination in the man receiving it. When the man, a scribe, commented favorably on Jesus’ answer to his question about…

To Whose Church Do You Belong?

A woman approached a business man and asked for a donation to help build a church building. He agreed to give a sizable donation if they would put a sign over the door saying, “This is a church of Christ.” “But”, the Woman replied, “this is not a church of Christ!” So the business man…

Family Time

As our lives continue to grow busier and busier, we need to always remember to have time for family. Our time will always be demanded of us by school, work, extra-curricular activities and other time demanding activities. As we consider each of these activities, we also need to consider the importance of our family and…

Is the Bible Corrupt?

The Quran, upheld by those in Islam, says that the Bible has been corrupted. Bart Ehrman, a well-respected atheist, wrote in Misquoring Jesus, the Bible has “been altered over the years at the hands of scribes, who were not only conserving scripture but also changing it.” The word of God claims it is not corrupted,…

How Much Are You Worth?

A few years ago, Anne Marie Helmenstine was asked what was the actual value of a human body. Utilizing her chemistry background (PhD), she listed the elements in the body and researched their 2011 market values. She concluded that the average human was worth about a dollar, and if you could tan the skin (hide),…

But I Don’t Want to Do It!

I read about a chef that was fired. He was a good chef. Trained at the best cooking school. Had a flair for bringing out the best taste in food. His work ethic was beyond reproach. So, why was he fired? Because he wouldn’t wash his hands. Customers had noticed in the restaurant’s restroom and…

The Source Matters

  How much would you pay for a baseball? Not a baseball made of gold—one made of leather with red stitching just like any other baseball. You can get a whole bag of baseballs from a place like Wal-Mart for about $20. So what is the maximum you would pay for a baseball? What if…

God’s Minorities

During the time NOAH was building an ark, he was very much in the minority – but he won in the end. When JOSEPH was sold into Egypt by his brothers, he was a decided minority – but he won in the end. When GIDEON and his 300 followers, with their broken pitchers and lamps,…

Stoke the Folk!

Have you ever just sat around a fire? It is incredibly therapeutic. A fire seems to bring out wonderful moments of reflection and conversation. Fires are beneficial in many ways with the heat, light, and mood it produces. God’s word is compared to a fire in Jeremiah 23:39. Like a fire it enlightens and penetrates.…

A Direct Influence

If from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, and one can be known by the quality of the fruit produced, then it is reasonable to conclude that both the words spoken and the deeds done are indicative of the person’s heart. People are able to see this and judge. People of maturity can…

At Your House…

Will priorities be established in your children when… You are early for their ballgame, but late for worship? You check on their homework regularly, but never check on their Bible class lessons? You won’t let them miss school even though they don’t want to go, but let them miss church worship services? You won’t let…

The Bible’s Advice on Thanksgiving

It is very interesting to note the various contexts in which the word “thanksgiving” occurs in the Bible (NKJV). Here are just a few of the places: • In Lev. 7:11-15, it is connected with offerings and sacrifices to God. • In Psa. 26, it is connected with the proclaiming of God and His “wondrous…

Giving Thanks in ALL Things

Most of you I am sure have heard of the novel Moby Dick by Herman Melville. It tells the story of Captain Ahab’s relentless hunt for the great white whale Moby dick who had destroyed his ship and bitten off his leg. Ahab was obsessed with destroying the whale—his life revolved around his resentment, bitterness…

Thanksgiving?

Paul told the young preacher Timothy concerning the eating of food, “for every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Tim. 4:4). That certainly includes the Thanksgiving meal that we will partake of in a few days. But, it seems that, in this day…

How to Observe Thanksgiving

Count your blessings instead of your crosses. Count your gains instead of your losses. Count your joys instead of your woes. Count your friends instead of your foes. Count your smiles instead of your tears. Count your courage instead of your fears. Count your full years instead of your lean. Count your kind deeds instead…

After Thanksgiving Sale

Many phrases inspire quick responsive behavior on the part of others. “Fire! Run! Help! Dinner! Free Television! Incoming! Snake!” Right alongside these declarations “ After Thanksgiving Sale ” must reside. Each year, prior to Thanksgiving the advertisements come pouring out. Shopping men and women dutifully take note, writing down all the particulars or saving the…

In Everything Give Thanks

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). This statement Paul wrote to the church of Thessalonica is one that should be applied to our lives daily. During the holiday season, there is an emphasis on the need for being thankful. However, if…

The Goal for All Seasons

Often times, I find myself lost in thought as to how I can improve as a worker in the kingdom of God. My thoughts most recently have been focused around the idea of the goal we pursue. So many aspects of Christianity seem to exist and all seem worthy of pursuit, however, God’s word is…

Parking on Someone Else’s Nickel

In the old days, cities regulated downtown parking with meters. You park, drop in a nickel or dime and get some time on the meter. Then you’d go into the store and be sure to be back before the meter ran out of time. However, occasionally, you could find a spot with time left on…

Why Only One Day for Thanksgiving?

Charles Dickens said that we are somewhat mixed up here in America. He told an audience that instead of having one Thanksgiving Day each year we should have 364. “Use that one day just for complaining and griping,” he said. “Use the other 364 days to thank God each day for the many blessings He…

Harvest of the Heart at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the harvest of the heart After the fruit and grain are stored away. The quiet season of remembering, The moment when we pause to praise and pray…. This content is for Trial, Annual, and Lifetime Members only! Please log in or register to use our free church bulletin resources, or start an Annual

Living Your Thanks

(Colossians 3:17, I Thessalonians 5:18) Remember the “magic words” we teach our children: please and thank you. Those words remain effective as long as we live, not only in regard to our human relationships, but also and especially in relationships with God. There are three aspects  to consider. Receiving with thanks. “Thanks” is not payment…

True Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is, in the eyes of some, esteemed as the greatest of holidays.  When one thinks about the idea of thanksgiving, it is easy to appreciate the holiday as some do — being the greatest of holidays.  Those who are truly thankful, however, are those who were once dead, but are now alive.  The Lord…

Thanksgiving Proclamation

“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and—Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a…