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Is abortion the same as murder?
“A Pizza, A Party, And A Moonlight Ride”
Why Christians
Should Not Dance
What did you call me?
Paradoxes of Bible Baptism
Have you ever wondered why people get confused
about baptism?
Mr. Darrell Scott speaks to Congress
Companionship
by Bill Irby
Drinking and Driving
Bringing A Date
To Services
Should You
The Five Fingers
of Prayer
God`s Perfection
Letter From
a Young Mother
Evil Companionship
Make of It
What You Will
I Remember!
(a father's poem to his son)
Recently Mr. Darrell Scott, father of Rachel
who was murdered at Columbine High School, spoke to
a committee of congress about the shootings and where the blame
should be placed. I think
that we can all learn from this portion of his testimony.
DT
"Since the dawn of creation there
has been both good & evil
in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds
of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful
daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic
teacher,
and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain.
Their
blood cries out for answers. The first recorded act
of violence was when
Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field
The villain was not the club
he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association.
The true killer was
Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in
Cain's heart.
"In the days that followed theColumbine tragedy, I was amazed
at how
quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA.
I am not a member
of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not
here to
represent or defend the NRAbecause I don't believe that they are
responsible for
my daughter's death .Therefore I do not believe that they need to
be
defended. If I believed they had anything to do with
Rachel's murder I would be their
strongest opponent. I am here today to declare that Columbine
was not just a
tragedy -it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look
at where
the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room.
Much of
the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers
themselves. I
wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best.
This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today.
“A Pizza, A Party, And A Moonlight Ride”
Jenny was so happy about the house they had found. For once in her life ‘twas on the right side of town.’
She unpacked her things with such great ease.As she watched her new curtains blow in the breeze.
How wonderful it was to have her own room. School would be starting, she’d have friends over soon.
There’d be sleep-overs, and parties; she was so happy.It’s just the way she wanted her life to be.
On the first day of school, everything went great. She made new friends and even got a date!
She thought, “I want to be popular and I’m going to be, Because I just got a date with the star of the team!”
To be known in this school you had to have clout, And dating this guy would sure help her out.
There was only one problem stopping her fate, Her parents had said she was too young to date.
“Well, I just won’t tell them the entire truth. They won’t know the difference; what’s there to lose?”
Jenny asked to stay with her friends that night. Her parents frowned but said, “All right.”
Excited, she got ready for the big event But as she rushed around like she had no sense,
She began to feel guilty about all the lies, But what’s a pizza, a party, and a moonlight ride?
Well the pizza was good, and the party was great, But the moonlight ride would have to wait.
For Jeff was half drunk by this time.
But he kissed her and said that he was just fine.
Then the room filled with smoke and Jeff took a puff. Jenny couldn’t believe that he was smoking that stuff.
Now Jeff was ready to ride to the point. But only after he’d smoked another joint.
They jumped in the car for the moonlight ride, Not thinking that
he was too drunk to drive.
They finally made it to the point at last, And Jeff started trying to make a pass.
A pass is not what Jenny wanted at all
(and by a pass, I don’t mean playing football).
“Perhaps my parents were right…maybe I am too young. Boy how could I ever, ever be so dumb.”
With all of her might, she pushed Jeff away: “Please take me home, I don’t want to stay.”
Jeff cranked up the engine and floored the gas. In a matter of seconds, they were going too fast.
As Jeff drove on in a fit of wild anger, Jenny knew that her life was in danger.
She begged and pleaded for him to slow down,
But he just got faster as they neared the town.
“Just let me get home! I’ll confess that I lied. I really went out for a moonlight ride.”
Then all of a sudden, she saw a big flash. Please help us, We’re going to crash!”
She doesn’t remember the force of impact. Just that everything all of a sudden went black.
She felt someone remove her from the twisted rubble,
And heard, “Call an ambulance! These kids are in trouble!”
Voices she heard…a few words at best. But she knew there were two cars involved in the wreck.
Then wondered to herself if Jeff was all right, And if the people in the other car were alive.
She awoke in the hospital to faces so sad. “You’ve been in a wreck and it looks pretty bad.”
These voices echoed inside her head, As they gently told her that
Jeff was dead.
They said “Jenny, we’ve done all we can do. But it Looks
as if we’ll lose you too.”
“But the people in the other car!?” Jenny cried. We’re sorry,
Jenny, they also died.”
Jenny prayed, “God, forgive me for what I’ve done I only wanted to have just one night of fun.”
“Tell those people’s family, I’ve made their lives dim, And wish I could return their families to them.
“Tell Mom and Dad I’m sorry I lied, And that it’s my fault so many have died.
Oh, nurse, won’t you please tell them that for me?” The nurse just stood there—she never agreed.
But took Jenny’s hand with tears in her eyes And a few moments later Jenny died.
A man asked the nurse, “Why didn’t you do your best To bid that girl her one last request?”
She looked at the man with eyes oh so sad. “Because the people in the other car were her mom and dad.”
This story is sad and unpleasant but true, So young people take heed, it could have been you.
-adapted
Editor’s note: I appreciate sister Vicky Kidd for handing me this very thought provoking poem. Young people, give this poem a lot of thought!!!
2-13-2000
Clip and File
Is Abortion The Same As Murder?
by Garland M. Robinson
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2-06-2000
“What Did You Call Me?”
Faithful Gospel preachers reject the titles that the denominational
world often attaches to their preachers. The Bible teaches why Gospel preachers
are not to be called names like “Reverend,” “pastor,” or “Father”.
Let’s look at why Gospel preachers are not to be called such.
1. Reverend refers to God. Psa. 111:9 states “He sent redemption
unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend
is his name”. Preachers who allow themselves to be called “Reverend”
are putting themselves right up there with God!
2. Pastor refers to an elder in the Lord’s church. Eph:4:11 reads”And
he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and
some, pastors and teachers”. Please notice that the terms “evangelists”
and “pastors” are distinguished from each other. Pastors refers to
those men who are elders, bishops, shepherds over a local congregation.
3. Father. Why should we not call a minister “Father”?
Catholics do call their ministers “Father”. However, the Bible says
in Matt:23:9: And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your
Father, which is in heaven”. No man on earth has the right to desire
others to call him “Father”.
4. Faithful Gospel Preachers in the church of Christ are not called
by such names. We are known by such terms as evangelists and preachers
because it describes what we do.
~Howell Bigham
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1-30-2000
Clip and File Article For Youth
Paradoxes Of Bible Baptism
Introduction:
1-24-2000
HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHY...
PEOPLE GET CONFUSED ABOUT BAPTISM???
The word "baptism," "baptize," and "baptized" collectively appear
in the Bible 91 times. Certainly, even if only mentioned once, we would
understand it must be a topic of great importance. Unfortunately, the topic
of baptism is one of the most misunderstood and misapplied that you’ll
find in the Bible. Many would say the Bible is too difficult to understand
on this topic. This is not true because "God is not the author of confusion
but of peace..."(1 Cor 14:33 NKJV). Without adding any commentary, please
consider what the following verses really say about baptism:
(Mark 16:16 NKJV) "He who believes and is baptized will be saved;
but he who does not believe will be condemned.
(Acts 2:38 NKJV) Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every
one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(Acts 22:16 NKJV) 'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized,
and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'
(1 Pet 3:21 NKJV) There is also an antitype which now saves us;
baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a
good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Did you notice all of these verses plainly teach that baptism "saves,"
"remits (forgives) sins," and "washes away sins?"
One other important point which might help make the connection between
Christ’s death and baptism. Why did Christ die? To shed his blood for our
sins (Heb. 9:22, Heb. 10:10). Where can I contact this saving blood of
Christ? In his death, which Paul states is accomplished in baptism. "Or
do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were
baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism
into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of
the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:3-4).
Answer this important question? Are you washed in the blood? The
answer is "no" if you haven’t been baptized for the forgiveness of sins.
Shall we gather at the river???
Jason Moon
Church Street Church of Christ
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Lewisburg, Tennessee
Most of us need companionship. Some few may say that they could and would rather live by themselves without the encumbrances of family, mate, friends or any kind of fellowship. But most of us would find this kind of existence difficult if not unbearable. The sentiment of that old song which says “Everybody needs somebody sometime...” rings true.
The book of Ecclesiastes has this to say on the subject: “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 LIV). There is here an emphasis on the benefits of companionship. We need each other.
Such was the case from the very beginning. Adam named the creatures of the earth, and in the process a help suitable for him was not found. God said “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make an help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18 KJV). Eve was made as a proper and perfectly suited counterpart to Adam. As a result we have Genesis 2:24: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Most people have this same need for a mate. Not everyone does and being single does not in any way diminish the value of the individual. But many of us do need this kind of companionship.
The text is clear that companionship is good. We need the companionship of our mates, our larger families, our friends, the church, and our other associates. The need for companionship is clear.
There is one thing more important that the need for companionship. It is the nature of that companionship. Consider Proverbs 13:20: “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” Who we choose for companionship is important. Difficulties arise when we attempt to form relationships with people who are too different from ourselves. Paul made it clear in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 that believers in God cannot be joined together with those who refuse to believe in God: “...what part hath he that beieveth with an infidel?’
One of the most fateful lines of Scripture is in 2 Samuel 13:3 where it is said “But Anmon had a friend....” Annon had a case of what the New Testament calls “evil concupiscence’ for his relative Tamar. She, as you will remember, was young, beautiful and pure. Amnon knew he had no business with her as verse two reveals. But his friend Jonadab came up with a plan to deceive her. They entered into that deception and the young girl was pitifully abused, even though she objected clearly, rationally, and forcefully. To add insult to injury, after all was done, he sent her away, rejecting her totally. Annon paid with his life at the hands of Tamar’s brother Absalom. Tamar paid with her shame. One might well argue that Absalom’s sad course of life was influenced by the events of these days. All this happened because of the plans of a very subtle man, the “friend” Jonadab.
This situation illustrates the contention mentioned above: as important as is the need for companionship, the character of our chosen companions of more importance. It is better to be alone that the companion of the wrong person. It is better to be alone than in anguish.
Christians must be careful about their companions. Whether we are talking about one’s mate or one’s friends, remember to find people that can help you get to Heaven. One day this is all that will matter.
Bill Irby West Hobbs Street Church of Christ,
Athens, Al
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