Articles

A reprint from 2003 God came to visit His people on earth. He told them. “I have only one teaching for you to observe. In every locality, I want you to put up a simple wooden fence post for me. I want you to paint the post blue.” He then admonished them saying, “I am leaving, but some day I will return to take all of you who keep my teaching about the blue posts to be with me for...

Being privileged to go visiting a few Sundays ago, I attended church in Springfield with our brothers and sisters there. I sat behind a young mother with 3 very active sons. They appeared to be in an age range from 3 to 6 years. She struggled valiantly to keep them quiet and occupied during the service. You could tell she was doing her best to keep her ‘brood’ from disturbing or distra...

Oklahoma state representative Sally Kern recently made the headlines when she said that the ‘homosexual agenda’ in the United States is a greater threat to our nation than international terrorism. Anyone with a healthy grasp of Biblical history ought to be able to see that her statement is right on target. What is the homosexual agenda all about? Grossly perverse sexual practices for o...

In the congregational survey, one of the areas frequently mentioned was an improvement in our parking. Much of the concrete at the west of the building has cracked over time and has become a bit of a tripping hazard because of uneven surfaces. I am aware of two incidents in which two of our members have caught the toe of their shoe and have fallen down on the concrete. This needs correction. Other...

The apostle Paul wrote to the Colossian church saying: Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 3:16 One of the central themes of all holy writ, is the resurrection of Jesus. This word, coming to light in the hearts of songwriters through the centu...

In 2nd Chronicles chapter 34 we read of a great restoration of following the ways of God. This restoration and spiritual revival was fearlessly implemented by young king Josiah over 2600 years ago when he was only twenty years old. What did Josiah do to restore Israel, and how can we follow his lead today? Josiah removed the things that were leading Israel away from God, vs. 1-7 •  ...

It surely seems hard for some to get to the Promised Land! At least 603,550 Israelites died in the wilderness (Ex. 38:26; Numb. 1:46; Deut. 1:29-38). However, more of us might relate to the ones who had just conquered Jericho and headed out for Ai! When God gave Israel mighty Jericho, without the loss of a man, they quite confidently laid out plans to take the small city of Ai (Joshua 7:1-3). They...

Moses was on his way to the promised land with God Almighty as his constant companion, guide and provider! But the people he was trying to help get there, grumbled, complained and rebelled. None of them ever seemed grateful for anything he did. Because of them, he would not see the promised land for another forty years. His sister, Miriam, dies and seemingly before her body had time to grow cold, ...

We are all familiar with cold weather and the demands it puts upon us in so many ways. But, if you had lived in the mid-eighteenth century, the only way to heat your home was with a fireplace. They were not very efficient. Most of the heat escaped up the chimney or through the walls, because in most homes the only place for a fireplace was an outside wall. But a great American recognized this prob...

The book of Exodus tells us how God handed Moses and Israel a great victory over Pharaoh and freed them from slavery in Egypt. It tells how they came right up to the border of the land of Canaan which God had promised to them through Abraham 600 years before. With the promised land in sight, however, Israel faltered in their faith. At God’s command, twelve Israelite spies (one from each trib...

A few weeks ago, we asked this church family for suggestions/comments on several areas which included worship, Bible classes, youth work, fellowship events, sermon topics, office, building & grounds, and other categories. We received responses from 22 individuals. Every suggestion/comment has been reviewed. We are very thankful to those who took the time to respond because these have presented...

Snooker is a type of billiard game, said to have been invented by British troops serving in India in the late 1800’s. The term ‘snooker’ apparently originated from this game due to the fact that a novice player can be easily cheated. To be snookered is to be fooled, and snookering did not begin with a billiard game. The devil has sought to snooker the Lord’s people ever sin...

One of my most fun things is to get are Christmas cards from people who compress the past year into “moments to remember”. As I write this article I am trying to recall as much as I can remember that happened to my ‘church’ family this past year. My disclaimer is this, it is as accurate as I am capable of recalling…but we all know I can hide my own Easter eggs. We ba...

(My apologies for not printing out more of the references noted below. Space simply would not permit it.) Is it simply a moniker for just one more of the ever-growing number of denominations (divisions) of ‘Christendom’? Is this what it means to our Lord? What did His apostle Paul mean by the phrase when he wrote, ‘All the churches of Christ greet you’ (Romans 16:16)? The p...

Most of us can recall what it was about your future spouse that attracted you to that person. It was thrilling (or I sure hope it was). We were so happy to be together, to do things together and to talk together. That romantic time together was exciting. Take a minute and recall for yourself those days of fantastic togetherness. We could not seem to do enough for each other. We were nice to each o...

When there is sin, there should be sorrow. The ‘greater’ the sin, the greater the sorrow… and there are ‘greater’ sins. These are the ones that result in a greater loss and are therefore more difficult with which to deal. For example, if you or I are suddenly angered and let loose a curse or two in private, that’s pretty much between us and the Lord. Our consci...

It is now openly affirmed. On Sunday, January 27th, 2008, the Quail Springs Church of Christ began the use of instrumental music in their Lord’s Day worship services. Such is the news release in an article by Carla Hinton (The Oklahoman, “Instruments of Change,” January 26, 2008, pp.1 & 2E). My article is not written with any anticipation of altering that intent. This article...

God is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). Through the centuries, however, there have been many who were innovators. Not a single one of them ever gained God’s approval. Isn’t there a lesson in there somewhere for us? Cain was first. He offered a sacrifice without faith and got his ‘nose out of joint‘ when God disapproved, Genesis 4:1-...

Jesus’ apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth telling them that in order to avoid fornication, each man should have his own wife and each woman should have her own husband, 1st Corinthians 7:2. Good advice to those in a culture steeped in sensuality. In another place, the writer of the letter to the Hebrews put it this way: Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed...

The state of Oklahoma was assured that the lottery and casinos’ tax revenue would serve as a sufficient solution to the state’s financial needs for education. The governor and many of the media boasted and proclaimed of the anticipated benefits. Another leader, Jesus Christ, once stated: “So then you will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:20). With this principle servin...