It Is a Matter of Heritage

By on May 7, 2012

Recently our county commissioners have been discussing the issue of our heritage and how to best pay homage to it.  I would like to urge our commissioners to strongly consider the placement of the “Ten Commandments” marker symbolizing the importance of our spiritual heritage on our courthouse lawn.

 I site the reasons for doing this as follows:

  The identification of our community as “Saints’ Roost”.  Our faith is an important part of our identification, it is our heritage.  The marker will affirm that identification and retell it to future generations.  We are not known as “Buddha’s Roost”, or “Allah’s Roost” or even as “Athesists’ Roost”, but as “Saints’ Roost”.

  1. That identification should not be placed on the side of the road but next to the heart of our community, our courthouse.  Either we are proud of that heritage or not.  Placing it in some remote out of the way spot would convey the exact opposite meaning of the importance of our heritage.  If it is not important to this generation, it certainly will be less so for the next one.
  2. The Bible, the basis of our heritage and faith, tells of what happened to a generation of God’s followers who neglected the importance of reminding their sons and daughters of their heritage.  In the book of Joshua you have the recording of the great things that generation was able to do because of their faith.  Then in the book of Judges, chapter 2 and following, you have the recording of their one great failure; they did not pass the importance of that heritage on to the next generation.  Our heritage will only last as long as we retell it.  Our heritage is only as important as we make it.
  3. 30 or so years ago the generation before mine would have done this without any hesitation.  Some say we now live in different times.  I ask, “why are these different times?”  They are different because we have allowed our heritage to slip away or be removed from remembrance.  We no longer stress the importance of our spiritual heritage to our children and, indeed, they have become different times.  The challenge to this generation is; are we going to stand up and reaffirm our heritage or sit down in silence and have the testimonial of our heritance relegated to some out of the way place, if at all?
  4. Some say if we do this then we risk opening up the courthouse lawn to other markers from other religions, this is just not so.  No other religion can attest to the historical fact that the Ten Commandments and Christianity played in our heritage.  You only need to look at what is happening to Europe which abandoned their spiritual heritage only to become a ripe breeding ground for another one.  The simple laws of nature teach us that nature abhors a vacuum.  So does our spirituality.  It will be filled with something.  Something that was not a part of our heritage.
  5. Finally other counties have done this.  Even our state capital has a marker that states this heritage, and it has stood against those who would try to deny this fact.  Certainly, our community that has claimed and still claims it is “Saint’s Roost” will have legal standing to a marker that attests to this.  We are known as “Saint’s Roost”!

 If you feel the same as I do about this I hope you will contact your county commissioner and respectfully tell them your opinion on the heritage marker.

 To know nothing of what happened before you were born is to remain forever a child.
- Cicero

 Will Thompson

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EVERYONE HAS A PRICE

By on September 29, 2009

EVERYONE HAS A PRICE
Years ago, I was an avid fan of wrestling. One wrestler’s famous line was, “Everyone has a price.” Now certainly I don’t believe this statement. Jesus Christ didn’t have a price that He would “sell out” for. I also believe there are many God-fearing people that haven’t and won’t sell out or compromise their beliefs. Sadly, where you find a diversion from the “divine pattern” that we can find in the Bible, you will find that someone compromised or sold out.
There are plenty of examples in the Bible of good people who finally gave in to pressure and went against God. For example, the parents of Sampson sold out. In Judges 14, we see that Samson wanted a Phillistine woman for a wife. This was strictly against God’s law. He asked his father to get her for him, and after some protest, Samson’s father gave in to his son’s wishes.
You can see in the book of 1Samuel, chapters 2 and 3, that Eli did a much better job with Samuel than he had with his own sons. He was accused rightly so of not “restraining” his sons. Eli was a good man, yet, when it came to his own, he had no backbone.
I believe you could make the case that Judas was a good man but sold out for money, something he obviously loved more than our Savior. The point is that God demands our obedience and courage 24/7. Our allegiance must be to God no matter how tempting it is to be pleasing to everybody. Sadly, we see in the Lord’s church so many faithful brethren who “give in” after years of great service to God. Usually their standards are lowered because of family, finances, and trying to “keep the peace.” It is hard to remain faithful to God when we are attacked by loved ones, by our greed, or our pride.
I pray that all brethren everywhere would remain steadfast and be courageous. Let us understand the reward will be worth the few headaches that we deal with here on earth. The Devil survives on our weaknesses. God demands our strength and at the same time will help supply it (Phil. 4:13). God told Ezekiel that he would have to have a forehead of “flint” to deal with his brethren. Sometimes we need to be a little less “thin-skinned” and a little more hard-headed. Don’t ever give in or up! –Chris

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BIBLE STUDY….Why?

By on September 9, 2009

   Why study the Bible?  (1 Peter 3:15) “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”  As a Christian, we should study the Bible to be able to defend our beliefs. 

      (James 1:21) “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”  Studying the Bible helps a sinner become a saint and it helps a saint to remain saved.  Bible study helps one to more accurately understand what one thought he or she understood.  (Acts 18:25-26) “This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”  People who’ve just obeyed the gospel are babes in Christ and babes in understanding much of the scriptures (Heb. 5:13). 

   People teaching or believing in and living in error need to be taken aside and taught.  What good would it do to study with a sinner about anything and everything but how to become saved?  Of course patience is required, but think of how long Jesus and His disciples taught before error or sin was pointed out.  Bible study or study of the scriptures has an end point, Heaven or Hell.

   Joshua asked a very pertinent question concerning where the children of Israel wanted to be, on the Lord’s side or not.  (Joshua 24:15) “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

   Knowing God and His word, once again brings salvation to the sinner, keeps the saint on the faithful path.  Bible study helps a Christian to understand that he can’t continue in certain behaviors.  It helps a Christian understand who he is and that he is to separate himself from worldly behavior.  It helps a Christian to better take a message of good news to the world.

   God’s word is meant to be shared.  Matt. 28:19-20 is the great commission.  (Matthew 28:19-20) “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

   If you will notice, there is an order to this commission.  Make disciples of all the nations.  How?  Baptizing and teaching them.  We understand a person must be taught what to do to become saved, which includes baptism.  After one has become a Christian, logically one would move on to other Biblical subjects that need attention.  Studying the good kings and bad kings of Judah and Israel would be a good study for Christians to better help them understand God.  It wouldn’t be as helpful to study with sinners who need to hear the saving message of Christ.

   Please understand, the Bible has much to teach everyone.  A person needs to hear and study the basics:  “What must I do to be saved?”; “What must I do once saved?”.  One wouldn’t take Calculus without knowing how to add and subtract.

   Random Bible subjects are fine for the Christian as he advances his learning.  Random subjects aren’t what a sinner needs.  He or she needs to know that without Christ they are lost.  They then need to know if there is something one can do to receive the cleansing blood of Christ. (Acts 2:37-38) Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 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. “  Notice Peter went straight to the point.  Peter told them what they needed to hear, and then left the decision up to them.  (Acts 2:40-41) And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”

   The word of God has a purpose as we have shown.  Bible study for the alien sinner is to teach them what they must do to become a saint and attain a relationship with God.  Bible study for the saint is to promote growth and maintain a relationship with God.  –Chris

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VOTING IN SIN

By on August 26, 2009

   The Lutheran Church (a sect of it) recently voted to allow openly gay men to be ministers or priests.  1,000 delegates cast their votes and of those 680 voted for gay priests.  This was done in an open forum where everyone could stand up and be counted.  What they did was contradictory to plain Bible teaching.  Romans, chapter one, and Jude condemn homosexuality.  But, I at least credit these people with being open with their beliefs.  Think about what is done in the church at times.

   Many times in the Lord’s church, elders and deacons have been appointed who were not qualified, yet because of a majority of members it was done anyway.  Instrumental music is usually introduced when a “majority” wants it. 

   Then there is the “silent” vote.  Open and blatant sin is tolerated at times in the church body.  Everyone knows about it, but because the person involved in it has ties to popular members or is part of a well thought of family, everyone looks the other way.  This is in essence a vote for sin.  By not raising our voices, we have gone to the “silent” poll and voted for something we know is contradictory to scripture.  This is cowardly behavior condemned by Revelation 21:8.  Nearly all congregations that I’ve been a member of have practiced this at one time or another.

   Jude 3 tells us to contend for the faith.  Nowhere is there scripture to “compromise” the faith.  May we all have the courage to stand up and speak out against sin.  May we all “vote” no when it comes to sin.  Let us not be intimidated by church politics or strong personalities.  The church will be stronger for it, your family will be stronger for it, your community, state, and country will also. –Chris

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BIBLE AUTHORITY FOR EVERYTHING WE DO IS A MUST…..

By on August 13, 2009

    The controversy over instrumental music in the Lord’s church still plagues our brethren.  It is proof that not enough study or sermons are presented on these subjects.  Everyone is too afraid that someone maybe “offended” and let controversial subjects go untaught.  It is no wonder why there is so much confusion and misunderstanding in our midst.

   Let’s look at one of these controversial topics for a moment.  Instrumental music has no Biblical authority in the New Testament.  How would one determine what is authorized and what is not?  I’m going to refer to a book during this post entitled, “Ascertaining Bible Authority.”  It was written by Roy Deaver and is a wonderful help on this type of subject.

   Brother Deaver gives an excellent list of how God doesn’t authorize.  God doesn’t authorize:

1.  Upon the basis of my personal dislikes.  2.  Upon the basis of what pleases me.  3.  Upon the basis of erroneous conclusions which I may reach.  4.  Upon the basis of my opinion or the opinions of others.  5.  Upon the basis of what is popular.  6.  Upon the basis of what may be the consensus in someone’s lectureship.  7.  Upon the basis of what some well-known and highly respected brother teaches or may have taught.  8.  Upon the basis of human traditions.  9.  Upon the basis of one’s inability to “see any harm in it.”  10.  Upon the basis of practices of long-standing.  11.  Upon the basis of the silence of the Scripture.

   Now, I’ve “massaged” some of Roy’s list on how God does authorize.

 1.  He authorizes by example. 

  •  We are commanded to take the Lord’s Supper, 1Cor. 11:24-25. 
  •  We know when to take it by precept and example, Acts 20:7; 1Corinthians. 16:2 
  •  We follow the pattern or example of the scriptures.

2.  We can attain Bible authority by implication. 

  • I am authorized to teach that in his becoming a Christian, Saul of Tarsus repented of his sins.
  • The Bible doesn’t tell us that he repented, explicitly.
  • Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38 tells us one must repent.  Therefore, Saul of Tarsus repented.

3.  Bible authority can be gained by direct statements. 

  • Some direct statements can’t be used.  The Jews in Mark 9 claimed the man that Jesus healed was born in sin.
  • That’s a direct statement, but they were wrong!
  • A direct statement from Jesus, like Mark 16:16 (believe and be baptized), authorizes belief and baptism because it is a direct statement from one in authority.

4.  Bible authority can be gotten by expediency.    MATT. 28:19-20, GOD OBLIGATES US TO GO…..     We can go by walking or riding.  Both are different ways of going but both help us fulfill our going.  Going is the command, the how is left optional.  Let’s look at what is an expedient and what isn’t.

  THINK ABOUT PERCEPTION…    Seeing is a way of perceiving.  Hearing is a way of perceiving. oSeeing isn’t an expedient to hearing and vice-versa.  They are “co-ordinates.”  Eyeglasses would expedite my seeing.  Hearing aids expedite hearing.

But….    oIn the area of making music, we are commanded to sing.  That is a form of music. (Col. 3:16) Other forms or “co-ordinates” are musical instruments, clapping or stomping feet, and humming. None of these can expedite singing because they violate the command because of their being alternate forms of music.

Maybe this will help….    A songbook aids or “expedites” our singing, but we are still only singing.  A microphone allows songleader to be heard, but we are still only singing. When we add instruments, clapping, etc. (co-ordinates or alternative music) to the singing, we have broken God’s commands.  We have added a music He didn’t authorize.

If God said…..    Walk, then you could use a cane or walker, because you would still be walking.  You couldn’t ride a motorcycle because God said to walk.  Walking is the only permissible mode of travel.  His command to walk negates any other mode of travel.

Think about this….    Fact:  The Bible says to give as we have prospered.  Fact:  The Macedonians were commended for giving “beyond their power.”  Conclusion:  We must give as we have prospered and can give even more.  Not less!

More facts…    Acts 20:7; 1Cor. 16:2 shows an example of when the church took the Lord’s Supper.  It was always on the first day of the week.  There is no Bible authority for taking it on Thursday, or Saturday, or any other day for that matter.

Brethren, this is an important study.  We must find authority for what we do from the only place that can give it; the Bible!  Opinions, good intentions, sincere feelings are going to continue to lead people down the wrong path (Matt. 7:13-14).

Conclusion:    One of the most understudied, yet, important subjects is Bible authority.  Let us never be guilty of going beyond the scriptures nor ignoring them either.  Let the Bible be our pattern for living, worshipping, etc.  —Chris

  

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Latest News from the Reservation

By on August 8, 2009

Eric, Dorris and Edison Gruber of Crownpoint, New Mexico.

Eric, Dorris and Edison Gruber of Crownpoint, New Mexico.

During our recent vacation around the Navajo Nation we visited the missionaries at Crownpoint and Hogback, New Mexico, Montezuma Creek, Utah, Kayenta and Many Farms, Arizona.  We had the opportunity to worship with the congregations at Bluff, Utah and Kayenta, Arizona.

While at Crownpoint visiting Edison and Dorris Gruber we had the opportunity to see Edison’s new trailer.  Edison was able to purchase the trailer with the help of Sue and Marvin Thompson, members of the Clarendon church of Christ.  Edison said it was a big help on the recent Navajo summer encampment.

Later we visited with Phillip and Irita James in Hogback Arizona.  Phillip is recovery from eye surgery.  This was very serious since he cannot see out of the other eye.  He is doing well but will need cataract surgery on the same eye when it heals.  Please remember him and Irita in your prayers.

Phillip was showing off his new laptop PC that  the Mount Vernon church of Christ in

Ray and Oleta Whaley of Montezuma Creek, Utah.

Ray and Oleta Whaley of Montezuma Creek, Utah.

Prescott, Arizona helped purchase.  He was very appreciative of their efforts and the efforts of Larry Miller of the Mount Vernon congregation.   He also gave us a tour of his facilities and discussed his upcoming plans.  One of his projects is finding a church that will help him with the church’s summer vacation bible school. 

Later at Cortez, Colorado we had dinner with Marsha and Jim Beavers, members of the Cortez church of Christ.  Jim serves as an elder there.  The Cortez congregation supports the work at Hogback and Shiprock.  We discussed the Cortez congregation’s past works and future plans for growing the work on the reservation.  It is very encouraging to see other congregations working hard to help the Navajo congregations and their missionaries.

Our next stop took us to Bluff, Utah where we worshipped with Ray and Oleta Whaley.  Ray, through the help of his son-in-law and his relatives, has been able to plant a new congregation there.  We enjoyed worshipping with them, the singing was great.  It is a

Bernie Began, Shirley Carrol and Ben Begay of Many Farms, Utah.

Bernie Begay, Shirley Carrol and Ben Begay of Many Farms, Utah.

good thing to see a new congregation of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

After the morning services at Bluff, Oleta and Ray invited us to eat lunch with them back at Montezuma Creek.  Oleta’s cooking was great and we enjoyed the visit and tour of the facilities at Montezuma Creek.  Ray has reworked the flooring throughout the church building and is working on completing a new bunk house.  He hopes to use the bunk house to host visiting congregations helping with VBS efforts in Montezuma Creek.

That evening we worshipped with the church at Kayenta, Arizona.  We also had the opportunity to discuss the work there with Josh Austin, the preacher and missionary at Kayenta.  Josh told us that he was conducting 8 different Bible studies.  Josh also introduced us to Ryan Begay.  Ryan is very interested in becoming a missionary and working on the Navajo reservation.  Josh hopes that within a year to have him ready to attend Bear Valley Bible Institute and become the third Navajo man to graduate from there.

Todd and Lynn Thompson of Clarendon, on left and right, with Josh Austin of Kayenta, in center.

Todd and Lynn Thompson of Clarendon, on left and right, with Josh Austin of Kayenta, in center.

While at Kayenta we were able to witness the baptism of Shirley Carrol of Many Farms, Arizona.  Ray Begay and his wife Bernie were instrumental in bringing her to Christ.  Ben had to bring her to Kayenta because they do not have a baptistry at Many Farms.  Ben is the missionary at the Many Farms, Arizona.  We also had a good visit with Ben and Bernie.  Ben informed us about the problems they had had that day with the church building’s air conditioner.  Many Farms, Arizona is not a place to be without an air conditioner.  Upon returning from our vacation the Clarendon church of Christ Mission Committee sent Ben a check for a new air conditioner from the donations made by the Mangum church of  Christ. 

All in all it was very encouraging to see the work been done on the Navajo Nation by these men and their families on behalf of Christ.  They continue to work and have success inspite of several hinderances to their work.  It greatly helps them, their families and our Navajo brothers and sisters in Christ when we do what we can to support them.    Please continue to remember them all in your prayers.

Ryan Begay of Kayenta, Arizona.

Ryan Begay of Kayenta, Arizona.

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NEVER GIVING IN OR UP!

By on June 23, 2009

So many of our brethren have given in to the allurements of the denominations, that now the world can’t tell the difference between them anymore. Our brethren have succumbed to the “entertainment” mentality when it comes to filling the pews. The truth has been and is being trampled underfoot as they rush headlong into denominationalism. It reminds me of the day of Judges, when in chapter 21 and verse 25 it tells us that men, “…did that which was right in his own eyes.”
I believe that here in Clarendon, that this congregation is safe from such defiance of God’s word. We have good leadership and a congregation of faithful people of God who would not allow drifting from God’s word. Of course who knows what the future holds but God Himself?
I am hoping to use this blog for teaching, edifying, encouraging, defending God’s word, sharing ideas, etc. New technology brings new frontiers for evangelism. We as Christians can’t afford to let these opportunities pass us by. If we can reach one soul using this method, then it is worth it.
There will be zero tolerance for ugly attitudes or hatefulness on this blog. We are commanded to live by the Golden Rule and that means in any situation or format. I hope you will help me to make this a tool for evangelism, and ask for your prayers as we forge ahead. Chris

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