June 5th, My Reflection on the World

June 5th, My Reflection on the World

Today, I write to you as one concerned with our nation, this turmoil and your life. To each one, take these words from a sincere heart and saddened eyes.

Today, I weep for our future. For 243 years, our country has seen fit to persevere through the difficult times and rejoice in the good. The rollercoaster ride of a fresh country has been seen by the world around us for each of those 243 years.

Today, our nation is in turmoil. Our nation has seen major cities turned into a looting free for all in the name of something which many will understand. Justice is not found in rioting, stealing and destroying; justice is found in truth.

Today, I weep for the Floyd family. They never thought a day like this would come. However, the only memory many will have of their family name is burning cities, riots and looting. I pray for their peace and comfort.

Today, I pray for the officers. Whether they knew what they were doing or not is not the discussion. The discussion is in ruined lives and a destroyed legacy for their families.

Today, I question the Christians who equate the riots with Jesus turning over the tables in the Temple. Jesus provided righteous judgement. He did not turn over the tables and steal their stuff.  He removed the evil. The looters of today stole, destroyed and killed. To equate the two shows your ignorance.

Today, I wonder about the families of the looters who have children. You taught your children that stealing is fine. Shame on you. You taught them that rioting and destroying property is fine. Shame on you. “Vengeance is mine” saith the Lord.

Today, I consider all those who support the riots and the destruction who are my friends. Have you not heard of the Golden Rule? Have you not read the Good Book? Are you letting race, money and emotions cloud your view of eternity?

Today, I am disappointed in many. I have never unfriended and unfollowed so many. Some of you reading this are those. Some of you reading this may be some of those shortly, unless your attitude changes. Stop promoting hate and promote excellence.

Today, I am reminding that our saving grace is not a country, a President, a political party or a protest. Our saving grace is the One who provides the grace.

Today, I apologize. For my non-Christian friends who have seen my spiritual brothers and sisters act like spoiled brats and promoting wrong, accept my apologies. I know what you feel like sometimes. Please accept my apologies.

Today, I am sad this tragedy has been made about black vs white. To be clear, the death of George Floyd was wrong. It never should have happened. From all I have read, it was not a racially motivated murder. It was a murder that involved two people of different races. The riots are making this worse. When a business puts up a sign that says, “Black Owned Business” that only shows the problems even more.

Today, I wish people would speak up more about the unborn. Or even people like Tyrone Woods, Glen Doherty, Sean Smith, Christopher Stevens.

Today, I pray. Maybe you should too.

Today, I may lose you as a friend because of what I have written. It is ok. I dislike that, but sometimes it is best to break off an Earthly relationship and look forward to the heavenly one. I do not want to hinder you and I ask that you not hinder me.

Today, I will choose to rejoice in knowing that tomorrow is bright. The coming days are ones of hope, joy and forgiveness. Tomorrow may take a while, but this world is not my life. My life is greater than anything this world can offer.

Today, be blessed my friends.

Be blessed.

Just some thoughts,

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(This was originally posted to Facebook)

A New Feature – Whiteboard Bible Classes

A new feature on the Preacher's Pen is a Tuesday "Bible Class for Kids Who Love the Bible."

These Bible classes are simple and easy for children to follow along. Each whiteboard drawing Bible class is intended for children under the age of 8, but are available to children of all ages.

Feel free to watch below.

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We are in the process of updating our YouTube channel to bring you Bible classes and lessons. Stay tuned for much more.

Just some thoughts,

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Why Stress Baptism? (Part #2)

Why Stress Baptism? (Part #2)

Last week, we looked at the importance of baptism in Romans 6.1-5.  As Romans 6 describes baptism as the action that creates a new life. It is important to remember that Romans is written by the apostle Paul.  (Romans 1.1)

Paul was a changed man from the road to Damascus forward. His life before the Damascus Road was steeped in Judaism and the goal of crushing Christianity. His life after the Damascus Road was about the spread of Christianity and its superiority to Judaism.

When Paul spoke of the gospel of Christ, Paul spoke of baptism. In his encounter with the Jewish crowd, Paul recounted his travel on the road to Damascus to the people seeking to kill him. (Acts 21.31) As Paul told them of his conversion account to Christianity, he spoke of the Damascus Road and his discussion with Ananias which lead Paul to baptism. Notice what Ananias told Paul,

And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ (Acts 22.14-16)

Notice Ananias words. Remember this was the man that Jesus said, “Rise and go into Damascus, and there you till be told, all that is appointed for you to do.” (Acts 22.10; see also Acts 9.6)

When Jesus told Paul to go into Damascus, Ananias told Paul what to do and it included baptism. (See Acts 22.16)

Don’t you think that was important?

Just some thoughts,

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Why Stress Baptism? (Part #1)

Why Stress Baptism? (Part #1)

For years, the churches of Christ have been known for emphasis on the topic of baptism. Baptism has been a constant discussion among theologicals for hundreds, it not a couple thousand years.

As various religious groups have found themselves divided over baptism, it is key to look at what the Bible says regarding baptism. One overlooked passage is Romans 6.1-14.  For instance, look at a few of the questions and let Romans 6 answer them:

Is baptism really important?

  • “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Romans 6.3)
  • When one is baptized they are baptized into Christ – that is really important.

What does baptism do?

  • “We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6.4)
  • Baptism connects one with the death of Jesus and the raising to walk in a new life – that is really important.

Is baptism necessary?

  • “For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. (Romans 6:5)
  • To be united with Christ, you must be baptized – that is really important.

Just some thoughts,

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Why Stress Baptism? (Part #2)

The Old, Worn Out Bible

Do you remember the Bible of your grandparents? Maybe you remember the Bible of your parents? Do you remember their old, worn out Bible?

It does not matter if it was a $10 Bible from the General Store or from Walmart, but you remember that old, worn out Bible. Today, every Christian needs one of those old, worn out Bibles.

A worn-out Bible is a well-read, well-studied Bible. It has been read, studied, carried, shared and used.  A well-worn Bible usually lives in the home of a studied Christian. The hours of reading of the sacred text can be seen in the worn pages, the cracks in the cover and the break in the binding.

With the age of technology, we have been blessed with the ability to carry a Bible wherever we go. Instead of carrying a scroll, like the first century (Luke 4.17-20; Acts 8.28), we can carry all 66 books in different electronic forms.

The blessing of having the inspired word of God is something every Christian needs to appreciate daily.

How do you get a worn-out Bible?

You will get a worn-out Bible when you open it daily and use it. Reading through the Bible each year will break your Bible in but studying your Bible will begin to do much more. Studying your Bible will result in many pages being turned and pages being worn out.

The more you discover in the Bible, the more you will want to dig into its message.  You will find the Word of God to be living, active and piercing our souls and our minds (Hebrews 4.12).

So, what does your Bible look like?

Just some thoughts,

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