A Lesson From A Bluebird

Tonight Courtney and I were sitting on the back porch and saw two bluebirds dive-bombing our little dog, Sadie. At first we thought it was funny, but then we realized that the birds were only trying to protect a baby with fell from the nest. Sadie didn't have a clue about the baby and was too busy jumping around avoiding the aerial attacks. Then she spotted the baby about the same time we did. Of course, we called her into the house and tried to help the little bird.

As I thought about what had happened, I realized how important it is for us as Christians to do the same thing for brothers and sisters who are in spiritual danger. Obviously, at least one of the dive bomber bluebirds was a parent of the baby, but the principle is still the same.

Why is it that we are so quick to kick those who are down? All to often a weak Christian falls away or is in the process of falling, and there are brethren who will attack them. Shouldn't we do just the opposite? I don't mean we should condone sinful behavior, but we should do all we can to lovingly protect them. We all know there are times our attempts to help will be futile. However, that does not exempt us from trying to save them (Romans 15:1). It is such a blessing to have a part in saving a soul from death (James 5:19-20).

Vacation Bible School

Our VBS ended Wednesday evening. This year we had nine rooms or learning centers. Each evening guests went to three rooms and to "The Land of Milk and Honey" for refreshments. The theme was "The Wisdom and Power of Jesus" and dealt with the miracles and parables of our Lord. Here are some pictures from Doniphan's 2007 VBS.

Obey God, Not Men

There have always been pressures on those who preach the gospel to twist or change it in some way to make it more palatable for the world. Some go as far as simply remaining silent where the Bible is not silent. The recent advent of "Hate Speech" laws have been used by some to silence the preaching of the Bible. In Canada, it is no longer "legal" to call homosexuality a sin. A lawmaker in Oregon recently tried to pass a similar law for that state. Australia's "hate speech" laws were used to stop two denominational preachers from quoting the Quran when they were lecturing on Islam . However, the two are now allowed to quote the Quran once again.

Preaching is not always an easy thing to do. God told the prophet, Ezekiel, "Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house" (Ezekiel 3:9). John the Immerser (Baptist), lost his head for speaking out against the sin of Herod and Herodias (Mark 6:16-18). Of course, the apostles were often warned against preaching Jesus, but their response was, “We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

These examples may seem far removed by either distance or time, but this still happens anywhere the gospel is preached. It may be extremely subtle, but it happens. May we all, as Christians, lovingly and bravely stand unflinchingly on the Word of God.

What About The Child?

I just read a heart wrenching story of a child who has been in foster care for 8 years, but the court has now taken the child away and given her back to the biological parents . The biological parents gave up the girl when she was an infant and she was with her foster family from that time until now. These custody cases can become very complicated, but it seems the needs of the children often tend to get lost in the process.

As horrible as these situations are, they can't even compare to the tragedy of spiritual neglect of our children. I fear that so many parents have become so caught up in their children's education, sports, piano lessons, clubs, etc., that they don't have time to put the proper emphasis on the child's spiritual development.

Please don't let "life" get in the way of meeting the real needs of the children. They deserve our attention and must be recognized as the priority that they are. Their spiritual welfare must come first.

Check the Expiration Date!

I can't believe it happened. Last week I was asked for my Drivers License number and the expiration date. I dutifully gave the number, and then I was shocked when I saw that my license had expired in August of 2006. The state always sent a post card that notified me that it was about time to renew my license before. After my wife drove me home, I called to find out what I had to do. A large fine would have been better than the news they gave me. Since it had been more than six months, I had to take all the driving tests again. In the past several years, I have moved to Missouri twice. Therefore, I had already taken the written test twice. But, this time I had to take the road test just like I was 16 years old! The test is only offered once every two weeks in Doniphan, and fortunately, they were offering it the next day. I became legal again early that morning. Through all of this, several lessons came to mind.

1. Even those who are trying to do the right thing can unknowingly do something wrong (Psalm 19:12 "Cleanse me from secret faults").

2. Although the state did not send a notification, I am still personally responsible for making sure my license is up to date. In the same way, we are all responsible for the status of our own souls (1 Corinthians 5:10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad").

3. Don't wait for someone else to tell you what you should do. Take the initiative (Acts 17:11 "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so").

4. Just as I should have looked at "what is written" on my drivers license, we should all look at what is written in God's Word (1 Corinthians 4:6 "And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written").

5. There is an expiration date for this world, and then comes the judgment (John 5:28-29 "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation").

By the way, you may want to take a moment to check you drivers license, but more importantly always check out God's Word.

Check the Expiration Date!

David and Susan Galloway

Here are some pictures of David and Susan's wedding, and also some pictures of Dianne and her fiancee', Derek.












God bless this new home!

New Website

The Doniphan Church of Christ has launched a new website. You may view it at www.doniphanchurchofchrist.com . We still have to get the software to make changes to the site, but when we do, we will be able to add upcoming events and activities to it. Hopefully, we will have that new information up and running next week.

I will not be posting any new blogs until next week because of the upcoming wedding of our daughter, Susan. Have a great week!

"The Americans Who Risked Everything"

There is a great speech that was given by Rush Limbaugh, Jr., the father of the well-known talk show host. This speech will make anyone appreciate the freedoms we enjoy in this country today. Furthermore, it will motivate us to continue to protect those freedoms. Just click here to read the speech .

Homosexual Leader Leaves Movement

Michael Glatze, editor of Young Gay America, has exited the homosexual lifestyle. He has written a column for World Net Daily explaining his decision. There is also another article about this news on WND.

Glatze attributed this change to inner "promptings" which WND says he attributes to God. Paul spoke of what one could call "inner promptings" in Romans 2:15 saying "...who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them...." It is evident that Glatze's conscience was at work and that he maintained a sincere heart.

The implications of this move are very interesting. For example, if one is born homosexual, how can they become heterosexual? Of course, those in the gay movement will deny that anyone can really change. As a matter of fact, they will probably do everything they can to discredit Michael Glatze.

The articles linked above also give us some insight into the emotional and psychological pressures brought to bear on those who have accepted the gay lifestyle. Glatze wrote, "Homosexuality, delivered to young minds, is by its very nature pornographic. It destroys impressionable minds and confuses their developing sexuality; I did not realize this, however, until I was 30 years old." There are many other significant insights in his article.

Of special interest is one particular comment made by Glatze. "In my experience, 'coming out' from under the influence of the homosexual mindset was the most liberating, beautiful and astonishing thing I've ever experienced in my entire life."

Gaining a Son-In-Law -- or Two!

This is just an update about some of our family news. July 13, David Galloway and our youngest daughter Susan will be married. Susan is a senior Theater major at Freed-Hardeman University. David has been hired as the technical director for the FHU Theater department. After one year, they plan to go to graduate school.

Our oldest daughter, Dianne, and her fiancee', Derek, are planning to be married on November 16 of this year. That's right, two weddings in four months! Of course, we are excited about both of them.