Ecclesiastes 12:10

  Is it wrong to not use an instrument of music in worship service? Is it wrong to not drink alcohol? Is it wrong to attend every church service?   Now the opposite of these topics often draw many articles and lesson, as people are curious to find out the limits. But one rarely claims fault when one is not on the outer edge.   In the book of Job when the text is describing the righteous nature of Job it says: When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, "Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually . Job 1:5   Did you catch that? Job was as concerned about the things that might have been done wrong as much as what was done wrong. Job wasn’t just counting up to what he had to offer to cover up his and his sons sins.  He wanted to be extra car...

   Who is the person that is least likely to fall away from the Lord?  A preacher?  An elder?  A Bible class teacher?      Well, we all know far too many examples of just those sorts of people that have been pulled into sin and away from their God.  It can happen to anyone.  Even those that would seem least likely need to watch out, because someone that teaches others can themselves be found wanting. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;   but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified . 1st Corinthians 9:25-27    The Apostle Paul understood even he could be disqualified.  He had warned his fellow Apostle Peter when ...

    Over the years I become very concerned with making sure the church doors are locked.  You might think church buildings are crime free and undisturbed but this just isn’t the case.  At every work I been at (with the exception of Hope) I had my office at the church building robbed without someone “breaking in”.  Even when the situation didn’t involve theft, I had many other strange encounters that involved someone being in the building when they shouldn’t have been.  It has made me well aware of checking to make sure things are secure after we use the facilities.  I know at one place it was almost a grantee if I didn’t check the doors after a funeral or event, I would be dealing with someone coming in unawares.  It wasn’t that we didn’t want people at the building; we just wanted to know who was there and why they were there.  The insecurity of the unlocked door came from the folks who were only there for nefarious purposes. ...

    According to modern thinking it is a wonder that any of us survived childhood.  We rode our bikes without helmets.  We climbed on metal monkey bars over unpadded hard ground.  We somehow didn't electrocute ourselves with uncovered outlets.  We rode in cars without car seats.  We went to every house in town to “Trick or Treat”.  We spent the afternoon in fields and empty lots without any adults in sight.  We played sports without proper safety equipment and without any organized leagues and official rulebooks.  Sometimes we even talked to strangers. How did anyone survive!    Today, it seems that safety is a top priority for parents.  We will go to extreme lengths to make sure our children are protected.  We pad all the corners, childproof all the caps and read all the warning labels.  We love our child and want to protect them.  The thought of allowing anything, even the smallest and most unlikely ...