October - Decemeber 2002

Bible Study Tools

I am a huge fan of tools. I love'em. All kinds, but especially power tools. Walking around Home Depot the other day I finally realized this is nothing but a toy store for men. It's great! I believe my love for tools comes because, as all men know, the right tool makes all the difference. You can remove spark plugs with a hammer and a screwdriver but it'll take all day and likely make a mess of your engine. Got a spark plug wrench? The job takes minutes and is done with ease. The right tool makes the difference. more...

The Traditional Party Line

Years ago, a man from a neighboring church came to the city where I was located, walked into my office and immediately said, "OK, what is your position on the marriage question?"

I said, "...whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." His response? "Yeah, the traditional party line!" more...

How Can I Study the Bible Better?

One of the most common resolutions in a new year is to study the Bible more. Unfortunately, many people fail to make good on that resolution. While some may fall victim to bad priorities or "busy-itis" some fail to read as they should because they simply aren't getting much out of it. It doesn't seem to be helping them any so they abandon it.? more...

The Booing Spectators

Many of the churches of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries kept careful record books. These books described the spiritual development of the congregations more than the physical-particularly spelling out the dealings of elders with wayward members.

Have you ever noticed who does the booing at a ball game? It's not he players on field. They have made their own mistakes and they are not inclined to boo their fellow-player when he makes his. They are pulling for one another, encouraging, helpful. They play as a team, win or lose as a team, suffer together as a team, rejoice together as a team. It is the spectators who boo. So it is in every walk of life: it is the spectators who as a rule do the criticizing, not the participants. more...

Church Records

Many of the churches of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries kept careful record books. These books described the spiritual development of the congregations more than the physical-particularly spelling out the dealings of elders with wayward members. more...

The Preacher's Pen

2002 - it's almost over! Can you believe it? Maybe it would help if we'd stop and realize just how few days are left in the year. As I write this there are nineteen days left. Just nineteen! Where has all the time gone? Why, it seems like only yesterday that we were ringing in a new year, hanging up new calendars and trying to remember to date checks "02" instead of "01". And now, just when we've gotten used to that, it's time to learn how to write "03"! more...