It has been thirty years (and a few months) since I graduated from Brown Trail. I recall when men who had preached thirty years seemed so "mature" and "experienced." Now that I have passed that landmark of three decades, may I share with you some things I have learned.
I have learned that no one is going to solve all the problems in the church overnight. When I first began preaching I thought I had all the answers. I now have more questions than answers. I have learned that the lethargic disposition characterizing some in the church developed over a long period of time and will not be solved overnight.
I have learned that, generally speaking, brethren love the truth. When spoken in love, sin can be effectivelyrebuked. Faithful brethren have a yearning to do what is right. It is a thrill to have someone tell me as they go out the door, "Preacher, I really needed that lesson." Note that I said "needed," not "enjoyed." There is a difference.
I have learned that it is possible for even the strongest soldiers to fall. There has been a dramatic shift on the part of some toward the authority of the scriptures. Men have "re-examined" their position on such vital issues as marriage and divorce, premillennialism, the use of instruments of music in worship, and even the essentiality of baptism. I have seen elders, preachers, deacons, teachers and otherwise strong members of the Lord's body slowly give way to the forces of Satan, some never to come back home. The pain, disappointment and discouragement that comes with such loss cannot be described with words.
I have learned that worldliness CAN and HAS infiltrated the church. Gradually we have given in to moral issues that just a couple of decades ago were unquestionably settled. Drinking of alcoholic beverages, dancing, smoking, mixed bathing, etc. were of the world while we as God's people were "peculiar." But it is becoming more and more difficult to see the difference between the average member of the Lord's church and the world insofar as some of these moral issues are concerned. We must fight to keep worldliness out of the church.
I have learned that the scriptures are indeed the power of God unto salvation for a world lost in sin. I have studied with individuals and had the pleasure of seeing men and woman with tear filled eyes come to a realization of their lost condition and respond accordingly. The power to save the souls of men and build up the church is still to be found in the honest, plain presentation of that word to those who would listen to the message God has given for men. May God help us to realize that the gimmicks men are using today to draw disciples after them do not produce godly sorrow. An appeal to the fleshly nature will produce, at best, only superficial Christians (if even that) and we will grow churches filled with spiritual dwarfs who will be carried away with every wind of doctrine and slight of men. The power is in the word.
Finally, I have learned that time is short and eternity sure. If God allows me to live and preach another thirty years then my preaching career is already half way gone. Likely my health will fail, and my abilities will either slow down or diminish altogether before I reach another thirty year mark. But this I know. If the next thirty years go by as quickly as have the last thirty, then it will not be long before I stand on that eternal shore and hear the voice of my Lord say, "Well done good and faithful servant." May each of us be preparing for that day when we will lay our works at Jesus' feet and by Hisgrace receive a crown that will never fade away.
Assisted suicide, or euthanasia, is becoming increasingly prevalent in many first-world countries. The influx of people seeking suicide in Switzerland was the subject of an article entitled "Buying a 1-way ticket to death," which appeared in the January 21 Dallas Morning News. The nation once renowned for such quaint industry as clocks and cheese is now becoming a capital of suicide. Growing numbers of people are buying a one-way ticket to Switzerland, where they plan to breathe their last breath. The law is fairly loose in Switzerland, allowing those who are simply trained counselors, not only medical doctors, to help people commit suicide. In all fairness, it is not only Switzerland that has become a center of assisted suicide. Other European countrieshave encouraged great numbers of people to commit suicide, and we all well remember the antics of Jack Kevorkian, a.k.a. "Dr. Death," right here in this country. Certainly we as a nation cannot hold ourselves up proudly as defenders of the sanctity of human life when we kill millions of innocent children every year by means of abortion. But if we are not careful, the United States could join Switzerland as a mecca for suicides. And this is not a pretty picture. National Review Online speaks of a doctor in Australia named Philip Nitschke,who is infamous for his assisting of suicides in that country:
He is currently hip deep in a heated controversy surrounding the suicide of an Australian woman named Nancy Crick. Crick became famous in Australia when she announced publicly that she was under the care of Nitschke and was planning her suicide, because, she and Nitschke said, she was dying from terminal cancer. That put the Australian media into an American-style feeding frenzy, which became white-hot, when, after months of equivocating, she finally killed herself in front of a group of awestruck euthanasia advocates who actually applauded when she took the pills. (Nitschke, fearing jail, left Crick's side before she did the deed.)
Then came the autopsy. Oops. It turned out that Crick was not dying from cancer. Moreover, Nitschke soon admitted that he and Crick both knew that she wasn't terminally ill.
The advocates of assisted suicide are rabid in their delight at seeing people die by this method. There are numerous "right-to-die" groups in Switzerland that help to ensure that assisted suicide remains. One of these societies bears the motto, "Live With Dignity, Die With Dignity." There are numerous such organizations in America as well, seeking to legitimize this practice stateside. Many of those advocating such a position are medical doctors, despite the fact that all are required to abide by the Hippocratic Oath, which contains the phrase, "I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel." What type of respect for life is shown by one who insists that for a terminally ill patient, the only way to "die with dignity" is to commit suicide? Those who have seen loved ones die after fighting valiantly through a long illness could rightfully take umbrage at the insinuation that they did not die with as much dignity as someone who took the easy way out. Those who help others commit suicide share a similar guilt, though possibly not similar motives, as those who commit cold-blooded murder. God created life and God sustains life-those who would be so presumptuous as to play god and to take away that which He has given stand in the face of His wrath. Committing suicide is never "dying with dignity" -it is the death of an atheist and a coward.
Copies of the Minutes from the Men's Business Meeting of 09 February 2003 and copies of the Financial Report for the month ending February 28th are on the table in the foyer for your convenience if you wish to have a copy.
Bound Bulletins: Next month we will be gathering last year's bulletins together for binding. If you want to order a copy of either the hard bound (approximately $20), or the spiral bound ($5.00), please see Tom. Bound copies will include all bulletins between March 1, 2002 and February 29, 2003. It will also include the weekly Mt. Pleasant Tribune articles, and a table of contents.
In addition to the current fiscal year bulletin we will be printing up several copies of the very first fiscal year...which has never been printed before in book form from 1999 thru February 2000. If you wish to have a copy please let Tom know.
Spring Cleaning!! Once again we are scheduling a general cleaning day on Saturday, March 8th beginning at 9:00 AM and continuing until finished. Somewhere around noon we would like to have lunch together, so please bring sandwiches or other finger-foods, chips, cookies, etc. Remember how enjoyable it was last year? We hope it will be that way again. Mark your calendar and make arrangements to be part of that fellowship. Direct any questions to Grady Duncan.
Charles & Dorothy Kyle were married February 19, 1953 at Edna, Texas. They have 2 sons, 1 daughter-in-law and 3 grandchildren.
Also celebrating their 50th Anniversary on February 28th is Grady & Patsy Duncan.
Suzanne Charlton got a good report on her tests last week. We are glad about this.
Louis Bell has been sick at home and unable to attend services for a while. We need to remember Lewis in our prayers.
Narci Cooper was able to return home last Thursday following a lengthy stay in Titus Regional Medical Center. We know she is glad to be home and she hopes to be back in worship services with us soon.
Patsy Duncan had knee surgery last Tuesday and is doing very good. She is in room 531 at Titus Regional Medical Center, phone: 903-577-6531 She hopes to be able to come home the first part of this week.
Patsy Embree is scheduled for a colonoscopy on Monday at 12:30. Remember her in your prayers.
Sandra Cooper has not been feeling so good lately and she needs our prayers as well.
Dick Justiss passed away on February 8, 2003 at IHS Nursing Center following a lengthy illness. His funeral was conducted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 at Bates-Cooper Funeral Home with burial at Justiss Cemetery in Titus County.
Wade Miller has submitted the following letter:
"I want to thank everybody for keeping me in your prayers. Last week I had foot surgery, and all is going well with my foot. Yesterday, I visited my Neurologist doctor. Although they found some spots on my brain, this has nothing to do with my current problems. The MRI, X-Ray, and Blood Test came up negative. The doctor said I am doing very good. My Diabetic doctor also says I am doing very good and that my blood sugar is under control and he is reducing my medication. My regular MD also tested me at 3 months with the same results. Between my doctors the problem is the result of diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage). In time there is the possibility that may re-grow if I continue taking care of myself. Also, my eyes have stabilized and I have new glasses, so I can see you afar now. Thank you for keeping me in your prayers and for your encouragement. Your brother Wade Miller."
THANK YOU "Thank you for all the cards, phone calls and especially your prayers. I am feeling good and hope that you will continue to remember me and Jim in your prayers. - Lana Downs.
