A Thanksgiving Reminder
Abraham Lincoln'sThanksgiving Proclamationof 1863 It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord. We know that by His divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolat

Me, Myself, and I
One scene from a mall included a pet shop window and a new litter of puppies. The crowds stood viewing the precious little creatures as they huddled together. One lady remarked, "What a delightful picture of brotherhood! They're keeping each other warm!" The man next to her replied, "No ma'am, they're not keep eaching other warm -- they are keeping themselves warm." ~ Today in the Word, February, 1991, p. 20.The twenty-first century is the age of "Me." So much so that you have atheletes famous for statements like, "I love me some me!" You have couples divorcing because they are first and their partner is not likely even second. You have churches splitting because it is

If Jesus Came to Town
My son and I enjoyed going to the LCHS playoff game last Friday night. We were glad to see the Wilcats advance to the next round. What a great evening it was for our community! The greatest moment was watching Rob Nelson moving along the track with an Lawrence County High School banner in his hands. The way our city has rallied around that family is so encouraging on many levels.Scenes like this past weekend at the football game remind me that people need each other. They need a common interest, a relationship, a goal to share. The common people heard the words of Jesus gladly (Mark 12:37). The early church believed together and had all things in common (Acts 2:44). Jude wrote a

Burdens
I became acquainted once again with a man this week in Anna, Illinois, by the name of Wardell Barnhart. Wardell has worshiped with his wife at the Anna congregation for many years. When I came to Anna for a gospel meeting in March of 2001, they were here and I remember that they attended every service. At that particular time, Mr. Barnhart was not a member of the Lord's church.As we started another meeting this past Sunday morning, I arrived at the building thirty minutes early to meet and greet whomever might be there. Wardell was the only one present for a good while. It is his custom to be there early and open up the building. We had time to talk for a while. He told me that

Christian Friends
There are some blessings in life that mean more than others. One of those blessings that bears great significance is the sense of belonging. Many people in this world struggle to ever find their place - in their families, in the communities, in their society. But I am not faced with this particular problem. Why? Because I am a Christian!One of the best things about being a Christian is that you have family everywhere. When we went to Florida on vacation a few weeks ago, I found some of my family at the South Walton church of Christ. This past Friday and Saturday I spent come time in Kentucky, and got to be with some of my family again - Garrisons, Obrons, Stubblefields, Fortenbe