Dennis' Articles

For Veterans

11/13/2023

FINAL INSPECTION

(This adaptation of a well-known poem is dedicated to our VETERANS, both living and dead.)

The soldier stood at attention, facing his God at last,
He hoped his shoes were shining as brightly as his brass.
“Step forward now young soldier; how shall I deal with you?
Although you were a Christian; to Me have you been true?"

The soldier bowed his head and spoke, "Lord, I guess I ain't.
Those of us that carried guns rarely looked like saints.
I've had to fight on Sundays; at times my dress was rough.
I've aimed my gun at other men; war is mighty tough.

But I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep.
I volunteered for overtime, when bills became too steep.
I never left a helpless child that shook or cried from fear.
And sometimes when I held them, I shed unmanly tears.

I know I am unworthy of any house up there.
Many folks deserve it more, and that is only fair.
But if you've got a room for me, it needn't be so grand.
I'll take anything that’s left; but if not, I'll understand.”

There was a silence all around the throne, where angels often trod.
While the soldier waited nervously for the judgment of his God.
“March straight in, young soldier, you've borne your cross so well.
Now live in peace on golden streets, you’re forever through with hell.”

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“Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matt. 25:21)

A Recommitted Me in 2023!

Dennis

So Many Churches......

11/13/2023

Is a Plethora of Religions Truly Pleasing to God?
Years ago, a realtor was driving me to a house that was for sale. Nearing the address, we passed six church buildings. "Isn't this wonderful?", She said. "You’ll have an assortment of churches within walking distance!"
Many people would agree with the realtor - they also consider it wonderful that there are so many different churches today. I even recall hearing a “televangelist” praising God for the great variety of churches in the U.S.
But is this plethora of religions with their conflicting beliefs and practices truly pleasing to God? The only way to know is to examine what God says in His inspired word, the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
In John 17:20-21 Jesus prayed, "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me."
Jesus could not have made it clearer concerning His intention for His followers. The multitude of different churches and denominations today serve not to answer but contradict our Lord’s prayer for unity among His followers.
Moreover, Jesus said in Matt. 16:18, "on this rock I will build my church (not churches) and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it (not them)." In John 10:16 Jesus also stated, "There will be one flock and one shepherd."

The apostle Paul reaffirmed this in Eph. 1:22-23, “(God) gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body..." In Col.1:18 he wrote, "He is the head of the body, the church." In 1 Cor. 12:13 He declared, "for by one spirit we are all baptized into one body". And in Eph 4:4, "There is one body…”

If the surplus of different churches is “wonderful”, then Jesus and the apostle Paul were mistaken. However, the truth is that there is ONE Savior Who built ONE church and is head over that church. Our challenge is to be the church about which Jesus prayed, built and died. We can accomplish that by carefully studying the New Testament, then believing and practicing those things that Jesus intended for His followers.

A RECOMMITTED ME IN 2023!

Dennis

Omit Baptism???

10/24/2023

SHOULD WE OMIT BAPTISM?

Churches of Christ are sometimes criticized for mentioning baptism at virtually every service. But why are we not also criticized for mentioning the need for faith in Jesus Christ (John 8:24), repentance (Luke 13:3,5), and confession of Christ (Rom. 10:9)? The reason is that many people do not believe that baptism is required for salvation.

But what does the Bible say? There are five passages in the New Testament which mention baptism and salvation in the same verse - Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:4, Acts 22:16 and 1 Peter 3:21. Specifically, these passages declare that baptism precedes salvation, the remission of sins, and walking in the newness of life. But don’t take my word for it.

"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16). This passage clearly states two conditions for salvation: faith and baptism. Tragically, many people ignore the words, “and is BAPTIZED.” That is a mistake.

In Acts 2:38 Peter told a group of believing Jews to "Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." Many people insist that the phrase FOR the remission of sins" means BECAUSE your sins have been remitted. However, I challenge anyone to a reliable translation that renders the phrase that way. Moreover, if baptism is "because” sins have been remitted, then so is repentance. Yet I have yet to hear anyone assert that repentance occurs BECAUSE sins have been remitted.

Romans 6:1-4 states that, after our burial with Christ in baptism, we are raised to “walk in newness of life”. Some, however, claim that our new life comes BEFORE our burial in baptism. But why would anyone want to BURY a NEW life? Doing so not only contradicts Paul, but so makes no sense.

Three days after the Lord appeared to Saul of Tarsus, Ananias told him to "arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins" (Acts 22:16). Many people insist that Paul was previously saved from his sins because he came to believe in Jesus three days earlier. But that assertion implies that Ananias was WRONG. Act 9:18, however, reveals that Paul obeyed Ananias - “he arose and was BAPTIZED.”

1 Peter 3:21 plainly states that baptism "now saves us." Peter did not mean that we are saved by baptism ALONE, any more than we are saved by faith alone, confession alone or repentance alone. But He did affirm that baptism IS connected with our salvation.

A Recommitted Me in 2023!

Dennis

Leave 2 Days Alone

10/24/2023

TWO DAYS TO LEAVE ALONE

There are two days in every week that we should never worry about; two days that should be kept free from all regrets and apprehension.

One is YESTERDAY with its mistakes, omissions, aches and pains. Yesterday is gone; it has passed forever from our control. No amount of prayer, wishing, pleading (Believe me -- I’ve tried!), can bring it back. We cannot undo any action or take back any word. Yesterday is gone forever. Worrying about it is no more productive than worrying about the sin of Adam and Eve in the garden.

The other day we should never worry about is TOMORROW, along with its imaginary adversaries, problems and obstacles. God willing, tomorrow's sun will either rise in glory or be concealed by clouds. Regardless, until it does rise, we have no control over it -- tomorrow simply does not yet exist. Moreover, millions of people that are alive today may not live to see another day. Ironic, isn’t it, that many of these people may be stressing over a day they may never experience.

This leaves ONE DAY a week to focus on – TODAY! Although life may not be easy, we can deal with virtually any problem, sickness, aggravation or setback for one day. (This is especially true for Christians -- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phil 4:13).

Why do so many people struggle with getting through TODAY? It is because they ADD the regrets of yesterday and the anxieties about tomorrow to today’s agenda. This unhealthy combination creates a burden that is virtually impossible for anyone to bear. Someone has observed, “Age gracefully lightens the hair, but yesterday’s mistakes and tomorrow’s fears act as a strong gray dye”.

Stay focused on today - do what you can, read your Bible and pray all you can, help those you can, and thank God more than you think you should. As for yesterday and tomorrow? Don’t waste your time.

"… seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matt 6:33-34).

A Recommitted Me in 2023!

Dennis

The Honest Hymnal???

10/24/2023

THE HONEST HYMNAL

Have you heard about the unique hymnal produced some years ago entitled, “Honest Man’s Hymnal”? Its hymns were modified to reflect the HONEST attitude of some Christians. Several titles include:

I SURRENDER SOME

HAVE MINE OWN WAY, LORD

O, HOW I LIKE JESUS

WHERE HE LEADS I’LL PONDER

SEEK YE THIRD THE KINGDOM OF GOD

SOME LOVE TO THEE, O CHRIST

SOLDIERS OF CHRIST AT EASE

O MASTER, LET ME REST WITH THEE

STAND UP SOMETIMES FOR JESUS

I’LL BE A FAIR-WEATHER FRIEND TO JESUS

IT IS FAIR WITH MY SOUL

CHRIST, WE DO SOMETIMESADORE THEE

I SIT AND YAWN IN THE PRESENCE

OUR GOD IS HE ALIVE?

I MIGHT TELL JESUS

TAKE MY LEFTOVERS, AND LET IT BE

LEVEL GROUND

I LIKE THE LORD

FALTERING ON THE PROMISES

TAKE TIME TO BE LUKEWARM

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Actually, no such songbook exists. But the above titles do get one to thinking, do they not? The apostle Paul wrote, “I will sing with the SPIRIT, and I will also sing with the UNDERSTANDING” (1 Cor. 14:15b). Singing with the spirit means to sing SINCERELY; singing with the understanding means to COMPREHEND the words.

When we worship God in song, it is imperative that we sing what we mean and mean what we sing. If not, we are guilty of singing in vain (or even lying). Please do not take the song service for granted. Remember - God is listening to EVERY word.

A Recommitted Me in 2023!

Dennis

Who Am I??????

10/24/2023

WHO AM I?

But Moses said to God, "WHO AM I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11)

What makes the above passage intriguing is the fact that, 40 years earlier, Moses was brimming with confidence that God would use him to deliver Israel from bondage. After killing an Egyptian taskmaster and breaking up a fight between two Hebrews, Acts 7:25 reveals that "(Moses) supposed that…God would deliver them by his hand..."

Four decades later, however, when God called Moses from the burning bush, all Moses could say was "Who am I?” Little did Moses know that God had been training him for this very task. Forty years as a shepherd in the wilderness taught Moses humility, perseverance and survival skills. He was now ready to lead a nation through such a wilderness, and on to the promised land.

At times we also feel overwhelmed by the challenges of life. Examples include starting a new job, work position or class, unexpected changes in plans, serious illness, financial problems, family issues, setbacks, loss of loved ones, or loneness.

Perhaps, like Moses, our initial reaction is "Who am I…to handle this?” Left to our own resources, we may indeed be “over our heads” in many instances. But consider this – God may be using those very circumstances to prepare us for something greater in this life. More importantly, recall God’s reply to Moses, "I will certainly be with you” (Exod. 3:12). Moses soon discovered that with God’s help he could and would lead his people out of bondage.

God will do the same for us, leading us through any challenge we face in life. “…with God, nothing shall be impossible" (Lk. 1:37).

A Recommitted Me in 2023!

Dennis

The Bible Will Change Us......

9/26/2023

THE BIBLE CHANGES US

An elderly Christian lived in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his grandson. Early each morning the grandson observed his Grandpa sitting at the table reading from his Bible. One day the lad remarked, “Papa, I want to read the Bible like you, but I don’t understand it. What good is it to read a book that I don’t understand?”

The grandfather thought a few moments, and then picked up a filthy coal basket from the coal stove and handed it to the boy. “Take this down to the river, fill it with water and bring it back as full as you can.”

The boy did as he was told. However, it soon became apparent that the coal basket was not intended to hold water. Virtually every drop leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You’ll need to move a faster next time,” and sent him back to the river to try again.

Although the boy trotted briskly on this occasion, he found that the basket was again empty by the time he returned to the house. Panting aloud, he told his grandfather, “It’s impossible to carry water in coal basket”. The old man suggested, “Perhaps you’re still not moving fast enough. Give it one more go.”

Although the grandson realized that it was hopeless, he determined to give it one last try. He again dipped the coal basket into the river, and then ran with it as fast as he could back to the house. By the time he reached his grandfather, the basket was empty. Frustrated and out of breath, he gasped, “Papa, this is pointless!”

“Pointless?, the old man replied. “Take a look at the basket.” As the boy did, he realized that it was different. Instead of being filthy with coal dust, it was relatively clean and shiny. “Son, that’s what happens when you keep reading your Bible. You might not understand everything you read, but if you keep after it, it will make a difference in your life.”

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"…as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it”(Isaiah 55:10-11).

A Recommitted Me in 2023!

Dennis

Whatever You Do......

9/26/2023

Don't Miss Heaven!

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mk. 8:36-37

A Christian man longed for his children to one day become faithful Christians. As they grew older, he looked for a way to lovingly encourage them. He eventually came up with the phrase, “Whatever you do, don’t miss heaven!”

When his children reached their teen years and became increasingly exposed to the pleasures of the world, he gently implored, “Whatever you do, don’t miss heaven!” When each child graduated and moved out of the house, he lovingly urged, “Whatever you do, don’t miss heaven!” And when each child wed, the father fervently reminded each one, “Whatever you do, don’t miss heaven!”

Many years later, as he was taking his final breaths and surrounded by family, among his last words were, “Whatever you do, don’t miss heaven!”

Did they heed their fathers' words and become faithful Christians? I don’t know, but I do know that their father aimed them in the right direction by planting the seeds of salvation in their hearts.

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Every Christian parent (or grandparent) should do the same. For if our children lose their souls, then everything else they accomplish will be pointless.

Not long ago a Christian friend beamed about his children’s athletic accomplishments. Yet not one of them has attended a church service in some time.

I try to remind my son, “The most important thing to me is to know that I'll see you in heaven.” Although he received numerous athletic awards while growing up, and is currently successful in his career, none of that compares with the condition of his soul. If he does not go to heaven, he will have gained nothing and lost everything.

Parents, always set a good Christian example to your children. And constantly remind them, “Whatever you do, don’t miss heaven!”

A Recommitted Me in 2023!

Dennis

Nothing But.........????

9/15/2023

Nothing But Jesus!

“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2).

In our hectic society, we sometimes experience "information overload". And no wonder - our TVs, phones, tablet, laptop and desktop computers provide us with as much information in 12 hours as some of our great-grandparents were exposed to in 12 years. Moreover, there seems to be no end to our desire to obtain more information. The current fascination with A.I. (artificial intelligence) is just one indication.

While there is nothing inherently wrong with being "informed", we must beware of allowing our faith and commitment to Jesus Christ to get "lost in the shuffle."

The Apostle Paul reminded Christians in Corinth that he was determined to know nothing among them "except Jesus Christ and Him crucified". I admire that mindset and believe that all Christians should adopt it. Although Paul also expressed concern about other issues within the church in Corinth, his #1 focus was Jesus Christ. He was obsessed with proclaiming Jesus to a lost and dying world. His overriding passion was spreading the gospel so that everyone might have the opportunity to be saved through Jesus Christ.

What about us? Are we as concerned with promoting the gospel of Christ as we are with hearing about and discussing politics, the economy, immigration, weather or our favorite sports team? Are we more focused on the latest headlines than with teaching lost souls about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

It’s time that we make Jesus Christ the CENTER of our attention. It’s time we make our Lord THE reason for everything we do. It is only then that we have a real chance of winning lost souls to Christ.

“…that in all things HE may have the preeminence” (Col 3:18).

A Recommitted Me in 2023!

Dennis

Storms

9/15/2023

Storms

At various times we will encounter the “storms of life" - disappointments, unpleasant events, and setbacks. These may come in the form of illness, injuries, financial issues, job or school problems, marriage difficulties, and even the loss of our beloved pets. One look at our sick list confirms that the “storms of life" abound.

Such trials will always be a part of living in an imperfect world, brought on by the sin of Adam and Eve. Unless we are careful, we might find ourselves counting our problems instead of our blessings.

In a world beset by natural catastrophes, disease, political turmoil, economic upheavals, and the threat of war, we may feel overwhelmed. However, it will help immensely if remember the following.

God did NOT promise to eliminate our troubles in this world. In fact, Jesus alerted His followers that they should expect trials and persecution - John 16:33. He added, however, that His disciples can have peace knowing that HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD.

In addition, God has promised that He will “never leave nor forsake" us (Hebrews 13:5). Moreover, we can obtain comfort and hope through His Word - Romans 15:4. Fellowship with other Christians can also be of immense help. Most of all, we are assured that NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD which is in Jesus Christ - Romans 8:35-39.

When the storms of life approach, apply the words of the apostle Peter, “...CAST ALL YOUR CARES UPON HIM; for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

A Recommitted Me in 2023!

Dennis