A Secret Impossible to Keep
   
A prominent mining company had a less than auspicious beginning. A group of prospectors from Montana set out in search of gold and silver. After many hardships they were overtaken by hostile Indians, who took their good horses and left them with only a few limping old ponies. The Indians ordered the prospectors to return home, and threatened to kill them if they ever saw them in their area again.
   
Discouraged and heartbroken, they headed for home. Along the way they stopped beside a creek. One man picked up a stone from the creek bed, examined it, and, said, "It looks like there may be gold here." The others heard him, and together they panned about $50 worth, an impressive sum in those days.
   
When they returned home, they all vowed to keep their discovery a secret. Quietly they re-equipped themselves with tools and supplies for a return trip to retrieve more gold. But as they were setting out, they were astonished to find that 300 men were following close behind. They immediately questioned each other. Which of them had revealed the secret? Each insisted he had told no one. When they asked the men who followed, the explanation was that their beaming faces had betrayed the secret.
   
*********************************************************************************************
   
As Christians we do not have a secret to hide, but a treasure to share. We have found the "pearl of great price," and there is more than enough for everyone. May God help us to stir the interest of others with our beaming faces and excitement about true treasures - the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.
   
"You are the light-of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."  (Matthew 5:14, 16)
   
Jesus, Always Jesus!  
   
Dennis

BE CAREFUL LITTLE TONGUE WHAT YOU SAY…  
   
The wise man wrote, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Prov. 18:21) Solomon meant that our words have both the power to heal and to destroy.  
   
The apostle Paul stressed that we should use our tongues exclusively to help or encourage others. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Eph. 4:29)  
   
Conversely, James warned us against using our tongues to hurt, demean or degrade others. “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law” (James 4:11).  
   
What can we do to keep from sinning with our tongues? It will help if we AVOID beginning any sentence with the following:  

• “Did you hear the latest about so and so?”  
• “I was just told that so and so…”  
• “Isn’t it terrible that so and so…”  
• “Just between us, so and so…”  
• “I don’t know for certain, but I understand that so and so…”  
• “I probably shouldn’t be saying this, but so and so…”  
• “Rumor has it that so and so…”  
• “I would never have dreamed that so and so…”  

   
May we use our tongues to build up, never to tear down. Otherwise we may be in for an unpleasant surprise at the judgment. "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matt. 12:37).  
   
Jesus, always Jesus!  
   
Dennis

Parking Lot Sermons 
When I resided in Clarksburg West Virginia, I frequently passed a church building that invariably impressed me. I'm not referring to the physical structure, although it was attractive. What struck me was the PARKING LOT; specifically, the NUMBER OF CARS typically parked there.
 
Although the lot was generally full during their Sunday morning worship, what impressed me was the fact that it was 80% full at 9:10 AM on Sundays – 20 minutes prior to Sunday school. That's not all. Whenever I passed the building at 5:40 on Sunday evenings (20 minutes prior to their evening service), the lot was often 75% full. It was no different prior to their midweek service.
 
There's more. On many weekdays and Saturdays, I routinely observed between 25 and 30 cars in their lot. Apparently, this is a church that believes that a church building should be utilized for more than a handful of hours weekly.
 
Why do I bring this up? Although I never attended a service in that building, I was constantly tempted to do so. Why? Because their parking lot "perpetually preached" that this particular church is passionate about worship, Bible study, serving and growing.
 
In fact, every church parking lot "preaches” on Sundays, Wednesdays, and other days. But what message does it convey to the community? “Once-a-week attendance is acceptable here.” Or, “Bible class is not a priority here.” Or, “This facility is unused 95% of the time.”
 
What is the parking lot of the Milan church of Christ preaching to our community? May God help us to improve these "sermons" for His glory and the salvation of souls.
 
“I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD" (Psa. 122:1).
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis

​OBITUARY FOR JESUS CHRIST
(Revised, author unknown)

 
Jesus of Nazareth, age 33, believed by some to be the Son of God, died Friday on Mount Calvary, also called Golgotha. Following an informal trial by Jewish leaders, He was presented to Governor Pilate for official pronouncement of guilt and sentencing. Following lengthy deliberation in front of a largely hostile crowd, Pilate grudgingly bound Jesus over for execution by means of crucifixion.

 
Prior to reaching Golgotha Jesus was subjected to verbal and physical abuse, yet never resisted or threatened His tormentors. Nor did he protest while being horrifically nailed to the cross. Despite intense agony, this unique Individual even asked God to forgive His mean spirited accusers and persecutors. 

 
He lasted six hours, remarkable considering His depleted physical condition. He eventually succumbed to heart failure, induced by severe physical trauma, loss of blood, asphyxiation and shock. 

 
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea. He was the alleged* son of Joseph - a carpenter from Nazareth - and Mary. (*He claimed that God was actually His Father.) His mother, several brothers and sisters, and a small band of disciples survive him.

 
During the last 3 years of his life, Jesus was an itinerant preacher, passionately promoting His Kingdom and salvation for its citizens. It is reported that He healed thousands of people. Some even allege that He calmed storms, walked on water and raised numerous people from the dead.

 
Following His death, Jesus was buried in a grave donated by Joseph of Arimathea. Due to earlier claims that He would rise from His grave, Jewish leaders took great pains to  make His grave secure. A huge stone with a Roman seal blocked the entrance, and soldiers guarded the area. 

 
UPDATE - The third day following Jesus’ death, His tomb was found EMPTY. Although specious rumors abound, no reasonable explanation has been established, except for Jesus' claim that He would rise from the grave. His disciples adamantly insist that they have seen Him alive, and that He will return to take His followers to heaven. The evidence is sufficiently compelling that millions of people sincerely believe that Jesus STILL LIVES.

 
“This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner..."  (Acts 1:11)  
   
Jesus, Always Jesus!  
   
Dennis