Facebook Post by Cory Willett(Edited for space limitations.)  
   
This is the MOST IMPORTANT THING I can share. It's a hard things to talk about. Awkward, but vitally important. I pray that you'll read it.
   
 “‘As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:11-12). Those words should either scare you to death or bring you great excitement. The day will come when you will die. Not if, but when. None of us make it out of here alive. On that day, you will come before the throne of God. Every single one of us will. There will be no scales comparing your good deeds vs. your bad deeds. That's not how it works.
   
It all comes down to Jesus. You've probably heard that Jesus came, died on the cross for our sins, was buried and raised on the third day. When you heard it, what did you do about it? Some hear and continue on with their life as always. God has given us the freedom to make that choice.
   
Others, like myself, find that their heart is pricked. They realize that they've spent their life rebelling against God, and their pursuit of worldly things has left them empty. Moreover, the sinful things that they have indulged in have left them full of guilt, shame, pain and hurt. So they turn away from those things (repentance) and toward God.
   
For those who start living for Christ the day we die will be the best day of our lives. We will hear those words "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.” We will enter heaven, where there will be no more pain and suffering, and all will be made new. That is where we will spend eternity.
   
Those who hear the gospel and do NOT change will also come before God. At that point, nothing good that they've done will matter and repenting will be pointless. Then they will hear these terrible words, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"
   
It kills me to know that people for whom I care deeply will hear this. They will spend eternity wailing and gnashing their teeth in everlasting punishment.
   
I wouldn't wish that upon my worst enemy; I don't want anyone to go to hell. Which is why we Christians can be weird and annoying. If we believe that heaven and hell are real, we should love people enough to be awkward, even annoying. We should care enough about to tell them the truth.


Thank you, Cory, for speaking the truth.
   
A Recommitted Me in 2023   
Dennis

Walking Stick     
When I lived in Clarksburg WV, I participated in a fundraiser in which I walked 27 miles in 12 hours. To assist me, a member of the Meadowbrook Church of Christ made a customized maple walking stick. He built it from scratch, peeling off the bark, sawing away knots, sanding, applying several coats of finish, and adding a leather wrap and strap for the handle. He even burned my initials, a scripture and an attractive design into the wood.  Suffice it to say, that walking stick was of immeasurable help during my long, arduous walk.  
   
Walking sticks are indispensable tools for long distance walkers and hikers. The have been employed for thousands of years around the world. In the Old Testament, they are sometimes called "staffs”, and were used by the Patriarchs and others (See Heb. 11:21). Jesus even advised His early disciples to take them along as they traveled to preach the good news of the kingdom - Mark 6:8.    
   
It should come as no surprise that God’s word is comparable to the walking stick or staff.  
   
According to Psalms 23:4, the shepherd’s staff provides protection and comfort to the flock. In a similar way, God’s word provides comfort as strength as it reveals God's love, grace, forgiveness (through Jesus Christ) and the promise of life eternal (2 Tim. 3:15).  
   
Walking sticks or staffs can also prevent travelers from stumbling or falling on uneven ground or in darkness. God's word can also keep us from giving into temptation. “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word" (Psa. 119:9).  
   
When a traveler is weary, he can lean on his walking stick or staff for support. God’s word provided similar support to our souls when we are wearied by life. "My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word" (Psa. 119:28).  
   
A walking stick or staff can also be used as a weapon to ward off dangerous animals. Having God’s word in our hearts will help us defeat the “roaring lion" (devil - 1 Pet. 5:8) when he tries to attack. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psa 119:11).  
   
A good, strong walking stick can serve a person for life. God’s word will do the same and more, as long as we continue to read and heed it. “…you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 3:15).  
   
A Recommitted Me in 2023!  
   
Dennis

​For Whom Did You Pray Today?  
   
“The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:15-16).
   
If you look at the contents of most church bulletins, you’ll invariably find a list of people in need of prayer. Many of these folks are sick, battling serious diseases such as cancer or other ailments. Some are hospitalized with illness or injury. Still others may be shut-in or in nursing facilities. Some may need prayers of encouragement as they go through grief or challenging times.
   
Many of these prayer lists are quite long (ours, for instance), with some names remaining on the list for months and possibly years.
   
Do we genuinely care about the aforementioned people? Of course! However, if we are not careful we may become so accustomed to the long list of names that we limit our prayers to certain ones, while omitting others.
   
As James stated in the aforementioned passage, Christians should continue to pray for one another, especially those that struggle will sickness or even certain sins.
   
That said, I’d like to issue the following challenge, which will richly bless those on our sick list. Commit 20-25 minutes, at least once a week, to placing our sick list before you (and your family), and pray for EVERY person listed. Believe me, this will bless others more than you know.
   
What a privilege is to go to God firsthand and pray on another’s behalf! Remember, we are to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). So for whom did you pray today?  
   
A Recommitted Me in 2023!  
   
Dennis

THE PADDED CROSS  (Revised, author unknown)  
   
Well, here I am, Lord! You said, "Take up your cross", and I'm ready to do so. To be honest, self-denial is not something I'm excited about, but since You said to do it, I’m here to obey. I'm ready to surrender my life, come what may! You probably wish that more people were like me - ready and willing to take up their crosses.  
   
Mind if I look over these crosses? I hate to be picky, but I'd like a shiny, new one. Hmmm – nothing like that here; guess I'll have to keep looking. By the way, do You offer a padded version? After all, I want to attract others to You, and a comfortable cross is more appealing. And if it's not asking too much, do You have a cross that folds up? After all, crosses aren't popular in some places. I may need to hide it under my coat if there is a risk of offending others.
   
Well, there's not much choice here. The only crosses I see are heavy and made of coarse wood. Wow, just imagining the splinters sends chills down my back! Don't You have something more distinctive, Lord? I can tell you right now that none of my friends will be impressed by these. If I’m seen lugging around a huge, heavy cross, people might think that I'm a fanatic. Even my family will be embarrassed.  
   
What's that you say? It's either the old rugged cross…or nothing? Is that fair? Don’t get me wrong, I want to be Your disciple, but let’s be reasonable! It's a different world than when You were crucified. No one carries a cross like that anymore, or at least not many people that I know.  
   
Now, let's see. No blood, okay? I can't stand the sight of blood. Lord? Lord? LORD? Now where do you suppose He went?  
   
***************************************************  
   
Pleasing Christ is not always easy. No one can carry a cross AND be concerned with convenience and making a good impression. Sooner or later, something has to give. May it NEVER be the cross. "…whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27).  
   
A recommitted me in 2023!  
   
Dennis  

THINK TWICE BEFORE SPEAKING OF GOD  
   
I recently watched a sitcom in which the phrase, "Oh my God" was uttered over 20 times prior to the fest commercial. Sadly, it was NEVER spoken in a prayer or to glorify our heavenly Father. It was used to exclaim surprise or unbelief. To make matters worse, it’s offhanded use invariably produced laughter from the audience.  
   
Although we are not surprised to hear God's name misused in movies, TV and in the world, I am shocked that some Christians still take His name in vain.  
   Some ask, "What's wrong with occasionally exclaiming, ‘Oh my God’ or something similar?” It is wrong because the Bible strictly warns against referring to God in a casual or flippant manner.  
   

•  “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain (void of meaning), for the Lord  will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain” (Exod. 20:7).  
• “...nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD" (Lev. 19:12).  

• “But I say to you that for every idle (empty, useless) word men may speak, they will give  account of it in the day of judgment.” (Mt. 12:36).  

   
Moreover, David declared, "Holy and awesome (reverend or revered) is His name..." (Psa. 111:9b). Uttering God's name without appropriate respect is tantamount to insulting Him.  
   
Tragically, it has become increasingly popular to abbreviate "Oh my God" by saying, writing or typing “OMG”. Some attempt to justify this practice by saying, "At least I'm not saying "God!" That’s beside the point; virtually everyone is aware of what “OMG” means.  
   
Jesus warned, "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Mt. 12:37). Don't allow careless words to jeopardize your salvation. Strive to always honor God whenever you refer to His name. Let's heed the fervent prayer of David, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord…” (Psa. 19:14).  
   
A recommitted me in 2023!  
   
Dennis