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Another "Memorial Day"

5/26/2017

ANOTHER “MEMORIAL DAY”

Memorial Day commemorates military personnel who have died while in service to the United States. This singular holiday was initially established to honor Union soldiers who gave their lives in the Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include all U.S. military personnel who died in any war or conflict involving our nation.

Early on, Memorial Day evoked considerable solemnity across the United States. Millions of appreciative Americans visited cemeteries, stood or wept in silence, and placed wreaths or flowers on the graves of those who had died serving our country. It was not a festive time, but a time of respectful remembrance.

Unfortunately, the meaning of Memorial Day has deteriorated for many of our citizens. It is now acknowledged as the “start of summer”, a long weekend, an excuse for a family trip, spring cleaning or watching the Indianapolis 500. While there is nothing wrong with these activities, fewer and fewer Americans visit cemeteries or give thought to the courageous souls that paid the ultimate price to preserve our freedoms.

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But there is something even more regrettable. Today, the first day of the week - the Lord's Day – is a “Memorial Day” that surpasses tomorrow’s national holiday. This is the momentous day that Christians assemble to worship God and remember the suffering and death of our Savior. Today (and every Lord's Day) is a sacred occasion that deserves solemn observance.

Unfortunately, some Christians (not to mention millions of others) have forgotten the significance of the Lord's Day. For them, it is just another a day off, a day to sleep late, work in the yard, play golf, fish or to pursue other personal endeavors. Forgetting what THIS DAY is all about is a tragedy that is jeopardizing countless souls, leaving them at the mercy of the devil.

Observing Memorial Day is fitting and good. But honoring God and Jesus Christ on the Lord’s Day is much more so.

“Now on the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, when the disciples came together to break bread…” (Acts 20:7)

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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Insist on Pure Milk May 23, 2017

5/23/2017

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INSIST ON PURE MILK

In 2008, a scandal erupted in China when it was discovered that several milk producers had been adulterating cow's milk by secretly adding a chemical called Melamine. Melamine artificially boosts protein readings in milk, thus making such milk more attractive to the consumer. Unfortunately, the chemical frequently produces detrimental effects on humans. Consequently, by November 2008 China reported an estimated 300,000 victims, with 6 infants dying from kidney stones or kidney damage, and an estimated 54,000 babies being hospitalized.

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A far more injurious form of adulteration occurs when translators, publishers, preachers and teachers adulterate the "pure milk of the Word" (1 Pet. 2:2) by adding to it.
Attempts to do so actually occurred as far back as the first century. Peter warned, “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction” 1 Pet. 2:1. John also cautioned, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

Countless additional efforts to add to God’s word have transpired through the centuries. When Martin Luther translated the Bible into German, he added the word allein (only) to Romans 3:28, making it say, “…a man is justified by faith (only) apart from the works of the law.” Tragically, millions have been duped into believing just that.

Others continue their efforts to adulterate God’s word by teaching and promoting such unscriptural practices as woman preachers, same-sex marriage, many roads to heaven, one church is as good as another, etc.

It would behoove us to carefully examine and reject any teaching that endorses practices or doctrines different than what the Bible authorizes. To do otherwise might prove fatal to our souls.

The Lord has given man His Word, His will He has made known;
Let [no] man try to change [God’s] Word with words that are his own. - D. DeHaan

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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For Mothers May 11, 2017

5/11/2017

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FOR MOTHERS
“Every one of you shall REVERE (hold in highest regard) his MOTHER…” (Lev. 19:3)

With the exception of Jesus Christ, the sweetest name on earth is MOTHER or MOM. It is fitting that we honor the precious women who gave us birth, held us close, fed, changed and took care of us. Most of us have many fond memories of our mothers. They taught us, showed us, scolded us, read to us and prayed with us. We also remember how hard our mother’s worked, never seeming to be able to finish everything, yet still managing to keep us fed, bathed, and safe. Many of our mothers went the 2nd mile to make certain that we never went without, even working outside the home if necessary. Often exhausted, they returned home to more hard work. Some mothers did this year after year until we were grown. What incredible wonders are our mothers!

To all mothers who read this… We love you. We honor you. And we thank God for you!

MOM’S WORKShe cooked our breakfast first of all, then washed our cups and plates.
Dressed us up while making sure our stockings had proper mates.
Combed our hair and made our beds, sent us out to play;
Gathered up assorted toys, then put each one away.
Dusted chairs and mopped the stairs, ironed an hour or two;
Baked us cookies, perhaps a pie, and then a pot of stew.
The telephone rang constantly; the doorbell did the same;
One of us fell and skinned a knee, and then the laundry came.
She picked up blocks, mended socks, and polished up the floor.
Working hard she barely heard when dad came through the door.
He sat right down and with a frown said, “I sure do envy you!
It must be nice to stay at home with so few things to do!”
Thank you mothers, one and all, for the endless things you do.
May we say this special day, “We love you through and through!”

“…do not despise your mother when she is old.” (Prov. 23:22)

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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What Does It Profit May 11, 2017

5/11/2017

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WHAT DOES IT PROFIT?

One day a wealthy gentleman was heading home in his limousine when he noticed a shabbily dressed man eating grass beside the road. Bewildered, he ordered his chauffeur to pull over, then got out to investigate. He asked the man, "Why are you eating grass?" "No choice”, the destitute man replied. “I have no money for food."

"If that is the case, you are welcome to come home with me. There you will find plenty to eat.”

"But I also have a wife, two children, and a brother, all of which are hungry. They are over there, under that tree."

"Do they eat grass, as well?” the rich man asked. “Unfortunately, yes”, came the despondent reply.

“Alright”, said the rich man. “You may bring them, as well."

A few minutes later, they were all seated in the huge limo, looking forward to their first good meal in months. The man who had been eating grass earlier turned to his affluent benefactor and said, "Sir, you are too kind. Thank you for taking us home in order to feed us."

The man replied, “Think nothing of it. In fact, you’ll be doing me a favor. Our yard keeper has been ill for weeks, so our grass is nearly a foot high. There's plenty for all of you!”

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Though the aforementioned story is fictional, it illustrates a common tendency, even among Christians. Although we may not want to see others suffer from lack or “go without”, it is tempting to “wish them well”, without actually helping. Even worse, we may offer assurances such as, “Just call if you need anything”, or “I’ll be over to give you a hand”, yet never follow through.

Someone has observed, “It is better to say, ‘I just don’t care’, than to say, ‘I do care’, then just do nothing.

James put it this way, “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? (Jam. 2:15-16) Moreover, God instructs us, “…let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).

Anyone can say, “I’ll be happy to help!” But it is the godly that show up.

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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Another "Memorial Day"

Insist on Pure Milk May 23, 2017

For Mothers May 11, 2017

What Does It Profit May 11, 2017

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