Temporary Vs. Permanent

In 1895 the city of Leadville, Colorado was struggling to survive. Situated at over 10,000 ft in elevation, the temperatures are below freezing much of the year with plenty of snow and ice. Visitors were rare.


The residents then came up with an idea in which they could utilize their frigid climate to promote tourism. They staged a Winter Carnival featuring the largest Ice Palace ever built in America. Upon completion, the palace measured 450 by 320 feet, with impressive 90-foot towers. It also contained a 16,000 square-foot ice skating rink that could accommodate hundreds.


A throng of paying tourists soon flocked to Leadville to behold and enjoy the Ice Palace. Everything went well until........Spring arrived. The palace quickly melted, along with the visitors. It immediately became apparent that since their tourist attraction was temporary, it was insufficient  to permanently solve the financial woes of the city.

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Countless people attempt to do something similar everyday. Seeking happiness or contentment, they turn to things, thrills, alcohol, drugs or sex, only to find that the pleasures are temporary, at best.


But Jesus Christ offers a permanent solution where joy, happiness and peace never end. If you will trust in Him as Savior and submit to Him as Lord, He will one day say, "Well done, good and faithful servant... Enter into the joy of your Lord."  Matt. 25:21, 23.


Jesus, always Jesus!


Dennis

SUPER MOMS
(The following article was written by a preacher who sat through a worship service as a guest preacher delivered the lesson.)


This past Sunday I received a needed wake-up call; an important reminder. As I sat beside one of my daughters and her three children (all five and under), I realized that it's easier to stand up there and preach than to keep several young children corralled in a pew.


And that was the easy part. My daughter’s day began much earlier – 6:00 a.m. to be exact. It's easy for many of us to overlook(or forget) how much time and energy is involved in getting several children (not counting yourself) bathed, dried, dressed, hair brushed, shoes on the correct feet, fed, AND attempt to arrive at Sunday School on time.


If you happen to be blessed with one or more little girls, the process may involve intense or tearful discussions about what clothes will be worn that day. (For little boys, it is more a matter of convincing them that some manner of clothing needs to be worn in the first place.)


The challenge is multiplied if your husband is working or out-of-town. And even when he is home, there are days in which he will roll his eyes and, in a weak effort to avoid the general mayhem, mutter that something in the basement, yard or vehicle requires his immediate attention.


I'm writing this to express gratitude, respect and admiration to all our mothers with small children, to the dads that actually help, and to the grandparents who frequently assist.

Although this is not Mother’s Day, please thank our loving and diligent moms who work so hard to get their children to Bible class and worship assemblies. And if you notice a mom struggling with her children, don’t hesitate to go over and help in any way possible.

"Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all…; ...let her own works praise her in the gates. " (Prov. 31:29)


Jesus, always Jesus!


Dennis

Lucky or Blessed?


When describing a fortunate occurrence many people exclaim, "I was lucky!" I did the same thing until a thoughtful Christian finally corrected me. He said, "If you say, 'I was lucky', you credit random fate; but if you say, 'I was blessed', God receives the credit."  I have never forgotten that.


The story is told of a town that had a large whiskey distillery. The town also had several  churches that were critical of the distillery and its worldly owner. The churches eventually united for a prayer meeting and beseeched God to close the distillery. During the meeting a thunderstorm approached the area, lightning struck the distillery, and it burned to the ground.


Learning about the prayer meeting, the owner of the distillery attempted to sue the churches. He claimed that they had conspired with God to put him out of business. During the trial, representatives from the churches denied any connection with the fire. They attributed the lightning and subsequent fire to "bad luck".


The presiding judge purportedly found the churches innocent of conspiracy to destroy the distillery. However, he concluded the trial with the following remarks. "I find it ironic that the plaintiff, an atheist, professes faith in the power of prayer. Conversely, Christians, who claim faith in God, attribute the lightning and fire to bad luck. It leaves one to wonder who really believes in God."


I'll put my faith in God over "luck" any day.


“Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Phil. 4:20)


Jesus, always Jesus!


Dennis