For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass - 1 Peter 1:24

Our little congregation here at Highland is sharing the grief of two of our families who lost both a daughter and a sister last Saturday to the ravages of cancer. Joni fought the disease as hard and as brave as I believe anyone can for the past two years. With this sad event fresh in mind, I'd like to offer a few thoughts that I feel are relative to the occasion.

Solomon, having his great wisdom endowed by God, said in the third chapter of Ecclesiastes that there is a "season" for all things. A couple of those "things" involves "weeping" and "laughing." (Verse 4) The apostle Paul says in Rom. 12:15 that we "rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." Today is the "season" that we "weep" with our brothers and sisters.

And now, let me share a few thoughts with you. I'd like to do this in a parabolic way, if I might. I'm going to use the analogy of something common to our knowledge and from that analogy, draw a spiritual lesson. I love studying the parables of Christ and I like to use His method from time to time. Today is one of those times.

In His parables He drew on analogies that people could relate to and then laid a spiritual lesson along side the analogy that allowed them to understand the picture drawn for them. And some of those parables also used "plants" to represent souls on earth. Not only there, but in several places in the Bible we see God using various "plants" as representative of humans, as we see in our introductory passage. Therefore, I think my parable/analogy fits right in.

Here's how I'll draw my picture, present my analogy: picture the earth as being God's garden and us being the "plants" therein. We know that all plants get harvested in their "due season." Think of it this way, these "due seasons" are the times when God gleans His garden. He pulls the "weeds," but He picks the "flowers." Isn't that what we do with our gardens?

And we know that His gleaning is a continual thing. He is constantly "harvesting" in His garden. The "due seasons" come all the time for all the "plants in His garden.

Not a day goes by that there isn't "weeds" hoed and "flowers" picked. But know this, that God only picks the best for the bouquets that grace His heavenly mansion.

You may have heard me speak of a particular old hymn before entitled "The Master's Bouquet" and I think that it fits right well with our thoughts today. This old hymn isn't found in our modern songbooks today, but I wish it were. With the understanding that all of our songs, hymns and spiritual songs are lessons within themselves, let me share with you some of the words of this great old hymn.

The first verse goes like this: "Death is an angel sent down from above. Sent for the buds and the flowers we love. But every bud and each blossom some day. Will bloom as a flower in The Master's Bouquet."

The chorus reads: "Gathering flowers for the Master's Bouquet.

                                      Beautiful flowers that will never decay.

                                      Gathered by angels and carried away.

                                      Forever to bloom in the Master's Bouquet."

So there's my parable, my analogy: we all occupy space as "plants" in the garden of God. Here is what I find interesting when I consider the words of that song and the picture painted by our analogy. Do you realize that we choose what kind of plant we'll be on earth? Now, there's really only two categories of "plants" - "weeds or flowers." And, we'll know where we'll be eternally by the choosing of which plant we'll be. Let me come back to this thought a little later.

Because we're surrounded by the "tares," the "weeds" who are the "plants" of Satan, (Mt. 13:7 & 25) to the point where they almost "choke" us out, I sometimes think that we tend to pay so much attention to the "weeds" around us that we forget the "flowers." Perhaps we even take our "flowers" for granted. When a "due season" comes along, such as it did last Saturday, let's remember to thank God for allowing us to grow among His "flowers."

Before I bring this to a close, let me provide you with the last verse of our hymn: "Loved ones are passing each day and each hour. Passing away as the life of a flower. Taken and cared for in heaven's own way. Forever to bloom in the Master's Bouquet."

Back in the 2^nd paragraph of this editorial I cited a scripture penned by Paul found in Rom. 12:15. You remember, the "rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep."? And, you recall my analogy of the earth being God's garden? I'll close this lesson by passing on a special bit of information.

The families with whom we are "weeping" just had a brand new "flower" planted in their portion of the "garden." A "flower" that comes in the form of a great-granddaughter. What a wonderful exclamation point to add to our lesson today. Yes, we're "weeping" but at the same time we're "rejoicing." Isn't God a wonderful gardener?

Ron Covey

How to be saved from sin

Brett Petrillo recently shared this interesting story:

 

Tom had just finished making his own toy boat. He brought the boat to the edge of a river and started to let out the string tied to it. He was admiring how smoothly his boat cut through the water when a strong current took hold. Tom tried to pull his toy back to shore but the current was too strong and the string snapped. He sprinted along the bank to catch it, but soon his boat drifted out of sight. He desperately searched for the boat until darkness set in. Unsuccessful, he finally gave up the hunt.

 

Several days later Tom was walking home from school and passed by a toy store.

 

A certain boat caught his eye. He pressed his face against the store window to get a better look and sure enough, it was his lost boat. He ran inside and told the manager, "Sir, that's my boat in your window. I made it myself."

 

The manager replied, "Sorry, son, but someone else brought it in this morning. If you want it, you'll have to buy it."

 

Tom hurried home and counted all of his money; he had just enough. He rushed back to the store and purchased his beloved boat. As he walked home he held the toy tightly to his chest and said, "Now you're twice mine. First, I made you and now I bought you." (Good News Publishers, "The Boy Who Lost His Boat"). *

 

God created mankind in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). Sadly, due to our wrong choices, each of us has drifted away from God, and we've been caught up in the sweeping currents of sin. In our sin, we've become the slave of sin and Satan (John 8:34), which will destroy us (Romans 6:23; 1 Peter 5:8).

 

But God loves us so much that even though He was the offended party, He paid the price for our redemption. The price paid for our redemption was the precious blood of His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins (1 Peter 1:18-19). Because of that "purchase," we can have forgiveness of our sins and receive the gift of eternal life because of our Maker and Savior.

 

We belong to God by right of CREATION. He made us, therefore we belong to Him. Even though we rejected His ownership in our choice to serve sin and Satan, we can "belong" to Him once again through the REDEMPTION that is found in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7).

 

God will redeem those who place their their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Having been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus, we should live out the rest of our lives seeking to bring glory to Him (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

 

When we accept God's offer of redemption, we become "TWICE HIS." He made us and He purchased our redemption. As His possession, we receive ALL of the spiritual blessings that are found in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

 

Won't YOU accept His offer of redemption and eternal life by trusting and obeying Him today?

 

David Sargent, Minister

 

Psalm 90:9

Psalms 90:9 "For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told."

 

There are a number of passages in God's word that put a special emphasis on the brevity of life (James 4:14, Job 14:1, 1 Samuel 20:3). Just realizing how brief our life is should inspire us to savor each moment of our existence on this earth. I will soon be 79 years old. That does seem like a long time yet I know that it is really only a brief period on time. As I think back over the years, I recall the moments of success, days of joy and happiness. I also remember those occasions of agony, defeat, and failure. All things considered, life has truly been grand. I cannot seem to get the words of a grand old song out of my mind: "Living below in this old sinful world, Hardly a comfort can afford, Striving alone to face temptations sore, Where could I go but to the Lord". Perhaps it is here that we should meditate on the words of the Psalmist: "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply wisdom to our hearts" (Ps. 90:12). But it is the third verse of that grand old song that keeps running through my head: "Life here is grand with friends I love so dear, Comfort I get from God's own word, Yet when I face the chilling hand of death, Where could I go but to the Lord".

 

Some time ago I came across a small magnet that had written on it these words:  "When you are over the hill, time passes quickly". There was a time in my life when time seemed to move so slowly but not anymore. Every tick of the clock, every new sunrise is a reminder that I am getting older and the time of my departure is getting closer. So it is with each of you. We are strangers and pilgrims on this earth (1Peter 2:11, Hebrews 11:13). We are nothing more that sojourners in this world (1Peter 1:17). Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20-21). So long as we live in this world we are not at home!!

 

The words of another beautiful song come to mind: "Slowly we are turning life's pages. How will you use God's golden moments? Will you reap glory or will you reap tears". Here I think of Gal. 6:7-8, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap—sow to the flesh, reap corruption, sow to the spirit and reap life everlasting".  Perhaps all of us should pause for a moment and consider what we are sowing. How are we using these golden moments?

 

It is imperative that we understand time is swiftly passing by and like the Psalmist says, one day we will fly away (Ps. 90:10). When will this be? I do not know the day nor the hour. Neither do you. I do know that the reservation has been made (Heb. 9:27) and it won't be too long until this short life will come to an end. When life here ends, there awaits one of two destinies for us: Hell (Matt. 25:30, Rev. 21:8, 2 Thess.1:7-10) or Heaven (Rev. 14:13 Rev. 21:4)

 

As you enjoy life today, make absolutely sure that you include plans for the eternity that is too come. It doesn't matter how old or how young you may be in terms of years, that day is near (1 Sam. 20:3). Will you be ready?—Matt. 7:24-25, Rom. 10:17, Mk. 16:16,Luke 13:3, Matt. 10:32-33, Acts 8:37, Acts 2:38, 1 Pet.3:21, Matt.10:22, Rev.2:10)

 

Charles Hicks

 

Karo Kazungu Great Moscow State Circus

 

"Faulty Safety Nets"

 

The fear of heights is one of the most common phobias, and I have a healthy dose of it myself. When I'm asked to drag out the ladder to wash second-floor windows, I look for other urgent matters that will keep me from complying. I can't even watch rock climbers. (What are they thinking?!)

 

Karo Kazungu obviously had overcome his fear of heights (if he ever had such). Kazungu is a 22-year-old Kenyan who performs with the Great Moscow State Circus as an acrobat. He performs feats that often put him high in the air. He knows, however, that if something goes wrong there is a safety net waiting below to catch him.

 

This past Wednesday that net failed him. At the end of his performance he dismounted and plunged 85 feet, as he had done numerous other times. This time, however, the net didn't hold him. He fell through the net onto the hard surface beneath. Today he is in intensive care, and has a fractured vertebra. Officials with the circus can't explain what happened.

 

Those who work at great heights typically wear some sort of safety harness. Recently a worker came to replace light bulbs in our parking lot lights. Before he raised the lift on his "cherry picker" truck, he secured his safety belt. The lights are only about 20 feet in the air, but (as the old saying goes) "better safe than sorry".

 

There are some who will climb to high levels with nothing to catch them if something goes wrong. Most of us (the sane ones!), however, want a safety net to break our fall.

 

You may remember that Jesus faced a temptation involving heights. Matthew tells us how Satan took Jesus to "the pinnacle of the temple" and challenged Him to jump off. After all, the devil pointed out, "For it is written, 'He shall give His angels charge over you', and 'In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone'" (Matthew 4:6).

 

Satan was quoting from Psalm 91:11,12. That text says that God watches out for His people. But Jesus saw a problem in accepting Satan's proposal; He would be tempting God by deliberately jumping from that height, and tempting God is wrong (Matthew 4:7; Deuteronomy 6:16). The "angel safety net" was not called upon that day.

 

Psalm 91 reminds us of a wonderful truth: God is there to "catch" His people. When we commit ourselves to His care, He will be with us. In our time of great need, His strong and loving arms will stop our fall.

 

Before leaving this life, Moses pronounced blessings on the tribes of Israel. To the tribe of Asher he said: "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms ..." (Deuteronomy 33:27). What a marvelous thought! The old hymn we sing is true: "What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms; what a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms!"

 

"So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:6).

 

Timothy D. Hall.

 

The Life of Riley

While perusing the internet I came across the following observation about

dogs: "Dogs take each moment at a time and enjoy it; they don't hold

grudges; they are everyone's best friend. Dogs savor the simple things in

life - a walk in the neighborhood, a pat on the head, a quiet moment in

nature. "

Of course there are exceptions to every rule, and many observations come as

a result of an individual's own limited personal experience. Our next door

neighbor just recently acquired two new dogs. One is what I call a 'yapper,'

the other a 'snarler." While they both bark at me when I am in my back yard,

the 'yapper' appears to have a bark worse than his bite, wagging his tail

all the time he is barking. The 'snarler' on the other hand, not only

barks - he shows his teeth and his hair stands up on the back of his neck.

Both are pretty good indications that I best not reach my hand over the

fence to pet him. Be that as it may, most domesticated dogs fit into the

mold described at the beginning of this article . That's why they are called

"domesticated"!

It is not my aim in this week's column to write about dogs, though I think I

could come up with some heart warming stories about dogs in general, and

specific dogs I have owned over the years. Referring back to the quote

provided, why is it that a "dog's life" conjures up a mental picture of

peace and serenity? Do you remember that old Television series, "The Life of

Riley"? He was fond of talking about living a dog's life; though the

situations he often found himself in were anything but the life of ease that

Mr. Riley sought.

One of the most popular songs in our hymnal was written by Johnson Oatman,

Jr. Mr. Oatman was one of the most prolific gospel song writers of the late

nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He was born near Medford, New

Jersey, on April 21, 1856. As a child he became acquainted with spiritual

hymns through the singing talents of his father. At the age of nineteen

Oatman joined the Methodist Church and several years later was granted a

license to preach in local Methodist congregations. Though he wrote over

5,000 hymn texts, Oatman was busily engaged throughout his life in a

mercantile business and later as an administrator for a large insurance

company in New Jersey. He wrote several songs that have appeared in almost

every hymnal our brethren have produced, including "Higher Ground" and "No

Not One." His most popular song, "Count Your Blessings" is the focus of this

article. The song has been translated into various languages, and is among

the most favorite of spi ritual songs ever published. The brethren in

Syktyvkar, Russia love to sing the song, and though I cannot understand the

words in Russian, the tune is easily recognizable. The tune has a joyful

upbeat, and the words convey a message about God's care for His children:

When upon life's billows You are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged

Thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings Name them one by one, And it

will surprise you What the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care, Does the cross seem heavy you are

called to bear. Count your many blessings every doubt will fly, And you will

be singing As the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has

promised You His wealth untold. Count your many blessings Money cannot buy,

Your reward in heaven Nor your home on high.

So amid the conflict whether great or small, Do not be discouraged God is

over all. Count your many blessings Angels will attend, Help and comfort

give you to your journey's end.

Chorus: Count your blessings Name them one by one. Count your blessings See

what God hath done. Count your blessings Name them one by one. Count your

many blessings See what God hath done.

The second stanza is of particular interest. Counting one's blessings helps

bear the burdens we face from time to time. It is unfortunate that so many

in our world are of such a sour disposition that they allow the burdens in

life to blind them to the very blessings they have at their fingertips.

Rather than view their burdens as blessings in disguise, their myopic vision

can see only the burden they might face at any given moment. The one talent

man in Matthew 25 was of just such a disposition. He viewed the blessing

(the one talent) as a burden, failed to use it, and ended up being lost

because of it. Parents who have the ability to bear children should consider

that a great and wonderful blessing. But too often the very children they

are blessed to bring into this world are looked upon as a burden; something

they must now tolerate and raise.

When it comes to opportunities to gather together for Bible Study and

worship, some immature members of the Lord's body have allowed two wonderful

opportunities to be turned into burdens. They struggle to make it to Bible

class and worship services. Getting up, getting the family ready, and

getting to class on time is a frantic rush and an inconvenience on their

schedule. In this land of unparalleled freedoms, we should consider it a

great blessing to be able to assemble without fear of reprisal from

governmental authorities. Sadly, some view such as nothing more than a

burden that interrupts their own personal life style. They have turned a

blessing into a burden.

As I close this article let me assure you that I am not suggesting that the

church has gone to the dogs. But it seems to me if we follow the advice in

that wonderful hymn by Johnson Oatman, those things said about dogs might

find some application in the life of every child of God. With a little

editing the message conveyed is quite sobering, and certainly truthful:

"The child of God takes each moment at a time and enjoys it; they don't hold

grudges; they are everyone's best friend. Christians savor the simple things

in life--a walk in the neighborhood, a pat on the head, a quiet moment in

nature. "

So you see, there are some things to be learned from dogs, burdens and

blessings!

Tom Wacaster

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil

        "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.

          Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Eph. 5:15-16

Well, here we are this morning, rubbing our eyes and trying to keep from nodding off during the sermon because of today's time change. Our annual "leap forward" one hour and thus, losing a precious hour of sleep. Of course "sleep" isn't the only thing "precious" about time and we're going to further pursue the thought about the value of time here shortly.

Before we go to that thought, first I'd like to direct your attention to the verse above that I used as in intro into today's lesson. Our key phrase in that verse is "Redeeming the time." In the Greek language the word "redeem" means to "buy up" or the definition which I particularly like is "rescue from loss." Think of it in the sense of not losing a treasure or something very valuable.

OK now let's go on with our general thought regarding the value of "time." The idea of "time" being a treasure. I believe that most of us, myself included, simply do not truly consider just how valuable "time" is to us. When God created the world we live on and in, one of the things created was "time." This we see in Gen. 1:5 where it tells us that "the evening and the morning were the first day."

Prior to that was eternity and after this world is eternity. I've mentioned this before, but I really like a line spoken in an old cowboy movie when the old cowboy in it said "We travel between the eternities." No truer line was ever spoken in a movie. "Time" was created for us and only applies to this world.

I don't think that we really know much about time, other than how to divide it after God gave us the "day." We figured out how to divide it by hours, minutes and seconds and we've come up with all kinds of devices to apprise us of the passing of those divisions of "time." Some are pretty expensive too.

But, regardless of the cost of the device, it still can only divide "time." It can't change it in any way. Doesn't produce "time." Only divides it and let's us know that it has passed. And, speaking of passing, someone once penned the "5 things that can't return." (1) The stone after it's thrown. (2) The word after it's said. (3) The occasion after it's missed. (4) Time after it's gone. And (5) A person after they die. It's the last three that relate to our lesson today.

Another thing about "time" that we know, but much of the time don't think about enough is, that we do not have an infinite amount of it. It is a finite treasure, meaning that it someday will run out. It'll be gone, never to return. Sadly, the realization of this fact only seems to come to us later on in our lives, doesn't it?

There's really no way to measure this but, have you ever wondered how much "time" you've wasted so far in your life? Isn't it almost frightening to consider that? That reminds me of a statement attributed to Benjamin Franklin who said: "Dost thou live life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of." He is also reported to have said: "Lost time is never found again." How true.

You know, we don't have to have a Rolex on our wrist in order to know that "time" has passed though. We can realize "time" passing by noting a "change" in everything on earth. Everything about this earth changes. That's what Solomon was telling us in Eccl. 3:1 when he said "To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven." The words "under heaven" tells us that "time" applies only to us and this earth.

Scientists tell us that the earth is cooling down. I find that interesting when you consider the much bally-hooed theory of "Global Warming." Everything on the earth, including itself, is wearing out. We humans only have a certain amount of "time" to get things done while we're "traveling" here. Therefore, if we've only got so much "time" allotted to us, and we don't know just exactly how much that is, it behooves us to make the best use of our "time" that we can. Wouldn't you agree?

If I ran a poll and asked everyone just this one question, "What is the most important thing you can spend your time on in your life?" wouldn't you think it interesting to see the various answers to that question? I wonder how many would say that the saving of their soul is the most important? If we believe what Jesus said in Matthew, and I certainly do, then most of the earth's population won't think that. Only a "few"(7:14) will see the saving of their souls as "most important."

Thinking about my "poll" and the probable results of it reminded me of something written by a poet named Abraham Cowley back the 1600's. He wrote: "Time is lent to us to be laid out in God's service, and we cannot be too diligent in it, if we consider that time is precious, short, passing, uncertain, irrevocable when gone, and that for which we must be accountable.

Do you think that you'll be held accountable for the usage of your time here in this life? As they used to say on the old TV comedy show; "you bet your sweet bippy we will." Isn't that what we read in our preamble verse about "redeeming the time?" Even though it may seem so, our "days" are probably no more "evil" than any other age or era on this earth. Everyone, from the first humans put on earth to the last ones left when Christ returns, are required to account for their "time."

Another thought relating to the value of "time" and the "redeeming" of it is one that I read many years ago on a sign in a bank in Texas. It read: "Yesterday is a cancelled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is cash in hand. Spend it wisely."

Yesterday is gone. The "occasion" was missed and the "time" is gone. We don't know whether there will be more "time" or other "occasions" in which to make our souls condition clean and acceptable to God because that's where they will return at the end of our "time" here on earth. (Eccl. 12:7)

The second most important use of our "time" is to do our best to take other souls to heaven with us. To "go and teach" those around us about the Gospel of Christ which is what saves them and us. Since the Gospel has been left in earthly hands to spread throughout the world, we will not have any chance of saving them when either they or ourselves die. Remember #5 that never returns - the dead.

In closing, Paul in Ephesians told us to "walk" as the "wise" in the "redeeming" of your "time." Solomon asks a great question applicable to our lesson. In Eccl. 8:1 he asks: "Who is like a wise man?" And then in verse 5 provides us the answer: "And a wise man's heart discerns both time and judgment." Let's be wise and discerning of both those things.

Ron Covey

Jane McWhorter

There was an expression used a few years ago that took off in popularity like grass afire. It was seen on bracelets, necklaces, stationery, bumper stickers, etc. There were no words -- just W.W.J.D. The letters stood for

What Would Jesus Do?
 

The expression is not seen or heard much these days, but the words are still powerful.  It is a very good question to ask oneself when considering what to say or do in a given situation. We want to emulate Jesus in every respect.

There is another person I try to emulate. Her name is Jane McWhorter. Her godly life is worthy of imitation. When considering the appropriateness of a word or action, I often ask, "What would Jane do?" I want to imitate her Christlikeness. 

Consider Paul's words,

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Jane helped thousands of women grow in the Lord. She certainly touched my life in many wonderful ways.   My first introduction to Jane was when I heard her speak to women at Freed-Hardeman. Her lessons were well prepared and delivered beautifully. It was obvious that she knew and understood God's word. When she spoke of personal adversity, she exhibited humility, grace, and an immense depth of faith. Her demeanor was noble and quiet. Her character was admirable. I wanted to be like her because she was like Jesus.  Jane passed this life a few days ago, but

she will continue to inspire me and others to be Christlike. Her legacy of faith, hope, and devotion to the Lord lives on. Jesus told the aging John,

Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'"Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them

" (Revelation 14:13).

May each of us live so people can say they want to imitate us as we imitate Christ!

Today's Verse:

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example,that you should follow His steps(1 Peter 2:21).
 
--Teresa Hampton