Apps for hiking

"Trail Guide"

Daniel Boone was a legend in his own time. A woodsman at heart, he spent months at a time hunting, trapping, and scouting out the territory west of the Allegheny Mountains. As more settlers made the decision to move into new regions, his services were often called upon. He knew the terrain, and could show these pioneers the way to get to where they wanted to go. "Trail blazer" is a good description of his life.

Those who love hiking in the woods know about that term "blaze". It signifies a mark on a tree or a rock (usually made with long-lasting paint) that tells a hiker he or she is on the right path. The rule of thumb is that as you stand next to one of these blazes you should be able to see the next one in the distance. (That's not always the case.)

But how to get to these trails in the first place? Modern hikers have at their disposal new technology to take with them on their adventures. I, for example, carry my smart phone with me. One of the apps on my phone will list (if I can receive a signal!) all the trails in the vicinity, giving descriptions and reviews of each. I can also blaze my own trail and record my tracks so others can follow. Daniel Boone is now in my pocket!

Hiking through the mountains is now easier than ever. Wouldn't it be nice if there was such an app for life in general? As a person prepares to trek through marriage or parenthood, for example, wouldn't it be great if someone was there to guide them?

Actually, there's an app for that, too! It's called "the Bible". Whether you have a Bible app on a smart phone or tablet, or simply carry a leather-bound copy under your arm, you already have a guide to show you the way.

The psalmist pointed to this truth: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). God's word can illuminate our way, no matter where we are in life. It has wisdom to give us understanding for all of life's challenging times.

In hiking a trail recently, we came to a crossing of paths that was not clearly marked. The path we chose turned out to be correct - but what if it had been the wrong choice?

God provides for such times of confusion: "Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess" (Deuteronomy 5:32,33).

Daniel Boone was susceptible to mistakes; so is the trail app on my phone. But the Lord's directions never fail. If followed, they always lead to abundant life (John 10:10).

Timothy D. Hall

BIBLE PROVERBS ON ANGER

Strife

Proverbs 17

¹Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

Proverbs 17 - inevidable

¹⁹He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

Proverbs 17 - prevention

¹⁴The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Proverbs 10 – benefit of the doubt gets lost

¹²Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Proverbs 29 – just a matter of time

²²An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

Proverbs 28 – pride vs. trust?

²⁵He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

Proverbs 26 - fodder

²¹As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Proverbs 26 - MYOB

¹⁷He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

Proverbs 30

³³Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

Proverbs 22

¹⁰Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

Proverbs 26

²⁰Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

Proverbs 15

¹⁸A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Proverbs 20 - MYOB

³It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

2 Timothy 2 – gentleness AND apt teaching

²³But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. ²⁴And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, ²⁵In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth

Consequences of Hatred

Proverbs 14 – destroys judgment

¹⁷He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

Proverbs 22 – anger accompanies iniquity (useless and futile)

⁸He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

Proverbs 19 – lack of control?

¹⁹A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

Proverbs 25 – like answering a matter before you hear it?

⁸Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.

Proverbs 28 – this will be punished

¹⁷A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

Proverbs 18 – scorn? Punishes himself

⁶A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

Proverbs 20

²The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

Proverbs 22 – evil communication

²⁴Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: ²⁵Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

Characteristics of a Person Who Hates – Or Doesn’t

Proverbs 10 – but he thinks he is so sly

¹⁸He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

Proverbs 21 – every proud person will be punished

²⁴Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

Proverbs 25 – murderer?

¹⁸A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

Proverbs 17 – great anger

¹²Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

Proverbs 27 – great anger

³A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.

Proverbs 28

¹⁵As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

Proverbs 29 – opposites repel

¹⁰The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

Proverbs 27 – the most evil hatred

⁴Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

Proverbs 16 – “I just couldn’t help myself…”

³²He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Proverbs 14

²⁹He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

What to Choose Instead of Hatred

Proverbs 15

¹⁷Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Proverbs 21

⁹It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

Proverbs 21

¹⁹It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

Proverbs 25

²⁴It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

Proverbs 24 – “vengeance is mine…”

²⁹Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

Proverbs 25

²¹If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: ²²For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

What Brings on Anger and What Controls It

Proverbs 18

¹⁹A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Proverbs 29 - Cain

¹⁰The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

Proverbs 29

⁸Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.

Proverbs 25

²³The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

Proverbs 25

¹⁷Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

Proverbs 21

¹⁴A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

Proverbs 19

¹¹The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

Proverbs 15

¹A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Proverbs 17

⁹He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

Proverbs 10

¹²Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Brett Johnson

Incognito Isn't Anymore

Richie Incognito, an offensive lineman for the Miami Dolphins, isn't "incognito" anymore.  Rather he's been the lead story in sporting news for the past week.  Incognito was thrust into the national spotlight because of accusations his fellow teammate, Jonathan Martin, leveled against him for bullying.

A message left on Martin's voice mail seems to validate the accusations made against Incognito.  In this voicemail, Richie Incognito left a terribly vulgar, profane, and threatening message.  Consequently, the Dolphins organization suspended Incognito, and will likely dismiss him from the team.

If everything is as it seems, Incognito is deserving of punishment.  He's been caught dead to rights. Whatever happens to him is of his own making.  He's made himself an easy mark.  But here's a question I'd like for us to answer -- Have we ever been caught dead to rights?  Have we ever made ourselves an easy mark?  Have we ever been guilty, with no excuses to hide behind?  If so, what did we need at that moment?

We needed grace, forgiveness, and understanding.  I'm not suggesting that we or Incognito for that matter, shouldn't have to face the consequences of our/his misconduct, but we don't need to be abandoned and rejected in such moments.  That's not what Jesus did, and as his disciples, that's not how we should respond either.

We may not be in a position to reach out to Richie Incognito in his hour of failure, but aren't there others to whom we can reach out?  What about the unmarried, teenage girl who ends up pregnant?  What about the person who is unfaithful to his marriage vows?  What about the person who is caught in an embarrassing lie?  What about the person who is caught abusing alcohol or some other drug? And the list can go on and on.  These people have made themselves easy marks, and it would be easy to "pile on," but I'd like to call you to a more Christlike response.  Hate the sin, but love the sinner.  There are people in your sphere of influence who have really messed up. How do you plan on responding to them?

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God

1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

You and I as children of God should be the happiest people on the face of this earth. Every day we should be rejoicing (1 Pet. 1:8-9, 1 Thess. 5:16, Phil. 4:4, Rom. 5:1-2, Ps. 9:1-2). Certainly, there are times when our hearts do become heavy and our steps are a little slow because of some adverse condition that has occurred but those times should only be momentary and not of a lasting nature because we have a fellowship with the Father and his Son that enables us to rise above all the adverse circumstances (1 John 1:1-7, 1 Cor. 1:9, 1 John 4:4).

Thanks be to God, we have been delivered from the power of darkness and have been redeemed through the blood of Jesus having our sins forgiven (Col. 1:12-14). As a result of our obedience to the Son of God, there awaits for us a home not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (2 Cor. 5:1-2). We often sing, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, O what foretaste of glory divine, Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of his Spirit, washed in His blood”.  We also sing, “My name is written in the Book of Life, O bless the name of Jesus….I know, I know my name is written there”. However, I afraid that a lot of folks do not have the assurance of that which they sing about (1 Cor. 14:15). I have heard individuals when asked if they are going to heaven respond by saying, “hope so”, “maybe” or “just have to wait and see”, or “I just don’t know”. The answer should be a resounding  “yes”. This is not being cocky or boastful. Rather, it is showing our trust in our Lord and what he tells us. John tells us over and over in the book of 1 John “we know”, “we know”. I fear that sometimes we exhibit more fear and frustration than faith. This simply shows a lack of confidence in God and his exceedingly precious promises to us (2 Pet. 1:1-4, John 14:1-3, Rom. 8:26-27, 35-39, Mk. 16:16, Ps. 29:11, Phil. 4:6-7, Rom. 8:28, 31, 1 Pet. 5:7, Heb. 13:5).

Our confidence comes not from ourselves but from the Lord. We should be shouting from the roof top, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me” Phil. 4:13; “ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…” (Gal. 2:20);  “….I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Tim. 1:12). Knowing that Christ lives in me, knowing that I am a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), knowing that my sins are forgiven (Col. 1:14) and I walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4) and knowing that God will never leave me nor forsake me (Heb. 13:5), I can sing loudly and with great confidence, “I know, I know my name is written there”

God said it, I believe it and that ends the matter.

Charles Hicks

What does it mean to redeem the time?

Ephesians 5:15-16 "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

Can you think of any better advice to give to a child of God today than that contained in the above passage? It is becoming more difficult with each passing day to live soberly, righteously and godly (Titus 2:11-12). The God we believe in and serve is ridiculed, mocked and scorned by masses of people throughout the world including our own nation. His word is rejected and tossed aside. We are surrounded on every hand with violence, crime, treachery, selfishness, greed, envy, jealousies, materialism, covetousness and immorality (2 Tim. 3:1-5, Rom. 1:22-32, Gal. 5:19-21). The world tugs at our heartstrings constantly (1 John 2:15-17).

It is imperative that we walk this pathway cautiously, watchfully guarding against the possibility of being drawn into a sinful life (Heb. 12:1-2, 1 Cor. 10:12-13). We must walk as people whose sins have been washed away (Acts 22:16) and are a peculiar people shining as lights in a world engulfed in the darkness of evil (1 Pet. 2:9-12, Matt. 5:14-16). As a child of God, we are a member of the Lord's church and whatever we say, whatever we do reflects in some manner upon Christ and the church.

It is not easy to live a faithful Christian life in a world steeped in sin and error. In reality, there has never been an age of man in which it was easy to live faithfully. But all is not gloom and doom. We serve a risen saviour and our trust is in him to guide us and keep us safe on this journey. So long as we carefully guard our footsteps and trust him no matter what besets us, we have no cause to fear because he will be us and lead us all the way home (Heb. 13:5, Rev. 14:13). We have the awesome privilege of being able to go boldly before the throne of God and find grace to help us in every time of need (Heb. 4:16). One of the songs we often sing says it so well, "O how praying rests the weary! Prayer will change the night to day, so when life seems dark and dreary, Don't forget to pray". If we trust and obey, our God will take care of us (Psalms 23).

Those who know me, know that my favorite song is, "I'll Fly Away". "Some glad morning when this life is over, I'll fly away to a home on God's celestial shore". O to be sure, sometimes my heart does become heavy and my footsteps become somewhat slow but I am not afraid because God is my salvation (Isa. 12:2). Today I walk with the King, though he is unseen, but tomorrow I will awake to behold him face to face and I will live on throughout eternity in a land where I will never grow old and joy will never end (Rev. 21:4). The anticipation of that day encourages me to be faithful to my Lord and is sufficient to sustain me in these evil days How about you?


Charles Hicks

How to find the church described in the Bible

I am Not a Protestant

It has troubled me greatly how church of Christ Christians have swallowed the Catholicized history of religion, how Christians are okay with being classified as “Protestant.”  I have a catholic friend who kept talking about my “Protestant” religion; one day, I decided to inform him I was not a Protestant.  He claimed that it is merely a label that means one is not Catholic.  You are either a Catholic or a Protestant.  What is often not understood is that you are either Catholic or Protestant only if the Catholic assertion that the Catholic church was the Church which Christ built is the truth.

I challenge every Christian to look into the history of Protestantism.  It began in the 16^th century by those who were protesting the Catholic church.  These protestors left Catholicism to begin their own religion in the way they saw Catholicism falling short of true Biblical principles.  To accept the Catholic and secular label that we are Protestant, simply because we are not Catholic, is to accept the idea that our religion—the church of Christ—began in the 16^th century as a split (a denomination) from the church which Christ built.  This is not the case.  The Church of Christ did not begin in the 16^th century with the Protestant movement. 

The Church of Christ did not begin in the 18^th century with Alexander Campbell and the Restoration movement either.  I applaud what Campbell did for the church of Christ in the United States; however, I do not accept, as my Catholic friend proposed, that he is the reason there is a Church of Christ because it is simply not true.

The Church that Christ built—the religion which I follow—was begun by Jesus, Himself, in the 1^st century.  I know this because the Bible tells me.  I do not care what supposed popes have written in the past.  I would remind naysayers that history is written by men—by the victors.  The Catholic religion held massive power in Europe, even into the political realm, for centuries.  Of course they are going to record into history that they are the first church, the one the Christ built.  That was the entire basis on which their power was supposedly legitimate.

Then, I would remind everyone that the Church which Christ built, the one the Bible describes, does not include a pope, or creeds, or sacraments, or infant baptism, or confirmation, or purgatory, or instrumental music, or any number of other things included in catholic and protestant worship.  If you are a member of the Church which Christ built in 33 AD, then you are not a Protestant.  You are a Christian.  Simple as that.  No other classification or label needed.

--Tricia Reno

Are we under the new covenant or the old covenant?

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,  acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." (Rom. 12:1)

Many of my editorial lessons are inspired by a passage I’ve read while preparing a class lesson and that’s the case here today. Now this wasn’t the first time I’d read the above verse, but on this last occasion it struck a chord in my memory bank, along with some other scripture "chords," and an editorial started forming up somewhere in the few brain cells that I have left. Let me see if I can intelligibly transfer my thoughts onto paper for you.

The basic theme of this lesson deals with "sacrifices" and how they apply to us. And, I’ll try and be as concise as I can in presenting my thoughts. I’ll start off by asking you a question: the Bible tells us that the "New Covenant" is better than the "Old Covenant" so my question is, What makes it better? If your answer is "a better sacrifice" your correct.

Oh, I know the "promises" or rewards (and the punishments) are "better" but they are only better because of the "sacrifice." You’ll recall that under the Old Law the people were required to bring animal sacrifices to the "priests" for various offerings, but for our lesson, we’ll concentrate on the "sin offerings." The reason being was that "blood" had to be shed. Read Lev. 16 regarding these "sacrifices."

As you read the passages that I refer to you and check my veracity, here’s something to think about. Did you ever wonder why the animal to be sacrificed was supposed to be the "best" of the herd/flock? Why they were required to be "without spot" and "without blemish?" (Num. 28 & 29) Think about it - it wouldn’t be much of a "sacrifice" if it wasn’t, would it?

But, if you lived under the Old Law and you did "sacrifice" the very best animal you had, it would still be insufficient to remove your sins. (Heb. 10:4) The only thing your "sacrifice" could do is to be a continual reminder to you of your being a sinner. (Heb. 10:3) It could only advance or roll them ahead until such time as the "perfect sacrifice" came in the form of The Messiah. In the form of Jesus Christ.

Here’s an interesting little thought for you to think about - did that animal do anything to warrant its death? Was it the "criminal" of the flock? No, of course not. It was just the best, the most perfect available at the time of the Old Covenant, but as far as removing one’s sins, it wasn’t good enough to do that. Only the "perfect sacrifice" could absolve man of his sins.

There are many people who believe that "faith" only came to be required by the "New Covenant." Not so. God’s people worked by "faith" under both of the earlier dispensations. "Faith" was required on their part and evidenced by their obedience in obeying what God said for them to do and then in the keeping of "The Law" once it was given them through Moses.

By studying the Old Testament, you can see that "faith" has always been a requirement by God. You can back the Old Testament writings with what’s said in Hebrews the 11th chapter - "by faith Abel....Noah....Abraham....Moses....Gideon....and many others did as God commanded.

You’ll also see by your study of the O.T. that much of the time and most of the Jews were not faithful in keeping The Law. I’m thinking that, as a nation, they would probably compare well with what Jesus said about the "wide and narrow roads" and the "many and the few" who take them. (Matt. 7:13-14)

So then, like God’s people of all times and places, we operate our lives "by faith." In other words: we do as God directs through His Word. Just like Abraham, Noah, Moses and all the rest.

Now, I don’t know how you feel about it, but I’m really glad that we’re not required to make animal sacrifices today. I just can’t see myself dragging a bleating, balking sheep or goat down the aisle to the altar to be slaughtered. Anyone who has ever had to take an animal to a veterinarian might get a remote sense of how animals act in a situation wherein they sense danger of some sort. Add to that picture the fact that there would be many, many others there with their animals, along with the smell of blood and burning flesh, yuck, what a dreadful mental image.

No, I’m extremely and forever happy that Jesus Christ, the "perfect sacrifice" has come and because of that sacrifice on the cross, my sins are "forgiven" and not just rolled forward for another year. That, under the "New Covenant" I’m not required to show my "faith" by physically sacrificing animals to be reminded that I’m a sinner.

But, under this "New Covenant," there is still a "sacrifice" required of God’s People. That "sacrifice" is - US! As we read in our preamble verse from Romans 12:1. In order to remain one of God’s People, we’re required to "present" ourselves (bodies) as a "living sacrifice." And the Apostle Paul says that doing this is our "reasonable service."

Well, that’s not hard to understand, is it? It’s completely understandable that God expects His people to recognize His Son’s "perfect sacrifice" that IS SUFFICIENT to take away our sins. And to live their lives in obedience to Him which continually reminds us of Christ’s "sacrifice."

Remember I mentioned earlier about "better promises and punishments?" Here’s our closing thoughts on this lesson. When we do live our lives here on earth "as a living sacrifice" we’re promised that we’ll live "eternally" in heaven with Him. On the flip-side of that thought, if we don’t serve Him as a "living sacrifice" we’ll also live "eternally" only it will be in a place having very distinct differences from where God, Christ and the saints are.

One last little thought, still using the contrast between the Jews under the Old Law and God’s people under the New. The Jews weren’t always totally disobedient to The Law. Much of the time they were somewhat obedient to God’s commands. Don’t you think that there are many today that are like them, in that they "somewhat" are obedient? That they "almost" present themselves as a "living sacrifice?"

Well, the terrible tragedy seen here is that being a "partial living sacrifice" isn’t going to cut it with God. If you’ve never been, or you’ve "almost" become obedient to Christ, or you’ve "left your first love" (Rev. 2:4) you will not be counted as faithful. In that situation you become a member of a different camp, so to speak. I’m not saying that nor making that judgment. Read Heb. 10:28-31 and see what God says about it.

Ron Covey