BulletinGold #74 
Feb , 2007   Vol 6#12     

Editorial
----by David Bragg

God's gifts are always beautiful (James 1:17).  His creation is always marvelous.  It is no wonder that the idea of meeting the human need of companionship led God to establish the first home.  Although often flawed under the burden of sin borne by modern society, the home is still sweet.  It is a great idea not because of human contributions.  It is great by God's design.

It is no surprise that the idea of meeting the human need of salvation led God to establish the New Testament church.  It also often labors under the weight of human imperfections.  Yet, the church retains its beauty as the Divine, blood-bought Kingdom of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28).  The church is a great idea not because of human contributions.  It is great by God's design.

Both of these concepts were born of necessity.  Neither can survive without the other.  The home needs the church to provide direction through life and into eternity.  The church needs the home.  It is here that the basic truths of Christianity are examined, applied and found worthwhile.  Both must be patterned after God's design. 

This month's BulletinGold seeks to focus upon God's wonderful gift of marriage and family.  Living within these divinely ordained institutions one will find many great blessings from God, and the potential for true "greatness."

David Bragg, co-editor
www.davidbragg.org

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Panning for Gold
- Feature Articles:  

In the midst of marital disagreement, it is not uncommon for a spouse to wonder if there isn’t somebody with whom they would be more compatible.  Suleyman Guresci, of Izmir, Turkey, divorced his wife of 21 years after a bitter six-year court battle. In an effort to find the ideal woman, Guresci turned to a computer dating service—the kind that evaluates your written profile and suggests matches for you. From a list of 2,000 prospective brides, the computer selected his former wife, who unbeknownst to Guresci) had signed up for the same service. Guresci’s response? He decided to remarry his wife just months after the divorce. He said, “I did not know that my ex-wife had been the ideal counterpart for marriage. I decided to give it another try by being more tolerant toward her. (Raymond McHenry, “Stories for the Soul,” p. 176.)

Marriage can be a lot of trouble. Just think about all the time, effort, expense, worry, tension, and heartbreak that goes into the male-female relationship. Young people worry that someone of the opposite sex won’t like them. The same young people often have concerns about what real love is, how they will know when they are in love, what to do if they think they are in love, and they wonder what would happen if the other person really does love them back.

Then there is all the fuss about engagements and weddings. Most guys seem to breeze along and go with whatever they are told to do; but for many young women, it’s a big deal. It’s even a bigger deal for the mother of the bride-to-be. There are so many decisions to be made, a wedding-dress to choose, bridesmaid dresses, decorations, people to invite, and more. Yes, it’s trouble.

Then the wedding happens and the happy couple gets hit with rice or birdseed, climbs into a terribly decorated car, and launches into married life. Maybe they enjoy a few days of honeymoon, but sooner or later, just about every couple wakes up to a frightening realization—marriage is a lot of trouble; and with all its joys and blessings, it also requires a lot of work!

That person you adored can sometimes seem like a stranger. He or she has weird ideas about decorating the house, how to spend money, whose parents you will visit on holidays, what leisure time is all about, and even what TV shows to watch. Resolving financial problems isn’t simply a matter of choosing what to buy; it’s having enough money—period! Communication can grow in volume in direct proportion to the frustration level caused by one’s spouse. Nope, marriage isn’t easy, it’s hard.

I dare you to read your Bible and find the passage that says marriage is easy. Let me save you more trouble. It’s not there. Marriage takes work, effort, purpose, and time; but it can succeed beautifully . . . Especially when we realize that God has given us the ideal counterpart and we have decided to give it another try by being more tolerant.

— Bill Denton; this article originally appeared in HEARTLIGHT® Magazine;  via The Family Friend, a monthly publication of the Calvert City church of Christ, Calvert City, KY.  Lance Cordle serves the congregation as local minister of editor.  He may be contacted at Lance@calvertchurchofchrist.com

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The home or family is the rock upon which our nation stands. Most are acquainted with Edward Gibbon’s monumental work, “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.” In this work, Gibbon records five factors that brought about the destruction of Rome, first of which was: “The rapid increase in divorce, the undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home which is the basis of human society.”

The family is under attack from many quarters. This reality should motivate us to preserve it at all cost. Approximately one million divorces are granted each year in our nation. Domestic violence claims the lives of twenty-five percent of police officers that investigate such domestic quarrels. With all of my strength I want to emphasize that God, and only God has the answer and it is found in His word (Psalm. 127:1).

Husband and wife often drift apart due to their jobs and other interests. The things that drew them together now seem to drive them a part. The husband, wife, and children seem to be strangers with little in common. Chinese tradition emphasizes the practice of having all the family together at mealtime. This certainly helps to strengthen the family unit. Following this example would be a great help in bringing the family together.

My life as a shut-in has given me time for pondering and meditation about this serious matter. As a gospel preacher my work would often take me away from our family. Good works like visitation, counseling, speaking appointments, and other important endeavors demanded much of my time. We can justify our actions in many ways by saying “this is important.” However, let us not minimize our responsibility to those whom we love the most, our family. The time we have with our children will slip away with great haste. We should seize every moment to spend with our loved ones. Therefore, “make time for the family.”
 
-- Bob Spurlin, the "horizontal" preacher, has been bedridden with Multiple Sclerosis for a number of years, yet continues to faithfully serve his Lord through a number of avenues, most notably his writing.  In addition to his website, www.bobspurlin.com, you may contact Bob via his email: prechteach@aol.com (©2000-2006 BOB SPURLIN).
                             

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Abraham Lincoln said, “All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”

The memorial known as “Mother’s Day” was founded by Anna Jarvis in May 1908, to honor her mother, and in May 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May as “Mother’s Day.”

Motherhood is the dream of most little girls, is accepted by novices, and comes with no instruction booklet, yet someone has said, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.”

The Israelites of old were told, “Honour thy father and mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee” (Ex. 20:12). That command is repeated by Paul in Ephesians 6, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (v. 1-3).

Mothers have the power within their hands to wield the most influence on a child’s life, however, not all mothers are worthy of praise. Let us notice some of the mothers in scripture.

(1) EVE.  “And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living” (Gen. 3:20). She gave in to Satan’s temptation, and caused her husband to sin. As a consequence of her sin, God said, “I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee” (Gen. 3:16). A mother must first be an example to her children.

(2) REBEKAH.  Isaac, son of Abraham and Sara, married Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel, the Syrian (Gen. 25). She gave birth to twins, Jacob and Esau. Isaac loved Esau, the eldest, and Rebekah loved Jacob, which caused untold problems, ultimately led to her deceit of her husband, and feelings of hatred among Jacob, Esau and their many descendants.

Favoritism toward one child over another by a mother should never be.  Of course, each child is different, and has different needs, but a Mother must strive for impartiality.

(3) HANNAH.  Being childless, she entreated the Lord for a child, and vowed to “give him unto the Lord all the days of his life” (v. 11). She had Samuel (v. 20), and when she had weaned him, she “brought the child to Eli” (v. 26).

Hannah “made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice” (2:19).  She was further blessed with “three sons and two daughters” (v. 21).  Samuel later became God’s prophet, and the chief religious authority in the land. A mother’s love will always see to the needs of her children.

(4) TWO MOTHERS.  After Solomon became king of Israel, he asked God for “an understanding heart to judge thy people that I may discern between good and bad” (I Kings 3:9). God then gave him a wise and understanding heart in addition to riches and honor (vs. 12,13).

“Then came there two women” (v. 16), who had delivered children.  During the night, one child had died, and both were claiming the live child. Solomon asked for a sword to divide the child, but the mother of the living child said, “O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it.” The mother of the dead child said, “...divide it” (v. 26). Solomon then knew the true mother. A mother will always do what is best for her children.

(5) ATHALIAH.  The daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (the most wicked king and queen of Israel), she inherited the character of her mother. When her son, King Ahaziah, was slain by Jehu, she put to death all of her grandsons (2 Kings 11), except Joash, who was saved by an aunt. She then seized the throne and reigned six years.

Oh, that mothers would realize that their children are watching every move they make, and they want to emulate them.

(6) MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS CHRIST.  Of the lineage of David, she was a “virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary” (Lk. 1:27). The child “which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost” (Mt. 1:20).

Mary became the wife of Joseph, and Jesus Christ was subject to them (Lk. 2:51). “And Jesus increased in wisdom, stature, and in favour with God and man” (v. 52).

Oh, the agony she must have felt when our Lord hung on that old rugged cross. “When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple standing by, whom He loved, He saith unto His mother, woman, behold thy son. Then saith He to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own house” (Jn. 19:26,27).

A true mother desires, prays for, and works for the health, happiness, prosperity and success of her children, and will strive daily to teach the fundamentals needed for such.

A MOTHER IS...
Someone who cares when others care less
Someone who encourages when others ridicule.
Someone who defends when others condemn.
Someone with patience when others are intolerant.
Someone who appreciates when others ignore.
Someone who is accepting when others reject.
Someone who gives security in an uncertain world.
Someone who is a friend for all time, to cherish and protect, as her achievements will linger for generations. (Selected)

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her” (Prov. 31:28).

- Via Lake Hills Bulletin; from The Mathis Messenger, the weekly bulletin of the church of Christ in Mathis, TX.  Kyle Moses, evangelist and editor, may be contacted at MathisCofC@stx.rr.com
                             

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Have you heard the story about the family who was moving from the East coast to the West coast?  It seems that they were going to have to drive in two vehicles.  The father was driving one vehicle, and his brother was driving the other.  When it came time for the children to choose who to ride with, they chose their fun-loving uncle, to the uncle's great delight.  He was flattered that they had chosen him over their own parents.

However, before they left town, the little boy asked his uncle, "What happens if we get separated from mom and dad?"  To which the uncle said, "Don't worry, we won't."  But the boy persisted, "Well, what if we do?"  The uncle jokingly remarked, "Well, I guess we'll never see them again."  After a moment of silence, the little boy said, "I think I'm going to ride with my mom and dad."

You know, this world contains many things that are flashy, fun, and exciting which capture our attention, but when it comes right down to it, I wouldn't want any of those things if it meant that I would be separated from my heavenly Father forever.

Maybe we ought to take a moment and think about the one with whom we are riding.

-- Steve Higginbotham is the minister for the South Green Street church of Christ, Glasgow, Kentucky.  He may be contacted at shigg@glasgow-ky.com  [Copyright © 2006, South Green Street Church of Christ, Glasgow, Kentucky
Permission is granted to copy these articles.]
                           

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    Earth is not our final home.
Solomon: Eccl. 12:2–Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit will return to God who gave it."
Abraham: Heb. 11:10–"For he looked for a city which had foundations, whose builder and maker is God."
Paul: Phil. 1:23–" . . . having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better . . ."

    To go to heaven, a person must decide to go. If we don’t decide to go to heaven, then in reality, we are choosing hell.

    God, Christ, the Holy Spirit and Christians plead with you to make the right choice. But only you can make the choice. Rev. 22:17– "And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athrist Come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

Only one way to the Father, to go heaven–through Christ. – John 14:6– "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

    Jesus, the one way. He purchased the body, the church, with His blood. Acts 20:28. Jesus wants His followers to be united. John 17:21– "That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they all may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You have sent Me."

    Christ’s way of unity– Eph. 4:3-6– "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling: One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through you all."

    One Bible. " . . .That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (Tim. 3:16-17). ...."His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness." (2 Pet. 1:3).

    One mediator– Jesus Christ, our High Priest. (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:14-16).

    One rule– " ... let us walk by the same rule." (Phil. 3:16). "A strait and narrow way." (Matt. 7:14).

    How to start in the narrow way– Believe that Christ is the Son of God, Heb. 11:6; Repent of your sins, Acts 2:38; Confess Christ, Rom. 10:9-10; Be baptized into Christ, Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-5. Then go to heaven, if you are faithful. "Be thou faithful until death, and I will give you a crown of life." (Rev. 2:10).

- Jimmy Cox lives in Sandy Hook, MS and attends the Columbia church of Christ in Columbia, MS. He may be contacted at cc0c@Bellsouth.netmail
                              

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It was like a scene from a horror film: A 32-year-old man plummeted three meters into a gaping hole that suddenly opened beneath his home, trapping him beneath foundation rubble and killing him.  Authorities said Jason Chellew was relaxing in his living room around 9:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, when he heard creaking noises, sprang up and began to move across the room just as the floor opened beneath him sending him plunging into the ground, authorities said.

According to authorities, the home, built in the 1980s, may have been sitting atop a decades-old underground mine.  The area, in the Sierra Nevada foothills, was heavily mined for gold in the late 1800s.  A mine collapse is one likely cause of the strange episode, officials said.  Recent rains possibly softened the ground under the home which is located in an isolated area near Lake Alta, California.

"It's unbelievable," Placer County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Dena Erwin said.  "From the front of the house, it's absolutely normal. Then, in the middle of the house, is this enormous hole."

"You hate to lose anybody like that," said Carol Gillies, clerk of the Alta Fire District. "This whole area is undermined with mines. It makes you think about, 'Where did I build my house?' " *

Good question!  An even more important question is: “Upon what foundation am I building my LIFE?”  Jesus stated a truth that has been validated by experience that the foundations of our lives WILL be tested (Matthew 7:24-27). 

He also informed us that there are basically only TWO foundations upon which we can build our lives:

Foundation #1 - “Therefore whoever HEARS these sayings of Mine, and DOES them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the ROCK: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock."

Foundation #2 - “But everyone who HEARS these sayings of Mine, and DOES NOT do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the SAND: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And GREAT was its fall” (Matthew 7:24-27).

Jesus taught that THE foundation that will remain sure and steadfast through time and eternity is based upon HEARING -AND- DOING the will of God!  Build YOUR life on the Rock: placing your faith in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), repenting of sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), being baptized (immersed) in the name of Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), and following Him faithfully for the rest of your life (1 John 1:7).

Upon which foundation are YOU building your life: upon the sinking sand or upon the Rock that forever shall stand?
 
God bless you!

-- David A. Sargent, minister for the church of Christ at Creekwood in Mobile, Alabama, is also the editor of an electronic devotional entitled Living Water."  To learn more about this excellent resource contact David via their website: www.creekwoodcc.org

* The Canadian Press, Published: Sunday, April 23, 2006
                              

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Nuggets and Quick Riches
-    misc. goodies this issue

POSITION: Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy, Ma.

JOB DESCRIPTION:  Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, email and internet websites, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple home work projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION: Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.
 
WAGES AND COMPENSATION: Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS: While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

-- via The Family Friend, a monthly publication of the Calvert City church of Christ, Calvert City, KY.  Lance Cordle serves the congregation as local minister of editor.  He may be contacted at Lance@calvertchurchofchrist.com
                               

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Hearts of Gold
----poetry this issue

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Take a moment to listen today
To what your children are trying to say;
Listen today, whatever you do
Or they won’t be there to listen to you.

Listen to their problems, listen for their needs.
Praise their smallest triumphs,
Praise their smallest deeds.
Tolerate their chatter, amplify their laughter,
Find out what’s the matter,
Find out what they’re after.

But tell them that you love them,
Every single night
And though you scold them, be sure you hold them;
Tell them “Everything’s all right;
Tomorrow’s looking bright!”

Take a moment to listen today
To what your children are trying to say;
Listen today, whatever you do
And they will come back to listen to you.

-- This poem came to us via The Encourager, the weekly bulletin of the Calvert City church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  It was credited to Bulletin Digest, church of Christ, Sweeney, TX.                             

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Gold Mines
----quotes & sayings for bulletins and signs this issue

Some women have learned that if you give your husband an inch he may think he is a ruler.
--  THE ENCOURAGER, weekly bulletin of Dongola church of Christ, Dongola, IL.

“Marriage is a coming together for better or worse, hopefully enduring, and intimate to the degree of being sacred” (William O. Douglas).

“My most brilliant achievement was my ability to persuade my wife to marry me” (Winston Churchill).

“There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage” (Martin Luther). 

"To keep your marriage brimming, with love in the wedding cup, whenever you're wrong, admit it; whenever you're right, shut up" (Ogden Nash).

"Most churches have more guidelines on what can be done during a wedding than they do on whether a couple should be getting married in the first place?"
-- The Family Friend, monthly newsletter dedicated to improving family relationships and spiritual training. 
"A woman's always younger than a man of equal years" (Elizabeth Barrett Browning).

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