Some Excellent Thoughts To Consider

Friends,

In his latest gracEmail, Ed Fudge has addressed some important issues...and I wanted to share.

Blessings,
Don

A critic of this (Ed's) ministry says that we in the Churches of Christ have restored the New Testament church. Our mission now, he says, is to guard the truth and not to lose our identity and become simply another denomination.


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We might say that we wish to be nothing more than simple Christians after the New Testament order -- with all the risks and ambiguities that aspiration will involve. We might insist that "our" congregations are free under Christ alone -- wondering whether the very pronoun "our" contradicts such a claim. We might scrupulously avoid linking local churches by any formal denominational structure -- yet honestly acknowledging the informal interlocks, networks and influences that more or less control us all. But we must realize that we are a part of history. Our movement did not fall out of the clear blue sky. It had roots, ancestors, environment, just as all earthly movements do.

We can recover the sense of being a "movement" in at least two respects. We can remember first that we belong to the church universal, and at best make a contribution within that larger picture. Second, we can remember that one never "restores" unless he keeps "moving." It is unmitigated hypocrisy for anyone to urge all his religious neighbors: "Just go by the Bible, regardless of what your parents, church, or anyone else has ever taught you to be," then respond to his own critics within by intoning "what faithful gospel preachers have always taught." Our children are neither blind nor deaf to such foolishness, and those we have taught to be honest will reject it outright. Still some will shake their heads and ask why so many are "leaving the old paths."

Our "identity" must finally be no more than that of any faithful Christian in any age of the world. Separated from trusting faith in Jesus Christ, "distinctives" are worse than worthless. Then they also instill self-righteousness and compete with the true gospel. In the day of judgment there will be no point in bringing God a package of tracts proving our "soundness," or dragging in a bundle of arguments that state our "identity" and distinguish our "distinctives." Nothing we can bring will see us through that Day. We can only point then to the sinless Son of God, slain for our sins and raised for our justification. Better to lighten our baggage now in preparation for what will then be inevitable! We can appreciate our history (everybody has one) while keeping it in perspective.

Seeing Red

Friends,

I asked Ian where this picture was taken? He said what I was thinking -- Arizona? New Mexico? Perhaps, Eastern WA even? How about Mars...

Blessings, Don

I Wanted to See Jesus Today

Friends,

I wanted to see Jesus today. I saw the old man instead standing by the pump at the gas station. We said hello to each other as we shared our smiles and left on our way.

I wanted to see Jesus today. I saw the most delightful little child with his mother and she was so sweet to him at the Wal-Mart. I smiled at each and the little fella reached out to touch my arm and my heart as I said, "Hello, little one." He laughingly, fled away. I stood there smiling and beaming from the purest and sweetest touch of innocence.

I wanted to see Jesus today. I saw the old lady, a bent figure with curved spine holding two very heavy shopping bags. She looked so tired. I watched as she tried to cross the street. I was afraid she wouldn't make it as I said, “Let me carry those things for you,” and she did. We made it across the street and I carried those bags up 3 full blocks right to her doorstep. She thanked me and I felt so good.

I wanted to see Jesus today. I saw the man at the train station, he asked for spare change and I looked at him. Without thought of what he would do with the change, I gave it to him. I did so with a prayer and blessing. Then I left and caught the train home.

You see I really wanted to see Jesus today and He really wanted to see me too. It was then that I realized that we had seen each other all throughout the day. He was inside a different shell each time that I saw Him but it was He. His face and expressions would be different each time but He was always the same. He wanted to see me and know what I would do each time that I met Him.

You see I really did want to see Jesus today and I did see Him clearly all the day long.
From Maria Carey

Blessings, Don

Last Shuttle Flight

Friends,

This is a picture of the very last shuttle reentry from orbit. The Space Shuttle Atlantis came home for the last time 10 days ago. There will be a hiatus in manned space flight from the U.S. for some time, but there will continue to be flights from Russia, as well as other robotic crafts that will be launched to explore our solar system...and beyond.

Blessings,
Don