Playing Monopoly

Does the name Charles Darrow ring a bell with you? Probably not, but you are familiar with what he did. During the great depression of the early 1930's, Mr. Darrow of Germantown, Pennsylvania was an unemployed heating engineer. With plenty of spare time on his hands, he began concocting a new board game which he made and reproduced by hand.

In 1935, Parker Brothers purchased the game called "Monopoly". Since that time, more than 90 million Monopoly games have been sold. The object of the game is strictly capitalistic. The more financial gain you achieve, the better your chances of winning. This is very much the foundation on which many homes are built today. Everything done is tied to making that next dollar. Often the more lasting, valuable things are pushed aside. The problem with this kind of living is that when you come to the end, you realize you have lost. Paul said, "For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out" (1 Timothy 6:7). Let's remember today the really important things and keep our lives in perspective.
(borrowed)

The Day God Spilled the Paint!

The Day God Spilled the Paint!

The east side of Carrizo plain, in the Temblor Range, about 50 miles due west of Bakersfield, CA. Photo taken by Barbara Matthews, May 14, 2005.

Nothing man can do could ever equal the glory of God's creation. (borrowed)

Being A Friend

A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they're not so bad. --Arnold H. Glasgow

Are you that kind of friend? Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." We can be a great source of strength and comfort to our friends if we take the time to develop a relationship with them. Solomon says that two are better than one because if one falls the other can lift him up; the two can keep each other warm; they can help defend each other from the enemy. (Eccl. 4:9-12) Good and righteous friends can be important assets. We all need a true friend from time to time. Are you one?

"A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Prov. 18:24) That is the kind of friend I want.

Dana Burk

Called to Be Saints

• The hero is the one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by. The saint is the man who walks through the dark paths of the world, himself a light. --Felix Adler

Paul addressed the church at Corinth in this manner, "to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord..." (1Corinthians 1:2) Each of us who are Christians have been called to be saints. Jesus said that we are to be the light of the world and not to hide our lights under bushels but rather to raise them up onto a candlestick so that all might see and glorify God.

Are you walking through the dark paths of this corrupt world and shining as a light for Christ so that others might see or are you hiding your light from the world? The story is told of the young man who came home from college and was telling his father of all the worldliness and godlessness that existed at his university. He even talked about how his professors openly taught against God and the Bible. Disturbed, his father asked him what his friends and professors said when they found out he was a Christian. The young man proudly said, "I don't think they ever even had a clue."

Is that reminiscent of your life? Do people not even have a clue you are a servant of His? Or are you daily walking in such a way that it is obvious whom you serve? If you were to be arrested for being a Christian, is there enough evidence to convict you? Something each of us needs to think about.

Dana Burk

Ready for Bird Flu?

A friend and I were talking about all the hype that is on the news lately about the bird flu and the preparations we need to be taking. We began to reminisce about our childhood days when everyone feared because of the cold war and were purchasing bomb shelters from the state fair displays. Disasters have always loomed before us and I suppose will always continue to do so, so long as this world exists.

Jesus said in Matt. 6:33-34 to seek the kingdom of heaven and He would take care of the rest. That is what I plan to do. I choose not to worry about what might (or might not) happen tomorrow and I am going to just worry about today. I can't do anything about the bird flu anyway. I sure will sleep better tonight knowing I don't have to fear bird flu, bombs, storms or anything else because my God has it all under control.

Dana Burk

Don't Interrupt!

• The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it. --Chinese proverb

Ever tried to go out and do personal work only to be told, "Oh, that person won't be interested in the Gospel," or "There is nobody around here who wants to hear the truth." I have; lots of times. What I have found is they usually didn't know what they were talking about.

I ran across this Chinese proverb a few days ago and thought it so apropos. If you don't want to work or have convinced yourself something can't be done, then please leave others alone who insist on trying. And, even more important, if you are doing something, don't let a discourager interrupt you. Keep on working for the Lord and He WILL give the increase. God bless you in all your ways for Him.

Dana Burk

Is God Showing Through Your Life?

A little girl, on the way home from church, turned to her mother and said, "Mommy, the preacher's sermon confused me."

The mother said, "Oh, why is that?" The little girl replied, "Well, he said that God is bigger than we are. Is that true?"

"Yes, that's true," the mother answered.

"He also said that God lives within us. Is that true too?" she asked. Again the mother replied, "Yes."

"Well," said the girl, "If God is bigger than us and He lives within us, then there's no way of keeping Him from 'showing through.'"

In fact, that is the essence of Christian living--living in such a way that people around will see God in our lives.

• Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven." Matthew 5:16

(borrowed)

Some Food for Thought

• The height of your accomplishments will equal the depth of your convictions. --William F. Scolavino

To be a successful Christian, one who is on fire for Christ, will take deep conviction. There are so many stumbling blocks in our way on the road of life. Our goal must be crystal clear in our mind and daily set in front of our eyes. As the apostle Paul said, we too must be able to say, "...for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day." (2 Tim. 1:12)

If your conviction wavers from time to time, dig deep into the word of God and spend time with your Lord in prayer. Rom. 10:17 tells us that faith comes from a study of His word. Only by daily walking with God can we be assured of having the depth of conviction that will lead us home to Heaven. I'm praying for you.

Dana Burk

101%

What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about people who say they are giving more than 100%? Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:

If: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 181 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26,

Then:

• H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K
• 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11=98%
• and K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
• 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5=96%
• But, A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
• 1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5=100%
• AND, look how far the L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D will take you:
• 12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4=101%

Therefore, one can conclude that while hard work and knowledge will get you close and attitude will get you there, it is the love of God that will put you over the top! (borrowed)

Was He Resurrected?

I turned on the TV for a few minutes last night just before I went to bed and was a little surprised that both CNN and FOX News had a special on about Jesus. Ironically, both programs were somewhat positive. Do you realize what an impact the resurrection of our Lord and Savior has had on this godless world when even CNN feels the need to address it, at least on Easter Sunday?

A point that one of the programs made was that Christians recognize Jesus as the Messiah, Jews recognize Him as a great rabbi and even the Muslims recognize Him as a great prophet. A further proof, in my book, that He is the Son of God, when even the religions opposed to Him will not deny Him.

If Jesus truly was resurrected from the dead, then He will certainly return someday as He has promised and every knee will bow before Him and we will each stand before God in judgment. If He was not resurrected, then this religion thing is a waste of our time--but even CNN did not deny that Jesus was resurrected; there is too much proof.

I am thankful for the attention given last night to our Lord's resurrection on National TV, even it was only for a couple of hours out of the year. If He was not real and did not do all that the Bible says He did, then He would have been forgotten in the annuls of history centuries ago. But, even the most godless honor Him. Are we ready for His return?

Dana Burk

Loved Ones

I just returned this morning from a 12 hour trip to the funeral for a very close aunt who passed away earlier in the week from complications with Alzheimer's. Though the occasion for the trip was a sad one, it was a very enjoyable one; I saw cousins that I have not seen since my mother died 15 years ago.

One cousin, in particular, I had completely lost touch with. She and I were extremely close when we were children and teens and had vowed to one another we would never be like those people who lost touch with their relatives and yet, here we were. She turned 50 last month and her daughter had tried to locate me for a surprise birthday celebration, but, without asking her mother, she had so little info to go on she gave up. I'm so sorry I missed it.

We have all briefly renewed our acquaintances and exchanged e-mails--hopefully we will do better at keeping in touch. The older I get the more important keeping those ties becomes and the more I recognize how much alike we as family really are: we all looked so much alike it was a little scary. I did question myself, however, about why we seemed to have drifted so far apart and there was one thing that became so obvious at the reunion. Those relatives with whom I share a relationship in Christ with, I have not drifted from--it is the ones who have no relationship with Christ that I have drifted from; we have nothing in common other than physical traits and history.

I love my physical family and have renewed my resolve once again to try and be an influence upon them for Christ--for some, I fear it is way too late, but for others I have slight hope. I was reminded, though, how thankful I am for the family I have in Christ Jesus through the church; I share far more in common with them than most of my physical family and I know where ever I worship with the saints, I am surrounded by my loved ones.

Dana Burk

Road to Maturity

• To be able to stick with a job until it is finished;
• To be able to bear an injustice without wanting to get even;
• To be able to carry money without spending it;
• and to do one's duty without being supervised. (borrowed)

After reading the description above, I can tell I still have some growing-up to do. How about you?

Dana Burk

Special Ingredients for Living

• Enough happiness to keep you sweet
• Enough trials to keep you strong
• Enough sorrows to keep you human
• Enough hope to keep you happy
• Enough failure to keep you humble
• Enough success to keep you eager
• Enough friends to give you comfort
• Enough wealth to meet your needs
• Enough enthusiasm to look forward
• Enough faith to banish depression
• Enough determination to make each day a better day than yesterday.

Thanks to a new friend, Josie, for sending this to me. How many of us wish for trials, sorrows and failure and yet they are very necessary for building character as we journey through life. There is a lot in this little verse to meditate on. I hope you spend sometime, here today, thinking on these things. God bless.

Dana Burk

One Bulb at a Time

One Woman Planted 50,000 daffodil bulbs, one at a time, over nearly fifty years in her backyard.

Year after year, she kept planting bulbs until she had created five acres of ineffable magnificence, beauty and inspiration. After seeing the spectacular garden one woman remarked, "It makes me sad in a way. What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal 35 or 40 years ago and had worked on it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years? Just think what I might have been able to achieve!" Her daughter responded, "Start tomorrow." The mother said, "I'll start today."

Thought: One bulb at a time. Year after year. What might we be able to accomplish if we worked at something consistently over fifty years of our lives? This unknown woman changed the world where she lived. The principle that her daffodil garden teaches is one of the greatest principles of life. That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time, often just one baby-step at a time -- and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find that we can accomplish magnificent things. (Borrowed)

Illegal or Not

I have been in the car driving home from a friends, for the last four hours, listening to the news and commentators on the radio discuss the immigration/illegal alien controversy. There are some good points on both sides and I have mixed emotions about taking either position. The intention of this website is certainly NOT to discuss political views and I am not interested in doing so here, but I do want each of us, as Christians, to think for a moment about the many, many illegal aliens we have living in our country.

Recently, while a visitor in another congregation, I heard a teacher of the adult Bible class make what I felt was a very snide remark about Mexicans and allude to the fact that he would soon have to move to Mexico where there would be no Mexicans living. In the classroom were brethren of at least two other races, that I noticed, and my first thought was what did they think about his comment. My next thought was, these "Mexicans" (though not all illegal Hispanics are from Mexico) have souls that need to hear the gospel just like "white" people.

I must admit that I have a very soft heart for brethren from other countries having myself lived outside of this country for 8 years. My husband is fluent in the Spanish language and does extensive evangelistic work throughout the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. We have many, many, many Hispanic friends whom we love dearly: I guess I am partial. Therefore, it disturbs me greatly, when I hear brethren make remarks as this gentleman did.

The Bible teaches that God created ALL men equally and that their is no partiality with Him. If you are Caucasian, how thankful you should be that God is not prejudiced against "whites". Remember, you are a Gentile and NOT of His chosen race, the Jews. Sometimes, I think we need to walk in other people's shoes before we make such flippant comments.

How much more profitable it would be for each of us if Christians were heard making comments about how they were trying to learn the Spanish language so they could reach out to and teach these hundreds of thousands of souls that are coming into our lives. Do we not see that the fields are white unto harvest and we are passing up thousands and thousands of sheaves we could be bringing in to our Lord? Illegal or not, our God loves them and so should we.

Dana Burk

Integrity

Our integrity is such an important aspect of our character. Recently I was talking with someone who was telling me how the woman in charge of the Human Resource Dept. at their corporation resigned and left her position without reimbursing a number of the employees for travel expenses. She, or course, was the only one with the authority to issue those reimbursments and she had made no provisions for someone else to take care of that part of her job. That left a number of the employess in temporary financial difficulties. She had total disregard for the bind she was putting her fellow employees in.

The Bible teaches us, as Christians, to put the needs of others above our own. Often, when we are in a situation like this H.R. director, we think only of ourselves, but that ought not be. A person of integrity would never have left so many people hanging and hurting. Christians need to be true to their word even when they see no benefit to themselves, remembering that others are depending on them. Remember the teachings of our Lord, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Dana Burk

How to Be a Friendly Church

We have visitors every week and we are thankful for them. To be regarded as a friendly church is a precious commodity. Here are some rules that will help us perpetuate a friendly environment.

• The 30-second rule. Most guest will make a judgment about us during the first 30 seconds after they enter. Let's greet people at the doors with a handshake and a smile. "We're so glad you came!"
• The front door rule. Many people need help to find their classes or a seat in the auditorium. If they find it difficult to locate a class or a seat, they may choose not to return.
• The ten-foot rule. Greet any person with whom you are not familiar who comes within ten feet of you. Make eye contact and be friendly.
• The five-minute rule. Take the first five minutes after services to seek out guests and greet them. Encourage them to return and thank them for coming.

(borrowed)

Ashamed to Wear His Name

I'm a bit behind with the news of Nancy Grace and her diatribe about the churches of Christ on CNN the other day. I only heard about it Tuesday and was viewing some blogs today and comments that had been made concerning her interview with the Baptist preacher. I was not shocked by his gross misrepresentation of the church nor her other guest's attacks on the Lord's body. I was not surprised he called the church a cult and accused it of being narrow-minded. Peter tells us in 1 Pet. 4:12-14 that we should not think it strange when we are tried and reproached for the name of Christ. Rather, he says when this happens, we are blessed because we have the glory of God resting upon us.

I was angered, however, by many, many of the comments posted to these blogs by people who supposedly call themselves members of the Lord's body. Repeatedly I read how, "thank goodness, the church is no longer strict with God's word and how it is becoming more and more main stream, as though that were a good thing." These members were ashamed of the doctrine that the church teaches on baptism and strict adherence to the word of God. One man even told how, when asked where he worshipped, he would tell people he was a member of the United Churches of Christ--does he even KNOW what they are and teach. He said he was so embarrassed to let people know he was a Christian (in the strictest sense of the word).

Jesus Christ died for this "narrow-minded" doctrine and bought this church with his blood. How dare we be ashamed of what He has taught us to do and how He has taught us to worship. We need to be proud to call ourselves members of the church of Christ--the church that truly belongs to Christ. I am thankful to be called a child of God, how about you.

Dana Burk

Is Your Christianity in Hiding?

Our ladies Bible class is studying the book of Romans and we have just begun chapter five. Yesterday, we discussed verse three (among other verses) where Paul says we are to glory in tribulations knowing they produce patience, character and hope. We then read from 2 Thes. 1:4-5. Here Paul says that the persecutions and tribulations these brethren suffered were "manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer."

Reading this verse made me begin to wonder; if one does not ever suffer persecutions or tribulations because of the cause of Christ, will he be counted worthy of the kingdom of God? Is that a prerequisite for Heaven? Jesus said, "...let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." Bearing the cross carries with it the implication of suffering. 1 Pet. 4:14 declares, "If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." Certainly, reproaches and tribulations for Christ's sake are not a bad thing.

We are so blessed to live in a country where it is not illegal to profess our Christianity (So Far) and we are not physically persecuted, by the government, for practicing our faith. Sometimes, however, I think some of us are so fearful of reprimand and reproach from our friends and relatives that we just make sure our Christianity doesn't show too much. As a result, we do not know what it means to suffer persecutions or tribulations for the cause of Christ.

Jesus said in Matt. 10:32-33, "Therefore, whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in Heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will deny before My Father who is in Heaven." If you continue reading in the verses immediately following, Christ warns that following Him can bring division and suffering.

Finally, Paul states in 2 Tim. 3:12, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." He didn't say some or maybe--he said ALL and WILL. If we are not suffering persecutions and tribulations for the cause of Christ, we probably need to see if our Christianity is in hiding.

Dana Burk

How Are Your Roots?

Since the severe storms that passed through our area Sunday night, I have seen a lot of huge trees completely uprooted and thrown to the ground. One, not far from our home, must have been 70 feet tall or more and so huge it would have taken three or more adults to wrap their arms around it. No telling how old it was nor how many hundreds of storms it had weathered. It stood near historical Civil War sites and if it only could have talked, what history it might have told: but, Sunday night it fell.

What I have noticed about these trees is, though they are green and huge above the ground, it appears there were problems with them below the ground. Obviously, their roots are no longer strong and deep enough to anchor them tightly in their place. Perhaps in times past the roots were healthier and went deeper or maybe the trees literally outgrew their roots--I don't know; I am not a botanist. Something, however, went seriously wrong, long before Sunday night, that allowed these trees to fall under the stress and pressure of the fierce wind.

Often, when we look around at others, we are shocked to see those whom we deem "pillars in the church" to fall under pressure. Many times they sin in such ways we can hardly comprehend it or they just fall away from following God. Perhaps they become guilty of the very things they have taught and warned others about. How does this happen--they have weathered so many storms before? I propose to you that their roots have failed them.

They have allowed their anchor system to become weak in some way or another. Maybe they have become lax in prayer or study of God's word; perhaps they have stopped gathering with other Christians to worship God as regularly as before; or maybe they have allowed worldly friends to begin to influence them. Whatever the cause, something was going seriously wrong long before they fell.

We need to diligently watch our lives; we need to probe our foundations and constantly be on guard for disease that could affect our roots that hold us firm in our faith. We must look for weakness and treat the problem long before it has a chance to destroy that which anchors us to God. There are fierce storms in life that can try our root system and if it is strong in the Lord, then we shall stand planted. How are your roots?

Dana Burk

The Danger Zone

Have you ever stopped to consider what is at the base of the sin of PRIDE? One of the most dangerous places we can live is in the depths of PRIDE. Consider the following:

• P--People will be hurt (Proverbs 11:2)
• R--Relationships are strained (Isaiah 9:9)
• I--I am the only focus (Psalm 10:2)
• D--Destruction will follow (Proverbs 16:18)
• E--Evil things defile man (Mark 7:21-23)

It is very easy at times to fall into this trap. Every aspect of our lives, family, work, religion, can be infected with this horrible disease know as PRIDE. Let's remember today the dangers of buying into the lie of Satan. The lie which says human PRIDE is ok. Let's remember our reliance upon the Lord and boast in HIM, not in ourselves or our situations.

(borrowed)

Criticism

Criticism is an ugly, ugly word. I have been laboring over the writing of a book for weeks now and am about to send the first chapters for review to the publisher, so I have had two of my children, who are quite gifted with the written word, to critique it for me. Ouch!!!!! Man, are they critical. The worst of it is, most of the time I have to agree with their corrections and suggestions. Nevertheless, it is still painful to see how many errors I have made.

The criticism we receive when we read God's word is sometimes no less painful. It can point out so clearly our many faults and shortcomings. It can even point out how the things we have labored in and believed all of our lives are wrong. Hebrews 4:12 says the word of God is "sharper than any two edged sword piercing even to the division of the soul and spirit...and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." And, just like with the critiquing of my book, it is painful to see how many errors we have made.

I have chosen to make many, if not most, of the corrections my "critics" have suggested because I know in so doing I will have a better book. My "critics" are only humans with imperfect judgments. God's word, however, is divine; it is perfect judgment. If I will listen to human criticism and make changes for my own good, how much more should I be willing to listen to divine criticism and make changes for eternal salvation. Something for each of us to think about.

Dana Burk