This Reminds Me...

I recieved the following story from someone recently, which I have read before (and perhaps you have too), but as I once again read it I was reminded of the newspaper reporters taken hostage a few weeks ago by Palestinian terrorists. Let me share some thoughts with you that I have had. My intention is not to judge these two courageous men nor to malign their characters in any way, but rather to ask myself what I would have to do were I found in their situation or the situation in the story below.

As you may have read and heard through newspaper reports, the men were "forced" at gunpoint to convert to the Muslim religion or die. Apparently they did swear allegience to this false religion though one of them reportedly resisted for a few moments. What a difficult position to be in.

What would I "HAVE" to do as a Christian were I to find myself in their situations. Could I concede out of fear and deny Christ and accept Mohammad in order to preserve my life and stand justified in the eyes of Jesus Christ? Would it be okay if I prayed to the Lord and made a deal with Him that I would deny Him in order to save my life, but then when I "got home", where I was safe, I would recant my conversion. What an incredible perdicament.

Jesus said if we deny Him before men then He will deny us before His Father in Heaven. I don't suppose anyone knows exactly what they would do when placed in this situation, but I do know what we SHOULD do. I believe we must begin preparing our hearts and minds to deal with these types of situations. We must recognize that we live in a changing world with changing world views different from any we have personally seen before and may face challenges we never dreamed we would face. Paul tells us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. The Hebrew writer relates horrific accounts of things suffered by early Christians by the hands of evil men. Yet, in all, they did not deny thier Lord and were given the crown of life. We must muster the courage to do the same.

But, perhaps even more disturbing, is the story retold below. How many Christians sit through situations where only their "reputation" or "ego" will be harmed and will deny Christ for that? Have we become cowards when faced with faith in Christ? Many of us have. It is just easier to deny Him than to claim Him. Revelations tells us that the cowards and unbelieving will have their place in eternal torment as well. We may never face the trauma the two reporters faced this last month, but we are daily faced with standing up for our Lord. How are you doing?

Dana Burk

(RETELLING OF STORY)
This is a true story of something that happened just a few years ago at USC.

There was a professor of philosophy there who was a deeply committed atheist. His primary goal for one required class was to spend the entire semester to prove that God couldn't exist. His students were always afraid to argue with him because of his impeccable logic. Sure, some had argued in class at times, but no one had ever really gone against him because of his reputation.

At the end of every semester on the last day, he would say to his class of 300 students, "If there is anyone here who still believes in Jesus, stand up!" In twenty years, no one had ever stood up. They knew what he was going to do next. He would say, "Because anyone who believes in God is a fool. If God existed, he could stop this piece of chalk from hitting the ground and breaking. Such a simple task to prove that He is God, and yet He can't do it." And every year, he would drop the chalk onto the tile floor of the classroom and it would shatter into a hundred pieces. All of the students would do nothing but stop and stare. Most of the students thought that God couldn't exist. Certainly, a number of Christians had slipped through, but for 20 years, they had been too afraid to stand up.

Well, a few years ago there was a freshman who happened to enroll. He was a Christian, and had heard the stories about his professor. He was required to take the class for his major, and he was afraid. But for three months that semester, he prayed every morning that he would have the courage to stand up, no matter what the professor said, or what the class thought. Nothing they said could ever shatter his faith...he hoped.

Finally, the day came. The professor said, "If there is anyone here who still believes in God, stand up!" The professor and the class of 300 people looked at him, shocked, as he stood up at the back of the classroom. The professor shouted, "You FOOL!!! If God existed, he would keep this piece of chalk from breaking when it hit the ground!" He proceeded to drop the chalk, but as he did, it slipped out of his fingers, off his shirt cuff, onto the pleat of his pants, down his leg, and off his shoe. As it hit the ground, it simply rolled away unbroken. The professor's jaw dropped as he stared at the chalk. He looked up at the young man, and then ran out of the lecture hall.

The young man who had stood, proceeded to walk to the front of the room, and shared his faith in Jesus for the next half hour. 300 students stayed and listened as he told of God's love for them, and of His power, through Jesus.

You have 2 choices: 1. Delete this and never look at it again. 2. Pass this along to your Christian and non-Christian friends, giving them encouragement we all need every day. When you choose option 2, you have chosen to STAND UP. In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke, it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking........... Isn't it funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell? Isn't it funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says? Isn't it funny how everyone wants to go to heaven, provided they do not have to believe, think, say, or do anything the Bible says?

Or is it scary? Isn't it funny how someone can say "I believe in God" but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also "believes" in God )? Isn't it funny how you can send a thousand jokes through e-mail, and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing? Isn't it funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but the public discussion of Jesus is suppressed in the school and workplace? Isn't it funny how someone can be so fired up for Christ on Sunday, but be an invisible Christian the rest of the week? Are you laughing? ! Isn't it funny how when you go to forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list, because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it to them? Isn't it funny how I can be more worried about what other people think of me than what God thinks of me? Will YOU pass this on? I did.

The Scars of Life

This beautiful story was forwarded to me and I want to share it with. --Dana

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him.

From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And on his arms were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved. The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead.

The swimming hole of life is filled with peril, and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins, and if you have the scars of His love on your arms be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.

Please pass this on to those you love. God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through. Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they got them. Right now, someone needs to know that God loves them, and you love them, too. ~~~~ enough to not let them go. (BORROWED)

What a Great Time

Well, I have landed in the hospital after a week of struggling with my asthma--was admitted around 10:00 this morning. But what a great time we live in. Around 4:30 this afternoon, a computer person came to my hospital room and hooked me up to their wireless network system. Is this too cool. I can work even when I'm sick--maybe good maybe not.

We DO live in a great time though. Just last week my husband and I were across the ocean some 2500 miles away, give or take a few, and yet were able to communicate with those at home via cell phone and computer. Then we left the islands one morning and were home by lunch time. My husband communicates with brethren via the internet and phone in foreign countries on an almost daily basis. What incredible opportunities we have set right before us.

How are we using this great time for the Lord? Are we so busy using our modern conveniences and communication devices to entertain ourselves that we do not see the opportunities to spread the gospel and encourage others that lie right in front of us. There are so many opportunities to teach and admonish others via the internet and with text messaging, e-mails and blogs like this one not to mention the conveniences we all have with the advent of cell phones. In fact, it is hard to get away from them. How have you used technology to encourage someone today?

I know the frustrations with airports and the hassles of security, but look where we can go and who we can influence in just a few short hours. There are still many areas in the world that are perfectly safe to travel to and as Americans we have few restrictions. How are we using these opportunities for the Lord? I think of how Paul and others in the NT spent months and sometimes even years to travel to different countries to admonish the brethren to grow in the Lord and the hassles we face aren't even worth consideration when compared to what they suffered. We can make those same types of trips in a matter of a few hours. We all can find the money and time to travel for vacation, but few of us find time and money to travel to teach others about the Lord. Many times, we choose to stay home and stay comfortable. Can you step out of your comfort zone to reach out to others beyond our borders?

What a great time we live in. To whom much has been given, much will be required. How are you using your advantages?

Dana Burk

Where is Happiness?

Not in unbelief. Voltaire was an infidel of the most pronounced type. He wrote: "I wish I had never been born."

Not in pleasure. Lord Byron lived a life of pleasure, if anyone did. He wrote: "The worm, the canker, and the grief are mind alone."

Not in money. Jay Gould, the American millionaire, had plenty of that. In dying he said: "I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth."

Not in position and fame. Lord Beaconsfield enjoyed more than his share of both. He wrote: "Youth is a mistake; manhood, a struggle; old age, a regret."

Not in military glory. Alexander the Great conquered the known world of his day. Having done so, he wept in his tent, because, he said, "there are no more worlds to conquer."

Where then is HAPPINESS found?

The answer is simple: In Christ alone! He said, "I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no man taketh away."
--C.L. McCartney

Tragedy in the Sky

Well, after a long trip to the Caribbean, a major systems crash on my computer (that I'm still not sure is over) and then a major "systems crash" with me and my asthma, I have been rather neglectful with this site. My apologies and I hope to do better (if I can stay out of the hospital with this asthma attack which is always somewhat questionable).

My daughter just called me in tears to tell me that one of the co-owners and his wife of the company she worked for 3 years ago, were killed in the airline crash on Sunday in Lexington, KY. Our daughter was very, very close to him and his wife and their one daughter (about her age). She had spent countless hours in their home and he had been instrumental in training her in her career--he had been her mentor. His wife had taken an interest in her as well and had welcomed her into their home as part of the family. Our daughter would house sit for them from time to time and even baby-sit the dog when they were away. Needless to say she is devastated.

But the thing she expressed that has torn her up the most, is knowing they had never obeyed the gospel by being baptized into Christ and becoming members of His church. They were lovely people, kind and good, but were not Christians as the Bible defines. It is so difficult to loose those we love and truly that is magnified when we know they are not ready to meet their maker. I told her all she can do now is pray for God's mercy.

It is at times like these that I am reminded how urgent the need is for us to take the gospel to ALL those that we love. It is imperative that we strive to teach any and all that we have any influence upon before it is too late. But even then it is the choice of each individual as to whether they will see that need and respond or not. Our daughter had spoken many times to this man and his wife about what she believed the Bible taught on salvation and yet they did not accept it. Now they are in the hands of a merciful and just God. How much more tragic would this be for my daughter had she never mentioned Him to her friends.

Dana Burk

What are you doing to teach your friends and loved ones about the gospel?

A Little Perspective

Your alarm goes off, you hit the snooze and sleep for another 10minutes.
He stays up for days on end.

You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water.

You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.
He gets shot at, as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.

You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.

You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.

You talk trash on your "buddies" that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.

You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He does not get to eat today.

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for months, but makes sure his weapons are clean.

You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.

You are angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He is told he will be held an extra 2 months.

You call your girlfriend and set a date for that night.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.

You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own government and remembers why he is fighting.

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of the men like him.
He hears the gun fire and bombs.

You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the bodies lying around him.

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He does what he is told.

You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call and write home, sleep, and eat.

You crawl into your bed, with down pillows, and try to get comfortable.
He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute nap, only to be woken by gun fire.

You sit there and judge him, saying the world is a worse place because of men like him.
If only there were more men like him. (borrowed)

WOW!!!!!! Dana

There Are Three

We traveled to Puerto Rico and then to the tiny Island of Tortola this past weekend in the midst of all the new security regulations. We spent about 2 hours snaking our way through the long security check lines in Puerto Rico on Sunday afternoon in order to make a short 25 minute flight to Tortola. During the last hour of our wait, we were close enough to the security check point that we could watch the people as they went through the metal detectors and had their bags searched for liquids and gels.

I was amazed at the sight I saw. Basically three types of people approached the security check points. There were those who had been very careful to follow exactly the instructions that were repeatedly being announced over the loud speakers and posted on every wall and pole. They proceeded quite quickly through the check points (once they reached them). There were those who had been careless and forgotten to remove a bottle of lotion, toothpaste, or some other seemingly innocent offending item. This caused delays for not only them, but all who were behind them. And then there were those who were simply rebellious. These marched right up to the security officers with soft drinks and water bottles in hand, defying and arguing every step of the way as items were removed from their bags and thrown away. I must admit I had to fight back my anger as I continually watched them cause all of us to suffer delays because of their behavior.

If you think about it, aren’t there the same three groups in the spiritual sense? There are those (hopefully you fall into this group) who are very careful to do exactly what God commands and instructs us to do through His word. They will proceed very easily through the gates of Heaven come Judgment Day.

Then there are those who mean to do well, but are careless—they are not careful to do exactly what God says. Because of their careless attitudes, they often hinder others from being obedient to God by teaching them that all they have to do is come close to His word. Maybe they teach all you have to do to be saved is believe or, they may teach that it doesn’t really matter how you worship God as long as you are sincere. But Jesus said in Matt. 7:21-23 that it is not those who believe in Him and worship Him in their own way, but rather those who “do the will of my Father who is in Heaven” that will be saved. In Matt. 15:9 Jesus said, “In vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.” We cannot be saved by being careless in our worship to God or being fooled by following others who have been careless with the commandments of God. If we are careless with His word, we will not get through the gates of Heaven and we may hinder others who follow after us.

Lastly, there are those who couldn’t care less about God or His word. In fact, they are very rebellious and defiant toward anything religious. They are actively fighting against everything He commands and instructs us to do. They have so spread their false doctrines of humanism and evolution that millions have been fooled and will never even approach the gates of Heaven.

Are you angered by these types of people as you watch them defy our God and take countless others with them to eternal torment? We are commanded to love their souls, but we should abhor their ways.
Are you being careful to follow God and His instructions exactly as He says and are you encouraging others to do the same? Your path to Heaven will be sure and the gate will be wide open for you if you heed His commands.

Dana Burk

You Can't Pray!!!

I am once again on the road--well, not exactly on the road but across the ocean in the Caribbean. Today is the first chance I have had access to the internet and so my blog has suffered, but I should be able to blog for the next several days. When checking my e-mail, I came across this excellent piece that was sent to me. Many of you may have already read it and for that I apologize for the repetitions, however, I was very moved by its sentiments and want to share it with you. God Bless you, Dana Burk

BY THEIR IGNORANCE, THE SUPREME COURT HAS GIVEN US A DOUBLE STANDARD...SEX AND MURDER IS OK, BUT DON'T MENTION GOD'S NAME - THAT'S AGAINST THE LAW. THIS IS WHAT'S WRONG WITH OUR WORLD TODAY!

This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee, by school Principal, Jody McLeod.

"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country." Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate lifestyle," and if someone is offended, that's OK. I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex." If someone is offended, that's OK. I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable means of birth control." If someone is offended, no problem... I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology." I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment."

However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated. This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments.

Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical... I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression. For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time. "However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM, in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet."

One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray. They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box! The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America - the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under GOD."

Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee Remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains! JESUS said, "If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER."

Servants of God

We studied about the name "Adonai" in our Bible class tonight and I was so impressed by how we are God's servants. The name "Adonai" means Lord or Master--the one who owns the servant or slave. But it also implies the one who provides for and protects the one who is owned.

Our God purchased us--He bought us to be His servants or slaves. We do not like the thought of that and yet that is exactly what the Bible says. Furthermore, we are instructed (commanded) to obey Him in all things since He is our master and Lord. However, our Master and Lord loves us as His dear children and wants only what is best for us. He provides all good things for us including forgiveness and mercy.

He is very serious about His responsibility as Master and Provider. How serious are we about being faithful servants to Him. Do we truly understand our role as slaves to God. Do we realize that ALL of our time and resources really belong to Him, not me? He bought us to serve Him. If we want forgiveness and mercy from Him, then we must recognize that we belong to Him and so does our time, our money, our homes, our lives. What kind of servant are you?

Dana Burk

An Amazing System!

Have you ever stopped to think about what exactly makes your car work? You turn the key which is connected to an electrical source which allows the engine to work. You press the gas pedal which is connected to an electrical source which allows a pump to begin the circulation of gas. The engine turns, belts spin, fluids move, and tires go round and round. All of this takes place so you can go down the road. If one part of the car goes our or is not working properly, then the entire car will suffer. What an amazingly integrated system!

The Lord's church is much the same way. If we are going to be moving in the direction God wants us to move there must be different parts all functioning together. When one of us fails to work then the body suffers. What an amazingly integrated system!
(borrowed)

Do we often think about the perfect system that our Lord bled and died for--that our Lord purchased with His Own Life. Some have said that it is not important to be a part of a "church". If that is so, then why did it cost my Savior's life? Why was the price so high? "...to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28) Obviously God felt the church was necessary and its value, priceless. We should value this precious church as well.

Nothing God ever created was less than perfect or unimportant. He is the creator of His church as well as its designer. We should study this amazing system and do our best to make sure that it functions as He intended. We must also do what the word says to be a part of that system. (Acts 2:40-41) Do you value this amazing system as our God does?

Dana Burk

Simple Gospel

I have been studying the Bible with someone the last few days and after two or three studies she made the observation of how simple it was to understand the Bible--she said, "It is so plain." It is not that this young woman was not religious or did not know the Bible at all, but rather that the doctrine she had been taught had so twisted the word that it made it difficult to understand.

Isa. 35:8 prophesied that in the future kingdom of God there would be a road that even though a man was a fool he could find his way. God says that we will be judged by the word. (John 12:48) If the word was so difficult that only those trained in Seminary could understand it, wouldn't it be unfair of God to judge us by it? But the word of God is not so difficult that we cannot understand it. If we will simply read it and accept it as it is, God's plan for redeeming man is quite simple as are His commands for our worship today.

A number of years ago we had a man tell us he had studied a verse (that I felt was quite clear) for 7 years day and night before he could see it the way he now believed. I had read the verse through many times and never saw the conclusion he had drawn because it was not there. He had to study many other books, written by men, to twist and convolute the meaning of the verse before he could make it say what he wanted it to say.

We can misunderstand the gospel if that is our intent. 2 Thess. 2:10-11 says, "And with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie..." If we do not love truth above all things, God will allow us to believe a lie.

We must be seekers of truth and truth only if we want to be saved. The Bible says if you seek you will find. Seek truth and be saved.

Dana Burk

Egyptian Afterlife

We have two of our grandchildren and our niece staying with us for a few days and so we took them to an Egyptian exhibit at the art museum today. The emphasis of the exhibit was about the Egyptian afterlife and preparation for the afterlife. There were all types of coffins and mummies as well as all of the different types of prepatory clothing, jewelry and death masks made from precious gems and gold. But the most striking thing to me were all of the many, many gods and idols that were buried with the Egyptians.

I have always heard that the Egyptians had many gods, but I never realized how many--over 700. In fact, anything they feared they would simply make it into a god and then offer sacrifices to it and worship it so that it would "protect" them from the very thing they feared. Clever--if it only worked. They then made idols of all the different gods and buried them with the body to protect it in the afterlife.

Our grandchildren are 9 and 6 and when we pointed out some miniature animal gods made of gold (about 2-4 inches tall) the six year old laughed sarcastically and said, "That's not a god, it can't protect anybody." How amazing that a mere child of 6 can so clearly see that a statue of gold has no power and yet the very intelligent Egyptians depended on these toys. I was reminded of the verse in Romans 1: 22-25 where Paul says "Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things...and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator..."

This Egyptian exhibit was incredibly interesting and I'm glad we were able to view such awesome artifacts from history, but as we completed our tour and exited through the gift shop (clever marketing) it was basically impossible to buy any souvenirs unless you wanted to purchase an idol. Our niece, who is 16, said as we entered the gift shop, "Well, I guess you can't buy anything here unless you want a god."

The more I see and learn about the ancient Egyptians, the more I question their intelligence. On one level they were brilliant (architecture, writing, medical knowledge, etc.), but where it counts, (spiritually) they were fools--"professing to wise, they became fools". All of the preparations they made for the afterlife and netherworld we have now got on display in our museums--how intelligent were they, really?

What Would It Be Like To Be God?

During our low times, we might ignorantly express the sentiment that God can't possibly understand our struggles and disappointments. Upon reflection, do we really think that is true?

Not that any of us will ever fully know what it is like to be God (since He is unique), but would you swap your problems for His? He is the custodian for close to 6 1/2 billion people on earth, and His zoo spans the globe. Our planet is but a speck of dust in the universe.

At a given instant, He is perfectly aware of the minutest detail of each and every human being's life (that means you). How it must pain God to know that a vast majority are living far away from His will. He can see the multiplied billions of sins committed every day. The multiplied millions of good deeds likely never come close to outweighing the bad.

The Almighty's eyes and ears are treated to daily doses of physical abuse, murders, drug overdoses, adultery, vulgarity, lying, theft, and such like. Beyond these outward acts, He reads every thought and knows every motive we entertain. How it must grieve Him to see those close to salvation keep putting it off, and to witness once-faithful Christians turn their back on Him in going back to the world.

Understand that He hurts even more than we do when we or our loved ones are beset with sickness, injury, and disease. Foolishly, we might think that God causes us (or allows) many problems, when in fact WE ARE THE ONES THAT CAUSE GOD GRIEF.

Today, marvel at the power, patience, wisdom, and love of our God. One day, we will understand better why life is the way that it is. Regardless of what we face in life, heaven will surely be worth it all.
by Brian Jarrett

I Will Not Be Lukewarm

I have alluded to the book I have been writing for the past several months, well, the publisher now has it and it should be out sometime this fall. As you can see by the cover, the title is I Will Not Be Lukewarm.

My purpose in writing the book is to challenge each of us to rise above the mediocrity of the world and become the zealous, on fire Christians that God intends us to be. I try to deal with some very real issues that each of us face each day such as depression, fostering relationships, being true witnesses for Christ, becoming more fervent in worship and overcoming the fear of death as well as why we should long for Heaven and fear Hell.

The book consists of 13 lessons with journal type thought questions and exercises throughout each lesson. It will be a great class book as well as excellent for personal study. A Power Point presentation for each lesson will be available on disc also. Check out the publisher at www.spiritbuilding.com for info on how to order the book and availability. I believe their will be additional info on the website next week sometime. I hope you'll check it out benefit from it.

God Almighty

We plough the fields, and scatter
The good seed on the land,
But it is fed and watered
By God's Almighty Hand.
He sends the snow in winter,
The warmth to swell the grain,
The breezes and the sunshine,
And soft refreshing rain.
by Jane Montgomery Campbell

We've been studying the different names of God in Wednesday Night Bible class and we just finished talking about El Shadiah (God Almighty). I think this brief poem so clearly describes the God that provides so abundantly--the meaning of El Shaddai. How perfectly our God amply provides all that we need to sustain life. How perfectly He controls all things. May He be praised and glorified in all things by each of us.

Dana Burk

VBS Dominica

We had a great VBS in Dominica. The children were enthusiastic and came by the droves. The first day we had 55. (We were only expecting 50-60 at the most by the end of the week) Every day after that we had 68-71. The village population we were at is only about 400-500 and the school where we met has an enrollment of 65. The locals were amazed that we had basically all of the children from the village attend.

There were only 8 of us and so needless to say we had our hands full; my husband and myself and a young man from our congregation, a sister from Alabama, a teenager from Kentucky and three students from Florida College assisted us. We conducted 5 different class levels including one teen class of about 7-8 teens attending. Most of the teenagers in the village must work to help support their families by the time they are 14-15 so they are not available to attend VBS. The people in the village are very religious and therefore are insistent that their children should attend each day.

We have been doing VBS in this village for 3 years now and each year it grows exponentially. The first year we had 25, last year 42 and now a high of 71. If we continue to go each year, it is obvious we will need more help. Pray that God blesses His word and much fruit may come from this effort.

Dana Burk

Home At Last--Final word about Modesty

We finally returned home from our trip to the Caribbean for VBS late last night--tired, worn and without luggage--but hey, we slept in our own bed and with air conditioning. Our luggage came this evening about 5:00 and the only mishap was a busted bottle of honey--what a sticky, gooey mess.

We had a fabulous week with the children--we averaged nearly 70 each day--we were only expecting around 50-60, but we managed just fine. I'll have some pictures up later this week.

I've had lots of e-mail to answer and stuff to catch up on today so I've been busy. I did notice a couple of e-mails and comments regarding the letter I posted about modesty and wanted to address those briefly.

The "letter" was one that was passed on to me and was "anonymous". Whether it is even "real" or not I do not know, but I did feel that it made some good points about how we as Christian women should think about how our appearance can affect the men around us. I certainly believe that men have the responsibility of controlling their own thoughts, but I also believe that we as women should not be guilty of placing a stumbling block in another's way either. I believe we can be stumbling blocks to weak, Christian men when we are guilty of dressing immodestly and we too must take responsibility for our actions. Paul says in Romans 14:21, "It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak." (NKJV) In verse 19 of this same chapter, he tells us to "pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another."

It is very much my responsibility as a Christian woman to make sure I am not the cause of my brother lusting after me. If I am careful to dress modestly and behave appropriately around those of the opposite sex and they still continue in their lust, then certainly, I have no control over that. On the other hand, if I am guilty of dressing in such a way as to incite lust in a man, God will hold him accountable, but He will not hold me guiltless. I believe that to be the point of the letter and certainly my point in posting it.

Often times we do not "think" about how we may appear to others and yet isn't that what Paul is addressing when he tells Titus that the older women are to teach the younger women to be "chaste"? The Greek word translated "chaste" here has the idea of being "modest" according to Strong's. We are to be chaste or modest and we need to "think" about how we appear to men. But not only is our dress to be chaste, so is our conduct to be chaste. (1 Pet. 3:2) The very way that we behave must be one of modesty--how we sit, how we walk, how we bend over. Sisters, each of us has a responsibility and obligation to our brothers that we not be guilty of causing them to lust after us. We cannot control their actions, but we better not be guilty of tempting them.

Dana Burk

Off to the Caribbean

I leave, along with seven others, very early in the morning for the tiny island of Dominica where we will be helping a church there with VBS. We are expecting anywhere from 40-60 children each day. I would ask for your prayers on our behalf for a safe trip as well as success in teaching and influencing others for Christ.

We will be in a remote village of about 400-500 people and, needless to say, there will be no access to a computer, much less the internet, so I won't be blogging until I return. We should be back in the states, if all goes as planned, late on the 23rd of July. So hang in there and check back here around the 24th.

God Bless, Dana Burk

Open Letter to My Christian Sisters

Here is a letter passed on to me recently by a friend. It is quite lengthy, but worth the read and some thought. Dana


Dear beloved teenagers, mothers, and grandmothers:

I love you so much, and this very difficult for me to write. I am so very tired. For so many years you haven’t listened to what I’ve been trying to tell you. How many more years can I keep going? How much longer can I keep hiding things from my children and the other Christians?

I’m talking about my husband. He is looked up to by members of the church. He teaches a Bible class and attends all services and gospel meetings. He holds home Bible studies to convert people. He is hospitable and a very liberal giver. He has a respected job in the community. We have what I consider a beautiful home and fine children. He is handsome and has an outgoing personality. He is admired by many. He also commits adultery once every year or two. Wait before you pass judgment on this “hypocrite” until you finish reading my appeal.
We could be any one of perhaps 50% of the families in your congregation. I have talked with so many of these women and some of the men, and the problem is more prevalent than you may want to think. A lot of this problem – though not all of it – is kindled by something you just won’t believe.

Why won’t you believe me when I bring it up in Ladies Bible Class or in private comments? Why do you tell me I have a dirty mind or I’m a prude? I love you all, and I do as many good works as possible to show you this love, without taking precious time away from my family.
What I am getting at is this: Please, please stay away from my husband! I don’t mean you physically should stay away, for we love your company. But I mean you sensually. He has enough of a problem without you fanning the fire.

When we are at services or in each other’s home, you wouldn’t think of dressing indecently; you each teach against immodesty yourself sometimes. Yet you wear skirts above your knee, and I see his eyes move up. When he teaches a class, you sit immodestly, and he burns inside. You wear round-neck blouses that may be decent while standing up straight, but when you lean slightly, it gapes open for a fleeting moment for him to fill his eyes. You wear slacks that hug around your hips and abdomen, and his mind races.

Who are you? Sometimes I see you in Bible class. I see you when we worship our Father together. Sometimes you are even a deacon’s or minister’s wife. Once in a great while you are even an elder’s wife. It hurts me to see what you are doing to yourself in the name of style and how I cry when I see what it does to my husband. If I try to say something to you tactfully, you are filled with righteous indignation or laugh and call me old-fashioned.

So I go home and cry alone. The likelihood of his committing adultery with you is very slim, for you would be horrified at the suggestion. But you keep his mind in such a sexual turmoil because you are some of our closest friends sometimes, I know he will eventually give up trying to fight it off and will go to a woman not known to the church in order to hide his shame.
No, I am not an “old bag.” I try to make myself as nice looking as possible at home as well as in public. I fix good meals. I try to keep cheerful. I feel I have always done most of the things mentioned in such books as Fascinating Womanhood. I am a good wife and dedicated mother; I work at it.

I also know for a fact that my husband is not the only one fighting this epidemic. The church at Corinth suffered from it. I have asked other Christian men to help him, and once they see that I understand, they often admit that they have the same problem, sometimes under control, sometimes not. I’ve had preachers, elders, deacons, young men, old men admit this – and seem relieved that at least one woman understands their burden. Often they can’t tell their wives and daughters not to wear the revealing styles because they are ridiculed by them and other wives. So they keep it to themselves, and, as one preacher put it, “burn inside” because of the sinful passions they are so desperately fighting, with no sympathy from the women who bait them unwittingly.

Please, please listen to me! I have begged and pleaded in every way I know how. Our minister has, too; and every time he does, you feel like starting a movement to get rid of him, or you say, “Those terrible women!” without realizing it is you, too. You become frustrated and bitter at his false accusations that you are creating lustful thoughts in men.

Keep reading, please. Don’t cut me off. I understand why you don’t believe the men. I really do. Remember, I’m a woman too. You dress in the latest styles, with some of the characteristics mentioned earlier – maybe not all of them – simply because you like the styles. They are pretty. You enjoy the looks of approval from everyone – not just the men. Some fashion designers say that women actually dress for approval and admiration from other women. You think adultery is terrible. You think that only men with base morals would look at you lustfully.

Some of you think, “Not me! There’s nothing sexy about me – only my husband could think so. I’m overweight, I can’t ever go to the beauty salon,” and on and on. The reason you get so angry at such suggestions about you is that you know deep in your heart that you are not creating lust. You know this beyond a shadow of a doubt. You feel you are being falsely accused, and it hurts you for anyone to think of you as less than pure. I know this is the way you feel, because that is the way I feel.

But the men do not believe it! Please get it through your head that men do not think like we do. Jesus never said a woman committed adultery in her heart (mind) when she looked at a man who looked sensual. Women just don’t get aroused through the eyes. Usually we get aroused through our ears – a man opening up his heart to us, and telling us how special we are. Men are not that impressed by “sweet nothings” – in fact, they often laugh at it. Their key is in what they see, or are enticed to see by form-fitting suggestions.

Jesus said a man commits adultery every time he looks at a woman who looks sensual to him, and he can’t control those thoughts. It seems like every time I say something to you about your hemline or neckline, you don’t believe me. And every time I tell men that most women do not dress purposely to be a “tease,” they don’t believe me either. Men really do believe we women know exactly what we’re doing and exactly what we’re after. These are Christian men, too, remember. Why do you think our preachers get so hot under the collar when they preach on this subject?
These men know something women don’t know or understand. And since you don’t feel that way, you refuse to believe men feel that way. Years ago when we were first married and very young, my husband told me that the way a woman dresses tells men around her how she wants to be treated and whether she wants to be touched. If she is a tease, such as a Christian woman who lures and then shames men for having such dirty minds, he just stores those thoughts and goes to another woman eventually if he can’t overcome those natural reactions. Men want women to look like women, to look feminine; but not to entice them. The comments are not reprintable that I’ve heard from men in restaurants watching waitresses with short skirts clean tables. But here are some comments I’ve heard from Christian men:
“How can you keep your mind on your lesson when those girls sit like they do in your class?”
“My daughter has really created some problems for me when she runs around in her shortie pajamas.”
“Her dress hardly has a back in it. How could she come to church like that?”
“Did you see that woman in the fourth row?”
“Some of these women are plain vicious! They know exactly what they’re doing!”
“I have to say a silent prayer or a scripture in order to get my mind off those temptations when I see women dressed like that.”
“I look away as quickly as I can or I wouldn’t be able to get control of my thoughts before they become sinful.”

Dear sisters, obviously you are not completely at fault when you dress questionably, not any more than a bottle of liquor offered to an alcoholic is completely at fault. I have learned in choosing clothing that does not look like I am “making an offer,” “When in doubt, don’t.”
Do you understand a little better? Run a test if you like and watch the men when a woman with immodest apparel walks into a room. Watch them closely, and you’ll see what I’ve seen. We women will never understand completely how men feel, because we are not men and never will be; just as men will never really understand that most of us women don’t intentionally entice them. We have to take each other’s word for it, and take Jesus’ word for it.

My last request is that you not try to guess who I am, or who my husband is. We are any one of several couples in your own congregation. Do not embarrass me or one of the others by asking, or even guessing to someone else. It is hard enough for us to hold our heads up without others knowing of our shame. When you see me a little depressed or moody, just smile, and I won’t cry as much when I get home. If you suspect who I am, encourage me and talk to me about faith. And encourage my husband by making sure you are covered around him – be kind to him in this way. He will then think of you as a lady – a Christian lady, and we will both thank you for your godly influence.With my love to you, from a struggling sister in Christ.
(Anonymous)

Friendly Indy

We drug our nephew all over Indiapolis with us yesterday--we went to Bible class and worship in the morning at a congregation where Tol is preaching in a lectureship this week--some in Spanish and some in English so we had several acquaintances there. We ate lunch with a couple of famlies after church. We then attended another congregation in the evening where we know two or three people, but have a lot of connections to a number of others because of the evangelistic work Tol does, so we met and talked with a lot of people at that congregation.

About ten minutes after the services were over, a family came in looking for Tol and me who were from Columbus, Indiana (45 minutes or so away). They were an hour late to church because they had been told they met at 6 instead of 5, but, anyway, their son is going with us to Dominica at the end of this week and they wanted to meet us since we were in the area. (I don't blame them. I would want to know who was taking my kid off to who knows where also.) We spent 30 minutes or so visiting with them. When we finally were about to leave, a couple invited us home with them for supper.

Our nephew said as we got in the car, "I believe being a preacher is more popular than playing football." (He plays for the Colts) We all had a good laugh. But you know, the people in Indiana are really friendly. We have thoroughly enjoyed our visit hear and felt extremely welcome. If you ever get a chance, visit our brethren in the Indy area. I think you'll find the same welcome we have.

Dana Burk

A Lotta' Church

We got to do dinner with our nephew last night and invited him to go with us to church this morning and again this evening. He questioned us and said, "You're going in the morning and again at night? That's a lotta' church for one day!" We teased him about it, but he went with us this morning and is coming again tonight.

My nephew was not "raised" going to church and so he may go to a church here or there occasionally on Sunday morning, but that's about it. I understand how that's "a lotta' church" for him in one day. However, it's sad to me when people claim to be committed to the Lord and call themselves Christians and yet, think it too much church in one day to go to worship twice on the Lord's day. They have too many other things they feel they need to do. All too often we think it's quite acceptable that we give God one hour out of our week while we spend 50-60 hrs. a week amassing money to buy stuff and 10-20 hrs. a week pursuing entertainment. I realize we all must work and provide for the necessities of life, but many of us work overtime so we can simply have more stuff and neglect the worshipping of our God. Have we stopped to think, "Is He pleased?"

I hope and pray over time my nephew can come to know the Lord and begin to worship Him often as He has commanded. Do you really know the Lord? Are you worshipping as He has commanded or is that a lotta' church in one day?

Dana Burk

Off to Indy

Well, I'm off to Indiana this morning. My husband is preaching at a lecturship there next week. I have a nephew that has just moved there (he has just signed with the Indianapolis Colts) so we will get to visit with him. I'm really looking forward to that--its been 3 years since we've seen him. I also plan to meet new friends. I always look forward to that.

Truly, one of the blessings of Christianity is having new friends all over the world yet to meet. Pray for us as we pray for you. Hopefully I can find an internet connection somewhere so I can blog while in Indy.

Dana Burk

Just Thinking

• If we put the blame where it really belongs, the other fellow sometimes gets less of it.
• Those who hope for no other life are dead even in this one.
• Let's not park our brains at the door when we enter the church building, nor our hearts at the door as we leave.
• Common sense is seeing things as they are, and doing things as they should be done.
• A successful man is usually an average man who either had a chance or took a chance.
• The most pointed remarks come from blunt people. They usually can't take the barbs as well as they give them.

(borrowed)

State-Endorsed Death

I was reading an article today on physician-assisted suicide and realized how near we are to that becoming a common fact of life. The state of Oregon is the only state that has presently legalized such, but others are considering it. Oregon passed the "Death With Dignity Act" in 1997 and since that time 263 people have used legally prescribed lethal drugs to commit suicide. (Those are the reported deaths though it is believed that the number is much higher.)

The proponents of the law assured voters that the doctors would only prescibe these medications for patients who were mentally competent and who were terminally ill with only six months or less to live. The article, however, made reference to a number of people who had been prescibed these medications (and obviously not yet taken them) who were still alive anywhere from 17 months to even 2 years later, thus proving we cannot, for certainty, predict ones life expectancy. Furthermore, there have been a number of cases reported where elderly who suffered with dementia and have been declared "cognitively impaired" by their physicians, have been given these medication at the insistence of their own children.

Wesley Smith wrote an article for the Weekly Standard (Nov. 8, 1999), titled "The Deadly Ethics of the Futile Care Theory" in which he said, "Once the legal view of killing is shifted from automatically bad to possibly good, it becomes virtually impossible to restrict physician-assisted suicide to the very narrow range of patients for whom proponents claim it is reserved. The 'protective guidelines' allegedly designed to guard the lives of vulnerable people soon become scorned as obstacles to be circumvented. And so, eligibility for physician assisted suicide steadily expands to permit the killing of increasing categories of ill and disabled patients. Thus, an act that is supposed to be 'rare' is likely to become more common. And what was seen as a last resort, something that might be considered if palliative treatment failed, becomes an alternative to treatment." That is scary, but very real, stuff.

The awful atrocities of Hitler included the killing of mentally ill, retarded and physically disabled because they were seen as expendable and as a burden to society. These are things the world was shocked and horrified over and yet, they are, in our lifetime, happening once again under the guise of "mercy" and "death with dignity". A rose by any other name is still a rose and this still constitutes murder in God's book!

We as Christians must not allow ourselves to be lulled into believing that this "mercy killing" is OK--it is not. We have never had the right to play God and determine when it is appropriate and when it is not for someone else to live. For years now, America has legally allowed the killing of innocent babies through abortion and now we are extending that to the other helpless members of our society. Shame on us and we will be judged by God for it.

But you know, the most ironic part of all of this is that, in America, we loathe and bemoan the fact that so many animals are euthanized each year. We see that as some terrible thing, yet it is becoming a desirable thing to "get rid of" unwanted humans. Truly we are becoming like those spoken of in Romans 1:25; "Who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator..." May God help us all!!!

Dana Burk

Article referenced--Blocher, Mark B. "State-Endorsed Death: Physician-Assisted Suicide and the Future of Medicine." Christian HealthCare Newsletter July 2006

Worry

When I look back on all these worries I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.
--Winston Churchill

Isn't this true of most of the things we worry about? We worry until we literally make ourselves sick and most of the things we worry about never even come to pass. Our God is big enough to take care of all of our troubles, perceived and real and He is willing to take them from us. Jesus said, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Give your worries to God and then you'll have more time for enjoying life.

Dana Burk

Distinguished Teacher Award

Jesus wins the World's All-Time Most Distinguished Teacher award. It is not a plaque someone presented to Him, but simply the recognition by millions who have sat at His fee for nearly 2000 years.

• He had no classroom, except the one the moment provided. It might be a hillside, a boat, or a garden.
• He received no salary, and when John's disciples asked for His credentials, He responded, "the poor have the gospel preached to them." (Matt. 11:5)
• He set no age limit for His students. Little children were admitted as well as the aged. (Matt. 19:13-14)
• He had no textbook but His Father's Word (John 12:49). He held no college degree, yet He instructed scholars and wise men.

(borrowed)

"Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God."--John 3:2

Tell Me Why!

• If a lawyer finds a flaw in a title to property, and does not warn about it, he has not done his duty!
• If a sanitary engineer discovers conditions dangerous to health and fails to report them, he has failed his job!
• If a doctor learns of a dangerous condition in our bodies, and does not properly diagnose it, we think he is a quack!
• If a bank examiner knows of discrepancies in the accounts of a bank and does not report them, he loses his position!
• But if the preacher or the elders see a flaw in our title to a home in heaven, and warn against it; if they discover conditions dangerous to our spiritual welfare; if they find a diseased condition in our spiritual body and tell of their diagnosis; if they find discepancy in our spiritual account and report it; many think they are just meddling and trying to find fault. (borrowed)

Temple to Who?

Whew! We just got back from a quick trip to Kansas--1870 miles--so I'm behind on my blog. But man, was it beautiful! Hay bales in the fields and corn ready to harvest--it was gorgeous.

We stayed two nights in Independence, Missouri and just outside our door was the view of the most unusual building I have ever seen. After we shot this picture, we drove to the next block and saw it was the World Headquarters and Temple of the "Community of Christ". As we drove around, we noticed that they owned what looked to be about 10-12 city blocks with all types of auditoriums, annexes, community centers, etc. They even had a visitors center and visitors were welcome to come to the temple each day at 12:30 noon to pray for world peace.

I knew that they "Mormons" or Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints had been in Independence in the 1800's and that there was a remnant of them that had remained and named themselves the "Reorganized" church, but I had never heard of the "Community of Christ". When I got home, I "Googled" the "Community of Christ" and surprise, surprise, they are the "re-named" Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The article I was reading said that they were having to make some drastic cut-backs in June of this year to their staff and churches because of financial strain and were reducing the number of ministers and staff all over the world.

It is no wonder to me that they would have to "cut-back" when you see what they are spending for their elaborate facilities--first things first! I know that is rather sarcastic, but I think it is indicative of where "Christianity" has gone today. It has become more important to build million dollar cathedrals for our prestige and spend equal amounts for "family life centers" and recreational facilities for our own pleasure than to take those same funds and spend them according to the authority of the scriptures to preach the pure word of the gospel.

The above "temple" was dedicated in 1994--after just twelve years this "church" now appears to be buckling under its own excess. If we were content to do God's work (preach the gospel) according to His word instead of doing our own "works" we would have more than enough to accomplish His will. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16)

Dana Burk

Wisdom from a President

"There are men and women who make the world better just by being the kind of people they are. They have the gift of kindness or courage or loyalty or integrity. It really matters very little whether they are behind the wheel of a truck or running a business or bringing up a family. They teach the truth by living it." --James A. Garfield, 20th U.S. President

President Garfield was a member of the Lord's church and was known for his integrity. It was his abhorrence of corruption that ultimately resulted in his assassination. He lived the Christian life and made many friends and some enemies as a result. What a fitting quote for a man full of loyalty and integrity.

I once read that he was an elder in the church when he took the office of President and said that he was stepping down from the highest office on earth (the eldership) to take the office of President of the United States. That is a man who had things in proper perspective. You might enjoy reading up on this exemplary Christian.

Dana Burk

Total Apostasy

I couldn't help but overhear a conversation at lunch today of two gentlemen who were sitting across from our table. They were discussing the quarterly budget for their respective churches. One commented how the board of directors, elected by the congregation, presented the budget to the church and how pleased he was that the "pastor" did not take part in the forming of the budget. They proceeded to discuss the "politics" of the congregation and its many programs.

Not once in their conversation was ANYTHING said about the scriptures, God, Jesus, Biblical authority, etc. I was astounded at how "secular" the whole discussion was. When Tol joined me, I relayed the parts of the conversation I had heard and we talked about how foreign it was to one we would have about our "church". I said, "How did they get so far from the word?" He answered, "Little by little--one step at a time."

As I have thought about that, I realize we are only one step away from following their path. All we have to do is leave the authority of the scriptures over one small thing and then we are on our way down the same path to total apostasy as so many of the churches around us today. Jesus said all authority had been given to Him, thus confining each of us to the bounds of His word. It takes diligence to seek to always follow His authority in all things.

Dana Burk

Would I Be Called A Christian?

• Would I be called a Christian if everybody knew my secret thoughts and feelings and everything I do?
• Oh, would they see the likeness of Christ in me each day?
• Oh, would they hear Him speaking in every word I say?
• Would I be called a Christian if everybody could know, that I am found in places where Jesus would not go?
• O, would they hear His echo in every song I sing...In eating, drinking, dressing would they see Christ in me?
• Would I be called a Christian if judged by what I read? By all my recreations and every thought and deed?
• Would I be counted Christ-like as I now work and pray? Unselfish, kind, forgiving to others everyday?

(borrowed)

Tell Me the Story

We just completed our VBS this week and averaged about 80 children per night--many were visitors. They were excited and enthusiastic from 1 year olds to 18 year olds. We didn't offer them musical productions, dance dramas, hot dogs or ice cream--we simply offered them exciting stories from the Bible about real kings who had real problems to overcome and the kids came back night after night.

God's word is still as powerful today as it was when it was written and can still move us and motivate us just as it always has. Our Lord and Savior used "visual aids" when He taught the people to make His points come to life, i.e., fig trees, fish, fishing nets, the seeds in the ground sheep, barns and even the stars in the sky. We too have used a number of "visual aids": pictures, posters, an artificial tree, a wooden cross made from boxes, and a throne from wooden crates and gold wrapping paper, but we haven't altered, in anyway, God's word or message. We have simply used these to help the children visualize the lessons taught in His word.

As a result, we know the kids came for the Bible lessons, not for food and entertainment. All around our town, this time of year, there are churches offering all types of "gimmicks" to get kids to come to their VBS, like snacks, fiestas, pizza parties, etc. I see very little, if any, advertising of the Bible lessons they will be teaching. They are selling the Gospel for food and fun and it is so unnecessary. Children love God and they love God's word--they don't have to be bought off with gimmicks. How often we underestimate the spirituality of our children.

Tol and I will be going in a few weeks to a tiny Caribbean island, to a small village of 400-500 people and help the fledgling church there with a VBS. The congregation only numbers about 25-30 and yet we are expecting any where from 50-60 children to attend the VBS. There will be no music, no snacks, no pizza parties, no movies and, in fact, the only visual aids will be a few posters we can take with us on the air-plane and yet, the children will come and come and come. Each year when we end for the week, we always have some of the children ask if we can go for another week. They are so eager to learn about Jesus and His word.

Jesus said we need to become like little children because of such is the kingdom of Heaven. What a great example children are to us--they love the pure milk of the word of God.
"Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word,
"Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard."

Dana Burk

The Rich King's Four Wives

Once upon a time there was a rich king who had four wives. He loved the fourth wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. he gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the third wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another man.
He also loved his second wife. She was his confidante and was always kind, considerate, and patient with him. Whenever the king faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

The king's first wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.

One day, the king fell ill and knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, "I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone."

Thus, he asked the fourth wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No way!" replied the fourth wife, and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.

The sad king then asked the third wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No!" she replied. "Life is too good! When you die, I'll remarry!"

His heart turned cold. He then asked the second wife, "I have always turned to you for help, and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't help this time!" replied the second wife. "At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave." Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightening. The king was devastated.

Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go."

The king looked up and saw his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, he said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"

In truth, we all have four wives in our lives:

• Our fourth wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.
• Our third wife is our possessions, status, and wealth. When we die, these will go to others.
• Our second wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, they can't go with us past the grave.
• Our first wife is our soul. We often neglect it in pursuit of wealth, power, and pleasures of the world. However, our soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout eternity.

--adapted from eSermons.com

Bring Your Characters to Life--Life Size That is

Teaching Bible lessons can be greatly enhanced by creating life-size characters. It is much easier for the children to truly grasp the reality of the Bible story when they see life-like people. Just about any graphic image can be "blown" up to life size through a graphics program like Print Shop or Print Master, etc.

We try and use "meta-files" so the distortion is limited when enlarging the graphic and then we determine how large we want the graphic to be--100% is normal print size so we select 200%, 250%, 500%, etc. By selecting the "output size" on the print setup screen, we can easily make our Bible characters life-size--6ft. Roman soldiers or a 9 ft. Goliath.

A couple of years ago, our congregation purchased a Hewlett Packard Designjet 100 which accommodates paper as large as 24 inches x 36 inches. We buy card stock in that size and with 6 to 9 sheets can produce huge, life-like graphics. (The printer is constantly used by our teachers) However, the same results can be produced with normal 8 1/2 x 11 paper, though it will take many more sheets. Once the printing it done, putting the pieces of your graphic together is simply a matter of putting the puzzle together.

It does take a little time and some effort to produce these giant beauties, but the results are definitely worth it and you will be amazed at the affect it will have on your Bible class.

Dana Burk

What is Love One to Another?

Love is an attitude--

love is a prayer,

For a soul in sorrow,

a heart in despair.

Love is good wishes

for the gain of another.

Love suffers long with

the fault of a brother.

Love giveth water

to a cup that's run dry,

Love reaches low,

it also reaches high.

Seeks not her own

at the expense of another,

Love reaches God

when it reaches our brother.

(borrowed)

Thanks, Ginger

Yes, Ginger, I do remember you and remember when you came to my home. Thanks so much for your encouraging words. It is really good to hear from those who read the blog and get feed back. May God bless you as you continue to serve him.

Dana Burk

Conquering Our Goliaths

Yesterday, in our VBS, we studied about David and Goliath. The point was made that we can conquer the giants in our lives the same way that David conquered his. I am teaching the 1st and 2nd graders and it was interesting to hear them talk about the things that they fear--their Goliaths--things like the dark (I fear the dark too), bad people (you know, I fear bad people), mean dogs (a vicious dog is scary to me), being in the hospital (I have had way more than my share of that fear). I began to realize that the things the child fears are the same things we adults fear and that fear is universal.

As children, we have our parents and other supportive adults to protect us from those Goliaths, but as an adult we often feel we must face them alone. Yet the classic Bible story of David and Goliath teaches even us adults that we can face any Goliath if God is on our side. David said to Goliath, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts..." (1 Sam. 17:45) Oh, if we just had the attitude of David, what could we accomplish?

Paul said in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." We all know this verse by heart and yet, do we believe it? Do we believe that our God is big enough to defeat Goliath? to defeat my illness or disability, to defeat financial problems, to defeat marital problems, to defeat my depression, etc? It only took one smooth stone, thrown in faith, to bring down David's giant--it only takes one small prayer, offered in faith, to bring down ours.

Dana Burk

We Are Family

While having breakfast with a friend from church this morning, the conversation turned to the importance of family. We have an elderly neighbor who has just been placed into a local nursing home because of some very serious health problems and she has absolutely NO family or close friends to help care for her. It is the saddest thing I have ever seen. Someone, whom she only knew distantly, volunteered to be her "power of attorney" and now is trying to sell everything out from under the poor woman. How does one get to be 75-80 years old and have NO one? One way is to have no "church" family--it is obvious our neighbor has never known God. (Tol has begun to study with her.)

As I have pondered her situation over the last week or so, I have thought about how I never expect to be in her position. We were the only ones who showed up at the hospital for the life threatening surgery she had a few weeks ago--I always expect to have family present when I have surgery. Tol has taken care of her yard after it had gotten totally out of control--I expect to always have family around who can help me with mine. We are the only ones to have visited her in the nursing home since she went there--I hope I never have to go to one, but if I do, I know I will have family checking in on me. My neighbor has NO family--I have a very large family within the church and there will always be those in my spiritual family to care for me. How I thank God for this glorious family.

God has promised us an eternal reward if we are faithful to Him, but we also have many rich blessings here on this earth if we are faithful to Him and probably the greatest earthly blessing from being a Christian is our "church family".

Dana Burk

Talking About Billions of Miles...

As I was preparing for the Ladies Bible class I teach on Wednesday evenings, I looked up some info on what scientists know about the size of the universe. I knew from what I studied back in the dark ages when I was in school that it was enormous, but wow! had I forgotten how enormous.

One thing I read said that the center of our galaxy was 26,000 light years away from where we are. One light year is 10 billion kilometers. That means in an airplane, it would take us billions of years to get to the center of our galaxy and if that is not enormous enough, scientist say they know that the universe contains about 200 billion (with a "b") other galaxies.

These numbers are mind boggling to me and there were even more. But what is most awesome about all of it, the universe, is that our God made it. Solomon said that heaven and the heaven of heavens could not contain our God--I would assume that is the universe. How GREAT He truly is. Yet in all His power and glory, He is mindful of me. Who am I that He would even know my name and yet He does. He loves me, He cares for me, He even died for me. What is it He could ever ask of me that would be too much. Rather, how priviledged I am to be called His child. That is how awesome He is.

Next time you come across a command in the Bible that you find difficult to obey, remember who it is you serve and what all He has done for you--it will make obedience a lot easier.

Dana Burk

Hey Kali!

How cool to get your comment on my blog all the way from Taiwan. Do we live in a great time or what that you can keep up with me when you are billions of miles away on the other side of the world. If I had your e-mail I would have thanked you for your comment but since I don't I'll do it this way.

Hope you are having a great time and learning lots. You are in my thoughts and prayers. See you in a few weeks. Love, Dana

The Record Book

There is a record book I'm told

With every deed and word;

It even keeps the records of

Our thoughts that can't be heard;

The good, the bad and every sin

For nothing has been missed;

It really makes me feel ashamed,

To think what's on my list. (borrowed)

Someone has said there is a way to "press the delete button" and erase all the bad that is in that record book. If we will repent we can have COMPLETE forgiveness and stand righteous before our Great God. It makes me hang my head in shame to think about what must be on my list and I praise God for His infinite mercy in letting me hit the delete button over and over and over again.

What is on your list? Have you hit the delete button lately?

Dana Burk

Parent, What Effect Are You Having?

I have spent a lot of time in prayer and reflection today. A childhood friend recently made contact with one of my kids and it has caused a great deal of sorrow in their life, and I must admit, in mine as well. You see, this childhood friend was raised "in the church" just like mine were, but Mom and Dad divorced during this child's High School years.

The kids met at an FC summer camp during Jr. High and kept in touch for a number of years but after graduation from High School they lost touch. Out of the clear blue the friend contacted my child by e-mail (you can find almost anyone through Google). So what's so sad about that? The friend's life has been one very sad mess after another, including homosexuality and total abandonment of the Church--and saddest of all is the total lack of contact with parents for a number of years. And this young person is only in their 20's. To add injury to insult, they now attend a denomination that condones and encourages "alternate" lifestyles--therefore no stigma attached to sin.

Supposedly the friend is "happier" than ever before and has "found themselves" and yet, through a follow-up letter you can feel the pain between the lines; the utter rejection and total disconnect from all that is precious to them. My heart aches for their loneliness.

I have thanked God a lot today for the relationship that I have with my adult children, for the relationship they all have with their God, but mostly for the relationship I have with my husband--we did not divorce during the most fragile years of our children's lives, destroying their stability and even their identity. I'm not boasting about how great "we" are, I'm stressing how parent's selfish behaviors can set their children up to utterly destroy themselves. Whenever a divorce comes about, it is the direct result of selfishness on the part of one or both involved and there is NEVER an excuse for this in a Christian home like this young person was raised in.

If you are a parent, think very seriously about what effect your actions are having and will have on your children; not only now, but in the future. The effects on this young person are still bearing their fruit. I understand that this young adult is now responsible for their own actions but their is plenty of blame to go around.

I would ask you to pray for this friend of my child. Pray that they will see their sin and error and that they will return to our Heavenly Father where there is real peace and may be able to renew the lost relationship with their parents and family. May God grant them time and mercy.

Dana Burk

Bulletin Board Borders

Sometime back I talked about making crowns for children out of scalloped bulletin board border. Our VBS theme for this year is King of Kings and so the teachers are looking for ways to decorate with a royal flare. Yesterday, I saw that one of the teachers had taken 3" gold foil crowns and used them as border on her bulletin board. The background was done in purple. It was darling.

Two or three of the other teachers saw it also and so today I have ordered about 12 dozen crowns so we can border our bulletin boards with them. It is amazing the versatile ways things can be used if we use our imaginations.

Authentic: DeVinci Code vs. Bible

We were discussing in our Bible class this morning the "trustworthiness" of the Bible and the teacher enumerated several reasons why we can count on the authenticity of the Bible and the fact that it is the word of God such as; verifiable fulfilled prophecies, large number of early manuscripts, archaeological finds, external sources which support Bible teachings, etc. Somehow The DeVinci Code came into the conversation. (It seems to do that a lot as of late.) As we talked, I began to think about how many millions of people are caught up in the frenzy of the false teachings found in The DeVinci Code.

The last tally I heard was that Dan Brown's book, The DeVinci Code, has now sold something like 10,000,000 copies and I see it is now available in paperback which will only encourage the numbers to skyrocket even further. How is it that a book, that the author himself describes as "fiction", can capture the minds of so many people and convince huge numbers of them that what they are reading is true with absolutely no proof and no evidence? Why are people so eager to believe a lie and so ready to reject truth and hard evidence? Let me suggest a possible reason for some of this phenomenon.

By accepting stories like The DeVinci Code, man brings Christ down to our level, stripping Him of His divinity and sacredness and it raises man to almost a "superhuman" level, giving him almost "Godlike" qualities. If Jesus did marry and have a child that had to be secretly hidden from the world to preserve their lives, then He wasn't much different from us and His human lineage is among us today--and who knows, you might even be part of that blood-line. Not only that, if mankind has been a part of some conspiracy and been able to conceal these truths through little known secret societies throughout the centuries, how "Godlike" they appear. This is really exciting and intriguing stuff and makes us feel really good about ourselves.

On the other hand, if Jesus is the Christ we read about in the Bible, if the Bible is literally the word of God and we are going to stand before our maker in judgment based on our obedience to that word, then that demands change in each of our lives. Change is not exciting or intriguing--it is hard and requires work and humility on my part--I must acknowledge how unlike God I really am. It would be a "lot more fun" to believe The DeVinci Code.

What this proves to me is that many people are not at all interested in "truth" but rather in what makes them feel good. The evidence proving the Bible can be piled in volumes sky high and will be ignored by the man who does not want to change.

Dana Burk

One Mother

It is rather odd that one mother can take care of ten children, but ten children can't take care of one mother. Wonder why? (borrowed)

What One Visit Did

This is a true story. One Sunday several years ago, a couple attended a service of a local congregation near where they lived. For some reason they were not impressed with the service and planned to go to a denominational church the following Sunday. They had no intentions of returning to the first.

However, on Friday evening of that week, two members from the congregation visited in the home of this couple. These men had no idea of the good they were doing. The people were so grateful for the visit that they decided to return the following Sunday. They did, and kept coming. A short time later they were both baptized into Christ.

This man and woman are pillars in the Lord's church in a distant city. It would be impossible to calculate the tremendous good they have done during the years since.

Now why were they converted? Their salvation and all the good done since hinged on that one visit! Make an important call and visit this week! (borrowed)

Tol and I have always said you can never underestimate the power of a visit. This story illustrates that so clearly. We have similar experiences ourselves.

Visiting takes your personal time away from you and forces us to come out of our comfort zones but the results can be life changing--for you and the one you visit. Do you love other souls? Make the effort to visit others in their homes and show you care.
You and they will be glad you did.

Dana Burk

A Praise Team

I was just reading a bulletin article from a church of Christ and I want to share a piece of it with you. It reads:

The elders of the xxxxxx Church of Christ in xxxxx, WV recently issued the following note to their members. "Our use of a praise team in leading our worship has taken our practice of acappella music to a whole new level....We came to the conclusion that the Bible approves of instrumental music in youth worship....we have encouraged the use of instrumental music in youth worship..."

How disturbing! Where is scriptural authority for a "praise team" and how do you bring acappella music to a "new level"? Why is instrumental music okay for youth worship and yet we must have acappella in the regular worship? What is the difference? In this same article it talks about how congregations are having along with "praise teams", solos, duets and choirs. The only purpose of these types of singing arrangements is for the entertainment of the audience.

When we go to God's word, we never see ANYWHERE that we are to worship for OUR entertainment. Our worship is for teaching and admonishing one another and for the glory and adoration of our Great God--therefore, it will only be pleasing to Him if we do it His way. We are to sing together to one another, unaccompanied by any instrument other than our hearts. (Eph. 5:19, Col.3:16)

One of the great defenders of the faith early in the past century once said, "Brethren, it is later than we think." Those words are just as true today. Liberalism in the church today is in full bloom and it is probably later than many of us want to think. We must be watchful and on guard. We must be willing to STAND.

Dana Burk

Using One's Talent

I have no voice for singing,

I cannot make a speech.

I have no gift for music,

I know I cannot teach.

I am no good at leading,

I cannot "organize".

And anything I write

Would never win a prize.

But a roll call in Bible class

I always answer "here".

When others are teaching

I lend a listening ear.

After the class is over

I praise its every part;

My words are not to flatter,

I mean them from my heart.

It seems my only talent

Is neither big nor rare,

Just to listen and encourage

And to fill a vacant chair.

But all the gifted people

Could not so brightly shine,

Were it not for those who use

A talent such as mine.

---Author Unknown

What a powerful verse and one we all can benefit from reading. How true it is that there would be no purpose for those who are gifted if they had no one to share their gifts with. The person who is always "present" has a tremendous gift to offer to the Lord's church, however. Truly they are an encouragement to each of us--they can always be counted on.

The apostles called Barnabas "son of encouragement". In the book of Acts we see him encouraging others. We never see him doing any "great thing" necessarily, and yet his life touches so many of the early Christians in a positive way. I believe that is why we have his name recorded and his simple deeds detailed for us--we too can be sons of encouragement (and daughters) by being where we ought to be and doing the simple things God has called us to do. Jesus said just a cup of cold water given in His name would bring us great reward. (Mark 9:41)

Dana Burk

VBS Bags

I was reminded today that I need to put more tips for teaching on the blog, so, here goes one. In our congregation, we give our children folders, pouches or bags for them to transport their Bible class material to and from class each quarter and for VBS.

For the last few years we have been purchasing blank canvas bags from Oriental Trading (www.orientaltrading.com) and ironing computer generated iron-on transfers onto them. We use a graphics program like Print Shop or Print Master to design our graphic to fit the theme of our VBS (or theme of the Bible class quarter) and then print it onto iron-on, T-shirt transfers using an ink jet printer with its "normal" ink. The bags we purchase cost from $1.00 to $1.50 each and are very durable. We still have a number of them floating around from previous years. Our children love them (as do their parents) and look forward to their new bag each year. This year our theme is King of Kings and we are using canvas, back-pack bags. We have a picture of the five different kings we will be studying on the bag.

FYI--The T-shirt, iron-on transfers can be purchased at any office supply chain as well as Walmart. We buy ours from Sam's and save considerably with the cost. One word of caution: be sure and select the "print reverse for iron-on transfer" option from your print set-up screen just before you click "print" or else the names, words, and images will be backwards when ironed onto the bag.

Be creative and enjoy! Let me know how this works out for you.

Dana Burk

Philippians 4:13

If God led you to it, He will lead you through it!

What a great saying and yet, so often it is not the things that God led me to that I struggle through, but rather the things I led myself into. The result is the same, however, because God will help us through all of our struggles. Paul says in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

What comfort that can be when I see no way out to know that my God knows exactly how we're going to get through this and He will be with me every step of the way. Next time you find yourself in a situation that you just can't do anything about, give it to God (and don't go and take it back from Him) and let Him worry about it. You can trust Him to see you through and help you navigate through the rough waters of life.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Dana Burk

He Comes Home Tomorrow

My husband and I have been married well over a quarter of a century and have settled into our own "hum-drum" routines in life. We spend a lot of time together, but we also spend a great deal of our time working on our own "projects". I am a very independent woman and feel I am pretty self-sufficient. But, when he goes out of town (which he does quite frequently), I am sooooo ready for him to return.

Tol has been gone for 15 days now and I passed lonely days ago. It is so quiet and so serene in the house while he is gone--even the dogs are not as lively. I have been extremely busy trying to finish up the last chapter of a book I have been writing as well as preparing for VBS in two weeks and yet I have still found time to miss my sweetheart.

I thank God for the incredible man I have and I know I have been blest with the kind of marriage God intended each of us to have. I find, when he is gone, I reflect on the blessing he is to me in a way I rarely do when he is around. Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder.

In a way, I suppose I am fortunate that he travels frequently, because it causes me to miss him and appreciate him more. How sad, if we go through life, not realizing how important the most significant person is in our lives. I know how important mine is and he comes home tomorrow.

Dana Burk

I Want You There

Last night, while I was putting my son to bed, he and I had a very interesting conversation. He began to tell me, in his two-year old wisdom, about God's house. I told him one day he might be able to live in God's house. He responded to me that he wanted me to live there too. I told him, as tears began to trickle down my cheeks, I will be there and I want him to be there too one day.

I, as a father, will never forget his words explaining to me his desire for me to be in Heaven. I promised him I would. Can we as Christians actually say such a thing? YES!! Here are some thoughts I would like for you to consider:

1) Eternal life is not owed--Rom. 3:23; 6:23
2) The blood of Jesus forgives sins--Rom. 6:1-7
3) There is a place prepared for us--John 14:1-6
4) I can know I have eternal life--1 John 5:13
(borrowed)

I think the story above has some very sobering implications for each of us--especially parents. Will you be in Heaven with your children--will your children be in Heaven with you? We must be diligent to teach our little ones about God and the home He has prepared for each of us. Then we must be diligent to live the type of life that will be pleasing to my Father above so He will give me entrance into that eternal abode.

Dana Burk