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?
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Thursday, August 17, 2006
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
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
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
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
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
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
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."
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."
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
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
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
Monday, August 07, 2006
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
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
Thursday, August 03, 2006
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
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
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
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?
Monday, July 31, 2006
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
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
Friday, July 28, 2006
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.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
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
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
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
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
Monday, July 24, 2006
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
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
Thursday, July 13, 2006
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
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)
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)
Monday, July 10, 2006
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
Sunday, July 09, 2006
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
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
Saturday, July 08, 2006
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
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
Thursday, July 06, 2006
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)
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
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
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
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