A Different Kind of Woman

Elisabeth Elliot stated, "The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian does make me a different kind of woman." The Apostle Paul said it this way, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:28) Though all Christians are equal, they are to be unique from the world; "I...beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called..." (Eph.4:1)

Jesus said we are to be the light of the world. In 1 Pet. 2:9, Peter says we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people. Is it that we are more superior than the world? No, but rather we are to be set apart from the sins of the world and be that light that can guide others to Him.

Are you shining bright enough that the world can see you? Can they follow your lead to the Savior? Are you unique from the world or do you just blend in? "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matt. 5:16)

Dana Burk

Some Things To Think About

• Living in the past is the only prison that will prevent you from soaring into an abundant future. -Claudine Boutros
• The gate of Heaven is very low; only the humble can enter it. -Elizabeth Seton
• Whatever God asks you to be, He enables you to be. -Anne Ortlund
• Being a Christian is not doing certain things but doing everything a certain way. -Mary Crowley

Will Spring Ever Come

Tol's (my husband's) article in Sunday's bulletin was titled "Will Spring Ever Come" and the young man who gave the talk at our Wednesday Night Bible study expounded on it somewhat. He talked about how we must wait for God to work and answer our prayers in His time, just as we must wait for Spring to come--in His time. As he talked it made me think about another aspect of "Will Spring Ever Come?"

As we go through this life and trials come and go, we often become weary and begin to wonder, "Is this all there is; one trial after another?" Sometimes life can begin to feel like one very long winter and we may begin to ask, "Will Spring ever come?" As Christians, we always have hope of "Spring". Our Heavenly Father has promised us that there is rest for the weary in a home where there will be no more trials: no sickness, no pain, no sorrow (can you imagine) and no tears. We will finally have eternal Spring.

I get very excited, every day, this time of year, as each day brings new buds and new leaves. Today we saw a whole grove of trees completely leafed out. Spring has arrived and it is a time of renewal and life. That is what Heaven will be like. We will have a new body (thank goodness) and the energy and strength to enjoy the wonders of our new life in our new home. What hope we have as children of God. God has promised us "Spring".

Dana Burk

The Perfect Church

I think that I shall never see
A church that's all it ought to be:
A church whose members never stray
Beyond the straight and narrow way.

A church that has no empty pews;
Whose preacher never has the blues;
A church whose deacons always deak,
And none are proud, and all are meek.

Where gossips never peddle lies
Or make complaints or criticize.
Where all are always sweet and kind
And all to others' faults are blind.

Such perfect churches there may be,
But none of them are known to me;
But still I'll work and pray and plan
To make our church the best I can.
(Unknown)

Truly we each need to have the attitude this author had as he wrote this poem. There are no perfect churches but we need to do the best we can to make the congregation where we are members the best that it can be. Never let the problem with the church be you.

Dana Burk

Convenient Worship

One of the churches near us is advertising 5:30am worship services on Sunday morning. My first thought was; poor preacher then I began to wonder why they would have a worship service so early in the morning (I am not a morning person). The congregation is not large enough to need a second service, so why would they do this.

Some friends we knew, when we lived in the Caribbean, were catholic and started attending Saturday Night mass so they could "get it out of the way" as she put it. Another denomination, in the town we moved from, began having Saturday evening worship and another one not far from there even began serving the Lord's supper on Saturday evenings--"so you could get it out of the way", I suppose. All of these were arranging their services for the convenience of their members--not for the purpose of being in obedience to God's word.

So what about this 5:30am service. It is not the only service they are having--they are still having the regularly scheduled one. The only conclusion I could think of is it is a matter of convenience for some of the members and maybe to attract others to worship with them. Certainly there is nothing "wrong" with meeting at 5:30 on Sunday morning to worship and they may see the need to do this to accommodate members who must work on Sundays. But it did get me to thinking about how some churches are beginning to do what ever it takes to attract members.

Our worship to God, as Christians, is not a matter of convenience or choice--it is a matter of command. Hebrews 10:25 says, "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is..." Furthermore, the New Testament makes it clear that we are to come together on the first day of the week (Sunday), 1 Corinthians 16:2. When we begin to change the day we choose to worship God and, for that matter whether we will even go and worship God, then we are disobedient servants.

According to Strong's, the word "worship" means, "serve; to render religious homage". From the definition then, it is obvious that we are going to worship the divine and not ourselves--we are going to serve at His command, not our convenience. The Jews, under their law, understood that they had no choice in the "day" they were to keep holy--it was the sabbath (seventh day, Saturday). The same is true for us today; we have no "choice" in the day we are to worship. We need to be very careful when we begin to "adjust" our worship for our convenience--it is not for us, it is for Him.

Dana Burk

Check Out These Links

I ran across two websites this week that are sure worth your time to check out. One is www.meandmyhouseinc.com. This sister from the Nashville area has a great Bible timeline for kids available for sale on her website as well as a couple of games.

The other site is www.spiritbuilding.com/WOGS/WOGShome.html. That is a long one or you could just go to the www.spiritbuilding.com and then work your way to the Women of Gentle Spirits page. This is a women's page done by a sister out of Indiana and there is a great resource page for teachers. There must be 20 or more web sites listed for Bible class aids. The spiritbuilding.com is a book publisher. The books for sale on this site were written and published by brethren. Check it out. Great web page.

I hope to have these sites added on the right over there under my favorite links in the next day or two. Hope these are of benefit to you.

Dana Burk

Preacher's Families

I'm sure most of us have read or heard about the killing of the young preacher in Tennessee by his wife on Wednesday. My son who lives in Florida, called me earlier today and we were discussing how tragic the whole situation is: a 31 year old dead, a wife who now faces the possibility of life in prison, three young children whose lives are forever scarred, in-laws and parents with no sane explanations for the destruction of their children's lives. Can anything be any darker?

Later this evening, my husband and I reflected on the ordeal. We began to speculate as to what would cause a young preacher's wife and mother to kill her husband. We talked of several possibilities but of course, no one knows at this point what caused her to do it. But I said to my husband, I don't think people realize how much stress a preacher's family is in sometimes.

Since I'm a preacher's wife, let me share some things with you. From the time we married, we have lived in a "glass house". Especially when we were younger, in our 20's and 30's; if we wore a new outfit, someone had a comment to make about the expense. If we bought a new car, the eyebrows were really raised. I even remember one brother calling a special meeting to talk about how we must be living a "lascivious" lifestyle if we could afford a new vehicle. One time, we were told that the house we were renting was not nice enough and made the church look bad; it made it look like they did not pay the preacher enough. Well?

A preacher's family, especially in a smaller congregation, must watch every move they make. And, not if, but when they make any mistakes, the consequences can be earth shattering. There is always the fear that something you say or do, or for that matter, something your children may say or do will bring scorn upon you. Other "members" can make the same mistakes and no one even notices. I am not trying to justify sin or errors but I am saying we often judge with a double standard--is that really fair? The preacher and his family are human also.

We do not know what circumstances caused this horrific tragedy on Wednesday. Nothing can justify this woman's actions but, the family is in need of our prayers and so too is the wife.

Dana Burk

VBS Caribbean Style

Once again in July, we will be heading down to the island of Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean to the small village of Vielle Case where we will be helping the church of Christ there with a VBS. Two years ago was our first time to go and we had 25 children each day. Last year we had about 40 children attend and this year the church is expecting even more.

At this point there are six of us planning to go: my husband and a young man who is working with the congregation where we attend, two young ladies who are students at Florida College, a sister from Montgomery, AL and myself. I'm certain we could have as many as 60 children so we could sure use some extra help.

If you would be interested in going and have the time and means for a week away please let me know. Your main expense will be the airfare--from Tampa to Dominica the cost is about $600. We will be staying in a guest house up the road from the church building that will be $20 a night per person. Basically that will be it. We will all be taking some food and at most you might want $100 or so for misc. Leave me a comment at the bottom of this post if interested and I'll get back in touch with you.

If you have never been to a remote place like this before to work with other brethren, this can be a life changing experience. Pray for our efforts.

P.S. You will need a Passport to travel to Dominica and back

Dana Burk

A Prayer for Good Housekeeping

Lord, it is not the dirt and clutter in plain sight that nag at me.
It's that hidden dirt...you know, behind the refrigerator, in the closets, under the bed.
Dirt that no one sees or knows about but me.

It's the same way with my life, God.
It's those hidden sins that I can't keep up with...those
Petty little grievances, the grudges, the resentments,
The unspoken harsh feelings, the superior attitudes.
Thoughts and feelings that no one else knows about but
Me......and You, God.
Help me, Father, to clean my heart as I would my home.
Take away all dust and cobwebs of pride, ill feelings and prejudice.
The dirt behind my refrigerator will never hurt anyone.
The dirt in my heart will.
(Unknown)

This is a prayer we all need to pray from time to time. How easy it is to hide, even from ourselves the sins in our hearts--the cobwebs that linger up in the corners and crevices of our minds. After reading this, I'm sure I need to do some soul searching and clean out the hidden areas in my heart--how about you?
Dana

Live For Today

I'll never see this day again,
The seconds or the hours.
Now's the time to take the time
To stop and smell the flowers.

Today's the day to give that smile
And happiness away,
That you were saving for a friend
Some rainy, gloomy day.

This day is golden, priceless,
God made this day for you,
The deed you do for someone else
May just come back to you.

So touch a heart, hold a hand,
Call that lonely friend,
Don't postpone the love you have,
This day won't come again.

(Copied)

Hiding From God

Yesterday, a friend and I were discussing the post on this blog about my 4 year old grandson "goin' the devil's way" and she told the cutest story about her son who is 5 1/2 that I want to share with you.

He was doing something with the computer that he had been told not to and his mother scolded him but he just ignored her. Finally, she told him to stop and reminded him that God was watching him. When the child heard that, he crawled under the desk (so he could hide from God) and then said, "I want God to go and watch somebody else." Do you ever feel that way?

Often we think we are getting by with things but, He is always there--the all seeing eye. I am reminded of the children's song, "Oh Be Careful Little Hands What You Do". Each day we need to remember that "the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little hands what you do".

However, He also sees the "good deeds" we do as well and we can know that the things we do in secret, He will reward us openly for--how great and merciful our God is. Something to think about.

Have a great day and know that your loving Father is watching over you today.

Dana Burk

Taking People Where They Are

My husband's sermon title this morning was the title of this post. He talked about how Jesus took people where they were; they did not have to wait until they had become perfect before they came to Him. Ironically, in our Bible class we had just discussed a similar subject. We discussed how we are to go to a brother in sin and restore them but we are to do it in a spirit of love and gentleness, remembering that we too are sinners.

I am glad Jesus takes us where we are, because I still have not reached perfection and if I had to wait until I did, I will still be outside of Christ. Truly we have a merciful Heavenly Father.

We had two sisters restored to the Lord this morning because, He takes us where we are--His Word is powerful.

Dana Burk

It's Almost VBS Time

As Vacation Bible School time approaches I begin looking for decorating ideas and activities to supplement the curriculum we will teach. I wanted to share with you three of my favorite web sites for ordering craft and decorating supplies.

• shindigz.com / 1-800-314-8736 --Great decorating supplies
• ssww.com (S&S Worldwide) / 1-800-288-9941 -- All types of crafts and toys
• orientaltrading.com / 1-800-228-2269 -- Superstore of crafts, small toys, gadgets and decorating supplies (My very favorite) They even have an entire catalog of religious supplies.

Hope these websites are of benefit to you. If you have any others you would like to share, please leave them in the comment section under this posting and others can read your comment and get the info as well. Thanks and make your VBS a true memory for your kids and help them remember the God we serve.

Dana Burk

God's Way to a 4 year-old

The church where my 4 year old grandson goes has just begun a new curriculum emphasizing God's way versus Satan's way. My daughter-in-law says that my grandson now goes around telling his 16 month old sister that she is going Satan's way every time she gets into something she is not supposed to.


The other day he got into trouble for something and his mother asked him which way he was going. Very confidently and almost proudly he declared, "I'm goin' Satan's way." She then queried, "Which way are you supposed to be going?" She told us he dropped his head and very somberly mumbled, "God's way".

Sometimes I think we are like my grandson; we would really rather be going Satan's way though we know we should be going God's way. I don't guess it necessarily gets any easier the older we get. Which way are you "goin'?"

Dana Burk

Welcome Visitor

My husband, Tol and I went to a gospel meeting tonight in the next town from us. Although this congregation has helped my husband with money recently on one of his "mission" trips to the Caribbean, we have never been to visit with them and have not personally met the elders or members; my husband has met the preacher. We felt it would be a good opportunity for us to meet them.


When we came into the assembly tonight, no one greeted us. We went about half way down the aisle and found a seat. As the auditorium began to fill, the members greeted one another and carried on quite lively conversations with one another and still, no one greeted us. About 2 or 3 minutes before the services began, the preacher saw my husband and came and spoke to him, never even introducing himself to me, and asked him to lead prayer.


Finally, the services began and the singing was excellent as was the sermon. After the closing prayer, we very slowly made our way to the back of the auditorium. No one greeted us though we smiled and acknowledged several. The visiting preacher greeted Tol as we exited the auditorium and again, the local preacher told him he was really glad we came.


We lingered in the lobby for what seemed to me an eternity, and finally one of the elders whom my husband has spoken to several times on the phone came and introduced himself to Tol. He immediately recognized Tol's name but never even asked him how the trip he had just recently taken, went. (I would have thought he would have been interested in the work they had helped to support.) After another long space of time, the other elder and his wife came and introduced themselves to both of us. Tol told them who we were and they just said, "We are glad you came" and then walked off.


For some reason, I did not really feel like anyone was glad we came. There was another family we saw who were obviously visitors who were treated much the same way that we were. Tol had hoped to get acquainted and instead we felt totally shunned. And from the looks of things, it appears that is just the way they treat visitors. Though one or two say they are glad you are there, you sure do not feel welcome in any way. What if we had been a young family that had just moved into the neighborhood and were looking for a new church? The way in which we were treated tonight, I doubt that the family would ever return.


How do you treat visitors at your congregation? Do you ignore them and expect someone else to greet them? Are you glad they are there? If you are, then show them that you are. Ask their names, where they are from, how long they have lived in the area, etc. Make them feel that you really mean what you say. (Thanks for letting me vent.)

Dana Burk

Sell Them on E-bay

We were visiting at a congregation out of town yesterday and I met a delightful woman who had two young children. She was trying to coral them as they were running down the aisle after church and then came over and introduced herself to me. She mumbled something about their behavior and I said, "Enjoy them now, they won't be little long." She thanked me for reminding her and then said the funniest thing. She told me her husband has threatened to sell them on "E-bay". We laughed and I offered to buy the two year old.

How often we can be frustrated as young parents. I remember I was. I recall Sundays when I would question why I had even bothered to go to worship after having gotten up at least a dozen times to take one or the other of my three young children out to discipline them or go to the bathroom. (My husband was always in the pulpit so I had to manage them alone through services.) But there were sisters in the church who would remind me that I was training my children to learn to worship. That prodded me to persevere and today my children are training their children to worship their God. Finally, I see the "fruit of my labors" and it is sweet.

I look back with fondness to those days though I might have sold one or two of mine on "E-bay" if it had been around at the time. But I'm thankful for those Christians who encouraged me rather than complained about my "unruly" children. So, hang in there mothers (and fathers) and, if you see young parents struggling with their children at worship, be an encourager rather than a complainer. Be thankful these parents are striving to raise their children to be worshipers of God. If we only had more children and more young families wanting to serve God!

Dana Burk

Worth Thinking About

"Life is like a grindstone...whether it grinds you down or polishes you up depends upon what you are made of."


"The future is that time when you'll wish you'd done what you aren't doing now."


"It is easy to give major attention to minor matters."

(All borrowed)

Pray For My Friend

I have a friend who was found unconscious in her apartment this morning. She is an elderly lady who lives in an assissted living facility. The special thing about this friend is her age and incredible outlook on life.

She is nearly ninety and is in constant pain from arthritis. But she never misses a service at church. She is there for every Bible class and all the worship services pushing her walker right in front of her. You can tell by her face she is in pain, but whenever you ask her how she is, she always replies, "I'm hangin' on." How that makes me smile. I have never heard her complain. She is just hangin' on.

What a tremendous example she has been to me. When I don't feel my best I think of my sweet friend and I know she will be at church worshiping her Lord and it encourages me to be there with her. Pleas pray for my friend.

Dana Burk

A Newborn Baby

Today was a good day! I had a new grand baby born. That makes number 5 for me and as I told someone who was at the hospital celebrating the birth of their first grandchild, the excitement never wanes.

As I stood at the nursery window looking at our new, six pound baby girl, and watched her stretch her long legs and flex her funny little toes, I thought to myself, how can you not believe in a creator? She was perfect; complete with the normal twenty digits and fingernails that already needed trimming. How is it that babies are born, day in and day out, just like her without the help of someone above?

Do you ever have doubts creep in your mind about whether there really is a God? Do you sometimes begin to think that maybe you are being duped by "religion"? After all, you can't see God or scientifically prove He exists. I've had those thoughts before.

The next time doubts ease their way into your thoughts, go to the hospital nursery and stand at the window for 15-20 minutes and gaze at one of the newborn babies, and ask yourself, how is it that this helpless, fragile, six pound being can grow into an intelligent, independent and free thinking adult if their was no designer or creator. And look around you at all of the order and design in nature. The doubts will soon give way to reason.

Dana Burk

What Do You Believe?

Thumbing through my files today, I came across a recent survey of U.S. teenagers (ages 11-19) who all attended churches of Christ. The survey was conducted by Robert Oglesby Jr. and Carley Dodd of Abilene Christian University and the results were rather disturbing.

• 16% believe there is little difference between the church of Christ and denominations.
• Only 10% think using musical instruments during church services is sinful.
• Only 31% believe Christians should be very different from the world in dress, language, etc.
• 65% think church membership doesn't matter as long as you love God.

Obviously, at least among this group of teens, there has been a severe lack of basic Bible doctrine taught. Sometimes I think churches are so concerned about making learning "fun" for teens that they forget to make sure they are "learning".

Hopefully, where you worship, this survey would not have the same results--or would it? And maybe you need to ask, "How would I answer that survey? What do I believe concerning the issues addressed?" Can you give Bible authority for what you believe?

2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Paul instructs the young man Timothy to spend time learning God's word so he can correctly apply the word to his life. The gospel is not difficult but it does require study.

What do you believe and more importantly, do you know why you believe what you believe? If not, study; find a knowledgable Christian to help you so you can "show yourself approved unto God."

Dana Burk

Practice What You Preach!

I ran across this poem the other day and thought it graphically illustrates how we must "practice what we preach."

• I was hungry
• and you formed a humanities club
• and discussed my hunger.
• Thank you.

• I was imprisoned
• and you crept off quietly
• to your chapel in the cellar
• and prayed for my release.

• I was naked
• and in your mind you
• debated the morality of my
• appearance.

• I was sick
• and you knelt and thanked God
• for your health.

• I was homeless
• and you preached to me
• of the spiritual shelter of the
• love of God.

• I was lonely
• and you left me alone--
• to pray for me.

• You seem so holy;
• So close to God;
• But I'm still very Hungry,
• and lonely,
• and cold.

(Author unknown)

Sinners Among Us

"We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another." (Jonathan Swift)

The above quote I'm afraid is all too familiar. I am just reading an e-mail I received from someone who is confiding about how their relative has been recieved by brethren at church where they go. The relative is not a Christian and is obviously living in sin. Apparently, some of the members have shunned this visitor and even talked behind their back about their lifestyle. Needless to say, the talk has come back around to the visitor. Now, how does my friend handle this tough situation?

We as Christians are sometimes so incredibly judgemental and self-righteous. We have learned to hate sin but we have not learned to love the sinner. A growing church should have all kinds of people in it. It should have mature, righteous Christians, babes in Christ who make messes and hopefully it will also have non-Christians, who are full of sin, visiting to check out what God is all about, like this relative of my friend. And we as Christians, need to treat them all with love and be glad they are among us. Where else will they learn what they need to do to be the kind of people God wants them to be?

The next time you see an obviously worldly, sinful person come into the church, make sure you show them you love them and are glad they are there. You are glad they are there, aren't you?
Dana Burk

Recycled

Abraham Lincoln failed no less than 11 times prior to being elected the 16th president of the United States...

He failed in business in 1831, was defeated for the legislature in 1832, failed again in business in 1833, had a nervous breakdown in 1836, was defeated for Speaker of the House in 1838, was defeated for elector in 1840, was defeated for Congress in 1843, was defeated again for the same office in 1846, was defeated for the Senate in 1855, and was defeated for vice president in 1856. He tried the Senate once more in 1858 but lost.

Feel like a failure? Remember:

• Moses failed - Acts 7:23-30
• Samuel failed - 1 Samuel 8:1-3
• David failed - 2 Samuel 12:7-15
• Peter failed - 3 times on the night prior to Christ's crucifixion.

Not a single one of these men was thrown away by God. They were all "recycled."

(Don Campbell)

Praise to the Women on My Journey

To the women on my journey

Who showed me the ways to go and ways not to go,

Whose strength and compassion

held up a torch of light and beckoned me to follow...

To the women on my journey

Who showed me how to live and not to live,

Whose grace, success and gratitude

lifted me into the fullness of surrender to God...

To the women on my journey

Who showed me what I am and what I am not,

Whose love, encouragement and confidence

held me tenderly and nudged me gently...

To these women I say bless you and thank you

from the depths of my heart,

for I have been healed and set free

through your sacrifice.

by: Melissa M. Bowers (adapted)

I found this poem on a card sometime back and it has always been one of my favorites. We truely are what we are because of many women we have met on our journey in life. Hopefully, we have been priviledged to meet many godly women who have influenced us and molded us for the good and glory of God.

Dana Burk

Bulletin Boards for Adult Classes

Sometimes I think we forget the importance of our wall space in adult classrooms. Adults like color and visuals as well as kids and there is certainly the opportunity to teach important principals or carry out the theme of the quarter on a blank canvas; a bulletin board. When we allow an adult classroom to be four blank walls, we may also be sending a message that this class is not really all that important.

I often like to take a scripture and illustrate it on the computer and then make my images oversized by tiling them onto several sheets of paper (most graphics programs offer a tiling feature) and then glue them together like a puzzle. Above are a couple of recent bulletin boards I have done for some of our adult classrooms where I worship. I apologize for the picture quality but I think you'll get the point. These bulletin boards are approximately 3 feet by 6 1/2 feet in size. I encourage you to use your imagination and brighten and enlighten the classrooms where you are.

Dana Burk