And Now for Something Completely Different

Here is something that could soon possibly be affecting all of our lives. I know that I have had discussions with Scott about the reach of the government and how far it should intrude into the lives of the American people as far as Biblical principles. Let's hear what you think!

The Problem of Pornography

Here's an excellent article about a subject that I believe most men struggle with. One of the problems with it is that it can be so difficult to discuss that finding solutions to the problem can be impossible to find.

It also brings up the idea of having time for the men and women of our Bible study to get together and talk about issues like this that only other men or women would be able to understand or have to deal with.

If you wield your tool on it you profane it

I liked this a lot; it's from today's Truth For Life online devotional.

Truth For Life: If you wield your tool on it you profane it

P.S. I believe when he says, "professors", he means, "professors of faith", i.e. you and me.

Hope for change: new study on homosexuality

from Focus on the Family:

Dear Friends,

A new report from the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH), a group of psychologists, psychotherapists and other health care professionals, is directly challenging the central claims of the pro-gay political movement.

The entire homosexual rights movement has been built upon the politically correct idea that homosexuality is unchangeable. In addition, homosexual activists say that efforts to change unwanted same-sex attraction are damaging.

However, after reviewing more than 100 years of literature, NARTH has found that the research clearly indicates homosexuals can overcome unwanted same-sex attraction, and it is not generally harmful to do so. This new research confirms what the thousands of men and women who have left homosexuality already know: Change is possible.

I encourage you to watch our special online video, in which one of our staff members, Melissa, shares how she overcame homosexuality. In fact, I'd like to highlight our Love Won Out® ministry, which reaches out to those struggling with homosexuality, as well as educates and equips the church and individuals about how to love gay-identified family and friends without compromising biblical truth. For more information about Love Won Out and the conferences we host, please visit their Web site.

Will you join us in prayer that this new report will bring hope to those who are dissatisfied with their same-sex attractions? Thank you for supporting Focus on the Family® as we seek to share a message of hope through the transforming power of Christ's love.

For the family,

Tom Minnery
Senior Vice President, Government & Public Policy

1 Cor 11 Head Coverings

I'm bummed we missed last week. I sure would have liked to hear what people think about head coverings, as well as eating and drinking judgement to oneself with the Lord's supper.

Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying, disgraces his head. But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying, disgraces her head; for she is one and the same with her whose head is shaved.

~ 1 Corinthians 11:4-5

I just went to bible.org to read about head coverings, and found this article: What is the Head Covering in 1 Cor 11:2-16 and Does it Apply to Us Today? It lists the most common positions on this and then writes of each one in turn.

Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord... For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep.

~ 1 Corinthians 11:27, 30

Now, for all the times I've said "warnings (with consequences) don't really have an effect on me," I'll admit this warning about taking the Lord's supper in an unworthy manner makes me nervous. I'm not aware of doing so, but it makes me want to think about it very carefully. And sickness and death as a result of this - do our churches ever consider, if many of our members are sick or dead, that we may be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord?

I'll probably hit you all up at dinner tonight for a recap on last week.

The ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows.

-- Genesis 41:4

Pharaoh's dream has too often been my waking experience. My days of laziness have ruinously destroyed all that I had achieved in times of zealous endeavor; my seasons of coldness have frozen all the genial glow of my periods of fervency and enthusiasm; and my fits of worldliness have thrown me back from my advances in the divine life. I had need to beware of lean prayers, lean praises, lean duties, and lean experiences, for these will eat up the fat of my comfort and peace.

If I neglect prayer for never so short a time, I lose all the spirituality to which I had attained; if I draw no fresh supplies from heaven, the old corn in my granary is soon consumed by the famine that rages in my soul. When the caterpillars of indifference, the worms of worldliness, and the snares of self-indulgence lay my heart completely desolate and make my soul languish, all my former fruitfulness and growth in grace avails me nothing whatever.

How anxious should I be to have no lean-fleshed days, no ill-favored hours! If every day I journeyed toward the goal of my desires I would soon reach it, but backsliding leaves me still far from the prize of my high calling and robs me of the advances that I had so strenuously made.

The only way in which all my days can be like the fat cows is to feed them in the right meadow, to spend them with the Lord, in His service, in His company, in His fear, and in His way. Why should not every year be richer than the past, in love and usefulness and joy? I am nearer the celestial hills; I have had more experience of my Lord and should be more like Him.

O Lord, keep far from me the curse of leanness of soul; let me not have to bemoan such leanness, but may I be well-fed and nourished in Your house, that I may praise Your name.

Thank You!

So I was going to write a thank you note to the Bible Study, but then I figured I would post it here for everyone to read.

I just want to say a great big THANK YOU to all of you for the birthday wishes and all the gifts! It was nice to see some of you at my party, and I thank you for coming! It was a great time! The gifts were all very thoughtful...thank you!!

A Hess