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SIGNS OF CHANGE
The pool hall was a hangout for the local riffraff. The joint wasn't classy enough, so a billiard table was added, carpet was laid over the ed wooden floor, and the sign out front was changed to read "Billiard Parlour." The same people frequented the place. As always, they gambled and boozed a little on the side and the townspeople know that "Billiard Parlour" was a highfalutin' way of saying "Pool Hall" - its practice had not changed at all. Someone persuaded the community shade tree mechanic who knew motors inside and out, that he should present a better image for the sake of the community. He went to mechanic's school to learn what he already knew. After graduation the sign on the fence which used to read "Joe's Garage" said "Doctor of Mechanics, Joseph C. Jones." A certificate hung on the wall to prove that Joe was a qualified mechanic. Of course, Joe still tuned an engine by sound and smell while the electronic gadgets stood in the corner gathering rust. And if you stood just right when you looked through the knothole in the new sign, your could still glimpse a worn, chain-hoist which hung from the shady old oak out back of the place. On some buildings hang a sign, ed and weather-beaten by time - "Church of Christ." This is supposed to signify that Christ's people meet there to worship God and do His work. They are supposed to respect His authority, preach jusst what "the Book" says, and give "book, chapter and verse" for everything believed and practiced. However, in addition to sounds of worship and Bible teaching, one hears kindergarten nursery rhymes, the pitter-patter of tennis shoes in the basement gym, the click of billiar balls in the upstairs recreation room, and the banging of pots and pans in the newly acquired kitchen and fellowship hall. There are strange and divisive notes coming from the meeting place where there once echoed unifying pleas - "We speak where the Bible speaks and are silent where the Bible is silent." In attempting to defend feeding, recreation and entertainment programs being conducted by the church, a preacher told me that the New Testament does not say how the "church building" is to be used. I agree, but this is only a quibble - the real issue is determining the scriptural work of a congregation. If a person understands what the work of a congregation is, he has no difficulty understanding how its facilities are to be used. Neither is the issue what individual Christians may or may not do, but rather what a congregation may practice by God's authority. I do not find scriptural authority for "church" kindergartens, gymnasiums baseball teams, fellowship halls, etc. Methinks that not only does the practice not fit the sign ("Church of Christ") but also that the practice is a sign of change. In this instance there should be a change of signs to fit the practice. - Jim Everett, Plain Talk, March 1971 2,000 USELESS YEARS "Yea, thou he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good; do not all go to one place" (Eccl. 6:6)? In verse three the writer talks about a man living "many years ... and his soul be no filled with good" that he is worth nothing. This ought to prompt us to think! What good am I to society? Am I doing what I can to make it better? Am I a shining example in a darkened world? Or a cup of salt in a world that would otherwise be to God? What good am I to the church? Some have had their names on the "church roll" for years and have done little to further the cause of Christ. What good am I to my family? Do I contribute significantly to its proper function, or am I the center of family problems that may arise? We are all here but for a short time; certainly not for "a thousand years twice told!" When our time is up, we all "go to the same place;" i.e. the tomb, and there no good can be done. Realizing the brevity of our lives, why not make sure they are "filled with good?" Peter said Jesus "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38). We can do the same thing - if we will. Doing nothing is no better than doing wrong when it comes to our standing before God. Look around - all of us can find plenty to do that is good if we will but try. - Bill Moseley ONE MORE THING ... (Mixed Up George)
Someone has said that George Washington was "first in war, first in peace, and first to have his birthday juggled to give folks a long weekend." All I know is that we live in a society, that since George lived, has seemingly only learned to go faster, waste more and die quicker! We want to play more, work less, along with giving less and taking more. Most folks want to talk more and listen less, when they could be learning more by talking less. No wonder we are all mixed up in the world in which we live, and if George could see us - boy, would he be confused. He'd not even know when he was born! But George is not the only one that has problems with the mess we're living in. Too many of the Lord's people have become caught up in the modern-day "rat race" (that no one but the rats can possibly win), and don't even know where they are going. I hope I can keep my sanity in all this gigantic hullabaloo. If I live through it and am still able to remember my birthday (a day that seems to come more frequent all the time), maybe that will be at least an accomplishment of some sort! On second thought, if I could just talk to George, it may be that he could give me some advice as to how to go about surviving in a world gone mad and scrambled - and gets worse all the time. But then, he probably wouldn't have the time to talk to me! - Bill Moseley |
