with this issue of the Banner
May 22nd, 2008 by admin
Of Love, we begin our 67th year of publication. We are informed the publication is one of the oldest continuing religious publications registered by the post office.
The Banner of Love has its roots in a publication called “The Glad Tidings”. It was started early in the century by Elder Wade Hampton Richards, my great-grandfather, assisted by his sons. It published for a number of years, but was a victim of the great Depression.
In about 1933, one of the sons, Elder Hardon G. (”Hard”) Richards, received the opportunity to get out of farming and back into the printing business. He and his family took over a small weekly newspaper which had suffered foreclosure. With a pocketful of one-letter-at-a-time handset type, the family learned the weekly newspaper business, and started from scratch another church publication.
My grandfather, like his father, was not interested in publicizing the religious disagreements of the time. He wanted to publish the good news of the church, and to discuss the great joys of the gospel, as his father had done with “The Glad Tidings.”
My grandmother named the new publication “The Banner of Love” after passages from Songs of Solomon 2:4 and Psalms 60:4.
With this issue, we again dedicate ourselves to the original purposes of this newspaper: to bring the good news to the readers, and avoid the issues that divide and disturb. It is not always easy.
Our worldly training and education is in journalism and law. In those professions, we find ourselves regularly engaged in the issues of the day. In such roles we are trained not to shy away from issues which may be controversial or present a “bad” picture on news. However, our philosophy with the Banner of Love is not of conventional journalism.
With the Banner of Love, we regularly receive articles submitted which may address some ongoing controversies of various churches or groups or assemblies. The publication of such matters was not the originating philosophy of this paper; and we hope to maintain the original goals. We are regularly challenged on this very matter.
We are required to make certain editorial decisions that try our conscious. Our goal is to give our readers good news and not have to worry or have any concern that when they open The Banner of Love, they can enjoy the fruits of the kingdom without being engaged over disputes that detract from that goal.
We make mistakes. When we do, we hope it is because we err on the side of caution. In pursuit of our goal, from time to time we feel compelled to refuse to publish certain articles submitted to us. We know we are privately criticized from time to time because of our conservative, tight philosophy in this regard.
Our philosophy can be explained very simply: the Banner of Love is not a battleground. It is a parade ground for articles of inspiration and explanation of the fruits of the spirit.
With this first issue of the new year, we renew our pledge to three basic philosophies, two civic and one religious:
1. First Amendment. First, we strongly support the civic privileges guaranteed in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the
Our rights of free speech protects our many wonderful writers who submit articles for publication to express their personal faith and philosophies. The right of assembly give us a guarantee that we can meet together in groups or in organized churches and worship without government prosecution. Our right of free press gives us the opportunity to present to our readers the Banner of Love without controls or censorship from government. This philosophy allows us to establish our policy of “good news” for our readers.
2. Church and State. To insure these rights are protected and prolonged, we also believe in the philosophy of separation of church and state. We are not all too disturbed by judicial rulings which enforce this concept.
While it may, on the surface, appear as an attack on religion, it is actually a guarantee of religious freedom to insure some unwanted religious philosophy is not forced upon me or my family. In this regard, there is nothing in any judicial ruling which prohibits or unduly limits my personal right to worship or believe as I choose. The only basic restriction is that teachers, or other government-employed individuals cannot require we participate in, or be subjected to, a specific religious event or activity.
No one in our government, has ever stopped any of us from praying to our God whenever and where ever we choose. We should teach this to our children. Each of us has prayed in some unusual places, at unusual times. I have prayed in classrooms, and I have prayed in courtrooms. Nothing stops us from teaching and giving examples of this to our children or to others.
3. Religious Philosophy. Exercising our religious freedom, we believe in the religious doctrine generally outlined in the “Articles of Faith” of the
The most fundamental aspect of this religious philosophy is the doctrine of “sovereign grace” — that being that our Lord is the controller of our eternal fate according to His purpose. (Rom. 8:28). Our eternal destiny is subject to His unconditional love and grace, which was established before each of us was born, or the world formed. (Rom. 9:11; Eph 1:4, 2:8-10; II Tim. 1:7-10; Titus 3:3-8) No man, even ourselves, rises to a level in God’s eyes to be able to earn or justify our own eternal salvation.
Readers of The Banner of Love should expect to see these basic concepts followed in our editorial philosophies.
Finally, we are indebted to our generous writers. We would not have a newspaper without them. The inspiration in our writers is evident and we encourage and pray for their continued support.
We request your prayers that the will of the Lord will be displayed in all our efforts. It is all in His name; all glory to Him.
Above Ourselves
February 2000
It gets hard for us humans to understand and comprehend God’s intent for us in this world.
Because of our basic human nature, many things we naturally desire or are inclined to do are exactly opposite of how God instructs us that our actions should be.
We want God to love us, forgive us, and have mercy with us. However, it is not our human nature to feel that same way about all our fellow brethren. We talk about this concept, but it is totally against our nature to follow the practice day in and day out.
The Apostle Paul tells us in the 12th chapter of Romans that we should honor others above ourselves. Rom 12:10. We know our first love should be toward God. We next should love and honor others, reserving ourselves to third priority. That sounds good in practice, but implementation gets a little tough.
It is not something you can read and put on a shelf or to the back of your mind. To properly follow this guidance, it must be in the forefront of our minds and we should practice it daily.
Let’s go to the heart of this problem. Who is it that you cannot love? It is pretty easy to follow this instruction with our families and friends. That’s pretty easy.
The real problem is addressing our need to love and honor those outside of our family circles. The issue involves those that we dislike, or perhaps those that we really do not know and thus are unconcerned about.
In his sermon on the Mount, in the 5th chapter of Matthew, Jesus goes right to the point of this basic instruction:
“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you…” Rom. 12:44.
How many of us have done that today? That is something I do not even want to think about. Sure, I’ve read it, heard it preached, can basically recite it from memory. But do I practice it? No.
I love my family, not my enemies. Jesus responds to that thought:
“For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?” Matt. 5:46.
This is not an isolated concept in the Bible. It is a prevalent issue. It is taught throughout. Yet, we constantly struggle with it, even though we see the emphasis and re-emphasis of this idea.
If we are smitten on the cheek by an enemy, do we strike back? That is our instinct; most days it is not only an “instinct” but it is an automatic reflex. Yet, Jesus tells us, very clearly, that we should turn the other cheek. Matt. 6:39.
What if someone files a lawsuit against us and goes after the very coat on our backs? Our “instinct” is to countersue and engage in a courtroom battle of name-calling. But what did Jesus tell us if someone sues us for our coat: “let him have thy cloak also.” Matt. 6:40.
What if someone demands of us that we go along with them for a mile on some journey we do not personally want. Jesus advises us to increase it to three miles. Matt. 6:41.
What God has in mind for us is to act above our worldly level as humans. We should elevate ourselves above our corrupt human nature. We are not asked to “love” on the level as humans, but to love on the basis of love that originates from God. A pure love that is merciful and forgiving.
We want revenge to be our jobs. If an enemy has harmed us (or a fellow brother or sister, or friend or co-worker) it is our corrupt human nature to desire to inflict retribution. God may not address the problem as we see it, so we want to handle it as we see best.
But, you know what, revenge is not our jobs. Love is our job. There is no beating around the bush with this issue. The Bible is abundantly clear on this point.
“Recompense no man evil for evil.” (Rom 12:17). “Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath… Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Rom. 12:19, Deut. 32:35).
Can we leave our vengeance to the Lord. This is one of the major tests of all time. It is something we do not want to think about, because we do not want to leave it to the Lord, we want to address our enemies, confront them and pay them back. We want to see them suffer, and we are afraid the Lord simply will not handle it as tough as we want it handled.
This is one of the greatest issues we must address day to day. “Love your enemies” is one of the greatest statements of Jesus’ talk on the Sermon on the Mount. Yet we struggle with it daily.
Our job is love. If we put as much effort into love, as we do the effort when we are after vengeance, a lot of evil would disappear.
“If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom. 20-21.
It really is an easy lesson to understand. It is taught in very clear terms. We have great difficulty in following it. It takes discipline; it takes rejecting Satan’s all-out efforts at invoking your wrath and vengeance.
Leave vengeance to God. Love your enemies. The goal is good; and the reward is wonderful. Remind yourself of it daily.
The Parts of a Church
March
Describe for me your family. Describe for me your friend.
Describe for me the parts of your church. Think quickly — tell me about the personalities of your church.
When we are asked to quickly describe such things, the cosmetic things usually come to mind first. We talk about dominant personality, cosmetic looks and the exciting and comely parts.
If you are like me, the first thing that comes to my mind is the pastor. My church has a pastor and another minister. They probably come to mind to mention first. And it has some deacons, whom I would probably name off second. Then I would probably describe the physical building. I probably would add in several of the personalities to whom I am closest.
The Apostle Paul tells us there are lots of parts to a church — and not just the obvious ones, not just the comely ones, not just the obvious ones. And he also tells us that the obvious ones are not the ones on whom the most honor should be bestowed.
As the Apostle Paul is prone to do from time to time in his writings, he explains that he would not have us ignorant. He explains that the church is one body, but not one member — it is many members with a variety of gifts and duties.
The human body is usually best remembered for its face, and its cosmetic appearance. But the face and comely appearance are probably the least important in terms of bodily functions. Some of the most uncomely parts of the body serve much greater and important functions.
In the 12th chapter of first Corinthians, Paul describes the church. He tells us there are “diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit”. I Cor. 12:4. He tells us there are differences of administration, “but the same Lord.” He discusses “diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” Verses 5-6.
He continues to describe the various gifts bestowed by the Lord in a church. And how all gifts are necessary to the functioning of the one body.
“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.” I Cor. 12:12.
The Apostle Paul goes on to use a parable to describe parts of the body, trying to show that all parts are essential for proper functioning; and how proper functioning is lost when one body part is lost. The body of the church is no different.
“But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him?” Verse 18.
“…those members of the body which seem to be more feeble, are necessary. And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
“For our comely parts have no need; but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” I Cor. 12:22-25. We are told that when one member suffers, we all should suffer; and when one member be honoured, all members should rejoice.
The Apostle Paul concludes Chapter 12 and discusses in Chapter 13, the real secret for a complete and peaceful church body: charity. Regardless of the gifts, the riches or the wisdom of an individual member, it is in vain if the member does not have charity — love for each other.
We should rejoice and love all parts of the church — its youth and its elderly; its outspoken and its silent workers; its visible deacons, and its quiet but hard working sisters.
Take a close look at your church. Take a very close look. If you have a good, peace-loving church, then you have all parts of the body. It will include a lot of silent, but faithful workers doing the least favorite duties and not seeking attention. Of course you should have pastors, speakers and singers and public prayers; but you also have a lot of silent prayers, quiet workers, peace makers — all with great respect and fear of the Lord.
Do not be just thankful for the cosmetic parts of your church. Be thankful for all its parts — all its members. It takes them all to be the body of the church. A church is truly blessed when it has all parts, and when each members of the church recognizes the importance of each and all its parts regardless of the uncomely ones.
Charity to each part, and the body will be blessed.
Whose Feet Have You Washed Lately?
April
Whose feet have you washed lately?
Many of us are familiar with the teachings of Jesus in the 13th Chapter of John regarding the washing of the disciples feet. We understand the literal example given by Christ. But do we understand its spiritual lesson? More importantly, do we follow it and practice it?
Whose feet did you wash yesterday?
Following what is known as “the Last Supper” which involved the observation of the feast of the Passover, the 13th Chapter of John outlines and unusual action by Christ. After supper, Christ girded himself with a towel, poured water into a basin, and began washing his disciples feet.
The disciples were caught off guard by this action, questioning what Jesus was doing. “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” John 13:7.
Peter at first resisted, but was convinced by Jesus to allow his feet washed.
After Jesus finished he asked: “Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
Jesus’s lesson is one of humility and service. Washing of feet was traditionally a menial task, performed by the servants. The disciples were shocked that Jesus performed this on them.
We know from the gospel of Luke (22:24-27) that the disciples had debated who was the greatest among them. Jesus’s lesson in humility was needed by the disciples, and it is needed still by us today.
Based on Jesus’ instruction, the washing of feet became an ordinance of the church. It is not widely practiced among all religions, unlike the communion service (which at the Last Supper preceded Jesus’ washing of feet); but is in fact ridiculed by many people, including some in other religious denominations.
We know the literal washing of feet service to be a solemn, humbling and beautiful religious experience. But our discussion here involves its spiritual meaning.
Jesus wanted us to know that we are not too good to be above performing even the most menial and degrading of tasks in the service of our fellow brethren. How do we measure up on such a guidepost? Do we lower ourselves to performing the most menial and degrading service to others?
If we know, understand and practice these things, then Jesus tells us “happy are ye if ye do them.” John 13:17.
Helping the sick and needy is not always a pleasant physical experience. Their needs are not always at the top of society’s social graces. Yet, our “lowering” of ourselves to help with the most menial tasks in service of our fellow man is one of the most spiritually rewarding experiences we can have and “happy” are we when we do it.
Have you been treated harshly by an enemy? Is there someone you dislike who you wouldn’t be caught dead helping.?
As Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matt. 5:44
Can you wash the feet of someone you despise? Can you humble yourself and lower your ego and pride enough to forgive those who use and abuse you — can you wash their feet?
The Apostle Paul tells us to bless those that persecute us and curse them not. We are to “mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” Romans 12:16.
Vengeance is not our job. If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink. Also, try washing his feet.
By washing your enemy’s feet (in an attitude of love, humility and service), you are pouring coals of fire on his head. Romans 12:20.
This is the hard part for us. Humbling ourselves to the point of performing menial tasks to benefit and serve others, especially our enemies, is not in our human nature. I want revenge — not lowering myself down to the level I think others are at and performing some task which should only be performed by the lowest levels of society.
Washing the feet of others is not easy. It is humbling. Jesus meant it to be that way. And happy are we when we finally lower ourselves to following Jesus’ example.
Whose feet have you washed today?
We should post that message on our bedposts, on our bathroom mirrors, on our desks and in our cars.
May 2000
Thanks For Your Prayers
We have had a lot of inquiries about the health status of my wife, Melba. She recently was released from the hospital after a 17-day stay for treatment of a rare cancer.
She has been diagnosed with a recurrence of a rare form of malignant cancer known as “thymoma”. We thought it had been eliminated in 1990 and had gone 10 years in apparent total remission.
She has just completed the first of four rounds of very nauseating chemotherapy treatments. The treatments will continue for three days each month through the summer. Our doctors, including those at the M.D. Anderson cancer clinic in
We have confidence in her physicians, especially “The Great Physician”, and we are very appreciative of all the calls, cards and prayers in her behalf. Thank you.
This past month has not been an easy one for our family. My wife, Melba, has been confined to the hospital with a serious illness and related medical complications.
These type of circumstances hit all of us at one time or another. It may be with a child, a spouse, a mother or father or grand parent. Each time some serious illness or disaster hits, there is a great deal of understanding and enlightenment which can occur if we look for it.
In such cases we usually end up praying to God for a specific miracle. Rarely do we see the specific “miracle” for which we asked. But other miracles do occur.
In such circumstances we usually have periods of quiet time to meditate. Sitting in hospitals we get the opportunity to observe what is going on — not only in our lives, but all around us.
The last couple of weeks I was blessed to witness a number of miracles. They did not all involve my wife’s specific medical condition directly, but it is because of her illness that I was more attuned to other situations. God’s accomplishments are abundant. More than we expect. They are not always as we specifically ask; but they are always in ways that we need.
It is amazing how so many things just “conveniently” and “coincidently” occur. But you can “see” the Lord’s hand involved by the fruits of his labors. The Lord works “conveniently” all around us in unexpected miracles. We fail to recognize most of them, and too many times fail to thank him for them.
My faith in my Lord is stronger, not weaker, because of the past few weeks. My love for my wife has grown, and our discussions together as we faced these medical problems has further strengthened our marriage. I have been brought closer to our young children as we attempt to explain the situation with them.
We have been abundantly blessed with the personal time and resources of our friends and pastor. And I have been made aware of “new” friends who were previously only “acquaintances” that I had not realized were very much real “friends”. And I have been made strongly aware of the “depth” of love of other longtime friends.
As the Apostle Paul discussed concerning his “thorn in the flesh”, he three times asked the Lord to remove the distress. The Lord did not directly grant Paul’s request — the thorn was not removed. But the Lord did respond to Paul. The Lord answered: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor. 12:7-9. Paul then stated: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Cor. 12:9-10.
We cannot comprehend the wisdom of God. But we should trust Him with all our heart “and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Prov. 3:5. God’s love for us is a mystery to our knowledge (Eph. 3:19), and his ability to accomplish good is abundant, “above all that we ask or think.” Eph. 3:20.
God’s little miracles continue. Look for them, and thank him for them.
MEDICAL UPDATE
The medical condition of my wife, Melba, has continued to fluctuate. At press time, she remained back in the intensive care unit of the hospital, since being readmitted June 8.
She has improved, but it has been very slow. She had developed severe breathing problems, which had to be addressed before she could resume her chemotherapy treatments for her cancer. She is to undergo a total of four chemotherapy treatments, the first of which was completed in mid May with the second about to begin. Our two young children miss their Mom, but appear to be coping well under the circumstances.
Thank you for your inquiries and your continued prayers.
–Don R. Richards
OLDEST CHURCH NEWSPAPER
In our January 2000 issue of the Banner of Love, we commented that the publication was one of the oldest continuing religious publications on record with the U.S. Post Office. The Banner began in 1932 and has been published continuously since.
It remains one of, if not the, oldest such publications in
The “Sign of the Times” was established in 1832 and is in its 168th year of publication. Serving Primitive Baptists interests, it is edited by Elder J. R. Williams of Keeling,
It created quite a stir a few days ago when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a
The court’s opinion basically endorsed a similar opinion by the Supreme Court in the early 1960s that held a school cannot officially open the school day with prayer. The 1960 case was pushed by famed atheist Madilyn Murray O’Hair.
The news media has generally assumed that most known Christians are disturbed by the Court’s opinion out of fear that we are removing God’s influence over our school children.
I do not feel quite that disturbed by the ruling. I know I am influenced by the influence my father had on me. And the influence my grandfather had on my father. As many of you know, both my father and grandfather were Primitive Baptist ministers and both established The Banner of Love.
In reading the numerous opinions in the media about the court’s decision, I was reminded of two specific experiences — first was the experience of my father (Elder Afton E. Richards) with his father (Elder Hard G. Richards); and of my personal experiences and discussions with my father.
When the 1960s decision occurred, I was in junior high school and I very vividly remember discussing the issue with my father because the community generally was upset in the same manner as many people today are with this recent court decision. My father then relayed to me a school experience that happened to him involving the concern of his father (my grandfather).
When my father was in school, one of his teachers started requiring a portion of the class day devoted to religious doctrines. Each student was required to discuss religion and be subjected to the teacher’s review and explanation. My grandfather did not care for the practice because he felt the teacher was unconsciously utilizing the opportunity to prostelyze for a particular religion (i.e. the teacher’s religion, even though the teacher’s intent was “good” — that of saving souls). The teacher dismissed my grandfather’s inquiry and required my father to participate.
My grandfather wrote out a script for my father to read at school the next day. It included a strong dose of the Hardshell Baptist doctrine of the Lord’s unconditional, sovereign grace, supported by very pointed scriptural references. My dad read it at school the next day. The teacher discontinued the practice.
That experience greatly influenced my father’s approach to mixing religion and school activities.
The second experience I recall was between my father and I. During my early adult life I worked with my father in the newspaper business. It greatly influenced not only my strong bias in favor of First Amendment constitutional rights, but also my view of separation of church and state.
In a small
As was the case with the recent Supreme Court ruling, each game was started with a public prayer over the public address system.
I developed an ongoing private joke with my father based on the pre-game prayer. It was just a private, personal joke between father and son with little meaning at the time; but it was recalled to the forefront of my mind with the recent court decision. My father had great knowledge of the various basic religious doctrines and was very adept at listening to a person speak (in a religious context) and then identify the person’s religion from the context of their speech. As a young man I thought it was somewhat silly and used to tease him about it.
At the start of a football game, after the pre-game prayer ended, my standard routine was to turn to my dad, prod him and smile, and he would quietly mouth to me “Methodist”, or “Catholic”, or “Pentecostal”. He was not making fun of the person’s religion; but he was demonstrating that a person’s religion is subconsciously included in their religious speech. I particularly remember with great fondness our joint laughter at his comment after one pre-game prayer that the person saying the prayer was a “Baptist” trying to save all the “
I am greatly influenced by those experiences. I know I could do like my grandfather did, and write a very pointed prayer for my son to say at a school event. I would love more children to be exposed to the wonderful doctrine of sovereign grace. However, I also know others could also do the same to my children. In spite of the “good” intentions of people, each of our individual religious preferences are included in our “attempts” at generic speech. My father proved to me many times how a person’s religious doctrine is revealed, even when we do not realize we are doing it.
So, what do we do now to insure that God’s influence stays in our schools?
Who reading this actually believes God’s influence could possibly be kept out of the school if God decides to get in?
Our answer is simple — Pray.
Pray for our schools. Pray for our teachers and the school administrators. Especially, pray for the children. If you know of a problem child (or a problem teacher) at your school, pray specifically for that person. There is not a court in the world that can stop God from entering your school in response to your prayer. Read James 5:16.
Another concern is that we see a lot of people complaining about the absence of prayer in school, but yet we do not see them involved with their children in that school. I do not wish to be too general or global with this, but God will look into the heart to determine an individual’s intent. I view with some suspicion the advocacy of some groups who are publicly adamant about “prayer a public events”, but privately do not actively become involved with their children.
I am reminded of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount wherein he tells us to avoid the problems of the hypocrites who “love to pray standing …in the corner of the streets” to be seen of men. Matt. 6:5. Their intent is to look good on surface, but lack of substance. Instead, Jesus tells us to enter our closets and “pray to thy Father which is in secret” so that our prayers are rewarded openly. Matt. 6:6.
It is important for us to keep in mind our basic civil constitutional rights in this country. These rights were not disturbed by the Supreme Court. We individually have the First Amendment right of religious expression. The Supreme Court did not touch that right. We can pray anytime and anywhere we get ready. My child can bow his/her head and pray while sitting at a school desk at the start of school. No one can stop my child from praying over his/her meal at lunchtime; and no one can stop me or my child from praying at the start of an athletic event.
It’s my duty to teach my child to pray, and how to pray. I should not have to rely on the school/government to set that example; and in fact, do not want them setting the example. I’d rather our children “let their light so shine” by being seen individually praying over a lunchroom meal or at the start of an athletic event.
If our children are seen privately praying at their school desks, it sets a far greater example of glorifying God to the other children than any “generic” public prayer can do. If our children are not praying in school, it is our own fault.
Look at Daniel’s example. He had a far greater concern than we do about his prayers. A new law specifically prohibited him from praying to his Lord, either in public or in private. Read Daniel 6:5-8. Yet he “let his light so shine” by continuing his personal prayer to his Lord, not out of any intent to be seen of men, but of his personal intent to glorify God. The Lord protected Daniel from a bad law; the Lord will likewise protect our school children.
Remember to pray for our schools.
Teach our children to pray — at school, at home, and any where and any time they desire.
We are all familiar with the concept of a small child being afraid of the darkness. Many of us went through this stage as a child, and witness it again as we raise our own children.
Going to bed each night presents this problem. Our children often request some type of night light or an open closet or open hall door with the light left on.
Just a small light can make a lot of difference. Sometimes, even the presence of a small flashlight is sufficient.
I remember traveling as a small boy in our family car across the high
We talked about the lights of the upcoming town which we could see from some distance off. Because of the flatness of the plains, we could often see the lights of several towns to our left and right as we drove along. We discussed each single light and what it might represent. It meant there was a farmhouse with real people and other children where we could seek refuge in case of trouble.
We are attracted to light, even a single light because we feel secure in the light from the unknown of the darkness.
It is amazing what a small, single light can achieve to relieve a child’s fears of the darkness. The same concept works all of our adult lives. One small light can mean a world of difference in our times of darkness. Many lights are great; but just one solitary light can mean the difference.
The light can come from strange places. Maybe even you.
Jesus talks to us about the light that is each of us. He does not tell us to hide that light, but to let is shine.
Most of us feel our light is small, and alone it cannot do much good. We look around and we see the big lights that we perceive burns in others. Because it is small, we find ourselves embarrassed or shy about using the light and letting it shine. Instead, we cover it up.
Think about the experiences of our childhood, wherein one small, solitary light to us meant a world of security. One light, regardless of its perceived smallness, made the difference.
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talks to us about our light. Matt. 5:14-16. He compares the lights in each of us to a “city that is set on a hill” — it cannot be hidden. He tells us that when we need light we do not light the single candle and hide it under a basket. Instead, he reminds us that a single candle, set high on the candlestick, will give light to all that are in the house.
With that analogy, we then instructs us in our daily lives: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Your light may be small, but the Lord put it in you for a purpose. Do not high it under a basket. You need to set that light on a candlestick and let it shine. You do not know what small child is there in the darkness who will get great security from the very light that you think perceive is so small. But for that child who is alone in the darkness, it may be your small light that makes all the difference in a dark world.
And like that solitary farm light in the distance, your solitary light may be used by the Lord provide security to someone without your ever knowing it.
As adults, we remain children in the sight of the Lord. We all need the security that comes from those lights provided by the Lord.
Small lights have made a big difference to me, even in recent days. I thank the Lord for his blessings in each of the people who provided those lights. I pray the Lord will richly bless those lights to let them shine higher and brighter for others to also benefit.
Do not hide your light. Let it shine. You will be blessed and you will greatly ease the insecurity of a child in the darkness.
MEDICAL UPDATE
As an update, my wife Melba was recently released from the hospital after a 35-day stay in the intensive care unit. She remains on oxygen, but it otherwise regaining her strength.
She completed her third treatment of chemotherapy for her rare thymoma cancer; and is scheduled to complete the fourth and final treatment just before Labor Day. We are hopeful her remaining treatment can be done as an outpatient.
–Don R. Richards
DonCol — August 2000
HEALTH REPORT
The health of my wife Melba has continued to improve, albeit, very slowly. Following her month-long stay in intensive care, she has returned home and continues to undergo chemotherapy treatment for her cancer tumors. She remains on oxygen through a throat tube.
At press time she is undergoing her fourth round of chemotherapy. While it greatly nauseates, sickens and weakens her physically, her mental state has been good based on recent x-ray examinations which indicate the treatment is successful in slowly eradicating the cancer. Last weekend, before this latest treatment round, she was able to attend church (accompanied with a mobile oxygen bottle) for the first time since spring.
My family cannot say enough for the many kind gestures, messages and prayers. Our faith in the Lord continues to strengthen. Thank you.
–Don R. Richards
Your Problem Should Be My Problem
August
By DON R. RICHARDS
I really am not interested in your problems.
I do not want to hear about your problems. I have enough problems of my own that I need to solve without focusing on other people’s problems — surely your problems are not as bad as my problems anyway. Taking time to ask about, listen to, or try to solve your problems only takes away from the attention I need to give to my problems, and robs me of that self pity I cherish so much.
Does that sound familiar? Does it sound too close to home?
Most of us have those thoughts. We keep them to ourselves most of the time, but we still think them. It’s our human nature.
As a part of my business, I recently attended a meeting which took place in conjunction with a business seminar. The seminar focused on business “negotiations.”
The leader instructed the attendees in the “art” of negotiations, and getting what you want out of business deals.
One major focus of the seminar intrigued me. A primary virtue of successful negotiators is the ability to get what they want by finding out the weaknesses, needs and goals of their negotiating adversaries. They then try to insure the other side gets satisfied, making compromise much easier. It reminded me of a sermon I heard years ago based on the concept:
That can be a hard concept to accept. How will helping others first get me what I want? That’s what faith is all about.
Jesus gave us the root of this concept in the Sermon on the Mount with the commonly-called “golden rule”. Matt. 7:12, Luke 6:31. Jesus’ entire life is based on service to others above himself.
The Scriptures resonate this theme — the idea of the Good Samaritan, the concept service to others above ourselves.
What do we know about the “Good Samaritan” written about in Luke 10:30-36? We know that as a Samaritan, he was a bitter rival of the Jew who lay distressed in the road. Surely the Samaritan had his own problems. But he went out of his way to help another — even an enemy — placing the interests of that individual above his own interests. The Samaritan interrupted his own schedule and his own problems, and stopped first to help another.
What was Jesus’ instruction given with the Sermon on the Mount? “Go, and do thou likewise.”
Stop for a minute and think about someone you know. What problem does that individual have? What can you do to help that person solve his/her problem?
Do we let ourselves get too busy to help others? Do we let our own problems and troubles cloud our mind to preclude us from considering the problems of others. If we are too busy to help other people with their problems, then we will always have trouble solving our own problems.
Your problem should be my problem. When I help you solve your problem, its amazing how much better and easier it becomes for me to address my own problems.
Read the 13th Chapter of First Corinthians; it is only 13 verses.
There is “faith, hope and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
A Prophet in His Own Country
September
By DON R. RICHARDS
We have noted with interest that there have been several announcements in recent months about ordinations in various churches. We have not kept count, but it seems there have been announced about an equal number of elders and deacons whom the churches have set aside for those respective offices.
These ordination announcements have caused my mind to ponder the duties created by such ordinations.
A special duty is placed by the church upon both the husband and wife with such an ordination. But the duties of the elder or deacon is not what I want to discuss here today. I want to talk about the duty upon the church, the congregation and the family when it chooses to ordain. This duty is as important as the one on the individual who is ordained.
There is an excellent lesson in the teachings of the gospels regarding Christ’s ministry. Jesus encountered difficulty in the way of skepticism from those around him when he began his ministry. It appears he encountered the most difficulty in his home community among his best acquaintances.
After Jesus had clearly established his ministry, having delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-6-7) and taught the parables to the multitudes (Matt. Chapter 13), Jesus had been away from his home. He returned home to his part of the country at
The people in the synagogue who heard him became angry. Who was this to come preach to them? This man was just a local native, merely a carpenter’s son, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses and Simon and Judas. Matt. 13:54-55.
They were offended and filled with wrath (Matt 13:57, Mark 6:3, Luke 4:28). They took Jesus and led him out of the synagogue, out of the city and cast him headlong over the hill (Luke 4:29).
Jesus here proclaimed one of his oft-quoted teachings: A prophet is without honor in his own country, among his own kin and in his own house (Matt. 14:57, Mark 6:4, and Luke 4:24). Because of their unbelief, the people missed out on many miracles with which Jesus could have blessed them. Matt. 13:58.
We need to exercise care that we do not make the same mistakes the people in the synagogue made about Jesus. Do we fail to recognize a prophet in our midst because he is local. If we do, we could miss out on many blessings.
We will assume that the ordination service has applied the examination and charge that the Apostle Paul specifies in First Timothy, Chapter 3. After that, the church, the community and the ordained’s kin have the duty to acknowledge the ordained work, and accept the gift, and the teachings, that comes with it.
It’s always hard for me to listen to the preacher admonishing me with the truth of the Word. It is especially hard if the minister is someone I grew up with or am related to (and I am related to a bunch of them — you know who you are). After all, I knew them when . . .
We never like it, but it is so much acceptable to hear the harsh truth when it comes from an out-of-town prophet. We do not like to hear that person we knew as a kid tell us the harsh truth and shepherd the flock.
That is a mistake we often make when we ordain someone. We are all familiar with instances where this has occurred. Too much pressure is on that individual to overcome their past. It becomes much “easier” for them to move to another “country” where their acceptance is made. When we let this happen, like the people in Jesus’ synagogue, we may lose out on the blessings that we otherwise would have received by our acceptance of them.
It is apparent that we see that the Lord has provided talents to an individual because we carefully watch an individual, examine them and call for their ordination. We need to constantly remind ourselves and acknowledge the Lord’s calling after the ordination.
There is a huge responsibility upon an individual who has been ordained as a minister. I do not know of a single elder who takes his office lightly. When a minister studies and feels burdened to labor or deliver a message, we should recognize the prophet, especially when he is at home. We should not miss the blessings because we did not recognize the prophet in his home country.
October
By DON R. RICHARDS
Life gets pretty tough when we get lonely, or depressed. We all get this way from time to time.
We may find ourselves lonely when death takes away a spouse, a close family member or a friend. We can find ourselves depressed over a multitude of this world’s problems.
When we get this way, our usual first reaction is to pull away. We want to hide from the world, our family and our friends. As the psychologists analyze it, us men like to retreat into our “caves” and the women retreat into themselves.
It is no fun being lonely or depressed. It is hard to find a good answer when we get ourselves in such a condition. We begin to think we are of no value to anyone — ourselves or others. Yet the Apostle Paul tells us this is not so.
The Apostle, in 2nd Corinthians, gives us a two-part answer to our depression and loneliness. He tells us we can find comfort in the Lord, and also in our actions to others.
Some of the most important lessons we learn in life are at the hands of experience. If you have lost a loved one, you have a valuable experience which you can use to comfort another person going through the same experience. If you have been through depression, you are perhaps in the best position to comfort and assist someone you know who is going through the same thing.
Doesn’t it always help to know that the person attempting to console you has been through the same misery you are now going through. You accept advice and comfort better from someone you know understands and feels the same pain you are having. We do not accept sympathy as well from someone who has never experienced our kind of pain.
The Apostle Paul confirms this to us, and tells us how we can go about relieving our pain, suffering and depression. His guidance is two-part: We get help from God, and then from our following God’s instruction for us to help others similarly suffering:
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” 2nd Cor. 1:3-5.
The Apostle tells us that we get help from the Lord in two ways: first, the Lord is there to comfort us as the “Father of mercies.” We should take our troubles, tribulations and sufferings to Him. Secondly, by the mercy and comfort which God gives to us, we should give to each other.
One of the best remedies for any loneliness you have — visit and try to provide companionship to others you see are lonely. In helping them you will help yourself. If you are depressed, or understand the impact of such pain that deep depression can bring, try to carry your understanding to others you see are having the same problem.
As Paul tells us, the comfort you bring to others, will also comfort you. If you have ever suffered, then you can be a help to others who are going through similar problems. In doing so, you will share in the comfort that the Lord will also give to you.
The Real Spirit of Christmas
November
The holiday season is upon us again. That means we are supposed to be happy. But we know that is not always the case.
We fake happiness a lot this time of year. We tell everyone we are happy and excited like we were as kids; but usually we feel tremendous stress and pressure — almost always self imposed.
We put pressure and stress on ourselves because we know we must please others — especially in our families. We want to buy the exact correct gifts for our kids, parents and friends. We know we want our house decorated just right (i.e. “perfect”); we absolutely must have the perfect Christmas dinner. Not only do we put pressure on ourselves, we also create stress on those closest to us with our expectations. We “expect” our spouses to meet certain goals, we “expect” certain gifts at Christmas, we “expect” meals to be timely and “complete.”
With the goals we put great pressures on ourselves and those we love. These pressures are primarily based on material desires. Too many times we go to great financial expense to achieve these goals. This in turn puts even greater pressure on us to pay the bills after the holidays.
There are answers to these pressures, if we stop to reflect on the Scriptures, and look at the real spirit of the holidays. Let’s focus our families, not on the material pressures of Ceasar, but on the relief and security of the Lord’s grace and guidance.
Let’s talk about Christmas Day. It is just another day, but we don’t treat it as such. We have such great expectations of what we want that day to be. Instead, let’s treat it as the Lord has instructed:
“This is a day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24.
Put the rejoice of the Lord as the primary goal. Think of that first, Make it your primary goal, and you will be guided throughout the day. Approach your family and friends in a spirit of rejoicing in the Lord. Pray the Lord will guide you to keep this thought foremost. You will be amazed at the calmness and security with which you can then approach the tasks at hand. Look first to the Lord, seek his guidance in your approach to your children, your spouse and friends, and the pressures and stress will be relieved.
Christmas Day is just another day — but it is a day made by the Lord, and we should rejoice in it.
Now let’s talk of gift-giving. We all have this great desire to please our family and friends. This is one of the most material aspects of Christmas. Our whole environment is commercialized with the intent to get us to concentrate on gift buying — even when our budgets do not permit. And too many times we expect as much as we give, and we find ourselves disappointed.
Let’s look at three thoughts in this regard to guide us:
1. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matt. 6:19-21.
What is more important: whether you get the perfect gift for someone, or whether you clearly establish to someone your love for them? Do you remember every gift your parents gave to you, or do you remember those special times when your mother took time and taught you how to bake cookies, or turkey and dressing?; or when your family met for good fellowship? What do you want your treasures to be — a toy or gift soon forgotten, or those personal times and friendships that we never forget.
Think about this as you approach Christmas.
2. “…Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts. 20:35.
This is a hard concept to accept. It is natural in us to want to receive gifts. It is natural to expect to receive when we give.
The Lord teaches us that we should concentrate on giving, with no thought on whether our gifts are reciprocated. The blessing of the Lord comes with our charity, not with our being recipients. Give your gifts this year with the attitude of no expectation of reciprocation.
Substantial pressure is relieved when we approach our gift giving in this manner. Think about that as you approach Christmas.
3. “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise, ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. …That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Read Matt. 6:1-4
The Lord teaches us here to give to the poor and needy without any pretext of receiving public credit. In fact, attempt to provide your charitable giving in secret and anonymously. Your rewards for this are great, because they come from the Lord, not from the admiration of man.
Its okay to make public donations to charity. Businesses, including my personal business, regularly do such activities. But our reward is clear. Our reward for such is from the public — we get the glory of our fellow man (and perhaps even the IRS).
But the real spirit of Christmas comes from anonymous giving to the needy, with no expectation of public recognition. Let the Lord handle the public relations and the press releases, and the IRS tax deductions.
This is an important concept to teach your children. Find someone in need, or a worthy cause; work with your children, family or friends to provide to these individuals or charity. Do it anonymously and teach you children and friends why. Discuss the great personal feelings that come from such actions, with no expectations of publicity.
Enter the Christmas season with these thoughts in mind: First, put the Lord as your priority, not some material desire; second, think about giving without any expectation of receiving a gift; third, give to the needy anonymously.
Try this specific instructions from the Scriptures. See if the pressure and stress of the season are not relieved. See if the real spirit of Christmas is returned to you.
Merry Christmas, and May God Bless
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