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Halloween Traditions

Sunday, October 30th, 2011

by Wayne Goforth

Halloween means the evening before All Hallows or All Saint’s Day, which is observed November 1st by Catholics, Lutherans and Episcopalians, to remember all the saints who have died, known and unknown.

There is little agreement as to the “true” origin of Halloween. There is so much folklore, myths, wives’ tales and tradition involved, that this yields multiple accountings of proclaimed “true origins” to this festival. Some things are known to be true about it, while other items reported often as “facts” have no supporting evidence, as we shall see. Even many encyclopedias repeat the myths without supporting evidence or consulting more recent studies.

Celtic Background

The Celts had only two seasons a year, winter and summer. A festival, Samhain, was observed on November 1st, the beginning… Continue reading

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Blessed are the Pure in Heart

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

This lesson was brought by Andy Alexander.

Audio

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Questions to Ask BEFORE You Decide

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

Jarrod Jacobs

Sometimes Christians have a hard time deciding what to do in specific situations that call for a clear decision. Below you will read some questions to ask yourself that will hopefully help your decision‑making.

1. Can you ask God to bless your decision? (Prov. 10:22)?

2. Can you thank God for it (Col. 3:17)?

3. Are you doing this to the glory of God? (I Cor. 10:31)?

4. Will your decision be a stumbling block to others? (I Cor. 8:13)?

5. Are you doing this to please God rather than people (Col. 3:23; Gal. 1:10)?

6. Have you thought ahead about the consequences of your decision (Gal. 6:7)?

7. Would you want to be doing whatever you decide when Christ returns (Matt. 24:44)?

‑The Old Paths, XVIII:30, Sept… Continue reading

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A Principle of Fellowship

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

By Stan Cox

J.W. McGarvey once made a statement to Jesse Sewell, on the subject of Fellowship, which is very interesting. “You are on the right road, and whatever you do, don’t ever let anybody persuade you that you can successfully combat error by fellowshipping it and going along with it. I have tried. I believed at the start that was the only way to do it. I’ve never held membership in a congregation that used instrumental music. I have, however, accepted invitations to preach without distinction between churches that used it and churches that didn’t. I’ve gone along with papers and magazines and things of that sort. During these years I have taught the truth as the New Testament teaches it to every young preacher who has passed through… Continue reading

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Making Yourself Useful

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

by Jerry Fite

More than once in my formative years I heard someone say to me, “Make yourself useful!” The exhortation usually was uttered when I was standing around, and some work needed to be done. It meant pick up a hoe or a shovel, or grab a broom or mop and be a constructive worker, instead of an apathetic onlooker.

As we serve our Lord and wait for his glorious return, we cannot become listless or lazy in the work of the Lord. A voice direct from heaven is not going to bolt from the sky. And before a caring shepherd exhorts you to get busy, why not make yourself useful to the Lord?

Let us examine how we can be useful. First, Paul exhorts us with… Continue reading

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