July 16, 2023

On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur, there was once a little life-saving station. The building was primitive, and there was just one boat, but the members of the life-saving station were committed and kept a constant watch over the sea. When a ship went down, they unselfishly went out day or night to save the lost. Because so many lives were saved by that station, it became famous.

Consequently, many people wanted to be associated with the station to give their time, talent, and money to support its important work. New boats were bought, new crews were recruited, a formal training session was offered. As the membership in the life-saving station grew, some of the members became unhappy that the building was so primitive and that the equipment was so outdated. They wanted a better place to welcome the survivors pulled from the sea. So they replaced the emergency cots with beds and put better furniture in the enlarged and newly decorated building.

Now the life-saving station became a popular gathering place for its members. They met regularly and when they did, it was apparent how they loved one another. They greeted each other, hugged each other, and shared with one another the events that had been going on in their lives. But fewer members were now interested in going to sea on life-saving missions; so they hired lifeboat crews to do this for them.

About this time, a large ship was wrecked off of the coast, and the hired crews brought into the life-saving station boatloads of cold, wet, dirty, sick, and half-drowned people. Some of them had black skin, and some had yellow skin. Some could speak English well, and some could hardly speak it at all. Some were first-class cabin passengers of the ship, and some were the deck hands.

The beautiful meeting place became a place of chaos. The plush carpets got dirty. Some of the exquisite furniture got scratched. So the property committee immediately had a shower built outside the house where the victims of shipwreck could be cleaned up before coming inside.

At the next meeting there was rift in the membership. Most of the members wanted to stop the club’s life-saving activities, for they were unpleasant and a hindrance to the normal fellowship of the members. Other members insisted that life-saving was their primary purpose and pointed out that they were still called a life-saving station. But they were finally voted down and told that if they wanted to save the lives of all those various kinds of people who would be shipwrecked, they could begin their own life-saving station down the coast. And do you know what? That is what they did.

As the years passed, the new station experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old. It evolved into a place to meet regularly for fellowship, for committee meetings, and for special training sessions about their mission, but few went out to the drowning people. The drowning people were no longer welcomed in that new life-saving station. So another life-saving station was founded further down the coast. History continued to repeat itself. And if you visit that seacoast today, you will find a number of adequate meeting places with ample parking and plush carpeting.  Shipwrecks are frequent in those waters, but most of the people drown.

Thomas Wedel

~ Kevin Cleary

 

July 9, 202

Have you ever known someone who would make assertions that were doubtful but said it with such confidence that you didn’t want to question. Maybe you have been the one, who in an effort to make a point or win an argument, made some assertion that you knew could not easily be proved false. 

     I used to work in construction and often this involved some work that was up high. Many people who I worked with were less than totally comfortable with heights. I can remember on one occasion, a high school student expressing doubt about the board he was standing on. To which one of the other guys on the sight responded by nailing the board to the house we were working on. He then stated with great confident “a 31/4” ardox can hold 300 pounds and that’s a lot more than you weigh.” The student felt much better, but I doubt that anyone on the job site actually knew the weight bearing capacity of a 16 penny nail. Especially considering everything from how far in the nail goes to the kind of wood to the angle would change this figure. No one questioned the figure probably because we all knew there was no way of proving it wrong. Just because we couldn’t prove the figure wrong didn’t mean it was right.

     This tactic in an argument or discussion is called appealing to ignorance. That is you are asking people to believe your point is true and right because no one can prove it wrong. A slight variation on this is when you assert that your point is right because you can prove your opponents point wrong. Neither of these are rational or logical ways of proving a point. 

     An example of the first one could be someone who says; the bible contains 300 prophetic references to Jesus. This becomes strong evidence that he is the messiah. Then when no one questions the statement the speaker moves on thinking point made. In most instances no one is going to be able to test this claim when it is made. Why not look up and use some specific passages that do predict Jesus’ birth, life, death, or other attributes. This way you are offering people real evidence rather than a large claim not easily tested. (by the way I’m not saying there aren’t hundreds of references to Jesus coming in the Old Testament just that if you’re going to claim it you better know where they are).

     An example of the second variation is something I hear a lot in the discussion about creation verses evolution. Many a Christian has pointed to some problem with the theory of evolution only to say that this proves creation is right (I have also heard the opposite). A person may say for example, there is no good evidence in the fossil record for macro-evolution. Therefore God created the world. The problem is that evolution being wrong does not make creation right. Instead we need to offer positive evidence that backs up the claim that God created the world.

     So in your search for truth remember that a point is not proven right simply because no one can prove it wrong. Instead look for evidence to support any truth claim and make sure you offer evidence to support your truth claims in discussion with others. In the same way just because you can prove someone else wrong does not mean that you are right. Again the other person or position may well be wrong but you still need to prove your view right.

     Remember Jesus example (Mk 7:1-23; Mat 22:23-33; Jn 5:30-47). He didn’t just attack the Pharisees for being wrong (when they were) but he also pointed to what was true and right. He asked people to follow him on the basis of what was right and true and loving. Not because he could prove his opponents wrong. Let’s call people to follow him with us for those same reasons.

Kevin Cleary

 

July 2, 202

Like many others who strive to practice Christianity as described in the New Testament I am sometimes asked questions about belief and practice. People notice differences between New Testament Christianity and mainstream denominationalism or “popular Christianity”. When they notice they often ask why? What’s the deal with such and such. It may be weekly observance of the Lords Supper, or not fund raising, it may be baptism for the remission of sins, it may be acapella singing. The question is always the same: Why? Why do you weirdo’s at the church of Christ not have fund raising campaigns? Why don’t you have a piano? (Can’t you afford it?). My answers like the questions are always the same. Because we love and trust God. This way of answering is helpful for two reasons. First it doesn’t usually upset anyone, and second it allows for further conversation. I can usually go on to explain that love and trust means that we worship, live, believe, and teach according to the New Testament. 

     The wise man said a gentle answer turns away wrath (Prov 15:1) and wise that is. By responding with love and respect for God first and the questioner second doors can be opened rather than closed. The truth can be shared rather than told. Friendship and respect can be fostered rather than frustrated.

     Anyone who dares to be different can expect questions, as much as we claim to be an enlightened, tolerant, open minded, reasonable people it’s just not true. If you do something different than what the majority is doing they are not going to like it. Your differences will be appreciated even less if you have sound reasoning behind them. Giving some thought to how you’re going to answer when people ask questions is key.

     So the first reason to respond to people’s questions about our differences by pointing to our love and trust for God is it doesn’t usually upset anyone. The second reason is equally important. It gives an opportunity for further discussion. When someone says “why don’t you have a piano” and you respond “because we love and trust God” it’s almost inevitable that the next question will be “what do you mean by that”. Now I am able to teach, I can explain that the only musical worship found in or authorized by the New Testament is singing. I can explain that worship is meant to glorify God. I can explain that Jesus said “If you love me you’ll obey my commandments”.

     So when I am asked about different practices and beliefs that make churches of Christ stand out a little from what’s expected I always answer with “because I love and trust God”. Religious practice is the easy part though. There is a deeper more difficult question. What about when we’re not at church? Do we look different in our relationships, finances, marriages, workplace than the people around us? When asked about your Monday through Saturday practices could you still say I do that because I love and trust God? Religious tenants and practices are basic the bigger question is are we applying the above principle to our every day?

Kevin Cleary

 

June 25, 202

I recently read the story about a boy who went to a worship service in a beautiful ornate church building. It had stained-glass windows with pictures of individuals made to represent “Saint Matthew,” “Saint Mark,” Saint Luke,” and “Saint John” to name a few.

When the boy grew older he was asked to define “saint.” He reflected on the beautiful stain glass windows through which the sun shined brightly. He said, “A saint is a person whom the light shines through.”

I’ve heard several folks who claim to be Christians exclaim, “I’m no saint!” However, my Bible tells me something different about one who is a true New Testament Christian. A Christian is a saint. Phillipians 4:21 says, “Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.”

Who are the saints? All those who “are in Christ.” What does it mean to be in Christ? It means to be a Christian. Every Christian is in Christ.

Now, not every saint acts like one. In other words, not every saint let’s the light shine through.

What about you? Maybe you need to take out the Windex and clean the glass so that the light will shine through and show the glorious light of Jesus Christ. We call that the blood of Jesus. As Christians, when we make mistakes, falter, and fall, God will forgive us if we but ask him, and repent of our sinfulness.

Is the light of Jesus shining through your life?

Neil Richey 

~Kevin Cleary

 

June 18, 202

“I’m Becoming My Father” 

Most adults I know have found themselves using phrases and even engaging in behaviours that they learned from their parents (much to their dismay). 

Recognizing this tenancy:

– What if your child sees you start every day with prayer and Bible study?

– What if you child sees you thank God for the blessings you enjoy in life?

– What if your child sees you show love and sacrifice to the people around you?

– What if your child sees you regularly attend Bible study and Worship?

– What if your child sees you tell your spouse you love them, more importantly sees you demonstrate that love?

– What if your child sees you take responsibility for mistakes, seek reconciliation and forgiveness?

– What if your Child sees you model your life after Jesus?

With Father’s day upon us lets be the kind of fathers (and mothers but’s that’s a different day) that would be glad to have our children say “Oh no I’m becoming my father”

We might further reflect on this idea by bringing to mind that our Heavenly Father calls us to lay aside earthly influences and the weakness of the flesh and be like him. Our children model our behaviour because we rub off on them over time. If we want our Father and his unique son to be the primary influence in our lives we will need to spend time with them. Rom 8:29; I Pet 1:13-17; Gal 2:20

Happy Father Day

Kevin Cleary