HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH EZINE

Almost everyone is aware that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. And many know that early in the history of the group, that Joseph and his brother Hyrum were taken from their jail cell in Carthage, Illinois, by an angry mob who killed them both.

But not too many know that, after Joseph's death, the church had much internal difficulties and dissentions and actually split into several splinter groups. The main group moved to Salt Lake City Utah with Brigham Young as their new leader and has grown into what is now the Mormon church. However, there was a group who were convinced that Joseph Smith, Jr. had specified that his son, Joseph Smith III, was to be the new president at his death.

This group established themselves in Amboy, Illinois as the Reorganized Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints in 1860.They relocated to Independence Missouri in 1920.

The Smith descendents continued to succeed one another as president of the church until W. Grant Murray was ordained President in 1996. At their World Conference in 2000, the delegates changed their name to Community Of Christ.

Their doctrine is similar to those of the better known Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. And eventhough they attempt to emphasize the Bible as God's word, they also include The Book Of Mormon and the Doctrine And Covenants as inspired revelation also. Below is a link to their homesite where you will find links to full details of their history and activities.

I gave a lot of prayerful thought before starting the publication of this ezine. I could visualize a source of good for the brotherhood, most particularly concerning ads and notices where one might have products of value to another, and where you could deal with Christians in preference of Infidels, etc. And also, where congregations and/or preachers could get together when one was searching for the other. Plus have some articles of value to all and enough light-hearted humor to help us start the day with a smile.

It has been an enjoyable year for me, even if things did not rise to my level of expectations. I have met some extremely wonderful Christians via the internet and have made some lifetime friends I believe. That is wonderful! There is nothing greater in this life than good Christian friends! And, I have grown some, both in knowledge and in spirit. I'm more thankful for that than any other aspect.

I hope this next year will be a good one for all of us and I pray to God that I will be capable of publishing an interesting and informative paper. I encourage all of you readers to inform any others that you know of who might be interested in receiving this ezine. I also welcome any suggestions or comments.

One day a gentleman walked into one of Ben Franklin's book stores. As one of the clerks went to assist him, the gentleman asked the clerk the price of the book he wished to purchase. The young clerk looked at the price posted on the book and said, "That book is one dollar, sir." The gentleman began to haggle with the clerk over the price. The clerk assured him that the correct price for the book was one dollar and no lower. As the man realized that his efforts to haggle with the clerk were going nowhere, he insisted on speaking with Ben Franklin directly. Franklin stopped his work, walked out to the storefront, and the gentleman asked, "What is the price of this book?" Franklin answered, "One dollar and a quarter." The gentleman was confused and replied, "Your clerk just said it was a dollar." Franklin looked at the book again and answered, "Yes, it was a dollar. But now you're wasting my time."

Chances are you have haggled over the price of something. Maybe you've haggled over the price of a new (or used) car. May-be you've gone to yard sales or flea markets and haggled over some treasure you discovered. In some countries, you are expected to haggle over much of what you buy in the stores.

So — I wonder if you've ever haggled with God. I wonder if you've ever thought that God's expectations are too high and you've tried to get God to lower His "price." I'm reminded of the rich young ruler who had a conversation with Jesus about what he must do to inherit eternal life (Luke 18:23). Though he had done much, Jesus said that one more thing was required: "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me" (Luke 18:22). The response of the young man is sad. He turned and walked away "for he was very rich."

What strikes me about that passage is that there is no room for haggling with Jesus. When this young man walked away, Jesus didn't go running after him and say, "No, wait, maybe I was asking a bit too much. Let's renegotiate." No, Jesus demands our all. All that we have. All that we are. He will not settle for any less. The price is not negotiable, so don't waste God's time trying to haggle with Him. --- Have a great day and a great weekend!

Chula Vista Books is owned and operated by Mark and Teah McWhorter. We carry a wide selection of Bible related materials--ladies' books, childrens' materials, commentaries, apologetics, lectureship books, missions books, class books, debates, sermon books, church history, topical studies, Bible covers, Bibles, tracts, BCCs and more.

We also send out used book lists from time to time. Unfortunately we do not have a catalog at present but invite your inquiries. If you would like to be on our mailing list, send us your email address.

Mark McWhorter, 420 Chula Vist Mtn Rd, Pell City AL 35125, Phone 205-338-1843

Does your congregation have a web site? Can you add, update and delete information from your existing web site easily? If you answered no to either question visit The Lord's Way. This new service allows you to create a web site for your congregation and update it yourself whenever you want by simply completing online forms. The service is designed for any congregation that wants a web site that contains current, updated and fresh information but does not want to invest the time and money in learning about the inner-workings of the Internet. Your new site will be packed with information about your congregation. Visit us and take a tour!

I cannot say what the precise meaning of the word is today, but my 42 year old dictionary defines "ecumenical" thusly: To inhabit (oikoumene-the inhabited world): general: universal; especially of the Christian Church , as a whole.

But regardless of the precise meaning, the world is overwhelmed with people trying to do something with it. The World Council Of Churches (WCC) has become a huge organization with members from all over the world. Everything from the African Methodist Episcopal Church to Uganda Joint Christian Council and hundreds in between.

I suppose, in many instances, there is much good intended and much effort exerted towards what actually becomes an evanescent unity among religions. One of the articles I read by a fellow said something like "It is beyond the limits of insanity for people like the Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland and the Christians and Muslims of europe to constantly war and kill one another over religious differences." and of course, he is right. And I see where Catholics and Buddhists sign agreements on certain moral aspects that they will each agree on this and that. And many others agreeing on one thing or another.

But it appears to me to be foolhardy if not downright stupid. Do they expect the Northern Ireland Catholics to become Protestants? Do they expect the Muslims to, as a whole, turn to Christianity? I wonder just what they do expect.

The Lord's church and the Holy Bible are the only things that can ever bring religious unity among men. That's it! Period! And we know that is not going to happen. The scriptures even tell us that. It is very obvious that there will always be wars and rumors of wars and much of it will be strongly influenced by false religions. Prayer can help.

Monday, September 30, Tuesday, October 1 and Wednesday, October 2 are the dates for our Annual Forum, this years theme is "Come Follow Me". Come hear some of the outstanding gospel preachers in the brotherhood today.

For a program schedule of the events, please Click Here. And for full details of the this upcoming event, lodging facilities, etc., please Click Here.

The Farmer and the Snake

One winter a Farmer found a Snake stiff and frozen with cold. He had compassion on it, and taking it up, placed it in his bosom. The Snake was quickly revived by the warmth, and resuming its natural instincts, bit its benefactor, inflicting on him a mortal wound. "Oh," cried the Farmer with his last breath, "I am rightly served for pitying a scoundrel."

The greatest kindness will not bind the ungrateful....Aesop