HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH EZINE

The Unification Church originated in South Korea in the early 1960's. The "Reverend" Sun Myung Moon has always been considered the founder and head of this cult, however, there is some speculation that it was started with backing and assistance of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency by one Kim Chong Pil who later used "Reverend" Moon to continue the movement.

Moon had a somewhat notorious background before that. He had started his first church sometime around 1954 and had at leaast a couple of run-in's with the Korean law before coming to the U.S. where his tactics in recruiting members included brainwashing and other unethical activities, plus his careless and conniving methods of tax evasion and such matters kept him in hot water in this country. He was sentenced to Federal prison in 1982 and served 13 months.

The church, to have been so young, grew mightily both financially and numerically. They sought out young people (college students primarily) and, using the brainwashing techniques, were very successful. The recruits were sent out to sell flowers and to search out new prospects. They became know as "The flower people" as well as "Moonies". The activities of this church, "Reverend" Moon and his followers, are extensive and interesting. I urge you to visit the links I have listed below and spend some time studying this pseudo religion which is more political than religious. The first link below is to a long and extensive coverage of this movement, however, it is broken down into subjects and can readily be studied one part at a time for those who have an interest in this.

The music was catchy and made me want to listen to what the advertisement had to say. As one who has studied advertising, it looked to be an effective ad. However, as one who has studied advertising I had a real problem with the ad, because advertising is to be based on truth.

As I was driving down Highway 7 a couple weeks ago on my way to Lufkin I happened to catch an ad for a denominational church in a neighboring city. Apparently this church has decided to start having a service on Saturday night for young people, as an alternative to the carousing they normally do on the last night of the week. There's nothing wrong with this. We should seek opportunities to worship God any night of the week; however, I get the feeling from this ad that this was more of a party than a worship service. Furthermore, at the end of the ad, one of the speakers, a teenager, said, "That's church the way I like it!"

Church the way I like it? I was under the impression from studying the Scriptures that worship is not about what I like, but about what God likes. As one preacher put it, "Worship is like a play, we are the actors, God is the audience."

When we change "church" into what we like, we take away God's pleasure from it. God has been relatively specific about what He wants us to do in worship. He's even given us a pattern for it; it's not up to us to change that pattern just to please ourselves or others.

When we change "church" to please young people, we give them the wrong impression of God, for we give them the impression that their will is superior to His. God does not like such self-centeredness.

Personally, "church the way I like it" is the way God likes it. We must submit our will to His, not His will to ours. As author Oswald Chambers said, "Man must be careful of the inclination to make God over in His image."

Have you ever felt over-whelmed with a feeling of inadequacy when you observe some of the situations in life? There are scenes on television that depict wars being fought on foreign soils in which not only the soldiers but innocent civilians are killed. News reports fill our minds with the facts that thousands of people are actually starving to death because of an acute shortage of food. You learn of embittered conflicts being waged between citizens of the same country and even of the same city wherein people of all ages are murdered or maimed for life. Practically every day stories are brought to our attention of injustices abounding in our own land. Because of the greed of some, the poor and illiterate are taken advantage of and are caused to suffer in various ways.

Then there are the aged who are lonely. Because of inflation, they are deprived of proper food and other necessities of life. The nursing homes are filled with the old and infirmed. All know those who are very sick, some with terminal diseases. Others are plagued with emotional problems. There are individuals whose hearts are broken due to the untimely death of a child, the passing of a parent or one’s mate. It seems that on every hand, we find the downtrodden, the bereaved, the oppressed and the broken-hearted.

Thus, we ask ourselves the question, ‘What can I do’? The problems of this world are so complex and vast and I am but one person with limited ability and resources, we declare. Many rush to assist in good works that are needful in our society that deal with benevolent and humanitarian deeds. But, is this enough? Is there something I can do as an individual for my fellowman that will enrich his/her life beyond all physical and material aid? The answer is a simple ‘yes’. As a child of God, I can teach them of God and His love and of Jesus and His vicarious death for all of mankind. With the Bible in my hand and love n my heart, I can lead them to salvation in Christ by relating the facts to believe, the commands to be obeyed and the assurances and promises given to all who would obey the Christ (I Corinthians 15:1-3; Mark l6:15,16; Acts 2:38). There is no greater gift in this world that I could inform them of than the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.

My brethren, we cannot afford to deprive dying humanity of this knowledge. Every sinner led to Christ is one less person who will be serving Satan. I urge you to begin right now, where you are, while you can, to teach others of Jesus Christ.

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!

Even though my memory is not what it once was, I remember lots of things in the 1930's and 1940's. Some things would startle the younger generations of today. I can remember back when there was no smog, no visible or noticable air polution. (I'm talking about the rural South. I do not know when the industrialized North first started seeing smog.)

The only things in the daytime skies were clouds, birds and the Sun. I was a full grown man before I heard of smog. I was in my thirties when I had my first mild experience with sinus problems. Didn't know people had sinus problems. Didn't know people had sinuses. No streams in this area were polluted and the water was drinkable and delicious (unless it ran through a pasture of livestock).

I remember the narrow dirt road with deep wagon wheel ruts that passed by our house. Very few people owned an automobile. When one would approach, all would rush to a vangtage point to see it go by and to wave greetings to the occupant(s). In the later 30's, an occasional airplane would pass within view and, once again, all would stand and stare until it disappeared beyond the mountain tops.

I remember eating our evening meal (supper) by the light of a kerosene lamp and eating the next morning breakfast by the same light. I remember seeing the sunrise most mornings and enjoyed them all. It seemed as if the birds were singing for my personal pleasure. Until this day, I love to see the sunrise and I do see most of them unless the haze or smog hides them from view.

We had no TV's, no telephones, no store-bought treats, no store-bought toys, but our mothers were experts at baking delicious chocolate cakes, delectable tea-cakes (a sort of sugar cookie) and we were experts in improvising toys or methods of entertainment. We respected our parents and anyone else older than we were. If they spoke and we did not understand, We inquired by saying "Sir?" or "Ma-am?" And many ask why we call them "the good old days". That is why.

The theme for SELTC 2003 is "Go!" Based on the book of Matthew, this year's study challenges each of us to allow God to rule in every area of our life. We pray that this year's study affords you the opportunity to grow closer to God and each other. The date for this year's convention is April 18-20, 2003. We will be meeting at the Adam's Mark in Mobile, AL. For more information please visit our website at www.seltc.org or call 205-988-5808.

The Bear Valley Bible Institute, Scottsboro Extension (BVBISE) is half-way through it's second year of operation under the oversight of the elders of the Broad Street Church of Christ in Scottsboro, Alabama. The school is an extension of the BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE of DENVER. 40 courses (and eight out-of-class mini-courses) completed over a four-year period lead to the Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree. The Associates Degree may be earned in half that time.

One course is taught each month (except July and December) in two all-day Saturday sessions along with outside assignments. The school is TUITION FREE. The only costs to the student are for required texts & materials, and a $5 fee each Saturday to help cover the teacher's expenses. The teachers are academically well-qualified and experienced gospel preachers who know and love the Bible as the verbally inspired and authoritative word of God, and who volunteer their time and work as a labor of love.

BVBISE is committed to training sound and able Bible teachers (men and women), and faithful gospel preachers for service in the kingdom of Christ. The format is designed to make this training possible for men and women who must continue their jobs and other pursuits while they study. Credit is given for previous college or preacher-school study. A preacher-school graduate may be able to earn the Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree in as little as four months of study. For more information please contact the Broad Street Church of Christ, 613 South Broad Street, Scottsboro, AL 35768. Phone: 256-574-2489. EMAIL

A traveler about to set out on a journey saw his Dog stand at the door stretching himself. He asked him sharply: "Why do you stand there gaping? Everything is ready but you, so come with me instantly." The Dog, wagging his tail, replied: "O, master! I am quite ready; it is you for whom I am waiting."

The loiterer often blames delay on his more active friend....Aesop