HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH EZINE

Communal groups are nothing new and have just about run the gamut of different religions, ideologies, and reasons for being such. As far back as times before Christ, there were Jewish groups who formed monasteries and lived in hermit-like groups, isolating themselves from the rest of the world and spent their time in worship, prayer, reading, fasting and such. Of course, these were different than the later groups and modern day communes in that they normally consisted only of men.

During the 1940's and 1950's, there were a number of communes formed in a wave of "getting back to nature" desire of many who were becoming disenchanted with urban living, gangs, drugs, hippies and the like. Some had a religious root while others simply wanted to "get away from it all". Also, a number of religious cults came into being and dwelt together. Many were short lived and faded back into society after the illusion of peaceful leisure in the quiet solitude of the countryside and like-minded neighbors began to return to realism where hard labor was required to furnish all with food and medications and some neighbors turned out to be as they were in the city.

But some survived and remain today, and some have been started since those years. Below you will find links to several that will give you some idea of the diversity of purposes of these groups, their means of sustenance, and so on. Also please read my "Musings of Joel" column below.

Don't forget to pray for, and help wherever you possibly can, those people who lost homes and/or loved ones in Sunday night's violent storms that raged from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes!

President James A. Garfield observed that, "The people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities ... If the next centennial does not find us a great nation, it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces."

Here’s another one of those bumper sticker proverbs: Enthusiasm is contagious. Start an epidemic. How many times has this been proven true? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had an enthusiasm epidemic in the church? Is enthusiasm scriptural? Paul seems to be concerned with being zealous. He says in Galatians 4:18, But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always. With what good things is Paul concerned?

Good works. Paul uses this phrase seventeen times in his writings. Most of these occurrences are in the pastorals. In Titus, Paul uses this phrase (or the singular form) five times. Paul desires the young men to be a pattern of good works (2:7). He maintains that those who have been redeemed and purified are to be zealous for good works (2:14). They are to be ready for every good work, and should learn to maintain good works.

Good works are what Christians are all about. The life-purpose for the Christian is to be doing good works. This is exactly what we have been saved to accomplish. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:8-10). While works of law do not save us, those who have been saved are doing good works. Good works are a part of the worthy walk and of pleasing God (Col. 1:10). Jesus said that our good works illuminate the light within us that will bring glory to the Father (Mat. 5:16).

We also find that we’ll always be equipped for good works. 2 Cor. 9:8, with the greater context dealing with financial giving, assures us that God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. Scripture also equips us for every good work (2 Tim. 3:17).

With these promises in view, there isn’t any reason why we should not have a great deal of enthusiasm regarding the good works we have been created to do. Let’s get excited about all the things God can do through us in this world! Let’s start an enthusiasm epidemic!

Joseph Pauley preaches for the Lord's church assembling in Belle, West Virginia

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.

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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!

Some probably wonder what is wrong with communal living, and under certain conditions, there might be nothing scripturally wrong with it, but the term would have to be used in a very liberal tone I think. Every aspect would have to be considered in light of the scripture. The reason one would do it is vitally important. The people with whom one would commune would have to be seriously considered. The degree of isolation from the outside world would be vital, and on and on.

It is for sure, one would have to have some vision or plan that would help convert those around him to New Testament Christianity. And, I am pretty sure that those within the commune would have to be of like precious faith before one could toss all his holdings into the communal pot. Likewise, it is important that we do not isolate ourselves from the world to the extent that they cannot witness our lives as we serve God. I really cannot visualize a communal situation that would be acceptable to God.

I am fully in favor of "Home" schooling our children. But I also firmly believe that we must include in that teaching, the reasons we have selected it. And also feel that it is vitally important to stress to our children that we cannot isolate ourselves from the world, rather, that we must learn to not be of the world. Always remember the early Christian martyrs who served God faithfully under adverse conditions and many were tortured and killed for doing so. Currently, the world is not a good place and, unfortunately, it may get far worse for those of us in the United States. Frankly, God gave us America, a land flowing with milk and honey, but we have thanked him by electing officials who would allow free course to murdering our unborn children, that would allow atheism an homosexuals rights that far exceed those of our "freedom of religion", that would allow (and sometimes require) our schools to teach the evolutionist hypothesis as fact, and require the teaching of the Quran in some schools but will not allow any references to Christian doctrines or the Bible. Let us always pray for our freedom.

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 Tortoise, lazily basking in the sun, complained to the sea-birds of her hard fate, that no one would teach her to fly. An Eagle, hovering near, heard her lamentation and demanded what reward she would give him if he would take her aloft and float her in the air. "I will give you," she said, "all the riches of the Red Sea." "I will teach you to fly then," said the Eagle; and taking her up in his talons he carried her almost to the clouds suddenly he let her go, and she fell on a lofty mountain, dashing her shell to pieces. The Tortoise exclaimed in the moment of death: "I have deserved my present fate; for what had I to do with wings and clouds, who can with difficulty move about on the earth?'

If men had all they wished, they would be often ruined...Aesop