HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH EZINE

History has shown us (although no one wants to look) that great nations have fallen throughout the ages as they become evil and lose all sense of morality. Aside from giving us His Son who then gave Himself that we might gain eternal life, perhaps the greatest gift God has given man is this great nation that we are now so fortunate to live in. But, as in times past, we have bungled it.

The Puritan Pilgrims set up their first colony here in 1620 I believe (or there about). Although the Lord's church had virtually disappeared from the earth, or at least from public view, biblical morality remained quite strong in many religious groups. And now, in less than 400 years, the Lord's church has been restored and is swiftly slipping back into obscurity along with religion in general and morality in general.

I know that I become very pessimistic at times and people will say, "Don't worry, the Lord's church will survive and his people will be victorious!" It bugs me when they tell me that. I know that the statement is true, but that has no reference whatsoever to the masses. It has only reference to the tiny minority who remain faithful unto death. And that minority is growing smaller and smaller and smaller.

When election time comes around, we will vote for ANYONE so long as he is a member of our party preference, or if he is handsome, or anything else we may like about him, but we will pay no attention whatsoever to how he stands on murdering unborn babies. Or if he is opposed to our freedom of religion, or if he thinks homosexuals should have preferential treatment, or if our borders ought to be wide open to illegal aliens, ignores states who refuse to enforce our immigration laws, and on and on. Morality has no influence upon our choice of politicians. Our courts are run amok, our lawmakers are turned into lawbreakers.

Faithful congregations of the Lord's people are disappearing daily into liberalism, modernism, unconcernedism, entertainmentism...anything but truth and accepting the authority of God. Brethren, we need to stop saying, everything is going to be alright! It is not alright now and it is getting worse! I pray daily that God will grant me the wisdom to know what to say and when and where to say it, to help stem this avalanche of apostasy. And I thank Him daily that he allowed me to be born in 1930. My tour is drawing to a close and perhaps I will not have to witness the things which are coming to this nation and the Lord's Kingdom.

I have three links that I will consider it a personal favor if you will visit and examine. First, is the Fuller Brush Company Online Store, This website requires you to login, using my ID number which is 0324430 so be sure to write that number down or copy/paste it into the password window.

Next is a virtual shopping mall I have constructed which has 59 stores where you may shop till your heart is content. I have tried desperately to choose quality businesses with records of honesty and integrity. I have purchased merchandise from several of them personally. So visit all three floors at my "Hi-Lo Shopping Mall".

And finally, for anyone who may be interested in earning a supplemental income, either part time or full time, or if you know of anyone else who may have such an interest, please have them check this out. Fuller Brush Company is, without question, a company of high quality products, integrity and an excellent reputation. They offer a great opportunity for anyone to start earning with virtually no investment. So visit my "Own Your Own Business" website.

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Pews, Baptistries, Steeples, Tables, Pulpits, Lecterns, Classroom/Nursery furnishings Chairs: Folding, Stacking, Reception, Executive, Task, Theater, Auditorium Gym Floors - Basketball/Volleyball equipment Flooring: Carpet, Tile, Vinyl, Wood - Lighting - Signs - Window Blinds Sound/Video Equipment and installation Office/Decorative furniture - Shelving - Storage units Chalkboards, Marker/Magnetic boards, Cork boards Playground equipment - Cleaning equipment - Interior/Exterior Door Mats.

LEADERSHIP AND PERSONAL EVANGELISM

"Developing Leadership In The Church For The 21st Century" and a "Bible Foundations" course are offered to meet the two greatest needs in the church today.

The leadership book is a practical, 63 page book of 13 chapters with review questions. The character traits, work habits and characteristics needed in servant leaders are detailed, that men may be taught, trained and disciplined to become self-disciplined servants of Christ. $5.00 plus s/h.

The Bible Foundations study is a unique course, designed to be used either as a study by mail or as a one-on-one study. Fourteen lessons stress the authority of the Bible, the authority of Christ, rightly dividing the word, what it means to obey the gospel, and Christ's church on earth today. Review questions are designed to lead to obedience to the gospel. $2.00 plus s/h. Unlimited reproduction rights are granted to teachers in programs who teach students in foreign countries. For more detailed information or to order, write to Allard Publications: eallard@juno.com

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CHULA VISTA BOOKS

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 Vista Mtn Rd, Pell City AL 35125, Phone 205-338-1843

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THE LORD'S WAY

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!

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Sign up with these folks! Every week or so, they will have a survey for you to fill out. Pay is not much, usually by drawings, but now and then I get $6.00, $10.00, once in a while more.


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I would be interested in any preacher(s)'s libraries that are not in use. I promise to put any and all books to good use, either by myself, or other preachers or preaching students. Please don't let them sit in boxes out in the garage. I would gladly pay for postage, and if you require, I may be able to purchase them from you. Please call or email, Tim Smith at: (903) 935-7448; EMAIL.

Lebanon, TN Phone: 615/443-3643

JADE Books is a family-owned business; we sell books by faithful Christians, reference books, Bibles/covers, Bible materials, homeschool books and more. We extend discounts whenever we can, especially to preachers and preaching school students! Visit our web site; use a credit card on-line, e-mail or phone to order CLICK HERE.

The Christian HomeSite offers free sites to any church of Christ congregation. Absolutely no charge to the congregation, unless a unique address is desired. This is a personal web ministry and I have never asked for any support. Currently, it is one of the biggest church of Christ sites and we're always looking for more good material. I think every congregation should have at least an info page on the net, so people can find them when desired. Here is a page with required info to have a site: Click Here Terry Collins.

"Storehouse of Treasure" is a 215 page paperback containing articles written on God, Jesus, the Bible, Salvation, the Church, the Family, and Christian Living. This book would make great devotional reading and study. Individual articles may be reprinted in non-profit publications such as church bulletins. The cost is $10 per book, plus shipping/handling. (Tax applies to sales made within Kansas.) To order, either call (785) 331-4195 or e-mail us at storehouse@gbronline.com.

To help build your spirit for the contest of life, try Spiritbuilding CDs and books. We carry a broad selection of wonderful accapella CDs and tapes in a variety of styles and plan to add contemperary uplifting music soon as well. We offer books on church growth, home and family, and gift books. We also carry thousands of items that are not presently listed. If you'd like to buy with a 10% discount under retail and no sales tax just email us your order.

We carry any material by Zondervan, Baker, Word publishing, Word Entertainment, Kirkbride, Tyndale, Thomas Nelson, Howard, Veggie Tales, and hundreds more. As well, we carry most material published by brethren today including class curriculum, home school curriculum, and commentaries. Check us out CLICK HERE.

SAVE BIG! Traveling daily or once per year, you can save big bucks on car rentals, airline tickets, hotels, cruises and more. Package deals. Compare this with whatever you are now paying for these services.

It would be well if everyone would give a run at publishing a brotherhood ezine for a few months..seriously. Without much tongue-in-cheek, I can tell you that it teaches you patience. It forces you to do more studying, which should not have to be forced upon us. In the past couple of years, I have become much more serious minded, I think. I'm not sure if that is the fault of the ezine, or of my age.

I learned very quickly, that not all brethren are tolerant and long suffering. Some are not even courteous. I had barely begun the ezine when I received an email to cancel a subscription from one lady whose tone sounded as if she was probably in tears and screaming. She was quick to inform me that God had not given us a pattern of worship! I really felt bad about it. If she wanted to upset me, she was exactly on the mark. I was thankful for email. If that exchange had been face to face or by phone, I don't know if I could have handled it or not.

Things like that cause my already high regard for brethren like Garland Elkins, to grow much higher. I envy, and admire, his exceptional ability to remain cool and collected under stressful conditions.

But, thanks be to God, all is not sour. I have also met a number of extraodinary brothers and sisters, whose kind demeanor comes through as strongly on email as does those who are angry and harsh. So, I've learned to pray earnestly that our differences will be resolved and all of us will become patient and kind like Garland Elkins. Wouldn't that be great?

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 Muleteer set forth on a journey, driving before him an Ass and a Mule, both well laden. The Ass, as long as he traveled along the plain, carried his load with ease, but when he began to ascend the steep path of the mountain, felt his load to be more than he could bear. He entreated his companion to relieve him of a small portion, that he might carry home the rest; but the Mule paid no attention to the request. The Ass shortly afterwards fell down dead under his burden. Not knowing what else to do in so wild a region, the Muleteer placed upon the Mule the load carried by the Ass in addition to his own, and at the top of all placed the hide of the Ass, after he had skinned him. The Mule, groaning beneath his heavy burden, said to himself: "I am treated according to my deserts. If I had only been willing to assist the Ass a little in his need, I should not now be bearing, together with his burden, himself as well." ...Aesop