HERE IN THE REAL WORLD

He watched cautiously as the family in the booth beside him ordered, carefully making note of each item so as to order for his own family not just the same but better. He couldn’t believe that they ordered extra pepperoni, but he went one better and ordered not only the extra pepperoni but the anchovies too for his family. Have you met people like that, that no matter what you do they have to run out and not just do the same but try and out do it? They never seem to be happy when you have good fortune, but their envy and jealousy leads them to always have to try and do one better?

Looking at the Apostolic Parousia in Philippians (Phil. 2:29f) we see Paul making travel plans for Timothy with the hope that he will one day he too will be able to go to Philippi. In Philippians 2:19 Paul tells those in Philippi that he is going to send Timothy to them and then Paul gives us three qualities that we all need to learn. They are qualities that should be in each Christian’s heart. Sometimes though, in the course of life we slip and these qualities seem to get put on a back burner. But, we should make every effort to keep them in the forefront of our actions.

Of “most” of the people, Paul wrote, “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s” (Philippians 2:21). Among the mistakes we make daily is becoming selfish instead of being “Christish!” It’s is not just those outside of the church, it is those in the church as well. Have you ever seen those who show up to help someone in need only so they can find out what is going on to put it on the gossip line? They have Jesus on the mainline and gossip on the hot line. Then there are those who show up to help not for the praise that God will get but for the praise they hope to get for themselves.

Of Timothy, who Paul was preparing to send to Philippi, Paul said, “For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state” (Philippians 2:20). The NIV translates it this way: I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. How many people have asked for prayers and you inquired as to the problem, and then said you would pray, only to go home and never lift your voice for them? Think about that a minute. Did you take a genuine interest in them? How many others did you tell about their problem, all the while not praying for their need? When you hear of the plight of others, do you take a genuine interest, or let it go in the right ear, and with nothing to slow it down, proceed out the left ear? We have to take a genuine interest in our brothers and sisters.

Paul wanted to know how those in Philippi were faring. He wrote, “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state” (Philippians 2:19). Paul had a genuine interest. His motives were not so that he could be jealous, or so that he could send gossip if they were having misfortune, or even so that he could try and out do them. Paul wanted to be comforted in their triumphs. Paul wanted to be comforted in knowing that they were living for Christ. His motives were pure and simple. And, though one could say that he was selfish in that he wanted to be comforted, he was taking in his comfort in the fact that they were comforted. His comfort was not going to come from their misfortune.

We need to be like Paul and Timothy. We need to always seek the things of Christ first in our lives. We need to take a genuine interest in the plight of our brothers and sisters. And, like Paul, we need to be comforted in their victories. It is interesting that through the Holy Spirit Paul used the Koine Greek word “eupsucheo?” for comforted. Strong says it means, “to be in good spirits, that is, feel encouraged: – be of good comfort.” This Greek word was also known to be used on Greek sepulchral inscriptions. It was used as a grave inscription. What do you want on your tombstone?

Around the world of Blogdom tonight:

TREY MORGAN steps up on his soap box; I never noticed that he had stepped down!
DON NEYLAND has wound up in the lost in found.

BILL WILLIAMS wonders how many opportunities he has missed.
LES FERGUSON tells us that Cole has gotten a job.
DON ELBOURNE shows us Howie’s house. He isn’t Howie Mandel, but it looks like he got a good deal.
DANIEL BERRY, who is a totally blind Presbyterian minister (and he doesn’t have the typos that I make with sight!), talks about his first best friend:Jeff

PAULA HARRINGOTN asks “Where is your Light shining?” While her brother BRIAN talks about “introverted evangelism.”

MIKE RASSBERRY looks at the Social Climate.

Several have asked if the blog has RSS feed. WELL, that is a good question. There is something at the bottom that says “feed.” I have no clue how it works. If any of you do and drop me a line so I can pass it on I would be much obliged!

Until Next time may the Good Lord Bless and Keep You.

29 January 2007
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
little_sorrel@yahoo.com

Someone taught me a long time ago that you can always tell a Texan; you just can’t tell ‘em much. Ok, for all my Texas readers that was a joke; there are too many of you that I plan to spend eternity with for me to start trying to make you mad! One thing you can’t tell a Texan much about this winter is global warming. I think they’d be more inclined to hear about an on coming ice age. Their world was crippled earlier this month with an ice storm of Texas proportion. The state was basically in chains. I reckon on that Sunday morning the Gospel was in chains also; or was it? Brother Tim Archer wrote me that he was looking forward to “family worship.” The roads were impassible and there was no electricity so they were prisoners in there own homes. They were under house arrest pretty much. But, that didn’t stop the work of the Lord.

Rome was an ice storm to Paul. In Acts 28 he was imprisoned there under house arrest. “And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him” (Acts 28:16). But, he turned the situation into one where the word of God would continue to go forward. In his epistle to the church in Philippi he wrote: All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household (Philippians 4:22). How easy it would have been to have worked to free his self. He could have devoted all his energy to that one task and by doing so not put as much time into the Gospel. He could have tried to unchain himself and by doing so put the Gospel in chains.

Many were in chains from the ice storm, but I suspect many stayed in chains a while longer in order to worship God. I am sure there were a good many that were in chains without electricity, frozen pipes, and all the other things that go along with a cold freezing “fiery trial.” Peter wrote, “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled” (1 Peter 3:14).

Paul wrote to Timothy, “Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:9). Everything in Texas was in “bonds” during the ice storm, yet the Word of God was not bound. The word was in chains only in the hearts of those who wanted it to be.

Paul wrote, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). He didn’t give us an ice storm exclusion! We are faced with “ice storms” of some magnitude everyday. They are the little trials that try and take our eyes away from Christ. Those little things that just as we start to take a baby step across the water call our attention to something else and threaten to make us sink are our trials. We have two choices: we can turn our eyes to the storm and keep the gospel in chains, or we can keep our eyes on Christ and let the Word be unbound. In every situation in our lives we can choose to be selfish and let the Gospel be bound or we can choose to be selfless and let the Gospel abound. Will you melt the next Texas sized storm in your life or will you let freeze you?

Well, I have been tagged again. This time a little bit different: Here are the rules: Here is how it works: 1) Grab the book closest to you 2) Open to page 123, go down to the fourth sentence 3) Post the text of the following three sentences 4) Name the author and book title 5) Tag three people to do the same.

Ok here is my book: The Work and Words of Jesus by Archibald M. Hunter. Page 123 is as follows: Though the original setting of these sayings is not always certain, Mark does record that on His last journey to Jerusalem, Jesus warned the disciples to be ready for suffering and that he once particularized it as “a cross” (Mark 8:34).

With that done here are the three I am going to tag:
Chris Gallagher what are you reading?
Charlie Whitefield what is the book up there in Canada?
Mike Frye…it can’t be your book!

I had mentioned the “God Thirst” project of John Dobbs, well he has finally gotten a website check it out here GOD THIRST

Around the world of blogdom:
Bobby Valentine is back and as always well worth reading; Bobby, can you give us a link to your writings on the Apocrypha?

Steve Higginbotham asks, “Is the Pope Catholic?”

Bill Williams is on a Majestic Mission.

Trey Morgan: has he gone XXX?

Don Elborne of Lakeshore Baptist continues to Rebuild Lakeshore

Richard Mansel asks, “Is Tom Cruise the Savior?”

Jerry Blount talks about Islam.

Until next, may the Good Lord Bless and Keep You!

26 January 2007
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@earthlink.net

On a recent update to his blog, brother John Dobbs tagged me. That means I am suppose to tell five things that no one knows about me. Now, I had to do some serious thought on this subject. I mean I am sure there are a lot of things that you don’t know about me and to be honest, you probably don’t even want to know. Please do me one favor; after you read this light hearted post continue reading as there is a serious post at the end. With that said, here goes; we delve into my hidden life! And, also you bloggers that are reading please finish because you may be tagged at the end.

1. As a general rule I don’t eat anything green or yellow (except corn ON the cob). God said, “Rise, Peter, Kill and Eat” (Acts 10:13); he never said pluck and graze!
2. I have had the privilege of picking the banjo with Bill Monroe (in 1982) and Lester Flatt (in 1977 and 78): “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands” (Psalms 100:1) They were joyful; I supplied the noise!
3. The only time in my 47 years of life that I have ever gotten a ticket for anything was about 31 years ago in Virginia for fishing without a license. I reckon the game warden didn’t know Romans 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
4. I was baptized in the Atlantic Ocean. Acts 22:16 “arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins,.” Preacher said it was the only body of water big enough to was away all my sins!
5. My great grandfather carried the Wright Brothers from Elizabeth City, N.C. to Kitty Hawk, N.C. where they (the Wright brothers) later made the first flight. About an hour drive today; it took them four days by boat back them. He got paid 1 dollar a day. And, I have never flown: “and, LO, I am with you alway” (Matthew 28:20)

Now, let me see who I can tag! My brother Tim Archer you are tagged (I bet you thought you were going to get off easy!);
Glenn Ziegler, I am tagging you my brother.
Don Neyland, what is it we don’t know about you? Let us know brother ancient wanderer.
Les Ferguson Jr. You are tagged brother! And to make it really interesting, I decided to tag a girl (can’t nobody say I ain’t for women’s lib!) Paula Harrington you have been tagged!
And, I like the number 6 better than 5 so I am tagging one more just for spite! Trey Morgan, you are tagged my brother.
Stop by all of these peoples sites they always have something worth reading, plus now we might get to find out some dark secrets! Enquiring minds want to know.

Now, on a serious note. My brother John Dobbs down in Pascagoula, Mississippi, is putting on what he is calling “God Thirst.” I have put his logo at the top left of this post. I know many of you are from that area and if at all possible please go out and support this undertaking. It will be January 29 through February 1 at the Central Church of Christ in Pascagoula. I will be passing more info along as I get it; hopefully John will send me a URL for a website about this. Also, visit Johns BLOG as I am sure he will be giving more information. I am copying and pasting the schedule below. You can click on the speakers’ names and see their websites and get to see a little about these good men. If you are in the area and can go please do; you will not be sorry. And, if you go all of you give John a big hug for me! The schedule is below. Until next time may the good Lord bless and keep you.

GodThirst- A Series of Community Bible Classes
Central Church of Christ, 1316 Ingalls Avenue, Pascagoula, MS

January 29 – February 1
7:00 p.m. nightly

Guest Teachers:
Danny Dodd, Minister of Gateway Church of Christ, Pensacola, FL
Gary Kirkendall, Minister of Broad Street Church of Christ, LaGrange, GA.

Class Topics:

MONDAY, JANUARY 29
Can God Help Me Overcome The Problems of My Life? (Danny Dodd)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30
What Does God Expect of Me? (Danny Dodd)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31
Are You Ready To Make A New Start? (Gary Kirkendall)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1
How Can God Give Me Peace of Mind? (Gary Kirkendall)

22 January 2007
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@earthlink.net

I am making my normal Saturday night update a day early this week for a reason; today is the 200th birthday of Robert E. Lee and I wanted to talk about a quote he made. Robert E. Lee said, “My chief concern is to try and be an humble, earnest Christian.” I think that is something we all should be striving for.

Humble is defined as “Marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful; Low in rank, quality, or station.” In Mark 7 we are told that pride is one of the qualities that come from within a man that defiles him: For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness (Mark 7:21-22). Is humble not what our Savior was? Paul wrote to he church at Philippi “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7)). Our Savior did not come to be served; he came to serve. He did not come to serve for a prideful position; he made himself of no reputation. That is how we are to serve. We are not to serve for the accolades; Only God alone is worthy of praise. We are to serve out of love: For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another (Galatians 5:13). Remember, “the meek shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).

We are to be “earnest” in our Christian walks. Earnest: Marked by or showing deep sincerity or seriousness. We have to give God more than “lip service.” We can read all things written about someone and know all about them. But, that doesn’t mean we KNOW them. Paul wrote to the Church in Philippi, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10). Paul didn’t just want to know about Him as he knew about Him in his (Paul’s) pre-saved days. Paul wanted to take it a step farther. It is important that we become sincere and serious and not just know ABOUT Christ, but come to know Christ. It is when we put Christ first that we come to know Him. It is when we respond to situations they way we think Christ would that we come to know Him. It is when we begin to do for our neighbor as we would have them do for us with the only motivation being love. Anyone can make a tax write-off donation to help Katrina victims; but what if the donations weren’t tax deductible? How many would make them out of love? How many make them anonymously or without bragging that they made them? When we start doing the things Christ would have us do with our only motivation being love, then we start knowing Christ! We remove our pride. We become lowly by not letting our left hand know what our right is doing: But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly (Matthew 6:3-4). When we work in “secret” pride is gone by the wayside and we work out of sincerity and Love.

We know Christ as we become lowly and serve our brothers out of love with no looking for what we can get out of it. When we walk as Christ walked, with love as our only motivation, we become “an humble, earnest Christian.”

19 January 2007
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@earthlink.net

Agreeing To Disagree

Someone told me a long time ago there are two things you don’t discuss with drunks: Politics and religion! And, though I think it is a true statement, sober folks don’t always discuss these subjects with the best tact. Pro Live vs. Pro Abortion; No new taxes vs. we need new taxes; Bring the boys home vs. We need to send more troops! Now, if you want to see the discussion turn real nasty start talking about religion. Those discussions can get so bad they’d make Billy Graham cuss. I am not talking about discussions by just everyday people or drunks; I am talking about discussions by faithful members of the church. And while I don’t agree with coming to blows by the Word of the Lord, I have seen so many of these discussions end with the parties agreeing to disagree. While I am sure God doesn’t want us to beat one another with the Bible, does he want us to agree to disagree?

To the church in Corinth Paul wrote, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). It seems the people of Corinth had a problem discussing religious matters. Paul wrote that there should be no divisions among them. Paul knew that there would be a time when there would be unity among them; to the church in Ephesus he wrote, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).

It was Paul’s desire that they all agreed with each other. Paul wanted no divisions and he wanted them to be “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Paul could have been addressing the religious world today. What is the saying that some use “Unity in essentials, liberal in non-essentials and in all things love?” While that sounds good and nice, it doesn’t seem to be what Paul said. Who decides what is essential? Are there any words of God that are non-essential? If so why would God give us non-essential teachings and allow us to be divided? Paul suggested we have unity in all things. Paul suggest anything but “agree to disagree.” Paul says we are to agree and be in unity.

The next discussion that you have about scriptures don’t agree to disagree; it is unbiblical. Do as those in Berea did: These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so (Acts 17:11).

Around the world of Blogdom tonight:

Any of you remember Encyclopedia Brown? Tim Archer does.

Billy Williams says we should Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive.

Richard Mansel ask “Which Sins are we Rationalizing?”

16 January 2007
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@earthlink.net

We are on the brink of celebrating Lee- Jackson-King Day on Monday. I opted for the “inclusive” name for the holiday that I grew up celebrating in Virginia. For those who don’t know, it was originally Lee- Jackson” day for years in Virginia then Dr. King was added it before the segregation of the holiday to give Dr. King his own day. I wonder if God likes the holiday being split?

With all the strides forward in race relations in the United States, Sunday morning at 11 o’clock is the most segregated hour of the week. I have often wondered why, and believe at best we can only wonder and guess why we are still separated in the very thing that should be brining us together. I asked several friends a while back their opinions on this and I never really got a good definitive answer. And though I do not believe that hate is the reason that churches are for the most part segregated, I do believe racial tensions and hate are what led to the original segregation.

More people know of the quest of Martin L. King than they do of the beliefs of Stonewall Jackson. Jackson was a man of deep faith. Jackson never owned slaves except for one time in his life: a few slaves who were being mistreated came to him, knowing the benevolent person that he was, and asked him to purchase them from their salve master. He carried the Bible with him into battle and observed the Sabbath even on the battlefield. It is a fact that Jackson wouldn’t even send a letter as late in the week as Thursday for fear that it might be in transit on Sunday. Of course all of this has nothing to do with race. It is also a known fact that Jackson made sure he sent money back home to support black churches and Sunday schools. Though he fought on the side of the south he worried about the spiritual fate of the blacks in his home. Wonder why we can’t worry a bit more about our brothers today irregardless of their race?

History books also seem to never find enough space to mention that Robert E. Lee, a man I dare any of you readers to find some dirt about, never owned slaves. On the death of his father in law Lee inherited the plantation and immediately began freeing the slaves.

When Luke recorded his genealogy of Jesus he went back farther than did Matthew. Luke took the line back Adam. Of course this shows the humanity of Jesus, but it shows a bit more. It shows a Messiah that goes back to the very first man: A Messiah that shares the DNA of all mankind, not just a Messiah that shares the bloodline of a select few. By taking the line back to Adam, Luke shows us that Jesus is the Savior of all men no matter what color. I don’t want to upset any of you, but we all sprung form the same well!

I believe familiarity is the biggest reason today for the segregation of churches. Many people hold on to the churches that they were brought up in, as did their parents and their parents before them. Granted, they might have started as “Black only” or “White only” churches in times when race relations were at an all time low, but today I believe they remain segregated simply because they have always been the family church.

That is not to say that racism doesn’t exist in the church: IT DOES. It might be sitting beside you or in front of you or even standing in the pulpit. But, it shouldn’t be. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Luke recorded for us the genealogy of the Christ that is for all man and a part of all men. It shows us that all men are brothers in the Lord. And, Jesus taught us that “house divided against a house falleth” (Luke 11:17). That doesn’t mean that churches can’t be predominately of one color; it means that we do have to recognize that we are all brothers and sisters and love each others as such.

As you prepare to celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King on Monday, reflect on all men who have done things to better the relations between the races. And, instead of seeing hate in our world, meditate on the one who doesn’t divide but brings us together: Jesus Christ. Remember God likes a variety color; He put a rainbow in the sky.

13 January 2007
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
little_sorrel@yahoo.com

We live in wonderful times. We have the best of technology, all the most modern of gadgets. We can carry an entire music library of many thousands of songs in our shirt pocket. We have the whole world at our fingertips. We can sit here in the States and press a button and send a letter half way around the world in a matter of seconds. Information that once had to be sought in the only the best of libraries or bookstores is now available at the click of a mouse. I can sit in my house in North Carolina and carry the Gospel to the farthest reaches of the world. We have it all twenty four hours a day, and it doesn’t shut down for holidays. Of course, along with the good, the bad and the ugly are lurking near by.

Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). And, now more than any time in history we have the capability to do just that. Through websites, message boards, chats, and other forms of electronic media we can take the Gospel into places where we may never step foot. Through various schools one can learn the Bible in much more affordable ways than any time before. Jesus also said to baptize them. This summer I was privileged to sit in North Carolina and set up a baptism for one of my students: in WIESBADEN! Oh, the opportunity the Gospel has this day and age.

But, as good as it is we have to be careful. Around every turn of good sites with a wealth of information there are three ready to move in and take its place. Just about every false teaching known to mankind (and a few invented that haven’t made the rounds as of yet) are there waiting to entice the reader away from the sound teaching of the Bible. John wrote, “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists” (2 John 2:18). And, believe me he has a website set up in all domains. Paul wrote to Timothy, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). If what you read or are taught doesn’t match up with scripture, then it isn’t of God. And, be on guard; there is a wealth of teaching out there that isn’t from God!

And, if false teaching wasn’t bad enough, it gets ugly; we live in a day and age where every kind of sin is available to us at the touch of a fingertip twenty four hours a day. Every sin known to mankind awaits its victim just as does the Gospel. It waits for just the right time to tempt and torment and separate one from God. Maybe the “popup stopper” fails at just the most opportune time for Satan. Maybe the “900” number flashes across the screen at the weakest hour. Remember the darkest hour is just before dawn and Hell stays open all night long. But, we have the tools to fight off these temptations. When Jesus was tempted by Satan he fell back each time on the Word of God, and we have that Word. If we don’t do what is right “sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire” (Genesis 4:7). James told us what to do and Jesus showed us: Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

We live in the best of times for the Gospel of Christ; unfortunately we live in the best of times for sin. And, it’s true Hell stays open all night long. But, praise be to God, so does Heaven.

9 January 2007
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
Little_sorrel@yahoo.com

I started December by asking if we could know the exact date of the birth of the Savior. And, now as the season is over and the decorations have all been placed in their boxes awaiting the time when they are brought out next year, down in Ocracoke , North Carolina 3 hours south of me (accessable only by ferry) they are preparing to celebrate Christmas tomorrow. They keep what we call “Old Christmas.” So the question still remains; do we know when Jesus was born?

Of course the folks in Ocracoke hold on to a date on the old “Julian” calendar and disregard the date of December 25 on the calendar of Pope Gregory. And, I suppose that what ever date you want to say that Jesus was born you can find evidence to support that date if you dig around long enough and tweak it to fit your fancy. Since I wrote that article in December I have had tons of emails that gave evidence for a good many dates. But, it hit me today that I have the answer as to the birth of Christ.

Each time a sinner comes to repentance and obeys the Gospel that little Baby from Bethlehem is born in his/her heart. “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness” (Romans 8:10). I had mentioned earlier the Elvis Presley song asking “Why everyday can’t be like Christmas.” It is! Everyday when someone comes to Christ that baby from the manger is born again and again and again in the heart of each repentant sinner. And, this “Christmas everyday” is complete with celebrations because God’s Word tells us, “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10). The NIV, among other translations, translates it this way, “There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

For me they rejoiced on the 16th of July many years ago. For you maybe it was another date. For each of us that Baby was born again in our hearts. The angels of God rejoice every day. Why do we find it so hard? “Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel has ransomed captive Israel.”

Around the Blog world:

My brother Daniel Berry has a moving tribute to his mother that he has just recently lost

Has my brother John Dobbs become Rip Van Winkle?

What does Brother Tim Archer think about a concordance?

Brother Richard Mansel waxes eloquently about elders and deacons

Give them all a look over; you’ll be surprised at all the good things that are written here in blogdom! I bet my mom has no clue al the brothers I have!

6 January 2007
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
little_sorrel@yahoo.com

THE ANGEL OF MARYE’S HEIGHTS

Fredericksburg Virginia can be a cold place in winter. And, when a war is raging it can seem to be even colder. Thirteen December 1862 was a cold day in Fredericksburg, as America’s Civil War was being fought there at Marye’s Heights. On one side of the battlefield were union forces and on the other side were Confederate forces. The battle raged as the smell of fresh gunpowder filled the air. In between the two sets of troops the ground was filled with Union soldiers who had fallen from the shots of Confederate guns. The stench of death filled that middle part of the ground as dying and dead soldiers now lay under the continuous ringing of the shots from both sides. Not one Union soldier, medic, or man of God from the Union army ventured into the fray to help the wounded. As their life’s blood slowly drained from them they were left to die in the middle of the battlefield. Young Richard Kirkland of the Confederate army had another plan though. He collected canteens of water from his own troops and ventured to the middle of the battlefield. As this young confederate went to each of the injured Union soldiers and gave them water a ceasefire began. Kirkland gave water to his injured foe and when the water ran out he returned to his foxhole to get more water. When he returned to the foxhole the ceasefire ended and the war raged again. After procuring more water, Kirkland again went into the middle of the battle and gave water to more injured and dying of the Union troops. Again a ceasefire broke out. After giving all water Kirkland returned a last time to his foxhole and the war raged again.

The above true story is nothing more than a retelling of Christ parable about the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:29-37. In Jesus’ story a Jew fell among thieves and was beaten. As he lay on the roadside, left dying, two men come up on him. The first is a certain priest. This man of God not only passes the injured man, but changes sides of the road to pass him. Next, a Levite approaches and like the first priest he also changes sides of the road and passes the man needing help. Lastly, a Samaritan comes up on the injured man and the words of our Savior are, “he had compassion on him” (Luke 10:33). The Samaritan tends to the man’s needs and goes so far as to get him lodging at an inn. In his commentary, Adam Clarke says this “Samaritan is mentioned merely to show that he was a person from whom a Jew had no right to expect any help or relief, because of the enmity which subsisted between the two nations.” This was the same animosity that existed between the North and the South during the American Civil War. Yet, the dying northern soldiers did not find compassion from their own; it came from the enemy. Richard Kirkland put his life in jeopardy to go and minister to the enemy that lay dead and dying on the field of battle while the battle raged. Kirkland was the Samaritan to the dying Union Soldiers

His act of kindness and love did what politicians and diplomats, what Lee and Grant, what Lincoln and Davis had yet to be able to do during the war: He caused two ceasefires. If such an act of charity can happen in the middle of war on a battlefield why do we struggle to be able to help our own, much less our enemies, in everyday life?

My brother Glenn Ziegler has just entered the world of blogdom; please stop by and read his new blog LIFE NOTES

3 January 2007
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
little_sorrel@yahoo.com