[Biblemat] Good News for Norwalk: Volume II, Number 16: April 22, 2007

Sun Apr 22 20:12:00 CDT 2007

Good News for Norwalk

For I am not ashamed of the good news, for it is the power of God for 
salvation to everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16)

A publication of the church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio
Volume II, Number 16: April 22, 2007

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The Danger of the Tongue

We have recently seen a furor develop over the comments made by Don Imus 
over the radio waves. Don Imus is well-known for being generally insulting 
to pretty much everyone and everything. Recently, however, he made some 
comments regarding the members of the Rutgers women's basketball team that 
were extremely inappropriate. Imus did come out and apologize not long after 
the comments that were made, yet despite his apparent penitence, the damage 
has been done. Since many major sponsors have withdrawn their advertising 
support for his radio show and TV simulcast, both CBS and MSNBC have dropped 
him.

While it is true that there is a bit of hypocrisy in how the media has 
handled Imus--far less has been done in the past regarding people making 
insensitive comments, and what he says is not really that inconsistent with 
what he has said in the past--his story is a testament to the power of the 
tongue and the danger in careless words. Even a man known for making 
off-the-wall comments can lose his job because of a particularly 
inappropriate statement; how much worse of a fate can we suffer because of 
the tongue?

And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the 
tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of 
nature, and is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beasts and birds, of 
creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by 
mankind. But the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full 
of deadly poison. Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith 
curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God: out of the same mouth 
cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to 
be (James 3:6-10).

James is exactly right: the tongue is a fire. It can devastate and destroy 
and no amount of apology or penitence can make it right again. Just as one 
who starts a wildfire soon has no ability to contain it, so it is also with 
someone who speaks foolishly. How many people have suffered on account of a 
contrary word? Only God knows how many souls have fallen away because of 
misguided, angry, or unfortunate words from a Christian. How many holes have 
we dug for ourselves because of what we have let loose from our lips?

In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; But he that 
refraineth his lips doeth wisely (Proverbs 10:19).

There is not one of us who has no need to watch what he or she says. Each 
and every one of us struggles with "sins of the tongue". Let us consider the 
furor over Don Imus and learn clearly how important it is to exercise great 
caution with the tongue.

"And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall 
give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be 
justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37).

Ethan R. Longhenry
evangelist at norwalkchurch.org

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Understanding God's Word

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To 
him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen (2 Peter 3:18).

There are many who think that the Bible is too hard for them to understand: 
they believe that perhaps there are some people who have the training or 
inspiration to understand it, but not themselves.

Have confidence: you can understand God's Word! All those who are Christians 
in God's Kingdom are considered priests (1 Peter 2:5, 9), and all are able 
to understand God's will alike (1 Corinthians 1:10).

We are Christians always seeking to better understand God's Word and always 
ready to help others understand God's Word better themselves. If we can ever 
be of assistance to you in understanding what God's will is for you in your 
life, please let us know!

Ethan R. Longhenry
evangelist at norwalkchurch.org

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The church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio

Thank you for reading the electronic version of our bulletin, Good News for 
Norwalk. If you live in Norwalk or happen to be traveling in the Norwalk 
area, we would certainly love to have you visit one of our assemblies!

Our location:

386 North Edgewood Drive (just off US 250 just north of Norwalk's city 
limits)
Norwalk, Ohio 44857

Our assemblies:

Sunday morning assembly: 10:30am
Sunday evening assembly: 6:00pm

Our Bible studies:

Sunday morning Bible study: 9:30am
Wednesday evening Bible study: 7:00pm

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For More Information

If you have any questions or comments about anything you have read here, or 
desire more information, please contact our evangelist, Ethan Longhenry, at 
evangelist at norwalkchurch.org.

Good News for Norwalk is a publication of the church of Christ in Norwalk, 
Ohio, for the promotion of God's truth in our world. For more information 
about the church of Christ in Norwalk, please visit our website at 
norwalkchurch.org. If you have any questions about your subscription, or 
desire to cancel your subscription, please e-mail gnfn at norwalkchurch.org. 
Thank you for your interest, and have a nice day!

Ethan R. Longhenry/ disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com
Evangelist, church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio
 (http://www.norwalkchurch.org)
Website: http://www.deusvitae.com
AIM: Deus Vitae / ICQ#: 28317056
MSN Messenger ID: deusvitae at hotmail.com
Yahoo! Messenger ID: discipuliiesus

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