[Biblemat] The Buckhorn Teacher 8-10-08

[thomas thornhill]

Dear brethren, Sorry this issue is late, but my wife and I just returned from a two week trip to Alaska where we enjoyed both a land tour and a cruise. Most of the expenses were paid for by our children as they helped us celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. It was a little early since our anniversary is actually Sept.1 but it was enjoyable.

brotherly, Tommy 



THE BUCKHORN TEACHER

"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." 2.Tim.4:2

Buckhorn church of Christ - Thomas Thornhill - editor. 13675 Hwy 341, Randolph MS 38864-9117. Tel. 662-568-2960. Cell 662-419-5378. E-mail thornhill1 at frontiernet.net 

                                     

Vol.7                                                       August 10, 2008                                             No.6

 

This is the article my son, Tom Jr, wrote on his return to California after his two meetings here in NE Mississippi July 13-23.  I thought you might be interested in his thoughts. 

It is good to be back!

Greetings brethren! After having been gone for a little over two weeks, having delivered 14 sermons to two different congregations in Northern Mississippi, it is good to be back home. My time away was very enjoyable as I had the opportunity to meet new brethren and become reacquainted with many others I have known for awhile. I also was privileged to again savor the slower pace of country living, green pastures and lots (and lots) of trees. The brethren there were good folks who love the Lord and desire to hear the truth just as much as we do.  

The gospel meetings were well attended both by the local members and visitors from other congregations.  Some drove more than a hundred miles to hear the gospel message proclaimed.  Services on Sunday evening were moved to 7:30 at both locations and as a result the Sunday night services were some of the better attended with brethren having heard the gospel at their own congregation several times that day (one congregation about thirty miles away had an afternoon singing) coming to hear more. Brethren, that is a testament to their desire to hear the word of God and their love for His brethren in other places. THAT is something that we should ALL give consideration to in this busy world. There are far too many in congregations throughout this land who look for excuses to GET OUT of attending multiple services on the Lord's Day and throughout the week.  May that NEVER be our desire as it often shows a struggle with one's priorities.

But I also made another observation as I talked with these brethren. We live in a huge city that is filled with ungodliness and sin at virtually every turn we take. This area of the country is known for its liberal morals and tolerance of just about everything.  The papers here are filled with sad stories and statistics that tell the rest of the country and world what we really think of God as a society. We read of drunkenness, drugs, broken families, divorces, ungodly entertainment, thefts and many other actions which are clearly condemned in scripture.  Such things have come to be expected in the big cities. But understand, such things exist EVERYWHERE, including small farming communities and towns.  While the numbers may not be quite as high and the conduct not as freely tolerated, these communities deal with broken homes, addictions, worldliness, immorality and indifference just like we do.  And that means that these brethren in rural America have to take a stand for the truth AND against immorality just like we do.  And they are doing a good job.  

Like us, these brethren also live in communities where the WHOLE truth is not the popular thing to teach and live.  In addition to worldly communities, they have to stand up against denominationalism (and Catholicism) and face being shunned by neighbors and family if they give a defense for their hope (1 Peter 3:15).  But they do it.

The point is that these brethren face the same troubles and struggles that we do. Just because they live in a smaller community doesn't mean they don't have spiritual issues they need to deal with.  Satan is working to win their souls just as much as he is ours (1 Peter 5:8).  Because they face such things, they need our prayers on their behalf just like everyone else (1 Timothy 2:1).

I will readily admit that there are some ways that it is easier for those in rural communities to stand for what is right.  The reasons are borne out in scripture.  Jesus talks about how it is easier for a poor man to enter heaven than a rich man (See Matthew 19:16-30). The reason is because the rich man has more of this world's goods to occupy his time and like the rich young ruler in that text, they are less likely to "sell what you have and give to the poor... and come follow (Jesus)" (vs. 21).  While I am not saying that those in rural life are all poor, in general they lead a simpler life and are more content (cf. Phil 4:11). And that attitude makes them more likely to obey the gospel or at least show respect for godly values. Those living in the big cities are more easily attracted to the bright lights of sin and lure of material success that will pierce men in many sorrows and in greediness lure them from the faith  (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

Now I am not necessarily saying we all need to pack up our bags and move from the big city. Just as Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17 that God would not take them out of the world (15) but "that You should keep them from the evil one,"  we  should not necessarily expect God to move us out of our environment.  In the Bible we find churches in some of the most ungodly cities (Cf. Corinth, Thessalonica, Ephesus, Rome, etc.).  We are where we are and we need to make the best of whatever circumstance we are in.  BUT, we do need to keep vigilant and we need to pray for His help in dealing with whatever we face.

There are advantages to the big city life as well. Generally speaking we have more brethren that we can turn to with our problems and more resources to deal with them.  Furthermore, IF WE ARE REALLY SERIOUS about reaching the lost we have more opportunities to sow the Seed of the word of God.  (Have you thought about that?)  Plus, because of our greater prosperity, if we understand our need to give and we do so as we have prospered (1.Cor.16:1-2, 2.Cor.9:6-7) we have more opportunities to support the preaching of the gospel not only locally, but in other locations as well, including rural communities where preachers need support to work full time laboring in the gospel.

So here I am again, back from my trip. This is where my home is. This is where my family is. This is where my spiritual family is. This is where my work in His kingdom is. You are all special to me and while I was gone you were continually in my thoughts and prayers. And it is my hope that I was in your prayers as well. 

I will readily admit that I enjoyed the slower pace and the much less stressful environment.  I was able to relax and enjoy the stars and solitude of night between the lessons and work I was doing.  But you, my brethren, were here and I looked forward to again being with you and working with you.  And because of that I thank God for my safe return and the opportunities we have to keep working together serving Him here in Los Angeles (and Orange) County.   Because of you I am truly blessed.  Yes it IS good to be back.  TATJR
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