Happy New Year 2014

Repost -

This Poem came from Rhymes of Bible Doctrine (and other poems) written in 1949 by Benj. F. Dotson. I was given the booklet by my good friend, Dr. Dennis J. Brown. jnh

The new year, January one,

Tells us another year’s begun;

Adding one more span to the years,

Before the age-end soon appears;

Old nineteen hundred forty-eight,

Brought us so many things of fate;

The world’s outlook is not so bright,

The peace we hope is not in sight.

Nations are seething and in fear,

Worrying much that war is near;

They do not have that peace and calm,

For fear of the atomic bomb;

They fear America they say;

That is war we will lead the way;

They should know war of aggression,

Would ne’er be waged by this nation.

America wants lasting peace,

For wars of ev’ry kind to cease;

That nations should dwell together,

Doing good to one another;

Laying aside all suspicion,

Ev’ry act of indiscretion;

Live in harmony day by day,

We’re sure this is the Bible way.

But it won’t be, we’re sad to tell,

It would defeat a devil’s hell;

‘Twould also contradict the word,

Its revelations of the sword;

The age-end is too close in war,

Its Tribulation’s exit door;

It will bring the millennium,

That glorious age yet to come.

Cheer up, sad heart, lift up thy head,

There is One risen from the dead;

His soon return we are assured,

To reward those who have endured

The trials and sufferings for His sake,

Oh, let us for Him undertake;

His oft reproaches gladly bear,

Until we meet Him in the air.

By Benj. F. Dotson, D.D., Litt. D.

Pastor-Poet-Bible Teacher-Evangelist 1949

Christmas Thoughts

Christmas Carols for the Psychiatrically Challenged


SCHIZOPHRENIA - Do You Hear What I Hear?

MULTIPLE PERSONALITY - We Three Queens Disoriented Are.

DEMENTIA - I Think I'll Be Home For Christmas.

NARCISSISTIC - Hark The Herald Angels Sing (About Me)

MANIA - Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and and Office and Town ...or Deck the Halls and Spare No Expense!

PARANOIA - Santa Claus is Coming To Get Me.

PERSONALITY DISORDER - You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, then MAYBE I'll tell you why.

DEPRESSION - Silent anhedonia, Holy anhedonia. All is calm, All is pretty lonely.

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE - Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell...

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY - Thoughts of Roasting in an Open Fire.

PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE - On the First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me (and then took it all away)

Welcome to the Email Wonderland

Sung to the tune of "Walking In A Winter Wonderland"

Another "ping", 

Are you listenin'? 

The puter screen, 

Is a glistenin'. 

With icons so bright, 

They light up the night, 

Welcome to the e-mail wonderland! 

Gone away, 

Are the hall talks. 

Here to stay, 

Is the IN-BOX. 

Flagged "urgent, please read!", 

And "answer with speed!". 

Welcome to the e-mail wonderland! 

In the morning e-mails start to add up. 

No lunch today cause messages abound. 

Just click away and hope the server stays up. 

You can't do your job if it goes down. 

10 P.M., 

You're not tired. 

The caffeine, 

Has got you wired. 

The day's not complete, 

Till the last delete, 

Welcome to the e-mail wonderland! 

In the morning e-mails start to add up, 

No lunch today cause messages abound. 

Just click away and hope the server stays up. 

You can't do your job if it goes down. 

Until you, 

Are retired, 

The same old grind, 

It is required. 

You'll face unafraid, 

That message parade. 

Welcome to the e-mail wonderland!

Three Wise Women

Do you know what would have happened if it had been three wise women instead of three wise men?

They would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought practical gifts!
-----------------------------------
That's what they would like you to believe. However, this is what
would have really happened.

They would have been late getting started (It's tough to get your
make-up so that it doesn't clash with the camel).
Then one would have to go back to change clothes because her outfit was too similar to one of the other's.
After a quick (6 hours) stop at the mall for the gift, they would have
a huge fight about whether or not a Barney Sleeper fell into the
category of swaddling clothes.
Half way to the oasis the camel would have broken down (no one checked his water level). After finally arriving at Bethlehem (They had to stop and ask directions 12 times), they stopped at a beauty parlor to get their hair done (They couldn't see the baby looking like that).
When they saw the stable they turned around and went back to a Howard Johnson's and got a room for everyone (There was no way they were going to stay in a dump like that).
The feminine trio finally arrived back at the stable only to find that
the new parents had left for Egypt.

Merry Christmas, from Bro. Jeff

State Trooper Recall Christmas Eve

Give this Vet 3 minutes to hear what he has to say.

JESUS CHRIST vs santa claus

American Hunters

Fifty Years Ago Today

My Spiritual Birthday

Here is my story, Bro. Donald L. Ledbetter started the West Erwin St. Baptist Church in September of 1962. They started in a small donut shop and them moved to the old ‘Max Town Tavern’. It was there that my Aunt Teen and cousin Donnie started attend and it was long till Donnie was teaching Jr. Boys.


With West Erwin St. Baptist Church coming up on their first year anniversary, Donnie had a contest as to who would bring the most boys to Sunday School. Donnie brought Sammy by my house and they invited me to church, if I came a Sammy’s visitor it would help Sammy win a hamster.


I started attending W. E. S. B. C. and on the 3rd Sunday of September 1963 I repented of my sins and trusted Jesus Christ as my Saviour. Oh, Sammy won the hamster and it has been dead along time now. But from that day September 15, 1963 I have ’new life’ in Christ.


Today, I praise the Lord for His goodness and grace to save a lost sinner such as I.


I praise the Lord for sending Don Ledbetter to start W. E. S. B. C.


And I praise the Lord for a cousin, who was a Sunday School teacher who cared for my lost soul.


Who could you reach for Christ today??

Comparisons between Lincoln and Obama

You might be quite surprised ....Most of us know of the comparable relationship between Lincoln and Kennedy; but have you ever considered the comparisons between President Obama and Lincoln?

Parallels of Abraham Lincoln and Barack Hussein Obama:

1.  Lincoln placed his hand on the Bible for his inauguration.
Obama used the very same Bible Lincoln used, for his inauguration.

2.  Lincoln came from Illinois .
Obama comes from Illinois .

3.  Lincoln served in the Illinois Legislature.
Obama served in the Illinois Legislature.

4.  Lincoln had very little experience before becoming President.
Obama had very little experience before becoming President.

5.  Lincoln rode the train from Philadelphia to Washington for his inauguration.
Obama rode the train from Philadelphia to Washington for his inauguration.

6.  Lincoln was highly respected by some, but intensely disliked by others.
Obama is highly respected by some, but intensely disliked by others.

7.  Abraham Lincoln was a tall, skinny lawyer.
Barack Obama is a tall, skinny lawyer.

8.  Lincoln held to basic Conservative and Christian views.
Obama is a tall, skinny lawyer.

9.  Lincoln volunteered in the Illinois militia; once as a captain, twice as a private.
Obama is a tall, skinny lawyer.

10.  Lincoln firmly believed in able persons carrying their own weight.
Obama is a tall, skinny lawyer.

11.  Lincoln was undeniably, and without any doubt, born in the United States .
Obama is a tall, skinny lawyer.

12.  Lincoln was honest - so honest that he was called 'Honest Abe'.
Obama is a tall, skinny lawyer

13.  Lincoln preserved the United States as a strong nation, respected by the world.
Obama is a tall, skinny lawyer.

14.  Lincoln showed his obvious respect for the flag, U.  S.  Constitution, and the military.
Obama is a tall, skinny lawyer.

Really amazing coincidences !!

Camp YES

We are in the middle of our second week of Camp YES, last week it was with our Jr. campers and this week is with our teen campers.

Both camps have been just wonderful, God is working in the heart of our youth in which we praise His dear name.

Bro. Jeff

Here is a thought for June 28, 2013

Planning for tomorrow is time well spent.
Worrying about tomorrow is time wasted.

Thinking about - goals, steps, and schedules trusting God for guidance.
Worry brings fears & doubts and is of the world, flesh and devil.


Proverbs 3:5 & 6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Friend Day 2013 @ Spruceland Baptist Church

Jeff Hallmark

It's that time of year again! Friend Day at Spruceland Baptist Church, with Texas Style BBQ to follow. Twenty two pounds of brisket, eighteen pounds of Pull-pork, eight pounds of chicken and all the trimmings. Y'all come now ye hear.

A walk for the President

Victoria Day 2013

A beautiful incident in the experience of Queen Victoria is worth remembering. It has been published and is unquestionably authentic. The Queen had attended a service in St. Paul’s Cathedral and had listened to a sermon that interested her greatly; then she asked her Chaplain if one could be absolutely sure in this life of eternal safety. His answer was that he knew of no way that one could be absolutely sure.

This was published in the Court News and fell under the eye of a humble minister of the Gospel, John Townsend, an intimate friend of George Mueller, whose life of faith led to the founding of his well-known orphanages. This John Townsend was the father of the famous “Sister Abigail,” another Christian of extraordinary faith and service.

After reading of Queen Victoria’s question and the answer she received, John Townsend thought and prayed much about the matter, then sent the following note to the Queen:

“To her gracious Majesty, our beloved Queen Victoria, from one of her most humble subjects:

“With trembling hands, but heart-filled love, and because I know that we can be absolutely sure now of our eternal life in the Home that Jesus went to prepare, may I ask your Most Gracious Majesty to read the following passages of Scripture: John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10?

“These passages prove there is full assurance of salvation by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ for those who believe and accept His finished work.

“I sign myself, your servant for Jesus’ sake, John Townsend.”

John Townsend was not alone in praying about his letter to the Queen. He took others into his confidence, and much prayer from many hearts went up to God. In about a fortnight he received a modest-looking envelope containing the following letter:

“To John Townsend:

Your letter of recent date received and in reply would state that I have carefully and prayerfully read the portions of Scripture referred to. I believe in the finished work of Christ for me, and trust by God’s Grace to meet you in that Home of which He said, ‘I go to prepare a place for you.’ (Signed) Victoria Guelph.”

Whether one is an earthly monarch or an inconspicuous, unknown person, the way of salvation and of eternal life is the same. The Scripture passages John Townsend commended to the reading of the Gracious Queen were these two: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10.

These passages, and many others, in the Word of God, pledge us His Word that one who, by simple faith, received His Son as Saviour has eternal life now and here. The Apostle John tells us that His Gospel was written “that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His Name.” John 20:31.

Salvation by faith in Christ is repeatedly declared in the Scriptures to be the present possession not merely future, of those who believe. Thus the Lord said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.  

copied

Gravel Road Cops

I was introduced to a  man named David today, and was told David was a retired ‘cop’. I asked a ‘gravel road cop’?

David questioned “gravel road cop”?  Yes, I answered RCMP “GRC”, ‘gravel road cop!

Oh, David replied, GRC “God Really Cares”  That's a new one I like. Eh!

I approach RCMP Constables, from time to time, and now I have a new conversation line.

Phil Robertson the People’s Max Lucado

Phil Robertson reaches the common folks while Max reaches out to the church folks.

They both teaches the false teaching of baptismal regeneration.

The entire Robertson family is active with the White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ, which meets just a few miles from the Duck Commander/Buck Commander warehouse in this northeast Louisiana town of 13,000.

Max Lucado

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Max Lucado (born January 11, 1955) is a best-selling author and writer and preacher at Oak Hills Church (formerly the Oak Hills Church of Christ) in San Antonio, Texas. Lucado has written almost 100 books with 80 million copies in print, including three recipients of the Charles "Kip" Jordon Gold Medallion Christian Book of the Year (Just Like Jesus, In the Grip of Grace, andWhen God Whispers Your Name),^[1] and has also appeared regularly on several bestseller lists including the New York Times Best Seller List..^[2] After serving as the senior minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, TX for 20 years, Lucado announced in early 2007 that he was stepping down due to health concerns related to atrial fibrillation.^[3] Lucado has since resumed the more limited ministry role of writing and preaching at Oak Hills with co-pastor Randy Frazee, formerly of Willow Creek Community Church of South Barrington, IL.

 NOTE their teachings  in red below, JNH

Doctrine of Salvation (Soteriology)

Churches of Christ are strongly anti-Calvinist in their understanding of salvation and generally present conversion as "obedience to the proclaimed facts of the gospel rather than as the result of an emotional, Spirit-initiated conversion".^[18]:215 Churches of Christ hold the view that humans of accountable age are lost because of their sins.^[10]:124 These lost souls can be redeemed becauseJesus Christ, the Son of God, offered Himself as the atoning sacrifice.^[10]:124 Children too young to understand right from wrong, and make a conscious choice between the two, are believed to be innocent of sin.^{[8]:107[10]:124} The age when this occurs is generally believed to be around 13, although it varies based on maturity.^[8]:107

Churches of Christ generally teach that the process of salvation involves the following steps:^[1]

1.     One must be properly taught, and hear (Romans 10:17, Matthew 7:24);

2.     One must believe or have faith (Hebrews 11:6, Mark 16:15–16);

3.     One must repent, which means turning from one's former lifestyle and choosing God's ways (Acts 2:38, Acts 17:30, Luke 13:3);

4.     One must confess belief that Jesus is the son of God (Matthew 10:32–33; Acts 8:36–37);

5.     One must be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 1Peter 3:20–21; Romans 6:3–5; Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16); and

6.     One must remain faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10).

Beginning in the 1960s, many preachers began placing more emphasis on the role of grace in salvation, instead of focusing exclusively on implementing all of the New Testament commands and examples.^[51]:152,153 This was not an entirely new approach, as others had actively "affirmed a theology of free and unmerited grace", but it did represent a change of emphasis with grace becoming "a theme that would increasingly define this tradition".^[51]:153

Baptism

See also: Baptism in early Christianity

Baptism by immersion

Baptism has been recognized as an important rite throughout the history of the Christian Church,^[58]:11 but Christian groups differ over the manner in which baptism is administered,^[58]:11 the meaning and significance of baptism,^[58]:11 its role in salvation,^[58]:12 and who is a candidate for baptism.^[58]:12

Baptism in Churches of Christ is performed only by bodily immersion,^{[8]:107[10]:124} based on the Koine Greek verb βαπτίζω (baptizō) which is understood to mean to dip, immerse, submerge or plunge.^{[1][11]:313–314[14]:45–46[58]:139[59]:22} Immersion is seen as more closely conforming to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus than other modes of baptism.^{[1][11]:314–316[58]:140} Churches of Christ argue that historically immersion was the mode used in the first century, and that pouring and sprinkling later emerged as secondary modes when immersion was not possible.^[58]:140 Over time these secondary modes came to replace immersion.^[58]:140 Only those mentally capable of belief and repentance are baptized (i.e., infant baptism is not practiced because the New Testament has no precedent for it).^{[1][10]:124[11]:318–319[43]:195}

Churches of Christ have historically had the most conservative position on baptism among the various branches of the Restoration Movement, understanding baptism by immersion to be a necessary part of conversion.^[60]:61 The most significant disagreements concerned the extent to which a correct understanding of the role of baptism is necessary for its validity.^[60]:61 David Lipscomb consistently argued that if a believer was baptized out of a desire to obey God, the baptism was valid, even if the individual did not fully understand the role baptism plays in salvation.^[60]:61 Austin McGary argued strongly that to be valid, the convert must also understand that baptism is for the forgiveness of sins.^[60]:62 McGary's view became the prevailing one in the early 20th century, but the approach advocated by Lipscomb never totally disappeared.^[60]:62 More recently, the rise of the International Churches of Christhas caused some to reexamine the issue.^[60]:66

Churches of Christ consistently teach that in baptism a believer surrenders his life in faith and obedience to God, and that God "by the merits of Christ's blood, cleanses one from sin and truly changes the state of the person from an alien to a citizen of God's kingdom. Baptism is not a human work; it is the place where God does the work that only God can do."^[60]:66 Baptism is a passive act of faith rather than a meritorious work; it "is a confession that a person has nothing to offer God".^[61]:112

While Churches of Christ do not describe baptism as a "sacrament", their view of it can legitimately be described as "sacramental".^{[59]:186[60]:66} The term, "sacrament" comes from the Latin, sacramentum which means "a thing set apart as holy".^[62] The New Testament does not differentiate certain acts of obedience from others as to bestow a special sort of grace. An Augustinian cleric, Hugo of St. Victor (1096-1141) from Italian Catholicism is responsible for classifying seven "sacraments".^[62] They see the power of baptism coming from God, who chose to use baptism as a vehicle, rather than from the water or the act itself,^[59]:186 and understand baptism to be an integral part of the conversion process, rather than as only a symbol of conversion.^[59]:184 A recent trend is to emphasize the transformational aspect of baptism: instead of describing it as nothing more than a legal requirement or sign of something that happened in the past, it is seen as "the event that places the believer 'into Christ' where God does the ongoing work of transformation".^[60]:66 There is a minority that downplays the importance of baptism in order to avoid sectarianism, but the broader trend is to "reexamine the richness of the biblical teaching of baptism and to reinforce its central and essential place in Christianity".^[60]:66

Because of the belief that baptism is a necessary part of salvation, some Baptists hold that the Churches of Christ endorse the doctrine of baptismal regeneration.^[63] Members of the Churches of Christ reject this, arguing that since faith and repentance are necessary, and that the cleansing of sins is by the blood of Christ through the grace of God, baptism is not an inherently redeeming ritual.^{[58]:133[63][64]:630,631} One author describes the relationship between faith and baptism this way, "Faith is the reason why a person is a child of God; baptism is the time at which one is incorporated into Christ and so becomes a child of God" (italics are in the source).^[43]:170 Baptism is understood as a confessional expression of faith and repentance,^{[43]:179–182} rather than a "work" that earns salvation.^[43]:170