Mr. Meredith, Mr. Ames, and I had a very enjoyable visit with the ministers from the Eastern USA in Louisville, Mississippi. Mr. Evo Walker did a real fine job making the necessary arrangements with the management of Lake Tiak O'Khata Resort.
Some of you have heard through the grapevine about the dog pack that attacked Mrs. Richard Ames while hiking around lake Tiak O'Khata last week. For those of you who have not heard I will give you a brief account.
Mr. Meredith, Mr. and Mrs. Ames, and Mr. and Mrs. James Wells were hiking on the trail around the lake late Monday evening when five dogs from a neighboring farm found a hole in the fence adjoining the trail. They challenged Mrs. Ames and Mrs. Wells who were following some distance behind the others, and one dog bit Mrs. Ames twice. Mr. Ames and Mr. Meredith rushed back and drove the dogs off, but Mrs. Ames required medical treatment of the injuries she sustained. Later we learned that they had earlier acted aggressively toward Mr. and Mrs. Keith Walden. Mrs. Ames is recovering satisfactorily, but I understand that the dogs are suffering the consequences of their conduct.
Mr. Meredith made the circuit of the Dallas and Gladewater congregations April 28. On the Sabbath of May 5 Mr. Meredith visited the Atlanta, GA congregation, before returning to San Diego.
My wife and I visited the Lafayette and Baton Rouge, LA congregations on April 28, and Little Rock, AR on May 3rd. It was encouraging to visit Little Rock, Arkansas where I became pastor forty years ago next January. We rejoiced to see such "old-timers" as Jim and Joy Faulkner, Ruby Gober, Beulah Hearn, and many other faithful brethren.
As reported last week in the update, some "numb-skull" broke the lock on a junction box near our office and cut the cables serving our building Tuesday about 4:00 a.m. The telephone company has repaired the damage, but that did not end our telephone tribulation. The long distance service we were using terminated service without warning Wednesday afternoon about 2:00 p.m. — they filed bankruptcy! While we had service via a fallback system, it was inadequate. Yesterday afternoon our new long distance service was finally in place.
Comments and Observations:
In the United States, we have a holiday honoring fathers and mothers. I believe setting aside one day per year is biblical, per the fifth commandment to "honor your father and your mother." I was amazed to see the following news item:
"Parents whose kids attend a pricey Manhattan private school are in an uproar over a new policy aimed at protecting the feelings of children raised by same-sex couples: Mothers Day has been banned. And in the interest of fairness, Father's Day too. The ban affects kids ages 4 and older at the Rodeph Scholem School, but younger kids are still permitted to celebrate Mother's Day."
Were the majority in that community asleep or unable to resist? What percentage of children in that school are of "same sex" parents? And yes, how do "same sex parents" get children?
How did society become so morally and spiritually corrupt in that community? One step at a time, just like taking a long journey. It began in the mind — in the education of young people fifty years ago — and by one compromise.
We will be observing Mother's day and Father's day — in honor of our fathers and our mothers, living and deceased.
An article in the London Times (May 7, 2001) titled Young Christians Like Living In Sin shows another corrupt society due to false education.
"A third of young evangelical Christians believe in living together with a partner before marriage."
"The finding, in research to be published today, has shocked leaders, who expected fewer than 10 percent to support cohabitation. In total, 33 percent of Christians aged 18 to 35 supported living together, compared with 82 percent of non-Christians. The survey shows that Christians in the 18-35 age group are the most rapidly declining age group among churchgoers."
The example of godly parents and church leadership can only mitigate the destructive work of society—certain responsibility falls on young adults as well. God's work is to preach the good news of the soon-coming Kingdom of God under Christ's leadership and rule. When Christ rules there will be consistency by leaders of all branches of government and all educational institutions—in word and deed.
I will close with the story of a young lawyer who was arguing his first case before a court of appeals. He cited one elementary principle of law after another, boring the panel of judges mercilessly. Finally, one of the judges suggested that he get to the substance of his argument and stop trying to educate them on elementary law. "We are not complete idiots, young man," he said sternly. "I am terribly sorry, Your Honor," the young lawyer replied. "I didn't know that." Oh yes! Speaking without thinking can have disastrous results.
Have a GREAT Sabbath everyone. Travel safely this weekend. For those of you who are so fortunate as to have a living mother, I hope that you will give her special honor this mother's day.
Carl E. McNair