(Disclaimer: Some articles and links to articles published in this ezine may contain false doctrine. They are included due to some valuable content. The fact that they are printed here does not mean that we accept or endorse their doctrine. All writings of men, including ours, should be carefully compared to the New Testament writings.)

Visit the new Piedmont, Alabama church of Christ website at: www.piedmontcoc.org as yet incomplete but with a good start.

Man has attempted to show that the Bible is not God's word and they try to find fallacies to back them up. They have put their hearts into finding certain things in the holy writ which may have not been verified by historians etc. They eagerly teach this is PROOF of the errancy of the Bible. There were a number of such items years ago but, one by one, archaeology and other studies have been uncovered to prove the accuracy of God's word.

One of the most significant cases is that of the Hittites. Our first indication of this nation of people comes from Genesis 10:14: "And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth." Then we learn of a man who lived among the children of Heth named Ephron who was an Hittite. He is the man who sold Abraham a field in which to bury Sarah. (Genesis 23:13-16)

You then read the name Hittite some 30-35 times in the Old Testament. There were no historical writings other than the Old Testament which mentioned this name. So those who would give their soul to be able to condemn the Bible were convinced that they had found mention of a nation that never existed. Personally, it seems foolish that anyone would even take such a stand, seeing that the Hittites were frequently mentioned along with numerous other Caananite nations who were known to have existed. Never mind that they are mentioned, not only in 4 of the 5 books of the Pentateuch written by Moses, but also in Joshua, Judges, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and also the apocryphal book of 1 Esdras 8:69. Recall that one of the best known Hittites was that of Uriah, husband of Bathsheba, who was murdered by King David.

But only 131 years ago (1876 A.D.), archaeologists discovered the remains of an ancient city where they found over 10,000 day tablets of records which proved that this was the capital city Hattusha, of the Hittites. So once again those who scorn biblical accuracy, had to turn their attention elsewhere in an effort to find discrepancy.

Have you ever uttered these words? While it is good to have confidence in our stand against the world and evil, we must beware lest we allow Satan to use our confidence as a tool against us. Galatians 6:1 says, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness: considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” Paul warns the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Let he that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” Too much confidence can be a great downfall. While it is admirable to be strong in our faith and state that we are not particularly challenged by certain sins, we should beware of letting our guard down.

I never thought I would live to see this country attacked on its own soil. But I lived long enough to see the towers fall. This country has the strongest military machine on the planet, but we were still vulnerable, weren’t we? In much the same way, I have sadly lived to see some of the strongest Christians among us fall prey to sins of the flesh and succumb to the errors of apostasy. They never thought they would fall, and certainly I thought they never would. How wrong we can be! Who am I or anyone alive to think that the sins that befall our friends and brethren cannot touch us?

The “I would never do that” attitude is similar to that of the apostle Peter. He just knew that he would never forsake the Lord (Luke 22:33). We see that what Jesus said about him came true in verses 55-62. Peter was a man who experienced things no man ever has. He walked on water by the power of Jesus. How could such a great man fall? He never saw it coming and thought himself incapable of such a thing! You see how Satan can “sift us like wheat” when we least expect it and think that we are sufficiently strong to weather the problem?

Let none become immune from putting himself in the other’s shoes. I know of many brethren who are ready to cast off brethren who fall even when they repent and are forgiven by the Lord. They are through with them! My Bible teaches me that I must be willing to forgive a brother or sister when they sin and repent of such. Peter was not prohibited from being an apostle or told he could no longer be effective. The Lord used these events in his life (intended by Satan to sift him like wheat) to help his faith be stronger than ever before. Jesus’ prayer for Peter in Luke 22:32 was answered and Peter’s faith did not fail him and he thankfully strengthened his brethren. Let us all be careful what we say we will never do. Let’s all be on guard against Satan’s efforts to sift us (1 Peter 5:8).

(Reprinted from Sound Words of the East Hills church of Christ.)

"Never let the fear of striking out get in your way."...Babe Ruth

"The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur."...Vince Lombardi

(Introduction to a great article. Click Here for the entire article)

The majority of the 92 elements normally listed as found in the Earth were at one time regarded as scientific curiosities. However, during the last half-century, chemical research has increased greatly, while new and improved analytical techniques have developed. Consequently, much new knowledge has been brought to light about the importance of very small concentrations of certain elements.

The earlier metallurgists found the value of adding a little carbon, cobalt or chromium to iron in making steels for various purposes. To this list aluminum, copper, magnesium, molybdenum, nickel, vanadium, wolfram and other elements have been added for their important effects in steels. Alloys of many more metals have been similarly produced.

The effects on living creatures of small amounts of certain elements alone or in compounds has long been known. Most of these, such as arsenic, antimony, lead and phosphorus, have been recognized chiefly as poisons. Through the ages the precious metals were thought to have beneficial effects, but this lacked confirmation.

The principal elements regarded as essential for plants and animals are comparatively few. Usually in compounds, they are calcium, carbon, chlorine, hydrogen, magnesium, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur, with the addition of sodium for animal life. To these must now be added an increasing number of "trace elements" in very low concentration. The first to come to mind, obviously, is iodine, probably essential only to animal life. At present the trace elements regarded as needed by both animals and plants are copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc. Additions to the list are cobalt and iodine for animals, boron and silicon for most plants. Each group probably will receive more such elements soon.

The quantities of trace elements present in organisms, of course, vary. In man the total amounts to less than 0.005% of body weight and if iron is excluded, the total is under a fifth of that figure.

In my February 6 issue musings, I discussed the "luke warm Christians" and have continued to muse over the subject. I am convinced that there is an enormous number of "Christians" who are not really serious about their serving God. How many do you know who attend services regularly but cannot lead a public prayer? Who cannot carry on an intelligent conversation concerning any bible subject? Do they not pray privately? Do they not read the Bible? Most people, if they are accustomed to praying, can word a public prayer. It doesn't have to be eloquent, just from the heart. I can remember when I had a problem with praying in public. But once I determined that I would always pray to God, not the congregation, it became easier.

And there are others who literally are "Sunday Christians". Through the week, service to God just about disappears from their minds. Some will miss services because of a nuisance hangnail. Others will miss if not really ill, but feel they are "taking (or getting) something". Brothers and sisters, there is work to be done in the Lord's church and every single one of us can do something! Find out what you are personally capable of doing, and DO it.

When we stand before God on judgement day, I am quite sure there will not be any questions asked of us as to why we did something or didn't do something, because God knows already. However, when He says, "Depart from me I never knew you" I fear many will be surprised simply because they went through the motions of the plan of salvation and then attended services regularly. Brother Stan Adams' article above brings out some of the factors that people fail to consider and will cause the same response from God. We need to get serious about our soul's destiny. Time is swiftly passing.

Remember the quality products we used to get from these? You still can.
Stanley Home Products - Fuller Brush

"When I was born I was so surprised, I couldn't talk for a year and a half." (Gracie Allen)

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." (Mario Andretti)

"Half the people in Hollywood are dying to be discovered and the other half are afraid they will be !" (Lionel Barrymore)

A Crow perishing with thirst saw a pitcher, and hoping to find water, flew to it with delight. When he reached it, he discovered to his grief that it contained so little water that he could not possibly get at it. He tried everything he could think of to reach the water, but all his efforts were in vain. At last he collected as many stones as he could carry and dropped them one by one with his beak into the pitcher, until he brought the water within his reach and thus saved his life.

Necessity is the mother of invention...Aesop