It’s a New Year.

What Title Do You Hold?

Seen any Good Bugs Lately?

The Old Man

Breaking Bread

Three Red Marbles

WHAT TITLE DO YOU HOLD?

Men have learned how to be many different things to many different people. Many of us are husbands, fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and sons to our family members. To others, we are our profession or occupation, such as the plumber, computer guy, cable guy, heating and air guy, service man, mail man, military rank, the pastor, the youth pastor and many other titles. Titles have become a major part of our every day life and language.
The Bible is also filled with many titles. These titles however hold the real descriptions of who we are to be in this world. If you are a Christian this is just a few of your titles:

 * SALT OF THE EARTH
 *A TEMPLE, A DWELLING PLACE FOR GOD
 *CHILD OF GOD
 *LIGHT OF THE WORLD
 *PART OF THE TRUE VINE
 *ONE SPIRIT WITH HIM
 *CHRIST'S FRIEND
 *A PART OF CHRIST'S BODY
 *CHOSEN TO BEAR FRUIT
 *HIS HANDIWORK
 *A PERSONAL WITNESS
 *CITIZEN OF HEAVEN
 *SLAVE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
 *A SAINT, A HOLY PERSON
 *CO-HEIR WITH CHRIST
 *RIGHTEOUS AND HOLY
 *MEMBER OF A CHOSEN RACE

These are just a few of the many wonderful titles that God has given us as Christians. Let these qualities shine through you while you are fulfilling your other titles in life. Remember that God has placed a higher calling on us than we sometimes realize.
Through the next year let these entire Christian titles rise up and take their rightful place in your life.

Brad Lewis
Youth Pastor
Montclair Tabernacle

Seen any Good Bugs Lately? 

by Mike Chapman

Y2K. Y2K! Y2K!! Well, ha, ha we won out. Looks like the Y2K bug turned out to be a flea rather than a swarm of locust. Actually, the only *bug* in the new millennium turned out to be the President. They stopped the fireworks show in DC long enough for the President to get back to the White House. In doing so, many people thought it was over and left. Ha, ha. Well I hate to say it but there are still *bugs* in the system. You see we might have fixed the computer Y2K problem but we have forgotten about our own. That*s right, many of us still have *bugs* in our system. These *bugs* that I write about have been plaguing us for years. It happens to be or own flesh. Sure we have tried to get rid of habits and vices by way of a New Year*s Resolution, only to fail somewhere along the way. Weary in spirit we give up the fight. However, God has made a way out of our Y2K problem. 
Paul writes in Romans 8:5 and 6, *Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.* James also writes in James 4:8, *Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.* We have to get close to God and live in accordance with the Spirit. He has given us many tools to achieve this goal. First, we must live a life of prayer. The Bible says we need to pray constantly. I believe that means we need to pray at anytime through any situation. Second, we must read, memorize, meditate and study the Word of God. Third, seek out Christian friends who can help you be accountable to God. Fourth, get involved in church. Don*t sit back and let everything pass you by. Push yourself to be the best that God wants you to be. How about if you fail? Don*t get discouraged. Ask God to forgive you and move on. Remember, if you draw nigh to him He will draw nigh to you. We can*t do it alone, that*s why we need Him and His source of strength. Don*t worry about the *bugs* just let God take care of those things. It*s like my momma always said (kind of reminds you of Forrest Gump doesn't*t it?), *the only good bug is a dead bug.* Good one, mom. 

The Old Man

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But, the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about Grandfather," said the son. "I've had enough of the spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor." So, the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone, while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since, Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye, as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions, when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening, before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat food in when I 

grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening, the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days, he ate every meal with the family. And, for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child*s future.

Let's be wise builders.

- Unknown -

Breaking Bread

by Hobert Arp


2 Tim. 2:15 (KJV) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The highlight of my work week is lunch time. Oh, it's not just because I get the chance to take a break and chow down, but because it has become an opportunity to sit down with other believers here at work, and share the Bread of Life. Our lunch day Bible study has really helped us in our understanding of God's Word. 
We have about five of six regular attenders, but we have had as many as twelve. Some of the Brothers work at other locations, and join us when they are in the area. 
We started out about two years ago, and read through the New Testament, doing about a chapter a day. Now we are going through the Old Testament, and are in the book of Joshua. It's a pretty simple format. Read a chapter a day, and spend the rest of the time talking over what we just read. With so many different denominational backgrounds represented, this can make for some lively discussions. But there have never been any harsh words, and we have learned much. Each one brings different opinions and insights to the table and we are able to glean little nuggets of truth from each other. 
Fridays are usually set aside as a time of fasting and prayer. We start off with a little praise and worship, then begin a circle of prayer. We have seen some pretty amazing answers. 
I would encourage everyone to try to establish some kind of Bible study on your job. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or complicated. Just reading a chapter or two and discussing it will have quite an effect on your life. You will be amazed at what you will find buried in the pages of Scripture, and you will be equally amazed at how quickly you will go through it! It will work equally well at school too (Yes, you do have the right to study the Bible in School during lunch or free time). 
So, the next time the lunch whistle blows, don't just grab the lunch box. Get your Bible, gather around some other Christians, and break open the Bread of Life together. Feed your spirit, and not just your face. 

Three Red Marbles

During the waning years of the depression in a small southeastern Idaho community, I used to stop by Brother Miller's roadside stand for farm-fresh produce as the season made it available. Food and money were still extremely scarce and bartering was used, extensively.
One particular day Brother Miller was bagging some early potatoes for me. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Brother Miller and the ragged boy next to me.
"Hello Barry, how are you today?"
"H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas......sure look good."
"They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?"
"Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."
"Good. Anything I can help you with?"
"No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas."
"Would you like to take some home?"
"No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with."
"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"
"All I got's my prize marble here."
"Is that right? Let me see it."
"Here 'tis. She's a dandy."
"I can see that. Hmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?"
"Not 'zackley .....but, almost."
"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble."
"Sure will. Thanks, Mr. Miller."
Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said: "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides
he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, perhaps."
I left the stand, smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Utah but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys and their bartering. Several years went by each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Brother Miller had died. They were having his viewing that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go I agreed to accompany them. Upon our arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.
Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, 

standing smiling and composed, by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary, awkwardly, wiping his eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and mentioned the story she had told me about the marbles. Eyes glistening she took my hand and led me to the casket. "Those three young men, that just left, were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size...they came to pay their debt. We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but, right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho."
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three, magnificently shiny, red marbles.

Moral: We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds.

- Author Unknown -