In a recent column in the Nashville Tennessean, Brad Schmitt reported some thoughts by Bill Cosby, who spoke in Minneapolis about the influence of television. Mr. Cosby said, "The networks say they don't influence anybody. If that's true, why do they have commercials? Why am I sitting there with Jell-O pudding?"

Mr. Cosby is right!

Television is making a strong impact upon our attitudes and values. We are accepting and tolerating as "normal behavior" some really terrible and harmful things. Adultery... premarital sex ... indecency ... disrespect for those in authority ... profanity ... blasphemy ... etc., are but a few of the sinful things which are said and done openly in our homes through this mesmerizing medium!

These things were repulsive to generations past, but are now tolerated and hardly noticed by our desensitized culture.
“ Good Point, Mr. Cosby!”

We are so accustomed to the portrayal and glorification of evil an the electronic screen, that hardly anything is unacceptable if it is done in the name of entertainment! We are commanded to, "Abstain from every form of evil" (I Thess. 5:22, NKJV), but instead, we are “entertained" by every form of evil.

And, if you are inclined to say that TV does not influence us, then, as Mr. Cosby suggested, explain the enormous amounts advertisers pay. Those advertisers are certain that we are influenced by what we see and hear!

Also, and this is a frightening thought, consider what such is going to do to the values and thinking of our children and grandchildren who get a daily, steady diet of such from early childhood through the teenage years!

By the way, during the same speech, referred to above, Mr. Cosby also contended that viewers influence programmers. He said, "If there's violence and sex, it's because you turn it on."

Just Don't Quit!
Author unknown

At any given moment in the life of any given church, there are those tottering on the border of departure. But if you quit, will you be happier? Will your children be thereby improved? Will those who know and love you be encouraged? And will the angels in Heaven weep or rejoice? There is no more essential ingredient in life than that of simple perseverance.

Who does not over the long haul, get tired, bored, discouraged, or hurt? The pressures become overwhelming and the futility of our labors oft seem all too real. But don't quit! Instead, seek time alone with God and good people. Think through once more the real issues of time and eternity. "Run and not be weary....walk and not faint." Running or walking, weariness or fainting, do not quit!

YOUTH DEVO
The regular monthly youth devotional and fellowship is scheduled for this evening after the PM worship. See Matt Faneuf for details.

Gospel Meeting Recap
Our Gospel Meeting has come and gone but it’s effects will hopefully be long lasting. The overall attendance was good, the singing was extraordinary and the preaching was outstanding. Attendance was as follows:

Man's days on earth are limited. There is a time that all of us must face. We do not know when that time will come, and since we do not, every day ought to be lived as if it were the last.

Don't forget our weekly prayer session in classroom #3 each Sunday at 5:30 pm.