It is in vogue today to disparage the achievements of earlier generations. Colleges and universities often look with disdain upon the founders, presidents, and faculties which had the vision, endured the hardships, and educated the young people entrusted to them. There seems to be a perverse pleasure in debunking the life and character of former leaders, and poking fun at the "good old days."

We tend to assume that anything new is better. So it was when I was in elementary school. The classes which went before me studied phonics, and they knew how to spell.

But the notion caught on that a class in phonics was old-fashioned, and ought to be dropped from the curriculum. I, along with many others, have suffered as a result of that dreadful mistake. My grandchildren, armed with the same strong emphasis on phonics my parents received, can out spell me any day.

It's easy for me to see the wisdom in the proverb which states, "Remove not the ancient landmark which your fathers have set"

In the church it is important to preserve the ancient landmark which our fathers have set. We do not mean, of course, to insist upon a blind adherence to tradition for its own sake, or decry the new methods available to us of carrying or applying the Gospel to our modem world.

We do mean, however, that there are certain things about the church and its message which are absolute and unchangeable, and which can be removed only at our spiritual peril.

We dare not tamper with the "ancient landmark" of Christian doctrine - the "faith once delivered to the saints." We have a sure foundation in the apostolic doctrine, of which Jesus Christ Himself is the chief Cornerstone. This doctrine is as fixed and unchangeable as is the nature of Him who gave it The Faith is not relative; it is not progressive; it is not modified by changing times or circumstances.

The "ancient landmark" must remain.

A man in the Army of Alexander the Great who was also named Alexander, was accused of cowardly actions. He was brought before Alexander, who asked what his name was. He replied softly, "Alexander." "I can't hear you," the ruler stated. The man again said, a little louder, "Alexander."

The process was repeated one more time, after which Alexander the Great commented, "Either change your name or change your conduct."

". . .that worthy name by the which ye are called. . ." James 2:7

Ghana Campaign 2005
Bob Bauer, Brian Kenyon, Jim Hall, Daniel Stearsman, and Chad Tagtow are scheduled to leave on their missionary journey to Ghana, West Africa, this coming Thursday, May 19th and will be gone through June 6th, 2005. Money is still needed to help out with this trip. Contribution checks should be clearly marked for the “Ghana Fund”. See Bob Bauer if you have any questions about the upcoming trip. Keep this group in your daily prayers.

Hospitality!
That's one virtue all Christians should have. It is a virtue everyone can acquire – whether they are rich or poor, young or old, educated or uneducated. It takes very little to be hospitable, though many of us fail to be hospitable so many times. And too, many times we're hospitable to those who need it least, and let others who are in need of our hospitality go lacking.