A man once fell into a deep, muddy ditch and could not get out.

A follower of Confucius passed by and said, 'This is evidence man should stay out of such places."

A Buddhist said to him, "Let this be a lesson to the rest of the world.'

A Moslem told him, "It is the will of Allah."

A Hindu tried to comfort by saying, "Cheer up: you will come back better in the next life."

However a Christian passed, got down in the ditch with him, and helped the man out.

Some might be attracted by a strange doctrine or a life meditation. A true test of a religion is, "What does it do for others?" Look to the countries where such non-Christian religions dominate. See the treatment of the homeless, poor, the disabled. What do they do for women? How are the helpless treated?

When one is in need, nice platitudes will not help. One needs someone in the ditch with him. The religion of Christ Matt. 7:12) teaches this is our place.

PRIORITIES
Roger Rush

Gordon Dahl in Work, Play and Worship in a Leisure-Oriented Society wrote: "Most middle-class Americans tend to worship their work, to work at their play, and to play at their worship. As a result, their meanings and values are distorted. Their relationships disintegrate faster than they can keep them in repair, and their lifestyles resemble a class of characters in search of a plot." He was right!

I suspect a careful and honest evaluation of our lives would reveal a similar problem with our own priorities. Things which are not all that important are allowed to become the driving forces of life. Things that really are important are set aside, and often wholly forgotten. Every so often, however, something happens that causes us to reassess our values. It may be illness, the sudden death of a friend, an accident, or a financial setback- Whatever it is, it reminds us that the things we thought were so important yesterday, really weren't all that important after all!

When you get to the heart of the matter, the thing that matters most is our preparation for eternity. That is precisely what Jesus was emphasizing when He asked, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or, what shall a man give In exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26).

When it comes time to die, and that time is coming for all of us, we had better be prepared. But that can't happen if our priorities are misplaced.

In the middle of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus urged His disciples not to get too wrapped up in the things of this world. He admonished: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). The God who clothes the lilies and feeds the birds will provide for His own. I can offer no better advice for here and hereafter than to encourage you to "seek first the Kingdom.'' That is the first priority of life.

Restored
Our hearts are made to rejoice with the angels in Heaven, at the response of Janet Dupree this past Sunday morning (May 14). Sister Dupree came forward confessing sin in her life and asking for the prayers of the congregation. Keep Janet in your daily prayers.

Ghana Campaign 2005
Bob Bauer, Brian Kenyon, Jim Hall, Daniel Stearsman, and Chad Tagtow left on their missionary journey to Ghana, West Africa, this past Thursday, May 19th and will be gone through June 6th, 2005. We anxiously await their reports on the good work being done there. Keep the group and the work in your daily prayers.

You may have an excellent education – you may have a host of friends – you may have a top paying job – you may have a good reputation – you may give much to charity – you may have perfect health ... but ... if you haven't settled your account with God: you won't have real peace! You won't get to Heaven! And that's what its all about!!