A THINKING RELIGION
Dalton Key

The Christian religion is a thinking religion. Though it concerns the emotions and touches the heart, it appeals primarily to the intellect. God has chosen to reveal His will through ideas expressed in words. This course He has chosen over and above the method of "touching" man's heart by means of divinely dictated feelings or sentiments. According to the Hebrew writer, it is the living, active word of God which works upon the-souls of men (Hebrews 4:12). And were not the hearts of the Pentecostians pricked only after hearing the inspired word of God? (Acts 2:437). God pricks the heart with His word, and not with a "better felt than told" experience.

The faithful Christian must be a thinking Christian. The disciple of Christ acts as he does, believes what he believes, and teaches what he teaches, not because his feelings dictate such, but because his mind has thought these things out based upon what God has spoken. Paul admonishes, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21).

It seems many Christians have grown either too lazy or too indifferent to think things through for themselves; they content themselves with the works and words of other men. I believe it was Thomas Edison who remarked, "Five percent of the people think. Ten percent of the people think they think; and the other eighty-five percent would rather die than think.”

The early church of Rome sank deeper into apostasy as the "laity" came to depend more and more upon the clergy for the proper interpretation of Scripture.

The Bibles were finally chained to the pulpits and the people ceased thinking altogether. Such was not right then and it is not right now. Christians must begin reading and thinking for themselves. Preachers and teachers can be profitable guides, but they cannot do a man's thinking for him. "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind" (Romans 14:5).

Christian brother or sister, think! Think on the word of God (Psalm 1:2,119:11). Make use of this word as you prove all things to yourself with respect to your religion (I Thessalonians 5:21). Then you will "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear" (I Peter 3:15).

Ghana 2006
Bob Bauer, Brian Kenyon, Jim Hall, Daniel Stearsman, Chad Tagtow, Brad Hurn and Christopher Howell will be leaving for Ghana, West Africa this coming Friday (June 16th). Pray for a successful and safe journey for the team.

Restored
We rejoice with the angels in Heaven, at the response of Pam Rowe this past Wednesday evening. Pam came forward confessing that she had done wrong and asking for forgiveness and the prayers of the church. Keep Pam in your daily prayers.

Traveling
Many of our number are traveling this time of the year. Be sure to keep all that are on the roads and in the air in you daily prayers, that they may have safe, trouble free journeys and return safely to us in due time.

Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner
If you have not signed up to participate in this great program, do so today. There is a sign-up sheet in the foyer. See Shirley Bauer for more details.

For Your Information
Gladys Wagner is spending the summer up north. If you wish to correspond, her address is:

Gladys Wagner
[CLICK HERE]

Costa Rica Trip
If you are interested in helping Autumn Kidwell on her mission trip to Costa Rica, you can send a check to:

[CLICK HERE]

If you make them out to Mabelvale - please write Autumn’s Costa Rica trip on the memo line. Remember she needs the funds by June 25th

Look for the right moment to voice appreciation. It isn't that we don't appreciate others ... it's just that, for some unknown reason, we are hesitant to voice that feeling. It is necessary to say nice things to have them do good ... not merely think about them.