Deception
Randy Kea

First, can a person be misled religiously? Listen to Jesus: "Beware of false prophets" (Matthew 7:15), "And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch" (Matthew 15:14), "Take heed that no man deceive you" (Matthew 24:4).

Second, one might ask: "Why are people often misled?" Two basic and fundamental reasons would be: (1) they take someone else's word for what they believe and practice and (2) they never study to prove and verify what they believe and why they believe it.

Third, what does the Lord want us to do to avoid being mislead? (1) We should search the scriptures (John 5:39; Acts 17:11). (2) We should, using the Bible as our standard, put to the test every religious teacher, preacher, doctrine and leader (I Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1; Revelation 2:2; 11 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 4:11). (3) We should always remember that it will be the Lord's word that will judge us in the last day (John 12:48; Revelation 2 0: 10-11). ❦

The Exciting Thing
John Gipson

As a youngster I listened to Winston Churchill's speeches over the radio during World War II, and was greatly moved. Later, I acquired some tapes of his more famous speeches and was again captivated. That man knew how to hold an audience without a rope. He used words as a general would use his troops marching into battle. It was powerful stuff.

It was not until I read William Manchester's biography of Winston Spencer Churchill that I learned of the Irish-American lawyer and congressman Bourke Cockran, and the impact his oratory made on Churchill. Cockran advised Churchill that he should avoid scurrility, affectations, and cant. He said: "What people really want to hear is the truth— it is the exciting thing — speak the simple truth."

Plato, centuries before Cockran, stated, "There is nothing so delightful as the hearing or the speaking of truth."

Jesus came into the world speaking the truth and the people heard him gladly. Even those officers sent to arrest him returned without fulfilling their mission. Their explanation? "No man ever spoke like this man!"

Later, the apostles of Jesus would be accused of turning the world upside down. How was it accomplished? Not through military might, intellectual brilliance, or political maneuvering, but truth— simple truth.

In our world, so beguiled by lights, glamor, noise, and motion, nothing could be more exciting than the speaking of truth. ❦

Fellowship Tonight
We are scheduled to have our last Sunday Fellowship in the annex this evening after the PM worship in honor of our October birthdays and anniversaries. All are invited.

November Calendars
The November edition of the Activities Calendar and Those To Serve list is available today in the foyer.

Photo Updates
Members with last names beginning with “A” through “C” are asked to have their photos taken after services. See Sabrina Tagtow for more information.

Baby Shower
There is a baby shower planned for Bryan and Amanda Walling on Saturday, November 11th from 2 to 4 p.m. here in the annex. All are invited to attend.

Our hearts go out in deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Martha Ellis (Shirley Faneuf’s sister) who passed away this past week. Funeral services were held in Lakeland this past Friday.

Also, we offer our prayers and sympathies to Katrina Stearsman and family in the tragic death of her brother, Jeff Hoffelder, last Tuesday.

Keep these families in your daily prayers that they might be able to find peace in this time of loss and sorrow.

MOVED (Change Your Directories)
We are saddened that the Hirsh family is moving to Tenn. Their new address is:

HIRSH, Ken & Natalie
Kendall, Jonathan, Benjamin
[Click for Address]

Also. Carl Chambers and the girls have moved:

CHAMBERS, Carl, Trudi and Christina
Christopher
[Click for Address]

And, Matt and Kim Faneuf have moved:

FANEUF, Matt & Kim
Morgan
[Click for Address]

Christian "joy" is that quality which comes from having goals beyond the common ones sought by the world. It is that quality of glad-heartedness which is produced by being wrapped up in God.