Thailand-Cambodia border

As Bear Valley has an active, growing involvement in evangelizing Cambodia, I am keenly interested in the events occurring on the Thailand-Cambodia border.  There is a clash right now between these two countries over Buddhist holy sites, and ironically their shooting at one another has caused damage to Preah Vihear, an 11th century temple considered very holy to them.  Thousands of villagers on both sides of the border have been evacuated.  At least 10 people have died over the weekend. 

Back in 2008, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) listed Preah Vihear as a Cambodian World Heritage site.  This flared up what can truly be called old wounds between these nations.  Fighting over these "holy sites" has transpired, off an on, for over 1000 years.  The nations in this immediate area, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand, have been ruled and consolidated an a single empire multiple times over many centuries.  These temples, which are found in abundance in this region, are a focal point of interest both for their religious and economic values.

Paul stood in Athens, Greece, and preached, "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things" (Acts 17:24-25).  Certainly, our Buddhist friends maintain and revere their temples not in homage to the God Paul preached but instead to a man long dead whose philosophies guide their lives.  Yet, even if these temples were claimed to be places of worship to that God, it would be a colossal waste of life and emotion to fight and fire at others who felt the same way about them.

God certainly wants His people, if they are blessed to have a place of meeting, to be good stewards of those buildings.  Yet, again, we can fall prey to the mistaken notion that God is confined and contained to those places.  Not only may we overestimate the importance of the building, we can find ourselves confining our God to that building.  Yet, Paul says He's not confined. Paul goes on to say, "We ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of men" (Acts 17:29).  Our God is boundless, able to see, able to save, and able to serve at every moment of life.  He is to be obeyed and honored whether or not we are at the building.  May we never restrict our religion to the real estate, our adoration to the auditorium, or our commitment to the church building.  Our lives are to have greater purpose than that and our God deserves much more than that!

Neal Pollard 

 

The wrong way to increase the value of books

A man in England has discovered a way to increase the value of books
by as much as 1,000 percent.  But it's not a method we recommend.
Simply put, it's illegal.

The 65-year-old, who was not named in the report by Reuter's News, has
been arrrested.  For the past 18 months he has offered for sale books
that purportedly were signed by Winston Churchill.  Collectors pay a
high price for books signed by celebrities, and this fellow
capitalized on the idea.  He had apparently worked hard to perfect a
signature that closely resembled the former prime minister's.  But
those signatures were not authentic, and thus of no value.

In cases like this, it's not the similarity that makes the autograph
valuable, but the fact that a famous person made the inscription.
Suppose we receive a signed letter from a well-known figure; we
excitedly show it to others.  Later we learn that the "signature" was
made by a secretary using a rubber stamp.  We don't view the signature
quite the same any longer.

Art work is another area where authenticity is of great concern.  Long
before scanners and computers, some artists made their living by
making excellent imitations of masterpieces.  If you discover that the
Renoir that has been passed down in your family is actually a copy,
the value of that piece tumbles.  While the imitator obviously had
talent that approached the master artist, the value of his work just
can't compare.

The apostle Paul had imitators, too.  He warned the Christians at
Thessalonica "not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by
spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us ..." (2 Thessalonians
2:2).  The apostle's authority was well known.  What simpler way to
promote a new teaching than by claiming it came from Paul?  But Paul
alerted them to be careful.  Not all teachings were authentic.

At the end of that same letter, Paul gave them assurance of the
veracity of the present writing: "The salutation of Paul with my own
hand, which is a sign in every epistle, so I write" (2 Thessalonians
3:17).  Paul's writing must have been easily recognized, for he wrote
in Galatians 6:11, "See with what large letters I have written to you
with my own hand!"  (Some believe Paul's eyesight had grown dim,
making large print a must.)

We should have the same concern for authenticity.  Early in that
Galatian letter Paul noted his surprise that some were already leaving
the teaching he had given them.  "But even if we, or an angel from
heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to
you, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8).  John also saw the need for
vigilance: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the
spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have
gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).

But how can we "test the spirits"?  How can we know that the religious
teaching we're following is authentic?  Here's the test: Is it from
the Bible, God's word?  According to 2 Timothy 3:16,17, Scripture has
been given "that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped
for every good work."  If we can't find the teaching in the Bible,
it's not authentic.

Timothy D. Hall

FOR WHAT WILL YOU BE REMEMBERED?

 

 

He was a prominent British neurologist for more than 40 years.  He made a major contribution in academic medicine for his work in "autonomic failure."  At St. Mary's Hospital in London, the Imperial College School of Medicine named a lecture after him. 
The 82-year-old doctor has served as Director of the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases as well as Chairman of the Editorial Board of the journal Clinical Autonomic Research.  He has written textbooks. All of this is remarkable for one born to working class parents, but typical of his famous drive he decided very early in life to earn a place in one of England's elite universities where he could study medicine.  That university was Oxford.  That is quite a distinguished career for an overachiever, but this man of science knows that most people know nothing of these achievements in his life.  His name is associated with something that took less than four minutes to occur.  He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975 for his efforts in this realm.

His name is Sir Roger Bannister.  For many, that is enough information.  However, if I said, "The First Man To Run A Mile In Less Than Four Minutes," that would resonate with many more of you.  His efforts, while in college and at age 25, on May 6, 1954, took 3:59.4, made history and opened the door for many other sub-four minute miles.  He was an Olympic Athlete before that momentous day and he served in various official sports positions since that day, but even within athletics he is remembered for that one run.  It was not even his best time, as he ran the mile later that year in Vancouver at 3:58.8.  He won over 100 awards in his brief career as a runner.  But he is remembered for "the run."

Each of us is building a legacy that will outlive us, if nowhere but in our immediate families or in the congregation we attend.   We may not be famous or recognized for our achievements on the job or our private enterprises.  But, we will be remembered.  Will it be some attribute?  Some cause?  Some incident?  Will it be something to cherish or embarrass?  Many a good person has offset a life of good influence with an instance of indiscretion.  Some will perform an act of kindness or an effort for Christ that bears fruit which will utterly surprise them in eternity.  But, I believe that most of us will do something that will speak for us after we have died.  The good news is that we are in control of whether that is bad or good!

 

--Neal Pollard

Yugoslav proverbs

"If you wish to know what a man is, place him in authority."

Yugoslav proverb

 

Revolt in Cairo, Egypt

  

The ongoing revolt in Cairo, Egypt, is dominating the international headlines.  Economically, it has ushered in higher oil prices.  Politically, it has raised concerns about regional stability as Egypt is a key U.S. ally in a part of the world where they are not to be found in abundance.  Socially, however, these protests seem to be the spark for monumental change in what that government will look like.  Aging dictator, Hosni Mubarak, fired his entire cabinet and, for the first time, appointed a vice president.  Some doubt he will run for a sixth term, but think he may try to hand power over to his son.  Anti-government groups emboldened by surging protests want this regime dismantled.  Over 100 protestors have died and thousands have been wounded, but the protests are spreading to other Egyptian cities.  Cameras are being seized, phone and internet outages are widespread, and a mandatory curfew, though largely ignored, imposed.  Why are these citizens not only continuing, but intensifying, their revolt?

 

From so far away, we can only accept with caution the reports being disseminated.  But, the common thread being attributed to their motives is a longing for freedom.  Various sources say there is limited or very restricted freedom of religion, speech, women's rights, economics, and the like.  Perhaps, other Arab nations, who also have a majority population under the age of 30--a stage of life where one is more idealistic and apt to protest authority--are watching to see how this grab for freedom goes.

 

Whatever all the specific issues at play are, I understand the innate human craving for freedom.  Sadly, too many want freedom from God's authority and commands.  But, wherever they turn, people will find themselves enslaved.  Paul wrote, "Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness" (Rom. 6:16-18).  No one is more oppressed and suppressed than those enslaved to sin (cf. 2 Tim. 2:26).  It is a miserable existence offering no future hope.  But, understanding us perfectly and longing to give us what we not only need but crave, Jesus gives this hopeful news that "you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:32).  That truth leads to the ultimate freedom, a spiritual and eternal freedom! 

 

These Egyptians seem to want temporal, earthly freedoms granted to them.  We in a land of such freedoms understand that craving.  But, as Christians, we understand that Christ offers a freedom that transcends all other freedoms.  May we spread the news of such freedom wherever we are each day!

 

--Neal Pollard

John Viscount Morley

"You have not converted a man because you have silenced him."

 John Viscount Morley, British statesman, writer, and newspaper editor (1838-1923)

 

The truth never hurt no one

 

There are times when I hear people say, " the truth never hurt no one", makes me question if they have ever been told the truth. The fact is often the truth hurts us very much. In today's society people often avoid those who will tell them the truth and seek those whom will say what is pleasant to their ears. I often laugh when I here someone say, "I am not going to church there, I was offended by the preacher, he stepped on my toes." My response is if the preacher was speaking the Bible, then no one is offended, however they are convicted of wrongdoing, or should I just say "sin." The reason the truth hurts often is because it points out our faults, blemishes, and shortcomings. The human nature of people feel offended when someone tells them that what they are doing is wrong, whether it be a parent, a spouse, a friend, and especially God. We need to take heed when the Word of God points out sin in our lives. The "TRUTH," or the Word of God has great power; Rom. 1:16- For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. The Word of God does these things: 1. It Convicts - 1 Jn. 3:4- Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.  We need to understand if God says something and you are doing contrary to God's commands you are in bondage to sin. Furthermore, Jesus said, Jn. 14:15- If ye love me, keep my commandments. 2. It Convinces - Jesus said, Jn. 8:24- I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your sins. We need to understand that people are not lost because God does not love them, it is because people love themselves more than they do God. Jn. 14:21- He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. We can't love ourselves and our lifestyles more than God (Lk. 9:23).  3. It Changes - Once we are convicted of our sins, and we are convinced that Jesus is the only place to seek remission of our sins, we are moved to Repentance, or a change of mind, that leads to a change of heart, which seeks a change in lifestyle. It is simply turning away from sin and turning to God according to His commandments. This is commanded Lk. 13:3-  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Here is the "Truth !!!" Today whom do you serve, the Bible says you can only serve one master; Mt. 6:24- No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.  Who are you living by? The Word of God or the Ways of the World? Are you like Joshua?  Joshua 24:15-And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. If you have not obeyed the commands of God, His Word, the Truth you are in bondage to sin. However, if you want to be free God's Truth is where freedom is found Jn. 8:32- And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Does the Truth hurt, yes it does, I remember being broken into realizing the sin I was in and as a result I was lost not for a short time, but for eternity. However, that is how God needed me to be, so that I would have a truly Repentant heart. However, today I rejoice because of the freedom and the promises of eternal life given by and in Jesus Christ. In the deepest love, I hope that this TRUTH has hurt you somehow, that your life may be changed to accept God. Here is what the Bible commands: Hear (God's Word) Rom. 10:17 Believe (Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God and He was crucified, buried, and resurrected.) Jn. 8:24 Confess (Rom. 10:10) Repent (Turn from sin and to God) Lk. 13:3, Acts 17:30 Baptized (The only way to become a NEW MAN) Rom. 6:3-4 Be Faithful (Abide by God's commands until death after the New Birth in Christ) Rev. 2:10 Shawn D. Slone