Not long ago, in the work of cleaning up, putting in place songbooks and Bibles, I noticed some things that speak of our faith.<\/p>\n
As I began the clean-up, I murmured: “these brethren are so negligent”! There were papers, crayons, candy wrappers, and pencils all over the floor. After considering, I repented! Thank God for all of the children that we have and for the parents who bring them though services are long. Thank God for the mothers who battle to bring these innocent ones though they are very active. I remembered Lois and Eunice, the grandmother and mother of Timothy. For sure they had the same struggles training the child that later would become a great evangelist (II\u00a0Timothy 1:5).<\/p>\n
Now I rejoice to see these wonderful pieces of litter that speak of our faith. I also found some notes. Since we know the writing of everyone, it was easy to identify the authors. I said to myself; “mischievous youths”! As I\u00a0threw them in the trash can, I thought for a moment and I asked for forgiveness. Thank God we have young people in our\u00a0congregation. Thank God that they have the confidence to\u00a0write to each other.<\/p>\n
One note read; “tell Rudy to be quiet”! This indicates that amongst themselves, they respect the services of the Lord. Another note said; “What are you going to buy after services?” This reminded me that they are still children. Another note made me laugh; “pinch Mary and wake her up”.<\/p>\n\n
Nevertheless, we thank God that this woman heard and was baptized! We thank God that she learned! We also remember that the Word of God never returns empty (Isaiah 5:11). If this sister leaves this world without God, this Bible is evidence that the gospel was preached in Colonia Baja California, Mexicali.<\/p>\n
As I cleaned the water fountain area, above and behind I found some eyeglasses. These glasses were left by another sister that has also abandoned the Way of the Lord. The sister left them here the last time that we saw her. On that occasion, she was very happy and we will never forget her smile, but sometimes outward\u00a0appearances are deceiving! These eyeglasses were used exclusively to read the Bible, but hearing and\u00a0reading the Word twice a month and only in services creates a very dangerous ignorance. Here are her glasses, they only need a little cleaning and they will be ready to focus her eyes again. May God bless her “eyes of understanding<\/em>” (Ephesians 1:18) that she may return to the side of Christ, her husband and Savior (Romans 7:4).<\/p>\n As I was about to finish, behind the pulpit, among papers, chalk, nails, notes, and many other things, I found an outline. The writing was distinct. It belonged to a very beloved brother in Christ. When I think of him, my heartaches. He has also left us. The pain of losing a son can not hurt more. I put down the broom for a moment and I sat down to look at the outline and to remember the times that we studied and preached together.<\/p>\n The outline is well prepared. This brother was blessed by God with tremendous intelligence. With it, someday he will be a very rich man. But the Lord will ask an account! We know that God has given all of us “talents” (Matthew 25:14-10), to some more than others. We also know that we will be judged according to what we have received. This brother has left us and he insisted that his reason was\u00a0just. But even if it is, that will not free us from our responsibility.<\/p>\n My wish is that one day this brother will meditate upon his decision. I hope and wait on the other mechanism that the Lord has given man, our “conscience towards God<\/em>” (I Peter 3:21).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Raymond Gonzalez Sr. Sentry Magazine, September 1999 Not long ago, in the work of cleaning up, putting in place songbooks and Bibles, I noticed some things that speak of our faith. As I began the clean-up, I murmured: “these brethren are so negligent”! There were papers, crayons, candy wrappers, and pencils all over the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[681],"class_list":["post-35242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-appreciation"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":22915,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/how-can-i-have-faith-when-so-many-are-leaving-the-faith\/","url_meta":{"origin":35242,"position":0},"title":"How can I have faith when so many are leaving the faith?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"May 26, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I am a long time reader of your site and a Bible believer for 10 years, I'm afraid I am coming to my second and perhaps final crossroad in faith. At age 19, I learned of the likes of Harris, Dawkins, and most importantly Hitchens after trying to liberalize\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":67098,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/does-a-christian-have-to-believe-in-a-young-earth\/","url_meta":{"origin":35242,"position":1},"title":"Does a Christian have to believe in a young earth?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 19, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Good day!I hope you are well. I have a rather strange question. I do believe the Bible literally without question where it needs to be, but I've never really even thought of asking this question before, even though it seems to be an obvious question. The question is this:\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":58617,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/pauls-sons\/","url_meta":{"origin":35242,"position":2},"title":"Paul’s Sons","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 1, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"by Earl Robertson via\u00a0Biblical Insights, Vol. 8, No. 6, June 2008. The relationship of Timothy and Titus to Paul as sons is spiritual, legitimate, and true -- \"legitimately born, not spurious,\" says Thayer, pg. 119. They were true sons. Paul said Timothy was \"a true child in the faith,\" showing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":37081,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/how-can-i-be-100-sure\/","url_meta":{"origin":35242,"position":3},"title":"How can I be 100% sure?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 9, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I am starting to build more faith but I am still not 100% sure that God exists. \u00a0I go to church and everything and I feel terrible to admit this. \u00a0How can I be 100% sure? \u00a0Are you 100% sure? \u00a0Will I ever get there? \u00a0I'm just scared that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":43466,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/we-thank-god-for-you\/","url_meta":{"origin":35242,"position":4},"title":"We Thank God for You","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 6, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"by Ethan Longhenry via\u00a0Biblical Insights, August 2014 We live in a time of extremes when it comes to self-esteem and affirmation. Some people are constantly criticized, derided, and put down, even by family members, and feel as if they are worthless and can never be good enough. Other people receive\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/thank-you-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":86374,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/faith-in-faith\/","url_meta":{"origin":35242,"position":5},"title":"Faith in . . . Faith?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 5, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Lance Cordle Recently, I reached into a closet to get some trash bags. I was in a hurry, so I did not bother to turn on enough light to see the bags. 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