Author: Anna Lee

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).

Mike Benson, Editor

 

Towel

 

THE IDEA IS shocking…

It is a thought many people have never even entertained. What is it that is so astounding? It is the fact that God hates. Most often we think of God as love (1 John 4:8). Love eliminates hate, right? Wrong. As a matter of fact, appropriate hate is a result of love. For instance, Psalm 119 is a very lengthy expression of love and appreciation for God’s word. It is as a result of that love for God’s instruction that the Psalm expresses hatred for “every false way” (Psm. 119:104, 128).

 

God is love. He loves us as His creation and above all else desires close fellowship with us. That fellowship is destroyed by sin. Sin taints and tarnishes His people and makes association with a holy God impossible. That is why God hates sin. It destroys those whom God loves. How tragic when people become enamored with the very things that ruin their relationship with God, the very things God hates. So, in Proverbs, seven objects of God’s hatred are listed:

1. haughty eyes
   
2. a lying tongue
   
3. hands that shed innocent blood
   
4. a heart that devises wicked plans
   
5. feet that run rapidly to evil
   
6. a false witness who utters lies
   
7. one who spreads strife among brothers.

 

Yes, God hates these things. And, if we love God, we’ll hate them too. It is no virtue to love everything. If we love what God hates we are estranged from Him (1 John 2:15). That’s the very problem Jesus died to fix.

So, what do you hate? (David Deffenbaugh; Bill McFarland)

“These six things the LORD hates,

Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

a proud look,

a lying tongue,

hands that shed innocent blood,

a heart that devises wicked plans,

feet that are swift in running to evil,

a false witness who speaks lies,

and one who sows discord among brethren.”

Prov. 6:16-19

 

Don’t let these things get in the way of the service He has called you to do.

Anna Lee

Jerry Malone Blades

Jerry Blades passed away Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008, from pneumonia at age 68 at his residence in Austin, Texas. Born May 2, 1939, in Baton Rouge, Jerry was the second child of Joseph Victor Blades and Audrey Covington Blades, also of Baton Rouge. He graduated from Istrouma High School in Baton Rouge and attended LSU. He is survived by his former wife, Patsy Jo Ann McLeod Fair; son, Cary Glen Blades; daughter, Lynde Jean Blades; brother, Donald Keith Blades and wife; and sister, Betty Jo Blades McQueen and husband; as well as grandchildren, Robert Zachary Dean and Ashley Marie Kincaid; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends. Jerry spent many years with Montgomery Ward in his younger to mid-years then with Pfizer and Bristol Meyers companies in his latter years. He was employed by several friends who own their own businesses including Rawndy and Randy Pitalo of Tiger Bait, Baton Rouge. He spent his life residing in the states of Louisiana, Texas and Tennessee. A lover of music in his high school years in Baton Rouge, he played the piano with Bonnie Fussell and The Jive Five band and later became a lover of country music. His favorite hobby was spending time hunting and fishing in Louisiana and Texas with family and friends, especially his cousin, David Brabham, of Kentwood. He also had a passion for Native American history. Jerry was a loving father and a wonderful relative and friend to all who knew and loved him. Forever in our hearts and always in our minds, may he find eternal peace and tranquility as his spirit lives on. We love you, Jerry. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Research fund. A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held in Baton Rouge and Austin in the near future. Please contact Cary Blades at (512) 266-7970 or laserelvis@aol.com regarding the times and date.

GOD’S GRADING PLAN

Someone has come up with this list of the ways that professors grade their final exams:

DEPT OF STATISTICS:
– All grades are plotted along the normal bell curve.

DEPT OF PSYCHOLOGY:
– Students are asked to blot ink in their exam books, close them and turn them in. The professor opens the books and assigns the first grade that comes to mind.

DEPT OF HISTORY:
– All students get the same grade they got last year.

DEPT OF PHILOSOPHY:
– What is a grade?

LAW SCHOOL:
– Students are asked to defend their position of why they should receive an A.

DEPT OF MATHEMATICS:
– Grades are variable.

DEPT OF LOGIC:
– If and only if the student is present for the final and the student has accumulated a passing grade then the student will receive an A else the student will not receive an A.

DEPT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE:
– Random number generator determines grade.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT:
– Each student must figure out his grade by listening to the instructor play the corresponding note (+ and – would be sharp and flat respectively).

DEPT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
– Everybody gets an A.

How do you suppose God will grade us on our “final exam”? Some people think God will automatically pass everyone (“After all, He’s so kind and loving, how could He do otherwise?”). Some people think God will grade on a curve (“I may be bad, but I’m not as bad as some people I know!”). Some people think God looks at the assignments you completed (the “good” things you did) and the assignments you failed (the “bad” things you did), and passes you if the good outweighs the bad.

However, none of those ideas are accurate. The truth is, God grades on a strict pass/fail basis — either we pass (heaven) or we fail (hell). And there is only one way to keep from failing:

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)

For those who are “in Christ” and continue to walk “according to the Spirit”, the grade is certain. I don’t know about you, but I’m anxious for the semester to end! 🙂

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina