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ruit Loops are all the same flavor. I dont know why that little piece of information rocked my world. But it did. And given that I avoid Fruit Loops like I avoid subways and strychnine (and for much the same reasons), I dont know why I care. But I do. It just seems like I have been lied to all these years, and that I was never clever or motivated enough to take advantage of the opportunities afforded me (Taylor and Kylie do not share my aversion to brightly colored rings of nutritional nothingness) to figure out the truth that was right in front of me, waiting to be discovered, poorly disguised beneath layers and layers of artificial coloring. Space does not permit a proper exposition of the lies that are told about Jesus, the Bible and the people of God. Suffice it to say, the facts are in evidence. The truth of the Bible is evident to everyone willing to open their minds to the possibility of the unseen (Hebrews 11:1). Im not saying I can prove the Bible true in the same way I can prove water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Im saying a world view that allow for the possibility of God will push one inevitably and irresistibly toward that conclusion. The biases and agendas of the Bibles opponents are also in evidence. Im not saying every agnostic or atheist is dishonest, but those who reject God conceptually are much more likely to do those things which are not proper (Romans 1:28). Im just saying, do your research. Be honest. Have an open mind. You may find the flavor of the Bible sweet as honey (Ezekiel 3:3) and the stories of its opponents bitter as wormwood (Proverbs 5:4). HH

skipped the Oscars broadcast this year. Again. I get my fill of self-congratulatory blowhards convincing others of their own importance during election cycles; I dont need to incorporate that into my entertainment. My policy is to spend that Sunday, as I do most other Sundays, with my family and brethren, and fill in whatever blanks may remain with some real entertainment. This year it was my DVD set of Centennial best miniseries ever, no Emmys, just two measly nominations. Barry Manilows third TV special won an Emmy that year; nuff said about awards. Anyway, I check the next day to find out all the vital information about the big winners, big speeches and big gaffes fashion and otherwise. This year most of the chatter centered around former naked bongo player Matthew McConaugheys acceptance speech. After winning the Best Actor award for Dallas Buyers Club (yet another highly touted film I will intentionally avoid), he made a point of thanking God, garnering tepid applause from an audience that oood and aaahd over Woody Allen. (I loved the comment afterward from radio host

Larry Elder After McConaugheys speech, several actors wondered, Who is this God person he kept thanking, and how do I get Him to represent me?) A couple of things hinder me from getting overly excited about a high-profile Hollywood star at the peak of his fame and power turning attention to his Creator. One, its former naked
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A publication of

East Hill church of Christ 2078 East Nine Mile Road Pensacola, Florida 32514 (850) 479-2130 Easthillchurchofchrist.org Hal Hammons, preacher and editor Hardy Eubanks, Andy Goodson and Larry Smith, elders

Vol. 3, No.10 March 9, 2014

Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4

bongo player Matthew McConaughey. His most public advocacy to this point has been for marijuana. Not exactly the sort of character I am hoping to have on my side in a religion argument. Two, he also revealed that his vision of heaven at least, for his father is sitting around in your underwear with a pot of gumbo, a lemon merengue pie and a Miller Lite. To say I question the foundation for that theology is to put it mildly. To a point I would agree with those who would say any acknowledgement of God, however poorly conceived, is an improvement over the secular, godless environment that is taking over every sector of our culture particularly entertainment. But I am torn. Does having the support of a hedonistic secularist advance the cause of Christ? Could such even be possible? If bad company corrupts good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33), if we are to come out from their midst and be separate (2 Corinthians 6:17), does it make sense to openly embrace an unrepentant sinner as being one of the good guys? Maybe this is just one of those half a loaf is better than none situations. No one and I certainly hope that includes Christians is expecting actors to be beacons of morality and righteousness. If one of them is willing to stand up publicly and proclaim, however incompletely or even hypocritically, that God is part of the solution instead of part of the problem, shouldnt we rejoice in that? Perhaps the best takeaway for us here is that it is never a bad situation for you to defend your faith. I know Mr. McConaughey is an actor as in, he makes his living pretending to be something hes not. Still, I think it safe to assume under the circumstances he is firmly convinced of the position he took on the Oscar stage. Should we not be as firmly convinced ourselves in our own convictions? Such is characteristic of true faith, like the faith of Abraham who believed God would bless the barren womb of Sarah with a child; yet with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew

Where is ... My _____________ ____________?

Not a __________________ as much as an ____________________ of heart (______________________________) The whole _____________ is the ______________ ___________ of God (________________________) He has a special ________________ with His ______________ (_______________________)

A child of God prefers _______________ over _________________

Real ___________ is to accomplish His ____________ (_______________________) Real ________________________ is to ________ the word of God and __________________ it (____________________) There is no full _____________ of _________ for drawing _________ to God

A child of God is _________ of _________________

Asking _________________ is how we get ___________________ (_____________________________) We ask in ___________, knowing Gods answers are _____________ (_______________________) We also know when to _________ _______________ and walk by _____________ (_________________)

strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore it was also credited to Him as righteousness (Romans 4:20-22). The righteous are to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of
His might (Ephesians 6:10) especially when surrounded by detractors and naysayers. Such ones pray for further boldness in the midst of trials (Acts 4:29-31) instead of praying for forgiveness after they fail the trials. If Matthew McConaughey can stand for his vision of God while surrounded by those who openly and proudly oppose Him, surely His people can find a way to stand for His truth while surrounded by half-hearted, uncommitted and poorly informed Christian wannabes. Your religious friends poke fun at your scruples regarding foul language? Or your stand for chastity before and outside of marriage? Or your lack of admiration for a man who would smuggle illegal drugs in from Mexico and sell them on the black market to AIDS patients? (Did I mention I wont be watching Dallas Buyers Club?) In all of these circumstances, there is no reason to be embarrassed or to apologize. We are children of God. It is our privilege to pursue pure and lovely things (Philippians 4:8) in our efforts to be found holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:27) by Him whom we serve. HH

Not all _________________ will be ___________________________

A child of God starts as _______________ as _________________

___________ (_______________), ___________________(_____________________) and ________________ (____________________) started preaching right away ___________ should start from the __________ day (_________________________) What _________________ me (______________________) from ________________ Him right now?