by Barry Newton

In the midst of making pleasant chit chat while she sat across from me at her desk, the bank clerk mused, “wouldn’t it be wonderful if we knew the future? Then we would know what to do with our money!” As the words spilled from her lips, visions of the film “Back to the Future” raced through my mind.

It’s a powerful thought. Knowing what the future holds would be potent information for guiding how to respond now. Should we invest, sit tight or sell? How might such knowledge alter our decisions? Would we choose to live more frugally at a critical moment knowing that the money saved and invested at that specific juncture would yield huge rewards later? If we could know the future, how might our lives be different?

Suddenly my thoughts changed, we do know what the future holds! One day the heavens will be split apart to reveal our Lord coming in the clouds to claim his own. Furthermore, we can know that there are rich returns for using our worldly wealth to bless others and do good! The Lord has given us the wonderful gift of knowing what will happen.

"...what sort of people must you be in dedicated behavior and godliness, as you eagerly await the coming of the day of God, ... Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, do your best to be found in him in peace, spotless and blameless, ..." 2 Peter 3:11, 12, 14

"Sell your possessions and give to charity. Make for yourselves purses that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:33-34

"Command the rich in this world not to be conceited nor to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies for us all things to enjoy. Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, willing to be generous and to share, laying up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Through a window revealing the future, God has extended to us a tether to what will be. The only question is, how will we choose to use this knowledge?

by Randal Matheny

Ever notice how, as Christmas nears, people get all mushy and sentimental? I do, too.

I remember my parents taking us into town just about every year to see the Christmas lights. Especially in one of the classier neighborhoods. Since Paragould didn't have but 12 to 14 thousand in those days, it didn't take us long. But it was a great memory. We did that as family.

These warm feelings, I now know, are programmed into us. Nothing wrong with that. It would be nice if we'd program good feelings into a lot more things in life. Would make the day-to-day living a lot more pleasant.

But there are a lot of people for whom Christmas is a nightmare.

No happy carols. No nice presents. No close family relationships. No warm feelings.

Also, a programmed response. And nothing wrong with that, either.

Which goes to tell me that, as nice as I think Christmas is, and as much as I want it to be a wonderful time for everybody, Christmas is not the jumping-off point for a great life.

A few days ago, one kid wrote a poem. He would look up at the first star and wish for ... peace, happiness, banishment of poverty.

Pretty vague stuff. A long shot. A melancholy Christmas wish.

There are people who think of Christ during Christmas. I don't know if those thoughts can be turned toward a truer picture of the Lord and eventual obedience to him. But I'll try.

Because I know that, not Christmas, but Christ can bring everyone the warmth of God's presence.

by Tim Hall

Among the rituals of the holiday season is the replaying of Christmas television specials. Though we've seen "Frosty The Snowman", "Miracle On 34th Street" and "A Christmas Carol" dozens of times, there's something warm and comforting in watching them all over again. It brings back memories of happy days of the past.

I've always enjoyed Jimmy Stewart in "It's A Wonderful Life". In case you've forgotten the story, it's about George Bailey, a good and honest man who has to work hard to make a living. A misfortune comes his way, given a little boost by evil, and George decides that he is worth more dead than he is worth alive. He decides to end his life by jumping into the river. Before he can carry out his plan, however, he is given an opportunity to see what the value of his life really is. In the end, he decides that his is truly a wonderful life.

One of the most poignant scenes is when George returns to his home town as a stranger. Through a divine act, George's past life is erased. It's as if he had never existed. No one knows George, though he knows each of them. He races from one person to another, but no one recognizes or welcomes him. He is a stranger, and a very strange one at that. In this condition, he has no place to call home. It is a frightening scenario.

That could well describe our situation B.C. -- before Christ. Paul pointed to it: ". . . that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12, New King James Version). Do any of us know what it means to be an alien? Not likely. We can usually find someone, in person or by phone, who will say "Sure, come on over and spend the night with us." An alien, however, has no such welcome. He's the one standing outside, looking hopelessly through brightly lit windows at scenes of family gatherings. Shivering, he realizes there is no family for him.

That was before Christ. "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19). "Welcome! Don't just stand there, man -- come in out of the cold! Here's a place set for you at the table, and a guest room has been prepared for you tonight. You're among friends!"

All who name the glorious name of Jesus Christ and submit to His simple commands have such a wonderful life given to them. Imagine that: All this and heaven, too (see Mark 10:29,30)! How could anyone refuse such an offer?

by Charles North

Over the past few weeks the high school and middle school Wednesday night class has been studying Christian ethics in the context of the Good Samaritan parable. We boiled down Christian conduct to eight essentials.

(1) Do no harm. If you can't help or do good, at least don't hurt anyone.

(2) Do good. Whenever possible, if you have the means and ability, offer aid and assistance to others, even if it costs or hurts you.

(3) Tell the truth. "The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful" (Proverbs 12:22, NASB).

(4) Keep your promises. Let your yes be yes, and your no, no (Matthew 5:37). Build up a reputation for honesty and integrity. Be reliable and dependable. Don't let people down or go back on your word.

(5) Respect other people's freedom. Don't interfere and play big brother with people unnecessarily. It's a basic human dignity to be able to decide things for yourself.

(6) Pratice justice and fairness. Ethical people are just and fair because this pleases God. Treat people well even if they can do nothing to benefit you. "The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern" (Proverbs 29:7).

(7) Make reparations for wrong. This is the Zaccheus principle (see Luke 19:1-10). In the Old Testament, if you stole something, you had to repay what you took -- a simple "I'm sorry" was not enough.

(8) Show gratitude. Say "please" and "thank you." Recognize that everything good comes from God. "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

We live good lives to honor God for everything He has done for us. A lot is riding on our behavior as Christians.

"Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us."

Reproduced from the November 10, 2002, issue of the Baker Heights Bulletin, Abilene, Texas.

by Randal Matheny

The year draws to a close. At least one thing we may be able to finish. 2002!

Reminds me of an online personal essay journal whose editor asked the question of writers: Which are harder, beginnings or endings?

I wrote her an almost-four-line response:

 HARDER

 Why, I'm surprised that you would even ask
 Which is, by far, the harder writing task:
 To start or end. For all that ply this craft
 Agree that, of the two,

One of my great difficulties is finishing all the wonderful projects I start. Perhaps we need to revise that old saw that says, "Nice people finish last," and make it read:

 Nice people finish.

All this reminds us of a line from Solomon's Ecclesiastes, where he got a few things right, including this idea:

 The end of a matter is better than its beginning;
 Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of
   spirit. (7:8, NASB)

Read all the quotes circulating the Internet, and you'll find most people are more interested in the ride than the destination. I suspect that's another diabolical plot to make people forget that eternity is around the corner.

Sure, I want to enjoy each day as it comes, but my days are numbered, so I want to look forward to One Eternal Day. One complete, unending joy.

Well, that's the end of my faith I'm looking for, as 1 Peter 1.9 says, the result, the outcome, which he explains as "the salvation of souls." Mine. And, I hope, yours, too.