by Mike Benson

Edward T. Dalhbert, minister for the Delmar Baptist Church in St. Louis, Mo., visited the Central church of Christ in that same city. In his regular radio broadcast, "The Protestant Hour" on station KFS, Mr. Dalhbert gave some impressions of his visit with the Central congregation. Here is an excerpt from his program:

"I had a very interesting experience Sunday when I, myself, was not preaching. I walked to the nearest church close to my home. Now, this church is very different from my church. It is a church that does not believe in church choirs...it does not believe in any (mechanical) instruments of music...there was not an organ or piano in the entire building.

Now you say when you hear about a church like that, 'Well, they must be queer, to introduce an old-fashioned idea like that in...(our) century.' But on the contrary, that was one of the most inspiring services that I ever attended. The church was crowded with a youthful congregation. The singing lead by a well-trained young man with great quietness and dignity - the singing was of superb volume and praise to God. Until the time of the sermon, the minister took no part in the service. Eight capable young men read Scripture, offered the prayers, gathered the contribution, and even administered the Lord's Supper. It was a perfect demonstration of the priesthood of believers, and I felt myself virtually in the fellowship of the First Century Church... I went home inspired, saying to myself, 'It was good to be in the house of the Lord today.'"

Good friend, churches of Christ (cf. Rom. 16:16) all over the world, like the Central congregation, wish to restore their worship to that which can be read about in the New Testament (John 4:24; Col. 3:16; Matt. 26:26-29; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1,2). Their assemblies are simple, reverent and devoted to the First Century pattern laid down in Scripture.

Why not come and be with us this coming Lord's Day? We'd love to have you!

by Mike Benson

How can anyone not believe in Jesus? There is so much evidence that proves Him to be the Son of God. Consider but one piece of testimony from John 9.

Jesus encountered a man who had been blind since birth (v. 2). Scripture indicates that the beggar was a well-known figure in the community (v. 8).

Jesus then healed the man. The Lord spat on the ground, made a clay, and then applied it to the man's eyes. He then instructed him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam (v. 7). The blind man found his way to the pool and washed as he was told. His obedient response brought about the bestowal of his vision. John simply - and wonderously says, "he came back seeing" (v. 7b).

Now note the reaction to this miracle:

. The neighbors asked, "How WERE your eyes opened?" (v. 10).

. The Pharisees inquired, "How can a man who is a sinner DO SUCH SIGNS?" (v. 16; cf. 10:21). "The reality of factuality of the miracle was not under question. The question concerned how it was done and what the character was of one who would do such a work on the sabbath."1

. The parents admitted, "We know that is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means HE NOW SEES we do not know..." (vv. 21-22).

. The man himself affirmed, "Though I was blind, NOW I SEE" (v. 25).

Friends, this cumulative witness demands a verdict - the miraculous healing occurred just as John through inspiration described it. It therefore serves as certification of the fact that Jesus was/is the promised Messiah (cf. Isa. 29:18; 35:5; 42:7) - the Son of God (Matt. 16:16). "...Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know" (Acts 2:22).

This miracle was recorded in order that you and I might believe (cf. John 20:30,31)? Do you believe in Jesus? Can you see (John 9:39)?

by Mike Benson

Hearing is but one element of listening - it is not the same thing as listening. Hearing implies that sound waves have been received; listening implies that understanding and comprehension have taken place.

Ironically, listening is often the neglected realm in a marriage. Observation and experience have taught me that the overwhelming majority of marital problems are due to the fact that one or both partners are poor and/or ineffective listeners. Husbands and wives hear audible sounds (i.e., words, language, etc.), but they don't actually hear underlying meaning, nor do they grasp the other's feelings.

The Bible emphasizes listening (Psm. 34:15-18; 116:1-2; Matt. 11:15; 13:9; Luke 8:15). One author calls it the "holy ground" of marriage. He observes:

"Intimacy begins with the ears. ...The failure to listen might be the biggest hindrance of all to intimate communication. Real listening begins when a husband and wife decide to devote themselves to studying the innermost thoughts and feelings of their mate. This is holy ground - and listening is the doorway to all that lies beyond. There is little more irritating that the feeling that no one is listening. One woman said, 'My husband always seems to take a pen out of his pocket and play with it while I am talking to him.' Another said, 'He never looks at me. He won't put down his paper and make eye contact.' Still another complained, 'He always answers me with some humorous [remark], or tries to change the subject if I'm upset. Or even worse, he tries to complete my sentences, thinking he knows exactly what I am about to say.' That kind of half-hearted listening would be discouraging, would it not?

...Listening goes beyond hearing words. A wife seems upset. Her husband says, 'Honey, is anything wrong?' She hesitates, then blurts out, 'I guess not,' he moves to the next thing: 'That's good. I wonder if the Astros are on tonight?' Did he miss something? You bet he did. He missed an open door to real communication. He heard the words, but he failed to understand. A better response would have been, 'You really are down, aren't you? How can I help?' She allowed her husband to see just a little bit of her heart and he declined the invitation to further revelation."1

How can we walk into the holy ground of our spouse's soul? The Bible counsels:

1. Listen for comprehension. "A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart" (Prov. 21:11 TLB).

2. Listen all the way through - from first to last. "He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him" (Prov. 18:13).

3. Listen readily. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (Jas. 1:19; Eccl. 3:7; 5:2).

1/ Ed Young, "Can We Talk?," Romancing The Home - How To Have A Marriage That Sizzles, 117-118).

by Mike Benson

Mary Brunson was driving the new family SUV and inadvertently made a wrong turn. To make matters worse, she then sideswiped another oncoming vehicle.

In tears she began fumbling through the glove compartment in an effort to locate the appropriate insurance papers. When she finally found the documents, she also discovered a small note attached in her husband's handwriting. It read simply:

"Dear Mary, when you read these papers, remember that it's you I love and not the car."

Gentlemen, that's consideration! The Bible says, "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers" (1 Pet. 3:7 NIV). Think about it.

by Mike Benson

In his epistle to the church at Philippi Paul wrote, "But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state" (Phil. 2:19 - emphasis mine, mb).

Paul was deeply concerned about the churches' welfare, and with good reason. The brethren had false (Judiazing) teachers in their midst, they had personal problems within the congregation, and they were facing severe persecution. So, the apostle was eager to hear how his family in the faith was managing under these difficulties. Hopefully, he could send Timothy to Philippi, who would then return with a positive report.

Don't you find it noteworthy that even Paul, an apostle, a renowned gospel preacher, great as he was, needed to be encouraged from time to time?

Beloved, elders, deacons, Bible class teachers, and yes - even preachers need periodic encouragement.

What are you doing to lift up your brethren (cf. Heb. 10:24)? Give it some thought.