ETERNAL INK
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The articles within this publication remain the copyrights of the authors.
Any permission to reproduce any article, in any format, must be granted
by the author.
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Editor-in-Chief of Eternal Ink - Mary-Ellen Grisham
meginrose@...
meg@...
Administrative Editor - David Davis - davidh@...
Devotions Editor - Annettee Budzban - ahrtwrites2u@...
Features Editor - Carl Phillips - CarlPhil10@...
ISSN#: 1528-9605
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Table of Contents:
1) Mary-Ellen's Note
2) Feature
3) News, Notes and Needs
4) Prayer Requests
5) Humor
6) Meditation of the Heart
7) Poetry
8) Devotion
9) Memorable Words
10) Closing Words
ISSN#: 1528-9605
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1) Mary-Ellen's Note
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12: 1 (NIV)
What we do in our day-to-day living, after church service is over for the week, is our ongoing worship and sacrifice to the Lord. Time, talent, material resources--all need to be used for Christian service. In a practical sense, we sacrifice our precious time on earth each day we live. How much better to use the time we might otherwise waste to do something for Jesus. Perhaps we have talents that will allow us to reach out to others with love or spread the word of God with writing, art, or other forms of communication. Perhaps we have material goods to share or money to give to the sick or needy.
Now is the time for that visit to a lonely friend, a reconciling talk with an estranged relative, a gift to those in foreign lands who need to hear the Word of God. Now is the time to teach that Sunday School class, or tell that inspiring story to a favorite group. Now is the time to rejoice in every minute of life we are given, to celebrate His love with our praise!
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2) Feature
SACRIFICES AND TITHES
By CARL F. PHILLIPS
The worship services we conduct on the Sabbath in our churches today have
their roots in Jewish history.
In fact, some of our worship practices can be traced all the way back to the
tabernacle in the desert when Moses first relayed instructions from God to the
wanderers in the desert.
The tabernacle, eventually replaced by the temple to the Lord in Jerusalem under
King Solomon, was considered a very holy place - the house where God lived
on earth. It was sacred because devout Jews came there to honor and worship God, and to confess and atone for their sins.
The surroundings and the detailed system of worship were designed to awe and
inspire those who participated.
Let's examine some history from King Hezekiah's time in ancient Israel. We'll
look at 2 Chronicles 29:15-17.
(BEGIN ITAL) When (END ITAL) (the Levites) (BEGIN ITAL) had assembled their
brothers and consecrated themselves, they went in to purify the temple of the
Lord as the king (END ITAL) (Hezekiah) (BEGIN ITAL) had ordered, following the
word of the Lord. The priests went into the sanctuary of the Lord to purify
it. They brought out to the courtyard of the Lord's temple everything unclean
that they found in the temple of the Lord. The Levites took it and carried it
out to the Kidron Valley. They began the consecration on the first day of the
first month, and by the eighth day of the month they reached the portico of the
Lord. For eight more days they consecrated the temple of the Lord itself,
finishing it on the sixteenth day of the first month. (END ITAL)
The Kidron Valley, running north and south on the east side of Jerusalem, between the City of David and the Mount of Olives, was where, generations earlier, Asa had burned pagan cult objects. Although the author of Chronicles doesn't say specifically what was done with the unclean objects from Hezekiah's time, it's probably a safe assumption that these items were also burned or otherwise destroyed.
(BEGIN ITAL) Then they went in to King Hezekiah and reported: "We have
purified the entire temple of the Lord, the altar of burnt offering with all its
utensils, and the table for setting out the consecrated bread, with all its
articles. We have prepared and consecrated all the articles that King Ahaz (END
ITAL) (Hezekiah's father) (BEGIN ITAL) removed in his unfaithfulness while he was
king. They are now in front of the Lord's altar." (END ITAL)
The consecration of the articles used in worship and sacrifice was carried
out in the same way the consecration of the original articles was accomplished
under King Solomon when the temple was first built.
(BEGIN ITAL) Early the next morning King Hezekiah gathered the city officials
together and went up to the temple of the Lord. They brought seven bulls,
seven rams, seven male lambs and seven male goats as a sin offering for the
kingdom, for the sanctuary and for Judah. The king commanded the priests, the
descendants of Aaron, to offer these on the altar of the Lord. So they slaughtered
the bulls, and the priests took the blood and sprinkled it on the altar. The
goats for the sin offering were brought before the king and the assembly, and
they laid their hands on them. The priests then slaughtered the goats and
presented their blood on the altar for a sin offering to atone for all Israel,
because the king had ordered the burnt offering and the sin offering for all
Israel. (END ITAL)
Let's consider some of the terms used in the New International Version of the
Bible from which we have taken our scripture.
All the way back in Leviticus we find detailed instructions for each type of offering
made in the tabernacle and carried over into temple worship. The burnt offering was to be bulls or rams (or male doves or pigeons for the very poor) and they were to be perfect - no defects. They were to be wholly consumed by fire. The burnt offering was a voluntary act of worship. It was atonement for unintentional sins in general. It was an expression of devotion, commitment, and total surrender to God.
The sin offering, on the other hand, could be a young bull for the high
priest and the congregation, a male goat for the other priests and leaders, a
female goat or lamb for common people, a dove or pigeon for the poor, or a little
more than half a bushel of fine flour for the very poor. This was mandatory
atonement for specific unintentional sins - for confession and forgiveness - and
it was offered to obtain God's cleansing from defilement, the corruption
resulting from sin.
The burnt offering is the root of the Christian offering we make when the
ushers pass the collection plates in our regular worship service.
The sin offering has been replaced by two different Christian traditions.
Catholics confess their sins to the priest and ask forgiveness. The priest then
assigns some sacrifice for the confessor to make - or perhaps some act of
atonement - and, in the name of God, forgives the sinner when the atonement has
been accomplished. The tradition in Protestant churches is also some form of
confession - usually in the presence of the entire congregation - of sin, repentance, and redemption. Protestants, however, believe their forgiveness comes directly from God and not through a priestly intermediary.
Churchgoers today try to set aside a tenth of their income for the church,
and this is what is normally offered during the worship service. It is important
to note, however, that this tenth is what God expects each Christian to
contribute to further His work on earth. It is by no means considered to be a
sacrifice. A sacrifice is whatever we give in excess of our tithe.
Remember -- a sacrifice is not a sacrifice unless we give up something we
want in order to offer it. The tithe, the tenth, is considered to belong to God
already, and we are only giving back what is His when we tithe.
And this is why the Sabbath offering is so important a part of the worship
service. It is today's version of the blood sacrifice offered in those ancient
days in the land of Israel.
Carl Phillips -- Port Isabel, Texas
Journalist/Columnist/Speaker
Author, THE WESLEYAN WAY -- a weekly Church Page column
Articles Editor, ETERNAL INK -- a monthly Christian E-Zine
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3) News, Notes, and Needs
We are pleased to give the listing for the new Eternal Ink web site:
www.eternal-ink.com
Our readers can select a nickname and a password and register at the site, so that they can participate in all the activities. We are beginning forums, and a click on the left-side index on Forums will take you to the page for Carl Phillips' Apologetics and Mary-Ellen's Issues of Christian Faith.
Eternal Ink is now a member of the ArkWebs team of ministries, and you can read about the team at the following address:
www.arkwebs.com
While the Eternal Ink site is being developed, you will want to check back weekly to see what is new and interesting!
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NEEDS
There are two young boys who need help with clothing. Hand-me-
downs are great. (Surprisingly enough, hand-me-downs are preferred: fair
to good condition please. Their mom does not have access to a sewing
machine.)
Steven is 11 years old
Wears small adult T-shirts and boys 16-18 Pants
Jerry is 9 years old
Wears 10-12 boys shirts and boys size 10 pants.
Their address is
Jerry & Steven Parks
C/O Dawn Brayton
2015 Avenue B
Apartment B-12
Plattsmouth, NE 68048
The parents would be most grateful if any one who can help would send
each boy one outfit.
Thanks a bunch,
Teresa Bateman
tetepinch@...
Teresa's timely note on the request:
The children the clothing is for are my grandchildren. My son and his wife are struggling financially as they have medical bills piling up and they have no insurance. She has been through three surgeries in the last two years and has been diagnosed with Addison decease.
A lot of prayer for their situation would be greatly appreciated.
GOD BLESS
Teresa Bateman
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davidh@...
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4) Prayer Requests
Michelle is in need of prayer because she has recently been diagnosed with cancer. She is a 21-year-old granddaughter of a good friend of mine and the daughter of my husband Bill's cousin.
She had cancer 2 years ago, and doctors did a hysterectomy at that time. She went in to Good Samaritan yesterday for a look into her colon. She thought she would be having some work done on hemorrhoids. Well, medical staff saw immediately it was not hemorrhoids and sent her to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.
I spoke to my good friend and Michelle's grandmother this week; the surgery is tentatively set for June 12 at Barnes in St. Louis.
Please pray for Michelle and her family.
Thank you!
Betty King
www.betty.newsmoose.com
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Dear Ones,
Please pray for this brother and GFA. GOD IS ABLE to show Himself
mighty!!
I pray daily in agreement with this scripture: "He frustrates the
devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot carry out their plans.
He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the
cunning comes quickly upon them." (Job 5:12-13)
Blessings, Helen Parks
Dear Helen,
I'm writing this urgent update to ask for your immediate prayer regarding
the following story.
Moses, a Gospel for Asia (GFA) missionary spreading the Gospel in
Bangladesh, has been kidnapped and taken deep into the jungle. He is
being held by a terrorist group and is in great danger. Yesterday GFA
leaders received information that the group will kill Moses unless they
receive a huge amount for ransom.
Do earnestly pray for the Lord's intervention and protection of this dear
and faithful brother. Pray also that God will grant wisdom to our leaders
and staff as they deal with this critical situation. GFA has two Bible
schools and 82 missionaries in Bangladesh. This incident comes in the
midst of God moving mightily in this country.
For those who have never heard,
John Schwartz
GFA Web Coordinator
http://www.gfa.org
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5) Humor
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go on a camping trip, set up their tent, and
fall asleep. Some hours later, Holmes wakes his faithful friend.
"Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."
Watson replies, "I see millions of stars."
"What does that tell you?"
Watson ponders for a minute. "Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there
are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically,
it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Time wise, it appears to be approximately
a quarter past three. Theologically, it's evident the Lord is all-powerful and
we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a
beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you?"
Holmes is silent for a moment, then speaks. "Watson, you idiot, someone has
stolen our tent."
From Christian Voices 5-29-03
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6) Meditation of the Heart
HI, LITTLE ROBIN
By Melva Cooper
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,
and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them....See how the lilies of the field
grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these....But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:26, 28, 33 (NIV)
Sunshine, flowers and God's beautiful creatures were everywhere on an early spring morning. Outside the kitchen window, hummingbirds with their long beaks were drinking succulent juices from the cherry red feeder.
A few steps away a bright yellow finch was already using the birdbath full of clean water. Papa bluebird, all dressed out in his coat of blue that is just too pretty to put in words, was sitting on top of the bluebird house. His watchful eye was guarding Mama bluebird and their five baby bluebirds inside the birdhouse. Occasionally he would fly away, but soon return with food hanging out of his mouth for the little ones.
The squirrels were digging up the nuts they buried last fall. It didn't bother them one bit to make another hole in the freshly mowed yard. They sat up on their hind feet gleefully chattering to one another and showing off the acorns they had retrieved.
To add to God's sovereignty, the azaleas were blooming profusely in our neighborhood. Some were red. Others were white, pink and orchid--all of them magnificent displays of God's beautiful world.
I loved it, and basked in the joy of so much beauty surrounding me.
But, it was Little Robin that stole my heart that day. Walking leisurely down the driveway, trying to absorb as much of the spring day as possible, I spotted a robin. Maybe, his color was not as bright as the other birds, but the message he was sending my way was very melodious.
He was digging hard trying to find a worm in some fresh dirt by the driveway. Amidst the busyness of his day, Little Robin found time to sing. I am sure baby robins in a nest somewhere close were waiting on that worm for their breakfast. Little Robin dug faster and sang louder.
"Hi, Little Robin," I found myself speaking to him as I walked past. "Chirp, Chirp," meaning "Hi, to you," was his answer. I went on to the mailbox. Robin kept digging and singing.
Returning to the house, I thought about the birds of the air that I had watched receive their nutrition earlier in the day. It was simple little worms, but given by a God who watches over them.
Who would want an acorn for lunch? Yet, the squirrels were overjoyed to find one hidden deep in the soil. Food from the master was a banquet to them.
Observing the vivid, colorful azaleas one more time, I knew there was not one garment in the closet of any house in our cove quite so beautiful. A lot of people in this earthly place we call home have lovely voices. But, none can match the chorus from our feathered friends, heard just outside our windows in the early morning.
May that spring day always be a reminder that God will give unto us. Much like my new found friend, Little Robin, help us, Lord, to keep a song in our hearts and on our tongues during the busy and sometimes overwhelming hours of the day.
As we seek to give Him first place in our lives and live as He desires for us to do, God promises our needs will be met.
The same God who watches over the birds of the air, the squirrels running on the ground, and our azalea gardens will care for us.
Melva Cooper
Jmelva@...
Melva Cooper is a wife, mother, and grandmother from Jonesboro, Arkansas. She is a contributing writer for Obadiah Magazine, Christian Motorsports Illustrated and a Team Writer for Just-A-Minute Devotionals. She is a staff writer for www.catchfence.com and has articles published on several websites and ezines.
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7) Poetry
A Good Night's Sleep
By Darlene Moore Berg
Indecision
tosses and turns,
sleeps restlessly
under the covers of doubt,
fitfully drowses throughout
the dark hours
of a long night.
From one side to another,
facing first left, then right
there are no answers.
Peace comes
in undisturbed slumber
from a heart
through with searching
for its own answers,
committed to trust
in the One who Is.
(c)2003 Darlene Moore Berg
A Place of Safety
By Darlene Moore Berg
Coming through the raised portcullis
into the shelter, the protection
of God's shadow,
I stand caressed by Light.
The darkness recedes---
becomes impotent
against the ramparts
of His bright love.
I am kept safe in Him.
Psalm 91:1-2
(c)2003 Darlene Moore Berg
mddmberg@...
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8) Devotion
Baseball Season
By Annettee Budzban
" To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under
heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1
The arrival of baseball season each year brings me back to the
memories when baseball was a special season in my life.
Each Monday through Friday, the daily routine of getting all three of
my sons ready for either a baseball game or a practice session began at 4 P.M.
Before leaving the house, I went through the routine of checking to make sure
that everyone had a clean uniform and all their baseball garb available -
socks, hat and mitt. Then I watched each enthusiastic player jump into the car,
as I strategically planned who to drop off first.
Once everyone was busy playing ball, I made my rounds back and forth
between fields A and B and oftentimes C, at the baseball complex, to receive a
glimpse of each son's game. I got plenty of exercise as I ran to and from to
catch an inning or two, and see the score.
For each home run the players made they received a free hot dog. Some- times, I was blessed to see my son, whose nickname name was "Hot Dog," make a home run! Those nights brought hot dogs for each one of us after the game, compliments of my son.
Rain, shine or blazing heat, baseball season went on. It started to
feel like a dreadful hectic season in my life, and yet, I was saddened when it
was over.
The writer of Ecclesiastes expresses to us that there is a time for
everything. God wants us to learn to recognize where He would have us be for
that particular place and time. However, many times we want to do things out of
those seasons, by either moving ahead to the next thing or hanging on to the
last. We allow the ungodly spirit of dread to take over and kill our joy as we
become frustrated and struggle with our life. Learning to recognize this spirit
can help us to combat it with a new train of thought.
Flowing with God's time and His ways makes life easier, because we walk
in agreement with Him. When we learn how to enjoy where we are, on the way to
where we are going, it brings us peace and joy. Then we can enjoy life the
way God intended for us.
(c)2003 Annettee Budzban
ahrtwrites2u@...
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9) Memorable Words
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
Romans 12: 2, 9-13 (NIV)
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10) Closing Words
There are many needs and requests in this issue, and we urge you to pick and choose as the Spirit moves you. Remember that our last issue was three weeks ago, the first and third Fridays allowing for a longer span of time in issues than usual.
Again, if this issue is a little long for your usual span of e-mail reading, why not print out a copy or save to disk so that you can read at your leisure? Every contribution has a bit of wisdom for heart and soul.
If you have found inspiration and blessing from this issue of Eternal Ink, please feel free to share a copy with a friend.
To subscribe to Eternal Ink, send a blank email to
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Until our next issue, may God bless you richly, Mary-Ellen.
We are proud to be a member of the ArkWebs team of ministries.
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