Something New
The Northeastern Oklahoma Student & Teacher Workshop (December 15, 2005)
by Barrett Vanlandingham

Fort Gibson Church of Christ Youth will be hosting the first annual "Northeastern Oklahoma Student & Teacher Workshop" on Saturday, March 25, 2006. A BIG thanks to the elders and youth deacons for allowing this event to take place here; and thanks to Tyrel Hatfield (Tahlequah’s youth minister) for creating the above catchy logo for the event. If you can volunteer to help with lunch, chaperon games, or help with one of the workshops on drama, puppets, bulletin boards, or help with Bible Bowl, please let me know or put your name on the sign-up list on the lobby bulletin board.
In other news... A BIG THANKS to all the K-12 students who participated in the Adopt a Widow Banquet last Friday. It was exciting to see such a wide range of ages and life situations all coming together for a very special evening together. Kids helped cook the food; they also provided the entertainment and decorations.
The elders and ministers were also invited as special guests.... thanks so much! I really can’t think of the last time I showed up at a church-related event and had a 10-year old ask me what I wanted to drink, and then ask if I wanted sweet or unsweet. Kids even filled everyone’s plates! Dan found out what happens to those who won’t eat liver (which by the way was not on the menu). You’ll have to ask him about that.... but let’s just say I will never look at marshmellos the same ever again!

Building a Firm Foundation
by Barrett Vanlandingham (December 1, 2005)
Building a firm foundation means digging beneath the surface... getting rid of obstructions... and pouring something solid in its place for someone to stand or build on.
This week, Roger Coombes and Jim Martin are doing exactly that under the church sign. For the past year, it’s often been a mud bog of a mess for those who have attempted to use a ladder to change the letters on the sign. But a new concrete pad should make a positive difference in getting a message out!
2 Timothy 2:19 says, "Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription, ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.’ " Let’s commit to getting rid of obstacles in our lives that prevent us from standing on The Firm Foundation.

y.e.s. ~ youth expressing spirituality (November 27, 2005)
"leadership in action"
The final vote on the t-shirt design contest is Sunday, November 27 in the fellowship room. The winner will be announced in the next church bulletin. Then I will take sizes and money ($5) for shirts if you want one.

The winning design will be placed on the new y.e.s. t-shirt which will be handed out at the New Year’s Eve party for grades 6-12 for those who have paid $5 and placed their order. The 3rd-5th graders will be given theirs on Sunday morning January 1 in the auditoium after class (for those who’ve ordered and paid $5).

Remember, y.e.s. participants who have completed at least half of what they signed up for by the end of the year will get a $5 refund along with their y.e.s. t-shirt.
Parents and youth event hosts: remind kids to fill-out their y.e.s. tickets and have them signed by adult witness, and place in the box at the youth booth each time they’ve completed a project; otherwise we will have no way of keeping track of progress. All the kids are doing so well with the new y.e.s. leadership in action program. Keep up the great work and remember to give God all of the glory for your efforts. Thanks, Barrett

Autumn Colors
The World is God’s Canvass
by Barrett Vanlandingham (November 3, 2005)

When the autumn season brings about a change in scenery, we get to experience a true gift from God. The beautiful orange, red, yellow, green, and brown leaves are magnificent. God made trees on the third day of creation in such a way that they would bless us with this beauty each year at a time when even the air has a pleasant feel. The leaves then fall to the ground, taking their place beneath our feet, reminding us that God loves you and me more than anything else He created.
God also made each one of us with special qualities (1 Pet. 4:10; 1 Cor. 7:7), just like the leaves; but He went even farther with us; we’re made in His image (Gen. 1:26). And when we submit fully to His will (Gal. 3:26), we have colorful fruit that God’s Spirit shows through us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22). When we take on these kinds of Godly qualities in increasing measure, our knowledge of Jesus can be used more fully (2 Pet. 1:8).
In Zechariah 7, it was late November (the Jewish calendar calls it Kislev), 518 years before Jesus was born, and things were going pretty well for the people of Bethel (a city situated about half-way between the Great Sea and the Salt Sea). The people asked Zechariah the prophet whether they should continue to mourn and fast as they had for many years. God answered them through Zechariah who questioned whether their fasting, mourning, and feasting had really been for God, or self? He told the people to show mercy and compassion, and to not think evil of each other. They refused. God became angry and punished them.
So what does all of that have to do with autumn colors? The people of Bethel had been going through the motions just like leaves that bud, grow, change colors, and then fall. They were doing things that made them feel good and look good; but God saw through their colors and demanded that they take their dedication to Him to a much higher level by putting the good of others before themselves. God holds us to the same high and colorful standards today. Let us all pray that God finds us today and on judgment day holding true to His colors and not our own.

How Does Inspiration Work?
by Barrett Vanlandingham (October 20, 2005)
Sometimes I wonder whether the writers of the 66 books of the Bible ever thought about giving us a little more information about how inspiriation works when it comes to how we got the Bible, and why the writers chose certain words instead of others. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God"-KJV or "God-breathed"-NIV.
In the New Testament, we’re told that the Holy Spirit reminded the writers of Jesus’ teachings (John 14:25-26);
and that the Holy Spirit guided the writers with thoughts from God (John 16:12-13); and that "men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit"-NIV or " moved by the Holy Ghost."-KJV (2 Peter 1:21).
God must have controlled the writing process, otherwise we could not be held accountable for the ideas of mere men; but we can be reasonably assured that God did not simply dictate word for word what should be written; otherwise, Luke would not have said what he did in Luke 1:1-4, in particular in verse three where Luke "investigated everything from the beginning" before writing an orderly account.
Each of the New Testament writers had unique backgrounds that influenced what each one wrote. For example, Luke was a physician, so his writings were colored with medical terms in regards to leprosy-Luke 5:12; a high fever-Luke 4:38; the scales the fell from Saul’s eyes-Luke 9:18; the demon-possessed man who was cured without injury-Luke 4:35. Certainly, Paul’s earlier years as a highly educated Pharisee who persecuted Christians also weighed heavily on his writings later in life.
It is very interesting that 40 writers, on three different continents, over 1500 years managed to write the 66 books that make up the Bible; and they did it in such a way that the common thread of Jesus is harmoniously woven throughout the Bible. Today, the wisdom in God’s inspired Word continues to equip us for every good work.

Defending Your Faith (October 6, 2005)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
Do you know why you believe what you believe; and if so, do you know how to defend what you believe? Sometimes (and in fact, often times), Christians find themselves defending their faith with other Christians, or possibly people of the Christian faith who have differing points of view on church doctrine and Christian living.
At first thought, some might think, “Why would I even want to defend what I believe? After all, it’s not my problem if someone attacks my faith or doesn’t believe the Bible.”
But in 1 Peter 3, as the writer addresses believers on the topic of harmony and brotherly love among Christians, Peter encourages us in righteous living, and to not be afraid of persecution.
“15. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
16. keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
The Word of God deserves our utmost respect. Aside from the fact the Bible is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16), the Bible has been translated more than any other book in existence. Scripture, biblical divisions, and lists of writings from the Old Testament and New Testament have been cited even outside of the Bible by early church leaders, Jewish historians, and others dating back to 130 B.C.-393 A.D. Some have even given their lives for it. Bible study... It’s the Bread of Life... Eat up!

Burnt Cabin Needs & Projects (September 29, 2005)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
The Burnt Cabin Board and Camp Directors Fall Meeting issued a challenge to Fort Gibson and the other congregations that host weeks of summer camp.
We need to raise $3500 to do our part in paying for $23,400 dollars in repairs, upgrades, and operating expenses during the off season. Please turn-in your checks to the office made out to Burnt Cabin Christian Camp.
Here’s the list of things caretaker Sam Yaws and volunteers (like us) will be working on between now and summer:
1. Repair upper wall in parking area -------------$9000
2. Repair walkways to apt. & bridge to old lodge--$600
3. Build bridge to swimming pool from new lodge $3000
4. Repair and paint fence around swimming pool --$100
5. Replace rotten wood on old lodge ------------ $2000
6. Fill dirt around volleyball court & plant lawn-----$800
7. Paint garage and apartment----------------------$600
8. Install two horseshoe pits------------------------$100
9. Build divider in basement of new lodge.----------$200
Total Repair Costs------------------------------$16,400
General Fund Needs-----------------------------$7,000
Total to be raised-------------------------------$23,400
Fort Gibson’s Share---------------------------------$3,500
Kids
Start now saving $11 per month and you will have nearly your entire camp fee saved up by the time camp rolls around (unless you go two weeks). Teenweek is May 27-June 2, Mini-Camp is July 5-8, Ft. Gibson week is July 16-22, 2006.

But God Intended It For Good
Calamity brings Blessings
by Barrett Vanlandingham (September 8, 2005)

What good could possibly come out of Hurricane Katrina? Everyday, I hear personal stories from Christian brothers and sisters of life-changing experiences that have happened to them during their volunteer efforts.
Rachel Elliott, Bo Minor, and Ryan Keese, were among the hundreds this week who went to Camp Gruber to lend a hand to the shocked, sad, and fearful hurricane victims by sorting & organizing clothes, and helping people find clothes & shoes that fit.
Cindy Compelube helped by providing food and collars for pets, while also being a listening ear, and providing one lady who had lost a lot of weight during this crisis with undergarments and denture pads.
Paula Fontenot, Mike Owen, and my parents, and dozens more put in hours and hours helping people find their loved ones on the internet, and helping them get registered for federal assistance. One lady told my mother that New Orleans is an evil place and she’s glad to be away from it. One man said, “It’s beautiful here!” He plans to make a new life for himself here. Many are worried about getting their last paychecks from business that have been destroyed.
However, volunteers are reporting that the refugees are very appreciative of their efforts and hospitality. Upon receiving help and words of hope... leaps, hugs, and tears of joy are reported time and time again. There are just as many more emotionally-draining, heart-wrenching, as well as encouraging stories as there are people who’ve been affected by disaster.
Once again, the ancient words of Joseph as spoken to his worldly-thinking and now frightened brothers in Genesis 50:20 ring true: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” God is good!
Let’s all pray that God will give us the wisdom and strength to promote unity and compassion during times like these and all the time.
Youth calendar can be viewed at: www.youthcalendar.blogspot.com

Lives Lost in Flood
A Familiar Story (9-1-2005)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
When I see the images on the news of people in New Orleans with almost no hope... busting holes through their attics to climb to their rooftops... trying to get away from the rising floodwaters left from Hurricane Katrina... I can’t help but compare to an event that took place about 4500 years ago in the days of Noah. The flood.
In both cases, the unimaginable happened. Lives lost and property destroyed even though warnings had been broadcasted. Noah preached to the people for a hundred years while he was building the ark. In the case of the hurricane, the media gave warnings for days. Most evacuated; some didn’t listen; some heard but couldn’t get out in time. New Orleans is built in a bowl below sea level, using man-made walls to prevent flooding catastrophes. It works most of the time.
Here are some thoughts: Where are you building your spiritual house? On higher ground using the words of Jesus where you will be safe even when the mists of sin rise, or down low in the spiritual flood zone where you may be safe most of the time unless the unthinkable happens, and man’s selfishness prevails.
Sometimes in life, we do things that the Bible condemns; and sometimes, we do things we consider to be in the gray area of biblical authority. Let’s all pray for the desire to study God’s Word, and for Him to bless us with the understanding and strength we need to apply His will. “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13)

Evangelism... Methods Change (Sometimes)... Message the Same (August 25, 2005)

by Barrett Vanlandingham
It never ceases to amaze me just how quickly satan begins to knock our children off the spiritual mountaintop they become accustomed to while at camp and shortly thereafter. I was reading a website of a young lady who attends Burnt Cabin with us. She indicated in her online journal how horrible her life was, and that she was so confused about which way she should turn, and that life had basically turned her world upside down lately.
(yes, young people are posting their personal thoughts on the internet. It’s like an online photo & text album called Xanga.com they use to catch up on what’s going on with friends. Just like any communication tool, it can be used for good or bad. The kids seem to be okay with their youth minister posting messages on their sites.)
In this young lady’s case, it was clear to me that she had let go of Jesus. So, I thought, "What’s the worst thing that could happen if I send her a time-proven message by using this popular new method of teen communication?" I proceeded to tell her (as a big brother in Christ would) that I thought she had lost her focus on God, and that she needed to make Him her priority agaiin, get involved in His church, trust in His power to work in her life and give her the peace, joy, and hope she needs, and everything else would fall into place. To my delight, she had a very positive response, as did a friend of hers who is apparently not a Christian but who hated to see a friend in such turmoil.
Sometimes, as in this case, we just need to be reminded of the apostle Paul’s God-inspired words in Philippians 4:13. "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
All I can say is, "God is good!" Once again, He proved that if we will continue to lovingly teach His plan for joy, peace, and salvation... people will listen and eventually respond... no matter how old or young they are! This young lady still has her highs and lows, but overall... putting God’s plan for her life back into the mix seems to have helped her outlook. Praise God!
The Power is in the Word
Paul said in Romans 1:16-17
16. "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
17. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
In other News...
Lunchtable for Christians
We’ve all heard of feasting on the Word of the Lord. But high schoolers in our youth group are trying something new this school year to stay strong in the faith even while at school. They’ve decided to eat at the same lunchtable! But as with any good idea, there are always snags in this imperfect world. A table seats about 12, and on top of that... so many other kids want to sit at this table with our kids, there isn’t enough room for very many of our kids to find a seat. Nice problem to have.

How Do I Get There?
by Barrett Vanlandingham

Ecclesiastes 10: 15 states, “A fool’s work wearies him; he does not know the way to town.”
On the way to the church building this morning, I pulled up to the intersection of Highway 62 and Willey Road... and for some reason I began to count the number of road signs at or near that intersection. There were more than TWENTY.
They said STOP, YIELD, ONE-WAY, 45 MPH, HWY 62, WILLEY RD, WRONG WAY... while others warned of an INTERSECTION, or informed of HOW FAR to the next town.
I thought to myself, how is a driver supposed to look at all 20 of those signs while keeping his eyes on the road? It’s kind of like living the Christian life. If we spent all of our time looking for signs, it would be difficult to move forward with the daily responsibilities of being a Christian. That’s why it is important to have a healthy prayer life, gain understanding of God’s will through Bible study, and grow spiritually by applying that knowledge to our lives. When God’s Word is written on our hearts, we can move forward with confidence, knowing that our actions, words, and attitudes are signs to other people of where they can find Jesus. What’s your sign?

The Simple Truth Preached
by Barrett Vanlandingham (August 4, 2005)

I would like to give our sermon deliverers at Burnt Cabin this summer a GREAT BIG ATTA BOY. The theme of “Revive in 2005” served as a great springboard for sermons, Bible classes, Bible studies, and discussions all week.
Gary Cook got real with us on Sunday morning and talked about re-evaluating priorities in his family’s life and making a renewed commitment to making decisions that glorify God. It was a great challenge for all of us.
During the week, Kenny Lashley, Rob Wallace, and David Walker preached the TRUTH, and when they were finished, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind what it takes to please our heavenly Father, and the challenges that are before us.
Rob spoke on having a passion for lost souls, and just what extremes are we willing to go to in order to save a brother or sister who is lost.
Kenny examined the scripture to dispel some of the myths of today’s religious culture, while emphasizing what the Bible’s says about God’s plan of salvation.
David preached on shining your light and watching God light your world. He reminded us that as God’s chosen people, the world will probably not like us or the message of Jesus we are bringing.
Josh Roberts of Sand Springs preached about Christ’s return and what we need to do in order to make sure we are ready for that day, whenever it is.
My message was that you know you are alive in Jesus when you take up for Him, take Him to others, and take His words to heart. It was definitely a week of Revival.
Back to School... doesn’t have to mean Back to Mediocrity
(for kids or adults)
“Back to School” often means “Back to the old way of doing things.” While we were at camp a couple of weeks ago, a high school boy said he dreaded going back to school because it would be so hard to live the way God wants him to live. Why? He said it will be difficult to have the nerve to go against the expectations of what other kids have of him.
Parents often spend bigger blocks of time with their children in the summers. This makes for some really good teaching time. But you know, the good teaching doesn’t have to stop when school starts. Parents just have to have the guts to do the Godly thing.
But do we have the nerve to oppose the world’s way of thinking?
Our culture, mainly through the media and clothing manufacturers, tries to convince us that the world’s way is the only way if you want to be cool or succeed in life.
There are also pressures locally to get our kids involved in every sport, organization, and club possible in order for our children to be in the “in crowd” or to have every second outside of eating and sleeping taken up with practices of one kind or another. After all, (satan would say) “You can worry about growing spiritually, later. Right now is all about your happiness.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him , and he will make your paths straight.”

24 Baptisms at Camp!!! by Barrett Vanlandingham (July 28, 2005)

July 18th, Monday - Kacy Cook-Fort Gibson
Sammy Jo Brown-Fort Gibson19th, Tuesday - Amy Cothrum-Fort Gibson
Amber Ivy-Fort Gibson20th, Wednesday- Amber Grammer-Preston
Samantha McDaniels-OKC21st, Thursday - Jackie Hart-Fort Gibson
Aurora Ferland-Tahlequah
Brittany McNeer-Fort Gibson
Ashley Cox-Fort Gibson
Bo Minor-Fort Gibson
Stephen Keese-Fort Gibson
Cameron Youngblood-Fort Gibson
Cole Berkenbile-Fort Gibson22nd, Friday - Lance Bowden-Fort Gibson
Chasen Hardin-Fort Gibson
Chelsey Mead-Fort Gibson
Destiny Mead-Fort Gibson
Anna Sturgeon-Fort Gibson
Rachel Elliott-Fort Gibson
Mika Stone-Fort Gibson
Mallory Jameson-Tulsa
Ken Jameson (Mallory’s dad)-Tulsa
23rd, Saturday - Hunter Edwards-Piedmont (was baptized Saturday morning before leaving camp)
Gary Canan (South Walker-OKC) youth minister says Krista Spencer was baptized the Sunday morning after camp.

Burnt Cabin Camper Awards (July 17-23, 2005)
MODEL JR GIRL
Nickie Vinyard-Haskell
MODEL
INTERMEDIATE GIRL
Morgan Rockman-Bartlesville
MODEL SR GIRL
Brooke Berkenbile-Fort Gibson
MODEL JR BOY
Hunter Hackworth-Fort Gibson
MODEL
INTERMEDIATE BOY
Kacy Cook-Ft. Gibson
MODEL SR BOY
Kris Elliott-Fort Gibson

BEST JR GIRL
BIBLE STUDENT
Mycah Higley-Ft. Gibson
BEST INTERMEDIATE GIRL
BIBLE STUDENT
Aurora Ferland-ahlequah
BEST SR GIRL
BIBLE STUDENT
Megan Durham-Sand Springs
BEST JR BOY
BIBLE STUDENT
Joe Ryan Anderson-Morris
BEST INTERMEDIATE BOY
BIBLE STUDENT
Stephen Keese-Fort Gibson
BEST SR BOY
BIBLE STUDENT
Luke Hollen-Sand Springs

COURTNEY KEESE
SERVANT HEART AWARD
Carlon Caldwell-OKC

DIRECTOR’S AWARD
(Best All-Around Model Camper)
Jenna Arnett-Fort Gibson
Bo Minor-Fort Gibson

ROYALTY (voted on by campers)
King-Carlon Caldwell-OKC Queen-Elyane Hensley-Tulsa
Prince-Kacy Cook-FTG Princess-Brooke Walker-FTG
Duke-Hunter Hackworth-FTG Duchess-Chelsey Mead-FTG

Thoughts from Burnt Cabin by Barrett Vanlandingham (July 19, 2005)
A Leap of Faith - Tuesday, midnight
As campers entered the pool area Tuesday at Burnt Cabin for the 3rd and 4th baptisms of the week, it was evident that the attention would have to be
shared. A slippery, four-legged critter was taking a late night swim. It wasn’t exactly a plaque of frogs, but one little tree-frog swimming near where Amber Ivy and Amy Cothrum were stepping into the pool to be baptized ... quite a spectacle! So, between "Hoppy" the chlorine-loving amphibian, and "Pepper" the barking, nocturnal, squirrel-chasing canine ... campers still managed to give the majority of their attention to the business at hand of saving souls which the day before also included Kacy Cook and Sammy Jo Brown. I was very impressed with the spiritual focus of all the campers and how well-behaved everyone has been by midweek. It is amazing what God can do and does if we will simply pay attention to the work He does in our lives everyday. (Camp Director to bed at 12:30)
From the Rising of the Sun - Wednesday, 6:00 a.m.
What an awesome morning. Following the lead of Kenny Lashley and Chris
Branscum, I decided to catch a sunrise over Burnt Cabin from the gazebo near the old lodge. SPECTACULAR. We could feel a cool breeze, and take-in the sights and sounds of a bluebird, a nuthatch (Kenny had to point out the identity of that sound to me), and a crow... all sang together in chorus as the rising sun painted orange lines on the morning clouds just above Lake Tenkiller. Eventually, the sounds of campers’ footsteps crunching across the gravel as they made their way up the hill and down the hill (depending on bunkhouse location) to the morning flagpole devotional. It’s almost time to ring the bell. I wonder what wonders God will bring us today.

Religious & Physical Persecution
A Call for Prayer
by Barrett Vanlandingham (July 7, 2005)

Prayer Warriors listen up!
My cousin, Chad Vanlandingham sent me this
information this week regarding a new Christian just baptized last week who may be facing death because of his decision to become a Christian; I am urging your immediate help in the way of prayer.
In Chad’s words:
A mission team from our home congregation, Center Street Church of Christ in Fayettevile, Arkansas, just came home this last week. They have been to Sierra Leone, located on the west coast of Africa. God blessed them with great success while they were there.
I am writing to tell you about a young man named Omar that our team became aquainted with during their stay in Sierra Leone. Omar has been studying the Word for quite some time now through World Bible School.
Omar’s father is a leader for the Muslim religion. Knowing there would be consequences for his decision to take on Christ in baptism, Omar decided to be baptized anyway. This took place over the last week just before our team left to come back to the States. Since his baptism, he has taken a whipping, 100 lashes to be exact, has been placed in solitary confinement, and will be forced to fast so that he might reconsider his decision about becoming a Christian.
I am not able to describe the great faith Omar has. He knew all along he would be punished for his willingness to commit his life to Christ.
I am ashamed to know that I have complained about how tough different situations have been in my life.I have read, just as you have, about the stories of
followers of Christ. I have read about the pain and suffering they experienced because of their decisions.
I now know four men personally, who have read the scriptures with, prayed with, sang with, and cried withanother man who has suffered, and will continue to suffer for his beliefs.
My faith has been strengthened because of this. Please pray for Omar to not return to the Muslim religion, but to hold on to Christ and to seek God’s help for strength.
Your Brother in Christ--Chad

Prayer Works!
Yes, prayer offered in faith works... but we must pray in order for prayer to work. Then, if it is God’s will, He will respond as we hoped. In Mark 11:24 Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
But Jesus knew firsthand more than anyone that our desires must measure up to God’s will and not the other way around. In Matthew 26:39 Jesus said these words just hours before His crucifixion: Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." We serve a God who understands!
In one instance, James (possibly the Lord’s brother) said in James 4:2-3 that we do not have because we do not ask God with the right motives.
May we all strive to improve our prayer life. (BV)

What Are We Doing For Christ?
by Barrett Vanlandingham

What are we doing for Christ? The answer is... "everything" if we are paying attention to Paul’s
God-inspired passage in Galatians 5:25 which says, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." I, for one, am so happy to be a part of a group of Jesus-loving, God-fearing people who live to serve the Almighty. This doesn’t mean we always get it right. It simply means we know which direction we are headed and we know we will get there because the Spirit will lead us all the way presuming we do not turn away from God and conform to the world.
Being a child of God is described further in v. 24. "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires."
When we commit fully to Christ, satan will no longer have a hold on us because Jesus will not allow it. Jesus and satan will NOT walk hand in hand along the same path. This is good news for us, because if we are walking hand in hand with Jesus, we are assured that satan can not pull us away. It is only when we choose to let go of Christ’s hand, and leave the path of righteousness that satan can grab hold of us. Light and dark cannot live in the same heart. We have to give up one to serve the other.
A popular talk show host has coined the phrase: "How’s that workin’ for you?" This phrase perfectly illustrates the consequences of following God, versus knowingly engaging in sinful practices. You see, when we walk with God, things always work for the good; however, those of us who have ever chosen to sin (and that’s probably all of us at one time or another) have found that purposely falling into sin only leads to worry, heartache, sadness, insecurity, and many kinds of danger. Everything we think, do, and say brings us a step closer or a step further away from God and our eternal goal of heaven. It is very important for us to remember Christ’s words in Revelation 22:12. "Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done." (N.I.V.)
In our congregation, we have many examples of people who keep in step with the Spirit. These are men, women, and children who are walking with God. You already know the good things being accomplished by many of them with God’s help, but many of our Christian brothers and sisters go about quietly doing good deeds, and even suffering various kinds of persecution with no earthly recognition. Be that as it may, I would like to let all of those quiet workers in God’s kingdom know just how much they are appreciated by everyone. More importantly, God appreciates the things you do in the name of Christ to give praise, honor, and glory to Him.
Did you know that people in our congregation do everything from writing love notes, making phone calls, and personal visits, to mowing lawns, running errands, decorating the church building, taking people out to eat or having them over for dinner, cooking for various church functions, conducting Bible studies, being a listening ear, and simply praying. So, "What are we doing for Christ?" A lot. Still, we should all be ever-mindful of the fact that God has done more for us than we could ever do for Him... and when it’s all over... God is the only One who can offer us a home in heaven. Let us all work ‘til Jesus comes, and take pride in giving God the glory in all things.

Fourth of July Weekend
A Look Back at Tradition
by Barrett Vanlandingham (June 23, 2005)

Sunday, July 3, 2005 at 5pm will mark at least a 30 year tradition for the Fort Gibson Church of Christ, a congregation which actually began in July, 100 years ago..
In recent years, including this year, evening worship will be held at Henry and Cheryl Petree’s. Bring lawn chairs, side dishes, desserts, and ice-cream... meat will be provided.
Decades ago, these gatherings were held at I.B. and Marie Branscum’s farm, and then later at Randy and Susan’s. “Everyone just showed up, played games, ate ice-cream, worshipped, and just enjoyed each other’s company during a visit that lasted til sundown when the fireworks started,” said Marie. Singing, praying, fellowshipping, & preaching are most important, but the fireworks are always a “blast.”
Henry will deliver the 2005 message. You may remember Fourth of July weekend preaching from as far back as the mid-70’s delivered by Jimmy Sites, Bob Young, Dick Canada, Mark Cheatham, Doug Lawyer, Lynn Huff, Larry Culbreath, Roy Risley, Clarence Feeney, Bud Tibbles, W.B. Luck, Lee West, and John Yocham (and that only goes back to the 50’s).
Tradition is exciting. But there is a day and a place to which we can all look still forward. Let’s all make our calling & election sure (2 Pet 1:10), & live lives that will lead to where a thousand years is like a day (2 Pet 3:8).
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb 10:25)

Vacation Bible School
It’s the Season
by Barrett Vanlandingham (June 16, 2005)

In Leviticus 26:4, God says He will bless those who are careful to obey His commands: "I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit."
It’s been several years since members of the Lord’s church here in Fort Gibson have attempted a VBS. But this is the season for a change. New members Jonathan and Jessica Hendricks have stepped up to take on the challenge of directing a VBS. The Hendricks’ told me, "The volunteer response has been overwhelming! We’ve gotten more volunteers here than anywhere we’ve ever put on this VBS." The Hendricks have also directed the "Jesus to the Rescue" VBS at Bristow, Chandler Road in Muskogee, and Mission, Texas.
This year’s VBS is sponsored by the Outreach Ministry (which also sponsors Monday Night for the Master). The goal is to not only get kids in here to teach them, but to take the church’s efforts past this one week commitment. "We want the church to use VBS as a stepping stone for future contact with these kids so they will come to other events, and eventually want to stay connected with this church family."
Each night will feature a different Bible lesson that shows how Jesus rescued people long ago just like He rescues us today.
Mon: Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand~ Matthew 14
Tue: Jesus Calms the Storm~ Matthew 8
Wed: Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead~John 11
Thu: Jesus Heals the Blind & Mute~ Matthew 9

The Fields are Ready for Harvest
Will You Help?
by Barrett Vanlandingham (June 9, 2005)

I have been encouraged the last few weeks to find out that the days of door-knocking are not behind us. During Monday Night for the Master, a group of young people loaded on the van, unloaded into a neighborhood, and started talking to kids and their parents. God was AMAZING. He even challenged us. Four kids from that neighborhood attended class on Wednesday night a couple of weeks ago following a similar visit. We even had kids kids who approached us to ask if we could come to their house and talk to their parents; other kids wanted to get onto our van right then and there, and go wherever we were going!
So what does this mean for you? OPPORTUNITY.
Vacation Bible School
is coming up June 20-23 at 6pm each night. This means all those houses that you pass on your way here, there, and everywhere... are not just houses; they are houses with people in them; some of those people may be in a saved condition, but probably more of those people are in a lost condition and may suffer an eternity in hell if we all don’t take seriously our Christian responsibility to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our community.

Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Most of us are more motivated to door-knock or to do any kind of service project when we know that other people will be helping. But for those who are mature in their faith enough to quietly go about their business of serving, teaching others, and inviting lost souls to become a part of God’s family, we all say THANK YOU for setting a wonderful example. Your work has not gone unnoticed by as many people as you think. And more importantly, your work has not gone unnoticed by the One who will welcome all His faithful into that heavenly home we all long for.
If you need a door-knocking partner, a visitation partner, a study buddy, or maybe someone to pray with, a good place to start would be at Monday Night for the Master. I go to a lot of motivational youth events, but I can’t think of anything that motivates me more for doing good works and getting the gospel out to a lost and dying world than getting together with my Christian family on a Monday night to work for Him. It is Godly, positive, motivational energy that just makes you feel GOOD! And more importantly, God is glorified.
If you need a specific project to motivate you, why not set your goal at bringing five kids to VBS in addition to the ones who already attend here and will already be coming. It’s a worthy goal, and one that is so much easier than anything Jesus ever went through in His time on Earth.
Hebrews 12:3 “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

What Is The Afterlife Like?
Are You Ready?
by Barrett Vanlandingham (June 2, 2005)

Since Heaven and Hell after judgment, as well as Paradise and Torment in the immediate afterlife are spiritual , not physical places, any description such as golden streets or fire and brimstone only serves to let us know that those who are found to be faithful are destined to enjoy a reward better than we can possibly imagine; likewise, those who die in their uncovered (by Christ’s blood) sins will suffer an eternity of unimaginable pain.
Luke 16:19-31 tells us about a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus who laid at the rich man’s gate. Lazarus was covered with sores and longed to eat scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Both died. The rich man went to Torment, while Lazarus was carried by angels to Paradise. They were in separate places with Lazarus unable to even dip the tip of his finger in water to cool the tongue of the rich man who was in agony in fire.
There are several things we should know about where we go after death.
1) It is a place we cannot leave until the final judgement, and even then, we have no reason to believe that our eternal destiny will be inconsistent with our life immediately following death. In other words, if we are found worthy to be in Paradise after death, there is nothing to suggest that we could be found unworthy at judgment and thus land in Hell. Likewise, a person who is sentenced to Torment in the afterlife will continue to be separated from God because that person’s sins were not covered by the blood of Jesus; and a dead person has no more chances to repent, to be forgiven, or to be baptized.
2) It is a place where we will be able to recognize our loved ones who are there, and remember our loved ones who have yet to pass. The rich man was worried about his five brothers. He wanted Abraham to send Lazarus to warn them of the terrible fate that would also befall them upon death if they behaved on earth as he did. This is something of interest whether you believe your loved ones are in Torment or in Paradise. What message of hope or word of warning do you think they would send to you if they could regarding the reality of Torment and Paradise? What would they say about the consequences of sin, the vengeance of God, or the reward for the faithful, and the incredible relief for those who walked with God even when no one else would?
3) It is a place with two distinctive thermostat settings. Lazarus was comfortable, while the rich man was in agony. The irony of life versus the afterlife is portrayed in this passage as opposites. In verse 25, Abraham said that the rich man received good things on earth, while Lazarus received bad things; but in the afterlife, the opposite was true for them; so in the end, Lazarus found favor with the Lord in the afterlife, while the rich man had already received his earthly reward which made him ineligible to enjoy Paradise after death.
Torment is a place of total darknes, a place that stinks, a place of extreme heat and fire, and a place of extreme pain. Wouldn’t it be sad to notice in the afterlife that some of your friends and loved ones were not found worthy? What about now? Do you have close friends or family who are going against God’s will? Does it bother you? If so, now is the time to give them a lifeline, because the window of opportunity will close with no warning.

Remember Him!
by Barrett Vanlandingham (May 26, 2005)

Ecclesiastes 12:1 states:
“Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and no longer enjoy living.”
By the time this article lands in your mailbox, our youth ministry intern David Lee Walker, myself, Michelle Moore, Vicki Walker, Beth Brannon, and dozens of other staffers and campers will be kicking off a wonderful TeenWeek at Burnt Cabin Christian Camp.
Our theme, “Remember Him” is the springboard for ten Bible classes plus nightly worship based on Solomon’s words penned nearly 3000 years ago.
The idea of this week is to let our young people know that God wants us to live an abundant life... from the time we are young... until the time we grow old. God never intended for those who follow after Him to give up things like laughter, fun, friendships,relationships, money, and all material possessions. But God makes it very clear in His Word that we will be held accountable for every decision, thought, action, and word. He wants us to bring Him along with us wherever we go when we are young, so that we will develop a fellowship with God that will last well into our adult years. Our bodies may grow tired and weary as we grow older, but our relationship with God will only grow stronger and more meaningful with time. The years may make this world a tougher place to live in physically, but the years will also give us more hope and excitement for what lies ahead for those who are found to be faithful in the end.
Our daily Bible classes will include “Remember Him!”
1) When Away From Home
- taught by Brad Williams of Skiatook
2) In the Battles of Life
-taught by Barrett Vanlandingham of Fort Gibson
3) In the Night Season (during quiet times by yourself)
-taught by Mike Herndon of Edmond
4) In Early Life
-taught by Donnie Branscum of Skiatook
5) In Times of Trouble
-taught by Steve Parker of Chickasha
What an honor it is for me to serve with so many people who I consider to be very accomplished in teaching God’s Word to young people. Two of whom (Donnie and Steve), as you may remember are youth minister alumni from the Fort Gibson Church of Christ.
In case any of you would like to come out and visit, meals are $3. Our schedule is pretty tight during the day; so you may want to come and join us for worship each night at 8pm except for Tuesday. Evening entertainment includes:
Monday: OC’s Lighten Up (accoustic/ comedy)
Tuesday: OC’s New Reign (acappella contemporary)
Wednesday: OC’s Summer Singers (musical variety)
Thursday: Ron Cole (music, laser lights, fog, anti-drug message).
If anyone needs to contact the camp, here are some numbers for you:
Barrett’s cell 348-4313
Donnie’s cell 918-396-3084
David Lee’s cell 869-1562
Sam(caretaker) 457-4120 / 5209 / or cell 671-1049

Let Your Light Shine
by Barrett Vanlandingham (May 19, 2005)

As I write this article (Wednesday), I find it hard to stay inside because it is such a beautiful day outside. That’s the way people should view Christians: a breath of fresh air and sunshine. Is that how people view us? It is only when someone is going against God’s will, that the light of His presence is seen as an intrusion or a threat. Light exposes darkness. But even then, Jesus says people will glorify the Father when we do good deeds with the proper attitude:
16"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 NASB) This verse from the Sermon on the Mount is one of many in Matthew 5-7 that has given the world an incredible amount of hope, confidence, challenges, and empowerment.
If you ever needed an excuse to take your religious convictions to a higher level, this three chapter passage (which only takes about ten minutes to read) raises the standard for Christians today just like it did for those crowds of people who sat on the side of that mountain nearly two-thousand years ago to hear Jesus preach. His commands regarding murder, disputes, adultery, love for enemies (ch. 5), as well as how to carry out acts of righteousness for the needy, how to pray, how to fast (ch. 6), and His thoughts on judging others and worrying (ch. 7) are all covered in very simple and easy to understand fashion.
In the beatitudes (5:1-12), Jesus challenges us to take on a spirit of humility and obedience, reminding us that the way we think, feel, and act really does impact where we spend eternity. Jesus reminds us that we can “Rejoice and be glad” (5:12) in spite of the insults people cast towards faithful followers. Have you been insulted lately? If not, maybe you’ve lost your saltiness (5:13). Remember, “You are the salt of the earth,” and when we as Christians are doing our job of flavoring our surroundings, people will either taste that God is good, or they will reject the message of Christ and reject us, too. Still, Jesus challenges us to get his message of hope out to a lost and dying world since it is His message, not ours that people desperately need, though often reject.
To me, the Sermon on the Mount is empowering, because Jesus takes this opportunity to tell His followers (us) that mediocrity is not acceptable. The great thing about His statements is that Jesus always tells the truth, and He always follows through on His promises. So, when He tells us to take our spirituality to a higher level (such as regarding anger and lust in the same severity of judgment as murder and adultery), Jesus actually expects us to follow through with it in our obedience. Moreover, we as Christians can be assured that these challenges in Jesus’ sermon can actually be obeyed. It may seem difficult at times, but we can know without a doubt that total commitment is possible. After all, what kind of Judge would issue rules that could not be successfully completed, and then bring about hell, fire, and brimstone for those who fell short. Paul tells us in Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
The only question is whether you stay on the lighted path, fellowshipping with God even in the midst of trials and temptations, or instead choose to turn your back on Him and walk a dark path where Christ’s blood will not continually purify you from all sin. The choice is yours, and so is your eternal destiny. Do you want to live the world’s way, or God’s way? You can do it with His help. That’s a promise. Our loving Jesus always holds the answer… in the light. Jesus loves you. Have a wonderful day!

Compelled by Whose Love?
by Barrett Vanlandingham (May 12, 2005)

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 states:
14. For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
15. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
The phrase “compelled by love” is a nice one, even if sometimes we have its meaning turned around backwards. We often admire someone because they seem to be continually stirred into action, and we may think to ourselves that they are motivated because of their great love for Christ; or we may think they are motivated because of vast amounts of spiritual discipline they possess.
Well it is true that the first and greatest command is to love God. We cannot get to heaven unless we do, so that is certainly a motivation to stir into action for Him. We also understand that God knows we love Him when we obey His commands.
Perhaps answering the question of why do we not obey His commands is the real issue worth exploring.
I think the reason we do not fully obey God’s commands on a daily basis is because we really do not fully understand the extent of Christ’s love for us. In the two verses stated above, the apostle Paul tells us the motivating factor for obedience to Christ. It is simply “Christ’s love” that He demonstrated by His death on the cross.
And when we fully understand the extent of Christ’s sacrifice for us, God will grant us the kind of faith that will help us to stand firm, even in the midst of societal pressures to “do what everyone else is doing” whether that involves actions or attitudes.
The cross is the most obvious extent we usually think of when we reflect on Christ’s sacrifice. But our culture has commercialized it so much that many people look at the cross as not much more than a religious decoration. Most people would never consider glorifying the weapon that killed a loved one by wearing it on a t-shirt, or by decorating the house with it; and most people would definitely not pay honor to a beloved Jewish ancestor by showcasing the design of a hate-symbol or a torture chamber that was involved in the attempted-extermination of a race of people. The cross should make us sick to our stomachs, put a lump in our throats, and bring tears of sorrow and joy to our eyes at the very thought of it.

But there are many more ways in which our Savior showed his love even before the cross. Luke 9:57-58 reminds us that Christ gave up the comforts of heaven. John 1:1-3 & v. 18 remind us of his separation from his Father. John 17:1-5 tells us that Jesus sacrificed glory and took on human form. Philippians 2:1-11 tells us he made himself nothing. Revelation 5:1-14 reminds us of the universal worship directed at Jesus while he was in heaven that included angels and all creatures.
It is difficult to imagine leaving all of that behind; and don’t forget, Jesus knew from before the beginning of time the amount of emotional and physical pain he would have to endure in order to get the message across to us that HE LOVES US; that’s a long time to have something that heavy on your mind. It is only because of His love for us that He gives us hope by showing us the way.

Does the World Hate You?
It Should! (but don’t form an opinion yet)
by Barrett Vanlandingham (May 3, 2005)

Some people will be drawn to you in this world because they see Christ living in you. Many people also loved Jesus because of his special qualities which we are to immitate. But most people didn’t love Christ, and most people don’t love you either if you are following Jesus. After all, “...small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:14) Christians are the few! Jesus said this to his followers:
“ 18. "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20. Remember the words I spoke to you: `No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” (John 15:18-20)
So I guess the question we need to ask ourselves is this: “Does the world hate me?” If the answer is “no,” then we must look at what extremes we are going to in this life to “fit in” to our culture and our world. If you feel that the world loves you, ask yourself this question: “Exactly what about me does the world love”? Does the world love you because of your godly qualities? Some people will, but most people wont. It feels good to be loved and appreciated. But if those postive strokes are coming from worldly points of view, then you need to re-assess your priorities, and decide for what reasons you want people to love you... for worldly reasons, or godly.
The more people I talk with, the more I realize the sense of hopelessness and helplessness people are feeling... and it’s not just the people “out there.” It’s our own Christian family in many cases. These are people who call themselves Christians, but have somehow missed the part about following Christ... ALL THE WAY. Does this person sound like you? I hope not, but in the midst of life’s valleys, sometimes it is difficult to see anything but mountains of stress and depression in our way. During those times, we need to re-focus our sight on the Mountain-Mover instead of the mountain.
1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that God is faithful.
The point it is, we live in a broken world, and this is not exactly heaven on earth. We struggle with problems everyday; and everyday, we feel unacceptance and even hatred by the world. The only choice we have is to decide whether we are going to go through all of this WITH God, or WITHOUT Him. However, your eternal destiny depends on which choice you make.
Joshua made the choice publicly in Joshua 24:15 when he said, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua reminded all the tribes of Israel that day at Shechem what the Lord had done for them; and that day the people renewed their covenant to serve and yield their hearts to the God of Israel, and throw away their foreign gods. Have you made the choice? Do you need to renew your covenant with God? The message that God gave to Joshua in chapter 1:9 still applies to us today: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
(also ref: 2 Cor. 6:14-7, Proverbs 3:5-6, 2 Peter 1:2-11)

The following are part of a series of articles based on our "Revive in 2005" camp curriculum.

Revive the Passion
for lost souls (4/28/05)
Barrett Vanlandingham

In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Paul tells us what our motivation is for obeying Christ:
“ 14. For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
15. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
It is “the love of Christ” He demonstrated on the cross that should instill a lifetime of passion in each one of us to fight the good fight and be soul winners.
This passion should affect the way we live daily, the choices we make, the activities we are involved in, the way we think, feel, act, speak, and certainly our passion for bringing others out of hopelessness and into the joys that can only be found in Christ.
Some people think the fire can be ignited within them to win souls by simply experiencing a pep talk, or maybe by turning the lights down low and meditating. These may be proven techniques for some, though shallow, for reviving passion (presuming you ever had it), but these techniques are not biblical for creating passion that lasts past the shallow moment in which it is being experienced.
The answer to having a passion for saving the lost lies in having an understanding of Christ’s love for us. So, let’s be clear on this matter. It is not our love for Christ that motivates us to live for Him, but rather His love for us. Please pray for the “Revive in 2005” camp staff as we prepare to teach these lessons to His glory!

Revive the Commitment (4/21/05)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
We are pleased that Soldier Creek Church of Christ youth in Piedmont will be joining Fort Gibson’s week of Burnt Cabin Christian Camp July 17-23. Skip Gower, husband of Amy Perry (yes, another Perry) will be staying the week with us at camp; and in fact, wrote the Bible lesson for Friday: “Revive the Commitment.” As you know, this year’s camp theme is “Revive in 2005.”
The entire process of putting together a camp curriculum absolutely thrills me when I think of the possibilities for that week of camp. The volunteer staff, the campers, the Bible lessons, the fellowship, the sports, and the entertainment are all geared toward making this week the most uplifting, fun, and thought-provoking week it can be for the kids, while giving all the praise, honor, and glory to God the Father.
Skip’s lesson on “Revive the Commitment” comes from Romans 12:1-2 where the apostle Paul encourages us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, and to not conform to the pattern of this world.
His four main points cover the following:
1) Commitment to your body
2) Commitment to the church body
3) Commitment to your earthly parents
4) Commitment to your heavenly Father
The Bible stories within these points include many favorites that demonstrate commitment: Daniel in the Lion’s Den; Noah’s Ark; Abraham and his son Isaac; and passages dealing with relationships within the church.
Please say a prayer everyday between now and camp for its success, and that much good will be accomplished.

Revive the Respect (April 14, 2005)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
To honor or to have consideration for is a basic definition for respect. This is one of the topics we will study at Burnt Cabin Christian Camp, July 17-23.
A big thanks to Chris Branscum for taking his assigned topic, and digging in to God’s Word for the answers.
Respect in our culture is a rare commodity. In fact, it seems that the line of healthy skepticism has been stepped all over, and has become nothing short of disrespect. This attitude permeates just about every area of our society, starting with adults who have taught it to the younger generation, or at the very least have neglected to correct disrespectful attitudes and thereby giving it our stamp of approval.
Three areas of respect have been grossly overlooked for way too long, and therefore, our generation must take seriously our responsibility to...
1) Revive the respect for God.
2) Revive the respect for others.
3) Revive the respect for self.
It is amazing to see how consistent God’s plan has been from the beginning, and that every command fits hand in hand with all the others. God’s feelings with regard to respect are a great example of this.
When we respect God, it will show in the way we honor and glorifiy God with our lives. In return, God honors us (reference: 1 Samuel 2:30).
When we treat others with respect, even if they are being hateful, we obey God (ref: Romans 12:9-21).
Whenwe respect ourselves, we give the Holy Spirit a nice place to call home (Ref: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Revive the Unity
by Josh Roberts of Sand Springs (April 7, 2005)
One cuppers; No bible school; The 9 a.m. worshippers. The 10 a.m. worshippers. Communion AFTER the sermon. These are things that I have heard about for a long time. Bodies of Christ have been grounded doing what they have done for years. All of these things are fine until you hear something like, “We don’t fellowship with them because that church has a children’s bible hour.” This is where the Church of Christ has gone.
We are no longer at the throat of Satan and sin; we are choking each other to death over meaningless things. Most of our fights have nothing to do with scripture anymore. They are all based on tradition and the “this is what we’ve always done” mentality. We are falling short. We are losing souls because of splits in the church over carpet color and kitchens in the building. By doing this we are propping up satan’s feet and telling him to relax, we will destroy ourselves.
It is obvious that the church consists of many different people with differing opinions. God has set things up this way (Ephesians 4:11-13). It was not His intention for that to be interference in our service to Him. Why is it easy for us to understand that a car needs every little part, no matter how different they are from each other, but we don’t know why Joe Schmoe has to be a part of “my church”?
If we could look through Christ’s eyes, our unity would not be a problem. Romans 5:6-8 tells us the even though we were ungodly sinners, Christ gave His life for us because He loved us. Since we are all made in God’s image, we should treat each other like we would Christ (Genesis 1:26, 9:6, Matthew 25:34-40).
Reviving the unity will be very simple if we can stop fighting each other and start loving as Christ loved us. The Spirit dwells within all Christians. We should be able to look past what the world sees and look at the Spirit of God dwelling in all of us.

Revive the Integrity
Of Religion (unspotted by the world) March 31, 2005
by Barrett Vanlandingham
In part 4 of our series, I will finish last week’s article on Reviving the Integrity of Religion in which we heard personal accounts from members Merle Idleman and Leon Strain on the distress suffered by widows and orphans... as well as how the solution to looking after widows and orphans might be something as simple as giving your time and attention to combat feelings of loneliness and longing for acceptance.
The third thing that James 1:27 defines as religion that our heavenly Father sees as pure and faultless, is to keep oneself from being polluted by the world (unspotted).
If you’ve ever been the target of a malicious talker, you know why God would be willing to send that person to hell. Jesus was also targeted by gossips and slanderers.
In fact, out of the 25 or so sins listed in Romans 1 that are said to be deserving of spiritual death, all but a few of them involve sins of the mouth and heart or mind. The rest involve physical acts of sin.
In Titus 2:11-12 Paul contrasts ungodly, worldly passions with self-controlled, upright, and godly lives. This passage gives us a clear idea of the kind of life we should live in order to keep from being polluted or spotted by the world. This passage gives us a two letter, one word answer to worldly pollution; and if we learn to live by this word in our battle against Satan, we will find ourselves saying “YES” to godliness more and more. That two letter word that Paul talks about is “NO.”
May God bless each of our lives as we seek His will daily, saying “no” to ungodliness, and “yes” to holy living.

Revive the Integrity
Of Religion (March 24, 2005)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
As with true scripture and worship, religion has also never changed. In part three of this series of articles on Reviving the Integrity, we will see that it really is possible to observe perfect religion; not that we can ever be perfect, be we can please God as we perfectly follow His perfect religion.
James 1:27 defines religion that our heavenly Father sees as pure and faultless. The writer says there are three qualities of note that puts religion in this category:
1) to look after or visit widows in their distress or afflication, 2) to look after or visit orphans or the fatherless in their distress or afflication, 3) to keep oneself from being polluted by the world (unspotted).
So, what is a widow’s affliction? One of our members, Merle Idleman, lost her husband to a heart attack two years ago. She was gracious enough this week to help me with this article so that the rest of us could have some insight into this passage. As we sat in her daughter’s living room with a photograph of Lloyd on a nearby table, Merle told me that sudden loneliness and everyday decision-making have been two of the toughest afflictions to deal with. “It’s definitely a change... You don’t get over this... It’s a void in your life, I guarantee ya.” Merle lists a) visits, b) making sure needs are met, and c) prayer... as things that make a difference for widows.
So, what is an orphan’s affliction? Another one of our members, Leon Strain, was raised by his grandmother. He never knew his father. Leon feels fortunate to have had a grandmother and two uncles who filled many of his voids.
Leon says the distress or afflictions of kids who are orphaned by death or desertion, are that the kids don’t feel like they fit-in or belong; they are searching for love and acceptance; and while many people are willing to give money to help an orphan, what’s really needed is the giving of our time and attention. Leon says, “We really don’t go far enough.”
Next week: the rest of part III-pollution from the world.

Revive the Integrity
of Worship (March 17, 2005)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
This week’s devotional thought taken from the lessons we are preparing for Burnt Cabin will focus on reviving the integrity of worship. Last week, we learned about reviving the integrity of scripture as it relates to how we let the Bible speak for itself and be the final authority.
In Amos 5:18-27 we find that God is not impressed with our worship when our loyalty is split between Him and worldly things. God’s chosen people offered sacrifices, songs, religious feasts, and offerings. But they were also worshiping false gods. In Revelation 3:15 the Lord tells the church in Laodicea that Christians must take one side or another because if we try to straddle the fence, God will reject us.
In 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 Paul warned the church at Corinth that it was wrong to take part in worship with only yourself in mind. Paul said they needed to take into consideration the feelings of their Christian brothers and sisters, as well as the wishes of God.
In John 4:24 Jesus said, “God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” We must make sure that our hearts are right when we worship, and that we are not just going down the list of things to do: pray, read Bible, sing, visit with each other before and after. We must also realize that we are doing these things to please a God who is with us today... a God who understands what it’s like to be a person... a God who keeps His promises. We should feel a connection to this God all the time inside and outside of worship.
Next week: Revive the Integrity of Religion.

Revive the Integrity
Of Scripture (March 10, 2005)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
Our theme at camp this summer is Revive in 2005. So, for the next few weeks, I plan to write bulletin articles that go along with the lessons that will be taught at camp.
One very important quality we as Christians need to revive is that of integrity of scripture. Of course, God’s Word has never changed, so its reliability and trustworthiness cannot be improved upon. However, our willingness to trust and rely on God’s inspired Word is a quality that has been challenged even in religious circles.
We, as a society have managed to justify our behavior and responsibilities to God by simply saying, “Oh, it’s a cultural thing. God’s law will adjust to our way of doing things. He understands.” That is a very dangerous and unscriptural statement, and one that has sent many people to their graves out of fellowship with the Father.
Scripture is clear about us sticking to what has been written, and that any changes we might make to His Word will send us to hell (Revelation 22:18-19).
Our religious culture, in many ways, is no different from the first century. Even then, Christians were turning to other gospels which Paul says were really no gospel at all. Again, these false teachings only lead to hell, and it all starts with pushing God out while accepting worldly bribes or views (Galatians 1:6-7 and Exodus 23:8)
There is a way to avoid condemnation, in Acts 5:29, a very powerful court known as the Sanhedrin had ordered Peter and the rest of the apostles to not teach the true story of Jesus. The response? “We must obey God rather than man.”

This completes the series of articles summarizing our camp theme of "Revive in 2005"

That They May All Be One
Some thoughts about...
Communication & Encouragement
by Barrett Vanlandingham (written March 2, 2005)


The written word has always been powerful and persuasive, thus the phrase “the power of the pen.”
The Vanlandingham family started a website a few months ago in order to provide encouragement and prayer for family members in the military. It has since grown into a wonderful tool to use as an encouragement for the entire family. I know that many of you also have family websites, and if you don’t, I would encourage you to start one. You may also want to try the church’s website:
www.ftgchurchofchrist.com There is a place to post messages to your Christian family after you’ve registered.
Jesus prayed in the Gospel of John 17 for himself, for his disciples, and for all believers “that they may all be one... that the world may believe... ” that God sent him and that God loves us as he loves his own son.(vs. 21-23).
Solomon said in Ecclesiates 1:9 that there is nothing new under the sun (and that includes the internet). So, whether we choose to write notes of encouragement, or give phone calls of encouragement, or make face-to-face visits of encouragement, it is important that we improve our communication within our church family, and within our earthly families... that they may know without a doubt that God loves them, and wants them to be an active part of the saved who will eventually “gather to their home beyond the skies” as the song goes.
If we took a survey of whether we are concerned about the spiritual well-being of a family member, most of us would say, “yes.” So, why aren’t we doing anything about it? Do we really believe that God is coming back to reward His faithful? If so, why isn’t it a matter of urgency to make sure our own family members are ready?
This w eek, I heard someone say that they were closer to their spiritual family than they are to their earthly family.
This is a true statement for many of us. What this tells me is that many of us haven’t done a very good job of reaching out to our own flesh and blood, me included.
So many times, it is easy for us to give up on our family, especially extended family, or simply avoid thinking about them so that we wont feel guilty. In short, we could all probably do a better at working to make sure that our earthly family IS included in our spiritual family... and that we work to do good to everyone, especially those who belong to the family of believers (ref. Galatians 6:10).
Think on These Things...
1. Do you have family or friends who are lost?
2. When is the last time you spoke to them?
3. Have you spoken to them this week about this?
4. Have you planted the seed of God’s Word?
5. Do you believe God will give the increase?
6. Do you continue to pray about it?
7. If you knew God was returning tomorrow,
would this change your method of evangelism?
8. Are you afraid your teaching will push them
further away?
9. Do you trust God with all your heart? (Prov. 3:5-6)
10. Are you where you need to be spiritually?

Revive in 2005
Camp Theme for Burnt Cabin July 17-23
by Barrett Vanlandingham (written February 23, 2005)
The Elders have approved Fort Gibson’s camp theme for this summer at Burnt Cabin, and I couldn’t be more excited to begin work on our daily lesson plans!
"Revive in 2005" is our theme, and it brings with it some wonderful possibilities:
1) Revive the Unity (among believers)
2) Revive the Integrity (of scripture, worship)
3) Revive the Commitment (to God, to church family)
4) Revive the Passion (for lost souls, for the cross)
5) Revive the Joy in Christian Living
6) Revive the Respect (of self, of others, of God)
The Youth Deacons (Chris Branscum, Gary Cook, and Jim Huggins), the Elders, and I will be working closely together to come up with a schedule and curriculum that will help young people come away from camp with a renewed sense of what it means to be a committed child of God. Our week of camp will also strive to give campers the necessary spiritual tools to put this knowledge into action after camp is over. If you have any thoughts on lessons that should be taught, the above list is by no means a completed work. We’ve only begun. So, please come see me if you have suggestions.
A new opportunity at Burnt Cabin is coming this summer for ages 13 to 19. It’s called TeenWeek, and will be co-directed by Donnie Branscum of Skiatook and myself. The dates are Saturday May 28-Friday, June 3.
I encourage all of our teens to save up some money and go both weeks. You’ll be glad you did! Applications will soon be available at the Youth Booth and online at www.burntcabinyouthcamp.com

OC Spring Sing---If you are in grades 6-12 and want to purchase a ticket for $12, please give me your money by Sunday, so I can order on Monday morning. We will leave Fort Gibson on Friday, March 4 at 4pm. Show is at 8pm that Friday. Bring a sack lunch for on the way, and bring money for breakfast and supper the next day. Saturday lunch will be provided. For those of you who are new to the Christian College scene, Spring Sing is a competitive musical stage event that takes place in Hardeman Auditoium at Oklahoma Christian University each year. Social service clubs compete for bragging rights. The weekend also includes a youth forum (singing, speaker, performing groups) and opportunities for kids to become familiar with a Christian college campus. Bring pillow, sleeping bag, and overnight bag. We will be sleeping on someone’s floor. However, if you are in 11th or 12th grades, dorm space may be available.

Make Every Effort (February 15, 2005)
Some thoughts on unity & spiritual growth
by Barrett Vanlandingham

Make every effort (Eph. 4:3); until we all reach (v.13);
Put on love (Col. 3:14); Let the peace of Christ rule (v. 15).
Q: What do the above phrases have in common?
A: They are all connected to words about unity in the Bible, and they all require action on the part of the reader to bring about this quality among Christians. Unity is a quality that is not only desirable if we are to function as a healthy spiritual body, but it is also a command.
Why is it that in life, we as adults like to be treated as adults... you know... with respect, and as one who deserves to be given a straight answer and be given the inside scoop, not the candy coated version... but when it comes to spiritual matters, we don’t want anyone talking over our heads, or challenging us to a better understanding of God’s Word... while at the same time, we are not very willing to put forth the effort it takes to understand the deeper meanings in God’s Word?
In my position as youth minister, I notice this problem with teens; but we all know this is still a problem for most of us adults when we do not commit daily to working towards a better understanding of God’s Word. This attitude detracts from what should be a “God-centered” religion... and instead makes it “man-centered”, forcing teachers, even in adult classes to communicate on a much lower level than should have to be the case if everyone were serious about getting to know the thoughts, intentions, and wishes of our Creator.
It is also this attitude that tempts our society to use religious “feel good” entertainment as a substitute for sincere religion that includes hard work... the kind that means self-sacrifice (Rom. 12:2)... after all, Jesus certainly sacrificed for us. How sincere are our efforts at returning the favor by taking full advantage of the grace God offers us through His plan of salvation, and rules for holy living, and instructions on how to study and grow spiritually, and finally, putting the things we learn into practice?
You see, it is only when “we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature... ” that we will be able to better use God’s Spirit in our lives to not only fight off the devil’s scheme’s against us, but also use God’s Spirit to build up the Lord’s body, “...as each part does its work.” (ref. Eph. 4: 13-16)
Practical Steps Towards
Unity & Spiritual Growth
1. Priority on prayer (all of us, all the time, everywhere).
2. Decide on a biblical topic that interests you.
3. Pray and get ready to work.
4. Dig for information by using a concordance,
commentaries, internet searches, ask an elder or Bible class teacher, and use the church’s library.
5. Pray for understanding and attitude of perseverance.
6. Read, read, read.
7. Pray for organized thoughts with pure motives.
8. Take notes.
9. Pray.
10. Organize notes into a lesson you can teach in love.
11. Pray for opportunities for you to teach in love.
12. Thank God for answering your prayers.
13. Pick another subject to research and start all over.

What is the Real Question?
Whether to Go to Church?
or Whether to Worship?
by Barrett Vanlandingham (February 10, 2005)

How many times have you heard someone say, “I don’t know if I’m going to go to church today.” What they really mean is... “I don’t know if I’m going to worship God today.”
It really is more than just a matter of how to word things. After all, we are the church... so, we cannot very well attend church, can we? Worship is a priviledge and a command. Why would any Christian have to talk himself into worshiping God who gives us life?
Let’s bring this a closer to home with 3 examples:
1) Let’s say someone told you about an opportunity to meet your greatest sports hero face to face for a private dinner that would take place at the hero’s new home which was recently built in your town; but this one time meeting would have to take on Sunday morning.
2) Or let’s say someone told you about about an nearby opportunity to catch the biggest catfish or shoot the biggest buck anyone has ever landed; but this one time opportunity would have to take place on Sunday morning.
3) Or let’s say someone told you about a local opportunity to meet the stars of your favorite TV show or maybe your favorite musical performer; but this one time opportunity takes place on Sunday morning.
But what if someone told you about an opportunity right here in town to meet face to face with God... you know, The One, The Creator, The All-Knowing, The All-Seeing, The All-Powerful, Our Heavenly Father, Our Judge? And that’s not all, we also have the opportunity to commune with Him in song, prayer, and partaking of the Lord’s Supper. And that’s not all, we also have the opportunity to introduce others to the very One who created us and everything else that means so much to us... and yes, that includes sports heroes, fish, deer, singers, TV and movie stars.
Sometimes I wonder whether we think God isn’t paying any attention to our attitudes about worship. Do we really understand just what an honor it is to come before God’s throne as a body of believers that Jesus suffered and died for? Do we really understand that even though God says that He is patient and desires that everyone would repent and not perish... that at some point, God’s patience will run out, and He will return to judge each of us according to what we have done? Where will you be when He comes? Will you be applying God’s Word to your life and setting the selfless example for others He asks us to?
If you are a member of Christ’s church (of which He is the head), you are part of His body. You may be a hand, a foot, an ear, a heart,or an arm; and when you are absent because you chose to be somewhere else, His body is not complete. Neither the majority meeting together, nor you (the minority) if you are choosing to be away from His body can function at full strength without the other. Every single member of Christ’s body is important; and if you are a member, you are important, and you are very much needed and loved.

Water & Dirt Make More than Mud
As Two Spiritual Events... in Two Different Towns
Touch the Lives of Our Young People
by Barrett Vanlandingham (February 3, 2005)

Jesus
The Thirst Quencher
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)
This was the theme passage for the Poteau Youth Rally that our young people attended over the weekend. The messages centered around our struggles between the world’s idea of what quenches our thirst, versus what Jesus taught the Samaritan woman at the well:
13. Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14. but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14)
Levi Brassfield, Katie Coombes, Lindsay Hunter, Zak Kelley, Ashton Vanlandingham, Nana Wallace, Robby Branscum, Anthony Wallace, and visitor Caroline Dunn had an awesome time at the rally. But some our best time together came before and after the rally during our devotionals and “word up” encouragement time we had on our own. I was extremely encouraged to see these young people open up to each other, and bond spiritually and socially in a way that they had not accomplished up until this point.
Dirty
A Call to Touch the Messiness of Life
“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15)
This was the theme passage for the Kingdom Seekers Teen Leadership Conference at the Sheraton in East Tulsa over the weekend. The theme “Dirty” comes from the life changing teachings of Jesus who calls us to touch the messiness of this life. The classes and other events tried to help the teens understand that only by becoming “dirty” will we faithfully follow Christ’s most powerful teaching and example wherever that will lead us.
The conference also included hands-on service projects at a homeless shelter and an orphanage; also drama presentations and fasting for one meal.
Five of our 9th-12th graders including Cody Compelube, Josh Huggins, Jenna Arnett, Amanda Coombes, and Tara Richey along with sponsors Leon and Janet Strain attended the conference.

In other news... 9th grader Anthony Wallace gave an awesome devotional talk at the Family Skate Night in Tahlequah Sunday night. Jared Meschberger led some songs, and Cody Compelube led the opening prayer. Chandler Road, Tahlequah, and a van load of Fort Gibson youth were in attendance.

Love
Is it something... or nothing?
by Barrett Vanlandingham

The answer could depend on how it is received. When I was a kid, there was a song we sang all the time called "Love is Something if You Give it Away." I, like most kids my age at the time, probably looked at that song rather idealistically. I understood that love was something to be shared, and that if I didn’t give away any love, then I would not receive any love. The song was a nice training tool, but as I grew older, it became obvious that as a Christian, I had an obligation to give away love, not because I would get something in return, but because it was the right thing to do.
I discovered through life’s experiences that the song I sang as a child should actually be viewed from the other person’s perspective, not my own perspective. Even if I feel like I am giving away love to those inside and outside of the church, yet I see no results, maybe I am giving away nothing instead of something. I say this because of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
4. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8a. Love never fails.
Something tells me that if you and I were to give away love as it is described in these verses, then changes would soon take place in the lives we touch. This kind of love would then spread to others, because "Love never fails."
www.ministertoyouthbarrettvanlandingham.blogspot.com



Bullies Need Love Too
by Barrett Vanlandingham (January 20, 2005)

One time when I was in 8th grade, I had a classmate named Richard who was a wrestler. He was little, but meaner and tougher than the “Dickens” who must have been really bad because the Dickens’ name always came up when anyone was comparing orneriness. Nevertheless, one day I pulled Richard aside and told him that people would like him a lot better if he weren’t so mean and hateful to everybody, and that he would have lots of friends if he just started being a little nicer. The turnaround was incredible! Richard immediately smiled, then told his closest friends right there in front of me that he was going to be nice from then on so that more people would like him. As I recall, the attitude change didn’t last but for a few days; but it was nice while it lasted; and maybe it would have lasted longer had I continued getting closer to Richard as a friend and not just to call him down on his behavior.
The reason this incident sticks in my mind is because it was the first time I had actually gotten up enough nerve to do what was right regarding this subject matter. To this day, it is still difficult for me to confront bullies. Most of us, including me, prefer to avoid confrontation. The problem with that is the fact that unresolved conflict will only continue to boil and become more pressurized until somebody explodes, unless the conflict seeps out little by little in the form of gossip and snide remarks. Either way is destructive. This scenario also applies to our church family. In Col. 3:12-14 the apostle Paul lists virtues such as humility and gentleness that God’s people need to possess; but he says, “14and over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them together in perfect unity.”
What? Nobody wants to be bound together in perfect unity with a bully! But if we accept God’s plan for salvation, we must also accept his plan for perfect unity; because if we follow it, we may find that the more love we show towards everyone (including bullies), the more difficult it will become to even find someone in need of an attitude adjustment.
Our battle with Satan has more at stake than any earthly battle we face; and most of us would warn just about anyone if we thought another human being was in physical danger. This same rationale needs to be applied to our spiritual lives too, since for the Christian our physical lives and our spiritual lives cannot be separated; we must begin to speak openly where matters of scripture, not opinion, are concerned. Neither my salvation nor anyone else’s depends on my choice of hairstyles or clothing styles (presuming decency is not a factor); however, if my soul or someone else’s is in danger of being lost, we have a responsibility. Let us combine our obligations towards the world as stated in the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 with Paul’s words on unity in the body as we seek to show love towards all of mankind, inside and outside of the church. It’s not a matter of risk to receive the reward of unity; it’s a command and a promise from God.

The Name I Love to Hear
by Barrett Vanlandingham (January 13, 2005)

Jesus is the name I love to hear. In fact, His name is the one name that all Christians should feel strongly about. After all, we wear His name; and just look what He has done for us: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8b) That statement alone should be enough to cut to our hearts (Acts 2:37) and change us forever when we consider that His blood cleanses the faithful to this very second.
The fact that Jesus left His heavenly home is at the very least... incomprehensible when we stop and think about what He traded His home for, life as we know it. That means 1) putting on flesh that deteriorates, 2) being limited by time and space, 3) dealing with aches and pains, 4) answering questions of doubters, people He created, 5) being whipped and crucified by those He loved.
It would have been bad enough to leave heaven for even one minute to come to this place... just think about what it must have been like for Him to be here for 33 years... separated from His father, God... and having to live like one of us... all the while, knowing He could in an instant go back home and leave us in a helpless and hopeless state... and escape His own pain.
I cannot think of anyone about whom there has been more books, poems, stories, and songs written. Jesus Christ is everything to me. He’s my only Hope; He’s my Hero; He’s my Deliverer; He’s my Inspiration; He’s the Reason I get up in the morning; and He’s the Reason I look forward to tomorrow, no matter what it brings.
The Name I love to hear... Jesus. He’s my King!

Dear Youth Group and Families,
Thank you so much for your not so kind and gentle, yet creative ushering in of my forties Tuesday night. I think that is the first time in a while I have been absolutely speechless. The fake elder’s meeting, the grim reaper, the special song, and all the gag gifts will not go unremembered, no matter how old I get. Here’s to retalliation and just getting better with time.
Thanks again, Barrett


And the Headlines Read...
Crimson Creamed and OU Shocker
by Barrett Vanlandingham (January 6, 2005)

These were the local newspaper headlines the morning after. The January 4, 2005 national football championship game played in the Orange Bowl in Florida between OU and USC is one that Sooner fans would like to forget sooner than later. Unfortunately, the 55-19 score will go down in history books as the game that silenced the Sooners, settling the question of who really is number one (at least for now).
It kind of makes me wonder what kind of headlines topped the news in the first century the morning after Christ arose from the tomb. Well, it might depend on whose paper you read. The Doubters’ Daily probably said something like “Body Stolen, Crimson Flowed for Nothing, ” or “Crucified King Gone for Good.”
I prefer to think that the Heaven’s Daily Herald would have sold more copies with its headline of “Risen Savior Gone but Not for Good,” or “Crimson Victory No Shocker.”
In the end, the history books (even outside of the Bible) document the victory of Christ’s resurrection. In book 18, chapter 3, verse 3 on page379 of Josephus: Antiquities of the Jews (found in our church library), the Jewish historian, Josephus (37a.d.-100a.d.), wonders if it is right to call Jesus a man, because of His wonderful works. Josephus even referred to Jesus as the Christ who was condemned to the cross, and who appeared to His followers “alive again on the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him;” These statements are important because:
1) People of the Jewish faith do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God , 2) Imagine the nerve it would have taken for a Jewish historian to admit in a history book that Jesus really was the Christ, which implies that the Jews really messed up... big time, and that Christ’s resurrection was "no shocker,"3) Even though many Jews saw Josephus as a traitor, it is nice to know that there are ancient literary sources outside of the Bible that speak of Jesus’ significance.
Josephus was born in Jerusalem just four years after Jesus died. The story of Jesus was probably more common to Josephus than the story of late celebrities Dale Earnhardt, Perry Como, Carroll O’Connor, Jack Lemmon, Chet Atkins, and Anthony Quinn would be to a child born in 2005 who was later asked to write a history book to tell of diseased celebrities from 2001.
OU’s Crimson and Cream may have suffered some embarrassment in front of an entire nation. The good news for Sooner fans is that when this life is over, so are the history books. 2 Peter 3:10 says, "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." The only publication any of us will care about in the end is the "Book of Life," and whether our name is written there. Wouldn’t it be sad to think that we could actually live such busy and distracted lives that we forget to add godly qualities to our faith? "Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall. (Ref. 2 Peter 2:3-10) May we all walk in the light so the crimson that flowed for us may continually purify us from all sin. (ref. 1 John 1:7)