THE BEACON - Electronic Edition - 10/4/05 Why Is It? Some things are difficult for me to understand. I am not referring to the sciences or mathematics, even though I could for they gave me a lot of trouble when I was in school-I am talking about some things that, on the surface, seem simple enough but yet often have me asking myself, "Why?" Smoking Why is it, in the face of all we know about the dangers of smoking, people still smoke cigarettes? A person would have to have been a hermit for the past 40 years not to know of the harmful effects of smoking cigarettes. It is well documented that this habit causes cancer, heart disease, lung ailments and other maladies. There is not a rational person who can say that he does not know how harmful smoking is to one's health. Yet, people continue to puff away. Why? The reasons are many but basically I believe there are three main ones. 1) The "Superman Syndrome." This is the idea that while others may be adversely affected by it, it will not hurt me. I knew a woman who had smoked for 65 years. She had to have portions of both of her lungs removed because of cancer. She had less than 15% of her lung capacity. She needed oxygen nearly all the time. Yet she would not stop smoking. Why? She claimed it was not harmful to her. She said that her cancer came from working in a peanut warehouse when she was a teenager and that the peanut dust caused her respiratory problems. In spite of all the evidence to the contrary, she never admitted that her smoking harmed her. It may have hurt others but not her. Sadly, there are many people like her. 2) "Nobody's going to tell me what to do. I'll live or die as I please." Many who know how harmful smoking is do it just to be rebellious. The more you warn and caution some people about the dangers of a thing or practice, they, instead of being deterred from it, have their interest in it heightened. They somehow think that it makes them an independent thinker. In reality, when taking up smoking they must not be thinking at all. Young people are especially vulnerable to this attitude. 3) They want to do it. Even though people might know the dangers involved in smoking they will still engage in it because it is something they just want to do. They usually say that, though, because many of those consequences, especially the most injurious, are not immediate. So they are willing to trade the future for present pleasure. Seatbelts I must also ask "Why?" when it comes to using seatbelts while driving. Why is it that people who know the dangers of not wearing seatbelts or not having their children wear them, do not "buckle up?" Again, the harmful effects are well documented and easily seen. Why is it that people do not wear them? I believe the reasons are the same as those cited for smoking cigarettes: "It won't happen to me." "Nobody's going to tell me what to do." "I just don't like wearing a belt. It is uncomfortable so I am not going to wear one. I'll do what I like." Sin You knew the main lesson of this article was not really smoking or seatbelt usage. It is just that when one starts asking "Why?" when it comes to these practices, one sees the same reasons that people use when it comes to sin against God and their participation in it. The dangers of sin are plainly revealed in Scripture. The soul that sins shall die (Ezek. 18:20). "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23). All sinners will have their place in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone (Rev. 21:8). Seeing the fate of the sinner, why do people sin? 1) They sin because they think others may suffer but somehow they will not. They believe somehow they will be exempted from such suffering. But God is impartial (Acts 10:34-35). He promises that one will reap what he sows (Gal. 6:7-8). If one sows to the flesh, to sin, he will reap corruption. There will be no exceptions. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10). 2) Some will not be guided by the Bible. They refuse to submit to the will of God choosing, rather, to follow their own will. Nobody, not even God, is going to tell them how to live their lives. 3) They want to sin. They want the pleasures of sin (Heb. 11:24-26). They are willing to give up an eternity of joy in the presence of God for the passing pleasures of sin. Many have exchanged their soul for sins they enjoy (Matt. 16:26). Why is it that people sin? I have given some basic reasons but, given its harmful consequences, they still do not make sense. Sin does not make sense. But it still "brings forth death" (Jas. 1:15). - by Gene Taylor ____________________________________________ We Are Not Babysitters! While discussing a problem in a local church, a good brother made a simple and practical observation. He said, "We are not babysitters!" His comment is exactly right. Babysitters, of course, are expected to do everything for the children they are watching: change diapers, wipe dirty faces, feed meals, entertain, mediate fights, rock to sleep, etc., etc., etc. In fact, a good babysitter will have little time to actually do any sitting! It seems some brethren expect to be served in the same way a babysitter watches over the children under her care. In fact, the complaints often heard in the church come from those who feel that their every care has not been adequately met by others. As an example of this, we knew of a brother who missed the services on one Sunday. No one knew his whereabouts, and he had not made any effort to explain his absence. Most of his fellow members imagined that he had gone out of town on a visit, or was called away on some other business. A few days later this brother complained that no one had even called him or written a letter. His own failure to communicate was at the heart of the problem, but he was quick to criticize others for what he viewed as their failure towards him. Many such instances could be cited. We have heard of brethren who complained if proper recognition was not made of a graduation or anniversary, or if a wedding or baby shower was not held in their honor. We have known of some who griped about not being visited when sick, or if food was not delivered when there was a family funeral, etc. We acknowledge that all such deeds of kindness and service are appropriate and beneficial. But when certain brethren will use these things as an excuse to cover their own lack of commitment to the Lord, it exposes the true problem. Yes, we should humbly serve one another - and we know that a lot of such service takes place in the local church. But, NO, we are not babysitters! And the brethren who are always looking for that sort of attention need to grow up! Think! - by Greg Gwin ____________________________________________ Trends . . . A Girls Scouts survey found that teen girls believed they could do the following on the Internet without their parents' knowledge: 86% - chat in a chat room 57% - read their parents' email 54% - carry on a cyber romance 46% - set up a meeting with someone they met online 42% - view a porn site - via The Net Effect: Girls and New Media, Girl Scout Research Institute, 2002, p.11. 2 Timothy 2:22 "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." _____________________________________________ Some quotes worth pondering . . . "If the going is real easy, beware, you may be headed down hill." "There is always time in a day to do God's will." "Live near to God, and so all things will appear to you little in comparison with eternal realities." "The resource from which God gives is boundless, measureless, unlimited, unending, abundant, almighty, and eternal." "Obedience to God today is the best preparation for tomorrow." "The motivation and strength to live a life of purity is a by-product of a spiritual commitment." "Meekness is giving in to God; weakness is giving into self." ______________________________________________ News from Collegevue . . . October 2, 2005 Welcome! We are very glad to see you on this Lord's Day. We especially greet our visitors, and invite you to come again real soon. BAPTISM: We rejoiced on September 23rd when Buddy Hood was baptized into Christ. Please pray for him as he serves the Lord. NEW MEMBERS: We are glad to report that Andy and Gayle Dvorak, (Megan, Alex, Stephen) have asked to be identified as members here. Do your part to make them feel welcome. Update your directories with this information: 210 Cheyenne Trail, Columbia, TN 38401; phone 840-0093. BIRTH: We thank God for a safe and healthy arrival of Caraline Mae Hanes. Congratulations to Michelle and Trent on this new addition to their family. Continue to pray for those who are sick, including: Coletta Poole, Keith Burroughs, Buddy Hood, Lynn Keeton's father, Libby Tate's brother, Tina Overton, Hubert Morrow, Lucille Vick's great-nephew, Ted & Mary Ring's son, and others. Additional Bible Study opportunities - in addition to our regular schedule of worship services and Bible classes, please remember: a.. Thursday morning class (10am) b.. "The Virtual Bible Study" on the Internet, Thursdays at 8pm (www.Collegevue.com) a.. Our gospel meeting - November 13-18 Figures for the week of 9/25/05: Sunday, Bstudy, 125; AM, 152; PM, 118; Wed., 138; Contrib., $2830 ______________________________________________ "The Beacon - Electronic Edition" is sent out weekly from Columbia, TN, and contains articles and information taken from the most recent "paper" bulletin of the Collegevue Church of Christ. We hope you will use this material in any way you can that will glorify our Father. Please give proper credit to the respective authors. ______________________________________________ Visit our website at: www.Collegevue.com email us at: collegevuecoc@bellsouth.net contact the editor (Greg Gwin) at: greggwin@bellsouth.net