Greetings of Christian love to one and all. In this issue of the magazine (Summer 2023)… The Church History article focuses on Bible prophecy pertaining to the end times and some various ways that over the years certain elements of the church got off track from the Biblical teaching as it pertained to their everyday life. In his article, Donny Brechbill, who together with his wife teaches multiple marriage seminars each year, endeavors to zone in on a challenging subject—some of the root problems that they see with women who are struggling in the church. Lee Rufener takes an unapologetic approach in his effort to share some expository teaching on practical ways to have a sanctified home. We have a new writer for the sisters this time who shares a burden on her heart—instilling God’s Word in the hearts of the next generation.
Plus, more interesting topics. Enjoy.
If you are edified or encouraged by any of the authors’ content, it would be a blessing for you to respond to us by mail or email. We pass this along to our writers for their benefit.
Recently, I was pondering the subject of change. As I have written before, we have gone through a fair bit of change as a family. During the last 1 to 2 years, we moved to another place of residence, I acquired a new job, and finally, praise the Lord, I have mostly recovered from most of the long-term effects of Covid. A special thanks to each one who has prayed for my health.
As I paused in quiet reminiscence, I was surprised by all the things that have changed in the 40-plus years that I can recall from memory. (Even though I am over 50 I really don’t remember much from the earliest years of my life.)
As a boy, I rode around in vehicles that had no seat belts and for sure, no airbags. When both of those “lifesaving” devices were first being introduced I well remember the many discussions whether they were truly lifesaving in their effect or whether the opposite was true. All vehicles used to be rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. How odd it seemed when the first front-wheel drive cars started to appear. Now we have hybrid vehicles with a push towards fully electric vehicles.
Forty-plus years ago, most farmers had gas-powered tractors with a carburetor or a diesel tractor with a manually powered injector pump. Today, most tractors are equipped with a computer and seemingly miles of wires and electronic this and electronic that. Back then, most farmers were able to maintain or repair their own equipment; now there is a need for diagnostic machines and specialized tools which cost a lot of money and take many hours to learn how to operate. This causes most farmers to rely on the expertise of specialized repairmen which also cost a lot of money.
Then there was Covid. That was a stressful time. Have you noticed what has changed during, after, or as a result of Covid? As I interact with others, routinely someone will say that this or that is different since Covid. Is it just me, or since Covid is the general public less friendly and more private with their interactions? Let’s check our own interactions to ensure that we are still being God’s “light” and “salt” to this dark world, and that we are not losing our “saltiness”. Also, there are help wanted signs everywhere. Why? It seems to me that Covid has encouraged what little work ethic was still flourishing in our society to diminish even further.
Then there is the issue of cell phones and E-bikes. What do these two disconnected products have in common? From my vantage point observing the Amish of Holmes County, these two items have done more to change a people and a culture in a more major way than almost anything else has in recent times.
Where does this all leave us? The Hebrew writer says that For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law –Hebrews 7:12. So, we see that God changed things as He saw fit, thus, if we need to change to become more Biblical, then we should. But the Apostle Paul says That we [should] henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine… –Ephesians 4:14.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved –Matthew 24:12-13. So, let us be vigilant in these end times as change happens more and more around us. May we be among those who shall endure until the end.
