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THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER VOLUME 5, NUMBER 52, JANUARY 1, 2006 IN THE PLAY-OFFS, BUT NO MORE FOOTBALL FOR ME Well, I’ve made up my mind never to attend another football game. Of course, I’ve been a football fan for years, but now I’m finished with it. Let me list some of the reasons why I am not going to any more football games: 1. I was taken as a child to too many of the games when I was growing up. 2. The games always are played when I want to be doing something else. 3. Every time I go to a game, someone is always asking for money. 4. Very few people are friendly and try to speak to me when I am there. 5. The seats are too hard and uncomfortable; besides, I often have to sit way down front on the 50 yard line. 6. I suspect that there are some hypocrites sitting nearby. I can’t stand to be around any hypocrites. 7. Often, the field judge says things and makes calls I just don’t agree with. 8. The band sometimes will play a few numbers I’ve never heard before. 9. Some of the games last too long, and that makes me late getting home. 10. I have a good book about football. I don’t see any reason why I can’t just stay at home and read that; you don’t have to go to be a fan. Kind of foolish, isn’t it, to miss some of the joys of football for silly reasons like these?! I wonder how many are missing the joys of Bible study, worship, edification, training, and prayer for reasons that are just as foolish? Let’s all think about it (Galatians 6:9). Bob Dickey HONOR IS DUE The Lord teaches that we are to “Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” (Romans 13:7). Many times there are those in the church who are taken for granted, ignored or criticized, when honor should be given them for their function in the body of Christ. Teachers of the classes of young and old have accepted a grave responsibility, and give much time and exert much effort to this work, for they realize that souls are in their hands. They are deserving of gratitude, respect and honor for their labor. Are their efforts appreciated, or are they taken for granted? They are to be esteemed highly for their work’s sake. The work of keeping the building and grounds; of keeping records involved in the church’s activities; of arranging for assistance in cases of bereavement, illness and other needs; of handling the treasury; other office work: all these things require the willing contribution of many hands. Do we sometimes feel that “they are just doing their job” rather than showing appreciation? If those who are doing these things cease, who would do it? They deserve honor for their work’s sake. Those who lead the singing in our worship make extra effort in their task beyond merely singing as one of the congregation. If you do not believe it, just try doing it. Then there are those who willingly give of time and effort in singing for special occasion. All these do not ask for special recognition for their services, for they feel that they are serving the Lord, but from all of us they deserve honor and esteem for their work’s sake. The elders have a special honor for their work’s sake. They provide a consistently good quality and quantity of spiritual diet of teaching and edification of the church. They try to have all the members personally and actively engaged in the work of the Lord. They spend many hours, of which we may not be aware, in planning and working with the members for the spiritual health and growth of the church. As is said in 1 Timothy 5:17; let them “be counted worthy of double honor.” For all those who faithfully and willingly engage in specially assigned tasks in our midst these words are appropriate: “know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work’s sake.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). Finally, we bestow honor even upon the less capable (1 Cor. 12:23) that the church should be whole and entire. “Honor all men.” (1 Peter 2:17). Robert Welch
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