by: Gary L. Hutchens

​   Is it reasonable to believe in God, the supreme being, creator and sustainer of the universe?  Atheists say there is no verifiable scientific evidence of God’s existence.  At least partially based on that belief, they absolutely do not believe in God.  Agnostics tend to not believe in God.  While conceding the possibility of God’s existence, they doubt that He exists.  Skeptics probably hold more of an open mind than do agnostics, but still doubt God’s existence.  It’s easy to see similarities in these various views.

By: Gary L. Hutchens

​   “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Ps. 127:1).  If God is not behind something, it will ultimately fail, no matter what it is.  If God does not watch over something, it will ultimately come undone.  If God does not protect the border, any boundary will ultimately be breached.  There is no security, in the ultimate sense, this side of Heaven!  That’s the long and the short of it.  Consider the mighty city of New Orleans in regard to Hurricane Katrina.

By: Gary L. Hutchens

​     We live in a world that is both obsessed with security and at the same time frustrated by the realization that true security is becoming increasingly elusive.  Security cameras are everywhere.  New, high-tech, super sophisticated weapons systems are continually being incorporated into the defensive systems of nations all around the world in an effort to insure their security from outside attack.  But as soon as a new weapons system is deployed, it is already virtually out of date.  A newer, more sophisticated, better system designed to defeat the first is either in the developmental process or, in many cases, ready to come on line.

By: Gary L. Hutchens

​   “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Tim. 6:12).  With that admonition in mind, how’s the fight going?  The devil’s your adversary, your opponent (1 Pet. 5:8).  Is he pummeling you?  Are you standing your ground?  Are you defending yourself?  Are you hitting back?  Has he knocked you through the ropes? Did you get back up?  Are you down for the count?

By: Gary L. Hutchens

   Time- precious, fleeting, uncertain…  All of us go through twenty four hours of it every day, sixty minutes every hour, sixty seconds every minute.  That’s 1440 minutes and 86,400 seconds every day.  That sounds like a lot, but it goes by so quickly that it’s gone almost before we know it.

By : Gary L. Hutchens

​   The date July 4th holds special significance to our nation.  It marks the date, in 1776, on which the founding fathers signed the Declaration Of Independence, declaring our independence from England and our determination to be a free and sovereign nation.  Accordingly, we celebrate July 4th as Independence Day. 

by: Gary L. Hutchens

​   After the death of king Solomon, Israel split into two nations.  The bulk of the ten northern tribes continued to be referred to as Israel in scripture.  The two tribes to the south became known as Judah, taking the name of the largest of those tribes (1 Kgs. 12).

by: Gary L. Hutchens

​   We celebrate Father’s Day every third Sunday in June.  The intent is to honor fathers for the important role they play in raising their children.  It’s touching, heart warming to see families gather at restaurants to treat Dad to a meal and to say “We love you, Dad, and thanks for a job well done.”  The kids have little idea just how much that small gesture means to their father.

​1. It made some people question the reality of my religious faith (James 2:17).
 
2. It set an example of neglecting the assembly and failing to obey an inspired command                 (Hebrews 10:25). 

Living Expectantly
Ron Bartanen, via Arthur church of Christ, Arthur, IL
Bulletin Digest
(Edited)

​   Have you ever heard the tale of old Shep? Near where our daughter and family live in Montana, overlooking the Missouri River and the Great Northern Railroad, is a monument erected to pay tribute to old Shep, a collie dog that had belonged to an old shepherd.