Treasure Digest

• The Bulletproof Vest
• Meaningful Fellowship
• Our UCG Web Site—a Treasure Trove!
• Who Are You Going to Rule Beside?
• Planning a Garden of Growth
• Things to Plant in Your Spiritual Garden
• A Cure for Hiccups
• Stay Focused on the Path Ahead and Don't Look Back
• Turning the Hearts . . .Caring for Your Elderly Parents, Part 5
• Children's Corner [See PDF version]
• Share Your Treasures!

The Bulletproof Vest

Like everyone else on the beat, Detective Sergeant Joe had heard the lectures on bulletproof vests and had found them entirely convincing. And he'd worn his vest pretty regularly too! At first.

But finding them heavy and cumbersome and taking precious time to put on, once in a while Joe decided he could do without it. But not because he didn't believe they worked. Not at all! There was no doubt in his mind that bulletproof vests could and did save lives. He'd heard the statistics and was utterly convinced that a man had a far greater chance of surviving on the police force if he wore the vest. And he wore his—most of the time.

When the thug he was trying to arrest shot him point-blank in the chest, Joe hardly knew what hit him. His partner, Mike, tried desperately to help him, but, without the lifesaving vest, the bullet had entered Joe's heart and he lived only a few moments after impact. Tears of anger and regret flowed from Mike's eyes as he watched his friend and coworker die in his arms. He would curse himself a thousand times thereafter, telling himself that he should have somehow "made" Joe wear that vest!

It was a grisly reminder to police everywhere, and the requirement to wear the vest at all times became doubly enforced all across the country. Joe's death was so unnecessary…

"He would almost certainly still be alive if only he'd been wearing his bulletproof vest," was the comment that would not die. If only he'd worn the vest Joe professed to believe in.

Knowledge is not enough. Belief is not enough. Conviction is not enough. Lectures, statistics, evidence—not enough.

"What does it profit, my fellow workers, though a man says he believes in bulletproof vests and does not wear one? Can belief save him? You prove to me you believe in the protection they give without wearing one, and I will prove my belief in their effectiveness by always wearing one. Belief, without action, is dead!" (very loosely borrowed from James 2:14, 18, 26).

What about us? Do we have faith without works? Are we just believers?

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

—Carol L. Taylor
Los Angeles, California, congregation

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Meaningful Fellowship

True biblical fellowship can be an even deeper and more rewarding experience than we might ever have realized before. According to an item I came across in the Bible Society's quarterly newsletter Word in Action:

"[The] Greek— 'koinonia,' which the Bible translates as 'fellowship'—is strong and dynamic. It was used for business partnership, implying mutual commitment and participation over a long time, with important outcomes. It was used in connection with marriage… evoking a picture of deep, mutually supportive relationships."

The Greek verb "to fellowship" means to do things together, to own something between you, to share a whole life with someone. It's about deep-level integration, not just casual talk over a cup of tea.

The article also mentions that the apostle Paul had that in mind when writing about the collection he arranged for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. In Romans 15:26, the word translated "contribution" is this word koinonia. "It had been an expression of deep mutual committed relationship," says the author.

In 2 Corinthians 13:14 Paul refers to the "communion of the Spirit," which, again, is the Greek word koinonia, as in Philippians 2:1, where it's translated "fellowship."

As the article goes on to explain, "He [Paul] wants us to understand the presence, company and practical help which the Spirit provides and generates between us. To warrant the use of 'fellowship,' relationships need to be intimate, open, committed and costly."

I wonder how we in God's Church today measure up to this? Here, no doubt, is a great opportunity to continue to learn and grow.

—Caroline Sutton
Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

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Our UCG Web Site—a Treasure Trove!

Recently I began surfing through our UCG Web site and was absolutely amazed at what treasures it offers! Let me share what I found sleuthing through our ucg.org Web site.

Do you realize that our publications are available online? This includes 33 booklets, the "Bible and Archaeology" series, Good News magazines, United News, Vertical Thought, Vertical Christian Magazine, World News and Prophecy and the Bible Study Course— most from their beginning publication dates.

When I discovered this, out went some of my stacks of printed copies. In addition, there were 38 study papers, 31 article reprints and more than 200 sermon transcripts.

If you have not followed our Bible Reading Program, why not give it a try? It goes through the Bible book by book in depth, giving us background, overall themes, important facts and crucial lessons we can learn. At present, the study of the Old Testament is nearly complete (over 1,000 pages available in PDF format!) and the New Testament readings should begin soon.

I have listened to many of the outstanding Ambassador Bible Center classes. More than 350 sessions have been recorded and are available, covering the entire New Testament, the Pentateuch, our fundamental doctrines, comparative religion and other subjects. What a fantastic opportunity for most of us not able to attend ABC.

In addition, there are over 200 specially selected audiovisual sermons available from 2001 to the present. Have you been able to experience a World News and Prophecy seminar? You can choose among more than 20 presentations online. Over 60 Beyond Today telecasts are ready to access.

Do you want to cover a subject by topic? Just insert your subject into the UCG Web site search function and you may find a sermon or material that may be just what you are looking for.

Would you prefer to systematically go through books of the Bible? Both the Bible Reading Program and the Ambassador Bible Center classes are made to order!

Take time to surf, explore and profit by what is on our ucg.org Web site. Have fun and take advantage of its many treasures!

—Jean Updegraff
Garden Grove, California, congregation

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Who Are You Going to Rule Beside?

Every week I show up at church and say hello to everyone and give a smile. This is genuine and heartfelt. However, I still have my close friends who I always talk with in depth about life and Church and many other things.

It is fine to have close friends, but why do we limit ourselves? I know I am guilty. Every person at church is our brother or sister, no matter what age or nationality. God brought us together and expects us to rule together in the Kingdom. How can we be good rulers then if we don't know those we are to rule beside?

I have noticed how we tend to stay in our corners with the people we feel most comfortable, but shouldn't we feel comfortable with all of God's people? Perhaps we don't know each other as He wishes us to.

Make a plan. Every Sabbath, pick two or three members that you don't know as well as you would like. Say maybe a man and a woman or an older person and a younger one or a single member and a married member. How about a father or mother, son or daughter or a baptized member and a non-baptized attendee?

When you approach them and start talking to them, ask about their lives. Where were they born? Were they born in the Church? What did they study in school? What do they do for work now? How long have they been married? How did they meet their spouse? When were they baptized? What was their calling like? There are so many questions we can ask.

If you see someone new or a visitor, always make a point to introduce yourself to the person.

It's easy for us to make excuses to avoid meeting new people, especially if we are shy. We can pray and ask God to give us the courage to go up to these people and get to know them. Go as a group. Ask your friends to go with you. It also does not matter how large or small our local congregation is. It might take a little longer if it is a larger congregation, but it should give us more motivation to start now.

God expects His people to be friendly and to know one another. How else can we rule and be at one with God in the Kingdom? We can't expect someone else to always come up to us. Sometimes we have to take the initiative, so why not start this Sabbath?

—Jennifer Pennington
Columbus, Ohio, congregation

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Planning a Garden of Growth

When we plant a garden in the spring, we generally have an end result in mind that we are anxiously waiting for. Do you anticipate a bumper crop of beans, juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, fresh leaf lettuce or maybe fragrant roses?

As we view our spiritual garden, we must also ask, "What are the end results that I am anxiously waiting for?" We must carefully choose good seed, such as seedlings from Galatians 5:22-23.

Soil preparation is important. Once I bought an inexpensive potting soil. Unfortunately, the company had not sterilized the soil. I had geraniums with weeds growing in the same containers. Each was vying for the nutrients that were needed for proper growth.

Many professionals encourage soil tests. These tests show what nutrients are needed in the soil for proper growth and productivity. As Christians preparing for a year of growth, examining our own soil content is extremely important (Matthew 13:1-43). Do I have an acid attitude? Where am I spiritually undernourished?

Your spiritual garden plan will change from year to year, depending on what the previous year has brought. I would encourage you to draw your plan on a piece of paper, remembering the end results that you are anxiously waiting for. Prayerfully label the items that you need to remove: fear, manipulation, rejection, etc. This garden plan can also list activities, places and events that will be helpful for productive growth and harvesting.

We are still human, so remember to leave a corner of your garden for relaxation and fun. If this isn't planned, it might not occur.

Your plan can help you throughout the year; growth will be more abundant as you know what you are working for (James 1:22; Philippians 4:9).

As we meditate and repent from the past year's weeds that crept into our gardens (Galatians 5:19-21), we need to consider what we need for a maintenance program in our spiritual gardens.

God gives us each time to grow; He is a very patient God (Luke 13:6-9). Use your time wisely for a year of great spiritual productivity!

—Tina Rupp
Youngstown, Ohio, congregation

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Things to Plant in Your Spiritual Garden

Plant four rows of squash:

1. Squash gossip.
2. Squash indifference.
3. Squash grumbling.
4. Squash selfishness.

Plant four rows of lettuce:

1.Let us be faithful.
2. Let us be kind.
3. Let us be patient.
4. Let us really love one another.

Plant a row of peas:

1. Peace of mind.

Make sure you grow enough thyme:

1. Time for family.
2. Time for friends.

Remember, you reap what you sow.

—Adapted from the Caribbean newsletter

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A Cure for Hiccups

Years ago, someone gave me a "sure cure" for hiccups. I didn't know why it worked for me—it just did. Drink one full glass of water with a metal spoon in it and make sure the spoon handle is touching your cheek the whole time while you drink the entire glass in one long drink. Later, an old Army vet also gave me his sure cure for hiccups. Extend your finger a full arm's length away, hold it still and fully concentrate your eye on your finger with every bit of your energy. This also worked for me.

I'd never understood why the first cure worked until I learned the second one. By concentrating fully on something else, I could "trick" my brain into stopping the hiccups.

Isn't life like that now? We have so many distractions that can cause hiccups in our spiritual lives. We can be distracted from our relationship with God by our games, our televisions, our computers, even our problems.

What we need to do is regularly concentrate fully on God, His plan and what He expects from us. We need to be fully immersed in prayer, Bible study, meditation and also fasting.

Hebrews 10:22-23 says, "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."

With full concentration on the ways of God, we can avoid or cure the spiritual hiccups!

—Carolyn Prater
Cincinnati East, Ohio, congregation

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Stay Focused on the Path Ahead and Don't Look Back

"But Jesus told him, 'Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God'" (Luke 9:62, New Living Translation).

I find it interesting how we can look at the past through cynical glasses or rose-colored glasses, often not realizing that either one is a huge liability. Paul set us an example when he said, "But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead" (Philippians 3:13). I feel many do not take this with the gravity that God meant.

Often, I find people who dwell a lot in the past suspiciously look at the Church and the ministry through that past. While we are to learn from the past, we cannot judge the present or the future by it. The human nature we all struggle with clings to every hurt and feeling of betrayal of the past, which hinders us by stymieing growth. On the other hand, God's plan for us is future-oriented and growth-oriented through overcoming.

Then there is the second scenario. I simply title it the rose-colored glasses scenario. Remember the children of Israel? They had been delivered from the tyranny and bondage of Egypt, where they had been slaves for years. They cried out to God for deliverance, and the Lord answered their prayers.

As they were making their way through the wilderness, God supernaturally fed them with an incredible substance called manna. It was like bread from heaven. They had it daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But after a while, they got a little tired of it. They said, "We are sick of manna. We remember back in Egypt we used to eat garlic, leeks and onions. Those were the good old days… If we could only go back."

The good old days? Really? They basically ate scraps in Egypt because they were slaves. Their lives were miserable. Yet in their imaginations, they had supersized those scraps to some storybook feast they had every day. They were not looking at the past accurately.

When we go through something that hurts, like what many of us experienced with our separation from our former organization, there are always lessons learned from history, like having a "love" for the truth and being doctrinally sound. But when we allow our present relationships to be governed by the painful past, we hinder opportunities for growth, love and trust.

Don't build up the past in your mind. Remember it for what it was, good and bad, and learn from it. Imitate the good and don't repeat the bad. Don't allow the enemy to pull you down by fantasizing about it. Protect your mind, and don't look back.

—Stuart Segall
Pastor, Crescent City, Eureka and Red Bluff, California, congregations

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Turning the Hearts . . .
Caring for Your Elderly Parents, Part 5

In part 4 we discussed caring for elderly parents whose health permits them to continue to stay in their own home with assistance. But what about when they are no longer able to cope on their own?

The transition from their own dwelling to possibly a nursing home may be made easier by bringing them into the child's home for a short period of time. Thinking of a nursing home may be repulsive to both the aged parent and the child. "The decision to institutionalize a loved one is among the most difficult anyone is ever required to make" (Earl and Sharon Grollman, Caring for Your Aged Parents, 1978, page 110). More recently, assisted-living facilities have become another option, offering various services to allow residents to maintain a level of independence.

If it becomes necessary, the child ought to be prepared for a lot of self-pity on the part of the parent. To the parent it can seem like rejection. However, a visit to some nursing homes may prove to him or her that they are not all cold and impersonal. Before making the move, be sure to learn more about the aged parent's financial situation. Have an attorney or accountant prepare a complete inventory of assets. Then check what the government will supply. (In the United States, Medicare, Medicaid and Supplementary Security Income are some sources. The local Social Security office may supply more information.)

When searching for a good nursing home, get recommendations from doctors, ministers, social workers, senior citizens' groups, the Social Security office, friends and relatives. Check your state Department of Health for inspection results and complaints. Caregiver to resident ratio is very important. There are two basic types of nursing homes: "Skilled Nursing Facility (SNFs), twenty-four-hour nursing service for 'convalescent' patients who require constant medical supervision. Intermediate Care Facility (ICFs), less intensive medical care than that offered by SNFs, with a greater emphasis on social and rehabilitative services. Some institutions offer both levels of care" (Grollman, page 121).

Unexpected visits at mealtime and activity periods will help reveal the atmosphere of a nursing home. How do the people look? Contented and well-groomed? Talk with the administrator, head nurse and social worker. Do the nurses seem to know the names of the residents? Talk to the residents themselves. Be careful that you look the facility over well. Bring your parent along to see it and to become familiar with it before admission. On admission day, stay several hours to help him or her settle in.

Once our parent is in the home, we must be careful not to neglect him or her, but to continue caring by letters, calls, visits and by taking him or her out for special events. Jesus Christ praised those who would visit and help the infirmed. He said that it was as if we did it for Him (Matthew 25:35-40).

Whether your aging parents go into a nursing home or live out their lives with you or remain in their own dwelling, caring and loving must always be a part of their treatment. Listening, being patient, praising them, sharing with them and loving them will do much to make their last years of this physical life more enjoyable. Tell them often how much you appreciate them and what they did for you.

"Finding answers for your parents and for yourself is a long, painful process. There are probably no solutions that will satisfy everyone involved. You can, however, choose the best one. It will be worth the effort" (Grollman, page 22).

As Christians, let's make sure that however, whenever, whatever—we treat our aged parents in a loving manner that truly brightens their last years and glorifies our Father in heaven.

—Gary E. Antion

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Share Your Treasures!

Do you have any short items of biblical wisdom, humor or practical information that you would like to share in this section? Or if you have any suggestions, please contact United News, P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027 or mike_bennett@ucg.org.

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