Epilogue

God's church began in the Old Testament. There we see Him choosing a people and calling them to Himself.

It is fitting that Grace Pres. began in the old Jewish Center. It is in the Old Testament that the coming Christ of God is first revealed, and men were saved because they believed in the One to come.

The faith of the New Testament church is based on the revealed word of God.

As we have seen, our practices in worship and system of church government are based on the Apostolic Church, as nearly as we can perceive her, outlined in the book of Acts and the epistles of Paul, Peter, John, James and the rest.

But we are Israel, grafted onto the Old Testament church, which God established from ancient times.

In many churches across the land in our day, the Word of God is no longer being preached. What is heard instead are the words of Pelagius, the words of James Arminius, the words of Charles Finney, the words of Karl Barth.

Lies are being proclaimed, from the father of lies. It is no wonder that church attendance is dropping like a rock, when such God-dishonoring rubbish is spewed forth from the pulpits.

It is our prayer that this story might prove encouraging to its readers. Let the defects of the author be overlooked and let the reader be inspired by this tale of a people who remained true to God's holy, inerrant, infallible Word. In spite of their flaws, their weaknesses, they hungered for every word which proceedeth from the mouth of God.

We are their heirs and successors. May we remain faithful, as they did, to the legacy of scripture. May we cling to His word, His truth, His salvation as the only rule of our faith.

This is our prayer.

To Keep from Crying

Do you know anybody who doesn't laugh?

Even if you try really hard to make them laugh?

Can it be that the Father of all blessings has not blessed some of His children with a sense of the ridiculous?

You've heard the saying, "It's better to laugh than to cry." What about those who are unable to see how preposterous life sometimes is?

There's this man I know. A good guy. A sincere person. In fact, if I were to think of a word to describe him, it would be "earnest." Not the guy who made all those stupid movies, either.

See what I mean? It's the ability to make that leap. It's automatic, I think, in most of us to connect one meaning of a word with another sillier meaning.  It's like how you sometimes step outside a non-funny situation to see the absurdity of the whole thing. And you crack a joke. And you laugh.

This guy I know. He doesn't laugh. Actually, he sometimes looks slightly pained. Most of the time, being a really good guy, he simply pauses for a moment, waiting politely, while I get hold of myself.

You know what's really strange? His mom is so droll. She'll say something totally off the wall, then watch you crack up before she breaks into this little smile. I love this lady!

Hey, I can be serious too. No really. I'm not kidding.

Here's a question: can there be joy without laughter? I think maybe so, but I'm not sure how.

What do you think?