Help for Sinus & Sin

Living Lesson:  Help for Sinus & Sin

by: Christopher Wiles

Washington Church of Christ - Washington, Indiana

“You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.” – Psalm 18:35

I have a cold and a confession. Paper towel is my nose’s nemesis.  

photo credit: abigailthompson.wordpress.com

You know that feeling.  Your cold is chugging forward on full steam.  You nose is running faster than Usain Bolt.  Your raw skin is redder than Santa's cheeks.  Then that dastardly event hits.  It can strike anywhere; while you're riding in a car, in a meeting at work, or in the hallway at school.  You kindly ask for that precious commodity of facial tissue hoping for one of those name brands like Kleenex with aloe, when someone hands you the dreaded brown paper towel of death.  They may be trying to help, but you resent them as you have no choice but to rip your face off with this rough substitute for soothing nasal salvation.
 

You may laugh at my hyperbole, but I think it's similar to what is happening in our communities today.  The world around us is suffering.  Some are being battered and beaten by falsehoods, fake news, and self-serving ideologies that plague our culture while others are simply indulging, unaware of the consequences.  Some are red and raw from the daily grind of balancing work, family, study, health, and spirituality to finds themselves caught up in worldly escapes.  People are ill and need healing relief but some of us caught by culture are handing them rough paper towels of self-righteous judgment, condescension, and verbal combativeness instead of soothing relief for their "sin"us drip as we drag them to the Good Doctor. 

Jesus came to offer healing from sin and the physical maladies He touched on earth.  “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.” (Matthew 9:35)  While you and I certainly aren’t Jesus, we do have a purpose in His healing process that includes drawing people to the Healer while we share comfort, hope, and encouragement.

From your face-to-face interactions to your Facebook reactions with souls who are ill from this world’s sin-sickness, are you the Kleenex with aloe or that resented and rough brown paper towel? 

Paul directs Titus, "To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people."(Titus 3:2)  Look at yourself and grade which type of facial wipe you represent.  Then choose to bring soothing relief today as you bring people nearer the Healer.  May God make you great through His gentleness.

From your face-to-face interactions to Facebook reactions with sin-sick souls, are you the Kleenex or that resented & rough paper towel?

— Christopher Wiles (@TopherWiles) February 16, 2017

Living Lessons are articles written for the weekly Washington Church of Christ bulletin.  You can find more by clicking HERE or searching for "Living Lesson" in the right sidebar search.

Substitute for Nasal Salvation

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Good morning, this is Topher from Washington Church of Christ, bring you a message minute.

credit: abigailthompson.wordpress.com

I have a cold and paper towel, it is the bane for my nose.  You know that feeling.  Your cold is in full steam.  You nose is running faster than Usain Bolt.  Your raw skin is redder than Santa's cheeks.  Then the dastardly event happens.  It can strike anywhere; maybe while you're riding in a car, in a meeting at work, or in the hallway at school.  You kindly ask for that precious commodity of facial tissue, hopefully even one of those name brands like Kleenex with aloe, and someone hands you the dreaded paper towel.  They may even be trying to help, but you resent them as you have no choice but to rip your face off with this rough substitute for soothing nasal salvation.   

You may laugh at my description, but I think it's similar to what is happening in the world today.

The world around us is suffering.  Some are being battered and beaten by falsehoods, fake news, and self-serving ideologies that plague our culture.  Some are red and raw from the daily grind of balancing work, family, study, health, and spirituality.  People are struggling.  In your face-to-face and Facebook interactions, are you the Kleenex with aloe or the barbaric paper towel?  Titus 3:2 says we are, "To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people."  Look at yourself and grade which type of facial wipe you are.  Then choose to bring soothing relief today.  You'll be glad you did.

Are you the Kleenex or Paper Towel in the world today? Consider the words of Titus in this message minute. https://t.co/ChPqvMOTdv

— Christopher Wiles (@TopherWiles) February 16, 2017

P.S. - I'm hosting a blood drive through the Indiana Blood Center at Washington Church of Christ on Sunday afternoon, Feb 26th, from Noon to 4pm.  Sign up to reserve a time to give! (I'm bringing Fudge Rounds and Mountain Dew for snacks!)  Go to http://www.washingtoncoc.org to sign up!

Click the logo below and subscribe to automatically receive these Podcasts every weekday morning on Google Play Music or iTunes. 

  Message Minutes are sponsored by  Washington Church of Christ and recorded for the public 107.9 The Memories WAMW morning radio program.  They air at approximately 7:35am on Weekday Mornings.
To find more of the Message Minutes that have been uploaded to this blog CLICK HERE.  
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Principals can learn too, Topher on a Segway!

If you've got 3 minutes to kill, you might be entertained by this.  I serve as principal of the FFHE Homeschool Coop, which means somewhere around 125 students get to teach me all sorts of new things on Wednesdays as we assemble for the Pledge of Allegiance, 3 classes, lunch, and playground time.  Zaraha brought in a Segway "hoverboard" for show and tell during her Speech class and was kind enough to let me play.  This is my adventure learning to ride it.  Have fun!


Oh and if you want to shovel a driveway of snow on one of these, here's the method to the madness!




Proverbs 17:22a - "A cheerful heart is good medicine,"

That's a Whole Lotta Faithfulness!

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Good morning, this is Topher from Washington Church of Christ, bringing you a message minute.

from www.ksla.com

"Whoah!" That's the word outta my mouth when I read the Louisiana headline that a living couple had been married from 82 years!  That's a whole lotta faithfulness for just one couple.   So what has kept Lawrence & Varrie Player so faithful to each other for so long?  The husband shared their secret, "I treat her nice and she treats me nice."  That’s the moment where we collectively say, “Awww."

http://www.ksla.com/story/34483149/benton-couple-declared-longest-married-couple-in-louisiana

I tell ya folks, that kindof faithful doesn't come by just being nice on Valentine's Day.  It doesn’t even come by annual chocolates or flowers.  It comes from your treatment of loved ones on a regular basis.  Let this wise proverb by Solomon guide your marriage and life everyday, "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." (Proverbs 3:3-4) Continue the love and faithfulness you pledged on Valentine's Day.  You'll be glad you did!

"Faithful doesn't come by just being nice on Valentine's day." - Check out this couple married 82 years! https://t.co/ZMofyM5tui pic.twitter.com/munrCaj7et

— Christopher Wiles (@TopherWiles) February 15, 2017

P.S. - I'm hosting a blood drive through the Indiana Blood Center at Washington Church of Christ on Sunday afternoon, Feb 26th, from Noon to 4pm.  Sign up to reserve a time to give! (I'm bringing Fudge Rounds and Mountain Dew for snacks!)  Go to http://www.washingtoncoc.org to sign up!

Click the logo below and subscribe to automatically receive these Podcasts every weekday morning on Google Play Music or iTunes. 

  Message Minutes are sponsored by  Washington Church of Christ and recorded for the public 107.9 The Memories WAMW morning radio program.  They air at approximately 7:35am on Weekday Mornings.
To find more of the Message Minutes that have been uploaded to this blog CLICK HERE.  
To subscribe to a Message Minute podcast feed on iTunes or other podcast player, copy the following URL into your subscription list.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/topherwiles/MessageMinute

You Are Loved - A Sonnet by Topher

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Photo cred: Topher Wiles

Good morning, this is Topher from Washington Church of Christ bringing you a Message Minute.

I'd like to share an original creation of mine that may have a message you need to hear.  This poem written in the style of a Shakespearean sonnet is titled, "You are Loved."

(A Shakespearean sonnet contains 14 lines of 10 syllables following the rhyme scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.)

Ever and anon, be sure; you are loved.

For as the Son rises, one realizes.

This awesome truth remains; It is not shoved,

But gently trickles into the wisest.

You are loved, by the great Father above,

Through whom is every good and perfect gift,

By Spirit who showed in likeness of a dove,

Whose blessed peace and comfort kindles so swift.

You are loved, by the Sacrificial Son,

Who dared care not if you were rich nor poor,

By His blood your full salvation is won.

This loving effort stands forevermore.

So choose to love, due to the gift granted.

Share this love with others. You'll be glad you did.

You are Loved. 

Here is my original creation Shakespearean Sonnet form. May it bring you encouragement on Valentine's Day. https://t.co/vf4aUxlUN0 pic.twitter.com/CuJqCZT3qQ

— Christopher Wiles (@TopherWiles) February 14, 2017

P.S. - I'm hosting a blood drive through the Indiana Blood Center at Washington Church of Christ on Sunday afternoon, Feb 26th, from Noon to 4pm. 
Sign up to reserve a time to give! (I'm bringing Fudge Rounds and Mountain Dew for snacks!)  Go to http://www.washingtoncoc.org to sign up!

Click the logo below and subscribe to automatically receive these Podcasts every weekday morning on Google Play Music or iTunes. 

  Message Minutes are sponsored by  Washington Church of Christ and recorded for the public 107.9 The Memories WAMW morning radio program.  They air at approximately 7:35am on Weekday Mornings.
To find more of the Message Minutes that have been uploaded to this blog CLICK HERE.  
To subscribe to a Message Minute podcast feed on iTunes or other podcast player, copy the following URL into your subscription list.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/topherwiles/MessageMinute

Abraham Lincoln on Silence

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Good morning, this is Topher from Washington Church of Christ, bringing you a Message Minute.

Yesterday was Abraham Lincoln's birthday.  He served as our 16th President in a tumultuous time in American History.  Being born in KY, growing up in Indiana, and becoming a congressman for Illinois, many of us  in what was once considered the "Western Frontier" observe Lincoln as a significant part of American heroism.

Lincoln had many repeatable quotes, but one has stuck with me that will enhance all our lives should we choose to embrace and follow it.  He shared, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."  While it is catchy, Lincoln wasn't the originator of the wise idea of silence.  Solomon records in Proverbs 17:28 "Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent." 

Let's face it, it's Monday, a day where we often feel pressed with deadlines, to-do lists, and general grumpiness from an exhausting weekend enjoying abnormally good weather.  To make today more positive, work on holding your tongue when your blood boils or irritation rises.  Unless your words are positive or useful, choose silence as the tool for promoting peace today.  You'll be glad you did. 

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." - Abraham Lincoln - https://t.co/VgntsbyqaL pic.twitter.com/2xRkfEQq2w

— Christopher Wiles (@TopherWiles) February 13, 2017

P.S. - I'm hosting a blood drive through the Indiana Blood Center at Washington Church of Christ on Sunday afternoon, Feb 26th, from Noon to 4pm.
Sign up to reserve a time to give! (I'm bringing Fudge Rounds and Mountain Dew for snacks!)  Go to http://www.washingtoncoc.org to sign up!

Click the logo below and subscribe to automatically receive these Podcasts every weekday morning on Google Play Music or iTunes. 

  Message Minutes are sponsored by  Washington Church of Christ and recorded for the public 107.9 The Memories WAMW morning radio program.  They air at approximately 7:35am on Weekday Mornings.
To find more of the Message Minutes that have been uploaded to this blog CLICK HERE.  
To subscribe to a Message Minute podcast feed on iTunes or other podcast player, copy the following URL into your subscription list.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/topherwiles/MessageMinute

SOL 01 The Trouble With Dylan

This is my reading of "The Summer of Light" by W. Dale Cramer.  My lovely bride laughs hard at this book, so I am bringing it to life for her with my voice as a birthday gift.



Here is Chapter 1 - The Trouble with Dylan
Download the 8.9mb MP3 file HERE.
Or Click Play to Listen  (11mins 48secs)



I'll be uploading more as I finish them.  You'll be able to find each chapter in a separate blog post by searching "SOL" in the blog search bar on the right.

If not Handsome, then Handy!

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www.tvguide.com

Good morning, this is Topher from Washington Church of Christ with a light-hearted message minute.

"If they don't find you handsome, then they might as well find you handy." (The Red Green Show)  With Valentine's Day coming up, I'm writing this one to all the fellas out there.  Let's face it guys, we aren't very pretty.  And if we are part of the 0.0001% that actually turns out to be pretty, odds are we won't stay that way.  As I age, instead of looking like John Stamos or George Clooney, I'll look more like Michael Gambon as he plays Dumbledore.

www.hellogiggles.com

So I hedge my bets on making myself handy as the years go by.  Paul does say in the  Bible, "If a man is not willing to work, let him not eat!" - (2 Thess 3:10).  My wife even asked this year for Valentine's Day, "will you just fix something on the work list for my present?"  So gentlemen, let's work on our world class handyman skills this weekend.  Fix something around the house for your loved one.  Learn a new plumbing or auto-mechanic skill or just plain ask her what she would like you to work on as you give her flowers & chocolate.  You'll be glad you did. 

"If they don't find you handsome, then they might as well find you handy!" - Men, let's work on Valentine's Day! https://t.co/VgntsbyqaL pic.twitter.com/ZP1mlSeZm1

— Christopher Wiles (@TopherWiles) February 10, 2017

Click the logo below and subscribe to automatically receive these Podcasts every weekday morning on Google Play Music or iTunes. 

  Message Minutes are sponsored by  Washington Church of Christ and recorded for the public 107.9 The Memories WAMW morning radio program.  They air at approximately 7:35am on Weekday Mornings.
To find more of the Message Minutes that have been uploaded to this blog CLICK HERE.  
To subscribe to a Message Minute podcast feed on iTunes or other podcast player, copy the following URL into your subscription list.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/topherwiles/MessageMinute

Giving a Gift from the Heart

click to enlarge

Two days ago my wife and I visited her grandmother in the hospital.  Grandma is such a sweet lady and I love visits with her.  The pint of blood she was receiving combined with our energy perked her right up.  There are many people that need blood every day for many reasons.  Odds are, you or I are going to need someone else's blood one day.   

I just want to let you know about a blood drive that I host at Washington Church of Christ annually around Valentine's Day. It turns out my blood is pretty rare and helps a specific group of people best. I never knew it till I gave with the Indiana Blood Center. So here we are, getting ready for a new opportunity to "Give from the Heart". I would love to have you give as well. I personally guarantee good snacks! (I also take requests!) You can sign up for a time slot at http://www.washingtoncoc.org

P.s. I made the flyer from scratch in photoshop. Let me know if you want the template for your own blood drive!

The Beginning of Love

Study Starter:  The Beginning of Love

By: Christopher Wiles

image from plusquotes.com

Love is in the air!  With Valentine’s day fast approaching everybody is talking about love.  However, people always talk about love in our culture.  They talk about loving pizza, loving pets, and loving the President. (Really, some people do!  Check it out on FB here.)  Sometimes I think we’ve gotten love confused with the word “like”.  The best way to help us keep on the straight and narrow on true love is to teach from the Bible and model it for everyone around us.  Here’s the skinny about love from Hebrew.

Hebrew,  why not start here?  Some Jews & Christians consider Hebrew to be the first language through which God spoke in creating the world.  Our English word “Love” is in Hebrew “ahavah” (H160) which is made of four basic Hebrew letters “AHVH” (aleph-hei-vav-hei). I think it is possible the root of the word is the “HV ” which means “to give”.  This comes from Strong’s number H3051 “YHV”, but the Y drops out in the imperfect tense when and you put an “A” in its place to make “AHV” (Qal imperfect 1^st common singular.  You can download the Hebrew parsing charts HERE and go to page 17 for verbs beginning with "Y"). If all of that made no sense, just know the two following concepts.

• The word “AHAVAH” is used over 40 times (that’s AHAV with a feminine “AH” ending) and often talks about sacrificial love.  
• When you add the “A” (aleph) on the front of "HV" to make it “AHV” you get the phrase, “I WAS GIVING” or “I AM GIVING.” 

Thus, I believe the word "love" originally having roots in the phrase “I give.”  You can find this word used in Genesis 29:20 after Jacob has given seven years of his life for Rachel, “And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the LOVE (AHAVAH) he had to her.”  You can also find it in 1 Kings 10:9 stating “The Lord LOVED Israel forever” and “Hatred stirs up strife, but LOVE covers all sins.” (Proverbs 10:12) 

What does that mean for us?  Maybe we would be best served to use our word “LOVE” when we are talking about giving to someone rather than just enjoying something.  This Valentine’s Day, give a gift to someone you love, whether a spouse, friend, child, or neighbor.  Give them the gift of your LOVE.  

Oh, and don’t forget why we choose to give that special gift.

“We LOVE because He first LOVED us.” (1 John 4:19)

Footnote: I first found the idea of the connection of love & giving in Jewish Magazine (Apr 1999) but the Hebrew Lexicon work verifying the possible etymology is all my own, which explains why you don't see any source citations.

Love that gives is our motivation for Valentine's Day. Check out some fun Hebrew etymology here. https://t.co/OAJlPRLsVm pic.twitter.com/33JJEhLt52

— Christopher Wiles (@TopherWiles) February 9, 2017

Living Lessons & Study Starters are articles written for the weekly Washington Church of Christ bulletin.  You can find more by clicking HERE or searching for "Study Starter" in the right sidebar search.