Once again we find ourselves back at the start of another school year. Our routines become more scheduled as each day is filled with "Reading, Writing and Arithmetic." This is also the time of year that as parents we have perhaps a more difficult job of guarding the influences that come into the lives of our children. So the question that forms our title, from II Sam.18:29, is very appropriate. As parents we must always be asking, 'Is our young man - our young daughter - safe.'  It is up to you and I to make sure they are safe, physically and spiritually.

*In order to help our children be prepared to face what the world will bring them, as parents we must be doing our job at home. It is no secret that the Bible entrusts the raising of children to the parents (Eph.6:4; II Tim.1:5; Deut.6:6-9). Parents, what are you doing at home to make sure your children are safe at school? We must invest the time to study the Bible with our children. We must invest the time to attend every assembly of the church so that we leave our children with the right example. We must invest the time to help them be good moral influences among their peers. All of these things and so many more are the things that God looks to the parents to provide to their children.

*As the new school season gets underway, Parents ask yourself; "Is the young man safe?"  As they safe from  the course language they will undoubtedly hear? Are they safe from the crude gestures that apart of this world? Are they safe from the sexually suggestive conduct of many of their own age? They will be safe if we are doing our job at home. Lets make sure they get from us the right examples and the needed Bible training, to be safe. "Is the young man.... safe?"                                ---- Dan

    Earlier this year the American Bible Society released a survey with the
above title. The survey questioned individuals about the apparent moral decline
of America and the Bible. It seems that many people feel there is a "disconnect"
between the Bible and problems of society. Most people still own a Bible (88%)
and view the Bible as a sacred text (80%). Yet, the nagging concern of many is
that they do not see the Bible as relevant to their needs today. One telling
question in this survey answers why there exists this disconnect between the
Bible and day to day life. The question was "How many read the Bible on a day to
day basis?" The answer? 

"Only 26 percent of Americans said they read their Bible on a regular
basis (four or more times a week)." 

     Doug Birdsall, president of American Bible Society, said he sees a
reason for why the Bible isn’t connecting with people. I see the problem as
analogous to obesity in America. We have an awful lot of people who realize
they’re overweight, but they don’t follow a diet, Birdsall said. People realize
the Bible has values that would help us in our spiritual health, but they just
don't read it.

     Christian, this is where you and I come in. While it is no secret that  most people do not read the Bible it is at the same time true that people will "read" the message of the Bible you and I show them.  What kind of message are we sending them? Do we show with our lives that God's book does indeed change us for the better? The power of the gospel must be seen in every aspect of our lives, our speech is different, our morality has improved, our concern for our fellow man is obvious. As the world sees what the
Word has done for you and I - perhaps they will want it for their self.       -- Dan

    I read recently about a new idea among some religious groups, called "emembers." An "emember" is a member of a religious group who attends electronically (see emember). The design behind this technology is to allow people to be members without attending the services or being involved in the functions of that group.  What does the New Testament say about such a thing as this. Hebrews chapter 10 makes it clear that one of the responsibilities of a christian is to not only be present for the assemblies of the church, but also to be active in the edifying of congregation. Hebrews 10:24-25 reads; "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." This makes it clear that one must attend. Certainly there are ocassions when people are ill, our out of town, or in some other way hindered from attending. But this should be the exception not the norm. God knows that individually we need the strength of one another and that fellow christians need the strength our presence supplies. Let us hold to God's will and set aside the ideas of men.  Dan