Roanoke Church of Christ

By my friend, Ben
As me’n ol’ Blue headed out toward Sky Bridge it were still dark. It were. Sky Bridge were about ten miles on the other side of Hickory Ridge. It were. An’ it were perty much a local secret. It were. It were at the top of a mountain where years an’ years ago the wind, or some folks said water, cut a natural bridge up there. An’ old gravel road what were probably an’ ol’ loggin’ road went all the way to the top. It did. At the top there were kind of a little slope to the bridge. I’d seen pictures of folks on horseback on top, but it were too rocky an’ narrow for cars. The openin’ in the bridge were big enough to put a small house in. It were.

It bein’ Easter an’ all, I decided to watch the sun come up at Sky Bridge cause it were one of Ma’s favorite places. It were. Once in awhile on a warm Saturday she’d pack up a picnic basket an’ Pa’d take us up to there an’ we’d spend the day. We would. It were a great place to hike an’ explore. It were told about that the caves around there were used by the Indians an’ soldiers durin’ the war between the states. It were.

Most folks in town what were havin’ an Easter sunrise service were gonna be up at the Hickory Ridge Cemetery. They were. An’ while Easter were one of Ma’s favorite days, I reckon she only had Pa take us to one or two of them sunrise services on Hickory Ridge. She did. I reckoned she wanted that time to herself. She did. Cause every Easter mornin’ she’d be up way before me’n Pa. She were. I knowed because the smell of coffee would wake me up before the sun come up. It did. When the weather were warmer I could sometimes hear her ol’ rocker creakin’ on the front porch. I could. It were like she wanted a quite time just between her an’ the Lord. It were. An’ I reckon while the singin’ an’ prayin’ at the cemetery were nice an’ all, Ma liked her own quiet time with the Lord. She did.

I asked her once what she thought about when she watched the sun come up out there on the front porch them Easter mornin’s. I did. She smiled an’ said sometimes she thought about the Lord standin’ outside that tomb, stretchin’ like a newborn baby getting’ ready for a whole new life. She did.

As I turned offen the hard road to head up to the bridge, a dear jumped across the road. Ol’ Blue, what were lookin’ out the front window, saw that there dear an’ got all excited-like. He were snortin’ an’ whinin’ an’ wantin’ out. He were. I knowed I’d have to keep him on his leash when we got to the top. It were pitch dark an’ on either side of the bridge it slopped off perty quick-like with big rocks an’ high cliffs. It did.

The top of the mountain were all covered with big ol’ pine trees what laid down a deep soft bed of pine needles. It were. When I turned off my truck lights I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. I couldn’t. Then my eyes got use to the dark an’ I could see all them stars ashinin’ through the trees. I could. I got my flashlight from under the seat an’ me’n Ol’ Blue walked out from under the trees toward the bridge. I did. I knowed which side the sun were comin’ up on, so me’n ol’ Blue found us a spot on a big ol’ flat rock where we could look right through the bridge. We did.

The stars were all twinklin’-like an’ the moon were done gone. It were. I could see a bit of a red glow off to the east through the openin’ an’ I knowed the sun would be up in a bit. I did.

As I were waitin’ I got to thinkin’ about what Ma said about the Lord stretchin’ outside that there tomb before the sun come up on that Sunday mornin’ long ago. I did. As I did, I looked through that there bridge an’ I got me to thinkin’ how it looked like a big ol’ opening of a tomb. I did. So me’n ol’ Blue made our way right under the arch of that bridge an’ waited for the sun to come up. We did. An’ when the first warm rays of the sun hit me I walked out the other side an’ stretched like a feller what were just getting’ outta bed. I did. An I reckon I knowed what Ma meant, cause I felt all new-like an’ a chill ran up my back. It did. I could see the valley down below an’ mountains way out yonder. It were like I were on top of the world an’ it were all fresh an’ clean. It were. An’ I reckon maybe that’s what the Lord felt after givin’ his life for it. I did.
Keith

CONCERNS: Richard Crites had back surgery and is now able to sleep at night, but he is still having pain and will need more surgery. T. J. Hall has some blocked arteries near his heart which will require by-pass surgery in the near future. Karla Hollins is visiting from Texas with thoughts of relocating to the Roanoke area. The following are in some form of treatment or recovery from cancer. Philip Pierce’s mother, Connie Crites brother, Leena Bolin’s brother, Nick; Walter Wagner, relatives of the Beach’s: Ruby Stahl, Stephanie Ridney and Marge Greenwood, as well as Joni’s mother. Regan, a ten year old boy, Deana McRoy, Jim Hunter and Sharon and Billy. It was so good to see Helen Nicklas at church last Sunday. She is still quite ill. Seeking employment are Melisha and Sam. Continue to remember Martha Foy’s parents, Alma Martin, Jenni Cullum, Ron Matney and Tim Elder.

OUR DAILY BREAD: APRIL 8-13
Monday: Genesis 15:1-21
Tuesday: Psalm 2:1-11
Wednesday: Mark 5:1-20
Thursday: Hebrews 9:6-14
Friday: I Thessalonians 4:1-12
Saturday: Psalm 130:1-8
OUR DAILY BREAD: APRIL 15-20
Monday: Exodus 3:1-15
Tuesday: Matthew 9:14-34
Wednesday: Ecclesiastes 12:1-14
Thursday: II Corinthians 5:11-21
Friday: II Samuel 11:1-27
Saturday: Psalm 121:1-8

DIAPERS
Two organizations in town are having diaper drives. Hollins University is collecting for the Rescue Mission and Spirit FM is collecting for the Pregnancy Center. However, Spirit FM is collecting at the Bonsack Kroger store April 12, from 1PM to 7PM. Those going to the Rescue Mission will be picked up here at the building by Hollins students or be delivered by one of us.
CYSTIC FIBROSIS WALK
Since David Pennell’s death from cystic fibrosis, Holly Wagner has served on the local cystic fibrosis board and helps organize a walk at Hollins University each May to raise money for foundational research. The walk this year will be May 4 and if you would like to contribute in David’s honor, see Holly sometime this month.
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
Two groups lead by Martha Albert have cooked recently at the Ronald McDonald House. On Easter Sunday Martha, Alisa and Wayne Flora, along with Mike Branch did the honors. On Wednesday evening Martha, Karla Holins, Holly Wagner, Nick and John Bolin, Garrett Lees Williams and two of his friends helped prepare and serve the evening meal. Thanks to all of you for doing this good work.
THANKS
Thanks to Holly Wagner and Mary Willa Foy for hiding all the Easter eggs for last Sunday’s egg hunt. Even though the rainy weather kept it in the annex, the children all had a good time and took home lots of goodies.
MIKE BROWN’S ARTICLE
There are still a few copies available of Mike Brown’s well-written, historical and in-depth article from the Arkansas Times concerning the integration of Harding University. See Keith if you want a copy.
PULL TABS
The Ronald McDonald House needs aluminum pull tabs as part of their income. You will find collection boxes in the annex kitchen, on the table in the hallway downstairs and on the desk in the communion preparation room.
REMEMBER
Remember, if you need assistance to park in the handicapped area, someone will be there to help you.

It’s a child’s question, but it is the question every advance, change, invention and even marriage begins with. It’s vital for growth and progress. Every science depends on it for its continued progress. Even the science of theology. However, theology is the one science in which there is resistance to such an advance in understanding. We want a firm, unchanging, view of God. We like black and white, either/or.

We also come to the Bible with the influence of others and it influences how we understand it. Historically, those who break away from the accepted idea of their group’s understanding are usually seen as suspicious. Think Jesus. But those who ask “why” are seekers of truth.

I remember a preacher who said he had no idea why God commanded baptism. But if God said jump through hoops we should do it. It never crossed his mind that he had just insulted God. He implied that God would ask silly and meaningless things of us, and we should respond without question. It is my belief that there is a reason for everything people do because of God, as well as what God asks of us.

For example, in Deuteronomy 23:1 it says, “No one who has been emasculated by crushing or cutting may enter into the assembly of the Lord.” (NIV) The RSV says, “He whose testicles are crushed or whose male member has been cut off shall not enter the assembly of the Lord.” Now, even though the OT offers no commentary, several others do. They range from saying such a person could not be part of the council. Others say they could not be part of the assembly of worship. Most agree that such a person was by definition, a eunuch, and was made such by “crushing” or deforming the ability to reproduce. As to why these men were rejected flows anywhere from God wanting nothing to do with anything less than perfect, to the idea that the person rendered such would not have respect, or in at least one case, the mentality to be part of the council. However, the ultimate question is why God would hold such barbaric cruelty against them and find them repugnant? And if God does not change, where does that leave such people today?

My understanding is that it was more about the inability to produce offspring than the condition itself. A man without the ability to have offspring was a man without a future and had little usefulness, except as a harem overseer. But, is that how God felt? I don’t think so. In Isaiah 56:3 it says, “Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the Lord say, ‘The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.’ And let not any eunuch complain, ‘I am only a dry tree.’ (The implication there is obvious, no fruit.) For this is what the Lord says, (note it is what the Lord says) ‘To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant—to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.” Admittedly this is a vision of the coming Messianic age. But how can the Deuteronomy statement and the one from Isaiah both be from the Lord God? And, since Jesus is the Messiah, what is the implication of that promise today?

Let me add one more before giving my answer. In Leviticus 21: 16ff “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Say to Aaron: “For the generations to come (note “generations to come”) none of your descendants who has a defect may come near to offer the food of his God.’ “ The text goes on to list the blind, lame, disfigured, deformed, crippled foot or hand, hunchbacked or dwarfed and again the crushed testicles. Why? Why would the God we see in Jesus be that kind of God? God wasn’t and God isn’t. But, for a people enslaved for centuries, who had lost touch with the God of Abraham and had been polluted (adulterated) by all the years in Egypt, there was seen the need to make them a “separate”, “Holy”, and pure (as their God was holy and pure) people. Everything Egyptian had to be removed, like boiling a kid in its mother’s milk. Exodus 23:19. Everything that mixed things together, like plowing with an ox and an ass, or sowing two seeds in the same furrow, or mixing two types of cloth, not done. These were constant visual aids to remind them to be a separated people. To do that, their bodies had to be clean as well to produce pure children. The womb had to be pure (unadulterated), if not, it was useless, unless the man gave a written divorce. So any man who sowed his seed in another man’s field (womb) destroyed the purity of that man’s offspring. The woman’s role in pregnancy was not known at that time. So both the man who robbed his neighbor of his pure field by adulterating it, and the woman who was now useless and adulterated, were stoned.

The eunuch, as said before, had no usefulness just as did the barren woman. A field that won’t grow seeds is fallow. Those imperfect by way of disfigurement were tossed into the same category as the blemished animals that could not be accepted as a sacrifice. If only a perfect animal could be offered, only a perfect person could do the offering. They had to be a perfect, unmixed, one God people. Their future depended on it. So procreation was seen as most important. That’s why the “seed” was to be valued. So in Deuteronomy 25:11, 12 when it says, “When men fight with one another and the wife of the one draws near to rescue her husband from the hand of him who is beating him, and puts out her hand and seizes him by the private parts, (testicles) then you shall cut off her hand; your eye shall have no pity.”, it does not mean she touched the wrong thing, but that she may have caused him to become sterile. His bloodline could be over. Can you imagine the beaten husband’s reaction? Is that the God who says “Return not evil for evil.”?

History shows these rules were abandoned after they reached the promised land. It was not God who changed; it was the context of their place in history. As we read the Bible we should think about that.
Keith

CONCERNS: Richard Crites is still having tests to determine the severe pain in his back. All other tests have ruled out cancer. Leena Bolin’s brother, Nick, has been told the cancer treatment has reduced the tumors, so they can cut back a little to let him gain some weight. T. J. Hall had some tests done last week. Helen Nicklas continues about the same. Walter Wagner (Keith’s brother had melanoma surgery and then lymph node removal, and is at this time free of cancer. Those continuing to be treated or recovering from cancer treatment are: Philip Pierce’s mother, Ruby Stahl, Stephanie Ridney, and Marge Greenwood, relatives of the Beach’s, as well as Joni’s mother. Also, Regan, the ten year old being treated for brain cancer, Connie Crites’ brother and Del Bolin’s friend’s Sharon and Billy. Deanna McRoy and Jim Hunter have finished their treatments. Still seeking employment are Melisha and Sam. Continue to remember Martha Foy’s parents, Jenni Cullum, Alma Martin, Ron Matney, (Ron’s wife, Joyce is recovering from a broken arm) and Tim Elder.

OUR DAILY BREAD: MAR. 25-30
Monday: Genesis 2:1-14
Tuesday: Matthew 3:1-17
Wednesday: I Thess. 3:1-13
Thursday: Matthew 21:28-44
Friday: II Peter 1:16-2:10
Saturday: Psalm 91:1-16
OUR DAILY BREAD: APRIL 1-6
Monday: Psalm 139:1-24
Tuesday: Matthew 8:1-13
Wednesday: Matthew 12:1-14
Thursday: Colossians 2:8-19
Friday: Revelation 2:1-11
Saturday: Matthew 16:13-28

THE BULLETIN
Since March has five Sunday’s in it the next bulletin will contain the service roster for April and will be dated April 7. Ben Robertson has asked that Keith setup the roster, so if you are going to be away in April, let him know.
EASTER EGG HUNT
The Easter Egg Hunt for the little ones next Sunday following the service. It will be in the annex yard. “Little ones” means all children third grade and under. Everything will be ready, just bring your cameras. Holly Wagner will meet with the children and start the hunt.

MIKE BROWN’S ARTICLE
Mike Brown wrote an article concerning the struggle to integrate Harding University and it was published in the Arkansas Times. A few copies have been made. If you are interested see Keith or you can read it online by typing “Harding and the American Way” Mike’s a gifted writer and it’s a valuable read.

HANDICAPPED PARKING
Remember, if the handicapped parking area is full when you arrive, there will be someone there to provide parking service.

PULL TABS
Remember to save the aluminum pull tabs from any aluminum cans for the Ronald McDonald House.

ALSO
Knowing how easy it is to forget the announcements by the time church is over, Martha Albert asked last Sunday if anyone would be interested in cooking again at the Ronald McDonald House. If you thought about it but forgot, let her know today. If you do it you won’t be disappointed.

THE SOUND SYSTEM
After deciding some last minute changes we are ready to start the renovation of our sound system. As soon as the equipment is purchased and arrives we will get started. Even though Jim White and his son-in-law will be the “techs” on the job, they will need our help to speed up the installation. Get ready to help out. We have been waiting to do this for some time. After the sound improvement is finished we will start on the visual part of upgrading our worship service. Also, we will start developing plans to upgrade the upstairs restroom to be used by the handicapped.

Parts of that day rainy day in 1949 or 50 I remember as if it were yesterday, while other parts remain vague.

At Williams Avenue School when we arrived in the mornings we didn’t go in until a bell sounded. Then we lined up behind our teachers and went into the building and up to our classrooms. However, on rainy days the boys and girls assembled in a divided common area.

It was on a Friday, I think, and I went to the boy’s area, sat down on the floor and leaned my back against the wall. Bobby Jones sat down beside me. Bobby was not in my class and I didn’t really know him that well, but he seemed like a nice kid. We exchanged a few words and he took out a Peppermint Patty, unwrapped the foil wrapper, broke off a good sized piece of it and gave it to me. I thanked him and that’s all I remember, except that was the last time I saw Bobby Jones.

Sometime later that day or the next, Bobby was accidentally shot and killed by an older boy as they played with a loaded pistol. I didn’t hear about it until I went to school the following week. The boy who shot him was a few classes ahead of me and I didn’t know him. All I remember is that he had red hair. He was pointed out to me a week or so after Bobby’s death. I remember no one talked to him, and then in a few days he was gone. I heard his family moved away.

The memory of Bobby Jones hasn’t haunted me though the years. In fact, I don’t remember thinking much about it at all. But at some point, perhaps whenever I hear of the accidental shooting of one child by another, I remember Bobby. I wonder what ever happened to the red haired boy. Did he grow up to be a fine man who let the horrible experience mold his life for the better? Or did it ruin him? How could he ever forget the look on Bobby’s face when the bullet struck him?

But what about Bobby’s parents? What about those who have to deal with such a tragedy? This was an accident, but a young boy died. What about the parents of the children in Newtown, Connecticut? That was no accident, but can they forgive? Could I? Is it asking more than we are able to give? If I said piously, “No it is not”, I would be stating words I’m not sure I could follow. I don’t know. I know what Jesus did. I know what he said. But I just don’t know.

I know what Abraham Sirgy said to me after last Sunday’s sermon. He said, in his own words, that to not forgive is to be eaten up and enslaved by the one who did the wrong. I believe that. But I also know that if we forgive without having some sense of, dare we call it, “resolution” we may feel we do not care about the one who was wronged or killed.

A few weeks ago I mentioned Helen Prejean, the nun who wrote “Dead Man Walking”. In a talk she gave at Duke University she spoke about her association with Patrick Sonnier, who, along with his brother, raped and murdered a sixteen year old girl and her boyfriend. Prejean became Patrick’s spiritual advisor as he awaited death in Louisiana. “Dead Man Walking” is about her journey.

She talked about how the death sentence is often described by attorneys as the “honorable” thing to do. To not do it dishonors the victim. Most of us can feel that, can’t we? But she went on to tell of the time she was asking mercy for Patrick, a life sentence instead of the death penalty. The dead girl’s parents were enraged that she would ask such a thing, and she understood. But when the boy’s father came by he said, “Sister Prejean, why didn’t you come and see us? You don’t know the pressure we are under because of the death penalty.” She went with them and prayed. Then she began to minister to them. The father said, “They killed my son, but I will not let them kill me.” And in the next months and years he forgave those two brothers for that unspeakable act.
Is that what forgiveness is? Is that what loving the enemy is? Jesus said so. As I struggle with that, I thank God every time I think about Bobby Jones or Newtown, that I haven’t had to think about it personally.
Keith

CONCERNS: Richard Crites is continuing to have tests to determine the origin of his back pain. T. J. & Judy Hall have been ill with cold-like symptoms. Helen Nicklas has almost constant pain. The following are in cancer treatment: Philip Pierce’s mother; Walther Wagner, Keith’s brother; Ruby Stahl, a relative of Alan Beach’s; Joni Beach’s cousin, Stephanie Ridney; Joni’s aunt, Marge Greenwood; Regan, a ten year old boy with brain cancer; Deanna McRoy; Leena Bolin’s brother, Nick; Jim Hunter, Connie Crites’ brother and Sharon and Billy. Seeking employment are Sam and Melisha. Remember also the Tuckers in their time of grief, Martha Foy’s parents, Ray Reiss, Alma Martin, Ron Matney, Jenni Cullum and Tim Elder.

OUR DAILY BREAD: MARCH 4-9
Monday: Daniel 5:17-28
Tuesday: Matthew 14:44-52
Wednesday: I Samuel 17:41-54
Thursday”: Psalm 70:1-5
Friday: Matthew 7:13-29
Saturday: Psalm 1:1-15
OUR DAILY BRAED: MARCH 11-16
Monday: John 4:27-42
Tuesday: Ecclesiastes 11:1-10
Wednesday: Psalm 86:1-17
Thursday: Genesis 3:8-21
Friday: II Timothy 3:1-17
Saturday: Psalm 84:1-12

THE GIDEONS
Each year a representative from the Gideons comes to tell us about their work of placing Bibles across the world. This year, Brad Buie will be the speaker. The date is next Sunday, March 10. He will speak just before the sermon and anyone who would like to contribute may do so in the foyer after the service.

A WONDERFUL THANK YOU
We have received a wonderful packet of thank you letters from the children at the Lincoln Terrace Elementary School for the hand-knitted scarves Judy Hall and her crew knitted for them. There are thirty-seven letters from what looks like first graders. Thanks to all of you who joined Judy in knitting these nice presents for the children.

VIVIAN DUGAN
If you notice that Vivian Dugan’s pew looks a little empty it’s because she is spending March with her daughter over on the coast while Kathy and Jeff are on a cruise.

VALET SERVICE
It would seem the best way to solve a problem is to find a solution. Since we announced the valet service for the handicapped area, there seems to have been no need for it. However, if you would need it, or would simply like to use it, see Karen Branch and she or AC will meet you at the lower parking lot, drive you to the handicapped door and then return your car from the lower lot after the service. It’s better than riding in a golf cart.

THE BAR B QUE COOKER
If you’ve looked behind the annex it may seem the cooker has been vandalized. It hasn’t. One of its legs just gave up the ghost. We have been looking to make some improvements on it so this is the time. You can be sure it will be ready for the Labor Day Weekend cookout.
A NEW LIGHT
As soon as the weather gets warmer, a long-needed motion light will be installed above the back door. It is very hard to see to get the key in the door at night. It will also add security to that area.

PULL TABS
Don’t forget to save the pull tabs from aluminum cans for the Ronald McDonald House.