What a wonderful way to show the love of Christ at Christmas. It warms my heart to know Boone County has such caring individuals who give unselfishly to our children. What a wonderful church they must have.
Beth Burns,
Danville
Editor:
Just a comment on the recent government investigation of several televangelists: From what I have read in the Bible, this alleged abuse of power and money is not new.
In the Old Testament, when animal sacrifices were performed, the priests often would retrieve the most choice parts of the animals for themselves.
Several thoughts, verses and stories come to mind when I read about the ministries in question. Jesus hardly had a place to lay his head. He sent the 12 apostles forth with no money or food and only one coat (if they had two coats, they were to give one coat to one of their brothers). In fact, they were told by Jesus, “freely you received, freely give.” I could be wrong, but each of them had a profession. Teaching God’s word wasn’t their sole profession. Their pay usually was room and board.
The prophet Jeremiah was saddened by the priests and prophets of his day. He described them as “profane.”
The prophet Ezekiel preached against the teachers of Israel, saying they taught “according to their own heart.” He said they were “foolish” and “followed their own spirit” and “have seen nothing.” He accused them of “seducing” His people with empty promises, lies and false hopes. In another chapter, Ezekiel was told to testify against the “shepherds” of God’s people. He warned us to beware of those who “feed themselves and not the flock.” This selfishness on the part of what we call Christian teachers continues to this day.
Religious figures aren’t the only ones accused of the misuse of funds, although they should be the people whom we would least expect to do so. Just take a look back at stories about incidents in which the government and charitable agencies did the same.
A friend recently told me how confused she had become by religion. I agreed with her on the comment and reminded her that humans gave us religions and denominations. God did not! He is not the author of confusion. He promises to deliver us from false leaders, and He will! I just do not know when it will happen.
It is impossible for God to lie. He just is not in the hurry that we think He should be. Do we know more than He does? I think not! Pray and read for yourself. Do not aimlessly follow men or organizations. Even the apostle Paul implored his followers to “follow me (only) as long as I follow Christ.”
Sharon L. Hill,
Chapmanville
Editor:
The Boone County Firefighters Mutual Aid Association would like to thank and recognize the following contributors to our 2007 Boone County Fire School, which was held at Scott High School.
The annual event gathers firefighters from Boone County and surrounding counties to participate in multi-day training sessions.
This year’s fire school was in memory of former Madison Volunteer Fire Department Chief Roger Jarrell, who passed away this year. It also was for all of the chiefs who have taught and led the efforts in fire protection in past years.
We sincerely thank the following: Principal Leonard Bolton of Scott High School and his staff, Boone County Ambulance Authority, West Virginia Truck and Trailer, HealthNet, Bender’s Auto Salvage, Brothers of the Wheel, Rock Lick Preparation Plant, Finley Fire Equipment, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5578 and the Hatfield-McCoy Trail.
In addition, we want to thank all of the fire departments that participated and made their equipment available for the classes.
With the continued success of the fire school, many communities in southern West Virginia have some of the best trained and equipped firefighters in the country.
Ronnie Massey,
Boone County Firefighters Mutual Aid Association
Danville
Post a Comment
