By J.J. Turner, Ph.D. © 

          Sir Alexander Mackenzie is a Canadian hero. There are 11 different places named after Alexander Mackenzie in British Columbia and the Northwest Territories in Canada, including the Mackenzie Delta, the Mackenzie Mountains, the Mackenzie Highway, and the Sir Alexander Mackenzie Provincial Park.

Why is Alexander Mackenzie so memorialized?

          In the late 1700’s, Mackenzie, a fur trader, and explorer wanted to open up new trading routes for the fur trade. His intention was to find a route from East Canada to the Pacific Coast. On his second expedition from Fort Chipewyan in the Alberta Province, with a party of voyageurs, two native hunters/interpreters, and a dog, Mackenzie’s team reached the Pacific Coast near Bella Coola, British Columbia, where he inscribed on a rock, “Alexander Mackenzie from Canada by land, 22 July 1793.” Alexander Mackenzie was the first person to make the journey from the east to the west of Canada over the Rocky Mountains.

          Mackenzie’s earlier attempt in 1789, however, had been a major disappointment.  His explorers, seeking to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean, followed a mighty river with high hopes, paddling furiously amid great danger. Unfortunately, it didn’t empty into the Pacific, but into the Arctic Ocean. This 2,500-mile long river, later named the Mackenzie River, was called by a different name by Mackenzie; he called it the “ River of Disappointment .”

          Question: In the course of YOUR life, what awaits YOU downriver?

            King Solomon navigated many “rivers” in search of a life of meaning and fulfillment “under the sun” (cf. the book of Ecclesiastes). He tried power, wealth, worldly pleasure, and relationships with a lot of women. He found each of these “rivers” to be “rivers of disappointment” -- "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity" (Eccl 1:2).

            Jesus said, “Enter by the NARROW gate; for wide is the gate and BROAD is the way that leads to DESTRUCTION, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to LIFE, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

            Jesus has “blazed the trail” to eternal life in heaven (John 14:6). It cost
Him His life to pay the price for our sins (1 Peter 2:24). The way to life is faith
(Acts 16:30-31), repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confession (Romans 10:9-10), baptism (immersion) in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), and following Him completely (1 John 1:7).

            Are YOU traveling down the river of disappointment? There are many!
But there’s only one way to LIFE, and that is Jesus.
            Won’t you trust and obey Him today?

By David A. Sargent, Minister Church of Christ at Creekwood  Mobile, Alabama

The story is told of a man who saved up a great amount of money to purchase an elaborate painting of Jesus.  When he got it home, however, he found it impossible to find a wall or space in his home that would suitably display it.  Finally, he called in an interior decorator to study both his house and the picture and make a recommendation.  After careful examination, the decorator declared, “This picture will not fit into your home: you will have to make a home to fit the picture.”

Some, in the same way, try to have Christ as a part of a home while living in a home filled with strife and bitterness.  Jesus will not be part of such a home.  We must make our home suitable to his presence and then invite him to abide within. (Author Unknown).

1. Stray cats will not be fed.
2. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food.
3. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food moistened with a little milk.
4. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food moistened with warm milk, yummy treats and leftover fish scraps.
5. Stray cats will not be encouraged to make this house their permanent residence.
6. Stray cats will not be petted, played with or picked up and cuddled unnecessarily.
7. Stray cats that are petted, played with, picked up and cuddled will absolutely not be given a name.
8. Stray cats with or without a name will not be allowed inside the house at any time.
9. Stray cats will not be allowed in the house except at certain times.
10. Stray cats will not be allowed in the house except on days ending in “y”.
11. Stray cats allowed inside will not be permitted to jump up on or sharpen their claws on the furniture.
12. Stray cats will not be permitted to jump up on or sharpen claws on the really good furniture.
13. Stray cats will be permitted on all furniture but must sharpen their claws on the new $114.99 sisal-rope cat-scratching post with three perches.

It is a humorous progression, but it reminds me of what happens spiritually (which is not at all humorous).  We don’t want to sin, so we establish boundaries.  “I’m not going to go here, look there, think about that.”  But, before long, we’ve crossed the line.  We think, “That’s all right.  I still haven’t done anything wrong.  I’ll just re-establish my boundaries and not be quite so strict.”  And slowly but surely, sin works its way further and further into our lives until we find that we’re no longer in control of the situation.

“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”

 James 1:14-15

Written by: Alan Smith taken from The Moorefield Messenger

           A lady from the city was visiting members of her family who owned a farm.  As she talked to the farmer, she noticed a pig in the backyard with a wooden leg.  “What happened to that pig?” the woman asked.

           “Oh, that’s Betsy,” the farmer said.  “She’s a fine pig!  One night while we were all asleep, the house caught on fire, and Betsy started snorting and grunting and woke us all up.  We were able to call the fire department and save the house!”

“Wow, that’s amazing!” the woman exclaimed.

“Not only that, but one day my daughter fell into the pond, and Betsy came grunting and snorting and led me to the pond, and I was able to pull her out.  Betsy saved my daughter’s life!”  the farmer said.

“The lady was impressed, but still curious.  “But that still doesn’t explain why the pig has a wooden leg.”

“Well,” the farmer said, “when you have a pig like that, you don’t eat it all at once!”

Sometimes we feel like old Betsy: we try hard in our Christian duties, but the world doesn’t appreciate us.  Paul warned Timothy that “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12)

But that’s not an excuse to quit! In fact, Paul continued by telling Timothy that even though evil men would grow worse and worse (2 Tim. 3:13), he had to continue in the things he had learned and been assured of (2 Tim. 3:14).

When people abuse or take advantage of you, remember for whom you really work (Col. 3:23)!

Taken from Bulletin Digest, Written by: Matt Clifton