A photographer was assigned to get photos of a great forest fire. Smoke at the scene hampered him and he asked his home office to hire a plane. Arrangements were made and he was told to go at once to a nearby airport, where the plane would be waiting. When he arrived at the airport, he jumped into the plane with his equipment and yelled, "Let's go!" The pilot swung the plane into the wind and they soon were in the air. "Fly over the north side of the fire," yelled the photographer, "Why?" asked the pilot. "Because I'm a photographer and I am going to take pictures.  After a pause the pilot said, "You mean you're not the instructor?" 

We can get into a lot of trouble when we assume.  For example, many times people will assume they are right with God when maybe they are not. 

The Bible tells us we do not have to assume when it comes to our eternal destination.  1 John 5:13 reads, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”  If you would like to know more about Christ and eternal life please contact us.

I am Mark T. Tonkery with a minute of meditation from the Camden Ave. church of Christ where you are always welcome.

George Washington Carver grew up at the close of the Civil War, and overcome great obstacles to become one of the most influential men in the history of the United States.

He made 300 marketable discoveries for peanuts and 100 for sweet potatoes. He gave God the credit for helping him make all these discoveries.  These new products created a demand for peanuts and sweet potatoes, and they were major contributors to rejuvenating the South’s economy.

Carver never became successful monetarily, but he overcame great rejection during his lifetime for being black. He was offered six-figure income opportunities from Henry Ford, and he became friends with presidents of his day, yet he knew what God had called him to do. His epitaph reads:

He could have added fortune to fame, but caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world."

What will be written on your epitaph? How do you want people to remember you? What type of legacy will your life leave behind?

This is Mark T. Tonkery with a minute of meditation from the Camden Ave. church of Christ where you are always welcome.

Adapted from:

[John Woodbridge, More Than Conquerors (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1992), 312.]

Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.

It was her first day on the job.  The lady of the house was having a Bible study.  Before the meeting was to start she couldn’t find her Bible, she searched everywhere.  She rushed down to the kitchen where her new housekeeper was working, “Have you seen my Bible?”  “Great”, said the new housekeeper.   “What do you mean?”  Asked the lady.  “Well”, the new employee said,” the first thing I do when I start with a new employer, is to hide their Bible.  I want to see how long it takes them to miss it. Yours is in the linen closet.”

 It would be good if everyone studied their Bible as much as they said they did. Amen.

There are millions of people in the world who claim to be Christians and never pick up the Bible and read it. 

Hos 4:6  reminds us, that God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;

Then Romans 10:17 declares, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

     Will you read your Bible?  What better way to spend your time than with the word of God.  Try it and see if it changes your life!  It did mine! 

 I am Mark T. Tonkery with a minute of meditation from the Camden Ave. church of Christ where you are always welcome.

I love being a Christian! It is the most wonderful thing in the world. But what makes Christianity SO attractive? First we have a FATHER. Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Our Father which art in heaven” (Matt. 6:9). Our heavenly father cares, loves and blesses us (Eph. 1:3). Second, FORGIVENESS. Jesus died on the cross and grants forgiveness of sins to those that repent and are baptized (Acts 2:38). Third, a FAMILY. 1Tim. 3:15 reminds us that the church is a family.  Christians are blessed with a spiritual family where love, care and concern are rich blessings which provided the greatest support system on earth. Last we have a FUTURE. Christianity is going somewhere.  In Jn. 14:1-3 Jesus tells us he is preparing a home for the faithful. Will you be going? These are four major facts all Christians enjoy.

This is Mark T. Tonkery with a minute of meditation from the Camden Ave. church of Christ where you are always welcome.

Adapted from a sermon by Mark Posey

     One day a husband and wife were sitting on a couch reading.  All the sudden the wife looked up and said, “Honey who is this Joan of Arc that saved France”.  Well he looked up and said you’ve got those characters mixed up it was Noah of Ark.  Jonah was that guy that swallowed the whale.”  (LOL)

            Now you better check your Bible, its right; because for one thing the Bible says that Jesus is coming back and everyone is going to see Him.   Notice, Rev 1:7,  “Behold, [Jesus] is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.”

Jesus is coming again.  Will you be ready?  There’s a great day coming are you ready?  Contact us at the Camden Ave. Church of Christ to learn more.  

This is Mark T. Tonkery with a minute of meditation from the Camden Ave. church of Christ where you are always welcome.

Adapted from Larry West minute message Tape 0041-0050 & 0051-0060