THINK ABOUT IT 11-11-25
THINK ABOUT IT 11-11-25
VETERAN’S DAY
I can’t think about Veteran’s Day without thinking of what Paul said in Phil. 1:3,”I thank my God upon every remembrance of you”. Dear soldiers, you are in my thoughts and prayers!
“On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the world rejoiced as a treaty was signed ending World War I” –known as “the war to end all wars”. One year later America celebrated what came to be known as Armistice Day, honoring those who served during the war. Then in 1938 Armistice Day was declared a national holiday. Sadly, shortly after that it became apparent that W.W.I was not to be the last war and W.W.II came– a war even bloodier than the first. But we prevailed because of people like you. Then in 1954 Congress changed the name of the holiday to Veteran’s Day, including the veterans of all U.S. wars.
Veteran’s Day is primarily intended to honor those who are still living for their service to America. While there is no way that we could ever repay our veterans for the service they’ve rendered, and they would be the last to ask for it, yet we can be thankful and show our appreciation–let us not fail in this!
On Memorial Day we remember the dead, as we well should, but on Veteran’s Day our attention is turned to the living—the ones still able to hear our words of thanks. We dare not be silent. We need to let it be known loud and clear that we appreciate their sacrifice. Freedom was gained and maintained at a great cost– the suffering and lives of great men and women who loved country more than life, and were willing to give all for the sake of others. We must never allow that to go unnoticed.
George Washington said,”The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, is directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated.” That being the case, on this special day we want it to be known that we view our veterans as the true heroes, deserving of all honor and respect.
Someone said, “Thanksgiving is a day when we pause to give thanks for the things we have. Veteran’s Day is a day when we pause to give thanks to the people who fought for the things we have!”. So, to all our vets, regardless of where or how you served, I say,”Thank you!” from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you for–
–putting all your plans on hold, so the rest of us could pursue our dreams,
–the time you spent away from your family and friends, while the rest of us enjoyed their company,
–the rigorous training you were subjected to in preparation for your assignment,
–the difficulties you experienced and never wrote home about,
–the fears you faced as you stepped on foreign soil for the first time, not knowing if you would ever return home,
–the hardships you endured over and over, day after day,
–the long days, sleepless nights, lousy food, and uncomfortable gear you had to wear– so we could be comfortable,
–the dangers you faced, so that others wouldn’t be in danger,
–the problems you’ve faced since returning home, because you willing left home to serve,
–the scars, seen and unseen, that came about all because you wanted to protect the rest of us!
I simply cannot say it enough times and in enough ways–Thanks Soldier! May God bless you and may God bless the United States of America! Never stop thinking about it.HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
THINK ABOUT IT 11-7-25
THINK ABOUT IT 11-7-25
What Is Sin?: Barna Study Reveals ‘Dramatic Shift In The Nation’s Moral Compass’
According to a new study from George Barna’s Cultural Research Center, “Americans are changing their understanding and definition of ‘sin,’” which, the article says, “signals a dramatic shift in the nation’s moral compass and builds on earlier reports documenting widespread confusion about the existence and nature of sin.” Not surprisingly, younger generations showed more moral confusion than their older counterparts.
“Fewer than half of all adults—just 43%—believe that sinful behavior stems from a wicked, corrupt heart.”
“Three out of every five adults (62%) said that sin can be understood as ‘an act of disobedience against God.’” (Interestingly, people were more comfortable with using the word “disobedience” rather than “rebellion,” showing a softening toward the seriousness of sin.)
“About six out of 10 (61%) indicated that sin produces guilt, and such guilt is ‘often worse than the sin’ that caused it.” Yikes!
The research looked at 12 “traditional sins” and found only 6 are still widely regarded as sinful: “…Only six of the 12 behaviors were still widely regarded as sinful, mainly those related to speech, sexuality, faith, and drug use.”
When it comes to these changes, Barna believes, “The current data patterns reflect social turbulence during the past decade in the U.S. in the areas of significant changes in family structure, personal relationships, integrity and ethics, faith practices, and lifestyle choices. These can be traced directly to shifts away from traditional biblical views on sin.”
This “social turbulence” is certainly increasing—we see the clash in the culture at the worldview level, but really it comes from a change of foundation from God’s Word to man’s word.
In our post-Christian (really anti-Christian, as there is no neutrality) society today, God’s Word is no longer the authority; man is. And if man is the authority, then morality is completely subjective. Right and wrong are determined by personal opinion, cultural shifts, and the latest trends—in other words, it’s arbitrary—because when there is no “king” (no ultimate authority), everyone does what’s right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25). And we’re certainly seeing that!
Really, it all comes back to “Who decides?” Does the Creator and Judge of the universe decide? Or does sinful, fallible man decide? How you answer that question will determine your worldview and what you personally view as sinful (and how seriously you view sin!). And we all know worldviews have consequences!
Yes, America’s “social turbulence” is raging, and the divide between what is Christian and what is not is only going to continue to widen. Our response as Christians is to stand boldly and firmly on the authority of God’s Word, from the very first verse.
I remember my father teaching us as children about whether “white lies” or “black lies” were the worst sin. And then he explained ALL lies are sin! Sin is sin!
Ken Ham is an author, speaker, and Founder and CEO of Answers in Genesis and its two popular interests: the acclaimed Creation Museum and the internationally known Ark Encounter.
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble,TX
THINK ABOUT IT 11-4-25
THINK ABOUT IT 11-4-25
GET ALL EXCITED!
There’s an old song that says, “Get all excited”, and I can’t help but wonder why we don’t. Back when I was playing baseball it was common to hear players and coaches say, “Come on, talk it up. Let’s hear some chatter out there!” That was a part of the game. Everyone knew the importance of of emotion. It not only inspires us, excitement is contagious. Watching others get excited has a way of stirring up your emotions, and that can be very important. It can make the difference in the outcome of whatever we’re doing. That’s why the “home team” has an advantage in a ball game. Can you imagine watching a ballgame where there is no display of emotion? Chances are it would be that way only if there was an attitude of indifference. If you don’t care what the outcome is there is nothing to get excited about. But if you care about winning and losing, victory and defeat, emotions come easy. We get excited about things we value, like, or admire.
Maybe that explains why some are so unemotional in church. If a person doesn’t care about what he hears or sees there is nothing to get excited about. On the other hand, if a person has a great love for God, a healthy fear of God, an intimate relationship with God, and a strong desire to please God, he will be excited about worshiping God. He might not express his emotion in exactly the same way as others, but he most certainly will be deeply moved when God is honored, when Christ is exalted, when the saints are edified.
It should be stated that emotions aren’t everything as some people make it appear. It takes more than a hallelujah hoedown to impress God. If the truth is absent, the conduct improper, and the motives impure God isn’t impressed — regardless of the showy display. However, that being said, neither is God pleased with a cold, dead, formal, unemotional service where you never hear so much as a holy grunt from anyone. My question is, how can a person who has been forgiven, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and assured of heaven not get excited about worshiping the King of kings and Lord of lords? How is that possible? Why is that acceptable? That is a problem that should never exist.
What excites you? Are you one of those who goes to a ballgame and yells like a Comanche and then attends church and sits like a wooden Indian? I’m not saying we should behave the same way in church that we behave at a ballgame— that’s not the point. Worship demands a dignity that isn’t expected at a ballgame, but surely we ought to be deeply moved at the thought of being in the presence of Christ. Think about it!- HDS, 3-13-14
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
THINK ABOUT IT 10-26-25
SEASONS
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
The following was sent to me by my daughter Kathy several years ago.
There was an Indian Chief who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.
The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.
When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.
The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.
The second son said no, it was covered with green buds and full of promise.
The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.
The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.
The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree’s life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.
If you give up when it’s winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.
Moral:
Don’t let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don’t judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time.
Happiness keeps You Sweet,
Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Failures keep You Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going!
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble,TX
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