Free Online Bible Study Available

--> Many years ago I participated in World Bible School as a teacher. We enrolled anyone interested in a correspondence course, which was conducted through the mail. It was very successful but it could be overwhelming and very time consuming for the teacher.
For me personally it turned into some wonderful experiences in foreign lands, as some of us went to meet WBS students and teach them face to face. My long time love of Dominica and the people of that island grew out of those trips. When I relocated to the congregation where I now serve I left behind my involvement in the correspondence course.

But recently I was introduced to the more modern opportunities that are presented by World Bible School online. I found that the methods used with web students is very easy and not nearly as time consuming or overwhelming as the old methods. You can sign up to teach or to study in mere minutes. The courses can be done at your own pace and in your own home. There is no cost whatsoever. I am very excited about the possibilities of spreading the Gospel via this method.

If you would like to enroll as a student you can go to LCTruth.worldbibleschool.org. God Bless.

Upon Further Review

As I posted on my Facebook page and as I told the congregation on Sunday night, I found out Saturday that I had been the target of a fraud scheme. I had posted some equipment on Craig'slist and had someone accept the price of $900. When I got the check for $1890, I made contact with the buyer to ask why. He told me he wanted me to cash the check and wire the difference to a mover who would come and get the equipment. It didn't sound right to me and when I went to the bank, I found out that indeed it was a scam.

My first reactions were aggravation that someone had selected me as a possible target and played me a long till he thought he had me on the line. And I was disappointed that what seemed to be an opportunity to make a good profit had vanished. I thought about all the effort and ingenuity the scammer had put into this enterprise and lamented the fact that he could have used his cleverness and energy to be a positive element of society rather than a detriment to it. I was saddened by the fact that the scheme had apparently worked on four other people, according to the bank. And I thought how I hate evil.

But as the referee says when he is checking a replay to make sure that a call was correct on the field, "upon further review," I realized that the truth is that I hate evil in somebody else, but I'm not nearly as quick to see it in myself. I reflected on what was in me that caused me to want this transaction so much that I would fall for a scheme. I suppose there was an element of greed, wanting to make a handsome profit – – I had only paid $100 for the equipment. But perhaps of more importance was my old nemesis, Pride. I wanted to enjoy the fact that I had pulled off a successful flip of some equipment with hardly any work or time invested in the endeavor. This time I caught myself before I did any harm to the bank or to myself, but I could easily have fallen prey to the scheme. It called to mind the phrase that Jesus used to admonish his disciples in the garden of Gethsemane, "watch and pray so that you may not enter into temptation." (Matthew 26:41).

Thoughts About Valentine's Day

Today is the 13th day of February and a lot of us are really concerned about being sure we make expressions of love tomorrow to those that matter the most. I guess I'm something of a Grinch in that regard, because I believe Valentine's Day has come to be almost as commercially driven as Christmas over the past few years. On the one hand I hate to give in to the commercial pressure, but on the other hand, I hate for those I love to feel cheated or embarrassed if I don't provide them with some Valentine's Day proof of my love. What if someone were to ask my wife what I got her for Valentine's Day and she said, "Nothing.?" Wouldn't that be humiliating?

Actually, I kinda believe that we ought to be demonstrating our love to those dearest to us on a regular basis, and without the prompting of some created holiday. I think it's okay to give my wife flowers or to surprise her with candy, or to take her to dinner any day of the year. I wonder if that teddy bear company would deliver something squeezable to her in the middle of the summer?

While love is in the air, (and while I'm on my soapbox), wouldn't this be a good week to express the love of Jesus to a neighbor or friend or coworker? Why not make them a Valentine that contains a passage of Scripture or an invitation to join you at a devotional or at worship? Be creative. There are lots of ways to plant a seed of love that might grow in their hearts.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Force 410 Update

As I write this update, we have just passed the quarter pole on the Force 410 racetrack. And I just asked myself the question, "Do the kids give more encouragement, or need more encouragement?" The answer to the question may vary depending upon in who's shoes you stand.

If you are a member of the congregation that is not actually in the Force 410 classes right now, you are probably receiving far more encouragement from the kids than they can possibly imagine. The parents are very proud of their young ones and excited to see them developing and growing and becoming. And us old folks are delighted to see the spark of faith that indicates that the things we treasure the deepest will be passed along to a new generation. As their teacher, it gives me great satisfaction to see their efforts, and to watch them succeeding in so many very important ways.

If, however, you happen to be one of those in the class, you may be really needing a pat on the back and a word of encouragement because some of the things you're doing the harder and more challenging than you've ever been asked to do at the church. The transition from little children to the boys and girls is not particularly easy for most. The tests can be overwhelming, though I wish you could see that they are only a measure of how well I'm doing in transferring information to you. And doing some of the service projects, whether publicly or privately, can be demanding.

So if you are one of those receiving encouragement by seeing the young people deal with this basic training, I hope you continue to take satisfaction, but that you will also take the time to offer encouragement to the trainees. They are building relationships that can sustain them through the teen years. And they are learning truths that can sustain them throughout their lives and into eternity.




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Good Sam Is Still on the Job

First posted on Fortitude!

My wife and I had not had much time together in a couple of months, so we decide to take a couple of days last week to meander through Central Texas. We planned to see a few sites along the way, but with no real agenda other than being together.

So last Thursday morning we left our home on the Gulf Coast and headed north. Our intended destination was the Dr. Pepper Bottling plant in Dublin. That is the only DP operation that still uses Imperial Pure Cane Sugar, as it has since 1891. We stopped a couple of times to read historical markers, but arrived shortly after noon.

After taking the tour of the plant and the adjacent museum, we headed toward Waco, where we planned to spend the night. On the way, we saw a sign that indicated that Crawford was only 9 miles off our route. So we decided to drive through to see if we could catch a glimpse of the George Bush ranch that was a getaway for the President during his eight years in Washington. We were a bit disappointed in that we were not able to see anything interesting. But, of course, our enjoyment for the day was not diminished in the least, since we were doing exactly what we had planned, meandering through Central Texas together. When we were finished with that little side trip, we once again headed toward Waco, this time on a two lane Farm to Market road. All at once our right front tire started making quite a bit of noise and became a bit hard to handle. I pulled over, expecting to find the tire flat. But it was not. There was no apparent damage, so I got back in the car, intending to proceed. But the tire got even louder and harder to control. I pulled into the driveway of a used car sales lot and got out to check things again.

As I was making the inspection, I must have looked perplexed because a fellow came from the garage area and asked if we were having a problem. I described the noise and handling situation. He immediately said that the tire had a broken steel belt. He bent down to study the tire, and very quickly discovered what he was seeking. He pointed out the crack that I had not noticed. I asked him if the tire would get us into Waco, which was six miles away. He said it should.

I asked him if there was a Discount Tire Center in Waco. He said there was and began to tell me how to find it. I said I needed to write down the instructions, and I turned to get paper and pen from the car. He stopped me and said he was about to leave, and that he was going in that direction. He said that if I would follow him, he would lead me right to the store. I agreed and thanked him.

On our way, the tire got steadily worse. We were still a couple of miles outside Waco when it blew out. I was a magnificent explosion. I pulled off the road and was preparing to change the tire. Our Good Samaritan guide was not finished with his good deeds. He backed his pick-up down the side of the highway and helped me make the change.

Maybe I should say I helped him make the change. He said he was already dirty and sweaty and there was no cause for me to get that way. He had the tire changed in no time and then completed his charity by leading us the rest of the way in to the tire center.

I am very grateful to our White Knight. I am also gratified to know that there are still such folks around. I hope to get to reciprocate the kindness we were shown by this stranger, whose name we found out was Thomas Jefferson. But if I don’t get to repay him, perhaps I can make a difference for some other traveler who needs a hand.

Alternative Ending!!!!!

In order to keep the boys minds sharp during the summer vacation from school, as well as to keep them from being bored, my wife gave them a writing exercise this morning. They were each to write an alternative ending to the story of the Princess and the Frog.

They both moaned and groaned, saying "school is out for the summer.", but they ended up having fun with assignment. I especially enjoyed the work of our ten year old. He wrote, "The Princess kissed the frog. The dog ate the frog. The dog lived happily ever after."

A Case of Mistaken Identity?

A couple of days ago, I received a phone call from a man I could hardly understand. I asked that he email his request so I could study it. Here is what I received:

Dear Rev.Bryant ,

Nice to speak to you this morning .
I am working for a Japanese Television called " TV Asahi " .
My name is Hideyuki MIyauchi .
TV Asahi has a weekly informational program called " Shiru Shiru MIshiru "( literally translated " To see is to know ") .

Their next subject is " What is the better ball to fly further by a baseball bat ? "
This is a kind of scientific research .
They like to invite you to Japan to hit various balls at s studio if you can .

They offer the cost of staying in Japan : trip , meeting , shooting , trip back .
The date they will shoot up to you soon as possible .

About your guarantee or donation to your church is up to you .
Please let us know .

I am sorry to bother you by a strange offer .
We have still a lot of your fans in Japan .

If you are willing to accept this offer , please let me know soon as possible .

Thank you so much for your time .

Best ,

HIdeyuki MIyauchi

Upon reading the missive, I realized that this executive thought he was speaking to the former Major League and Japanese League home run hitting star, not some old hotcornerhasbeen. I replied that I would be happy to accept his offer, but I thought he would be disappointed to discover he had found the wrong Ralph Bryant.

Parenting By The Book

Over a period of years, maybe beginning in the mid-1990s, Jo and I did not spend as much time reading books about parenting as we had previous the decade or two. But in the last few years circumstances have caused us to revert back to old reading patterns. In our raising two grandsons, one of the things that we've discovered is that boys are different from girls. So we thought we might need a few pointers on ways to raise them.

We went first to some of our old favorite authors like Gary Smalley and James Dobson. Most recently we have both read a book by an author we did not know until the book was recommended (by Billy Mack). He is John Rosemond, and apparently he has been well-respected for quite a number of years by some of those that we've held in high esteem. The title of the book is Parenting by the Book.

Dr. Rosemond is very pointed in his holding that the best approach to raising children, boys or girls, is to raise them using the wisdom of Scripture. Rosemond was trained in what he now calls postmodern psychological parenting. The book does a good job pointing out the damage that has been done to our culture by those methods and ideologies. I found some of his points eye-opening. It is very easy to see some of his conclusions all around us today, even among Christian parents.

Rosemond also provide some thoughts about the ways to extract and apply biblical wisdom to our parenting methods. He is very practical even as he is very certain that biblical wisdom cannot be surpassed for successful child rearing. I was so impressed with this book that, even before I finished it, I had ordered several copies. I believe it is the kind of book that I will want to share with others in the days to come. I'm going to donate one to our church library in the name of my grandmother Marie Bryant. I believe she would approve of the common sense that Rosemond expounds. She would never have written it in a book, but I believe her methods are exactly what Rosemond wishes all of us would use to bring up our children.

A Forgetable Memorial Day!

I really don't like complainers, especially when it is me complaining. But there was lots to complain about or visit to Minute Maid Park this afternoon. First, the advertised holiday version of the Astros caps that were to be given away as promos were not provided. Not even the little American flags that we have received at games on Memorial Day were handed out this year. Can you say, "cost-cutting?"

Then when we got to the kids play area, that the Astros promote in an effort to attract families to the games, most of the activities were not open. We were told that they did not have enough staff to man all them. We had heard that the last three times we had taken to boys to a game, but those were on week nights/school nights. Today was a holiday and there should have been max staff on the job. More budget trimming?

Then the home plate umpire, Bill Hohn, decided he was the center of attention. He had, from our seats right behind the plate, squeezed the strike zone on Astros' pitcher Roy Oswalt. In the third inning Oswalt threw what both he and I thought was strike three to Adam Dunn. Hohn called it a ball, and on the next pitch, Dunn hit a bases loaded double, driving in three runs.

The next batter, Josh Willingham, had a 1-2 count. The next pitch was a fantastic pitch--I saw the replay when I got home and was right about my original opinion--but Hohn called it ball 2. Oswalt turned toward right field and raised his head and shouted. I don't know what word he said, but he was not shouting at the umpire, just expressing frustration.

But Hohn came out from behind the plate and walked toward the mound. He called Roy to attention, and Roy responded by pointing to the umpire. Hohn promptly ejected Oswalt. From there the pitching unraveled and the game got really ugly. The final score was 14-4. Most of the fans had left the building before the last out.

To add to the insanity, twice during the game, idiotic fans jumped the rails and ran across the diamond. Each time security captured the fan and led them away, one in hand cuffs. They will each pay a thousand dollar fine and spend the night in jail. Some fans find the trespassers amusing, but I am not one of those. I enjoy a baseball game, not jerks, whether they are behind the plate or trespassing on the field.

A thoroughly forgettable Memorial Day!

Requested Quote From 5-23-10

Yesterday in the lesson from 1 Chronicles 22, I presented a portion of the inaugural address of John F. Kennedy in 1961. Afterward I presented a reword of his statement, trying to embrace our spiritual commitment. I received requests for copies, so I am posting it here. The reword was done by a preacher named Dave Owens.

I want us to be able to declare…“Let the word go forth from this time and place…to friend and foe alike…that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Christians living in our secular society…Let it be known that we are proud of our Lord Jesus and His Word and His body, the church…let every person know that we will pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of the church. This much we pledge and more!”

Fortitude Writers!!!!!!!

For several years I have been writing for a website called Qonido, formerly Qassia, to help promote a blog site or two. There is a new launch taking place that allows writers to make money for submissions. It is called Fortitude. I hope some of my writer friends, as well as any reader of this post will take a look at the possibilities Fortitude offers. There is an annual fee of $23.88 to join, but I believe it could be very worthwhile for good and prolific writers.

If you would do me the honor and use my referral link below, I would appreciate it.

Remembering Robin Roberts

May 31, 1957, was a magical night for a young baseball fan from South Texas. My family was visiting my mother's family in Bordentown, New Jersey for a couple of weeks. My dad and my uncle took me to Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia to see my first Major League game in person.

The Phillies' pitcher that night was the awesome right-hander Robin Roberts. He was in the midst of 6 consecutive seasons of 20 wins. And he was facing the Brooklyn Dodger with their awesome line-up, Gilliam, Cimoli, Snider, Furillo, Hodges, Campanella, Neal, Zimmer, and the Don Drysdale as the opposing pitcher.

The game lived up to my imagination. There was excellent pitching and defense. There was a majestic by the great Dodger catcher, Roy Campanella, off the top of the stadium. But Roberts only gave up three hits, pitched a complete game and got the win. For years after that magical night I would want to be a second baseman like Junior Gilliam. And, in my mind, I would pitch, copying Robin Roberts and throwing the perfect pitch in the pressure situation.

Robin Roberts passed away yesterday. But the memory of his mastery will live as long as I do!

Johnny Neun Quote!

I just read a quote by a man who was in his late eighties and still swinging his fungo in spring training at the time. Johnny Neun had played in the 1920's for Ty Cobb and managed the Yankees and Reds. Young players today would do well to listen.

"It is important to remember how careful you have to be about the way you live your life. It's to your advantage not to do too many things off the field that interfere with your life on the field. You turn on the TV and you hear that some committee or other is investigating things out of someone's past and lives get ruined. When you play this game, you're in the public eye. I once heard a great poet say that if you're going to go public with your life, your life belongs to the public. Be careful with our life. In the long run the thing that's going to be the most precious to you, the thing you're going to treasure all your life, is your peace of mind."

Dig in and make sure you get the full benefit of your natural ability. Only a few of you are going to make the Big Club. But for the others, you ought to be able to leave saying. 'I gave it my best.' Don't worry about tomorrow. Don't worry about things you have no control over. Do it this way and someone may walk up to you and say, 'you're the one.'"

National Day of Prayer in League City

I got a call from a League City resident named Becky Gualt this morning. I have never met Ms. Gualt. She called to inform me of a plan that she and a number of ladies with whom she meets to study the Bible have developed for the National Day of Prayer that is scheduled for May 6. I liked her plan and her approach to the whole matter and thought you would like to know about it.

First, they have reserved the club house in the Magnolia Creek subdivision, 4752 League City Parkway, for the day. It will be open from 6:30 am till 7 pm, in order to accommodate commuters who leave early or get home late. They are making a true DAY of prayer rather than a short gathering. It is a non-denominational activity.

Second, they have set as their purpose to Pray for our families; Pray for our schools-Administrators; Teachers; Students; Support Personnel; Pray for our community – Local Businesses; Civic Volunteers; Pray for our churches – Pastor and family; Pastoral Staff; Congregations; Pray for our Law Enforcement Officers Pray for State and Local Government; Pray for the three branches of our Government –Legislative; Executive; Judicial; Pray for the Armed Forces; Pray for the media

Ken Clark, a county commissioner, has agreed to take part, though the schedule has not been set as of this writing. I have told Ms. Gualt that I will participate as a concerned citizen, but not as a representative of the congregation here. Whether you want to participate in the community effort, please make a special effort in your personal prayers to lift up acknowledge the power of God and our need for Him.

Hope For Haiti's Children!!!

Yesterday at the preachers’ luncheon we learned about the work of a faith based group called Hope for Haiti’s Children. This group feeds, educates, and for some orphans, houses children in the outskirts of Port Au Prince. They can fully fund that work for about $40 per month per child. They were already in Haiti before the earthquake and their students were among the top in standardized testing for the whole country. In the aftermath of the quake they have been distributing food and supplies to other organizations—no strings attached.

One of the things that really caught my attention is that the folks who set the ministry up established a separate fund for administrative costs. It is supported by folks who want to assure the work will continue. And that allows that every donation that is made for the children goes, 100 cents of every dollar, directly to the needs of those being helped! Rainy season began about two weeks ago, with most folks living in tent cities with little or no sanitation facilities. To take a look or to donate, go to http://hopeforhaitischildren.org/

Opening Day At Minute Maid '10!!!

Opening Day has been a huge part of life for my wife and I. We have celebrated 43 anniversaries, 42 of them at Opening Day for the Astros. The only time we missed was when we celebrated our 35th in New York City. We just returned from the 2010 edition.

Roy Oswalt started for the 'Stros against Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants, the reigning back to back Cy Young winner. Oswalt pitched creditably, but not well enough to avoid the loss. He gave up three runs in his six innings of work, while Lincecum did not allow a run in his seven innings of work.

Houston did not hit the ball hard very often tonight. Carlos Lee had a line drive off the wall in left, but the next well struck ball was in the 9th inning when J. R. Towles had a double to left center field to drive in the second run of the evening for Houston.

There were not too many bright spots for the over 43,000 in attendance. I wonder how many fans will be in the stands tomorrow.

Farewell, Mike Cuellar

When I was reading the sports section of the paper this morning I was saddened to read of the passing of Mike Cuellar. He died of stomach cancer at the age of 72. Seeing his name again reminded me of what a great pitcher Cuellar was, and that he was part of the worst trade in the history of the Astros.

Cuellar came to the Astros in 1965, as the team was moving into the Astrodome and became know as the Astros, after their first three seasons as the Colt .45’s. Mike was a left handed pitcher with a truly wicked screwball. I loved to sit in the bleachers in center field next to the tunnel when he pitched, just to watch the ball dance! Cuellar was a 16 game winner for one of the most woeful teams in the league, in those days after the MLB expansion that brought them into the National League.

I the winter of 1968 the Astros traded Mike Cuellar to the Baltimore Orioles for a first baseman named Curt Blefry. I was outraged at the time. And time only confirmed that the trade was worse than any in team history, worse that Joe Morgan going to the Reds, worse than Kenny Lofton for Eddie Taubensee, the absolute worst! By 1970 Blefry proved to be so worthless that he was traded for a washed up Joe Pepitone!

Cuellar went on to help take the Orioles to three World Series appearances and to be a part of a staff that had four 20 game winners in one season. If Mike had been with the Orioles his whole career he would be in the Hall of Fame.

Farewell, Mike Cuellar.

Quitting Too Soon?

In Genesis chapter 18 we have an account of a visit God made to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre. That's the day that Abraham was told that a year later he and his wife Sarah would have a son, despite the fact that they were well past the age of childbearing. As the visit was ending, God told Abraham that he was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.

There is an interesting dialogue that takes place between Abraham and God beginning in verse 22. Abraham calls on God's righteousness, suggesting that he wouldn't wipe out the silly survey found 50 righteous people within them. God agrees that he will not destroy cities for the sake of 50 righteous. Abraham then asks if he would spare them if they found 45 people who were righteous. God says of his 45 righteous that the cities would not be destroyed. Abraham then appeals to God not to destroy the cities if 40 righteous were found. God agreed. Abraham proceeded, asking that the cities be spared if only 30 righteous were found. Again God agrees. Abraham persists. This time asking that if 20 righteous were found that the cities be spared. And God agreed.

Abraham comes to the end of his admonition and says to God, "Oh let not the Lord be angry and I will speak again but this once. Suppose 10 are found there." And God consents to this request as well, saying "For the sake of 10 I will not destroy it."

The question I want to ask here is "Did Abraham quit praying before God quit answering?"

What Did You Do For Fun On The Weekend, Johnny?

This is the favorite joke I heard at the Get Motivated seminar on Monday. I believe Rudy Giuliani was talking about integrity when he told the story.

A first grade teacher told her class on Friday afternoon to have some fun on the weekend, and to remember what that fun was because on Monday they would each have a turn to tell what they did for fun on the weekend.

When they all assembled in class on Monday morning, the teacher began to ask students what they had done for fun and each one told their story in turn. When she got to Johnny, she asked him what he had done for fun. He said "My father and I went fishing, we caught 75 catfish and each of them weighed 75 pounds." The teacher said, "Johnny, this is not a time for make believe this is a time for telling what you did for fun on the weekend."

Johnny said, "We went fishing, we caught 75 catfish and each weighed 75 pounds." The teacher told Johnny, "now that's just not possible, and I want you to quit telling stories and tell us what he really did this weekend." Johnny repeated his proclamation. In exasperation the teacher said, "Johnny, if I told you on the weekend I was in my yard and a big grizzly bear came into my yard was about to attack me, but a big yellow dog came and grabbed that grizzly bear by the nose and slammed him to the ground on one side and then slammed into the ground on the other side and when he let him go that grizzly bear ran away. Would you believe that, Johnny?"

Johnny said, "Yes Ma'am. That was my yeller dog!"

Get Motivated!

We had a great day today, a bunch of us from the congregation went to a seminar called Get Motivated. It was aimed at business people and entrepreneurs, but I thought anyone would have benefited from hearing the messages from the speakers. The line-up included Sarah Palin, Rick Belluzo (former COO of Microsoft), Rudy Giuliani, Colin Powell, Lou Holtz, and four others.

We heard a lot of things that could make a difference, if we will act rather than just having enjoyed the speakers. My favorite over all was Colin Powell, he stood out among those giants. His practical solutions to problems of life and common sense were very uplifting and inspirational.

The one thing I want to give some thought to was asked by Lou Holtz--"If you were to never make it home again, who would miss you and why?"