Jeopardy Question Nobody could answer.

The Jeopardy Question Nobody could answer.

ARLINGTON CEMETERY

Jeopardy Question: On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was "How many steps does the guard take during his walk  across the tomb of the Unknowns"---- All three contestants missed it!

 This is really an awesome sight to watch if you' ve never had the chance. Very fascinating.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?

21 steps: It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.





 2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?

21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1



3. Why are his gloves wet?

His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.





4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and, if not, why not?

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.




5. How often are the guards changed?

Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.






6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?

For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30. They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb... There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin. The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform.. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery . A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe Lewis {the boxer} Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WWII and of Hollywood fame.

Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.





ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm.. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment.

They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.




God Bless and keep them.

Self Destruction

Once there was an eagle soaring high in the sky and as it flew, almost out
of sight, it became unsteady and finally began to fall. It plunged to the earth in a
pasture near two men. When the men went to the eagle, they found him shaking
and trembling. In its claw was a rattlesnake.

The eagle had caught the reptile, soared into the sky, and finally lost the
battle when the snake bit it. Now there it lay holding onto the very thing that
killed it! People are the same way. The thing from which they hope to derive
some pleasure; but like the eagle in the story, they are fighting a losing battle
and are holding onto the very thing that will mean their spiritual death.

How sad it is to think of a soul being lost simply because a person is to
proud or too stubborn to free themselves of the thing which are destroying them!

Panel Discussion - Reaching the Mind of the Unbeliever

http://preachersretreat.podomatic.com/entry/2011-09-27T14_41_23-07_00

Monroe Hawley- Identity and the Non-Sectarian Ideal

http://preachersretreat.podomatic.com/entry/2011-09-27T14_22_14-07_00

Stacy Sikes - "Charged With Hope" - 2011 Midwest Preachers Retreat

http://preachersretreat.podomatic.com/entry/2011-09-26T21_21_33-07_00

Dave Bland No. 3 Simplicities of Character Formation Proverbs 10-15

http://preachersretreat.podomatic.com/entry/2011-09-27T14_02_25-07_00

Dave Bland No. 2 Temptations In the Process of Character Formation Proverbs 1: 8-9:18

http://preachersretreat.podomatic.com/entry/2011-09-26T22_02_28-07_00

Dave Bland No. 1 Foundation of Character Formation

http://preachersretreat.podomatic.com/entry/2011-09-26T21_41_49-07_00

Power Underestimated

Stefan Eriksson wreck's Enzo Ferrari
Audio illustration.
Wikipedia Article

Awesome God Acapella Version

Preachers Need Emotional Support

Great resources for emotional support in ministry.

http://www.parsonage.org/

Ministry friends are important.

The Hard Way

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hard-way-tom-sims-ymarc/

Mormonism

Got a question about Mormonism?

Former Mormon Latayne C. Scott, author of the Zondervan book “The Mormon Mirage” and a member of the Mountainside Church of Christ in Albuquerque, N.M.

Preaching Jobs

Here are some links you may consider when looking for preaching jobs.


The best thing to do is network. Your friends will be more able to help you find a good match.


Go to Oklahoma Christian's web page at 

Oklahoma Christian University – http://www.oc.edu/jobpost/churchrel_ppl.aspx

or
http://www6.oc.edu/church-relations/jobs/index.html

The Christian Chronicle is also a good source --http://www.christianchronicle.org/classifieds/classified.php/listing/620

or – http://www.christianchronicle.org/classifieds/index.php/cat/2




Freed-Hardeman's can be accessed by going tohttp://www.fhu.edu/forms/jobs/postajob.aspx and clicking "Pulpit Minister" at the top right hand side of the page.


Lubbock Christian 
http://www.lcu.edu/no_cache/majors-programs/bachelors/bible/ministry-positions.html


Ohio Valley also has a good site: http://bible.ovc.edu/bible/chlookpg.htm


Libscomb – http://careercenter.lipscomb.edu/careersearch.asp


http://www.cocn.org/churches-looking.html





ACU – http://www.acu.edu/academics/cbs/centers-services/churchrelations/services/looking.html



Heritage Christian – http://www.hcu.edu/resources/churchlisting

epreacher.org – http://epreacher.org/jobs.html



Sunset – http://www.sibi.cc/index.php?option=com_adsmanager&Itemid=218



Rocky Mountain Christian – http://rmcnews.site.aplus.net/ (click on Classifieds)

CofC Online Directory – http://church-of-christ.org/bulletin-board/employment.html


If you know of others I should include, please contact me.
Kevin Rayner

Psalm 121:5

The LORD watches over you—
   the LORD is your shade at your right hand; Psalm 121:5

God is my shadow. He is as close as your shadow. You are never alone.

Church of Christ Preacher Search

Two churches of Christ are now in need of a gospel preacher.  

 

The church at Broken Bow, Oklahoma will have a need for a full-time preacher.  Broken Bow is just twelve miles above my home town of Idabel in McCurtain County.  You can view their website by the hyperlink below.

 

www.bbchurchofchrist.org.

 

The rural congregation Graceton in east Texas near the community of Dianie is in need of a preacher.  Their preacher Jason Reeves will be preaching for the West Irwin congregation in Tyler.   

 

The Graceton congregation has around eighty in attendance.  It is around 25 or 30 miles north of Longview.  Hopely you can help get a sound preacher for that congregation. 

 

Here are their elders and their phone numbers:

 

J.L. McCellon (pronounced McClellan)             903-797-6815      

 

Kenny McCrary             903-797-6275      

 

Johnny Willeford             903-968-3572    

Mike Nix Dies Suddenly

Mike Nix a minister of the word has passed away suddenly. Pray for the family.

for more on the story, go to
The Christian Chronicle.

Conflict Among Brothers

Once upon a time two brothers, who lived on adjoining farms, fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a conflict. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's tool box. "I'm looking for a few days' work" he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?" "Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you."

"Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor; in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better."

"See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence --an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore." The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge -- a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all -- and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched. "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done." The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand.

They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, but I have many more bridges to build.


Do you have any bridges that you need to build?

Fishermen

There is a story about a peculiar fisherman from Minnesota. You see, this fisherman was very well prepared. He knew how to fish. He had everything you need to be a good fisherman. He had poles, nets, bait, and even a really nice boat; but this fisherman had a problem. You see, for all his preparation he never caught anything. Not one fish. Not one, not ever. And you know why he never caught a fish? What do you think? It's an easy answer: He never went fishing. He had all the knowledge and all the equipment, but he never got into the boat, he never left the dock.

When Jesus called some of his first disciples he called them by telling them he would make them fishers of men and in fact, that is what he did. Sure he taught them and mentored them, but ultimately he sent them out to go share the gospel with those who had not heard it.

There are too many of us that have spent all this time preparing and studying the scripture, but have yet to share the gospel with anyone. Don't be like the fisherman who has all the knowledge and equipment he needs, but never catches a fish because he never goes out fishing. Jesus' last commandment before he ascended was to

go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19-20) 

That commandment was meant for more than just the disciples standing there. It was meant for you and me as well. So we need to make sure that we are going and being fishers of men.

The Work Of Deacons

I'm presently doing a series of lesson on deacons as we prepare to add more. What resources have you found helpful?

Here are some I am using.
First, the Bible. It has so much to say about service, leadership etc.

Second,
Deacons, Wake Up!: A First-Century Call for Today's Servants

Third,
The deacon and his work

Let me know of other great resources.

Kevin

Mouth Trouble

There is a crane found in southern Turkey that has the strange habit of picking up stones and carrying them around in its mouths as it flies around. There are a lot of different theories on why they do this. My favorite, though, is that it carries around stones in its mouth to remain quiet. You see, these cranes have a tendency to crackle a lot, especially when they fly and this noise gets the attention of the eagle in this area who would love nothing more than to swoop down and enjoy some crane for lunch.

Cranes are not the only ones who have trouble controlling what they say. In James Chapter 3 we are warned about controlling the tongue and the things we say.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

James 3:7-12

We must be careful what we say and try to keep our tongues under control. Like the crane, we have an enemy just waiting for his chance to devour us. So let us heed the words of the writer of Proverbs, “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.”

Proverbs 21:23