Jump Start # 4036

2 Thessalonians 3:7 “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example; because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you.”

Throwback Thursday: an article years ago

Pitchin’ Horseshoes on Sunday

Horseshoes is a fun game. It is found more in the country than on the racquetball courts and golf courses of the city. I’ve known many a horseshoe thrower. I’ve seen my father pitch a fair shoe before. My grandfather could really hit the stake dead and true.

There was a time when the game of horseshoes caused quite a stir in a local church. I’ve been reading “The history of the Hillsboro church of Christ.” This congregation located near New Castle, Indiana, is the oldest existing congregation in the state. It was established in 1839.

On page 80 of this booklet, I found, “Looking over old records we find reasons for excommunication of unruly members—some of them as follows: drunkenness, joining Dunkard or Baptist churches, disorderly conduct, not living with a wife, non-attendance, betting on the premises, attending dances, playing horse-shoes on Sunday.”

There you have it. Drunkenness. This is a pure violation of God’s word. Joining the Dunkards. That’s certainly not allowed by Epesians 4 and the one body, one faith, and one baptism. Disorderly conduct. That’s the reason Paul gives in 2 Thes 3 for withdrawing from members. Not living with your wife. That’s is wrong according to 1 Cor. 7. Non-attendance is discussed in Hebrews 10:25. Betting on the premises. That is pretty bold and brazen. Gambling is against the work ethic and manifests selfishness and a love of money, all of which the Bible condemns. Dancing is often associated with lasciviousness. It is the breeding ground of many other kinds of sin. I don’t have any problems understanding why the saints at Hillsboro moved on such matters. They wanted to keep the purity within the body of Christ.

But the last one, playing horseshoes on Sunday, stumped me. I can’t quite figure this one out. Did these brethren see something evil about horseshoes? I thought about this for a long time. We are to shun every appearance of evil. Is this what they saw in horseshoes? Evil companions corrupt good morals (1 Cor. 15:33). Was the problem not so much the game but who they were playing with?

Then I thought, why did they mention playing on Sunday? Was the game itself okay, but their choice of day was wrong? Pitchin’ the shoe on a Saturday is fine, just don’t do it on a Sunday. Sunday used to be real special. One never did any work on Sunday. Stores were closed. About the only place you could go was to the church house. Possibly some daring members braved themselves to pitch a few shoes on Sunday. Strong stewards of the church must have either caught them in the act or heard ‘pitchin’ talk in the house of worship.

However it happened, some brethren were withdrawn from for pitchin’ the shoe on Sunday. No mention is made in the history of their return to a proper standing with the Hillsboro brethren.

In all of this I learned some interesting things about us:

1. One generation does not always understand what another generation does. I haven’t found any Biblical reason to withdraw from people for throwing horseshoes on Sunday. Horseshoes, as I understand it, is an innocent game that a lot of people enjoy. The Bible no where calls Sunday the “Sabbath.” It is special to the Christian. It is the day he will gather with other saints to worship and especially to partake of the Lord’s Supper. But there are no restriction placed upon Sunday as to one’s travel, activities or eating. I’m sure the folks at Hillsboro had good reasons for having to withdraw from others because of horseshoes on Sunday. I don’t understand it. Too often one generation is much too critical of another generation. We hear stories or read one man’s perspective of what happened and immediately we are ready to draw conclusions as if we were there ourselves. Withdrawing because of horseshoes on Sunday still doesn’t tell us the whole story.

I wonder what other generations would think of the religious world of our times. The style of our preachers. Our concerns. Our brotherhood papers. The brotherhood itself. They may not fully understand why we do what we do, as I have a difficult time understanding withdrawing because of horseshoes on Sunday, but it is essentially important that we know what we are doing and that it is based upon the word of God (Col. 3:17).

2. God’s word does not change through the years. Old Israel was instructed to teach their children the law so that their children’s children would be faithful to the Lord (Deut 6:2).

Purity is still important within the local church. It must be maintained through preaching and, yes, through the practice of discipline. Man still needs to believe the old Gospel story to be saved.

Roger

August, 1993

Jump Start # 4034

1 Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice always.”

Little Kelsey was turning nine years old. Her family wanted to give her a special birthday party. People were invited. Kelsey’s favorite restaurant was chosen as the gathering place. The day came and there was a lot of excitement. But the hour for the party to begin came and passed and no one showed up. Her family waited and waited. Not wanting Kelsey to feel disappointed, her mom jumped into action. She spread the news out on social media. Anyone who could spare a moment, come by for sweet Kelsey. And, just like that, people came. Strangers. Neighbors. Friends from school. Teachers. Some brought cupcakes. Some brought gifts. The line at the restaurant was out the door for all the people wanting to wish Kelsey happy birthday. Word even reached a local news station that sent a reporter to capture the event. When asked how the day went, Kelsey replied in all smiles, “It was better than great.”

What a great statement, “better than great.” It’s hard to beat great, but for young Kelsey, it was better than great. I love those words.

Can you imagine someone asking, “How was worship on Sunday?” It was better than great. The singing was better than great. The prayers were better than great. The preaching was better than great. The warmth and friendliness of the church was better than great. It was truly, “better than great.”

I sense that spirit when I read Ps 122:1 “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” Or, Ps 100:4 “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” Or, Ps 34:3 “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” It was better than Great!

Some lessons for us:

First, our impression, reaction and attitude about worship leaves a heavy stamp upon our children and family. Dragging our feet in at the last minute, like we are off to war, and then getting out of that place as fast as we can, certainly doesn’t make it seem like it was good, let alone Great, let alone, better than great.

What’s the best part of worship? Have you ever kicked that thought around with others? Try it. You’ll get insights that you haven’t thought about. It will open your eyes to marvelous things you have not seen.

Second, your anticipation often determines your outcome. If you don’t expect much, then you’ll likely not be shocked to not notice anything great. However, if you enter with joy, looking forward to being with the people of God and thrilled to open God’s divine word and be taught more truths and treasures, you’ll likely find that it is better than great. Like going to a theme park, if you expect long lines, over priced food, hot weather, there will be a lot for you to complain about. But if you go hoping to make memories, ride some great rides, eat some amazing food, you’ll hate to leave at the end of the day. Your anticipation makes or breaks your reaction.

Third, sometimes it’s the simple things that make great even better. For Kelsey it was seeing so many people, most she didn’t know, you took time to stop by and say Happy Birthday. A simple smile, a hand shake, a “come sit with me,” or, “how about we go grab something to eat afterwards,” can make great even better. A favorite hymn is sung. A favorite passage is read. Seeing someone who has been out for a while back at services. Simple things can make great even better.

Better than great…

Roger