On The Family Tree
I don’t want to shake down anyone on my family tree, because I’m afraid to know what kind of person I might find. :)
I leave all of that in the Lord’s very capable hands.
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Mike Riley
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Mike Riley
What Kind Of Musical Instrument?
I took piano lessons for 15 years and enjoyed playing the classics, but I don’t play anymore.
My father wanted me to become a piano teacher, but I had neither the right amount of talent nor the desire to become one. I still enjoy listening to all genres of music. If I had it to do over again, I would probably learn to play the guitar instead of the piano because of the beautiful sound it produces.
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Mike Riley
Favorite Non-Biblical Quote
My favorite non-biblical quote is from William Wordsworth’s, “The World Is Too Much With Us”: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15878 – especially the first four lines:
“The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!”As the poem suggests, many human beings are too preoccupied with the material (“The world…getting and spending”) and have lost touch with the spiritual and with nature. What a sad commentary on our society today.
Here’s a commentary on the poem: http://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/wordsworth/section4.rhtml
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Mike Riley
Waste Time? Never
The older I get, the more I realize the less time I have on earth, and thus, the more I realize how precious time is: http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2007/02/11/appreciating-the-value-of-time/. Once time is gone, it can never be reclaimed. Do I waste time? Not that I know of. I’m always busy taking care of my wife, working in the yard, paying bills, grocery shopping, preparing daily meals, studying the Bible, writing articles, reading good books and publications produced by faithful proclaimers of God’s word, preaching and teaching. Doing all of this plus working as a library substitute for our local school district, keeps me plenty busy – never have time to be bored, that’s for certain.
I do watch the news and weather on television, plus two weekly shows, NCIS and Criminal Minds. Don’t know if that’s wasted time or not, because both shows motivate me to use my mind in figuring out the plots.
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Mike Riley
Looking At Brand Fidelity
As far as brand fidelity, I don’t look at the brands when I grocery shop. I just look at the cheapest products, no matter what the brand name, and purchase them.
Regarding brands, I wrote the following article entitled “The Problem of Brand Conditioning” that looks at the contrast between different religious “brands” and the Lord’s church:
http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2009/02/28/the-problem-of-brand-conditioning/
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Mike Riley
A New Beginning
A new beginning would be when one is baptized into Christ (Galations 3:26-27) he or she becomes a “new creation” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). A transformation or metamorphosis takes place (Romans 12:2), the “old man” of sin is crucified (Romans 6:6) and the “new man” of righteousness emerges (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10).
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Mike Riley
Ushering Out The Old – Welcoming In The New
How will I usher out 2010 and welcome in 2011? About the same as Ron. To me, one day is just like another, no matter what the calendar might say. More than likely, I’ll be up composing my next article for my blog, either in my mind or on paper.
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Mike Riley
The 2010 Goal Reached
In 2010, I achieved and reached the goal of 2,000 articles on my Bible article blog: http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/. It took ten years to achieve that goal.
The next goal is 3,000 articles, if the Lord allows me to live that long.
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John Henson
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Mike Riley
Thanks, John! Your encouragement means a lot to me!
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Richard Mansel
That is very impressive! Your hard work is a glory to God!
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Mike Riley
Thanks Richard! All of the glory does go to God, for He is the One who allowed me to write and post those articles (Deuteronomy 8:18; Acts 17:24-25).
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Ron
Impressive! Good job, Mike.
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Mike Riley
Thank you, Ron!
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Mike Riley
A 2011 Goal
One of my goals in 2011, is to share the gospel of Christ with more people with whom I come in contact with, both in person and online.
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Chad Dollahite
I’ll second that! A great goal for every Christian to have!
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Mike Riley
Organize In 2011?
How will I organize in 2011? The same way I organized in 2010. Keep my bills organized as to date due, my personal files in alphabetical order, and prioritize my many other duties, one day at a time. I don’t use a planner, pda, or anything else. Mostly, just keep it in my head.
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Mike Riley
Share A Thought About Giving Gifts
Regarding gift-giving, I think this poem just about says it all:
http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2010/12/17/the-greatest-of-gifts/
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Mike Riley
One Thing To Do Before 2010 Closes
Pray that our country’s moral and spiritual values will improve in 2011 due to the teaching of the saving gospel of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16), and that brethren be “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord”: http://www.just1word.com/bible/verse/1-corinthians_15:58?version=kjv
And all of the above starts with ME!
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Mike Riley
God Is The God Of Absolutes
In response to today’s nudge regarding the character of God, I am posting an article entitled, “The God Of Absolutes”: http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2007/11/30/the-god-of-absolutes/.
Even though the thoughts and whims of man are constantly changing, God’s promises do not change (Hebrews 6:10-20). We can count on Him to be with us in every situation and trial that we face (Psalm 23:4; cf. Isaiah 43:1-2).
“Time is filled with swift transition; Naught of earth unmoved can stand; Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand”: http://www.paradisepbc.org/singing/Hold%20to%20Gods%20Unchanging%20Hand.mp3
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Mike Riley
I never learn anything talking. I only learn things when I ask questions.
Lou Holtz -
Mike Riley
Entertaining At Three
This is a story my parents didn’t tell about me, but one I vividly remember myself. From the age of one to six, I often stayed with my grandparents on their farm. When they would take me to the church building on the Lord’s Day, I was like all other kids my age – I was constantly moving in order to not be bored.
One Sunday, while the preacher was preaching his sermon, I (who was then three years old), stood up and began making all kinds of weird faces (sticking my tongue out, etc.) at the audience seated behind me.
Needless to say, there was quite a few giggles and some laughter going on. I’m certain that the preacher wondered why his serious biblical message was suddenly turning humorous. Well, it wasn’t too long before my grandparents got “wind” of the situation, and my humor-producing antics came to an abrupt halt.
My granddad took me to the rear of the auditorium and proceeded to “warm” my backside (no humor there). Needless to say, my day of trying to be a comic suddenly ended – my entertainment career being over. Never again did I make any more faces in the assembly, for which I’m certain the preacher was thankful. :)
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Mike Riley
An Example Of Bible Weather
In Acts 14:17, Luke records that God “did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (cf. Leviticus 26:4; Deuteronomy 11:14; Deuteronomy 28:12; Job 5:10; Psalm 65:10; Psalm 68:9; Psalm 147:8; Jeremiah 14:22).
God “did good” by providing the weather needed to produce (1) rain; (2) fruitful seasons; (3) food. Without the changing weather patterns which produce the “fruitful seasons” (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) none of this would be possible.
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Mike Riley
Mission Statement And Motto
My mission statement is the same as the Lord’s mission statement for the church (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16).
My motto is the same as the Boy Scout motto, “Be Prepared.”
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Mike Riley
The smallest congregation I’ve been to is the one I’m presently a member of – the Montana St. congregation. We run between 15-20 members each Lord’s Day. In the 1960′s the congregation had over 600 members – standing room only – filled both the auditorium and balcony. We can plainly see the decline in spiritual priorities over the past 50 years. A sad commentary indeed.
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Mike Riley
What Smells Related To “Clean”?
Lysol disinfectant comes to mind immediately. It kills so many germs (99.9% it claims). Everything does seem to smell “clean” after using it.
Read about it: http://www.epinions.com/content_194392985220
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Chad Dollahite
Mmmmm…..agreed….Lysol always immediately brings “squeaky clean” to mind!
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Mike Riley
All-Time Favorite Movie
My all-time favorite movie is the classic, “Gone With The Wind” with Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031381/.
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Mike Riley
God’s Work Continues?
Here’s a site I found today while scanning some Twitter posts. This gives us an idea of what the Lord’s church is up against in foreign countries (as well as our own country).
Here is an interdenominational mission agency in Thailand that is promoting the idea that baptism is not a part of the conversion process, but is simply an afterthought, i.e. “if you want to” (note the last paragraph).
http://www.omfisaan.org/?p=431#more-431
This is why I added a question mark to the title of this article. Is God’s work really “continuing” with the promotion of this false teaching?
The devil is still hard at work deceiving folks (Revelation 12:9)..
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Mike Riley
A Recent Question For God
My question for God is the same as Jeremiah’s question for God: “Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?” (Jeremiah 12:1).
God’s answer can only be found “in the sanctuary” (Psalm 73:17), “a place of meditation on God and His word. A spiritual place of prayer and worship, where one comes to understand who God is” (see below Southside commentary).
The answer is that the wicked won’t prosper very long – theirs is a temporary state. In fact, “those who are far from You [God] shall perish” (Psalm 73:27) – they are presently walking on “slippery places” (Psalm 73:18), and they will have an end (Psalm 73:19,27).
God will render judgment on these folks in His time (Romans 12:19), thus patience on our part is required, totally trusting in God, and being guided by God’s counsel (Psalm 73:22-24).
The Southside church provides additional commentary on the above listed texts http://www.southsidechurchofchrist.com/bible-articles/jeremiahs-burden.html
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Mike Riley
The worst insect? I’m going with the one Ed Boggess spoke of – the Yellow Jacket. They are unrelenting in the pursuit of their victims – I was one many years ago! Wasn’t too pleasant an experience.
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Mike Riley
What Is A Real Man?
The Nudge is asking what a real man is.
A real man is:
1. A man with deep convictions.
2. A man of boldness.
3. A man of character and integrity.
4. A man who does not fear reprisals.
5. A man who is not willing to compromise.
6. A man who is willing to suffer for the cause of Christ.
7. A man of grief and compassion.
8. A man who is not afraid to proclaim God’s judgment.
9. A man who is not afraid to rebuke sin.
10. A man who is not afraid to speak out on morality and ethics.
11. A man who has a never-give-up attitude.
12. A man of the Book.See article: http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2010/06/25/what-kind-of-men-are-we/
My Thanksgiving holiday was great except for my terrible cold and my sore right foot due to a bout with gout. No matter – God is still good and still reigns over the affairs of men!
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Ron
Very good, Mike.
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Mike Riley
On Thanksgiving day, my wife and I will visit the home of one of our members, who through her generosity, and the generosity of her three sisters will have plenty of food and fellowship.
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Mike Riley
Why Do Folks Quickly Look At The Outside?
Today’s nudge, “Why do people look at the outside and judge so quickly?”
One answer is that a lot of folks are simply lazy and impatient. This is why they quickly jump to conclusions. It takes time to get to know and understand an individual – their background, the way they think, etc.
Like this:
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Mike Riley
On Boredom
Regarding boredom, I’ve can always find something profitable to do – even in a doctor’s waiting room. I always take a good Bible-related book written by one of the brethren, so that I’m constantly learning while I’m waiting.
As I grow older, I’m very aware that time is of the essence: http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2006/01/08/making-wise-use-of-our-time/
As our Lord once stated:
“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4).
Here’s an article I wrote on being productive in a doctor’s waiting room:
http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2010/04/15/productive-use-of-waiting-room-time/
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Mike Riley
Three Great Life Principles
Three great life principles that Christians live by are:
1) Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (cf. Proverbs 11:24; Proverbs 19:17; 2 Corinthians 9:6).
We can’t outgive God (cf. Malachi 3:10).
2) Luke 12:48: “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:16-23).
Those folks who have been blessed with much (talents, monies, etc.), much will be required of them
Example: Parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30).
3) Galations 6:7-8: “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
Example: Rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-25).
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Chad Dollahite
Brother, that’ll preach!
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Mike Riley
Thanks, Chad!
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Mike Riley
Am I a candy or cake sort of person? No, not in the least. I’m a pie person. Love most pies – my favorite being the chocolate pie. Ummm, Yummy!
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Laura
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Laura
Well… I had written “” without the spaces. Interesting…
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Laura
okay…
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J. Randal Matheny
I’m sure you have an explanation for that.
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Laura
Yes. The software is interpreting the left and right angle brackets as html tags. Since “like” isn’t a legitimate tag, it is simply ignoring it and deleting it.
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J. Randal Matheny
I knew we could count on you for the geek explanation.
BTW, on the individual post pages, we do have Like buttons.
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Laura
I don’t see a like button, but I’m looking at the main wall.
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J. Randal Matheny
Only shows up on the individual pages, not on the main wall, unfortunately.
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Mike Riley
Favorite Verse From 1st and 2nd Corinthians
1) Today’s Nudge: “From 1-2 Corinthians, choose a favorite verse or short passage and explain why it’s special to you”:
My favorite verse in 1-2 Corinthians is 2 Corinthians 10:5:
“casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
This verse provides us the key to living a successful Christian life. We must be willing to “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” Paul obviously employed this principle in his life, for he stated in Galations 2:20:
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
2) “Name a commentary or book on some part or the whole of these two letters that you find especially helpful”:
I’ve used the Bible as its own best commentary in this article http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2006/01/09/the-6-8-10-principles/, emphasizing the “6-8-10″ principles found in 1st Corinthians Chapters 6, 8, and 10.
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Mike Riley
Scripture in High Demand by Troops in Afghanistan, Says Ministry
Here’s an interesting article about the use of BibleSticks – slim digital audio players, about the size of a pack of gum, which are pre-loaded with the entire New Testament. They are being provided to troops in Afghanistan.
Looks like another good tool to use by the Lord’s church in spreading the gospel.
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Jesse Troche
Hi Mike,
This is a great idea on how to give the Scriptures to the troops in harms way.
Thanks
Jesse Troche
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Mike Riley
Reflections At The Cross – A Contrast Of Two Thieves
In response to today’s nudge, Here’s an article I wrote contrasting the attitude of the two thieves that were crucified along with our Lord:
http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2009/07/10/a-contrast-of-two-thieves/
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John Henson
Great work, Mike!
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Mike Riley
Creativity In Teaching Is Disdained
Ramnath Subramanian, a sixth-grade science teacher at Eastwood Knolls School here in El Paso, has written another good article regarding the use of creativity and innovation in the classroom:
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Mike Riley
Most Misused Bible Word
Looking at the denominational world, I’d say the most misused word in the Bible would have to be the word “grace.” The “grace only” crowd have been misusing that word for many years.
They conveniently leave out man’s part in God’s redemptive plan – grace “through faith” (Ephesians 2:8; cf. Romans 4:16).
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Laura
Do you find it ironic that the “grace only” people will tell you that man must believe on Jesus, yet they cannot see how belief/faith is an action on man’s part?
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Mike Riley
The “grace only” folks have long been following a man’s doctrine (John Calvin), rather than God’s doctrine.
This writer makes some good biblical points regarding “grace alone”: http://www.bibletruths.net/Archives/BTAR286.htm
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Bernard Barton
I believe the most misused word today is Christian-people use this word loosely
Everyone seems to be a Christian, but the Bible spells out what a Christian really is
Many say, I am a born again Christian-what dos that mean?
1st of all if you are born again like Christ told Nicodemous in John 3-you are a Christian, so saying I am a born again Christian is redundant-if you are a Christian according to the Word of God-you are born again! I hear people all he time saying I am a christian or he/she is a Christian without knowing what the Bible says that a Christian really is-
J. Randal Matheny
Very true, very badly used. Here in Brazil some years ago a presidential candidate was an atheist. His wife was interviewed by a national news magazine. She remarked that he was a “good Christian.”
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Mike Riley
The Best Thing About God In 1 Corinthians
In my view, the best thing about God, is found in 1 Corinthians Chapter 1, where Paul emphasizes the fact that “the power of God” is closely associated with the “preaching of the cross” (1 Corinthians 1:18; cf. Romans 1:16).
To those who have no desire to know, understand, or continue to pattern their lives after the instructions found in the saving gospel of Christ, the preaching of the cross is to them “foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:18; cf. Romans 1:21-22).
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Ron
Good words. I like that.
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Mike Riley
Thanks Ron.
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Mike Riley
The Bleakest Bible Passage
One of the bleakest passages found in the Bible is found in Romans 1:24, where the phrase “gave them up” is found. The phrase is again repeated in verse 26 and 28, emphasizing the fact that when God gives an individual (or individuals) up, there’s no hope for that individual. Through the power of choice (Joshua 24:15), they have determined and sealed their own eternal destiny.
In his commentary on Romans http://www.searchgodsword.org/com/bcc/view.cgi?book=ro&chapter=001, Brother Burton Coffman provides the following comment regarding this phrase:
“These dreadful words, thrice repeated with increasing intensity, are a kind of litany of the doomed, showing how dreadful is the fate of them that are given up of God, that is, handed over to the consequences of their rebellion.”
When God gives us up, there is no bleaker moment.
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Mike Riley
What is my favorite book in the Bible to teach?
The book of Romans, because it emphasizes obedience, from the beginning of the book to the end of the book (Romans 1:1-5; Romans 6:16-17; Romans 16:25-26).
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Mike Riley
Caving In Under Pressure
The incident I’m thinking about is found in John 11:41-48 regarding the religious leaders’ (chief priests & Pharisees) response after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. When they heard the news of his resurrection, they instigated a plot to kill Jesus (John 11:49-53).
They caved in under the pressure of praise and popularity, being afraid of loosing their position of power and wealth within the Roman government.
They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 12:42-43).
Men have not changed this manner of thinking in the 21st Century. Most still love the praise of men more than the praise of God.
This is a dangerous state to be found in (Acts 12:20-23).
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Mike Riley
Incivility Overpowers Our Society
Ramnath Subramanian, a sixth-grade science teacher at Eastwood Knolls School in El Paso, writes for the El Paso Times on educational topics.
In his Thursday article, http://www.elpasotimes.com/opinion/ci_16515180, he points out the following:
“I applaud any effort by school officials to promote decorum and civility in the school milieu. However, I am acutely aware of the fact that family, community, and the popular culture play a larger and more defining role in children’s lives than schools.”
Yes, education begins in the home (Ephesians 6:4; cf. Genesis 18:16-19).
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Mike Riley
Organizing Myself
How do I organize myself? Usually through the use of lists written on a 3×5 sheet of lined paper that I carry with me. Grocery lists and lists of the daily classes coming into a school library, are usually pretty detailed lists. Plus, if I get an idea for a blog article, I can quickly write it down before I forget it! :)
Bernard Barton, 
A worthy goal, Mike. May God give you time and ability to reach it.