In our free society (which is the greatest in the world) we are entitled to freedom of choice. Every man is entitled to his own belief: the freedom to think and act as one wishes so long as it harms no one else. You should never allow another person to steal your right to choose for yourself: “the bitter part of discretion (the privilege to choose for one’s self) is valor.” This is good, right, and fair. The way it ought to be everywhere.
Not only does every citizen of our country have the right of choice, but we also have the right to hear both sides of an issue, and to hear all the evidence regarding any particular issue so that we may exercise our right to freedom of choice. This is simply being open minded and honest, enabling one to draw proper conclusions about what the truth may be on any given subject.
Based on my limited experience, however, there seems to be a misunderstanding engulfing society and the church about what being open-minded is. An “anything goes,” “don’t tell me I can’t,” and “if you do, then you’re not open-minded.” Friends, this attitude is not open-minded. It’s lawless!
Genuine open-mindedness is open only to a point. That point is determined when all the given evidence (2 Pet. 1:3) has been examined, understood, and believed. Contrary to popular “higher” education professors, truth can be known (John 8:31-32)! One can be dogmatic about Bible verses once the truth has been determined! This idea of forever searching for the truth on Bible verses because “nobody really knows,” and that proper conclusions drawn by faithful brethren of yesteryear are nothing more than their “interpretations” and “church of Christ doctrine” (whatever that is) is pompous and false to the core! Charles Hodge said it best, “The purpose of having an open mind is the same as having an open mouth, to close it on something solid.” Seek ye the old paths, brethren, not the new!

WHY YOUR CHILDREN NEED DISCOVERY MAGAZINE
By Eric Lyons, M. Min.

If your 12-year old son came home from school one day this week and began asking questions about Ernst Haeckel’s embryonic recapitulation as an alleged proof of evolution, what would be your response? Would you be able to give him good reasons for rejecting Haeckel’s theory? Would you be able to provide him with good literature on the subject—material which is written on a level that he can understand? Or, would you just extinguish your son’s inquisitive mind by telling him not to ask such questions? What if your daughter, who just turned 13, came home from her middle school science class, asking questions about the English peppered moth and its role in teaching the theory of evolution? Could you give her a reasonable answer that she could take back to her teacher and fellow students? And what about those large reptilian creatures called dinosaurs that, according to your children’s textbooks, became extinct at least 60 million years before man ever showed up? What will you do when your son or daughter comes asking about whether or not these creatures really were created during the Creation week alongside Adam and Eve?
Your children’s schoolbooks are filled with evolutionary teachings. One particular science textbook, used widely in middle school classrooms throughout the United States, is titled simply: Evolution—Change Over Time. In just a little over one hundred pages, the five authors and seven editors of this book have attempted to indoctrinate your child with all the “truths” of evolution. At least twenty pages are dedicated to teaching about our “ape-like ancestors.” No less than fifteen pages are devoted to teaching about dinosaurs like “Allosaurs,” which lived about 140 million years ago” (pg. 47). Also included in this course book are lessons about the English peppered moth, Haeckel’s embryo theory, the evolutionary geologic timetable, and numerous charts and pictures that attempt to illustrate how evolution has “taken place in the Earth’s 4.6 billion-year existence” (pg. 11).
Parents, what are you doing to combat this teaching? The truth is, your children not only are getting indoctrinated with evolutionary ideas from school textbooks, but also are getting heavy doses of evolution spoon-fed to them while watching television on Saturday mornings, and while looking at picture books that never show humans living alongside extinct creatures of the past. Most likely, if you are anything like the average parent, you simply do not have the time to spend hours upon hours researching the countless questions your children ask while in their younger years. So, what kind of ammo are you giving your children to combat the destructiveness of the evolutionary theory? I would like to encourage you to consider purchasing Discovery magazine for your family. Every month, this magazine teaches thousands of young people the truth about God’s Word and God’s world. The editors of this magazine are dedicated to teaching the facts about the Bible and science, while at the same time exposing the many errors your children are being fed in the classroom. Within a two-year time span, this colorful, beautifully illustrated, eight-page monthly magazine has dealt with every topic discussed in the article (human evolution, Haeckel’s embryo theory, the English peppered moth, the geologic timetable, and dinosaurs), plus much, much more. If you are interested in ordering this magazine for your children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews, just call Apologetics Press at 1-800-234-8558, and order your subscription today for only $12.
http://www.apologeticspress.org/cgi-bin/PrintablePage.cgi

VOLUME 40 NUMBER 36 SEPTEMBER 8, 2003

OUR SICK

Richard Lowe is scheduled for surgery at Baptist Hospital on Tuesday 9/9.
Bill Graddy is recuperating at home after surgery on Tuesday 9/2.
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RESPONSE

Placing Membership on Sunday, September 7th: Kim Brewington and children Kristy & Dana, 3814 Nitawood, Little Rock, AR 72206, phone 261-7226.
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THANK YOU

Thank you so much for the care and concern shown to me during my surgery and recovery. I love you all. Lou Sullivan.
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ALL COMERS CLASS RESUMES

The All Comers Class will resume on Tuesday, September 16th at 10:00 AM in the Adult 4 Classroom. The study will begin in Joshua 11.
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PLEASANT VALLEY DAY SCHOOL

The Pleasant Valley Day School located at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ is looking for a part time teacher to start as soon as possible. We will also need someone to fill in for a maternity leave near the end of October or beginning of November for 6 weeks. If you are interested, please call Karla Wade at 225-5818, ext. 14 or 920-4433.
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SERMONS FOR SEPTEMBER 14

Morning
The Church Of Christ Is Different (1 Peter 2:9-10)
Evening
Reasons To Rejoice, Scott Perry
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NEW BABY

Ron & Audrey Oliver have a new son, Jesse Dwane, born Wednesday, September 3rd, weight 8 lbs. 11 oz., 20 _ inches long. Tim & Linda King are the grandparents.
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SEARCH

Week of September 14
THE MODEL PRAYER
Jesus was a praying man. Luke mentions His prayerfulness more than any of the other gospel writers. When His disciples observed His persistent practice of prayer, they asked Him to teach them. He gave them a model or an example which we sometimes call “The Lord’s Prayer.”
EVENTS OF INTEREST

September 14….Bible Bowl Practice
September 16…….All Comers Class
September 21…………….Teen Sing
September 23…….All Comers Class

OUR RECORD SEPTEMBER 7, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 213
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 163
P.M. WORSHIP 165
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 136

CONTRIBUTION 6789
BUDGET 6351
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MEN TO SERVE
September 14, 2003

Richard Butler Wally Davis
Alan Caudle Keith Golden
James Goode Phil DePriest
Darren Gowen Chuck Farris

Evening John Griffin
Jason Griffin
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

September 17 Alan Caudle
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USHERS FOR SEPTEMBER

Morning Bill & John Boyd
Evening Gary & Blake Poole
Wednesday Brad Horton & Darrell Orick
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GREETERS FOR SEPTEMBER

Richard & Beth Butler
Marvie Smith
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

September Johnny Boyd
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