Mike's Musings.

06/12/2026

Mike’s Musings …
Planting Trees
I love trees! Nancy doesn’t want to live in a forest, but she doesn’t mind the shade we enjoy from a large maple tree in our yard. Several years ago, I planted two White Pines. They were only a few feet tall when I planted them, and now they tower over twenty-five feet high! A Pink Dogwood adorns our front yard: a memorial tree to my mother. If the Lord wills, four Red Maples will border the west side of our property, with another Red Maple showing a revival to growth after severe damage from a storm last year. Yes, I love my trees!
Tulip Poplar is my favorite, because of its beautiful yellow bloom. I had one growing in our back yard until a deer trampled it. It too was started as a transplant from a friend’s flower garden and had reached a height of nearly four feet before being stomped on. Though searching for a replacement, I’ve not found any for sale in my price range!
But describing trees on our property is not the purpose of this musing. Relating the spiritual lesson taught by this marvel of God’s creation is! For example, consider the Red Maple I mentioned as “reviving.” Job said, “For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.” (Job 14:7-8) Yes, it’s growing again! As for the pines, I think of God’s statement to Isiah, “The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.” (Isaah 60:14) Oh, and the old maple reminds me of Psalm 121:5: “The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.”
The Psalmist also described the strength of a righteous soul in this fashion: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3)
I muse on the lessons of trees! In fact, I find them (trees) to be good listeners, and to them, I can express my concerns! Sure, I know God is the One listening, but standing by one of my trees gives me security!

06/12/2026

06/05/2026

Mike’s Musings …
Reminders
This past week, a friend shared pictures of the June 2, 1990, tornado that devastated a large area of Lawrence County, IN, and surrounding counties. It reminded me of where my family was on that afternoon. We had been warned of the tornado, and since our boys were young, we took precautions. However, my love of watching storms got the better of me, and I watched from our back porch. I saw to our west as the tornado touched down on the south side of Bedford, about seven miles from our house. It never approached our place, but not long after the storm, we began to hear the reports of death and destruction.
Not many years later, another tornado outbreak hit our county. This one was more devastating than the 1990 twister. Our youngest son was on the VFD and worked as an EMT for the local Ambulance service at the time. His duties demanded that he help surrounding townships, so his awareness of the extensive devastation was keen. I remember the following day or so, he gave us a tour of the area; still exhibiting the destruction of homes where our friends had lived, roads closed with huge trees obstructing travel, and large areas in the woods cleared by the massive power of the tornado.
Nature, a synonym for “God’s power within this temporal world,” was extremely strong on those occasions. I recall a baby was sucked from its mother’s arms in the 1990 storm. Her strength and love for her child, though immense, were no match for the strength of the wind. I recall the second storm flattened the brick home where once a dear friend and his wife had lived. They had passed away just a short while before the storm and thus were spared the heartache of losing their home. Another home where dear friends had lived was also leveled, with only the foundation left intact. Again, those friends had died years before and thus never knew of that loss.
Nature, again a synonym for God’s power within this temporal world, is beyond man’s control. God’s power is simply too strong for man to defeat. Yet, greater still is the power of God’s word (Romans 1:16-17). When obeyed, it can save the soul of any believer. Strangely, too many wait to see the devastation of a soul who rebels against it before they recognize its power. Just so, those who do obey are amazed that even the vilest of sinners are washed clean of sin by the blood of Christ when immersed into Him via baptism. (Romans 6:1-6)
I muse on the several reminders of God’s power, both in this world (i.e., nature) and spiritually. Especially of a spiritual nature, man must consider the warnings God has given and earnestly heed them (Hebrews 2:1-4). Eternal death awaits those who care nothing for these warnings. Eternal LIFE is the promised blessing for those who obey Him. There will be no pictures of Judgment Day to remind us of the devastation of this sinful world. The present reminders are the words we constantly repeat: “Prepare to meet thy God.” (cf. Amos 4:12)

05/28/2026

Mike’s Musings …
It’s A Small World … But A Great World!
Even when traveling, Christians must never forsake the Lord or the assembling with His saints (Hebrews 10:25). Thanks to the diligent efforts of several brethren, online directories of the addresses of churches of Christ are readily accessible. (For example, Find the Church/Where the Saints Meet). While these directories are not always accurate, they are a helpful guide for the traveling Christian. Further, acquaintance with other brethren in various states helps with identifying faithful places to worship.
Last week, Nancy and I utilized both resources as we sought out a place to worship. While I know a few gospel preachers in Arkansas, I’m not familiar with the congregations scattered throughout the state. So, I called one of these brethren, and he highly commended one within a mile of the interstate we traveled. We found it easily, and upon entering the building, we were greeted with “southern hospitality” that was exceeded only by the hospitality of being Christians (Romans 12:13).
When one of their brethren introduced himself to Nancy, he said, “I know who you are!” She was taken aback and called to me, saying, “Do you recognize this man?” His face was familiar, but I couldn’t recall his name. When he introduced himself, I immediately remembered him! He and his wife worshiped with the Westside church of Christ in Salem, IN, and he once served as one of their elders! For health reasons, he and his wife moved to Arkansas, where their son lives. What a joy to find brethren you know from “back home” when traveling! It is a small world … but a great world!
What makes this earthly abode great is not always the people or the environment we find as we go from place to place. What makes this world great is the righteousness found within it! Solomon said, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34) Think of this great blessing! If we had had trouble, brethren were near to help; and they would have! If we needed food or shelter or medical assistance, etc., brethren were near to help; and they would have! How do I know? That’s what faithful brethren do! (Romans 12: 9 – 21)
Some might think it a mere coincidence that a man from “back home” happened to be in Malvern, AK. But I muse more on the reality that wherever we go, if we look for the faithful, we’ll find them, and because of our fellowship in Christ (1 John 1:5-10), we’ll be among friends, not strangers! After all, God’s Kingdom, the church, is the greatest world in which to live!

05/26/2026

Online at www.Orleanschurchofchrist.org, we just uploaded four recent sermons and added a new Bible study category -- the book of Hebrews! This newest study is being taught by Jesse Jenkins, one of our younger members. Also, under the Sermons category, you will find two recent sermons preached by Jesse. Come and be with us in person, and you'll gain much more from these studies!

Orleans church of Christ study materials for bible students

05/16/2026

After some "cyberspace gymnastics," I was able to reinstall FB to my home computer, which let me upload the articles for Mike's Musings. and Orleans Church of Christ. Since then, I've also updated our website www.Orleanschurchofchrist.org with our latest sermons and bible studies. We pray you find these materials helpful to your daily bible study. We encourage you to come and study with us every Lord's Day (Bible study -- 10:00, preaching at 10:45 and 5:00), Tuesday mornings at 10:00, and again Wednesday evenings at 7:00.

Orleans church of Christ study materials for bible students

05/16/2026

Mike’s Musings …
The Old Fire Bell
Built in 1912, the present Washington Street Elementary School in Marietta, OH, still holds a vast storehouse of memories for me. My parents both taught in that building, and for some twenty-five years, Dad was its principal. Among the changes in that building was a complete replacement of the fire alarm system. When they removed the old pole-activated alarms, the school system let Dad keep one of those bells. It now adorns a space above the window in my home office. Trinkets like this make me muse on wonderful memories that lead to present-day lessons of value.
I remember the sound of those bells! The fire department set scheduled fire drills for all the schools. Only the administrators were aware of the scheduled drills, since the priority was to train students and staff on the safest and quickest exit routes, should a real emergency arise. Everyone knew the sound of those bells, and their continuing “clanging” until the drill concluded and the system reset.
I muse on that certain sound. Though that old bell hasn’t rung in years, I can mentally recall its sound. Occasionally, I go over to that bell and “peck on it” just to remind myself that its sound hasn’t changed since it was built. Yes, if re-energized as it used to be, it would ring with that same certain sound. And I am certain that those of us well-trained in its sound would still respond as we did many years ago!
The same is true for all souls well trained in the certain sound of the gospel of Christ Jesus! The frequency of “safety drills,” if you will, prepares us to respond quickly and safely to dangers surrounding us. But unless we are attuned to the sound and trained in the proper response, we become a danger unto ourselves! Don’t delay the training! Be alert to the sound of truth, and muse on the eternal value in rendering the proper response!

05/07/2026

Mike’s Musings …
My Job is to Watch Their Tears
Countless tears were shed this past week for several reasons. Because I am a Christian (which always precedes the work of preaching), I’ve stood with several as tears flowed uncontrollably. Loved ones whose lives are ebbing away from this world to the next have had that effect upon us. Remembrance of those most precious to us in this world blends with the present realities of additional loved ones who have not yet crossed the chilly waters of death but have their feet in its river. Just as Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35), we weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15). My job is to watch those tears and occasionally join them.
I muse on those whose professions don’t permit them to cry, at least not in the presence of those who grieve. Doctors and nurses, funeral directors, emergency personnel, and others must form a “tough exterior” in such circumstances because their training says, “Don’t get emotionally involved.” However, these same people do cry, often profusely, when they finally find a time and place for privacy. Yes, even we preachers find ourselves quite frequently within a place of solitude, weeping, after we’ve endured, often unsuccessfully, watching others weep. While standing with these precious souls, we desire to share compassion but simultaneously avoid invading their privacy with the expression of love – the expression we call “tears.” Still, our job is to watch their tears until it is deemed appropriate to share the weeping.
How thankful I am for those loving souls who do permit my tears to flow with theirs. They graciously say, “It’s fine.” They understand some of us are simply unable to stop the flow of that God-given emotion. Frankly, it makes my role as a Christian and a preacher a bit easier when they are not embarrassed or affected negatively by my tears. As I watch their tears, they watch mine, and we weep together.
This past week has been challenging in that regard! One dear friend, a sister in Christ, left this world for eternity last Tuesday night. Another brother in Christ awaits his departure in a hospice facility, and yet a third brother (and this man’s brother in the flesh as well) is not far behind in his journey. Yes, I’ve seen the tears of their loved ones, and I’ve joined them without shame in shedding tears of my own. Granted, my “job” is to watch their tears. But I rejoice in knowing they willingly let me join them in weeping. It somehow eases the sorrow I bear.
How wonderful to know God created us with this emotion and the ability to use it with love. I muse on its value and benefit for our souls! Solomon said, “There is a time to weep and a time to laugh.” (Ecclesiastes 3:4) At times, tears accompany both extremes. Somehow, tears ease the pain of grief, and tears often increase the joy of laughter. Either way, watching their tears is more difficult than joining their tears! Maybe we should muse on which position is needed most at the time: watching their tears or joining them as they weep. That, dear reader, is worth our musing!

05/07/2026

We just uploaded the second lesson of the Song of Solomon, chapter one! (See www.Orleanschcurchofchrist.org) Now you have four lessons to listen to for this wonderful book of love: two introductory lessons and the two lessons for chapter one. As we progress through the study, be looking for the additional lessnos for each chapter!

05/02/2026

Mike’s Musings …
An Old-Fashioned Prayer Meeting
Last Wednesday evening, instead of our usual Bible Study, we devoted our time to prayer! We had announced that two of our members were in critical condition and two others were ailing. Several of us knew of others whose conditions needed our attention in prayer, and we ushered all of these names to the throne of God the Father. Several mentioned, as they left the assembly, “That was among the most humbling of services we’ve ever attended.” But better yet is the reality of God’s grace favorably answering our petitions! By the morning hours, both of the critically ill members and all of the others mentioned had improved!
Prayer works! (James 5:16; 1 John 5:14-15; et al.). It isn’t a “miracle” that we beheld; it was and is the graciousness of God answering “Yes” to our prayers. Since we asked according to His will (see also James 4:15), His answer was right and would have been right regardless of the physical outcome of these brethren. We rejoice that their lives have been spared a while longer, and now we must thank God in prayer for His kindness while continually asking, “Thy will be done … give us strength to accept Thy will.”
I muse on why “prayer meetings,” as we used to have them, are seemingly rare nowadays. They shouldn’t be. We’re told to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Perhaps we’ve forgotten the many stories in the book of Acts about brethren coming together to pray! They worked then, and they work now. Setting aside the time of discussion (i.e., bible study) isn’t wasted time at all! We might discover the time is more profitable if given to prayer!