The TV news business exposes you to some of the more unpleasant facts of life. You have to take the good with the bad.

One of those unpleasant realities is domestic violence. Just last week, CBS 11 had a crew at the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney to cover a trial. Outside the courthouse, a husband attacked his wife and knocked her unconscious in the middle of the …road. In front of witnesses. In front of TV news crews. In front of police. Why? He hasn’t said. And he’s sitting in jail.

I don’t get it. I really don’t get it. Why would a man hit a woman?

Domestic violence murders in Dallas doubled from 2011 to 2012. Unfortunately, it looks like that trend is continuing in 2013. There have been 4 domestic violence-related murders in just the first few weeks of the new year. The number of domestic violence cases continues to grow exponentially in Dallas, Fort Worth and other cities across our nation.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings has launched a campaign to raise awareness to this serious social issue. We have asked him to wake up early and join us on the 6 A,M, newscast. He has. Twice in the last month. And it’s not an election year.

With pressing issues related to the economy, jobs and south Dallas development, the mayor of one of the largest cities in Texas is having to focus the attention of his office on a social problem. He has gone to New York City and joined others who spoke at the United Nations about a campaign to stop the violence against women.

I applaud Mayor Rawlings for his efforts. I applaud his office and the city for organizing the March 23^rd rally, to gather men together and pledge not to commit acts of domestic violence.

I agree. Men, it’s time to stand up, take charge and be real men. It’s not ok to commit an act of violence, physical or mental abuse, against a woman. I can’t believe that we actually have to write about such things. But, one look at the headlines shows that it’s something we must stand up and address as a society.

Even back in the time when the New Testament was being written, men were urged to stand up, take charge and be reminded that we’re held accountable for our actions.

“Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” according to Ephesians 5:25. Jesus came down from heaven, took on the form of man, went to the cross and died a horrible, brutal death for our sins and to establish the church. Yes, it’s a big deal.

Guys, it’s a big deal. “Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the Church.” (Ephesians 5:28-29)

Men, it’s time to hold ourselves to a higher standard than society expects. Stand up and be the leaders that God expects us to be.

We have worked with groups like the Disaster Relief Fund in previous efforts.  They need cash on hand to buy tools and supplies for rebuilding efforts.  They also make cash distributions to immediately assist families.  The New Road church will be doing the same with funds that they are given.  There is a large amount of work to be helped with.

Please consider the following message from our elders that was given to the church this past Sunday:  West Relief Efforts – Bridgewood Church of Christ

And that’s the point.  As Auerbach said, “Music washes away from the soul the dust of every-day life.”  No matter whatever thoughts or cares were on my mind, getting caught up in that old song brought me back – for the moment at least – to being a care-free teenager.

Are there not some hymns you find difficult to sing because of the memories they awaken?  It may have been the favorite spiritual song of a loved one now deceased, or perhaps it was sung by a beloved congregation as you were preparing to leave and move away.  Music has an almost unmatched power to stir feelings and emotions.

Therefore, music is a natural avenue for the expression of worship and praise.  When Paul spoke of Gentiles glorifying God for His mercy, he cited David’s statement in Psa.18:49, “Therefore I will give praise to You among the Gentiles, and I will sing to Your name” (Rom.15:9).  Furthermore, by quoting Psa.22:22, Christ is represented as being in the midst of His church, “My brethren,” in public worship saying, “I will sing Your praises” (Heb.2:12).

Quite properly we cite Eph.5:19 and Col.3:16 as evidence for singing or vocal music in worship; both speak only of “singing,” and the melody is to be made with the heart.  Instruments, therefore, are added only by the authority of man, and in doing so, cut individuals off from the One they profess to worship (II Jhn.9).

However, don’t overlook the fact that both Scriptures stress not only “singing,” but what God intends to be accomplished when we sing.  Since God’s design is for, “all things to be done to edification” (I Cor.14:26), our singing shares that objective.  As we sing, we speak to one another (Eph.5:19), with the intent of teaching and admonishing (Col.3;16).  Sing therefore in praise of our God, and in doing so encourage your brethren and share a growing anticipation for the glory to come.  Let this be the music that pops into our minds during the day, keeping alight the joy of salvation.    - by Ed McGeachy

Monday Night for the Master singers visiting a shut-in. Singing truly awakened her soul.

As I was looking on my refrigerator last night, I counted 8 Texas Ranger schedule magnets dating back to January 2006. The magnets are given away on baseball’s Opening Day or the Rangers Home Opener.

Has it really been 8 Opening Days that I’ve attended since moving back to DFW? Yes it has. Time can certainly fly, especially when baseball is involved and my favorite team has been to the World Series twice.

I’m surprised that my schedule has allowed me to be off, or I’ve had enough vacation days to enjoy the experience of 8 Opening Days. So, why has this one day in late March or early April turned into an unofficial holiday for me?

One simple word. Hope.

A baseball season is a journey. It’s not played 16 weekends a year. It is double the number of games compared to both basketball and hockey.

Baseball is a 162 game adventure that is played nearly every day, or night, for six months.

And on that Opening Day there is hope. The slate is clean. You see it in the eyes of the players and what they say in the interviews with the media. Maybe this is the year that my team wins the division title. Maybe this is the year that my team actually makes it to the playoffs and beyond.

Hope is a powerful thing. It is the foundation for our dreams. It’s what drives us to succeed. To try harder. To believe.

The journey is long. There will be frustrating times. There will be experiences of glorious achievement and a witness to improbabe success. And there will be moments that can only be described as “blah”, when endurance feels like an impossible task.

But, baseball is a game. It’s played by grown men with amazing talent. And they get paid ridiculous amounts of money to hit and catch a ball that is about 3 inches in diameter.

However, the same qualities found in the game of baseball can translate into our lives. I’m confident Jesus was more concerned about our souls instead of the characteristics of a game in Romans 5.

“We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame…” according to Romans 5:2-4.

That’s how my hope is shaped and molded. Enjoy the good times. Acknowledge the tough times, endure, learn, grow and celebrate. That builds character and defines who I strive to be on a daily basis.

Every year I hope the Rangers win the World Series. They came within one out, twice, in 2011. Yet, they are back with a re-tooled lineup and an energized fan base of more than 3 million people. And for that one opening game, at least, that hope is big and bright. And the 162 game journey is off and running.

However, my real hope is built on something more solid than a game. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, ” Romans 5:8. I thank God for His grace and pray for endurance to complete the journey that is set out in front of me.

However, there is a lot more to the dandelion than meets the eye.  In gardening circles it is known as Lion’s Tooth (also Irish Daisy, Priest’s Crown, etc.).  The name is a corruption of the original French word, dent de lion, or “teeth of a lion,” so named because its notched leaves bear a resemblance to the teeth of a lion (have to use your imagination!).

Originally from Asia and Europe, it was first brought to North America (yes, someone brought it here!) because of its beautiful flower, and up till the early 20th century folks were actually buying packets of dandelion seeds for their gardens.  But, it is more than just looks are involved; this humble little “pest” also has many medical uses.  According to “Creation Moments,” up till 1957, more than 100,000 pounds of dandelion roots were imported annually to the U.S. for pharmaceutical use.  In spring, the dandelion contains mannitol, used medically in the treatment of hypertension and coronary problems; plus it also has various industrial applications.  Furthermore, it is edible, and tastes good – so I’m told – both cooked and raw.  There is also dandelion wine and dandelion jam, and when roasted and ground up, can be used as a coffee.  Who knew!

I don’t expect this will produce a change of heart when it comes time to pull weeds, but it does show that “weed” is a matter of perspective.  Tastes change: At one time dandelions were deliberately planted, now they are just as deliberately removed!

More important than man’s changing tastes, however, is our Creator’s design.  God gave man, “every green plant for food” and when He saw “all that He had made” it was declared “very good” (Gen.1:30-31).  Therefore, regardless of our ability to comprehend it or not, we know all of God’s creation has purpose.

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”  (Rev 4:11)

09/23/12 AM – The Eternal Contrast – Listen now!

09/24/12 – Trusting You To Walk In The Light – Listen now!

09/25/12 – Light Available in Dark Places – Listen now!

David Thurman, of the Free Town Road Church of Christ in Grand Prairie, delivers a powerful message on the Gospel in the real world.  Titled “God, Bible, Heaven: What Does It Mean In The Real World?”, this lesson has quickly become the most requested lesson of all time at Bridgewood.  Check it out for yourself by clicking on the video link above.

Jon McKenzie speaks on the topic of creation during our 2012 Summer Series.

Summer Series 2012 has kicked off with a great lesson from Steve Bailey.  Steve is the evangelist for the Mesquite Church of Christ.  His topic was “Who Gave Us The Bible?”  Check it out!

Part 1 – “The Challenge of Service” – February 12, 2012
Part 2 – “Evidence of Conversion” – February 19, 2012
Part 3 – “The Rewards of Service” – February 26, 2012
Part 4 – “God’s Special Servants” – March 4, 2012