Schedule Updates

Click on window and open viewable format of schedule updates. If you are in the area and would like to attend one of the events, please contact Rick or Brant at (405) 756.8629 or email us at biblereflections@hotmail.com.

Simple Silence

The principle of silence is really quit simple and is a common occurrence in everyday life. This may be a part of the difficulty that people have with the principle; it’s too simple and too common that it is often overlooked. Much like the process of breathing in air, it is so natural that people often fail to give thanks to Almighty God for the air, the ability and the process of breathing it into our lungs - oh, and don't forget to exhale. Silence is as simple as walking into a restaurant and ordering your favorite meal off the menu. Mine happens to be breaded pork chops fried in bacon grease, covered in country gravy with a homemade biscuit of the side. If the waitress brought me everything on the menu including what I had ordered and the manager expected me to pay simply because the manager says, "Well Mr. Popejoy, you did fail to tell us not to bring everything on the menu. I don't know if you realize this or not but our other menu selections are very popular. So enjoy your meal, Mr. Popejoy."

Friends, silence is really that simple. The restaurant represents the religious world and the menu, all the choices of worship styles that are offered. God is the costumer and we are the waiter; the cook; and the manager. In John 4:23-24 Jesus said, "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." Who really wants to be the manager on the Day of Judgment expecting God to pay for the whole menu, when He only ordered breaded pork chops fried in bacon grease, covered in country gravy with a homemade biscuit of the side? Who wants to be the waitress that messed up the order or the cook that failed to speak up and say, “Wait one minute, this customer only ordered pork chops!”

It is the height of arrogance for Mark Henderson, or any other man, to tell God what He will get or not get. Humility allows God to decide. Seeing that God desired for men to walk by faith (2 Cor. 5:7) and that faith comes by the word of God (Rom. 10:17) the only way to walk/live that pleases God is to listen to His revealed will, the New Testament.

Consider another problem that we have with regards to this whole situation that Mark Henderson has brought on the churches in the Oklahoma City area. A manager at a local Wendy’s restaurant decides that he is going to start serving Big Mac’s, Quarter Ponders and McRibs on his menu. In reality he wants to be a McDonalds but he does not want to give up the Wendy’s franchise benefits. Is that local restaurant a Wendy’s or a McDonalds? Trying to be an instrumental church of Christ is like trying to be a Wendy’s selling Big Macs! Is Quail Springs a church of Christ or a Baptist Church? In reality the elders at Quail Spring are just like that manager that does not want to give up the Wendy’s franchise benefits. Its time to give up the benefits of the franchise! If you want to be the denomination known as “The Family of God at Quail Spring” have the courage to take down the sign out front that still says, “Quail Springs Church of Christ.”

Rick Popejoy

Changing God's Tune?

Changing God's Tune? is the title of a response written by Rick Popejoy, Brant Stubblefield and Gil Yoder which will appear in tomorrow's religious edition in the Daily Oklahoman. Brother Jim Nash, preacher for the Lord's church in Marietta, Oklahoma provided his expertise in designing the layout of the article. Th entire staff of Reflections wishes to say, "Thank you" to each and every individual and congregation that sent immediate funds to assist in this worthwhile endeavor. Although some can't understand why actions like this are necessary, it remains imperative that such things are done as commanded in Scripture (Rom. 16:17). Hopefully, this article will serve as a teaching tool to the public as to why mechanical instruments in worship are sinful (1 Pet 4:11, Eph 5:19, Col 3:16-17). May this article also seek to rally those within the church to realize that there are still many of "us" that cling prayerfully to the old paths (Jer 6:16). Lastly, since Mr. Henderson made public these fatal false views that are "salvation issues" (inserting innovations into the worship) we regretfully mark him as a teacher of false doctrine. Let us all be in prayer that his return to the "apostles' doctrine" (Acts 2:42) might be soon. Again, we cannot thank our supporters enough. You are truly our "fellowhelpers" (3 John 9) and the "unsung heroes" of the day. Brethren, we must always teach, promote and defend the Christ and His one true church!

Rick and Brant