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o what you love, love what you do. That is the mantra we hear repeatedly these days regarding our relationship to work. And Im sick of it. Im sick of it on behalf of every janitor, fry cook and ditch digger who are in fields they did not seek out on Career Day in high school. Im sick of it on behalf of the parents of children in their 20s who eschew such menial careers because they would rather wait for their big opportunity in art appreciation or fashion design. To my high school daughters and their contemporaries I offer this blast of reality: Life does not owe you the career of your choosing, nor the salary of your choosing in that career. Doing what you love is terrific for evenings and weekends. And if you, like me, wind up blessed to actually love your work, thank God every day for it. But having a career is not about you finding yourself. Its about finding a way to contribute to society. And you wont manage that with a video game controller in your hand. Christians of all people should understand that. We are not part of the church so we can milk it for feelings of self-worth; we are part of it to glorify God and edify our brethren (1 Corinthians 14:26). Consider Pauls position as an apostle: I am under compulsion; for woe is me

ablo Casals was asked once why he still practiced his cello so much when he was 90 years old. His response: Because I think Im making progress. Ill confess, Im not sure Id ever heard Casals name before hearing that quote. So to get to know him a bit, I went on YouTube and found a clip of him playing Bachs Suite No. 1 for Cello. (If youve ever hear cello music in the background of a TV commercial, its probably Bachs Suite No. 1.) I know a bit about music, and a bit about the cello after playing violin for years in my youth. But you dont have to have a great deal of experience with something to know when you are in the presence of genius. Im pretty sure he didnt open his eyes during the entire eight-minute performance. And why should he? The music doesnt change. The instrument doesnt change. The physics dont change. The player is the only variable. And the longer the player plays, it becomes less the mechanics of the cello and more about making the cello an extension of himself. You dont need eyes to see inside your own heart. I never practiced any of the instruments I picked up in my youth enough to get anywhere close to that level. But I do practice my service to Christ that way. Over the years it has become somewhat instinctive for me to perform for the Lord. I can do it with my eyes closed, so to speak. But to always be at the top of my game, I have to practice. Revisit the basics. Drink more milk (1 Peter 2:2). Exercise my senses (Hebrews 5:14). Play until my fingers bleed (Hebrews 12:4). Its tough, but its worth it to me. And I think Im making progress. HH

if I do not preach the gospel. For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me (1
Corinthians 9:16-17). It was not always gratifying to preach the gospel especially when rocks were flying toward his head. But on the days his job was less than exhilarating, he did his job anyway. So find your job. Then do your job. HH

A publication of

East Hill church of Christ 2078 East Nine Mile Road Pensacola, Florida 32514 (850) 479-2130 Easthillchurchofchrist.org Hal Hammons, preacher and editor Hardy Eubanks, Andy Goodson and Larry Smith, elders

Vol. 3, No.12 March 23, 2014

Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4

_____________ (_____________________); Faithfulness is measured by ________-based

You are a hypocrite IF ... You emphasize small _______________ and ignore glaring ____________________
V.______: Jesus is trying to demonstrate Gods _________________________ power in us (________________________); ____________________ obedience is not as central to the gospel as

___________, not ______________ attachments (_________________________); If a doctrine does not pertain to ones ______ with __________, it should not be an issue of ______________

brotherly ________ (____________________); We will never _________

( ___________________________________) if we keep emphasizing our _________________

You are a hypocrite IF ...You emphasize outward ____________ over inward ______________
V._____ : A clean _________________ should naturally result from effort to clean the _____________ Filth _________________ eventually manifests itself________________ (___________________) We become holy ________________________, not _____________________ (______________________)
try not to stereotype. Just because someone is a swimsuit model, for instance, that doesnt mean shes an idiot. Really, one thing has nothing to do with the other. But Im not getting much help from Brooklyn Decker. She recently commented on one of the talk shows I try hard to avoid that a friend had recommended she read 50 Shades of Grey. Some warning lights went off, she said, when she was carded at the register. But she bought it anyway, and started reading it. She was shocked shocked, I say to find out the book was so inappropriate. Really? Really? Youre telling me you bought the most racy sex novel to ever hit the bestseller list, and you didnt know? What did you think the book was about? Pencil drawings? Wool sweaters? Cloudy skies? Next thing you know, shell express surprise that the Sports Illustrated photographer wanted her to take her jacket off. The thing is, its not that difficult to figure out ahead of time that certain entertainment is what was the word she used again? Inappropriate. Thats it. You might start, for instance, by listening to the cashier who says you have to be 18 years old to buy it. That might be a clue. Do a little research, brethren. Dont complain about all the raunchy language in the R -rated comedy you saw. You do not necessarily have to wait until it is too late to examine everything carefully so that you will be able to abstain from every form of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). Forewarned is forearmed. And foreseen is forewarned. HH

You are a hypocrite IF ...You make _______________ distinctions not grounded in __________
V._______: Lines are always drawn to favor the ______________________ his ________________, his _____________________ Godly, loving brethren can show _____________ for Gods law in different, equally _____________ ways ________ will judge (_________________________); if we dont have book, chapter and verse, we dont __________ it as _______ (__________________)

You are a hypocrite IF ... You convert people to your _______________ instead of __________ __________
V.________: Zeal for your form of ________________ can interfere with others pursuit of the