H     Hello from Henderson, Tennessee!  Cindi and I are out of town this week at the 71st Annual Bible Lectureship at Freed Hardeman University.  We have the privilege of hearing some of the greatest, most faithful Christians in the church speak to “Preserve a Godly Heritage.”  The focus of this year’s lectureship is the Book of Deuteronomy and is entitled, “Hear O Israel.” On Sunday we heard Billy R. Smith, FHU’s Dean of Biblical Studies, speak on “Preserving a Godly People.”  On Monday we were blessed with a lesson from Brother Shelton Gibbons, III, from Richardson, Texas – Preserving Godly Worship.  Just take a look at the topics and speakers for the rest of the week:   Tuesday –           Allen Webster, Preserving Godly Compassion   Wednesday –     Clarence Deloach, Preserving a Godly Family   Thursday –         Dan Winkler, Preserving a Godly Trust We begin each day around 9:00 a.m. and leave the campus just after 9:00 p.m. with a break or two for lunch, dinner, and fellowship.  One of my favorite sessions in the lectureship is called “Open Forum.”  At 3:30 p.m. each day about 2,000 people gather in the auditorium to ask questions on various subjects and hear Biblical answers from some of the most learned men in the church.  On Monday the focus was on “new” arguments for the use of instrumental music in worship.  It has always been “mind-boggling” to me how far from the Bible some of my brothers and sisters in Christ will go to make what is wrong look, feel, and seem right.  One of the latest attempts to make what is wrong look, feel, and seem right is to “redefine” words in the Bible.  Brother Ralph Gilmore, a Bible Professor at FHU for the past 25 years and speaker at Open Forum for the past six years, did an outstanding job with this subject.  On Tuesday we will consider “new” arguments when it comes to the Lord’s Supper, on Wednesday “new” arguments for changes in worship styles, and on Thursday we will consider “new” arguments for change.  One thread of truth runs through each of these “new” arguments; these arguments do not have a Biblical basis. Thank you to our elders and to the entire congregation for the great opportunity you have given me to represent South Carolina and St. Andrews Road at this year’s lectureship.  We plan to arrive back in Columbia sometime Friday evening, Lord willing.  Thank you for your prayers, for your support, and for your love for us. This Sunday we will focus our attention, our attitude, and our actions on “The Price of Happiness.”  On Sunday morning we will look at the things, which contribute to our happiness, the cost of that happiness, and who paid/pays the cost.  On Sunday evening we will look at the attitude we should have toward our blessings and how true happiness comes only when we have salvation in Christ Jesus.