KEEPING THE TRUTH ALIVE

                                                                -----------------------

             This is adapted from a "Dear Abby" column in the Los Angeles Times. It’s entitled, "Is Guarding God’s Truth Costing Too Much?"

             "Last Sunday a golfer again sank the winning putt on the 18th green and received a check for $150,000 for four rounds of golf, plus an automobile for himself and one for his wife.  This week, the papers reported that a certain popular singer would receive hundreds of thousands of dollars per performance for her current singing engagement.

               Americans annually spend more on dog food than on religious contributions.  It is not unusual for an individual to pay more for his country club membership than he gives to a ministry or church.  Is guarding the truth costing too much?

             "Let me share an experience with you.  On June 2, 1940, a little girl was born to us.  She cost us money from the moment she was born.  As she grew from babyhood to girlhood, she cost even more--her dresses and shoes were more expensive, and we had to have the doctor through all those childhood diseases.

             "She was even more expensive during her school and teen years. She needed long dresses to go to parties.  When she went to college we discovered, along with other parents, that all college expenses are not listed in the catalogue.  After graduation, she fell in love and married.  She was married in a church wedding and that, too, cost a lot of money.

             "Then, five months after the marriage, she suddenly got sick and within a week she was dead.  She hasn't cost us a penny since the day we walked away from her grave.

             "As long as the something is alive it will cost money.  And the more alive a ministry or church is, the more money she will cost.  Only a dead ministry, like a dead child, is no longer expensive.

             "Think it over.  Is the guarding the truth costing too much?" 

              Guardian Ministries wishes to thank all of you who have helped keep this ministry alive.  May the God of all love and grace grant you blessings as you become a blessing to others.

                                                    -- David L. Antion for Guardian Ministries