DISCIPLE

by Donald Norbie - Greeley, CO     The pristine glory of the early church is sullied by the hypocrisy of Ananias. He and his wife plan to make a show of generosity to the Lord, but to secretly withhold part of the sale price of their property. Oh, the bewitching power of Mammon!     In many situations it would have gone undiscovered. Christians would have rejoiced over their generosity and they would have smugly smiled. But the piercing discernment of prophecy flowed in that congregation. Peter confronts Ananias in the moment of truth. With blazing eyes and cutting words Peter says, "You have not lied to men but to God" (Acts 5:4), and Ananias falls dead at Peter's feet.     Awesome, isn't it? God's holiness is proclaimed and man's hypocrisy is laid bare. No wonder fear and reverence gripped the whole assembly. Their God was not a God with whom to trifle.     Today sin may go undiscovered for years in a congregation, or if kno...

Carl Knott   Vegetarianism is popular trend today in many areas of the world. November 1 st has been declared the “universal day of vegetarianism.” Restaurants and food stores now offer meat-free menus, for example, a “veganburger”. One stricter form of it is “veganism”. Moderate vegetarians do not eat red meats, but do eat fish and seafood (pescatarians) or dairy and eggs (lacto-ovo vegetarians). Strict vegans would eat only plant-based products and avoid articles such as cleaning products or clothing derived from animals. Some people follow a semi vegetarian diet — also called a flexitarian diet — which is primarily a plant-based diet but includes meat, dairy, eggs, poultry and fish on occasion or in small quantities.” 1       Vegetarianism is strongly associated with a number of religions that originated in ancient India (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism) that advocate “ahimsa” (nonviolence). For example, Jainism, which abhors violence of all kind...