Ironworks

          In 2021, I began work with Matt McBrayer on our first book, Conformed or Transformed: Issues Hindering the Church. We decided to write that book to address complex issues within our brotherhood in a way that could be utilized in bible study in congregations and in members' homes.  We published this book on August 2, 2022, and we have been greatly encouraged by the good reports we have received from readers.       We decided to call ourselves Ironworks based on Proverbs 27:17 which reads, “Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” This is exactly the mission that we had in mind when we began writing. We are happy to announce that this work is growing, and we are eager to produce more and more content.       In 2023 we have made a plan to begin and release a podcast that is focused on questions and answers to Bible questions. We both have made efforts to do this in con...

  Honesty is the best policy. This is the old adage that many people have valued for many years. In our employment we are expected to be honest. To be dishonest would be an offense that could lead to punishment including dismissal from that work. How many of us want to deal with dishonest people in commerce? None of us do. We recognize that honesty plays a large role in dependability, faithfulness, and love.  Lying in every instance is a sin, and, because of that, we must avoid lying at any time.  Occasionally, there are members of the Lord’s church that lie to one another. This takes varying forms. Some brethren will overtly lie. This can be premeditated or compulsive. The intent is what makes it such. This would be the case if a brother or sister seeks to defraud another. This, in most cases, would be very infrequent. Lying is condemned in such a clear fashion it seems almost elementary regardless of one's maturity in Christ. However, the events of Acts 5:1-11, in p...

                 Was Jesus born on December 25th? To many in this world, the answer seems obvious. This time of year we will see different groups that are going to put up nativity scenes along with banners that say “Joy to the World” or “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.” Does it matter? Yes, it does indeed. While we might be grateful for individuals in the world speaking the name of Jesus at this time of year, we need to remember if they are speaking things that are inaccurate about Jesus or binding traditions foreign to Scripture; that is a sin. In this article, we will look at several points concerning what is called Christmas and the appropriate Christian response by Christians.  The Shepherds The Bible does not give us a specific date, everyone would agree on that. However, does the evidence in the Bible begin to suggest this is the time of year that Jesus was born? Let us first consider one of the details of the account fo...

“A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.  The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain. “ Prov 31:10-11 A godly wife is an irreplaceable treasure. A godly wife is a blessing to her husband, their children, and the church of the Living God. When we consider the Bible, there are many accounts of the type of women we need in the Lord’s church.       We need women of great faith. Mark 5:25-34 tells of a woman who suffered from an issue of blood for a period of twelve years. She did not just suffer from the issue of bleeding and the uncleanliness (Lev 15) that would go along with it, she suffered at the hands of the very physicians that were supposed to be able to heal her. She had every reason to be bitter and angry. Her faith was still great. “For she said, If I touch but his garments, I shall be made whole”  (Mark 5:28). When she reached out and touched the Lord, she received the healing she so desired....

            We are not surprised that at this time of year many of our number will come down with some sort of seasonal illness. Everything from the common cold, to the flu, and even the corona virus have effected some of us and still will throughout the “cold season”. It is at this time of year that we also may become more vigilant in washing our hands and wiping down surfaces such as door knobs. Why do we do that? We do it because we understand many infectious diseases are transferred through clothing and other inanimate objects.  So what about when Moses writes in Leviticus 13:47-59; and 14:33-35 about clothing and buildings being infected with leprosy? Is is possible for clothing or homes to have leprosy on or in them? It seems that we might be tempted to explain away this as a myth of the ancient world. If we take a closer look, we can understand that there were a variety of diseases in the ancient world covered under the blanket term lep...