HA Melton

Luke 23:39-42.  "And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.  But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."
Salvation is so easy.  This man admitted he was guilty of sin and worthy of death;  he admitted that Jesus was Lord;  and asked Jesus to remember him.  This admission was from his heart.  A death bed profession, if you will and I've heard many say they don't consider such. 
This man clearly didn't walk an isle; wasn't baptized; probably never attended a church service;  never went on visitation; never spoke in jiberish; never danced in the isles or jumped pews; no snakes...,     
I think we often read way too much into things that end up causing much frustration.   
 
 

Here is a poem that I happened to find years ago published in the Sword of the Lord.
I had this printed on cards and would hand it out to anyone with a small child.  
They Ask So Little
Take time to laugh and sing,
And play and cuddle them a bit,
Tell them a story now and then
And steal a little time to sit.
And listen to their childish talk
Or take them for a little walk.
Take time to hear their prayers at night,
to really cherish and enjoy.
A little girl with flaxen curls
And the small wonder of a boy.
They ask so little when they’re small,
Just love and tenderness, that’s all.
Anonymous

Yes indeed.  A great testimony indeed.  Thankfully I never had to deal with any alcoholism and have never touched any drugs other than prescribed by my Doc.  I do have an addiction toward tobacco however.  For many years the 'Broad Leaf' was king in my neighborhood and as a teenager I cropped it for a local farmer.  
Brother Stafford..., you hang in there and thanks for your honesty!      

Religion is the following of mandates as established by a hierarchy of men in their respective organizations..., such as the Catholic Church.   Christianity on the other hand is following the teachings of Jesus.   If you ask ANY of those in the various 'religions' of the world they will tell you that yes, they are following the teachings of Jesus but in truth, only to the point it tickles their ears. 
Not long ago a person asked me what religion I was.  I told him I didn't have a religion.  He then asked me if I was an atheist or an agnostic at which time I said, “No, neither. I am a Born Again Christian.” Upon hearing this he said, “Well then, you have a religion!”  I again said that no, I was not in a religion but rather, as a Born Again Christian my goal was to adhere to the teaching of Christ.  The conversation soon ended.  
The Catholic religion; the Mormon religion; the Jehovah Witness religion; et.al.  In fact, one can become 'religious' over a 1957 rebuilt Chevy Belair Convertible.  
 

Religion is the following of mandates as established by a hierarchy of men in their respective organizations..., such as the Catholic Church.   Christianity on the other hand is following the teachings of Jesus.   If you ask ANY of those in the various 'religions' of the world they will tell you that yes, they are following the teachings of Jesus but in truth, only to the point it tickles their ears. 
Not long ago a person asked me what religion I was.  I told him I didn't have a religion.  He then asked me if I was an atheist or an agnostic at which time I said, “No, neither. I am a Born Again Christian.” Upon hearing this he said, “Well then, you have a religion!”  I again said that no, I was not in a religion but rather, as a Born Again Christian my goal was to adhere to the teaching of Christ.  The conversation soon ended.  
The Catholic religion; the Mormon religion; the Jehovah Witness religion; et.al.  In fact, one can become 'religious' over a 1957 rebuilt Chevy Belair Convertible.  
 

Religion is the following of mandates as established by a hierarchy of men in their respective organizations..., such as the Catholic Church.   Christianity on the other hand is following the teachings of Jesus.   If you ask ANY of those in the various 'religions' of the world they will tell you that yes, they are following the teachings of Jesus but in truth, only to the point it tickles their ears. 
Not long ago a person asked me what religion I was.  I told him I didn't have a religion.  He then asked me if I was an atheist or an agnostic at which time I said, “No, neither. I am a Born Again Christian.” Upon hearing this he said, “Well then, you have a religion!”  I again said that no, I was not in a religion but rather, as a Born Again Christian my goal was to adhere to the teaching of Christ.  The conversation soon ended.  
The Catholic religion; the Mormon religion; the Jehovah Witness religion; et.al.  In fact, one can become 'religious' over a 1957 rebuilt Chevy Belair Convertible.  
 

...so who is your proofreader?  I do suppose however what I need is a ghost writer.