Tag: Pennsylvania

777 Movies In A Year?

Neal Pollard

On July 5, 2023, Zach Swope’s set a Guinness World Record by watching 777 movies. The 32-year-old man did it for a cause, to raise awareness about autism and suicide awareness. He did it at a cost, even though he had an unlimited membership that allowed him to watch all these movies for $22 per month. After all, consider the time expended. He saw several movies multiple times to reach this historic milestone, including one movie (“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”) 47 times (Source). 

While there are a multitude of applications we could observe about Mr. Swope’s endeavor, I want to focus in on just one. Zach was dedicated to be present as often as possible. He was willing to do what it took to be there because it was part of an ultimate goal. It caught the attention of others. It was the result of an attempt to fulfill a tangible purpose. 

However you feel about Swope’s use of time or money, consider an opportunity we have. The Lord and the local church provide us multiple times to come together to study the Bible each week. There are, typically, multiple opportunities to assemble to worship God together. Periodically, there are extra occasions given to study and worship through special events or classes. While merely attending these will not earn one the reward of eternal life, it can greatly aid the aim. The time spent is invaluable. Any expense or sacrifice potentially rewards and enhances life. It can certainly influence people in our lives in a most positive way! 

Perhaps the best-known passage on the subject provides the most insight on the value of attending: “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25). What does God tell us here?

  • Assembling is deliberate–“Let us consider”
  • Assembling is cooperative–“Let us…together”
  • Assembling is purposeful–“How to stimulate one another to love and good deeds”
  • Assembling is considerate–“Stimulate one another…encouraging one another”
  • Assembling is habitual– Just as “forsaking our own assembling together” is
  • Assembling is spiritual– “As you see the day (Judgment, cf. 10:26ff) drawing near”

It is true that one can attend every service, but still not go to heaven. One’s heart might not be right there (Matthew 15:8-9). One’s life might not be right when not there (Jeremiah 7:9-10). But, it is much more difficult to go there when our approach to attending is lackadaisical, not prioritized, or deemed optional and dispensable. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to develop a reputation within our circle of influence as one as dedicated to worship as this young man was to moviegoing? 

Are You A Bread Squeezer?

Neal Pollard

Samuel Feldman may hold the distinction as the most famous bread vandal in history.

He did $8,000 worth of damage to bread and cookies throughout the Bucks County, Pennsylvania, area. He was going around “poking, pinching, and squeezing” bags of bread and packages of cookies. Finally, one store, suspecting Feldman, put him under surveillance and caught him three times in the act. He is charged with two counts of criminal mischief. Two years of aggravation and loss, caused by an idle person with a mean streak (from Reuters News Story, 9/23/00).

There is always at least one bread-squeezer in any group. The church may even sometimes harbor a few bread-squeezers, too. These are the sore tails, nitpickers, storm clouds who live to rain on others’ parades, those who seem to enjoy causing friction and irritating others, those who hold petty grudges, and general pot-stirrers. They are the busybodies (2 Th. 3:11; 1 Tim. 5:13). Solomon calls one a worthless and wicked person “who spreads strife” (Pr. 6:14; cf. 19–“who spreads strife among brothers”). Paul laments lovers of controversy because they provoke “envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction” (1 Tim. 6:4-5).

These bread-squeezers flatten a congregation’s moral, squeeze the worst side out of others, and pick and poke at everyone from the church’s leaders to any other Christian whose name passes between their cross-hairs. They taint the productivity, good will, good deeds, attitude, and joy of a congregation. They brighten entire rooms just by making an exit.

Are you a bread-squeezer? How do you reply when asked, “How are you?” How well do you speak of other Christians? Are you moody? Do you lash out at others when you feel you have been wronged? Do you give the cold shoulder? Do you not speak to others, only to complain that others are unfriendly because they didn’t approach you first? Do you wear your feelings on your sleeves? Are you the type that prefers the role of critic, since there are plenty of others to be the “cheerleader”? If so, then you are a bread-squeezer!

A bread-squeezer is as needed in a congregation as Feldman was needed in Bucks County! He was entirely destructive and he caused others to pay for his bad behavior. Barnabas wasn’t a bread-squeezer (Acts 4:36). Neither was Judas and Silas (Acts 15:32). Certainly, Jesus wasn’t! The church is always in need of more encouraging, uplifting, positive, happy, and contented members. Don’t squeeze the bread!

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