Poor old brother Randy is always looking for someone to write a bulletin.  He indicated the other day that he would like one so here goes!

You don't often hear about body parts in the bulletins, so I thought we were due for one.  This bulletin is about teeth.  You may think that teeth are boring and irrelevant to the Bible, but I beg to differ.  First of all, I think they are totally exciting because it's what I do for a living.  Also, believe it or not, you can draw a few parallels from teeth to scripture.

One example is when a child erupts a permanent molar.  Often times a dentist will recommend the tooth to be sealed.  These seals (or sealants) help to prevent decay on the new tooth.  It reminds me of the Ephesians letter that Kurt was discussing on Wednesday night.  Paul wrote in chapter 1, verse 13 Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.  This seal helps to prevent us from eternal decay - away from God.

Another example is when you look at the anatomy of a tooth.  A tooth has a crown (the part that's visible in the mouth) and a root (the part that's embedded in bone and gum tissue).  A nice, healthy permanent tooth is anchored solidly within the bone and gum.  However, if you don't take good care of the tooth by brushing and flossing it regularly, you stand a good chance of the gum and bone receding.  The supporting structures of the tooth are weakening when this happens.  This can lead to looseness and the eventual loss of the tooth!!  Scary stuff!  It's like being a Christian.  You need to have solid roots in the word.  You need to continually study and learn the word to have a good anchor.  Then, you must take very good care of your faith continually (that's the brushing part).  You need to have an active faith.  You have to do your homework.  Also, you must spend time in prayer (that's the flossing part).  Both active faith and spending time with your savior in prayer will help to secure your anchor and keep healthy roots.

Just like there are many, many microbes that are constantly attacking tooth structure, sin and temptation are trying to attack our roots.  We need to be prepared with prayer and a faith that is active.

Two passages from the New Testament reflect these ideas:

James Chapter 2:22

You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

First Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

So, remember to keep your faith strong................and to brush and floss!

Danielle