We often mention the differences between southerners and northerners. There are plenty of differences in the foods we eat, they way we dress and in the way we talk. Apparently there was some war (no offense to our historically inclined readers/editors) between them some years ago and that also is used to highlight even some more differences.

Personally, I also notice how many more Christians there are in the south than here. In Florida, there are five congregations within a 30 mile radius. Here at Tyngsboro we have people that travel over an hour to get to our building.

Tyngsboro is the only congregation in practically two whole states. So, you can see how we can see that as a disadvantage to living here. But it really depends on how you look at it.

First, it means we have no shortage of work to do and people to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to. Think about how empty and confusing our lives would be without the Bible.

Imagine how sad and desperate our condition would be without the redemption that we received when we accepted and obeyed Jesus Christ. This is how tragic the stories of the majority of the people in our communities are.

Another benefit of less Christians and congregations is that we cannot just move to the congregation in the next town whenever we hear something we do not agree with.

Because of this arrangement we are forced to be more reliant on interpreting the scriptures. We are forced to do this because disagreements are going to occur and we better find a way to come to the true understanding or we are going to be hard pressed to travel two states to get to a new congregation.

But we are also more likely to be more accepting and forgiving with each other on more minor things. For example, we are more likely to accept the funny shape of our brother's head as we re-adjust to get a better view of the pulpit. We will be much more understanding if we were not personally invited to the last potluck, or if our child was snatched up for being disruptive.

My point with all this is, things that we may see as disadvantages, God has allowed them to strengthen us in our faith. So, may God's will continue to be done here and in heaven instead of our own. Because I fear even the thought of how either one of those places would be if we were in charge.

Juan