Hallmark of Sin

Hallmark Ornament

Today is a sad and grievous day

As news of Hallmark’s comprise with sin

Has been made known far and wide

It’s ironic that the definition of hallmark includes

Attesting to purity

A distinguishing characteristic

Instead of being part of our culture

Helping us celebrate the holidays

With cards, gifts and ornaments

Hallmark will now be known as an emblem of compromise

Conceding to the loud voices of political correctness

Approving of sin which God has clearly condemned

How is it that a channel once known as family-friendly

Is now putting on display

Applauding and approving same-sex marriage

While our culture and standards are ever-changing

On a slippery slope that approves and promotes sin

God’s Word and His perfect righteous standard will never change

What God in the Bible has declared sin

Remains sin today

How can one embrace and promote that which God will judge

As far back as I can remember

Hallmark has been a part of the Christmas season

But how can I spend money on a company that celebrates sin

Christmas is about Christ Jesus the Lord

A Savior was born, God incarnate

To redeem and save sinful man

It is particularly gross that at Christmastime

Hallmark embraces sin

Sin for which Christ died

Hallmark has bowed its knee

To the loud and vocal groups

That demand acceptance and approval of their sin

Forgetting about families

Trying to raise their children

In truth and righteousness

Disregarding religious groups

Christians and Jews whose standards come from the Bible

God’s Word, which is uncompromising and unchanging

Hallmark is on a slippery slope

Accepting and promoting sin

How long until it works its way into their movies and cards

Why would I now spend money on a Hallmark

It’s not just the TV channel I will turn off

It’s ornaments I will not buy, no more Hallmark cards to send

Though Hallmark has approved of sin

I must stand firm with God

Because at the end of the day

It’s about a human being created in God’s image

One who needs to hear the truth about sin

And forgiveness to the repentant sinner through Christ

By Susan Bunts Wachtel

December 16, 2019

I think Hallmark is shortsighted in giving way and compromising with the politically correct groups that demand acceptance and approval.  Hallmark is not calculating that they have offended conservatives who believe that marriage is between one man and one woman and Christians and Jewish believers who believe the Bible is God's inerrant Word. 

It’s not just the Hallmark Channel or Hallmark movies that will be impacted.  I won’t be buying Hallmark products, including cards and gifts.  I hope that they will revisit this poor and wrong decision that they’ve made.  But if not…Hallmark will no longer be a part of my life. 

I did call Hallmark at 1-800-425-5627 and spoke with a representative.  I asked her to relay that this will impact more than just the Hallmark Channel.  She gave me the phone number for the Hallmark Channel, 888-390-7474, which I will also call.  I will also follow up with an email to Hallmark (https://care.hallmark.com/s/contactsupport). 

A Perfect Match

When we look at Ron & Carol

We think what a perfect match

Simply made for one another

How many roads have they traveled together

How many places have they seen

How many seas have they sailed

Together they have enjoyed and delighted in

Fishing at the camp

Cooking and trying new recipes together

Fine dining or even the occasional dive

Traveling to places near and far

Simply living everyday life together

How well they have embraced, loved and cared for

One another

Their children, families and friends

Both have a keen intellect

A good sense of humor

They are always willing to lend a helping hand

A listening ear

Wise counsel

And a heartfelt prayer

They have delighted in one another

In their joys and successes

And bearing one another’s burdens

When we think of Ron & Carol

We can’t imagine one without the other

We thank God for them

Bless them

Rejoice and celebrate their Anniversary

15 Years together

By Susan Wachtel

December 7, 2019

Four Soils of the Human Heart

The Seed

The Word of God

Sown into the sinful human heart

The sower proclaims the Word of God

Christ as Lord

Shares the Gospel message

The hard heart

Unreceptive to the Word

The seed cannot penetrate

The soil of the hardened human heart

Ears hear, but the words are not understood

Soon the evil one will snatch away what was sown

Dare I say

We all were born with a hard heart

Alive to sin and dead to God

The superficial heart

Soil that looks good at first glance

But lying beneath is a bedrock of stone

Seed is sown and springs up ever so quickly

Soon it will wither and die under the sun’s scorching heat

Roots cannot grow deep nor penetrate a heart of stone

A heart preoccupied

Good soil, polluted with weeds and thorns

Rob good seed of nutrients and light needed to grow

Soon the seed will be choked out, slowly over time it dies

Just like the cares, worries and riches of this world

Leave behind an empty shell, with no life, nor fruit of faith

  

Lastly, we see the good soil

A heart prepared by God through His Word

The seed of the Gospel is heard and understood

A repentant heart responds

Bearing the fruit of the Spirit

Obedience and faithfully persevering

What is necessary for bad soil?

Nothing, do absolutely nothing!

What about good soil?

God uses His Word to prepare a sinner’s heart

Enables one to hear the Word

Understand it and bear fruit

So, which is it?

The Sovereignty of God?

The responsibility of man?

Yes!

By Susan Wachtel

March 10, 2019

This poem was inspired by a sermon from our Pastor, Tom Pennington on Matthew 13:1-23 – The Parable of the Sower, and from the notes that I took. 

I would like to encourage you to listen to this message, Four Soils Part 2.  Perhaps you are concerned about the salvation of a loved one…someone you’ve prayed for.  Maybe you are wondering if you are truly saved?  Was there a profession of faith?  When you look back do you see fruit?  Fruit of repentance?  Fruit of the Spirit? 

There is absolutely nothing more important than knowing with absolute assurance that you are saved, forgiven of your sin, all because of Jesus Christ and His perfect and complete atoning death on the cross. 

This last week, we saw news about celebrities who died unexpectedly.  One was pretty young.  The thing is, none of us knows the day and hour when we will die.  Once we die, there are no second chances.  There will be no changing our minds.  It’s important that we get it right today.  For today is the day of salvation.  2 Corinthians 6:2

That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea.  And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.

And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up.  Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil.  But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.  Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out.  And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.  He who has ears, let him hear.”  Matthew 13:1-9

Desperate Faith

He was a man of desperate faith

Jairus was willing to risk it all

As he fell at the feet of Jesus

Reputation, respect and honor

What did that mean to him now

As his little girl lay dying

He went to the One

The only One who had the power

Over sickness and disease, even life and death

In desperation he begged

My daughter, she is going to die, unless

Please…come…touch and heal her.  So, Jesus went.

She was desperate, when would she ever have another chance

The crowds said Jesus was coming

He alone had the power to heal her

For twelve long years, she was considered unclean

An outcast, no one would even touch her

Everything had been wasted on doctors who couldn’t help her

In faith, with a trembling hand

She reached out and touched the hem of Jesus’ cloak

Immediately, after twelve long years, she was healed

Instead of going on His way

Jesus stopped

“Who touched Me?”

He looked around and saw her

He cared for her, for she was someone’s beloved daughter too

She confessed, He proclaimed, “Your faith has made you well.”

Waiting, the father’s desperation grew

Every moment, with every delay

He wondered, was his daughter still alive

The synagogue officials came with grim news

Don’t bother, she’s dead

Then Jesus said, “Do not fear…only believe.”

When they arrived, they were greeted with weeping and wailing

Mourners laughed when Jesus said, “She’s asleep.”

But the place emptied when He said leave

Surrounded by those who loved this girl

Parents with desperate faith

Jesus commanded, “Talitha, arise!”  And she arose.

Astounded with joy

Her parents took her by the hand

“Tell no one!”  And Jesus departed

Susan Wachtel

January 7, 2019