........The word of God, the Bible, is the source of everything that we as Christians hold in matters of faith. Consider what is done by the Word of God:
........We are born again by the word of God. Peter, the beloved apostle wrote that we are "born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God" (1 Peter 1:23 NASB). Jesus said in John 3:3 that in order to see the kingdom of God we must be "born again" and Peter here gives us the means whereby this occurs.
........The word of God saves our souls. James, the brother of our Lord, says in James 1:21, "Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word and not merely hearers who delude themselves" When the word of God is in our hearts in such a way as we obey its commands and let them rule our lives, then, and only then, that word will save us. It does this by pointing us to Jesus Christ whose blood is the only cleansing agent for sin.
........The Word of God is the source of faith. Paul wrote in Romans 10:17, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Whatever we know about Jesus and the religion he teaches us is by the word of God. We know nothing apart from the word of God. Human traditions mean nothing and generally get in the way of pleasing God, Matthew 15:1-9. The crux of what Jesus said here is contained in these words. "This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men." Where God has spoken, man's opinions mean nothing and less than nothing!
........The Word of God is our guide and roadmap. The Psalmist said, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105). It shows us what is right and what is wrong in life. There is no such thing as a good life without guideposts to show us what is right and wrong. The main reason our society is suffering the trauma it is today is because we have largely abandoned the landmarks of the Word of God and set about to make our own, and we aren't doing a very good job of it. (Of course those of us who believe the Bible knew that would happen, "I know, O Lord, that a man's way is not in himself; Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps (Jeremiah 10:23)."
........The Word of God equips us for every good work. Paul told the young preacher Timothy, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16,17)."
Since the Word of God does all of these things for us is it any wonder that we are commanded to "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)?" Never take another man's word that something is taught by the Bible! Always check him out. Those people of Berea didn't take the apostle Paul's word for anything but searched the scriptures daily whether the things Paul said were so, and the Holy Spirit called them noble for doing so! You can read that in Acts 17:11. Study your Bible daily.

........Leslie Eugene Diestelkamp was born Dec. 24, 1911, in Phelps County, Missouri, the son of Henry and Eda Diestelkamp. However, his mother died of pneumonia when he was three months old, and from then on he was cared for by his grandparents, William and Louisa Diestelkamp. Because his grandmother was an invalid until her death five years later, his aunt Amelia, not yet sixteen years old, provided most of his care. When Amelia married Elmer Ferris, their home became Leslie's home, and they were like a father and mother to him. He grew up with their children, Ray, Darlein (Duncan) and Velva (Breuer). One night in August of 1925, Leslie and his grandfather walked twenty miles to attend a gospel meeting at the Oak Grove church near St. James, MO, where he confessed his Lord and was baptized into Christ for the remission of sins.
........Two years later at school he met Sarah Alice Wright. On June 22, 1929, he took her home from a party and began a courtship that resulted in their marriage on Aug. 3, 1932. Two daughters, Lavonne and Wanda, and three sons, Karl, Al, and Roy, were born to this union. He preached his first full sermon in August of 1934 at Oak Grove, and continued to preach ever after that--while farming; doing construction at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO; working in CCC camps near Waynesville and Rolla, MO; and laboring in factories at St. Louis, MO, and Green Bay, WI. In 1943 he moved to Wisconsin to preach, and his preaching took him to most of the United States, Canada, western Africa, Australia, eastern Europe, and eastern Asia. Most of his located work was done with small congregations or those that had special needs.
........In the mid 1950's, Leslie had moved to the Chicago, IL, area, and because of his views regarding authorized activities in the work of the church, he had begun writing for The Gospel Guardian. His concern for the purity of the church caused him to join with several other preachers in Chicagoland--namely Bryan Vinson, Jr., Foy Vinson, and Gordon Pennock--to start another paper named Truth Magazine, for which he served as associate editor from 1956 to 1959. After that, he continued to write for The Gospel Guardian, and other publications which were determined to stand for the truth. In 1969, his longtime goal of a free paper was realized with the beginning of Think On These Things, which has been published and mailed by the Diestelkamp family for over 34 years now.
Brother Diestelkamp's name was known to me from my youth through the articles that he had written. My first contact with his family came around 1970 when his son Karl held a meeting at Loveland, OH, not far from where I grew up, and I attended a Sunday afternoon singing there during the meeting. Then, from 1972 to 1974, when I was a student at Florida College, one of Leslie's sons-in-law, James Hodges, was a professor at the college and I had a class with him. Leslie's daughter, Wanda, was also frequently on campus, and I remember seeing her. Also, Karl spoke at the 1974 lectureship at Florida College on the subject, "The Good Work of Edification: The Power of Exhortation." Alice had died in 1973, and Leslie married Myrtle Benedict in 1976. From 1975 to 1977, I labored with the church in Warrenton, MO, where his cousin Velva Breuer, her husband Raymond, and most of their family were members.
........During that time, in 1976, I also met and heard his cousin Ray Ferris for the first time and have considered him a good friend through the years since then. The first time I remember meeting Leslie himself was in 1978 when he preached in a meeting at the Burbank Rd. church in Wooster, OH. The following year he was a speaker on the lectures of the Thayer St. church in Akron, OH, where I had labored part time on a temporary basis in 1977 and 1978. I was preaching at Harpster Ave., also in Akron, at the time. Leslie's topic was "Man's Work" and he presented three lessons. I recall that when some individuals made plans for anyone at the lectures to go out eat at a local buffet who desired to do so, Leslie stood up as we were preparing to leave the restaurant and suggested that when we got back to the building someone needed to preach on gluttony.
........The next time that I remember seeing Leslie was in 1980 when I was visiting friends in the Chicago area and was invited to a luncheon where several preachers in the area got together. Leslie was by then, I believe, "semi-retired" (i.e., not involved in full-time located work) and living in Aurora, IL, where he and Myrtle were members of the Westside church. I recall his being at the luncheon. In 1982, after I had moved to work with the church at Medina, OH, in 1980, he held meetings at Brown St. in Akron, and at nearby Barberton, both churches which helped to support me all the time I was at Medina. Also, during some of this time, Leslie's son-in-law, Robert Speer, worked with the church at Thayer St. in Akron. He and Leslie's daughter Lavonne became good friends of ours and have remained so ever since. Leslie was back at Brown St. in 1985.
In addition, we formed a friendship with another of Leslie's sons, Roy, who was preaching at St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada, and would come to the Thayer St. lectures. In fact, he spoke on the last series of lectures there in 1985. After moving from northern Ohio to Dayton, OH, in 1987, we were able to keep up with the Diestelkamp family because one of Robert and Lavonne Speer's daughters, Dawn Thompson, and her husband Peter, began worshipping with us at Haynes Street. And in 1993, when I was asked to participate in a lectureship at Wellandport, Ontario, Canada, not far from St. Catherines, we stayed with Roy Diestelkamp and his family. In 1996, Leslie's grandson, Andy Diestelkamp of Pontiac, IL, held a summer gospel meeting for us at the Haynes St. church.
........As Leslie grew older, his developed several health problems, including vertigo, a skin condition, and hearing loss. On Dec. 19, 1994, he suffered a massive stroke, just three days before his 83rd birthday. At that time, he was unresponsive and the prognosis was very poor. On Dec. 30, he was moved from the regular hospital floor to the transitional care unit where he remained comatose until Jan. 2, 1995, when he opened his eyes and began to show signs of response. He attempted to talk, but was unable to do so until Jan. 13, when he said, "I beg your pardon," to a nurse. After that, he said many short sentences in response to questions asked, but was unable to identify anyone. On Mar. 14 he was moved to Hillside Healthcare Center in Yorkville, IL, and then on June 14 to Jennings Terrace in Aurora, closer to his home, where his disposition was pleasant, but he remained unresponsive. He passed away there on Sept. 12, 1995. However, his influence and work still live on in a large family which is dedicated to serving Christ.

........"…that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God..." 1Timothy 3:15.
........In a previous article we emphasized the necessity of a proper behavior pattern in the church. I was born and reared in eastern Virginia at a time when social etiquette was a way of life. Those who did not regard it were social outcasts. Some things were "proper" and some things were "improper". The men were chivalrous toward the women. The aged were revered. Courtesy was characteristic of those who wished to be regarded as ladies and gentlemen. Youth deferred to the elderly. Dignity and propriety were virtues not to be disregarded by anyone. To do so would be to stigmatize oneself in the eyes of the community.
........Going to church services was always a special thing at our house. Whatever was our best, we put it on. Shoes were shined on Saturday evening out on the back porch all ready for Sunday. Trousers were pressed and shirts were starched. Dresses and blouses were ironed to perfection. We were going to worship God. It was special, so our attire was also special. It is a reproach on our generation, I believe, when some dress for worship as if they are going fishing, camping, or just "hanging around". We have gone crazy over being casual about nearly everything. Brethren, worshipping God is not and cannot be casual. Let us show even by our apparel that worship is a special occasion. Blue jeans, T shirts, tennis shoes, and pants suits may have their proper place but we associate them with the ordinary and not with that which is special.
........I remember as a lad attending two or three weddings. We really spruced up for that. It would have been an insult to the bride and groom and their families to have come to their wedding improperly attired. Today there are many who still recognize this propriety and always wear garments suited to the occasion. It always offends me to see people disregard such. Even so, I have seen some attend weddings so sloppily and casually attired as to stand out in the crowd. Did not our Lord make reference to one who came to a wedding without a wedding garment? (Matt. 22:13) In this he not only showed regard for proper custom but he taught a lesson about spiritual garments for those who are members of the bride of Christ, the church. The spiritual attire for the Christian is a robe of righteousness. He must not be found without it.
........We have seen brethren show more respect for the dead than at the worship services. When there is a death, friends and relatives dress themselves in somber clothing or robes of mourning. This is out of respect for the dead and the sad occasion. Yet some who have known a month ahead that they would be serving at the Lord's table get up before all dressed as if they were going on a hike in the woods right after services. They feel nothing special about the memorial of the death of Christ for our sins. They show it even by their manner of dress. Something is wrong somewhere. Most of them have "dress up" clothing. If they did not have such, then whatever is our best ought to be worn.
........It is a reflection on our times when there is more respect shown in manner of dress for a wedding, funeral, or social function than for the worship of Almighty God.
Not a few preachers have joined the world according to their appearance in the pulpit and in the classroom. There was a time when preachers regarded their standing before an audience to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ as an occasion to be characterized by great dignity. It was reflected in their appearance, speech, and manner. I remember brother Franklin T. Puckett as he would stand in the pulpit or before a class of his "preacher boys" at Florida College. He was articulate in both his manner and his dress. He was the picture of dignity and propriety. It was a proper example. Alas, it is not that way with some today who preach, both young and old. Brethren, if you are going to preach, lay aside the street talk, the street manners, and above all the street attire. If the preaching of God's Word does not demand this, then I must have been reading from the wrong book.
Brethren, let us give some consideration to the improvement of our spiritual etiquette. (From Searching the Scriptures, May 1980, pp 105-6; contributed by A. Norman)