LightGrams
September 18, 2025
Volume 29, Number 30
“Skip That Rock”
Is there a child who doesn’t delight in throwing stones into water? As they mature, they often try to develop the art of skipping stones across the surface of water. A small flat stone works best, and a flip of the wrist will usually make the stone skim across the water for at least a hop or two.
In Easdale, Scotland (in the Hebrides Islands) a tournament is held every September to crown a new World Stone Skimming Champion. This year’s event had a bit of scandal. Several contestants admitted to shaping their stones with chisels and files. The rules specifically state that only natural stones from the island can be used; no alterations are allowed. When challenged, several admitted that they had shaped their stones to gain an advantage. Those were disqualified.
In the end, Jon Jennings of Kentucky (my home state!) won the prize. He also set a new record for distance traveled by his skimming stone. Was he aware that others were using illegal rocks? If he did, he obviously decided to skip those – er, decided not to use those. He did it the right way.
The Bible has instructions about unaltered rocks. In Exodus 20, the same chapter in which the Ten Commandments are found, God spoke about altars that Israel would build: “An altar of earth you shall make for Me …” (Exodus 20:24). That doesn’t strike us as impressive. Usually, we think of altars as being made of gold or some exotic wood. God stated that their altars were to be made of earth.
An exception is made in the next verse: “And if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone, for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it” (Exodus 20:25). Again, that seems so ordinary. Shouldn’t altars made for worship to God be ornate and finely decorated? Would it be so bad if someone used their artistic abilities to make the altars more attractive?
In Scotland, altering the stones disqualify you from the World Stone Skimming Championships. With God, disregarding His details also appears to be grounds for disqualification. Though we want to honor God with our innovations, we actually dishonor Him by not paying attention to His instructions.
In Israel’s later history, the altar of the temple was overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:22), and this appeared to be acceptable with God. But in those early days of Israel’s wanderings, they needed to observe the details of God’s commandments. Otherwise, they would be profane the altar.
The history of Christianity is filled with examples of innovations and alterations of what God originally commanded. Is that OK? The intent of those making alterations may be sincere. But let’s not miss the simple statement of Jesus in Luke 6:46: “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” Is He truly Lord? Then let’s do what He says, nothing more and nothing less.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
~~~~~
Copyright, 2025, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.