The Call Of Moses

 The story of the call of Moses is interesting to think about. God still calls men into ministry. But when God calls men like Moses He calls them in a unique way that few other men will ever know. We know that God called Moses on mount Horeb. We know the familiar story of the burning bush. But there seems to be a mystery to be solved still.

When did God call Moses to be the deliverer? Some people think that God must have been dealing with Moses in Egypt. They use Moses' outburst in killing the Egyptian oppressor as proof that something Divine was at work in Moses. The Bible nowhere says anything about God until Exodus chapter 3 concerning Moses. Moses was more Egyptian then Hebrew. Moses was raised by Egyptians in Egypt his whole life. Why Moses over-reacted and killed the Egyptian is more evidence that maybe Moses had a hot temper than that God was calling him.

Anyway, God chose Moses, God called Moses, God equipped Moses, and God used Moses to do a great work.

When Moses' staff became a snake, he was not afraid of the snake. He was afraid of what the sign meant. Who am I was Moses' response. He knew what the serpent power in Egypt was and how powerful it was. He understood that what God was asking him to do was beyond even his ability to perform.

In the end Moses went and did what God called him to do and he is honored in history as the great deliverer. But even Moses was not sinless. No one gets to Heaven on their own merits. We all need a savior.

"And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, here I am." Exodus 3:4

Fellowship and Food?

 As Believers, we all know what fellowship is. Or do we? We are studying fellowship in our home Bible studies and so I thought that it might be good for me to do a little Bible study of my own on fellowship. One thing that I noticed right away is that you have to stretch pretty hard to make fellowship be about food. 

The Greek word is koinonia. It is translated fellowship. It means, by definition, a close association between people that emphasizes what we have in common. The word communion is closely related to the Bible word fellowship. 

The dictionary defines fellowship as a friendly association, especially with people who share one's interests.

Vine's defines it as communion, a sharing in common. Bullinger says it is the act of partaking or sharing.

The word communion defines as the sharing of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when on a mental or spiritual level.

I am not saying that there is no place for food in fellowship. I am suggesting that there is something deeper than food in real fellowship.

It is when we look at the verses where the word fellowship is used that added meanings come out.

"If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanses us from all sin." 1John1:6-7. 

"For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;" Phil.1:5

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Acts2:42

Going Forward While Looking Backwards?

 "forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead," Phil.3:13

I had a nice chat with an old friend today. After I turned off my phone I realized that my friend seemed to live in the past. He has a great memory. He loves his memories. And he talks about things that happened years ago as though it was current events.

I do not now nor have I ever been one to dwell on the past. Memories only seem to remind me of a life that I used to live that is gone forever. I can remember things. I can share things from the past. But overall, I do not live in the past. My eyes are looking for what next, not what used to be. Since my wife died memories have become unwelcome in my mind.

We all deal with the past in our own way. I choose not to live looking backwards. You cannot go forward while looking backwards.

Equal or Superior?

 I learned something today. I lived through much of the madness of the 1960s. The time of revolution in America. People who claimed to be part of an oppressed group were clamoring for freedom and equality. I all along believed that it was not equality they were after. I understand that what these groups wanted was more than equality. They wanted to be superior and they wanted to rule the country.

Gays were never about equal rights. They wanted their lifestyle to be normalized and promoted. Feminists were never about equal rights for women. They wanted to dethrone men and take their place running everything. Today we see, as the radicals fade from public view, how messed up their utopian ideas were.

If you want to rule, raise children. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. If you want to be accepted, be normal. Stop engaging in abnormal behavior. 

The rebellion of the 60s was a declaration of war against God and Christ and the Bible. Anything true or just was cast off in favor of liberty and freedom. We have seen a war against men, and boys, and marriage, and morality.

You know what has been happening that the radicals try to ignore? Men will be men, boys will be boys, girls want to get married and have children, and time has exposed how flawed and faulty those old ideas were. 

It's time for my generation to repent. One day you will answer to God, not the courts. I doubt if you will change your mind even then.

Do something

 "Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up..." Acts 14:19-20.

Things happen to us in life that can, if not actually kill us, leave us as good as dead. The death of a loved one, the loss of a career, failure in ministry, all can wreck havoc on our emotions and our spirits. But look what happened in the text. The crowd thought they had killed Paul. His friends came to see how he was. No one spoke or even prayed. They just surrounded him. And God raised Paul up.

We have no idea how little it takes to help someone in their darkest hour. We might be the only thing standing between them and utter collapse and failure and despair. We hold back the very thing that the damaged person needs because we don't think it will help.

You do not need to know all of the answers to their problems. But you do have to invest in their care even if it is just to be there with them without speaking at all.

In the end, only God can do what needs to be done. 

Make the call, send the text, pay a visit. Do something for those beaten and weary and left for dead.

Future Thoughts

 The third generation sells the farm is just another way of saying that no movement or empire lasts forever. We rejoice at what God did in establishing our Fellowship. But what will we do when the fathers of our faith are all in Heaven with Jesus? Will we carry on doing what we have always done? Will we get tired of doing the same things over and over? Will God want to do something new that we have not even thought of?

It is natural to think that things will never change and that life will go on forever. We do not like to think about the end of things. I have lived long enough to see some things end. My wife of 40 years died. My beloved pastor died. Men that I knew and respected either died or left. There is very little left of what I thought would last forever.

I think that one thing we can do is to plan for change and prepare for the end. In our personal lives that might mean making a will and a plan for where you want to be buried. In our churches it might mean having a plan of succession so that your church counsel knows what do do when you are gone. Pastor Wayman did that in Prescott. 

When I was first saved I was sure that I would live to see the Rapture. I know a lot of good people who lived with that same hope and expectation. They are all gone now. But we are still here. 

Failing to plan is planning to fail. 

Unfortunately the New Testament was written by men who thought that they would live forever. It does not give us guidelines on how to deal with the death of our pastors. Jesus died and rose from the dead so that is no help. He was only gone for three days! When we die our time on Earth is over for good. 

One final word. Are you trying to build a legacy so that people will remember you after you are gone? Can I tell you a secret? People will forget. Great nations, great empires, great men, and great churches are all gone and forgotten. 

The Unloved Woman

 I want to talk a little about the unloved woman. I will focus of course on Leah, Jacob's first wife. Leah evidently had feeling for Jacob that were not felt by Jacob for Leah. Leah was like any normal girl. She had hopes and dreams and she no doubt thought once she was married all of her troubles would be over. But we read in Genesis her story and how that marriage and children did not earn her Jacob's love.

"When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren." Gen.29:31

Sometimes the unloved woman has unrealistic expectations about love and romance and marriage. Sometimes she thinks she has it all figured out and she is surprised when her plans fall apart. Sometimes it's a matter of misunderstanding or trying too hard to make love happen.

Leah tried to make it work. She was faithful. She bore Jacob children. But Leah was not as pretty as her sister and nothing she did could change Jacob's attitude. He did his duty as a husband, but he did not love Leah.

"For three things the earth is perturbed, yes, for four it cannot bear up; ...a hated woman when she is married." Prov. 30:21,23.

This is a recipe for disaster. In todays world Leah would have divorced Jacob. But in her world, Leah could do nothing but stick it out and hope that things would change.

I see one thing that seems to stand out in Leah's story. In Genesis 29 we read 

"And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, now I will praise the Lord. Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing." Gen.29:35

For her first three sons it was all about Leah trying to win Jacob's love. But with her fourth son there is a change in tone in the story. Leah has done what any unloved woman must do. She had left her cares with the Lord and decided to serve the Lord no matter what. Rachel never did anything like that.

We know the end of the story. Rachel dies alone and is buried alone. Leah is buried with the family and Jacob is buried with her. In the end Jacob did love Leah. Rachel was selfish, Leah became selfless. 

Love and romance are a gamble that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. But trusting God will always bring about the best end result. Even the unloved woman is loved by God.

Why Para-Church Groups?

 Why are there so many para-church organizations connected with Evangelical Christianity? There are groups of experts who operate outside of any local church to minister to areas of need. It could be marriage or child raising. It could be financial or emotional support. There seem to be groups ready and willing and able to minister to needs that evidently are not being ministered to on Sunday morning.

One reason that I see for this has to do with the style of preaching used in many churches. Expository preaching and teaching is a style of preaching that uses the Bible as it's sole source. Very few outside sources are ever cited. Only Bible characters are ever mentioned, unless it is your own salvation story. I think that any Bible student knows that the Bible has a lot to say about God and Christ and very little to say about other issues of life. And most life lessons in the Bible are from ancient cultures that have no bearing on modern life. And so, since the Bible is limited, outside groups are there to fill in the gaps.

Topical preaching, which was pastor Mitchell's method, takes a Bible truth or verse and speaks to real life issues using real life, up to date, examples. Topical preaching speaks to a specific subject and applies core Bile truth to specific topics. Topical preaching gets truth from the bible and applies it to real life living and experience. Topical preaching, with doctrine explained during Sunday School, can minister to real people anywhere at any time.

As a disciple under Wayman Mitchell I found little need to go to outside sources.  Shouldn't a pastor's job be to understand the Bible well enough to let it help people in the real world?

Recently, our pastor here was explaining a biblical idea and he reached a point where I expected some real world current experience examples. Instead, he reached back into the Bible to find examples of what he was talking about. I was disappointed. One thing about the Bible. No matter how many times you read it, the story never changes. In real life, people and circumstances can and do change.

So, instead of Focus on the Family, couldn't our church help people with marriage and child rearing?

God Still Speaks

 Pastor Rubi said two things Sunday morning that spoke to me. I still get benefit from being in church even after 50 plus years!

Pastor Rubi mentioned that while there are some of us who have been doing this for years, there are many for whom this is all new and exciting. And conference, while is it not thrilling or exciting for me, is thrilling and exciting for many. It reminded me of the time when pastor Mitchell told me that he did not care for the music they played in our concerts, but the music was not for him, it was for them.

Pastor Rubi also mentioned how, back in our new convert days, there was a church planting spirit in our churches and everyone felt called to go. I remember the first guy in Prescott who didn't feel called. For me, my calling was sincere, and I definitely tried. But it took me 20 years of trying and failing before I could say no, pastoring is not what God wants me to do.

God still speaks if we will only listen. Amen!

A Different Place For Sure!

 I know in my head that not every church is the same. It's when I see how different things are that I have to step back and say, it is different here for sure!

We begin the home Bible study season this week. We were told how valuable and important these small groups are. They promoted them heavily. And then I found out that we will only have 4 sessions through the end of the year. There is one more, but it is just to eat. I guess they aren't that important.

Pastor Mitchell spoiled me. He was always by the main entrance when you walked into the building. He would shake your hand and look you in the eye. And when pastor headed for the stage you knew church was about to begin. Here, no pastor waits by any entrance, and often pastors aren't on stage when the service begins. Just saying.

In Prescott, pastor Mitchell made himself available after every service up on the front of the platform for prayer or counseling. He would not talk long with you. But he was available. I miss that. 

When you need to talk to a pastor, it helps if you can find one.

Two Questions.

 Here in our church we encourage young people to continue their education and to have good paying jobs and careers. I have two questions for this modern generation.

One, would a young adult with a degree consider marrying someone with no degree? Could you fall in love with someone who makes less money than you do? 

Two, if we encourage careers, why would someone aspire to be a pastor? No one ever got rich pastoring a church in our Fellowship. You can make a lot more money in the corporate world. And being childless is a benefit when it comes to a career in big business.

All of my questions have answers. I don't know, but someone knows what to do.

Two Questions

 At the end of the day it seems that there are two questions that we need to have answered. If we are going to thrive going forward. If we are going to make impact going forward. If we are going to survive going forward.

First, how do we reach our changing world? We are using outreach ideas more attuned to the 1980's than the 2050's. We use methods that are successful on one level. But is what we do now going to continue to be effective reaching this generation of kids? And do we do anything to reach an aging population of lost baby boomers? The world around us is changing. Are we changing too? Just remember, witnessing always works. Rap music does not always work.

Second, what do we do that is better than anyone else? We preach. We are a preaching Fellowship. Not standing on a street corner preaching to people in cars. Rather, I mean the gather a crowd on our terms and preach to them kind of preaching. Get people saved, healed, and filled with the Spirit. We preach in that context better than anyone in the world today. Let's put our best foot forward for Christ! Maybe we need to buy a crusade tent.

One more thought. Discipleship only works with young married couples. What do we do when our supply of young couples dries up? We can't send out single men since Fellowship policy forbids a pastor marrying someone in his own church. 

Protecting and Supporting Marriage is Important!

 As the baby boomers came of age and came to prominence, the seeds of godlessness began to be sown. Crazy, illogical, and irrational ideas began to be embraced. Public policy was set, based on zero or faulty science. All of this was rooted in the antichrist spirit that was loosed on our society in the 1960's.

The Jesus People Revival came at a critical time in our society. Sex, drugs, rock and roll were sucking the life out of our families, our cities, and the churches. God began to move among the hippies and in old, stuffy churches and our Fellowship is the fruit of that revival.

The question today is, as the baby boomers pass from the scene, and we are left with the consequences of their utopian fantasies, what can we do to rescue a world still lost in the ozone and stuck in the mire of unbelief and rebellion?

One thing that we in our church can do is to promote and to support marriage and family. We have girls who want to get married and have children. We have guys who want to get married and grow up. How can we help these young people find their way to each other and the altar? How can we show them that family is more important and more satisfying than a degree and a career? We can start by supporting marriage today and promoting marriage for tomorrow.

80% of women world-wide want to marry and have children. Only 10% cannot have children and 10% choose to be childless. The rest are finding themselves waiting until it is too late. Child bearing is a short window that begins when girls are young. Girls who wait to get married and start a family until they are 30 will find themselves unwanted and unable to bear children. The odds are not in your favor if you put it off sisters.

You want to live happily ever after? Find a wife, find a husband, have children God's way, and you can grow up and grow old together. 

Reprobate Minds in Today's World

 "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient." Romans 1:28

The word reprobate is very clearly defined. It means to be morally depraved, unprincipled, or bad. A reprobate mind is a mind that has experienced a loss of logic in reasoning and it is a mind given over to irrational ideas and thoughts. It describes a mind that is so subtlety corrupted to almost be unnoticeable.  But, in the process of time, the thinking and the decisions play out in ways no one thought would happen.

Something happened in the world that, while some women are marrying and having children, too many women are choosing to remain childless whether married or not. The number of childless women has grown to the point that we are seeing birth rates dropping below the replacement level in most of the industrialized world.

No one seems to know why this has happened and no one seems to have found a common denominator as to why young people no longer marry and have children like they used to. I have a thought. Something happened spiritually in the world around the 1960's that collectively society turned away from God. We saw political and social revolution. The sexual revolution and the pornification of America began back then. Women's Lib and the women's rights revolution began back then. Nutrition guidelines that cause obesity and diabetes began back then.

Today, girls want fit and strong bodies and careers, not marriage and babies. 

One frightening statistic is that the older a woman gets the harder it is to get pregnant. Women who are childless in America at 30 will probably never get married or have children. Bearing children is a very narrow window of opportunity.

One more thought. A reprobate mind does what is not convenient. What does that mean? Let's read on in Romans chapter one, verses 29-32. Verse 30 says that they hate God. People who believe that humans can destroy the world through climate change, but refuse to believe that God destroyed the world in the Flood. People who believe in same sex unions reject the Biblical command to marry and have children. Rebellion is a deliberate decision of a person who, having examined both sides, chooses lies over truth. It is no wonder that, when Christ came to Earth, the first words out of his mouth were, repent! Mankind's greatest sin is not pride, it is rebellion.

It is irrational to call evil good, and to call good evil. 

The problem with our world is that we have rejected God, and Christ, and the Bible and that we have believed in and trusted the words and ideas of mere men.  We have no one to blame but ourselves.

Black or White or Shades of Gray?

 The divide in society is mostly a result of the all or nothing attitude that has crept into our social discourse. When everything is black or white, there is no room for shades of gray. When the choice is Heaven or Hell, there are those who think it is inevitable and what can I do about it so why worry about it.

In the realm of diet and nutrition, we are told that certain substances are poisonous to our bodies and therefore bad for us. In the abortion debate the pro-life people equate abortion as murder and wonder why they have so little influence with troubled girls. Football players and coaches are terrible and washed up after only two games. 

Social media is not evil. Media in general is not the enemy. There are evil people in the world, but they are pretty rare. Most people are lost sheep that have no shepherd.

The church has the gospel, which is good news. The gospel is not turn or burn, it is for God so loved that He gave. 

Our Fellowship is positioned for influence in the world. Not to change the world, but to win people to faith in Jesus Christ. We must not be led astray into the volatile world of argument and accusation. 

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God." Mat.5:9

We may be sinners in the hands of an angry God. But is it our job to condemn people, or to save them?

Sleeplessness: A Problem, Or A Tool?

 Pastor announced that he was going to be ministering to those who were having trouble sleeping. I don't have trouble sleeping on my schedule, but it is a real problem for some people. As pastor got into his message I noticed that his Bible verses were about sleeping, but his sermon seemed to be about how God uses sleeplessness to accomplish His specific purposes. That sometimes God prevents us from sleeping or wakes us up.

In the end, pastor prayed for those who had trouble sleeping, but he preached on the value of not sleeping as it pertains to the will of God.

It is a rule of preaching that you need to stick to your notes lest you get too long winded, or you wander too far afield from your intended message. Notes keep the preacher focused on what is important.

Tricks Of The Preaching Trade.

 One of the tricks in the public speaking trade is to not look directly at anyone, not to catch anyone's eye while you are speaking. You can look at their chins, or their foreheads, or you can look over their heads. I have seen preachers who never look at their audience, but as they preach they walk around all over the stage, looking at the back wall, or looking at the side walls, but never looking at the audience.

I have noticed that Pastor Rubi does not look directly at anyone while he is preaching, except for very brief instances. Most of the time, while he is speaking, he is looking over our heads. Either in church up on the stage, or in our Saturday prayer meetings, he rarely looks directly at anyone.

This is not a bad thing. It is common practice among public speakers.

One other rule is the 3 second rule. When speaking to people, do not look at any one person for over three seconds. If you stare at someone too long, they will become very uncomfortable. Pastor Mitchell would do this and it is unnerving to feel him looking right at you while he was preaching.

Public speaking is what preaching is. There are rules that you can learn. There are tricks to even this trade.

The next time you are listening to your pastor, look at his eyes and see if you can tell where he is looking.

Married Love Ephesians 5

 "Husbands, love your wives,..." Ephesians 5:25

"Wives, submit to your own husbands..." Ephesians 5:22

If husbands are to love their wives, doesn't it logically follow that wives should love their husbands? In Ephesians, husbands are called to love, but wives are called to submit and respect. It only tells wives to love their husbands one time in the Bible. That is found in Titus 2:4.

Women always think that they are equal to men. This is the feminist lie. Even in love men and women are different. Could it be that women love by nature, while men need to be reminded to do something that does not come naturally? Likewise women need to be reminded to do something that does not come naturally to them.

There is a call to love in the new testament that applies to our love for one another. This is not married love, it is different.

We get into serious trouble when we make the Bible say what we want it to say instead of letting God say what He means.

Let God be true, and let every man (or feminist) be a liar. Romans 3:4

"Your desire will be for your husband, and he shall rule over you." Genesis 3:16

Ask the Lord to help you understand your role in life and ask for help to fulfill your calling in life and in marriage.

Finding A Good Thing

 There seems to be a problem in our churches that has to do with marriage. We have singles who want to be married but they are not getting married. I have a thought on this.

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord." Proverbs 18:22

First, you have to find a wife. It is the man's job to look for one. If you are waiting for the Lord to bring you a wife, you will die single. He who finds a wife means that you have to be looking for one.

Second, marriage is a good thing. Marriage is worth it. Your life will be better and fuller and richer being married. Single is the Greek word for selfish. He who finds a wife finds a good thing.

Third, God blesses the married couple. God helps married couples once they are married. He gives them favor in all areas of life. You do not have to be married to be happy, but there is a blessing from God that is reserved only for married couples. In marriage you will obtain favor from the Lord.

My prayer for my church and for our Fellowship is that young men will find willing young women to marry and start new families. Throw away your checklists. Find an attractive girl and marry her.

Sorry sisters, but the burden on marriage rests on the man, you only control your response.

"Then they called Rebekah and said to her, will you go with this man? And she said, I will go." Genesis 24:58

God will not do it all for you. But if you are looking, God can help you find the one perfect for you. Read Genesis 24:12-21. 

We know it says watch and pray. But in marriage I think it is search and pray. Ask God to help you find a wife while you are looking actively for one.

A Choice To Make

 "And they all cried out at once, saying, away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas." Luke 23:18

In November in the US we have a national election. Among many choices on our ballots will be the choice of a new president. I do not care who you support or who you will vote for. But I do want to point something out to you.

When given the choice between Jesus and Barabbas, the people chose Barabbas. Some decisions seem so logical and so reasonable. But some decisions are actually irrational and emotional. Some decisions are orchestrated and manipulated. In the heat of the moment, the ill-informed crowd chose the wrong person. Barabbas was obviously the wrong choice, yet they chose him anyway.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:5

This election is no more important than any election. But we do need wisdom to choose the right person for the job. National TV news is not giving us the information that we need. The online news cannot be trusted. We need God to shine the light of truth into our hearts so that we will not regret who we choose.

"But they shouted, saying, crucify him, crucify him!" Luke 23:21

"But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that he be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed." Luke 23:23

"And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, were there looking on from afar." Matthew 27:55

Will you be swayed by the loud shouts of the mob, or by the quiet distance of Christ's followers?

Mountain Climbing Thoughts

 Pastor Rubi has begun a new study in the adult Bible study on Mountain Climbing. As he was teaching this past Sunday several thoughts came to my mind concerning climbing mountains. I never did mountaineering, but I have hiked up to the top of several mountains in the Prescott National Forest. Here are a few things relating to what pastor taught that were interesting to me.

First, when you climb any mountain, you do not start at sea level. Spruce mountain is about 7700 feet above sea level. The trail head is about 6000 feet above sea level. Any mountain you climb you first have to get close before you begin the final ascent.

Second, as you hike up or climb a mountain, your field of vision is very narrow. Hiking up Spruce mountain I found it important to watch just a few feet in front of me looking only at the trail. In mountaineering, your focus is your next foot hold or hand hold. You can only focus on what's right in front of you. I would plan my rest/water breaks to stop where I could see the view. There are too many rocks and roots to not watch where you are going.

Finally, the view at the top. Pastor says that the mountain top is where things become clear and you can see for miles. That might be true sometimes. Often the mountain top is in a forest so all you can see are trees. Depending where you are hiking, mountaintops are often covered in clouds. You can't see anything. To be on an open, clear, sunny mountaintop is lucky at best.

One bonus thought. You either have to be in shape to climb a mountain or you will have to hike into shape. It took me three times to hike up Spruce mountain before, on my fourth try, I made it. Mountain climbing is strenuous, and not a walk in the park. You need some gear, some water, and you need to know where you are going. Can you follow the trail? 

Not A Novice?

 "not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil." 1Tim. 3:6

Our Fellowship is primarily based on discipleship as we understand it. Training young men how to be and become pastors. It has worked fine for many years. Except when it didn't work at all.

As I look back over my childhood I am struck at how immature I looked in high school. I was never good at sports. I was not academically gifted. I never went on a date. I didn't know how to work or make money. I graduated as a very immature young man. I remember thinking that I had better go to college since I had no idea what to do once high school was over.

I ended up in Prescott and was saved there. I was still very immature, but now I was born again. I quickly got married, because it seemed like everyone there was getting married. I tried pastoring, but I never did do good at it. Looking back, I wish that I had slowed down and let God work instead of me trying to force the issue.

I was sent out still very much a novice, like our text says. I did not know what to do or how to do it. God didn't help me and I didn't know what was missing. If it were just hard work and outreach it should have happened. But it didn't.

I am no longer a young, immature boy. I don't know if I am any smarter than I used to be. But I have endured and outlasted those who were more mature and more gifted than I will ever be.

I am still here, closed and in my right mind. Amen!

Reminiscing

 I was looking back at my old high school days and I found myself wondering what ever became of those kids that I grew up with. I left home shortly after I graduated to go to Arizona and to begin college. God had other plans and I found myself in a strange church experiencing things that have had a life changing impact on my life. I graduated in June of 1973, I was born again in December of 1973, and married in April of 1974.

Now as life in in it's final stages (or at least is beginning to wind down) two things interest me. First, I am still saved. That moment of time is still a force in my heart for God. Second, I wonder how many of the kids I went to high school with had their dreams come true in life?

I am entering a time where I am content to be alone, and I do not care too much how I look, only how I feel. As long as I am in good health that is good enough.

I wonder how many of my old classmates are still alive. I wonder if they are still married. I wonder where they live. Am I the only one who lives far away from where I grew up?

It seems to be our lot in life that, as we grow older, we spend time reminiscing about the days gone by.

Our Calling

 There are rumblings around that the Evangelical Christian churches have subscribed to the notion of the United States as a Christian Nation. It goes by the name of Christian Nationalism or the Seven Mountain Mandate. This is a pseudo-Christian idea that America is a devoutly Christ following nation, or at least it should be. That born again believers should be salt and light in society by infiltrating and dominating certain civic and business enterprises. Especially: family, religion, education, media, arts and entertainment, big business, and government.

First, our calling is not to change the world. Our calling is to win souls and to plant churches and to practice discipleship. Christians will shine as lights in the darkness everywhere they go. True believers will be a stabilizing and purifying influence in all walks of life. 

Second, it is hard for a real Christian to be at the top of worldly institutions. They don't want you unless you are willing to compromise your faith or put your secular calling ahead of your Christian calling. You will have to sacrifice your marriage, your family, your calling, your future, and your faith to succeed in this world.

Our only duty towards government is to pray. And vote. That's all. Our only duty to the entertainment industry is to keep  ourselves unspotted from the music and videos which come from the dark minds of evil people.

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." 1John 2:15-17

"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence." 1Tim.2:1-2

We are not called to be kingdom builders, but rather to be earth fillers.

A Different Look at the Prodigal Son

 The story of the prodigal son is familiar to most of us. We use it to illustrate the lost son who is saved and restored. We use it to show God's love for the lost. We even use it to highlight the elder brother's bad attitude. I saw something today that I do not believe I have ever heard preached on.

I want to use the father as the local church pastor and I want the elder brother to be the local church members. I want to draw you attention to the two different responses. the pastor's joy, and the churches lack of appreciation. Someone gets saved, or more likely, someone who failed is restored. The pastor is full of love and gladness. The church is just annoyed.

My point is not to change the story. My point is simply that there can be a big difference between the pastor and the people and how they see things around them. A wise pastor will win the people over. He will not be surprised by their negative response. He will have grace on those standing by and watching. Pastor will welcome the prodigal, and he will win over the saints.

The prodigal had a change of heart and went back home. The church can have a change of heart to accept back the wayward son. The key to the story is the pastor/father/God.