November 6, 2010

What a great privilege it is to visit with former students who are still following the Lord. Dan Q. is such a student. I [with my wife Greta] went to their home Sat. for the bridle shower for one of Dan's daughter. To sit a reminisce about what God has done in our lives since the 1980s. We never know how we have had an influence on the lives of our students. Those of us who teach - and fellowship with - puts us under the proverbial microscope. To hear the students say "I remember what you said about . . . " once again reminds me to be careful not to mislead them as they try to follow the Lord.

Thanks Dan for the fellowship while my wife was speaking to the ladies. It appears that you are going to have a great son-in-law.

Appreciation Sunday

How do you praise a church? How can you really God for them? How do you personally thank the Lord for opening the a church, so I can full fill God's call on my life?

MBC favored us with a gifts and an afternoon fellowship with plenty of food. They even brought in a preacher - without my knowledge - and made me sit on the front row the entire time as other men conducted the service.

I believe in all my years of pastoring - 42yrs - how time flies - I have not been surprised by the church. I usually catch that something is going, but today was a complete surprise. The Message was great and the music consisted of my favorites.

Thank you Lord for a church that cares and has been supportive -0 in the up times and the down times.

Fall 2010

Just a quick update concerning my health. They have put a stint in one of the arteries. The artery on the right side no longer functions - yet I do not have any related pain.
I decided not to teach this year. The first time since 1978 that I have not taught. It is a weird feeling to be at the church office and not in a classroom. But, life moves on and I trust that the students gained some help for their ministry for the Lord.
Just as a side note, I heard from Ralph Key this afternoon. He probably has been instrumental in the planting of churches, more that any man I know. It was a blessing to sit with him some 10 years ago as I became pastor of MBC.

Thank you everyone for your prayers
Guess the Lord has more for me to do.

Summer Summary 2010

This Summer has been filled with a different focus other than a vacation time. Heart issues became a focus of weeks. A scheduled ordinary office visit had me headed to the cardiologist - to the heart surgeon - to three hospitals - to cardio rehab.
The decision to not teach this fall was very difficult. Having taught college courses since 1978 - Sept seems weird. But, I have peace about it - Is God directing me in a different direction - time will tell?

Heartbeat

The past few weeks has been a exhausting week. Many trips to the heart specialists - heart stent implants - surgery repairs - stress tests - nuclear tests - and new medications. However, God is good, all-the-time. The heart repairs are seem to be working, guess God wants me here a little longer. May I use it wisely.

July - Holy Spirit

The series concerning the Holy Spirit concludes this month. Last month, my wife reminded me that I had never done a series concerning the H.S. In looking back over numerous years of preaching, she was right. This month I am demonstrating that the HS has been given a "job description" as his work order during this NT period. With TV "ministries" who tend to make the HS more important than Christ, they promote a direct violation of Jesus defining the Spirit's ministry.
I wonder if many of God's people in our churches really are sensitive to the work of the HS. I hate to think that many do not have the indwelling HS, therefor, are self-deceived as to their salvation and the sealing work of the HS.

Saying Goodbye

Life sends us many experiences which either tests our faith or challenges our faith.
I have had many men who have been a great help to me in my service for the Lord.
Dana Peaslee is such a man. This dear man and his wife, Jesse, have been there for us when we were spiritually exhausted, yes, weary in well doing. Many do not understand the pressure that is imposed on us who pastor God's people. Shepherding a number of adults with various needs and demands can wear anyone down. I was never a one to talk about the load - I guess I never learned to cast all my care on Him. Dana is dying of colon cancer. He decided not to take radiation therapy three years ago. He, being 87 years old, still has a smile and "Howdy Preacher" when we meet together. Canasta is his favorite game, and a daily activity when we are together with our wives. I will miss him - Dana - if you read this - I'll expect you to meet me at the gate.

Update on Haiti

The church has had the honor of having a family which survived the earthquake.
I have mixed feelings about their situation. First, I am amazed at their attitude, after having lost everything. Second, I ask myself what would be my reaction if I suddenly lost all my material blessings. I am remined of a line from a song "he giveth more grace". God always come through when tragedies darken our path.

Haiti Feb 2010

One of the great blessing of being a pastor is to watch God's people respond to a crisis.
We had a number of families directly affected by the earthquake
This Sunday, one of the surviving families will be here at the church
I am confident that they will be accepted with open arms
Thanks again MBC for the privilege of being your pastor

Church Anniversary

This month MBC is 110 years old. Incorporated at the turn of a century the future looked great for that congregation. Over the years the church had the normal ups and downs that any church goes through over the years.
The cycles of growth - platue - decline -growth - etc. are common to 99% of all churches. The emotions of the congregation will normally follow the life cycle of a church.
The challenge is always to focus on who is in charge of this congregation. Jesus or the congregation, Jesus or the Boards, Jesus or the Pastor, or is it Jesus?
Let us never hinder his work in our community. When we do our part - He does his [Acts 2:47].
That does not mean that church work goes smoothly, the story of the early church is anything but smooth. Internal problems and external pressures became part of the everyday expedience of that church. Yet, they survived - because Jesus was in charge.