Musings of A Home Missionary Past His Prime

2011-07-07T15:15:00.002-05:00

QUILT – THANKS: I have a patchwork quilt on my bed. I got this out of a missionary cupboard some time ago. Ladies of the church had made it to help their missionaries. As I lay there in my bed I remember getting a lot things from these cupboards over the years. I even started these cupboards in churches that I had started to help other missionaries. As I lay under that quilt I got to thinking back through the years of God’s people making my ministry possible. There were love offerings, gifts for speaking in the churches and faithful monthly support, some of which continues today helping me in retirement. God’s people have been very gracious to me. A passage that comes to mind is I Timothy 6:17-19, “the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.” You have given and shared with me and you certainly share in any fruit that has been borne. THANK YOU EVERYONE!

SALVATION: A young man that has been attending the church the past few months received Christ a couple weeks ago. I have so enjoyed visiting and sharing with him. Praise the Lord!

TAYLORS: My granddaughter Christen and family have finished their four-year term in Brazil and are home now. We have been doing some sightseeing with them this week before they start reporting to their supporting churches. Pray they will be safe in their travels and that they will regain lost support.

NASA: NASA was one of the places we went to. I’d been there years ago and I was surprised that they had a lot of kids things to play that had nothing to do with what NASA is all about. We did see something about the moon and planets. I guess the kids things draws in families.

FATHER’S DAY: Many this month are celebrating their fathers. Fathers are special people, having a great input in the lives of their children. My father was a hard working man and I never knew him to be without work, even during the Great Depression when so many were out of work. He always managed to find something to do. I remember him coming home and laying on the living room floor for an hour or so and going out to work again. Though my father had godly parents those principles never showed through in his life. Any spiritual impact in my life had to come from my grandparents on both sides. I asked my dad one day if he had ever received Christ as his Savior and he claimed to have done so when he was young but I never saw any indication of it. I will have to wait and see in glory.

2010-09-16T13:00:00.001-05:00

BAPTISM – I was baptized following salvation as a junior aged boy at Brookings, Oregon. I was baptized a second time with my wife when she was saved, better understanding it’s meaning. Baptism should be the first act of obedience after being saved. Sadly, many Christians put it off and such should not be the case. Baptism identifies us with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and becomes our testimony of faith in Christ. If you profess to be a Christian you should be baptize and not put it off any longer. Through the years whenever I baptize someone I also required them to become members of the local church. It never made sense to me to be obedient in baptism and not be a member of Christ’s visible body, the church. I had people refuse baptism because I also required church membership. But half obedience didn’t make sense to me either.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT – I never imagined that my son-law would be my pastor. It is the first time in many years that I have had a pastor. He (Albert) is presently preaching an interesting series on Heaven. Did you ever think about having a job in heaven? Interesting!

GOOD NEWS CLUB – Patty will be starting this up in the school soon and I will go with her and try helping by listening to children say their verses and counsel those who respond to an invitation for salvation. It has been a long time since I have done this. Pray for boys and girls to be saved.

DOCTORING – I am getting established with new doctors, eye, heart, podiatrist and urologist. As a boy you had one doctor, now they all specialize. Yesterday I had an interesting experience as we were in the waiting room. An elderly man asked how old I was and then told me he was 98 years old. His 52 year old wife was with him. He told me he had been married 11 times and this was his 12th. He told me he had been a millionaire and lost it all on lawyers. He was an interesting character.

2010-08-25T15:30:00.000-05:00

PREACHING – Retirement has given me time to evaluate my years as a preacher. I know there were far better preachers than I was but my heart was in it, doing it for glory of our Lord and the benefit of others. When my sons John and Gary went of to Bible College they told me they had difficulty getting use to other preachers after sitting under my preaching for so many years. John told me it was strange being taught things they had already been taught by me. That was all an encouragement to this old man’s heart.

TIME SPENT - I don’t have a lot of spare time here at Patty and Al’s. Not that I have a lot to do. Patty has a lot of running to do fixing up rental properties and I tag along. They have several rental properties preparing for future retirement and one was vacated this month and there was a lot of fixing up to do so I sit and watch, keeping her company. A family rented it last night so it wasn’t vacant long.

DIFFERENT AREA – Things are different here and I enjoy the palm trees and the flowering crepe myrtles. So many of the streets are divided by islands to separate the directions. Driving through our neighborhood there are boys playing basketball and smaller kids riding bikes. The heat doesn’t seem to slow them down. There were palms in California when I went to Western Union School years ago. I lived there for a time when I was small but I didn’t notice those things then.

BARKING DOGS – I hate barking dogs. Our neighbor has a dog that barks almost continually and it drives me nuts. You’d think it would bother them too but I never hear them getting after them. Any suggestions short of a gun??

THE MOSQUE - The plans to build a Mosque in New York is causing a lot of debate and little wonder being near ground zero where the building were destroyed by Muslims. Another slap in the face.

PRAISE THE LORD – the house has been sold. Thank you for praying. It is interesting how God works. We have been praying the Lord would sell the house and the family who bought it told Gary and Donna that they have been praying to find the right house. I’m told they are believers and will be looking for a new church. Wouldn’t it be something if they found Fellowship Baptist Church.

2010-08-16T15:29:00.000-05:00

STUFF – I have mentioned “stuff” before. Many Americans have more “stuff” than they know what to do with it. Driving to and from church there is a place that rents or leases Pods. Three of these would be about the size of a large tractor-trailer. These are storage bins that can be placed at your house so you can fill them with “stuff” and then they will store them for you or deliver them to your next living place. It seems to me that when you get so much “stuff” that you need a storage bin it is time to get rid of some things. I wonder what God thinks of this kind of stewardship when there are so many needy around the world.

TEACHING – A good Sunday school teacher, especially in the teen and adult classes, should learn how to draw the class into discussion. It is not enough to just lecture the class, we need to get the class thinking and participating. I thing some teachers are afraid the students might ask a question they can’t answer. This shouldn’t be a problem, just admit you don’t know but you will find an answer for next week. No one has all the answers so be honest, admit it and find an answer.

VISITATION – Recently Al, Patty and I called on a couple ladies in a rest home and we had an enjoyable time. They were so appreciative of our call. A third lady came by and joined into the conversation. There are a lot of lonely people in this world that need a friendly call. Plan to make a call on someone this week. Just imagine how much our churches would grow if we all planned to make one call a week.

GROWTH – We have a family picture on the wall with eighteen people in it. If we were to take that picture today, we would have to add twenty-one to it. Isn’t it amazing how families grow? So it is with every family and we need to pray and labor to see that each one accepts Christ as their Savior so that we may be together for all eternity. Sadly, that is not the case and there are gaps in all of our families with unsaved members.

SCHOOL – Another week or two and school starts up again and plans are being made to start up the Good News Clubs again which is always a big undertaking. Pray for workers to help out in this great effort to win boys and girls for Christ. It takes a lot of work and planning.

2010-08-04T14:45:00.001-05:00

URGENT PRAYER NEEDED – My grandson Ben received his second heart transplant Monday night. Twelve hours later he will have a second surgery for a kidney transplant.

REMEMBERING BACK – Recently I have been recalling how I got started in ministry and I would like to share the details with you. I received Christ as a boy but without parental encouragement I got away from it. After marriage the Lord brought heavy conviction upon me and I began living for the Lord and sensing a deep need to serve Him. Without Bible college training I knew no church would accept me in ministry. Nor could I figure a way to go to college and care for a family of five. This meant I would have to start a church and learn as I labored.

MAKING CONTACTS – I called Dr. Robert Powell of Temple Baptist Church in Tacoma, Washington He was leaving for the conference out east and said he would get off the train in Auburn for a few minutes, which he did. He gave me the names of three pastors I didn’t know and he got back on the train. I finally found the three men and learned they had rented a small store building in Federal Way, Washington without knowing where the next months rent would come from or who would take the task of starting a church. They had me speak in their three churches to get to know me and afterwards gave me the keys to the building and told me to go to work. They would continue to pay the rent through their churches. What a challenge for someone as ignorant and untrained as I was.

BIBLE STUDY – Some ladies from the church we attended were having a home Bible study in the area and some husbands had started attending as well. They rightly felt they shouldn’t be teaching men in the class and this gave me an opportunity at some contacts to help start a new church. God works in strange ways.

PROPERTY - As the work grew we knew we needed a place of our own and I found five acres in the area with and old house on it which we bought and started a building on the opposite end of the land. It was a good thing, as the owner of the storefront did not want to renew the lease on the building. While working on the building we started holding Sunday morning services in a restaurant owned by a family of one of the children coming to our services. We eventually started holding meetings in our unfinished building.

ORDINATION – About three years into the project the new church decided to call for an ordination council for me. The council was well attended with pastors wanting to question me being an untrained pastor in their fellowship. The council went well and they unanimously recommend me for ordination.

2010-07-23T15:09:00.000-05:00

THE MOVE – Going from Ohio to Texas was quite a move. Patty has done her best to make me feel at home. She has hung pictures I have taken over the years of nature such as Killdeer eggs, a large woods toadstool, ocean pictures & bittersweet berries. She & Al have treated me royally.

TEACHING – The past three Wednesdays I have taught the midweek Bible study in Galatians as the one who usually teaches it has not been able to. I enjoyed doing so even though my eyes make the words overlap making study a bit difficult.

FENCES – Everyone’s backyard here are fenced in with six-foot boards, something I have not seen before. Everyone wants their privacy I guess. Makes good business for lumberyards. Our neighbors dogs keep trying to break though their fence he apparently doesn't like being fenced in.

COMPANY – Al’s mom and dad visited last week and we had an enjoyable time together. Al took time off from work on Thursday and Friday to spend time with them. They are from Kentucky and returned home after dinner on Sunday.

GALATIANS 6:10 – “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” One of the reasons Christianity grew so rapidly in the beginning was the carrying out the spirit of this verse. Christians were known for doing good to others. Though they were persecuted they didn’t return evil for evil. It was their desire to show forth the love of Christ. Further, Christians suffered for their faith and often were in dire circumstances, needing help. Family should take care of family. May we in our day follow this instruction. If believers will do so they will find their efforts bearing much fruit.

DOCTORING – I am trying to get established with doctors here in Texas. Patty has been working on it for me and I saw a foot doctor yesterday and also filled out papers for an internist. I hate changing doctors after being established with some for so many years. This is one the prices you pay for moving, lots of paper work. It use to be we’d see a GP for everything and now today everyone specializes and you end up seeing half a dozen different doctors.

Well, keep looking up, the Lord is coming.

2010-07-08T16:43:00.001-05:00

RAPTURE – I have been thinking back to when I was four or five years old. I must have heard something about going to Heaven. I had gathered all my treasures (toys) and stacked them under the grand piano that my aunt played. I lived with my grandparents who manage a chain variety store. Granny, my grandfather’s mother, took care of me while they worked at the store. When I was asked why I had gathered my toys under the piano I told them I was getting ready to take them to Heaven with me. My point in sharing this with you is to tell you it is never too early to talk to your children about Heaven and how to get there. As parents and grandparents we need to share spiritual truths with our children, preparing for the day when they will accept Christ as their Savior. Simply explained, children are capable of understanding more than what we may think. Pray for wisdom that God will enable you to instill spiritual truths in the hearts of your children.

MOVE TO TEXAS – I never dreamed I would live in Texas but here I am, living with my daughter Patty and her husband Albert. Patty helped me with a huge garage sale getting rid of things in Ohio. The house is up for sale so please pray for a quick sale so I will be out from those expenses and concerns.

TEACHING – This Wednesday I had the opportunity to teach the midweek Bible study. Not many were there but I enjoyed the opportunity of sharing the truths of Galatians chapter five about the works of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit. I have some difficulty with my vision as letters over lap each other, etc. but we got through it.

BEAUTY EVERYWHERE – No matter where you go in this wonderful county of ours there are beautiful things to enjoy. There are flowering trees and bushes all new to me here in Texas. Even in a fallen world God has given us beauty to enjoy. I can’t begin to imagine the beauty we will enjoy in millennial Kingdom and the new Heaven and Earth when God brings that all about. We long for the day.

BEREAN BAPTIST - I have already joined the church here as I believe Christians should belong to a local church to grow and serve through.

May 12

2010-05-14T18:29:00.000-05:00

CHANGE: I believe I mentioned change in last weeks Musings. I am back in Texas where I am planning to live with Patty and Al. The end of the month we plan to go back to Ohio to finish selling things before the big move. I just can't live alone, needing much help and Patty is a great helper. If you know anyone who is moving to Dublin I have five acres with a nice stone home. An auctioneer will check things out tomorrow to see if I have enough things to make it worthwhile. If so this will greatly speed things up.

MINORITIES: The time was when Blacks were the minority in America. In Texas Whites are the minority. The population here is mostly made up the Blacks and Hispanics. This is not a complaint, just stating a fact of life as I observe my circumstances. It is a good thing I like Mexican food, we ate at one Sunday after the Mother's Day services.

GRADUATIONS: On the way back from Ohio last week we went too in a graduation at Le Tourneau where one of the girls from Berean Baptist goes. This Saturday there is another graduation from a State College we plan to attend. It is great knowing that we have young Christians coming up to fill in the place of we older ones that are moving off the scene.

Changes

2010-05-05T22:02:00.000-05:00

Dear Family, Friends & Prayer Warriors:

MUSINGS / PRAYER LETTER / 5-5-10

BETTY’S PASSING: Most of you know by now that Betty passed away on March 14th, but for those that are not aware I thought I should get a quick note off. Following the funeral I went to Texas to stay with Patty and Al for a couple weeks and then back home to try and get things in order. I have decided to move to Texas and live with Patty and Al. I am not able to live alone and keep things up. While home Patty has been working hard to get things taken care of to make the move. She now needs to return home to care for things there and I am going with her. We plan to return to Dublin in June to finish getting rid of things and to put the house on the market. Please pray it will sell quickly.

MUSINGS: People keep asking if I will keep writing the Musings. Yes, I plan to keep them up once we get things in order. I want to keep sharing these with you but I’ve needed time to grieve and to get my thought processes working again.

BEREAN BAPTIST CHURCH: This is the church that Al pastors along with his full time secular job. It is a small church and the people have been very friendly and accepting of me and I enjoy their fellowship. I am not able to be of help in the church but I can at least add one to their number and fill a place in a pew.

HEALTH WISE: I have been to the doctor since returning from Texas and everything seems to be in order. I asked him again about this foggy headedness of mine and he told Patty I have been asking him about this for 15 years or more but still has no answers for me. Guess I will just have to continue living with this miserable condition.

CHANGE; Life is full of changes. Please continue to pray for me through this major change. I will miss many friends and my son Gary’s family here in Ohio while making new friends in Texas but this seems to be God’s will for me during these closing days in my eighties. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support!!

Yours In Christ: Les Newell

Funeral Information

2010-03-17T14:04:00.002-05:00

This is an update from Laura again. I just wanted to update you all on the funeral information.

The funeral is on Friday, March 19 at Tidd Funeral Home (5265 Norwich St. Hilliard, OH 43026) at 1:00 p.m.

The viewing will be on Thursday, March 18 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Tidd Funeral Home.

The internment will be at the Dublin Cemetery on 161 in Dublin, OH.

Your prayers are coveted as we go through the grieving process and as other decisions are made for the future. Thanks for all your cards and letters of encouragement.

An update from Laura Lee (Les' granddaughter)

2010-03-14T14:36:00.003-05:00

This is an update from Les' granddaughter, Laura...

I just wanted to let you all know that Betty went home to be with the Lord this morning at about 10:30. I will try to keep you updated when I find out details for the funeral. Your prayers are much appreciated during this time.

2010-02-18T15:59:00.000-05:00

Dear Family Friends and Prayer Warriors:

I have not sent out a "Musings" for some time due vision and health issues but I will try to get a brief one out today.

HEALTH ISSUES: Betty is not well and is bed ridden. She was in the hospital and they sent her home in this condition. She is not able to get up even to use the bathroom Her daughter, Kathy, lives with us and is near exhaustion caring for her. Please be in much prayer about this. Betty told me last night she wants to go home and I wasn't sure if she thinks she is still in the hospital or was referring to her heavenly home. / I have neurapathy in my legs and a foggy headedness continually that is very frustrating. I pray daily for the Lord to intervene and take us home.

GRANDSON BEN: We don't get much news about Ben, in Oregon, but things are very critical. Please pray for him, his wife, mother and other family members. If you use Facebook you can look up "Ben Newell Updates" for the most current information.

EARTHQUAKES: Ever since the Haiti earthquake, I found it interesting that a number of other earthquakes followed it in Florida, California and several other places. I find significance in this because I believe this fits into prophetic events as mentioned in Matthew 24:7, "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famine, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places." We are certainly seeing this in various places today. Keep watching your news for other instances. We are living in momentous days. You might also watch for areas of famine and pestilences. We are also hearing of nation rising against nation. There will no doubt be more such events as time moves along.

GLOBAL WARMING: This might not set well with those who advocate global warming but it is interesting to note that there is not a state that has not had snow this winter. We have had record amounts of snow here in Ohio. These people often attribute global warning to human causes. We no doubt add to the problem but it is rather difficult to attribute weather conditions to human actions. God still controls weather conditions, not man.

UNSAVED FAMILY MEMBERS; No doubt we all have unsaved family members and as we see these end time things taking place it behooves us to be much in prayer for them.

BAD TESTIMONY: The ten missionaries who tried to take children out of Haiti without proper papers have given Christianity a BAD NAME.

September #1

2009-09-22T15:50:00.000-05:00

PERSONAL ITEMS: Betty had a chemo treatment last week, the first after several months and is having some side effects from it causing some head pain and swelling. We do appreciate your prayers for her. / As for me, after attending all church services for years of ministry, I now feel a bit guilty of not attending any. The various problems I am having makes it difficult being out and getting around. The fuzzy headedness and diabetic neuropathy I’ve mentioned before keeps me in.

REMEMBERING A FRIEND; I met Henry while working at Boeings in Seattle. He had graduated from a Bible College and wanted to get into full time Christian work. We held lunch time Bible studies whenever we could find any interested parties. I was working to maintain my family along with starting my first church. Wanting an opportunity to preach I invited him to come and preach for me on a particular Sunday. He came and I introduced him to our little flock and turned the preaching time over to him. He had difficulty delivering his sermon and in less than ten minutes sat down and I got up and finished his message for him. It was quite an embarrassment for him. Though he couldn’t handle preaching, in time he was a lifesaver to us. The time came when I could no longer manage working at Boeing and keep the church going so I quit Boeing, taking a step of faith not knowing how I’d provide for my family. A man in the church told me of an older couple that needed their house painted which I did but the profit from that didn’t last long. About the same time Henry quit Boeing also and got a job that paid better by installing insulation in new homes. Whenever I needed help paying the bills, etc. Henry would let me work with him, being paid per foot of insulation installed. Though he was better and faster at it than I was he would split the days earnings with me. Many times Henry’s generosity saved the day for us. Sad to say, Henry is missed, having gone on to his reward early. It is amazing how God has raised up people to make our ministry possible. The list is long, many of whom are those who receive these “Musings.” Thank you for your prayers and support.

GOD IS IN CONTROL: As I listen to the news there are many troubling things going on and I wonder how it is all going to turn out. There is high governmental indebtedness, with more coming. Hardly a day goes by but what someone is murdered right here in Columbus. Whenever I get started thinking about such things, I have to remind myself that God is in control.

July 2009 #1

2009-07-19T13:42:00.000-05:00

PERSONAL: Betty is presently undergoing radiation each day for ten days to shrink a brain tumor that was causing severe headaches and affecting her left eye. The eyelid stays closed and hopefully this will correct as the tumor shrinks and no longer presses on a nerve that causes her problem. It is amazing how much she has had to go through. It seems there is no end to treatments, one thing after another. Your prayers are greatly appreciated.
SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE: Several times I have heard about “Christian homosexuals.” This is an oxymoron if I have ever heard one. How can these people claim to be Christians when they are practicing what God so clearly forbids? If God destroyed Sodom for the wickedness of homosexuality in the Old Testament why would anyone believe it is acceptable in the New Testament as a part of Christianity? A homosexual can repent of his or her sin and accept Christ and put their sin behind them but they cannot find the practice any more acceptable during this church age than it was in Old Testament.
SOCIAL SECURITY: Greta Van Susteran (spelling??) has reported on Fox a $700,000.00 dance and party in Phoenix, Arizona held for Social Security managers from all across the country having been flown in for this and put up in an expensive four-star hotel. How can this sort of thing be justified by our government in these economic times when so many are out of work and many others spend nine to twelve months trying to get signed up for their benefits. Someone needs to be fired.
LIFE AS A HOME MISSIONARY: If God should call you to be a home missionary plan to make many moves. As I look back over the years there were many moves to start churches and to minister to need works. Some moves were for short periods and others lasted two to five years. It is hard on the wife and the children. Wives like to put down roots and children don’t like having to make new friends. There are always adjustments to make. Thankfully I had a wife that stood behind me in those many moves. She use to say, “Blow in my ear and I’ll follow you anywhere.” And she did. As hard as moving was we had the joy of many friends in many places across the country and when we traveled their were place to stop and spend a night. In time we were able to purchase a small motor home and latter travel trailers. They helped, giving us our own bed to sleep in wherever we traveled. Perhaps I’ll add to these thoughts another time

June 2009 #1

2009-06-19T07:46:00.000-05:00

PRAYER FOR BETTY: Betty is presently going through radiation on her back & tailbone. She has had six days and has a total of twelve treatments, going into the oncologist each day. She has a lot of pain laying on the radiation table but it is a short treatment. Hopefully this will ease the bone pain she has been experiencing.

PREACHER OBAMA; Turn on the news (Fox) most any weekday late morning or early afternoon and you are more than likely to hear President Obama speaking. He is not preaching the Good News he is preaching more big government, a favorite topic of his. Bigger government, more power, authority, rules, agencies, czars, etc. are increasing government jobs. His stimulus package is not doing much to create new jobs abound the nation, only government jobs. The reality is that our children and grandchildren will be working for the government for many years to come to pay the tax bill. / The media is still entranced with Obama, even when his swift hand kills an annoying fly, great news stuff. If that doesn’t catch your fancy keeping watching, you will get to see the family dog or his rushing out with a caravan of limousines to purchase hamburgers. He even brought some back to those who weren’t in the caravan. I never did see who paid for the hamburgers. / The taxpayers did get to pay thousands of dollars for dinner and a play in New York. Can you imagine the flack President Bush would of received had he done the same when he was in office? / We haven’t seen anything yet, just wait until Obama gets his socialized medical plan passed that is similar to what Canada and England has. My son John was under that plan when he and his wife Ethel served as missionaries in Canada. He had gall bladder problems and writhed in pain on the floor at times because the government declared the problem related to elective surgery. It took months of agony before he received surgical relief. If you have never had a serious gall bladder attack, believe me, it is something more than just an “elective” procedure. You would take a knife and cut it out yourself if you were able.

REAL SPIRITUAL WORK: “John 6:29, Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.” Too often we apply or claim wrong things as spiritual work. There is no spiritual work done by us until we start from this point, knowing first that we belong to the Savior, then we can serve him and know we will receive His reward.

May 2009 #1

2009-06-05T08:10:00.000-05:00

PERSONALS: It has been some time since I sent out a Musings and many are asking what happened to the “Musings”?. Between Betty and I doctoring and not feeling the best I just haven’t felt up to writing or doing much of anything, other than over using my recliner night & day. Further, my vision had declined making reading very difficult. / Betty has developed double vision and been to the eye doctor a number of time and had MRI’s taken to try and find out what is causing the problem, including a minor surgery to check the blood vessels at her temple. Nothing was found so she is seeing the eye doctor regularly to keep tabs while wearing an eye patch over one eye.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: I turn eighty on the 18th and the kids planned a big celebration for me over the Memorial Day weekend. There were 24 of us sharing a joyous time together. Patty can early and stayed for two weeks that has been a rich blessing. My what a great sacrifice on their part coming from as far away as Oregon. I never expected such an honor and blessing. Nor did I expect to reach this age but God has graciously allowed it and I take things as they come.

TATTOOS: I wrote previously about tattoos and someone responded with the following: “Do you really think tattoos are a mimicry of satanic practices in modern-day culture: A lot of mandates God set in the Old Testament for the Israelites aren’t applicable – times change along with cultures. A tattoo that can spark a conversation about faith in Christ doesn’t seem like a negating thing to me.” I don’t want to give a lot of space and time to this topic but here I go. The Ten Commandments come to mind and I find it interesting that nine of the Ten Commandments are repeated in the New Testament, with the exception of keeping the Sabbath. They were good for Israel and they are good for the present age as well. The Old Testament sets the stage for the New Testament and it is valuable for us today, else God would not have preserved it for us. Therefore we learn from it and find it applicable in so many ways. Old or New Testament, as a Christian I choose to forgo tattoos believing that my body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit and not to be so abused. Anyone who chooses differently, that is between them and their Lord but I find it difficult as a believer to do so. Further, the God of the O.T. is the same as the God of the N.T. and what was wrong or immoral in one period is wrong and immoral in the others. Culture should not amend God’s standards.

GAY QUEEN: Can you believe this: A gay male in a Los Angeles high school was voted to be their prom queen. What a slap in the face for girls of the school. I think if I had been the prom king I would have stepped down from the position. For that matter I would have skipped the prom. Sodom and Gomorrah here we come.

FEWER POLICE & FIREMEN: Economic problems are causing the firing of police and firemen, endangering our communities. We desperately need to see a turn around or we are going to see an increase of criminal activity. Do you find it interesting (or a sad day) that Obama is increasing the size of government, hiring new czars, etc. rather than a true stimulus that increases employment for society at large?

March 2009 #2

2009-03-31T21:18:00.001-05:00

PRAYER REQUEST FOR BETTY: You would think that Betty has had enough afflictions without adding another but here is a new one. Several weeks ago she started having double vision. We took her for an eye exam and the doctor ordered a brain MRI to make sure there were no brain tumors involved, considering her other cancer problems. Thankfully no tumors were found. Apparently sets of nerves are causing the double vision. Usually after about six months or so they correct themselves. She is wearing a patch to help avoid the double vision for now. Please pray this condition will correct itself in a short time, as it is quite difficult to deal with. She doesn’t complain and takes all these things in stride.

PATTY SURPRISE: My daughter Patty gave us a pleasant surprise this month and flew in for a few days. What a joy and a delight having her help and presence from Tuesday through Sunday and returning home on Monday. Then on Thursday she & Al had to drive out to Kansas to be there for the birth of a new grandchild early on Saturday morning by “C” Section, Abigail. Lynne Lee (ALL). Pray for Laura as she heals from the surgery. She and Mark are going to have their hands full with three small children, each fourteen months apart. I think that makes my 10th great grandchild, plus two on Betty’s side.

NOTRE DAME & OBAMA: Notre Dame has schedule conferring an Honorary Doctorate on President Barack Obama in May. Many alumni and others are up in arms over this. Notre Dame is a highly esteemed Catholic University representing their faith as well as high academic standards. Obama’s early on decision to approve funding international abortions and lifting the ban on stem cell research is contrary to Catholic faith and is thus raising serious questions in the minds of faithful and church leadership. Without a question it is seen as hypocritical and many are having a problem understanding the Universities decision. I am sure cancellation of conferring this honorary doctorate is out of the question but certain should be cancelled as a rebuff of President Obama’s immoral stance.

FOREVER STAMPS; Be sure to stock up on the Forever Stamps before the postage rate goes up so you can save a couple cents on postage for a while. These rate increases hurt Christian mailers as well as others and speaks to the trouble the U. S. Postal service is in. They are laying off more people and are talking of ending Saturday delivery of the mail. Times are changing and the cost of living and ministry is going up

ONE WORLD MONEY; China, France and other countries are calling for new money for the U.S.A. and others that would destroy the dollar. Such a move would also move us closer to the One World Order setting the stage for the Anti-Christ. Hopefully our government is smarter than that but I am beginning to wonder. Obama has just left for the G20 Summit meeting in an effort to get other countries to go along with his plan to spend their way into a stronger economy. One British parliamentarian has strongly condemned Obama and Brown for their financial plans. Thankfully a few are crying out.

MORE ON TATOOS; My son Gary sent the following: “I saw an article about a youth pastor who encouraged his students to go with him to get “Christian” tattoos, like the ones he proudly displayed, covering his own body. I guess he didn’t know that his actions and his tattoos were a form of idolatry, a mimicry of satanistic practices, as well as an act strictly forbidden by God.”

“Moses wrote in Leviticus 19:28: “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, NOR TATTOO ANY MARKS ON YOU. I AM the LORD.” (NKVJ)

“I guess he was more interested in gaining a following for himself, rather than leading his students into gaining a personal knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ.”

March 2009 #1

2009-03-11T21:23:00.000-05:00

BAD PARENTING: A co-missionary reminded me of problem we seldom hear much about, parents who teach their children to steal. One of my “Musings” brought it to his mind which in turn reminded me of an event many years ago when I managed the Sprouse Reitz Variety Stores. I was transferred to manage the store in Camas, Washington not long after the II World War. We had a lot of junk merchandize to clear out after the war. We had a large stock of men’s sox without elastic tops. Rubber was scarce during the war. I had marked down a lot of men’s sox and placed them on an end counter. Some were marked down more than others, being of better quality. In those days we had price tags held on by wire pins. I was up in my balcony office overlooking the store when I notice a mother and her two daughters at that end counter of sox. It was obvious what they were doing, switching price tags from the lesser valued sox with those that were of greater value. The mother was having her girls help make the switch. So, I went to the register to take the place of the clerk running it and waited for them to bring the merchandise to the check out. I quickly recognized what they had done and called them on the switch and told them to leave the store and to never return. I probably should have waited until they were outside the store, stopped them and called the police but that was too much hassle at the time. It is hard to believe parents would so teach their children to steal but apparently it still goes on. Parents will stand accountable before God for so teaching their children. We teach our children by example for good or bad and if you question that just observe how early small children pick up fowl language or slang when we don’t guard our tongues. Surely you have observed that.

CHANGING TERMS: Do you remember when the term “thousands of dollars” was used as a common term? Then we thought “a million dollars” was a lot of money. That has all changed as they now talk about multiplied “billions of dollars” and “trillions of dollars.” Have you noticed the change? Sad to say, most of us can’t even begin to comprehend what these new financial terms mean. I grew up at a time when a nickel bought a double scoop ice cream cone and a quarter bought a very large hamburger, a double tall glass milkshake and left over a nickel to buy a candy bar. It is hard to imagine our government giving away billions of dollars that when it is all said and done we won’t know what it bought. Our government has lost its compass and I am afraid we will have lost the Capitalism that made us great and exchanged it for European Socialism. Hang on; we are headed down the road of weakness and despair while setting the stage for Russia and the Arabs to move against Israel and ushering in the Great Tribulation. Call me a pessimist if you like but it has to come eventually and we should be rejoicing at the nearness of the coming rapture.

RELIGIOUS TRENDS; In case you missed it in the news there is a new report out now on religion that is causing quite a bit of discussion. (1) Catholics are now the largest religious group in the United States of America; (2) Baptists make up the second largest religious group; (3) Unbelievers have increased from 8% of our population to 15%; (4) More people now prefer not to identify themselves by any particular denominational group. This should concern true Christians for we are losing the battle for souls. We are also failing to make clear doctrinal distinctions. To reject a particular denomination group also means the lack of doctrinal beliefs because the various denominations held up certain Biblical beliefs. Those distinctions or beliefs are no longer important to people. For example, Baptists had convictions relating the importance of baptism and the autonomy of the local church; Methodism held up certain biblical beliefs based on the teachings of the Wesley brothers. Various founding beliefs have now been discarded for personal likes and dislikes rather than acceptance of biblical authority. These changes are moving to conditions that will make it easier for the anti-Christ to foist his anti-biblical positions upon the world. The further the churches move away to biblical authority the more susceptible people will be to the anti-Christ’s God denying leadership. Keep looking up.

OBAMA’S HYPOCRISY: President Barack Obama made promises while running for office that are rapidly being denied. He is finding it easier to make promises while seeking office than to fulfill them while facing a Democratically controlled Congress. Earmarks were suppose to go with his promises to scrutinize bills line by line, yet he just signed an omnibus bill with some 8,000 earmarks in it. Recognizing his own failure he refused to sign the bill publicly but did so behind closed doors with only a few present for the signing. Keep watching, this will not be his last showing of hypocrisy, there is no way he can keep the long list of promises made to his followers prior to the election. I wonder how long it will take those who voted for him to recognize their mistake.

February 2009 #3

2009-02-27T09:11:00.000-05:00

REMOVING TATTOOS: What in the world does tattoo removal have to do with the stimulus package? How can this create jobs and get people back to work? Congressional leaders and their followers all need to have their heads examined, especially the one who added this to the list of perks in the stimulus package. You have to know our government passes bills without reading them, something they all admitted to when things like this show up. God have mercy on us. Just think, our children and grandchildren are going to have to pay the taxes on this stimulus bill that this generation has foisted on them.

NO BEAUTY OR MANLINESS HERE: It goes beyond my comprehension why anyone would so mark the bodies with tattoos. I have seen women parading themselves with their bodies being covered with tattoos exposed in their skimpy summer apparel. God created women beautiful and only pagans could think that tattoos add to their appearance as an improvement. Nor do tattoos add to the manliness of men. Many a man, once he matured and particularly having become Christians, have bemoaned the tattoos of their youth.

THE AMAZING GRACE OF GOD: The various books of the Bible repeats the historical events of Israel. Psalm 100 is an example of this. In verses 6 & 7 we are reminded of their repeating the sins of their fathers. Then we read verse 8, “Nevertheless He saved them, for His name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.” Israel was unworthy of God’s grace and we are unworthy of God grace, yet for the sake of his covenant with Israel and his promise of eternal life to believers, He still bestows His grace upon us. Praise His holy name, we don’t thank Him enough for His grace.

LOOKING BACK TO WARMER DAYS: Cold wintery days with the snow, wind and cold rains turns the heart back to warmer spring and summer days. I did many different things to meet the needs of the family and to make it possible to minister to a little church that couldn’t afford to adequately provide for the pastor. One of the ladies who attended our church had a husband who worked for the city to maintain its parks. Through that connection I was able to get the job of mowing the several city parks. I spent many a day mowing around trees, shrubs and picnic tables and sharpening the mowers blades. Actually, it was a good job because I could enjoy the outdoors and it gave me plenty of time to think about the lessons and sermons I had to prepare. Mowing didn’t require a lot of thinking, so often thoughts relating to the sermon were dwelt upon. Being out in Gods creation and enjoying the warmth of His sun was time well spent and though I wasn’t at my desk studying the task was eventually accomplished. Looking back on that special time warms my heart. I often wonder if the people ever appreciated the many things I had to do in order to minister to their spiritual needs. God knows, it was to His glory. Pastors who are able to give their full time to minister are fortunate and no doubt able to put more into their pastorates than I was able to do. Still, the small churches and the development of new churches is an important work too. He knew I was not equipped to minister to larger churches and He had me where He knew I fit best.

THE ODD JOBS; In that same local I did a lot of odd jobs besides mowing. Here is the list: (1) I hauled manure from the fee lots to the fields to fertilize them; (2) I used a shovel digging ditches; (3) I worked in a drug store setting up new counters and shelving; (4) mowing; (5) we had the distribution of a couple different newspapers; (6) I was a substitute mail carrier; and (7) I worked in a variety store. I think I am missing something but it gives you an idea of the things I did for the privilege of pastoring one small church. This of course was before I was with a mission agency and had raised support to do the church-planting ministry. I hope this wasn’t repetitive, I don’t recall whether I shared this before or not.

ILLUSTRATIONS: As difficult as the variety of jobs was while ministering, there was an advantage. I know of some pastors who struggled with finding illustrations for their sermons and lessons. The variety of jobs did provide ample materials for illustrations. When I was less experienced I remember buying a book of illustrations and it was always difficult trying to find an illustration that would fit. It didn’t take me long to learn that the best illustrations come from personal experiences and dealing with people and the circumstances of life. You really don’t need to look any further than that. The sooner a young pastor, evangelist or missionary learns that lesson the easier his task will become. There is no better way to relate to the congregation than out of the pool of life experiences.

NEXT MUSINGS: Parents teaching children to steal.

February 2009 #2

2009-02-19T09:32:00.000-05:00

WORTH CONSIDERING: In recent days I have been considering how fortunate I am to have experienced God’s forgiveness through faith in Christ in the light of the Ten Commandments. God has been merciful to me, deserving eternal condemnation. So it is with all the redeemed. The Ten Commandments condemns us all. When I evaluate each of the commandments I am guilty of breaking them all in the light of Christ’s definition of the their meaning. Though I have never murdered anyone, through anger or hatred I am guilty of murder in my heart. So, it goes down through the list.
When I consider my unworthiness in the light of God’s justice I am indeed fortunate and blessed to have God’s forgiveness, wiping the slate clean through Christ’s cleansing blood. Thus giving me the blessing of a cleansed life along with the promise of one day entering His Heavenly Kingdom. There was a time when I considered myself a pretty nice person, not understanding God’s holiness. Now I understand that I really wasn’t a nice person. I have met and talked with so many people about their need of God’s forgiveness only to have them tell me how they think they are okay and expecting to make it into Heaven when they die. They have never grasped God’s evaluation of sin as defined in the Ten Commandments and by Christ’s definition. They have never viewed them, based upon their heart condition. As a true believer, rejoice in what you have been forgiven of and enjoy the peace that God alone can give. God’s grace, unmerited favor, is ours through faith in Christ. Rejoice!

THE MILO EVENT: when we lived in Ogallala, Nebraska Christmas was approaching and we were very short on funds for Christmas gifts. Kathy was making centerpieces to give to people. We drove outside town to try and find some vegetation that she could use in making the centerpieces. Of course the harvest of Milo was long over but they often miss a few straggling stocks along the edge of the field. I pulled off the edge of the road and proceeded to get a few stalks of Milo for her to put in her centerpieces. When I turned around there was a car stopped behind ours writing down our license plate. I went to the car behind us to see what was going on. The lady was very harsh and informed me that this was her farm field and told me I had no business being on it. It was an unpleasant experience as I tried to explain what I was doing. I also took down her license number and then looked up her address. We decided to have Kathy make up a centerpiece for the lady, made of Styrofoam, little figures and including a sprig of the Milo I had gotten from the field. I then delivered it to her home and handed it to her when she answered the door and quickly left. The next day one of our church men worked at the same place this lady worked and he had told us how embarrassed she was and telling how badly she had felt in being so harsh with me. It was an interesting experience in giving to someone who had been so harsh with me over nothing, collecting a few stalks of Milo after harvest time. Much like the Bible told farmers to leave a little grain to be gleaned by the poor and needy.

THE STIMULUS DEAL: The stimulus for nearly $800 trillion dollars is just about a done deal for President Obama to sign. This is the largest ever governmental give away in the history of our nation and all at the tax payers expense that our grandchildren will be paying off years down the road. From what I have heard and understood there is very little in the package that will do much to create jobs. It is full of goodies that politicians are giving away to benefit their own districts. Will it work, help or hurt, that is the big question. All Republicans, with the exception of three, have refused to sign the bill since they don’t feel of good conscience to put their name on it. Will they be hurt or eventually justified in their rejection? Time will tell. Hopefully it won’t turn out to be a goof up like the first half of the TARP give away that had no accountability attached to it.

CRIME & THE ECONOMY: The bad economy is causing changes in our law enforcement and fire departments. Police and fireman are being laid off, causing a real threat to community safety. Recently Columbus laid off twenty-six police recruits two days before graduation because the city couldn’t afford their salaries. National news is now reporting the increase of assorted crimes in a number of states and large cities. The questions that come to my mind relates to people who are now out of work. Are some of them resorting to crime to try and care for the needs of their families? Or, are criminals now becoming more active because they know the police are short handed and therefore they are less likely to get caught. I was too young during the Great Depression to think about these matters but I wonder if criminal activities increased then as they are starting to do now.

SUPPORT CONCERNS: I have been informed this week of a church dropping my support after many years standing with us. Hopefully the economy isn’t going to create financial problems now for missionaries. Please pray for us, and others that may have similar concerns relating to their support.

February 2009 #1

2009-02-07T09:36:00.000-05:00

PERSONAL ITEMS: I am getting slower getting these out but I want to try and get a new one off to you. I have been going to a rehab place to get some exercise that hopefully is helping a little with getting about. Further, though I am hesitant to bemoan my circumstances, my vision and this foggy headedness and other things are creating so much anxiety I can’t accomplish much. Hopefully, getting my mind on writing will ease that a bit. I know it all heightens my longings for the Savior’s return to set things right.

STIMULUS PACKAGE: I am getting rather tired of hearing all the banter about the stimulus package, but the longer time passes without it’s passage the more aware we are becoming of the reality that it is a pork package rather than something that will stimulate the economy. The list grows by the day of the stupid things the Democrats are endeavoring to indebt our nations future with. I won’t try to give a lengthy list, just a few items: (1) honeybee insurance; (2) the arts; (3) expanding high speed internet; (4) forty billion for healthcare, though needful it should be dealt with as a separate issue; and the list get wilder and more people are getting upset over it all, wondering what is going to be done to actually create jobs. The TARP (of which only half, some $350 billion) was given away in the fall has only made the bankers richer by paying more ridiculous multi-million dollar bonuses, rather than opening up loans that could stimulate business and employment. But, get use to it, the Pandora’s Box has been opened and everyone is trying to get a piece of the gravy train that does nothing to help the jobless. Congress, under the control of the Dems is proficient at spending and growing government
OBAMA’S ETHICS PROBLEMS: President Barack Obama promise to take the ethical high road has turned out otherwise with his selection of leaders in his government. His choice of Timothy Geithner as the 75th U.S. Secretary of Treasury proved problematic. Though he had problems in overlooking owed taxes he was still confirmed as Secretary of the Treasury. I wonder if the Treasury will be as lenient with others with tax problems. Then there was the appointment of Tom Daschle to the Department of Health and Human Services He too had tax problems and eventually removed himself from running. The same day anther lady stepped from her running for an appointment. I guess the President decided one such embattled appointment might make it difficult getting through the confirmation process. Still there were defenders of these people, seeing nothing wrong with such circumstances. I wonder how many more appointments will be problematic. I am sure there are some men and women in politics (government) who are good, moral people but politics is a dirty business and there are many with whose ethics that only marks them as sinners in the sight of a holy God. So it goes for all of humanity and but for the grace of God none of us would make it to glory.

A MORE PLEASANT TOPIC: I was recently reading the 104th Psalm. It starts our, “ Bless the Lord, O my soul, O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed in honor and majesty.” Then all the way through the chapter God is extolled for His creative handiwork. What a shame that it was stained by the fall, making us all to come up short of His glory. Yet we need to recall that His creation was for our benefit. Verse fourteen says, “He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth:.” We are so undeserving, yet God provides for us. You can’t help but feel good, thankful and grateful as you read through this wonderful chapter. Read it again for yourself and have an uplifting day.

IMPORTANT FAMILY TIMES: Little moments with your kids are important and often more likely remembered by them than by us as parents. I say this because they remind me from time to time about things from the past. When I pastored the little work in Ogallala, Nebraska the boys were in the late junior age and early teens. Being the pastor we were always the last to leave the church. The church was just two blocks from the parsonage and the boys would decide they’d like to give old dad a run for his money. So, they would race me home to see if they could out do dad. They were always a bit disappointed because I could still out race them. Still, the challenge was fun and they have reminded me of those days. Children need those times with their parents. - A MAY DAY EVENT; It is a little early to think about it here in the middle of bitter winter weather but the previous item reminds me of this, talking about racing. We were living in Federal Way, Washington in the parsonage on the opposite end of the five acres the church was on. The kids always enjoy making paper May Day Baskets and then go pick wild flowers to put in them. On the occasion I am remembering they hung their baskets on the front door, rang the doorbell and when their mother came to the door they would run and she would go after them to give them a kiss. Knowing their mother was about to catch them they climbed up a tree to escape. Much to their surprise mom climbed up the tree after them. Fun times.

January 2009 #3

2009-01-27T16:23:00.001-05:00

INSIGHTS INTO OUR NEW PRESIDENT – This morning I was watching a program dealing with the topic of abortion from a Christian perspective. I didn’t had a pencil in hand to record the quote verbatim but my paraphrasing will give you a clear enough picture. Obama said, “I have two girls and we are trying to raise them to do what is morally right, but if they should make a mistake, I don’t want them to be punished …” In other words he didn’t want them burdened by an unwanted pregnancy and an abortion would be acceptable. Then, as one of his first acts as president was to nullify President Bush’s orders that forbade any federal funds to be spent to pay the for act of abortion. Obama has now made it all right for federal funds to be used to pay for abortions. Barack tells us he is a Christian, yet he takes this unchristian stance, manifesting a lack of high regard for the life of the unborn. He certainly does not hold the view of King David when he said in Psalm 139: 13-16, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb….”. Keep your eyes and ears open, we are likely to observe a lot of biblical inconsistencies in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.

A TRUE BUT SAD STORY – As I reread Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west; so far hath He removed our transgressions from us” I recalled a true story. I had included this verse in my sermon and following the service a young man came to me asking if this passage was true. I assured him that it was true and he literally departed, skipping joyously down the aisle. I had had the joy of leading him to Christ and now he was rejoicing in another reality of his new found faith. Some time later this same young man called me on the telephone late one evening from a bar and it was apparent that he was drunk. I asked him where he was and told him I would come get him. I had to ask someone else the location and I finally found him and drove around the city hoping he would sober up and tell me what had caused him to get drunk. It was not long until I heard his confession of a past life that was haunting him, he had murdered a man in a drug confrontation elsewhere. The burden was so great that he had broken under it. It was little wonder he had skipped down the aisle learning his sins had been removed as far as the east is from the west when he had received Christ as his Savior At the same time, during the days that followed I became a bit fearful, not knowing what his reaction might be, knowing he had made such a confession to me. I didn’t have enough details to go to the authorities nor did I feel it was my responsibility to do so in the light of his confession to me as his pastor. Within two weeks God had dealt with the matter, as a work accident had ended his life. My dilemma and fears were ended as God took the matter into his own hands. Still, my heart breaks to know the burden that weighed so heavily upon him even after his confession of faith. I have never had a similar experience and hopefully I never will. Not knowing how to deal with such circumstances it is comforting to know that God does and He watches over His servants. I have left details out of this story, not wanting to be burdensome to those who might be hurt by my sharing it, so please don’t call or write asking for more information as to names, places or further details. I just wanted to share some of the burdens that can fall on pastors as they endeavor to minister to others.

January 2009 #2

2009-01-16T20:44:00.001-05:00

POLITICAL PROMISES – I remember when Jimmy Carter run for president, promising whatever was popular with the particular crowd he was speaking to. Now we have Obama with his promises involving the spending of billions of dollars that we do not have in order to turn the economy around. Though I was too young to have heard and remembered what FDR promised, trying to move the country out of the Great Depression by various spending programs, I have read and heard of those efforts. The facts are, they didn’t work and it was entering World War II that finally brought us out of the Great Depression. Will it work this time? Wait, watch and see, we are in for a great ride down the path of spend, spend , spend. The first half of the TARP program started in the fall and the money was misused, wasted. Many think we would have been better of to let those banks and insurance companies go through bankruptcy and saved the money. I am far from being an economist but simple observation is a good educator. The sad part is, that we often fail to learn from our experiences.

UNIONS – I do not consider myself a union man. There were times as a young man when I had to belong to a union in order to obtain or hold a job. Of course all that went by the side when I entered into the ministry. If I were involved in secular work today I would not be very happy about the present discussions relating to “open ballots” the unions are try to get passed in place of secret ballots when it comes to deciding whether or not to become a union shop or business. This flies in the face of a pure democratic process, as far as I am concerned. I feel for those who have to be so involved these days.

REHAB – This week I have started rehab, about an hour twice a week. It’s a long walk after getting into the large building where this is done. I wasn’t too bad going in but coming out after being on one of those pedal and handle machines that work both you arms and legs. I was moving a little slower. Hopefully this will build my strength back up. Next week they have scheduled me to talk to a dietician. That should prove interesting because I have very little appetite. The doctor has given me a pill that is supposed to help that but I really haven’t noticed much difference. So it goes with this old man following bypass surgery.

BUILDING PROJECTS – Last weeks “Musings” talked about home missionaries being involved in building churches and being involved in the carpentry trade, whether they are carpenters of not. I got to remembering back to the first church we helped build. It was all volunteer work and some knew what they were doing and some didn’t but they were learning. I remember one dear brother who decided to deal with the plumbing. He would get instructions from a plumber friend as to how to plumb the toilets and washrooms. He would do a little work and then go back for further instructions. When it came time for inspection we managed to get an inspector that was Catholic and it was apparent he didn’t like Baptists. He really gave our dear brother a hard time and kept refusing to pass the plumbing. Poor Willie would go back to the plumber friend for new instructions to make the proper corrections. In one instance the plumber told Willie that what the inspector was requiring hadn’t been done for several years with new changes in the code. The inspector was simply giving us a hard time based on his personal bias. Of course it didn’t help when an unlicensed and non-union man was doing the work. We did finally get the plumbing approved but it was one difficult task. The next church project we hired a plumber to plumb the kitchen. I remember one day come into the new addition and found the plumber gone and having left the fire on under the lead pot he was using to melt the lead to seal some of the joints. I turned the gas torch off, not wanting to chance a fire while the plumber was finding his way back to finish his project. Even licensed plumbers have their goofs. At least I’d consider that a goof, it could have been a rather disastrous error.

A FAMILY RUN CHURCH – One church I took on had been started by someone else. A domineering family, a father and three married sons controlled every detail of the church and had run off the founding pastor. I was not smart enough to fully recognize the problems in those learning years but soon learned how difficult a situation it was. They had formed a constitution and then didn’t follow their own guidelines when it suited their whims. The constitution clearly stated that all teachers had to be members of the local church in order to teach but they continued to use a lady that refused to join the church. (This was one of many battles fought.) After numerous attempts to get the lady to join us I finally took the matter to a church business meeting. You couldn’t imagine the animosity this event stirred up. The church membership had grown and when we brought this matter up the domineering family lost the battle and we voted to remove the teacher from her class as a teacher. The four families, the father and three married sons, all left that church that night and never returned. (The teacher, her daughter and mother also left.) An interesting side note, this family liked to be seen for their giving. During the building project the father had asked to speak to the church when we had run out of funds to complete the project. He proceeded to have what I called a fund raising auction. “I’ll give the first amount of so many dollars, who will add their gift to this?” What I found interesting, for all their pretense of being major supporters of the church, after they left the church the giving in the church increased rather than being diminished. How do you figure? This is just another of many experiences of a pastor/home missionary. Thankfully most ministerial experiences are more pleasant.

A MIRACLE – What could have been a tremendous loss of life turned out to be a miracle of lives saved when the U. S. Air flight 1549 came down in the Hudson River just minutes after take off The accident was caused by geese being sucked into the planes engines. All 155 lives including passengers and crew were saved with only minor injuries. I’ve heard the testimonies of a number of people that went through the experience acknowledging the miracle. I’ve heard people telling of praying, etc. but I have not heard one person acknowledge God’s miracle working hand in all this. Hopefully, as time goes by, there will be some who recognize God’s miraculous hand in all of this. I’ve heard praise of the pilot, the flight crew and the many rescue workers and boat captains on the river that rescued people, and rightly so. It will be interesting to hear the testimonies of more people as this story unfolds to see if God is mentioned as giving wisdom and skill in what is an amazing event.

DOES GOD WORK IN CIRMCUMSTANCES – I believe so. Once while driving from Camas, WA, a dog ran in front of our car and I hit it. Stopping to see how the dog was it ran off into the woods and we went on our way. As we drove into Vancouver, WA we came to a green light at an intersection and as we were about to go through the crossing a car came speeding through the red light. Had we been there a minute or seconds earlier we would have been broad sided and perhaps killed. I’ve always believed that God caused that brief delay by that dog crossing our path to save us from what could have been a terrible accident. Coincidence? I prefer to believe that God intervened.

January 2009 #1

2009-01-08T10:34:00.000-05:00

JEOPARDY – Betty enjoys watching Jeopardy so I watch it with her, but it is not my favorite game show. As I observe the contestants answering questions so easily makes me feel stupid. The massive number of books they need to have read to be able to give correct answers amazes me. I know their education must be very broad to even be able to get on the program. I understand they have rigid testing to even qualify for consideration. It all makes me feel rather inadequate. Then comes to mind what Paul said (and he was a well educated man for his day), “For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (I Cor. 2:2) Then I feel better in all my ignorance. I know what is important to know and it will take me all the way to His glorious presence for all eternity. Then you and I will have a knowledge that surpasses all the human knowledge of this life. REJOICE! / (I much prefer watching Wheel of Fortune as it is easier dealing with words and phrases.)

FOGGY HEADEDNESS – There is something I haven’t talked much about except with family and my assorted doctors. For a long time now I have been afflicted with what I call a “foggy headedness,” that is very frustrating. I have talked with my internist (I have doctored with him for all the years I have been in Ohio) and he had no answers. He sent me to a ear doctor and no answers. He then sent me to a neurologist and they took brain scans but no answers. I went to a homeopathic doctor and she claim to be able to solve the problem with her little remedies at $100.00 a month but she didn’t help either. I’ve mentioned it to my eye doctor but no suggestions. Last month I believe my cardiologist defined my problem for me. He told me that as the heart blockages caused assorted problems for me, it also cut off the amount of blood needed for my brain and this is what has caused this problem. The sad part is that there is nothing that can be done about it and I am stuck with it. This is very discouraging and disheartening. I can still think clearly enough but this fog gives me a boxed in feeling (I don’t know how else to define it). I think it adds to my balance problem that goes with my diabetic neuropathy. I don’t know anyone else with this problem but surely there must be some if the doctor’s explanation is correct. I’d like to hear from others that may have the same problem. Your prayers for grace and enablement to deal with it will be appreciated. One thing is certain my longing for the Lord’s return when all these physical complaints will be resolved is heavy upon my heart. I know I am not alone in this same cry, even the young who lack the physical limitations, but love the Lord and hate the evil days we live in. Repeatedly in Revelation the Apostle John wrote of the Lord Jesus saying, “I come quickly.” May it be so!

ISRAEL HAMAS WAR – This new conflict between Israel and Hamas causes our attention to be drawn again to prophecy. Who can blame Israel for attacking Hamas after years of their lobbing rockets on them? We are told that Iran and possibly Syria are providing the arms to Hamas. Watching the development of all this is interesting and makes the believer wonder how close we may be to the Rapture of the Church. This is something we cannot know but it does turn our thoughts toward the second coming of Christ. So, we keep looking up expectantly, praying for Christ’s second coming
.

NORTH AMERICAN UNION – I don’t know if you get this kind of mail coming to your house or not. “The Conservative Caucus” is endeavoring to inform people about the NAU efforts to create this movement and the development of the “Amero” or common money and coinage for the U.S.A., Canada and Mexico. This is something President Bush was working on at one point. Now that he is about out of office, hopefully Obama won’t take up the same cause. I can only imagine the terrible consequences of merging our money in with the low valued pesos of Mexico. We don’t hear much about this in the news. We heard a little about it the last time President Bush met with them about a year ago. As far as I am concerned we don’t need a North American Union or an Amero dollar like the European “Euro.” We should be praying this never takes place.

REHAB – Today, Wednesday the 7th, I went in to start a rehab program that I hope will help be get my strength back. I will have to go twice a week, I think for about 12 weeks. I am not sure how I will hold up under this but hopefully it will prove helpful. The way things are, I am not good for much of anything so I need to try. Your prayers in this regard will be appreciated.

COMMENTS – I have been receiving a number of comments back on these “Musings” which are much appreciated. This is an encouragement to me, though it seems to me to be such a limited form of ministry. Especially with a partial intent of providing information about my past ministry as requested by my kids. Why they should want to know is a puzzle to me but also a humbling delight. I only hope they don’t prove too boring to the rest of you.. If so, they are easily deleted.

BUILDING EFFORTS – Nearly every church I have started or been involved with have included the need for some building project. Home missionaries are regularly involved in some building effort. I am not a carpenter or builder but thankfully God always provides those who can help us through these projects. As a result, my first church plant included the purchase of land and the erection of a church building. Someone else started my second church but continuing the work required an addition to provide badly needed classroom space as well as a kitchen and fellowship area. One older church I had needed remodeling work in the basement to provide classrooms. The next work required the remodeling of a house to provide a worship area while other rooms provided classrooms. Later in this same work we purchased land and built a church. A fire had destroyed the house we had remodeled for our church. One work we were involved in the initial organization activities and we moved on before the building phase. The next church did not require a building project, as we were able to lease an already existing church that had merged with another. So it was with the next as the building was already in place and we took that work on as a rescue mission. Following that work ended up erecting a church building. So it goes in missionary work, you find yourself using a shovel, hammer, saw and paint brush, etc. A man who once in his ignorance told me that preachers don’t have to work had no idea of what he was talking about.

December 2008 #4

2008-12-31T11:40:00.000-05:00

LIBERAL THEOLOGY – Christmas Eve I was listening to assorted Christmas Eve services, mainly to enjoy the Christmas music, since I was not able to attend our own services. Most of the services I heard were put on by liberal church bodies associated with the National Council of Churches, such as the Riverside Church in New York. During a break from the music a man stepped up to the mike and made the statement, “Christ came to take upon Himself our broken human nature.” That caught my attention because of the falseness of the theology, something I should have expected from such a source. I don’t imagine another soul in the entire place even noticed how wrong that statement was. Hopefully all my readers have. Had he said something to the effect, “Christ took upon Himself human flesh that He might die for our broken human natures” I would not be making this criticism. Christ took on Himself human flesh when He was born a Babe in the manger, not our “broken” fallen natures! Christ was born of a “virgin,” He did not receive our fallen sinful natures that have been passed on to all of us through the fallen Adam. If you are not aware, so many among the liberal church leadership and seminaries, do not believe in the virgin birth and therefore have become false teachers, promoting unsound theology. Christ lived a sinless life, not having the sinful Adamic nature, so that he might present Himself a perfect, sinless sacrifice at Calvary for our forgiveness. There, He paid the price, made the sacrifice, for man’s “broken (fallen) nature.” We need to be so very careful as we listen to the radio and TV preachers (teachers) today, for many do not hold to sound doctrine and many are being misled down a path to destruction. We are to know our Bibles and thus rightly divide the Word of truth.

PAPER ACCUMULATES – Do you have this same problem? I just finished going through a lot of papers that I had saved on my computer stand. As I looked through it all I was not sure why I’d put them there. At the time I know it was something I wanted to deal with or comment on in my “Musings” but they are no longer registering or relevant. I had good intentions but the intent has flown away and I no longer remember the reason. Someday I’ll learn to deal with such matters immediately, not put them before me, hoping to remember and use them later. This world is full of paper with good ideas and information. Information registers with my mind but with time that registry seems to pass me by and I fail to recall so I’ll just blame it on old age.

GLOBAL WARMING – I grow weary of all the Global Warming rhetoric and people that can’t seem to comprehend the reality of earths cyclical past. The earth has gone through many cycles, some warm and some cold. Yet, we are now plagued with all kinds of news dealing with the topic. Isn’t it interesting that snow made it all the way down to the southern areas of Texas and elsewhere this year? We are suppose to believe the theory of Global Warming and yet cold and snow is reaching further south. Their theory couldn’t possibly be wrong and they will find some way to explain away these types of weather events. Just hang around for a while and smile whenever their theory comes to these bumps in the road and you personally observe the flaws in their theories that provide an income for their proponents. In my nearly eighty years I have experienced severe winters and mild winters as well as hot summers and not so hot summers. I am not about to jump through the hoops of Global Warming theorists, How about you? Some people enjoy worrying about the weather. Me, I just take what God chooses to pass out year by year. In due course I will be in glory enjoying the perfect weather of Heaven.

MORE ON MEDICAL COSTS – One dear brother responded regarding eye injections he receives that cost $4,000 each. OUCH! I just found an article from an Oct. 20th U. S. News & World Report Titled “Is Healthcare Armageddon Next?” by Bernadine Healy, M.D. with the following: “ Clueless Doctors are largely clueless about the cost of care they prescribe or its implications for a patients personal finances and, until serious illness strikes, patients often are, too. But any good doc can tell you lower cost does not necessarily mean lower quality. A study led by John Wennberg at the Dartmouth Institute for health Policy and clinical Practice found that the cost of care for comparable patients during the last two years of life at the 18 hospitals in the 2007 U.S. News “Best Hospitals” honor roll ranged from $34,372 to $71,637 with the lowest-cost centers ranking at the top. The report concludes, “More is not better.” This expresses the same conclusions I have personally come too. The article would be worth looking up at the library. The point of the article tells of the new medicines and procedures and their cost are heading us toward a medical Armageddon in the title of the article. I won’t quote more but these increasing costs are leading the insurance companies, etc. to a tremendous crisis.

CHURCH MUSIC FROM THE PAST – I was thinking back to our first church plant in Federal Way, Washington. Our little church group was like family and we had some rather informal services (I think we have become too formal in many of our churche. Roland Barnes was a Boeing Engineer and he also enjoyed playing his violin. Occasionally he would bring his violin to the evening service and played it while we sang some old favorite hymn and choruses. Did you ever try to out sing a violin? You can’t do it! That stringed instrument always comes out on top, above all the voices singing along with it. Our song services were longer then and the people sang enthusiastically. What has happened to those joyous times? We also had a lady that still corresponds with me via e-mails. She played the piano and marimba. I remember her keeping after all of us that had played instruments into bringing them to the evening service and we tried playing together during the song service. I even got out my old clarinet and played with them. That was the time I learned some of our instruments didn’t fit with the hymnal and we had to get separate music to be able to play the music in the hymnals, including my clarinet. Anyway, we had great times in those days and it seemed to me it got the people in a good spirit to receive and follow the messages I preached after all that music shared together. (Thanks Jeanne.) To realize that little church no longer exists because of assorted problems that followed and someone that came along and took it out of our GARBC Fellowship is heart rending.

December 2008 #3

2008-12-29T10:54:00.002-05:00

Dear Family, Friends & Prayer Warriors:
“MUSINGS” December 2008 #3 By Leslie G. Newell
(Sharing Thoughts Past & Present By A Home Missionary Past His Prime.)

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year To All My Musings Readers..

FROM A CHRISTMAS PAST – As my son Gary was leaving today to have Christmas with their daughter and family in the Cleveland area, he reminded me of the following. When we started our first church in Federal Way, Washington we had obtained five acres of property with an older home on the west end of it and we built our first church on the east end of it. There was a dead-end gravel road that stopped just past the parsonage among a lot of fir trees. It was a great place to find our Christmas trees. My wife Kathy was always very particular about the size and shape of the tree chosen. The first one we cut down ended up being too big for our living room. I don’t remember what was wrong with the second tree but we ended up with three Christmas tree to bring back the one that met the need. It really wasn’t a waste because the elementary school where John and Gary attended school that was on the east side of our church property. Both of the boys provided Christmas trees for their classes. The day is long past now when most people can go out into the woods or forest and cut their own tree but those were joyous days for our family.

MISSED MUSINGS – This is the first day I have been on the computer for a week or two as I have been too weak and short of breath to even think about checking e-mails or writing a Musings. Monday I went to the hospital as an outpatient to have fluid removed from my left lung again. It was two and a half litres this time. That is one way to lose weight quickly. I think I weight eight pounds lighter today than I did before the procedure. I am feeling better now and praying the fluids don’t come back again.

PHARMACUTICAL SHOCK – UPS delivered Betty’s refill today for one of her chemo pills. Get this, two bottles of pills with 28 in each to achieve the required amount by taking one of each twice a day for fourteen days. The price: $1,303.33! How thankful we are for real good insurance. There is a second pill that she takes five of each day an hour before a meal. I know the price of that one would shock you as well. I guess the lesson here is, if you want to be in a moneymaking business, be a pill maker. When I see lists of the actual cost of ingredients found in pills, it is outrageous.

A CHRISTMAS RITUAL AGAIN – The discussion and argument all over again as it is each year anymore. Cities are being attacked for displaying manger scenes, etc. The politically correct avoiding the term “Merry Christmas” by using “Happy Holidays.” If I were to get into a discussion over the word “Christmas” I’d much rather discuss a preference over “Christ’s Day” or Christ’s Birth,” rather than “Christ’s Mass.” But, then, I’d be getting into a discussion that goes way over the heads or understanding of most today. Christmas did not have its origin with early Christian believer but rather a religion that had its beginnings much later. A thought, of course, that would be denied by its founders. But, we have come to a time in history that has forgotten those things long ago. Anyway, have a blessed Christ’s Day.

December 2008 #1

2008-12-10T11:29:00.001-05:00

WONDERING & TRYING TO UNDERSTAND – Remembering back to my early adult Christian experience I wanted to learn and know all I could about my faith and what Baptists believed. Hiscox gave detailed doctrinal beliefs and practices of Baptists and how their churches were conducted and I read it through, checking time and again to verify belief and practice. When I learned about the Baptist Bulletin I read it through, keeping track of our fellowship and continuing to learn and understand our fellowship of churches, the function, belief and practices. Further, most Baptists I knew had Scofield Bibles that had footnotes that clearly taught dispensationalism which afforded a clear church means for interpreting Biblical truth in a clear understandable manner. I was thus enabled to read, study and interpret the Bible for myself and found myself in the company of other Christians who could do the same and find themselves in accord with one another. I wonder about today’s church members. How many know anything about these biblical tools? How many concern themselves about personal Biblical study and interpretation? How many really know what their church believes or even care, satisfying themselves with fellowship, music or whatever else may grab their attention to bind themselves to a particular church? Perhaps their occasional attendance is enough, never questioning these things.

THE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER BAPTISTS BULLETIN – This issue has several interesting issues, “Rightly Dividing” – A report from the Council on Dispensational Hermeneutics. Another article on “Church Discipline A Delicate Operation” is worth reading. In the Q & A section Norman A. Olson answers the question, “When People Say Christmas Is Pagan” is a worthwhile read. Though I have mentioned it before, I will repeat myself, for years as a missionary pastor, I always found a way to see that all our people received a copy of this magazine. I believed it helped them understand the faith and our fellowship, being a helpful tool to get information to them I might not have time to do on the brief occasions of Sunday and Wednesday services. I have now personal interest in promoting the Baptist Bulletin, but I do believe you will find it helpful to you and yours.

TEACHING WITH OR WITHOUT HELPS – I have had repeated discussions with my son Gary about teaching God’s Word to children & adults. He started teaching when he was seventeen as the result of a junior boys class that others (male or female) had not been able to teach. He successfully taught them and he has been doing so now for about forty years. I suggested he write an article on his philosophy of teaching God’s Word that can be shared with others. I don’t know if he will find time to do so or not but I will give you the gist of it to think about. He sees God in everything whether it is a little baby, a tree or any other aspect of nature or creation. The observation of God’s creative work gives us ample illustrations for our teaching opportunities. Whether you have materials provided to teach or have an occasion when you are caught needing to teach with out them. Recognition of, and an expansion of everything that surrounds us can provide a lesson. If you recall the teachings of Christ or that of the Apostle James, you will find that they used this means of teaching. They drew their illustrations from the surrounding nature (creation). Think about it if you are a teacher or are called upon to teach sometime.

MEGAR BEGINNINGS – The little church that gave me a start in ministry you would hardly believe. I don’t know exactly what the initial beginning was like. Pastor Baker worked for the State of Oregon and had a family of two girls still at home when we came on the scene. His wife and the girls would work harvesting cherries etc. during the summer. The building we met in was horrible. It had been some type of store and they had started to tear the building down. Before the task was accomplished they rented it to people who used the space to hull nuts such as walnuts and hazelnuts. Some way the little church started renting it and we came on the scene in time to help clear out the shells left behind. I remember the strips of supposed tarpaper like material with a floral print of some sort supposedly make the place look a little better. Whether it was there previously or added when the little church took the place over. The cracks in the outside walls would allow wind to blow in and move that strange wallpaper around during services behind the pastor as he preached. There was the larger room in which we held services and several smaller rooms used for classrooms, a real classy meeting place, sic. I preached my first sermon in that building when the pastor took a vacation. It lasted a whole ten minutes and I had tried to prepare it two whole weeks before delivering it. It is obvious I didn’t know what I was doing. Aside from my crude effort we did have a good preacher under whom I learned much. The fellowship was sweet and the people were very gracious, trying to make me believe my effort was good. They all wrapped their arms around us, encouraged us, taught us and gave us an opportunity to begin serving our Lord. Most people would never enter such humble surroundings to worship, and few did but those were precious days. Eventually we were able to purchase an old four-room schoolhouse to fix up for our place of worship. Two large rooms downstairs and two large rooms upstairs were kept warm by an old coal furnace in the basement. We had to come early to fire it up and keep stoking as the day went by. Though many would not go to such a church, that church spawned this home missionary, and I am sure that little handful of people will reap a huge reward at the day of award giving. Not because of any great accomplishments on my part but rather due to their faithfulness to the Lord in dire circumstances and by their support of missions and their encouragement of so many others. This is the church that saw something in me that I didn’t see and gave me my first license to preach and put up with my many blunders. Great loving people, most of whom are now with the Lord.

A LITTLE SIDE NOTE – Today’s churches that are looking for perfection and failing to give opportunities to the weak and inexperienced are missing the purpose of the local church to build people up in their faith and to prepare them to future ministry. So a young pianist hits a wrong key or note, so a substitute teacher misses the point of a lesson, so a young man is lacking in biblical knowledge, the local church is to train and bring those people along, giving them opportunity to grow in the Lord. Even deacons are grown by experience gained by observing and ministering with others. Think about it.

November 2008 #2

2008-11-29T21:40:00.003-05:00

A SPECIAL NOTE: The Baptist Church Planters office has reminded me a number of times and I need to pass the information on to you. The mission is no longer using the P.O. Box address in Elyria, OH. Please send all mail and support checks to Baptist Church Planters, Inc. 36830 Royalton Road., Grafton, OH 44044. Thank you.

A PERSONAL BEARD STORY – I have never really wanted a beard or mustache. Recently, due to time in the hospital and trying to recoup at home I haven’t been too concerned about shaving. A kind nurse did shave me one day in the hospital. Anyway, this reminded me of the time when we took a couple weeks vacation to try and fix up and clean up around our mobile home and five acres in Arkansas. I thought it might be a good time to see if I could grow a beard so I didn’t shave. Immediately following the vacation we were scheduled to participate in a missions conference in Iowa. We arrived at the pastors home (a dear friend of ours) and waited for the arrival of the other missionaries to have dinner together on Saturday. I had fully intended to shave off the scraggly beard before the Sunday service but my plan changed. Another missionary arrived from a different mission board and he began chiding me for my unshaven condition and telling me how his mission would never allow a missionary to so conduct himself, wearing a beard. I must admit the old nature kicked in and I had a talk with the pastor about it to see if he would mind if I wore my new beard during the mission conference. He said he didn’t mind and that there were several men in his church who had beards. So, in my stubbornness and in response to the criticism of a foreign missionary I wore that beard (that I didn’t even like) all through the conference. Isn’t it strange the way we react to criticism from others? All this was probably a reaction to the years when long hair was being an issue, etc. When you really stop to analysis the matter biblically, many Bible characters wore beards, as did our Lord and Savior. Yet, sometimes people become legalistic in their attitudes without biblical authority. We often react to criticism in a manner even contrary to our own preferences. There must be a little flesh mixed in there someplace.

MUMBAI KILLINGS – Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of those who have been murdered. The news has been full of the details the past several days. I don’t want to seem unsympathetic toward those families who lost loved ones but a thought does come to mind. One man and his daughter that was killed had gone there as a part of a group that were attending a seminar on meditation. Why in the world would anyone have to travel so far to learn about meditation? This reveals to me that the meditation movement is another form of religion. Why else the dedication? Why else put such dedication into it? I am not minimizing the importance of meditation if it is focused on the right thing. Most of us as believers probably fail to meditate as much as we should on the Scriptures and on our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Shame on us! But a form of meditation that takes people to an extreme that makes it another form of religion surely cannot be of God. We have a world filled with people whose minds are concentrating on something other than the True God. What say you?

HOME NURSE – One of the home nurses that come 2-3 times a week is quite a talker. Especially when it comes to politics, particularly prior to the election. I usually try to get the discussion turned toward religion. She was very fearful of the outcome of the election and the possible effects upon her family. At one point she even talked of moving out of the country if Obama were to be elected. I tried to assure her that God was in control and nothing would transpire except as God allows. I finally had an opportunity when no one else was around to ask her the big question, “Have you ever received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?” She assured me that she had, for which I was thankful. I was then able to assure her that before the terrible things she fear that would come upon her family and the world, we would be taken away by the Rapture. It is amazing how many people belong to churches that have never taught them about God’s program relating to the Rapture, Tribulation, etc. How thankful I am for those early years when the pastor taught those matters and also for the Scofield Bible that had such good helps regarding these matters. I knew of these important truths early in my Christian experience. Too many pastors are failing in their responsibilities of teaching the basics of faith. Further, people are not being directed to purchase Bibles with proper helps so they can study these matters for themselves. As individual Christians we need to seek opportunities to help people get on the right track and know there are good helps available in this area of understanding the Bible. So many professing Christians today are lacking vital doctrinal truths and we should be ministering to them in these basic doctrines. Every born again Christian has a God given responsibility to share these matters of faith. If more took on this responsibility they would be leading others into their Biblically sound churches as they share these truths.

THANKSGIVINGS OVER – At least the day of Thanksgiving is over, but the spirit of thanksgiving should continue on in our hearts and attitudes. I am fearful that we place a lot of emphasis on this matter as a special day but forget to express the same in our every day living and attitude. Attitude says a lot to those around us. If we are seen and known for a thankful, grateful attitude I believe it will draw others to us, giving us new opportunities to share our faith. You might find Colossians 4:1-6 helpful in this regard. In verse four Paul said, “that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” To do so requires “prayer” with “thanksgiving” “that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ.” The verse 6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” It is a great passage worthy of much meditation and consideration to help with our witnessing..

SUPPORTIVE CORRESPONDENCE – We don’t receive a lot of correspondence or emails from supporting churches and individuals but when we do, it is a great encouragement to our hearts. This past week we received a brief letter from our sending church, Rustic Hills Baptist Church in Colorado Springs. There was just a brief paragraph informing us that the people signing it were praying for us. Then following that paragraph were the signatures of the various church members. A great idea for other churches to consider in letting their missionaries know they are praying for them.

November 2008 #1

2008-11-29T21:40:00.002-05:00

IN AND OUT AGAIN – A week ago Thursday my cardiologist cancelled my appointment as he was overloaded with emergencies. His nurse did told me I should get a chest x-ray. So I called my internist and they squeezed me in. After hearing my complaints and checking my x-ray he suggested that I check into the hospital. I refused, not wanting a return session. He wrote me prescriptions and I headed home. By the time I got home (without picking up the prescriptions) I felt so bad I called him back and asked hime to get me checked in. I gathered up a couple things and Betty’s daughter Kathy drove me to the hospital. That evening more x-rays were taken and the following afternoon they drained more than 1 and a ½ litres of fluid off my left lung and I spent the next days, through this past Wednesday in the Hospital. There was a lot of juggling of meds to try and get my blood pressure balanced out. This was one more day than when I was in for the heart by-pass surgery. Anyway I am back home, dragging my feet and feeling rather weak. Next week I am to get more x-rays and see how things are doing. The home care nurse was here today (Saturday) checking me out. I am so thankful for that and the assistance of Betty and her daughter Kathy. I am also thankful for all you prayers and faithfulness to the Lord and to us.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR – Are you waiting for the undertaker or the Upper-taker? My son John, who passed away in January, followed the news very carefully, particularly things that were happening with Israel. The several months prior to his passing he was so convinced that the Rapture and meeting the Upper-taker would take place before the New Year, as he observed the things taking place in the world in preparation for the one world government, anti-Christ and the Tribulation. Much to our sorrow the undertaker came first, but praise the Lord, he is already with the Savior (the Upper-taker). I just wonder about those of us who remain, are we waiting for the undertaker or living expectantly for the Upper-taker? - Why am I asking such a question? What is my point? Consider the following information and take up John’s viewpoint and watch for the Upper-taker.

RAPID EVENTS BUILDING – So many things are taking place. Obama took up the cry for “Change” as his slogan to gain his election to be our next President. The people must have similarly sent up the same cry and made him our President elect. I don’t believe any of them can even begin to imagine the great changes that are coming in relation to Globalism, One Worldism and the coming the one world government of the anti-Christ, so clearly defined in The Book of Revelation. Like my son John, I believe we are seeing the development before our very eyes, the things that are leading up to those Biblical prophecies. Hopefully your memories are better than mine to fill in the details I am not going to be able to fill in as finely as I would like. I remember President John F. Kennedy wanting to unite the U. S. Military with that of the military of the United Nations. He failed in the effort. It seems to me that nearly every president from that day to this, with the exception of President Reagan, have added something to the mix of moving toward Globalism. Our current president, George W. Bush, has been trying to develop the Amero Dollars (and all that involves) between the United States, Canada and Mexico. (A disastrous plan in my personal view!) This would match the Euro that is presently binding Europe together in One Worldism. When Barack Obama spoke to the thousands in Germany, while endeavoring to be elected president, his message was strongly and very clearly a message of Globalism. Unless he changes his plans so clearly defined during his candidacy from the pressures of the present financial crisis, he is headed our country toward a liberal socialism. Then, just today (Saturday) the twenty richest countries in the world met with President Bush to try and find an answer to the financial crisis to resolve the problem for not only the United States of America, but also the world. One of the suggestions tied in with all of that was a call for a world control of interest where a decision would be made for all irrespective of our differing economic circumstances. On and on it goes. Do we see a pattern here? Add to this the so called “Bailout” that congress passed in recent weeks, also detrimental to our historical free society of success and failure that has made us the greatest economic and military power in the world. In the midst of all that our Congressmen (and women) are debating and trying to change the rules after the fact and there is utter confusion. Bailing out Wall Street, A.I.G. and the Banks is raising a cry to the government to also bail out G.M. Ford and Chrysler. Cities and States are also all trying to tie themselves in with the same feedbag. We are headed for a disaster of all disasters that will so weaken our nation that we will be approaching that day I have repeatedly spoken of, when we will be so weakened that Russian and the Arab countries will feel free to make their move on Israel, scheduled for the Tribulation period. Hang on, we are in for one of the roughest national rides we have ever had. I am not a prophet (as I have said before), nor am I a date setter as some have tried to be. It is just that what we are seeing take place seems so clear to those who believe in the Bible. Am I being a fear-monger? No, I am rejoicing that God is allowing us see things being set in place. I can cry out, “Look up, the Upper-Taker will appear sooner than many think, and some of us will experience the Rapture before we meet the undertaker. Who knows? I am just praising the Lord for the “hope” He has placed within us. Join with me.

October 2008 #2

2008-11-12T09:35:00.000-05:00

PERSONAL UPDATE – You have no doubt been wondering, praying but hearing nothing. I just simply have not felt up to sitting at the computer answering e-mails or writing. If I haven’t answered your e-mails, please forgive me. / For all my surgeries I have never been this slow bouncing back and I am still dragging. The home nurse and therapist both said today that my color has greatly improved, whatever that means. They didn’t tell me what color I am (smile). They have been coming 2-3 times a week. My pulse and blood pressure are still jumping all over the place. The nurse called the cardiologist about it last week and he had me come in on Thursday and he made some adjustments in my medication and reminded me again of how long this was all going to take. / I have a cough that they say goes with all this that is driving me crazy. Just washing up and getting dressed each day leaves me exhausted. I have some exercises and walking I am to do each day and they are getting easier. I know I am improving but I guess (know) I am impatient. I will see the surgeon for a check up on November 13th and learn what restrictions will or will not remain. I am in no hurry to be running around or driving. Thank you for your faithful prayers.

GOOD HELP – My daughter Patty Armitage came and stayed for three weeks, such a blessing and help. Betty’s daughter Kathy has been staying with us and she has been a tremendous help as well. Don’t know what we’d do without her. I guess I’d be in a rehab center of some sort so God has been gracious. Betty has been trying to be helpful as well, even with her own struggles.

POLITICS – I have been watching a lot of Fox News and the political scene, not being able to do much else as my vision and ability to read is very limited. I am gravely concerned; as it appears that McCain is losing the battle even with all that Palin has added to the ticket. Obama is leading the race if we are to believe the polls and the liberal press and we may be in for a rugged four years. To realize that the liberal agenda will control the House, Senate and White House, is a frightening thought. All the checks and balances of the past will be gone. We need to be praying vigoursly. I listen to all the rhetoric and the promises, along with the lies as we are promised the whole world, knowing they cannot be delivered. I remember Carter doing the same thing and he was elected, delivering nothing but one of the worst economies the country had ever experienced with interest rates up in the 19-21% range. After four years the country was glad to be rid of him. I am not sure we will be able to recoup from the socialism that Obama and his cohorts will gender. The slide down the slippery slope may well lead us into the decline that will one day be necessary to prepare the way for the prophetic events of Russia and the Arabs turning on Israel, leading up to the Great Tribulation. I am no prophet but I do know what God’s Word tells us about what will eventually take place. Forgive me if I sound repetitive.

HALLOWEEN – As I think back over the years to my formative days and beginning efforts in ministry, without a formal training and little direction regarding Christian proprieties, I recall having Halloween parties with the youth. As time passed and I developed better guidelines and practices I came to realize that Halloween has no place in true Christianity. Halloween is not hallowed and portrays everything that opposes Christian Biblical values. May God forgive me for those earlier days. More and more people decorate for Halloween and many Christians fail to realize how satanic and devilish the occasion is as it displays anything but a Biblical point of view, dressing children as devils, ghosts, ghouls, etc. Sending children out to go begging for goodies that aren’t good for them and are occasionally tainted by twisted minds. A true Christian spirit should be instilling love and giving into the hearts of our children. I wish there were some way to turn these present practices around into an entirely different and positive direction.

October 2008 #1

2008-10-16T20:07:00.002-05:00

DELAYED – It is probably about three weeks since I have written and this one will have to be brief to update you on my surgery. I think this is number thirteen and the hardest of them all. Heart bypass surgery is rough, as many of my readers have testified and it will take a long time to help and to begin to get back to normal. Thankfully, my daughter Patty came from Texas to help and she has been a tremendous help. I’m not sure I’d have made it without her help. Gary and Donna have been close at hand as well. Betty’s daughter has been staying with us, helping her with things I am no longer able to do. God is good and always provides and the help has kept me out of some other facility to recuperate.

DETAILS – Surgery was at 7:30 A.M on Thursday and I left the hospital Monday evening five days later as the doctor had told me. It was a three by pass procedure. That ventilator I so dreaded and the tube in my stomach were removed late the same day. They get you up in a chair and walking the next day. Not far but I had a nurse that really pushed me to go a little further each time I walked, usually three times a day. Sure different from so many past observations of this surgery. I remember a fellow missionary having this done in the VA Hospital in Denver, Colorado years ago. He suffered greatly and was in the hospital for many weeks. The science has greatly improved. / I haven’t been in a bed since coming home, as I can’t get myself in and out of one. Thankfully, the Lord enabled us to have a lift recliner that allows me to sleep in it and get in an out with help and now by myself. (Patty should have a sore back helping me up.) She slept in the hospital room three nights and since has slept on the couch to be nearby to help as needed through the night. / A nurse checks me out a couple times a week as does a nurse therapist.

NURSING FROM THE PAST – Years ago I remember nurses giving bed baths and helping with a shave. That hasn’t happened after surgery for a long, long time. This occasion was an exception as the nurse’s assistant, a young woman from Albania was specially inclined to go the extra mile. She claimed to be Muslim, but not practicing. Patty and I endeavored witnessing to her and she was a willing listener but just couldn’t quite comprehend it all. She was so helpful to me and we were so hopeful she would come to Christ. / Several asked my opinion about the election and events of decline in the news. It gave me several opportunities to share my prophetic beliefs about our nation and the preparations for the return of Christ, etc. All were respectful, even a few agreeing and some indicating they had heard some of what I was sharing before. I wish I had been stronger and been able to have defined the things of Christ more clearly but they had other patients to attend as well.

FOLLOW UPS – This Tuesday I had to go in for x-rays and Friday I see my internist and Tuesday the cardiologist. November 14th I will see the surgeon. I don’t know what restrictions will be kept on me or when I will be able to drive again. I am in no hurry and time is what I have the most of these days.

THANK YOU – Your prayers are a great encouragement to us as all.

September 2008 #4

2008-10-16T20:07:00.001-05:00

TERRIBLE WINDS – Sunday we had several hours of winds with gusts up to 80 mph. We have never seen anything like it here before. We have a lot of trees and our yard was covered with twigs, leaves and branches. Several trees had many good sized limbs broken off and we are still waiting for the tree company to come and clean those up for us. Trying to make phone calls for prescriptions and doctors appointments, etc. just did not go through. Thousands have been without electricity and many still don’t have it back. My son Gary and family were without power for more than a day. Kroger and others are still not open with thousands of dollars worth of food spoiled. Fortunately and surprisingly, our power stayed on. Driving through town on the way to the lab for tests was difficult because the stoplights were out. People were searching for ice and water and trying to figure out how to prepare meals as restaurants were without power too. We are so thankful this is not the middle of winter or the difficulty would have been far more serious. We shouldn’t complain too much because those in Texas and elsewhere lost their homes from this storm. Patty and Al live just a little east of Houston and they are still without electricity and have suffered some damage from fallen trees but they themselves are okay.

PERSONAL STUFF & SURGERY DATE – Tests taken Monday showed things all cleared up so they have given me a new surgery date for next Thursday at 7:30. I could have had it this Thursday but that would not have given family time to get off to take me in or for Patty to arrive from Texas. I dread what is before me but I will be glad to get it behind me. / Betty will get bone scans again this Friday. She didn’t get a treatment the past two months as her blood count is down so they are going to check and see what is going on.

DON’T YOU WONDER – Aside from the depravity of man, don’t you wonder, as I do, about how people can so easily commit murder? I heard yesterday of someone being killed over a bale of straw. When did a life become worth less that a bale of straw? I often wonder if all the mayhem on television and in the theatres. Then there are the violent electronic, games that 97% of all boys and 93% of all girls play and I wonder if they have something to do with violent attitudes. Human values have declined so greatly in my lifetime. All the gore, murder and violence displayed makes one wonder if it doesn’t help create these things. I also wonder if present circumstances haven’t become much like they were before (without our modern contrivances) God’s judgment when he destroyed all life except for Noah, his family and the animals in the ark. It certainly wouldn’t surprise me if God were to bring the Tribulation judgments upon earth very soon. Surely the Rapture can’t be very far off, keep looking up.

CARNALITY – I used the word “carnal” in a recent “Musings” and a young lady asked me about where it is found in the Bible and if it is possible for Christians to be carnal? Here is the list: “Carnal,” Romans 7:14, Romans 8:7, I Corinthians 3:3 and “carnally,” Genesis 19:5, Judges 10:22 and Romans 8:6. The word “fleshly” is found in 2 Corinthians 1:12, Hebrews 7:16 and I Peter 2:11. The word “carnal” (Sarkikos in the Greek) is from the word sarx, flesh, and signifies having the nature of flesh, i.e., sensual, controlled by animal appetites, governed by human nature, instead of by the Spirit of God; having its seat in the animal nature, with the added idea of weakness,, etc. as defined by W. E. Vine. Chapter eight in Romans speaks very clearly about this subject. All of us have the old fleshly nature. When we receive Christ as our Savior we are given God’s Spirit that opposes the old nature and enables us to live contrary to the carnal, fleshly nature. Sadly, Christians fail to allow the full working of the Holy Spirit in their lives and that fits the description Paul gave to the Corinthians (I Cor. 3:3) “for you are still carnal.” So, we learn from this that it is possible to be a Christian and to also be “carnal.” I know of denominations that teach the possibility of “sinless perfection” and some even claim the position. Whenever I hear such claims or teachings I am reminded of I John 1:8 which says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” The Apostle John wrote this to believers as noted in I John 2:1, MY little children.” So we know that even as believers we are often prone to fleshly sin. I’ve never forgotten the story from years ago of a missionary who lead an Indian Chief to Christ. Years later the missionary returned and asked the old chief how he was doing. His response was, “Inside me are two dogs that fight all the time.” The missionary asked him, “Which one wins out?” The chief’s reply, “The one I say sick-um to the most.” Most of you have heard one version or another of that before but it does clearly speak to the Apostle Paul’s teaching in Romans 7:15-25 and the conflict he experienced. Every Christian faces the same conflict and will until we receive our new spiritual bodies in glory. Having said all of this, I want to add an additional comment of concern. When I observe someone who professes to be a Christian, while continually walking in the flesh, without any evidence of occasions when they arise above that condition by manifesting the conflict and showing some signs of spirituality, serious questions are raised in my mind. I fear there are many who will find themselves outside the gate on judgment day. But, I am not the Judge and He will care for all those matters.

POLITICAL LIES, ETC. – The political rhetoric and the TV ads that fill our screens, along with the multiplied number of inter-net blogs, raise serious questions to my mind. Information is twisted; statements are cut away from context to make false claims about another. Reporters build issues that never existed to turn the news toward their favored candidate, etc. What has happened to truth and integrity? Candidates claim to be Christians while making false accusations about the opposition. Politicians claiming certain things to be factual and then say the exact opposite to oppose the other party. Is it possible for a politician to be a person of faith with such two faced actions? If and when they win the office they seek, how in the world can we trust them to run the government in meeting the needs of the citizenry and dealing with the nations of the world? Why do they want the office so badly that they are willing to lie, act unethically, cutting others down, while calling them friends and declaring their respect for them? The supposed civility belies their words and actions. Is it pride that sends them seeking such positions? Is it the wealth they expect to gain? We hopefully look toward the end after the election, but no, the same will continue as they fail to fulfill their election claims and lies after obtaining office! It is enough to make us cry out, “Come King Jesus!” All this will not end until He is enthroned.

September 2008 #3

2008-10-16T20:06:00.000-05:00

THANK YOU – I have received so may emails from people telling me they are praying for me regarding the upcoming heart by-pass surgery. There have been many encouraging words and some telling me how well they have done while going through the same surgery. I am grateful, knowing prayer is a powerful force in our lives. What an encouragement it is to know God’s people are upholding us in prayer.

STRUGGLES WITH IMMORALITY – I don’t know how many of you receive the Barna Reports. I find them very enlightening regarding moral trends in this country. In August he dealt with “Young Adults and Liberals Struggle with Morality.” Atheist’s, liberals and faiths other than evangelicals were more prone to involve themselves in the list of moral issues. Real changes in this regard were seen in the under 25-age group. The issues questioned had to do with the use of profanity, gambling, pornography, gossiping, engaging in sexual intercourse, retaliation, getting drunk, and lying. “Adults describing themselves as “mostly liberal” on sociopolitical issues were twice as likely as those who describe themselves as “mostly conservative” to participate in activities that conflict with traditional moral perspectives,” is very telling as to our national moral state. The report went on to say, “We are witnessing the development and acceptance of a new moral code in America,” said the research and author, who has been surveying national trends in faith and morality for more than a quarter-century.” “The consistent deterioration of the Bible as the source of moral truth has led to a nation where people have become independent judges of right and wrong, basing their choices on feelings and circumstances. It is not likely that America will return to a more traditional moral code until the nation experiences significant pain from its moral choices.” This should serve as a real challenge to churches and individuals to get back to the Bible, faithful witnessing and endeavoring to lead lost souls to Christ. Churches and individual believers are failing to define sin and with the Bible and prayer being rejected in our schools our nation is in serious trouble and to expect God’s blessing on the nation as in the fast is not longer the reality it once was. God help believers, they are going to find themselves under more pressure and animosity from unbelievers.

GOD’S UNUSED PROVISIONS – God’s provisions are adequate for all the world’s needs. Man’s failure to utilize His provisions leads to their suffering and eternal loss. Many suffer famine because of their leaders abuses and misuse of available resources. I am convinced that when God created the world and placed man in it, that everything humanity would ever need was provided. Of course the fall made it more difficult for man to take advantage of that provision. The world environment is adequate for as long as man dwells on earth and until God creates a new heaven and earth. Man may abuse it but ultimately it is God that sustains it. When we consider the present concern about energy and all the debate associated with it, God provided enough energy (fuel) to sustain man’s needs if we but take full advantage of our resources. Congress often keeps us from being able to utilize all that availability. ANWAR in Alaska is one such example of Congress refusing to allow drilling there. I have been reading new materials about other resources in this country that is yet unused, such as in the Williston Basin or the Bakken Formation where we had a church plant for several years. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates it at 503 billion barrels. Some are questioning the reality of their being able to utilize all these shale reserves. The official estimates are 8x’s as much oil as Saudi Arabia, 18 x’s as much oil as Iraq, 21 x’s as much oil as Kuwait, 22 x’s as much oil as Iran and 500 x’s as much oil as Yemen, all right here in the Western United States. My purpose in mentioning these things is to help us understand that God’s providence is adequate as we utilize His provisions. I repeatedly tell people, for all the fears and political pundits, we have 1007 plus years for this old worlds existence and we do have adequate resources to meet humanities needs until God creates a new heaven and earth. So, Christians should not worry or buy into all the hubbub. As we read Matthew 6:25-34 we can take great comfort because of God’s promises to meet out needs. He has proven Himself repeatedly in my life through these many years.

HURRICANE IKE – My daughter and son-in-law, Patty & Al Armitage, made it safely through the storm with winds at 110 miles an hour. Their home in Humble, on the west side of Houston, had the screens on their screened in patio blown off. They also have a rental home that a couple trees fell on and broke the roof down. Their home is just sixty miles from Galveston where Ike first hit. We are so thankful for their safely coming through the storm. Buildings can be repaired. Many were not so fortunate and our prayers go out to them. I understand we will receive the rains from the storm here on Monday, something that is much needed.

OBAMA.S GLOBAL TAX – Obama is on the verge of brokering a bill (S2433) he calls his “Global Poverty Tax.” Meaning an average over the next 13 years that each American family would have to pay, an additional $7500 in taxes if it goes through. That is roughly an extra $575 each year. This would force the U.S. to increase our foreign aid by $65 billion per year or $845 billion over the next 13 years. This gives us a pretty good idea what kind of president he would make. Personally, I think it is time we cut back on foreign aid that goes to so many countries that hate us. There is not another country in the world that gives as much aid to other countries as we do. You’d think we would be appreciated for what we do but this is a thankless world.

MORE TESTING – Monday I will get blood and urine tests again and if things have cleared up they will probably reschedule surgery for the next week. I will have to wait and see. As much as I dread the prospects, I do want to get this over with and behind me before something worse happens.

September 2008 #2

2008-09-08T09:27:00.000-05:00

SURGERY TIME – Thursday I had my pre-op testing and learned the actual time of the surgery, 7:30 A.M. Tuesday. That means being there two hours ahead of time. I hate those early appointments, as I normally don’t function too well that early anymore. Actually I never did, I worked swing shift at Boeing Aircraft a number of years. That is my excuse anyway. They had pictures to show me of what was done to prepare me and it was nothing more than what I pretty much knew anyway from all the hospital visitations I have done over the years. I hate all the tubes, etc. and being a bit claustrophobic adds to that. My daughter Patty Armitage is flying in on Monday to be here and to help out, something for which I am very thankful. I also have Gary and Donna nearby; it is always comforting to have family near at times like this. I also appreciate all the emails many have sent to be an encouragement and tell of their many prayers on my behalf.

BETTY’S TREATMENTS – I had Betty to the oncologist on Friday but they didn’t give her a treatment as her blood count was down. They want to take more bone scans, etc., to see if things have changed, something they did about four months ago. I always have concerns about all the radiation as that is not a good thing either. They gave her last month off on her chemo because she has been so tired from all of this. Your continued prayers for her are appreciated.

THE CONVENTIONS – Both the Democratic and Republicans Conventions are over and I was able to hear the major speeches. I would have liked to have heard some of the earlier speeches too but Fox News managed to talk over them, very frustrating. Though I have not been a great fan of John McCain, I do have a better opinion of him than previously and adding Sarah Palin to his ticket, as vice president was a shrewd move that should give him a better standing with conservatives. It has been interesting to see and hear all the flack the liberals gave Palin but she stood out well as she spoke, pretty well revealing how little they really knew about her. She gives a whole new and refreshing perspective to the campaign for the remaining two months. Then won’t we be glad it is all over?

BLOGSPOT – I haven’t mentioned it before that I do have a blog that you can go to and read previous “Musings.” My grandson Tim started one many months ago for me. Now my granddaughter Laura Lee keeps it up for me, adding the new “Musings” as they go out. So, if you want to tell others about them they are easy to get to at www.newellsmusings.blogspot.com. Isn’t it nice to have grandkids that help you? It is hard for us oldsters to keep up with all these modern opportunities.

MATTER FOR CONCERN – I print out far more information than I get around to commenting on, having trouble keeping up with it all. An IBD Editorial reported back in April 10, 2008 of a Minnesota Madrassa. “Islamofascism; As school officials and secularists turn a blind eye, Muslim radicals in Minneapolis take a publicly funded charter school and turned it into a madrassa. Flagrantly violating the constitutional ban on state promotion of religion, the Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy, or ITZA, herd’s children into bathrooms to perform ritual Islamic cleansing before leading them in the school gym to pray to Allah each day. In three visits to the K-8 school, the Minnesota Department of Education never noticed a problem, even though the tax funded school is located at a mosque. And the ACLU didn’t bother until a Minneapolis columnist exposed the madrassa earlier this week.” The article told of a daily scheduled prayer led by an imam, classroom instruction in the Quran, compulsory “after-school” Islamic Studies (busses don’t leave the school until after Islamic Studies is over), Halal cafeteria food, observance of Islamic holidays and early release for Friday mosque. “The school, named after an 8th century jihadist who invaded Spain, shares the headquarters building of the Muslim American Society (MAS) of Minnesota, whose mission is “establishing Islam in Minnesota.” The FBI says MAS, based in Washington, D.C., was founded by members of the radical Muslim Brotherhood.” Can you imagine tax monies paying for this? Do these things upset you? One thing is certain, Islam is quietly making it’s inroads into our nation and one of these days we will wake up to some very serious threats to our freedoms. Just try to get those same privileges established for Christianity in our public schools that have removed prayer and the Bible. God save us!

MISSING CHURCH – I’ve missed a lot of church lately and it leaves me feeling that things aren’t quite right. For nearly sixty years I have attended every service. That was true before I was in ministry and since. I’ve always felt the need for hearing more of God’s Word and fellowshipping with His people. Professing Christians who seldom attend church has often puzzled me. How do they manage spiritually? How do they feed their souls? How do they obtain healthy fellowship? Don’t they sense something lacking in their lives? The reality is, they don’t give much thought to spiritual matters and they find their fellowship in the world. They are either carnal Christians or they were never truly saved. True Christians, as they get older, and are physically handicapped, have a keen sense of loss from their earlier days when they experienced regular edification and sweet fellowship. I wonder how professing Christians will handle heavenly fellowship when they have rejected it throughout their lives? Some may well wake up surprised, finding themselves at a different destination. Some may find my evaluations wrong but one thing is certain, something is out of order for those who so profess but don’t seem to possess.

PREVIOUS HOSPITAL STAYS – (You can tell where my mind is these days.) Thinking back over previous hospital experiences I have found other patients or hospital staff people who were Christians. I have also found those who were not. I shared a room one time with a man that when he found out I was a Baptist preacher he asked to be moved to another room. I don’t even recall having said anything spiritual to him. Once I was in the University Hospital in Omaha for about 10 days for some tests to find out why I was having some stomach pain. On that occasion several different patients came through my same room. One was a longhaired young man and I had the privilege of leading him to Christ. You always wonder how real such decisions are. About two years later some of his family visited my mission church and thanked me for leading him to Christ and told me he had gone on living for the Lord and was now a deacon in his church. Sometime you have an opportunity to encourage others in their time of difficulties. So, as Christians, God allows the events in our lives to carry out His purposes. Please pray God will give me such an opportunity again.

September 2008 #1

2008-09-08T09:26:00.000-05:00

ANOTHER ISSUE – In the last “Musings” I shared some issues from the past that has taken up a lot of time and debate. There was another that needs to be added to the list, that of the Charismatic Movement and particularly the gift of tongues. I am not hearing so much about these as in the past, though I know many Christians are still caught up with it. A lady that attended our home Bible studies and the class at Fellowship Baptist Church in Dublin when I was teaching the series on Comparative Religions, brought to our attention a ladies group she had attended that was involved in charismatic issues. So, I know they are still around, though not as strong as they once were. I remember when I was doing the Interim Relief Ministry for the mission and relieving our missionary in Schuler, Nebraska, getting caught up in a debate with some of them. A number of people involved in the movement had visited he mission church and while I was out calling in the community I knocked on a door where a group of charismatic’s were having a Bible study. I was invited in and had a lengthy discussion with them relating to spiritual gifts and the gift of tongues in particular. Shortly after that when I was starting the church plant in Clarinda, Iowa I had a couple visit our V.B.S. program that their children had attended. During the refreshment time the gentleman started questioning me on the subject as he was asking about our church. I made it very clear to him that we taught God’s truth as found in the Bible and if he was interested in attending in order to do that he would be welcome. If, however, he wanted to bring the tongues issue into the work they had better find a church that was so involved. We didn’t need that kind of divisiveness in our small church. They never came back. I have had many run in’s with the movement over the years. Consequently, it was a common practice for me, in my various church plants, to teach what the Bible says about spiritual gifts. I did so in order to prevent the abuse of spiritual gifts and the confusion that is so often created by those who were so involved, endeavoring to prove their salvation based upon having spoken in tongues.

EARLY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES – God put special people in my life during my early days of spiritual growth that gave me practical experiences in witnessing. Though I was saved as a boy, there wasn’t any encouragement relating to church and spiritual matters from my parents or stepparents and I walked afar off. After I was married, a Baptist pastor helped me get back on track with the Lord and he also led my wife to Christ. The pastor’s teachings and by taking me with him on visitation, gave me experiences in calling and witnessing. Also at that time there was a man by the name of Pat Patterson who took me under wing, an elderly and retired gentleman who taught me much about witnessing and soul winning by taking me out calling with him. I would observe and run interference while he took people through the Scriptures relating to salvation. In time, he would say, “Les, now you do it while I run interference.” Using the term “interference” had to do with keeping any children entertained and avoiding any distractions while the other witnessed and shared the Scriptures. Pat had started out studying to be a doctor but his education was interrupted and he spent the years in real estate, being a police officer and various sales ventures. He knew how to deal with people and I learned much from him. It was a time of tutoring in ministry in that little church where I was given many opportunities to learn and serve. There was another such man in that church by the name of Ted Anderson who also helped me along spiritually and answered many questions that came to mind as I read my Bible. Serving with him as a young deacon he guiding me through many areas of church ministry. I worked for him in a feed store and it was not uncommon for us to witness to the farmers and other customers that came into the store to purchase feed or eggs. Life was simpler in those days and people had more time for one another. Meals and snacks around kitchen tables or occasionally in a restaurant were filled with considering Bible truths or doctrines as we fellowshipped. It is important for Christians to learn their Bibles and how to answer people’s questions from Scripture and to know how to take people through the plan of salvation.

MORE THAN THE PRACTICAL – It did not take me long to learn that there is more to being able to answer peoples questions and taking them through the Biblical plan of salvation. I have had my converts who said “Yes” to get rid of me and then went on their same sinful paths. For all our answers and a clear Biblical plan for salvation, without the working of the Holy Spirit, the results are meaningless. Unless the Holy Spirit works in a life, the rest is just words. We have to learn to let Him guide, open doors and to bring the real results. The work is God’s and not ours and a polished presentation of the Gospel is empty without His workings. Witnessing is more than a sale’s like presentation, it requires patience, being a long process of ministering to needs while loving people and establishing relationships that prepares hearts and opens doors. I fear that street corner witnessing and preaching is often very empty and does not really reach people very effectively. I suppose there will be people who will disagree with me but my years of experience have brought me to this conclusion. Rare are the decisions of people based on first time contacts. They do happen but they are few and far between.

THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR CHURCH ATTENDANCE – Dedicated Christians realize the importance of regular church attendance as the source of their spiritual development. The collective study of God’s Word prepares us with a good knowledge of the Bible and the various methods of ministry or service. This, along with our own personal Bible study equips us to be faithful witnesses in answering peoples questions and how to deal with them spiritually. Christmas and Easter Christians cannot expect to be able or qualified to lead their families, friends and acquaintances to Christ and to share the glories of eternity with our God and Savior. I know it is sometimes difficult in many areas to find a good church to attend but I’ve always believed it behooves believers to find one or start one so that this need might be fulfilled in their lives to serve the Savior adequately.

SURGERY DATE – The cardiac surgeon’s nurse called today to set the date of September 9th which was alright with me as I want to get this over with as soon as possible before any complications can take place. This still had to be cleared with the hospital to make sure that worked for them as well. I have not heard back so I assume that is okay and they will be pulling my records to see if any additional testing is needed and will let me know. I am so appreciative of your prayers. I dread the thought of a ventilator and tubes, etc. as I am a bit claustrophobic. I understand they keep you well sedated during that period so maybe I won’t know anything about it, hopefully.

August 2008 #3

2008-08-31T16:40:00.001-05:00

QUESTION TIME – My daughter, Patty Armitage, was sharing with me that her husband was on the radio again this week in Houston. He fills in quite often for a program where people are given an opportunity to call in for the pastor to answer their questions about the Bible and spiritual matters. I told her I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing that, I am not the quickest answering questions out of the blue that way. Then I remembered a practice I had over the years of occasionally giving the people in our mission churches the opportunity of talking me out of my sermon by asking questions they had on their minds about the Bible and spiritual problems or incidents they had when witnessing to others. This was usually done on a Sunday evening. This gave them opportunity to respond to things I had preached or questions that had come to mind from their Bible reading and discussions with others. They usually kept the questions coming and my answers used up the time normally given to my sermon. The people always appreciated those times and I believe it was also a growth time for them while keeping me on my toes. These informal times drew the pastor and people closer together in dealing with questions and circumstances they were facing. So often in earlier years of having to work to support my ministry this also served to make my study time easier as I could preach the sermon they talked me out of the next week. (Smile, an ulterior motive.) At the church in Ogallala, Nebraska one of the area banks sponsored a daily fifteen-minute devotional time on the radio. The various churches in the area were given turns to speak for a week during that time, but it was strictly a devotional time, not a question and answer program

CHAPLAIN OF THE WEEK – It was also the policy of the churches in Ogallala at that time to have the pastor who spoke on the radio to be the hospital chaplain that week. We were at liberty to call on all the patients in the hospital during that week as Chaplain. I always took literature with me to leave with the patients and I read Scripture and had prayer with all that were willing to have me do so. I counted it a privilege to so minister. I also found it interesting at that time and on many occasions elsewhere, to learn that many of the pastors never bother to read the Scriptures or have prayer with the patients. Once in awhile I come across an individual that didn’t want me to read the Bible or have prayer with them, but that was rare. Larger hospitals have full time chaplains but often the smaller communities do not. Through the years I have always called in the hospital on our church families and others as I have had opportunity to do so. It is a time when hearts are often open to hear the gospel when at other times they might not be.

THE CASE AGAINST BARACK OBAMA - This is the title of a book by David Freddoso that is now available and has been on the best sellers list the past number of weeks. I’d like to have it to read but I haven’t ordered it yet. I have been reading excerpts from it from different sources dealing with questions about Obama’s personal judgments that raise questions about his qualifications to be president. He deals with his failing to make the grade on “three E’s: Energy, Education, and Eastern Europe. You may have picked up on those discussions in the news recently along with his alignment with the choice of friends and associations with people like Tony Rezko, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and Bill Ayers. You might want to purchase the book or see if you can check it out at the library to help in your decision making process before November. I’ve always found reading such books helpful in understanding the election issues.

DNC CONVENTION – Keeping Fox News on most of the day I heard a lot of the discussions going on about the convention and also listened to the major speeches during the evening. For all the Obama talk of change, it sounds like the same old Democratic Politics of the past. The claim that Obama will restore the world’s confidence in America doesn’t hold much credibility with me. Then too, he is going to save us from the climate crisis (if there really is one). You’d think the man was a miracle worker. Obama’s inexperience will probably be balanced out by Joe Biden’s years of experience in the Senate as his vice president. My observations of Biden sitting on various committees over the years reveal his fiery opposition to every effort of President Bush and the Republicans, so we know he has the full approval of the Democrats for that position. Next week we will now be showered with Republican view points and see how the political battles will line up through the November elections. I don’t have a great deal of confidence in our nation’s future as a world leader. I still believe we must decline in world influence so that Biblical prophecy will be played out relating to Israel.

ISSUES FROM THE PAST – Thinking back over the years relating to issues there are several I recall. When I was first licensed to preach and started my first church there were debates with books and articles being written contrasting Evangelicalism and Modernism. Some were questioning the reality of Biblical miracles while trying to explain them away. For me, when the Bible records a miracle from the Old Testament or in the life of Christ, that was true fact and to question them was heretical and unnecessary. Then there was a period where some debated and questioned whether it was necessary to believe in a literal, bodily resurrection of Christ. Then there was a flood of writings and discussions about demon possession and whether it was possible for Christians to be so possessed. This raised many fears for many Christians and dozens of books were published but I am assured there is no way for the Holy Spirit to indwell a believer and then be possessed by a demonic cohort of Satan. Ecumenism heated up, more debates, arguments and books dealing with that subject. As these issues passed there was then the issue of translations and which Bible was inspired and who was a heretic for using anything but the old King James Bible. More recently is the issue of the immerging church and whether we should have large church buildings or home churches. I know there were other issues that fail to come to mind right now but one thing is certain, the book publishers have made a mint printing and selling their wares. Then too, I wonder what will be the next issue, it seems there is always another on the horizon. We just can’t seem to be content with the Bible itself as our guide. We seem to relish new issues.

HEALTH ISSUES – I have decided it is probably the better part of wisdom to go ahead and have heart by-pass surgery, as much as I dread it. I am waiting for a call back from the surgeon on Tuesday to learn when it may be done. Betty had August off with her chemo treatments but will start up again on the fourth of September. She has been feeling some better and doing a little more around the house than she was. We do so appreciate your continued and faithful prayers on our behalf.

August 2008 #1

2008-08-31T16:36:00.002-05:00

PERSONAL UPDATE – I didn’t get one of these out last week due to preparing to go into the hospital for a heart catherization. I went in on Sunday for hydration and then the procedure on Monday. They kept me over until Tuesday evening. The results were not very encouraging as there is some artery blockage and they want to do a heart bypass. I wanted to wait and think about the matter and came home. I am scheduled to see a heart surgeon on September 11th. I first told the cardiologist I just wanted to deal with this medically and he gave me some new meds. But as I think more about it, the wiser decisions is probably to go ahead with it as a heart attack could cause some real damage. I am concerned about this type of surgery, as I know they have to put you on a ventilator, etc. and I hate those things. It is the last thing I ever want to be kept on as I have seen so many lingering on them. I’d rather go home and be with the Lord and have so indicated in a “living will.” Your prayers in this regard will be greatly appreciated.

MURDER IN THE FAMILY – I don’t know how many of you may have seen the Fox News Special a couple weeks ago about “honor killings” but it was quite an eye opener. There are some 5,000 wives or daughters killed each year by Muslims in so called “honor killings.” They may be done for several reasons such as the dishonor associated with a divorce; a daughter dating an unbeliever; refusals to be a party to an arranged marriage; or women working. The report also told of two sisters being murdered by their Muslim father. Some 50,000 cases around the world keep women cautious. The United Nation reports thousands of such cases each year. Information was also given that one fourth of all Muslims in America don’t believe that American ways should be practiced. I find it difficult to understand why any American woman would convert to the Muslim religion knowing these facts when you consider the male subordination of women. Of course Islam denies having anything to do with honor killings but the fact that these honor killings are done by Muslims certainly raises serious questions to my mind. My, how thankful Christians should be for a loving God that calls for spiritual equality for men and women alike.
RICK WARREN’S SADDLEBACK CHURCH – The discussion this Saturday evening conducted in the church with Rick Warren questioning Barack Obama and John McCain gave me a far better view of McCain than I have had up to this point. McCain has said little about his faith up to this point and I have wondered (and doubted) if he is a Christian. However, this forum did reveal him as a Christian and a member of a Baptist Church in Arizona, something I had not known previously. McCain came across clearly and I believe approvingly to a far greater degree to the audience than did Obama. I do have questions about a church being involved to this degree in the political process but it was done quite well. Giving an equal voice to the same questions to each candidate separately was a unique and different approach than what we normally see and it did give us a better opportunity to evaluate both candidates. It was two hours well spent listening to their answers, asked in a far different manner than what we usually see from the media. I hope you were able to see and hear it.

THE PSALMS ALWAYS A COMFORT – Over the years I have always found the Psalms a comfort in times of heartache and the need to find strength in times of trial. I found Psalm 94 helpful in recent days. Verse 14 says, “For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.” Even though we know the verses were originally applied to the people of Israel, they are still applicable to His present day people, the followers of Christ. Verse 17 says, “Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost [soon] dwelt in silence.” Verse 19 says, “ In the multitude of my thoughts within me the comforts delight my soul.” And then Verse 22, “But the LORD is my defense [high tower]; and my God is the rock of my refuge.” The Psalms always bring comfort and help in the time of need and they never grow old or out-dated. They are worth reading time and time again. I am presently rereading through my old Dickson Bible that I bought when I was sixteen years old and have kept it as a family Bible that bracketed helpful words as you note in the verses quoted. My first wife filled in the family tree pages for me, which helps me with some family birthdays, etc. Sadly, I have not kept them up. Anyway, whether you read the old KJV, the new KJV or some other modern translation, they are always a blessing. I would encourage you to read them often.

July 2008 #4

2008-08-31T16:30:00.002-05:00

MY FIRST CHURCH PLANT – A friend, asked a question as to how we happened to start Mirror Lake Baptist Church which she was a part of. Wow, this takes my memory back a long way. /
Back in those days, the fifties, I was praying for an opportunity to start a church. I knew that without having been able to go to Bible College I'd never find a place in an established church and I believed God would open doors to me if I could start a church. / I had called Dr. Powell in Tacoma, Washington about such opportunities. He was just leaving by train for a GARBC meeting back east and asked me to go to the Auburn train station and he would get off briefly when the train stopped there and give me some information. I went to the train station and he gave me the names of a Scott Janikula and Vaughn Nelson. They, along with Malcomb Lange had looked over the Federal Way area and had rented a storefront on faith, trusting they could find someone to help start a church there. / I had trouble running them down, but finally managed to. I shared my burden with them and they each had me speak in their churches to get to know me. Having done so, they turned over the keys to the storefront and told me to go to work. Each church gave a little help to us to pay the rent on the building. I worked swing shift for Boeings at the time and took my off hours and days off to start visiting in the area, handing out advertisements, and scheduling regular services. / The GARBC camp in the area loaned me some rough board benches to use to start with. One church gave us a pulpit, and another an oil stove to heat the place. Some friends helped Kathy and I paint the two rooms of the storefront. Needing a pianist Dr. Powell had given me the name Jeanne Burke, now Jacobson, as a possible pianist. She was reluctant, not knowing who I was, but finally agreed to play temporarily. She stayed with us the whole five years we were there and beyond. She and her mother were the first to become a part of starting the church, purchasing the land and putting up the first building. I had the joy of baptizing her mother and they knew all the woe’s and weal’s of the work, putting up with my inexperience. / God blessed and in 1956 the church called for an ordination council and the area pastors came and questioned me and recommended my ordination and I had my start into all these fifty plus years of ministry. Now you have a little history of my first church plant.

BIBLE COLLEGE OR NOT – Some may question how or even my right to start and pastor a church without formal training. I use to be troubled when people asked where I went to Bible College, knowing I had not had that opportunity. After all these years of experience and ministry it is no longer troubling to me. I have always been an ardent reader and have many of the same books that were required of my children when they attended Bible College. I had a job at Boeing Aircraft in Renton and Seattle, Washington that afforded me opportunity to read theological books during lunch and coffee breaks. Further, one of the jobs I had was operating huge presses that often sealed in parts requiring lengths of time where I simply had to see that pressure and heat was maintained. The foreman and others did not object to my reading as long as I didn’t spend time with others and appearing to be wasting company time. As long as they knew I was watching to see that time and conditions were proper they were fine with it. It was the type of work where I got a lot of extra reading done besides what I did off the job. I also attribute much credit to pastors who taught me, being sound in the Word. Then too, I would remind you of great men like Moody and others that did not have a formal education, but were successfully in ministry and starting educational institutions. Dr. Ketchum, one of the founders of the GARBC, only had a grade school education but he was a powerful preacher, standing strong for Biblical separation. I am not laying claim to being a Moody or a Ketchum, far from it. I am just saying, that through the centuries God has often used common people to do His work. Having said that, I have often felt inadequate and I always felt that I could have done a far better job with a formal education, though it was not the way God led me. There were many such men in years gone by but we have come to a time where most churches are looking for pastors with doctorates and would never consider a person like myself. One beneficial factor I’d add to my circumstances. Too often men enter the ministry with out a background of experience with average working people and having the ability to understand the life of people who dig ditches, labor in factories or clerk in stores. God takes us where He finds us and directs through life those who are committed to His service and not every path or circumstance is the same.

MORE PET PEEVES – Having at a young age worked myself up from a stock boy to managing a chain variety store, I get a little upset or dumbfounded by experiences I have when shopping. Recently I was at Wal-Marts buying some packs of Glucerna for Betty. I usually purchase six to eight packs and they only had two. So, I asked the lady in the pharmacy (the area where these are stocked) if they might have more in the back storeroom. She quickly informed me that the stocker had stocked the area earlier in the day and had now gone home so there was nothing they could do. When I worked in stores, I would go back and see if there was more in back and bring them out, wanting to please the customer and increase our sales. So, I went across the street to Meijers, their competitors, where I used to buy this product but they have raised their prices and I quit buying from them. I picked up four more packs, willing to pay the extra to save an extra trip another day. When I got to the checkout I showed the girl the sales slip from across the street and asked them if they meet their competitors prices. She didn’t know what to say and asked, “Would you like me to call the floor manager?” I said, “Yes.” I then explained, “I always use to purchase these here but you’ve raised your prices too much. Will you meet your competitors price?” Her answer, “We only match advertised prices.” So, I paid my money to save a trip and made a decision that this was my last time to shop at that store. Sometimes while shopping I’ll ask a clerk where I can find an item to save time and a lot of running all over the store. Some will either look stupid of shrug their shoulders and say, Â“I don’t know” and go on their way. Wise merchants will train their help to say, “I don’t know but I will find out for you.” Or, they will actually lead you to the place where you will find your article. I know you have been through these same experiences and shared the same frustrations.

PERSONAL ITEMS FOR PRAYER – I have been able to get help for the vertigo. There are many types but mine is “benign positional vertigo” which is very simply dealt with. No medicines, I’d been given some that only made me sleepy but didn’t help. The doctor checked me out and then showed me a procedure I could use myself to relocate the crystals in the ear fluid to correct the problem. It seems to have helped. / The heart doctor’s reports were not so simple and the tests indicate some blockage and they will be scheduling a catherization. Maybe stints and angioplasty, depending on what they find. I have told them I don’t want to wake up from the procedure and find that they have decided to do bypass surgery. I really don’t think that is needed but I guess we will see. / I have scheduled Betty to see her GP on Monday because of the difficulties she is having with stomach pain and is so easily winded when she tries to do some thing. / I really don’t like to sound like I am always complaining about physical things but we do appreciate your prayers and God’s enablements.

RESURRECTION – The youth pastor brought a welcome and interesting sermon Sunday while the senior pastor was on vacation. It was a practical message dealing with the resurrection and something we all need reminding of from time to time. In reality a large portion and basis of our faith in Christ includes this wonderful Biblical doctrine. Basically his premise dealt with “Physical Resurrection.” My only concern with such a message is that we also need to realize that physical death and burial and eventual resurrection of a physical body, is that God has also provided an interim condition. For young Christians who don’t know their Scriptures, they might be led into a false doctrine if gotten hold of by the wrong people who teach “soul sleep.” The emphasis of the message dealt with the numerous verses that use the term “asleep” to describe the condition of believers who have passed away. Seventh Day Adventists and others teach that the “soul and spirit” sleep in the grave with body until the resurrection and judgment. Paul taught, “Absent from the body and present with the Lord.” Only the physical body sleeps in the grave, not the soul and spirit. This is not a criticism of a good message, just an addition to it.

July 2008 #3

2008-08-31T16:27:00.002-05:00

SPECIAL EVENT FOR BETTY – Betty’s family from Kentucky along with those here in Ohio came for a weekend cookout. The girls did all the planning and the work to provide something Betty has wanted to do for a long time and it was finally accomplished. Some came early and had to leave before the meal and others remained to eat and visit. I think the total attending was about 28. Daughter Debbie, granddaughter Erin and grandson Nathan stayed until Monday. Betty was so excited she couldn’t sleep Friday night and went to bed Saturday night exhausted but blessed.

POLITICAL COMEDIANS – Comedians have always made fun of politicians but there seems to be some disparity as to whether McCain or Obama gets the most attention. The comedians readily joke about McCain’s age. It seems the fear of receiving criticism over the race issue causes them to go much easier on Obama. An example of jokes relating to Obama bring “Messiah” type jokes and one that should really offend Christians is when they refer to Obama as “Jesus Christ but with a better jump shot.” I find it despicable and highly objectionable (offensive) when these types of references are made. Such disrespect for our Savior and to make such associations with a politician of any party or race only speaks to how low today’s comedians have become. Sad, sad day!

OBAMA’S EUOPEAN TRIP – Following Obama’s political trip to Iraq and Afghanistan he included stops in Israel, Germany and elsewhere. I had the opportunity to listen to his Berlin speech to some 200,000 people, the largest crowd he has drawn to date. What came through to me was his Globalist and Internationalist position. His theme related to “tearing down walls between Christians, Jews and Muslims,” as well as between other various national situations. He also made a comment that “the vast majority of Muslims are peace loving.” One statement he made was, “People of the world, this is our time.” He also made the comment that “Palestinians and Israel both seek peace,” but I understand that some comments made while there didn’t set well in Israel knowing that the Palestinians want a total destruction of Israel. The thought that came repeatedly to my mind as I listened, was that should this man become our next president, he would surely lead us much closer to the One World Program that the antichrist will direct during the Tribulation. Though he professes to be a Christian, I am confident that he has no real understanding of the Scriptures and how his position will feed into the prophetic revelations of the Bible. He is a tremendous and articulate speaker who is able to say much without revealing much. Having given his position on Iraq and Afghanistan before taking his trip only verifies his mind was made up before the supposed investigative trip was taken.

HOME MISSIONARIES & PASTORS – Dr. Charles Woods recently included some ideas he felt would be good guidelines for a church-planting missionary if he been one. He was right on with his thoughts but it is not my intention to include his list here but it did bring to mind the many times over the years when pastors told me that they wouldn't’t know how to go about starting a church. By the same token I could return the thought, Â“I wouldn't’t know how to pastor a large church.Â” Regular church pastors often misunderstood the church planters ministry, even those who sat on mission boards. Home missionaries pastor small churches that they are called to plant or establish and in many ways it is different from pastoring an older and larger church. In reality, I started out my first church in my own ignorance, learning as I went along, not being with or under any mission agency. A major difference that comes to mind is entering the endeavor with out the means in hand for a functioning church, where a pastor is called to a work with a salary, a building and people in place. Too many home missionaries are handicapped by not having their full personal support. Nor do they have the funds needed to purchase property, a building and equipment to run it but that comes along as the work is developed. Thankfully, mission agencies today are doing better in holding the line and requiring that home missionaries obtain their support before taking on the task. Sometimes some individual missionaries will take up the task on their own, thinking they can always get a job to support themselves. Often it is the wife working to support her husbands ministry. It can be done but it is a hindrance to their task and a very slow process that all too often fails or struggles for years.

July 2008 #2

2008-08-31T16:25:00.000-05:00

333 HALF EVIL – This is a bumper sticker I saw today that gave cause to think a bit and I finally realized this was a take off on the 666 mark of the beast that people will have to have on their forehead or hand in order to buy or sell. It is difficult for my mind to comprehend someone’s ignorance regarding sin and evil. The individual who came up with this bumper sticker for a novel idea, and then those who paste them on their car bumpers and windows have no real recognition of their status or their standings before Almighty God. The Bible is so clear that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” how then can an individual arrive at a conclusion that they are only “half evil?” Or how could they imagine only taking on half the consequences of the antichrist’s requirements during the tribulation. This sticker only reveals the complete ignorance of the lost in this day and age. They need all of the Saviors mercy and forgiveness resulting from their confession of sin and acceptance of Jesus Christ. If they wake up to find themselves left behind at the rapture and caught up in the dealings of the world wide ruler or antichrist of the tribulation, they won’t be able to take half the mark to buy and sell. They will actually be selling their souls to the devil and eventually end up in an eternal hell. Satan is certainly busy leading people down the path of destruction while thinking they are being funny!

HOT AND SOUR SOUP – I’ve liked Chinese food since a boy when I seldom had an opportunity to enjoy it. I enjoy hot and sour soup and often stop to get some to take home for my lunch and they always give me a fortune cookie with it. The fortune I received this time was, “It is up to you to create your own adventures today!” I liked that one, realizing that as a Christian I can make life an adventure that can be personally enjoyable as well as bring glory to our God and Savior. Have you ever thought about witnessing as an adventure? I think we should. It seems so hard to make ourselves do it. Yet, when we get up our courage to do so, some great joy and blessings can come our way, opening doors to new friendships with people while pointing them to Christ. I’ve never come away from a call in a home after having an opportunity to tell them about my Savior, especially when they make that all important decision, but what I traveled home with joy in my heart and singing praises to God. What an adventure. Have you had one recently? Little by little I am getting to know more about the young Chinese girl who usually waits on me, knowing what I am coming for, even before I ask. I believe the adventure is developing when I will be able to share the gospel with her in word or a book. I am having the same adventure with my young and very worldly barber. I keep witnessing to him and taking literature to him and hopefully one of these days he will yet come to Christ. BUILD AN ADVENTURE! Some people use their vacation time to visit and assist missionaries at home or abroad. Some use vacation time to assist in V.B.S. Retirees often come along a missionary to assist them for a period of time, sometimes several months. Some churches send a crew of men out to help a missionary with a building project. Or, create an adventure of ministry of your own. MAKE AN ADVENTURE FOR BOTH PERSONAL JOY AND TO GLORIFY THE LORD!

ISRAEL AND IRAN – Here is a serious prayer concern, raising questions about how close we may be to the Rapture and Tribulation along with so many other things going on today.. This is something you won’t hear much about from what Rush calls the “Drive-by Media.” Human Events ran an article by W. Thomas Smith, Jr. titled “Will Israel Strike Iran?” It is a several page article and I can’t put it all in my “Musings” but I’ll give you a very condensed form. Basically it tells of plans for Israel to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities before the end of the year while President Bush is still in office due to questions about whether a new president would continue to stand behind Israel in the need to stop Iran’s nuclear development. It would be a strike taking several days that could possibly draw in the United States. A Lt. General Thomas G. McInerneney (U.S. Air Force, ret.) saying, “To hit the number of targets the Israelis need to hit with their force structure would require several days,” “If they did it in a night – with, say 100 airplanes – they’d probably inflict significant damage to Bushehr and other facilities, but it would be more difficult to hit the deep bunkers at Natanz.” / “Nevertheless, a multi-phased campaign lasting several days is what the current plan looks like according to the analysts and insiders.” / “If the Iranians -- in retaliation for strikes against their facilities -- makes a move against American forces in the region, or if they try to shut down the Strait of Hormuz (the strategically vital waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman) as they have threatened to do, U. S. forces will “unleash hell and more than complement what the Israelis are doing,” says Vallely. / Anyway, the lengthy article is very detailed and interesting. Also frightening. You could probably get the article by finding Human Events on the inter-net and naming the article. We can only imagine how terrible this could turn out. We need to be much in prayer about this matter as well as making sure of our own status in the Lord with the rapture before us, and the effect of the tribulation on the world. As I have said so many times, “Keep looking up!”
MARIJUNA & HEART TRANSPLANTS – Marijuana users are complaining about transplants not being available to them. Nor should they be. Those receiving hearts must sign papers agreeing not to use any form of tobacco and other matters before the precious & scarce hearts are given. I’ve had two grandsons to receive transplant & I have read the requirements.

July 2008 #1

2008-08-31T16:24:00.001-05:00

BELATED “MUSINGS – I usually get these out each week but it has been nearly two weeks since I have written. I have not been feeling well and going to my internist for over twenty years he has taken and EKG and had me wear a monitor for a couple of weeks because of irregular heart beats. He has now sent me to a cardiologist and I spent a day getting a couple “mugga tests” and a chemical stress test. He suggested a catherization which I have rejected, at least until I have completed other testing to properly satisfy my mind that it is necessary and not just another dangerous routine that has become a major money maker for hospitals and doctors. I am still due to get an echocardiogram next the 10th. Adding to this on Monday three weeks ago I woke up with vertigo and the recommended medication has only added to my discomforted with drowsiness and sleeping without correcting the problem. I am being referred to another doctor on the 14th, a long time to continue with this aggravating spinning problem. I took Betty to the oncologist for another C-scan and bone-scan that we will get a report on at her next treatment and chemo treatment this Friday.. Our lives have become filled with doctor’s appointments that have been the case for several years now. Getting old is not for weaklings as many of you already know.

POLITICS BECOMES AN INCREASING CONCERN – Obama’s polished rhetoric and good looks are drawing multitudes to his promises of “change” (almost in a messianic setting, or should I use another term?) While promising multiplied billions of dollars in additional taxes that people don’t seem to realize or recognize. At the same time I seriously question McCain’s ability to make the case for conservatism with his passivity. Hopefully he will choose a Vice President that will stir him to truly enjoin the political battle. Add to the mix the Supreme Court making new laws regarding “habeas corpus” for wartime terrorist, something that has never been done in the entire history of our nations war experience. The Court did this in the face of contrary regulations that both sides of the aisle of Congress were agreed upon. I fear for our Constitutional Government that has stood the test of time that was based upon our founding fathers spiritual moorings.

A BIBLICAL SPIRITUAL CONSIDERATION – I was rereading Psalm 76 recently and was impressed once again with God’s power and how he will eventually judge and break the wicked. We become fearful of the injustices of the world around us and the potential of the breakdown of our own national moorings by the craziness of politicians more interested in their own agendas than of the needs of those whom they represent. We hear the reports of the world’s condition and the building economic breakdowns while wondering how Christians and common people are going to be able to survive. Then we read of God, “He broke the arrows of the bow, the shield and sword of battle, (vs. 3); “At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse were cast into a dead sleep. You, Yourself, are to be feared; and who may stand in your presence when once you are angry You caused judgment to be heard from heaven,” etc. (vss. 6-8): ”He shall cut off the spirit of princes; He is awesome to the kings of the earth.” (vs. 12) Nothing goes unseen; nothing is hidden from our God and the things He is allowing is leading to an end exactly as he has prophetically declared it. Keep the faith and don’t let your hearts falter!

INDEPENDENCE DAY – Today is the 4th of July and my thoughts go back to my boyhood in Baker, Oregon, now called Baker City as it probably was in still earlier days. The 4th was always rodeo time and the crowds came to our town in Eastern Oregon. The men wore their cowboy boots and hats. Their silk shirts were bright red, white of blue and many of the women dressed similarly. All the kids had their firecrackers to blow up tin cans and jars. To the south of town was a cliff that had a big fireworks display at dark and the crowds gathered in the fields below to see the bright fireworks and images of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Those were exciting times and I wonder if they still have their rodeo and fireworks display on the cliff of the 4th of July. As time change I hope that our nation never loses it’s strong patriotism that seems to me to be eroding away.

PLACES I’VE LIVED – I raised the question awhile back, wondering how many different houses I’ve lived in over the years. – I used to be able to point to the house in Baker where I was delivered at home but there is a big blank of information where I lived as an infant and toddler after that. I have a picture of being held by my father and my mother standing beside us but I have been told little of those early years before they were divorced. I remember living with my mother in a San Francisco apartment as a young boy and later in a house where we lived with my first stepfather who was in the Coast Guard. My grandmother visited and took me to a park so I’d be out of the way while he as at home. This only gives me memory of three houses I lived in up to that time. Later I lived in a home for children where many of the children slept of cots in a large room. There was a playground outside where I fell off a slide when my grandparents came to visit me. The orphanage or children’s home, use to march us to a day school during the day. My grandparents eventually took me to their home in Carmel, California where my grandfather managed a Sprouse Reitz Variety store. My great grandmother took care of me in the daytime since my grandmother worked at the store as well. They eventually bought their own small variety store in Gold Beach, Oregon and I live there with them until they started another small variety store in Brookings, Oregon for my mother to have an income. I then lived with her in the back of the store. This was where my mother met her third husband and I was sent to live with my father and stepmother in Baker Oregon. I remember living in two different homes there with them and for a time with an uncle and aunt who thought they could better handle me than my stepmother. This lists the first 9 places I can recall living in up to the age of 9 or 10, there may have been more. There are many more places ahead. This is all information mainly for my own children’s information.

June 2008 #3

2008-06-21T10:46:00.000-05:00

FAMILY ISSUES FOR PRAYER – I was finally able this week to catch my grandson Ben on AOL to see how the family is doing. Ben has been quite ill with a severe lung infection that antibiotics were very slow working but that has finally passed. His new heart is doing well as is his adjustment to rejection meds. His son (my great grandson) Logan is handling the chemo treatments well. He has had a new MRI on the brainstem tumor but they haven’t received the results yet. Ben’s wife Meaghan, is being kept very busy running Ben and Logan back and forth to the hospital in Portland. Ethel, Ben’s mother is adjusting well to her new circumstances. / Betty had another chemo treatment this week that takes about four hours following after seeing the doctor so it really shoots the day. She is weak and has some bone pain. They have scheduled another C-Scan and bone scan before her next treatment to see if the new chemo is helping. / I am having a lot of heart skipping, wore a monitor for a couple weeks and my internist wants me to check in with a cardiologist and that is scheduled for June 26th. This all seems a lot for our family but people graciously ask and we are grateful for your many prayers and continued faithful support.

ETHANOL CRISIS – A friend sent me an interesting 7-page report on this subject. The reason I keep bringing the topic up is that I believe this is leading to increased inflation, food shortages and assorted problems that help set the stage for the conditions prophesied to take place during the biblical tribulation period in Revelation. The government is subsidizing agribusiness to turn corn and soybeans into ethanol that actually costs more to produce than what it supposedly saves in trying to help the gas dilemma. What was first intended to help meet the oil/gas crises is turning into a nightmare. Raging prices of grain is running up food prices and creating shortages in many parts of the world. What we really need to do is more drilling for oil in our own country and using what resources we have. Also a return to nuclear development that environmentalists forced cutting back on a number of years ago. You can read the article for yourself at http://us.f821.mail.yahoo.com/ym/ShowLetter?box+Inbox&MsgId+6675_789904_2083_24… That is one long address. Add to this growing problem the terrible flooding and loss of crops in Iowa, Indiana and elsewhere, the problem is increased even further. Corn right now is priced around $8.00 a bushel. Can you imagine the resulting price increases of food products, including meat? Add to this the delivery costs because of gas and diesel prices and you can see how critical things are becoming. The potential of the prophecy in Revelation 6:6 doesn’t seem so difficult to imagine. The “denarius” in this verse is the equivalent of a day’s wages for a “quart” of wheat, etc. I saw a loaf of bread at the grocery store yesterday priced at $4.29.

DOCTRINE – Reading the “Den” by Dr. Charles Woods (lorchurch@aol.com if you’d like to receive his interesting writings just let him know) this week dealing with the subject and importance of “Doctrine,” I was reminded of an early preaching experience in my first church plant. A new family had joined our church with children the age of ours. After attending for a while the lady in the family started to tell me repeatedly, “Don’t preach doctrine all the time.” I began to get a little tired of being told to not preach doctrine so I prepared a sermon using every verse in the New Testament that used the word “doctrine” and defining it’s meaning. As was my custom, after the service I went to the door to greet people as they left the auditorium. As the lady came through she said, “You preached that sermon to me this morning, didn’t you?” I smiled and said, “Yes I did.” That was the last admonition from her about preaching doctrine. I believe that was the first and only time I ever preached a sermon specifically for one particular person. Keep in mind that doctrine is simply that which is taught. Had I followed her advice I would have had nothing to preach.

THE EMERGING CHURCH - During the evening service for the summer, the pastor has asked one of our sharp young men to teach a series on “Apologetics.” He has spent the past couple weeks defining the subject and then this week he included the topic of “The Emerging Church.” I don’t know how many of you are familiar with this new movement but you will no doubt be hearing more about it as time passes. It is a movement that is endeavoring to develop a new church to overcome and correct church practices of the past. Much like those who have endeavored to remove denominational identifications in the past, thinking it detrimental to reaching people, this movement is going beyond that to try and remove any commitment to doctrinal preaching to supposedly replace it with worship that includes a lot of ascetics and music. This movement is the most watered down and meaningless effort I can imagine in an effort to take us away from truth and sound biblical teaching. It is hard to define and to pin it down to a particular doctrinal position, basing its practices more on experience and feeling than any particular belief. While claiming to base its position on the Word of God it actually takes you away from the Word, it’s truth and the sound doctrines that have differentiated Christianity from false religions over the centuries. To my mind this is moving us into the apostasy of the last days, taking the world toward the coming rapture, tribulation and time of the antichrist. Beware!

WHERE TO FIND NEW OIL – Earlier in this “Musing” I mentioned the need to drill for more oil in our own country. I read an interesting ad in U.S News & World Report for June 9th, 2008 that answers this question. The ad indicated that we can find “enough oil to power 60-million cars for 60 years and enough natural gas to heat 160 million households for 60 years” right here in the United States. That is “112 billion barrels of oil and 656 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, just on federal lands.” The article goes on and on with similar information about what our federal and state governments is restricting the use of. In a reasonable period of time we could bring to an end the use of price gouging Arab oil. I have just read that it costs the Saudis $2.00 a barrel to produce what they are presently charge nearly $140.00 a barrel for. I think what is happening is that the Arab countries are smart enough to know that their time in running short to sell their products and they are taking us for all they can while they can. When our politicians finally wake up to our own potential, along with the new technologies coming out, we will no longer need Arab oil. I wonder how long our politicians are going to endanger our national economy by their failure to act.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL – Churches across the land are gearing up to conduct their annual V.B.S. ministries this summer. This has always been a productive and fruitful time. All the years of my ministry I conducted this outreach to children. They were always successful and blessed times for winning boys & girls for Christ. Pray for many decisions again this year.

June 2008 #2

2008-06-21T10:45:00.000-05:00

TEACHING PROVERBS – The small group class that I assist in teaching is into a new series of studies in Proverbs dealing with assorted topics found within the book. This past week the youth pastor that teaches it had to be out of town so I taught the lesson on “Ticked Off!” that dealt with anger, it’s dangers and ways to overcome it. It was a good lesson for me to study and teach as it really dealt with some personal issues reminding me anew of areas in my own life. Frustrations, impatience and various things that often lead to anger and possibly violence. Christians have the advantage of the Holy Spirit dwelling in their lives to give control in these circumstances. Still, our human natures get us off track and into situations we’d rather not be in. Hopefully, as we mature in our faith we improve in our relationships at home, in the church and at work. Often people make the excuse when they lose their tempers, “I couldn’t help myself.” The point was made that we can help it, because we all do control our anger, depending upon the circumstances and the damage it might cause, even the loss of a job, etc. Therefore, we can help and control our tempers with God’s help in assorted situations. Some of the verses considered were: Proverbs 10:12; 17:9; 15:1; 16:32; 17:1; 17:14; 19:11 and James 1:10-20. If you want a good Bible study and some personal help in this area take time to read and medicate on these verses. They reiterated areas we all need reminders of.

DAVID GIVES ME A GOOD REMINDER – As I read Psalm 73 again today I received a much-needed reminder. This is the chapter where David was envious of the seeming prosperity and successes of the wicked in the face of his own difficult circumstances. I think we have all been there. We listen to lying politicians and observe the greed of CEO’s, with all their prosperity, and the wicked world leaders and their uncaring attitude toward their own people and we wonder how they can hold and maintain such power while living such immoral lives with no seeming consequences. We need to take the same pause David took in verses 16 & 17 as we observe these conditions and feel sorry for ourselves, “When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me—until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.” We have all eternity ahead of us to enjoy the prosperity of God’s provisions in the new Heaven and the new Earth, while the wicked will be suffering the consequences of their rejection of God’s standards. Look up and rejoice, praise our Savior for His forgiveness that turned out lives around, keeping us from destiny of the wicked.

REMEMBERING A SATANIC MOMENT – I have not told the following story many times over the years, not knowing if people would believe me, but it was an experience I will never forget, though it may be one you might question, it was very real and frightening to me. I use to deliver telegrams for Western Union during my junior year in high school. I was living with friends in Baker, Oregon and paying $30.00 a month for room and board (an amount far less than it was worth at the time because teenagers eat a lot). As kids will often do, I was questioning in my mind the things I had heard about God, Satan and such matters, as I was delivering my last bundle of telegrams before going home. It was dark and about 8:00 p.m. as I rode my bicycle through the streets delivering the last telegrams of the day. In those days street light were hung on telephone/power poles at street corners and they were simply large open light bulbs, unlike today’s vapor lights. The thought going through my mind was this: “If Satan is so powerful, why doesn’t he prove himself by making that street light just ahead go out.” The thought had no sooner crossed my mind than that large light bulb exploded, not just burned out. That event made such an impression on my mind that I never again tested the devil and his capabilities with such a question. I was convinced then and I am to this very day, that Satan wants to use his powers to control and use people in his war against God. He will work his miracles to deceive, mislead and empower people who might want power by being willing to follow his will. Laugh or scoff if you will, but the Bible is very clear in it’s teachings about the reality of Satan and his demons who is workings to keep people from God and to do his vile biddings, even as he tempted the Lord Jesus Christ in the wilderness prior to His public ministry. Beware and be sure that you have accepted and know Jesus Christ as your personal redeemer. There is a coming world ruler that will be empowered by Satan to lead the world in a battle against the Savior when He returns with His own to establish His Kingdom on Earth.

REUTERS NEWS ITEM JUNE 6TH – Yahoo’s News reported an article from Reuters, “Israel to attack Iran unless enrichment stops: minister” by Dan Williams said, “An Israel attack on Iranian nuclear sites looks “unavoidable” given the apparent failure of sanctions to deny Tehran technology with bomb-making potential, one of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s deputies said on Friday.” “It Iran continues with its program for developing nuclear weapons, we will attack it. The sanctions are ineffective.” Transport Minister Shaul Mofax told the mass-circulation Yedioth Ahrononoth newspaper.” You might recall that Israeli planes destroyed Iraq’s nuclear reactor in 1981 and apparently they are poised to do so again with Iran. We haven’t seen this reported in most of the news media but we have to know we are living in a very unstable time when hostilities could very quickly break out in the middle east, preparing the world for biblical prophetic events. Treacherous times are ahead. Keep looking up.

KID STUFF FROM THE PAST – Kids today entertain themselves with TV, videos, digital games, etc. When I was a child none of these things existed and we had to find different ways to entertain ourselves, often requiring a bit of imagination. Spending most of my junior age years in eastern Oregon, lumbering was the major industry. There were many sawmills that turned the huge logs brought down from the mountains to be milled or cut into various sizes of lumber, such as 1 X 12 boards, 2 x 4’s, 4 x 4’s, etc. Consequently we used to burn a lot of “slab wood” from the bark cut off from the logs prior to cutting the boards. Often the slabs would be maybe 10-12 feet long and perhaps 6-12 inches wide, depending on the size of the log they were cut off of. As boys we would take these long slabs and build 10 or 15 foot tall, four sided forts, to play cowboys and Indians or maybe from which to have rock fights on these wood lots. There were also other opportunities to make play things from board ends. When the mills planed off the various lengths of boards to the specified lengths that would leave a lot of extra wood that was often sold for firewood. It made great kindling, especially if it had some pitch in it. These board ends were great to shape like boats to play in water (or puddles), swords to do battle like knights of old. Sometimes we cut out play guns and nailed a clothespin to the handle. We could then shoot circles of half-inch wide rubber from old inner tubes. Those were far different days, providing fun with inexpensive and hand made toys.

June 2008 #1

2008-06-21T10:44:00.000-05:00

AFRICAN AMERICAN, NOT – A couple of “Musings” back I used the term “African American” and a dear friend and fellow B.C.P. missionary set me right when he told me, “I am not an African American, I am a Black American, born here in the U.S.A., not Africa.” He made it adequately clear that had he been born in Africa the title would fit but it does not since he was born here in the States. I also learned that people like Jessie Jackson and others had started the term African American as the politically correct term to use. His suggestion made sense to me and I stand corrected. What I would like to know, if a poll of blacks in this country could be taken on this subject, how many would prefer Black American in contrast to how many may have bought into the African American pitch by the liberal circle of Jessie Jackson’s, Al Sharpton’s and others?

OUR SHRINKING GLOBE – I am not a world traveler, nor were my parents or grandparents. Please understand I am not using the term in any political sense. As far as I know my parents and grandparents probably never left this country. I have been in Canada several times and on one occasion did park on this side of the Mexican border and walked into a small sleepy town right on the border to visit a few shops and the sights of Mexican’s on a sleepy afternoon who were slowly setting up the area for some celebration for some time in the future. We walked in because we didn’t have Mexican insurance for the car, knowing they wouldn’t accept our insurance if there should be an accident. Younger family members are becoming world travelers. My son-in-law did some computer work for hospitals on a couple of West Indies Islands and Patty went with him on occasion. My grandchildren, while in Bible College traveled abroad with their singing groups. Now, my granddaughter and her family are missionaries in Brazil and her mother has just returned from visiting them. Other missionaries travel back and forth to whatever country God has called them. People of means now take vacations in all sorts of places around the world and our politicians as well. The military travels great distances around the world in very short periods of time. Truly, our world has shrunk, considering the rapid means of travel by air. A generation or two ago most people could only dream of other lands they might read about. Our world has really changed and the stage is being set for all the prophetic events that the Bible tells us about. Wow!

ANGRY REPORTERS & WASTE – You probably heard the news this week as I did, telling how Barack Obama had a secret meeting with Hillary Clinton while reporters sat on a plane expecting Obama to return to the plane and fly to Washington D.C. Instead of Obama returning for the flight the plane flew all the reporters to Washington D.C. without him. They were told Obama had not returned, they had simply assumed he had. I think I would be angry too after such a wait and then needlessly being flown to a destiny where they could not continue their reporting assignment. On top of that, just image not only the waste of the reporter’s time but also the waste of expensive flight fuel without cause or reason! Obama is known for his inexperience and now you can add his wastefulness of expensive fuel to the list of his shortcomings. I wonder if this will affect reporters seeming approval of Obama as their choice for the presidency? (Smile)

PRESIDENTIAL IGNORANCE OF ISLAM – I don’t know if you have heard of President Bush’s orders to prevent offending Muslim Jihadists. Quoting Robert Spencer’s article, “No Jihadis Here!” in Human Events for May 5th, 2008: “Fantasy-based policy making is never wise. Yet that is what the Bush Administration has embarked upon – yet again, years after the President proclaimed Islam a “religion of peace” – with these Orwellian new directives.” This was said in relation to, “Last week the State Department, the department of Homeland Security and National Counter Terrorism Center issued new guidelines forbidding personnel from using the words “jihad” or “jihadist” in reference to Islamic terrorism and its perpetrators. A Homeland Security report tellingly titled “Terminology to Define the Terrorists: Recommendations from American Muslins” explains that this initiative comes from a concern not to offend moderate Muslims. By calling the terrorists “Jihadists,” American officials could be “unintentionally portraying terrorists, who lack moral and religious legitimacy, as brave fighters, legitimate soldiers, or spokesmen for ordinary Muslims.” Using the term “jihad” may not be “strategic.” Why not? “Because it glamorizes terrorism, imbues terrorists with religious authority they do not have and damages relations with Muslims around the world.” American officials “should not concede the terrorists’ claim that they are legitimate adherents of Islam.” – The reality is, jihad” is the Koran’s term that their believers are to practice in the process of converting unbelievers to their faith that includes the murder of unbelievers if they fail to convert or to yield to a special taxation. This is a real part of their religion. Someone needs to educate the President and the nations liberals to the reality of what Islam believes and practices, the destruction of any who do not convert to their religion. There are no real “Moderate Muslims” if they believe their own Shari’ah Law, the Koran and their faith. Such misunderstandings are going to lead our nation down the rose strewn path to destruction if they don’t wake up before it is too late! Some serious reading and study would lead the President and the liberal media to the truth rather than listening to the American Muslin Council.

OBEDIENCE TO PARENTS – Scriptures give a promise of long life (Eph. 6:1-2) to those who obey their parents. Sometimes children think their parents are tyrants that are trying to keep them from enjoying life. In reality, the majority of parents want the best for their children, even hoping and praying they will be far more successful in life than themselves. There are times when a parent’s warnings or “don’ts” are for their children’s protection. My daughter Patty could testify to the following incident that was for her own protection and she wisely listened to what we told her, even though we were not free to express our reason for the warnings or direction at the time. A young man in one of our churches took an interest in her and would drive her from church to home and also took her out to lunch or dinner several times. I had learned things about the young man I was not at liberty to share at the time and I had asked Patty to very carefully break off seeing him and to no longer let him drive her home after church, etc. Many girls would have argued, rebelled and maybe sneaked around to continue seeing the boy, thinking I was trying to keep her from enjoying the company of a friend and needlessly interfering in her life. She chose to obey her parents and in time she understood our instructions. The young man had not only stolen from us but from others. In time he ended up in trouble with the law and was eventually sent to prison. By obedience Patty was spared some dangerous circumstances and what could have been a life of heartbreak.

May 2008 #5

2008-06-21T10:38:00.002-05:00

E-MAILS ABOUT OBAMA – I keep getting e-mails forwarding information from missionaries in Kenya declaring Obama to be a Muslim. I haven’t read Barack Obama’s books about his life, nor do I plan too, but I understand he had ties there as a small boy. I also know that he now professes to be a Christian. I know people make pretenses relating to faith to be Christians for business and political purposes. Whether this is the case with Obama I do not know. With the continuing discussions about his pastor, Jeremiah Wright, questions are certainly raised relating to hate America speeches. I do know that Scriptures tell us we will know people by their “fruits.” I keep looking for the “fruits” that will verify the claim but I have not seen them yet. These things will no doubt become clear as the election process grinds on.

OBSERVING PEOPLE – I suppose most of us have taken pause and watched people passing by and trying to determine things about them, wondering if they are Christians, etc. when we are at the shopping mall. We may also be observant of people in church, not trying to be critical or judgmental but rather to manifest our concern for needs. Not playing an active part as in the past, I have a little more time for observations than in the past. The sad eyes of a woman attending Bible study, or perhaps it was just weariness from her many duties and home schooling of her several children. Her clothes were modest and clean and she did seem intent upon the lesson. I know she loves the Lord and her family. I sent up a prayer for God to strengthen her for her tasks of caring for the family and serving in her local church. It might be the recognition of a need or heartache of those with whom we worship and study God’s Word. We don’t have the interaction in one another’s homes as much as in years gone by and consequently we may miss an opportunity to minister to the needs of those in our own church family. We really do need to pray more for one another and care for one another as needs are recognized. Such care in the early church made them distinct from the world around them. That closeness made an impact on their world that is missing in so many churches today, minimizing the churches impact upon their community. Strong and outstanding churches have developed practical concerns for their people as well as their neighbors that many gospel-preaching churches have failed in doing. This is something to think and pray about.

SEPARATION – In years gone by we use to hear and read considerable about the doctrine of separation. I know I preached my share of sermons on the topic as well. I seldom hear anything about it any more and I wonder if this isn’t a part of the “falling away” or “apostasy” of the last days. It was probably never a popular teaching among Christians but it was a vitally important one. It was usually divided into two separate conditions: Personal separation, which most believers understood quite well because it involved all the don’ts of faith that preachers continually laid out before them. At times they often got mixed in with cultural issues of the times such as men with long hair and women wearing pants, that was taken from the Old Testament admonition about women not wearing what pertains to a man. The second was ecclesiastical separation, separation from the many false and misguided religions. Today we have been led to believe that we should not offend anyone by making the Biblical distinctions that are so clearly delineated in our Scriptures. Both the media and today’s churches have repeatedly brought us to this false belief of making no offense. At the same time, repeatedly, sacred Scriptures clearly draw lines that were needed at the beginning of time and they continue to be needed to this very day. Human nature being what it is, humanity has a tendency to move away from God’s established standards. Our national constitution has probably been partially responsible for this by allowing so many strange religions contrary to our Christian moorings, declaring freedom of religion and freedom of speech. This is something we want to preserve but it has allowed for some strange religious practices in the land. Even with that being the case, there are times when we need to draw lines of personal practices and ecclesiastical differences. I am fearful that Christianity has lost much of it’s effectiveness by no longer declaring distinctions of separation. We don’t want to be known for our continual harping, nor should we want to lose our Biblical distinctiveness that makes us true Christians. When we walk the walk of separation it is noted by those around us and will often open the door to questions and discussions through which we can declare our faith. An example from the past, not being a Methodist, but recalling a practice from their past, when quarterly, by sermon or in their Sunday school material, they would have a “Temperance Sunday” when the use of alcohol and it’s harm was dealt with. I doubt that practice is still continued today but it does speak to churches of the past maintaining their moral and biblical standards. I am confident the local saloons, bars and those who frequented them did not appreciate being marked by those quarterly messages or lessons but they did have an impact in those days. Are we making a moral impact by our practices of separation and Distinctives today?

LIST OF DON’TS – I remember one church I pastored having a list of don’ts drawn up in its constitution before I came on the scene. These types of practices can lead to a legalism that drives people away before they can be taught Biblical truths and practices. As an example of what I mean, there was a lady and her young teenage son who attended our church and both were believers, though her husband was not. He was a farmer that never did attend our services and we prayed often for him. That dear lady and her son wanted to join our church but there in the constitution was that list that made playing cards one of the churches don’ts for its members. Playing cards with their farmer neighbors was one of the few social outlets this lady had with her unsaved husband and teir neighbors and she could not honestly meet that requirement of the church. Had there been gambling associated with the practice that would have been one thing, but as a social outlet of playing bridge, that was another. I was eventually able to take care of the list and the lady and her son were united with our church. In times gone by playing cards were shunned and considered taboo because of their original design to placate a mad king and their association with gambling and drinking alcoholic beverages. Our younger generation does not know about those distinctions from the past and there were reasons for them. Most taverns or saloons in days gone by had card tables and gambling was central to playing card games. Whether that is still true today I don’t know but you can see why the strong opposition to playing cards in times past. Of course today’s casinos that I mentioned recently, that would still be the case and Christians certainly should not be associated with those types of things. Though I don’t like to see legalistic lists of don’ts included in church constitutions, I do believe our preaching, teaching and example, as Christians should provide guidelines to a believer’s style of living distinctively from that of the world.

May 2008 #4

2008-06-21T10:25:00.002-05:00

I’M ENCOURAGED – I am receiving more and more responses to these “Musings.” A home schooling mom thanked me for them and then told me that she uses some of them as she teaches her children. A home missionary wife wrote about illustrations, “My husband keepings telling people, “Speak, I need an illustration.” One “Musing” caused one lady to write with a question I was able to answer and hopefully remove some confusion she was having about a passage of Scripture. The President of our Mission told me he wished more of the retirees would take the time to write similar things. Others tell me, “Keep them coming, we enjoy them.” About 240 receive them and if you can send me other e-mail addresses to add to the list I would appreciate it. I’ve only had two ask to be removed from the mailing list in all this time. A couple of times I have been corrected which is acceptable with me. We are not always going to find agreement but we learn and grow from those experiences. Please keep the comments coming.

FAMILY REASONS & HOW MANY’S – One of the reasons I write these “Musings” is that my kids have asked me to write a book about my life and experiences but I really don’t feel prone to do that and this attempts to supplement that request. When I asked the questions in the last “Musings” of “Thinking About My Life” and the "How many’s” was stimulated by their request. Hopefully others might also get a smile or a memory from them, not experienced by our younger generation. Moving on to the “How many things I have sold or tried to sell by direct sales and other odd jobs,” I am reminded of the director of the CBA Churches in Oregon telling me, “I wish all our pastors could have the experience of selling insurance for a couple of years so they would learn how to deal with people.” That is one I tried, having sold hospital insurance and a little life insurance during a difficult time of my earlier years when jobs were scarce. I sold shoes and other clothing items for J. C. Penney’s and separately. Going back earlier, as a boy I sold papers in Baker, Oregon on street corners. I helped a friend do the same in a suburb of Los Angeles as a teenager. In Junior High I set pins at a bowling alley and worked on numerous truck farms using a hoe and gathering crops. I also boxed (rather than bagging) groceries and stocking shelves in a grocery store. Later when pastoring a small church we distributed an area paper in Ogallala, Nebraska, picking them up from the bus stop and seeing that the deliver boys got their allotment, including my own boys. Just out of high school I went to Western Union’s training school and worked in several of their offices. In fact, during my junior year of high school I delivered telegrams for Western Union in Baker, Oregon to pay room and board. During those earlier struggles in Oregon I sold cemetery lots for a while. Also in Ogallala when the church was so small they didn’t properly care for their pastor I did a number of different things. I dug a few ditches and drove a dump truck hauling and spreading manure. My wife always hated for me to come home for lunch. During the same period I mowed city park lawns and helped a drugstore set up new store shelving and counters. When I started our first church in Federal Way, Washington I was working for Boeing Aircraft and when that became too much while ministering and putting up the church building, I took odd house painting jobs and painting trim on houses newly resided. I also worked with a friend installing insulation, mostly in new homes. That was a terribly itchy job. I use to receive a “Specialty Salesman Magazine” and I tried selling five year light bulbs, calendars, shoes, boxed greeting cards and AMWAY to mention a few things done to keep body and soul together while ministering to small churches. Amway was something I got into that also gave the boys something to sell helping toward their college expenses. I once managed chain variety stores before ministry days (that is where I met my wife) and then in a variety store while ministering to a small church. I drove school busses in two different places while ministering in churches in Federal Way, Washington and also in Blue Rapids, Kansas. I haven’t counted all these things but it does give you an idea of things that occupied my earlier years. At one point I worked for the Oregon Temperance League raising funds to teach high school students of the harm of using alcohol. I finally decided this was a secondary issue and preaching the Gospel was more important because as people get saved the use of alcohol stops. These are out of sequence but it gives you a broad view of things I have done before and during ministry years. Its enough to make my head spin thinking about it. I’d better move on to something else.

HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGE LAWS – Grassfire and the Liberty Counsel are warning us that the California Supreme Court has ruled that homosexual marriages are legal and though there is a referendum coming up in November to pass a constitutional change defining one male and one female marriages, they are expecting thousands to rush to California to get married. All these coming from other states will then create problems and bring pressures here in Ohio and elsewhere. You can contact Grassfire or Liberty Counsel and sign a petition to try and stop this nonsense.

GLOBAL WARMING/NOT – Constant pressures and added expenses are being placed on us by environmental causes that are ridiculous. There have always been climate cycles that bring about these changes. The carbon output of industry and our cars is only a minimal fraction of what volcanoes are belching out into the air. As much as I believe man should give care and reason in their use of our environment, environmentalists are forcing unnecessary expenses on us. I recently read where we are actually in a cooling cycle and will be for the next ten years. Still, they keep screaming global warming at us and pushing their “green” policies on society from grade school children on up the line through businesses in general. Where does it end and when do people get past the politically right agenda and collect their senses. I’ll remind people again, when God brought into existence His creation, He also put in the safeguards and all that was necessary for our continued existence for another thousand plus years when He will bring about His new heaven and earth for the eternal estate. Knowing this truth ought to bring Christians to realize it is futile to be taken in by all this “green” hype. So much for Al Gore and the position he has made for himself and others with all this nonsense.

FOOD BILLS, Etc. – I commented on this prophetically in my last “Musings” and I am just adding some currant details going on now, that I suppose most are aware of as well. With truckers having to spend over $1,000.00 to fill up their tanks at an even higher diesel price than for gasoline, we are really beginning to see prices go up in the grocery store. More and more families are going to have to return to cooking from scratch and forget the prepared foods so readily available today. I don’t know how to do those things and further, all that preparation for just two, when we aren’t eating nearly as much as in the past I am not sure it would work for us. This is particularly true with Betty and her condition and the little she eats. Guess I should have taken home economics in high school to know how to deal with such matters. Who would have ever dreamed of that need so many years ago? Times surely are changing and with both husbands and wives working I don’t know how they will have the time to do that kind of preparation either. Our dilemma grows and people are beginning to think and search for cost saving answers to the crisis. I am suspecting that the fast food places and restaurants may begin to feel the pinch too as families have to cut back. Bicycles may be coming back but I really don’t see how they will be very practical considering the distances people have to travel to work and purchase groceries these days. Even vacations may be cut back for closer to home plans. Maybe our politicians will get smart and come up with some answers. That is not likely! (Smile)

May 2008 #3

2008-05-18T21:16:00.002-05:00

THINKING ABOUT MY LIFE – Do you ever take pause to evaluate or think about your life and all the things you’ve done, places you’ve been and the “how many’s” of certain things you’ve done in your life? For example: “How many years have I lived?” I sometimes stop and wonder, “Am I going to be 78 or 79 this year? That one is real easy right now because I just having my 79th birthday, but sometimes I actually have trouble trying to remember which it is. Some other “how many’s:” “How many places have I lived and in how many different houses have I lived in?” “How many different jobs have I had?” “How many countries have I been in?” How many cars have I owned (or worked at buying)?” “How many real friends do I have?’ “How many friends would I have had if I hadn’t offended some along the way?” “How many different kinds of things have I sold or tried to sell by direct sales?” I was just thinking about this last one and I may actually try to figure that one out, an insight into a part of my life most today wouldn’t know. You’ll maybe laugh when you see that list. As ridiculous as these questions may seem to you, being the product of a broken home and having been passed back and forth from time to time or ended up as a Church Planting Missionary, the numbers get a little ridiculous compared to the average farmer who has always lived in the same state, county and maybe on the same farm all his life. I’ll probably get back to you on some of these after I’ve had time to think about it and tried to put some numbers together. I don’t have the best memory, so I may be off a little when I do, but it will be interesting (to me and a few family members and friends, maybe).

WHAT’S GOING ON WITH OUR SCHOOLS – This past week we had a school in Columbus that almost had a Columbine experience. A high school boy was planning to use grenade type bombs to kill dozens of fellow students. Thankfully his plan was discovered the day before he had intended to carry it out. It seems ever since the Columbine case in Colorado several years ago, there has been incidence after incidence of this type of thing happening, not only in high schools but in colleges and elementary schools. It use to be that schools were relatively safe places to send children. Little things like spit wads, hair in ink wells, carvings on desks, fist fights and hair pulling were the type of incidents children got sent to the principal’s offices for. The fallen human nature has always manifested itself over the centuries, but what is going on today is much, much worse and increasingly wide spread. Public education is suppose to improve society, according to the politicians, but it seems to be an increasingly fearful debilitating experience, that is requiring sane parents to become home-schoolers. Conditions suggest the need to establish more Christian schools. Sadly, Christian schools seem to be in decline. Wow, what to do, what to do. Remember, they got rid of prayer and the Bible and now they are reaping the consequences.

ARE PROPHETIC BELLS GOING OFF IN YOUR MIND – I am not a prophet not the son of a prophet, but just being aware of Biblical prophecy, in the light of current events that keep setting off bells in my head. I’ve lived in earthquake areas and been shaken in bed, on a ladder, seen merchandise falling off store counters as well as facades off of store buildings. It is a frightening experience. I’ve heard prophetic teachers tells us there would be an earthquake someplace during the week of meetings and there were. You could make the same statement every week and be correct. I’ve looked up on the inter-net to read the increasing prevalence of earthquakes around the world. In the past several weeks they have reported a number of earthquakes in this country and given new warnings of potential devastating quakes in California. Add to that the thousands killed in China this past week by earthquakes and my prophetic bells keep going off. Matthew 24:7 reads, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.” (Also Mark 13:8 and Luke 21:11) There are mountain-shaking verses of judgment in the Old Testament as well. Believers can take comfort from passages like Psalms 46. Please take time to read it. (God will also use similar quaking events in Revelation 11:13, 16:18 & 19, but these are for the Tribulation judgments.) I am not saying the day has arrived, but we are certainly seeing an increase of these events all the time. Let me give you another one to think about.

INFLATION & FAMINE – Famine was mentioned in the Matthew 24 passage and I want to also add Revelation 6:6 into my prophetic comments, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius;” Using corn to make ethanol to supposedly help the price of gasoline, is running up the price of grain to feed live stock (raising the cost of meat) and it is also raising the price of bread. This will surprise some, but I can remember a loaf of bread costing 10 cents. The change in the price of Wonder bread since 2003 has gone up 74%. In that same time the price of a boneless center-cut pork chop has gone up 124% and a rib-eye steak 64%. Have you noticed? The “denarius” of Revelation 6:6 was the equivalent of a day’s wages when Revelation was written. In the last couple of weeks Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club and other bulk stores have started limiting the amount of rice people can purchase. Though we aren’t presently expecting great shortages in this country, there are countries that are having serious problems finding or being able to afford basic grains. Are the prophetic bells I mentioned in the previous paragraph going off again with this as well? Famine is a reality in a number of African countries. The terrible hurricanes in Myanmar (Burma) are causing starvation and shortages of water there. Our hearts go out to all these suffering and dying peoples. Their own governments in Africa and now Myanmar are greatly responsible for the lack of aid, even stealing and hording supplies from the common people that other countries provide. Many things are contributing toward the famines presently on going but the reality of these conditions, it seems to me, are building toward these prophetic conditions. Adding these things into the equation of the Scriptures, along with the “nations rising against nations” (that would take more than another paragraph to discuss) and we are observing the development of matters that could very well drive the world toward what God has told us will take place leading up to and on into the Great Tribulation. I am not trying to create fear-mongering, I am only suggesting that Christians need to be looking up expectantly and suggesting that as you do so, seek opportunities to lead family and friends to Christ while there is still time.

May 2008 #2

2008-05-18T21:14:00.000-05:00

TIMES HAVE CHANGED & SO HAVE I – A week or so ago I was walking toward AAA where my daughter-in-law works. As it turns out the door was locked as they had closed earlier than I expected. Donna was still inside and she saw me coming and opened the door to see what I wanted. As she opened the door she told me what her co-worker had said, “I wonder what that old man wants that is coming here?” That really marked me as I was walking in my slow gait. Between my sore joints, balance problems and white hair, this old man has slowly arrived to a time of slow motion. Moving on with the thought that struck me as I learned of that reference to “that old man,” I never referred to my Father as “the old man.” I always thought it disrespectful when people referred to their fathers as “the old man.” Until later years most fathers are active, still doing their job, etc. and I don’t think the term fits. I don’t think my own children have ever spoken of me in that manner and have always shown the respect do to a father or parent and so it should be. When you evaluate the biblical, patriarchal system the father was highly regarded. Elders are always referred to in a respectful manner, recognizing authority or their wisdom and care they have provided the children when they were growing up. Too much of that seems to be discounted and disregarded today. My father professed to have been saved as a young man but never lived as though he was all the years I knew him, but I still respected him as my father. I guess I should have saved this one for Father’s Day rather than right after Mother’s Day. Since Mother’s Day has just passed I will acknowledge the same respect attitude toward my mother even though I know she lived far from a believer’s life all the years I knew her. It is so strange that both my parents had godly parents and made early professions but did not end up living the life. They paid a price for turning their backs on their moorings but still, I respected them and never used the “old lady” or “old man” terminology that some do.

ISSUE ORIENTATION – When I started out in ministry Dr. Robert Ketchum was the head of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches. He kept the issues of ecclesiastical and personal separation before the fellowship and the world at large. Modernism, Neo-evangelicalism and the various doctrinal issues such as the Virgin Birth, a literal interpretation of Scriptures that included revealing those who denied the miracles found in the Bible. I often wonder where his counterparts and others like him are today. The young pastors in evangelical and fundamental churches stick real close to their expository preaching (teaching) and issues are seldom if ever raised. If that is too broad a stroke please let me know but I believe the statement is generally true. If the issues of sin, false teachings and movements are not mentioned how do we expect young Christians to be on guard and protected from the wiles of the devil? If issues are not dealt with in today’s preaching, why not in writings? The “old timers” preached on these things and wrote about them both. Expository preaching doesn’t have to be neglected while dealing with the issues. They can be intermingled, believe it or not! Have issues relating to sins and areas of separation departed from our midst? I think not! Sin continues on an ever-growing scale, as do biblical and moral issues. What is happening is that the prophetic events of the “falling away” as described in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 are taking place. We are fearful people will no longer listen to the truth if we don’t stay on a non-confrontational positive presentation. Are we yielding to events of the last day apostasy as mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1-7 that ends with “Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of truth?” Or perhaps those described in 2 Timothy 4:3 when people “will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears?” I guess I have gone to preaching now but I fear we have taken a considerable departure from yesterdays preaching. One of the benefits of expository preaching is that as you systematically work through you can hit on all the sensitive topics without being accused of preaching at particular people, that is if you give the issues and opportunity to come through, illustrated with current events. There are times when topical preaching is needed but often those areas of need can be fit into the expository messages.

ILLUSTRATIONS – I remember leading one of our church plants through the process of call their first regular pastor. We continued to live in the area and attend the church when we were at home. Sometimes my wife and daughter attended while I was traveling. The young man always had a good Biblical outline but they were a little flat but I said nothing. One day when I was home the pastor called on me and asked my advice on how to find illustrations for his sermons. Since he asked I was free to tell him what he needed to know without offense and I gave a bit of advice that really changed his messages from flat to interesting. I remember having the same problem years earlier. I bought a couple books of illustrations but they didn’t work too well as they were mostly from another age and didn’t fit too well. I finally dumped the books of illustrations having learned there are ample illustrations in every day life. I shared with the young pastor that as he goes about his business, doing his visitation etc., he would have plenty of illustrations if he would just open his eyes to them. He was sharp and began using natural everyday events (and issues) to illustrate his sermons. When you live your life among people as you minister the illustrations will come. Of course you have to be careful to not let what you observe come through as personal, involving individuals that might be hurt or embarrassed.

OBAMA’S TAX BILL – There is not much in Barack Obama’s brief Senatorial experience for him to point to that helps build his case toward elect ability this fall. Recently Barack has sponsored the Global Poverty Act (S.2433) that will force U.S. taxpayers to fork over as much as 0.7 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product or $845,000,000,000.00 on welfare to third-world countries. This could come up for a vote as early as May 24th. U.S. citizens need to wake up and scream to the high heavens about the terrible disaster this would bring on our nation. While your complaining about this one, remember the other tax increases he is for and if your planning to vote for this man this fall, you’d better find someone far better to vote for. Check out Human Events and The Center for Individual Freedom (CFIF.ORG) if you want confirmation about this Senate Bill. We aren’t doing too well on many welfare issues that already exist here at home without adding this to monies already going abroad to nations that hate us.

DECLINING DOLLAR – The decline in the value of the dollar is adding to inflation in this country and making it difficult for our missionaries to continue their ministries of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Be much in prayer for them.

May 2008 #1

2008-05-18T21:13:00.000-05:00

CASINOS – Thirty-eight states have casinos and the states surrounding Ohio all have them. We are presently seeing ads promoting a casino for Ohio as though the state was missing something of value and that we are behind the times. The ad tells us that money is leaving Ohio at sixty-five miles an hour. When we were in Oregon for John’s funeral we parked a car in a casino parking area on the way to the coast as we all got into another car to save gas. It was a huge place with a very large parking lot just about packed to capacity on a Sunday afternoon. When we returned from the ocean that evening the casino was brightly lit and the parking lot was still full. People do go to these places in large numbers and most of them lose money doing so. Gambling seldom pays off and those who do win usually turn around and lose it again hoping to win more. Gambling is a sinful way of wasting money. It involves greed, the desire to have or to gain what someone else has. It may also be called covetousness, something the Bible clearly condemns. If people have such access funds to spend (waste) there are many needy projects and hurting people who need help. Further, where there is gambling there is usually criminal corruption. So often they make promises to provide better education or some other social or community benefit, with little actually being so applied while pockets are lined. All to often people who cannot actually afford to lose their money do. Many are the stories of peoples lives ruined by gambling. No, I really don’t think Ohio needs a casino to keep up with the bad standards of surrounding states.

FAMILY UPDATE – My daughter-in-law in Oregon is finally back to work. - Ben’s new heart is doing fine but his kidney’s are giving him some problems. It is difficult getting his rejection meds properly adjusted. – Little Logan is adjusting well to his chemo treatments and will have a new MRI of his brain tumor in a week or so. Your continued prayers for this family are still appreciated. / Betty will get a second treatment of the new chemo on the 15th. I am still wearing a heart monitor and will for 30 days. The irregularity causes me tiredness. A shot of cortisone has eased the pain and swelling some in my knee. So much for the medical reports, thanking you for your prayers.

HATE SPEECH ?? – Friends, going back many years, sent me a commentary on “Faith and Politics” by Bill Tammeus in Kansas. Part of the heading was “Preaching is both a burden and a marvelous opportunity.” Tammeus’s comments related to Sen. Barack Obama and his pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. sermons. He also recalled what he referred to as “anti-Catholic hatred” when he was a boy. He also stated: “Throughout Christian history preachers have been free to preach the gospel as they understood it. The task for people hearing sermons is to discern prophetic preaching from hate speech.” I would agree with his assertion that Dr. Wright’s sermons “were not just words about injustice but “expressed a profound distorted view of this country.” Preachers do get themselves into predicaments through their preaching by bad choices of words and sometimes through listeners who misunderstanding their purposes. Having said all this, the word that stood out to me was “hatred.” Wise pastors will avoid giving any impression of “hatred” in their attitudes and expressions but there is more involved here. We have come to a day when Canada has passed laws against “hate speech” that has hampered the ability of pastors and others to make any comparisons between the truths of the Gospel and the different existing religions. Similar laws are being attempted in this country where a pastor could be imprisoned for comparative expressions in their preaching and teaching. I have read of people moving to this country because they could no longer write about and teach their religious differences in Canada. The day may well arrive here as well. Still, I know of no better way of teaching doctrinal truths than by comparing Biblical truth with false doctrines. These new laws will not allow such teaching and that is an attack on our religious freedoms. It is not hate speech to make such distinctions. If I preach and teach against false teachings that go against the Scriptures to protect my congregation, that is not “hate speech,” it is a matter of love to protect people from the false and teachings that lead people into an eternal damnation. We need to be on our guard to not allow such laws to take effect in this country.

PRESIDENTIAL VISIT – David Little, President of Baptist Church Planters graciously stopped in to see us this week on his way through the Columbus area from another stop. It was a delight to see him and to talk about things in common relating to the mission. He brought a potted plant for Betty, something she always enjoys. We rejoiced in the mission’s growth and development in various ethnic ministries. The growing Hispanic ministries are a great delight of God’s blessing. I also mentioned my concern over the declining outreach to African Americans. At one time our mission had a great church planting outreach to African Americans. Several things are causing this, age and retirement without others stepping up to take their places. Another is that a number of our black missionaries have remained with their churches after starting them rather than going on to repeat the process. We really need to be praying for and seeking conservative, fundamental black men to once again recognize the great need in this nation for church planters. One school in the Kansas City area is no longer producing church planters as it once did. There is another area of decline that concerns me. We had a growing ministry to the deaf and that is in decline. Oh, that God would raise up new people to minister in these two areas as they once did for an increase of saved souls and new outreach. PLEASE PRAY WITH US TO THIS END!

MORE ABOUT BLACK MINISTRY – There was a time at Fellowship Baptist Church when a believing African American lady visited our church. I called in the home to encourage her husband to attend with her. He eventually accepted the Lord and I had the privilege of baptizing him. It was my hope and prayer that they might become the nucleus to bring in others. They were not with us long as they came to the conclusion that they wanted their son to grow up in the black culture and moved on. That was such a point of discouragement to me. I might add, that under our present pastors leadership, there have been several other ethnic groups that have become members of our church for which I praise the Lord. It should be our prayer that their numbers increase as we see the multiplicity of different cultures in our area. Let’s not be afraid to make friends with many around us of different cultures in an effort to point them to Christ and our churches.

JEWISH CONCERNS – In the early church Jews and Gentiles alike attended the same churches. For many years now mission agencies have sent out missionaries to reach Jews for Christ, ministering within the culture, but not bringing the two together. I don’t understand why that has been the case. Both are equal in Christ when redeemed.

April 2008 #4

2008-05-01T15:32:00.000-05:00

BELATED – I didn’t get a “Musing” out last week. If I hurry I may get this out before the month is completely over. Doctor’s appointments and needs that arose at the home such as a garage door opener going bad and our water cooler going out all took time. I was not feeling good with some problems so I went to my doctor for some tests. This Friday they are going to put a heart monitor on me for two weeks and see what is going on as the EKG showed some problems. Getting older does have its problems but it is also a reminder of the better day we look forward to in God’s presence.

STILL TEACHING – Several months ago the pastor of Fellowship Baptist in Dublin, where we attend, decided to start small group Bible studies in different areas. The youth pastor, who works full time at a secular job, was to teach one small group at the church on Wednesdays. He often has to be out of town and I was asked to co-teach with him. I agreed to help by teaching when he had to be away, which I have been doing. I appreciate the opportunity to still share the truths of God’s Word.

SHORT NOTICE PREACHING – In the church where I gained my first opportunities to serve I use to pick up children in my car and take them to Sunday School. When Sunday school was over I would drive them back home. It always made me a little late for the morning service and I recall one Sunday morning returning to see a deacon leading the singing rather than the pastor who usually led the singing. I had no more than sat down by my wife and boys to enjoy the service when the deacon stepped down from the platform and told me the pastor was ill and he needed to take him home and that I would have to preach. I had only preached one other time when the pastor had asked me to preach when he went on vacation. On that occasion I studied for two weeks (not knowing what I was doing) and I ran out of steam (message) after ten minutes. Thankfully I had been reading my Bible and had written some things in the margin of my Bible that became my sermon on short notice. The Lord blessed and the people seemed to enjoy what I had shared. Whether they appreciated it because it was better than nothing I’ll never know, they were gracious. That experience as a young man, when serving as a deacon, led me to something I did a number of times over the years as a pastor. Believing that deacons should be able to step in at a moments notice to meet special needs in the local church, I would prepare a very brief outline of a message: Topic, point 1, 2, 3, 4 and a Scripture verse for each, typed up on separate 3 x 5 cards. Without warning on Sunday evening, just before the service, I would pass those cards out among the deacons and ask them to present that part of the message at sermon time. They had about a half hour during the song service to gather their thoughts from the topic and verse given to present their portion of the sermon. The deacons gained an experience in ministry and we had great fellowship doing this. It also helped prepare the deacons to minister on a moments notice if needed. When you think this through, we are often caught in situations where we need to give an answer for our faith and share a witness among others without warning. Deacons, as well as all believers, are to become familiar with their Bibles and be prepared to witness on a moments notice. So, I utilized such means to get our people thinking and sharing their faith. Who does such a thing in these days when churches demand such professionalism and degrees or doctorates for their pastors? I had to learn to minister through experience and opportunities that my pastor gave me in those early years. Our churches should be giving their people an opportunity to learn and grow spiritually.

PIANISTS – Being a church planter I often struggled to find someone to play the piano as we start a new plant. Neither my wife, nor myself, knew how to play the piano. Music and a pianist are so important to a church and if you don’t have a pianist or a good singer to lead the music, the new church is handicapped. I recall starting the church in Clarinda, Iowa. Shortly after the beginning of our new work a schoolteacher who played the piano came our way. What a blessing. We also had a twelve-year-old girl who was taking piano lessons and she asked me if she could play the piano for us. She had not learned to play hymns yet but I told her if she would promise to practice hymns I would make her my official Sunday School pianist. She meant business for the Lord and just about drove her parents crazy practicing. She made mistakes but we encouraged her and gave her an opportunity to so serve. A warning went out from me to the people to encourage her and to overlook her mistakes, which they did. It wasn’t long until she turned out to be a very nice church pianist. Young people that are willing to endeavor to serve the Lord should be given opportunities to do so. Everything in church does not have to be done by a professional; the church is to be a training center for believers to learn to serve the Savior. New church plants often give people an opportunity to grow and serve (out of necessity) that too seldom happens in larger more established works, seeking a greater degree of professionalism. I suppose, living in a day of polished entertainment via TV, etc., people are expecting the same of their churches and they fail to recognize the local church as a training center where believers can prepare and learn to serve.

GAS PRICES – Thankfully I am not driving the many miles I use to have to drive, with such high gas prices now. I can remember 22 and 23 cents a gallon for gas. The rising gas prices are going to ruin our economy if the government does find a way to bring it under control. At one time I thought maybe ethanol was going to help but the more I think about it, the more I believe it is the wrong direction to take. The cost of its production and what it takes away from the food market is counter productive. There is no way we can meet the need for energy with ethanol. Trying to do so is running up the cost of grains that may lead to shortages and higher prices for food. If the politicians would stop being led around with a ring in their noses by the environmentalist’s cry of global warming, they might come up with a solution. We have plenty of oil available if they will only allow for it to be drilled and if they would allow for the development of new refineries. The huge profits of oil companies are nothing less than greed, pure and simple. Can you imagine the benefits and corrections for this problem if more of those huge profits were being applied to the creation of newer and better energy resources? They advertise they are doing so but the evidence is not any too apparent. If the additives the oil companies are required to put in gasoline to meet the California pollution standards were applied to all the gas produced, there would be better mileage per gallon than we are presently experiencing. But then the oil companies would not be able to sell quite as much gas. Check out the following lengthy inter-net ad: “Gas Secrets” marketing@solitairelogbook.net about additive savings.

April 2008 #3

2008-04-24T07:38:00.001-05:00

REPORT ON BETTY – Betty had an MRI several weeks ago and a bone scan last week. When we saw the oncologist this Wednesday he said that her cancer was out of control. Friday she was to start a new chemo just approved by the FDA to see if it will turn things around but she was sick to her stomach all night and we had to cancel. I have rescheduled it for Tuesday. They haven’t told us of the potential side effects of this one yet but I suppose they will when we go in. Please pray for her, as it has been a long and discouraging battle.

MORE OIL – So much has been said by people fearing oil shortages. There is news coming out now that should relieve some of those fears if authorities will just take advantage of the opportunities. We started a church in North Dakota. Most of our people worked in the oil drilling industry. Though that has been a few years I often wondered why many wells were capped off rather than being used. There is some new news about their finding more oil in that area under a large lake and they are finding ways to drill outside the lake and then angled back into the reservoir under the lake. Environment issues were preventing drilling in the lake. Another item, my son Gary found a new item that you might find interesting to read about “seeping oil” that indicates there is far more oil around the world than first thought. If you are interested in learning about the growing amount of oil that contradicts the diminishing supply go to http://www.rense.com/general63/refil.htm you will find it interesting reading. I’d heard some things along these lines before. The thought that comes to my mind is that when God created this old world He provided adequate resources to take care of the growing population if we but learn about and take advantage of His provisions. Could this be an answer to the present oil prices reaching up to nearly $113.00 a barrel? This is something to think about.

ELEMENTARY MASSAGES – Can you believe this? Fox News reported on 4/15/08 of a school that has provided a room for elementary children to go and give massages to one another. I didn’t catch the item in time to write down where this school was located but I suppose if someone wanted to know bad enough where it is they could check with Fox to find out. That is quite an addition to elementary curriculum that we might pray doesn’t catch on. There are too many schools failing to properly teach English and math without adding something of this sort. I’ve been thinking about going to a massage therapist myself to see if it would help the neuropathy caused by my diabetes but I haven’t quite gotten up my courage to give it a try yet. Guess I wasn’t given the right incentive for that sort of thing when I was in grade school. (Smile)

A REVEALING AD – A TV ad I hear repeatedly certainly reveals the worldview today. It made such an impression on me that I don’t even remember the product it advertises and I really don’t want to know. Here it is, “I want if all, I want it all and I want it now.” This is a greedy world and so many are seeking all they can get and they want it immediately. People are hell bound with all their greed and immorality, demanding attitudes and practices rushing to an eternal damnation. I recall a friend years ago when we were driving together from Camas, Washington to Woodburn and Silverton, Oregon. We would be driving the speed limit on curving roads, and cars would go speeding past us and he would say, “Rush on fool, hell is only half full!” People are rushing to a terrible end and not even aware they are doing so.

THE POPE’S WEEK – President Bush’s official welcome of the Pope was a moving event with all the pomp and circumstance, hymns and music, instrumental and vocal. All the news this week has been dominated by the Pope with much fanfare, speeches, masses and crowds of people, many of whom traveled some distance to be able to see the Pope. The repeated apology for the pedophile acts of priests was long overdue and a welcome appeal. Pope Benedict apparently is quite an intellectual and seems to be a humble spirit, up to a point. The messages of love, peace and forgiveness are also welcome words in the face of all the bad news that fills our airways day after day. Even knowing the Pope’s opposition to abortion in the face of millions of murdered babies is refreshing as we observe the continual stance of Obama and Hillary’s defense of the practice. Having said all this, these events do not nullify the many differences of Roman Catholicism’s doctrinal and historic inaccuracies or the many the church has martyred among believers over the centuries. Something that always strikes me is the contrast between all the adoration of the Pope and the Apostle Peter whom the Popes claim to follow. Recalling the “man lame from his mother’s womb” in Acts 3 when Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Compare that with all the expensive and colorful robes, crowns, etc. that was on display this week. Or, in Revelation 22 when John saw wondrous things the angel had shown him, John “fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he (the angel) said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, … Worship God.” Compare that with people bowing before the Pope and kissing his hand or ring. Even a mighty angel of God would not accept worship from man that belonged alone to God Almighty, yet the Pope accepts veneration from individuals and the gathered crowds. SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE!

IMMIGRATION & OPPORTUNITY – I am opposed to the mass of illegal immigration from Mexico and elsewhere, believing they should follow the legal process of entering the country. At the same time I was reminded by the writings of Dr. Charles Woods this week of the opportunity that immigration affords us as Christians. We get so caught up in the political arguments relating to illegal immigration that we forget our responsibility to point lost souls to our Savior and the blessing of eternal life to all who will receive Him. In my mission challenges in numerous churches over the years I have made the point that with the dwindling of missionaries going abroad, God is bringing the masses to us in these United States that we might evangelize the world from right here at home. Baptist Church Planters is putting forth a real effort to reach Hispanics and to start churches through ministry to them. I would encourage you to check out this web sight: www.reachinghispanics.org that David Whitcher has established as our mission representative to the Hispanics. He is doing a great job and you might email him and ask to receive his prayer letters at david@whitchers.com Churches should be considering starting classes that teach Spanish so that our people can seek opportunities to witness to Hispanics. When I first moved to Ohio you seldom saw any Hispanics, now we see them all around us. We need to get back to the business of reaching the lost for Christ.

April 2008 #2

2008-04-24T06:35:00.002-05:00

VICTORY IN JESUS – In the last “Musings” I touched on the matter of clapping and shouting. Another event comes to mind. Shortly after taking the task of restoring the work of the church at Commercial Point I was called by the local pastor of the Free Will Baptist Church. They were about to close their doors and the pastor called to see if there might be some possibility of recommending the few remaining members attend our services. Before he could do so he had a question for me. I knew what he was going to ask and sure enough, the question was, “Do you teach eternal security?” I answered in the affirmative and his immediate response was, “I was afraid of that, I can’t recommend that our people attend your church.” It was just minutes after his call that I received another call from an elderly member of his church asking the same question. This dear Christian lady and her husband were hoping they could attend our church in the area where they lived. I laughed and told her that we did believe in and teach eternal security. I also asked she and her husband to visit our services and assured her that they would be welcome, adding that if she could accept the fact that I was a true believer in Christ believing in eternal security, I could believe that they were true Christians not believing in eternal security. She too laughed and decided to visit our services. They eventually joined out church, promising that they would not make this difference an issue. Anyway, after all that and getting back to my point, every time we sang “Victory In Jesus” her arm and hand would be extended and held there the whole time we sang it. No one else held their hand up and no one seemed to mind that she did. I knew she was simply expressing her faith and victory in Christ as her Savior. The practice has come from earlier days when she had been a part of the “Holiness Movement.”

AN OFFERING OF CANNED VEGETABLES – Strange things happen in churches. When I was at Rustic Hills Baptist Church in Colorado Springs an unusual woman started attending shortly after I had arrived as their missionary pastor. This was also before I had convinced the people to try using an offering box rather than pass the offering plates. When the offering plate was passed the woman put a can of vegetables in the plate. The usher could hardly believe his eyes and it about broke him up. I was told about this later and we wondered what that was all about. We didn’t know whether she didn’t have any money to give or if it was just one of those eccentric acts. She didn’t attend our services very many times and perhaps sought some other church that might fit her tastes. The three or so years that I pastored that work, before they were able to call a regular pastor, there was never a Sunday that we didn’t have visitors. It was a very unusual area with lots of people moving in, besides several military bases that changed their people around regularly.

HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND AS PARENTS – An elementary school in Reedsburg, Wisconsin schedules a “Wacky Week” on their calendar. One day was planned for a cross dressing day where boys were encouraged to wear girls clothes and the girls were to wear boys clothes. How would you react if your children attended that school? It has raised a lot of discussion in town and from a lot of outsiders as well. I don’t know if it would have raised as much fuss many years ago but today where we have so much promotion of homosexuality, cross gendering and people having surgical procedures to change their sex, it puts forth a wrong message. To me it seems like another occasion to try and disrupt Biblical premises when God created the order of men being men and women being women. God created us in His image to fulfill His purposes. To rebel and to promote something else eventually brings GodÂ’s judgment. Immorality brought the flood and Homosexuality brought judgment in Abraham and Lot’s day with fire and brimstone. With prayer and the Bible out of the schools and adding this kind of nonsense they are moving children’s thoughts in the wrong direction. My, how we need to pray for our nation! It is little wonder that so many Christian families are home schooling to protect their children from a liberal school system.

MC DONALDS – Over the years I have eaten a lot of McDonalds burgers and breakfast sandwiches but that has come to an end. Like the Ford Motor Company, McDonald has decided to promote the homosexual agenda. The American Family Association has sent out the following: “According to McDonald’s CEO Jim Skinner, McDonalds will aggressively promote the homosexual agenda.”… “The company gave an undisclosed amount of money to the NGLCC in return for being recognized as a major promoter of the homosexual agenda. In return, NGLCC placed Richard Ellis, vice president of communications of McDonald’s USA, on the NGLCC Board of Directors.”… “Ellis was quoted as saying: “I’m thrilled to join the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce team and ready to get to work. I share the NGLCC’s passion for business growth and development within the LGBT community, and I look forward to playing a role in moving those important initiatives forward.” With homosexuals being less than ten per-cent of our population I wonder why businesses will jeopardize their businesses by take up this these immoral causes.

GRANDSON BEN IS HOME – After nearly three months in the hospital and a heart transplant Ben left the hospital on Wednesday morning. Praise the Lord! It has been a long siege for him and the family. For those who may not know, my grandson is the music director of a church in Stayton, Oregon. How long before he can get back to his ministry I haven’t heard yet. Please continue to pray for him as he regains his stamina. / Ben’s little boy Logan is doing pretty well with his chemo treatments though he has had some nausea from it. They alternated between treatments by infusion and oral chemo. / Ethel, my daughter in law has not gone back to work yet but is doing much better. I do appreciate your prayers for them. / Ben and Meaghan bought an older home just before his heart put him in the hospital. The price was something they could afford and near the church where they minister but it had problems. There was no heating system and they were trying to heat with wood. With all the dampness in Oregon and a leaky roof a mold problem developed when they were away at the hospital in Portland so long. Their church is trying to help them correct those problems and for now they are staying with his mother. Pray they can get worked through these additional difficulties.

SPRING HAS FINALLY ARRIVED – Our daffodils are in full bloom and the buds are coming out on the trees and shrubs. I was ready for it. I donÂ’t know whether spring or fall is my most favored time of the year but I do know I don’t care for the cold winters. Some are fortunate enough to go south for the winter but that is not an option for us. We have lots of small branches to pick up before we will be able to crank the mower up.

April #1

2008-04-07T20:33:00.004-05:00

NAME PROBLEMS – I took a package to UPS to ship and found things had changed. Where I use to fill out a shipping slip by hand you now have to use their computers. With a little help from the UPS clerk I finally got it done and the box being a bit heavy he carried it to the counter for me. He looked at the label and said, “Your shipping this for your wife?” I was a bit shocked, I had not mentioned my wife nor had I put her name on the label. Finally it dawned on me that the name “Leslie” registered female with him. Since ID is required I showed my drivers license and he apologized. I have the same problem with mail as it is often address “Ms Leslie Newell.” I was so named after my maternal grandfather who was “Leslie E. White.” So I ended up “Leslie George Newell” having my middle name give after me paternal grandfather. As a child I had a classmate named “Lester” that I did not like and I always hated it when people would call me “Lester.” I am not a “Lester,” I am a “Leslie.” I loved both my grandfathers and did not mind being named after them even though I had nothing to do with it. From time to time I meet a woman named “Leslie” and they are a bit surprised I have the same name. Please don’t call me Ms. or Lester. Like my grandfather I am usually called “Les” any more, it saves a bit of confusion.

SELECTIVE ART CLASS – The Fox News this week told of a school art class forbidding a drawing with the cross in it. For some reason they didnÂ’t reveal where the school was or else I missed that part. The teacher had even tried to get students to sign a document agreeing to not submit religious art. At the same time another student presented a drawing with demonic or satanic characters that was perfectly acceptable. I have news for that teacher, both the cross, demons and Satan are religious characters clearly portrayed in our Bibles. This simple goes to the devilish turns things have taken in our present day when evil is acceptable but morality and religion (at least not Christianity) is not. I think this teacher needs an advance course in education that might make her aware that satanic cults and atheistic groups gather to promote their vile
Religions.

DENOMINATIONAL EXPENSES – This isn’t new but it was brought to my attention again recently. Denominational ties can be expensive. One small church of maybe 100 in attendance is required to pay annual dues of nearly $15,000.00 to their Conference plus another $2,300.00 plus to their district. Years ago I used to deliver mail from another denomination that sent out bills to their members that created some hard feelings among their members. How thankful I am for our Baptist heritage and the workings of free will offerings and biblical teachings relating to a tithe and giving according to God’s blessing on our lives. The current 2-3% giving of people in this country is shameful, giving as though God had not blessed them. A tithe is just the beginning of biblical giving that God richly blesses without denomination demands. It is also sad when churches belong to their associations or fellowships but fail to support them even with a small gift. God has always been gracious to us in the area of giving and providing our needs on a faith basis. When we honor God and give out of love for his gracious salvation, He cares for His own. I remember the struggle of learning to give but once that trusting relationship was started we found that God far out gave us over the years.

HAND CLAPPING – Previously in these “Musings” I have discussed the matter of hand clapping or applause for those who bring special music in church and my preference of a hearty “Amen” when we are blessed or in accord with those who so serve the Lord. I also know there are churches that clap to the music, something that really doesn’t appeal to me personally. We often hear of black churches that so involve themselves in their church music. Having said all of this, I was struck by this matter when re-reading Psalm 47:1-2, “OH, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.” Here we have clapping and shouting both. Not in recognition of human service or to keep rhythm with the music but rather a recognition and acknowledgement of our “awesome” God and His Son Who will one day reign as King over “all the earth.” The day will come when all believers will joyfully “clap” and “shout” in recognition of our great God and Savior King. I can visualize the moment (and much longer) when believers will stand before our victorious and holy King applauding His presence and position of authority over all the earth. It will be a time when all lawlessness will be ended and corrupt governments will be brought under His rule. I am not sure how similar exercises might be portrayed today in church services. I wish I could visualize how this was practiced in Israel’s zenith. It is just something to think about.

CLOSED SESSION – Last month there was a “Special Closed Session” of the U.S. House of Representatives supposedly to discuss the pending security surveillance provisions. We didn’t hear much follow up about it in the news media. The reality is that much more was discussed about the coming collapse of the U.S. economy by September of this year and the steps needed to be taken because of possible consequences. There was also discussion about a possible merger with Canada and Mexico and the issuance of a new currency, “The Amero.” Members of the Congress were forbidden to reveal what was discussed. However some were so furious and concerned about the future of the nation that they have started leaking information. It is a frightening situation pointing more and more to the coming one world government prophesied in the Scriptures. Since the media has not reported on this you might want to go to the inter-net as I did and glean the information. Simply type in “Special Closed Session of U.S. House of Representatives” and you will find a lot of sights to search sharing the leaked information. How accurate all this is I don’t know but you may want to get your financial house in order and be looking up for the Savior’s return. Rejoice in the fact that God is in control.

March 2008 #5

2008-03-31T21:53:00.001-05:00

WORTH READING – I have just finished reading “The Final Move Beyond Iraq” by Mike Evans and published by Front Line. It has been on the best sellers list, etc. The man has had contact with people high up in government in this country, Iraq, Israel and elsewhere. His insights as a Christian, into the problems in Iraq are amazing. An answer as to how to better deal with the problem through the use of the Kurds makes great sense but I don’t imagine it will ever happen. The reality he shares about the open borders with Iran that allow the situation to continue is frightening. If the Democrats win this up coming presidency and withdraw our troops, there is going to be one of the worst holocausts the world has ever seen. Though his words did not present the thought, it appears to me that we could be closer to the Great Tribulation than most people realize. It all makes us, as Christians realize our Lord’s coming is very near. Keep looking up.

INTELLECT & KNOWLEDGE – A thought that has come to me recently as I evaluate peoples lostness follows: As I observe and hear the world’s intellectuals, who have the wealth of today’s expanding knowledge, they don’t arrive at the right answers. The world’s wisdom doesn’t get people any closer to resolving the expanding problems that surround us. There is a reason for this, they don’t have the spiritual base to properly evaluate and deal with all the knowledge they have and they arrive at the wrong conclusions. Without the presence of the Holy Spirit (and the Trinity) within, they cannot possibly resolve the conditions that exist. Some examples: Our government is so politically divided between Republicans and Democrats that they can’t work together to solve the tremendous problems of the day. They seek to improve our educational system but destroy the moral values that would solve many of its problems. They can’t see the need or find a solution to protecting our borders or to deal with immigration or terrorists. Their divided concerns of the economy actually create the recession they fear and talk about. Multitudes seek solace from false religions that blind them to the truth and to thinking they have found peace while they are actually headed for an eternal hell. We have an energy crisis but can’t see the need to utilize our own available resources. It is an amazing reality, a mind-boggling fact that they bind their own capabilities.

A CRASH EFFORT NEEDED – During the Second World War I remember the crash effort undertaken to develop the nuclear bomb. The Germans were working on developing one, some of their scientists escaped and aided in our effort and through the exertion of a special drive or emphasis we were able to develop it before the Germans did. We then used it to destroy two Japanese cities that brought the war to an end. For all of Barack Obama’s Pastor Jeremiah Wright’s accusations against America for doing so, thousands of American lives were saved in so doing. Further, the unleashing of atomic or nuclear energy opened the door to a new form of energy that we have only partially utilized and limited due to environmentalists fear mongers. If under emergency circumstances the above was accomplished, why doesn’t our government put forth a crash effort to resolve the present oil crisis? They tell us about hydrogen energy potentials. There are the hybrid cars that are presently too expensive to make their use practical for the general population, etc. We need the extreme efforts to develop our own resources and to utilize what we presently know to end our dependence upon oil that is enriching our enemies. Think about the following and tell me why it happened. During the 1950’s Ford had a carburetor that produced better than twice the mileage of today’s cars but shelved it rather than installing it in cars. For some reason, Ford and our government, doesn’t really want to resolve the present energy crisis. More than likely it is greed and most certainly a lack of any real vision for the future or for our preservation as a nation.

PERSONAL ENCOURAGEMENT – I am encouraged by this humble effort of putting out these weekly “Musings.” Comments keep coming back to me of people enjoying them and reports of occasionally being used as illustrations in other sermons or teachings. At least they are stirring a little thought; mine if no one else’s. I would appreciate your sharing them with others and giving me new email addresses of those who might enjoy them to add to my list.

SIMPLE STUDIES – When B.M.N.A went down I purchased the rights to publish the “Simple Studies In Christian Essentials” that J. Irving Reese prepared for F.B.H. M. years earlier. When I sold out all that I bought from the mission, I reprinted it with a new cover. Many churches, especially Black churches now, use them for their new convert and members classes. There are eleven lessons: (1) Salvation, Or, ‘What It Means to Be Saved; (2) Prayer In the Life of A Christian; (3) How To Use the Bible; (4) The Ordinance of Baptism; (5) The Ordinance of Communion; (6) The Grace of Giving; (7) The Church; (8) Temptation, and How To Meet It; (9) Christian Separation; (10) The Work of A Christian; and (11) Aids To Christian Living. I’ve used them for years, as have many others who now may have forgotten about them. They retail for $2.75, much less than what many charge for similar sized booklets. I sold them at quantities prices varying down to $1.25 when buying 51 or more plus shipping. I am now going to cut back on the price to $1.00 plus shipping no matter how many are purchased. When they are gone I don’t know that I will republish them, wanting to cut back and clear things out. A suggestion for those who may want to do what I do, keep a supply on hand to give to people who come to your door, such as J.W.’s, Mormons, or just service people. It is a way to get God’s Work into people’s hands because the booklet is basically outlines of the above topics, just loaded with Scripture references.

FAMILY REPORT – Betty’s MRI report showed bone tumors on her back. Next week they are going to do a three-hour bone scan. / Ben’s new heart is working great. However, he is having real problems with nausea when eating and is still on a feeding tube. He won’t be able to go home until they resolve this eating problem. / Little Logan has done pretty well taking chemo by infusion and orally for his brain-stem tumor but has had some nausea. / Ethel has been having more intestinal problems, not the same as the surgery for a blockage during John’s funeral, but rather with diverticulitus of the colon. She was helping take care of Logan and Emma but can no longer do so and has not been able to go back to work. / Patty is also going through some problems and will have a surgical biopsy procedure Monday for a pre cancerous condition I don’t know how to spell. / Me, I haven’t said much about it, but I continue to have balance problems and what I call a fuzzy headedness that several doctors and an MRI have found no answers for. Our family needs much prayer!

March 2008 #4

2008-03-31T21:47:00.002-05:00

GOOD FRIDAY – I attended Good Friday services at our church Friday evening. The service lasted just an hour and clearly portrayed the purpose of the service to reveal the cross and Christ’s death on behalf of our sins. As much as I enjoyed the service and fellowship with other believers who were remembering the blessed event, I am still from the old school and have a problem with the timing. In years gone by evangelicals did not hold Good Friday services, only those that had followed the Catholic Church calendar and their practices of the past. Relating to the timing Matthew 12:40 says, “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” I have difficulty getting three nights and three days from Friday until Sunday morning when Christ arose from the grave. I know the typical explanation of Jewish counting of any part of the three days and three nights even though the actual times had not transpired. I guess I am too much of a literalist to buy into that nor does my addition fit into that timing. There are those who have had the ability to search out the matter, coming up with an understanding of a different day for Christ’s death that fits the verse mentioned above. Most, these days, have decided it is easier to go with the trend and maintain a Good Friday Service. I am not trying to create problems, I just wanting to keep the record straight so no questions are raised as to the validity of the Scriptures in the light of our practices. When the Bible says that Christ would be “three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” that is exactly how it actually happened. Whatever calendar we follow, it does not invalidate the validity of the Scriptures. Enough said!

QUESTION OF FOODS AND DAYS – This week I was reading Romans 14 again. As I did I recalled the debates and discussions of the past when Christians talked about which day of the week we should worship and whether we should eat pork or not. I remember as a teenager living with friends during my junior year in high school. A visitor was coming to the home and great care was being taken to not serve pork for the meal since the lady was a Seventh Day Adventists and they believed it was wrong to eat pork. If I understand correctly Jews were not allowed to eat pork, as it was an unclean meat and so forbidden in the Old Testament Scriptures. Along the same lines Jews were to keep the Sabbath Day, which was Saturday. Jews today still keep a Saturday Sabbath as do Seventh Day Adventists and a few Seventh Day Baptists. When you read Romans 14 the Apostle Paul was dealing with such problems when he wrote, “RECEIVE one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.” (Vs. 1) Then in Vs. 3, “Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him that does not eat judge him who eats’ for God has received him.” Then verses 5 & 6 deals with observing different days. What I find interesting is that I don’t hear much discussion about these issues these days. Some younger Christians have probably never even known these matters to be issues. I think it partly depends on where you live as to whether you run into these discussions. I have lived in enough different places now that I have run into all the various religions that raise discussions but I realize many have not. Still we need to read this chapter and to be familiar with how we are to react to these issues when they come up. God has given us great liberty and we need to be understanding of others who are weak in faith and not cause them to stumble. At the same time we need to be guarded in that we do not find ourselves condoning false teachings. It makes a great study.

MORE ON DEPUTATION – Last week I spoke about deputation. Though I may be repetitive of other occasions, wanting to be helpful to the many missionaries on my mailing list I want to add an additional thought. The ministry of deputation never ends for missionaries. Even when full support is obtained there are always losses when churches get into trouble and drop their missionary support. The same happens with individuals who support missionaries when changes come in their circumstances and they cannot continue support. Consequently this is an unending effort through prayer letters and required travel. As a home missionary I don’t ever remember taking a vacation just for the sake of needing a vacation. There were always speaking engagements along the way to report to supporting churches and to give the challenge of missions in new churches. It was not just the matter of support, it was a desire to preach and teach, sharing the need to witness and share the gospel with a lost world. God’s people were always gracious with us in opening their doors and hearts to us. That common bond in Christ is priceless and we can seldom travel without finding someone who knows us.

A FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY – We were recently contacted about participating in one of our churches 40th anniversary. With the Lord’s help in 1967 we slid in on the ice and snow on Thanksgiving Day in Williston, ND. They had Thanksgiving dinner waiting for us when we arrived. God gave us a great work in Williston, starting with the 3 or 4 families that had asked for our help. The attendance was in the eighties when we departed in 1970, having led them through the process of calling their first regular pastor. Sadly we are not able to be with them on April 13th. I just don’t feel up to that long drive alone and I cannot leave Betty alone for the time it would take to make the round trip. They have gone through their ups and downs during the preceding years but are now building back up. There is only one person in the church that was there when we were there as so many have moved on to other places. Pray for this church, Calvary Baptist and their pastor B. J. Hampton, as they have this special celebration.

COUNCIL MEETING – This months annual Council meeting of Baptist Church Planters is the first meeting I have not attended since the mission was founded with the exception of one year when we were out west on deputation. It didn’t feel quite right not going but that is life and the changes that come our way.. Please remember Baptist Church Planters in your prayers and their efforts to start new churches across the nation. As sad as it was when B.M.N.A. closed I cannot help but believe God used that to start the new mission and the new ministries that have opened up. Just the new approach that puts a percentage of missionaries on the Council was a great step forward that many thought couldn’t be successfully done. Praise the Lord!

March 2008 #3

2008-03-22T11:21:00.002-05:00

A SAD, SAD DAY – Before I resigned from Grace Baptist Church in Sunbury 4 years ago we endeavored to close the church and sell the properties to be used in helping other works of like faith. By one vote we failed to accomplish the task because a couple that had not attended the services for several months participated in secret meetings to gather the people to prevent such a decision when the called business meeting was scheduled. He wanted the work for himself and he got it, but he was not able to handle it and turned it over to a friend who was a Grace Brethren pastor who illegally changed the church into a Grace Brethren Church. That was contrary to the churches constitution. March 10, 2008 this same man was charged with raping a fifteen-year-old girl who had come to the church offices for help with her studies. His picture and that of the church building has been shown on TV news several times. Thankfully, there was no longer a Baptist Church sign on the property. The few remaining people would have been far wiser to have closed the church and allowed the resources to be used to promoted works of like faith.

NEW CARS OR OLDER USED CARS – A good number of years ago I decided to make the effort to purchase new cars rather than used cars. I was not always able to do so but for the most part I was able to do so. I know some had raised eyebrows over my doing so. Here was my reasoning: I am not mechanically inclined, nor did I have the tools necessary to try and maintain an older car. Further, being in the Lord’s work that often required doing visitation and taking others to meetings, I needed a dependable vehicle. I had also observed pastors spending much time trying to repair and maintain their older cars. I had known some who drove older cars that broke down while caring children or young people to camp and youth meetings. That was trouble I didn’t want to have, nor did I consider it a wise chance to take. We never had a large income that might justify purchasing new cars but when you begin comparing the cost of parts, repairs, tools and the expenditure of time, I decided it was less expensive to make care payments.

WOULD YOU CHANGE CHURCHES – Up to now Barack Obama has gotten a free ride by the liberal media and his popularity has exploded in the Democratic primary race. The tide for Obama may now be changing as he now finds himself under fire for his church membership and the hate America sermons of his pastor and mentor, Jeremiah Wright. I cannot imagine a pastor, black or white, in these United States of America, repeatedly crying out “God d—n America” and accusing our government of purposely spreading HIV among blacks and saying the chickens have come home to roost when over 3000 died on 9-11. On and on the news media (particularly Fox) are playing video segments of Wright’s sermons and his accusations against the nation. They are appalling. Obama is claiming to have never been present when these types of sermons were preached. I canÂ’t imagine being a member of a church for twenty years and not being aware of this type of preaching. Barack has now publicly denounced or repudiated Pastor Wright’s radical preaching. Personally, if I found myself a member of such a church I’d make a quick departure and seek out a different one to attend. I don’t know how Obama will be able to escape the necessity of leaving the Trinity United Church of Christ while continuing to seek the presidency. If he does end his membership he will then probably be accused by some of doing so for political expediency rather than for personal convictions. Barack Obama has a serious problem that goes far beyond his liberal politics.

DEPUTATION & FULL SUPPORT FOR HOME MISSIONARIES – I have observed over the years missionaries that shunned deputation and endeavored to start churches on a part time basis. Some said it was too difficult for home missionaries to gain full support. I believe some lacked the faith to believe God was able to meet their needs as they left secular work behind to undertake deputation. Others simply wanted to cling to their particular employment as they ministered in the local church. It is a known fact that church planters here at home do have a more difficult task in raising support than those going to a foreign field or for those having a specialty ministry at home such as ethnic or deaf ministries. I did find myself dealing with the attitude of some churches that felt the home missionary could always take a secular job to support their ministries, something that missionaries going abroad could not do. Most countries will not allow missionaries to take up secular employment. Going beyond that kind of mindset, a home missionary without full support limits their capability of establishing a church, not being able to put in the time and effort necessary to accomplish the task. There are many little struggling churches that never got off the ground and continue to struggle for years due to the inability of the church planter to put his full efforts into the establishment of the work. The task of deputation and raising full support is not easy but the home missionary, the same as for the foreign missionary, can do it even if it does take longer to do so. There is a certain security and peace of mind that comes from having full support as well as being able to put the proper time and effort into the start of a work. In many church plants problems arise where the missionary has to take a stand for principle and sound doctrine and not be threatened by the loss of salary from the local work by taking the necessary stand. Many a pastor and under supported missionaries have been forced to leave in the face of such circumstances in order to meet the needs of his family. Thankfully, home mission agencies are taking a more forceful stand on requiring the obtaining of full support by their approved candidates. If God calls someone to ministry He also provides for him to do so. If you don’t have the type of faith to believe God will provide, maybe you shouldn’t become a home missionary.

MORE ON THE ABOVE – Having said the above, I want to also recognize there are exceptions to what I have said. Sometimes there are circumstances where God may lead an individual to support his ministry through secular work. There may be health issues, family issues and assorted matters that God will use and bless. Even though the tasks may appear to be difficult undertakings that combine ministry and secular work. I have had to do both, ministry and secular work in the early days of my ministry. That was a learning time for me. I have observed others that have had an amazing amount of stamina to do both but they are rare souls. Home mission agencies like Baptist Church Planters are now opening up ministries for those who take up support ministries with church planting missionaries, supporting the team ministry by their secular work. Retirees are filling in the gaps with short-term ministries, etc. that are proving very effective. God uses willing servants in many different circumstances and capacities, so don’t think I am being judgmental by the previous paragraph.

March #2

2008-03-15T13:58:00.000-05:00

NEW HEART FOR BEN – After waiting in the hospital about two months a new heart became available and it was implanted successfully a week ago Friday. He is still being kept sedated and they had to go back in to stop some leaking blood. Much prayer will be needed as they give the medications designed to prevent rejection. / His son Logan has now had two of his weekly chemo treatments to try and reduce his brainstem tumor.

CONDOLENCES CARDS – We are grateful for the cards and emails that continue to come in remembering the loss of my son John. – Ethel continues to improve from her surgery for an intestinal blockage that took place a few days after John’s passing. She has not been able to return to work yet. Thank you for your prayers on the families behalf.

A COUPLE REDICULOUS ITEMS – It is amazing what is news worthy and what people are trying to do in their concern for the worlds end, etc. One announcement in the news last week informed us that it will take 7.6 billion years for the world to come to an end as it speeds further away from the sun. / Then, in preparations for some terrible disaster and in an effort to save the world, there is a seed vault storage space 400 feet underground somewhere near the North Pole. Seeds are being gathered from around the world and stored to eventually restore the world after some deadly disaster or to protect from the disappearance of plants that are in danger of extinction. (NBC, Tues, Feb. 23, 2008) / Money, time and energy would be better spent to inform people of their lostness because of their fallen natures and how to get right with God before they enter an eternal hell. Man is continually making an effort to save a world that is under judgment because of the fall rather than acknowledging his need to find forgiveness of sin before he stands before the Creator God.

POLITICS IN THE LIGHT OF THE PSALMS – I find politics interesting and we wonder how the 2008 election is going to turn out, while expressing our fears and concerns if this one or that one should get into office. In reality, as Christians, we know that God is in control for all out concerns politically. Psalm 47-48 tells us, “For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.” I will continue to express myself politically, having that right as a citizen of these United States of America but I will not fear the outcome. We have a privilege in this great land of ours that many around the world do not have and we should so participate and voice our opinions. Still, we know that the outcome is in God’s hands. Praise the Lord! Enjoy the skirmish but don’t fear the end results. Those who read their Bibles have a different perspective of the fray.

A TIP FOR S.S. TEACHERS – As a junior age boy my Sunday School teacher was Mrs. Hunter. She not only taught us the Bible each Sunday, she also planned occasional outings for her class, usually along with the junior girls class. Her husband owned a small coalmine in Oregon. She would take us to visit the mine and a picnic that would also include some hiking through the forest and over the rocks. She cared enough for her class, and their coming to know Christ, that she made the extra effort to plan beyond the class time itself. We loved our S.S. teacher. / My son Gary, I believe when he was a high school junior, asked to teach the junior age boys. It was an interesting situation. The lady teaching the boys and girls but decided she couldn’t handle both so she asked her husband to take the junior boys to teach. He tried but couldn’t handle them either. (Both were dedicated and faithful teachers.) That was when Gary asked if he could teach them. I talked to the S.S. Superintendent and he agreed to give it a temporary try to see how Gary did. He did well and he had the boy’s attention. You might ask how a high school student was able to manage wiggly, noisy junior boys when an experienced teacher and her husband could not. The answer is quite simple and a solution to an effective class ministry for others. He spent extra time with his boys. He took them out on Saturdays for a coke. He’d take them down to the river to skip rocks and other simple events letting them know he cared for them. When it came time for us to end out ministry at Williston, N.D. those boys came to Gary and told him they weren’t going to attend S.S. any more since he wasn’t going to be the teacher anymore. That was not his desired effect in leaving but it does help us realize the kind of impact he had on their lives. (I may have shared some of this before but it is worth repeating.)

A WAY NOT TO RAISE CHURCH FUNDS – We receive a church paper from a Methodist Church near us that Betty attended before she was saved and became a Baptist. (This is the same church I mentioned previously that conducts euchre parties.) The church is getting ready for it’s spring “Mulch Sale.” They also plan to sell flowers and plants for Easter or Mother’s Day. This church is not alone in these and similar sales and fundraisers. Whenever I read or see these things my mind goes to the scriptural event when Christ threw the moneychangers out of the temple. I have been convinced from the beginning of my church experience that there is only one way to support the local church. That is through our tithes and offerings, it is the Biblical way and it works. God always provides for His places of worship and ministries by freewill, faith giving. Years ago when we were at Welch Road Baptist Church an elderly couple were going to sell their place and move away. The lady asked if our people would sponsor a food booth at their sale to help provide funds for the church. It did not agree to that but I didn’t want to offend the elderly couple and they did need to have refreshments available to aid in their sale. What to do? I asked people in the church to help the elderly couple provide the needed refreshments for their moving sale, which they did but not to gain funds for the church. God takes care of His own His way, not the world’s way.

SNOWED IN – A series of storms came through our area this weekend. We were well warned ahead of time and the grocery stores were busy getting pantries filled. They started ou telling us we would have 6-10 inches of snow along with blowing and drifting. We ended up with 20 inches. Our five acres are beautiful covered in the white snow and the trees weighted with snow are a sight to see. As pretty as it is, we have a long drive way and there was no way to drive oshape to shovel snow. Thankfully I was finally able to find someone to come clear it out for us at a reasonable price. It is kind of a helpless feeling to not be able to get out if you might need to with a medical emergency. Makes you wonder about days gone by when they couldn’t run to the store every day and have medical help as available as we do. We are indeed fortunate, even when bad weather comes.

March #1

2008-03-05T11:41:00.000-05:00

FAMILY BLOGSPOT – For those of you have been praying and keeping up on the family circumstances the is a blogspot that Jordan Lambert, a friend of the family, is keeping up to keep us all posted. Here is the address: http://newellfamilyupdates.blogspot.com/ You will also find a copy of the article in the Salem Oregon paper about the situation. I tried to send it but some said it got garbled in the transmission and you can get it from the blogspot as well as Gary’s poem about his brother John.

PRAYING THE SCRIPTURES – Have you learned to pray the Scriptures? What I mean by this is a matter of personal devotions as you read through your Bible. So often we pray through out list of requests for self, family, friends, etc. A more worshipful type of prayer takes place when we read our Bibles and see a verse that touches our hearts that we take pause in our reading to praise and thank God for the blessed truth you have just read. It is an uplifting experience to commune with our God through prayer, recognizing the beauty and wonder of the portion of Scripture being read. If you have never done this give it a try and see if you are not blessed in doing so. I was recently reading Psalm 40 and Romans 10 and as I did so, noting a number of great verses that stood out to me, I began praising and thanking God for the great promises and truths I was rereading. It gave me a joyous and unburdened heart for the remainder of the day.

MORE ABOUT OBAMA – As you know, I have expressed my concerns about Obama’s background and links with Islam through his father. As we gain new information and to be fair, in the face of what I have said about Obama, he has denied any ties with Islam. He has also stated that he has been a Christian for two decades and he prays to Jesus every night. At the same time, the radical Islamic Farrakhan has placed his endorsement on Obama’s presidential bid. Obama rejected his endorsement during the debate with Clinton on Thursday night in Cleveland. All this said, none of these matters change the reality of his inexperience and his being at the top of the list for his liberal voting as a Senator and his desire to raise our taxes. At present it appears that he is going to bypass Clinton in the Presidential race. His youth, appearance and eloquence of speech are drawing a lot of people to him. It seems to me that people are moved more by these factors than his position on issues politically and economically.

A REMEMBERED QUOTE – You will probably think this strange but maybe it will cause you to take pause and reflect back on things your grandparents of parents use to say. Many times as I am washing or showering at the beginning of the day I remember a saying of my grandmother from when I stayed with she and my grandfather during the summer, “I wash down as far as possible, then I was up as far as possible and then I wash possible.” Does that cause you to smile? Some of those old, quaint sayings from the past stick with us and bring us good memories of the past. I don’t remember too many past sayings but this is one that comes back to me again and again. If nothing else, it is a good quote for proper hygiene.

MEMORABLE SUNDAYS – During those summer stays, living in a small apartment behind the variety store that my grandparents owned, the store was always closed on Sundays. Grandmother would prepare a picnic lunch and then we would go to Sunday school and church. When church was over we would drive a few miles along the Columbia River Gorge and find a small road alongside a stream of one of the many waterfalls, park and enjoy our picnic lunch as we observed the beauty of God’s creation and sound of the passing water. We would then read the Sunday paper and I would get the funny paper section and they had the news to read. We would usually end up taking a walk or hike through the trees and climbing over the rocks, enjoying the outdoors. Those were wonderful and peaceful Sundays away from the usual weekly endeavors. There were no TV’s in those days and people weren’t hooked on sports that often keep people from enjoying God’s outdoors and handiwork. I hope you have some similar joyous memories or perhaps find similar events to break up the hurry and scurry of today’s living.

MAKING CHANGE – Living with my maternal grandparents on various occasions at an early age as they managed a chain variety store and later their own store, I learned to make change when I was quite young. Consequently I stand amazed at teenagers today working at McDonalds, etc. having problems with making change. That is probably why the products rather than the dollar and cents mark some cash register keys. Have you ever noticed them?

SERMON ATTACHMENT – I am going to attach my sermon notes from three weeks ago on what I call “Two Kinds of Faith.” I was going to have CD’s made up to mail out but that is a bit expensive. Some of our people don’t have Internet so I may have to mail the printed pages to them.

February 26, 2008

2008-02-27T13:02:00.001-05:00

WHATEVER STATE – Over the years as I traveled on deputation or reporting back to supporting churches my first wife was often asked to give a testimony or speak to a women’s group. I was reminded recently of a verse she often used. Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” Women need the stability of a home and being on the road and sometimes without any particular roots between ministries, etc. she would use this verse. She knew that the word “state” referred to conditions or circumstances but she liked to use it in the sense of our traveling and ministering in different states across the country. Christian servants need to learn early on “to be content” and that can be difficult, especially for a wife. Whatever the circumstances of our life of service or the country or state we are serving in, we need to trust the Lord to give us that “peace” or “contentedness” that prevents us from being unsettled or disturbed by our “state.” I have known men who had to give up their ministries because their life partner could not adjust to their circumstances, how sad. Kathy use to tell me “Blow in my ear and I will follow you anywhere.” Thankfully, both of my wives have been willing to be content in whatever “state” they are found.

A FRUIT INSPECTOR – Over the years I have been accused of wrongfully judging people as to their whether or not they are true Christians. I must honestly admit that only God sees the heart and knows exactly who is and who isn’t a true believer. However, family is recognizable and true believers are a part of God’s family and are recognizable to one another. Years ago in Auburn, Washington I belonged to Bible Baptist Church (it was a C.B.A. Church). At the time my wife and I were working with the youth group of the church. An Irish Evangelist was holding evangelistic meetings at our church. One evening after preaching and making some distinction between a group not being Christians and those who were, a lady approached him up front at the close of the service and reminded him of Matthew 7:1, telling him to “JUDGE not, that you be not judged.” He quickly reminded her of verse 16 in the same chapter which says, “You will know them by their fruits” and told the lady, “I am a fruit inspector for the Lord.” Something an unbelieving world does not realize is that a born again Christian is given the Holy Spirit of God to dwell in them, giving them a discerning spirit. There is a common bond among believers that is usually quite readily recognized, especially of those who are actively living in the Lord. By the same token, the life and actions of nonbelievers are recognizably different. Belief and practices belie the false claims of some who tell us they are Christians with no apparent fruit to support their claim. I realize there are people who have made decisions to receive Christ as their Savior but no longer live the life or manifest the “fruit.” Two thoughts come to my mind in these circumstances: (1) They may be backslidden from their faith and will enter heaven by the “fire” mentioned in I Corinthians 3:13 or (2) what we read in I John 2:19, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.” If I were to find myself backslidden or not living or walking the Christian walk, I would do some serious soul searching and settle the matter while there is still time. These people will either be eternally lost or enter heaven devoid of any of the promised rewards the Scriptures tell us about. I think I have the beginning of a good evangelistic sermon going here, but I will forego for now.

EARLY TRAVEL & INDEPENDENCE – At Christmas time my great grandson Quentin flew by himself from Texas to here in Columbus to be with his grandma and grandpa Newell (Gary & Donna). He was here at our home as well on Christmas Eve. I think he is six years old. You don’t often see children traveling alone. This event took me back to my own childhood, the product of a broken home. I recall traveling between my parents and grandparents alone at age of five or six and beyond. It was usually by bus and once by bus part way and then by train. I remember having a note being pinned to me to make sure the bus driver would know where I was suppose to go. Broken families often create critical problems for children. Some are embittered, sending them down a wrong path. Thankfully, in my case there was no embitterment. In fact, I believe those early experiences led me down a path of independence. Though I have a picture of my mother and father with my father holding me at a very early age, I do not have any memory of my mother and father being together. Thankfully, there were grandparents that filled in the gap that I believe made a great difference. My grandparents on both sides were Christians, giving me some direction toward Christianity. I knew they prayed for me as well as taking me into their homes as occasion required, particularly on my mother’s side. Times spent with my paternal grandparents were during summer vacations while my maternal grandparents had me during preschool times and during K-2nd grade. There was always loving care, even though I was not with my original parents. My stepmother had more to do with my growing up years than my own mother. Through all of those growing up circumstances I believe they led to an early independence that I do not always see in a lot of adolescents coming of age.

GARY’S POEM – We have been getting a lot of comments back about Gary’s poem about his brother John whose funeral we attended this month. When he prepared that for the graveside service we didn’t know it would also be requested for the memorial service the following day. It touched a lot of hearts and rang so true to those who knew John’s life, ministry and witness.

AN UPDATE ON BEN – They have now put Ben on a heart pump and are keeping him sedated to give him an opportunity to heal following the surgery. He is also having problems with his defibrillator going off and the doctors don’t understand why. Your continued prayers for him, his wife and mother are greatly appreciated.

OBAMA COMMENTS – I have gotten a couple comments back on what I wrote in the last “Musings” about Obama’s presidential campaign as well as additional information. Some long time friends informed me about a seminar dealing with Muslim’s and Islam. You might find it interesting to check out his website out. I have thought for a long time that we need someone that is knowledgeable to help our churches know how to witness to Muslims while understanding the great differences in belief. Check Usama K. Dakdok out.

Thanks for the Fish

2008-02-24T15:31:00.003-05:00

The following is a poem written by Gary in honor of John. Gary read this poem at the graveside service on February 8, 2008.

Leslie John Newell
June 10, 1950 – February 2, 2008

“Thanks for the Fish”

John sat by the fire;
The skillet was hot,
And filled with the trout
That he had just caught.

He then bowed his head,
And got down on his knees
In that outdoor cathedral
Of tall Douglas fir trees.

“Lord God I thank you
For creating this scene
Where the river is singing,
And the forest is green.

I thank you for Ethel,
My wonderful wife.
I promise I’ll love her
The rest of my life.

For Timmy and Benjie
And David – My boys.
Lord, help me to teach them
All of life’s joys.

Please give them a life
That’s filled with Your grace;
Daily searching Your Word,
And seeking Your face.

Lord, please let me take
Your Gospel to others;
So when they believe,
They’ll all become brothers.

So on that great day
I won’t stand alone
As we’re singing Your praises
Before your bright Throne.

Today, I saw a big cloud
With the sun shining through,
I watched it with hope-
Hoping it was You!

But then my skillet-
It started to hiss-
Oh - And by the way God-
Thanks for the fish!”

Many years later when
Jesus called John by name;
John entered His presence
Without doubt or shame!

Standing before Christ
On this glorious Day;
Knowing Christ’s Blood
Had washed his sins away!

Falling before his Savior
In Heavenly Glory;
Together reviewing
His familiar life story.

John, you have been faithful;
A good husband and dad;
Sharing My Gospel
Every chance that you had.

A true fisher of men;
Teaching “God’s Word says this” –
Oh – And by the way, John,
Thanks for the fish!

February 20, 2008

2008-02-21T22:45:00.001-05:00

FAMILY REPORT – It has been a couple weeks since I have gotten a “Musings” off to you, having made the trip to Oregon because of my son John’s death. My son John’s wife Ethel became ill and ended up having surgery for an intestinal blockage before funeral arrangements could be completed. Most of the burden of making funeral arrangements fell to my grandson Timothy. He did an excellent job dealing with a difficult situation. They had decided to have a graveside service on Friday and the memorial service on Saturday. On Thursday evening Tim had not received a response from the man that was to have the graveside service so I told him I would do that service if they would be patient with my emotions. I’ve known men who have conducted family funeral services but I never felt I’d be able to do so because when emotions are high and tears come I get choked up and lose my voice. But the Lord gave grace and enabled me to get through that as difficult as it was. My son Gary was a great assistance in writing a last minute poem about his brother to also include at the graveside service. He was also asked to repeat it at the memorial service. Many people were moved by the poem it as it so clearly described John’s love for the Savior and his love for the outdoors and fishing. My son in law Albert closed the graveside service with prayer. For the memorial service on Saturday the church was packed out with several hundred people and another room was set up with sound and video. The service lasted two hours with special music, the pastor’s very personal message and people sharing thoughts or stories of their ties and experiences with John. It was a very moving experience. He had touched a lot of people. The church provided refreshments following the service. / As for my grandson Ben, he will remain in the hospital hooked up to several IV’s until a heart is found. His wife Meaghan is almost continually with him and friends are caring for the two children, bringing them up every couple of days. Logan starts his weekly chemo treatments this week hoping to stop the growth of the brain stem tumor.

THANK YOU – We have received many cards and flowers of condolence because of my son John’s death. We are grateful for your many prayers, expressions of concern and love during this time for sorrow. It is such a blessing to have so many friends and co-workers in the Lord. Thank you so very much; you have touched my heart upholding the family before the Lord. I am also very thankful for my son Gary going to Oregon with me. I am not sure I’d have made it back without his help, considering all his driving while there and then the great distance between gates in changing flights in Houston.

CHILDREN-FRIENDS – When we start our families we have to raise, correct and provide for them as children, enjoying them of course, but calling for and expecting obedience and respect. There are sometimes difficult teen years, dating and the beginning of their families. Fortunately our relationship has always been close and in due time they became more than children, they are also my friends. What a wonderful transition and joy to visit and spend time with them and to have regular communication and sharing even when they are great distances apart. Scattered from Ohio to Texas, Oregon and places in between. That even includes a granddaughter and her family in Brazil as missionaries. God has been very good to me to allow my children to also be my friends. I will greatly miss those short and long visits with John over AOL every day or two, often in the wee hours of the morning because of the three hour time difference. How sad it is when families go their separate ways divided by disagreements and assorted problems. Add to that the joy of knowing one day we will continue those family ties and friendship in glory in the presence of our God and Savior. We have a great hope and my heart goes out to those families that don’t have the same ties, relationships and the hope of eternity together. I often wonder how people survive the circumstances of life without that wonderful hope. So much for family thoughts as I now turn to other things.

THE OBAMA’S & THE ELECTION – The events and news in recent days are quite revealing. While so many seem to be taken in by rhetoric and personal appearance of Obama I have some concerns. There is a picture that has made the circuit several times in my e-mail of Clinton and another saluting the flag of these United States while Obama stands there with his hands to his sides. Senator Clinton has her hand over her heart, as does the other person but not Obama. Why doesn’t he show respect for the Flag? He also refuses to wear a flag pin on his lapel as many do and when he is asked about it he makes an excuse of not wanting to use it to make or not make (which ever it was) a political issue over it. I don’t have the exact quote but you get the picture. Then in recent days his wife Michelle made the statement regarding her husbands success in running as a candidate for the presidency, “For the first time I now have something to be proud of as an American.” (I hope I have stated that properly.) Until her husband was running for president she didn’t have any reason to be proud of America? She made the statement twice and because of all the flack she has been getting over it, she has been trying to explain the gaff away. He doesn’t salute the flag and refuses to wear a flag pin and now his wife couldn’t find anything to be proud about America. Where are these people coming from? Is there a secret agenda? Knowing he attended Muslim schools as a boy and that Muslims can say or go to any extreme to make a gain for their cause, I wonder if that is in his agenda. I would like to hear a denial of his having any Muslim ties. Further, he belongs to a black African only Christian Church and I really wonder if he is truly a Christian or is it just a matter of knowing that it is pretty much the norm for those running for the presidency to be thought of as a Christian. Belonging to an African only church I wonder if he has some racial prejudice while trying to appeal to whites to vote for him? I would really like to have some answers to these things before he is elected president of this nation. At the moment it looks like he is going to end up as the Democratic candidate for the office. As much as I’d hate to have Senator Clinton as President, I believe I’d rather take my chances with her. In reality, I won’t be voting for either one of them.

THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE – It appears to be nearly over with McCain being the choice. I don’t see him as the conservative he claims to be. I’ve never forgotten his attacks on Bush and Bob Jones University for his speaking there in the 2000 election. I know he has since apologized to the University and spoken there himself but I am not convinced of any change of attitude. The list is long that conservatives have put together in opposing his candidacy. People like Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, James Dobson and several others have marked him pretty well as not being a true conservative. Dobson has actually said that this will be the first time in his lifetime that he has not voted in a presidential election because of his opposition to McCain. That will be a difficult choice and if many make that same decision we will have a liberal for president. That would be a tough choice.

A WITNESS IN FLIGHT – As Gary and I returned from Oregon to Houston a young woman sat with us. She was Catholic and her husband was from a Mormon family. She seemed open to conversation about these matters so I shared the realities of the origin of Mormonism since she had mentioned having received instruction from Mormon missionaries that she had been impressed by. She them asked me the differences between Roman Catholics and Baptists that I was glad to share with her. I offered to send her further information and she gave me her mail address. To start with I have mailed her my lessons from the Comparative Religion Course I taught last year. I will follow that up with a book and other materials. Please pray for Anne that she might come to a true knowledge of Jesus Christ.

February 3, 2008

2008-02-06T17:51:00.000-05:00

SORROWING YET REJOICING – Many of you have been praying this past week for my son John, thank you. His heart had stopped beating and it was a good while before they got it started again. Testing Friday finally verified a great deal of brain damage and Saturday afternoon the decision was made to turn off the ventilator, etc. He passed into glory at 6:31 Saturday evening. I understand the memorial services will probably be held next Saturday. – My heart is breaking, I tried going to church this morning and attended Sunday school and the beginning of the service but I could not sing and the tears began to flow after the pastor had made the announcement of John’s passing and I went home not feeling I could face everyone during the greeting time, I am too emotional. So, going home I am trying to update all of you who have been so faithful in praying for the family. John bore the weakness of his cardiomyopathy for so many years and inability of doing much that required physical activity. John spoke often to me of wanting to be home with the Savior and to see his mother and son David who had preceded him and now he is with them. With the three-hour difference between here and Oregon we spoke often in the wee hours of the morning over AOL as well as other occasions. He would read inter-net reports and Christian analysis of world events and Israel in particular and he was convinced that the rapture and prophetic events to follow were close at hand. I believe he was probably right but he beat the event home to glory so I rejoice in my tears. My son Gary will be flying out with me in two or three days to be with the family. My daughter Patty and her husband from Houston will also be flying out. John and Ethel’s son Tim has already been out there several days from the Wheaton/Chicago area.

MY GRANDSON BEN – You have also been praying for Ben who is in the same hospital John was in. Ben has been moved from ICU down to the cardiac floor to await a heart transplant. His heart is weak but stabilized for now, though he is still experiencing some nausea. Your continued prayers for him will be greatly appreciated. Chemo for little Logan has been postponed for a few weeks. Thank you for praying for him too.

A SIN IMPACTED WORLD – The scriptures indicate that world conditions in the last days will grow increasingly worse. I am constantly amazed at mans violence and inhumanity toward one another and it all speaks to the depravity of the human heart without Christ. Bank robberies, drive by shootings killing innocent children inside their own homes, rapists killing women & their unborn babies, husbands killing their wives, police officers being killed as they endeavor to protect society and the terrible suicide bombings, even using retarded women to carry out their schemes. My mind cries out, “How can people be so horribly vicious.” You begin to wonder if it is safe to go shopping. We have a new grocery store just a couple blocks from our home and if you go shopping in the evening there is a police officer just inside the door, hired to prevent a possible robbery. People are being ushered into eternity without the saving grace of Christ. Our hearts cry out for the Savior to come and establish His Kingdom and set all these things in order. In contrast, how sweet the fellowship of believers in the places of worship and various gatherings as we enjoy the company of those who will one day be called into the presence of our Savior and the loved ones who have gone before. Heaven grows sweeter as loved ones are gathered in before us.

January 23, 2008

2008-01-25T15:04:00.000-05:00

UP & DOWN FAITH – Pastor Jim Stevanus is presently teaching through Genesis on Wednesday's during the mid-week service. This week he was in chapter 16 dealing with Abram and Sarai’s misstep in faith when Sarai offered her handmaid Hagar to Abram to bare them a son. Abram conceded in this effort of taking the matter into their own hands of obtaining the children God had promised them that would lead to an innumerable progeny. We look upon this failure of faith as another of Abrams up and down events of his life where he took matters into his own hands rather than trusting God. The practice was not unheard of in those days when barrenness was looked down upon. It was a matter of man taking things into his own hands rather than trusting and accepting God’s plan for their lives. As I thought about this matter I began bringing the matter to our present day circumstances, wondering about how often mankind takes similar steps today. Barren couples turn to sperm banks or sometimes transferring the husband’s sperm to a surrogate for a fee. These modern day capabilities are well known and reported in the news and seem to be considered acceptable practices with few, if any looking down on such procedures which in my mind are comparable to what Abram and Sarai did. Individual desires to have children often drive young couples to participate in such practices. (Now here is where I will probably get into trouble with some people.) Do we ever consider the possibility that God may not intend for certain people to have children, but they take the matter into their own hands rather than waiting upon God’s leading and working out matters? There may be circumstances in the future that prove detrimental to the couple and the children so propagated through these means. Perhaps God may have intended for such barren couples to find a blessing by providing care for the orphaned. Or, God may have a plan whereby the couple might be free of the burden of raising children in order to minister to others in special needs and circumstances. I had an aunt that could not have children and they didn’t feel led to adopt. Instead they ministered to the children of others in various church ministries. They were a blessing to all the nephews. So, my question to my readers is this, Are we taking matters into our own hands rather than waiting upon the Lord when we consider the matter of sperm banks and surrogate mothers, etc.? I am not judging anyone, just asking questions relating to faith. I often fear that we go through our ups and downs, having highs and lows of faith in our lives, as did Abram and Sarai relating to our walk of faith.

PRAYER REQUEST – My grandson Benjamin, the father of Logan that we have asked you to pray for that has the brain stem tumor, was taken to the hospital in Portland, Oregon today. He has cardio-myopathy and has a lot of fluid to get off. This is also stressing his liver. This is a genetic problem in our family that took my first wife and Ben’s brother David. My son John also struggles with it. Your prayers for him will be greatly appreciated.

ORDINATION – I leave for Kansas in the morning to attend the ordination council and ordination of my grandson Albert Armitage IV this weekend. Pray he will do well as he takes this step in ministry. He is the minister of music at Olivet Baptist Church at Westwood. What a joy when you know your children and grandchildren continue to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have to cut this “Musing” short due to travel.

Below is my sermon from Albert's ordination service:

Albert Armitage IV’s Ordination Service – January 20, 2008
Olivet Baptist Church – Westwood, Kansas (Shawnee Mission)
Topic: Ministry For All

The Apostle John wrote to his “beloved” friend “Gaius (III John 4), “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” I am sharing that same joy today as I have come to participate in the ordination council and ordination service of my grandson Albert Armitage IV. It is a great joy to my heart to know that my children, and grandchildren are save and serving our Lord. To be able to participate in the ordination of a grandson is one of the great delights of my life. Pastor Anderson has asked that I speak briefly on the subject of ministry during this ordination service.

I noticed when reading through Albert’s Doctrinal Statement that he repeatedly ended each doctrine with a verse from a hymn. I’d like to begin my message on “Ministry For All” by quoting from a hymn, “I’d Rather Have Jesus.” The hymn starts out with that familiar stanza, “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold:” But when it moves toward and on into the chorus it reads, “I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand than to be the king of a vast domain.”

This is how I feel about ministry. I’d rather be a servant of Jesus Christ than to be “the king of a vast domain” or the President of these United States. I have heard others make similar statements and they may not be understood by a world made up of people seeking positions of power and authority, but the thought found in this hymn expresses the heart of a true servant of Jesus Christ. Serving Christ is more important and should be more desirable to the born again Christian than any other vocation in the entire world. Few Christian servants that give their all to Christ’s ministry end up with “silver or gold.” They will however, inherit eternal life and enjoy the glorious presence of their God and Savior for all eternity in the new Heaven and Earth.

Before I go further I want to inject a truth that is sometimes missed. We are here recognizing the call of God upon a young man to full time Christian ministry. When I speak of Christian ministry I do not limit it to those who enter full time ministry. It is my conviction, and I believe supported by Scripture, that all believers in Jesus Christ should consider themselves to be in the ministry, serving the Savior. Too many Christians have a leave it to the pastor, missionary or evangelist attitude. Every believer is saved to serve and to be a witness whether in a full time ministry or fitting their ministries into their every day work-a-day life. I believe it is God’s plan to have his chosen people intermingled in all the varied vocations and circumstances of life.

In I Timothy 6:12 Paul wrote to young Timothy, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

It seems all too easy to some to read such a verse and think, “That was the Apostle Paul writing to Timothy and the command is to him, not us.Â” But I am here to tell you that the “also called” of this verse may be applied to every saved soul throughout history. We are all “called” to this salvation by the workings of God’s Holy Spirit as commissioned by the Father and the Son. No one gets into the family of God without His call and we are thus commissioned to serve and to be a witness of God’s grace, forgiveness and salvation.

I remember a dear Christian lady coming to me following a service and telling me how wonderful it was for me to stand behind the pulpit and preach and that I would have a great reward in Heaven. When that happened I turned to that lady and reminded her that without her aid and participation, as well as that of others, I would not be able to stand behind that pulpit preaching the Word. We are to be ministering together and supporting one another in ministry. Any believer that is not so committed to the service of Christ is a failure to their calling!

· I am to be a witness!
· You are to be a witness!
· Albert Armitage, as he is ordained, is to be a witness.
· We are all to be servants, ministering, serving and witnessing together in the same cause!

When Jesus told the first disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and low, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” it became applicable to all believers in Jesus Christ. ALL OF US SHOULD READ TOGETHER THAT “AMEN” AT THE END OF THE TWO VERSES FOUND IN MATTHEW 28:19 & 20.

When you as a church ordain Albert Armitage to the ministry you are committing yourselves to ministering and standing together with him in that ministry. The work that he does should find you serving and ministering together with him and having the same purpose of mind and heart to edify the saints and to winning the lost to Jesus Christ. Recognizing his calling to ministry should also recognize your part and responsibility in that same ministry.

I would now like to take you to a statement of the Apostle Paul relating to ministry that should be the determination of every true believer in Jesus Christ, I Corinthians 2:2:

“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

Since we are called to be “witnesses,” of Jesus Christ this spirit and attitude of the Apostle Paul should be our attitude as well. Our “witness” and our “servant hood” is to be centered in the Person of Christ. We are not called to be witnesses to our own position or accomplishments but rather to the purposes and accomplishments of Jesus Christ. I believe this is true when standing behind a pulpit, going to a foreign land or to your place of employment. Our real boss is not the owner of the establishment through which you are employed but rather Christ. Christ is head (boss) and director of our lives!

· He is the reason for our existence.
· He is the One who sacrificed Himself to pay the price of our sins.
· He is the One Who provided our forgiveness and salvation.
· He is the One Who has given us entrance into His eternal heavenly presence.
· He is the Sender of the Holy Spirit to seal us and guide us in our daily life.
· He is the supplier and sustainer of our lives.

Does this mean we do not have a mind of our own? Does this mean we cannot enter in to life and it’s many associations or activities? Does this mean we are automatons? No! It simply means we will be representatives of Jesus Christ in whatever areas of life that we enter and participate. We will not follow untruth or participate in false religions or leaders who deny our Lord Jesus. Whatever our vocations we enter them with Jesus Christ at our side and as a participant in every activity of life.

We are responsible to make this determination of allowing Jesus Christ crucified to be central to our purposes and undertakings. We are to be seeking opportunities to share Him with others as the Holy Spirit gives us opportunity and occasion to do so.

We have examined Albert Armitage IV to his capability to so live and serve in the ministry of Jesus Christ. You as a church are ordaining him to this end and with the commitment to stand behind him and to encourage him in that ministry. To do otherwise is to fail in understanding of what this weekend has been all about!

Our prayers are to be to this end that God will use Albert mightily and enabling us to be a part of that same calling and ministry of Jesus Christ as fellow laborers.

The Apostle Paul often spoke of his “fellow prisoners,” “fellow laborers” and “fellow soldiers” (Philemon 1:23-24 & elsewhere) and we should think of one another in the same light.

Musings 6-23-07

2007-07-01T14:18:00.000-05:00

“Musings” - June 22, 2007 - By Leslie G. Newell
(Sharing Thoughts from the past & present by a Home Missionary past his Prime)

I GOOFED: I had Betty proofread last weeks “Musings” and then failed to make the corrections as I was trying to talk on AOL with my son while working on it and I sent it out without the changes. I hope you managed to see through or understand the typos.

TOWER OF BABEL: Do you remember God’s comment when He went down to see the city and tower the people had built and were building? Genesis 11:6, “Now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.” This verse came to mind as I watched the Discovery Channel on June 17th. The topic was “Building The Future,” with several segments. (1) Japan has built tunnels and a huge underground, tiled cavern to catch the floodwaters from typhoons in order to protect Tokyo and millions of people. (2) Plans are being made to destroy a large asteroid that is 300 million miles away aligned to hit the earth in 2029. (3) Mexico has built the tallest glass building in their country on the same ground where earthquakes have destroyed buildings previously. It has been designed with a flex system and hydraulic absorbers to offset the shock. It has already proven effective in a 7.9 Richter scale earthquake. It is designed to withstand a 9.0 earthquake. (4) London, England has built huge barrier gates to protect the Thames River from rising sea water levels that could destroy great numbers of people in a storm. All of these are amazing and huge projects of human ingenuity to protect from horrific damage by natural disasters. I found these undertakings to be almost unbelievable. (At least they would have been in past generations.) But, when I read the Book of Revelation and the terrible judgments of God against humanity and their rejection of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, nothing that man can do with his modern ingenuity will protect them. Since the Tower of Babel man has made great progress in his capabilities as God had prophesied but he will never be able to counterbalance what God has in store for the earth.

DEATH BY CHOCOLATE: Driving to the bank this week I saw a bumper sticker on the car ahead of me that said, “If I must die, let it be death by chocolate.” I’ve heard many people call themselves chocoholics and the driver of the car must have been one of them. With the increased number of diabetics in this country they may well be dying of chocolate. I use to eat Reese bars when I’d get a sugar low and I loved them. That was the only real opportunity I had to enjoy them. Then, when I went to the endocrinologist she told me that was the wrong thing to do because chocolate has a tendency to run your blood pressure up and I was already on medication for that and I have been for years. If you are a chocoholic be warned, you just might become diabetic from all the sugar and also increase your blood pressure, both can contribute to death. I can just hear some of you responding, “But I’ll die happy.” Enjoy, we all have to die sometime, just be sure you know the Savior before you do!

SOMETHING BIBLICAL TO THINK ABOUT: Recently I was sitting in a Bible study dealing with Genesis 3. The pastor was making a point relating to the different responses of Adam and Eve when God was dealing with their sin and the involvement with the serpent. As you recall God spoke first to Adam who blames God and the woman whom God had given him. Speaking to Eve, she blamed the serpent. Then God spoke to the serpent and placed the curse upon it. Then God spoke to Eve revealing the curse upon her, first the sorrow or pain of childbirth and then second, making her subject to her husband. Then God dealt with Adam and his curse had to do with cursing the ground for Adam’s sake. Requiring the toil of labor for food all the days of his life, complicated by adding the thorns and thistles to the equation. Thus reminding Adam that he would labor by the sweat of his brow to provide food for himself and his family. Now, the thoughts that came to me that I want to share with you: All these curses or judgments continue to this day. For Eve the consequence related to childbirth and subjection to her husband. To man his curse related to his labor to provide food for himself and his family. Eve’s penalty related to birth and care of the family in the home. Adam’s penalty related to his labor in providing for his family outside the home. I personally believe it was God’s intention that the woman would pay the price of taking care of the children and husband in the home. Man’s responsibility was to labor outside the home to meet his family’s needs. Stay with me. Today we have large numbers of married women working outside the home, as do their husbands. All the while we hear a great deal about the disparity between the wages between what a woman gets paid and what a man gets paid. Often the woman is paid less for the same work than a man does, with a lot of news and complaint related to it. Personally, I believe in equal pay for equal work, whoever does it. But, the controversy continues. My question is this… “Is it possible that the disparity continues because of the breakdown of God’s purpose relating to the different curses placed on Eve and Adam and His intent for the family?” I believe it does. It is something to think about. What do you think?

REGARDING THE ABOVE: I worded the above in the context of married couples. I understand that single ladies have to work for a living, as do many singles and divorced with children. They should receive equal pay for equal work. I am old fashioned enough to believe that a man should provide for his family while the woman cares for the family in the home. If there are no children or the children are all raised, then it comes down to the couples decision as to whether the wife works outside the home or not. I don’t want to start a war of words, knowing we are living in a different day and it is difficult to maintain and family on one income. Still, parenting is an awesome task and when both parents work outside the home it leaves a great deal lacking for the children, even when a good babysitter or childcare center is used. Nothing replaces a mother’s care of the children, with a working, loving father to back her up. Scripture seems very clear to me in this matter but many do not want to follow a Biblical pattern. God bless those mothers that sacrifice to stay home and raise their children. The Second World War changed this standard practice and things will probably never get back to such a protocol.
OFF TO BRAZIL: My granddaughter Christen, her husband James Taylor and their three children will leave for Brazil as missionaries on June 26th. Your prayers for them to arrive safely on the field along with the 45 boxes already packed and shipped. Pray that customs will go easy on them and that things will arrive safe, not broken or stolen. Pray for Christen as she works to learn the language and as they get settled into a vital soul winning and church-planting ministry. Their work is needed for far fewer foreign missionaries are going out today as compared to just a few years ago

Musings 6-16.07

2007-07-01T14:14:00.000-05:00

“Musings” 6-16-07
By Leslie G. Newell
(Sharing thoughts from the past & present by a Home Missionary past his prime)

PRAYER PRACTICES: Thinking back over the years relating to prayer I recall when the men use to gather for prayer and kneeling as they did so at prayer meetings and prior to services. These old knees no longer find it easy to get down on them so other acceptable positions are taken, but God understands. Those kneeling men manifest their respect for God in humbling themselves in that manner. Aside from that, it was always my practice over the years to have the deacons or several available men to gather with me prior to the morning service to pray and ask for God’s blessings on the service, for decisions among those gathered and for the pastor as he preached. This always gave me a sense of God’s presence as we worked our way through the service and delivered the message. Reading about Charles Spurgeon it was his practice to have a group of men in another room praying for him as he preached. It is little wonder that his ministry was so effective and that his books of sermons are still printed and read today. Pastor’s need prayer support as they preach and work through their workweek. I wonder how many pastors still gather for prayer prior to preaching that morning message. Customs and times are changing.

FRIGHTENING MAIL: I don’t know how it is with you but I always dread getting letters from the IRS and the State Bureau of Taxation. I received such a letter this week telling me I owed over $800.00 plus three months interest on last year’s taxes. I still have to work through this but for some reason they have not credited me for my estimated taxes paid during the year. I wondered why I hadn’t received my tax return yet. It always makes my heart beat a little harder when such notices come and I am sure many of you have similar occasions. It makes you wonder why Israel of old wanted a king like other countries, knowing they would be taxed to maintain his realm. I always dislike tax time when all those papers have to be filled out and I am relieved when the task is done. Even then you never know but what mistakes or disagreements will arise so we continue to live under the heavy hand of government. Death is the only escape and then the relatives have to wrestle with it. I recall the ignorance of some people. Someone once asked me what I did for a living and when I told the man (I won’t call him a gentleman) I was a missionary pastor his response was, “Oh, you are one of those people who don’t have to pay taxes.” I wish!

NEWS MAGAZINES: Years ago when I attended Candidate School with F.B.H.M. one of the recommendations they made was that we subscribe to U.S. News and World Report since it was the more conservative news magazine. It is certainly more conservative than the liberal bent of Time or Newsweek magazines. Through the years I have subscribed and kept up with a broad view of news and often found some good illustrations I could use in my sermons. A much more helpful news magazine today is World, a news magazine with a Christian worldview. I have subscribed for a number of years and also occasionally given gift subscriptions. Occasionally there will be an article that I don’t find myself agreeing with but even those make me think which is a worthwhile exercise. Try it I think you will like it.

ISLAM’S EFFORT TO PROMOTE SHARIAH LAW: There is a reason we keep hearing reports in the news about Muslim taxicab drivers refusing to drive people who have been drinking or are transporting their bottles. There is also a reason behind their efforts to get special foot washing basins in airport restrooms. Or Muslim girls trying to force tax payer funded universities (and private colleges) to accommodate “Muslim Interest Living Communities” rather than just single sex dorms. Every time you read of these and similar events know that is an effort to gradually force conformity to Islamic practices of Shariah Law. Don’t let such efforts be forced upon our society, voice your objections! I’ve read of public elementary schools teaching and practicing Muslim chants or prayers to teach their culture while denying Christian prayer. A double standard for sure but these are all efforts to gradually prepare us for the day when Islamic law will prevail over democratic governments. We need to be much in prayer that God will deliver us from these efforts. / If I were a cab driver I wouldn’t like driving drinkers around either but that is better than drunks driving their cars and endangering others. Even their supposed opposition to alcohol is hypocritical and I find it interesting that some of those that caused so much destruction on 9-11 were known to have spent some of their last hours in bars. Could it be possible they were trying to drown their own consciences before their vile deeds?

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Churches all over the country will be conducting V.B.S. in the next few weeks. This is a vital and effective ministry to reach children and parents. Many children are saved every year through this ministry. It has always been a highlight of my church planting ministry as we saw children saved and hiding God’s Word in their hearts. Our church will be conducting V.B.S. the week after next and we were out distributing invitations this morning. I quickly found out I am not up to very much of that walking anymore but it is always a joy to serve our Lord.

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES: I don’t ever remember the candidates out in force this early before. I suppose with the sitting president going out and a new one to come in has stirred up a lot of hopefuls. With the long list of contenders there are still two more that may throw their hats in the ring, Fred Thompson with his TV persona sounds like he is going to do it and Newt Gingrich will decide in October or November whether he will run or not. I consider myself a conservative in politics and religion alike and at this point I am not too excited about any of them. Both of these come closer to catching my interest if they should run but even for their conservative political positions they have some of the same marital problems of the others. That seems to be the condition of these days as Scripture tells us it will be. It looks like we will be right back where we have been for many years voting on the least of two less than desirable. President Bush was a breath of fresh air after the Clinton presidency but he has not carried through in so many areas we had hoped he would. It is my personal view in the light of prophecy that this country is on the downward slope that will be essential to setting the stage for world conditions to put the antichrist in place. What do you think?

Musing 11-21-06

2007-01-15T22:49:00.000-05:00

A GOOD ANSWER: In my last musing I raised the question regarding helpful responses to those who use blasphemous (oaths) language. I only received one response that I will share as briefly as I can. A friend shared how her husband, who before they met was unsaved and accustomed to taking God’s name in vain. One day while checking out a tool at work he swore using the name of Jesus Christ. The man checking out the tool to him said, “So, you know my Friend?” Rather than criticizing the man for taking the Lord’s name in vain this simple question was asked. Not understanding the man responded, “What friend?” This opened the door for witness and over a period of time and gracious dealings my friend’s future husband was led to Christ. I liked this story (abbreviated), rather than the usual harsh responses that we might make when we hear people blaspheming out Lord. It sounds more like the type of response our Savior would have made rather than taking offense.

LOOKING FOR A CHURCH WITH EVERYTHING: Over the years of church planting one of my greatest frustrations came when people would visit our little group that I followed up with a call in the home and I was told, “We are looking for a church that has ____________.” And they would fill in the blank such as “a youth group,” “a senior citizens ministry,” or “a Sunday School class my child’s age,” or perhaps “a choir.” New church plants are often hurting for lack or a well-rounded program that fits everyone’s need. We would be praying for teenagers to start a youth ministry and a family with several teens would visit but we didn’t fit their need. My response was usually along these lines, “You are right and we have been praying for God to provide the ability to have that kind of ministry. Why don’t you become the nucleus to make that a reality, helping to develop that kind of ministry?” My memory is not the best but I do not recall one instance where such a family would say, “I’ll do that for the Lord.” Most Christians want a ready made church with a full program that meets their every need. There doesn’t seem to be a sense of personal ministry and commitment these days! LET SOMEONE ELSE DO IT. With this kind of attitude how can we ever plant new churches? I’ve always thought that God called us to serve rather that to be served. I am wondering how comfortable some of these same people will be in Heaven when we are told in Revelation 22:3, “and His servants shall serve Him.”
PREFERENCE OR DOCTRINE: As I think back over the years, there have been a lot of cultural changes and debates as to what a Christian should or should not wear, do or go. There were times when I found myself caught up in those struggles. Sad to say, there were times when I was guilty of “legalisms” or Christian preferences that we are hard pressed to find Scriptures that give us a doctrinal position to back them up. I want to be guarded here as I do not want to start a spiritual war with anyone but let me give you one example that comes to mind. I have always felt I should wear my “Sunday best” when I go to church. For me, that was a suit and tie, with shoes shined, even before I became a missionary-pastor. I haven’t gotten over it, dressing down, which is common today doesn’t feel quite right to me. After all, we are entering God’s house, a place of worship and we should present ourselves in a respectful manner. Right? Would we dress down if we were invited to the Whitehouse to meet President Bush? I don’t think so! But can I make a doctrine of this? It is a preference.

Should I criticize a man who wears “Wranglers” and or cowboy boots to a worship service? I can find Scripture that teaches modesty, particularly for the ladies (though I believe an application can be made for the man as well). But, I cannot find a Bible passage that tells me to wear a suit, tie and shined shoes. I had a man in one church I pastored that never wore a tie, suit or sports jacket. If you were to ask him why he would tell you, “I use to be an alcoholic and I attend Alcoholics Anonymous. I invite those men to church hoping they will be saved and should they come, I don’t want them to feel uncomfortable because they are not wearing a suit as others are.” I couldn’t argue with that, maybe you can, but I couldn’t. It was a non-issue! In another instance, the man that taught me how to be a deacon and a soul-winner use to wear blue-stripped bib overalls to church on Wednesdays. That is what he wore to work but he always put on a clean pair to come to church on Wednesdays but did wear a suit on Sundays. Do you suppose that disqualified him from being a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and a discipler? Not in my eyes. In another instance, my son John wore cowboy boots, as did most people in North Dakota where we lived at the time. When he went off to Bible College cowboy boots were all that he owned as footwear but the college wouldn’t let him wear them while attending college. – I still wear a suit and tie on Sunday mornings while sitting in the congregation, though few do. I have finally condescended to forget the tie and jacket on Sunday evenings and Wednesdays. I still wear my tie when I teach in our home Bible studies but not my suit. I guess I’ve slipped a little.

Musing 12-19-06

2007-01-15T22:46:00.000-05:00

CHRISTMAS 2006: Dare a man of years express his concerns about Christmas? As a boy it seemed Christmas would never come. Now, sadly I almost wish it would not come because it has become burdensome. Don’t misunderstand me I still cherish the true meaning of Christmas as it reminds us of our God and Savior Jesus Christ Who took on human form that He might give His life for the redemption of our souls. I still relish the anticipation of family gathering together to celebrate the occasion, but…

· The decorating is colorful and beautiful and I enjoy the observation. But what does all this have to do with the real meaning of the season. Oh, I know the thought expressed relating to the lights and remembering that Christ is the “Light” of the world but how many really understand that? What about those large lighted balloons of snowmen, some with assorted scenes within, some are Santa Clauses who supposedly comes from the North Pole?
· The running to purchase gifts is stressful. Not that I don’t enjoy giving, I do! But, too often we buy because it is the thing to do. We have little idea of what is really needed because the family is so scattered and we seldom get to see their real circumstances or need. The children may have grown a foot taller than the last time we saw them and we really don’t have any idea of their sizes. You can ask but the answers are difficult to obtain, everyone is so busy.
· So, like many we have taken up the process of obtaining “gift cards” that we hope and pray are not lost or discounted due to time lost in their belated use. It seems so impersonal and without the usual thought of picking a choosing just the right gift.

Have I become cynical? No, I don’t think so, just frustrated in not being able to do what we once did due to circumstances beyond our control. The care of Betty, trying to keep up with all the shopping, laundry, cooking (mostly out of cans for myself as Betty has lost her appetite), doctoring, etc. changes the perspective. It gives a different meaning to what is important, necessary or fulfilling. What is the answer? Prayer, trusting in our God and Savior, looking for the peace that is provided by the Prince of Peace that cannot be found by the world’s standards of Christmas.

My son John, who is not able to work because of heart problems and his wife Ethel, share some of the same frustrations and have come to a decision they discussed with their son and family nearby as well as Tim who lives in the Wheaton/Chicago area. They are only buying gifts for the small grandchildren or children. Their emphasis is going to be on the family gathering and enjoying one another’s company. Attend the Christmas Eve service, reading the Christmas story, sing songs of praise and joy, drink eggnog, and share a meal (and snacks) while simply enjoying each other’s company.

Wouldn’t the merchants howl if all made the same radical change to let being together as a family and rejoicing in their Biblical (Christian) heritage be the center of their gathering rather than the rush of running to and fro for gifts or gift cards, etc. Wow!!

If my understanding is correct, the early church did not celebrate the virgin birth of Christ. They acknowledged and taught the doctrine and its importance but the cross of Calvary and the resurrection was the point of emphasis and proclamation. Years of religion and tradition have grown into something far more than what God had intended. We’ve nearly lost the value of family and faith in the hurry and scurry of the season.

Please don’t be too harsh with my personal “Musings,” concern and frustration.

Have A Very Merry Christmas &
Enjoy Your Family & Faith!