January 2009 #3

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.