March #2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.” 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.