God Is Commanding, But Who Is Listening?

"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead. --- Acts 17:30, 31

God did a mighty work 236 years ago when He blessed and provided for a small number of people who desired to be a free republic. These people broke free from the British crown and became known as the United States of America.

As decades of time passed the population expanded, territories to the west in the direction of the Pacific Ocean were occupied, new states were added to the original thirteen, and the future was extremely bright.

From time to time conflicts erupted with one of the most critical being the Civil War involving great loss of human lives, massive casualties, and widespread property destruction. But God was merciful and a union emerged stronger than ever before as national healing and reconciliation took place over time.

Yet there were more conflicts to take place in the decades ahead. In the midst of these God granted an abundance of grace and mercy and our republic gained victory over the enemy until politicians chose to compromise and abandon the demand of unconditional surrender on the part of the enemy. WW II was the last conflict in which the enemy had to submit to the terms of unconditional surrender. Korea was an entirely different "ball game" with a "negotiated" settlement taking place and it has been downhill ever since. Any time you have a politician meddling in affairs, it is not going to produce a good result!

As the 1950's drew to a close, the moral and spiritual climate of the United States began to dramatically change as well. The 1960's saw insane court decisions handed down such as evicting God from the public school sytems and then the approval of the mutilation and murders of unborn children in the womb in 1973. No one who has a bit of a sense of right and wrong can truthfully say that our republic is morally and spiritually stronger now than it has ever been in the past.

Now that we are more than a decade into the 21st Century we have continued on our toboggin slide toward sure and certain disaster for a number of reasons:

1. The bloody trail that our republic has left behind is the result of the destruction of millions of unborn children. This practice is identified in the Bible as the atrocious act of "shedding innocent blood!"

2. Sexual immorality of every conceivable kind which is gaining more and more acceptance so that the national motto in regard to human sexuality could well be: "Sex is fun with anyone (or a number of persons at the same time) anywhere and at any time on a 24/7 basis!" With the help of the entertainment industry and high profile celebrities our young folk are leaning this practice while in the early years of their lives.

3. The teaching of our young that our roots are traced back to very low forms of life and that over millions of years we have evolved to what we are today with the end not yet taking place as we move onward and upward to perfection. As noted earlier, due to an insane decision of the first magnitude, God is not permitted on public school property and therefore it is unlawful to teach our young the truth that all things existing, including human life, have their origin with God Who is our Creator! At the higher level in colleges, universities, and graduate schools the deadly and hopeless doctrine of evolution is a brainwashing process that has devastating results in the lives of victims who accept it without question.

4. The profaning of the day of worship which originally was set aside to provide citizens of the republic with the opportunity to worship the God Who raised this republic up so that it became the most powerful and prosperous nation in the history of the world! Not only was it to be a special time for the recognition and worship of God, but also a day of rest for the citizens so that they might become refreshed and then prepared for week of work that would begin on Monday. But the day is now primarily a day of business, pleasure, entertainment in many forms, and intentional placing of God in a cell with high tech security devices so that He does not in any way interfere with our "fun and games!"

5. A church that has become increasingly corrupted because of the infiltration of "wolves in sheep's clothing" who refuse to accept God's special revelation in the form of the holy Scriptures as the absolute authority on all matters that have to do with our faith, our relationship to God through His Son, Jesus Christ, and the responsibilites we have to be fully obedient to Him on a day by day basis. The heart of denial is found in the rejection of Jesus as to His real identity (God revealed in human form), His miracles which He performed, His atoning death on the cross for the sins of the entire human race, His literal resurrection from the dead 3 days after the crucifixion, and His promised return to this sin saturated world at some time in the future to take full control and rule as King of kings and Lord of lords!

In the midst of all this chaos God has been calling for repentance -- no exceptions! To repent is to be brutally honest with ourselves, to admit we are guilty, and to turn from our sins, asking God for mercy and forgiveness. This has to be done on a personal level and also collectively (family, community, church, nation and its leaders).

But there is a major problem -- God has issued the command to repent but He is being ignored by the vast majority. So what does this mean? It means simply that we are perilessly close to experiencing judgment. God employs calamities (chastising actions) for a time in an effort to make a nation aware of its need to turn to Him. The classic example of this is His dealings with the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Neither heeded His appeals issued through His prophets and consequently were totally destroyed at the hands of heathen peoples. Yes, God at times does use a heathen people to bring judgment on those who claim to be God's people - e.g. "one nation under God!"

How is your hearing these days?

And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land. O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day; to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You. O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You." --- Daniel 9:4-9

Those Book, Radio, and TV “Conservatives” Are Missing the Key Ingredient!

"Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." --- Acts 17:29-31

Most of them are very popular and have to be rated as being highly successful. A number of them have written books which have been best sellers. Others have TV cable programs that rate very highly when those rating surveys are taken. And there is talk radio which has a number of rather high profile personalities. Among the latter the name of Rush Limbaugh is dominant and has been for some time.

These together constitute a mighty chorus calling for a return to values which made our republic a great nation. There is constant decrying of the expansion of big government, out of control spending, and loss of personal liberties. There is no lack of singling out by name those whom these professed “conservatives” consider to be responsible for the quagmire into which our republic has sunk!

But they in common share this glaring omission. Let’s put it this way – it’s like building an automobile without a transmission – it’s like manufacturing an aircraft designed to transport 350 passengers and not putting wings on it – it’s like building a modern day Titanic with all the new technology but not installing the propellers and rudder – it’s like preparing to bake a two layer chocolate cake and not adding the chocolate to the bowl of ingredients which make up the cake! In each case something very critical is missing and that being the case, there will be nothing but failure as a result.

The missing ingredient is genuine and sincere repentance from sin and rebellion which has been committed against the God Who brought this mighty universe into existence out of nothing by simple command!

You can talk about your values, principles and even occasionally refer to God Almighty all you want, but if you avoid the issue of repentance, it is all in vain and our republic travels down the slippery slope toward collapse and disaster at an accelerated pace!

Three critical elements are involved in repentance in which God grants mercy and forgiveness:

• intellectual – a crystal clear awareness that one is a sinner and guilty of countless acts which Almighty God condemns. The light has been turned on and what used to be so “acceptable” or what was felt to be OK if one could get away with it, are now recognized to be ethically, morally, and spiritually wrong in the sight of a holy God Who has us all under constant surveillance.
  
  
• emotional – that is, to feel remorse and regret over having sinned against God and one’s fellow human beings. The problem, however, is too often a sense of regret may come on a person, but it is only regret at having been caught in the act of doing wrong, not at having sinned against God!
  
  
• volitional – that is, by deliberate choice one ceases to do those things that are now recognized to be sinful against God and/or against one’s fellow human beings. This is the thrust of 2 Corinthians 5:17 which states that if a person is in Christ (having repented and accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord) then that person is a new creation with old things passing away and all things becoming new!
  

Repentance is not just an individual experience, though that is where it has to begin, but also a corporate experience in which groups of persons become involved. Anywhere you look the evidence is overwhelming of the need for corporate repentance – in business, corporations, education, government at all levels, the professions, and of course, churches!

But as mentioned at the beginning, you will not hear the high profile conservatives speaking of these things. In all likelihood they would have some “excuse” for not mentioning such a subject. And why should they since it is not mentioned all that often in the churches.

Many years ago a pastor who was in his retirement years said that repentance was the lost doctrine in the church and mentioned by name a mainline denomination in which this problem existed.

Will the time come when all over the United States there will be millions of people declaring by words spoken and deeds done that their top priority is seeking God in a spirit of genuine repentance -- that a chorus of voices is in unanimous agreement that we as individuals and collectively in groups as well as an entire nation have grievously sinned against Almighty God?

There is a possible shocking response that God may make if that should happen due to the fact that He has been calling this nation to repentance for a long, long time and there has been no serious heeding of that call. Read carefully what that response might be:

Thus says the LORD to this people: "Thus they have loved to wander; they have not restrained their feet. Therefore the LORD does not accept them; He will remember their iniquity now, and punish their sins."
Then the LORD said to me, "Do not pray for this people, for their good. When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence." --- Jeremiah 14:10-12

But those conservatives will continue to write their best selling books, do their TV shows, and do their talk radio programs – they will be quick to tell us what ought to be done to set this nation on the right course, but will never, never mention the key ingredient that is absolutely necessary to get the country into a favorable relationship with the Creator of this mighty universe!

By the way, I have an automobile for sale – it doesn’t have a transmission in it – are you interested?

And it came to pass after many days that the LORD said to me, "Arise, go to the Euphrates, and take from there the sash which I commanded you to hide there." Then I went to the Euphrates and dug, and I took the sash from the place where I had hidden it; and there was the sash, ruined. It was profitable for nothing. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Thus says the LORD: 'In this manner I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. This evil people, who refuse to hear My words, who walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be just like this sash which is profitable for nothing. --- Jeremiah 13:6-10

Little Jack Horner Replayed!

Just about everyone has heard of Little Jack Horner at a very tender age. There may be some exceptions, but Jack is a prominent personality in nursery rhyme lore along with a number of others. He sat in a corner and munched on Christmas pie. At a certain point he seriously violated Emily Post’s standard of conduct when eating – he stuck in his thumb and pulled out a plum and said, “What a good boy am I!”

Little Jack Horner has been resurrected and it started back quite some months ago but really came to the forefront in November 2008 and then culminated in the inauguration of B. Hussein Obama as president of the United States on January 20, 2009.

While he is commonly known now as President Obama, he really is Little Jack Horner in disguise! Here are the ways we know it is really Jack:

• this is the guy who has already signed some highly questionable executive orders and there are more earth-shaking ones to come, but for now he will sign a financial Frankenstein that is erroneously termed a “stimulus” bill and then will say, “What a good boy am I!” His co-conspirators in Congress will enthusiastically agree!
  
  
• this is the guy that takes the word “extravagant” to a new high by flying all over the country in a Boeing 747, which isn’t cheap, and then tells you and me we have to quit running SUV’s, do some sacrificing and help to cut down on our dependence on foreign oil – after all that he says, “What a good boy am I!” – and a vast horde of citizens agree!
  
  
• this is the guy who says he is going to have high ethical standards in his administration and then appoints a bunch that has problems paying all taxes or they are under investigation for something or there are possible conflicts of interests -- and who knows what other kind of baggage some of these people are bringing along with them to their plush positions. But he’ll say, “What a good boy am I!” -- and a vast horde of citizens agree!
  
  
• this is the guy who said no lobbyists were going to be hired in his administration, and then turns around and gives a waiver to a powerful character in the lobbying business (related to the Department of Defense!) so that he can serve in the Defense Department – and he’ll simply say, “What a good boy am I!” -- and a vast horde of citizens agree!
  
  
• this is the guy of whom it is said that he is still in campaign mode and has yet to shift into the gear in which he actually begins to govern – it must be so, because he is city hopping all over the place – maybe he needs a weekly ego “booster shot” which can only come from the crowds who worship the ground he walks on! Certainly it could be expected that he would then say, “What a good boy am I!” -- and a vast horde of citizens agree!
  
  
• this is the guy who likes to throw out the terms, “God bless you. And God bless the United States of America,” but cannot find time to give public expression in acts of worshipping this God to Whom he makes reference. He can find time to play basketball, work out and do government “business” on the Lord’s Day, but to set an example before his family and the nation by giving public expression to his professed faith, he simply doesn’t – yet he will still insist, “What a good boy am I!” -- and a vast horde of citizens agree!
  

Granted, you might not hear him vocally say, “What a good boy am I!” And the reason is, he lets the mainstream media say it for him or the shouting crowds that he plans to visit on a regular basis, according to David Axelrod, who is in reality the Propaganda Minister for the Obama Administration. Just listen to him talk sometime and you’ll see – he will confirm repeatedly that B.O. is indeed a very good boy!

Before you go to sleep tonight, why not recite the record of Little Jack Horner. After you have done that, then think of how that has been dramatically updated and the new version of Jack lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC!

And the people kept shouting, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" --- Acts 12:22

And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'" --- Jesus in a confrontation with Satan in Luke 4:8

Christmas Benefits Excel All Others!

When it comes to wages and benefits in times such as these the major issue often centers on the "benefits" -- what kind of health care benefits are there -- are there eye and dental care provisions -- what kind of pension benefits and how about vacation time -- and how many sick days does one get in a year's time -- can I accumulate them over the years and get paid for the ones I haven't used when I retire? Yes, indeed, there is a lot of preoccupation about the "benefits" and then after settling that, we get into the wage issues.

Sad, but true -- with all the hostility and controversy that now surrounds Christmas along with focusing on the materialistic aspects of life, the Christmas "benefit" package is ignored or flat out rejected by a vast majority of U. S. citizens, not to mention most of this world's 6 billion inhabitants!

A few can testify that the "benefit" package of Christmas beats all the others hands down! Because of God becoming human and visiting this world in the Person of Jesus Christ -- because of His death on our behalf on a Roman cross and because of His victorious resurrection here is what we have by way of benefits:

• His peace - Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1,2).
  
  
• His presence with us always - "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 lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Jesus speaking in Matthew 28:19, 20).
  
  
• His power - Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:6-8).
  
  
• His promises that apply to all areas of our concern - Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:2-4).
  
  
• His provisions that are always sufficient - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me..... And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:13, 19).
  
  
• His place which He is preparing for His people -- the perfect environment with no negatives as constantly experienced in this present world - "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (Jesus speaking in John 14:1-3). A PS on this one -- can you imagine living in a place where there is perfect peace -- no conflicts of any kind whatsoever -- a place where there are no hospitals, doctors, drug stores, funeral homes and cemeteries -- a place where you have perfect health and no aches and pains -- and where you do not age?
  

That Christmas "benefit" package makes even the most luxurious ones dreamed up by the biggest corporations in this world quickly shrink into dust by comparison, does it not?

Have a blessed Christmas and rejoice much in the benefits it makes available through the Lord Jesus Christ as you celebrate with family and friends!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." --- Jesus speaking in John 3:16

Any Volunteers to Teach Jesus and Some Others About "Holy Conferencing?"

We believe Christians can discuss important issues without the acrimonious debate and parliamentary maneuvering that can divide a group into contending factions. We see too many examples of that in secular society. We believe the Holy Spirit leads in all things, especially as we make decisions. We want to avoid making decisions in a fashion that leaves some feeling like winners and others losers. --- from "Guidelines for Holy Conferencing - What God Expects of Us" as printed in W. PA Annual Conference (United Methodist Church) pre-conference reports and legislation information.

As one looks at the guidelines for "holy conferencing" it is quite obvious that someone needs to confront Jesus and at least a couple or so others in the New Testament about the fact of their defiance of these standards with the result of causing deep division and being guilty of making some feel like winners and others losers!

We won't even try to include the Old Testament prophets on this matter at the present time -- that would add quite a number to the list of those failing to do "holy conferencing" in addition to Jesus and others in the 1st Century.

A couple of those guidelines state, "Every person is a child of God. Always speak respectfully. One can disagree without being disagreeable.....Avoid using inflammatory words, derogatory names, or an excited and angry voice."

Now consider how Jesus handled Himself on certain occasions:

"I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me." Then they said to Him, "Where is Your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also."....... Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." --- John 8:18, 19, 42-47

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.......Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar." --- Matthew 23:15, 33-35

Paul didn't seem to be a practitioner of "holy conferencing" on various occasions:

Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time." And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. --- Acts 13:9-11

And the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you to be a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.'" --- Acts 13:44-47

Ought we not take a look also at Stephen who is described as one who was filled with the Holy Spirit? But what is this? Speaking to a group of very religious people (the kind who should engage in "holy conferencing") he gives a history lesson and then concludes:

"You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it." When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. --- Acts 7:51-54

Oh yes, we must not forget that very radical cousin of Jesus, John the Baptist! Is it not possible that those who are strong advocates of "holy conferencing" and doing "dialog" would have more than a tad of difficulty with this fellow today? Is he guilty of name calling or what?

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD, make His paths straight.'" And John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones." --- Matthew 3:1-9

Maybe I missed it -- do you see any place where John announces, "Brothers and sisters, it's time for us to enter into a "holy conferencing" experience since we have some serious issues which need to be addressed." It is noted, however, that this man was filled with the Holy Spirit from the time of his birth. Hmmmmm -- filled with the Holy Spirit, but yet did no "holy conferencing" as is stressed in church circles these days! The way he acted is it possible he wouldn't be permitted to enter a lot of churches today -- that is, unless he kept his mouth totally shut?

Just a few of many examples drawn from an infallible source of information which indicate that "holy conferencing" was not a priority when it came to confrontations over various issues. Jesus, of course, is the prime example. It appears that He was not too convinced that one just has to dialog and do the "holy conferencing" thing. But this one thing He did, and which He calls us to do -- be witnesses to God's eternal truth always -- no compromising on that! But that is where the problem is -- too many have bought into the idea that absolute moral truth does not really exist, and this provides the perfect climate for dialog and "holy conferencing!"

No where do you see any indication that God was willing to enter into dialog about anything -- He draws the line on all moral and spiritual issues. He defines what is acceptable and what is unacceptable on human sexuality, but in dialog and "holy conferencing" we want to erase the line God has drawn or else come up with an agreement that it is a "fuzzy" issue and we don't quite fully agree on it yet, but we'll continue to engage in "holy conferencing" until we do -- maybe it will happen at the next General Conference of the United Methodist Church in 2012!

On the most critical spiritual issue, God has said that we either are forgiven and restored to righteousness through His Son, Jesus Christ, or we are not -- plain and simple! But the conferencing and dialog sessions come to the conclusion that whatever "religion" you may practice is good enough -- Christianity is but one of many peas in the same pod -- just pick the one that seems to fit and work best for you!

So then, who will put the bell on the cat -- oooops! I mean, who will volunteer to confront Jesus and the others with the fact that they have violated the guidelines for "holy conferencing?" If we have more than one, maybe we can get up a committee to do it! In mainline denominations especially, is that not the only way anything can be done these days?

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. --- 2 Timothy 4:1-4

They Were in Their Pulpits on Mother's Day, But Don't Expect Them to Be There on Father's Day!

...Pastors should bring a pulpit robe or alb and a red stole to process in the service of Ordination. If you do not have these items, that is fine, you still are a part of the clergy family and will join in the service. If you have scheduled a wedding for June 14th and plan to leave Grove City for rehearsal Friday evening, you still need to return to Grove City for the Sunday service. If you are participating in one of our camping events the week following Annual Conference, you still have ample time to arrive at camp following the service. If you need to be excused from Annual Conference, it is your responsibility to communicate in writing to Bishop Bickerton, Conference Secretary John Wilson, and your Superintendent why you cannot participate in Annual Conference this June.... Part of the "orders from headquarters" directed to pastors in one of the districts of the Western PA Annual Conference in anticipation of the service of ordination scheduled on Father's Day, June 15, 2008 at Grove City College in Grove City PA!

They say 3 out of 4 ain't bad! In baseball or softball, if you get 3 hits out of 4 times at bat, that would be considered an impressive batting average. If you were traveling through a small town which had 4 traffic lights and you hit 3 of the 4 when they were green, you would congratulate yourself on doing well in avoiding some red lights in that community. In fishing, if lively trout hit the bait 4 times and you get 3 out of the 4, you would consider that a successful fishing venture.

But sometimes 3 out of 4 is not a good thing -- ask the congregations of a few hundred United Methodist Churches in western Pennsylvania about that ratio. You see, for the 3rd time in 4 years their pastors will not be present with them on Father's Day!

The pastors have always been present in their churches on Mother's Day, as they were yesterday. But for 3 years out of 4 it's been a kitty of another color on Father's Day.

The Western PA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church will be meeting the latter part of the second week of June and will conclude with an ordination service on the morning of Father's Day, June 15th! The conference will meet at Grove City College in Grove City PA. It will be the 3rd year out of 4 since Tom Bickerton became bishop that Father's Day has been scrapped in favor of an ordination service!

The bishop along with support from his superintendents is adamant in demanding that all pastors be present for the ordination service on Father's Day. The pastors are given ample "warning" in advance about this (see the wording of statements in one district newsletter as noted above) with specific instructions about making sure arrangements are made for someone to conduct the services in the pastors' absence.

I'm not sure that even if you die on Saturday night, June 14th, that you would have a legitimate excuse for being absent from the ordination service the next morning! But that can be taken care of by arranging to have the funeral director wheel you down the aisle in your casket ahead of the bishop and all the other dignitaries in the procession -- that way, your presence will be obvious. Just make sure the casket lid is open so that they know you were present -- this is necessary in order to insure that no "unpleasant" things happen to you because you were regarded as being absent!

Now a question -- is there anybody out there who knows of a similar debacle taking place in other UMC conferences or other denominations in the entire United States? Write it down -- you'll be hard pressed to find even a half dozen pastors who will be absent from their pulpits on Father's Day. For any outside the W. PA Annual Conference who are absent it will likely be due to an unexpected emergency of the first magnitude!

I wrote to Bishop B. about this the first year, figuring that being a rookie bishop and quite young (I have 2 kids older than he, 1 about the same age, and 2 a bit younger) that he didn't fully realize what he was doing.

The second year I also included the District Superintendents in the letter sent. The appeal was that Father's Day is an ideal time to stress the importance of family and responsibilities of fatherhood, etc. And this at a time when our culture is fast adopting an attitude that fathers aren't really all that important -- about all they are good for is to provide some wriggly things which are essential in making a baby! One woman got a lot of publicity plus many, many bucks from her book which described how she artificially inseminated herself (the old turkey baster tactic) and has a child she is raising without a father being involved! Much as she probably hates to admit it, she did need the help of a man at one point though she never met the guy -- he provided some of those wriggly things mentioned earlier!

Anyway, the bishop, as I expected, made no response to those letters. One person mentioned to me that Father's Day is not a significant religious holiday -- the implication being if the the W. PA Annual Conference wants to have an ordination service on the morning of Father's Day with all pastors expected to be present, so what? If a bishop says that is the way it is to be, that settles it -- no questions or objections are permitted! Sounds like a United Methodist version of a pope at his dictatorial best, does it not?

A final question I asked in one of the letters was this -- "If it were Mother's Day, would you have the ordination service with the presence of all pastors being required? We both know the answer to that one, don't we?"

There are many things that call for prayer -- sometimes very unusual things -- this is one of them. Whatever it takes, may Almighty God clearly reveal that it is His will for those W. PA United Methodist pastors to be in their pulpits on Father's Day in June of 2008 and not at Grove City College!

Go ahead -- ask them -- ask any congregation of United Methodists if they would prefer that their pastor would be present with them to conduct worship on Father's Day. And do not condition the people by first saying that this is what the bishop and the superintendents expect -- we're not concerned about their desires, but only with what God wants!

And as an ordained elder in the W. PA Annual Conference, where will I be on the morning of June 15th? Just where I am each Father's Day and where I have always been in 49 years of ministry -- occupying the pulpit of the church (or churches) God has called me to serve, and where He expects me to be. I mentioned this in the second letter sent to the bishop and D.S.'s -- also mentioned was the fact that if that was unacceptable to them, then they would have to take the issue up God, because He is the One Who wants me to be in a certain church at a certain time on Father's Day! I have never yet missed a Father's Day service in any of the churches I have served over the years and I have no intention of missing one in 2008!

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men...." --- Acts 5:27-29

No Fooling! I'm Being Taught by the World's Greatest Theologian!

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you..... However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you." --- Jesus speaking in John 14:26; 16:13-15

April 1, 2008 -- On this day -- a day which ranges all the way from a simple April Fool's joke to very complex and elaborate hoaxes, it is appropriate to consider our privilege to learn from One Who holds the undisputed title of "World's Greatest Theologian" and that's no joke!

In a post a few days ago I posed the question as to whether any who had stopped by had met Theo, my Administrative Assistant, at my web site, Circuit Rider's Range. He has a special area at that location identified as
The Theology Pit!

It is there that the subject of something called "theology" is pursued a bit. Pastors can even become obsessed with it and seem at times to come close to deifying certain idividuals who have come to be known as "theologians."

But of all those persons who over centuries of time have been known as theologians along with the many books they have produced, there is but One Who stands in a class all by Himself and the Book which He has produced -- His name? Holy Spirit! His book? the Bible!

What too often happens is this -- we (pastors and laity) can easily get so enraptured with theologians and authors of the day to an extent that we spend more time with them than we do with the World's Greatest Theologian and His Book!

Look at it this way -- suppose you were traveling a long distance on an airline flight and you were given the choice with someone else paying the tab -- the choice is to go 1st class or coach (2nd class) -- which would you take? I haven't flown in a while, but as I remember -- 1st class had amenities you didn't have in the coach section plus wider and much more comfortable seating! I do remember a flight I was on in which a young fellow in the military along with his wife and infant child were in the coach section. The child was very fussy and they were trying to get it quieted down -- after a while the pilot came back and asked them if they wanted to move into the 1st class section and finish the trip seated there. They didn't hesitate and soon were able to get the child settled down.

A 1st class experience is making oneself available to the Holy Spirit and taking a generous amount of time to do this -- and then take His Book and see Jesus make good on His promise that the Holy Spirit would teach us -- guide us into the truth -- and show us things to come! What more can one ask than that -- to be personally instructed by the Author of the Book which He brought into existence over centuries of time?

A 2nd class experience is giving time to all those others -- I realize the risk of being accused of being radical and prejudiced on this issue. But stop and think through what Jesus promised -- it really does amount to a choice of going 1st class in an experience with the Holy Spirit and His Book or 2nd class with the others and their books. It comes down to how much time we are willing to give to whom (or Whom) and their writings each day!

We can learn a very profitable lesson from the people of a place called Berea in the 1st Century. Paul and Silas eventually made their way into that community. They shared the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Scriptures note that these people were more fair minded than those in Thessalonica where Paul and Silas had been. It is stated that the Bereans searched the Scriptures daily to see whether the things Paul and Silas had spoken were really so. (Acts 17:11).

Seems these days we are more concerned about what some Tom, Dick and Jane have to say about the Bible than what the Bible has to say about us, them, the entire human race and what God's expectations and plans are!

Yes, I have quite a collection of books, including those written by persons considered to be "theologians" and have read in them, but I much prefer giving more time and attention to the World's Greatest Theologian and His Book -- the only time I can say as I hold His Book in my hands -- at last, here is Something I can believe and not have to struggle and ask, "Does this guy or gal know what he or she is talking about or not? Is it true or will it lead me down the path to disaster?"

So, if you dare -- how does your time spent in reading "stuff" compare to taking the Bible in hand and then with openness of heart and mind, alloting a significant amount of time in allowing the World's Greatest Theologian to teach you things that are vitally important for time and eternity?

And you will find that's no joke -- on April Fool's Day or any other throughout the year!

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. --- 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

For a Few, Celebrating the Greatest Victory Ever!

He is risen!

"Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.".... And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." --- John 10:17, 18; 20:26-29

This is being posted a day early due to the fact that come tomorrow morning Jean and I will be off to a rather early start. We will journey 27 miles to the church we have been working with for over 8 years in Gipsy PA. If you want to take a look at it plus some other things we have posted there, slip on over to Gipsy Christian Church -- a Musings of a Maverick link is there to bring you back here.

We will be having an Easter Sunrise service at 7:00 AM. After that we will be having an Easter fellowship breakfast in our newly acquired church hall just across the parking lot from the church. We do more than the cinnamon rolls and coffee thing -- our men do eggs, potatoes, sausage, pancakes, toast with all the trimmings! Yes, there are some doughnuts too! So we have a great time of fellowship -- it's just like family!

Then we will go back to the church for our regular worship time at about 9:30 AM for more celebrating.

Our celebration involves the greatest victory ever won in the history of the human race. It was won by the Lord Jesus Christ over the human enemies of sin, death, Satanic forces, and Hell!

A gang of people thought they had finally gotten rid of Jesus that day 2,000 years ago when they saw Him die on a Roman cross -- bunch of blind fools! Three days later He came out of the tomb alive! What does it all mean?

By virtue of our true repentance from our sins -- the receiving of Him into our lives as our personal Savior and Lord we have not only victory over sin, Satan, death and Hell, but the "fringe benefits" which are a part of all that:

• His promised living presence with us always (Note this in the Great Commission statement in Matthew 28).
  
• His promised peace to give rock solid assurance as we continue our journey in this perilous world -- while the storms swirl around us, within is that still small voice saying, "Peace, be still!" Also, a reminder from out of the Psalms, "Be still and know that I am God!" (Also note His reference to peace in John 14 & 16).
  
• His promised power as imparted by the Holy Spirit (Note this in the opening portion of the book of Acts).
  
• His promised provision for the meeting of our needs as mentioned by Paul in Philippians 4.
  
• His promise of a prepared place -- so special in so many ways including the fact that it is totally free from all corruption, pollution, conflict, pain and sorrow. Something great to look forward to when our journey here on earth has ended, is it not? (Note this in John 14 and further details in Revelation 21).
  

Unfortunately over the decades past there has been the infiltration of one of the most deadly heresies within the ranks of the church ever perpetrated in the history of the human race -- those "scholars," theologians, professors of theology and pastors who say/teach that Jesus did not literally come back from the dead! Mention is made somewhere on the vast acreage of Circuit Rider's Range of a seminary student who was very excited about entering the ministry and while in seminary he had a professor who did not believe that Jesus was resurrected from the dead. This charlatan seemed dedicated to convincing students in his class that this was so. The student in question could not handle that -- dropped out of seminary -- abandoned what he believed had been a call to the ministry and his life ended up a disaster!

For a few of us -- let the skeptics, inside the church as well as out in the world, rave on in their blindness and their first magnitude ignorance that Jesus is still in the grave -- we know better, do we not? After all when you are in conversation and fellowship with Him each day you know that more than a corpse is necessary for such experiences!

I do often sort out the human race by using such terms as "few" vs. "many" -- the reason? Because that's how Jesus often did it when referring to humanity -- separated into two categories -- "few" and "many!" But more about that at a later time.

I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today; I know that He is living, whatever men may say......He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart. --- from song, He Lives, written by Alfred H. Ackley

Concentrate on Reading the Book, Instead of Books About the Book!

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. --- Acts 17:11

It is true as has been observed in the book of Ecclesiastes that of the "making of many books there is no end" -- in the realm of Christian publishing there has been an explosion at times of both fiction and non-fiction books. Some authors have churned out a dozen or more titles and are still going strong!

A large number of books have been devoted to some aspect of the Bible and its many subjects. I have been asked from time to time if I have read a certain book by an author who has become quite well known. TV preachers/evangelists have also added to the lengthy list of books produced.

While this is not meant to advocate a "book burning" crusade, but it is an appeal to do a bit of soul searching -- for each of us, the critical question is this -- in comparison to my reading of newspapers, magazines, and books written about the Book, how much time do I devote to reading and study of the Bible?

By admission, a huge number of professing Christians admit they give little time to the Book of books -- in far too many cases, there are days in which the cover of the Book is not even opened! And among those who claim to have been on the way for years as a "Christian" the confession is made that they have not read through the Book completely even one time!

Surveys uncover the embarrassing fact that Bible illiteracy is a most serious problem among those professing to be Christian in their faith, and this takes in all age levels!

Why should we not concentrate on the Book? After all, we have the very best Instructor available -- the Author of the Book Himself! Note Jesus' promises in regard to the Holy Spirit in His teaching capacity as it applies to Christians in John 14, 15, and 16. The promises are very specific in regard to knowing the truth and learning of things yet to be!

But being a Gentleman, He will never force us to sit down and spend a half hour or more daily in the Scriptures.

So, how about it? Ready to rearrange your daily schedule so that you are giving more time to the Book and let that book written by Dr. Whoever about the Book lie on the shelf and gather dust for a while? You might be surprised at what a difference it will make in days to come!

PS Someone may ask, "Well, do you practice what you preach on this -- and do you spend time in your Bible everyday? The answer is "Yes!" -- for a long time I have been on a morning devotional pattern which takes me through the Bible in one year and the New Testament twice plus additional reading and study in various portions, especially the Old Testament prophets. And when I do give some attention to a book about the Book, the book and its author are always scrutinized in the light of THE BOOK! Notice the quote at the beginning about Paul coming into a place called Berea and preaching -- what did the people do? Read it again!

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. --- 2 Timothy 3:16,17