Saturday, August 30, 2008
Last Sunday,
Moishe Rosen
(Founder of Jews for Jesus)
spoke from our pulpit. Late
last night I prepared the
message for the Internet. I
was somewhat of a 'runner'
for others that day, so it
will be good to hear it
again.
Click on the player above to
hear "The
Great Divorce".
For those who choose to
listen to Mr. Rosen's
message, you may want to
first look at this press
release that he references
near the beginning:
Moishe Rosen and why has
he invested 45 years of
his life answering that
question? TODAY, Sunday,
August 24th, from his
wheelchair, Moishe
Rosen, 76, will bravely
face skeptics, …
more
This week I began reading
two books. One is a history
text written by my friend,
Rex
R. Ruth. Rex is
beginning the New Members
Class at Bell Road this
coming Sunday.
The other book is a
biography of Bob Dylan
(written in 1986) by Robert
Sherman. It is entitled "No
Direction Home". Both books
are of great interest to me.
I posted
this 'Peacemakers' story in
the Journal yesterday. It
had over 300 hits during the
first 12 hours it was up. I
hope that someone will
decide to come to church for
the first time as a result.
Friday, August 29, 2008
8:00am
Just in from the Newcastle
Exit sunrise prayer meeting.
Cathy and I are dog-sitting
in Meadow Vista through
Tuesday. We have signed all
the papers and are just
waiting on the Lender's
disbursement of funds to
formally record the deed
today.
There is some work to do on
the interior before we move
in. We hope to be swift
about it.
I served as cameraman for
the Senior Drama Team
rehearsal yesterday.
Patrice Rosenau was in her element
as Drama Coach. It should be
great fun to put together a
video announcement for the
vital, outreach-oriented
ministry.
Pastor Matt served as
cameraman for the testimony
shared by Christy Sandhoff
yesterday. What a powerful
story of personal salvation
and bittersweet redemption.
Richard and I did the
harmonica-thing yesterday.
Joy!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Long entry this morning:
(from 3:30-4:30am)
Now, I'm heading back to bed
for a couple hours.
Today, at 10am, I have
scheduled to hang out with
Patrice and the
actors-actresses from our
Senior Drama Group. They are
working on a performance of
"Bound for Glory". At 11am,
JOY FELLOWSHIP will feature
a testimony by
Christy Sandhoff.
Everyone is welcome to
attend.
Yesterday, Cathy and I
visited a precious sister
named
Dixie. She
lives directly across Bell
Road in plain view of our
three crosses. Last night,
we shared afresh her heart's
desire at our
midweek prayer meeting.
Dixie's son,
Richard, is on
the waiting list for a
double transplant (pancreas
and kidney). The possibility
of a donor for these organs
will involve tragedy in
another family's life.
Dixie's prayer
request is for
all-surpassing peace in the
family of one whose life on
earth will have just ended.
Dixie's daily
routine is one of being on
'stand-by'. If she receives
the call, she and husband,
Jim
need to get
Richard to SF
Medical Center within four
hours. Please join us in
prayer that she will receive
that God's perfect and
pleasing Will will be done
in the days ahead.
As a result of hanging out
with Dixie, I remembered some
unfinished business that I
think God was prompted me
toward during the
pink hair days of
'07. Just before my 50th
birthday, I had to renew my
license at the DMV (with a
photograph). On that day, I
learned more about the Organ
and Tissue Donor agreement.
*As a pastor (and police
chaplain), I recall being
involved in at least two
tragic family situations in
which organ-tissue donation
brought redemptive solace to
grieving souls..
The DMV placed a
pink dot on my
license signifying that I am
on record as a donor. My organs and
tissues will become
available for someone like
Richard. I have been
negligent in not encouraging
others to consider doing the
same.
I missed an opportunity
to mention
the pink dot in
this article from my
hometown paper.Rewinding the
LifeStory allows for
prayerful reflection upon
the meaning of one's life
and ministry to others. For
that reason, I encourage
Christians to journal as
they work out their
salvation in the day-to-day.
Thanks to
the Coldwater Daily
Reporter for the
license.
I scheduled to go hang out
with Richard at 1pm today. I
got a couple
harmonicas that I wanna try
out with him!
Last night, 12 members
gathered for midweek prayer.
Afterwards, some of our
young people were planning
to drive to Grass Valley to
attend the evening service
at
Crossroads Community Church.
Cathy, Curtis, and I
decided to join them. We sat
against the back wall with
Jonathan, Kyla, Ben, Cerissa,
Paulie, and Daniel.
Although our prayer meeting
ended at 7pm, we still got
there in time for a Bible
Study from
1 Peter and a
relaxed service of songs
afterwards. On the way home,
we showed Curtis our new
quarters and then walked
around the pond at the
Regional Park.
After bidding Curtis
farewell, Cathy and I began
to watch an Otto Preminger
film from 1960 entitled
Exodus. It
features Paul Newman as Ari
Ben Canaan. The cover says
that this "chronicle of the
rebirth of a people and the
establishment of a nation is
the ultimate experience in
human drama".
In order to save money on
DVD rentals and movie
outings, we borrowed this
film from the Auburn
Library. I would like to
work my way through all
films of interest in their
collection. It is FREE and
one has 3 weeks to return
items.
Monday is a 'holiday'.
Although we will hopefully
have begun work on our new
living space in the Greens,
I have decided that it is
also important for my family
to support
Nick Vogt's
vision for young athletes in
the foothills (and in the
Philippines). The event is
called the
Sizzler 49'er
Canyon 10 Mile Run or 1.5
Mile Community Fun Walk.
Early Monday morning, we
will help
Nick set up the
Start and Finish Line for
the
Sizzler 49er Canyon Run &
Community Fun Walk.
There will be a designated
area for race registration,
finish line, Smoothie King,
and staging for the Aurelia
Christian Band.
Nick Vogt is one
of several pastors and
leaders with whom I have
prayed since coming to
Auburn in early 2007. He is
the Executive Director of
Christian Team Ministries.
About the
Sizzler 49er,
Nick says, 'There's
something to do for every
age--from Junior High
students to Senior
Citizens.'
Would you like to walk, or run, or perhaps even
assist us by handing out Race T-shirts or water
bottles, monitor traffic, register runners, distribute
tracts, or join in worship with Aurelia?
Registration begins at 7:00 am, and Races
(both the Walk & the Run) begin at 8:00. Walkers
will be returning at 8:15; Runners will begin to finish
at 9:05. Most people will have finished by 11:00.
Why not join us for a short, fun walk with some
friends - or share the love of Jesus as a volunteer?
You're also welcome to simply cool off with an iced
smoothie while enjoying live Christian music
presented by the band, Aurelia?
So, friends, that's what we
(Oikos la Patterson) will be
doing on Monday morning. If
you would like to learn
more, call Nick at (530)
878-0697 or
click here to
register. Proceeds will be
distributed between:
Christian Team Ministries
& Acres of Hope.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
6:45am Up and ready for a
new day. A week ago, when we
hosted the Foothills
Pastors' prayer meeting, a
man from
www.protectmarriage.com
shared with us an
opportunity to work with
others to win what he called
"The Gettysburg" of this
cultural war.
I invite you to look at the
list of endorsements (here)
and at
10 Declarations at
Skyline Church (6-20-08).
Today, in our morning staff
meeting (9:30-10:30), I
explained the need for us to
be prepared to face this
issue in the days leading up
to November's election.
Gettysburg? Let us think
about it (more importantly,
let us pray, study, think,
pray, hear the Word and let
us be doers of the Word).
We will share this matter at
our midweek prayer meeting
tonight. Please attend if
you are able: 6:00pm.
After
today's staff meeting, I
hope to do some visitation,
then upload some audio
testimonies from one of our
outreach ministries: Union
Gospel Mission (Sacramento).
Cathy and I are heading for
the Gym (7:50).
The air escaped from our
mattress so Cathy and I were
up for a period of time
3:15-4:47am. during which
time I wrote the following:
Decided to check email and
watched a church video that
Linda Molliter (Michigan)
sent to us.
White gloves, black light,
and...
from the tail-end of it, I guessed it was an yet another
example of Asian-Christian initiative:
click here
...then with further
research, it looks like it
was a performance at a UPC
General Conference...
Cathy asks, "What's that? What's UPC?"
Husband
answers: "United Pentecostal
Church...
They don't believe in the
Trinity..."
The
'Casting Crowns' song is
being used by a
non-Trinitarian group...and
other stuff (like 'one must
speak in tongues in order to
be saved)
...just so you know, Linda
(and everyone).
Let the viewer beware. I
suppose it is akin to a
Baptist catching a
performance by the Mormon
Tabernacle Choir.
Looks like we might be
closing on our house this
week.
We visited Chet and Jimmie
last night. Met OK sister,
Ruth (and husband, Joe).
Sweet table fellowship and
Jimmie's fried chicken was
great...
Just pulled out a different
air mattress and are now
heading back to bed at
3:47am.
Tuesday,
August 26, 2008
Bell Road Staff Meeting
(9:30-11:40) was wonderful
today. Emma was with us for
most of the time. We laid a
solid foundation for the end
of August and all of
September.
Pastor Matt and I also made
plans for a new album of
Hymns.
More on all of this later...
Matt: hey I was
thinking... since we're
going to start a music
project... we should have a
separate "studio" blog about
it... connected to our site
me: I was online with
KC and shared an idea that
could
go churchwide and in the bulletin...
what's your favorite hymn?
or special hymns...
even obscure ones...
Matt: hold on one
sec... phone
me: and WHY?
then we can just start
recording cuz,
it would be a big feel-good,
methinks
to have people's input
and they can kinda 'own' the
vision this way
we could also feature little
solos or cameo bits with
people who suggested certain
hymns...
like a scripture recitation
during a bridge, etc.
stuff like that
I have an example on my
version of
Blessed Assurance
the spoken voice was a guy
named Tom who was teaching a
Sunday School unit on the
Book of John. Then, he
preached a message (like Lou
recently did...).
The audio clip is from his
sermon that day.
* one online compilation of
my catalog:
click here
Saturday,
August 23, 2008
Click
on the story above and
learn more about the man
that God is bringing to
deliver His Word in our church
tomorrow morning.
*for the record:
whenever somebody makes an
assertion of which I
question its validity, I
hear the voice of my old
college buddy,
Brian Akers:
"Cite your source."
I was just now listening to
Lou
Robohm's
recent message (Aug.
24) and heard my remarks at
the head. I made an
assertion that I now
question (that the Purpose
Driven Life is the all-time
Best Selling book in
history--after the Bible).
My source? Rick
Warren's mouth: November,
2006.
At least, I think that is what he told us...
Jonathan Rosenau once reminded
me:
"I could be
wrong..."
A quick initial attempt at
online research hadn't
clarified the matter for me.
These sources seemed to
contradict each other.
Then, this morning I decided
to try again. I found a
recent blogger who wrote
that The DaVinci Code
has sold more...
and he did "cite his source"...
awat
So..um... I don't think it
really matters but that's my
source.
Last night, twenty men
from our local church
(in what can rightly be
called a grassroots,
bi-partisan coalition of
sinning saints and
sanctified sinners)
gathered to pray.
Why pray? After
a particularly eventful
Monday evening meeting of our Leadership
Council,
Dan
Clark walked
among those who lingered
long after adjournment.
Small clusters of men and
women
were talking. Some were hugging
and praying. Others were listening
and
reflecting about what had
just transpired.
In response to their
heartfelt, yet unspoken,
cry:
"Lord, we don't know what to do...
but our eyes are upon You",
Dan Clark (a
self-proclaimed nobody)
voiced what he felt the
Spirit had just impressed
upon his heart.
"The men of this church need to pray together."
Just as
Jahaziel spoke up to
the solemn assembly called
by
King Jehoshaphat,
Dan picked up the phone and
started making calls. Four
days later, those
countless calls resulted in 20 men
gathered to pray at 7:00pm.
Each man had carried his own
personal burden to the
prayer meeting. Nobody knew
what would happen next.
After a few humble
suggestions, one quiet
soul led the way to the
altar, others followed. I
was one of them.
My personal, solitary prayer
was interrupted by a brother
who approached me with his
intercession on behalf of
our church. Then he prayed
for me as our
primary leader under the
headship of Christ.
After that another brother
motioned for me to join him
at the altar. He was
concerned for our church's
Saturday night outreach
mission in Sacramento. We
prayed together for the men
and women who will gather at
the
Union Gospel Mission
later
tonight.
My final conversation before
the Lord was with a brother
who, earlier in the evening,
had said,
"Forgiveness is here for the
asking."
I asked.
He
forgave.
We
talked...until
10:00pm
We talked....
God
forgave.
We are still asking....
Friday,
August 22, 2008
Cathy and I shared about 6 hours of sleep
together last
night. Then, I drove to the Newcastle
Exit for the Deacons' Prayer
from 6:30-7:30. I enjoyed
the time alone with the Lord
at the Vista Point next to
the 'For Sale' sign on the
hill. We had a pleasant
morning together.
Before our meeting came to a
close, I walked around the
canyon view by Denny's front
door. As I was turning to
return to my car, I saw
three men coming out of the
restaurant--each holding the
same book.
"You guys look like you
belong to a cult, " I
posited.
"Yeah, we're in a cult...haha", one may have replied.
"Hmm...what book?", I asked
as I looked at the title.
A couple minutes later,
I spoke with
Trent Staton, a
Regional Sales Manager:
technicalsalesinternational.com
Trent
gave me a business card so I
could send him a link to
this page:
click here
Yesterday,
Moishe Rosen called me.
He is the founder of Jews
for Jesus. Moishe is
coming to Bell Road to
deliver a timely message
from God's Word entitled:
"The Great Divorce"
Romans 8:29-9:3
Thursday,
August 21, 2008
A great day ahead is
planned. For two hours, our
Senior Drama and Choir group
will meet to work on their
upcoming production. I want
to be with them to share the
fun!
Twenty people turned up for
prayer last night.
At 5:55pm, three senior
couples made their way into
the Library in our local
church building. Before we
began the normal routine,
powerful personal ministry
had to take took place.
A man in his 40's was found
weeping over devastating
circumstance in his life. An
80 year old sister
immediately embraced him and
shared in his suffering. As
a faithful steward of their
shared circumstance, she
allowed the very breath of
her spirit push forth these
words:
"Hugs help!"
Songs were sung. An 84 year
old woman suggested that
those gathered should begin
with the song "Amazing
Grace". Then the worship
leader (51) asked the church
to turn in their hymnals to
"Blessed Be the Tie that
Binds."
After the first verse, the
excruciating pain of loss
being experienced by the 84
year old was shared across
the generations. Even the
youngest of the gathered
church body could relate to
the trembling tone of her
voice.
Her big brother, Dewitt (89)
had died just two hours
before. She shared that she
would be making immediate
plans to gather with her
brother's widow and
children.
At the conclusion of all
three verses, the key
shifted from F to
G as the entire group
repeated all three verses
again. The corporate sound
of covenantal melody lifted
the spirits of those who had
hungered for right-standing
with God and man.
After the song, "It is well
with my Soul", the pastor
shared that at the last
Leadership Council Meeting,
his quarterly report began
with these words from the
Church Membership Covenant.
The 4 Affirmations and 12
Actions
were once again read aloud
(without personal comment)
by the pastor. However, the
congregation read the
Scripture aloud.
1. I will
protect the unity
of my church
...by acting in love toward other
members
...by refusing to gossip
...by following the leaders
Romans 14:19
1 Peter 1:22
Ephesians 4:29
2. I will
share the
responsibility of my
church
...by praying for its growth
...by inviting the unchurched to
attend
...by warmly welcoming those who
visit
1 Thessalonians 1:1-2
Luke 14:23
Romans 15:7
3. I will
share the ministry
of my church
...by discovering my gifts and talents
...by being equipped to serve by my pastors
...by developing a servant's heart
1 Peter 4:10
Ephesians 4:11-12
Philippians 2:3-7
4. I will
support the testimony
of my church
...by attending faithfully
...by living a godly life
...by giving regularly
Hebrews 10:25
Philippians 1:27
1 Corinthians 16:2
Together, they then read the
Mission Statement of Bell
Road Baptist Church with a
shared understanding of the
great importance to step
ahead under the leadership
of the Holy Spirit.
We will bring people to
Jesus and membership
into His family, develop
them maturity in
Christ, and equip them for
their ministry in the
church body as well as their
life mission in God's
world, so that we can all
magnify God's Name.
One-by-one from
start-to-finish, the circle
of prayer lifted praise,
confession, requests, and
petitions to Almighty God in
the Name of Jesus.
* for a PDF copy "Our
Membership Covenant"
as prepared and published
for
SundayMessage 44 & 45,
simply click above.
Audio 44)
Easier Said than Done
Audio 45)
Growing
as a Giving Christian
Antidote: 'He
said-She said' Virus:
Ephesians 6:12
Come back tomorrow for a
personal, pastoral
reflection upon point one:
"I
will protect the unity of my
church."
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
I drifted into a peaceful
sleep around midnight and
awoke at 5:30 this morning.
Much ahead of me today.
Last night was rewarding.
Mary and I went
'back-to-school shopping',
then shared an intimate
father-daughter dinner,
stopped at the Family
Bookstore where she reviewed
and selected 4 CDs. She
bought two from her own
earnings; Dad bought the
others as my gift to her.
We then stopped at Oikos la
Rosenau where she unpacked
her school-tools. I hung out
with my peers until the Head
of the House headed up the
stairs.
Yes, next week, our youngest
child,
Mary (17) will
begin her Senior Year at
EducationPlus.
Although she is taking
classes at Sierra College as
part of her studies, she
will also be required to
engage in senior-level
research, composition, and
publication on the homefront.
Below
is an excerpt from the
Director's upcoming
homeschool pamphlet
Valedictoria for Dummies:
Pastor Matt Klein recently
published a worthy lesson in
his journal. He posed a
question that, if taken
seriously, could be of great
benefit to the hearer.
"Have
you ever wanted
something so bad
that you would lie or
cheat to get it?"
For 100 points on the
mid-term:
1) Read Pastor Matt's entry
and leave a comment.
Make sure to log in for full points.
*note: you may not use the name ANONYMOUS
"A picture is worth
a thousand words."
What does this picture say
...to
you?
For 100 points on the
Lesson 2 Review:
1) Write a humorous caption for
this photo
or
2) Do your research, write a
1,000 word essay
with
this photo as your only
accompanying visual.
Make
sure to cite your source.
What does this picture say
to
you?
For 100 points on the
Lesson 4 Review:
1) On your googlepages website, link
photo 2008
to a
chapter from God's Word that
you think
could
instruct, encourage, or
correct believers
across
the generations.
or
2) On your googlepages website, link
photo 2008
to a
chapter from God's Word that
you think
could
mislead, discourage, or
stumble believers
of a
generational group.
For 1000 points on
the midterm:
Send a link to your website
to three friends from
different age groups and ask
them to reflect upon
photo 2008 and
your selected passages from
God's Word. Then, invite and
arrange for these three
individuals to meet-and-eat
at your expense. During the
meal display a hardcopy of
photo 2008,
distribute a large-print
hardcopy of both Scripture
passages to each person,
then initiate a tabletop
discussion about personal
application of both
scriptures.
Be prepared to learn! Take
notes for this matter will
surely be revisited on your
Final Exam for this
semester.
Before the end of your
discussion, set a date on
your calendar during the
month of April, 2009 and
invite each of these friends
to attend your Final Oral
Review for graduation from
EducationPlus.
*note: each new
lesson in life builds upon
lessons already learned. One
should step back, look at
the requirements of one's
LifeLessons®, and
carefully consider what
might lie ahead. For this
cause, it is important that
one chooses one's friends
very carefully.
For 1000 points on
the Final Exam:
1) Search the scriptures for
the
origins of
these words:
"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye
look
for such things, be diligent that ye may be
found of him in peace, without spot, and
blameless."
2) Copy and paste the
following scripture as the
prologue
to a 500 word essay about a contemporary application
of this passage in your own particular
Sitz im Leben.
"And account that the
longsuffering of our Lord
is salvation; even as our beloved brother _______
also according to the wisdom
given unto him hath written unto you;
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them
of these things; in which are some things
hard to be understood,
which they that are
unlearned and unstable
wrest,
as they do also the other
scriptures,
unto their own
destruction.
Ye therefore, beloved,
seeing ye
know these things before,
beware lest ye also,
being led away with the
error of the wicked,
fall from your own
stedfastness.
But grow in grace,
and in the
knowledge
of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ."
3) Open a blog
account at
www.auburnjournal.com
and publish your essay as an entry within 48 hours.
(Make sure to
send me a link.)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Not much sleep to be had by
yours truly during the last
two days. After our
Leadership Council last
night, Cathy and I walked
around the building and
enjoyed the cool air. We
finally went to bed at
midnight.
I woke up thinking it must
be 6 or 7am. Knowing that
Emma and Pastor Matt would
be in soon, I got up from
the air cushion on the Choir
Room floor and made my way
to my office.
Hah. It is only 2:45am.
Guess I'd better get back to
sleep.
At noon today, area pastors
are scheduled to gather at
Bell Road.
In 'Experiencing God', our
group asked if our church
ever participates with other
churches outside our
denomination. I informed my
covenant partners of the
weekly prayer meeting where
certain area ministers seek
the Lord for his very best.
Here's the most-recent
schedule sent to me
yesterday:
Aug 19
Bell Road
Baptist Church, Auburn,
CA
Aug 26
Christian
Team Ministries, Meadow
Vista,
* Sept 1 (Labor Day Monday)
Sizzler 49er Canyon
Community Walk & Run,
8:00 am in Auburn, CA
Proceeds benefit Acres of Hope
& CTM
PDF Bulletin Insert for
this Event
Sep 2
Grace
Christian Fellowship,
Auburn, CA
Sep 9
Celebration Community
Fellowship
Sep 16
First
Baptist Church, Auburn,
CA
Sep 23
Hope, Help,
& Healing, Auburn, CA
Sep 30
Sierra
Reach Ministries,
Applegate, CA
Here are some stories
from
TIME:
Interviewed by Rick Warren at his Civil Forum, both candidates excel — McCain is compassionate, Obama confident...
It is a sign of how seriously Americans take religion...
Well, I'm heading back to bed at 3:15am
Monday, August 18, 2008
Click
above for "Extreme Makeover"
by Lou Robohm. His message
asks of us:
"What is the greatest sin in
the church?"
Before I introduced Lou, I
took the time to reference
Saturday night's
Saddleback Civic Forum and
its historical relevance for
Northern California Southern
Baptist churches
who have invested in the
Cooperative Program.
"Obama, McCain discussion
with megachurch minister
Warren has Auburn
producer-director"
Hey, Auburn's own Fresh Air
Media provided the
high-definition coverage of
the national broadcast.
Small world, huh? (Yeah, and
thanks to Jim Jupin of Fresh
Air Media, we have our
entire three projector,
three-screen set-up..)
It is a God-thing. From the
Auburn Journal:
When I find a good link to
the broadcast of Saturday's
interviews, I will post
it. If you find one,
please send it to me.
Clyde sent me a link to an
audio message for the
members of Saddleback that
was preparatory for their
ministry to the nation on
Saturday night.
Click here if you
want to download it.
If you cannot download this
mp3 file, then perhaps
you'll enjoy reading part of
the email:
from Rick Warren:
"I've been walking closely
with Jesus for almost 50
years, and each step he
leads me is always a stretch
and often uncomfortable.
I've known all the highs and
the lows of ministering to
others. So in those seasons
when the public spotlight is
bright, I increase my time
alone with God in prayer,
(which usually means less
sleep!) Below are some of
the verses and thoughts from
my private quiet times the
past couple of weeks.
QUIET TIME THOUGHTS
'To him be glory in the
church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations,
for ever and ever!'
Ephesians 3:21
Only the Church will
last. Long after all
politics and business and
academics and entertainment
have vanished from the
earth, God's family will
still exist in eternity. God
gets glory through his
church and Jesus.
'With God's power working in
us, God can do much, much
more than anything we can
ask or think or imagine'
Ephesians. 3:20
God sometimes gives me an
idea that seems quite
small, simple, ordinary and
unspectacular. In obedience,
I launch the idea in faith
and then it mushrooms into
something huge and enormous
that I never could have
imagined! This idea of the
Civil Forum is the most
recent example. I had no
clue that one of the forums
would end up being a
national event, but God knew
long before he put the idea
in my mind. Never stop being
amazed by God's greatness!
'Know where you are
headed, and you will
stay on solid ground. Don't
make a mistake by leaning to
the Right or leaning to the
Left.' Proverbs 4:26-27
It's difficult to be
balanced. Too many leaders
get sidetracked or co-opted
by one side or the other.
Right now, many people want
me to promote their agenda,
but I just want to be a
servant of Jesus."
--end quote
Rick is just a few years
older than me...but he has
been a born-again Christian
TWICE as long. I admire this
big brother of mine from
afar.
Here's a shot of me and my
'big brother', Rick, at the
Conversation About Tomorrow
when he personally invited
250 pastors to spend a
couple days with him at
Saddleback (November, 2006).
He then offered to let us
stick around and hear
Senators Brownback and
Obama.
That was the first time I
ever heard either man speak.
Of course, I did not know that Barrack
Obama would be the
Democratic Candidate for
President two years later.
I thank God that Rick tries
to do his homework in
staying attuned to the pulse
of our nation (and most
definitely to godly
stewardship of his own
peculiar circumstances).
I also thank God that Rick
has consistently shared his
opportunities to be involved
in something greater than
ourselves.
May God grant true wisdom to
those voters who will take
the time in the months ahead
to view Rick's interviews
with McCain and Obama.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
I am not preaching tomorrow.
An octogenarian will attempt
to walk the talk in my
stead.
Lou Robohm is
a long-time member at
BellRoad. Months ago I asked
him to seek the Lord for a
message to share with the
Body. The Lord has entrusted
this preaching-point to my
care and I am hoping for the
Spirit to grant the Yea and
Amen among His listening
people.
Lou's Title:
Extreme Makeover
Lou's Text:
James 1:22
Cathy and I spent the night
at the church. Now we are
about to head to the Gym to
exercise and shower. I
received news that the required
work on our house in the
Greens has finally been
approved by the Seller and
is being scheduled.
awat
This morning
Cathy will attend
the
Womens
Ministry Brunch
in Jimmie's home. Then we are
scheduled to attend a
Mentors' Group fellowship at
Curt and Jean's home with a
group that has been meeting
for a few years.
Someone recently asked me
about my hobbies. One is
literature and film
adaptations of historical
novels. This hobby has had
residual consequences as I
continue to reflect upon
what I have read or seen for
years.
Of course, the characters
and storyline in the Bible
are rich in present-day life
application but I also like
to discover God's truths and
discuss current events
within the framework of the
popular culture.
If this extra-biblical hobby
of mine troubles the reader,
perhaps you should
click here and skip
the rest of this entry.
In conversation with my
loved ones and trusted
friends, I may relate a
character-trait that I
observe in a scene from a
book (or film) to help
dissect and interpret
current events in my life.
(a personal family-aside: Most of life's
issues have also been
treated in that show about
'nothing', right kids?)
A new film opened yesterday at the
Old State Theater, so I took Cathy on a date to
see the most recent
adaptation of
Brideshead Revisited.
I read something during the
sixties about the
controlling mother-figure at
Brideshead. However, I
hadn't done any research
about this film beforehand.
I was surprised to find one of the key characters so
heavily-steeped in
homosexuality and strong
drink. My curiosity about
the
primary source, the film
adaptation, and autorial intent led to some
post-viewing research:
First published in 1945, the
author (Mr. Evelyn Waugh)
wrote that his novel
"deals
with what is theologically
termed 'the operation of
Grace', that is to say, the
unmerited and unilateral act
of love by which God
continually calls souls to
Himself".
This memorandum (1947)
from the author to
producers in Hollywood gives
further insights to Waugh's
story.
Afterwards, I told Cathy
that I wanted to drop off a
DVD to Patrice (Vanity
Fair). Patrice enjoys
literature and period-piece
films so I told her a bit
about this story at Camp. I
had purchased it over a
month ago on a gas station
rack. We watched it at that
time but recently watched it
again along with
the Director's Commentary
(and the closed-caption
script).
I had never read anything by
William Makepeace
Thackery (contemporary
with Dickens). Late last
night I read
this article at wikipedia
which helped me better
understand the real story of
these characters.
"The human weaknesses Thackeray illustrates
are
mostly to do with greed, idleness, and snobbery, and
the scheming, deceit and hypocrisy which mask them."
Here is another portal to
what may become known by
some at BellRoad as a
pivotal sermon:
Stewards of Circumstance:
Lesson 5: Easily Beset?
Apparently I share a
purposive interest in
pop-culture awareness with
the apostle Paul (Acts
17). As you interact with
the various philosophies of
this current generation,
feel free to share with me
quoteable quotes from their poets and
personalities.
Toward the heavenward goal,
however, we all would do
well to remember Paul's
connective admonition:
"In
the past God overlooked such
ignorance,
but now he commands all people everywhere to repent."
Friday, August 15, 2008
Jeremy and Kami Johnson
(Fort Collins, CO) have
been given a burden to help
with the big vision that God
entrusted to
Pastor Wesley in
Liberia. They sponsored a
fundraising dinner August
9th that raised $9,000.
I pray that someone reading
this will also help them
reach the worthy goal of building another
Children's Home/School (in
cooperation with Greater
Love Children's Home).
As of
this morning, they were
only
$6,999 short of
their
$55,000 goal.
click here for an update
It is 2:15pm. Cathy and I
just returned from Special
Ministries Camp. The Lord
has been gracious to speak
to me during these days with
God's special people.
Last night, our daughter (Mary)
sat with me during the final
evening Worship Service at
Special Ministries Camp.
Later that night we went on
a long walk, then sat on a
bench and talked about our
life in saving relationship
with Christ Jesus.
This morning I got up at
5:30 so I could drive Mary
down the hill for her job
watching a newborn baby.I
then went to Friday Prayer
Meeting with
Deacon Rosenau.
"Behold how good and how
pleasant it is
when brethren
dwell together in unity."
Mary and I
listened to my most recent
sermon on the way to the
prayer meeting. Mary
affirmed the validity of
that message before leaving
my presence.
I then gave the CD to Wolfgang.
I know that he enjoys the
opportunity to dig deeper
into the mysteries of God's
Word and His Ways.
We share a
strong commitment to
listening for the Spirit's
Voice (whether from the pulpit
or from wherever God chooses
to reveal His Heart). Upon
yet another hearing of this
particular message, I am
convinced that 'thar's gold
in them there hills'.
In the
final scriptural reference
(Genesis 4), the preacher
vocalizes the Spirit's
question: "Why
are you angry?"
Stewards of Circumstance:
Lesson 5: Easily Beset?
"Why
are you angry?"
(see for yourself:
click here)
Had Cain sincerely answered
that question (in a written
essay or in an oral
examination), he could have
found salvific
acceptance that had
previously been withheld.
(That's not in the
sermon...only in this director's
personal commentary.)
Conjecture? Speculation?
Whatever it is, it's worth
doing in right standing with
the Author and Finisher of
this Story.
On the way back to camp, I
listened to the CD of
another recent
message:
Stewards of Circumstance:
Lesson 4: Digging Deep
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Last night, Cathy and I led
the Worship Service at Camp
Alta. After a couple
heartfelt songs, I
paraphrased this verse:
1 Corinthian 14:26
What
then, brothers? When you
come together, each one has
a hymn, a lesson, a
revelation, a tongue, or an
interpretation. Let all
things be done for building
up.
I
suggested that I came with
some special songs and Bible
verses that I felt would
encourage everyone. I then
welcomed anyone who wanted
to share a word of
encouragement or a
testimony. A great number of
hands were raised so I
worked in the testimonies of
everybody who had the
desire. Nobody was turned
down!
Our final word was from
Eleanor Bailey who has led
this Special Ministries Camp
for 23 years. She is now 80
years old and told us that
her commitment to the Lord
is that she is available for
as long as she is physically
able.
What a witness for Christ
she is.
After fulfilling today's skit in our ongoing roles as Coco (Cathy) and Nut (me), we came down to Auburn to keep some appointments.
After the
Senior Choir practice, we
were invited to the Genesis
Class picnic at the Regional
Park. That was a sweet time
of fellowship with a great
group of people.
I had a meeting with the
Trustees and am now
scheduled to go out on
Visitation with Jimmie and
Chet. Tonight, we will head
back to Camp Alta for our
last night of Special
Ministries Camp.
Monday, August 11, 2008
This week Cathy and I will
be spending our days and
nights at Special Ministries
Camp.
I posted yesterday's sermon
entitled "Lesson 5:
Easily Beset?" This was
an unusual occurrence in
that there is a
recapitulation of material
from the previous message.
The week before I had taken
an early-morning walk with
the Bible and had 'felt led'
to extrapolate from Romans 7
to Hebrews 11-12, and to the
works of the flesh list in
Galatians 5. However, with
the Lord's Supper planned
for that day, I didn't think
it wise to try to cover all
that scriptural terrain.
So, the introduction to
yesterday's message will
always be best understand as
a reprise. As well, there
was a young couple (David
and Trish) who hadn't been
there the week before.
Trish told me,
"I leave here thinking, 'I got it. I understand this...' "
The prior week's
message (Sunday, August 3rd), our local church celebrated the
remembrance of the night
Jesus was betrayed. The
Lord's Supper, (the Bread
and the Cup) is an important
time for the members of the
church to examine
themselves.
The 'message' before the
Lord's Supper included a
brief exposition of
Romans 7 followed by the
walk-in testimony of
Macdonald Wreh.
On Friday, I added the audio
of the prayers and songs
which took place during the
Ordinance of the Lord's
Supper.
Prayer over the Bread:
Wolfgang Rosenau
Prayer over the Cup:
Brandon Willette
The audio tracks were a bit challenging so I boosted some volume, filtered some noise. I hope you enjoy it.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
I sat in family court
yesterday with one of my new friends.
Of course, I will not share
any details but, as always,
'going to court' as pastoral
support for one person gives
me the opportunity to see
the real drama that occurs
in the lives of others.
It is sad to watch the
results of decisions made
when people are not living
their lives according to the
Lord's commands. This
humbles me. It hurts; the
alternative is to harden my
heart which my calling
doesn't allow for.
Last
night we read these verses
aloud (click
here) and asked for
members of the prayer circle
to share with us what they
have done in their lives in
order to respond to these
commands:
Eph. 5:10
"...and
find out what
pleases the Lord."
Eph 5:15-20 "Be
very careful, then, how you
live—not as unwise but as
wise,
making the most of
every opportunity,
because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be foolish,
but understand what the
Lord's will is. Do not get
drunk on wine, which leads
to debauchery.
Instead,
be
filled with the Spirit.
Speak to one another
with psalms, hymns and
spiritual songs. Sing and
make music in your heart to
the Lord, always giving
thanks to God the Father for
everything, in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ."
One sister shared that she
sings many times during any
given day. When faced with
something really negative
she may break into this
chorus:
"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Sweetest Name I know.
Fills my every longing, Keeps me singing as
I go."
We acknowledged that the
melody lifts the singer. Her
husband said that he
reflects upon the saints who
have gone before. He thinks
about characters in the
Bible and what they endured
to serve the Lord.
Another brother shared that
he has daily chats with the
Lord of all creation.
An elderly couple read the
Bible privately each morning
and read the Word together
each night. They have done
this for years.
Their grown son said that he
tries to make the most of
every opportunity by
listening to people as
finding the right moment to
discuss eternal plans (if
any) that the person has
made.
I found all this (and more)
to be helpful as building
materials for my own
sanctification. It helps to
rehearse the tender mercies
unveiled in the midweek
prayer meeting.
Wednesday, August
6, 2008
Back in Auburn. Lots to do.
Not much time to write but
much thought, Word,
dialogue, and prayer going
on between Cathy and me.
Will probably share some
later tonight.
Yesterday, I spoke with
Steve Diaz from Iron
Horse Ministries. He is
assured me that he and his
bride pray for us from afar.
I also called and spoke with
Zack R. about his
post-service connections in
the Body last Sunday.
I thought to clarify that in
Macdonald's Journal (click here),
Day 28 was actually
recorded Day 1 of his
first time in America. It
was Day 28 of a 40 Day
Journey for our church. It
was Day 28 of my personal
focus on the church's
website. I served as
Macdonald's editor during
those days.
Monday-Tuesday, August 4-5, 2008
Cathy and
I will be in Galt these 2
days. I don't have software
for this webpage with me
there. However, I'm sure
that there is plenty of
unread musings for those who
happen by.
We shared testimonies
regarding Iron Horse
Ministries, Zack's Mission
Video , and the Lord's
Supper on Sunday so the
sermon "Easily Beset?"
didn't get the full
treatment. The Spirit
brought a first-time visitor
to
BellRoad during
Zack's Video...and so the
message moved along
differently than I had
anticipated during my
morning walk.
Here's a
17-minute firstfruits for
the message that was
intended to become 'Easily
Beset?'
click here
Director's Commentary:
Some important
pastoral points were
vocalized during earlier
portions of the Morning
Service. The Sound
Department didn't begin
recording until immediately
after Zack's Mission Video.
1. I mistakenly said that I
had carried a portable
generator to Liberia. Oops.
Actually, I had carried the
cash that purchased the
generator at half-price. I
edited the audio to better
reflect the reality.
2. At one
point I said,
"God told Adam, 'Sin is crouching at your door...'"
Reality: God told Cain, 'Sin is
crouching at your door..."
I edited out these words:
"God told Adam".
The statement is made toward the
Everyman.
If you'll read the tail end
of Hebrews 11 and
then the first part of
Hebrews 12...all of
Romans 7 and all of
Galatians 5, you will be
ready for how 'Easily
Beset?' fits into
Stewards of Circumstance:
Lesson 5.
I would enjoy the benefit of
your feedback after you have
listened to this message at
least three times. Write to
me with your insight (what I
nailed...or what I missed
completely). Thanks in
advance!
pastorob@bellroad.org
for those interested in the early Macdonald Wreh journal entries: click here
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Today, exactly 16
months after their Marriage
Covenant was first
entered into, Joe and Sharon
are asking all friends and
family in America to witness
the renewal of their
lifelong vows to one
another.
21st Century Marriage
Anyone and Everyone is welcome to join us!
Where: Bell Road Baptist
Church
707 Bell Road
Auburn Exit 123
When: Saturday, August 2nd
3:00 p.m.
I'm awaiting the Prelude
Video to upload at the
Auburn Journal. Please click
on it and test it for me!
We just finished the Men's
Breakfast. There were over
twenty men in attendance.
The prayer was heartfelt.
Matt Woodin (of
Iron Horse Ministries) was
our special speaker. He
inspired us all to promote
the upcoming Motorcycle Run
on Saturday, September 8th.
