30 October 2005

Evangelism Redux

I was reminded of some of the things Joe said in his 6 part series on Evangelism. Read it and struggle with the concepts he presents. Especially if you have been around people who are quick to "lead someone to Christ."

27 October 2005

Cowboy Hall of Fame

Last Saturday night, my parents, Jake and Geneva, 79 & 80 years old respectively, were inducted into the Hidalgo County (NM) Cowboy Hall of Fame. They were the only ones inducted who were alive - the other 2 died a long time ago.

It's a nice honor for them. They have spent the last 35+ years living on the same ranch, improving it a whole lot, and experimenting with different types of cattle breeds that would grow the best in that area, with my dad also working a full-time job.

We are glad that they were honored non-posthumously. I've never really understood posthumous awards. I guess the family gets something out of it, but isn't it better to say "You did a great job!" while someone is alive?

All my brothers and sisters were there. It is the first time that all of us have been together since D'Shon and I got married a little over 22 years ago. Needless to say, Family Reunions do not play a big role in our family!

15 October 2005

Annual Association Meeting

Today was the Annual meeting of the Mount Graham Baptist Association. We are a really small association - six churches total, or in reality, five. One church has not sent any representation to any Association event in the past year, and appear not to be interested in cooperating. All our churches, except one, have a regular attendence of less that 75 people on any given Sunday morning.

I was asked last year to preach for this years meeting. My text was 1 Chronicles 12:32 "Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command." The context of this verse is a listing of people who were pledging loyalty to David as he was preparing to become king in place of Saul. I found it interesting that the sons of Issachar were not fighting men, in the same sense of the others who were listed mentioning their particular skills in battle. Their importance to David was that they were "men who understood the times."

I spent a little over an hour talking to less than 50 people, many who are at minimum late 40's. My wife and I were the only early 40's attending - and were the youngest ones there!!! We learned about differences between the generations, what they expect, how they operate, how to reach people who could care less about Christ, let alone our current form of associating together as churches.

Should be interesting to see what happens as a result. They were introduced to the concept that the older generations will have to do most of the changing before those under 40 will even begin to take notice. One lady (from the church I pastor) said that she loved it when I told all the "gummers" that they were going to have to change!

I did not receive any negative feedback, but several thanked me for showing them that GenXers and Millenials have some potentially positive contributions to make to their churches.

And, on top of that, I was elected Moderator of the Association for the next year. Should be interesting........

14 October 2005

Knowledge is a dangerous thing

Spent Monday and Tuesday in Goodyear, near Phoenix in a Biblical Stewardship Seminar. I've been through these types of things before, but this one relied on the biblical view of the role of a steward, not so much on money.

Now I will be held accountable for what I know. Some of it is not comfortable, other aspects are Ok. We will be going through this Seminar in our church soon. I don't want to be the servant who will be "beaten with few blows." Nor do I want to be held accountable for those I am responsible to teach these things.

Luke 12:42-48

42 And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? 43 "Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 44 "Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 "But if that slave says in his heart, 'My master will be a long time in coming,' and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; 46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 "And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, 48 but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

08 October 2005

Grace in action

Today I got to "cowboy" as my girls call it. I helped move some cattle (around 65 or so) from the ranch house to a pasture a couple of miles away. We moved a couple of other cows from one pasture to another. I grew up on a ranch, so this was a lot of fun.

Chris and Monica are the owners of the ranch. She and I are fellow Rotarians and she asked me earlier this week if I was able to come help them work cattle. I got to know Chris better today. We had met somewhere before, but neither of us could remember quite where.

After we got back to the house and unsaddled, we sat outside waiting for lunch. Chris' parents were staying with them this weekend. They are in their early 90's, and live in a nearby town. His dad is legally blind, and his mom has Alzheimer's. I've never been around anyone who is afflicted with this disease.

His mom is a kind lady, although she asks the same questions pretty frequently. I learned a lot from Chris and Monica. They help take care of Chris' parents on a weekly basis. They have developed a patient attitude with them, and answer questions just like it was the first time it has been asked. Chris' comment was something to the effect that we need to enjoy them while we can, because sometime soon, they will not be around.

His dad prayed before lunch. He prayed a prayer that only one who has prayed for years can pray.

It was difficult to see the changes that Alzheimer's makes to a marriage relationship.

I saw grace in action from Chris and Monica, taking care of his parents in a way that brought dignity, patience, and humor to the situation.

04 October 2005

Just a little different

Been kinda lax on posting and such lately. Decided to make things look a little different - hope it looks better. Haven't decided what else to do with it - never know, depends on how much time I put in to it.

BTW - still working on getting the Bus Driving License. More paperwork, etc. The Substitute Teaching Certificate might be completed first.......

03 October 2005

The 7 Deadly Sins

Joe Thorn recently started a SE7EN part series that you need to check out.  

1 - Lust.  

2 - Gluttony. Check Temperance out too.

3 - Greed.

02 October 2005

Your philosophical presuppositions are showing....

Shemiah and I have been discussing Total Truth, written by Nancy Pearcey, in her Philosophy class the past couple of weeks. Ran across this today. Your philosophical presuppositions will show themselves every time!

BTW, Total Truth now has a Study Guide - Shemiah will be glad, cuz now we will have some interesting questions to answer rather than ones I come up with......