August 12, 2017

     What does a guy like me do when he retires? Fair question. Almost my whole life has been dedicated to Christian ministry. I attended Northwest College to get a degree with a major in Biblical Literature and a minor in Missions--I also took extra courses to qualify for a Christian Education certification.
     So, it makes sense to go into the ministry. Well, that and the fact that I've sensed the calling since I was 12 and God has been faithful. I didn't shine so brightly at times, but our God is always glorious. His grace, mercy, patience, and never ending love trumps our self-imposed momentary afflictions.
     Starting in 1974, I pastored in three US churches, and spent 10 years in foreign missions. Our assignment was to teach at Italian Bible Institute and I did that and much more. At the end of 40 years of full-time ministry, I felt the leading of the Lord to retire and move to the desert, which we did. We've been here for 3 years so far.
     Now, as an old retired guy, I follow gifts, talents, and the leading of the Lord God Almighty. Here's how it breaks down:

• I write, as I have been doing for about the past 19 years. Only now I get to do it as much (or as little) as I want. I vote for much time spent in writing. At this post, I have written and seen published a total of 10 fiction and non-fiction books. Way more to follow.
• I teach the Bible every Tuesday evening at the Pasco Adult & Teen Challenge center. The young men are hungry for the Word and make each study a delight.
• I preach on a rotation at the local Union Gospel Mission and I preach on a rotation on Sunday evenings at Faith Assembly. I also do emergency preaching when local churches need help.
• I am an Elder for the NWMN, which means I'm kind of a chaplain, providing aid and assistance for ministers and their families. This helps answer the question: "Who ministers to the ministers?"
• I enjoy less stress and responsibility. At the drop of a hat I get to leave everything for a few days and do family and personal things. I am physically healthy--as of the last physical exam--and I strive to keep spiritually well, too.

     God willing, I will keep walking through whatever reasonable "door" that might open. I will be free to say "yes" and I will be free to say "no." In all ways, however, I will seek to live so that God is glorified.

I'm back!

     Say, it's May 18, 2017, and I haven't posted on this blog in a long time. Q.  What's the top subject on my mind at this moment? A. The state of our nation. I have enough white whiskers on my beard to have seen a lot of things in the politics of the USA. There have always been sides (Left and Right) and there have always been differences of opinion. I have not, however, seen as much bitterness, violence, rancor, and intolerance as I have since the election of 2016.
     Something has gone wrong. If you see the news, read the newspapers, connect with serious internet news sites, or listen to the radio, you are well aware of what's happening. For the first time in my memory, a lawfully elected president is having to deal with rampaging opposition. Every move he makes meets with snide criticism. Agitators are doing their work in an apparent effort to destroy the current presidency.
     I must confess to have been disappointed--to say the least--with the past president. His politics did not come near to being like mine. His apparent goals did not line up with my hopes for the future of America. He seemed to support the very opposite of what I think are high priority concerns. In short, I think he fell way short of being the kind of leader that looked out for the best interests of this nation.
     But I prayed for him! I prayed that God would give him wisdom to make good decisions. I prayed that he would open his heart even wider to the God he implied he worshiped. I prayed for peace and for victory over our enemies. I prayed because the Bible tells me to pray for those in authority. I did not riot or call him names. I did not destroy other people's property or block traffic. I prayed.
      And now, I still pray. I pray for President Trump and his administration. I pray he will have God-given wisdom to make good decisions. I pray that he will enact policies that will be good for America and for the God-fearing people who still live here. I pray because he needs it, and I pray because it's one of the few things I can do for him.
     I'm not asking people to "like" this, or to "post" it somewhere else. I'm just asking any true believers who happened to read this entry to please pray. Prayer is powerful. It is the brightest act we can perform. The future of our great nation depends on prayer. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.