A Surprise Honor

It was my family's privilege to attend the 60th anniversary celebration at Southside Baptist Church in Carthage, Texas. I served as pastor there for almost ten years. I was invited to speak as well as share the moments and memories of that church's years of ministry. It was fun to see old friends and relive memories. It hurt a bit to see a dark haired, slimmer and less wrinkled man who looked like me and grinned like me in some of the pictures.

I enjoyed preaching in that beautiful auditorium again, and sharing some history. I especially enjoyed recalling a time when God miraculously provided the finances as we were attempting to finish our new building.

Those were all somewhat expected. One thing occurred at the celebration that I did not expect.

I was honored with "Pastor Emeritus" status. I not only received the honor, but another former pastor, Bro. Bobby Powell, was similarly honored as well.

As Bro. Powell received the certificate making him Pastor Emeritus, he had a two word response. "I'm scared," was all he had to say.

I felt the same way.

One reason I felt a bit of fear was because I seem to remember that Pastor Emeritus status is given by church action AFTER a man retires. It honors the years of ministry and service a man has given a congregation. It has no legal rights or standing. It is simply a way to recognize what a pastor has meant to a congregation he has served. Think of it like a being made an honorary member of an organization like the Kentucky Colonels and you have the idea.

As I thought about it, I thought I was too young, not quite gray haired enough, and certainly not worthy of such an honor.

But more than that, I was deeply humbled. When the pastor of the church, Dr. Kirby Hill, gave me the "heads up" that this was coming, I felt deeply moved. I wanted to cry.

I honestly believe that of all my awards, honors, and degrees, this one thing means most to me. I have not for years posted my educational degrees on my office wall, but this one will be displayed prominently. It is a precious gift of acknowledgement. It reminds me that perhaps when I began the journey into ministry over 30 years ago, it's been worth it.

Worth it to prepare, pray, serve, cry, bury, marry, and baptize people. Worth it to hurt with them and help them. Worth it even to be hurt by them, and probably wound some myself.

It is worth it because I was called to this ministry. I could then, and still cannot today do any other, God help me.

But whether I was recognized or not, it has still been worth it all.

Thank you, dear congregation of Southside Baptist Church. You have done far more for me than I could have possibly done for you. You honor me greatly. And you bring tears to my eyes as I consider the magnitude of it all.

But may I remind us all- Soli Deo Gloria- "To God Alone Be The Glory!"

Glory!

Today I Am A Ham

It's official! Last week, I took a lark and did something I have considered doing since I was about 10 years old.

I took a test and passed it.

It was for the "Technician" class of Amateur radio. I became a "Ham" operator. Checking a website reveals that I have received my call sign- KF5HUP. The only problem is that I don't have a radio.

But then, one can be ham without a radio.

When one of my church members (KA5SUR) who was at the test site learned I had passed the test, he called his wife and told her that "We now have a Ham for a pastor. He claimed she replied, "I know that, but did he pass the test?"

Oh, well.

QSL?

Christmas In July

It is no secret that Greater Vision is my favorite Southern Gospel singing trio for a number or reasons. They recently posted a behind the scenes video of an upcoming Christmas CD they are making. As I watched it, I felt the Christmas spirit anew. What a wonderful time of year!

Even in July!

Enjoy the spirit!

No Comment Needed

Bengal

Few people have probably ever heard of Johann Albrecht Bengel.

John Albert Bengel was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on June 24, 1687. He earned a M.A. and a D.D. degree at the Theological College of Tübingen, Germany. In 1713 he was promoted to the head-tutorship of a theological seminary at Denkendorf.

He was known for his biblical scholarship, particularly of the Greek New Testament. He produced a number of critical commentaries and a scholarly acclaimed version of the Greek New Testament, as well as a number of other books. He was also given to speculation about the end of the world in one of his important works entitled: Ordo Temporum,
He was no stranger to tragedy, having had twelve children born to him, half of whom died in infancy.

According to one biographer, on Thursday, November 2, 1752, having heard the words, "Thine I am," he laid his right hand upon his heart, to signify his full assent; and fell asleep in Jesus.

I have come to know him better through my rediscovery of a number of his scholarly works available for study on the internet. I have been using his commentary on the book of Ephesians to my great benefit as I have preached through that book this year. It is amazing that books almost 300 years old still bring great benefit today. I consider this another affirmation of the timelessness of the message of the Bible.

Today I post a number of quotes from a sketch of his life by A.B. Faucett:

“If my usual style has any peculiarity, it is that of omitting all needless words and things. Here I have somewhat imitated the ancients. Constant reading of the classics has given me quite a liking of their simplicity.”

Comment: The precursor of "K.I.S.S.?"

On solitude:

“Retirement secures me from too much of this world’s din. Thus I get leisure for building myself up in a recollected consciousness of God; without which we are liable to pass away our term of life we know not how.” “All I am and have, both in principle and practice, is to be summed up in this one expression— the Lord's property.”

On trials:

“If it be said to me, ‘ Surely you too, as one of God’s children, must have had your share of trial,’ I reply, My chief suffering was of a spiritual and secret kind. It came on slowly, and continued long. An unaccountable pang would surprise me at the thought of an approaching eternity : not that I had any perplexing dread of misery, though I was not able cheerfully to look forward to the happiness of a future state. God’s great design is at present not to delight us with pleasant experiences, but to exercise us as His faithful people. Let me, therefore, trust God for the pleasant things as realities laid up in reversion : for I know they will come in all their fulness by and by, with eternity. As little children give their sweetmeats to their parents to keep for them, so my pleasant things are safer in God’s keeping than in that of my own treacherous heart. Forgetting the past, and not taking thought for the morrow, I stand before God to-day as His daily pensioner.” 1 Kings xviii. 15.

On the examined life:

“Busy memory often gives me disquietude. If I have uttered an unbefitting word, or taken an unadvised step, though many years ago, the thing recurs to me, and by little and little gains within a troublesome ascendancy. But this makes me better acquainted with myself, and humbles me often into such submission to God, as to be willing that my most secret faults should be published by Him in the presence of all His creatures.”

There was one area of knowledge of which Bengal admitted his own inadequacy:

He said that if he desired the most perfect intimacy with real Christians on one account rather
than another, it was for the sake of learning how they manage in secret to keep up their communion with God.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Something just seems wrong with this headline and story. I just can't figure out what it is. Now, what could it be? Hmm.....

Alicia Keys expecting baby, plans to marry

The R&B singer is pregnant with her first child and is engaged to be married later this year.

Da-Da, Dih-Dah-Duh, Da-Da

For many years the opening bars of "Insight For Living" rang in my memory.

"Insight For Living" is the radio ministry of pastor/preacher/author Chuck Swindoll. I've often thought that he more of a "Chuck" than "Charles."

For years, I have listened to his sermons, read his books, and gleaned many thoughts from him. And, well, I may have used a few of his thoughts and outlines in my own sermons and teachings. Of course, I was always careful to give him credit for being the originator of the material. (Yeah, right!)

Anyway, not long ago, he shared some lessons he has learned over 50 years of ministry. They are worth rebroadcasting on this blog:

“Fifty years ago, I was a first year student at Dallas Theological Seminary. I was scared, unsure of myself, and fresh out of the Marine Corps. I did not know much about seminary.

“I remember sitting in chapel, and a minister told me, “When God wants to do an impossible task, He takes an impossible person and crushes him.” I am so proud of everything you are dreaming of and doing that I hope that you remember to leave room for the crushing.

“10 Things Chuck Swindoll Learned in 50ish Years of Ministry:

It’s lonely to lead. Leadership involves tough decisions. The tougher the decisions, the lonelier it is.

It’s dangerous to succeed. It is dangerous to succeed while being young. Rarely, does God give leadership that young because it takes crushing and failure first.

It’s hardest at home. Nobody at home is applauding you. They say, “Dad! Your fly is open.”

It is essential to be real. If there is one realm where phoniness is personified it is leadership. What I care about is that you stay real.

It is painful to obey. There are rewards, yes, but it is painful nevertheless.

Brokenness and failure are necessary.

My attitude is more important than my actions. Some of you are getting hard to be around. And your attitude covers all those great actions you pull off.

Integrity eclipses image. What you are doing is not a show. And the best things you are doing are not up front but what you do behind the scenes.

God’s way is better than my way. God is going to have His way.

Christ-likeness begins and ends with humility.

I really like the second thought. I recall learning that lesson with clenched fists. But that's all for this time.

Stay tuned to this blog 'till next time.

"Da-Da, Dih-Dah-Duh, Da-Da"