Take a long look...

Take A Long Hard Look...

By rch originally 03/2014;   edited for repost 07/2018

I have personally known quite a few of these men, several very well, but all in one way or another left an indelible mark on my life...  Recently, an event in my life made me better understand these men, and God has somehow, made me stand back a take a longer look at them.  Please, indulge me these few minutes while I share briefly - then take the time to look for yourself.

When I was just a little guy, 3 or 4 years of age, I was surrounded with Godly people, my Dad's Father, was instrumental in starting the First Baptist Church in Bellefonte.  A Minister himself, he had a powerful presence in our home, and those in his circles.  His demeanor, his social grace, his unmistakable endearing words for God, Son and Holy Spirit were drenched in respect, honor and reverence.  My Mother's Father, was a towering man, he was rugged and strong, yet in the most humble meek way, he had an internal gentleness and Love for his Savior that was ever present in the room.  These men were giants in my world, they walked uprightly, they modeled Godly, Righteous and Holy lives.  I race to keep stride with them in their absence, we indeed need more men like this today...

An older gentleman I met from Altoona, was yet another Godly man that left his mark on me.  When you were in his presence, you knew and felt the very presence of God's Spirit.  He studied Hebrew on his own, he knew his bible inside out, a wonderful endearing man, I loved him so.  He was such a delight to sit down with and just talk bible and of Spiritual things.  He kept my attention and interest even for a young man, he drew me in. 

My Father-in-Law Pastor James Hays, had such a Heart for God as well, when we had Spiritual or Theological discussions - as the Spirit filled his Heart, he over flowed to tears.  He had such a wonderful deep seated Love for Christ, he LOVED to talk and sing about HIM...   I truly enjoyed our talks, and thoroughly enjoyed his perspective and encouraging stories.  He would show such wonderful grace and reverence when sharing his testimony, and how he saw God work in his Church and the lives of the people that attended.  He went to be with His Lord & King May of 2018, but I will always remember his zeal and love for Christ and his still showing that Pastor's Heart to his last day. 

These four  men had / have a common spirit that I now understand and see in other men of this Spiritual make up, but there are fewer and fewer to find today.  They had / have an inner peace, an inner confidence and an inner competence of God's Person, an indwelling of the Holy Spirit that was literally acknowledged by your human / Spiritual senses.  It drew you to them, it warmed your soul, it lightened your heart, it was simply remarkable and fulfilling beyond words.

In this life time, I have known and or sat under the teaching of George Keith, Leroy Fetterolf, Marvin Apple, Alvin Mink, Richard Diffenderfer, Steven Burns, Edgar Burns, Ron Berrus, Paul Sweitzer, Roy Hunter, Larry Weaver, Lou Hielman, Alan Kilian, Alistair Begg, Greg Shipe, James Hays, Shane Wilson and Tim Farkas.  All good, honorable and respectable men in their own right.  Yet they have something bigger that binds them, more than the common grace among men, unfortunately they are part of an ever shrinking circle of men.  These men, all stand / stood for God, standing tall, strong, boldly, firm and without reservation.  They claim His Power, Sovereignty, and live the Faith they claim, teach and preach.  These men are God Fearing, Bible Believing, Christ Loving men that share the burdens of their Hearts with you and I several times a week.

Of these 18 men mentioned, I know / knew several of them as close friends, one of them was as close to me as my Dad and closer than my Brothers.  Their walk was every bit the Word they taught, and more, there is / was a gentle Spirit and Love in these men, that it compelled me to seek God's face for myself.  These men have shown a caring that went beyond human dignity, a genuineness that can only be seen in the eyes of few men in this world today.  These men, stand on the shoulders of men like my Grand Fathers Hall & Tormey and those pastors that have gone on before them.  In a very, very real way, these men give / gave their lives to Christ pouring their Hearts into the Ministry - Loving People while enduring Spiritual, Mental, Physical and Emotional suffering in leading obstinate selfish people like me towards the finish line.  Drawing the Body of Christ together in union with His Holy Spirit.

These men, stand / stood before their congregations every week, pouring their Hearts into a message that in it's very essence is simple - so very simple - "Look, Understand, Confess, Repent, Believe and Walk"...  Yet we make it so stubbornly hard, because we can't get out of our own way, to allow His Message to fall on our Hearts.  Oh how these poor men must have labored and shed tens of thousands of tears over us.  Yes Friend - Take a long hard look at your Dear Pastor, look into his eyes and see the deep Joy of Christ along with the burden of Ministry.  He needs your support, He needs your Love, He needs your Prayers, He deserves your Respect, and dear friend He craves your Devotion and Submission to Christ and HIS Work in your local Church Body.

As a personal note, one of those 18 men lead me to Christ.  One of those 18 men tutored me in Youth Group.  One of those 18 men became my Spiritual Mentor and life-long Dear, Dear Friend.  One of those 18 men became my friend and I promised Loyalty to him and then failed him in a major Spiritual battle.  Finally, one of those 18 men, God used, to rescue my "walk" in the midst of that deep Spiritual battle, he too became my friend modeling Christ's Love & Patience to me, which is a fascinating story in itself.  Most of those 18 men were 10 or more years older than me.  In my life, I had developed a deep respect and honor for the older Saints and Pastor's.  A good friend of mine, that is an Elder in a Church in Altoona, teases me about that filter I use when looking at God's men.  Yet, God used a Pastor, younger than I, to walk me thru the deepest darkest valley of my life.  On this side of God's Miraculous Work in "brokenness", when I take a good, hard, long look at this younger Godly Pastor - tears well up, and I tell Jesus, I want to be like him when I Spiritually grow up Dear Lord.  For his counsel and compassion show wisdom beyond his years.  Yes, I have been fortunate to know several wonderful Godly, Righteous Pastors in this life time.  Oh what a Blessing they are.

Grand Dad Hall, was a old time Methodist Preacher before I was born - he and a couple other men started the First Baptist Church in Bellefonte.  He Loved and cared for his Pastor's, and sacrificed for some of them even though they didn't know it.  My Grand Fathers both, looked after their Pastor's, so I guess the Love and Caring in my Heart for God's Preacher's comes honestly.  Several of the men mentioned I have grown to Love deeply, all of them have my respect for the position they hold as Christ's Under Shepherd's, and a passion for the Burden of Ministry that they Loving take in stride.

These men - oh, these men, they ALL point / pointed to Christ - never taking or wanting recognition, they Love their Lord, and constantly and continuously direct your attention, your gaze and your Hearts towards Christ.  When a Pastor is doing it RIGHT, you will always see Jesus in the man and in the eyes of that man.  They Love Us in Christ, and want us to be One with Him, and hear His voice in their messages.  So dear friends, Love them in our Lord, and bathe them in Prayer before the Father.  Help them where you can, and plug into the ministry of your Church, use the gifts God gave you upon your receiving Christ.

Yes, these men carry the Torch for Christ, Honoring God the Father in their lives, in their testimonies and in their Ministries.  PLEASE - Take a Long Hard Look at your Pastor - then, lovingly and willingly  roll up your shirt sleeves, offer him a smile and ask him "where can I help you Brother"?......

I Pray that those that have sat under these men I have listed here have been as Richly Blessed as I have been.

In the order of my introduction to their Ministries:

Pastor George Keith

Pastor Leroy Fetterolf ***

Pastor Marvin Apple

Pastor Alvin Mink ***

Pastor Richard Diffenderfer

Pastor Steven Burns

Pastor Edgar Burns ***

Pastor Ron Berrus

Pastor Paul Sweitzer ***

Pastor Roy Hunter

Pastor Larry Weaver

Pastor Lou Hielman

Pastor Alan Kilian

Pastor Alistair Begg

Pastor Greg Shipe

Pastor James Hays***

Pastor Shane Wilson

Pastor Tim Farkas

*** As I am aware of their whereabouts – these Pastors are with Jesus today in Heaven - with Him their knowledge now complete - no longer in the "Pastor's Study"...

I Stand United In Christ with these men, on the shoulders of God's Blessed Saints before us..

Lately Father...

Lately Father, I find it comforting that I can’t get You off my mind. You are in my thoughts, even when I am relaxed and not wound tight, when I do the little things that don’t matter much in life, I find myself looking for Your face. I constantly wonder if You are happy with me, am I pleasing You, are You smiling with me – crying with me? I find myself thanking You for even the most trivial events in my day, and praising You for all those big things that make life - Life. I guess it has been a gradual thing – but lately events have made me more aware and conscious of Your presents. So I found myself asking this morning – why is it that I love You so and what brought me here?

Dear Father, here is what I came up with, which I know is no surprise to You. Your Spirit, which You gave me as a gift to comfort me has convinced my heart gently but firmly of my inability to see You or get to You without petitions to Your Son. He gently prompts my heart to read and listen to your word. I find myself thanking You many times a week for placing me where You have, and providing and placing a loving Pastor that taught and mentored in Your will. The Holy Spirit has shown me that without that which You first gave me, I am a condemned man, without excuse. That even in the presence of Your precious Gift and Blessings – I am but a worm dwelling in the rotten apple we call reality.

The man I thought I was – now looks back at me from what seems to be a distant past. He taunts me over the things that are different, but when I look back through straining eyes I find it harder to recognize that image of the past. Today, I realized that because You have taught me how to love You, that image I strain to see is no longer the man that You see. You have placed people in my life to remind me of that old pit once in awhile, but I feel You leading me more into the new creation You are teaching me to rejoice in. I find myself sitting in the quiet of my study, peaceful and content to rest in Your arms. The truth of Your word coming alive off the pages and speaking to my heart – it is Your voice I hear. I yearn so much to seek Your face, to be with You, to walk with You – this is a love that You are teaching me.

This man You gave me as my earthly father has sought You father and You speak to him as well. Praise You for answering prayer, thank You for touching hearts that were once cold, glory to You for 1st choosing us when we were yet still in our wretchedness. Father, You have shown me Yourself in the eyes of this man I call Dad. You have shown me tenderness through the heart of this man that I once thought was heartless. I once heard that a man’s perception of You is directly correlated to the relationship he has with his earthly father. With me – You proved the opposite, if we don’t first honor our relationship with You; we can never fully enjoy the relationship with the earthly father You gave us. Praise be to You Father, for working a good work in my heart, and showing my dad and I the best You have to offer – in your Son Jesus Christ.

Why do I love you so? Because I am compelled to – because as part of that transaction @ the cross, you gave me a cleanly washed heart to seek you out – and wonder in Your love – unconditional and unbridled to those that truly seek Your face. Thank You Father, for all the Godly Fathers through the ages, Abraham, Issac, Moses, as well as those in my linage – Robert Tormey, John Hall & Byron Hall. Thank You Father, for the role models that you have placed in our lives, Joseph, Joshua, Peter, Paul and today’s role models like Stephen Burns, Marvin Apple & all the Godly Pastor's that love your people and sacrifice for them.

Praise Your Holy Name - I Love You Father!

THE Church - The Purified Bride of Christ?

Brother Dunkel and I went to a Pastor’s conference earlier this week, and I heard some powerful teaching and preaching… Some of the material in today’s message was drawn from notes I took at that conference

I want you all to Remember and Think about Your Wedding Day…. The smiles and the Tears, we are going to talk about it for a few moments…

a. American Dating being flawed as it is, tell me about how you met your spouse

b. What was the Courtship like?

c. Tell me about the Engagement time?

d. How did the wedding plans go?

e. Tell me all about the Wedding Day – Right through the Reception.

f. How about the 1st year?

g. What’s Marriage look like now?

This line of questioning all has a point, and we will eventually get to that point – but for now….

Let’s take a look at a few passages of scripture; our 1st stop will be Galatians 5:21 thru 32… Would anyone like to read this passage for me?

Galatians 5:

21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Savior of the body. 24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Hmmm, maybe some context is needed here… Chapter 5 Verse 1 & 2, Paul states “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in Love, as Christ hath also loved us, and hath given Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to GOD”.

We are to be FOLLOWERS of GOD, as DEAR Children… Not as rambunctious kids, not as little children – AS DEAR CHILDREN… Why do you suppose we followers are referred to here as Dear Children?

How many of you have adult children, maybe even with their own families? (wait for hands and comments) Are they any less “dear” to you today; then they were when they were little? In some cases aren’t those relationships with your children different and maybe even sweeter than previously.

They are adults, responsible for their own actions, and in many cases are following your footsteps in Faith. When you ponder on it long enough, it tears the eyes – these Children of ours are DEAR to us. Is the Spirit of God any less Paternal than we? That’s absurd we say, of course not, He is our Heavenly Father – Right? He is the Creator of all that is, men and women included, thusly our Father none the less as Creator. But – Through Christ He is all the More – HE IS OUR FATHER!!! We, those filled and sealed with HIS Spirit are HIS Dear Children… Remember that, we may need that later…

Back to our passage, and continuing to understand context… Verse 3 thru 20, Paul explains what being a follower of GOD looks like in deed and conduct. So we understand the foundation that he has laid before us. So, just for a second – lets zero in on verse 21…

In verse one Paul said to be followers of God as dear children, then in verse 21 he says, “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God”. So, What I am getting here is that We must develop and have a heart that is “Submissive” to follow this “direction” from Paul. Please Forgive Me… Let me slightly digress just for a moment… See we are an established Church of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Son of the Living God, so we have established that CHRIST is the Head and Ultimate Authority in this body of believers – RIGHT? So tell then, is Paul suggesting that we be submissive? Is he leading us to be submissive? NO, he is telling us to, he is directing us to, and he is commanding us to - in Christ’s authority…

Christ’s authority; in which we have previously, nearly 30 years ago, agreed is the only authority in this Church and in our lives to obey and follow – Right? OK – Just wanted to make sure I am on the right path here…

OK back on course, “We are to submit ourselves to each other in the fear of GOD”… So Paul is telling me, that I am to have a heart that is submitted to GOD, given to me by God through His Mercy and Grace. With that submitted heart, I am to submit myself to YOU, and YOU, and YOU. Not only submit to you, but do it in the Fear of Almighty GOD… Doesn’t sound like a suggestion does it, nope doesn’t sound like a suggestion…

So, we have just established the facts in these commands; that we are to submit ourselves both to God and to one another, we are to do so in fear of God, and as Dear Children…

Do we all agree with my assessment? Great, then we are of one accord!  So, what’s the deal with remembering our wedding day? ? ? ? Great, I am so glad you asked…

At our Pastor’s Conference down in Lansdale, Brother Dunkel and I heard a new perspective on Paul’s letter to Colossi… David Doran, Pastor of Inter-City Baptist Church in Allen Park Michigan, offered this insight to Paul’s message in Colossians 1 verses 24 thru 29, please turn there and read with me.

24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: 25Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; 26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

FOLKS – HERE IS YOUR WAKE UP CALL FOR SUNDAY, the 27th of February 2011… Pastor Burns & Pastor Killian will present you to Christ the King of Kings as His Bride!!! When we look at the Greek text for this passage, a little research will help you see a more refined interpretation for us here in America… It would read that these two men will present us to Christ as a “perfected and pure Virgin” to be His Eternal Bride…

Galatians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Galatians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.

Paul is working to present the church to Christ as a pure Bride! There is a sense of accountability here - that those Pastors and Teachers that teach and preach to us, will be presenting us to Christ at the Bema Seat. Thusly, Pastors will answer for the purity of the bride that they present to him.

A little illustration, if you had a congregation of 500 members, and only have 100 standing before Christ on that day of Judgment, there will be an accounting for that. So a question that begs to be asked here - Will the fruit of this ministry be complete?

God saves men to make them like His Son, we are predestined to be made like His Son, to be transformed into HIS image!!!

The Pastor's mission is not just to get them in the life boat! He is to follow the convert, and nourish them, to assure that they are a new creation in Christ... Pastors must cultivate the conversion into the likeness of Christ...

Some Pastors in this Country today have become men servers, letting the culture of the day slide through our Church doors… Some of these Pastors are pleasing men over being servants of God. They need to be working their Ministries to be the tool of God to work towards the purification of the Church....

GOD expects everyone in the Church to have a God focus, and anything less is falling short of God's mission for the Pastor and the Church...

So What? What’s that to do with the Bible Baptist Church of Warriors Mark? This brings me back to the original questions when I opened this morning about your relationships with your spouse before and after the Wedding… Where are we now, is He really still our First Love? Are we truly being Faithful?

 

ARE YOU TOTALLY SUBMITTED??? See, we, the congregation must also stand at that Bema Seat as well, and my dear friend there will be an accounting! Oh my yes, there will be an accounting to Christ. We will not account for our Sin, for He paid the total and complete ransom in our place. That Sin is GONE to be remembered no more. But, you will account for this life, and the Gifts He gave you. You will account for how you used them to serve Him. You will account for those you came in contact with every day. How you used the Joy He placed in your Heart to impact the lives of those around you.

A powerful statement I heard at this Conference, “if the Walk doesn’t last, chances are it was never real”. A Pastor’s heart is to be for Christ’s Bride, GOD’s Dear Children. His energy is to be focused on Discipleship, growing the Saints, to grow new Saints…

Did you get that!?!? MEN – Did you hear that!?!? Pastors are to look for Godly men to grow into Strong God Fearing Disciples to LEAD in the Church, to LEAD in the Community, to LEAD in the Work Place… YOU Men of God, the men that we just looked at over the last few weeks, that I referred to as the Corner Stone in a Rock Solid Christian Family. These same men are also to be the building blocks in this Church – GOD’s Church to be presented to HIS Son as a Perfect – Pure Virgin… We are to be unblemished by the wears and tears of the World. We are to be un-touched by the cultures hands, Clean, Separate, Pure, and Perfected as by fire. Men, we are to grow new Disciples behind us… We are to be strong fearful of nothing apart from Almighty God.

WE – The men in Christ in this Church are to teach our Children. Men, we are to teach these young men coming up behind us. We are to BE THE CHRIST That they see in our families and in this Church…

Not Just The Pastor… Not Just The Deacons… Not Just The Teachers… Not Just The AWANA Workers, But, EVERY MAN SITTING IN THIS CONGREGATION TODAY…

Galatians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. HE GAVE HIMSELF FOR IT… WE too, are to GIVE ourselves to Him in service. We are to give ourselves to the Ministry of this Church.

Men, when is the last time we gave of ourselves for anything? Seriously men, what have we as men in our homes, at work, in our neighborhoods, in our communities and more importantly here in our Church, what have we sacrificed for? What has caused us effort or pain to serve HIM?

I ask myself this question this morning, “what have I, Robert Hall sacrificed on the Alter, of myself, to further the cause of Christ?” What time have I marked for and given to HIM, Where in this day, or in this last week have I showed HIM my love for HIM, other than a routine mechanical devotion…

Folks, we can’t tell people we are a Christians, and not be willing to get up an hour early and give someone a ride to Church, or give someone a ride to the Hospital, or a neighbor a ride to work… See, if there is no Christ Actions rushing to get out of the heart and to the aid and help of our fellow man, and Christian brothers, all we have are empty words.

I want you to listen to this statement I brought back from the Pastor’s conference in my notes this week…

Congregation – “what you believe, or what you think you believe is reflected in how you live your life!!! If Christ is the center of your life, he can be seen in you and your actions from every angle... Paul said, “Don’t be just hearers of the Word, but be Doers of the Word”. People around you, should see the glory of Christ in you. Everything about you and your proclamation of Him should point to Christ!!! Anything else will, any other attitude, any other profession will, trip up those around you!!!

Pastors, Elder Saints, Teachers – Men of God, we are to grow Disciples and send them to grow others in the Name of our Precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Listen to this - “BEING must always precede DOING”!

We must be in HIM in Spirit, before we can ever truly do anything in HIM physically! My Dad would call this – “a gut check”…

Folks just being busy for Jesus is not a real testimony of what is in the heart! We are to look for and work towards completeness. See there are some folks in Christian Circles that sometimes just don’t get it, yet they want to be a part of the local assembly. When they lack the Christ likeness, we, the Men of God, must be ready and willing to approach them in Love, and challenge them, encourage them, teach them, keeping the Gospel ready to present at all times. Not everyone that claims then Name of Christ, Possesses Christ’s Spirit. We must be ready to speak the Truth, when our Likeness to Him draws them close and yields their hearts. Christ will draw them to repentance, but you must be ready and willing to share the milk of the word to help them grow.

Remember – we are HIS Dear Children, HE first loved us, and Gave His Son for us. What exactly is it that we are giving back… What crowns are you storing up in heaven? What jewels of the Faith are you storing up in Heaven for those Crowns.

We can’t be and should not be content with members of this Congregation that are content with coasting Spiritually… This is another topic for another Sunday, but Paul also talks quite emphatically and strongly concerning a “slothful” approach to this Faith.

I have come to the conclusion that Pastor Kilian, Terry Varner, Myself and any other Teachers we have here at this Church, can teach and preach the Doctrinal Truth of the Scripture! BUT we will not see one seed reaped if we follow the Politically Correctness of the American Culture and the World outside these four walls. We are called, to come out and apart and away from the world. Our ways are to be His ways, which should CLEARLY be different than the world.

I can teach you and even help you memorize Matthew 5, Galatians 5, and a whole host of other scriptures that depicts “Christian Behavior”. BUT, if it doesn’t come from within, and if you don’t believe it, our growth collectively & corporately will be stifled. As Tim Dunkel and I heard first hand this week, “Spiritual deception is NOT just somewhere out there, Spiritual deception is right here in Churches all over America… yes, even in the Churches once considered Rock Solid”. Men Deceiving Men to believe they are alright with God, when their hearts belong to the things of this world. Pastors, becoming men pleasers, deceiving souls from there pulpits to think they are fine with God, while partaking in all that the world and this well blessed country.

I want to offer some questions for you to answer quietly to yourselves this morning and over the next few days…

They are not rhetorical, nor are they empty, they are meant to prick your heart into action!

Do you really KNOW Christ?

Are you truly submitting to His Authority?

Do you Really BELIEVE in what you say you Believe?

Just what exactly is it about Christ that You believe; and can you defend it?

Do you look for opportunities to share HIM with others?

Do you truly love your neighbor; and are you willing to show him or her with your actions and good deeds?

If the Deacons secretly followed you around for a week, what of Christ would they see in your activities and conversations?

Husbands, do you pray with your wives and children?

Do they see God’s Man, Christ’s Love, and the Spirit’s comfort in you and the Role God placed you in?

Wives, do you pray for your husbands, and God’s purpose for their lives?

Do your families see your undying love and commitment to the Spiritual success of your husband and his authority in the home?

Teens – Do you truly yield yourselves to Christ, and to the authority of your parents in your home, even in front of your friends?

As I have asked my Teens before, is Christ the first person you think of in the Morning, and the last person you think of before you pillow your head at night?

You see dear friends; the Church is to be made up of GOD’s People, sacrificed on the Alter of SELF.

The Body of Christ is to be purged – free from open sin, free from self pride, free from outside influence. The Church MUST be a Spiritual Transformation of men and women by GOD Almighty, through His Power, His Mercy, His Grace – for His SON… The Real Child of God can’t be mimicked, can’t be forged, and most certainly can’t be explained away. For it is a miracle provided to us by the Father, through His indwelling Spirit.

May I please have the liberty to explain it as a transaction, a unique occurrence, that upon a total understanding of our depravity and sinful condition, that outside of God there is NO Hope for our Souls? Hence we understand that we are sinners and lost!

Upon recognizing our Sin condition, we instantly realize we need Help, we cannot reach the Creator without Help. We need Redemption, we need a Savior. Someone shares the Gospel with us, and we see that in God’s wonderful Mercy, He shows us and we see the Cross, a real tree that held the Son of God while paying the only acceptable payment for our Bond to Satan. That, in His Pain, in His Suffering, in His Humility, He took our names from the bond document of slavery to that old Devil, and presented it to His Father somewhere in God’s economy of time and eternity.

Those names of His Saints were then written in the Lambs Book of Life, and marked, Sin Debt – PAID IN FULL. Upon, reading the Divorce decree from the Bond of Sin, we are instantly handed Adoption Papers, listing us now as the Dear Children of God the Heavenly Father – Not just bought with His Son’s Blood, but Justified in that precious blood to Stand Whole and Complete before the Father, OUR Heavenly – Abba Father.

The Father sent forth the Holy Spirit to each and every “Dear Child” of His, to help them dawn the Armor of God, to walk prepared and yielded to His Son’s Authority. That Spirit brings with Him, Strength and Might that turns average men, into courageous giants in the world of fear and condemnation. The Holy Spirit uses the trials and tests of the world to purge and purify the Father’s Dear Children. On that Great Day, when the Father calls for the Trumpet to Sound, His Dear, Loving Children, will be Called Home, to stand, presented to the King of Kings, the True Christ as HIS Perfect Pure Bride. To be taken to be HIS own for all Eternity… The Transaction, A Divorce from Sin, An Adoption sealed by the Spirit, and A Marriage sealing the Honor of Serving and Reigning with Christ for all of Eternity.

We are to see our Marriages as a Model of God’s Family Structure. Men loving their wives as Christ loved the Church – willing to die that they might spiritually live. Women that love their husbands to the point of selfless and total submission to his authority – that he may in return reflect that undying love and devotion. Children, nurtured by this loving couple, for they are as Dear to these Godly Parents as all the Saints are to Almighty God. These Children raised in the Light of Christ, and reflect back total submission to the parents in Honor and Respect. The Godly Family is the Model of the Father’s Love for the Son, and for Us. The old is made new!

Folks after Salvation; there is NO OLD NATURE! We are NEW CREATIONS… Sin is no longer a part of our Nature… It is simply relegated to a Choice! How will choose this week? Will we choose to be the Dear Child of God that we are? Or will we choose to be a reflection of our ugly sin past, that which we were before we knew Christ, and His payment for us to walk free from Sin? With Christ, we are no longer compelled to be a part of this world; we choose to be a part and partaker of it!

Let’s close with prayer…

Where Have All The Godly Men Gone?

Good Morning Dear Folks,

I have been working on this post off and on for over 6 weeks. The Lord has burdened my heart to address Christian men in this country. This burden includes Pastors, Elders, Deacons, Teachers, Ushers, Church Office Workers and yes the men in the congregations of every local Church in America. I want to offer a word of encouragement, and offer a little insight as to how to maintain a strong and powerful Godly influence with those around you.

A little over a year ago, our Pastor of 30 years had decided it was time to retire, he was a very loved man, and led by example. He walked Faith, he exercised Trust, he showed Forgiveness, he practiced Compassion, but more than all those wonderful attributes – he was a man of his Word!  If he told you something, you could take to the bank, his Word was solid. He poured his heart into our Church, and on many occasions sacrificed personally to keep things afloat. He taught his congregants the Love of Christ, the doctrinal truths of the bible while disconnecting us from the religiosity developing in many churches today. This Pastor dedicated his entire life to Christ, and devoted much of his waking hours to the Church, building folks up in the Faith. Pastor Burns taught and preached the Word of God, with conviction, with power and without excuse.

There is a very dear lady in our Church that once was part of the Billy Graham Ministry Team. She once told me that when Mr. Graham was out and about, he never had less than two men with him. A Godly Man, he put the full armor of God on, and worked at and protected his testimony. What the world saw, was a Godly, Righteous man that lived and practiced what he taught around the world.

My Grand Fathers were both strong Godly Christian men. Both of them walked that which they spoke, their lives were above reproach. Both men were deeply active in their respective Churches. Grand Dad Hall was a Christian from a young age, and stood on the Spiritual shoulders of his Father. Grand Dad Hall was an ordained “old time” Methodist Preacher, that eventually started a Baptist Church in his hometown. What a Spiritual Giant! He knew the Bible inside out, upside down, and loved his Lord with all that he was. You could set your watch by his morning devotions, and evening Bible studies. He served as a Deacon and Adult Sunday School Teacher in that Baptist Church, where he was a "prayer warrior". He challenged the Pastors that served in that Church and truly enjoyed Theological discussions and debate. He too was a man of his word, and truly Trusted and Waited on GOD. Grand Dad Hall once thought that I would be a Pastor someday, but due to my own arrogance and playing Church through my 20’s, he never realized that dream. But, God did hear his prayers, and I am active in several ministries today, using some of his old studies and notes.

Grand Dad Tormey was saved later in life, one of those miraculous conversions that if you didn’t see – you have a hard time grasping it. My Grand Dad Tormey, was an alcoholic, smoked many packs of cigarettes each day, and was somewhat abusive to his family. My Grand Mother Tormey coaxed him to an old tent revival meeting one night, and Christ laid his hand upon him, and he accepted Christ as his Savior and Lord. Like a light switch being turned on, he gave all that up that night, he was a “new creation” all the old vices and abuses ceased. I only knew Grand Dad Tormey as a fine and upright Christian man. He was a great outdoorsman, and he taught me to fish for food, and through his life for Christ, I now know how to fish for men.

A question in my mind that begs to be answered. Where have all these GODLY men gone? Are they passing with that generation of Reverend Billy Graham, my Grand Dads and my former Pastor of 30 years? I want to believe that there are still seminaries that are turning out great Godly men.  But… Unfortunately, the Head Lines and news stories don’t seem to confirm that thought. What GODLY men of the past once believed with all their hearts, and taught as foundational Truth, is now called to question. Life Choices that are clearly highlighted in the Bible as an “abomination to GOD” are now freely being accepted as normal and politically correct – even in the old rock solid Churches of my youth. The Bible clearly tells us to “love the sinner as Christ loved him, but hate the sin and the damnation that it will bring”. Where have all the GODLY men gone?

Just a little over a year ago, we called a new Pastor to replace our retiring Pastor. This man had a Testimony similar in some ways to that of Grand Dad Tormey. Saved later in his life, being rescued from a few vices. A few years my junior, he seems to know his Bible well, and teaches a good lesson. Due to other commitments, he isn’t a 100% full time Pastor yet, so he does not yet have the luxury of devoting the time and energy the previous Pastor did. He answered the call of our Church and God to lead us into the next level of Glory in service to our Precious Christ and the Father. There are folks in the Church watching, wanting to see those same wonderful Godly characteristics in this Pastor. Due to previous employment commitments he didn’t start his preaching ministry in our Church until mid March of last year. In those 9 short months, I see the heart of a servant of God. His messages were strong and pointed, addressing issues of the day in our Church and many Churches today.

In his Sunday Morning messages, he has addressed the “luke warm spiritual condition of many”. The lack of commitment and devotion to our Lord, and in turn the lack of commitment to the brothers and sisters in the Church. He has taught us of Christ’s words, “Let your yes be yes and your no be no”. He has taught us to serve with conviction, devotion, and all sincerity. He has taught us to put Christ first, then to exercise our belief, by totally and completely Trusting in Him, and have the Faith that HE will meet our needs.  He also teaches the Scripture without reservation or excuse.

This is our Encouragement for this day! That if men, take up the cross of Christ and lean on Him, not relying on their own means to survive, but on Him – it is then that we will reclaim our Spiritual Heritage. Pulling ourselves out of the Church of Laodicea, and being on fire for the Lord, making a difference in the lives around us – starting with our own families. Men, I just heard a statistic this very morning on Christian Radio. That if family men turn to Christ, allow HIM to change their lives and live good Godly examples, that statically better than 90% of those families will follow his footsteps toward Christ.

Remember those wonderful Godly men I referred to earlier. You must be a man that practices what you PREACH! You must show your family Love and Encouragement. You need to read the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 and the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. These are not suggestions, these are Truths brought to us through Christ’s own words and the pen of Paul. If we are Truly saved, if we are serious about living a life for Christ, then get up men, put your faith into action.

Start by keeping your word when you give it. Then live out your Faith by Trusting in God, the power of His Grace, and the ability that Christ has given you to stand before the very throne of GOD!!! Don’t rely on your own means to succeed, put all of who you are in your Trust in Christ’s ability to save you and provide for you. IF – God is who we say we “Believe He Is”, then we must put feet to that faith men. Pray that He will provide opportunity to serve, have a Godly Christian man, Pastor or Deacon help you realize your Spiritual Gifts. Then – put them to work! In your home. In your office or place of work. In your Church. In your neighborhood. “Don’t just be hearers of the Word – be Doers of the Word”.

Take time to think about your answers to peoples questions, then say what you mean – and – mean what you say. Build a reputation of Honor, Godliness, Holiness, Righteousness and work out your Faith in the eyes of God and men. Don’t give Satan and temptation an inch, draw a line in the sand, and never cross it. Live a life that is beyond reproach, be a man that can be trusted, counted on and looked up to as a man of God. These will be the Spiritual Shoulders our children stand on in a world that becomes more Godless every day. Remember men, your weakest or lowest level of Spiritual Growth, will be the next generations highest level of Spiritual Growth.

Seek God’s Face, reach for Christ, pray without ceasing, desire a double portion of the Holy Spirit; then Walk the Walk! Holding your head with all humility, walk the faith, share the Gospel to all that will listen and devote yourself to His Cross and His cause. He came here to die, He gave it all for mankind. If we claim His Name, and Possess His Spirit, how can we possibly not give it all for Him? The Right, the True answer is, “we can’t give Him any less”.

Philippians 4: Verses 4 though 13

(4) Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. (5) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (10) But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. (11) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (12) I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  (13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Can you see past the Man? ©

Can you see past the Man? 1Timothy 3:1-9 1 This is a true saying, if a man desires the office of a bishop (Pastor / Minister), he desires a good work. 2 A bishop (Pastor / Minister) then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that rules’ well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Galatians 5:22-26 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. In today’s world, the culture has created a mentality among the masses of “individuality”, where men are elevated in the midst of character mediocrity. Integrity, reputation, veracity are all attributes that have found their way to the “endangered species” list. The world is losing ground corporately any sense of Godliness, Righteousness and Holiness, finding men that Love and Honor God is becoming extremely rare. The Church has elevated the “Super Church” and mega preachers that promote the entertainment value of the church, rather than the “Sin of the World and the need of a Saviour”… The Sin Of The World… The NEED Of A Saviour… HUMILITY? A place we come to, acknowledging our fallen condition before the GOD of the Universe, then accepting HIS plan and path to Salvation. That nothing of our own design or will can bridge the gap of sin, nothing. Humility, letting God be God, and understanding our place and position in the grand scheme of things, feeling small in HIS presence and then Loving Him for WHO HE IS… Tell me a story of a Leader in your Church, Local, State or Federal Government that exercises these traits today. Can you? For if a leader is truly a Godly Man, and living the life that God requires, you won’t see the individual; you will see past the Man, you will SEE the very Heart of God! This world Cries Out for Compassion, Cries Out for Peace, and Cries Out for Hope – but tries to explain away the Very One that would fill those desires and wants of the Heart. God’s man will be transparent, he will usher you into the place where you will see God and not recognize the person delivering the message. He will be a peace maker, while in this man’s presence you will feel comfortable, loved and in the presence of righteousness. God’s man, a person that loves people, is gentle and kind and has a tender heart for the Saints of Christ. Yet when he is pushed on Doctrinal Truths, he will not bend or sway. God’s man will exercise Meekness (strength and power under control); he will speak the Truth in Love, with Peace and Restoration for the brethren always being on his heart. He will pain for the lost, while he disciples the flock to reach out to those without Christ in our communities. God’s man will exhibit humility and sacrifice for his flock, not realizing he has done so. When is the last time you were in the presence of someone that you felt the very presence of God? When was the last time in memory you can remember being in the presence of Holiness and Righteousness while talking to someone. God’s man is close to the Father, he is Christ’s under shepherd and he understands his place, his responsibility and the accountability that comes with the job. As 1st Timothy 3 tells us, this man is Blameless (above reproach); he is the Husband of ONE Wife (not one at a time, one wife until death separates them). He is to be vigilant in his faith and guard the Truth with every ounce of his being. He is to be sober, mentally and physically, not embarking in activities, drink or chemicals that would challenge or impair his ability to discern the Truth. God’s man will always be of good behavior, not loose with his tongue, or harbor pride in his heart. He will be aware of his surroundings and know who is in his presence and not offend a weaker brother or sister. He will enjoy the company of his flock and love them dearly, growing the social component of fellowship in his Church without compromise to the Gospel. Finally, he will have the Gift of Teaching, exhibiting fluent knowledge and intimacy of the Word of God. Yes, God’s Man will be transparent, his life, his work, his existence will point to the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David. His demeanor, character and social grace shall effortlessly point to Jesus Christ and you will know you are in the presence of a Godly man, even though he has NO sense of himself in the moment. God’s man is completely human, while everything about him points to God and the Son of Man, our beloved Jesus Christ. Transparency in spiritual terms does not call attention to itself; it provides the window to the Spiritual portion of our existence, connecting the Creature with the Creator allow GOD to work in the heart of men. In this lifetime, I have had the great fortune of knowing a few men that had this great quality. The first was my Grand Father John C. Hall; he was a great teacher and man of God, instrumental in building my desire in my heart to share the Gospel through this blog site. The second was my Grand Father Robert C. Tormey; a man literally transformed by the indwelling Power of God though the Holy Spirit. The third man was Pastor Steven Burns, who I have known since 1979. He loved me when I was not a very kind person, just as Christ loves the unlovable. Through his discipleship, God took the head knowledge I carried from my Grand Fathers, and pushed it to my heart. Teaching me that my Christian Testimony is not what I tell you it is – my testimony is what YOU see it to be. Living out our faith in a very real and practical sense that points to Christ in everything we say and do. In all three of these wonderful men, I saw Christ, and learned the Heart of my GOD. Though God’s sovereignty, and by the work of these men, they helped me see in my mind’s eye, God as He is described in the entire Bible. Loving us and wanting fellowship with us, all the while remaining Holy, Just and Righteous true to HIS character. Loving us enough that He provided the only means for us to have restoration spiritually. He GAVE Us – His Best, He sent HIS Loving, Obedient and Only Begotten Son to die on the Cross to pay the eternal payment for our lost souls. Ripping down the veil that separated us from Him, for we can now stand before the God of the Universe wrapped in His Son’s righteousness, being justified and washed in His shed blood. Our part (which is even given of Him), is to simply believe on Jesus Christ, have Faith in His Power, and Faith in God’s Promise to Forgive and Redeem us. Upon that Choice and Decision to walk HIS Way, and not our own, making Him Sovereign Lord over our lives – we too will learn to be transparent allowing others to see Christ through our lives. Dear Precious Lord, we carry our Thanks to You, acknowledging Your Power and Place as our Creator, and as we grow in Your Spirit, we learn to know you as Abba Father. I pray Father, that in all that I share on this blog, it consistently and completely points to YOU. Lord, if I am to be a servant to you, humble my heart, yet don’t let me see it and puff up in pride. Thank you dear Lord for all the opportunities; forgive me Father for not always recognizing your prompts to speak or act in Your name. Dear Jesus, Thank You, for all that You are in my life, and for all that You have worked in this old sinful heart. Please Lord, continue to chip away at all the rough spots, never allow me to be a hindrance or a bump in the road for those truly seeking You. Lord God, touch my heart, help me walk the Christian walk, mold me into Christ’s image – never let me cease to want You more. In all things Father, I will give YOU the Honor, the Glory, the Praise and the Thanks, in Your strong Son’s Name I pray, in Jesus the Christ we pray, Amen.