Pastor’s Ponderings
“Suffer the Little Children”
The disciples of Jesus Christ might be the greatest “before and after” story in history. While our Lord walked the earth, the Twelve were obtuse, ignorant, foolish, and sometimes just plain mean. While something good occasionally happened with them, for the most part they just did not get it. Our recent journey in Mark evidenced this.
Parents were bringing their children to Jesus so He could touch and bless them. Unfortunately the disciples had other plans and actually rebuked the parents. Jesus, of course, intervened and ended up taking the children into his arms and blessing them.
The disciples missed a vital truth: We are to bring people TO Christ not keep them FROM Christ. We could hinder people from coming to Christ in a myriad of ways. Perhaps er are not walking worthy of the Lord, and people see our poor example and are turned away from Christ. Maybe our witness has simply dried up. We go to church, wave to friends and neighbors, live among others in Cleburne, but we never open our mouths about God.
What a great example to us is Andrew. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, “We have found the Messiah!” (John 1:41). The shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth, made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child (Luke 2:17). The woman at the well left her waterpot, ran into the city, and said, “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” (John 4:29).
I pray that we will never hinder people from coming to the Lord. I also pray we will be more bold in telling others of our Savior.
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Thank you for your continued prayers for me wife and me. Her article concerns her ongoing battle with multiple myeloma. We continue to get positive news from her oncologist, but we also realize this is a long process. Again, your kindness shown through your prayers, cards, calls, and texts is much appreciated.
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As we enter November we will are reminded again of the need to be thankful. The remainder of this article I will mention some people and things for which I am thankful, beginning with my Savior.
2021 was a special year for me. It marked my 35th year in full-time ministry, my 25th year pastoring, and my 50th year of being a believer in Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the three churches of which I have been a member.
The First Baptist Church of Richland Hills was my church home for over 30 years. I have many fond memories there. On August 8, 1971, I was saved in the morning service. I was baptized shortly thereafter. I still remember many of my Sunday School and Training Union teachers. I met my wife there and was married there. My pastor asked me to come on the staff and my first Sunday serving was May 25, 1986. Ironically, I served there for ten years and one day. My final service was May 26, 1996, and I moved to Jacksonville, Florida.
Northview Baptist Church called me as pastor, and I began serving there on June 2, 1996. Again, I think of so many who had an incredible impact on my life. I had great victories like seeing an entire family of Mormons come to Christ. I saw lives changed and people challenged. I was also hurt deeply in ministry, but looking back, it seems the good days far outweighed the bad days. I stepped down as pastor at Northview, thinking I was done with ministry. I served 16 1/2 years and became an online teacher. But my wife kept saying, “God has invested too much in you for you to be done with ministry.” She was very prophetic, for one day I received a call from . . .
Calvary Baptist Church in Cleburne. Somehow God worked it out for me to serve as pastor of this great church. It has been a delight and pleasure to be a member here. Again, I have seen great victories, but we have also suffered many losses as so many dear Calvary members have graduated to heaven. To my current church family I say, “Thank you!” You have blessed me and Betty beyond measure, and “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you”
(Philippians 1:3).
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I have asked from the beginning for you to pray for me and my family in five areas. Thank you for doing so, and please continue to plead with God that I would have:
1) Courage
2) Wisdom
3) Strength
4) Victory
5) Vision