Well here is my update. Some things fell apart on me after that my last post in November, and I have not felt much like writing until now. However, things are coming back together.
My credit cards are paid off, I have a new used car, and my remaining debt will be clear no later than November. However, since I am focusing on my debt, I am uncertain of how much traveling I will accomplish this year. However, having said that, I am certain that I will be on the move next year. That is the plan for the moment. Today also is a rare double feature as my next post follow immediately.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Friday, November 22, 2013
An Update
I realize that it has been quite some time since I have updated this blog. However, it has not been due to a lack of material, rather that the material I have is not resolving itself coherently. I have also been very busy, and this has lead to more sleeping than blogging. I do however have things that are in the works, and while they may take a while to appear, I am working on them. One recent item went from being a single post to the potential for several posts.
This is my update to correspond with my last post.
I did go to visit Bro. Epley's campmeeting back at the end of July. It was a truly great time with excellent preaching and teaching. Sadly due to the roads that I took to get there, I missed the first service. I have since enjoyed the cd containing Bro. Riggen's message "We Are Not In Egypt Anymore". As always, there was a lot of food and fellowship to be had.
I had planned on attending the WPF Summit and General Conference this year. However, my finances did not allow me to make that conference, although it was very good from the reports that I have received. I am going to make an attempt to make it there next year, the Lord willing.
I did attend the "Passing the Mantle" conference in Kansas City, hosted by Bro. Stan Gleason with Bro. Lee Stoneking as the the main preacher. All I can say is that there was a mighty move of God in the midst of the meeting. It is not to be missed. To see people renewing the dedication and consecration to God in tears is a wonderful sight to behold.
Of course, we are now in the midst of the 'Holiday Season' as it is known in the United States. These could be said to be the 'high holy days' of the American calender (the word holiday being derived from the term holy day). This of course begins at Halloween and continues through New Year's Day, although it is generally acknowledged as beginning with Thanksgiving.
I could, and might later, put some thoughts down concerning the celebration of Halloween (I do not and, will not, celebrate it) and the other holidays.
For Thanksgiving, I am going to be seeing a number of family members as we gather at my Aunt and Uncle's house this year. It will be the first time in more than a year I have seen my niece as well as a couple of my cousin's children. This is going to make from a grand celebration of Thanksgiving Day.
For Christmas, I am going to be traveling back to Kansas City, where we will gathering to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus (the timing of this celebration will be dealt with in another post). This will provide a lot of fun for us during the holiday. I just wish I knew what to get everyone this year.
New Year's Day is the only holiday that I have planned nothing for. If nothing else, I will celebrate this holiday by wrapping myself up in a blanket, and catching up on the sleep that I missed throughout the prior year!
Next year looks to be a better than the one that we are now concluding. Before the first half has passed, I should be free of all my credit card debts, and be getting ready to attend the fall conferences. There are also a number of other things that are going to be coming down that I will hopefully be able to discuss on here as they happen.
I will of course continue to post updates as they come available. Hopefully I can get some of these things posted before another four months have passed.
This is my update to correspond with my last post.
I did go to visit Bro. Epley's campmeeting back at the end of July. It was a truly great time with excellent preaching and teaching. Sadly due to the roads that I took to get there, I missed the first service. I have since enjoyed the cd containing Bro. Riggen's message "We Are Not In Egypt Anymore". As always, there was a lot of food and fellowship to be had.
I had planned on attending the WPF Summit and General Conference this year. However, my finances did not allow me to make that conference, although it was very good from the reports that I have received. I am going to make an attempt to make it there next year, the Lord willing.
I did attend the "Passing the Mantle" conference in Kansas City, hosted by Bro. Stan Gleason with Bro. Lee Stoneking as the the main preacher. All I can say is that there was a mighty move of God in the midst of the meeting. It is not to be missed. To see people renewing the dedication and consecration to God in tears is a wonderful sight to behold.
Of course, we are now in the midst of the 'Holiday Season' as it is known in the United States. These could be said to be the 'high holy days' of the American calender (the word holiday being derived from the term holy day). This of course begins at Halloween and continues through New Year's Day, although it is generally acknowledged as beginning with Thanksgiving.
I could, and might later, put some thoughts down concerning the celebration of Halloween (I do not and, will not, celebrate it) and the other holidays.
For Thanksgiving, I am going to be seeing a number of family members as we gather at my Aunt and Uncle's house this year. It will be the first time in more than a year I have seen my niece as well as a couple of my cousin's children. This is going to make from a grand celebration of Thanksgiving Day.
For Christmas, I am going to be traveling back to Kansas City, where we will gathering to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus (the timing of this celebration will be dealt with in another post). This will provide a lot of fun for us during the holiday. I just wish I knew what to get everyone this year.
New Year's Day is the only holiday that I have planned nothing for. If nothing else, I will celebrate this holiday by wrapping myself up in a blanket, and catching up on the sleep that I missed throughout the prior year!
Next year looks to be a better than the one that we are now concluding. Before the first half has passed, I should be free of all my credit card debts, and be getting ready to attend the fall conferences. There are also a number of other things that are going to be coming down that I will hopefully be able to discuss on here as they happen.
I will of course continue to post updates as they come available. Hopefully I can get some of these things posted before another four months have passed.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Taking Another Trip
I have at least three new items that I am in the process of developing, but it will be another few weeks before I am comfortable enough with the topics to make an entry here to them. However, I am going to revert to more lighthearted fare for the next few weeks.
It is the start of my travel season. This season kicks itself off at the end of July and will conclude at the beginning of January. This is the time of year that I take all my time off from work, and attend various conferences and family events.
My first event of the season is a quick trip to Bro. Epley's campmeeting in Racine, MO. This will be followed by a trip to Gatlinburg, TN for the WPF Summit and Campmeeting, and Passing the Mantle in Kansas City. I hope to have some pictures from each of these events to post either during or after my trips.
Hopefully, for some of you who read my blog regularly, I may get to meet you soon. God bless and keep you in the name of Jesus.
It is the start of my travel season. This season kicks itself off at the end of July and will conclude at the beginning of January. This is the time of year that I take all my time off from work, and attend various conferences and family events.
My first event of the season is a quick trip to Bro. Epley's campmeeting in Racine, MO. This will be followed by a trip to Gatlinburg, TN for the WPF Summit and Campmeeting, and Passing the Mantle in Kansas City. I hope to have some pictures from each of these events to post either during or after my trips.
Hopefully, for some of you who read my blog regularly, I may get to meet you soon. God bless and keep you in the name of Jesus.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
A Call To Die
John 12:24 reads, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."
While in church tonight, I felt the Spirit speak this thought to me, and He gave me a call saying, "Come and renew your dedication, and deepen your consecration." He then brought the above passage to my memory.
The verse is self explanatory, and we have all seen the pictures of the various stages that a seed passes through to become a mature plant. However, it is much the same for those of us who are called by the name of Jesus, as we begin to seek Him and the moving of His mighty power in our lives.
Jesus is using this example as a means to fortell His own death, burial, and resurrection. However, he also lets it be known that it is also for His church to die as well, so that they may produce fruit in their own turn. He is not meaning their physical death, although that will be looked at in a moment.
While in church tonight, I felt the Spirit speak this thought to me, and He gave me a call saying, "Come and renew your dedication, and deepen your consecration." He then brought the above passage to my memory.
The verse is self explanatory, and we have all seen the pictures of the various stages that a seed passes through to become a mature plant. However, it is much the same for those of us who are called by the name of Jesus, as we begin to seek Him and the moving of His mighty power in our lives.
Jesus is using this example as a means to fortell His own death, burial, and resurrection. However, he also lets it be known that it is also for His church to die as well, so that they may produce fruit in their own turn. He is not meaning their physical death, although that will be looked at in a moment.
Rather the first form of death that we are going to discuss is the death to ourselves and the things of this world. For we are told that we have died to this world, and left its desires and pleasures behind us. (Romans Chapter 6:1-11) Further, if we have been filled with the Holy Ghost, we have at some point died to sin, and ceased to walk in a sinful lifestyle. (Romans 8: 1:11) However, we must return to this point periodically to once again keep our lives separated from sin and dedicated to God. This is why Paul further states in Colossians chapter 3,
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
It is for these reasons that we are commanded to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. We have died to the flesh, sin, and the world, and baptism is a form of burying ourselves with our Lord. However, as can be seen in the passages that I have referenced, we must also be sure to keep that old man of sin dead. Thus we need to periodically examine ourselves to ensure that we are still living according to the Word of God.
This then leads to the next portion of our study tonight, for we are called to be willing to suffer and die for this very doctrine. In fact, it is my contention that unless one has truly died to the things of this life, we then can not be prepared to give our lives for this doctrine. Jesus stated in Luke 12 that we would be persecuted, tried, and killed for His name. (Luke 12:4-12) Further it stated that those who have overcome Satan did so through the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, the word of their testimony, and that they did not love their lives, even unto the death. (Rev. 12:11)
The Bible and Christian history is filled with the names of those men who followed these dictates with their whole heart, to the point that they were willing to have their own blood shed as the final seal of their testimony. Peter, James the brother of John, Steven, James the brother of Jesus, Paul, Priscilla and Aquila, Matthew, Timothy, Antipas, John, and innumerable others counted it nothing to give their lives even under the cruelest tortures devised by men at that time.
The question is now, are we going to be willing to dedicate our lives the the service of the Lord, to such an extent that no portion of ourselves is beyond His control? Are we going to fall into such a love with the truth of the Bible that we will count all suffering but a light affliction compared to the eternal weight of glory that we shall receive? In a day of instant and incessant gratification, will we deny ourselves, and be content, in order that we may receive the fullness of the power of God?
These are questions that must be answered individual by individual, and sadly there will be those who, when they have counted the cost, will turn and reject this blessed doctrine. Let us all be determined that we shall not falter or fail to do our duty, crucify our desires upon the cross of Christ, and earn ourselves the approval of our Lord when He states, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord."
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
A Bloody History
I am in debt to Bro. Epley as well as my parent for setting my mind in this direction. Without some of the things that I read and discussed today, this blog post would not exist.
It has been a recent development in churches that pastors, youth leaders, and song leaders do not wish to discuss the blood of Jesus. Further, they have started requesting that visiting preachers or singers not make any reference to the blood or the crucifixion. It seems as if this trend is beginning to be seen in some so-called Pentecostal/Apostolic churches.
However, the history of Christianity is steeped in blood (and I am not discussing the "Christians" who participated in the Crusades, the Inquisition, etc.). The first mention of blood being shed is God slaying an animal in Genesis 3:21. This was the first in a long line of sacrifices that would be made to atone for the sins of man.
In Genesis 4, we have the second recorded blood sacrifice, and the first martyr for doing what was right in the sight of God. This was the incident where Cain viciously attacked and killed Able out of spite and jealousy.
Later, we read of the faithful prophets of God who were slain for not telling the people, kings, and priests what they wished to hear. This is recorded in the rest of the old Testament. It was well known that Jezebel had any who openly followed the ways of God slain. Naboth was righteous, but was killed because of Ahab's covetousness and Jezebel's conniving.
John the Baptist was beheaded for daring to tell the king Herod Antipas and Herodias that they were in an illicit relationship. This statement caused him to be imprisoned and then killed by Herod at the request of his daughter, who received this order from Herodias, her mother.
Jesus was crucified for the sins of all people, of all places and times. His blood purchases healing and salvation from sin. His resurrection confirmed the words of the prophets. Further, He ascended into Heaven, with a promise to return for His people. He then poured His Spirit out upon all men, and has yet to cease giving this precious gift to those who ask in faith.
However, it was not long after this, and we see that both Stephen and James were killed for preaching the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that He was God made manifest in the flesh. These were the first two Christian martyrs.
Following after, the Apostles and their disciples, and those who followed after them, were imprisoned and killed for their obedience to the call of Christ. After the rise of the Catholic Church, those who opposed it and held to the truths of the Bible were killed in many tortuous ways. There have been martyrs in every land, in every age, for the truths that we now have today.
All who wish to deny the blood of Jesus for the sake of convenience, deny also the history of the blood shed by the Apostles, prophets, and innumerable sacrifices that brought us to this point. There is a reason that Revelation records that when Jesus returns at the end of time, He will be wearing a vesture dipped in blood.
It has been a recent development in churches that pastors, youth leaders, and song leaders do not wish to discuss the blood of Jesus. Further, they have started requesting that visiting preachers or singers not make any reference to the blood or the crucifixion. It seems as if this trend is beginning to be seen in some so-called Pentecostal/Apostolic churches.
However, the history of Christianity is steeped in blood (and I am not discussing the "Christians" who participated in the Crusades, the Inquisition, etc.). The first mention of blood being shed is God slaying an animal in Genesis 3:21. This was the first in a long line of sacrifices that would be made to atone for the sins of man.
In Genesis 4, we have the second recorded blood sacrifice, and the first martyr for doing what was right in the sight of God. This was the incident where Cain viciously attacked and killed Able out of spite and jealousy.
Later, we read of the faithful prophets of God who were slain for not telling the people, kings, and priests what they wished to hear. This is recorded in the rest of the old Testament. It was well known that Jezebel had any who openly followed the ways of God slain. Naboth was righteous, but was killed because of Ahab's covetousness and Jezebel's conniving.
John the Baptist was beheaded for daring to tell the king Herod Antipas and Herodias that they were in an illicit relationship. This statement caused him to be imprisoned and then killed by Herod at the request of his daughter, who received this order from Herodias, her mother.
Jesus was crucified for the sins of all people, of all places and times. His blood purchases healing and salvation from sin. His resurrection confirmed the words of the prophets. Further, He ascended into Heaven, with a promise to return for His people. He then poured His Spirit out upon all men, and has yet to cease giving this precious gift to those who ask in faith.
However, it was not long after this, and we see that both Stephen and James were killed for preaching the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that He was God made manifest in the flesh. These were the first two Christian martyrs.
Following after, the Apostles and their disciples, and those who followed after them, were imprisoned and killed for their obedience to the call of Christ. After the rise of the Catholic Church, those who opposed it and held to the truths of the Bible were killed in many tortuous ways. There have been martyrs in every land, in every age, for the truths that we now have today.
All who wish to deny the blood of Jesus for the sake of convenience, deny also the history of the blood shed by the Apostles, prophets, and innumerable sacrifices that brought us to this point. There is a reason that Revelation records that when Jesus returns at the end of time, He will be wearing a vesture dipped in blood.
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