Being Transformed

Well, Dear Friends,

Before I forget, I have a question for you. Have you ever been without food? Have you been without a roof over your head? When was the last time you were without hope? For some, this answer will be never, for others, the answer may be "Been There, Done that." Now that you are thinking about these things, I want you to think about children and Vacation Bible School. In America, we have at one time or another had the opportunity to go to church, or attend a Vacation Bible School. This is America. 

I have recently come to realize that I have almost reached the point in my education where I can see the summit. This means that I'm not quite at the half way point. There is one question on my mind, will I ever reach the summit? God has not brought me this far to leave me now. This is the solace I must hang on to as I strive for that turning point. The reality is that once I reach that summit point, the the final 21 classes will fly by. The concern at this point is if my GPA will remain high enough to graduate. Again, I am reminded that God did not bring me this far to leave me. 

Today ends the stress of wondering if I will pass of fail Biblical Interpretation. Up to Week 5 of 6, I was below 599 points. The problem is that 599 is a failing score. It is by the Grace of an Awesome God that I received my grade today. The final grade was 830. This translates to 83% or a solid B. I am so stoked!

Someone asked me what I would have posted as a title if I did not pass. The answer is simple, God is Good...All The Time!  For some, this may be a foreign concept. But, 2 Corinthians 12.1-10 addresses this point very well. The context of this passage is available by clicking the link above. I want to bring out verses9 and 10 which say,  "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong".

This passage really speaks to me in a great way. Even when one fails, give Praise to God. because that one has an edge for the next time he or she takes the class. God gives strength in desperation. I received a B by the Grace of God who is perfect in my weakness.

Hi dear ones,

I have recently realized that I have not posted here is quite some time. So I wanted to get in touch with you and say hey guess what. Do I have you in suspense?  Well, here is the great thing I want to share with you... God called me and you to the ministry. WE DO NOT Need to fear anything, because God has called us. Not ourselves. If we know we have been called by God, then God has every confidence in us that we can do the Job God has called us to do.

I think that is a pretty good reference as a Minister--To know that God has called you and has every confidence that we have the skills to get things done.

Many Blessings

RJL

Today, I realized that I have been in class for six weeks. What this means is that today (Wednesday) is the middle of the end of the first part of the term. I have only three days left! Normally, I get so frustrated by this time. What is so amazing is that my grades have not fallen behind, or for that matter, they have not fallen below a 90.

What does this mean? This means that effective time management is only part of the equation. The key is the reality that I am doing what I am doing for God and His church. This means that I need to do my best for His glory.

Here is the beginning of week three in the wonderful world of Physics. I am personally uncertain as to why one is required to take this class. However, I have also come to understand that there has to be a reason for the use of Physics in ministry. 

It is another day in Physics. I hope that God p;reserves me in this class because I am utterly tired already and it is only the end of the first month. Lord Jesus I just want to be with you and appreciate you. Lord I know that this is your will that I am in this class. I pray that your will be done and that your name will be praised in all that I do in your Holy Name. Amen

This was a question that had to be answered in one of my first assignments. I have come to realize that in studying Physics, one finds the means by which God created the World. This means that without Physics, one will only be giving half of the story. The world would like to paint Christians in the light that we are some back woodsy illiterate hillbillies who jump to conclusions that do not make sense. The reality is that God desires us not to be ignorant. God desires that we work for the glory of God in many ways. 

This past year has been one of transition for me. I have come to a grand conclusion that there are some relationships that do not glorify God and need to be removed from my life. I recently met a person who has really transformed what it means when 1 John 4.18 says, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love". (1 John 4.18 NIV) The concept that a human person can have a human connection that is along the lines of connecting with God. Wow! I have felt this love for God, but never for a person, It is truly amazing how things can change for the Glory of God in a real way.

Now Consideration From Matthew 14.

As the class goes into this week, there are three things that have caught my attention. From last week, the reality of sin and the awesome gift of grace, Courage, and solitude.

Now wait, get the horse back here.... This has probably been one of the worst Sundays in my entire Career as a Pastor. Our congregation was vehemently attacked by an Association of Churches that we belonged to because we would not surrender our Missions offering for personal use. The denomination on the other hand, chose to redirect the monies for missions to payroll. Although I cannot say much more, I will say that this is a very poormeans to prove that this is not Christian. This happended Friday and Saturday. By Sunday I called an Emergency Meeting of my Chruch Board and let them know what was going on. Since my independant congregation rents a Nazarene Church who has supported us in the past, I also let the congregation there know.

By Monday morning, the answer was clear to me. I had to resign. I called my Spiritual Friend and I said to him hey what do you think I should do? I told him the good, bad and Ugly of the whole situation. In confirmation I know that I did the right thing because I have never seen that much support in my life.

Now that I sit here in the silence of my kitchen, I find that the tick of the clock is just enough "background noise" to keep me from going insane. It is truly a great feeling to know that my phone will not ring in the middle of the night unless it is my people.

God, I am so grateful that you have created me to be what you want me to be. I love being in the position of teaching and training new ministers, but I am truly grateful for the time that I will have with my congregation. I would ask that you reveal the behavior of those who are practicing to deceive. Reveal the truth and may those under their coercion be courage and free. In your Name Jesus, Amen.

In order to be a follower of Christ it is essential that we learn how to live spiritually. God is Spirit and in our essence we are spirit also. We are spiritual beings who possess a physical body that enables us to live in God's physical creation.

In the process of Spiritual Formation comes the understanding that one must also live Spiritually. When we are Born Again through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins, our spirits are reborn in a new spiritual relationship with God. His very Spirit comes to dwell within us infusing us with His divine nature., power, and passion. This is evidenced in us by a new found love for God, for his Eternal Word, and for His Perfect Plan for  our lives. Our eyes and hearts are opened to a new what is so foreign compared to the one life we have become accustomed to.

Herein, is where the problem lies. Although our spirit is born again with God's new nature, our bodies are still infected with the Old Sinful Nature. Our spirits are drawn to the eternal joys of heaven while are bodies are shackled to the momentary thrills of this world. Paul outlined our predicament in Romans 7.14-8.1-2.

Romans 7.14 "We know that the law is spiritual; but I am un-spiritual, sold as a slave to sin.

15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.

17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.

18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.

20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law;

23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.

24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?

25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!  So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful naturet a slave to the law of sin.

Romans 8.1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set yout free from the law of sin and death."

Did you follow Paul's conflict? This conflict is the key to Spiritual Formation. For us to understand Spiritual Formation, we must understand:
 
1.  There are two natures living within us.
2.  God's nature, by His Spirit in us, is oru new nature that is who we truly are.
3.  The sinful nature in our flesh is our old nature that was who we one were.
4  God's nature always desired to fulfil His Plan and Purpose for those who believe.
5  When a person believes, and lives in the Spirit, that one is fulfilling God's Plan and purpose for my life.
6.  When a person lives in the flesh, he or she is living in opposition to God's Plan and purpose for their life.
7.  As God's child, God knows it is the sin of the flesh that causes people to oppose Him.
8.  Through Jesus Christ, God has separated us from the sinful nature.
9.  In Jesus Christ we are freed from the condemnation incurred by the sin nature.

Every person who says they are born again should identify with Paul's conflict here.If you do not,perhaps it is because you are not truly Born Again by God's Spirit, and do not possess His new nature in you. However, if you are, you will experience two opposing desires. One toward God and the desire to love and serve God is evidence of God's Spirit in your heart and represents the new you in Christ. The lusts for fleshly and worldly things is the remainder of our old self which still resides in our flesh.

When a true Christian sins, it is never what he or she truly wants to do as a new person in Christ. God, in His grace, God has separated true Believers from their sin nature so that He does not condemn them. It is an incredible picture of God's grace and our freedom in Jesus Christ our Lord.

When God removed the condemnation of sin from His children, he did this not so that they would then be free to sin. but so that they might be free to live in the liberty of the Holy Spirit. We have inherited from God our Father, a new nature that desires to Glorify Him. And a new freedom to express that nature through our bodies. With freedom comes responsibility and choices. As true believers in Christ, do you really want to live life glorifying your Heavenly Father? Doe you want to be living and fulfilling His purpose and Plan? Of course you do if you are a true believer in Christ. The challenge here is to live in the Spirit not the flesh.

Spiritual Formation demands that we continuously live in the Spirit. Every moment a Christian lives dominated by the flesh is a moment of spiritual blindness in which Satan has free reign to tempt, deceive, and influence us away from God. Now why would we want to give the devil that type of opportunity? When we live in the Image of Christ, our mind, emotions, and will are in unison with God's purpose and plan; enabling us to discern what its good, acceptable, and perfect! When we are living in the face to face position of the image of Christ we are truly Disciples of Jesus Christ, and are ready for service as Ambassadors of Christ.

Dear Friends,

Have you been so tired that you just want to disappear? Well, I have come to the end of my rope for the week. If I had half a brain, I would not schedule Church cleaning on Saturday Instead maybe I should find an alternate day. Lord. I know that you are with me even when I cannot feel it. Lord help. me through this weekend as I transition back to a weekly schedule. Lord give wisdom when it comes to the new church building. We are believing you for the finances. Lord You alone are worthy and  Forever I want to praise you for all you have done. In Jesus Christ Amen.

I will be using this Blog for the next six weeks as a journal. Let me explain, I am taking a class called Spiritual Formation. The scope of Spiritual Formation is that Spiritual Formation is a Process by which a person is transformed into the Image of Jesus Christ for the Ministry to Others. My first Entry came from a writing by Bob Benson in 1974 entitled "A Baloney Sandwich". This and other readings in this class left me thinking that I have absolutely nothing to give to God, except myself. All my talents abilities and anything that I have learned over the years are in my possession because God placed them there. Without God I would be and have absolutely nothing. Having realized that there is nothing at all I can do to aquire Holiness on my own, I realize that I must surrender all to Him. It is a very difficult place to be when one realizes that he has noting at all to offer God--and yet  God has called this one to do a great work in His name. It is very sobering and scary. Originally Posted January 9,2012

Jan 10, 2012

The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. As I thought about what I have to offer God, like a dried out, stale and tasteless baloney Sandwich, is the ability to speak and teach in a way that is understandable to others. I have a testimony of what God has done in my life, I have an understanding of stigmas that people hold against others which makes me more available to others. Some say that I can sing--although I do not see or hear what they are talking about. According to my congregation, they enjoy the way that they are able to understand and apply the Word of God to their own lives by the means of teaching. Some dreams that I have are to Pastor what some would call a successful church. I am not sure of the full extent of that yet, but I am sure that God will see it through if He wants it.

But when it comes to the Fried Chicken that God is offering, I am sooooo ready to let the baloney go. If God wants a baloney sandwich He can have it, because I will gladly accept the Chicken.

Thank You Lord for bringing substance to the meal of a Christian Life. God help me never forget the greatest gift that you gave for me--who can offer you nothing. Since you can use anything God, you can use me. I am not much but what I am is completely yours. What I desire is to be able to come and share in the very being of God (II Peter 1.4)

Happy New Year!

We ended December with some desperation, we were not sure what to do, we were lucky to have $10.00 in the bank. There was a futile sense in the air. I have read many books on the Church and on building the church, new member assimilation and so on. I have studied every book known to humanity on Church Planting with an attitude of “that will never work at my church”. I must say that vacations are good things. They are great times to reflect on what has been going on in a person's life—and in the life of a Pastor it comes to what has gone on in the life of the church.

What was learned in this time of reflection is that we, as the church, should remember that the one thing that can destroy a church is the attitude of a person. If our attitudes say It will never work, then it will never work and the church dies. However, if our attitudes are it is possible, or we can do it... We may not know how it will do it, but we will do it, it keeps the hope alive.

There have been many things which have changed the climate of this congregation. I think that this last year has been a year of transition for the congregation. We have gone from being a home fellowship that had very little recognition very little influence, to an established congregation in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. There was a time where we needed to be a fellowship of close knit kindred care. We have continued this attitude even now as we have been recognised and chartered as a sound assembly of Christian Faith.

We have come to a cross roads. At this cross roads is a decision. The decision is continue placating the pastor—I'm just going to church so that guy who thinks he knows what he is doing will be appeased. The other decision is to be resolved to be the body of Christ and stand together as the church and do the work that God has given us to do.

These are the decisions we are faced with. Now the choice is up to you. Will you make effort to be the that Jesus called you to be? Or will you be the one who makes every excuse this is not going to work? There are some who will say with great enthusiasm that they are going to make an effort—but their attitude will remain I did not really mean it. There will be some who enthusiastically say I am going to make every effort and mean it. I am sure if I asked for a show of hands right now, I know the answer. I am sure that if I was to ask if you were to make and effort, every hand will go up saying yes, I will make every effort. I also know that there will be very little change. It is for this reason that I want to clear up some things with regard to attitudes of effort and excuses.

When a person says that they will make an effort but will try to find a way out of it, they are making a statement that they are not truly committed to the vision of the Word of God. God calls all believers to the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5.10-6.1-2) . We bring reconciliation with God to others through the work of Discipleship. Matthew 28.18-20 makes every believer responsible for the work of making Disciples. To make a commitment of words without action, is to shirk the responsibility of the believer. Effort without action is simply a veiled excuse, and a termination of one's commitment to Christ. We will come back to this shortly.

Have you ever heard the saying “it is better to try and fail than to never try at all”? In the same way, when a person commits to making an effort to be the Church, tries and fails, it is better than never trying at all. In the passage in 2 Corinthians 5.10-6.1-2 we can see that there are some very clear points here

2 Corinthians 5.10-6.1-2

10-13 If we shirk our responsibility and do nothing, we will still have to answer for our actions.

14-16 A true believer is compelled by the Love of Christ to make disciples because Jesus Christ died for all.

17-19 If a person is in Christ that person is a new creation.

20-21 An attitude of excuses ceases God's plan.

6.1-2 Do not partake of God's grace in the vanity of your flesh.

SUMMARY

If we shirk our God given responsibilities and do nothing, we will still have to answer for our actions—or lack thereof. The believer must come to a real understanding that God is going to judge us on the basis of what we do at a heart level. God is not concerned so much with what one does in their self will. We are called to be separate from the World. We are responsible to persuade others for Christ. It is also clear here that we are to have an outward example as well as a heart relationship for those who are looking at us, who do not know Jesus. There is a Christian song title “You're the Only Jesus Some Will Ever See”. The point here is that if we are truly a Believer then we will be an example. We will be a good example or a bad one. But the truth of the matter is that we will be an example.

A true believer is compelled by the Love of Christ to make disciples because Jesus Christ died for all. When a person becomes a follower of Jesus Christ he or she realizes that it is completely by God's grace that they are truly saved from a fair judgment against their sin. A true believer no longer deals on their own terms . They will take responsibility and make an effort. They may try and fail, but the effort does not go unnoticed because it is not for our human efforts, it is for Jesus Christ who died and rose again in love for those who believe. It is also important that we look at individuals through the eyes of Christ's love instead of a worldly view. As the church we must remember to look at Christ on the basis of our relationship with Christ and no longer as a person who is on the outside looking in.

If a person is in Christ that person is a new creation. The old ways of thinking no longer exist because a person who has a real relationship with Jesus Christ is completely new. The ability to be a new person is not something we can do on our own, it is by the power of God who has reconciled those who believe. God has reconciled the world to Himself through Jesus Christ. The call of reconciliation comes from God, not us, this is why believers are given the ministry and message of reconciliation.

An attitude of excuses ceases God's plan. As Ambassador of Christ, the believer is the mouthpiece of God. We are called to bring the message of reconciliation through Christ to the lost. You are Christ's Ambassadors and God desires to make His appeal through you. God has a message for everyone, it is simple, be reconciled to God, but why? Be reconciled to God because God made Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin so that we can become holy unto the Lord.

Now for those who would make excuses or veiled excuses, here is a verse for you. Do not partake of God's grace in the vanity of your flesh. In the time of God's favor He has heard you and in the day of Salvation God is here to help you. Right now is the time of God's favor, today is the day that God meant for you. Today is the day for Salvation.

Have you ever had one of those days? Yesterday (Sunday) I was preaching about Prayer being the heartbeat of the church. I think the lesson would have been much better it I did not have a mega blonde moment right in the middle of things. For many of you who know my love for definitions... You will hopefully get the humor in this.

Blonde moment : Noun the process or action of one's brain to deem the affected individual temporaryily stupid and is easily identifiable as one who has had his or her expression to be compared to that of a deer in the headlights.

This happened to me on Sunday in the third service. I am truly gratful that God is the focus of a message and not me, God fixed things. We have a very moving service that led to a very healthy prayer time. There are some who read this blog, and hope that I will recap my sermon from Sunday. All I can say, is that if you missed it, you will not get a "play by play" here... and when I am accused of being harsh, then maybe you should have been in Church and not missed out.

We did have a really great Men's Breakfast Saturday morning... Although we agreed that we would go out to eat at an inexpensive resturant so that we can focus on three very important orders of business.... God, the Church; and most importantly FOOD!

Here it is, the end of Winter A term in 2011. Where did the time go? It seemed like only last week that I was begining in Fall A 2011 classes.  There have been 5 classes completed, and it feels like only yesterday that I began. The only delima is that I am getting really tired of school. I am intending to finish that is not an issue. What I am contemplating is to possibly add an extra class or two if I can manage them. So Lord give me and others who need your wisdom, Wisdom.

I will be starting another blog page to keep records like Church Statements Finances and Attendance. You are welcomed to check it and call my attention any discrepancies.

There are many who will probably wonder where I got the title for this post. Honestly, I have no idea why this title came about. It sounded fun while trying to figure out where to end this post. There are so many things to be thankful for that it may be really difficult to list them all.

I celebrated 39 years of life that is mine by God's will. (Nov 20) The church where I serve threw a Thanksgiving and birthday dinner for me. In my last post, I shared that I was preparing to take guitar lessons. I have successfully learned to plunk through three chord songs... so far.

Since the last post, my Grandmother broke her shoulder. I made it through three weeks of an intimidating class. Thanksgiving day got me to think about the word thankfulness. As those who read this blog regularly know, I can get abstract--to say it lightly. Why do we call it thanksgiving when the actual attitude should be gratitude?

Now that I have laid out the abstract thought I will leave this be until the end of the class.

Rich

Two years ago I took this same class. Somewhere around the third week, I became seriously ill and had to take a leave from school for just under a year. I have been dreading coming back to this class. However, I have learned that the Old and New Testament validate each other. A person cannot have a solid Christian life with only one side of the Bible. To use one side and ignore the other is to deny Jesus Christ. Let me explain. According to the text for this class, The Old Testament is all about Christ and His coming. The New Testament is the fulfillment of Jesus Christ coming, ministering, fulfilling the prerequisites of the Law (set by God) being crucified according to prophecy, and being buried. Even the resurrection from the dead is in there! But the story does not end there. The truth of the Bible is fulfilled in us by the power of the Holy Spirit with the promise that Jesus Christ will come again soon to catch His church away. Do we know the day, the hour, or the means? No but we do know that Jesus will come again to gather His Church back to Himself...Are you ready?

There was a time when I wondered WHY I had to take math because I was going into the ministry. I did not realize how much I used Math in ministry until I begain to understand that Math is used to teach the student to find patterns to problems and work toward solving them. I am not a problem solver, I will find the problem, and I can even come up with a solution, but I am not one to do other's homework. I will not work on your problems, that is your job, I will help you with your problems, but I will not do it for you. If I did your homework for you, what benefit would you get? Nothing? this is correct. You would have a good answer without the understanding of what the answer means.

Mathmatics is not just numbers, but rather the process of reasoning that uses numbers to prove the validity of the reasoning.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4.12-13)

Do you see the Math in the above verse? God is seperating soul from spirit, God  sees and finds the patterns of our heart and the intentions of our mind. God determibes what is fleshly and what is holy. Where are you?

I have no more strength I have nothing more to give. I am so tired. I am done. I can't.

This week I have been half tempted to just quit, and say forget it. There are too many who seem to be ready to pull the lynch pin and leave me out to dry. But the reality is that I am in week six. I do not need to let that bother me anymore.

I have to give up so that Jesus Christ can do the work.

Dear Theophilus (Beloved Friend of God) 

I was originally going to start this post with Paul's statement if I am out of my mind it is for Christ. But I think God has other plans.

As I stated on the 18th We have just completed District Assembly. Prior to this Assembly, I was seriously "burned out". Our District Superintendant called all Pastors and Church Leaders who are burned out to go on a retreat and not to return until we hear from God. Well I did so this past Friday. Friday and Saturday I was seperated from everyone and simply prayed God what to you want from me? the response was very clear, "I called you to be a Pastor, not an Administrator." Wow a whole weekend, that was all I got? Gee. OH? Wait that was not me talking, it was God. So if God wants to be "Sparce" with His words he can. But the message was clear. To me this call means switch directions. So it is official I have truly lost my mind and have begun to understand what it means to have the mind of Christ.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. (II Corinthians 13.5-6 NIV)

This has been an amazing week in the Missouri District. This week we had District Assembly. I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Strait in person, and I did not realize just how short my Brother in the Lord was. (I shall leave the names out of this since I do not need any more trouble) At the end of our District Superintendent's Report, there was a call for commitment. I was called to Intentional Prayer, Intentional Discipleship, and Intentional Leadership in the Body of Christ. So the next time you see me and you think I did "it" and you ask me "did you do that?" I will say to you Yes--and I did it on purpose!

In all honesty, I want to saw my leg off right now and call it a day. The way I figure it is either I will pass out from the pain of sawing my leg off, or the pain in my foot will be relieved and I will figure out how to live with one leg. OH WAIT A moment, Didn't I blog about whining and complaining last week? Oh that's right I did. So how does one find joy in excrutiating pain?

I found out last Thursday night that I am Diabetic. Normally, when a person is diabetic, they lose feeling in their feet and extremeties which causes minor injuries which would be enough of an ouchie for a non diabetic person to keep an eye on things.... The circulation in the feet and the limbs of a diabetic is slower wich causes swelling and numbness.  It was guessed by the doctor that I have been diabetic for some time, but so far it has been in control. This is a reason to rejoice. Although in my flesh I want to tear my foot off, because I have a major sore but no inflection, I have began to understand the Scripture from Romans 5.1-5 which says "

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we^a have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we^b rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we^c also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

When Christians rejoice even in suffering, the evil one cannot in any way preveil against the Chruch or against the believer as a whole. When we suffer--in this case-- in pain, that pain could do one of two things. The physical pain can bring us down low enough that the devil will get hold on our agony and we whine and murmor and complain so much that by the end of the illness we are so angry at God that we run the risk of losing salvation. The other option is to do what Jesus taught and rejoice in suffering, that looks something like this:

Lord Jesus I thank you that you are Lord and I am not. I do not understand what is going on with this pain, but I know that you are with me. I know that you have my best intrest at heart. And that you will preserve me through this matter with the foot you created. Lord I do not understand why I came down with diabetes, but I know that I am in your hands. and it is for this reason that I will rejoice in this sufering, I will press on , to what you have called me to. Lord I need your grace to get through this so I am asking now for your help and wisdon and I know that you will provide it for me. in Jesus Name. Amen!

Rejoicing in Suffering is not a holy suggestion, it was a charge that we are called to keep as Christ like people. So when you are suffering, what are you going to do? Are you going to Wallow, or Win?

I could really spend some time whining and complaining that classes started too early, or I could complain that my Summer break was too short, or it was too hot to do anything, or whatever I could find to complain. There are times when we are allowed to complain. But what does it really say about who we are a Christians? Not too much.  As a matter of fact, I have recently been called in to a situation where one person complains constantly, no Constantly, No actually I mean CONSTANTLY. One day in the very recent past I had one of the faithful Church ladies (you know the type....blue hair....and sitting in one section....) said to me I am not convinced that this young man is really a Christian let alone if he is ready for the ministry.

It was at that very moment that I began to wonder just how much complaining I did? The following verse from 1 Peter 4.1-6 hit my mind. Lets look at it for a moment.

"Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit."

Does grumbling, complaining and arguing build a Christ-like attitude? No this builds up strife, and the holiness of God is not available to one in this state. Peter writes here that because Chrsit suffered in His body that we need to arm ourselves against the evil one with a Christ- like attitude. A person who is "done with sin" is a person who no longer lives according to human desites....Wait, what does that mean? I guess that it means that a person will not get their way, It also means that selfishness--which is demonstrated by complaints and arguments--MUST cease in order to become the men and women of God that Christ Jesus wants us to be. This is the reason for the Gospel, that we live according to God's will in the Spirit of Holiness.   

This is one of those days when I feel like I am runnig against the clock which beats twice as fast as every step that hits the ground. Although it took me six weeks to get back into the groove with classes after Christmas break, I think I am there now. I simply pray that my grades come up and that my professors will do what they can to assist me. I am still waiting for the adjustment from one of my classes. As long as I do not fail the class, I am fine with that.

Today is the near end of week five. Where in the daylights did the time go? I hope that the week vacation does not fly as fast. What I am thankful for is that God has sustained me through the challenges of not knowing what I was doing to getting me caught up when I fall behind. I believe that next week will be one of those weeks where I will be completing everything in the first two days just so I can buy some time to catch up on some back assignments that were lost.

Today I found out that I can make a blog through my school. I decided to do so. I will begin with aa summary update for all to catch up with what has gone on during my life as a Student at Nazarene Bible College.

The journey at NBC began two years ago with some very fun but interesting classes. I had an absolute blast in those classes. I have many friends whom I have gained and recognize thoughout my classes. There are some instructors who may be good at their job, but I do not want to take their classes again. There are some classes that I would like to take but I have to wait until the class comes around again. Right now I will be happy to just get my general ed stuff out of the way.

Currently I am taking Public Speaking, and have learned that I cannot speak properly. I honestly do not know how I have survived as a Pastor for almost 15 years without this class. Although my congregation is praying for me that I do not lose the passion for pastoral ministry during my time with NBC. In all honesty, there have been times when I was ready to give up on ministry, and the church during this time. But it was my church who spurred me on to success.

Through all of this I am grateful for the many professors who have done exceedingly above the call of duty to Christ in getting me through my classes.

I hope to post again at the beginning of the week or every two or three weeks....If God is willing

Richard J Lee