Dad's Bible Blog

".....if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."

2011-10-27T19:35:00.003-08:00

To My Dear Children,

This morning as I read in II Samuel, a character in chapter 19 named Barzillai piqued my interest. David had been betrayed by his son Absalom who was attempting to take the kingdom from his father. Ahihophel, David’s trusted counselor, had joined Absalom in the betrayal. (Incidentally, Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba). Spurgeon mentions in The Treasury of David that Ahithophel’s betrayal may have been the basis for Psalm 55. While David was in the wilderness fleeing from his son, he was met by Barzillai, a man of means, who brought ample supplies for David and those who fled with him. After Absalom was killed and the rebellion was over Barzillai meets David at the Jordan River and David invites him to go with him back to Jerusalem. Barzillai refuses and gives as his reason something every “aged person” should consider. He said, “I am this day fourscore years old…” He said that he could no longer discern between good and evil (your mother and I are having trouble keeping up with all the changes in the church today so we have accepted, as a badge of honor, being called “old fogies”), his taste buds had lost their flavor, and his hearing was such that he could no longer appreciate good music. He would only be a burden should he accompany David back to Jerusalem. He also said that he wanted to go back to his own city and be buried next to his parents. I read all of that with great interest. Often circumstances take us places in God’s Word where we haven’t been before.

I shared this with your mother at the breakfast table and decided to pass it on to you. Too often over my years as a pastor I have met with the “aged” who would not accept the fact that they could no longer do what they did in their younger years and were becoming a problem not only to themselves but to their loved ones. Advertising has them convinced that they can still “climb that mountain,” and so they spend their savings trying to re-capture their youth.

Thank the Lord this need not be a problem in the spiritual realm. We may “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ” until He calls us home. As I write this I am experiencing all that Barzillai found in his old age. There are so many things I can no longer do, but I am not looking back, only forward to meeting the one I have served for 57 years. I have even bought a plot for your mother and me next to that of your grandparents in the “Blough Mennonite Church Cemetery” which is located about 500 feet from the home where I grew up. I confess however, that I pray every day that the Lord will spare me from Alzheimer’s disease, which my mother went through for several years. Poor Alois Alzheimer whose claim to fame is to have a disease like that named after him! I close with some of the words from Longfellow’s poem:

God’s-Acre
Into its furrow shall we all be cast,
In the sure faith that we shall rise again
At the great harvest,…

Then shall the good stand in immortal bloom,
In the fair gardens of the second birth;…

With Thy rude ploughshare, Death, turn up the sod,
And spread the furrow for the seed we sow;
This is the field and Acre of our God,
This is the place where human harvests grow!

Till Then,
Love, DAD

THOU SHALT NOT STEAL!

2011-08-08T21:24:00.001-08:00

Dear Children,

Recently I posted this notice on bulletin boards around town. Today when Becky asked me for a copy, your mother suggested I send it to you. I've had a number of people ask me if I'd gotten the GPS back yet. I'm praying the Lord will use it as a witness.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

I AM WONDERING WHY YOU FELT FREE TO GO INTO MY BOAT AND UNHOOK MY FURANO GP-32 AND STEAL IT? THEY SELL FOR ABOUT $475. DO YOU HAVE A DRUG PROBLEM OR SOMETHING I CAN HELP YOU WITH? WE HAVE ENJOYED LEAVING OUR BOAT UNLOCKED FOR MANY YEARS HERE IN HOONAH. I HAVE OFTEN BRAGGED OF HOW HONEST THE HOONAH PEOPLE ARE AS FAR AS BREAKING AND ENTERING AND STEALING OTHER PEOPLE'S PROPERTY GOES.

FIFTY-SIX YEARS AGO AS A 21-YEAR OLD MARINE COMING BACK TO THE STATES ON A TROOP SHIP AFTER THE KOREAN WAR THE LORD FOUND ME AND SAVED ME! I HAVE SERVED HIM AS A MISSIONARY/PASTOR FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS. I RAISED A LARGE FAMILY WITH THE LORD SUPPLYING ALL MY NEEDS. MY WIFE AND I NEVER HAD MUCH LEFT OVER EACH MONTH BUT WE HAD ENOUGH. WE RELIED ON GOD'S PROMISE IN PHILIPPIANS "MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY." IN OUR 17 YEARS IN JAPAN AND 25 YEARS IN ALASKA NOONE HAS EVER STOLEN FROM US. YOU ARE THE FIRST ONE! YOU SEE YOU DIDN'T STEAL FROM JUST ANYONE-YOU STOLE FROM A CHILD OF GOD WHO DEPENDS ON THE LORD TO SUPPLY HIS NEEDS. YOU WILL HAVE TO ANSWER TO THE LORD! IF I WERE YOU I WOULD RETURN THE GPS IMMEDIATELY! YOU SEE ACCORDING TO GOD'S WORD "THIEVES SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD." "IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MAN ONCE TO DIE, AND AFTER THIS THE JUDGEMENT." THE NAME OF MY BOAT IS THE "EBENEZER". IT IS TAKEN FROM THE BIBLE AND IT MEANS "HITHERTO HATH THE LORD HELPED US

PASTOR RON BLOUGH

P.S. YOU CAN DROP OFF THE GPS AT THE BOAT OR THE HARBOR MASTER'S OFFICE.

"Even So Come Quickly"

2011-06-27T16:50:00.003-08:00

DEAR CHILDREN,

Yesterday the state of New York approved a same-sex marriage law, and when I turned on my computer news sources this morning there was an article listing the so-called famous movie stars, politicians, etc., who were joyfully chortling their words of satisfaction. New York had joined six other states to approve, by law, same sex marriage.

It was sad for me to see New Hampshire as one of those states. In 1977 when we returned to the USA after 17 years in Japan, one of the reasons we moved to New Hampshire was that it was at the time the “Live Free or Die” state. The governor, Meldren Thompson, was as conservative as any governor in our country. I soon became caught up in the conservative movement that swept the state. Some of you joined me in helping get a largely unknown conservative, Gordon Humphrey, elected to the U.S. Senate.

In New Hampshire I tangled with many of the presidential candidates when they came for the "first in the nation primary." I brought the homosexual issue up every chance I got. You will remember two that I talked with who later became president, Ronald Reagan and George Bush. I must have asked at least a dozen or more candidates about the homosexual and the abortion issues. Reagan gave me the clearest answers.

When I was elected to the “Whitehouse Conference on Families” during the Carter administration, a number of us walked out in protest of the redefinition of “family” when they wanted to include homosexuality. One of our non-elected delegates from New Hampshire was a lesbian appointed by Democrat Gov. Gallen! Since then I have fought the encroachment of the abomination of sodomy in our country.

I remember reading the "Uniform Code of Military Justice" (UCMJ) in Camp Pendleton, Calif. in 1952. I didn’t even know what the word “sodomy” meant until then. At that time sodomites were given immediate dishonorable discharges! Has that been changed in the UCMJ? I fought against it when it was partially approved by the silly “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” rule. Again last year I wrote letters to many newspapers when the Obama administration gave full approval to that abominable practice in the military.

I fought with Alaska Airlines when they gave a special discount to those who went through their special homosexual site. In answer to my first protest letter I was told that Alaska Airlines was “proud of their gay site.” When I googled the name of the representative who sent the letter, I came upon web sites with the filthiest homosexual perversions imaginable with the representative’s name accompanying “Alaska Airlines.” After I sent that to the president of Alaska Airlines thinking the person would be fired, one of his underlings, many months later, wrote me and said that they had put their lawyers on it and concluded someone else had inserted that into the web sites. One supposedly Christian Alaska Airlines’ board member sent me two ticket upgrades and said that we have to be “inclusive” in our dealings with the public. I tore up my Alaska Airline Credit Card that I had used for 20 years.

Who would have ever guessed a few years ago that we would have marriage redefined and sanctioned by law that a man could be married to another man, or a woman to a woman? I know this has been long, but I believe that even evangelical Christians have been softened and are more accepting of this wicked sin that is to God an “abomination” (Lev. 20:13) and “vile" (Rom. 1:26, 27).

Revelation 7:9

2010-11-02T21:13:00.001-08:00

Dear Children,

It has been sometime since I’ve contacted you in this way. Some of the reason is that it has been a difficult summer here in Hoonah. It is hard to write encouraging letters to your children when there is little to share with them in visible results. Visible fruit doesn’t always tell all that is happening, but when there is little it takes a toll. I often think of your brothers who fish for a living. If they fail to catch fish they would either move to a new location or look for another vocation.

Last spring we had an invitation to an expense-paid trip to Japan for three, paid for by some of our Japanese “boys” we had left there 33 years ago. Most of you were raised in Japan and remember the happy times of living there on the coast of the Japan Sea. We all share lots of good memories of those nine years of working and playing together. Finally, after 17 years of serving the Lord in Japan, your mother and I decided it was time to go home to the U.S. It was in the midst of a severe winter and we were sick and discouraged. At that time we were the only foreigners on the coast south of Wakkanai and had had lots of exposure from the news media, having been on television several times, and were written up in newspapers and magazines many times. We spoke in every high school and civic gathering for miles around, but we had seen little in way of spiritual results.

When the invitation came to revisit Japan after 33 years I was hesitant to accept it. Your mother was excited about it but I, at 77 years of age and having largely forgotten the language, didn’t want to undertake it. When we agreed to go, a check arrived to cover expenses for us and an extra person to help us with luggage, etc. We chose to take Vicky since Caleb and Abi were in BJU and Bea and Steve agreed to take Joanna for the month.

I was fearful, for the schedule they sent included me preaching 13 times in 22 days. After a day’s delay because of plane trouble in Juneau we arrived for our first meeting at 1AM on Sunday where I was scheduled to speak twice the same day and was informed there would be no interpreter! I limped my way through with the help of the audience. Some of you will remember Noriko who lived with us for 6 months in Rumoi. She had made the hour and half trip to the service, which she attends once a month. She had waited about 35 years to apologize to me in person for marrying an unbeliever.

We visited our old home in Reuke and were saddened to find so many had died. The Buddhist room with the pictures of the dead was back where it had been 42 years ago when we made them move it out before we moved in. One man I was looking forward to seeing had died the week before, and when we entered his home, there was the smell of incense and the picture that always accompanies Buddhist funerals.

It would take too long to relate here the rest of the trip, but we were greeted like royalty every place we went. One pastor who as a high school student had come to our services for two years before he was saved had a wonderful church and family. When his daughter heard that we had 33 grandchildren she shyly asked if she could be number 34.

Another, who has a large church (large for Japan) in Sapporo, every time he introduced us, recounted word for word his salvation experience in our home. Vicky and Marlene gave testimony many times. They have remembered the language very well. Many tears and gifts accompanied our visits.

Our last visit was near Nagoya when we visited and ministered in Mino Mission where I had spoken many times in their annual conferences. The pastor, a very dear friend, was bent over with Parkinson’s but could still whisper his Sunday sermons in an amplifier. We laughed and cried together. We visited the graveyard where our dear friend Betty Whewell, one of long-time missionaries, is buried.

There is so much more I’d like to tell but don’t have space here. We so appreciate Pastor Kamidate who headed up and orchestrated our itinerary and the sacrifice of the churches that made our trip possible. We would like to invest our many gifts of money into Japanese commentaries and books for the pastors. Two of them had only a set of C.H. McIntosh’s work on the Pentateuch. Upon inquiry I found there is much more available in Japanese. The dollar has fallen to 81.5 yen per dollar as opposed to 360 yen per dollar when we were missionaries, so these books are very expensive. If any of you would like to help in this endeavor we will see to it that these dear pastors get good books and commentaries.

One highlight for me was having John Himes, a grandson of John R. Rice, interpreting for me four times. One of the times was when I had the privilege of speaking at the annual Fundamental Baptist Conference for pastors and missionaries. I am sorry to have to leave so many names out that were a blessing. However, I’m glad that when “…a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred’s, and people, and tongues…will cry with a loud voice, saying, "SALVATION TO OUR GOD WHICH SITTETH UPON THE THRONE AND UNTO THE LAMB," none will be left out! Only the Lord knows of all the prayers and tears that were involved in the salvation of these dear Japanese believers. “….and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes, “

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,

Dad

JUSTIFICATION and THE USE OF OUR TIME

2010-06-09T23:03:00.003-08:00

Dear Children,
I have chosen the poet/hymn writer Isaac Watts as my source in writing to you today. Several years ago I read with great profit, The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts by Soli Deo Gloria Publications. His hymns are saturated with good doctrinal content and in stark contrast to many of our modern day hymns. Speaking on our justification he writes:

Neither the acts of love, or zeal, or repentance, or fear, or worship, or any other acts of obedience, are appointed as means of our justification, because these actions carry in them an appearance of our doing something for God, our answering the demands of some law; and this would make our justification by a law of works: but faith is the act of soul whereby we renounce our own works as the ground of our acceptance; acknowledging our own unworthiness, and giving the entire honor to Divine grace. We are saved by grace, that God may have glory of all.

And Watts on a different subject:

We eat, we drink, we sleep; that is the life of nature: we buy and sell, we labor and converse; that is the civil life: we trifle, visit, tattle, flutter, and rove among a hundred impertinences, without any settled design what we live for; that is the idle life: and it is the kindest name I can bestow upon it. We learn our creed, we go to church, we say our prayers, we read chapters and sermons; these are outward forms of our religious life. Is this all? Have we no daily secret exercises of the soul in retirement and converse with God. Have we nothing to do with God alone in a whole day altogether? Surely this can never be the life of a Christian?

Please take time to read this. It would be easy to skim it as it is long and takes thinking which we all do too little of today. I know many of you are extremely busy, and it would be easy to joke about where you would get the time to do what Watts writes on this last subject. I can’t afford to neglect a meaningful time of reading, meditation, and prayer—can you?
Grace be with you, Dad

THE SPECIAL DUTIES OF CHILDREN TOWARDS THEIR PARENTS - II

2010-04-13T17:14:00.001-08:00

Dear Children,
In my last letter I began what will be a series of letters of instructions on the subject of THE SPECIAL DUTIES OF CHILDREN TOWARDS THEIR PARENTS from the book Baxter’s Practical Works by Richard Baxter. Though it was written almost 400 years ago it is still full of practical instruction for today. Your mother and I are becoming more and more agitated at some of the standards that are becoming acceptable in the Christian community. We are often accused of being old fashioned or not being able to “adjust to the times.” Some of this may be true, but when we observe immodesty in dress and hear some of the music that has become acceptable in Christian circles we are filled with dismay. Many of our evangelical churches are including what is called a “contemporary service” for those who are more up to date as to music and dress. It is difficult to separate a pastor from the standards he allows, however good the sermon may be. I realize what I have just said is different than the subject I am writing from Baxter. However, I believe there is a direct correlation to the way children treat their parents when they are young and the kind of church they choose to attend when they are older.

DIRECTION II - “Honor your parents both in your thoughts, and speeches, and behavior. Think not dishonorably or contemptuously of them in your hearts. Speak not dishonorably, rudely, irreverently, or saucily, either to them or of them. Behave not yourselves rudely and irreverently before them. Yea, though your parents be never so poor in the world, or weak of understanding, yea, though they were ungodly, you must honor them not withstanding all of this; though you cannot honor them as rich, or wise, or godly, you must honor them as your parents. Remember that the fifth commandment hath a special promise of temporal blessing; “Honor thy father and mother that thy days may be long in the land.”
“There are five sorts of sinners that God uses to overtake with vengeance even in this life.
• Perjured persons and false witnesses.
• Murderers.
• Persecutors
• Sacrilegious persons. And,
• Abusers and dishonorers of their parents.
“It is a fearful thing to see and hear how some ill-bred ungodly children will talk contemptuously and rudely to their parents, and wrangle and contend with them, and contradict them, and speak to them as if they were equals.”

Dad’s addition:
In Romans 1:24-32 we find the sin of sodomy and God giving them up to “vile affections” and “a reprobate mind.” Included in the terrible list of sins they are “filled with” is “disobedient to parents.”
I have you all in my heart,
Dad

The Blough Family Annual Caribou Hunt

2010-04-02T20:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Children,

Today (April 2, 2010) we received in the mail, the Heritage Newsletter from Conemaugh Township Area Historical Society in Pennsylvania. The front page article was about our family caribou hunt. After hearing about our family adventures and fun, the editor asked Dad to write an article about the hunt. He likes to feature stories about hometown people.
Here is the article:

EDITOR NOTE: Ron Blough was born in Woodstown and attended Jerome Grade School and graduated from Conemaugh Twp. High School in 1951. He worked briefly at Bethlehem Steel and then entered the Marine Corps. After discharge in 1955 he went to Bob Jones University where he met his future wife, Marlene Bingham from Denver, Colorado. They both graduated from Bob Jones University in 1959. Together they have raised nine children and have traveled extensively as missionaries/pastors--17 years in Japan, 9 years in New Hampshire, and in 1986 they moved to Alaska where Ron has continued his missionary/pastor duties. They currently live in Hoonah, a quaint, little native village on the island. They are the first to say they have had a marvelous and blessed life. We would add to that--a very interesting life. THANK YOU, RON AND MARLENE,FOR SHARING THIS LATEST ADVENTURE.

Four Wheelers Lined Up Ready To Leave Camp

THE BLOUGH FAMILY ANNUAL CARIBOU HUNT

About twenty years ago three of my boys and I decided to go on a caribou hunt. Because we couldn’t afford to charter a plane to hunt places inaccessible by road, we drove about 500 miles from our home on the Kenai Peninsula. Our destination was the Taylor Highway that runs along the Alaskan side of the Yukon River in the Yukon Territory near where the Gold Rush took place in the 1890’s. We pulled a trailer with two three-wheeled ATVs on the back. The hunt always begins on August 10th and we were too late to see anything but gut piles.

Nearly every year since then we have made the trip and almost always have come back with our tags filled. After several years we graduated to four-wheeled ATVs. We always drive to the small village of Chicken named by gold miners and trappers who wanted to name it "Ptarmigan" but didn’t know how to spell it. There we unload our ATVs and drive at least twenty-five miles up into the mountains. We have driven almost twice that far when we have been unable to find caribou. Because they are nomadic and are on their way to the Yukon, we are never sure just where they will be. There are no trees, so you can see for miles.

On my first trip I woke up at 4 a.m. when I heard a shot. (When hunting in Alaska there are no time restrictions, but you are not allowed to use artificial lighting.) I stepped outside my tent and shot a nice bull at 100 yards. As I was quartering it out, I heard something behind me and there were six bulls, all bigger than the one I shot, watching me. It hasn't always been that easy! Since then I have shot several outside my tent while still in my underwear. A few years ago my kids gave me camo long johns!

For a period of time the hunt was shut down to ATVs because the herd was dwindling. Wolves and grizzly bears were killing about 90% of the newborn calves. Alaska Fish and Game began to sterilize the alpha male wolves and gave a bounty to trappers who caught them. The herd grew from about 20,000 to about 45,000 today.

There are many much larger herds but are unreachable by road. Now we are allowed to shoot two grizzly bears without a permit while hunting the Fortymile Herd, named for the Fortymile River, which flows through that area. We can shoot either bulls or cows; non-residents may shoot cows only. It is not always easy to tell the difference, because both have antlers. Hunters leaving camp must report to Fish and Game, and after 500 caribou have been harvested, a plane flies over the camps and drops a stone with a note attached saying the hunt is closed.

After the years we weren’t allowed to hunt, son Judson and I resumed the hunt. In 1995 we were packed to go when we got a call that our daughter Vicky’s husband had sustained a fatal injury when a horse kicked him. They were on a church building mission at Pinedale, Wyoming, with their three children, the youngest, 2 ½-month-old Joanna. We didn’t go that year, of course, but the next year we invited our widowed daughter to go with us--excellent idea! She is an excellent cook! Judson and I had always “made do” with ramen and our catch of grayling. We have gladly taken her with us ever since.

Soon other family members joined us, and our camp often grew to twenty or more. Vicky’s three children began to accompany us as they got older. Last year her 14-year-old Joanna got her first caribou. Grandchildren as young as eight have filled their tags. (Hunters under 16 and over 59 are exempt from buying a license.) In 2007 I talked Marlene into going. I got lots of squeezes as she rode with me over some pretty rugged trails on our 49th wedding anniversary! She shot her first caribou at 70 years of age.

We are now living on an island in Southeast Alaska, so the trip is not as simple as before. We take a ferry to Juneau, our capital, and then another ferry to the town of Haines on the mainland. From there we drive about 400 miles to Chicken.

To get Marlene to go again I bought a Honda "Big Red" side-by-side UTV. Her biggest draw was getting to meet our ten-month-old granddaughter for the first time. Five of our 9 children and 14 of our 29 grandchildren live in Alaska. Since we live 1,000 miles from some of our children in Alaska, the only time we see them is when we all get together on Chicken Ridge. On our last trip the weather was bad mixed with rain and snow, but it was worth it! Our daughter Bea shot a bear at 30 yards that was coming toward her and her four children.

Venison from our island (we are each allowed 6 blacktail deer) and caribou comprise almost all of our meat. That, with crab, salmon, halibut, and berries make up a lot of our diet.

We commit each hunting trip to the Lord and thank Him for the good times and protecting care over the years.

"O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom Thou hast made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches” Psalm 104:24.

Note from Marlene:

On the hunting grounds we are very careful not to waste any of the meat. We put the quarters into game bags immediately and hang them up to cool. If the weather is warm, one of the party will take a trip into Tok (about 80 miles away) to refrigerate the meat taken early in the week. The hunters always have backpacks to pack the quarters back to camp. Ron and I stick close to camp, and the boys help us take care of the meat. They were good troopers when Ron shot one at 412 yards in a place the ATV couldn’t go. Their hike from the valley back up to the camp with the caribou was arduous!

When we arrive home the fun and work continue as we process the meat. We make burger and sausage with the trimmings. Most of the meat we freeze, but some we can. Caribou meat can be prepared and cooked the same as venison. It makes good jerky.

Cold weather vegetables grow well in Alaska. We’ve always enjoyed having a garden. The long days make up for the short growing season. Our greenhouse comes to the rescue for tomatoes.

Truly we are blessed with the bounty from God’s hand!

Ron and Marlene with Vicky's Family

Home Sweet Home" For The Caribou Hunt

Caleb Helping Joanna Field Dress Her First Caribou

Judson and Maria's Aliya

One of The Challenging Muddy Sections of Trail

Photo credits go to Vicky Daniels. To see more go to:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mblough99829/NewAlbum42101043AM#

Ephesians 6:1, 2

2010-03-25T16:44:00.002-08:00

Dear Children and Grandchildren,

In 1999 your mother/grandmother gave me a book entitled BAXTER’S PRACTICAL WORKS VOLUME I, A Christian Directory. This was written 400 years ago but much still applies today. I have been reading and studying these “practical works” for 11 years. It has 907 pages and this morning I found myself on page 454 “THE SPECIAL DUTIES OF CHILDREN TO THEIR PARENTS.” I just finished the chapter on the duties of parents to their children. I wish I would have read and put it to use 50 years ago! It has been some time since I have sent you a message, but this Richard Baxter chapter has caught my attention and I’d like to share it with you in the weeks to come. Some of this will not apply directly to you children, but I am trusting that our grandchildren will benefit since much will apply to them. It is long so I will make some personal abridgements.

Direction I.

Be sure that you dearly love your parents; delight to be in their company; be not like those unnatural children that love the company of their idle play-fellows better than their parents, and had rather be abroad about your sports than in their parents’ sight.

Remember what sorrow you have cost them, and what care they are at for your education and provision; and remember how tenderly they have loved you, and what grief it will be to their hearts if you miscarry, and how much your happiness will make them glad; they take your happiness or misery to be one of the greatest parts of the happiness or misery of their own lives.

Make not their lives miserable, by undoing yourselves. Though they chide you, and restrain you, and correct you, do not therefore abate your love to them. For this is their duty, which God requires of them, and they do it for your good. It is the sign of a wicked child that loves his parents less because they correct him, and will not let him have his own will. Yea, though your parents have many faults themselves, yet you must love them as your parents still.

Love, Dad and Grandpa

What's Your Batting Average?

2009-09-23T17:26:00.002-08:00

Dear Children,

Today I was blessed in reading I Corinthians 16 and I want to pass on to you the reason for the blessing. After reading and meditating on the great problems found in the church at Corinth that Paul had to deal with--church splits, sexual immorality (fornication, adultery, incest and homosexuality), lawsuits among believers, marriage and divorce, meat eaters and vegetarians, how much to pay the preacher, short and long hair, the Lord’s supper, spiritual gifts, meaning of love, tongues, the resurrection and second coming)--it was a relief to read a chapter with no major problems and even see where Paul had some doubts and issues of his own.

I found that Paul didn’t always bat a thousand when determining the Lord’s will. I recently celebrated my 55th birthday as a child of God. So many times over those years I have had to make decisions that I wasn’t absolutely sure were the right ones. Even now after walking with the Lord for more than 5 decades I often find myself questioning the Lord’s will when a decision has to be made. So often I hear Christians saying, “The Lord told me.” I have never used that expression, because I feel that would put the Lord to blame should whatever He “told me” prove wrong. Of course many who use that expression always find a way to justify the outcome regardless of how it may look.

Another reason I don’t use that expression is that I don’t know that the Lord has ever “told me” anything. The Lord has often shown me things in his word and I have acted on them. Even there I keep in mind I am fallible and can make mistakes in my application. I know the Holy Spirit leads us and gives peace and assurance in knowing the will of God. However there are times I am turned off by those who seem to have a heavenly, infallible, spiritual GPS. I have made some decisions over the years that I was absolutely certain of, that I prayed over, and they turned out to be wrong. I thank the Lord for closing those doors! How often have I heard someone say after making an absolutely dumb decision, “I prayed about it” as if that justified it.

Back to I Corinthians 16. I read, “If it be fitting that I go…”(4); “It may be....I winter with you…withersoever I go” (6); “I trust (hope) to tarry a while with you if the Lord permit” (7); “Now if Timothy comes…” (10); “…I greatly desired him to come unto you…but his will was not to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time” (12). Paul didn’t bat 1,000 and neither has your dad!

“My Love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen"

Dad

"Owe no man anything except to love one another." Romans 13:8

2009-07-22T17:04:00.002-08:00

Dear Children,

I will turn 76 this week and I know I can’t have much more time on the downhill side. I give thanks every day for your mother’s and my good health. Neither of us know anything of prescription drugs or medications. I liken myself to the poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes, “The Deacon’s One-Hoss Shay.” The deacon built it so well that it never wore out or needed replacement parts until one day, suddenly it completely collapsed.

One of the things that accompany old age is concern for your children and grandchildren and what they will face when you are gone. That came home to me recently when an uncle called me to ask if I knew what our governor had in mind when she resigned. I assured him that He knew as much about that as I do. Then he reminded me of our childhood (he is 3 weeks older than I) and how we were brought up through a depression and WW II. We knew what it was to do without many things that are taken for granted today.

Jobs were created by the Roosevelt administration like the WPA-Workers Progress Administration. My dad called it “We Poke Along.” The OPA-Office of Price Administration he called “Other People’s Affairs.” It regulated prices on everything. I still have my ration book from the war years when we had to use stamps for food products like sugar and soap and other items. Gasoline and rubber products were rationed. Plastic hadn’t been invented yet, so that didn’t replace many things like it does today. You weren’t allowed to use gasoline for pleasure trips. Once while we going on a fishing trip, Dad told us that if we got stopped by a cop we were to tell him that we were going to Buzz Wagner’s funeral. He was a local flying hero who was shot down in the Pacific. I’m sure a cop would have believed that when he saw the fishing poles and how we were dressed! We never owned a car until I was 7 or 8 years old. We had to hire someone to take us to a funeral. We did a lot of walking and hitch hiking. My uncle and I talked about the difference then as compared to today.

Today you may be taking for granted things you have always had in your lifetime. If you can’t afford something you can always use a credit card. As I look at the present administration and its stimulus packages and the trillions of dollars of debt you will inherit, I tremble to think what you will have to go through after I am gone. Much that is available now you will no longer be able to afford. The temptation to borrow to buy what was a luxury yesterday and has become a necessity today will be great.

One of the many blessings your mother and I have benefited by in our 51 years together has been our mutual agreement not to go in debt. We took God at His word: “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). We believed his promise that “No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). We determined to not go into debt other than to buy a house, and we never took longer than 5 years to pay that off. We agreed to tell no one but the Lord what we needed. I cannot recall ever having a disagreement with your mother about finances. We had both seen too much heartache in marriages over that. I write this not to criticize any of you who may not agree with our way of doing things. We have often responded when others have made known their needs. We simply want to share with you how God has blessed our lives in this realm. We will continue to pray for you.

To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”

Dad

THE GLORY OF MAN

2009-06-08T22:09:00.002-08:00

Dear Children,

Your mother asked me to write you a synopsis of the message I preached yesterday, June 7. I am preaching through I Peter, and I’m sure the blessing I’m receiving in preparation and delivery of the messages is much greater than anyone might receive in hearing them. The text was I Peter 1:24,25: “ALL FLESH IS AS GRASS, AND ALL THE GLORY OF MAN AS THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERETH, AND THE FLOWER THEREOF FALLETH AWAY: BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURETH FOR EVER. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” This is in caps because it is taken from Isaiah 40:8. Actually the text speaks for itself and my main job was to keep from messing it up with my preaching!

I reminded everybody that all the GLORY OF MAN does not last any longer than the withering of the grass and the flower which suddenly appears and very quickly disappears, especially in Alaska. This glory which disappears so quickly can include our physical appearance, our material possessions, or anything else we seek so fervently to aspire to in our brief stopover here. Then I strongly emphasized the need of spending our time in THE WORD OF GOD WHICH ENDURES FOREVER. Not so much in the number of chapters read or even the length of time spent but in quality of the time spent. I asked the folk if they would like to see the time they spent in the Word of God this past week written on a blackboard in front of the congregation. One elderly gentleman, absorbed in the message, said aloud, "NO!"

Does the Bible “live” as you read it, and do you often lay it down reluctantly when you must turn away to take other responsibilities? Does it bring real joy to your heart, or is the reading of the Word of God a burden that you take on as a salve to your conscience? Do you read your three chapters so you can keep a schedule that gets you through the Bible in a year? Or are you sometimes “arrested” by a brief portion or perhaps even one verse that you must stop to meditate and pray over?

I concluded with “a preview of coming attractions” as they used to show in the matinee movies I attended as a boy. I said next week I would be continuing with the first three verses of chapter 2. If there is no "life” in your reading of the Bible and you find it dull or boring, your problem could be that you are not born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God (verse 23), or your appetite has been spoiled as stated in chapter 2:1-3. I said that I would be preaching on the “wherefore” which begins chapter 2. And I told them to ignore the chapter division found there as the first three verses in chapter 2 are a necessary continuation of chapter 1.

My wish for each of you is that you are finding the reading of Word of God the best part of your day as I can honestly say I do.

Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus, Amen.

DAD

Diamonds in heaven!

2009-05-08T08:41:00.004-08:00

Dear Children,

We have children who are in dire need at this time. When I pray for them I include children of pastors and friends of mine who have special needs. I have prayed for some of these for so long that sometimes I wonder if the Lord hears my prayers? This devotional was a blessed encouragement to me to keep crying out to the One who puts all my “tears in His bottle” implying, as here stated, “that they are caught as they flow.” I trust it will be an encouragement to you also.

The diamonds of heaven!  (Charles Spurgeon)

"Behold--he prays!" Acts 9:11
Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray--the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed, but praying soul. Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bends his knee--but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears. Yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in the lachrymatory of heaven. "You put all my tears into Your bottle," implies that they are caught--as they flow!

The suppliant, who can only groan out his words, will be well understood by the Most High God. He may only look up with misty eye; but prayer is the falling of a tear! Tears are the diamonds of heaven! Sighs are a part of the music of Jehovah's court, and are numbered with the most sublime strains which reach the majesty on high!

Do not think that your prayer, however weak or trembling--will be unregarded. Our God not only hears prayer--but also loves to hear it. "He does not forget the cry of the humble." True, He does not regard proud looks and lofty words. He has no concern for the pomp and pageantry of kings. He does not listen not to the swell of martial music. He has no regard the triumph and pride of man. But wherever there is . . .  a heart full with godly sorrow,  or a lip quivering with agony,  or a deep groan,   or a penitential sigh --the heart of Jehovah is open! He marks that prayer down in the registry of His memory! He puts our prayers, like rose leaves--between the pages of His book of remembrance; and when the volume is opened at last, there shall be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom!

“I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers” Philemon 4

Love, Dad

Ps. 142:1 "I cried unto the Lord with my voice..."

2009-05-08T08:32:00.002-08:00

Dear Children,

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading, studying, and meditating on Psalm 142 this past week and would like to share some thoughts with you. A lady testified in our Sunday service recently that she has trouble with wandering thoughts and imaginations while praying. I have found that when I pray out loud like David in verse one of Psalm 142, where we find the words “cry” and “voice” each used twice, it has helped me in the problem mentioned above. I’m not advocating that there are not other ways to pray. I believe, as C.H. Spurgeon says, “There is a voice to the great Father in every cry, groan, and tear of His children: He can understand what they mean when they are quite unable to express it.” But I write from my own experience that when I pray aloud it is easier for me to keep my mind from wandering.

I know this may be difficult for many of you who are unable to find a place where you are out of earshot of husband, wife, children, or others. After living for the last three years in a fifth wheel trailer and a small, unfinished basement, I can readily sympathize. After several years of working in a steel mill and shooting on firing ranges in the military without ear protection (we didn’t have that back in the 50’s, believe it or not) plus hunting for 23 years in Alaska, I have found your mother can pray as loud as she likes and it doesn’t bother me! Funny how of late everybody mumbles when they talk. However, your mother’s hearing has really sharpened with age. I have found it best not to even mumble unless I’m 100 yards away--that is, if I don’t want her to hear.

When I arrived at BJU, we students were told there was a prayer room on each hall. I tried it only once! A dozen students were in the same room praying, many of them audibly. I soon found my car was a welcome refuge for prayer.

Prayer may be the most difficult of all graces. Those wandering thoughts don’t just “happen” to come at that time. There will be times when you will almost “feel” the opposition when you try to pray. Don’t give up!

“I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers.” Dad

THE RESURRECTION AND THE FEAR OF DEATH

2009-04-07T22:08:00.005-08:00

Dear Children,

As we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord this week, I trust you will take time to sit down with your children and impress upon them the truth of the resurrection and where we would be without it. Perhaps it would be a good time to read and explain to your children some of the things in the 15th chapter of Ist Corinthians that point out where we would be without a resurrection (verses 14-19).

For my own part, one of the greatest blessings of the resurrection has been deliverance from the fear of death. Even as a young boy I worried about death and what would come afterwards. Perhaps WWII and the daily casualty reports had something to do with it. When I saw pictures in Life Magazine of the bodies of Marines strewn on the beaches of Iwo Jima, I asked my
mother, “What happens to them after they die?” She explained in the best way she could by telling me it depended on how they had lived and if the good outweighed the bad. That didn’t help me at all.

Years later after climbing Mt. Suribachi during a maneuver and viewing graves of most of the almost 7,000 Marines who died there, I again experienced a sobering time that made me think. While in the Marines I did a lot of flying between bases and on “hops” we took on furloughs. Some of them were on C-119’s which were dubbed “flying coffins” because of how often they crashed. We were even issued parachutes on some flights. “One long whistle, put it on, two long whistles, jump out!” were the words I vividly remember. I was always scared to death in flight. After my salvation, by God’s grace, in 1954 I lost that fear, and now I fly regularly from my home on this island in small single engine “island hoppers.” I have seen people shaking, holding on to seats or the person next to them. Recently a woman moaned, groaned, and at times screamed every moment of our 20-minute flight.

One of my favorite Bible passages is “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” Hebrews 2:15.

This week I purchased two burial plots in the Blough Mennonite Cemetery where your grandparents are buried. This is located about two or three hundred yards from my old home place. Your mother and I decided we’d like to be buried where it would be easiest for you all to visit, since half of you live in Alaska and half in “the lower 48.” I like graveyards where you can be “dead yet speaketh” (Heb. 11:4). In many cemeteries now you have to have a GPS to find a flat marker limited to a name and date. I know preachers say we should not think about death but of the Lord’s return. The way things are going since January, His return looks imminent, but just in case either your mother or I go up before that grand event, it has given us peace to know this part has been taken care of. The plots were only $150 each. Some of you might like to buy one!

Augustus Toplady, the hymnist who gave us that immortal hymn “Rock of Ages” wrote: “The terrors of law and of God, With me have nothing to do, My Saviour’s obedience and blood, Hide all my transgressions from view.”

Grace Be With You, Amen.

DAD

Left arrow: Blough Church and Cemetery Right arrow: Blough Home
Grandma Bea's childhood home is the farm from which the picture is taken.
Photo by Aunt Annie Lou

Gravestone of Grandma and Grandpa Blough - Photo by Aunt Annie Lou

Still Have Your "First Love"?

2009-03-27T15:21:00.004-08:00

My Dear Children,

It has been more than 54 years now since the Lord found this poor lost sinner on the troopship, General A.E. Anderson. In the flyleaf of my Bible I carry a picture of it as it sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. This week I was invited to an “Andy” reunion in San Antonio in September. I had located some of the crew through my VFW magazine. I was one of more than 4,000 Marines aboard returning to the U.S. in 1954. I got in touch with some of the crew but was never able to locate the Marine who led me to the Lord. His name was “Jerry” and he was from Minnesota, but that is all I know.

My “first love” (Rev. 2:4) took over and I told everyone I knew, or met, about the peace I felt in knowing my sins were forgiven. From Treasure Island where we landed, I told my fellow Marines on the train going east to Quantico, Virginia. I witnessed to my Mormon buddy until he got off in Salt Lake City. Then when I arrived home in Pennsylvania, I told my Dad, Mom, and family. I witnessed to my relatives, high school friends, and prior to leaving my church I made sure the preacher, deacons, relatives, and other members had heard my testimony. I wasn’t always wise in the way I did it, and I know some were offended. I said some things I regret to this day. I could not imagine anyone not wanting what I had found, and when things were said I didn’t like, I replied in kind. I’d like to go back and do some things differently. I hurt some whom I loved dearly. Today as I was reading Letters of John Newton I came across this word of comfort.

I believe the over doings of a young convert, proceeding from an honest simplicity of heart, and a desire of pleasing the Lord, are more acceptable in His sight than a certain coolness of conduct, which frequently takes place afterward, when we are apt to look back with pity upon our former weakness, and secretly to applaud ourselves for our present greater attainments in knowledge, though perhaps (alas, that it should ever be so!) we may have lost as much in warmth as we have gained in light.

In Revelation 2:2-4, we find the Lord knew of the labor, patience, and separated stand of the Church at Ephesus. How “for His name sake” they had labored, and not fainted (even to the point of exhaustion is the meaning), and yet we find they were in danger of being rejected because they had left their “first love.”

The Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen

DAD

False Saviors

2009-03-20T21:43:00.002-08:00

Dear Children,

Lately my thoughts have been drawn more and more toward the passage in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 where we are told there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven. I always smile when I think of Dr. Bob Jones Sr. telling us that the “time to refrain from embracing” in verse 5 was while we are on the BJU campus.

The time I’ve been thinking of is in verse 2. “There is a time to be born and a time to die.” At 75 I am living on borrowed time—I have already passed my “three score and ten” by more than 5 years. Then my thoughts go to my children and grandchildren who will face difficulties unprecedented in the history of our country. I feel a great responsibility not only to pray for you but to exhort you to continue in the faith, for you must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). I am reading through a series of books by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the book of Acts. I want to quote from Victorious Christianity, Vol. 3, which was written at least 50 years ago.

Oh the ugliness and foulness that is in our perverted natures as the result of the fall. You can put in new houses, but they don’t change our natures, and we may turn our homes into pig sties. You can give us learning and knowledge, but that does not change the rot that is in the soul. You can give us wealth, but it does not make us new people….That is the story of the world’s vaunted civilization, its boasting, of its understanding and sophistication.

The world is always ready to believe in saviors; it is always ready to believe in emancipators and liberators and redeemers. Rome was ready to believe in the Caesars, France in Napoleon, Italy in Mussolini, Germany in Hitler, Russia in Stalin. And this is still as true today as it has ever been….Even in recent history, we have tended to turn men into gods. We have been ready to accept leaders at their own valuation….The world is eager to bow down before such men, and while it does, it rejects the One whom God has raised up to be the one and only Savior.

Look at those it is ready to worship, praise and follow. Listen to their arrogant boasting; look at the attitudes they strike as they address the populance. Our Lord put this perfectly: ‘I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye shall receive’ (John 5:43).

False saviors exalt themselves; they give themselves titles; they set themselves up on pedestals and build monuments and statues to themselves….They plaster cities and walls with their photographs….They have their “cheerleaders” to organize applause, to tell the people when to cheer and when to stop….Fancy fooling themselves to that extent! That is the mentality of the world.

This could have been written this week! I know this is long, but I implore you to read it carefully so you can understand better what you are facing.

Grace Be With All You Who Love Our Lord Jesus Christ in Sincerity,

Dad

"Redeeming the time." Ephesians 5:16

2009-03-06T00:32:00.005-09:00

Dear Children,

Do you remember when I used to read poems and essays in our family devotions? I credit my BJU English and Speech teachers for creating a desire to read and memorize good literature. As one who minored in speech I had to memorize long portions of Tennyson’s “Enoch Arden” and a large portion of “The Yearling.” These stick out in my mind because of the lengthy portion memorized, but I was exposed to many other poets and their works both secular and sacred. Every father wants to see his sons imitate good things they have learned from their dads, but in my case I think somewhere that love for poetry has not been passed on to my sons or sons-in-law. I’m glad that at least one grandson has memorized some of the poems I used to read to you while sitting around the kitchen table. He will be reciting “A Fence at the Top of the Hill or an Ambulance at the Bottom?” next week in a public meeting. Remember that one? (A lesson is there that would be good to learn in Washington DC.)

You dads may be thinking that reading and memorizing Scripture is all that is needed. Certainly that is primary, but taking time to read biographies of godly men like Adoniram Judson, William Carey, Hudson Taylor, John Paton, and Robert McCheyne (these names should sound familiar) and instilling a love for good poetry and other classic writings would not hurt your children.

I’m in the midst of transcribing 50 years of my diaries onto my computer. This week I noted that on May 17, 1976, “I read the kids Ronald Reagan’s March 31st message to the nation. We discussed politics for a long time.” Only 33 years left to transcribe with this finger! (I can no longer type since I can’t open my left hand.) I know you don’t have time for all this. I can appreciate that, but I also know that as you grow older time goes by more rapidly, and what can be sadder than to look back over the years with regret! While commercial fishing as a deckhand about 20 years ago I heard a grizzled old sea captain say over the VHF radio to another captain, “My biggest regret in life is that I didn’t spend more time with my kids”. Video games and the TV are a poor substitute for hands-on time with your children.

I still have a love for reading and read a poem every day but now I have the added advantage of “googling” the author. Yesterday I googled “Hannah More” (1745-1833) since I am including her treatise on “Redeeming the Time" in this letter. After a tumultuous life which included several broken engagements, Miss More was converted at the age of 40. “Her religious conversion was not a sudden event that cannot be precisely dated, it nevertheless changed her life. Two of her new friends were John Newton (Amazing Grace) and Member of Parliament Wm. Wilberforce.…Her poem “Slavery” was instrumental in the fight against slavery.…She was one of the most successful writers and perhaps the most influential woman of her day.” Her essay listed below left me convicted as I do not manage time very well in my old age.

Love, DAD

"Redeeming the time" Ephesians 5:16 by Hannah More  

Christians should especially be on their guard against a spirit of idleness, and a slovenly habitual wasting of time. We must guard against a habitual frivolousness at home; and an abundance of unprofitable small-talk, idle reading, inane drowsiness, and a quiet and dull frittering away of time.  We must seriously consider--what a large portion of life we have unwisely squandered; what days and nights we have wasted, if not sinfully--yet selfishly; if not loaded with evil--yet destitute of good. In the day of judgment, the thin disguise which our treacherous heart now casts over vanity and sloth, will then be torn off.  We are guilty of the strange inconsistency of being most wasteful of what we best love--and of throwing away what we most fear to lose--that TIME of which life is made up. It is not so much a lack of time--as a wasting of our time--which prevents life from answering all the ends for which God has given it to us.  Few things make us so useful of the world, as the prudent use of our precious time. We should not only be careful not to waste our own time--but that others do not rob us of it! The "stealing of our purse" is a serious wrong to us. But the "stealing of our time" should grieve us even more! Pilfering of another's time is a felony for which no restitution can be made--for time is not only invaluable, but irrecoverable!  Every particle of time is valuable. No day can be insignificant--when every day is to be accounted for. Each one possesses weight and importance. What a scene will open upon us, when, from our eternal state--we shall look back on the use we have made of time--when we shall take a clear retrospect of all we have done, and all we ought to have done!  "Almighty God, I adore Your infinite patience, which has not cut me off in the midst of my follies. Let me no longer abuse that precious treasure, time. Let me bid adieu to all those vain amusements, those trifling entertainments and sinful diversions--which have robbed me of many valuable hours. Let me no longer waste my time in ease and pleasure, in unprofitable studies and conversation; but grant, that by moderation and temperance in my enjoyments, I may be able to give a good account of it in the day of judgment, and be accepted in and through the merits of Jesus Christ, my only mediator and advocate. Amen."

Cares of This Life

2009-02-12T19:58:00.002-09:00

My Dear Children,

This morning I was arrested in my Bible reading by Luke 21:34. I had written to you on that verse just before Christmas, but present-day circumstances lead me to write on this again. Luke 21 centers on the Lord's return, and there is much in this chapter that pertains to us today: "Take heed that you be not deceived: for many shall come in my name saying, 'I am Christ' (vs. 8); "wars and commotions" (9); "nation shall rise against nation"(10); "great earthquakes," "famines and pestilences," "fearful sights and great signs from heaven" (11); "persecutions, being brought before kings and rulers, for my names sake" (12); "betrayed by family, relatives and friends" (16); "distress of nations with perplexity; the sea and waves roaring" (25); "men's hearts failing for fear" (27). "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."

All these things ought to be a wake-up call to us, but the verse I want to emphasize here is "take heed to yourselves, lest at anytime your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and CARES OF THIS LIFE, and so that day come upon you unawares" (34). I was struck with the fact that "cares of this life" are put on the same plane as drunkenness and surfeiting (a cousin to drunkenness). It reminded me of Ephesians 5:18, "Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." With our present day economy in shreds, and many of the moral principles we espouse being trampled on by the present administration, it is easy to relegate "the cares of this life" only to that. My concern is that you be not so taken up with personal cares "so that day come upon you unawares." I don't like to name possible "cares of this life" you may have, lest some of you limit yourselves to what I list. In general they are just the cares of everyday living. "Eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage" as in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:38). I know for a fact that some of you are extremely busy making a living; that some of you are in financial straits; that some of you are in stress over family relationships and problems, and you have difficulty seeing any way out. Cares that hold you in their grip may be your health or that of a loved one. For some of you, " the cares of this life" may include sin that holds you captive.

In closing this epistle, I would ask you to get alone with the Lord and let Him search your heart. Should you find that any "cares of this life" are dominating your time and concern, driving a wedge between you and your relationship with Him, ask Him to forgive you and deliver you from whatever the "cares of this life" may be.

"To God, only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen."

Dad

Even So Come Quickly

2009-01-27T17:16:00.002-09:00

Dear Family,

I have been so overwhelmed by the events in our country the past couple of weeks I've found it difficult to condense any of it into a message to you. As you know, I believe it is important to observe what is being reported by the news media and then try to bring it into a Biblical context. This is not always easy because the media reports are no longer the relaying of events as they happen, but they are filtered through a mostly left wing opinion mill, and we receive a "condensed," left-leaning, anti-Biblical, twisted opinion. Remember, too, they are the ones who pick and choose what they want you to hear.

Back in the 70's and 80's I had a weekly radio broadcast out of a local station. I'd watch the ticker tape news briefs and wonder why they chose what they did to put on their news broadcast and why they rejected what I thought were good news items. Then I realized that it was because someone at the station deemed what was good for us to hear. And that was after it had been filtered down to them from the first responders from the large media outlets.

My daily Bible reading consists of a portion in the Old Testament, plus Psalms and Proverbs where I am currently engaged in writing my verse by verse thoughts. I read a chapter in the Gospels and the book of Acts and am reading through from Romans to Revelation. I tell you that because I just happened to be in the last part of Revelation and the first part of Genesis when the events of the past two weeks unfolded. I did something I have never done before. I opened my Bible and read as I watched the presidential inauguration and listened to the news.

I have never preached much on prophecy and the events leading up to the Lord's return. One reason is that I have had a hard time accepting a lot of the ideas and views that have been advanced by expositors with their charts, etc., over the years. I am not nearly as dogmatic in my views on eschatology as I used to be. I know the Lord is coming back, but when, where, and the time that takes place between events, etc., pose some difficulties for me. However, the events of the past weeks in Washington along with my reading of Revelation and Genesis have given me some "goosebumps" concerning the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ! I will not share how my reading produced "goosebumps" except to say that some of the bills our new president signed in his first two days in office and the approval of both political parties in trying to solve our financial mess have given me much to think about.

There may be very difficult days ahead for believers. We will need much grace to boldly take a stand for the Word of God. I exhort each of you to "examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" II Cor. 13:5. Remember, "There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit" Romans 8:1.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. Dad

III John 4 “Walking in Truth”

2009-01-07T14:56:00.002-09:00

To my 5 sons and 4 daughters,

My greatest concern as I begin a new year is that the verse I sent you in my last devotional may not be a reality in each of your lives: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." My concern is not that you "made a decision for Christ,” or "accepted Christ as your Saviour,” or that you know the date when you did any of those things (none of those clichés are found in the Bible). Some of you can give a Biblical explanation of salvation better than I can, but if it does not include an ongoing walk, I find little assurance that you are "in Christ.”

There is no "great joy" in hearing anything that falls short of my children walking in truth. What you did in the past, good or bad, counts little if you are not walking in truth at present. Walking has to do with making progress. A justification without an accompanying sanctification will not stand well on judgment day. The Third Epistle of John has only 14 verses, and the word "truth" and "true" are used 7 times. Verse 11 says, "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God." I have joy every time I see or hear of any of you walking in truth, but the "greater joy" can only come when I hear that all nine of you are walking in truth. Until then the joy is mingled with tears.

In Christ, Dad

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." III Jn. 4

2009-01-02T13:37:00.001-09:00

Dear Children,

My Amish and Mennonite forefathers, from five or more generations back, handed down to me a paper called "INSTRUCTIONS TO MY CHILDREN" translated from the German. The earliest date we have for it is 1808 but it is probably older. These instructions are replete with counseling on salvation and Godly living. It was passed on to me by Sem Johns whose great, great grandfather, Amishman Joseph Johns, was the founder of Johnstown.

Sem writes in this paper: “On the 20th of August, 1933, I was permitted to hold the first child of the 5th living generation, great great grand-child Ronald Earl Blough. He was not quite four weeks old...I am now past 83 years, and as Joshua said (Josh. 23:2), ‘waxed old and stricken in years’...I admonish you to believe the whole Bible as the inspired word of God. II Tim. 3:16, Rev. 22:18,19…”

There is a wealth of material and Godly instruction in this paper--it is yellowed with age and fragile, but we were able to have it copied. If you are interested in having a copy, let me know. Dad

"Parents must see to it that their children know the fear of the Lord, and they must beg the Lord Himself to teach them this truth. We have no hereditary right to the divine favor: the Lord keeps up his friendship to families from generation to generation, for He is loth to leave the descendants of His servants, and never does so except under grievous and long-continued provocation. As believers we are all in a measure under some such covenant as that of David: certain of us can look backward for four generations of saintly ancestors, and we are now glad to look forward and to see our children, and our children's children, walking in truth. Yet we know that grace does not run in the blood, and we are filled with holy fear lest in any of our seed there should be an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God." (C.H. Spurgeon commenting on Ps. 132:12)

Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18

2008-12-27T19:30:00.002-09:00

Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18

Politicians running for office like to ask if you are better off materially than you were a year ago. I would like to ask each of you that same question with a one-word change. Are you better off spiritually than you were a year ago? Peter tells us to "beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Of course there must be life before there can be growth. A few weeks ago I wrote you about desiring the milk of God's Word like newborn babes (I Peter 3:1-3). Look it up on my blog and read it again. Now I want you to examine yourselves as to your growth in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

How can you know if you are growing in grace?

1. FALSE WAY--A. Compare yourself with people worse than yourself (II Cor. 10:12). Make your standard low enough and you can be satisfied. B. Base it on activity--a child is more active than an adult.

2. TRUE METHOD--Base it on the tests of growth found in the Word of God. I Corinthians 3:1 speaks of those who are still babes in Christ and have to be fed milk when they are unable to eat meat. Consider the following four comparisons of physical babies and spiritual babies.

1) Unstable-II Peter 3:16 "..they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures unto their own destruction.” I have seen this firsthand in some of you on the question of "Christian liberty,” using that to justify sinful behavior. Unstable--changeable, easily depressed, frightened, discouraged, panicky, questioning the love of God.

2) Understanding, knowledge, discernment--"tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine”(Ephesians 4:14). The first victim of the latest cult is always a babe. New teaching comes along and they are tossed like a cork on a wave.

3) Interest in self--a child likes to be the center of the circle and if not checked by parents, it will become more subtle as they get older. Talks of self, its activities, wonderful things they have experienced, what they have done, seen, etc.

4) Child loves the spectacular, exciting, Disneyland, circus, thrills, excitement, itching ears (II Tim. 4:3), video games, more interested in gifts (I Corinthians 12). Contrast the picture Paul gives us in I Corinthians 13. Measure your growth in the Lord here! Longsuffering, kind, doesn't envy, doesn't vaunt itself, is not puffed up, doesn't behave unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil,.... bears, believes, hopes, endures all things.

How do you measure up? Has there been any growth in these areas since a year ago?

My love be with you all in Christ Jesus, Dad

"Joy and Peace in Believing"

2008-12-23T23:47:00.002-09:00

Dear Family,

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”--Filled "with all joy and peace in believing." What better hope could I have for each of you at this time of year?

About 25 years ago when my brother turned from the "faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3), he gave me his copy of the Trinity Hymnal. I have used it in my devotions ever since. We also use it in our weekly meetings here in Hoonah. My hymn for today was Charlotte Homer's, "He Lifted Me.” It is taken from Psalm 40:1: "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." This has been one of my favorite hymns over the years as it describes my own experience well.

"In loving kindness Jesus came My soul in mercy to reclaim, and from the depths of sin and shame Thru grace He lifted me.

“He called me long before I heard, Before my sinful heart was stirred, But when I took Him at His word, Forgiv'n he lifted me.
.
“His brow was pierced with many a thorn, His hands by cruel nails were torn, When from my guilt and grief forlorn, In love He lifted me.

“Now on a higher plane I dwell, And with my soul I know 'tis well; Yet how or why, I cannot tell, He should have lifted me."

The Refrain: "From sinking sand He lifted me, With tender hand He lifted me, From shades of night to plains of light, O praise His Name He lifted me."

Dad

"Take heed to yourselves" Luke. 21:34

2008-12-15T23:38:00.000-09:00

Dear Kids,
You may remember as you were growing up I always preached a message about this time of year with warnings about Christmas and New Year's. I will give you a few excerpts from some of those messages. You will probably relate to them better now since many of you have families of your own and the temptation to excess will be greater.

“Take heed to yourselves, lest at anytime your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and the cares of this life..." (Lk. 21:34) You don't need to let me know that Jesus is speaking here of His return and that I am taking this out of context. Even so, I want you to know there is never a time when it is safe or right to be spiritually careless. We must “take heed” to ourselves at all times, in all circumstances, and in all seasons lest at anytime our hearts be overcharged, i.e., weighed down, burdened, with the "cares of this life."

I don't think the Lord had in mind in this passage that we become ascetics. We must have legitimate contact with this world we live in. Feasting with food, drink, and the cares of this life are some of the wonderful things we see done in the midst of festivity in the Bible. The first miracle of Jesus was performed at a wedding. Matthew threw a real shindig (Lk. 5:29) and our Lord used it to make a wonderful statement (vv. 31, 32). Jesus ate and enjoyed feasting along with the publicans and sinners. Levi probably had caviar, shrimp, and lobster, and if he did, Jesus no doubt thoroughly enjoyed the feast. The devil didn't make our taste buds, the Lord did.

One time your mother and I were invited to a feast where there supposedly were 200 millionaires from New York City in attendance. We thoroughly enjoyed most of the expensive exquisite dishes that were offered, without a twinge of guilt on our conscience. Caviar was not to my liking, especially when I was dipping into it and the guy next too me said, "That's about the cost of a trip to Europe.” That night I enjoyed some delightful conversations with Deists and others as I witnessed of my faith in Christ.

No, Jesus is not teaching asceticism here; He is warning about excessiveness:

>eating too much until your mind becomes dull and your prayers lifeless, your feasting becoming gluttony, crippling your spiritual life;

>going into debt or spending more than you can afford on gifts
your heart becoming "overcharged" or “anxious” (same root word) about "many things" like Martha in Lk.10:38;

>wives and mothers losing out in the next 10 days by being weighed down with cooking, baking, and serving being careful that what is a legitimate concern does not become promoting your reputation as I remember it often was among my Pennsylvania Dutch mother and her relatives;

>husbands and dads making an innocent pastime into an occasion to sin by watching too much football which can make make eternity less real or desirable.

My prayer is that on January 2 we will all be able to say that this has been a wonderful holiday season and that we are closer to the Lord than when it began.

“Be careful lest at anytime your hearts be overcharged…with the cares of this life."

Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Dad

Appetite Spoilers

2008-12-10T22:08:00.004-09:00

Dear Kids,

Your mother and I are safely back in Hoonah. Cheyne and family are busy building our "mansion on the hill.” Carey is doing the wiring, and today the in-floor propane heating system is being installed. Since the people in town can look up and see the lights at this dark time of the year, many drive up the mountain to "gawk." We hope to be in it by April. We have to be out of our rental by then.

While in Tucson I brought three messages from I Peter 2:1-3 on desiring the Word of God and appetite spoilers. I'm sure you will remember my concern about eating candy, etc., before mealtime and spoiling your appetite for the good meals your mother had prepared. I'm wondering how many of you do not "as newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the Word"--I mean a real desire to read your Bible because it is a living word and not just words lying dead on the page. Perhaps the problem is that you may not have "tasted that the Lord is gracious."

Just before I left for Parris Island in 1952, my great grandfather, Mennonite bishop James Saylor, came to see me and had me promise to read the Bible every day while I was serving in the Marine Corp. Then before I boarded the bus in Johnstown my mother handed me an armor-plated New Testament to wear over my heart to stop bullets in Korea. Then we were all issued New Testament Bibles by the U.S. government in boot camp. Plenty of encouragement to read wouldn't you think? I would pull out my New Testament, and since I didn't smoke (we were also issued cigarettes which I traded for candy), I read my New Testament when the "smoking lamp was lit." I had no desire or liking for it but read it to keep my promise.

On September 2, 1954, while returning home on the troopship General A. E. Anderson, I tasted that the Lord was gracious" (1 Peter 2: 3). I read the Bible all the next day--it had become a living book! I was "born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God which LIVETH and abideth for ever" I Peter 1:23. It has been my delight to read every day these 54 years since that day. If you know you "have tasted that the Lord is gracious" but don't have a desire to read your Bible, it may be you are having a problem with one or more of the appetite killers in verse 1. This has gotten long or I would expand on each of the five listed there. Any of those will spoil your appetite for the Word of God.

By His Grace, Dad

Prayer and Debt

2008-12-02T08:17:00.002-09:00

Dear Family,

Your mother and I are about to get back in the air. We are scheduled to fly back to Hoonah on Thursday, Dec. 4. Adam is much better than he was when I arrived five weeks ago. He has gone from about 135 to 155 lb, There is no more sign of infection and the fever is gone. He still has to receive nutrition through an IV for 10 hours a day, but he is able to prepare messages and preach again. He will have to have tubing hooked up on the inside in the near future but that should be minor compared to what he has already gone through. Your mother has been taking a great deal of the family responsibility in helping Becky for over 4 months, counting the birth of Samuel in April, and she needs a rest. There are 7 children ranging from 7 months to 9 years. Both Adam and Becky will need your prayers as the healing continues.

Yesterday I preached here for the last time. I preached on a familiar theme to you. "Praying according to the prayers in the Bible". Laying out your arguments before the Lord. My text was Numbers 13 and 14 and how Moses interceded for Israel when the Lord said that He would "smite them with pestilence, and disinherit them" in 14:12. I also told how, back in 1960, your mother and I decided not to go in debt and only let the Lord know our needs. I gave 2 or 3 examples of the Lord's faithfulness over the last 50 years. I'm sure this was a new concept to many of them but it should not be to you. When you were still "in the nest" I read many of the Christian classics to you in our family devotions. The one that influenced us the most on the fore mentioned topic was by A.T. Pierson on the life of George Mueller. If you don't have it, buy it and read it again. Although much of our country seems to think the government (taxpayers) should bail them out when their debts exceed their ability to pay, that is not Christian. The Lord will not bless you if you take that route. If you can't pay for it you don't need it! "My God shall supply all of your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Too often our wants have become our needs. If you have lost funds recently don't let that rob you of peace. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

With Prayer and Thanksgiving, Dad

Blemishes in Christian Character No.7

2008-11-25T21:05:00.001-09:00

Here is the seventh blemish in Christian Character listed in one of John Newton's letters:

"QUERULUS wastes much of his precious time in declaiming against the management of public affairs; though he has neither access to the springs which move the wheels of government, nor influence either to accelerate or retard their motions. Our national concerns are no more affected by the remonstrances of Querulus, than the heavenly bodies are by the disputes of astronomers. While the newspapers are the chief sources of his intelligence, and his situation precludes him from being a competent judge either of matters of fact, or matters of right, why should Querulus trouble himself with politics? This would be a weakness, if we consider him only as a member of society; but if we consider him as a Christian, it is worse than weakness: it is a sinful conformity to the men of the world, who look no farther than to second causes, and forget that the LORD REIGNS. If a Christian be placed in a public sphere of action, he should undoubtedly be faithful to his calling, and endeavor by all lawful methods to transmit our privileges to posterity: but it would be better for Querulus to let the dead bury the dead. There are people enough to make a noise about political matters, who know not how to employ their time to better purpose. Our Lord's kingdom is not of this world; and most of his people may do their country much more essential service by pleading for it in prayer, than by finding fault with things which they have no power to alter. If Querulus had opportunity of spending a few months under some of the governments upon the Continent (I may indeed say any of them) he would probably bring home with him a more grateful sense of the Lord's goodness to him, in appointing his lot in Britain. As it is, his zeal is not only unprofitable to others, but hurtful to himself. It embitters his spirit, it diverts his thoughts from things of greater importance, and prevents him from feeling the value of those blessings, civil and religious, which he actually possesses: and could he (as he wishes) prevail on many to act in the same spirit, the governing powers might be irritated to take every opportunity of abridging that religious liberty which we are favored with above all nations upon earth. Let me remind Querulus, that the hour is approaching, when many things, which at present too much engross his thoughts and inflame his passions will appear to him as is what is now transacting among the Tartars or Chinese."

Kids, given our present political climate this may the most needed of the blemish warnings. Read it carefully. Let me know what you think.

EVEN SO COME QUICKLY! Dad

Blemishes in Christian Character No. 6

2008-11-23T22:39:00.002-09:00

"A Christian, by tenor of his high calling, is bound to avoid even the appearance of evil; and should as free as possible from every inconsistence and blemish."

“Blemish No. 6. CURIOSUS is upright and unblameable in his general deportment, and is no stranger to the experience of a true Christian. His conversation upon these subjects is often satisfactory and edifying. He would be a much more agreeable companion, were it not for an impertinent desire of knowing everybody's business, and the very grounds of every hint that is occasionally dropped in discourse where he is present. This puts him upon asking a multiplicity of needless and improper questions; and obliges those who know him, to be continually upon their guard, and to treat him with reserve. He catechises even strangers, and is unwilling to part with them till he is punctually informed of all their connections, employments, and designs. For this idle curiosity he is marked and avoided as a busy-body; and they who have the best opinion of him, cannot but wonder that a man, who appears to have so many better things to employ his thoughts, should find leisure to amuse himself with what does not at all concern him. Were it not for the rules of civility, he would be affronted every day: And if he would attend to the cold and evasive answers he receives, or even to the looks with which they are accompanied, he might learn, that, though he means no harm, he appears to a great disadvantage, and that this prying disposition is very unpleasing.”

One of the Pennsylvania Dutch words I remember from my childhood is "Goonernoss." As I remember the meaning it fits Curiosus perfectly. I can still hear my mother say, "Don't be a goonernoss." I hope none of you kids can be accused of being a "goonernoss.” You may have forgotten, but I often told you to never listen to any conversation or read any writing that was not meant for you. I can honestly say that has been my practice over the years.

I trust you all had a good Lord's Day, DAD

Blemishes in Christian Character No. 5

2008-11-21T22:11:00.001-09:00

Dear Kids,
After reading about No. 4 and being on time, I'm sure many things must have come to mind, like the people who were always late for church, or your mother risking your lives driving to our Christian school in Littleton because she didn't want to pay the 25 cent fine I imposed on teachers for being late. I'm glad your memories don't include your dad ever being late! I give this introduction to remind everyone that the purpose John Newton had in mind was that we might ask ourselves if they are found in us? If we find ourselves guilty of any of these inconsistencies, he says, “It would be well if we could be made sensible of them, and of their ill effects, as that we might earnestly watch, and strive, and pray against them.”

“Blemish no. 5. CESSATOR is not chargeable with being buried in the cares and business of the present life to the neglect of the one thing needful; but he greatly neglects his station. Had he been sent into the world only to read, pray, hear sermons and join in religious conversation, he might pass for an eminent Christian. But though it is to be hoped, that his abounding in these exercises springs from a heart-attachment to divine things, his conduct evidences that his judgment is weak, and his views of his Christian calling are very narrow and defective. He does not consider, that waiting upon God in the public and private ordinances is designed, not to excuse us from the discharge of the duties of civil life, but to instruct, strengthen, and qualify us for their performance. His affairs are in disorder, and his family and connections are likely to suffer by his indolence. He thanks God he is not worldly minded; but he is an idle and unfaithful member of society. Of such, the apostle has determined that, if any man will not work, neither should he eat.”

I am reminded of my years sitting under the preaching of Dr. Bob Jones Sr. He gave us a lot of good practical down-to-earth advice. What comes to mind here is that we were not to be so heavenly minded that we were no earthly good!

Stay close to Him, Dad

Blemishes in Christian Character No. 4

2008-11-19T21:46:00.001-09:00

Okay, so you are courteous, and not thought of by others as proud, dogmatic or self important (1). You know when to speak, and when to keep silent, and would never never betray a trust with an unbridled tongue (2). You are generous with your money and could never be accused of driving a hard bargain at a yard sale. When you go out to eat, waiters and waitresses vie for your table because they know there will be a generous tip under the tract you leave them (3).

Let's go on to no. 4. “VOLATILIS is sufficiently exact in performing his promises in such instances as he thinks of real importance. If he bids a person depend upon his assistance, he will not disappoint his expectations. Perhaps he is equally sincere in all his promises at the time of making them; but for want of method in the management of his affairs, he is always in a hurry, always too late, and has always some engagement upon his hands with which it is impossible he can comply: yet he goes on in this way, exposing himself and others to continual disappointments. He accepts, without a thought, proposals which are incompatible with each other, and will perhaps undertake to be at two or three different and distant places at the same hour. This has been so long his practice, that nobody expects him till they see him. In other respects he is a good sort of man; but this want of punctuality, which runs through his whole deportment, puts everything out of course in which he is concerned, abroad and at home. Volatilis excuses himself as well as he can, and chiefly by alleging, that the things in which he fails are of no great consequence. But he would do well to remember, that truth is a sacred thing and ought not be violated in the smallest matters, without an unforeseen and unavoidable prevention. Such a trifling turn of spirit lessens the weight of a person's character, though he makes no pretensions to religion, and is still greater in a professor.”

May His grace and peace be your portion tonight, To my Children, Grandchildren, Friends and those who were my Friends before I began this series. DGDRAF

BLEMISHES IN CHRISTIAN CHARACTER NO. 3

2008-11-18T13:20:00.000-09:00

No problem with Austerus and Humanus?? See how you fare with No. 3?

PRUDENS, though not of a generous natural temper, is a partaker of that grace which opens the heart, and inspires a disposition to love and good works. He bestows not his alms to be seen of men; but they who have the best opportunities of knowing what he does for the relief of others, and of comparing it with his ability, can acquit him in good measure of the charge which another part of his conduct exposes him to. For Prudens is a great economist; and though he would not willingly wrong or injure any person, yet the meannesses to which he will submit, either to save or gain a penny in what he accounts an honest way, are a great discredit to his profession. He is punctual in filling his engagements; but exceedingly hard, strict, and suspicious in making his bargains.* And in his dress, and every article of his personal concerns, he is content to be so much below the station in which the providence of God has placed him, that to those who are not acquainted with his private benefactions to the poor, he appears under the hateful character of a miser, and to be governed by the love of money which the Scripture declares to be the root of all evil, and inconsistent with the true love of God and of all saints.

*Proverbs 20: 14 comes to mind here-"It is naught, it is naught saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way he boasteth." DGDAF

Blemishes in Christian Character No. 2

2008-11-16T18:27:00.000-09:00

Dear Family,

Well, how did you fare with Austerus? It made me wish I could have another run. John Newton seemed to know me. If you escaped Austerus without a problem see how you do with Humanus?

"Humanus is generous and benevolent. His feelings are lively, and his expressions of them are strong. No one is more distant from sordid views, or less influenced by a selfish spirit. His heart burns with love to Jesus, and he is ready to receive with open arms all who love his Saviour. Yet with an upright and friendly spirit, which entitles him to the love and esteem of all who know him, he has not everything we would wish in a friend. In some respects, though not in the most criminal sense, he bridleth not his tongue. Should you, without witness or writing, intrust him with untold gold, you would run no risk of loss; but if you intrust him with a secret, you thereby put it in the possession of the public. Not that he would wilfully betray you, but it is his infirmity. He knows not how to keep a secret; it escapes from him before he is aware. So likewise as to matters of fact: in things which are of great importance, and where he is sufficiently informed, no man has a stricter regard to truth; but in the smaller concerns of common life, whether it be from credulity, or from a strange and blameable inadvertence, he frequently grieves and surprises those who know his real character, by saying the thing that is not. Thus they to whom he opens his very heart, dare not make him returns of equal confidence; and they who in some cases would venture their lives upon his word, in others are afraid of telling a story after him. How lamentable are such blemishes in such a person!"

During our years in Japan our children grew up with this definition of FRIENDSHIP tacked to our kitchen door.

Oh, the comfort--the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person,
Having neither to weigh thoughts,
Nor measure words--but pouring them
All right out--just as they are--
Chaff and grain together--
Certain that a faithful hand will
Take and sift them--
Keep what is worth keeping--
And with the breath of kindness
Blow the rest away. ---Dinah Craik

Dad, GrandDad and Friend, Grace be to each of you.

BLEMISHES FOUND IN CHRISTIAN MEN AND WOMEN

2008-11-15T15:20:00.000-09:00

Dear Family,

For the next seven days I am going to use my devotional to reveal blemishes in Christian men and women as portrayed by John Newton, the author of Amazing Grace. I have none of you in mind but I have seen much of myself a number of times. I would suggest, along with Newton, that you not work to find "improprieties of conduct" among your families or Christian friends but carefully examine whether you cannot, in one or the other of them, find some traces of your own features. Newton states " A Christian, by the tenor of his high calling, is bound to avoid even the appearance of evil; and his deportment should not only be upright as to his leading principles, but amiable and engaging, and as free as possible from every inconsistence and blemish...it would be well if they could be made so sensible of them, and of their ill effects, as that they might earnestly watch, and strive and pray against them." Newton states, "though I speak of men only, counterparts may doubtless be found among the women."

No. 1. AUSTERUS is a solid and exemplary Christian. He has a deep, extensive, and experimental knowledge of divine things. Inflexibly and invariably true to his principles, he stems with a singularity the torrent of the world, and can neither be bribed nor intimidated from the path of duty He is a rough diamond of great intrinsic value, and would sparkle with a distinguished luster, if he were more polished: but though the Word of God is his daily study, and he prizes the precepts as well as the promises, more than thousands of gold and silver, there is one precept he seems to have overlooked; I mean that of the apostle, BE COURTEOUS. Instead of that gentleness and condescension which will always be expected from a professed follower of the meek and lowly Jesus; there is a harshness in his manner which makes him more admired than beloved; and they who truly love him, often feel more constraint than pleasure in his company. His intimate friends are satisfied that he is no stranger to true humility of heart; but these are few. By others he is thought proud, dogmatic, and self important; nor can can this prejudice against him be easily removed, until he can lay aside that cynical air which he has unhappily contracted.

Not a problem for you? Your time is coming!! DGDAF

PSALM 123:4 - Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

2008-11-12T21:49:00.000-09:00

PSALM 123:4 - Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.
"They are in easy circumstances; they are easy in heart through a deadened conscience, and so they easily come to mock at holiness...their conceit of themselves is boundless. Such men take things easily, and therefore they scorn the holy carefulness of those who watch the hand of the Lord. They say 'Who is the Lord that we should obey His voice?' and then they turn round with a contemptuous look and sneer at those who fear the Lord...Pride is both contemptible and contemptuous. The contempt of the great ones of the earth is often peculiarly acrid: some of them, like a well- known statesman (politician) are masters of gibes and flouts and sneers, and never do they seem so much at home in their acrimony as when a servant of the Lord is the victim of their venom....Let us bear our share of this evil which still rages under the sun, and let us firmly believe that the contempt of the ungodly shall turn to our honor in the world to come: even now it serves as a certificate that we are not of the world, for if we were of this world the world would love us as its own."

These words of Spurgeon fit much of the rhetoric I heard since last Tuesday's election. I believe the Christian who boldly stands for his faith will soon be tested much as stated here.

We are thankful for the many kind, encouraging emails this week. Let us pray for one another. Grace to you; DGDAF ($5 To the first one to figure out my sign-off!)

The King’s Heart…Prov. 21:1

2008-11-10T21:41:00.000-09:00

Dear Family and Friends,

On this Veteran's Day I have been thinking of the freedoms we enjoy because of those who have given years of their lives in the service of our country and of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Most of us who are older are missing a family member, a relative, a friend, or someone we served with who didn't come back from a war. I wrote you on my last blog about the elections. The sacrifices made by our veterans made it possible for us to cast our vote last Tuesday. For you who were disappointed in the outcome do not ever forget God is still on the throne and "the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of waters: He turneth it whithersoever He will." Proverbs 21:1
"All the abilities, powers, and instincts, that are found amongst creatures, are emanations from His fulness. All changes, successes, disappointments ---all that is memorable in the annals of history, all the rising and falls of empires, all the turns in human life, take place according to His plan. In vain men contrive and combine to accomplish their own counsels. Unless they are parts of His counsel likewise, the efforts of their utmost strength and wisdom are crossed and reversed by the the feeblest and most unthought-of- circumstances. But when He has a work to accomplish, and His time is come, however inadequate and weak the means He employs may seem to the carnal eye, the success is infallibly in the hands of the potter. Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.!" Rev. 15:3

I extracted this quote from a book I am reading, Letters of John Newton, the author of "Amazing Grace." Grace be to all of you, Dad

Tuesday's election in the light of Daniel 7 and Acts 4

2008-11-06T21:40:00.000-09:00

Dear Family,

"They lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, 'Lord Thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of Thy servant David hast said, 'WHY DID THE HEATHEN RAGE, AND THE PEOPLE IMAGINE VAIN THINGS? THE KINGS OF THE EARTH STOOD UP, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD, AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.' ....For to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done. and now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy word."

Were you disappointed in the election results? When I watched the news with the heathen raging and the people imagining vain things, the kings standing up and the rulers gathering together from all over the world to praise one who was speaking great words against the most High and wearing out the saints of the most High, and thinking to change times and laws.(Daniel 7:25) I rejoiced in the promise in verse 27, "The kingdom and dominion, and greatness of the kingdom under the whole of heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. I just "happened" to be reading in Daniel for my O.T. devotional reading and in Acts in the N.T. on the same day I watched the masses worship the "messiah", and he, with a nod, acknowledging their homage. Jesus is coming! Perhaps soon! If there ever was a time to be ready it is today. If He should tarry, you, and your children will pay a terrible price if you stand true to Biblical principles. My great regret is I'll probably not be here to stand with you!

Grace be with all of you, Dad

PS I send a blog to my kids on a regular basis but I thought I'd add some of you on my tonight's list since I'm sure you are concerned about the state of our nation. Thank you who have been sending me your e mails leading up to the election. Obama is doing whatsoever the Lord and His counsel determined before to be done! "Every Knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord"!

Ps. 121:1, 2 – Help from above

2008-10-30T21:32:00.000-08:00

Dear Family,

I'm back in business with a new Mac. My-6-year-old Mac went out on me the day before I left for Tucson. As soon as I got here, Mom and I went to the Mac store and purchased a new one. We are hooked into the TV cable network which is very fast. The new computer along with rapid returns make it a pleasure to be on line. I am helping Adam with the preaching while he heals and gets his strength back. Mom is caring for, and teaching the kids as Becky is very busy taking care of Adam and running her book business. We are house sitting in a large beautiful home. A wealthy Christian lady who is a friend of Adam and Becky said we can stay here while we help them, or until it sells as it is on the market. We were able to purchase a 2000 Cadillac at a good price from an elderly couple who have taken extremely good care of it. It is the nicest car I've ever driven. When we are able to finish responsibilities here we hope to take a trip back east and visit family and relatives. Cheyne has been going all out on the house he is building. He was to finish the roof today. He has to get the windows and doors etc. in yet. Then the electricity and plumbing before Dec. 6, when the heating system is scheduled to be put in. Daulton (13) has been a great help! Cheyne and Ronda will spend the winter working on the inside. It is about 6,000 sq. feet! Three floors I overlooking the harbor and boats. The view of the ocean and mountains is spectacular!

From my message last week on Ps. 121:1,2 "Help comes to saints only from above, they look elsewhere in vain: let us lift up our eyes with hope, expectancy, desire, and confidence. Satan will endeavour to keep our eyes upon our sorrows that we may be disquieted and discouraged; be it ours firmly to resolve that we will look out and look up, for there is good cheer for the eyes , and they that lift up their eyes to the eternal hills shall soon have their hearts lifted up also. The purposes of God; the divine attributes; the immutable promises; the covenant, ordered in all things and sure; the providence, predestination, and proved faithfulness of the Lord--these are the hills to which we must lift up our eyes, for from these our help must come. It is our resolve that we will not be bandaged and blindfolded, but will lift up our eyes." C.H. Spurgeon

"In the agony of a troubled conscience always look upwards unto a gracious God to keep thy soul steady, for.looking downward on thyself thou shalt find nothing but what will increase thy fear, infinite sins, good deeds few, and imperfect: it is not thy faith, but God's faithfulness thou must rely upon; casting thine eyes downwards on thyself...is enough to make thee giddy, stagger, and reel in despair. Ever therefore lift up thine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh thy help, never viewing the deep dale of thy own unworthiness, but to abate thy pride when tempted to presumption."--Thomas Fuller (1608-1661) in "The Cause and Cure of a Wounded Conscience"

Sorry this is so long but it was such a blessing to me in my devotions that I shared it with your mother and she urged me to preach on this text on Sunday morning. I have been looking back and down too much, finding little help there. I'm determined to look up to the place "whence cometh my help." I trust this will encourage you to do the same.

Grace Be With Each of You Dad

Psalm 119:147,148 - Crying to the Lord before the dawn and in the night watches

2008-10-18T21:20:00.000-08:00

Dear Family,

This morning my meditation in the Psalms was Psalm 119:145-152. I was impressed by the Psalmist crying with his whole heart (1) and crying for the Lord to save him.(2) Then he cried as he "prevented' the dawning of the morning and then the night watches, that he "might meditate in Thy word", Before dawn this morning one of you called me with a question about something I had marked in an old Bible I had given away. Knowing that you were up while it was still dark and reading your Bible brought joy to my heart. Several years ago when several of you were working together on a project I had a call from a man you were working with. I told him about my concern for your physical safety, but even more for your spiritual welfare because you were working from early morning until dark in order to get the job done in the time allotted for the project. He said I was not to worry about…for he saw a light on in his room each morning long before he had to go to work. I hope there is a light on in each of your rooms before you go out to face the world, and that you meditate in God’s word before you sleep.

I was preaching in a conference in Japan years ago and was put up in a dormitory with a group of young men. We all talked a while and when I crawled into bed one of the young men said: "aren't you going to pray before you go to sleep?". How does the preacher answer that? Someone had taught those boys well! I got back up from my bed on the floor, and bowed my head and prayed! Charles Bridges said in his excellent commentary on Ps. 119, "What a standard of enjoyment would it be, with our last thoughts in the night watches, to leave as it were our hearts with Him, and to find them with Him in the morning, awaking as with our hearts in heaven!…The lukewarmness and our want of spiritual enjoyment may often be traced to that morning indolence, which throws the day into confusion....

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with each of you, Dad

"THE SECRET OF THE LORD IS WITH THEM THAT FEAR HIM..." PSALM 25:14

2008-10-15T21:18:00.000-08:00

Dear Family.

I am reading Letters of John Newton for the second time this year. I keep wanting to share much of it with you. I liked it so much the first time that I bought 5 more copies for preacher friends of mine. Tonight's devotional is taken from it. DAD

"The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him....He acquaints them with the plots of their enemies, the snares and dangers they are exposed to, and the best methods of avoiding them. And He permits and enables them to acquaint Him with all their cares, fears, wants and troubles, with more freedom than they can un-bosom themselves to their nearest earthly friends. His ear is always open to them; He is never weary of hearing their complaints, and answering their petitions. The men of this world would account it a high honour and privilege to have unrestrained liberty of access to an earthly king; but what words can express the privilege and honour of believers, who, whenever they please, have audience of the King of Kings, whose compassion, mercy, and power are, like His Majesty, infinite."

We…do not cease to pray for you…that you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing. Col. 1:9-10

2008-10-12T21:16:00.000-08:00

Holy Father, in Thy mercy Hear our anxious prayer; Keep our loved ones, now far absent, 'Neath Thy care.
Jesus Saviour, let Thy presence be their light and guide; Keep O keep them, in their weakness, at Thy side.
When in sorrow, when in danger, when in loneliness, in Thy love look down and comfort their distress.
May the joy of Thy salvation be their strength and stay; may they love, and may they praise Thee day by day.
Holy Spirit, let Thy teaching sanctify their life; Send Thy grace that they may conquer in the strife.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God the One in Thee, Bless them, guide them, keep them near to Thee.---Isabel Stevenson, 1888

My prayer for each of you, Dad

Where are you now?

2008-10-10T21:12:00.000-08:00

Dear Family,
The McCain campaign is going after the Obama campaign over the Bill Ayers connection. Ayers is a terrorist who tried to bomb the Pentagon about 35 years ago. Obaba has been, and still is, his friend and has served on boards with him in Chicago for years. He says it is dirty politics for McCain/Palin to attack him on this issue because he was only 8 years old at the time of the bombing. That argument is so disingenuous that I'd think the Obama camp would be ashamed to make it. It is not what Obama was 35 years ago but what he is now! They have worked and served on boards together in Chicago for years. To this day he remains a friend of Ayers. Although he repudiates the bombing I have yet to see him apologize for his past friendship and associations with the unrepentant terrorist. It looks like your choice on Nov. 4 will be to vote for godless socialism (Obama and Biden call it “redistribution of wealth'”) or John McCain, who admittedly is soft on some issues important to us, but at least his middle name is Sidney, not Hussein)!.

Now I want to switch gears and ask you about your relationship with Christ today? There are millions of professing Christians who think their "decision for Christ" will get them to heaven. There is little or no evidence that they are a Christian in fellowship with the Lord today. Who are your friends? Who do you like to fellowship with? Is their any fruit in your life? Is Christ your Lord today? What took place years ago won't do on that great judgment day if there has not been evidence of sanctifying grace since. The Bible asks where we are now?--not what we did in the past. You may not know when you passed from death unto life but you better know if you are in Christ today. Don't be satisfied that your child has "accepted Christ" if there is no evidence of change in their life. "Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" II Cor. 5:17. Many a mother is praying their child will come back to Christ when they ought to be praying for their salvation. That would make a big difference in how they pray!

Presidential Debate

2008-10-08T22:36:00.000-08:00

Tonight I watched the debate between the two men who want to be our next president. Our once proud nation, under God, is now a sad shell on the brink of economic disaster. One man promoted a change to godless socialism while the other also offered a godless solution of somehow digging ourselves out. Of course neither man dared mention anything about God or his word. A few days ago both men voted to print an additional seven hundred thousand million dollars to prop up an economy that has long left the free enterprise system put in place by our founders. Banks are going under, billions in retirement funds are gone. One of the solutions voted for was to up the amount the government will guarantee should your bank go under. What government? If your senator or representative voted against that package send them a note of thanks There has never been a time in my lifetime, which includes 4 wars, when it has been more needful for this nation to turn to God in repentance. It is imperative that each of you stay close to the Lord for He is our only hope.

"Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord. For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me the Fountain of Living Waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water."

Proverbs 17:6 Old Man’s Crown – #28 Aliya Grace

2008-10-05T21:34:00.000-08:00

A week ago today I had an early morning call. I knew before I heard Judson's message what had taken place. Aliya Grace was crying her lungs out! Tucker had a sister! Another gift of God's grace. Judson and Maria will need much prayer and wisdom as they bring Tucker and Aliya Grace up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. ! By God's grace I know Judson, with the help of his good wife, will be the glory of Tucker and Aliya Grace. That makes 28 who are the crown of this old man and his wife.

"Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers."

"Gracious children and parents reflect honor upon each other. Such parents rejoice in the number and growth of their children. Such children regard their father's name as their glory. May not godly parents under grace educate their children by example, no less than by precept---may
they not look for a 'godly seed'---children who shall acknowledge infinite, eternal obligations to parental faith and godliness?"---Charles Bridges

"EASY TO BE INTREATED" - JAMES 3:17

2008-10-01T21:32:00.000-08:00

When I was in my late twenties I had to make a difficult decision about the mission organization I was with. After a lot of heart-searching prayer, I resigned. The mission asked a man well known in evangelical circles to write me and ask me to reconsider. I was amazed that a man that well known would even write me a letter. After reminding me that I was still a young man and that my resignation was a bad decision, he used James 3:13-18 to try to convince me to change my mind. I took that into consideration but never wavered in the decision I had made. I felt his emphasis from that scripture was the part that states "easy to be intreated". This morning while reading a book about "Courageous Christianity" by Dr. M.L. Jones I was reminded of that scripture. I thought of how many times over the years I had to ask myself when facing a difficult problem or decision if I was being "easy to be intreated"? That does not mean you compromise Biblically held convictions. However, do we not often selfishly, or proudly, insist on having our own way in something or the other without lovingly considering the effect it will have on others? This virtue is especially needed in order to have harmony in the home. Husbands, wives, dads, moms, young people, can it be said of you that you are "easy to be entreated?" I have made this part of my prayer for many of you over the years. Are you wondering if it is you that I have in mind when I pray that? It probably is!

Dad

"LIKE AS A FATHER PITIETH HIS CHILDREN, SO THE LORD PITIETH THEM THAT FEAR HIM." PSALM 103:13

2008-09-28T22:53:00.000-08:00

"When a tear is wept by thee, think not that the Lord doth not behold; for, 'Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him'. Thy sigh is able to move the heart of Jehovah; thy whisper can incline His heart unto thee; thy prayer can stay His hand; thy faith can move His arm. Think not that God sits on high taking no account of thee. Remember that however poor and needy thou art, yet the Lord thinketh upon thee."--- CHS

O late there have been some tears, some sighs, some whispers and prayers--this meditation by Spurgeon has been an encouragement to me. I hope it is to you also. Dad

Evangelizing

2008-09-24T23:30:00.000-08:00

Dear Family,

Paul tells in Romans 1:16 that he is "not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.." I'm wondering if we have not watered down our personal evangelism to the point where it is not evangelism at all? Many of us witnessed to the lost with almost a wild abandonment when we were first saved. We told everyone we met about Christ and what he had done for us. We tried to share with them the good news and urged them to believe it too. In our zeal in witnessing to friends and relatives we made lots of mistakes and sometimes said things, and used methods we wouldn't use today. But at least we did it. Then as time went on we cooled off and eventually got to the place where we seldom got to the point in our witnessing but spent out time "breaking the ice" thinking this would help us reach the person later. We rationalized and explained to our conscience why it was really best not to share the gospel at that time to that particular person. Inviting people to church became our "gospel". Bill O'Reilly prides himself in conducting a "no spin', 'get right to the point' news program. I wonder if we who have been transformed from death to life by the marvelous grace of God could learn something here. If we are "not ashamed of the gospel of Christ because it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth," should we not be bolder to give a "no spin" direct witness to the lost? Let's try to keep in mind that every person we talk to whether in person, or on the phone is a soul who will spend eternity somewhere. Don't use ignorance as an excuse. John 3:16 is the gospel. If you know nothing else, you can quote that. You will not regret it.

Today 5 men stopped by the house. Three of them were from Montana. I broke the ice by telling them that 50 years ago I fished some of the rivers in Montana. Then while 4 of them were busy elsewhere, I was able to draw one of them aside. I asked him some questions and found he'd just been discharged from the army after 33 years of service. He'd been to Iraqi 3 times and had parachuted into Afghanistan. I thanked him for serving our country. Then I asked him if he was afraid while in combat and what he thought about death. He said he'd discovered that there were no "foxhole atheists." I was able to share the gospel with him and gave him a tract I'd written with my testimony on it. By his language I knew he was not a believer.(it changed during our conversation) This 58 year old man got quiet, took out his wallet, and folded it carefully and put it in his wallet and we shook hands and went our ways. I try to use the pattern Jesus set for us in John chapter 4 when he dealt with the woman at the well. In closing this epistle I want to urge you to try to convey a 'no spin' gospel to someone this week.

Dad

"Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Ps. 90:12

2008-09-23T23:59:00.000-08:00

"How soon will some few years pass away, and then when the day is ended, and this life's lease expired, what have men of the world's glory, but dreams and thoughts? O happy soul for evermore, who can rightly compare this life with that long-lasting life to come, and can balance the weighty glory of the one with the light golden vanity of the other."

--Samuel Rutherford

"BRING HIM UNTO ME" Mark 9:19

2008-09-22T23:57:00.000-08:00

Tonight I would like to quote some of the content from Spurgeon's morning devotional for September 17.

"Children are a precious gift from God, but much anxiety comes with them. They may be a great joy or a great bitterness to their parents; they may be filled with the Spirit of God, or possessed with the spirit of evil. In all cases, the Word of God gives us one receipt for the curing of all their ills, 'Bring them unto me'. O for more agonizing prayer on their behalf while they are yet babes!…Our cries for our offspring should precede those cries which betoken their actual advent into a world of sin. In the days of their youth we shall see sad tokens of that dumb and deaf spirit which will neither pray aright, nor hear the voice of God in their soul…When they are grown up they may wallow in sin and foam with enmity against God; then when our hearts are breaking we should remember the great Physician's words, 'Bring them unto me'. Never must we cease to pray until they cease to breathe. No case is hopeless while Jesus lives.....

EVENING DEVOTIONS - PS. 119:148: "MINE EYES PREVENT THE NIGHT WATCHES, THAT I MIGHT MEDITATE IN THY WORD."

2008-09-21T19:32:00.000-08:00

Dear Family,
On September 14th I wrote to encourage you to "prevent the dawning of the morning" (Ps. 119:147) and to get up early to spend time in reading the word of God and prayer. I've heard from several of you on this and would like to hear that more of you have established this as a daily habit. One mother wrote that her eight year old got out of bed rubbing his eyes and asked for his Bible so he could read before breakfast. Tonight I'd like to urge you to regularly have an evening devotional time also. This will be more difficult as you will be tired and find it hard to concentrate, so I'd like to send you a brief guideline.

1. Read and meditate on the morning psalm again.
2. Make a quiet review of my day.
3. Confess today’s sins. (I hope this doesn't take long!)
4. Intercede for those I met today.
5. Intercede for those on my heart.
6. Thanksgiving for the blessings received today.

You may already an established an evening time with the Lord but I thought this might be a help to you who find it difficult. I'm not sure where I got this but I'm sure it is not original with me. Let me know if this helps or if you'd like to add something to this list.

Blessings on each of you, DAD

BE YE KIND ONE TO ANOTHER, TENDERHEARTED, FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, EVEN AS GOD FOR CHRIST'S HATH FORGIVEN YOU. Eph. 4:31

2008-09-20T22:47:00.000-08:00

Think gently of the erring:
Ye know not the power
With which the dark temptation came
In some unguarded hour.
Ye may not how earnestly
They struggled, or how well,
Until the hour of weakness came
And sadly thus they fell.

Think gently of the erring:
Oh! do not thou forget
However darkly stained by sin
He is thy brother yet;
Heir of the selfsame heritage,
Child of the selfsame God,
He has but stumbled in the path
Thou hast in weakness trod.

Speak gently of the erring:
For is it not enough
That innocence and peace have gone,
Without thy censure rough?
It sure must be a weary lot,
That sin-stained heart to bear,
And those who share a happier fate
Their chidings well may spare.

Speak gently to the erring:
Thou yet may'st lead them back
With holy words and tones of love,
From misery's thorny track:
Forget not thou hast often sinned,
And sinful yet must be;
Deal gently with the erring, then,
As God has dealt with thee. --Julia Carney

SLEEPLESS NIGHTS - Psalm 4:8

2008-09-19T21:06:00.000-08:00

Dear Family,

Your mother is blessed with the ability to fall asleep quickly and to sleep
soundly through the night. If you are blessed in that way, thank the Lord
every morning when you wake up. Don't take it for granted, for you are
exceptionally blessed. I can count on the fingers of one hand the times I've
slept soundly throughout the night in a year. Sometimes I get up and pray
rather than lay in bed wide awake. The psalmist said: "I will both lay me
down in peace and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety."
Psalm 4:8.

If any of you have this problem, you might pray this prayer when you go to
bed. I don't know the author.

When in the night I sleepless lie,
My soul with heavenly thoughts supply
Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,
No powers of darkness me molest.

Goodnight, Dad&GP

Isaiah 27:8 - East Wind

2008-09-18T21:13:00.002-08:00

Anytime you read about an "east wind" in the Bible, it involves
something bad, oftentimes disaster. I have had many "east winds" in my
lifetime, but I am so thankful that the Lord "stayeth His rough wind in
the day of the east wind!”

Goodnight, Dad & GP

"Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" Ps 107: 8, 15, 21, 31

2008-09-17T19:49:00.000-08:00

Good evening family. I enjoyed Psalm 107 today and would like share some of the blessing with you.

Four times we have the same verse recorded in response to what the Lord has done when He hears their cry.

1. They found no city to dwell in and they were hungry and thirsty until their soul fainted within them. "Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses" vv. 4-8.

2. They rebelled against the words of God and condemned His counsel. Therefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down and their was none to help. "Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He save them out of their distresses" vv. 11-14.

3. They drew near to the gates of death to the point where they no longer desired food. "Then they cry unto the lord in their trouble and He saveth them out of their distresses" vv. 18-20.

4. They get into such trouble as they do business in "great waters" when they “go down to the sea in ships," that they are at their "wit's end." "Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses" vv. 23-30.

Four times in trouble, four times they cry out to the Lord for help. Four times He hears their prayer and deliverers them. Perhaps you haven't experienced any of these kinds of troubles yet, but you will! When you do, don't forget how the Psalmist responded as recorded four times! As we look at the condition of our nation all of these troubles could come in your lifetime. Love, Dad and GP

"AND AS IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE, AND AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT." HEBREWS 9:27

2008-09-16T20:50:00.001-08:00

Tonight my heart is sad since I have had a day of sobering news. I have met Pastor John Vaughn from Greenville, S.C. several times and have taken him fishing here in Alaska a couple of times. He has eaten at our table and never forgets to compliment Mom's cooking when I see him. He took particular interest when Kevin died and had his church have special prayer for Vicky when he heard her testimony. Today the headline in the Greenville News ran: "CHAPLAIN'S SON DIES IN TAYLORS COLLISION" Pastor Vaughn's 28 year old son, Daniel died from injuries incurred last night at 11 pm when he was hit by 2 cars while attempting to cross Wade Hampton Blvd. "he was a brilliant young man and full of life." John Vaughn said. "He brought much laughter to the people who knew him and loved him."

I had a couple of emails last night telling of a death in that horrible train accident in California last week. While we were on the mission field in Japan, Edith Long was a special friend who prayed for us. We met her at Hampton Park Baptist Church. She was a German language teacher at BJU. She went to be with the Lord on September 7th. Some of her family were on that train as they were returning home from the funeral. Her son Paul joined her in heaven and Paul's wife and son were injured but will survive.

The third tragedy happened to a an elderly couple who were walking on the sidewalk on Oakdale Drive near their Greenville home last evening. A vehicle drove onto the sidewalk, struck and killed them both, and kept on going. Bill Carey was 70 and his wife Ruth was 65. Their son Billy Carey Jr. said his parents took walks every morning and had been married nearly 46 years. They had four children and six grandchildren. "If I could have made my parents, I couldn't have made them any better," he said. Carey said his father was a deacon at the Tabernacle Baptist Church. His mother taught Sunday School. They lived in a brick ranch-style house for about 40 years. Aaron Carey, 16, said he had been turkey hunting with his grandfather and had been looking forward to hunting deer with him for the first time. "I loved hunting with my grandpa," he said. "We'd go to Hardee's before and get some biscuits and gravy. He loved that."

One 27, another probably about 45, and a couple 65 and 70--four souls in eternity for no fault of their own. My dear children and grandchildren we can't be prepared for deaths like these, but we can be prepared for the judgment that will follow.

NOTICE THE FOUR "WHO'S in PSALM 103:1-5

2008-09-15T21:21:00.000-08:00

"BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL: ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME BLESS HIS HOLY NAME AND FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS;

WHO FORGIVETH ALL THINE INIQUITIES;

WHO REDEEMETH THY LIFE FROM DESTRUCTION;

WHO CROWNETH THEE WITH LOVINGKINDNESS AND TENDER MERCIES;

WHO SATISFIETH THY MOUTH WITH GOOD;

THY YOUTH IS RENEWED LIKE THE EAGLE'S.

I trust each of you can say "AMEN" to these four blessings from the Lord--Love, Dad and GP

"I PREVENTED THE DAWNING OF THE MORNING" PS. 119:147

2008-09-13T23:32:00.000-08:00

If you are not starting your day by reading your Bible may I encourage you to begin. Don't use the excuse that you are not a "morning person" or you can't get up that early or something. If you are not practicing early morning devotions I would like you to start tomorrow and do it for a month. Don't get sidetracked but diligently pursue this for the entire month. Then let me know how it worked out. If after a month you are unable to keep this up or think it not worth the price of losing sleep then let me know that too. I know you don't have time like I do but take at least half an hour to read and pray and you won't ever regret it. If I went to my grave knowing my 9 children, their spouses, and 28 grandchildren practiced this each morning without fail even for 10 or 15 minutes each day I could wish no greater joy. Love, Dad

"Early prayers are undisturbed by the agitating cares of life,...O my soul canst thou say that thou "prevented the dawning of the morning" in thy approaches to God? Has the desire of communion with heaven raised thee from thy slumbers, shaken off thy sloth, and carried thee to thy knees?'---John Morison

"Morning devotion anchors the soul so that it will not readily drift away from God during the day." C H Spurgeon

"He who rushes from his bed to his business and waiteth not to worship, is as foolish as as though he had not put on his clothe, or cleansed his face, as unwise as though he dashed into battle without arms or armour. --CHS

"..HE TOOK THEM UP IN HIS ARMS PUT HIS HANDS UPON THEM AND BLESSED THEM." MARK 10:16

2008-09-12T16:36:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed God's word so much this morning that it was hard to know what to pass on to you. When I finished reading I picked up my Trinity hymnbook as I always do before prayer. The hymn today was by Fanny Crosby. "Safe in the Arms of Jesus" The words I chose to send you were: "Safe from corroding care, Safe from the world's temptations, Sin cannot harm me there, Free from the blight of sorrow, Free from my doubts and fears, Only a few more trials, only a few more tears, Firm on the Rock of ages Ever my trust shall be, Here let me wait with patience, Wait till the night is o'er, Wait till I see the morning Break on the golden shore.
Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe on His gentle breast, There by His love o'er shaded, Sweetly my soul shall rest."

Love, Dad

DELAYED ANSWER

2008-09-11T16:34:00.000-08:00

Recently one of you declared after praying fervently for something and seemingly receiving no answer, "I'm prayed out". I have often felt that way too and have wondered if the Lord had heard my prayer. Some times I have quit praying altogether for something or the other, wondering if the Lord ever heard? "..if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him. Last week while reading Luke chapter one, verse 13 grabbed my attention. The angel came to a fearful, troubled Zacharias and told him that his prayer had been heard and his wife Elisabeth would bear a son and to call his name John. I thought about Zacharias and how he and his wife must have begun to pray for a child soon after they were married for she was "barren". (vs. 7) They must have continued praying for many years but eventually gave up for they were both old and"well stricken in years"(vs 18) Now 50 or 60 years later an angel announces that God had heard their prayer! Zach got in trouble for doubting this as we see in verse 20. Let's continue to pray and believe God whatever the circumstances.

Dear Children and Grandchildren

2008-09-10T16:31:00.000-08:00

Sept. 10, 2008
I have enjoyed the Word of God more than I ever have since I am no longer preaching 3 or 4 times a week and am not pressed for time. Some times I find things I'd like to share with all of you, or some of you individually. With your mother's encouragement I'd like to start a "Bible Blog" and share some of my thoughts with you. Last night I told Joanna that I opened a can of "Pork and Beans" for supper, (your mother is in Arizona helping Becky while Adam recuperates from a serious operation) but I found no pork so I renamed it "Beans and Beans". With a hearty laugh she wondered if I had "looked under every bean?' I trust what I send you will have some "pork" but if you find it to be only "beans" just push the delete button.

Ps.119:168 "I have kept Thy precepts and Thy testimonies: for all my ways are before Thee," As you were growing up one of the things I was careful to emphasize in our daily devotions was that the time would come when you would no longer be under the eye of Mom and Dad but you would never be out of sight of God's eye. What an encouragement we find here to keep God's Word. "all my ways are before Thee,"

"Experience makes many a paradox plain, and this is one. Before God we may be clear of open fault and yet at the same time mourn over a thousand heart-wanderings which need his restoring hand."--C.H. Spurgeon

"I may hide Thee from my eye, but not myself from Thine eye."--Wm. Gurnall