Pastor’s Blog, November 2007
2007:
February March
April May
June July
August September
October December
2008: January February March
April May June July
Progress digitizing Faith Assembly recorded sermons: April 9, 1995 p.m.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Deuteronomy 24
9:05 a.m.
It has now been three weeks since I eliminated a particular activity in my life,
and I still am plenty stretched to keep up with the things I really need to do,
so I can certainly say I am getting along better without it!
I think I’ll take a little time to put some thoughts out for
you to mull over:
A couple comments made by some of my
own children who have left this walk (they just break my heart!):
Homeschooled
children lack, or have underdeveloped, socialization skills.
Pants are
accepted as women’s clothing by today’s society.
Some observations of conduct of
children who have left this walk:
Girls hair
was getting shorter and shorter, although that seems to be reverting back,
praise God
Boys and
girls hair color and style
Girls using
makeup in garish, noticeable amounts and ways
Body
piercings
Obvious questions serious Christians
would ask:
Who defines
socialization skills?
If secular society defines them, it will obviously base them on how you fit into
secular society.
Who defines
what are appropriate hair length, color, or style?
Who defines
whether tattoos or piercings are acceptable?
Individuals’ answers to these
questions, and the choices they make, reveal clearly who they are seeking to
please
The whole point for the Christian —
as it was for the Jew — is that God’s people are to be distinct from the world.
Fitting into
a society that is depraved to the core is not now, nor was it ever, the purpose,
aim, or goal of true Christians; true disciples of Jesus.
It is a deep error, delusion, and
deception of the devil to think a Christian will win the lost by accepting and
adopting the styles, practices, and standards of the world.
That makes as much sense as a
missionary going to a jungle tribe that goes around naked, and first thing
taking off his clothes, as a means to win the jungle savages to Christ!
It just makes my blood boil the stupid, STUPID excuses made
by people trying to justify living like the rest of the world.
And, my deepest concern is that I not be found justifying
things in my own life, and that I faithfully stand for separation from the
world, and for our lives to reveal that our highest desire is to honor and
glorify God, and serve His kingdom.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Numbers 36
4:05 p.m.
I have finished Numbers. I am also eliminating one activity that is not
necessary in my life. I got along fine without it in the past, and I will get
along fine, probably better, without it now. If I said what it was, someone
would make it a law, and that is not my point, so I will just not say. Anyway, I
have work to do, so this is it for this time. God bless you all.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Numbers 2
8:25 a.m.
I apologize, if an apology is needed, that blogging just is not a high priority
in my life. No matter how I look at it, a church is a local assembly, and a
remote ministry is still one step removed from immediate reality. I love you
brothers and sisters who come here, or on Paltalk, to get some spiritual
nourishment in a land that has very little available. But, to keep on top of my
work here, plus keep the website updated, sometimes is more than my schedule
allows. I confess, I do not redeem every last minute of time. I spend some time
in leisure activities. But, the things I do are not contrary to what I preach,
and I am, after all, a mortal. Please forgive me this shortcoming.
One thing I wanted to note: it was called to my attention
that there were mistakes in the online version of Dr. Freeman’s book, Why
Speak in Tongues? here on our website. I do not recall how that book was
published. I know I did not do it. In any case, I have the official printed
version on my computer, so I have uploaded it. I haven’t proofread the entire
book, but I would assume it is at least the same as the printed book now. I
appreciate the brother who informed me. If anyone notes any kinds of errors on
any page in our website, I would appreciate hearing from you so I can correct
them.