Pastor Buddy’s Blog

Back to Jerusalem…

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Hi Journal,

Had my morning constitution with General Claudius Josephus. Went for the paper. Had my coffee and my morning devotion.

Then off we went to Cabrini for my white blood count shot. The nurse asked me why my skin was so tough. Told her that I was an old salt. (Sailor) Then I told how about how we would stop our ship in the ocean to let the sailors swim. Always had gunners on deck to watch out for any critters of the shark variety. Once saw a pod of killer whales so we brought the guys back on deck. I was a radioman and was on duty. Didn’t get to go swimming. The nurses just laughed. Said they’d never heard of such a thing; ship stopping in the ocean so the sailors could? swim.? (It’s true.)

Stopped back by the office. Donna, our new Friday secretary, had some homemade soup for Betty and me. Donna is such a sweetheart. They had a time today. Nathan needed to train Donna on a few things and the offices were still in major renovations.

Got another request from India for me to go there to help three Baptist churches. Not sure where all this is going. I’ll definitely check into these requests. Looks like the Lord is making a way for Christian Challenge to expand our borders. That’s just fine with me. I remember several years ago that the Lord pointed out two particular countries we would especially be involved in, Mexico and China. This would not preclude our involvement in other countries. We continue with some work in Mexico. Still need to see what China, India, and the Philippines holds for us. (Maybe other countries as well.)

Larry Jeane called this morning. How I love that brother. He’s the one who calls himself a Philistinean Catholic. (Hope I spelled that right.) Larry has been a warden at varied? State pens. We became friends with him? when he was warden at Beauregard. At that time there was a move to bring the gospel to inmates across the nation.? Larry opened the doors and did we have a? time.? Baptized a number of the inmates.

This brings me to today’s call.? Larry is such a cool guy. He is preparing eats for the Louisiana College football team and others. Said he is going to bring me a ’sacrificial meat offering’ of spare ribs with all the sauce and trimmings. Now, it don’t get much closer to heaven than that. Larry is the kind of friend that will be at your side come hell or high water. I consider Larry one of my favorites of friends. (By the way, hell is that other place.)

Remember how often I’ve said that it began in Jerusalem and it will end in Jerusalem. May I make a personal request? …..

Please, please, please go to? http://backtojerusalem.com/.? Take time to view their ‘Watch the Video.’ It will leave you with tears in your eyes. The Chinese are like a marching army with the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are headed west. It looks like east and west are going to meet in Jerusalem. Betty and I have been there. Jerusalem needs to meet her king.

Actually Betty and I? were in a March for Jesus with about 5000 Christian Koreans right in Jerusalem. (Several years ago.) It was an awesome display. Only thing lacking was that the city would not allow us to carry banners. No problem. Our voices of praise could be heard across the city. It’s time Jerusalem. Get? ready to open your gates.?

If you would like to hear a song that the Lord gave me years about Jerusalem and her king, go to http://www.christianchallenge.org/JubileeCD.html. Click on song #2, ‘Open the Gates.’

CJ and I took another walk today. Went down to our turn off at the church. Actually a bit too much for me. I felt really weak time we got home. There is such a beautiful spot on the right when cars turn onto our road up to the church. Betty has dubbed it ‘Parque de Paz.’ (Peace Park.) She would really like to see a pavilion or a gazebo put there one day. Sort of a spiritual refreshing place for our folk to relax, or just anyone from the neighborhood to have a moment of pause. Maybe some day.

Another call from one of my mother hens. Lane called. It is such a joy to talk with him. Lane shared something that I found interesting. He said, ‘If you don’t ever go through the wilderness, you will never find the joy.’ Pretty neat. He was reflecting on the wilderness journey of Israel. Seems to me that some folk stay in the wilderness a bit too long.

Well, let me leave you with a cute story from my younger days. My cousins and I use to explore a creek not far from where we lived. It was named Castor Creek but everyone always pronounced it Cas’-stall. You know how we country folk are. Anyway we would explore to our hearts desire. We’d cut vines to swing on and also shoot snakes.

We came across this cliff about 20 feet tall. A tree had fallen across it. You could cross from one side to the other. Anyway, half way down the cliff was a ledge just wide enough for one person to walk all the way across the face of the cliff. So I got me a pole and began my journey. Wouldn’t you know it? I wasn’t aware that I was in billy goat country.

Suddenly a big billy? jumped on the other end of the ledge. There we were facing one another. He started for me and I couldn’t turn around with the pole in my hands, so I started for him. About mid way I socked him with the pole and off he went into the creek. He just shook his head, looked at me, bleated, and took off. Guess that pretty well makes me billy goat gruff.? ? :)

I’ve never forgot that. After all, it could have been me in the creek. Course that would have been fine. We boys swam the creek all the time. Always in our birthday uniform.

Which reminds me of? one more story. We boys use to swim in a hole called Little Rocky. Course? in our birthday suits. Unknowing to us one of the local churches had planned a baptism at Little Rocky that Sunday. Yup! When we heard the voices and cars coming, all? you could see was skinny little butts heading for the bushes. We had a ringside seat to a baptism. Don’t think anyone saw us.? Soon as they left, we headed back for the swimming hole. What fun we country lad had.? Raiding water melon patches was another of our specialities.?

Ok — I’m gone. Love all of you.

Blessings,

Buddy