The sins of my youth…
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General Claudius Josephus and I grabbed the paper at 7:15 a.m. and headed home.
Had an interesting devotion this morning. My attention was arrested with one Scripture, where Nehemiah prayed, “Remember me, O my God, for good, according to all I have done for this people.” (Nehemiah 5:19 nasb.)
When I read this my mind went back to something that David said, “Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to Your lovingkindness remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.” (Psalm 25:7 nasb.)
I thought about how many of us can be troubled with the sins from our past. Yet I also remembered how the Bible tells us? that none of a believer’s sins are ever recorded anywhere.
This inspired me to provide a study on ‘the sins of my youth’ for one of the membership-only email forums that I host. It is truly an awesome study if I have to say so myself.
If any of my readers would like a copy of this study, write me privately at Buddy@ChristianChallenge.Org, and I’ll see that you get a copy. It will be well worth your time.
8:05 a.m. To the office. Need to catch up on some ‘Ask the Pastor’ counselling among other things.
I got to thinking about how my young life changed when we moved back to Louisiana from California in 1949. In California I was use? to a Hispanic culture. My playmates were Mexicans and African-Americans. None of us? had any ideas about prejudices over skin color.
When we arrived in Louisiana, I saw a different picture. The blacks attended different schools, rode different buses, could not drink at the same water fountain or be in the same restaurant. They had to sit? in the balcony of the local theater.
All this confused me. I’ve never had a prejudice bone in my body. Never really understood it, and especially when it had to do with Christians.
I am so glad those days are behind us. Our greatest need as a people is exposure to one another. When open communication is in place, then our misplaced fears make their departure.
But I might mention this — Betty and I use to park our car outside a black Baptist church in Boyce, and watch their services through a window. (It was night.) How we loved to see them worship. Of course back then we were Pentecostals, so the exuberance of the blacks just thrilled us.
Perhaps this is another uniqueness about Christian Challenge. We are such a mixed congregation. I love it that way. It is like Mama Ethel use to say, ‘There ain’t no black Holy Ghost. There ain’t no white Holy Ghost.’
Mama Ethel Morgan was one of our first members in Boyce, when Christian Challenge had its start. What a treat she was. When Mama Ethel got happy in the Lord, she would do her little ‘mashed potato’ dance.? Some of you don’t even know what that is.
8:50 a.m. Call from Warren Spurgeon. He is another of my ’special’ mentoring sons-in-the-faith. I love to hear him. The more he talks, the more he talks, the more he talks, the more animated he gets. I get my special Warren sermon each time he calls me. But I love him and his precious family more than words can tell.
Well — He may be kin to another great preacher of yesteryear, the preacher Charles Hadden Spurgeon. C. H. Spurgeon was known as the ‘Prince of Preachers.’ I use to love to study his sermons. In fact one of the first books I bought as a young preacher was a book of his preachings.
Let’s move to another topic.
Well, you? know? how much I love C. J. I’ve always had a true affection for dogs. Also have some? funny dog stories.
Here’s one. It isn’t exactly funny, but it makes a point. We were at my sister’s house. Their dog had just had her pups, but the pups were dying one by one. Believe it was distemper.
Anyway, I looked at my sister, Bertie, and our good friend, Rita Magana, and at Betty, and said, ‘Let’s pray for these puppies.’
We bowed our heads and I began to pray. Just so happened that? Bertie and Betty each opened one eye,? looked at one another, and simply burst out laughing. Well, so much for praying for the puppies.? All faith went out the window. Yep, the puppies all went to puppy heaven.
Reminds me — I read an article in the paper yesterday that Caddo Parish is looking into putting in place ‘no kill’ animal shelters. I wish that would catch on everywhere. Every time I see our local shelter put a dog picture in the paper for adoption, I have to contain myself. I cannot stand the thought of any of these dogs being put to death.
Betty found out about my love for dogs early in our marriage. At our first home, I decided to go to the pound to find me a dog. Brought one home. Went back the next day and brought another one home. Didn’t take any more chances. Just set about to enjoy Skeeter and Missy.
12:25? p.m. Getting close to closure time.
Got to share this. Betty and I watched last night service via the internet. As always it was wonderful, both the worship and Nathan’s teaching.
When Jeff told the congregation? that Betty and I were watching from home, that’s when all the waving began, and some funny antics. It was a joy to our hearts. Some of the younger girls would jump up and down in front of the camera, to make sure we saw them.
Guess what? Nan put a picture of her forthcoming grandson in front of the camera. It was a natal picture. Yep, the baby is a boy.? ? 
Nathan did something special at the end of his teaching. He taught on communication skills that are found in the book of Proverbs. Then he spoke directly to me with a tender heart, and read, “Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons is their fathers.” (Proverbs 17:6 nasb.)
My eyes filled with tears. Nathan last words were, ‘My dad is my glory.’
Several in the congregation shared? thoughts concerning his teaching. Loved hearing them all.? Warren especially caught my heart.? He talked about how his family had changed, and how deeply our pastoral example had affected him as a father and as a husband.
Well, it’s 12:50 p.m. Don’t need to ramble any more. I’m just? waiting for my Betty to make it home with my meal from Outlaws. O boy. Ribs again.
Love to all and to all a good afternoon,
Buddy
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