Pastor Buddy’s Blog

Does a preacher ever forget…

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Hi Journal,

Draped? over my small library case in the parsonage office are two shoulder sashes, a white one and a purple one. The white one? says, ‘Survivor’. The purple one? says, ‘Caregiver.’ Of course the? survivor is me and the caregiver is Betty.

It was this last Saturday that we attended the American Cancer Society Relay For Life survivor’s luncheon. We enjoyed the luncheon. Had a chance to visit with Leon and his beautiful wife. (She is a survivor.) There were 86 cancer survivors at the banquet along with their caregivers. All together over 200 people attended.

One of the survivors shared her testimony. She was very gracious in lifting up Jesus to the people.

Now for a bit of? bit of update on my journey of life.? Tomorrow I go for my 7th chemo treatment. My 8th and final treatment will be Thursday, May 10th.

It really has been a journey of life. My sweet Betty has tended to me with all her heart. If I even mention something I’d like to have, she is going to see that I get it. Wish I knew how to express my love for this lady in my life. Well,? if I were to spell ‘love’ another way, I’d simply? need to spell it ‘Betty.’

Today I’ve been going over? my? blog entries to save them on a computer program. (Not sure why.) The memories have? been there. Now that it’s not that far from the end of my treatments, my thoughts have? been making their own journey.

I realize how strange this may sound, but this journey of life has had its blessings attached. Not only have I done? considerable writing, but I’ve also done more than my share of? reading.

The only thing that has given? me pause is this strange thought, ‘Have I forgotten how to preach?’? ?

That part has been odd — My entire adult life has been one of preaching and teaching God’s Word. Since December 2006, I haven’t stood behind a pulpit. I’ve never been out of the pulpit for any length of time.? (When we first started Christian Challenge in 1976, I was actually ministering seven times a week.)

Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not talking about regrets. I know beyond any doubt that I’ve been in? the center of God’s will. On top of that I know that I’ll? continue preaching and teaching the Word of God in the future. It’s all in wondering what direction my future ministry will take.? No problem on this end — Faith began the journey. Faith will carry it on.

I know that everyone is painfully aware of the tragedy that happened in Virginia. It truly sets forth the horror of evil. While keeping up with the news? I was reminded of something? I heard a psychologist say many? years ago on a secular tv program. During the interview she said something like,? ‘We have to accept that there is a principle of evil in the world.’ (A near quote.)

I thought to myself, ‘Lady, you don’t know the half of it.’ There is only one? hope for the world. That hope is contained in the message of? Jesus Christ.? Paul said that the gospel ‘is the power of God? for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.‘ (Rom1:16)

Jesus said, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14 nasb.)

Well, the whole world includes our door steps. We must always keep that in mind.

Ok, I’ll sign off for now. General Claudius Josephus is doing well. He is lying on his pillow with his head on the window sill. What a handsome chap.

Much love,

Buddy

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