Hi Journal,

Hopefully our travelings can slow down? for awhile. First it was Alabama, then Houston, Texas, and finally Clinton, Oklahoma. I get sort of road weary after a bit.

We made it in from Oklahoma, Thursday afternoon. Had a great time. After? the Green family reunion we? went on to Betty’s mom’s? for a visit. (West of Oklahoma City.) Got to spend time with? Betty’s sister Lareta and with her brother Darrell, and their spouses. (Darrel lives in New Mexico. He made the drive over to be with us.)

Yesterday and today have been really nice. Got to be in the VBS wrap up last evening. All the teachers were a ‘happy’ tired. After the VBS program it was a ball watching the kids with their water works.

Then today we had a soft ball outing for the church. Great turn out. Betty and I? enjoyed getting to visit with everyone. It is so good to be in the mix at Christian Challenge again.

Well, what this about walking in somone’s footsteps? Thanks for asking.

Many years ago when I was an evangelist I would go to the church where we were holding a revival just to pray. It was my custom to walk around the sanctuary while talking to the Lord. What made my prayer time? even more pleasurable was when I realized that a very young lad was walking right behind me, doing everything that I did.

Yep, that young boy was my son Nathan. Nathan was around five years old. Andre was still a baby and Shana had not yet made her appearance. But Nathan was like my shadow. He wanted to do what daddy was doing.

I recall a revival? I held in Iraan, Texas, in 1969. Betty and Andre stayed with her parents in Kermit, Texas, while Nathan went with me. We had a great time. I would play the guitar and Nathan would play the maracas. He was not the least bashful about standing there with daddy. And a good revival it was.

Well, Nathan is a grown man now with many years of ministry to his credit. He has walked beyond where my footsteps have taken me. In fact tomorrow Nathan and Patrick Calhoun are departing for the Philippines, India, and Nepal. They will be setting up new workers for Christians Sharing Christ. (Nathan serves on the board.)

Christians Sharing Christ is an awesome film-mission ministry. They train Christian nationals in the use of films to bring people to Jesus. It is one of the best missions groups that I know of. CSC can equip? 20 or more nationals to serve their own countrymen for what? it would cost to send one American to do the same work. Is that a bargain or what?

Of course I am asking for prayer for Nathan and Patrick.

By the way, are you learning to follow in the footsteps of Jesus? Think about it.

Looks like I’m being rebaptized into the work of Christian Challenge. I’ll be filling in for Nathan for two Sundays while he is gone. In addition I am initiating a new Sunday evening Bible study group. Maybe I still remember how to preach-teach.?

Hmmmmm. Seems like I said that before.

Tomorrow evening (6 p.m.) I’ll be talking with my study group about ‘living in covenant life.’ The study is a take off from a question that I was recently asked concerning what Hebrews 4:1 meant, “Therefore, let us fear, if while a promise remains of entering His rest, anyone one of you may seem to have come short of it.”

I’ll be sharing with the group that the term ‘rest’ actually refers to covenant life. It reflects back on how the term ‘life’ was used for the Old Testament people of Israel. I’ll also be sharing on the distinctions of the covenant of Moses in comparison to the covenant of Christ and how that the covenant of Christ is actually a ‘covenant of the Spirit.’

Don’t want to overplay my hand. Perhaps it is enough to say that when a believer is in the Spirit, they are in the rest. When they are not in the Spirit, they are not in the rest.

Of course there is much more to the issue of covenant life. You’ll simply need to be in the study group to gather some more gleanings on the life that Jesus came to give us.

Ok, what else? Oh yes. CJ was very happy to see us make it in from Oklahoma. While he enjoys meeting doggie friends at his kenneling, there really is no place like home. (I can attest to that.)

Its nearly 10 p.m. Think I’ll close out for now. (I plan to began? more Bible studies for my journal and the two forum groups that I host. Feel like its time to pick my writings back up.)

Much love coming your way,

Buddy

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Posted: June 30th, 2007 under CCI, NHL.
Comments: 2

Hi Journal,

Sorry for my lack of posting of late. Doing a bit of traveling. Betty and I are leaving in the morning for Oklahoma. We’ll be back the latter part of next week.?

As for my health, I’m doing really great. In fact I feel better now that I have in a long time. Finished my chemo. All the tests so far show no sign of lymphoma. I’ll be under a maintenance program for a while.

Last weekend we were in Houston for the wedding of a nephew. Had a great time. My kids were able to attend. That made it doubly great. The wedding reception was multi-cultural with a combination of Persian music, Mexican music, and country music. Must have been about 200 guests in attendance. (Our nephew’s dad is of Persian descent. His bride is Hispanic.)

Well, I finally made it to Cane River. Andre and I went fishing yesterday afternoon. Another great time. Caught about 60 fish. Kept 24. We made it back to the dock at 9 p.m. Was it ever dark.

Looks like I’ll be back in the saddle again at Christian Challenge. Sunday evening, July 1st, I’ll begin a ‘Deeper Life’ Bible study group. Hope I remember how to teach.? ?

Well, that’s about it for now. Need to start packing for our Oklahoma trip.

Blessings,

Buddy

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Posted: June 22nd, 2007 under NHL.
Comments: 4

Journal,

Yesterday was a day of? rejoicing at Christian Challenge. It was our privilege to? set apart Lane Fletcher to the gospel ministry.? If there was ever a man with the call of a preacher of the gospel,? it is Lane. He has proven himself? in faithfulness both to the Lord and in his serving the? church.?

In addition to our congregation, Christian Challenge overflowed with family and friends. (Of course Lane’s family is my family. His dad was my first cousin.)

The service began with worship. Then Nathan had Jamesette Kile and Jerome Fletcher share a special song at Lane’s request. Jamesette was on the fiddle, Jerome on the guitar, Mike Coutee on the base guitar, and Nathan on the piano. Jerome sang, “I want to stroll over heaven with you.”?

I was the first speaker in bringing a charge to Lane. I spoke on ‘The Messenger and His Message.’ I called attention to the ancient rite of God’s call to be a preacher in that the prophets were preachers. And what makes the feet of the bearer of the gospel beautiful is the message that he brings.

The angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:9,10)

The preacher’s primary role is to bring God’s message of redemption to the world. This is a good news message.

The point is that no one calls themself to the ministry. It is solely God’s choosing. Jesus said, “You did not chose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give it to you.” (John 15:16)?

Actually Noah was the first man to be called a preacher. Peter wrote, “[God] did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly.” (2Pe2:5)

I shared? five hallmarks of how a man knows he is called to the gospel ministry. They are:

1. The call is innate. This means that the call? will rest upon a person’s heart until he gives place to the call.
2. God’s call to the gospel ministry will carry the witness of? others.
3. The call is irresistible. If a person can stay out of the gospel ministry, he was not called to begin with.
4. The Lord will open doors for ministry for the person called.
5. The one called to the ministry will have shown himself in faithfulness. (God never calls an unfaithful man to the ministry.)

Paul testified to this in saying, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” (1Ti1:12)

But I also need to make a major point. God never calls a person to the gospel ministry because they lived a sinless life. Far from it. The carrier of the gospel? must always remember that he is also? one of those? sinners for whom Jesus came to redeem. We are all sinners saved by grace.

Nathan then brought the primary charge to Lane. He took his Scripture reading from Acts 13:1-3, and from 2 Timothy 4:1-5. He ministered on, ‘Set Apart for Me.’

Nathan was careful to bring out that the gospel minister will face opposition and that he must be sober in all things,? be willing to endure hardship,? do the work of an evangelist, and to fulfill his ministry of? calling. As a seasoned missionary to Mexico, Nathan well knows about these issues.

At the conclusion of Nathan’s charge he washed Lane’s feet while I sang the Christian Challenge theme song, ‘How Beautiful Upon the Mountains.’ We then had the laying on of hands. Brother Larry Basco, pastor of the Sharp Baptist Church, participated in the laying on of hands along with our board of counselors.

I deeply appreciate Brother Larry Basco being with us. A number of my family attend the church he pastors. Brother Larry is truly an humble servant of the Lord.

Perhaps it? needs to be said that? the greatest witness to all that was happening yesterday at Christian Challenge was the Lord Himself. The entire service testified to God’s pleasure. It was a moment to be cherished.

Well, this brings me to my title for this journal entry — God makes peace your borders. Listen carefully to some of the greatest instructions you will ever hear as a child of God.

The Psalmist wrote, “He [the Lord] makes peace in your borders; He satisfies you with the finest of the wheat.” (Psalm 147:14)?

While this Psalm appears to be directed to Israel’s restoration and prosperity, yet it carries certain truths for God’s people of all the ages.? The one truth that is especially relevant to New Testament believers is in the statement ‘He makes peace in your borders.”

One of the greatest witnessing attritutes of the kingdom of God is the governing peace of the Lord. This is why Peter said that it is crucial? for any child of God? to? seek peace and pursue it. (1Pe3:11) The issue is that God’s peace is available to all God’s children. They simply need to seek it out from the Lord.

One of the prophetic titles given to the Lord is, ‘Prince of Peace.’

Isaiah wrote, “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace.” (Isaiah 9:6,7)

The apostle Paul added to this issue of God’s governing peace when he said, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (Col. 3:15)

The? way that we can know we are truly trusting in the Lord and that we are in the very center of God’s perfect will is that we have the peace of Jesus ruling our hearts. This governing peace is only available to the child of God. It is not available to the world.

The apostle said,? “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil4:7)

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27)

The way a child of God gets peace from the Lord is to receive it from the Lord. Jesus said, “My peace I give to you.”

The bottom line issue? is that a child of God must take care to? always live in the peace of Jesus Christ. This is where our true? strength? is found.

If for a moment we began to lose our peace,? it is time to stop.? Very often a moment of prayer will solve the problem. Most often when we lose our peace it is because we are allowing something to trouble us from without. The key is always the same? Stop letting your heart be troubled. And don’t let anyone or anything disturb your peace.

There is so much more I would like to say about God’s peace but I need to find a? stopping place. Hopefully you are getting the picture. Just keep in mind that the world didn’t give it to you and the world can’t take it away.

Sending you regards for the general.? CJ is stretched out on his pillow in my office. Not a worry in the world. Now if that isn’t peace I don’t know what is.?

Much love coming your way.

Buddy

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Posted: June 11th, 2007 under CCI.
Comments: none

Journal,

Betty and I? really enjoyed our outing to Orange Beach, Alabama, with Shana and the grandkids. Jeff and his son? went with us.? Watching the? kids frolic? in the surf was a treat in itself. This was our first outing since my lymphoma journey began.?

As I shared earlier, my doctor says? my latest tests show no traces of lymphoma. Of course it will be important to keep an eye on things.? I’ll have a maintenance program for awhile. But I? don’t mind.? My entire journey with lymphoma has been under the watchful? care? of the Lord. He made a way for me to have the best of treatment.

In an earlier entry I talked about the difference between faith and wisdom. Faith speaks to our belief system and our trust in the Lord Jesus. Wisdom speaks of our learning to live by the Word of God and by the instructions of the Lord. Faith and wisdom are the power twins of life. Faith and wisdom have been? my companions in the journey of lymphoma.

This brings me to something I wish to share about? wisdom? from God. My devotions of late have been in Proverbs. What an amazing book.? The more I meditate in? Proverbs the more I find myself underlining? Scriptures. (Of course I do this with all my Bible reading.)

Which in turn brings me to my journal title,? ‘The heart and soul of wise living.’ One Scripture I underlined said, “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand all things.” (Pr28:5 nasb)

This is when I thought, ‘Learning to seek the Lord in all things is the heart and soul of wise living.’? Jesus affirms this when He? said, “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Mt7:8)?

What Jesus said accords with Proverbs 2:6-8:? “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves the way of His godly ones.” (Pr2:6-8)

Did you catch it? The Lord stores up sound wisdom for the upright! The Hebrew for ’sound wisdom’ is the one word tusiyyah. [too-shee-yaw'] The primary meaning of this word is ‘continuing success.’ It speaks of the wisdom that brings about advancement.

This? brings me to yesterday’s service at Christian Challenge. When I walked into the vestibule I saw the most beautiful sight that eyes could ever see. Mounted on the wall was a? marvelous encasement of? the glass pulpit that I had preached from for years. My son Andre built it as a gift to the ministry to? commemorate a great part of our history. I hope to have some? pictures of it for my next journal entry. (Andre wasn’t able to be in the services.? I called him yesterday afternoon to thank him for the wonderful gift.)

Since this was my returning service to Christian Challenge, Nathan asked me to share with the congregation whatever was on my heart. I began with a reading from Psalm 103:1-5:?

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”? ?

I shared with the congregation? my victory journey through lymphoma. But that was not what I really wanted them to hear from me. I? wanted them to? hear how the Lord had blessed me in? watching the progress of Christian Challenge from a distance. And what I saw was ’sound wisdom’? (tusiyyah) at work.

I also shared that one of the hardest jobs of a parent comes with allowing your children to grow up.? Observing Christian Challenge from a distance was one of the great blessings of being able to sit to the side for? awhile. I was able to watch Christian Challenge grow with a growth that can only come from the Lord. (Both in numbers and in? other ways.)

Wish I knew a better? word to replace the word ‘pride.’ Think I may have found one. It applies directly to the Christian Challenge leadership that has flowered under Nathan. Here is the Scripture I needed: “My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart also will be glad.” (Pr23:15)

There it is. My heart has been gladdened. While Christian Challenge has continued under? wise leadership, the Lord has kept me occupied? with the gladness of my own heart.?

But it wasn’t only Nathan’s leadership that I noted. I? saw how? the members of Christian Challenge? continued to? move forward with a true heart of? discipleship. Of course that is what our ministry is about. One of our motto statements is ‘Preparing Servants for the Nations.’

Now to the one question? that seems to be on the minds of people. A number of folk are asking about my ministry future.? Perhaps it would be good? to quote from a letter I wrote to our members this past December, concerning the? passing of the mantle of Senior Pastor from myself to Nathan. It reads:

“As for me I am excited about this new chapter in my life. I believe the Lord is releasing me to begin writing — putting on paper some life principles he has shared with me through the years. I also look forward to traveling with my precious Betty as the Lord allows. I will still serve on the pastoral staff as ‘Founding Pastor’, but Nathan will serve as Senior Pastor. In addition I will continue to do personal mentoring as the need arises.”

Being Founding Pastor in a practical sense? simply means that I’ll? be available to? help Nathan in whatever needs he may have.? As one pastor said to me in a humorous way, ‘Nathan pastors Christian Challenge. You pastor Nathan.’? ?

The truth of the matter is that I’ve continued? to minister over the past months. My on-line counselling remains quite active. That may well increase in the days ahead. But I’ll also be involved with the School for Christian Workers. Since the School was a great part of my original vision for? Christian Challenge, it will be my privilege to devote more time to it.

Speaking of the School, it was a real treat for me to sit in on ‘the Disciple’s Heart Class’ last evening.? It blessed me to see how Lane conducted the class. He kept? the students attention well in place. That is one of the signature marks of a good teacher. (By the way we will be licensing Lane next Sunday to the gospel ministry.)

A bit later yesterday evening, Betty and I attended the Awana workers? and Sunday School workers banquet. That was the topping on the ice cream. The atmosphere was wonderful. And the meal that Fred and Brenda prepared? would make a cow kick her calf.? (Sorry. The country just jumps out of me at times.)? ?

Let’s see — Where do I go from here? Ok. General Claudius Josephus sends his regards. (I think. Right now he is snoozing in my office.)

Just to keep folk on? pace Betty and I will be missing a couple of Sundays in June. We’ll be in Houston on June 17th, and in Oklahoma on June 24th.

Think that’s about it.

Much love and hugs coming your way,

Buddy

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Posted: June 4th, 2007 under NHL.
Comments: 4