Pastor Buddy’s Blog

The heart and soul of wise living…

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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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