Journal,

Yesterday my doctor at MD Anderson gave me a clean and clear bill of health with regard to lymphoma and released me back to Cabrini. Once again I really appreciate Nathan making the trip to Houston with his mom and me. (A one day venture.)

Of course this carries in line with the Biblical principle of witnesses: “Every act is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” (Cf. 2Co13:1 nasb)

With that in mind here is Nathan’s report as sent to the Christian Challenge membership via our ministry email site:

“Yesterday I traveled w/Bro. Buddy & Sis. Betty to MDAnderson Cancer Center in Houston for Bro. Buddy’s followup visit with Dr. Neelapu to go over the results of all the followup tests. As you recall back in August his tests from Cabrini showed the cancer was in the bone marrow but two weeks later the tests from MDAnderson showed no signs of cancer. They had wanted to do followup tests two months later and we were headed back to get the results of those tests that were done last week.

“GREAT NEWS - all tests came back clean!!! There are no signs of cancer, only scar tissue from the dead cancer cells. Dr. Neelapu has released Bro. Buddy back to Cabrini and suggests that he continue doing routine CT Scans just to keep an eye on things. Praise the Lord! Expect the Unexpected!”

Only scar tissue from the dead cancer cells… 

The cancer was put to death. But this brings me back to what the Lord spoke to me during my morning devotion, Monday, August 6th. I was meditating in Isaiah 64:2,3, which reads:

“When you did awesome things which we did not expect, You came down, the mountains quaked at Your presence. For from days of old they had not heard or perceived by ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.” (Isa64:2,3 nasb)

In that moment of meditation was the divine presence. The Lord spoke to my heart with  regard to MD Anderson, saying, ‘Expect the unexpected.’ He also spoke to me from the last part of verse 4, “Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.”

Words to live by…

My point in resharing a bit of this testimony is to show how the Lord gives us words to live by. It has been that way for me over my many years of walking with Him. But not to me only — This is how the kingdom of God’s beloved Son works.

For example, the three disciples heard these words on the mount of transfiguration, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” (Mt17:5)

Then we have this from the Lord Himself; “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” (Jn6:63)

Faith comes from hearing Christ speak to your heart …

If there was ever a lesson that God’s people need to learn over and over again, it is the lesson of learning to listen to Jesus. The Bible says that Jesus is both the author and the finisher of our faith. This means much more than our initial salvation experience. It means that Jesus will be with us all the days of our lives, continually giving us words to live by.

This is what new covenant faith really about. It is about the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Jesus said in one setting, “Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Lk6:46)

When some of the people began to leave Jesus, the Lord asked the disciples if they wished to leave also. Peter’s response sets the tone for a believer’s walk with the Lord. He said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.” (Jn6:68)

Dreams, visions, and living words…

One day I wish to share how the Lord has often directed me through dreams, visions and living words. It would be without the purpose of drawing any attention to myself. My desire would simply be to rekindle the faith of God’s people with regard to what a ‘living faith’ involves.

Jesus did not come to give us dead orthodoxy or some formal form of religion to oversee our lives. Neither did He come to give us some charismatic leader to be our guide in life. Jesus came to give us a personal, vital connection with heaven and a way to walk with Him that is filled with life. This is why the new covenant is spoken of as “a new and living way.” (He10:20)

If you see your sister falling by the way…

When I was an evangelist one of the songs I use to sing was made popular by Glen Campbell. (In the 70s) It was entitled ‘Try a Little Kindness.’ Take a moment to listen to it here:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FMvMGCTxZwg

The reason I draw attention to this song is because of late one of our sister churches in this this area has been struggling under a great burden. It has been so grevious that the whole Christian community has been affected by it. Much prayer has been forthcoming.

Without speaking to detail of the struggle, I’ve said and I’ve heard a number of others say that there could be ‘no winners’ in this issue. But the more I thought about it, it seems the Lord put in my heart that many winners would come out of the struggle. In fact we’ve seen prayers being answered right and left.

But the keynote is found in the song. Listen to the lyrics and see if this song speaks to your heart –

Try a Little Kindness

If you see your brother standing by the road
With a heavy load from the seeds he’s sowed
And if you see your sister falling by the way
Just stop and stay you’re going the wrong way

You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets

Don’t walk around the town, down and out
Lend a helping hand instead of doubt
And the kindness that you show every day
Will help someone along their way

You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets

You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets

When I drove by our sister church this morning on my way to our weekly pastor’s prayer breakfast, I felt such a sense of love and compassion for them. Prayers flowed forth. Yet in all this I knew in my heart that they were going to be alright. The Lord would see to it.

With regard to kindness, I can add that the Lord was gracious is allowing a few of we local pastors to become part of the healing process in our sister’s struggle. The one thing we wanted was to remain incognito. The Lord granted us that privilege. Certainly it isn’t over, but the full victory will be seen in time. (For everyone.) Yes - There will be plenty of winners involved.

Nuff for now.

Many blessings,

Buddy

Posted: October 31st, 2007 under CCI, NHL.
Comments: none

Morning Journal,

Last evening was Pastor Appreciation Night at Christian Challenge. What an awesome time.  – By the way, the members of Christian Challenge make up our treasure  chest —

Robert Hazmark served as moderator. He used readings from Ephesians 4:1-6, as a launch point, shared personally from his heart, then had David Stellwagon take a mike to those who wanted to make their feelings known.  It was  an humbling experience for all three pastors and their wives.

It was also interesting to see how the sharings began to pick up. A hand would go up here, and another over there. Then more and more wanted to share from their heart. You could feel the emotions as they spoke. And some were downright funny. And poor David had to make the rounds from side to side. About the time he wanted to share from his heart, another hand would go up. Thanks David. Its like the song that says, ‘Oh what a blessing you are.’ (I think there’s a song that says that. Hmmmmm?)

The wonderful thing about giving room for folk to speak from their hearts is that healings can take place, dividing walls can be erased, and the love of God can flow like a river. There were times of laughter, times of sober reflection, and times of tearfulness. The entire evening was deeply moving.

Wish I had room to draw attention to certain high lights of the evening, but alas, the entire evening was a uninterrupted highlight. It is hard to find a particular moment to share. Those able to be with us will understand.

Yet I would be remiss if I didn’t make a mention of a couple of things. One thing we kept hearing over and over is how very unique Christian Challenge has been to our members, including a number of our newer folk. We heard how Christian Challenge is so unique as a Christian Church, with such an openness, a genuineness, a love flow, a spirit of discipleship, and a measure of teachings from God’s Word that is difficult to find in many places.

How do you respond to such things? Part of the answer is that Christian Challenge actually began as a School for Christian Workers. To this day the spirit of the New Testament discipleship remains at the very heart of our ministry. I personally think this is what new covenant life is really all about. And this is what Christian Challenge is about.

There was a point where I did get to say just a bit. It was while Shana was speaking from her heart that I asked for the mike for a brief comment. I just had to call attention to what the Lord said disciples should say concerning service in His kingdom – “So you too, when you do all the things commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’” (Luke 17:10 nasb)

And that is exactly how I felt while listening to the appreciations given last evening. I have never felt adequate to be a pastor and yet all these folk wanted to honor us. I thought to myself, ‘If you only knew the struggles over our own humanness that we pastors share in common.’  I am sure that Nathan and Jon had the very same feelings.

But then I thought, ‘Maybe this is something that helps a person to be a good pastor. When people see that a pastor is just as human just as they are, it makes for true and open fellowship. The point is that there are no perfect pastors, just forgiven pastors.’

This is true. The old timer said something like this – “The preacher preaches best when he preaches as a saved-sinner among sinners, saved by grace, but preaching to sinners to whom grace aplenty can be found in Jesus Christ.” (More my take on something the old timer said.)

Anyway, the evening had just begun. After the appreciations were given, and a prayer over the food had been made, and our traditional three times ‘Jesus is Lord’ resounded, we headed for the fellowship hall for an experience of finger-foods galore! Wow - What a layout. 

More fellowship and laughter and hugging and eating and going from one person to another to give our appreciativenesses. (What a word.) Then there was the table set up just for we pastors and our wives to read the ‘heaps’ of cards from the members. (And I mean ‘heaps.’)

I just have to share one from Robert and Cheryl. It says, ‘You’re more than a Pastor … you’re a prayer-lifting, spirit-gifting, always-blessing, never-stressing, joy-giving, gospel-living, church-leading friend! Thank you for your ministry.’

Ok, what a tribute. But giving credit where credit is due, Nathan is actually now the Senior-Pastor of the Central Church in Pineville. He is the dude under the gun. I’m still the General Overseer for CCI, but better known as the ‘annoyance’ checker.  :)   – Yeah. So I don’t know what that means either. —

One other thing I have to share. Over the many years I’ve collected special hand-made cards and drawings from our children. Last evening Elizabeth McBride and Rebekah Gauthier each gave me theirs. Elizabeth’s was on a folded napkin and Rebekah’s was on a folder piece of paper. These two young ladies are sweethearts. In fact it was my joy to dedicate both of them to the Lord. (Some eight years ago. Think I have that right.)

What made this even more special was when I told Rebekah that her mom had given me a hand-made card when she was only five years old. Her eyes got real bright. And I told her that I have that card to this day. In fact I have a desk drawer full of these wonderful memories from our children. My, how time flies. Doesn’t seem possible that Christian Challenge is knocking on thirty-one years of history.  

At our family luncheon today we talked about how precious the Pastor Appreciation Night was.  And I’m sure everyone felt the same wonderfulness about it. It was one of those  divine moments where God’s people felt a little bit of heaven. In fact that is exactly what I heard in one of the testimonies of appreciation. The sister said that experiencing Christian Challenge is like experiencing just a bit of heaven.

Guess I need to leave off for now. I’m starting to gush just a bit too much.

Sending much love your way,

Buddy

Posted: October 25th, 2007 under General.
Comments: none

Journal,

Last evening we had a marvelous meal with the Campbells and the Fredericks, blackened redfish, smothered with shrimp and a white sauce, and the trimmings. Wow, what a delightful meal. 

The evening was simply warming to the heart. Plenty of good ole down-to-earth fellowship. Lots of laughter to go around. And the kids had a blast. Suppose there is nothing in the world like Christians having wonderful times of togetherness. 

Hello world — I hope that one day you’ll tuly discover the master key to life. 

Yep, October is ‘Pastor Appreciation’ month. We’ve surely been blessed. Of course the three Christian Challenge pastors with our wives are relishing every moment.  And  the three ‘relishing’ pastors are, Nathan as Senior Pastor, Jon as Youth Pastor, and yours truly as Founding Pastor. 

The Campbells and Fredericks were the latest in our ‘appreciation’ venture.  Still have more to go.  :)  We really appreciate all the love that has been sent our way.

Thanks mucho to Edward and Sue for the special treats they’ve brought to the parsonage. Edward and Sue have to be one of the sweetest couples on God’s good earth. I have more fun picking at Edward than just about anyone. Thanks Edward and Sue.

Last Saturday evening also took the cake. After the water give-away, we saundered on out to Sharp, where Bernett, Lane, and Martha Jane prepared us a meal of rib eye steaks with all that goes with steaks. Boy, just thinking about those steaks makes my mouth water.

It wasn’t just the steaks that made the evening. Cousins Jerry and Jerome brought their guitars and off we go for a good ole country gospel hoe down — I’m on the banjo and guitar, Jerry and Jerome on the guitars, with Nathan on the base guitar and piano. The only thing missing was cousin Jamesette on the fiddle. He was out-of-pocket. That boy can play a fiddle like a house on fire.  

Got to wondering this week where the word ‘Christmas’ came from ...

I’ve always been puzzled about the word Christmas. For years I thought the word Christmas came to us by way of the Latin language via the Catholic Church, and that it meant Christ Mass. It was interesting to find out that this really isn’t the case at all.  At least not in its etymological sense.  (How do you like that fancy title for the origin of words.)

Laying aside all consideration for what or what may not be of pagan origin, the  word Christmas literally comes to us by way of late Old English. It was spelled ‘Cristes-messe’ which meant the festival of Christ. ‘Messe’ meant feast, festival, or celebration. (First found in 1038 - In Latin the term is Dies Natalis - the nativity.)

There is a lot of lore about Christmas, but let me add something to the pot. There really is no Hebrew, Greek, or Latin word for Chrismas. Yet there is a Greek word that sounds very much like it and may have something to do with where the term truly came from. 

The word for Christ in Hebrew is Messiah. In Greek it is Christos. Both words speak of the anointed one. However, in the Greek language the word for the anointing is ‘Chrisma. It is pronounced very near to our english word Christmas. This word is pronounced khris’-mah. 

So when someone says to you, ‘Merry Christmas,’ just keep in mind where the word most likely came from. Now doesn’t that sound a lot better.   :)    Just having fun - Don’t be mad at me for  being a smarty. 

Off to Anderson this Friday…

Its time for another check up at MD Anderson. This is all part of the ’staying-on-top-of-things’ regimen. We plan to leave early Friday morning and return later that evening. About nine to ten hours driving time. Most of my tests are in the morning with the final one at 1:20 p.m. (Go back on the 30th to meet with my doctor.)

But we do have a couple reasons for the fast turn-around. One is ‘voting’ time Saturday. Another is our church soft ball outing. I really love these fun get-together times.

Testimony time…

Our Wednesday evening service is a special time for Christian Challenge. For a number of weeks we’ve had members of the congregation share their testimony. It has been such  joy to hear how folks came to know the Lord. Debbie will be sharing this evening. What a treat!

They are new every morning…

Following Debbie’s testimony I’ll share a bit of study. For anyone interested, my text this evening will be Lamentations 3:20-25. Only have two points: The Sacrifice of Love, and, What the Human Race Needs to Know.

I’m going to do things a bit backwards. I’ll advise folk up front that it will be at the end of the study before I tell them why I brought the study. There is an objective, but the objective needs to be the icing on the cake. Interested? You can sit in on the study via our web site at http://www.christianchallenge.org/

Ok, thats it for now.

CJ sends his best.

Much love coming your way from the Martin plantation,

Buddy

Posted: October 17th, 2007 under General.
Comments: none

Journal,

Nathan, Lane and I made a trip to MD Anderson in Houston yesterday to be with Richard Spurgeon and his family. Richard was having a brain tumor operation. The short side is that Richard came through the surgery with flying colors. The doctor felt certain that the tumor was completely removed. Richard will be there for a short time for recovery and evaulation, and then return home. (Possibly even this Sunday.)

The upbeat in all this is how the Lord ministered peace to Richard and Trudy before the operation. He gave both of them His perfect peace. Richard was assured of the Lord that He had things for Richard to do. One of those things was to be able to speak into his son’s life and into the life of his grandson.

Well, after all this is what the Bible teaches. Did not the Lord say to Moses, “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” Deu6:6,7 nasb

We had prayer with Richard before the surgery and was able to be with him after the surgery. As we were about to leave, these were the words in his mouth, “Jesus Christ is Lord! Jesus Christ is Lord! Jesus Christ is Lord!”

It was such a pleasure to be with the family during this time. Even the trip from Pineville to Houston and the return was quite enjoyable. (Though long and tiring.) We had time to catch up on a great deal of fellowshiping.

Whats this about Iranian nuts?

Don’t want to mislead you. I have a brother-in-law in Houston who is originally from Iran. He and Betty’s sister, Karen, have taken us at times to an Iranian restaurant for a meal. Persian food is simply awesome. Anyway, right next to the restaurant is a Iranian store where you can purchase all sorts of eastern food including a variety of ‘nuts.’

As you may suspect, Nathan and I decided to include this Iranian store in our ventures to Houston. We always end up buying a goodly supply of nuts. Course now that we have Lane addicted, he’ll be wanting to take that venture with us in the future. 

So, that’s the story on the Iranian nuts. Nathan and I both love the pistachio nuts that are made with a special seasoning. Course the salty taste does do wonders for your tongue.

Hope to have some pictures on the blog…

I’ve wanted to upload some pictures on my blog to make things a bit more interesting. I’m sure most of you would like to meet General Claudius Josephus. (CJ for short.) He is truly a handsome bloke.  Course you’ll get to both mine and Betty’s smiling face at times. Then I’ll include some interesting pictures of ‘whosoever will.’ 

Don’t laugh. You are most likely one of the whosoever wills. 

Anyway, Nathan is going to check this out for me. I thought about doing this on my own, but ‘my own’ has a tendency of making a mess of things. Then per ole Nathan has to try and fix daddy’s mess ups.

Ah shucks — I don’t know about all these newly fired inventions. We was just getting use to the telephoney party-lines when they come up with all this privacy stuff. At least back then you could keep up with neighborly gossipy things. Don’t know what this world is coming to.

Let’s see ….. Hmmmmm. Guess that is pretty much it for now. I do have a request to provide a study on ‘prayer’ for our Hebraic-Foundations study group. Sure need to get on that one. Yes, believe I’ll make that my next adventure.

Much love to you,

Buddy

Posted: October 12th, 2007 under General.
Comments: 2

Hi Journal,

I’m off to rambling a bit, so excuse me while I reflect on some things that my readers may have little interest in.  I want to share some pictures of the early Christian pioneer workings in the area that was at one time called ‘the Sabine Territory.’

This week I read an article in our local paper entitled ‘Reliving History.’ It had to do with a historical tour offered to begin at the Kent House in Alexandria, and conclude at the oldest cemetery in Rapides Parish. (Rapides Cemetery located in Pineville.)

At the cemetery an actress playing the part of Henrietta Wills Fulton Hooper will stand by Henrietta’s marble tomb and give a historical narrative of her time. Henrietta was the wife of the founder of Alexandria, that is, Alexander Fulton.

While reading the article my mind went back to Billy Martin, my great-great-great-grandfather, who was one of the early pioneer families to settle in ’the Sabine Territory.’ Billy came to Louisiana a year before the city of Alexandria was laid out in 1805.

Then it triggered!? Why don’t I share a bit of historical narrative on another pioneer family to this area, and include some Christian insights? And that is what this journal entry is really about.

So, just who was Billy Martin? 

Well, we don’t really know where Billy came from. What we do know is that he and his Indian wife, Elizabeth, settled near Anacoco, Louisiana, in what would later become Vernon Parish. It was from there that the Martin family would spread out to include most of West-Central Louisiana.

I’ve often told my kids to take care of who they talk about, that they are kin to most of the old pioneer families in Louisiana from where we live to the Sabine Riber.  

As a totally immature and ill-trained genealogist it has been my pleasure to do research on Billy.

Anyway, not much is known about Billy’s early history. He was born circa 1766 (possibly 1773) and fought in the Revolutionary War. One of Billy’s sons said that Billy was from North Carolina. But there is a bit of confusion since other information indicates that he was from Virginia and came to Louisiana by way of Kentucky. We also have information to indicate that Billy was an orphan.

When the Louisiana Purchase was completed in 1803, pioneer families began making their way into the territory. Billy and his Indian wife Elizabeth, arrived here in 1804.

According to a family legend, Billy was captured by Indians and lived with them for a time. He was adopted by the chief. His wife Elizabeth was supposedly the chief’s daughter. As for her name, it was common at that time to give Indian wives an English name. (Thomas Jefferson encouraged the pioneers to marry Indian women in order to create a new American.)

So what does all this have to do with anything?

Not much I suppose. I was just thinking about the goodness of the Lord and how that family roots do have much to do with who we are. Billy and Elizabeth were rugged pioneer stock. They lived in a far different world that we can even visualize. 

Billy and Elizabeth had nine children, eight sons and a daughter. Two of the sons are in my lineage, that is, William Jr., and Charles Seth. My grandparents were cousins.  

Most all of Billy’s children settled in Central Louisiana and carried on with the pioneer work of Billy and Elizabeth. For the most part they were all Christians. I believe Billy was a Methodist. Billy and Elizabeth are buried in Mitchell Cemetery in Anacoco, Louisiana. I believe the cemetery is now called Cold Water Cemetery. (Could be wrong on that.)

There is other documentation that shows William (Billy) Martin as a Revolutionary War soldier. He is listed with the Daughters of the American Revolution and that his wife, Elizabeth was Indian.  

Then we have a narrative-report written by Rev. Thomas Franklin, who was himself an early settler of the Sabine Territory. It was entitled, ‘Pioneer Minister Tells of First Cemetery.’

From Rev. Franklin’s report… 

To get a feel for the world that Billy and Elizabeth lived in, here are snippets from Rev. Franklin’s narrative:

 “I have been acquainted with people of this country ever since the year 1835 and the history of this graveyard from the time the first grave was opened. I feel it is my duty to give a short history to those who are interested.

In my early days there were no churches, no schoolhouses, preachers, nor anyone who would offer prayer in public, but my mother. People had to die, and I well remember when the people were called to bury John Martin’s infant child. This place was selected to lay the precious body. This was the second I had witnessed.

Oh, how horrifying to my mind that the grief stricken parents should be forced to leave their baby in the dark grave. There was no man of God to speak a word of encouragement or also God’s blessing on the afflicted people. At this time the Martin, West, Miers, and Franklin families made the principle part of the citizens of this country.

Rev. James Forman, a Protestant Methodist, organized a society in the first school house that was put up in this area. I well remember the old preacher preaching the funeral of Thomas Martin. He was the first man I ever saw kneel and offer prayer to God in this graveyard.

Now as we have been following the history of servants of the Lord since 1835, we now turn more directly to the history of this graveyard for here lies the body of the old and the young resting.

Here the body of William Martin, an old Revolutionary soldier, with his wife, also many children and grandchildren lie buried here. And the old wayworn traveler Saul Williams, who had been to  market to get supplies for his family and was taken at my father’s on his return home, and died. His children from Texas came and they and their friends laid his body here to rest.”

How easy to forget who we are as a people.

Billy and Elizabeth have a special memorial to them in Mitchell Cemetery. Many of my Martin forbearers are laid to rest there.

But as the family migrated outward two of Billy’s grandsons homesteaded in what later took the name Sharp, Louisiana. This is where my roots are. And there in Campbell Creek Cemetary are two sets of my great-grandparents. Beside one set of my great-grandparents, are my grandparents, my dad, and one of my sons. And there is where Betty and I will be laid to rest.

My mom is buried there. Uncles, aunts, cousins, and even a great-nephew. In fact most all who are buried at Campbell Creek Cemetery are kin folk.

Oddly enough it was the Indians who came up with the name Campbell Creek. Seems a passing settler camped awhile at the nearby creek and the Indians in the area called the creek after the settler’s name.

I’ve often walked through the old cemetary, thinking about the stalwart people who helped settle this country. For some reason the old cemetery helps me remember that my body is also of the clay, and that one day this old body must return to the earth from which it came.

Never a morbid thought enters my mind at the old cemetery. For I know deep down in my heart that I belong to the Lord of glory, and that one day I will get to meet many of my pioneer forebearers.

Has it really been that long since the pioneers settled here?

It really hasn’t been that long when you think about it. I well remember as a child when no one where we lived had running water or electricity. Some still lived in log houses, with no glass windows. They closed wooden shutters at night. Yes, I also remember doing my homework by use of a kerosene lamp, and seeing my grandmother cooking on a wood stove.

Well, its been over two hundred years since Billy and Elizabeth came to this country, but it really hasn’t been that long. Did not the brother of the Lord say, “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14 nasb)

Perhaps there really is a point to this narrative…

Think about it. When David spoke of the righteous man, he said, “For he will never be shaken; the righteous will be remembered forever.” (Ps112:6)

So what is the most important thing in life that we should take to heart? For me it is spiritual. The most important thing to take to heart is knowing that every true believer has their name recorded in the Lamb’s book of life.

It is this knowledge of our eternal salvation that causes us to agree with all the saints of old, of which it is written,

“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen then and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear thay they are seeking a country of their own. . . . But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.” (cf. He11:13-16 nasb)

There is a song that stays in my mind from the time of childhood. It is titled ‘When I Reach that City.’ Perhaps some of you will remember it. Here it is:

 WHEN I REACH THAT CITY

(1)
On the top of Mount Zion is a city
And the earth with glory it doth fill;
I shall look on its beauty in the morning
When I reach that city on the hill.

CHORUS

Oh, that city on Mount Zion,
Tho’ a pilgrim, yet I love thee still;
I’ll not leave thee, through the ages,
When I reach that city on the hill.

(2)
I’m invited to come home to that city,
For the Word says, “Whosoever will,”
And I’ll find there a mansion for me waiting
When I reach that city on the hill.

(3)
Death will never molest me in that city,
Never leave me lying cold and chill;
And I’ll enter to live up there forever
When I reach that city on the hill.

(4)
So I’ll stay here until my Saviour calls me,
Trying daily to perform His will;
Then He’ll say unto me, “Well done,” up yonder
When I reach that city in the hill.

Well, rambling time is over. For any who may be interested here is one of the web sites where I do our Martin genealogy. It is called ‘the Martins of Sabine Territory.’

http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=buddybear

Much love coming your way,

 Buddy

Posted: October 4th, 2007 under General.
Comments: 1