Wow, what a testimony. Fifty seven years. Thank you for sharing your experience in the ‘Lord always being there.’

Looks like you have a few years up on Betty and me. We’ll have 45 years this September.

Love you,

Buddy

It is my joy to share that which the Lord has given to me. I’m happy to know that it blessed you. May it prove to be a blessing to other members of your family.

Your brother in Christ Jesus,

Buddy

Jim

I’m glad that you are enjoying my writings on Jerusalem. There is more to this story. No question that Jerusalem serves as God’s time clock of redemption.

Blessings,

Buddy

The one volume of the Anti-Nicene writings that every serious Bible student should acquire is volume #1. You will gain considerable insight into how the Jewish believers and the nonbelievers differed.

As for the information that I shared in this entry, it comes from various sources. There likely isn’t simply one book that provide what you are looking for. This is why I gave a list of recommended reading. And being familiar with the prophetic text in the Bible is a major plus.

Judaism and the Origins of Christianity is a good source. The author was an Orthodox Jew but not far from taking to himself Jesus as Messiah of Israel. David Flusser was a good friend of a number of Christian theologians. He was the one who said that he would not be surprised if the Messiah was Jesus. (He passed on just a few years ago.)

Wish I could point you to the one book (other than the Bible) that would help you the most, but I have a notable collection of books in my library. (Don’t even know the number.) However, I would not hesitate to recommend that you obtain the writings of John Lightfoot and also ‘The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah,’ by Alfred Edersheim.

Hope this helps a bit.

Buddy

It gladdens me to know that you enjoy my writings.

On secrets of the heart, for me it is a healthy thing to share some of my secrets of the heart. It helps me to search out and process the corners of my life. Sort of like weighing matters to see where adjustments need to be made.

I also believe that people need to see the human side of a preacher. Too often people look at preachers as though they lack any flaws, or rarely have a struggle. Not so.

Thanks again ‘apple of my eye.’

Much love from,

Daddy

Your adoring daughter,
Shana

I’m happy to know that you are one of my readers. (Of the blog.) It was so good to get to visit with you and Shane. Hopefully one day we’ll have more time to visit.

Thanks for writing.

May the Lord’s richest blessings continue in your life,

Buddy

Yes, I agree more than 100% - Grace is amazing.

As for the list, I’ve had it a number of years. Occasionally add a comment or two. I think it tells the true story of a great many Jewish folk and not the rabid ravings of the few.

Blessings,

Buddy

We are living in an awe-inspiring moment in redemption. More and more Jews are turning their hearts towards the Lord Jesus.

And you touched on the very key to the gospel — It is found in one word, ‘grace.’

Blessings,

Buddy

Sincerely,
Nathan

What a treasure that your dad left you with so many good memories. That is what I want to leave my kids. After all we only pass through this life one time. And what can we leave if not something for our kids and grandkids to remember. Especially when those memories are about the Lord and His church.

>> So, you might ask, “What do I love about Sunday’s?” Well, it can be summed up in one word that Nathan has taught us about recently: Community. I love the people of Christian Challenge!!! Without them, I truly don’t know where I would be. It is because of these wonderful brothers’ & sisters’ in Christ that I have been able to realize that God loves me - Just As I Am….. <<

Thank you Donna, for sharing your heart. As for Christian Challenge, it is like the Mexican would say, “Mi casa es su casa.” For all of us this means, ‘My home church is your home church.’

Isn’t it great to be home. : )

With all God’s love,

Buddy

I’m still moved everytime I hear that song. For me, it stirs up the memories of growing up in Pollock and how we would drive to Pineville to attend church at First Baptist on Main Street. Every now & then we were able to make it on Wednesday’s. (Matter of fact I can still remember eating supper on Wednesday nights like we do now at Christian Challenge: Good Memories….) It’s somewhat sad for me at times because I remember the man I’ve always looked up to (my father) leading us to church. I can remember his desire to live for God even up to his death. My father instilled in me the determination that has helped me triumph over so many obstacles. I thank God for the priviledge I had by having him in my life for the 27 years that I did.
Now, I am so thankful for the realization that I can cry “Abba Father” and my God will be there for me just as my dad was. God has been so good to me & Mackenzie and I am - each day - trying to be the person He wants me to be.
So, you might ask, “What do I love about Sunday’s?” Well, it can be summed up in one word that Nathan has taught us about recently: Community. I love the people of Christian Challenge!!! Without them, I truly don’t know where I would be. It is because of these wonderful brothers’ & sisters’ in Christ that I have been able to realize that God loves me - Just As I Am…..

Your “restored” sister in Christ,

Donna

You need to ‘git’ on down here to Louisiana. Our spare bedroom is a wandering just when y’all is gonna git down here where as y’all truly belongs. Girlie, you got some of that southern blood in you. Ain’t you jest have a hankering to visit your shu n’uff Martin cousins?

Sorry - Jest had to do that.

Now Miss Twy, you know that we’uns love you bunches. : )

Buddy

My love to all.

Always,

Thanks for writing. Love hearing from you.

Your mama said it right. I think most of us miss the days of ‘growing up.’ Seems like the good memories get stored in our special memory bank. The bad ones get muddled over time.

I’ll have to check out the song ‘You’re going to miss this.’ And I well remember the old days in Boyce. Such memories. In looking over time, I can see the Lord’s fingerprints on how Christian Challenge got started and how the Lord has been so good to us through the years. As for missing Sundays at Boyce, we are still holding your place. We’ve got the right front section of the church pretty much filled up with Martin kin. : )

- I’ll need to put up a picture of the old building in Boyce. -

> Thank you Uncle Buddy for helping plant the mustard seed! Love you bunches! See you soon. <

I love you more than much. Sherri, you are one of my favorite nieces. And I am going to count on the ’see you soon.’

Love from Uncle Buddy

Sherri

Blessings,

Buddy

Jenni Y.

Thanks sis.

Perhaps what the Lord would want us to keep in mind is that the ‘whole of our life’ was nailed to the cross in Jesus. Nathan wanted this to be kept in mind when he used the cross as an object lesson.

Blessings,

Buddy

Jenni Y.

The service was indeed quite awesome. It was something that will be carried in the memories of many.

If anyone would like to hear the teaching, go to:

http://christianchallenge.org/live/index.html

Drop down the page to the two black boxes and click on ‘Sunday.’

Thanks for your note, Daniel. Always happy to hear from you.

The Lord bless you,

Buddy

I’ll begin the Hebraic studies shortly. Happy to know that you enjoy them.

Blessings,

Buddy

I’ll have everyone know that CJ actually went to follow ME once while I was there. LOL Give me just a little more time…. hehehe

I thought this was your SECRET prayer life!

Jest recorded two very nice ones in my journal this morning. You’ll never guess who was in the center of one of them.

Buddy

If you are running out of unanswered prayers, perhaps it’s time to pray even BIGGER ones!

Thank you for sharing where you are in your walk with the Lord, and how the Wednesday evening message affected you. It gladdens my heart to know how much you are being helped. Isn’t the Lord good!

Blessings,

Buddy

I’m just at a loss of where to begin but here it goes… I love every message I hear at church - but there was something special about Wednesday night. I truly believe the Lord was talking to me, talking to my weary spirit and now I’m encouraged to honestly believe things are going to get better. (But - in His timing…) I told Shana this message made me feel just like I did when we went to Women of Faith. I know that God loves me - if he didn’t he wouldn’t be speaking words of encouragement to my heart through yours and Nathan’s messages and Lane’s teachings in the Disciple’s Heart Class. For so very long I have been a “fix it” type of person. (I guess part of that comes from the type of job I have.) But, only recently have I began to trust God enough to let go of some things. Don’t get me wrong - I do trust in the Lord but I’ve tried to “fix” things my way. But the PEACE I began to feel when I gave it all to the Lord is indescribable. I still battle with wanting some things to work out the way I would like them to. But, now I can see that God’s way is so much better. Brother Buddy I don’t think I’ll have any trouble remembering Genesis 15:1. It spoke such volumes to me. Thank you and thanks to Nathan & Lane also for listening to God and sharing with us. I am so blessed to be a part of this family of God. Christian Challenge is such a wonderful place…

Hope your friend can help you. I don’t think the service has to be downloaded. You can view it at our site.

Blessings,

Buddy

You are loved far beyond anything you’ll ever understand. And this extends to the entire human race. Our struggle as humans is that we don’t really understand our place in God’s creation. For instance, Adam was the first person in the Scriptures ever called, ‘the son of God.’ But when Adam declared His independence, he lost His divine connection with God. This is what is being restored to us through Jesus Christ.

Thanks for responding sis. Always good to hear from you.

Blessings,

Buddy

Looking forward to see you soon.

Buddy