It is inevitable, I suppose, that every four years the same questions are asked. People clamor for a position to be stated and defended, and if they hold an opposing opinion, they make all the more noise so that their take on the topic might be made known.
Hypothetical situations are bandied about. Facts, figures, statistics and analysis are the daily menu for many who are observing the political landscape. People and groups of people are labeled for the purposes of either succoring their attention or branding them as irrelevant.
Sadly, what I am describing is not the contest for the highest office in this land, but rather the commotion that goes on within the “church” in this country every time there is a presidential election. Even though it is only early September, it is difficult to escape political posturing and conversation among those who gather for supposed “ministry.” In fact, depending upon to whom you listen, you might just hear that if you are not taking a stand for or against a candidate then you are not doing God’s work!
Right. Read more…
Posted on September 1st, 2008 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
Those who have attended our Tuesday morning Bible study in recent months have been partaking in a unique project. I’m reading aloud each of the epistles of Paul from start to finish, without additional comment until the reading is concluded. This approach has developed a great appreciation for the fullness of the arguments contained in each letter. Paul’s flow of thought really comes through when you hear the letter read much as those in the first-century churches would have heard it when it was originally written. Read more…
Posted on July 1st, 2008 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
It is hard to believe that this is so, but the calendar proves that it is! When the first Sunday of June rolls around I will have spent ten years as the pastor of Elim Baptist Church. On the one hand it just doesn’t seem possible that ten years have elapsed, and on the other hand, when I consider all that has taken place, it seems incredible that everything has happened over a period of only ten years!
I can still recall that first weekend when I was moving the books into my study. Along came one of the young men of the church who began helping me move in. It wasn’t too long until we were engrossed in a serious conversation that ended up greatly changing that young man’s life. And it is such a joy to know that he is still a part of Elim, and he continues to grow in the things of God. Read more…
Posted on June 1st, 2008 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Pastor’s Pen
John Wesley is a well-known name among Christians, and with many a good reason. Although there is much within his theology with which I am at odds, he was a tireless servant of Christ and His Church until his death at age 87. That he should serve long and well is really no surprise, for one of the most “famous” quotes of this preacher, evangelist and reformer summed up his penchant for living with an eye toward service:
Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.
Read more…
Posted on May 1st, 2008 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Pastor’s Pen
Allow me to offer a very profound sentiment as I begin this month—pain hurts! Even now, as I write these words, I can hear the echoed “Amen” all over town. The “pain of pain” is something well-known to most of us, and it is one of those things that we are fairly certain we could do without.
But we would be wrong. Read more…
Posted on February 1st, 2008 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Pastor’s Pen
It is a natural thing to use the end of a calendar year and the beginning of the next as a time for reflection. Regardless of whether you make “New Year Resolutions” or not, it is not unusual at all to spend some time in the last few days of December and the first few days in January thinking over what has already taken place in our lives. Read more…
Posted on December 1st, 2007 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
Over the past several months I have endeavored to write for you some understanding of the Christian’s relationship to the world around him or her. We have certainly not exhausted the texts of Scripture that relate to this aspect of the disciple’s life, and we may well return to the topic in the near future. But, this month, I do wish to take a brief departure. Read more…
Posted on November 1st, 2007 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
As I am writing these few words to you, I await the arrival of some very dear friends to this church. More than friends, actually, for they are a part of this church in her ministry around the world. They are our partners in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are some of our missionaries. Read more…
Posted on October 1st, 2007 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
Recently I came across a “news” item that made laugh a bit. It seems a shipwrecked sailor who had spent three years on a deserted island was overjoyed one day to see a ship drop anchor in the bay. A small boat came ashore, and an officer handed the sailor a bunch of newspapers.
“The captain suggests,” he told the sailor, “that you read what is going on in the world and then let us know if you want to be rescued.”
Well, at least I thought it was funny! But it also made me think of something that is not really comical at all. Read more…
Posted on September 1st, 2007 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
On more than one occasion I have mentioned in this space how “interesting” God’s sense of timing and provision are, even in regards to something as small as this newsletter. I am frequently amazed at how the subjects selected correspond directly with something happening at the moment that I sit down to write. And that amazement is my experience again this month. Read more…
Posted on August 8th, 2007 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
