The struggle.

Ephesians 6:12–13 NASB 
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

I have been thinking a great deal lately about how things are in our society. As I observe the behavior of people, these verses above become more and more relevant to me. I hate to bring up Westboro Baptist Church again, but they are just the best example I can think of of Christians who are trying to fight a spiritual problem by physical means. They, like us, see the evil in our world and for some reason have decided to ignore this verse. Not only have they ignored this verse but many others in God's Word.

I see Westboro Baptist as people who are seeking to do something about that evil that they have observed, and yet, are misguided in how to go about it. In one respect, that is not horrible. Certainly if someone can do something about evil they must do something. In another respect, the manner in which one fights evil must be taken into account. One must dig into the word of God, and see exactly what God would have him to do. If God is truly seeking to make people like His Son Jesus, then He must be allowed to do that. This means one must listen to God, read His word, communicate with Him on a regular basis and be willing to be molded into the likeness of Christ.

This is just my observation but I do feel that many Christians seek to fight spiritual problems with physical weapons. Usually the weapons of choice have been the written word and the use of picketing and protesting. The struggle we face in America today is a spiritual struggle. It is a spiritual struggle against forces of darkness. May we remember that!

There is a happiness which is lost...

There is a happiness which is lost. It's a happiness which is present when most adults are children. It's a happiness that is present in knowing one is safe and loved. It begins to disappear as one grows and matures. Because it's a happiness rooted in safety and the sense of knowing one is loved, it begins to fade a bit as one leaves the home.

Facing the big, bad world is scary. It brings the unknown into one's life and each human on earth, at least all whom I've come in contact with, are afraid of the unknown. Truly there is an innocence which is lost as one grows, but I feel there is also a sense of happiness which is lost. I'm not saying we can't be happy without the safety of our home and our parents, but there is a certain sense of happiness that fades in knowing finances, food and shelter are going to be taken care of by someone who loves us, someone who has the same blood running through their veins.

For me, I am able to take comfort in knowing that I have a God who loves me and is taking care of me beyond my family home and my own parents. That is reassuring.

Just a few musings from my mind on a Saturday afternoon.

Moving, moving, moving...

Wow. I am still enjoying my time here at FBC, Winn. We are currently enlarging the sound booth and preparing for projection screens. I truly feel they can be used as aids in worship. We're using a thrown together setup at the moment, but it works.

We have the Catfish Festival this Saturday. We'll be selling catfish. I even get to help at the booth. Come and say, "Hello." The family and I will be working 10-Noon. It will be my first time to be at the largest one-day festival in the state of Louisiana. I'm looking forward to it.

We have a wonderful church family here. What's coming? Well, we're going to be looking into some local mission organization similar to Impact Benton or Hands and Feet of FBC, Vivian.

We're also looking into Upward Soccer. Be praying for FBC. We're on the move!

41

So, it happened. I could not stop it. At 10:05 a.m. on Sunday, February 6th, I turned 41. I don't care for it. The number that is. My life seems good. I like where I am in my life and my surroundings. I like that I get to pastor a flock of God's people. I like life, but the fact that every day I get closer to the time I am leaving this life is a bit unsettling. It doesn't help that I have buried about 5 people since I've come here. Life is so short. We really do have to make every minute count.

Is it time for me to get a red sports car? No. I couldn't afford the insurance anyway. I'm not sure how I feel about getting old. Maybe I don't like it at all. Maybe I'd prefer to ignore it. Not totally sure. My judgement for the 41st is just up in the air a bit. Odd.

Trip to the city of lights.

Well, we got to Natchitoches Friday through Saturday. Checked on the house and there were no lights. It appears the electricity was out for some reason. Not sure what is going on there. Visited with some friends and had a great time. Thanks for the gumbo McPhersons!!!!! woo hoo.

Making it

Well, it's a well worn phrase that is used to really not tell someone that you aren't doing well. "Making it." It sounds as if we are hanging on, and yet, sometimes we aren't. "Making it." It sounds like we want to make it, but we're not sure if we can or if we are. Are you "making it" or are you doing well?

This is my break, mini-vacation.

Is this weird? I love going this book sale!!! It's the best sale ever!!!

Centenary College's giant book sale returns

for 24th 

year

By Jane Bokun • janebokun@gannett.com • August
25, 2010 
You'll have more chances than ever to get your
literary groove on at this year's Centenary Muses
Book Bazaar.
"There will be more than 70,000 paperback and
hardback books for sale," said Rick DelaHaya,
communications director for Centenary College.
The annual book fair, now in its 24th year, is
organized and sponsored by the Centenary Muses,
with proceeds used to fund projects and programs
for Centenary students. A Centenary staple for years,
the bazaar has raised nearly $60,000 each of the
past five years and has helped pay for items such as
computers, furniture for residence halls, athletic
equipment, and other items not usually covered by
the budget.
According to DelaHaya, this will be one of the
largest sales in the 24-year history with myriad
books for sale as well as audio and video materials.
There will also be more than 5,000 vinyl records as
well as hundreds of DVDs, videotape movies, CDs,
cassette tapes, and puzzles and games.
The book bazaar features books sorted into more
than 30 categories, including fiction, science
fiction, religion, history and children's books. There
will also be a table devoted just to books on local
high school reading lists. Students will be able to
find almost all titles ranging in price from 25 cents
to $1.25. This year's special categories include Civil
War books, books on Louisiana, and vintage
children books.
Prices for books start at 25 cents, while most items
are priced less than $5. As in the past, there will
also be a special category of rare books that will be
available for bid during the sale.
The bazaar will end with a half-price sale starting at
1 p.m. Sept. 11.

Centenary Muses Book Bazaar
WHEN: 4-9 p.m. Sept. 10, 9-4 p.m. Sept. 11.WHERE: Gold Dome, corner of Woodlawn Avenue and
Kings Highway, Shreveport.ADMISSION: free. INFO: (318) 869-5073; the Book House, (318) 219-
3409; or David Williams, (318) 869-5162.

I have found some excellent books here. DVD's, CD's and great religion books are there too! It's just awesome!!!

Hungry

I am hungry for some great food. I had grilled tuna last night for supper at Cajun Landing in Alexandria. It was excellent. Had the vegetables to go with it. They were great too.

New day at FBC

It's a new day at First Winn. I am still excited about being here. Wait, I'm thrilled.

The boys are starting school next week. So is Susanne. She'll be teaching 4th grade. Wow. God has been good to take care of us so well.

I got a new iPhone. It's fast and very usable.

We've been busy setting up the house and making the parsonage our home. The lawn is mowed by one of our deacons. THAT is cool. He does a great job.

Tomorrow I go to my first Associational event at Lamar Baptist Church. Looking forward to meeting the ministers in our association. That will be good.

Oh, we got Dish Network. It has BBC America!!! OH, and the Hallmark channel. We also got a DVR. Now we won't miss a show. (Like we watch a lot. Whatever!) It's cool to have though.

Good first day!

It was a good, no, great day at FBC, Winnsboro, today. I love where God has planted me. Yes, it will be a lot of work, but it will be SO worth it. I'm excited about the church folks. They are great. It's a new day for all of us. Pray for Jewel Bruce. She fell and broke her hip. She had surgery today. It went well.

Pray for me as I tackle the mountain of books in my office and find a place for them all. It will take a bit of time.

I go tomorrow to the Mayor's prayer brunch. That will be interesting. I'll be interested in knowing the other ministers in town.

Was I nervous? Actually, only a bit. I know this is where God wants me. FBC, knows I am supposed to be here. This is what God wants. With that in mind, I feel great!

I get to meet the other ministers in our association this Thursday at Lamar Baptist Church.

Hope your week is great. Pray for us as we continue to adjust.

Moved in

We are almost settled. The Pastor's Study, however, is an entirely different story. ha ha It will take a bit to get that in order.

Sunday is coming fast and I am ready, I hope. It's exciting to be in a new place. I already feel as if they are family. Some of them I seem to have known for years, not days.

What a nice place. Pray as I attend the Mayor's Minister's Brunch on Monday. Looks to be interesting.

We made it!

We are in the parsonage in Winnsboro! Whew. Hot day and a lot of work. It's so goo to be here.

Baptism & reception

Well, we got to baptize two who made decisions in VBS today. I was so happy about that. What a note to leave on. God is SO GREAT!

It was also my last sermon at Calvary as pastor. Wow. I thought about it as I descended the steps of the baptistry. It's also the last time I am able to baptize at Calvary. It's the last time I'll use the "over the ear" mic. It's the last time I'll be able to see the wonderful faces of the body of Christ that is Calvary for a while. I learned a lot while at Calvary. I think there is a sermon in that statement somewhere.

As we make the move to Winnsboro, we look forward to forming new friendships and learning new faces. It's going to be good. Why? Because God always knows what He is doing and He is in control.

Thank you Calvary for almost eight years of ministry education. Thank you for putting up with some poor sermons. Thank you for it all!!!!!

VBS, Moving and Andrew too.

Well, VBS is almost over. It's been a yeeha week and I think I am ready for it to be over. I love it though. Shared Christ with three who accepted Jesus tonight!!! Had one other that another worker spoke with and I have one left to talk with tomorrow night. God is good!!! I love VBS. Did I say that yesterday? I LOVE VBS!!!! Praise God for the whole idea of it all!

Got a lot of my office packed. The secretary, Ministry Assistant, Administrative Assistant, at FBC, Winnsboro, is going to freak at the amount of junk stuff I have. Ha ha. Maybe she can shelve all my books. Ha ha ha. We'll see how that goes.

Andrew seems a bit better. He laughed and ate better today. He even made his brother laugh. Woo hooo!

VBS, Andrew

Had 44 buckaroos at the ranch tonight. It went well. I love VBS. At least the blow up animal is a horse this year. He actually looks good.

Boxed some books today. Will do more tomorrow. It's a lot of books!!! Pray for Andrew. He's having a tough time with all of the moving stuff. He seems depressed. Won't eat, weepy, not interested in doing anything.

Cholesterol Battle

So, this high cholesterol thingy is one of the worst things that can happen to a Baptist pastor. To tell a man he can't eat what he wants to eat is a death sentence. In the life of a pastor the only thing he feels he can control is his food intake. When that is taken away he feels like he can't control anything. THAT is tough. I wish I could say I'm not letting this get to me, but it is. It hurts. It stinks. It's, well...just wrong.

Back

We got back around 6:40 from Llano, TX. What a great time. It was nice to let my mind just stand still for a bit. The Wii boys went into withdrawal and played a bit when they got home. They are asleep now.

Wow. A lot is happening. The house is online with a local realtor. I guess I should not say much about it. Don't want to be robbed. Course there is not much to take. ha ha.

Pray that it will sell soon. Anyone want to buy a bus? $500 will get you this nice short bus to haul your family to the mall in. Contact me for more details.

Moving.

Wow. Moving is so hard to do. I mean the actual moving and packing part. I kinda hate this part. I know I've only packed one box, but I am NOT looking forward to packing more. Not at all. Jack, the dog, is needing to go out for the third time in an hour. Why? Why? And why am I watching "Sixteen Wishes"? Wow, long day. Busy day. Tired I am. So tired.