Way Too Simple

One of the best parts about the Gospel is its simplicity.  There are plenty of aspects of Christianity that are confusing, or just hard to understand, but not the Gospel.  Pastor Bob Hart always states that it had to be that way, I think he's right.  Christ came and died as the sacrifice for our sins, then rose again on the third day.  All we need to do is allow his sacrifice to be our payment so that we can be reconciled to God.  Through Christ we are declared "perfect" before God.  I want my parents to hear Christ tell God that I am "perfect", I think they will have a hard time accepting it otherwise.

Maybe the simplicity of the message is why Easter is the easiest time of the year to share Christ with others.  More non-religious people attend church on Easter than any other time.  We are thankfully a long way from Easter being relegated to "happy spring day" or some other politically corrupt phrase.

This week at Bible Fellowship Church we will be examining what Christ did with his last week on Earth.  Next week we are celebrating the resurrection with a Sunrise Service at 7:30, then breakfast, an Easter egg hunt for the kids (I have ridiculous amounts of candy filled eggs in my basement - don't worry, Wes hasn't found them), and our Easter worship service in which we will focus on what the resurrection means to us today.  Pray that God will penetrate the hearts of the lost with the Gospel message this Easter across our great country and the world.

Lady Killers

I read a great article a few months ago about pastor's wives and some of the biggest difficulties they face entitled "Spouse Killers in the Ministry".  I know Jess has faced all of them at times, and she has had her battles.  I thank God everyday that he blessed with me with such a wonderful wife that can not only support me and the ministry God has called me to, but also serve in her own capacity.  It's true that often more is expected of a pastor's wife than other women in the church, and God seems to usually supply His pastors with someone more than capable of filling that role while complimenting the ministry of their husband.  For my pastor friends, you understand how valuable our spouses are in both life and ministry. 

We have been blessed to be involved in ministries where the church has always been wonderful to Jess for the most part.  Not forcing her to do things she doesn't feel led to do, not forcing her to change to match their personal preferences, and always respecting her sacrifices to minister, and allow me to minister, how God leads.  Having said all that, I know she still deals with all of the major issues mentioned in the article, as do most other pastor's wives.  I pray that God continues to give her the ability to focus on God and His love and will for her and our family.  I pray the same for all my friend's families who are in ministry (lay and pastoral).  They are crucial to being able to fully serve God in the capacity He has called us to.  A Time Magazine survey sited the number one cause of pastor's leaving the ministry to be pastors' wives' issues.  Satan has been attacking the wives of pastors as much as he attacks the pastors.  It is my guess that pastors receive far more prayer for God's help, we should all be lifting up the ladies as well.

Teachers

I just wanted to say something about teachers.  Jayden received a package from his classmates and teacher from his previous school today for his birthday.  He has received a package every few weeks from them.  His teacher at Duanesburg was Mrs. Westfall.  It is wonderful that she continues to have a positive impact on his life even after he has moved out of the area.  I'm sure she is using it to teach the kids about keeping up with friends long distance and the likes, or at least hope she is.  The point is that she doesn't have to do it.  The teachers Jayden had there continually went above and beyond what was required, expected, or even asked of them.  His current teacher is fine, but the personal effort and touch just doesn't show up like it did before.  With all the complaining some people do about the education systems, the teachers unions, the costs involved, and whatever else is wrong, it is comforting to know that there are teachers out there who continually rise above their job to be true teachers and mentors to the children.  These are the ones who often go unnoticed.  To all the teachers who actively pursue excellence and attempt to make the world better one child at a time because they want to, not because it's their job, I say Thank You!

Pastor Jeff Ford

Apocolypse Now

We just finished up with our Wednesday night prophecy series.  It was different to say the least.  I think I made it clear that I love prophecy, but there is so much that is based on other peoples' opinions that I don't see myself as a great teacher on it.  Not to mention the fact that most people who are really into it listen and read opinions of people who spend their lives trying to explain what they think.  I'd rather focus my teaching on things that are concrete.  Not to say prophecy (and teaching it) isn't important, because it is, but it is easy to spend too much time focused on the future to make a difference in the present. 

I wanted to end my series with a warning, but we ran out of time.  As I grew up, I heard the same statements that we are hearing today regarding the imminent end of the world.  It is necessary to keep Christ's return at the front of our minds.  The problem is that it can also steal one's joy if they focus too much on it.  Christ wants us to look for His coming, but He also wants us to appreciate the life we have here in Him.  We can enjoy all the goodness around us, His wonderful Creation, time with our loved ones, and the only chance we will have to serve Him in a dark world.  The problem with focusing on the "doom and gloom" is that we forget that He saved us so our joy may be full.  I've already posted about the problems older pastor's have faced due to failure to plan for retirement because the Lord would come back before they reached that point.  It is important that people have HOPE.  Hope in a future with Christ, and hope that He will bless them on Earth.  I personally can't wait to see my kids grow up.  I want to see what they do with their lives.  I trust that God will use them in some mighty way, if they will stay close to Him.  We need enjoy what God has given us now, and not steal that hope from the next generation.  Yes, we should pay attention to how bad things are and how close the return of Christ must be getting.  We also need to pay attention to how much God blesses us everyday on Earth, and enjoy the time we have here without focusing only on the negative.  I personally just have hope that Westley will be potty trained before Christ comes back, because I don't think there are diapers in Heaven.

Heaven

We finished up talking about Heaven this week.  I know I can't wait.  In all honesty, I am sick and tired of some of the problems of this world.  You know how it feels when a struggle is taken away (not just defeated, but completely removed suddenly)?  I think I may be floating around Heaven for a while just because of the lightened load.  Everyday we are faced with things that just bog us down.  Christ tells us to cast our burdens on Him, and we try to, but sometimes we just can't let go.  In Heaven, Christ will TAKE them away.  No casting necessary.

One of the other things that came up in my studies was being together with ALL the saints.  I can't wait to be reunited with some of my friends over the years who are spread all over the world.  I may never see them again on Earth, but in Heaven we will have plenty of time to catch up.  I have family all over the country that will be great to not be separated from anymore in Heaven.  Like I've decided I want on my gravestone, "Party At My Place!"  See you there!  (See John 14:1-6 for the directions)

Rollin

This week has been a roller coaster.  Had good services Sunday, plus got to see old friends.  Most of you know we have been burdened with our house not selling.  We got a call on Wednesday telling us what we needed to get in order to sell the house.  An hour later we received an offer for much more than we needed.  As excited as we were, the next morning started with a call telling us the heat was out at the house and the pipes were frozen.  On my way there, I got in touch with several friends, and many were able to help me out with saving the house.  Not happy about the $650 or so the day cost me, but very happy the house was not destroyed.  More of that perspective stuff.  The day got better when we found out there was another offer coming in on the house, and their might be a bit of bidding to go on.  I spoke Wednesday on patience from the book of James.  It is easy for us to look back at the prophets and Job and see the blessing, but they didn't get the blessing until they endured the hardship with patience and perseverance.  I know I need patience, I just don't like having to learn it!

Oh, and I forgot to mention I left my sweet wife sick in bed with two kids while I was gone all day.  She puts up with a lot, but she married me.

There's No Optimism and There's Snow Optimism

Outlook has a lot to do with life.  I could spend all day explaining the background for this, but to shorten things I'll say this...  I had to drive the truck which is horrible in snow out to Word Of Life yesterday to help take some teens out there, Jess can't drive it because the seat doesn't move so I left her the car.

We arrived early, the teens had to wait a little while before they could check in.  I figured I'd head back early to beat the night and snow storm that was hitting home.  I left and headed back earlier than I had planned.  I got past Speculator just in time to hit a whiteout and lots of ice on Rt. 8.  The truck was not doing great, and I was doing 25-30 mph instead of 55.  The truck lost traction going up a hill and promptly shot across the road into a snow bank.  I tried backing up in 4x4, but that was definitely not happening.  I forgot to mention I had left my coat and gloves at the church, so I was really prepared for a cold night in the mountains outside the truck.  Of coarse there was no cell coverage, so I got out of the passenger side of the truck (the driver's door was barricaded in snow) and began to walk up the hill.  After a while a pick-up came by and I waved them down, they were not fully with it, but were willing to drive me to where I could call AAA.  After about 15 miles, I realized that people didn't believe cellphones were necessary up in the mountains.  As we passed one of the other wrecks along the side of the road,  we stopped and asked a wrecker if he did AAA, he did and offered to take me to town (another 15 miles in the wrong direction).  Along the way, we passed another wrecker going back up 8, and I transferred over to his truck.  After about 30 minutes, we were back at my truck, which had been plowed over during my 2 hour trek.  He was able to pull it right out after sliding down the hill trying to stop, and I followed him to Remsen where I could phone AAA and get on with my day.  I was cold.

I called Jess, who was obviously worried because I was 2 hours late, and finished my trip home.  Looking back I realized how wonderful of a day I had experienced.  Had we not left the church so early, our caravan full of teens would have been hit by the storm I ran into.  Had I not headed back so early, I would have not met the guys in the truck that gave me the ride (I only saw one other vehicle during the next hour).  Had they not picked me up, I would have missed the wrecker (it was just finished with loading up from the accident and heading back).  Had they not worked with AAA I would have been poor.  Had I been going over about 25 mph, the truck would have been in the forest, not the snow bank (making a tow much more difficult).  Needless to say, though it was rough, God continually took care of everything.  The youth were there on time, my toes have regained feeling, and I didn't have to sleep in the Blazer (forcing Carl to preach on Sunday morning :-) ).  Sure, I could be a pessimist and look at all that went wrong, but it is much more productive to appreciate God's help and protection throughout the entire day.  Perspective is more valuable in life than happiness.