12/11/2018
I skipped two days! No, I’m not getting forgetful in my old age, I was just was too busy in the mornings and too tired in the evenings to write anything. I know, I know, the massive throng who reads this blog daily (guffaw, guffaw) is really on pins and needles waiting for the expected upward mobilization of wisdom commencing to flow from these words! There, I talked myself into writing something —anything.
This is a cold morning on the mountain, but, man, it is beautiful! The temperature is 23, but after the rains we’ve had for several days the cold air has produced the most beautiful heavy frost all around our home and neighborhood. Looks like a light snowfall in the bright sunlight. I guess I should be very thankful I don’t live in North Carolina, huh! One of my friends on FB put a U.S. map of states picture with NC Closed across that state. ‘Bout says it all, doesn’t it?
But this kind of day, bright sunshine and chilly (high in the upper 40s) is the kind of December day we looked for way back in the 60s when I was in retail (first men’s clothing, then jewelry), this really brought out the buyers! The women! I’m probably right in assuming the women still do the bulk of the shopping for gifts, etc., so this may be a big day, at least for a Tuesday.
I had to really talk myself into going down to the “studio” last night to teach the online class. It was cold and windy and raining and not conducive to wanting to go outside. I could have taught and broadcast from home, but I really wanted to use the white board timeline. So, I went, and I’m glad I did. Of course, the fellowship before and after was great with the few who tuned in live. But, I did use the timeline (hopefully) to clearly delineate the Scripture and its application to us. I pray the gospel was clear, that people who know the Lord were and will be edified by the lesson on who we are, where we are, who we’re going to be, and when and where this is going to occur.
[Monday, 7:00PM at zoom.us/j/2103785748 for live lessons; You Tube Channel/Brother Jerry Lockhart (by date) for the archived lessons.]
I remarked to a friend last evening that I never seem to finish studying out and teaching the books of Ephesians and Colossians. There are so many portions or passages in these two books which fit who and what we are today, and each of these subjects; whether one verse or several verses long, or just here a little and there a little, when put together with like passages found in other books of the bible can and do direct our paths, just like Proverbs 3:5,6 says they will.
About 35 years ago, Bro. E.C. Moore held a recurring Monday night class for young men who thought perhaps they should become preachers. I had already been preaching for about 10 years, but I asked him if I could come and bring young men with me. It was about an hour away from where I lived. He said sure (and I could almost see his eyes say, but don’t you interfere, hehe.) So all together about 4, I think, went with me once or twice, none of which are preachers today. To some, you might think of that as a failure. It is far from a failure. Those men decided they were not going to be preachers because the studied the word of God and found out where their interests really lie. It was good for them to see preaching as it was instead of some primrose path being foisted upon them in a preacher factory—seminary.
One of those men, acting rather irritated as we started home, began asking me questions as if Bro. Moore was teaching salvation incorrectly. The conversation heated up a little as I just repeated the gospel, so I asked him, “when did you, as a lost sinner in need of a Savior, trusted in Jesus Christ, leaving your salvation in His hands?” He exhaled long. Then said, “I don’t know.” I replied, “How then, do you know you’re saved?” Again, long exhale. “give me a minute,” he said. We were silent for about two miles. Then, he said, “I have a Savior now!” And, as far as I know he has never again doubted his salvation, nor, to my knowledge, has he ever preached. He is a terrific speaker and he (at least many years ago) uses Scripture to point his listeners in the right direction. But, I think he’d agree he never became a preacher. He went on to be a father of a large family, and has led a fruitful life in other vocations. Praise God for the simplicity of the gospel.
Thanks for reading, the Elder
the Elder's Blog 