Where does time go? Oh, It’s Today!

A little while back, after about 10 years of going to a small town South of here twice per month to teach a Bible class, our meeting room was cancelled on us. There was about 12-14 of us when everyone was there, so most of the time 9 or 10. Great bunch of folks who love the Lord and love His word enough to put up with me as a teacher. But, not having a place to meet, some of us began to try to find another suitable place to which we could all get. We didn’t have much luck, everyone’s rentable meeting room space think they are a major destination point and have many $$ requirements too much for a small group. Since I had not begun this group, rather had just been asked to teach it, I hesitated to “take over the search”—so to speak.

Today, one of the group reminded me how long it had been and is very interested in re-starting the class: as am I! I have now set a time and will search out a place to meet and I’ll do this as I have done for the past 45+ years. “The night is far spent, the day is at hand…” our apostle wrote. For  what, then, are we waiting? I will get after it and because of scheduled stuff in the next 4-6 weeks, we’ll set the first renewed meeting for the 2nd Sunday in October. Then till the end of the year we should be able to meet the 2nd and 4th Sundays each of the 3 months; 2026, we will take care of later.

You say, “Where?” I say, pray the Lord leads us to exactly what we need. You say, “Will that work?” I say, it has worked out many times having been left in the hands of the Lord. 

Do I believe I will find a place to have this? Yes, if it is the Lord’s will for me to go there, a place will become available. Will I hunt for one? Yes, because there is already a group there. If there was no group, I would hunt for a place if I was asked to — that part has already occurred for this group. I’ll keep you informed and trust the Lord will make His will known to us.

Time to do the Lord’s will for studying His word is what I have. But, as our title puts it, where did it go? Whether I have an October class to teach will occur if I have the time to do it. Whether in a new location for the above mentioned group or not, if I have time to do it, I will teach God’s word to all who will listen. Time is what I have and all I have. If you, my friends, understand this premise even a little bit, pray with me for these things that 1.) I don’t get in the way; and 2.) that it will bring glory to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you.

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I’m having fun watching the Chicago Cubs this summer even though, as usual, some days I want to scream at them! Most days this year they’ve played really great baseball in a big struggle with the Brewers to lead with NL Central. This week, due to rainouts earlier, a series wound up being 5 games in four days, Monday through Thursday. Milwaukee won the first game, but the Cubs have won 3 in a row (last Wednesday night game was a thrill to watch.) But, the 5game series ended on Thursday with the Cubs second loss and they go forward to only play other teams for the rest of the season. C’mon Cubbies!! I hope they get into the playoffs at a good peak in performance and do well there—-a World Series in 2025?

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In a few days, exactly the 26th of August, we’ll be starting a bible class here in our town at 8AM. some business friends and I have talked about this for several years, off and on, so we’ve set the date and pray for the Lord’s leadership daily. 

Over the last 49 years I have started 8 or 10 bible classes which for a variety of reasons were short-lived, even a couple where no one came. One bible class when I first started had only two attendees—both teenagers, both still believers to this day. We met for 6 months, then my family moved and that was that. Another was in a home where so much opposition came from a family member that the host said they didn’t want to continue, yet one man was saved there!  Etc.  Every class has taught me more than I have ever taught others. If others have valued from the class it was the Lord’s word which taught them.

Of the number of bible classes and pastoring I have done in the same 49 years, some have been for as much as 27yrs, some as few as 3-4 years; some as few as 3 persons regularly, some as many as 80-85 regularly. But all those which I put in the category of successful would have been brought to that by the Hand of the Lord. Not because I was anything other than the guy doing most of the talking. None of this brief recollection should imply I believed I did a good job, but for sure I believe I did what the Lord wanted me to do. If I look for biblical “calling” (as churches might refer to clergymen as being), I see how our Apostle Paul was called and informed of the Lord as to what he would be doing. I did not have that kind of calling. Late in his ministry, Paul told Titus to “appoint bishops and elders.” The Lord never instructed me to do that. On the other hand, our apostle Paul said, “If any man desire the office of a bishop, let him be…” thus and so. 

As age began to beset me, I never believed I should choose my successor or replacement. I have no biblical reason to do so. Contrariwise, I have thoroughly searched the examples of men who did try to appoint one and in every case, the following pastor caused problems, or the congregation revolted or the church fell prey to an interloping offense…or in some other way destroyed the “successful work” of the originating pastor or bible teacher.

It was easy for me to see and I still contend: the ministry is of the Lord and is in the hands of the one who has it, he becomes aged, and he leaves it. New ministries are welcome to begin, but as the Lord leads; not as a departing elder dictates.

ergo: I’m not leaving just yet, but if I do, find yourself another man of God who will teach the Bible according to 2 Tim. 2:15 and 2 Cor. 9:8.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

Aug.22, 2025