The Finish, a Bit Road-Weary

The drive to Rapid City was long and arduous, but the expectation was worth it. We got there in time to visit the Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore (WOW!! Simply Wow!) I never expected to feel the awe of the faces on the mountain as much as I did. It is a bit mesmerizing, a bit humbling, and a bit deeper respect for what it all took for us to have the liberty and space this country has (even with all its foibles.)

Then, the Badlands has an effect different than expected, as well. We walked some short paths to see holes that look almost like sunken living areas, but can’t be any of the sort. Or, hills of rock that look like Cathedrals, or look like rows of soldiers standing in front of a hill. Or large hotel fronts with multiple stories of window-like holes. … all of this is out of some form of rock which is grey to brown to black, and then sand colored. And, massive!

Leaving South Dakota Badlands and going into Nebraska is almost eerie. All the farmland in SD looked the same: huge fields on soft rolling hills or else just flat as a pancake for as far as the eye can see. Just before we reached the Nebraska border, we began to see softer and more layered—billowed, small hills. In Nebraska the billowing hills began to look more undulating and continuous, soft (sand hills they call them), all covered with a short grass turned yellow-beige, but not as dead as it looked and that called for cattle, and many fed on this grass, be it a grass or a grain. In a few miles we began to see cattle on the sand hills, often with a large flat area, where we also saw how the farmer handled his cattle far from home, There were windmills of the old midwestern style, all running and in good condition, obviously providing water for the herds.

The undulating sand hills went on for miles and miles! In fact it was about 20 miles North of North Platte before the sand hills stopped and huge fields of corn, soybeans, and another strange crop were all around us. so, the “Cornhuskers” nickname comes to life! (North Platte—23,000 strong looks as though it must be a shopping area for more than one county—it has all the chainstores from Cold Stone to TGI Fridays!)

We slept well, then when our day started (today, the 28th), we headed toward home. We each guessed a total mileage for the trip and when we got home, I found out how bad a guesser I was; maybe a little trip fatigue, I don’t know.

Iowa: Number 50!! was not very far into our driving. We didn’t go very far, stopping in Des Moines, Iowa. I would classify DM as a “great city,” not only the capital of the state, but the most visited in Iowa by a large margin. I’m sure you can tell by now we could have stayed several days if not a full week in any of about a dozen cities visited, and Des Moines would fit that list! What a magnificent, almost overwhelming, State Capital building they have. Look it up, their pro-pics are better than anything we would take. The next day starts more directly toward home.

Iowa was less like the great Northern Midwest and more like Illinois and Indiana (Iowans would probably disagree), so we didn’t feel a need to slow down or stop much in this state. Besides, we were starting home—no need to dilly-dally!

When I was growing up and professional baseball was very dependent on their minor league programs there was a league known as The 3–I League. It was made up of teams from the 3 states abutted which started with the letter I—Iowa, Illinois, Indiana. I didn’t live close enough to any of the towns in Indiana so as to follow the league on radio, but the Indianapolis News and Star daily papers had pretty good written coverage. Driving across the 3 states in one day—starting in Iowa, crossing Illinois and stopping in Southern Indiana gave me time to remember some of the 50s news about the teams. It also gave me a rush of appreciation for those players’ love of the game. No trains, no planes, just un-air conditioned busses. Must have been some miserable days and nights.

We spent the last night on the trail in a Cracker Barrel parking lot, then the almost 8 hours home the next day. Home, at last. We will long have more words to say about the trip; the wonders of the land and lakes, the surprises of history, the awesomeness of the memorials, and the clearer understanding of why the Midwest is known as the “Breadbasket of the World” in its agriculture.

Just a word about the people: In 1973 we moved from Danville, IL to Oxford, AL. We had some friends from Illinois whose nomadic history had them moving often from Georgia, to Virginia, to Danville, IL, then on to Nebraska and briefly to Idaho. They once told us the the further North and the further West they went the friendlier people were. We found very friendly people the way we went — to Michigan , UP Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, then Iowa to finish the 50, and we have to agree everyone was friendly, and interested in talking with us. We love America—the land and the people! Yet, back home to Sweet Home, Alabama! is just right!

Thanks for reading, the Elder.

What a Whirlwind of Countryside!

A Blog To Remember: The Road To 50/5

And now, on to Mackinac! Not just the island, but Mackinaw City, the famous bridge I heard about from my HS math teacher Mr. Maurice McNeely in the same year the bridge opened—1957, and across the bridge to St. Ignace, MI and beautiful views of Lake Huron. Mackinaw City had this wonderful 4th-generation bakery with the finest doughnuts I’ve ever tasted—and I’ve tasted many! Not even a hint of a grease smell! We kept wanting to go back, even 100s of miles and 3 states away!

We went to the island the next day, didn’t spend a long time there, rainy and chilly. But, visiting and touring causes one to understand more history and realize why it is such a tourist attraction. A worthy visit—after all, the French came there, the English, the Native Americans and finally us Americans. Heck, we thought, why not us, too?! Mackinac Island has a wondrous history. (And 500 people, permanent citizens, as well as 500 horses. Zero cars. One doctor for the 500 people, 3 Veterinarians for the horses.)

The trip continues: Saturday, Sept. 21st.

Leaving St Ignace, we travelled a long, long way across the U.P., that’s the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, much like a separate state entirely, but somehow they have thought better of it. Quite interesting and quite beautiful. The views of the lake, the stunningly gorgeous and unique sandy beaches, all endearingly enjoyable to see!

We truly enjoyed being in and again finding a unique restaurant (busy at late lunch time, yet courteous, friendly and serving great food), in the city of Escanaba. The city is not very large, but more than normal shopping areas and heavily trafficked by industry. Turns out upon a short study, it’s only 12,000 people, but they provide and serve about 33,000 in the surrounding county area. Well done.

Our stay was once again on the grounds of another vineyard; just beautiful. A wedding was just finishing when we arrived and what a sight! The wine store we checked in with was very busy, and the personable young lady attending (Ruth) said, “Oh just pick out a place to park anywhere you like!” I liked that—we parked so no one would hear our generator.

Talking with Ruth later I found out she was raised by missionaries in Africa, has been back in the states 11 years and is married to a young preacher. she knew a lot about grace and eternal security having come out of IFBC, and into the simple gospel of Christ. Hopeful for another future and longer connection.

Sunday, the 22nd, we took a leisurely morning, then drove very long (with a nap about half way) across the UP seeing many surprises. I expected to see forests, but it seems it is crop-farmed, and as we were told, another beautiful drive, into and out of and into and out of and into and out of Wisconsin (Most of the time we didn’t know if we were in Michigan or Wisconsin) till we reached the city of Superior, WI, another of the surprising cities filled with industry and no doubt a support to Duluth, Minnesota, just across the St. Louis Bay bridge.

We stayed on the WI side of the bridge (a bridge actually on I-35, for all our Texas friends!.) Then the next morning, there we were eating breakfast in Duluth, MN, with a gorgeous view of Lake Superior! Now, Barb and I have visited all five Great Lakes! Having read recently about the superiority of Lake Superior, its beauty and size was breath-taking. (Added bonus to the trip.)

But, the formidable few days left take us to the Dakotas, Nebraska and Iowa before heading home—off we go. So we’ve now driven from Duluth, Mn to Brainerd, MN to see Paul Bunyon’s giant Babe, the Blue Ox: it wasn’t there. No, it wasn’t stolen. The huge replica of the legendary story was put into a theme park outside of town and we would not pay their entry fee—we don’t play on kids toys very well anymore, ahem!

Brainerd, however was quite nice, very pretty and complete as a regional shopping center should be, built to provide for many more than the actual population. Then, on to Fargo, ND for the night. On arising, we decided to not venture further into ND, but to take a Southern route through ND to get to Sioux Falls, SD. We did see a lot of N. Dak. on the way. Again, somewhat surprised by the enormous crop fields, yet we saw some other loooong views at lookout stops, capturing the enormity of this land!

Sioux Falls, SD is a lovely town. It’s metro area encompasses more than 30% of the state’s whole population. We really enjoyed the actual “falls” of Sioux Falls. A downtowner’s dream for a tourist draw. Many people exploring the falls and the really odd but beautiful rock formations.

Well, maybe one more session of this story to get us back home, thanks for reading, the Elder.

Travel ON! the ride 50/5!

Well, it’s Tuesday morning (17th) and I just made my first RVer faux pas: I started the generator too early. A park neighbor came over and banged on our door and said, “Turn that loud generator off, it’s only 6am!” Sorry, I said and embarrassingly turned it off. Doesn’t everybody get up at 5:30 and need coffee? Hmm, I guess not. Many places say no generator until 8am, but we were at a Cracker Barrel parking lot and when we went to bed, we were alone in the parking area, but two more came in later and parked fairly close …. and I disturbed them. sorry sorry sorry!

Note to self: when shopping for a camper to buy, find one that doesn’t need the generator just to make coffee. (camper to buy? Oh, no, no, no.)

Today, (Tuesday) Holland and the Lake Michigan shoreline. Each of these small towns along the Eastern shore is uniquely enlightening. All are proud of their heritage (or think we are interested in it) and each has a sort of flair for the artistry in display and are an open invitation for us to visit. Just a few villages give you the impression they prefer to remain private.

Holland was a lot of fun. There is a park-like area known as Dutch Village which was filled with everything Holland-y. The main attractions being an authentic historical windmill, brought to the area in 1964 from The Netherlands. Much larger than I would have gathered from photos, very impressive farming proviso. Also, on their grounds was a hand operated organ-grinder type of (loud) music from the old country. Quite something to listen to.

While the rest of the town was pretty, we began to want to head North along the shore of the lake. Muskegon is very welcoming and I would love to return to it one day. But, I find most towns attract me in that manner. I love the ambience of small towns in our country, just like I love the small farms, the forests, the massive farm fields of growing crops, etc., etc., etc.

We stayed Tuesday evening in a less cumbersome place than a CB parking lot. We were in Ludington, in the remote corner of Walmart parking lot (where I could run the generator at will, no one close!) When we left this morning we saw gasoline was creeping up in price. Don’t know how much, may send home for money—just kidding!

Our decision of how to come to the North today led us through even more beautiful small towns and to the North land edge of lower Michigan which turned us Eastward toward Northport, then South along the water of Lake Michigan now on the East side of the road toward Sutton’s Bay and further South to Traverse City What a great way to see Michigan—at Traverse Bay we turned North again!

[a side note: You may have heard me say before at some time, that Barb and I have an amazing knack for finding unique places to eat. We did it again on this day of our trip. We were oddly driving East across the peninsula of Michigan, just before coming in to Northport, and we drove past a sign at a mid-20th century building of unique design—the sign said Fischer’s Tavern Good Food and Drink. We turned around and went back to it. It was a find! The place has been open for 53 years, it was spotlessly clean, no odor of any kind, several people eating and more came quickly after 1pm, and the food was just right!

Two days later, on Mackinac Island a group stood with me out of the rain and one of them asked me about my shirt—then, where you from, etc. So I asked where were they from, they replied with differing towns but all in Michigan from Traverse City area. So I told them about Fischer’s to see if they had ever heard of it. One lady spoke up and said, “Been there? I love it there! It’s about 30 minutes from my house and the best restaurant around!” We had done it again.]

We stopped for the night at an exceptionally nice vineyard, which invited us and others to “Boondock” on their fields of grass, visit their tasting room, spend time with new friends, etc. This stop’s new friends I am hoping will turn out to be good friends. We met a nice couple of fairly new retirement age (really young compared to us) and one of the usual questions came with my answer that I had pastored churches for a long time. In just a few minutes, he asked me to tell him about my ministry. So, I gave him the short version of the last 60 years—getting saved at 22, learning how to study and what the Bible really says starting at 31, and then a very short version of what “rightly dividing the word of truth” means. Then I asked he and his wife if they were saved, and they gave a beautiful salvation story; from a life of doing all the wrong things, to seeing their errors of disbelief, both getting saved the same night and the peace they were living in continually since.

We went on to talk about the Lord and things on what it’s like to live in this world. Turns out they are in the process of getting off the continual travel retirement and are settling in Navarre, FL. Not so far from us and an area we visit usually more than once a year. My prayer for them is a fuller understanding of the Lord’s word and will for their lives with the added hope of continuing fellowship.

Another part of the trip may be coming soon. Thanks for reading, the Elder

The Long, Long RV Ride/50 & 5

gonna take a few posts.

This is a very long blog—more like a “booklet” of old. Remember them? If a writer only wanted to cover one subject or one location or idea, instructions, doctrine (usually called a tract, they would write it in 5 to 50 pages and refer to it as a booklet. A novelist would call it a short story, magazines would buy them for fillers because they were interesting and “teasers for more.” This might fit one of those pockets. To most who start reading this, it’ll probably not get finished. but, to some I hope they’ll find it interesting enough that two octogenarians decided, planned and carried it out.

A Blog To Remember: The Road To 50

At 8:20 this morning, Sept. 13, 2024, we began our almost 3 week run up North and West to complete our visiting all 50 states. Between the two of us we need to see Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa. To begin getting to those states we must travel through Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and on the way back home we’ll traverse Illinois. So this trip will take us through a good portion of 13 states. The planning of this trip began a good while ago when we realized we didn’t have many more states to go to get through them all.

We wound up deciding last Spring to rent an RV and do it this way. Tonight, first night, we are stopped in Madisonville, KY—a town straight South of Evansville, IN and North of Clarksville, TN. 19,000 happy Kentuckians live here and it has a true middle-America look to it. In the morning when we leave, we’ll look the city over a little closer, we’re putting up with some rain this evening, sort of curtailing our plans to walk their downtown area.

Driving the RV was not as daunting as some might think. It’s a 25ft. C Class we rented, so not a big road hog, just a little bigger than a 16ft. rental truck, but tricked out very nicely. Seemed comfortable for both Barb and Bessie (the toy Aussie who thinks she runs our life.) I drove, but was not terrible tired out and at 6:30 pm, feeling refreshed, looking forward to watching the Cubs baseball after a while—yes, we have internet—can’t leave home without it!

Saturday morning drive to Trafalgar for the Lockhart family reunion was delayed by a couple of minor things and caused us to be late getting there. We let the family know we were coming but would be late, it brought to mind one nephew whose tardiness is pretty regular. So, his brother who was at the reunion called me and when I said “hello,” he said, “Is this my tardy brother being late again?? or is this Jerry who is learning from him on how to do it?” —a good laugh in the background at our expense, and at the tardy nephew’s also, who never made it at all. It was wonderful to see those who were there, but attendance was down considerably.

When the reunion ended, Barb and I trekked on—to a farm in Northern Indiana which raises Alpacas, a very welcoming place with an Alpaca shop, beautiful barns and event facilities. As a matter of fact, they had just finished an event and the workers were gathered to eat a veritable feast and invited us to join in. It was a wonderful gesture and the food was exceptional—beef brisket or salmon, vegetables and dessert —pie and ice cream.

We walked the grounds, introduced Bessie to hogs she had never seen (don’t think she cared much for them), and shopped in the Alpaca shop (don’tcha know?) These were exceptional people. They treated us as if we had known them a long time, and now sitting with them and talking like we were now getting “caught up” with our long-interrupted conversation. I drove on thinking, is this whole trip going to be like this?

Driving North in Indiana is always enlightening. As a kid and then a young man in the business world, I thought I went to a lot of places in Indiana, but every trip I see places I’ve never been. We were stopping for the night at Barb’s nephew’s beautiful small farm and , as usual, they were perfect hosts. Good fellowship and reasons for prayers, and good laughing about old stories, as well. —Onward early the next morning.

Monday with our friends Tom & Donna Morse was a really nice day. Their part of the Detroit suburbs, Canton, Dixboro, etc., are really beautiful cities/towns. We ate a brunch meal at Anna’s House in Westland at about 10:30 and were not hungry again until stopping for the night (7-ish) at Cracker Barrel about 150 miles West of there.

While with Tom and Donna they took us to an orchard built out to be a family park with everything from hayrides through the orchard to a petting zoo to a retail store with more apples than we’ve seen in a long time. Followed by a tour and walks in the park along side the beautiful Huron River.

It was a wonderful visit with them, marred only by Donna receiving a call that her favorite uncle (90 yrs old) had just passed away. So we left them about 5pm, drove almost to Holland, MI before stopping.

Took a side road along the way because we saw at an exit, a small “camper” sign with an arrow to exit so we did. We turned the correct direction, down a classically countryside highway; clean, neatly kept farms, occasional businesses related to farming, etc., but no RV park or campers to be seen. So, I stopped at a really nice convenience store (obviously local, not a chain) and ask the girls working there, “Hey, where’s the camp ground?” One said, “Oh, you mean Elm Grove? It’s down that way a ways. You go to the 4-way, then turn left and it’s a few miles.” I said, “ok, do you know if it’s a good camp for RVs to park at?” Neither knew anything at all about it. With no more info than that, we got back on the I-169 and kept driving.

When we approached Grandville, we noticed a billboard for Cracker Barrel, so as tired as we were that was an easy way to finish our day on the road: eat dinner at CB and park in one of their designated RV slots and sleep free. A super nice finish to a super nice day.

(Part 2 in a couple of days.) Thanks for reading, the Elder

Politics? No, Churches!

Sept.9, 2024

Sometimes I wonder what politics is. Or rather, what it is to me. Most commentaries on politics I do not like, even if it favors what I favor. Writers say too little or too much (many might say that about me, also—and they might be correct.) But in wondering what is politics, I have adopted the habit of saying that politics is nothing more than “messing with the policy!”

To mess with policy is to delve into a practice already in place having a belief that to change it to “my way” is going to improve it! Subsequently, my suggestions are seldom picked and grandly be made into national policy. Like most pundits, that doesn’t deter me from having opinions which I affirm to any and all who will stop and listen to me talk about them. Continually doing that from as far back as the day John Kennedy was assassinated until now—61 years later— has not garnered me a large audience and rarely has there been very many who were begging me to run for office. Yet, I continue.

On that fateful day, I worked in an open office setting with about 45 other people. The man next to me, a mentor on certain life things, was a 50 year old man who was a staunch patriot, leaning Republican but enjoying Kennedy’s administration (as would all Republicans today) and he sadly told several of us about hearing it on the news. The office manager, a strictly Republican of mind bent remarked, “Somebody finally got the old bird, eh?” ….and the room became eerily quiet. It was the beginning of a long mourning period, longer than any I had seen except when my brother Don was killed. Partisan politics right then escaped out of my feeble young mind and has never since won a place back in. If you talk with me, you might think me a Republican, but I can assure you I am farther to the right than 99% of Republicans. But, I might very well follow and support an old-thought Democrat. During the first part of Kennedy’s administration there was a bumper sticker that said, “I MISS IKE” —which soon fostered another one which said, “I MISS IKE, HELL! I EVEN MISS HARRY”—a reference to conservative governing by Eisenhower and before him by Truman. In those days Hell being on a bumper sticker was tantamount to cursing out one’s wife on the street!

I liked that second one because I grew into being a reader of the newspaper when Truman was president (My age 8-10.) Before Ike’s first term was up, I was in the Jr. High years and had a wonderful teacher who didn’t allow us to ignore the American political world. Mr. Cecil Utterback was a tremendously well read man and one of my favorite teachers, though at the time I’m sure I didn’t tell him. About 15 years after my two year stint of being taught by him, I saw him on a trip back to Trafalgar. I went to his table in the local restaurant and expressed to him my appreciation for his teaching. He was stoically glad to see me and very stoically thanked me. (I didn’t impress him, but then, I couldn’t.)

Shortly after age 31, I began to study the bible with a renewed spiritual interest. I had placed my trust in Christ for eternal life at age 22. But now, at age 31, I began to see what I didn’t know! (A great revelation to anyone at any age, but after 30 it strikes one as being more vital to their purpose —that’s a biblical thought. Check out the requirements for the O.T. priesthood and their service to the Lord.)

I was living in Oxford, AL and began attending a bible study in Anniston, AL, just a couple miles away. By seeing new things which had been written so long ago yet not within my knowledge, I saw yet another way to measure politics—through the eyes of God’s Holy Word. What a perspective! I never saw any denominations in Scripture, but I did see the activity of politics inside every denomination! Politics and Religions then, were producing the same things: some new ways to mess with the policy! Yet, taking the bible as God’s word on the subjects at hand, there is never a chance to “mess” with what God has said—it’s his word! Surely nobody would mess with God’s word, right?

The continuation of that once per week bible study caused my wife and I to see the misapplication of bible doctrines inside our church, but not just our church; it seemed to be in many or all churches. Thoughts of concern for even my own father’s church, as well as the one I was currently a member of, and those of several acquaintances around me caused me to set a course of study using the support material for many denominations—27, in fact. As I read each denominations’ materials it occurred to me that it was as if i was reading propaganda designed to make me want to become one of them! Every one of them had something in their doctrinal message which did not agree with the principal of studying by “rightly dividing the word of truth.”—2 Tim.2:15.

Naturally, I resented that and soon we dropped our membership of the denomination we had chosen and remain unaffiliated….to this day. There is NO Biblical reason to belong to a denomination. Many (or most) saved people today have no concern whatever with propagating a denomination, rather we who are saved and know it are more concerned with showing people “…how that Christ died for our sins,..was buried and was raised from the dead the 3rd day…” and swiftly to the point “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved…” When one (perhaps you if this fits you) places his trust in Christ and His finished work of Calvary, and believing Christ was raised from the dead in order for us to be justified with God (seeRom.4:24,25, 5:1) that one is eternally saved. What good would a church membership do him?

Well, may I step into a position you might not have seen coming? I DO believe some good comes from being a part of a congregation! No, I don’t advocate “belonging” to a church—you belong to the Lord and no one else! (A brief story about this thought: When I began to see the differences in the Scripture and coming to the conclusion to leave denominations behind, my pastor paid me a visit to get some re-assurance he could “count on us.” So, the following short dialogue took place:

I said, “Paul, do you believe a person has to be baptized to be saved?” He said, “No, Jerry, you know I don’t believe that!” “Right,” I said.

“Do you believe I would have to be baptized to witness for the Lord to the next person I met?” He again replied, “No, of course not.”

I said, “Paul, do I have to be baptized to be a member of your church?” He said, “Yes.”

I said, “Why?” He said, “Cause we’re Baptists.”

I waited, but he either didn’t get it or didn’t want to get it. He got up and said he had found what came to see…and that was the last time we talked.

Did you see politics? Or do you think that his point was a pure truth from God’s word? I hope you saw church membership for what it is; a political ruse, a ploy, a machination for political gain! I know some are purer though

Oh, wait. I said there was some value to being in a congregation, correct? Yes, I did. It is a biblical principle to be in “fellowship” with like-minded people. the Psalmist praised the group setting in 3 passages: Ps.22:22; Ps.122:8; and 133:1. The writer of Hebrews also in ch.10:25 —so, Old testament and New Testament admonishes believers to dwell together in harmony.

In fact, our Apostle Paul (neither OT or NT) wrote several verses concerning this for us, the church, which is His Body. 1 Cor.1:10 quickly comes to mind because of the multiple verbs used to describe the state in which we should collectively abide:

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (emphasis mine.)

The verse plainly shows it is written to a group of people. Paul’s attention to “the church…” is 5 times in the book of Acts and 34 times in his Epistles. Church congregations are VERY important to those who are seeking to know the Lord, and those who newly know the Lord, and for them to rely on the experiences of those who have known the Lord for longer periods of time. These bible churches have zero (0) denomination factoring. We should gather together! And we do have many congregations totally free of the binding ties of “we are _______!” Personally, I can put anyone who asks in touch with one of these kinds of congregation, probably near to your home, no matter where you live.

My friends, flee the political world, Stand up for Jesus! and let the otherwise folk do whatever they want to do.

I thank you for reading, the Elder.

#5 of 2 Cor.5– IN CHRIST

AUGUST 28, 2024

This will be the 5th and, for now, the last 2 Corinthians 5 blog. I’m well aware that I am not exhausting the content of the chapter, but I am also aware that I can make “run-on” sentences resulting in what lawyers refer to as “begging the point.” In the next couple of paragraphs I will have said enough about it.

The last two verses (vs. 20,21) complete the explanation of the chapter’s ministry purpose: first, stop wondering if you are saved or lost and simply “be ye reconciled to God.” How? by believing Christ died for the payment of your sins, that He was buried to complete the picture of a Savior heavy laden with the sins of the world who was taken out of the sight of God (example shown in Gen.23:1-4—“out of my sight.”); And then Christ was raised from the dead to show the perfection in resurrection unto life (see Rom.1:3,4 & Rom.4:24,25).

So then, to believe ON the Lord Jesus Christ is to place trust for your personal salvation, not in a work action which you might think to do, but rather in what Christ has done for you (read carefully Eph.2:4-8: what He did, where we are by grace through faith.)

Coming to the last verse in this magnificent chapter, v.21, we see that what God has done by being “in Christ”-v.19, charging Him in the judgment for all sins (made Him to be SIN FOR US), He who knew no sin became sin itself!) God, then, could look at us as having the righteousness that truly was the person of His son. He could see us as perfect as Christ was, with no imputing of sins towards us(v.19) and Christ having taken all sins away (see Col.2:13, 14) we are accounted as being IN THE PERFECTION OF CHRIST (“in him.” the verse says) and as complete in Him as we can be. We may perfect our doctrine by studying by rightly dividing the word of truth, but God sees us perfect in Christ the moment we place our trust in Him. I hope you’ve done that and if not, do it right now. Salvation is just a moment away. Remember, “believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST and thou shalt be saved.

The last part of v.20 isn’t trying to call everyone who is saved to be a preacher, but with your personal testimony you can simply relay to your listener how you know you have eternal life—I hope you see you can become an ambassador for Christ even just to the next person with whom you talk .

This short message concludes my blogs about the chapter. I hope it has not been boring to you, but that it uplifted the glorious gospel of Christ that can save anyone anywhere every day.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

2nd Corinthians 5:18, 19

Continuing on with the wonderful news in this truly summation chapter, we get to see how God our Father sees us in the ministry He has established for our dispensation. So we start right where we left off—v.18.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Notice the underlined words above? Especially the “given to us” part? These words are with a certainty the ministry of the whole church. Not that everyone should be a preacher, but that everyone of us who see “how that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised again the 3rd day, according to the Scriptures” and then “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,” to be saved; we should view ourselves as set in place to let that be known—perform the ministry which has been given to us!

There is no greater use of words from our mouths than to tell our personal salvation story. We all “get saved” the same way, but we all have a different story as to how we arrive at our moment of trust in Christ alone for salvation! My brother Jack had a wonderful opportunity to hear our mother’s personal testimony and it took her an hour to tell it! What a story and what a blessing to hear it told. My friends, if you have a testimony of the moment of your salvation — tell it often! Those are powerful words.

When talking to a stranger, or in front of a group, it should be short (2-3 minutes) (they don’t need to hear how bad you were), but directly toward how you know that saved you. It’s even a good idea to practice it to keep what’s important in, and keep the unimportant out.

Back to the verse. The first phrase; And all things are of God, the operative word is “all”—does He mean “all?” Yes, He does. Now that should cause a pause in our thinking about our activities, our thoughts, our reactions to people, ad infinitum. When we are saved we belong to God, we’re “in Christ” as this chapter and others so often show us. Then he is accounting everything in which we involve ourselves. Almost 30 passages in the Bible tell us that the Lord knows our hearts, so count on it, all things are of God.

Now we come to v.19,

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Wow! “reconciling the world unto himself”— How did God do that while He was in Christ? He came to a place where He could no longer impute the world’s trespasses to their account! (, “not imputing their trespasses unto them..”) God is no longer at odds with the world. The work of Christ at the cross when He “died for our sins, was buried, and was raised from the dead” was enough work for God to reconcile Himself to an entire world of sinners. What a wonderful revelation sent to Paul, spoken by Paul and sent to us so that we know!…we know just how much God loves us (see Eps. 2:4 & Rom.5:5-11)

The previous paragraph takes a position with which many people disagree. Partly because they think I am saying everyone is saved, or “Universal Salvation.” But, nothing could be further from the truth. God is reconciled to the world—the world is not reconciled to God. In fact, the next few verses are meant to show us why we should get people to be reconciled to God. The nature of man, since Adam sinned, is to be a sinner, not a righteous man; therefore we need a Savior.

So, no one is just automatically saved because they are here or because they agree “God is real.” Mankind can receive the free salvation only by placing their trust in His work—as Paul and Silas said to the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Also, in 1 Tim.2, Paul clearly said there is only ONE mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. ….We pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God — just as 2 Cor.5:20 says.

All the work for our salvation was done by Christ and God recognized it in Him and reconciled Himself to all the world. When we receive this free salvation it becomes ours eternally, God has nothing against us! (Remember the “sealed” verses we mentioned in a previous blog?) Sins, then, are all taken out of the way for anyone and everyone leaving no reason whatsoever for evangelists to insist someone beg God to save them or make them believe God is going to turn away from them if they don’t “repent of their sins” or say they’re sorry or whatever. It is sufficient to simply trust in the Lord. Most of us say words or think in word terms, but it isn’t an act that saves us, it is a moment of trust in Christ — the “believe on” intent.

Are you saved? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved…”

Thanks for reading, the Elder

2 Cor.5 #3 Walking?

We are in the center chapter (37) of the books which Paul wrote to congregations of people: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians—all together that is 73 chapters. 2Corinthians 5 is the 37th. In this chapter is one of the single most important verses that every saved person should latch on to and never forget…and the Lord has set it up in our King James Bible so we can see it very clearly, He caused the translators to put it in a parentheses! Verse 7, (For we walk by faith, not by sight.)

It sounds simple when we read it, but to walk by faith, not by sight means sight cannot be used as our judge. Not about any spiritual matter, not in any decision making we are forced or drawn into, we just can’t us a “seeing is believing” premise for judgement. Sound difficult? It is. Let’s look at verses which will help us understand this. In 1 Cor.2:9-16 he starts off this way: “But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” If anywhere in His word the Lord makes a more profound statement about the difference between us and Himself, I don’t know where to find it! Yet verse 9 is followed by verse 10! How important are the words on the pages of Scripture?! Penned by the Holy Spirit for us to see what He wants us to see! (For we walk by faith, not by sight.) (Also, His words assure us that when God is judged He will always be justified: He’s always correct! see also Rom.3:4-6; )

Then later in 1 Cor.2 he tells us that spiritual things should be compared with the spiritual-v.13. It doesn’t say spiritual things with spiritual things—it says spiritual things with spiritual—the context being about the spiritual person. With that in mind let’s go back to 2 Cor.5 and look at three very difficult verses to take in and unto ourselves—verses 14,15,16.

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all deadAnd that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

Mmm, Yes “the love of Christ constraineth us.” It really does. We need only think of the poet’s words in At Calvary: “Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan; Oh, the grace that brought it down to man; Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span, AT CALVARY!
To constrain means to compel by force or draw. Shall the love of Christ not constrain you? But, Paul explains further; we can see or understand that since Christ died for all mankind, then God would by necessity see all mankind as dead, then those who are “alive in Christ” should have no reason to live after the flesh, even if they still lived in the flesh.

He then circles back by the edict of verse 16: Wherefore henceforth (don’t you just love those two words?) — “Since that then from now on,” He’s saying, know we no man as if we’re judging about his flesh AND likewise we only look at Christ as a resurrected Savior, just as we and our brethren are also resurrected by FAITH. Then, for instance, does it make sense to look to Jesus’ earthly ministry and try to mimic or copy His and the 12 Apostles actions? No. The Lord sent us Paul to write the word of God for the church in our dispensation of time. We’re spiritual in His eyes. We know no man, even Christ, after the flesh. For we walk by faith, not by sight.

The next verse and a few more words say this: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.And all things are of God…

If we’re saved we’re “in Christ” and therefore we’re a newly (old things not being remembered ever again) created being, not yet born again, but we are sealed unto that occurring. In the previous writing we discussed the seal of the Holy Spirit, right? So, now let’s add a few more verses to see this part of who we are “in Christ.” In Paul’s first letter to these people (1 Cor.15:43-51)

So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

I’m sure you can tell two things out of the underlined verse. 1. We have borne the image of the earthy (flesh), and 2. We will bear the image of the heavenly (Christ.) We have been borne into this world, but we have not yet been borne into our eternal abode. Phi.3:21 tells us the same thing: (Christ) Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Won’t that be somethin’!! Yessir, it surely will be somethin’! More to come. Thanks for reading, the Elder

2 Corinthians 5, Part 2

Some of you who read this blog, whether every time or maybe you do-maybe you don’t, or only occasionally read it, may be saying to yourself, “I don’t want this guy for a bible teacher.” I don’t blame you, in fact, I would perfectly understand if you just skipped it till I got on to another subject. But, your thoughts about me, though probably rather accurate to my worth, are not going to stop me from finishing this project about 2 Corinthians, Ch. 5. It is just too vital and filled with the vitality of Christ, our Saviour! I’m not stopping this subject. Hang with me to the end, I think you’ll like the finish, it’ll shine in your hearts!

So far we’ve found out that the last few verses of the previous chapter have directed us to expect a wondrous thing from God our Father which we have found in the first 4 verses of our subject chapter—a new body, completely the work of God—and eternal. So, now how to expect and become the “us’ of the future, which is in eternity.

Comes verse 5: it seems this was God the Father’s purpose all along. The verse says He has “wrought us” for this very purpose. To be sure, as this would have been to some degree a shock to the people of Corinth, much like it is a shock to people today when they find out the meaning of the last part of Verse 5: God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. We who have trusted Christ’s work for us and for our salvation have been given the Holy Spirit—here’s how you know including the above quote ( Rom.5:5, 1 Th.4:8 ) and to be sure Paul was telling these Corinthian people the whole story about the Holy Spirit, he is tying the new body, our “house not made with hands,” with a seal explained in part in this book as well as in the two books written later on which are directly to people like us ( check these out: 2 Cor. 1:21,22; Eph.1:12-14, 4:30, Col.1:8. Sealed—for how long? Till we no longer need this earthbound body.)

You must read the explanation of Col.2:2b—“the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.” If God has saved you by His grace through Christ, then he has decided to keep you by His seal and the Holy Spirit has carried out that work—can anyone or anything undo such a bond? No, read the last nine verses of Romans 8. Sealed. It is enough.

Moving rapidly through the chapter, we come to another connection to who we are in Christ; this one having to do with a very touchy subject in most people’s thinking. I mean by that a simple fact: people don’t want to change their minds about this subject just because they see some Scripture which might convince them if they let it. So, before I start talking about this, let me remind you of Rom.8:1 and those last 9 verses you just read in that same chapter, that it isn’t going to cause you any problem if you disagree with what I show you, neither should we stop being friendly to each other if we disagree.

Read with me 2 Cor. 5:6,7,8. does it say if we are absent from the body that we are present with the Lord? immediately? Most saved people believe that is what it says. But, that’s not what it says. Look at it carefully: verse 6 says, “whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:”—Now, look again at verse 8: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. You see, verse 6 says to still be in this body we are not with the Lord. Then, verse 8 is referring to when we go to be with the Lord we’re confident we will be. But we discussed the problem concerning being with the Lord is that we have to have a new body—remembering the first 4 verses, and where and when that body comes to us.

Now we need to know why it is that the new body doesn’t come to us immediately upon dying. (Well, in the manner we today count time it can’t immediately be re-clothing us. The dead in Christ, however, are not counting time. Only us who live, we are counting time.) Counting time till the day we die doesn’t mean the end of the dispensation happens when we die, it only ends for those who do die and us when we die. We which are alive and remain, still in this body of clay, we ought not to think any of the “dead in Christ” are “up there” doing something our own minds dream up. The bible says very clearly in several places that death or dying is sleep. Here are 7 references you can easily see: John 11:11-14; Acts 7:60, 13:36, 20:9; 1 Cor.15:51; 1 Th.4:14; 1 Th.5:10. Those seem pretty plain, to die is to go to sleep in Jesus.

When “the Lord himself descends from heaven with a shout…” the dead rise first—so then, they awaken out of their sleep-in-Jesus mode, do they not? Why have they been asleep? They didn’t yet receive their new body; remember the first four verses? Well, many say, I don’t know if that shows me what you’re talking about. OK, one more passage—[remember, I said this should not divide us, and it will not divide me from you no matter what conclusion you come to about this]—so turn to 1 Tim.6:13-16, especially in v.16—from 14b-until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

When Paul wrote this, who in the passage has immortality? Christ only. So, when will Paul, Timothy, me and you gain immortality, when we die? or when the Lord comes and brings us our new bodies? How will we get the body? He’ll “shout” and we’ll wake up! Just think on it, folks, ok? Ok.

Don’t it sound great that we’ll all get our body which is “fashioned like unto his glorious body” at the exact same time!!

Thanks for reading, the Elder

A Bible Class: #1 of 2 Corinthians 5

I want to teach you 2 Corinthians, chapter 5. But, I can’t do this in one blog. Too long—doesn’t take long to read, but if we cross-reference all Scriptures to prove the doctrine, it’ll take more than one blog, maybe more than 5 blogs, can’t tell for sure yet. But, if you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, you’ll enjoy this (at least, I hope so.)

2 Cor.5 is so full of the magnificence of our doctrine-for-today that even though you can read it in a few minutes, it will take many, many pages for me to cross-reference the explanation passages and make application to living today which makes one gasp with excitement because of belonging to the Lord! It is awesomely easy to be entreated, filling us with hope, making us see what is and what is not important, taking away the unnecessary religion rituals, bringing to light the spiritual citizenry of which we’re a part and then literally naming our profession! This chapter is SO rhapsodic!

That’s a lot for one chapter. So we do have to start by borrowing 3 verses from the previous chapter—2 Cor.4:16, 17, 18.

16. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory:

16. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

See how we leave those verses with an understanding of belonging to the ONE who lives eternally? (Latching on to verse 14 in ch.4 will help in seeing that clearly.) See how that now we must concentrate our efforts on thinking about things which are not yet visible to our eyes, but we know they are right out there, just about to be in our grasp? The reference to the life we now live (our light affliction) guides our direction to seeing what it can bring us eternally: “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!” Can you define that? Me neither. But, through a cross reference with 1 Cor. 3:9-15 we can understand how a “weight of glory” can be the outcome of our work—Work in v.12 is defined as either “gold, silver, precious stones,”—all measured by weight, not size; or on the down side as, “wood, hay or stubble”—all of which burn to nothingness. Ergo: the correct “sort” of works bring an “eternal weight of glory” unto our Lord!

NOW, to the wondrous chapter of which I started to talk:

The first four verses of chapter 5 are about our eternal expectations, bodily. We’re not going into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in these bodies of clay, thankfully. God has built us a “house” for us to be clothed into —one not made with hands, but (seemingly) spoken into existence by God Himself, no doubt to honor His Son for the great work He has done, a proof of which is found in

Phl 3:20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Phl 3:21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

We obviously want that house, that glorious body, and we’d rather not die to get it, so some of us may expect the Lord Jesus to provide a more glorious presentation of it. (note: Paul thought it might be soon enough for him to see it while still in this earth-bound body, but it was not to be. His thoughts notwithstanding, that doesn’t change the ultimate plan and manner of the Lord

1Th 4:13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

1Th.4:14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

1Th.4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

1Th 4:16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

1Th.4:17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Meeting the Lord in the air (literally mentioned here and in Gal.1:4) is only mentioned in Scripture these two times and is directed specifically at the “church, which is his body,” or the Body of Christ. All the eternal inheritances spoken of in the other 53 books of the bible are concerning eternity either on the earth/ then a new earth or the city (New Jerusalem) which comes down from God out of heaven and rests upon the earth (see Rev.21&22, and Heb.11:8-10 & 12:22-24.) The Land was promised specifically to Israel 85 times in Scripture as being a “for ever” inheritance. I think we do not get to claim that. The city is specifically given to a priesthood proclaimed loudly in the entire book of Hebrews and in Rev. 21 their names are on the gates and judgment seats of the city. I don’t think we get to claim that, either.

You see how few verses in 2 Cor. 5 we have stepped into? I’m sure you do. Verses 1 thru 4 have barely been touched. But, read this, read the references, ask me anything you want and if I know the answer it will come from Scripture. If I don’t have an answer, I will search for one and if I can’t find one, I will NOT make one up. You can count on it. Making up answers or taking answers from Scriptures not written to us is the reason we have 4,200 denominations—started by man, never started by God or His word.

Thanks for reading, The Elder