6/11/15 DEAR MOM & DAD !
I really truly do believe in Jesus Christ,and am doing little works of ministry out here in "the field'. Maybe elect is what elect does. Are we becoming "estranged" from eachother,or are we still on the same team? Sometimes I feel as if despite being part of the same family that I come from a different "side of the track" than the two of you. But then also every now & then I get a sense that even the two of you come from different sides of the tracks. Whatever the case may be,I encourage both of you to practice "prayer &fasting". Don't be consumed by the things of this world. I can't tell you how disturbing it is to hear some of these preachers,or their families,to whose ministries I've contributed talk about their "swimming pools." Don't they know how "luxury" that sounds,I recently heard Rick Warren mention his swimming pool in his sermon. And I hear Bobby Schuller talk about flying to Israel.This is also a luxury,not a necessity for ministry.and the list goes on. I'm disturbed when pastors get too caught up in competing "with the Joneses". I hope you don't feel you need to compete with the Joneses as well. I'm concerned also about the salvation of so many preachers who base their security of salvation on being a part of,or leader of, a formal 501c3 ministry. This may be an illusion or delusion in some cases. We cannot be assured of salvation based on being a "legal " ministry with all the proper papers,nor even based upon how "beloved" we are. A lot of our best Christians ended up very much "un-beloved" by the world,even as martyrs. Stephen is one example. Jim-lin,don't take your cues from the world,but from God.
I'm not sure where we stand anymore in terms of relationship,or lack of. I just know the "story" others may be constructing,or trying to,that defames me is self-serving on the part of some.that's what the world does,and how the devil works.Don't fall into that trap.
I really truly do believe in Jesus Christ,and am doing little works of ministry out here in "the field'. Maybe elect is what elect does. Are we becoming "estranged" from eachother,or are we still on the same team? Sometimes I feel as if despite being part of the same family that I come from a different "side of the track" than the two of you. But then also every now & then I get a sense that even the two of you come from different sides of the tracks. Whatever the case may be,I encourage both of you to practice "prayer &fasting". Don't be consumed by the things of this world. I can't tell you how disturbing it is to hear some of these preachers,or their families,to whose ministries I've contributed talk about their "swimming pools." Don't they know how "luxury" that sounds,I recently heard Rick Warren mention his swimming pool in his sermon. And I hear Bobby Schuller talk about flying to Israel.This is also a luxury,not a necessity for ministry.and the list goes on. I'm disturbed when pastors get too caught up in competing "with the Joneses". I hope you don't feel you need to compete with the Joneses as well. I'm concerned also about the salvation of so many preachers who base their security of salvation on being a part of,or leader of, a formal 501c3 ministry. This may be an illusion or delusion in some cases. We cannot be assured of salvation based on being a "legal " ministry with all the proper papers,nor even based upon how "beloved" we are. A lot of our best Christians ended up very much "un-beloved" by the world,even as martyrs. Stephen is one example. Jim-lin,don't take your cues from the world,but from God.
I'm not sure where we stand anymore in terms of relationship,or lack of. I just know the "story" others may be constructing,or trying to,that defames me is self-serving on the part of some.that's what the world does,and how the devil works.Don't fall into that trap.
--
"And we know that in all things God works
for the good of those who love Him,..."
Romans 8.28
for the good of those who love Him,..."
Romans 8.28
