Fifteen years ago I was facing a dilemma. How do you serve as pastor to a group of folks who on one side of the house are either fighting or looking for something to fight about; and on the other side of the house are active in the KKK? It didn’t take long to identify the need as the willingness to be reconciled to one another. This is accomplished through forgiveness.
This need caused me to start a study on forgiveness as it is taught in Scripture. It didn’t take long to realize that the way it was taught is a far-sight from the way it is practiced. The more I studied, the more I found. The more I found the more burdened I became. It is not unusual for me to attempt to write it out when I’m trying to sort through a lot of information. That’s what happened here; I started writing.
Fast forward 15 years. It is a peculiar feeling to be holding the book “Glass Houses: The Practice of Biblical Forgiveness”. It has been a long trail with a number of bumps, detours, and ambushes along the way. It is an humbling experience as I remember the many “discussions” I had to attempt to untangle. In the real world it called an “argument”, when it’s about church doings, it’s called a “discussion.”
If you feel led to read what finally washed out as the final product, I would be interested in hearing what you think. Let me know.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Fleecing
I’ve spent a large portion of the past ten years attempting to bring the story of Jesus Christ to the firing line at Cowboy Action shooting events. Guiding this effort is the premise that we must accept folks where they are, as they are. Changing anything is not in my job description. It is for me to tell the story. Any life changing taking place is up to the Lord. Only God can change lives.
We view this effort as our ministry. It troubles me that with over 80,000 members in SASS there is no organized effort to reach the participants. What is it that makes 80,000 + souls invisible or insignificant to those who lead in the work conducted in the vineyard of the Lord?
I’ve learned a few things during this time of effort and my time enjoying the sport. First, I’ve learned there is a large portion of the cowboys in our part of the country are EX-church people. They’ve been there, done that, and have the scares to remind them of the experience. For various reasons these have been ostracized from organized churches and are finding their acceptance among the ranks of cowboy shooters. Why is it that the very place where acceptance and welcome should be foremost demonstrated in every venue is the very place creating so many psychological scars?
I recently experienced firsthand that common courtesy is not so common. I received an inquiry for a cowboy church seeking a pastor. I struggled for a while trying to determine if the Lord was calling me to return to active ministry. It came to me to practice fleecing similar to the actions taken by Gideon in the Old Testament. I had a long telephone conversation with a part of the church leadership and provided him the information he requested. I followed that up by mailing him four copies of my book, “Ridin’ for the Brand.” This was in October, 2009. It is now the middle of February, 2010 and I have not received any reply from the church. No acknowledgement of my providing them the information they requested or receipt of the copies of the book. I can only conclude that they consider themselves exempt from the rules of common courtesy.
The lesson the Lord has given me is that whenever you engage in a little fleecing, you must be prepared for the fleece to be wet from the dew!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Preferences
I enjoy shooting cowboy. It is something Prissy and I share. When we mention cowboy action shooting to the uninitiated the first thing that comes to their mind is shooting the guns. There is so much more to this activity. First, for us it is a ministry. Our being committed to cowboy to the extent we are was a God thing from the beginning. The real motive behind our participation is the opportunity to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ into this group containing more than its share of the walking wounded. We had noticed that preachers didn’t last long around cowboy action shooting events. They would parade around with the largest Bible you ever saw inviting everyone they could find to attend cowboy church. After a few times of low attendance they just stopped showing up for the match. Their absence belies their commitment to their “gospel.” The truth is the cowboys would be courteous but they wanted to know the measure of the man before they would give him their time. That measure is found on the firing line not in easy talk.
I enjoy all the tasks associated with reloading the ammo needed for us to compete. The brass must be cleaned, sized and primed. The lead is cast into bullets and the bullets sized and lubricated. Then the primed brass is charged with powder and the bullet seated and crimped into place. And this only accounts for the cowboy ammo. Loading shotgun is an entirely different animal, with plastic hulls, power piston wads, shot and powder to be combined into a 12 gage shell that doesn’t feel like a Missouri mule every time you pull the trigger.
Then there are the guns that must be cared for. They must be cleaned, checked and maintained in good repair. Each of us has two pistols, a rifle, and a shotgun plus extras just in case Murphy rares his ugly head and something breaks. In cowboy action, Murphy is alive and well. I’m really surprised someone hasn’t shot him with all the mischief he causes!
There is pleasure found in each task and there is a great deal of satisfaction when we complete a match with a minimum of difficulty. It makes it all worth while. The pleasure is found on Sunday morning when cowboys show up for cowboy church. I guess they found the measure to their liking.
As much as I enjoy shooting cowboy, I dearly love shooting long range rifle. Where cowboy action is an action sport, full of activity with lots of laughter and camaraderie; long range is a discipline. Oh, we enjoy the company of others who also relish in the discipline of the effort, but in the sport itself there is you, your rifle, and the target. Do it right and you are rewarded with the satisfying sound of lead striking the steel target. Do it wrong and all you get is a little dirt kicking up.
Seems to me there is a parallel between all this effort put into shooting and Scripture. In shooting, you have to do it right to find the reward. In Scripture, you have to reach beyond the cross to get to the crown.
I enjoy all the tasks associated with reloading the ammo needed for us to compete. The brass must be cleaned, sized and primed. The lead is cast into bullets and the bullets sized and lubricated. Then the primed brass is charged with powder and the bullet seated and crimped into place. And this only accounts for the cowboy ammo. Loading shotgun is an entirely different animal, with plastic hulls, power piston wads, shot and powder to be combined into a 12 gage shell that doesn’t feel like a Missouri mule every time you pull the trigger.
Then there are the guns that must be cared for. They must be cleaned, checked and maintained in good repair. Each of us has two pistols, a rifle, and a shotgun plus extras just in case Murphy rares his ugly head and something breaks. In cowboy action, Murphy is alive and well. I’m really surprised someone hasn’t shot him with all the mischief he causes!
There is pleasure found in each task and there is a great deal of satisfaction when we complete a match with a minimum of difficulty. It makes it all worth while. The pleasure is found on Sunday morning when cowboys show up for cowboy church. I guess they found the measure to their liking.
As much as I enjoy shooting cowboy, I dearly love shooting long range rifle. Where cowboy action is an action sport, full of activity with lots of laughter and camaraderie; long range is a discipline. Oh, we enjoy the company of others who also relish in the discipline of the effort, but in the sport itself there is you, your rifle, and the target. Do it right and you are rewarded with the satisfying sound of lead striking the steel target. Do it wrong and all you get is a little dirt kicking up.
Seems to me there is a parallel between all this effort put into shooting and Scripture. In shooting, you have to do it right to find the reward. In Scripture, you have to reach beyond the cross to get to the crown.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Thank 'ya kindly!
I held the timer close but was being very aware of where I was in relation to the shooter. I didn’t want to interfere with him in any way if it could be avoided. I attempted to predict what he would do with the buzzer sounded and remain within arms reach of the guns should the need arrive. This was a good shooter and very competitive and I wanted him to have a good run. I couldn’t help but notice the look on his face as he shot through the stage. He looked as though he was in pain. His face was drawn, eyes fixed, with a slacked jaw, breathing hard. He was working on it and working hard.
After he completed his run, I turned and gave the score keeper the time then looked at the counters and polled them. 22.8 seconds and clean – a very good run for this stage. In my peripheral vision I could see the shooter. He had paused with rifle in one hand, shotgun in the other and he was listening to what everyone was saying. Of course he was interested, it was his score. I pointed to him and he looked at me puzzled. I gave him a “thumbs up” and said two words, “Good run!” The reaction was visible and almost exaggerated. He visibly relaxed, flashed a big smile, nodded a yes and headed for the unloading table. On his way to the table I could hear others congratulating him on a job well done.
Many years ago I took part in a study in human behavior. We parked a car on the shoulder of the road, raised the hood like there was a problem, and had a woman stand at the front of the car looking worried and very concerned. Over the period of one hour, we counted the cars that passed waiting to see how long it would take for some to stop and offer assistance to a “lady in distress.”
Later in the same location we again conducted the experiment in a somewhat different manner. We had two cars about a half mile apart parked with the hood up. Again, the lady stood in front of the first car with a raised hood acting for all she could as though she was in distress. However, this time we had a man parked in front of her with flashers going and he was talking to her with her pointing to here engine. The second car was also a “lady in distress” in the same manner as the first, however this time there was no help. She was looking about as though to say, “Will someone help me?” The difference in the two experiments was dramatic. In the first experiment there were only two men who stopped and offered to help the lady in distress. In the second experiment there were nine men who stopped to help the second distressed car.
We are all so centered on ourselves that sometimes we need to be reminded that a kind word to someone else brings tremendous results. When I congratulated the shooter for a job well done it was like a fresh breeze had blown through the posse. Not only did the shooter receive well deserved praise for a job well done, the others on the posse were reminded to encourage and were rewarded with strengthened bonds of friendship. Even those who watch in silence responded to this simple act of kindness, “Good run!” Encouragement pays huge dividends.
After he completed his run, I turned and gave the score keeper the time then looked at the counters and polled them. 22.8 seconds and clean – a very good run for this stage. In my peripheral vision I could see the shooter. He had paused with rifle in one hand, shotgun in the other and he was listening to what everyone was saying. Of course he was interested, it was his score. I pointed to him and he looked at me puzzled. I gave him a “thumbs up” and said two words, “Good run!” The reaction was visible and almost exaggerated. He visibly relaxed, flashed a big smile, nodded a yes and headed for the unloading table. On his way to the table I could hear others congratulating him on a job well done.
Many years ago I took part in a study in human behavior. We parked a car on the shoulder of the road, raised the hood like there was a problem, and had a woman stand at the front of the car looking worried and very concerned. Over the period of one hour, we counted the cars that passed waiting to see how long it would take for some to stop and offer assistance to a “lady in distress.”
Later in the same location we again conducted the experiment in a somewhat different manner. We had two cars about a half mile apart parked with the hood up. Again, the lady stood in front of the first car with a raised hood acting for all she could as though she was in distress. However, this time we had a man parked in front of her with flashers going and he was talking to her with her pointing to here engine. The second car was also a “lady in distress” in the same manner as the first, however this time there was no help. She was looking about as though to say, “Will someone help me?” The difference in the two experiments was dramatic. In the first experiment there were only two men who stopped and offered to help the lady in distress. In the second experiment there were nine men who stopped to help the second distressed car.
We are all so centered on ourselves that sometimes we need to be reminded that a kind word to someone else brings tremendous results. When I congratulated the shooter for a job well done it was like a fresh breeze had blown through the posse. Not only did the shooter receive well deserved praise for a job well done, the others on the posse were reminded to encourage and were rewarded with strengthened bonds of friendship. Even those who watch in silence responded to this simple act of kindness, “Good run!” Encouragement pays huge dividends.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
A 'Bench-Mark' Day
Yesterday I participated in a BPCRS match at the Yaupon Creek BPCRS Club in Columbus, Texas. I’m new at this long range shooting with this match being my fifth competition. BPCRS is an NRA sanctioned shooting event. In these events a shooter is recognized when he passes a bench-mark in his shooting growth. Yesterday was my first bench-mark day.
In BPCRS, which stands for Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Silhouette, a metallic silhouette target of must fall to be counted a hit. A shooter is awarded a small pin when he is able to knock down five targets in a row and again when he knocks down ten targets in a row. These are bench-mark occasions. The targets are chickens, fired at 200 meters offhand, pigs fired at 300 meters, turkeys fired at 385 meters, and rams fired at 500 meters. Pigs, turkeys and rams are fired from crossed sticks in the sitting or prone position. My first bench-mark day was occasioned by knocking down five pigs.
Like most bench-marks in our lives, this one caused me to reflect on the occasion. It recognized a personal achievement. I was only competing against me, and I won. I can’t help but think of the large majority of cowboys and gals in Cowboy Action Shooting, who come, pay their money, participate and applaud the winners. They return to their homes and are never recognized for their effort.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could devise some method in cowboy action with the same ability demonstrated in BPCRS? The best cowboy and cowgirl is the one standing on the firing line and supporting our clubs. Every cowboy who completes a match is a winner. In Cowboy Action we expend a lot of effort emphasizing the fellowship, friendships, and fun of the game. I believe it is time to support the winners, those whose only competition was themselves and they won.
In BPCRS, which stands for Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Silhouette, a metallic silhouette target of must fall to be counted a hit. A shooter is awarded a small pin when he is able to knock down five targets in a row and again when he knocks down ten targets in a row. These are bench-mark occasions. The targets are chickens, fired at 200 meters offhand, pigs fired at 300 meters, turkeys fired at 385 meters, and rams fired at 500 meters. Pigs, turkeys and rams are fired from crossed sticks in the sitting or prone position. My first bench-mark day was occasioned by knocking down five pigs.
Like most bench-marks in our lives, this one caused me to reflect on the occasion. It recognized a personal achievement. I was only competing against me, and I won. I can’t help but think of the large majority of cowboys and gals in Cowboy Action Shooting, who come, pay their money, participate and applaud the winners. They return to their homes and are never recognized for their effort.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could devise some method in cowboy action with the same ability demonstrated in BPCRS? The best cowboy and cowgirl is the one standing on the firing line and supporting our clubs. Every cowboy who completes a match is a winner. In Cowboy Action we expend a lot of effort emphasizing the fellowship, friendships, and fun of the game. I believe it is time to support the winners, those whose only competition was themselves and they won.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Earning the Right
TV news commentators never cease to amaze me. They will pick a occurrence they consider news worthy and report it like it is the last important thing in the world. Then in their never ceasing effort to insult the intelligence of every viewer of their broadcast, they will pick some brain dead person who is unable to express themselves and ask them what they think. Of all the people standing around watching their little show at the time it was shot, what caused them to pick that particular individual?
There was a time when honor was strong within the police fraternity. Often you life depended upon knowing that the man behind you could be trusted to do what he had to do. If one of these demonstrated himself as a Judas other officers would have nothing to do with him. He then joined the ranks of the sick, the lame, and the lazy. That means he was assigned to a desk. Few listened much to what he had to say for he had not earned the right to be heard. When the political atmosphere changed and officers learned they could advance themselves at the expense of their fellow officers, everyone became worthy to express their opinion. After all, they now had an agenda and the political atmosphere found its strength in numbers.
What makes an individual worthy of being heard? What happened to earning the right to speak? In the same manner that respect is earned not assigned; creditability must be earned, it is not automatic. The news folks search for someone willing to voice an opinion agreeable to their agenda. What happened to honor? What happened to the value of experience and individual creditability? When did honor and truth become a casuality?
I fear that honor and creditability has gone the way of silence. We have lost our appreciation of being still and realizing that God is all around us. Knowing God has been replaced by noise. It seems that honor and creditability are causalities of agendas. These have been replaced by anyone’s opinion that is found agreeable.
There was a time when honor was strong within the police fraternity. Often you life depended upon knowing that the man behind you could be trusted to do what he had to do. If one of these demonstrated himself as a Judas other officers would have nothing to do with him. He then joined the ranks of the sick, the lame, and the lazy. That means he was assigned to a desk. Few listened much to what he had to say for he had not earned the right to be heard. When the political atmosphere changed and officers learned they could advance themselves at the expense of their fellow officers, everyone became worthy to express their opinion. After all, they now had an agenda and the political atmosphere found its strength in numbers.
What makes an individual worthy of being heard? What happened to earning the right to speak? In the same manner that respect is earned not assigned; creditability must be earned, it is not automatic. The news folks search for someone willing to voice an opinion agreeable to their agenda. What happened to honor? What happened to the value of experience and individual creditability? When did honor and truth become a casuality?
I fear that honor and creditability has gone the way of silence. We have lost our appreciation of being still and realizing that God is all around us. Knowing God has been replaced by noise. It seems that honor and creditability are causalities of agendas. These have been replaced by anyone’s opinion that is found agreeable.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
I WISH WE HAD PRAYED
Today was a glorious day! Besides being a shoot day, the weather was cooperating here in S. Texas. Low humidity with high 60’s, low 70’s, and that was all day! We gathered early in the morning, which is customary for a monthly shoot. Everyone appeared to be in high spirits anticipating the activities in store. Not only was this a great day to be shooting, a picnic had been planned for afterwards for even more fun and fellowship.
By 8:30 all attending had arrived, and the shooters meeting was started by the president of the club. The pledge was recited in unison both for our USA and the Texas flag. We’re all still having difficulty remembering the Texas one, but it’s starting to catch on. The highlight of the meeting was when sincere words of gratefulness were spoken for a couple of miracles that had been witnessed by most of these club members regarding two members. These two members had suffered significant trials in their lives. Both were now well on their way to recovery. I couldn’t help thinking to myself – Praises to God for His mercy and deliverance for these two people and their families.
My eyes searched the crowd as my spirit cried out – who has been asked to voice a prayer to God Almighty who has delivered such blessings already this morning. I hear muffled voices as the officers of the club lament and ask one another what other matters need to be covered since the safety portion was complete. I see a shrug, my spirit begins to fall, more like plummet, as I think of such an opportunity to praise God and give back to Him just a portion of all He had blessed us with this glorious morning. Then I hear, “Let’s Shoot”. Scripture flies through my mind as I now begrudgingly push my gun cart to my assigned stage. Silently I thank God for myself and on behalf of the others who never acknowledged God gifts starring each of us in the face.
We can talk about Father God, but if we don’t praise Him, he clearly tells us that the very stones of the earth will cry out in praise! (Luke 29:40)
Prissy Pearlene
#59753
By 8:30 all attending had arrived, and the shooters meeting was started by the president of the club. The pledge was recited in unison both for our USA and the Texas flag. We’re all still having difficulty remembering the Texas one, but it’s starting to catch on. The highlight of the meeting was when sincere words of gratefulness were spoken for a couple of miracles that had been witnessed by most of these club members regarding two members. These two members had suffered significant trials in their lives. Both were now well on their way to recovery. I couldn’t help thinking to myself – Praises to God for His mercy and deliverance for these two people and their families.
My eyes searched the crowd as my spirit cried out – who has been asked to voice a prayer to God Almighty who has delivered such blessings already this morning. I hear muffled voices as the officers of the club lament and ask one another what other matters need to be covered since the safety portion was complete. I see a shrug, my spirit begins to fall, more like plummet, as I think of such an opportunity to praise God and give back to Him just a portion of all He had blessed us with this glorious morning. Then I hear, “Let’s Shoot”. Scripture flies through my mind as I now begrudgingly push my gun cart to my assigned stage. Silently I thank God for myself and on behalf of the others who never acknowledged God gifts starring each of us in the face.
We can talk about Father God, but if we don’t praise Him, he clearly tells us that the very stones of the earth will cry out in praise! (Luke 29:40)
Prissy Pearlene
#59753
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
