One more thing

I read Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost For His Highest" from time to time and Friday's thought touched on the impact of sin on us.  I found this statement to be very powerful:

The penalty of sin is confirmation in sin. It is not only God who punishes for sin; sin confirms itself in the sinner and gives back full pay. No struggling nor praying will enable you to stop doing some things, and the penalty of sin is that gradually you get used to it and do not know that it is sin. No power save the incoming of the Holy Ghost can alter the inherent consequences of sin.

I thought that was pretty remarkable.  Kinda makes me think of that verse I am using this year as our theme verse at Calvary:  Hebrews 3:13 says, "But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."  It is so easy to be drawn in and duped into believing that I am ok like I am and that there is no hurry.

Maybe we ought to develop a greater sense of urgency.  I also think often about that verse Sis Luck used to quote to me from Psalm 19:14, which says, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. "

God bless,
Pastor Clements

Just a few thoughts from today

After giving some thought to using the "blog" forum as a daily journal of sorts, it is proving to be harder than I initially imagined.  It could be useful to me to look back and see what the substance of my days are like, since sometimes it feels as though I am totally unproductive.  However, I find that it is quite hard to get into the habit of putting my thoughts and the events of my day in a form for everyone to see and read.  So many times the things I experience are very personal things going on in the lives of the people God has sent my way.

On Thursday, we made the journey to Wewoka, OK to celebrate the life of our dear friend, Pastor Bob Spears, who passed away on Monday from a heart attack.  Bro Bob was the pastor of the Mission Home MBC there in Wewoka.  The services were held at the First Baptist Church in Wewoka because of the large crowd they anticipated would attend.  They were correct! In fact, most, if not all the seats in the sanctuary were taken.  The side room and the balcony were both used for seating.  Bro Mike Raines, Pastor of Grace in Stillwater presided over the services in Wewoka and the graveside service in Stillwater.  Obviously, Cassie and the kids will be in need of much prayer as they begin this portion of their lives without Bob.  He is and will continue to be greatly missed.

Yesterday, I got up and took time to pray and then got right on my day.  I trimmed and cut the lawn, sprayed some ants around the house and cleaned up a bit for company.  Later, I had to go by and sign the paper for the insurance on Kasey's NEW car since she is still on our insurance, drop off and pick up clothes at the dry cleaners and then went to the office for a bit.

While in the office, I had the pleasure (and a great pleasure it was) to spend some time visiting with Bro Daniel. It has been so busy lately it seems as though we've not visited in a long time.  Sis Wandalea had done a great job in preparing for the events of the week and the financial report for our upcoming business meeting.  She and Bro Daniel are both doing an exceptional job for the Lord and for our church.  They are also of great value to me personally.  Our church is blessed to have them on staff.

Bro & Sis Mitchell completed the two week-long World Missions Seminar in North Little Rock on Friday.  I spoke to Bro Mitchell late in the afternoon on Friday and he indicated that he found something in every session that he felt would prove beneficial to him and Sis Kathy.  We covet your prayers for them as they travel around and present the work God has called them to do.  If you'd like to have them come, please give us a call. A copy of their brochure is attached.

On Friday night we were the honored hosts of a couple of young adults who came all the way from Stillwater for a visit.  They will be leaving on Sunday, but until then we are looking forward to a wonderful time of fellowship with them.

I guess I'll finish this up and post it.  It is around 12:30 am on Saturday and I actually started working on this (amid many distractions...primarily that "couple of young adults") about 8:30 or 9:00 pm.

Til the next time,
Me

Prayer for the Spears Family

Proverbs 27:1 says "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."  I have thought of this verse several times since yesterday when the news came of Bro Bob's passing.  As preachers/pastors we are constantly sharing with the people we speak to, whether it's those in the pew or on someone's porch, that you have no guarantee of tomorrow.  How easily we use those words.

Saturday while attending the Fishers of Men Conference in Vian, OK, Bro Bob and I visited about him coming to Idabel to share with us about his trip to see the work of God in the Philippines.  We discussed that we'd get together in the short term and make those arrangements.  I am sure he, Cassie and the kids would have come together to spend some time with us.  I was so looking forward to them being with us.

I leave you with this.  Since we are now reminded of the frailty of life, let me ask you to pray for me that I will live each day for the rest of my life as though that day was my last...or maybe the last day of those I meet.  And as I finalize this post, let me ask you to never forget that we know not what a day may bring forth....

2012 World Missions Seminar

As Bro James Taylor delivered his message he spoke about three things that we all need if we are to be successful in the Lord's work. 

Companionship: with the Lord, with your spouse, with your family
Communication: with the same, but also with your church family (if you are a missionary)
Co-Laborers: in the work

In explaining the point about communication, he shared with us that his pastor wanted them to post daily blogs so that the church family could always know what was going on with them.  He also shared with us that countless numbers of people have conveyed to them how that they never understood the life of a missionary until they could read about them each day.  Their daily blogs would become a journal, of sorts.  It was funny when he referred to their blogs as a "reality tv show" of sorts.  He said people DO watch reality tv so much so that now people are saying they can't wait until his family is back in Africa so they can start reading those daily updates again.  He equated it to them waiting on Season 2.

So I plan to begin today posting regular blogs so that people can know what's going on in our church and in the life of my family.

Therefore, our church is doing wonderful!  We have just had a marvelous 6 months or so which all culminated in 4 profitable revival services last week.  6 decisions were made and of those 6 there were 2 conversions and 4 baptisms. During the past few months, our debt has been retired.  We've also seen a tremendous outpouring financially.  We've voted to send out a missionary.  Bro Butch & Sis Kathy Mitchell are going to the Solomon Islands to plant a seminary.

As far as our family, all is well.  As far as I know (and Valerie don't ruin it for me), our 28 year marriage is as good as it has ever been.  Our 23 year old daughter Kasey lives with us and she is doing well, too.  In fact, she is about to buy her first new car.  Our 20 year old son Mitchell lives in Benton, AR with his wife, Kelsey, and their daughter (OUR GRANDDAUGHTER), Linzee.  Linzee spent a couple of nights in Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock a few weeks back, but she is doing great now.

I am staying with them this week while attending the World Missions Seminar.  About 3 am this morning she woke up and was asking for me so I got her up and changed her.  Since I am unfamiliar with her eating habits, I had to have help with the bottle.  Furthermore, since her father (my son) wouldn't wake up, I had to get her mother up to help me.  Kelsey got the bottle ready and I fed her.  Linzee drifted off to sleep and after holding her for a while, I put her back in her bed.  She was so peaceful.  I think I heard her say "Thank you, Pepaw"...

Well, enough for now.

God bless you all,

Me.