P. O. Box 46358
Baton Rouge, LA 70895
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Dear friends,
What a great weekend we had up in the mountains of Colorado at Camp Idrahaji with Pastor Walt Rogers and the men of Harvest Bible Church! The deep bond of brotherhood among those men and the strong love relationship between them and their pastor was more beautiful than the mountains that surrounded us.
On Friday evening, we began our study of the life of Joseph by first looking at the extraordinarily difficult environment in which this young seventeen-year-old received his dreams. As one man has said, Joseph’s family wasn’t exactly the Brady Bunch! Incest, rape, murder, looting, favoritism, jealousy, hatred, and the death of his mother when he was only twelve: this was Joseph’s family experience. Yet Genesis 37:5 says, “Then Joseph had a dream.” Through Joseph’s experience, we received an important reminder that I now pass on to you: whatever your life situation has been or now is, no matter how difficult, God has purposes for your life that He will reveal to you as you trust in Him and listen to Him. This is true not only for young men like Joseph, but for you, no matter what your age may be.
Then on Saturday we continued our study as we considered all of the great challenges and temptations that Joseph faced – things that could have prevented him from fulfilling the dreams that God gave him:
• jealousy and open hostility from his brothers,
• distress as he cried out for mercy to his brothers who had thrown him down into a dry cistern,
• displacement, both geographical and vocational, as he was sold and taken down to Egypt as a slave,
• seduction “day after day” by Potiphar’s wife,
• wrongful accusation of sexually assaulting this woman whose advances he spurned,
• despair during his lengthy time in prison, and
• bitterness which could have poisoned his soul when the cupbearer, whose dream he had interpreted, forgot about him and put in no good word for him to Pharoah for two full years.
Joseph overcame all of these things because, as the Scripture says, “The Lord was with Joseph” (even as He promised to be with you and me “always”).
But then came what was arguably his most difficult temptation – revenge! Joseph was no longer in prison: he was in the palace as vice-regent of Egypt. Revenge was his for the taking. Instead, when he at last revealed his identity to his brothers, he said these mercy-filled words to them: “Please come near to me.” And as they came near, Joseph declared his solid confidence in the sovereignty of God: “It was not you but God who sent me here (to Egypt).” Three times he said to them, “God sent me. God sent me. God sent me.” Years later, in his final conversation with them, he said, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”
Brothers and sisters, we must learn to think and trust like Joseph. As Alexander MacClaren says, “We must learn to look beyond man to God.” We must also learn to love as Joseph loved. The Scripture says he “kissed all his brothers and wept on them.” Is there anyone to whom you should go with such love? May the Holy Spirit fill us with mercy and kindness.
I wish that I had time to write each of you a personal letter. I hope that you don’t mind that instead we rely upon monthly letters such as this one to maintain regular correspondence with you. If you have a moment to send a quick email with some news or prayer requests, we would love to hear from you.
In the Savior,
Rod (for Bec and me)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
The Mission Foundation Letter, September 23, 2010
Dear friends,
I enjoy all of the seasons, even the hot, humid summer. But I must admit that these cool, dry days of the early fall are really invigorating, especially when we are out for a walk or run. Even more invigorating are the opportunities that God is granting Bec and me in ministry.
Young Women's Bible Study: Yesterday Becky began leading a Bible study for young women in the home of Adria Heroman. As most of you know, Bec has always greatly enjoyed teaching younger women, and she is very much looking forward to the weeks ahead. Would you please take a moment to pray for her and for those who will be in this group?
The Life of Christ: Our Thursday Morning Men's Bible Study is continuing to study "The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ" by the Navigators. We began to study the life of Christ two years ago and hope to finish by spring.
Colorado Men's Retreat: On October 15th-16th, I will be speaking at a retreat for Harvest Bible Church, a thriving congregation in the small town of Elizabeth, Colorado. HBC is pastored by our dear, long-time friend Rev. Walt Rogers. I am grateful to Walt for inviting me to be with the men of HBC again. I am also very happy that our son Jim, who lives in Denver, is going to be able to join us!
Greenwell Springs Baptist Church Men's Fellowship: On October 19th, I will be speaking at a men's dinner at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. Executive Pastor Sam Raney (who has been a regular participant inour weekly Gathering of Men luncheons) has invited me to serve as their guest speaker. Our son John and I have been speakers at GSBC in the past.
Crossroads Church of Ruston: On October 24th, I will be preaching at Crossroads. As always, Bec and I look forward to being up there in Lincoln Parish!
"You shall be my witnesses": A close friend of mine goes out for walks on a local university campus in order to get some exercise, and each time he also talks to whomever he encounters about Jesus. When he sees an individual or a small group, he greets them, engages in friendly conversation, and then politely requests permission to ask them a couple of questions. In every case, they have granted this permission, and he has begun by talking to them about their future beyond this life and what they anticipate. Where will they go? Why do they think they will go there? And so on. No matter what the individual's background or philosophical views may have been, as far as I know (and we do speak very often by phone), all of his efforts to engage people about Jesus and His Gospel have been well received and have led to excellent exchange. Now other men in that community are beginning to go to the campus and do the same thing, and they have great, great stories to share. I hope this will encourage you to talk to people very clearly and directly about Jesus. He is there with you, just as He said He would be. He will use you as He does His work.
In the Savior,
Rod and Bec
P. S. We are very grateful for the financial support of our ministry that has been provided by friends like you. As we enter this final quarter of 2010, we are praying and trusting that our Lord will meet all of our needs. Would you please pray with us?
I enjoy all of the seasons, even the hot, humid summer. But I must admit that these cool, dry days of the early fall are really invigorating, especially when we are out for a walk or run. Even more invigorating are the opportunities that God is granting Bec and me in ministry.
Young Women's Bible Study: Yesterday Becky began leading a Bible study for young women in the home of Adria Heroman. As most of you know, Bec has always greatly enjoyed teaching younger women, and she is very much looking forward to the weeks ahead. Would you please take a moment to pray for her and for those who will be in this group?
The Life of Christ: Our Thursday Morning Men's Bible Study is continuing to study "The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ" by the Navigators. We began to study the life of Christ two years ago and hope to finish by spring.
Colorado Men's Retreat: On October 15th-16th, I will be speaking at a retreat for Harvest Bible Church, a thriving congregation in the small town of Elizabeth, Colorado. HBC is pastored by our dear, long-time friend Rev. Walt Rogers. I am grateful to Walt for inviting me to be with the men of HBC again. I am also very happy that our son Jim, who lives in Denver, is going to be able to join us!
Greenwell Springs Baptist Church Men's Fellowship: On October 19th, I will be speaking at a men's dinner at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. Executive Pastor Sam Raney (who has been a regular participant inour weekly Gathering of Men luncheons) has invited me to serve as their guest speaker. Our son John and I have been speakers at GSBC in the past.
Crossroads Church of Ruston: On October 24th, I will be preaching at Crossroads. As always, Bec and I look forward to being up there in Lincoln Parish!
"You shall be my witnesses": A close friend of mine goes out for walks on a local university campus in order to get some exercise, and each time he also talks to whomever he encounters about Jesus. When he sees an individual or a small group, he greets them, engages in friendly conversation, and then politely requests permission to ask them a couple of questions. In every case, they have granted this permission, and he has begun by talking to them about their future beyond this life and what they anticipate. Where will they go? Why do they think they will go there? And so on. No matter what the individual's background or philosophical views may have been, as far as I know (and we do speak very often by phone), all of his efforts to engage people about Jesus and His Gospel have been well received and have led to excellent exchange. Now other men in that community are beginning to go to the campus and do the same thing, and they have great, great stories to share. I hope this will encourage you to talk to people very clearly and directly about Jesus. He is there with you, just as He said He would be. He will use you as He does His work.
In the Savior,
Rod and Bec
P. S. We are very grateful for the financial support of our ministry that has been provided by friends like you. As we enter this final quarter of 2010, we are praying and trusting that our Lord will meet all of our needs. Would you please pray with us?
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