Pastor’s Corner

Its Friday already, can you believe it? Well, though the typewriter is today a relic, I can remember pounding away into the early morning to get the report I was preparing without the use of whiteout, or any error. In that period I many times would in frustration ask, "What is the issue of importance, a perfectly typed page or an understanding of the topic persued?" I still feel the same; it is an understanding of the concept that should remain the primary issue. Oh well, I must get off this issue.

This machine was invented first in Wisconsin, and released by Remington & Sons in 1873. These machines began a revolution of offices, homes across the world, and broadened communication effectively across the world, all begun in the state of Wisconsin, wow.

Hey, by the way,; Do you know why crabs never give to charity? Your right; Because they are shellfish. Ho, ho.

By the way, just before our study, is an update on Krista's progress. She is home resting, beginning to feel much better. She is moving about with here trusty walker. David is assisting her recovery, and wanted to thank everyone for their prayers & support. We're all glad to know of her progress.

Friday 3/17

Prov. 29:4 "A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it."

So lets give a clear view of just what justice is - from the Bible. At the very base of justice is the desire to uphold truth, without bias of any sort. This verse emphasizes especially the willingness or refusal of the use of bribes.

Now that we understand the proper requirements of justice, next we focus on the impact that justice has on a culture.

First with the influence that justice has on the leadership, in all levels of a nation. The simple answer is: it brings stability to all -- those living in that nation. Citizens, businesses, so journers, and even so far as nations outside of that nation. Any promise made comes along with the comfort, certainty, that our promises will be upheld on all levels.

We have seen in these most recent days, just how important this justice is. By the way that several banks have been closed due to poor investment & the promise for the security behind those banks. There are many issues behind this insecurity, however, behind this insecurity is their commitment to just dealings within these banks.

The serious or otherwise insecurity that these institutions have projected, has caused its investors to remove their trust & money. These are just a small window into the importance of the need for justice & the results that come when it is shaken.

I remember my dad 's promise as I worked all summer long without any visible, substantial payment. I was working for my college tuition, he would say, "It's like money in the bank, son." In other words he could be trusted to pay on my tuition when school began.

At that time I was working for several businesses, each one was paying me & I was counting my money to see if I could meet that school tuition by the end of the summer. I was learning the necessity of just dealings.

I still remember that last working day of summer, sure enough dad & mom deposited my payment for a summers hard work. I had painted the house, porches (3 of them), eves, etc. Between all of the work done I had $100 left after the school bill was paid, and the bus ticket to Canada was paid.

I packed my meals, cans of sardines, tuna fish, spam, loaf of flat bread, crackers, can opener, all in an army duffle bag. These were my meals for 3 days.

As a parent looking back I can't imagine just how mom & dad must have felt, as they waved me off not to hear from me again for at least a week. We didn't have phones, even credit for phone calls. etc. I can't imagine how they felt, my mom bawled, at that time I didn't understand. Today I realize the way they felt, me leaving to a foreign country, more than 3,000 miles away, no way to make contact.

I remember looking out that bus window to the band of my family, grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, brother & sisters, all with a smile on their faces, but tears in their hearts. That first few minutes I held onto the reality of a support of a family who were standing in the confidence of a loving Father caring for their son & loved one.

I remember my dad crying in the middle of his cry's out to God for protection & guidance that day.

Justice of all of those people around this fledgling adult launching into the world around him, with no one there to physically stand in protection over him, but the justice of the world about him. Knowing my mother I knew she hardly slept for those three days of travel.

When I arrived at school, I walked down to the office and made that collect call, to my home. I still remembers those tears of joy & celebration coming from the family. He made it, He made it, I could see the dancing of my brother, I still remember his words, I miss you Bennie.

His words & tone, then tears proved his deep sadness. I can still hear my mother, kind of scolding me, Bennie you be sure to write your brother, he sits in his room crying most of these days, he needs to hear from you, Don't forget now. We can read your letters you write to him, just be sure you write him, I put stamps in your shaving kit, and envelopes & paper in your trunk, be sure to write. Don't forget now.

The just dealings of my parents in my life gave me the stability to continue on. When my dad wrote his epistles, (four or five 11X17 pieces of paper front & back). I would read them over & over to bring comfort into my life. I had never experienced loneliness on this scale in my life.

The abiding strength that my parents had built into my life due to their strong confidence in God's just dealings with his children was put to the test.

I stand here today, to tell you probably something you already have come to experience yourself. Our God is just in every way, He stands with us, around us, and in us. He is to worthy to be trusted. He has given me a precious reminder of just how much He loves me through my precious, spectacular wife. When I look into her eyes I see, love, confidence, and a life of just ways lived out. The whole world around us may falter, but we will stand confident in each other and our Savior.

So Go With God for He will stand the test of time. We call ourselves a JudeoChristian nation, because we have founded our confidence in the God of the Jews. That's why we have on all our money this expression, "In God We Trust." His justice always remains & sustains us. We must never forget that our justice remains in His unwavering ways in our lives.