Not long ago I had two windows open on my computer screen. On the one, I was being invited by a Facebook friend—a friend who is very liberal—to enter a comment thread and explain how it is that Christians could be so meanspirited and hard-hearted and judgmental and un-Jesus-like against people who live contrary to Christian sexuality. Although I often participate in the discussions that he hosts, I had to decline that night. The reason why I had to decline was because of the other window open on my computer desktop. In that window I was filling out the necessary paperwork to visit a prison in order to minister to a person who is a convicted sex offender. Of course, convicted sex offenders are the true pariah of our day and time.
Not long after that, I was invited (by someone else) to participate in an online discussion to defend Christians from charges that we are willing to let little children starve halfway across the world because of "sexual politics," at which time I was, no lie, on the computer making arrangement to actually GO to Africa, halfway around the world, to minister to the people there.
Today, I see another such discussion (no invitation from anyone yet) about how TEN THOUSAND CHILDREN are just going to starve to death because of how heartless conservative Christians really are, but I didn't see it until just now because I've been out all morning with SBC Disaster Relief crews helping people who were victims of a local tornado just fifteen hours ago.
To all of you who are launching a campaign in one window on my computer to try to make me feel guilty for being true to the faith (not MY faith, THE faith), I must tell you, the reason why you aren't succeeding with me is because of the other window on my computer.
Thank you for both of those Christian services in Africa and in the prison, Pastor Barber.
ReplyDeleteHere is something I can share that helps puts your post into better perspective for me:
""It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction
of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.
Nothing we do is complete,
which is a way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything,
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders;
ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own."
May God protect you, Pastor Barber, on your journeys, and keep you ever in the peace of Christ.
Dear Pastor Bart,
ReplyDeleteI am a former member of FBCFarmersville - almost 40 years ago. Since leaving FBCFarmersville, I have returned to my country, Thailand, and I have been serving the Lord here ever since. I need to get information about my membership at FBCFarmersville. I know this isn't the page to do this, but I searched the entire web site and I couldn't find any place information to contact the church. Please send me the information where I can discuss this with you. I apologize if that information is there and I just didn't see it.
Sincerely, Thasanapong "Ott" L. Suwaratana
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDear Pastor Bart,
ReplyDeleteI am a former member of FBCFarmersville - almost 40 years ago. Since leaving FBCFarmersville, I have returned to my country, Thailand, and I have been serving the Lord here ever since. I need to get information about my membership at FBCFarmersville. I know this isn't the page to do this, but I searched the entire web site and I couldn't find any place information to contact the church. Please send me the information where I can discuss this with you. I apologize if that information is there and I just didn't see it.
Sincerely, Thasanapong "Ott" L. Suwaratana
Dear Pastor Bart,
ReplyDeleteI am a former member of FBCFarmersville - almost 40 years ago. Since leaving FBCFarmersville, I have returned to my country, Thailand, and I have been serving the Lord here ever since. I need to get information about my membership at FBCFarmersville. I know this isn't the page to do this, but I searched the entire web site and I couldn't find any place information to contact the church. Please send me the information where I can discuss this with you. I apologize if that information is there and I just didn't see it.
Sincerely, Thasanapong "Ott" L. Suwaratana