I will not share all of the letters that I will be writing to my son. But this letter contains the outline that I preached on Sunday. It might also give you some insights as to the closeness that my Son and I have together, enjoy:


Saturday night January 10th

I came in from sitting in the hot tub. I have been doing that a lot lately. In the middle of the night, etc… It is a good place to think, and to pray. You are always on my mind. I love you so much. Your mother mentioned that you said that you were doing “fine.” I know that could mean about anything. I believe it means that God is giving to you a “peace that passes understanding.” I will take that as an answer to prayer.

As I mentioned before, I intend to write you often. You will never be far from my thoughts. Although I cannot be at your side, sitting across from your desk, in my mind, I am… and you are there listening, I can almost hear your response. One day you and I will have eternity to share our hearts. I am so anxious for that summer day on the beach…. God knows.

Tonight I will share the outline that I intend to preach tomorrow morning. It is not about you, it is about all of us. Every message that I preach is about “all of us.” As Christians, we are all struggling with much the same things. I am saying this because I am sure that you are very much in my thinking in the preparation for the message, I cannot help that. It is who I am, what I will always be. Here goes the outline:

Do you remember the song that we have been singing in our Church, “When I don’t know what to do?... I’ll lift my hands…” Well, that song is my outline. The person of the story is that of Peter and his growth in Christ.

Point number One: When I don’t know what to do? When the Lord mentioned to his disciples, “I am going to be betrayed and crucified,” it was Peter who said for the Lord to not to go to the cross. Jesus rebuked him and told him that Satan had filled his heart. Peter had believed the “lie.” Peter wanted this world to be his kingdom. He was very uncomfortable with the idea of his chief shepherd being crucified!

We need to remember that our kingdom is not of this world. As I mentioned in my last letter, reread Eccl. 7:13 and 14. There is nothing “certain” in this world. Our kingdom is to come.

Application for you…. It was very apparent that a judge, other than God’s throne of grace, was in control of the courtroom that you were found guilty and sentenced in. Even now, in the county jail, you will encounter much in the way of spiritual warfare. Our kingdom is to come, our kingdom is not of this world. Everything that we own and possess can be taken from us. Everything. There is nothing “certain” in this world.
Back to the story… and there goes Christ off to be crucified.

Point number two: When I don’t know what to say?

Peter is following Jesus afar off. (Matthew 26) He is in the courtyard of the high priest. They are beating up on Christ. Peter is cussing and swearing that he does not know Christ. He does not know what to say. How do you defend a Christ who is unwilling to defend himself? (That is the hardest part about being your Father at this time) Jesus has told him to put away the sword. How confused Peter must have felt. His world is falling a part. The cock has just let out his call of the morning to begin. Peter remembers the words of Christ, “Before the cock crows, you will have denied me thrice.”

Again, Peter's world is falling. He doesn’t know what to say, and so he is cussing at the very Christ that he should have been praising. When the cock crows, Peter remembers, his eyes, and the eyes of the smitten Christ come together. He remembers, he knows the truth about himself. He admits the truth about himself. He leaves, weeping bitterly.

Application: It is hard to look at Jesus when you feel that you have betrayed him. Haven’t we all? How do you even dare look to Christ, when you can only be reminded of your failure by doing so?


Point number three: When I don’t know where to go.

Now, let’s take a walk along the seashore. It is true that you know that Christ has risen from the dead. You know that Christ has resurrection power, but you (Peter) are not certain as to what that means to you. You are Peter. You are fishing. You are fishing because it is all you know. It is a “secular” job. You are out of the spot light. Nobody seems to be paying much attention to you now. But you are fishing all night and catching nothing.

But you are wrong, someone is watching. You are still in the spot light. That person is Christ. He is watching you. He sees your helplessness from the seashore. Jesus takes on the shepherding role once again. He bids you to “cast your nets on the other side.” You do so, because something about the voice of the shepherd on the shore, demands obedience. Something about his voice bids hope. That someone is Jesus. John hears it. John tells Peter, “It is Christ.” Only a few minutes before this, you did not know where to go? Now you do. You run to the throne! You run to Jesus. He has not condemned you. He has prepared a meal for you. He longs for you to “come and dine!”

Application: Run to the throne. As in the story of the return of the prodigal son, the Father is running! He is running to you!


Point number four: When you don’t know what to think…. I’ll stand on his truth.

You are having breakfast with Jesus. You keep looking in wonder at the “all of him.” He is no longer the crucified Christ, he is the risen King. You are so eager to please him. You would do anything to reenter his good graces. He has assignment for you. “Love my lambs.” (You would rather be killing wolves!) It is such a simple request. But in it you find your life again. You have grown in grace. You are no longer seeking the comforts of this world. You now realize that whatever you are to do in this life, it is to be done with eternity in view. Life is not about occupying a throne, hearing the applause of men. Life is about loving one tender lamb at a time for “thy kingdom’s sake.”

Conclusion: In the book of acts, Peter is commanded by the courts, “You are not to speak in the name of Jesus anymore.” Peter’s response, “Whether or not I should obey you, I do not know, but I do know that I cannot help but to speak the things which I have heard an seen.”

Paraphrasing the words of Polycarp, “Christ has never denied me, I cannot deny him now.”

Peter, the one who once denied Christ, would deny him no more.


Hope you enjoyed the message, Son. I enjoyed sharing it with you. I’ll let you close us in prayer.

Dad

PS. I read your blog tonight…. What you wrote two hours before you were sentenced. What can separate me from the love of Christ? Nothing…. Nothing…. Nothing… Nothing.

I love you Son. I am proud of you.

I asked the Muskegon Chronicle not to publish my editorial. Although, I believe the words that I have written to be true, many people in this world are not interested in the truth. The truth doesn't really matter to them. The article would only bring to the Chronicle one more reason to give the enemy something to scream "crucify" about.

I also realize that someone might interpret these comments of that of an angry Father. Although I do not deny my anger, I do not want to be an angry person. God cannot flow through a bitter vessel. God has put within my a heart a resolve to believe that Romans 8:28 is true. It was written for me.

Here are my notes for this week's Sunday School Lesson. You are invited to attend with us Sunday morning's at 10 AM... hope to see you there!

FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH PASTOR’S SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
JAN. 11, 2009 “RAHAB’S COMMITMENT” JOS. 2:1-4, 8-14, 6:22-23,25

1And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

· How many men did Joshua send into Jericho to spy out the city? Why do you think he sent only two? How well do you remember the story of the twelve spies that Moses has sent into the land of milk and honey? How many of the spies returned with a good report?
· Is their anything wrong with a country sending out spies? Isn’t that a lack of faith on Joshua’s part?
· Into what house did the spies enter once they had gotten themselves within the walls of the city? Why do you think that they did this? Is it wrong for a man of God to enter into the home of a harlot? Have you ever entered into the home of a sinner?
· How much time did they spend in the harlots home? Do you believe that they might have indulged themselves in her occupation? Why not?


2And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. 3And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country. 4And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:

· Where did the men of Jericho say that the spies went into? How would they have known this? Do you think others know about your secret sins? Would like to share with us any of your secret sins this morning? Perhaps you would like for us to guess what your secret sins are?
· What did the men of the city demand of Rahab? Was this an unreasonable demand? Why do you think that Rahab did not comply with their demand?
· Did Rahab lie to the men of the city? Do you think that Rahab had any love for the men of the city? Do you think that the harlot had “made love” with any of these men of the city? Does a harlot really love her lovers?
· What did Rahab do to protect the two spies? Why do you think that she did this? Have you ever helped someone who was in need of hiding?
· Have you read the diary of “Ann Frank?” Are there any similarities between Rahab and the people who helped the family of Ann Frank? What was Ann Frank nationality?
· Was Benedict Arnold a hero or a man of treason? What is the difference?
· When is it alright to lie to a “policeman?” Isn’t that what Rahab was doing?
· Why did the men of the city tell Rahab that these men had come into the city of Jericho? Were they telling her the truth?
· Didn’t Rahab have duty to protect her fellow county men?


8And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; 9And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. 10For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. 11And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

· What did Rahab say she had heard about the God of Israel? How would Rahab have known of these things? Are there any benefits to being a harlot? Are harlots talked to? Do harlots talk?
· Do you believe that it is possible for a person to be a harlot while harboring a “fear of God” in their hearts?
· What made Rahab a good candidate for the gospel? Have you ever thought to take the time to witness to a harlot?


12Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token: 13And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. 14And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.

· What was the concern of Rahab? Is it possible for a woman to be a harlot and still have a concern for her family?
· Are all harlots harlots because they want to be a harlot? Does anyone in the bondage of sin really want to be in bondage?
· Was Rahab a self centered person? Did she care whether or not her fellow country men died by the hand of the Israelites? Why was she only concerned for her immediate family?
· What bargain did Rahab make with the two spies? Is it ever wrong to make a “bargain” God? Did the spies have a right to make this deal with her?
· Is accepting the gift of salvation a good bargain? What does a person have to trade in for in order to become “saved?”

22But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot’s house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her. 23And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel. 25And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

· Was Rahab’s house destroyed by the falling of Jericho? Was Rahab saved? What saved her?

This is the Sermon outline that I preached Sunday Morning, January 4, 2009, enjoy:

Text (Acts 2:41-47) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the

Title: “Time to Change”

Introduction: If I were a politician, I too, would run for election on the platform, “Things must change!”

Unemployment is up. People can’t make their house payments. Marriages are on edge. Church attendance is down. Things must change!

Note the lives of the people at the end of Acts Chapter two. They changed.

1. These people were humble.
They were a generous giving people. Everyone had their needs provided for the kindness of those within their Church family.

2. These people were holy.
They were always having prayer meetings and going to Church.

3. These people were happy.
They were praising God with singleness of heart.

Wow and what happened? What brought about the change?

It happened when the Church took Christ to the streets.

What happened at the Church to make the Church move into the streets?

How these people changed?

1. They lingered.

They stayed on their knees waiting for the movement of the Holy Spirit.

(Acts 1:4 KJV) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

2. They listened.

Whatever the Holy Spirit told them to do through the scriptures, they were willing to obey.

(Acts 1:20 KJV) For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take.

3. They let the Holy Spirit take control.

They let the Holy Spirit make the choices in their lives.

(Acts 1:24 KJV) And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen,

When the disciples began to preach on the public streets, their message was a message of repentance.

To change means to repent.

For things to change, you must change.

For things to change, you must repent.

Conclusion:
Instead of looking to the government for things to change, look to Christ, and let him change you.

Then things will change!

If you are in my Sunday School Class, you can prepare yourself to discuss the following text with all of its questions:

FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH PASTOR’S SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
JAN. 4, 2009 “COMMITMENT OF THE MIDWIVES” EXODUS 1:8-21

8Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. 9And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: 10Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enegypt?mies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
· What type of government did the people of Egypt have? How could things so quickly change for the Jews in the land?
· Do you think that things are going to improve for the Christian community now that we are about to have a new president?
· What was the fear of the Egyptian people? Do you believe that there are any politicians who are afraid of the “Moral Majority?”
· Was there any real fear that the Egyptians had to deal with?

11Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
· What was the initial plan that the Egyptians had in order to keep the Jews in check? Was there any thing wrong with that plan?
· Have you ever seen any of the great architectural wonders in ancient Egypt? How could anyone build such wonders? Who does this text say helped to build some of them? What does that tell you about the Jewish people?
· How did the harsh treatment of the Jews affect them? How do you respond when people make things difficult for you? What can we learn from this? Who was the best school teacher that you ever had?

13And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: 14And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.
· In that the Jews were doing all of the work for the Egyptians, what does that tell you of how that they ultimately would come to depend upon the Jews for all of their labor?
· Can you ever “depend” upon others too much? What would happen if our government failed, would you have the ability to take care of your family in a crisis situation?
· Why do you think that the Jews put up with should bondage? Why do people allow themselves to get into bondage to begin with?
· What are the many forms of bondage that people can be enslaved by? Have you ever bought anyone to our “Celebrate Recovery” ministry?
15And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: 16And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.
· What is a midwife? Do you have an opinion about the reliability of using a midwife? Have any of our ladies ever used a midwife in their child bearing experience? Would you recommend a midwife for someone else?
· What did the Egyptians ask the midwives to do? Should doctors be allowed to do whatever they decide they should do without repercussions?
· Do you believe that there are too many law suits made against doctors for failures that might occur in surgery? Should all surgeries come with a guarantee of success? Why do people try to sue other people so often? Has this made America a safer place because of law suits?
· Should parents know what sex their child is before it is born? What if the parents should want a male child, and the child is a girl child, and they decide to abort the child if it is a girl, what then? Do you think that that might ever really happen? Is abortion murder? What if you are “commanded” do so by your own government?

17But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. 18And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? 19And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.
· How did the midwives respond to the commandment of the government? How would you have responded?
· Did the midwives lie to the government? Is it ever wrong to lie to the government? Have you ever lied to the government, Lois?
· How would the Egyptians have known that the babies being born were not being killed? How would they have gone about determining the “sex” of a child? Isn’t that a form of government intrusion? Do you believe that we have too much government intrusion into our lives? How did this come about? Who allowed all of this to happen to us?

20Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. 21And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. 22And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.
· Was God angry with the midwives for not obeying the government? What did he do for them because of their obedience to him? Does God build houses today?
· Do you believe that most of the Jews obeyed the new commandment to have their children thrown into the River? Did the mother of Moses?