Dinner Table Philosophers

I wrote this several months ago but I wanted to let it simmer for a while before I posted it...I think it burns stronger in my spirit today than it did back then...

At a meeting not too long ago, my husband and I sat in a restaurant eating our dinner.  The meeting consisted of many Pentecostals and there were several other tables filled with brothers and sisters.  Over my right shoulder, a group of men were seated at a table that was so close that I could not help but overhear their conversation (you know they had to be loud because I have a hard time hearing in crowded, loud situations).  They began to discuss some “hot button” issues that the UPCI is facing right now.  They went back and forth for a while and I had the privilege of being an outside observer.  I did not know anyone in the group, nor did I even get a good look at them to see if I knew them by sight.  But in listening to the things they had to say I felt something rise up in my spirit.  I asked my husband if he could hear the topic of conversation.  He had caught a few words and I explained what I was hearing. 

As we talked, it occurred to me that if anything is wrong in our churches it is because there are too many who are making decisions about what is right and what is wrong - what it takes and what it doesn’t take – in the wrong places.  We have misunderstood Paul’s words that we should, “Work out our own salvation...”  The dinner table, the living room, the coffee house, etc., has never been where God intended these decisions to be made…He intended these things to be worked out at an altar and with the word of God in full view.  We have become too wise in our own eyes.  Our education has replaced consecration; our blessings have become our curse.  We believe we are rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing; yet we do not realize that we are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked!  I know who my friends are.  I know what they believe.  If I am looking for someone to agree with a “liberal” idea I have had, I know who to call.  If I want someone to pat me on the back for my “conservative” view, I know who to talk to.  However, the Word of God never changes.    In the end, it is His word that will judge us.  With that in mind, we should examine our lives in the light of His word to see “what it takes”.  As we do this, I believe that the Holy Ghost will lead and guide us into all truth.  There is no new truth revealed outside of the word of God; there is only undiscovered (and sometimes unlived) truth in the word of God.

 Recently, one of my precious speech students gave a devotion that included the following quote:

The true follower of Christ will not ask, "If I embrace this truth, what will it cost me?" Rather he will say, "This is truth. God help me to walk in it, let come what may!"
--A.W. Tozer

“This is truth. God help me to walk in it, let come what may!”  When we walk close to Him, no price will be too high.  “What must I do to be saved” is entry-level Christianity and not at all appropriate for someone who claims to know Him.  When we love Him, we will keep His commandments…regardless of the cost.  And yes, it will cost. Today, however, I encourage you to stop fixating on the cost of discipleship.  Instead, Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face.  And the things of this world will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

My prayers lately have turned in this direction: Lord, help me to walk in your ways and to live a life that honors you.  Give me a spirit of purity and submission that I may be pleasing to you.  Change my desires to reflect your desires.  Fill me with the desire to live according to your commandments.  Forgive me for being guilty of dinner table philosophies and help me to live according to your word.

 

Introducing Rev. Chris Ferguson....

It’s official! Chris Ferguson is now a licensed minister of the United Pentecostal Church! Thanks to all of you who have prayed for us and to Bro. and Sis. Smith for all your help. We couldn’t have made it this far without you.

We actually went to Lufkin on Monday night and spent some time visiting with my Mom and Dad. We got up on Tuesday morning, ate breakfast, spent some time relaxing and then decided to take them to lunch. We took them to eat at Manhattan’s Italian restaurant in downtown Lufkin. We went there with Bro. and Sis. Smith, Bro. and Sis. Patrick and Redonia during campmeeting last year and we thought Mom and Dad would like it, too. We were right. They enjoyed the meal and the atmosphere was very nice, elegant, and quiet. After we left there, we had a few minutes before we needed to head to the camp grounds so we all went and poked around The Antique Mall.

At 12:30 we headed over to the campgrounds so that we could take our time and be a little early for the devotion at 1:00. We shouldn’t have worried since we didn’t actually get started until 1:15. Then, they called us back to the boardroom. Bro. Gerald gave the devotion entitled, “The Preacher’s Greatest Temptation”. It was good teaching and I really enjoyed it, even though I’m not a preacher! One of the highlights of the day happened while Bro. Gerald was speaking. He was getting towards the end of his message and really starting to wind up. “What I do….” Brrrrriiiinng. Brrrrriiiinng. The veteran never missed a beat. “….when my phone rings and I’m in the middle of something important, is, I take it and turn it off because there’s nothing more important than what’s going on right here!” The room erupted into laughter! I have a snapshot image in my mind of Bro. Russo leaned back in his chair, head thrown back laughing with gusto! Priceless!

Then began the waiting game. We were really blessed to be there with our friends Adam and Tara Slatter. We haven’t seen them since MAP and their company really made the time go by fast. We also enjoyed visiting with Sis. Elms and meeting some of the other couples who were there for licensing.

Finally, they called my husband to meet a panel of three presbyters. That was the most nerve wracking 15 minutes of the day! Chris says it wasn’t a big deal but I was having a hard time breathing! I guess the reason it’s so hard for the wives is because we don’t know what’s happening. Even if we weren’t allowed to speak if we could just “see” and “hear” what was going on we would feel so much better! Wives are usually more alert to body language, voice tone and facial expressions…if I could have just seen and heard the interview, then the rest of my day probably wouldn’t have been so long!

As it was, we and the Slatters had a great time laughing with each other. We were mostly laughing at our own nervousness and imagining that the couches we were sitting on had special trap doors under them where the board members would just push a button and “flush” us somewhere into the nether regions of “The Campground” (said in an ominous voice). You know, that’s what they do to preachers that don’t “make the cut”. LOL The phrase of the day was, “And the board rushes out….” Always, of course, in response to something we’ve done or said wrong…that’s when they would flush us. Wives included.

However, I’m happy to say that, to my knowledge, no one was flushed yesterday. I’m not even aware of any initiation swirlies! That’s good news, is it not?

At around five-ish they finally called a list of men back to the boardroom. My husband was included. I was having heart palpitations and hoping this was the right group to be in. When my husband came out he was a Rev. Just like that. And all the breath holding, lip biting, toe tapping, etc., was over. We all congratulated each other…everyone hugged everyone else; and then we did what all good Pentecostals do after an emotional rollercoaster ride: we went to eat! This time with Rev. and Mrs. Adam Slatter!

For those who had the privilege of being raised in the truth (like myself), you may find it hard to understand why this is such a huge milestone. Children raised in the church are taught from a young age what truth is and that preaching this great truth is the greatest thing a person could ever aspire to….even greater than the Presidency of the United States of America! And it is! But for men like my husband, they are not handed this beautiful truth all wrapped up in beautiful packaging, just waiting to be explored at will. For him, he had to dig out of a lot of false doctrine to be able to find this precious truth. Since this post is a bit long (ha!) I won’t go into his testimony here, but suffice it to say that he has come a long way and I am so very proud of him.

I love you, babe. You’re my hero.