Without a doubt, this will be one of the most difficult blogs I've written. Last Sunday morning, I hung up my spurs, laid down my pen, and closed the book. It's something I should have done before I even started our last study. "Should have done" is something I'm trying to stop saying. Actually, those in leadership can attest to the fact that over the last six years, I'd tried at least three times to 'end' my role as teacher. Each time, I would let them talk me into staying in the teacher's seat. THIS TIME, circumstances have intervened.
Last Sunday, I summarized my tenure as teacher with the three things I set out to do over 18 years ago.
1. To instill a desire and hunger to study God's word. I've never been big on doctrinal statements, mission statements, or...statements. In the entire history of mankind, never has God's word been more readily available than it is today. It rests on night tables, coffee tables, library shelves, and now it LIVES on our phones. To not study that word with all the tools we have at our fingertips is a sin. According to Jesus, knowing God is eternal life. (John 17:3) This was always my driving purpose in our Men's Bible Study Group.
2. To have a deep and abiding relationship with Christ through the leading of Holy Spirit. As wonderful as it is to have the Word of God at our fingertips, there is nothing more satisfying than being led by God's Spirit through life. Holy Spirit, in agreement with the Word of God will take us through every moment of our lives with grace, love, tenderness, compassion, and joy. When His Spirit is alive in us, we become His instruments of righteousness, and conduit for miracles. I hoped to inspire a deep and abiding trust in Holy Spirit to lead us moment by moment through good times and bad times. There are no surprises in following Jesus, just days full of wonder.
3. When Pastor Goff asked me to lead our Bible Study nearly 18 years ago, I told him that the only way I would do it is if our young boys could join us. I set the age for joining at thirteen, and as each boy in our church came of age we would joyfully welcome them into our group. When Holy Spirit dropped this idea into my heart, the purpose was the same as Paul taking Timothy under his wing. Instead of allowing our boys to become victims of their passions, and the lure of the world, we would show them the joy of Christian fellowship, the reward of honoring their earthly fathers as commanded, and how they could create lifelong fellowship among one another as men. As with Paul, and Timothy I desired to offer our boys the opportunity to study and present lessons themselves. Some of my happiest memories are of the 'boys' teaching all of us men what they saw in the Word of God. Some of them have gone on to other places, and some have even become ministers where they went. This is what I've always wanted, while my dream was for one of them to one day take the reigns of our fellowship. Each boy that went to Nicaragua has preached to large crowds in the different churches we went to. We never went on a Missionary trip that we didn't take at least five young men with us. Some things have to be experienced to be appreciated.
I believe the men of our fellowship accomplished all that we set out to do. As for myself, I believe I've done all I can do, and now it is time for me to end. There is nothing wrong with ending something when there appears to be no reason to. I'm not going to wax maudlin, or try to create tearful farewells. If someone else wants to pick up the mantle of the Men's Bible Study, they would have my blessing. One of you has already asked if I would mind if they picked up the mantle. I would be thrilled but, I just won't be a part of it. I know that sounded harsh, but it isn't. I'm in standby mode, and have been since Glenda passed away. Nearly three years on since her death, and I still feel something (not someone) else is out there. The endings in my personal life have left me alone, without family living nearby, and without many of the people who were important to me. In October of 2021, my Mom went on to her reward, and in 2023 my Dad went to his reward. In late 2022 my Aunt Barbara passed away, and in September of 2023 my wife passed. Throughout 2023 I lost four awesome men who I worked with, studied with, laughed, and cried with as they all went to be with Jesus. Many other things have happened to people around me, and many brothers in Christ have gone on to other fellowships. Through all of this sorrow, I know Jesus is waiting on the other side of this vale, and He will never leave me. Endings happen to all of us, and some are more difficult to face than others.
For those of you who stood by me, encouraged me, and made our studies exciting, I thank you for every moment, and precious memory you gave me. I've been a follower of Christ since I was ten years old, and was taken to church from infancy. In the sixty plus years of being in churches all across America, I can say without reservation that this has been the best group of men I've ever known. It would take endless words to recount all that we've done and experienced together over the last 26 years that I've known you guys. In the interest of brevity, I'll say three words that I hope will bring smiles to your faces. Nicaragua, donuts, and OCC. If you know me, you know what these are to me. You are the BEST men, and it's been a privilege to serve you.
In a couple of weeks, I'll have Google compile all my blogs into a file, and then I'll delete my blogs. They were for your consumption, and a means for me to release what was in my heart. That will be the end of this wonderful journey for me. I don't know what God has in store for me in the future, He hasn't spoken to me except to tell me to step aside. I'll continue here at Real Ministries as long as God tells me to stay here. What has changed is that I will be going places, visiting family, and doing things I've always dreamed of doing. In my wallet is a bucket list that is about half completed. I'd like to do my best to finish it. That is the one BIG thing I learned from Glenda before she died. She wanted a joy journey before she passed this vale, and she got one. She left me with her goodness, her love, and with a profound sense of joy. I still come across people who tell me how much she affected their lives.
Lastly, for those of you who just have to understand everything, and have reasons for everything, I'll say it one more time; I am not angry, disappointed, or injured. It is simply time to end. I promise, it will make sense sooner than later, so please don't make my stepping down about something going bad. I look at it as something going good.
