My Mind’s Musings

Wow, its been nearly 2 months since I last posted. I don’t know that I will ever be better about posting here. I am not very good at getting around to things as I should.

So, what’s been going on?

1. Christmas and New Year’s passed by. It was pretty good. We didn’t go anywhere, but I had a lot of time off work between Christmas, New Year’s and then the following Monday for President’s Ford Memorial, and then MLK Jr. Day. You gotta love working for the government.

2. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve service at the base chapel, where we had 36 people attend. I know what you are thinking – that is pathetic! When you are used to seeing 7-12 people in a service, you feel like Billy Graham when preaching to more than 30 people. I don’t push the chapel very much, and refer many more people to local churches in town than the base chapel. It’s not that I don’t want people to come, but theologically, I think the concept of a base chapel with no local membership accountability is Biblically problematic. No offense to other followers of Christ who would interpret church membership differently.

3. Along with several other younger pastors in the local area, we have started a theological reading club. The name is as yet undecided, but we have Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, and hopefully Calvary Chapel represented. Judging by the discussion we had at our first monthly meeting in January, this should be an interesting time for “iron to sharpen iron.” Our first discussion in February will center around the book, Perspectives on Church Government: Five views of Church Polity. I am almost through it and will try to comment on it when finished, (although, I wouldn’t wait with baited breath on that review, however, given my timely entries to this blog). I am in charge of April’s meeting, and I am probably going to go with Brian McLaren’s, A Generous Orthodoxy.

Well, to wrap up, I have to relate an experience from last week. I attended the Professional Development Training Conference for Navy Chaplains at NAS JAX in Jacksonville FL. On my way to the conference last Monday, I was listening to numerous CD’s during the 6 hour drive. I listened to some country, but mostly Christian including Spanish Praise and Worship by Marcos Witt, “Lifesong” by Casting Crowns and other Praise and Worship. Out of all the more contemporary songs I was listening to, though, I found myself most moved to worship God by the hymn, “It is Well With My Soul” on one of the Passion CD’s. This great hymn of the faith is one of those that will last and fit into any contemporary setting because of its timeless message and truth, and musically it works well in almost any setting. Everytime I hear that song and think about the history behind it, I find myself worshipping with all my being. The words are deeply theological and remind us of all aspects of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to know,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Chorus:

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

My prayer is that I live my life in the knowledge of Christ’s sacrifice that has paid for my forgiveness! My favorite verse is “…my sin…is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more” and my only response is how that verse ends, “Praise the Lord”!!