Bailout Failure

I am no economist...

However this bank bailout failure we are all watching caused me to pause and think....

We are told that if Main Street does not bail out Wall Street we are in serious trouble....

Maybe so....

Though I am not in the money business I am in the people business and this has monetary implications as well....

So I ponder....

I pastor a church and help people all the time....

I rejoice in the weeks we have new people....

I often weep when we lose some....

However I pull at my experience this morning with this simple observation.....

Several years ago we lost over one half of our congregation.....

This included an entire board, much of the platform and music help, an entire young adult group not to mention others.....

I thought I would die......

Imagine the monetary implications.....

Imagine the emotional implications.....

I don't need to imagine.....

I remember....

However with this major loss in the economics and the giving base of our church I learned a lesson that I think might be applicable to what we are observing in our nations capitol.....

This bailout failure might be good for us.....

It might be a natural shifting and self correction for the sloppy and nonchalant practices we have experienced....

Banks are failing but others are prospering during this time....

In the church that I pastor there is always a particular family that passes through the storm but if they just hold on things usually self regulate and things return to normal....

Maybe this needs to happen to America......

I know when this happened to CUPC it made me a better pastor.....

The current crisis we are seeing in America might just make us all better Americans.....

Blessings...

rks

Unresolved Issues

Ah, the issue of unresolved issues….

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years…..

She had spent all on professionals only for her suffering to continue and get worse….

Hence she passed through life with an unresolved issue….

She cognized that if she could not touch this itinerate teacher if she could at least touch something that had touched him she might get better….

Have you had times when you could not touch him but had to depend on someone else who had?

She touched and virtue flowed and HE knew it…..

Hebrews reminds of one who can feel and understand our infirmities….

HE understands issues…..

Isaiah told us he would be wounded for our transgressions, bruised for out iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him and by his stripes we would be healed….

We quickly grasp at this for our washing of our sins and the healing of our sickness….

However HE also took chastisement for our peace…..

HE purchased our peace of mind….

Unresolved issues torment us for a lifetime…..

Unresolved Issues….

That teenage abortion….

Adolescent sexuality….

Absent father…

Mom’s neglect…..

Sexual or physical or verbal abuse by those that were to be trusted….

Parental divorce….

Personal divorce….

All these and so many more become unresolved issues that we carry for years….

But never forget that along with your salvation and healing HE also purchased your peace of mind…..

Unresolved Issues….

The chastisement of our peace was upon HIM…..

What would you give for a little peace of mind?

Unresolved Issues…

David asked about any sons of Jonathon that might still be living and was told of one…

Mehpibosheth is available but he cannot come to you….

He was dropped by his caregiver many years ago and now he is crippled and crippled people cannot come before the king….

Only the pretty people are welcome in the king’s presence…

The young man is not one of the pretty people…

Unresovled issues are not pretty....

He passes through life with an unresolved issue caused by one charged with his care….

The king said never mind his issue I want him at my table as one of my sons…..

We learned that day…..

At the King’s table unresolved issues become non issues…..

So today my dear blogger friend….

If you cannot make it to the King’s table at least attempt to touch someone who has been able to touch the King ……

And allow HIM….

To resolve issues in your life…..

Blessings…

rks

Repost: Paradox In The Parsonage

Today I have read several of Paul's writings and over and over again he uses the word "conflicted". This word includes striving for, combating and fighting inwardly for the souls under one's care. Only a pastor can understand that "conflicting" he feels while he stands up on the wall looking, watching and praying for his flock. Hurricane Ike has also provided me with a format for thought as I have worried about our people who were so effected by the storm. Hence this repost from the past........rks




Paradox In The Parsonage

Just how many ways can the heart of a pastor be ripped out?

Yesterday a couple of phone calls and mine was torn again.....

Truly the father of the Prodigal depicts a God called pastor's heart as good as any....

There is little doubt that before that boy left there was pressure in the house.....

The Prodigal's decision was not a sudden one but one worked toward for some time.....

Surely he created quite a storm before he finally took his stuff and left....

And without doubt the day after the father's heart was rent....

The pressure subsided.....

A form of peace and relief settled in.....

But the father never quit standing by the front window looking up the road...

For he knew one day the boy would come home.....

Ah the Paradox of the Parsonage.....

No matter what happens to a church member....

Regardless of the ensuing events of a family leaving the church.....

Pastor's heart is always torn....

Even amid the peace that settles after the storm....

Pastor always keeps his eyes on the front door of the church on service days knowing....

That one day the prodigal will return....

Why do we do this?

Why do we beg God for one more chance to dung and till the unfruitful tree?

Why do we weep when someone walks out on God, the church and us?

Why does a true shepherd allow his heart to get so intertwined with the wayward?

Tis the Paradox of the Parsonage.....

We love knowing we will hurt....

We tolerate knowing tolerance is inappropriate....

We turn the other cheek when we ought to be spanking.........

And we forgive the unforgivable because that is the God part of a pastor's heart....

Only a pastor truly knows the chaos of the parsonage....

While he weeps for the decisions of the prodigal....

He rejoices in the birth of a new Babe in Christ....

Pastor never says good riddance....

Rather he ask for bridges to not be burned....

The carnal would say Pastor is crazy for allowing himself the myriad of emotions he does....

But is a mother's care for her baby unreasonable?

Is a dad's love for his daughter unjustified?

And the pastor loves like a mom and dad and grandparent all in one.....

The pastor loves when he should not.....

But also....

There comes a point....

Pastor must let go....

Pastor must release them....

Pastor must step back....

And allow events to unfold....

Viewing them through the mist of tear filled eyes....

Praying with a broken heart.....

And a finger lifting the blinds as he keeps his eyes on the horizon of the Spirit....

His leaping heart rejoices with each speck on the horizon...

They are coming home...

My son......

My baby.....

My wayward saint......

Only to have to settle back and wait a little longer.....

And the Paradox of the Parsonage continues....

Sometimes for years......

Pastors love hard....

Pastors love deep....

Pastors love without condition.....

And pastor rejoices when he stands in the altar of restitution and restoration.....

Rejoicing in the restoration....

While weeping over the broken and lost pieces of what was once so beautiful......

And the pastor goes about finding some clothes and food and forgiveness and acceptance and even trust with a ring...........

Knowing....

Knowing that the events will probably all happen again.....

Cognizing the healing in his heart is but temporary....

Certain that in the midst of restoration.....

His heart will be torn again by yet another event........

And another sleepless night is headed his way.....

Yet he loves unconditionally.....

He rejoices with those that rejoice....

Weeps with those that weep....

Smiles at the Wednesday night bible study.....

Gets in his car with a heavy heart and torn spirit...

And heads home wrestling with.......

The Paradox of the Parsonage....

Blessings....

rks

Surprise Visit To My Parent's Church

Yesterday CUPC held only one service due to our recovery efforts from Ike....

So Tracie and I took off to Lufkin to surprise my folks in their evening service.....

It had to be a secret or Dad would make me preach, nevertheless I took my bible anyway just in case....

Mom and Dad retired about five years ago but got bored so they took a little church not far from their home and began working their magic on it....

We slipped into the sanctuary to the warm sounds of worship.....

I was overjoyed to see my parents doing the same thing I have watched them do for the last forty years....

Taking a few folks to places they have not been before....

Congratulations to my mom and dad, the Rev. & Mrs. Ronald W Smith for the work they are doing....

And thanks to them for putting the love of the ministry and kingdom in the hearts of all five of their kids....

I am blessed with such parents....

Blessings...

rks

Oliphant's Ignorance

This anti Pentecostal cartoon by Pat Oliphant is distasteful and I am irritated by it. I find it offensive and have mailed the following note to the editors of the Washington Post and Oliphant's syndicate company......

To Whom It May Concern,

As a pastor of a United Pentecostal Church I am offended that you would choose to allow Pat Oliphant’s cartoon past your editors. The distasteful mockery of things held dear by those who have experienced them is reproachful. This lampoon would never have passed your editor’s desk had it been themed to Islam or Jeremiah Wright. While I understand you will hide behind your First Amendment rights, I am thankful for a country that allows even the uninformed such as yourselves and Oliphant the right of free speech. Though you have the right to speak as you wish and have chosen to do so. You also have chosen to exercise your right to be ignorant.

Respectfully,


R. Kent Smith
Pastor, Conroe United Pentecostal Church
http://www.conroeupc.org/
http://www.rkentsmith.blogspot.com/

Now comes Oliphant's followup cartoon.......

How long must we tolerate this continued assault from the left wing media on judeo christian values?

Things are now different....

Every attack on Sarah Palin simply backfires on the attackers....

I simply offer a reference to the Rev Jeremiah Wright......

The chickens below have come home to roost.....















Blessings....

rks

Responses from the Post came back almost immediately.....

Dear Reader,

Pat Oliphant is a syndicated editorial cartoonist carried on news sites across the country. It is the nature of an editorial cartoonist to be provocative and offer up unique -- and often controversial -- viewpoints on the issues of the day. I have always opted for the approach that we should not limit the cartoonist's freedom of speech. We prefer to present the cartoon and allow you, the reader, to make the choice on whether to read it or not, and to express your own freedom of speech if you're bothered or offended by it.

Thanks,
Jim Brady
Executive Editor, washingtonpost.com

Thank you for contacting washingtonpost.com.
Your suggestions and comments help us make washingtonpost.com a better site.
Although it is impossible to respond to every individual comment, we do read all of them and will forward your thoughts to the appropriate people at washingtonpost.com and The Washington Post newspaper.
If you are looking for answers to a specific question, try our Help & Feedback page for answers at http://www.washingtonpost.com/help


Sincerely,

Michael Golden
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Praise in the Parking Lot

So a hurricane name Ike comes and shuts my comfortable life down.....

After a week of playing pioneer I have decided I do not like the good old days....

Rather, I like the a/c along with sewage that goes down rather than up and real water and life without generators....

But all in all I am blessed.....

I am getting some great time with my family.....

We are without power for several weeks so we have been in limbo.....

Today I watched the yard crew cleaning up the campus and cutting up the trees that fell and began to reflect......

In years gone by I would have been the yard crew fighting my way through the piles and piles of limbs and cut trees....

But God has blessed and I was able to just get the yard crew to bring some extra help and it will be done by Tuesday.....

This set my mind to remembering in the past I would just take on any obstacle and dare the devil to slow us down....

So I made my way today to Trent's house which is mine also for the next few days....

Called the family together and told them the vacation was over and it was time for this pastor and his family to go to work....

I informed them we must used the same aggression as we used in the past and work our way through the current crisis....

So Tracie, Trent, Calah, Redonia, myself and Andrew (we are not certain if Andrew is Redonia's friend or Trent's) either way he hangs around a lot.....

Anyway we loaded up about 1200 bottles of http://www.gotthirstconroe.com/ water up and took it to the deprived neighborhoods and passed it out....

We will be doing this everyday for the rest of the week and will be giving 1000 per day.......

I am one pumped pastor.....

And then while making a gas and food run to College Station tonight Tracie and I came up with the idea of having church Wednesday night in the parking lot.....

Praise in the Parking Lot.....

We will be having church in the parking lot and I am pumped......

Sunday we will have service as well with out without power and in or out of the church.....

All things work together for our good.....

And it appears that this bad storm named Ike is gonna be worked in our favor.....

This discomfort of the storm is being replaced with purpose and excitement.....

Wish you could come.....

Blessings....

RKS

Dark Horse by Ralph Reed

OK people.....

This political season has got me in the mood for a political thriller....

Ralph Reed has outdone himself with this book that has both a black and female as participants in the presidential race....

Go buy it and take a couple of evenings and get lost in this work of fiction that looks today's headlines...

Blessings...

rks

A Modern Day Esther?

When Sarah Palin walked out onto the stage last week in Ohio, America's heart leapt into her throat....

This lady was different....

This lady was real.....

My spirit agreed with this lady....

I told Tracie this lady has the Holy Ghost!

I also felt like as I have mentioned in earlier blogs that Sarah might be our own Maggie Thatcher or Golda Meir....

Then came the news that Sarah was raised in an Assembly of God church and had been baptized in Jesus name! video

After viewing the above clip I was not so impressed with the current pastor of the church however when the founding pastor was asked to come and pray for Governor Palin there was little doubt in my mind she was raised in an old fashioned Pentecostal environment.

I know that Sarah is not a traditional conservative type Pentecostal but there is little doubt she is spirit filled and special.

Could it be that Sarah Palin is a modern day American Esther???

Sarah is beautiful, talented, honest, pure and has found favor with the people and even the next president...

She sounds much like the Esther of old who found favor with a Persian king.

Could it be that the Lord is moving a modern Esther to the White House for such a time as this....

I strongly believe the Lord sets up kingdoms and takes them down....

He places leaders and allows even evil leaders....

Could Sarah be a blessing from Heaven to this country to help us cling to tradition christian values and help hold this country steady in the midst of a moral and cultural war?

Only time will tell.....

Blessings...

rks

Calling All ArmChair Preachers

I have come to a conclusion of late...

There is no shortage of fields to work in....

There is no shortage of harvest....

There is no shortage of people that need help....

There is no shortage of souls...

The church today faces a shortage of laborers….

Our local United Pentecostal Churches have too many complacent professional ArmChair Preachers.....

I challenge you ArmChair Preachers to move into the harvest and find yourself more fulfilled with life than you have ever been....

There is no shortage of opportunities…

There is no shortage of preachers....

Unfortunately there is no shortage of ArmChair Preachers…

There is a shortage of preachers willing to get out of their ArmChairs and utilize the call and credentials they possess....

There is a shortage of preacher's wives willing to make the necessary sacrifices to allow their husbands to move into the harvest.....

We have way too many ArmChair preachers working career jobs rather than allowing God to use them….

I challenge you pastors to release those ArmChair Preachers into the harvest.....

The open hand can both give and receive blessings....

My friend recently took oversight of a nice group of people with a nice little building and a fair amount of income but cannot find a pastor to labor in their harvest….

He remodeled the building and prayed some folks through but still no pastor has listened to the Lord so my friend continues to pastor two churches….

Jesus told us to pray for laborers….

We have way too many ArmChair preachers who are waiting for some old guy to die off and give them a free church....

Will you be one of those professional conference attendees that get the good seats and make it to all the preacher dinners and eat the free chicken with the other preachers who actually built churches and are paying for the free chicken at the meeting?

Why do you wait to move into the harvest?

Why do you not go ahead and build a church and win some souls?

You could be the man who buys the dinners for the next generation of ArmChair preachers!!!

You could even have a clear conscience about beating up those ArmChair preachers for being scared of the harvest.....

Do not be afraid….

Allow Lord of the Harvest to be Lord of your ministry…..

He will take care of you and your family.........

.
I will be praying for you...

Call me and you could be called pastor by next week and leave that ArmChair behind!!!

Blesssings...

rks