Occupy

Written by Pastor Friar | 15 May 2012

"(Jesus) said ..., A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, ... and said unto them, Occupy till I come." Luke 19:12-13

In telling this story, Jesus gives us a lesson that is very pertinent today. A nobleman had a desire that his servants keep busy ("occupy") while he conducts business concerning his kingdom afar. The servants are entrusted with this stewardship with differing results (vv. 15-27). The servants are held accountable to keep busy while their master was gone from them.

I kind of get a kick out of the recent "Occupy" movement, for their interpretation of "occupy" is not to do business, but to take up space. As a believer in Jesus Christ, are you taking up space or are you actively engaged in service while you await your Master's return? We will be held accountable for our actions at the Bema Seat, also known as the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Cor. 3:10-15).

My "occupation" found me at Faith Baptist Church in Hermantown on Mother's Day. What a great day it was! The singing in this church compares to no other. The believers are full of joy and really know how to make a visiting guest feel welcome (i.e. the gift of hospitality). I was touched by two teen men who stepped forward and prayed in the service. They thanked God for their godly mothers and asked the Lord's leading in everyone's life. Later, I preached on Mary being the model mother.

After a great afternoon of fellowship with the Wiitas and Polaskis, I gave a camp presentation to the church in the evening service. Afterwards I had a wonderful evening with Pastor Brian and Melissa Wiita in their home before leaving early Monday morning.

These days find us "busy" thinking about a wedding too. Our middle child (Ryan) will be wed on July 7. On Monday, we had a family gathering in Plymouth as we booked a motel, the ladies made hair appointments, my wife Cindy bought a dress, and I bought two suits (buy one get one free!). We also visited three restaurants to begin the preparations for a groom's supper. This exhausting day also reminded me that we serve now in preparation for a future Marriage. That future Marriage is when the Great Groom (Christ) will be officially united with His Bride (the church). The Marriage Supper and Marriage of the Lamb are referenced in Revelation 19:1-10. Take some time and read about it.

Let's be busy in the Lord's business until He comes! Maranatha!

On the Road Again!

Written by Pastor Friar | 05 May 2012

Since the last post the days have been flying by with many meetings and activities. Here is a brief hi-light of each.

April 22 found Cindy and I at Calvary Baptist in Cambridge. What a delight to see many new faces in the church there. We had another full day of ministry in sharing in SS, AM and PM services. The church filled our car with many camp supplies as we headed home.

April 28 Cindy and I had dinner with two other area pastors and their wives. Fellowship times like this are so important. In Minnesota we are often separated by many miles and a quiet evening together with those of kindred spirit can produce such a boost, especially for our wives. I would encourage our pastors to find some other co-workers who live within 60 miles of you to do the same.

April 29 was another full day at Jeffers Baptist Church (Jeffers). In addition to the AM and SS responsibilities, this was a day dedicated to their lone Sr. High graduate. A banquet was held, followed by a service, and then some ice cream and cake. The graduate, Jordan Smith, was a former employee of the camp. It was a real privilege to challenge him from the Word (Joshua 1) about the true meaning of success.

The next two days were spent at Faith Baptist in Sauk Centre. The Northern Fellowship held their annual meetings. Area pastors spoke on reaching our world for Christ. Pastor Derek Claypool (Bemidji) shared how we can minister to the hurting. Brother Claypool has officiated many funerals recently and gave testimony of God at work in thsoe situations. Pastor Jake Heppner (Wadena) led us in a study of today's younger adults. One session focused on seeing the world through their eyes while another session placed priority on how we can reach these people and then assimilate them in our local church. Two young adults also stopped in and gave glowing testimonies of how the Lord was leading in their lives. Pastor Ron Hemsworth (Sauk Centre) briefly shared on some technological tools that are helpful in the ministry. Pastor Jim Goodew (Brainerd) led a prayer time. I also gave a report of the MARBC and the camping ministry.

May 4 was a Camp Developer's Banquet at Grace Baptist (Austin). Around 50 people gathered for a catered meal, fellowship, and program. The program featured some singing, special music, a report on Developer Projects by one of our camp trustees (Frank Whitcomb, Faribault) and I shared a devotional from the Word of God with some camp testimonies and an update on the 2012 camping season. An offering was taken for the projects mentioned earlier. Those projects consisted of a new lawnmower, popcorn maker, pop/vending machines, and mattresses. The projects totals over $13,000 and we had a remaining need of $932. Praise God that over $2,500 was raised at the banquet!

Back From Bemidji

Written by Pastor Friar | 16 April 2012

Since the latest blog a lot has happened. I have had some vacation, a lot of road travel, and am keeping busy with camping ventures.

VACATION: The first week in April found me in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As a bowler, I took great joy in competing in the USBC Open Championships. This great tournament is held over five months (mid-February to early July) at various cities through the years. Although I bowled pretty well (I left Louisiana in 9^th place in one tournament), I ate even better. Cajun gator, gumbo, jambalaya, blackened steak, spicy BBQ ribs and beignets were part of the cuisine. The real highlight was taking an evening with some people from the area (complete strangers at the time) and visiting with another man in the area who was a believer. Indeed, God has His children all over the world.

TRAVEL: Much of last week was spent in meetings. On Tuesday, the Camp’s Board of Trustees met in Brooklyn Park. Many hours were spent in sharing reports and making plans for the upcoming camping season. On Thursday, the Strategic Planning Committee met and discussed future plans for expansion and growth of the camp. On Friday, I met with one of the camp’s vendors in Blue Earth.

BEMIDJI: Sunday was spent at Faith Baptist in Bemdji. Pastor Derek Claypool and his lovely wife Brenda have ministered in Derek’s hometown for 16 years now. He will be quick to tell you that Bemidji is the true home of Paul Bunyan! Brother Claypool is the kind of pastor I really appreciate. He has a great love for people, he is a prayer warrior, and he is well-known in the community for his involvement in the town. The church recently built a new sanctuary (2007). Cindy and I were uplifted through the great fellowship with God’s people and the worship services. The special music was indeed very special and made it very easy for this preacher to launch into God’s Word. Due to some appointments today, we drove home through constant rain Sunday evening and arrived home at 2:00 a.m. It sounds like it is a good thing we traveled last night as this morning we hear that schools in that area are closed because they received significant snow as opposed to rain!

CAMP NEWS: First, a reminder that campers who register early (i.e. to have their registrations postmarked by April 17) will receive a significant discount on their camping fee. Those registrations not only help families, but the fees give the camp some income to get busy on some projects. You can download a camp brochure and registration form at www.basslakecamp.org.

Finally, the camp is pleased to announce that six counselors will be hired for the summer. These young people are Sarah Gathje (Chatfield), Gabe Kluver (Sauk Centre), Tabitha Peterson (Sauk Centre), Jenna Smith (Jeffers), Shelby Whitcomb (Faribault), and Adam Wiebe (Jeffers).

Is It Always God's Will to Heal?

Written by Pastor Friar | 30 March 2012

I remember asking this question to a relative many years ago. This relative had a loved one who was in the hospital facing a severe illness. My relative felt that God's will for a believer was that God's children should all be healthy and wealthy. This was a sign of God's blessing and that a believer is where God wants him to be.

Recently my lovely wife has come down with a very painful oral condition. After four visits to the dentist, many prescriptions, and a two week ordeal, the question which I asked my relative comes back to me. "Is it always God's will to heal?"

For reasons that we do not always know, God allows pain and suffering in the world and in the lives of His children. The Bible certainly gives testimony to this. Job did nothing wrong and yet he suffered greatly. Joseph is another patriarch who comes to mind. Obviously, many of God's servants have suffered and been persecuted through no fault of their own (Abel, Elijah, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, Daniel,etc.)

Let me encourage you to slow down when reading the end of the New Testament epistles. There are some rich nuggets at the end of those books if we take time to consider what they say and at times, what they don't say. 2 Timothy 4:20 comes to mind.

"Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick." Such a simple verse, yet profound in evaluating whether or not it is God's will to always heal.

Did Paul have the gift of healing? Yes (Acts 28:8)! Yet even he could not heal his own personal ailment (2 Cor. 12:5-10). And though he had the gift of healing, he did not heal his co-laborer and friend Trophimus. He left him in Miletus sick.

For whatever reason, God does not always heal. In such times, we ought to do a lot of personal evaluation and spend much time in prayer (cf. James 5:13 ff.). Sometimes God will raise up the sick. Other times He does not. But He always has some great things to teach us if we will but listen to His still small voice.

792 Miles Later

Written by Pastor Friar | 19 March 2012

Another great weekend of ministry, although I admit I am pretty drained as I write this note on Monday morning. Cindy was able to join me on this lengthy trip, and that made the miles go by so much faster.

We began the weekend on Friday afternoon as we traveled to the Twin Cities and had supper with our son Ryan and his fiancee (Sam). Sam recently was hired there and it was exciting to hear some of the details of her new job.

From there we traveled up to the Hinckley area and spent the evening with Cindy's folks. We were encouraged to see that they are getting around much better and we were able to take them out to a couple of places.

On Saturday afternoon we headed to Lakeland Baptist Church in Gilbert. A banquet and fundraiser for the camp was held here. What a fantastic job the church did in organizing and conducting this banquet! The weather was absolutely gorgeous for norther Minnesota (would you believe 70 in mid-March!) and this gave them an opportunity to grill ribeye steaks for the main course. One of the men in the church donated the meat for this event. The decorations fit our camp theme so very well (mafia type "Who's Da Boss?") and the music, time in God's Word, fellowship was very rich.

We left the banquet and headed over to Wadena. We arrived at 12:30 in the morning very tired and ready for bed. Pastor Jake Heppner, wife Autumn, and their three boys (John, Nathan, and Isaac) were our hosts. They too, were at the banquet, so we were all ready for bed.

Sunday morning we had a great day at Southbrook Baptist Church. This church is really growing and there were plenty of new faces in the crowd.

Last summer the camp was able to provide for twelve campers to attend camp due to financial needs within those families. One of those families came from the Wadena church. The grandmother of that camper came up to me and mentioned how much that week of camp impacted her grandson. This young man, when going to a recent hockey camp, was insistent that his Bible would be packed with his other items. Also, when requesting birthday gifts, instead of his usual request for money and toys/games, he requested a cover for his Bible. It is great to see that the camp and the ministry of the Word of God had a great impact upon this young soul.

I also visited with another individual who was going through a time of trial. This person came to me and mentioned that the message of the day was exactly what was needed. I am always humbled by the fact God uses His Word to accomplish His goals in the hearts and lives of His children.

THE WEEK AHEAD

On Tuesday, there will be a Strategic Planning meeting for the camp. On Friday, there is a teleconference for the GARBC State Reps. Friday evening and Saturday finds me officiating a wedding rehearsal and ceremony.

LADIES RETREATS

Ladies, just a quick reminder about your upcoming rallies. Go to the EVENTS page to see more information.

Occupy

On the Road Again!

Back From Bemidji

Is It Always God's Will to Heal?

792 Miles Later

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