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Articles by Jack Canady |
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A MODERN PHENOMENON Dear Leaders Chosen Of God, It was a small town in western Kansas. Most people would barely glance at it as they drove by. The fact is most would not even see it because it is north of the super highway. It was Sunday, so we took a right turn and headed for the church. We had been there several times before and knew the people. Miscalculating the distance we got there a couple of minutes late. Hearing voices below, we headed downstairs. The adult class was just getting started. As we walked into the large room we were surprised. It was full. A man had to get extra chairs for Norma and me. A young woman sat in front of us holding a young baby in her arms. Two seats down was a grey headed woman who could have easily been her great grandmother. We were impressed by the fact that there were easily as many men in that study as women. One was in bib overalls. Another was in a dapper sharp looking suit. He was the town banker. They were sitting at tables, writing as the pastor taught them, using notes he projected on a screen. When the class ended doors opened. Women AND men came out with the children they had been teaching. Before heading upstairs I visited briefly with Greg the pastor. He is a Vietnam Vet, who did not come to Christ until he was 23. After graduating from Dallas Seminary, God brought him and his wife Susan, an accomplished organist and pianist, to that country town. They have been ministering there for almost 3 decades. There are no plans to head to bigger and greener pastures. (Are they really greener? Our allusions are often far from reality.) Music floated down from upstairs. "Excuse me Jack," Greg said as he grabbed his Bible. "I better get upstairs. I am the pastor and they are starting without me." Susan at the organ and Brenda at the piano were filling the sanctuary with beautiful music as I took my seat beside Norma. Leaning over and whispering in my ear, Norma said, "Look around you. This church is full of people." Later, when the pastor announced the passage he was going to preach from I heard the rustle pages being turned. Curious, I raised in my seat a little to look around. ALMOST EVERYONE IN THAT CHURCH, from young children to old men, HAD BIBLES! After the service I approached a lady carrying one. "I notice a lot of Bibles here," I remarked. "We have no choice," she laughed jovially. "Greg jumps all over the Bible when he preaches and we have to keep up." So many things impressed Norma and me that morning. But our biggest joy was seeing Bibles everywhere and Bibles being used. A real concern I have is what one pastor calls the "dumbing down" of Christians in our day. In most churches I attend today only the pastor carries a Bible. I am probably in the minority but I believe that is a dangerous trend with serious, negative prophetical implications. During the reign of godly Josiah, when they were rebuilding the house of God, a book was found in the rubble. Hilkiah the high priest, exclaimed, "I have found the Book of the law in the house of the LORD," (2 Kings 22:8). Wouldn't that be an exciting PHENOMENON today? In His Love, Pastor Jack |
Copyrights: Content (c) 2012 Circuit 'Riter Ministries. |
