7:30 a.m. – Read an article by Cal Thomas this morning about how the slave trade in England ended. One player in this was a former trader, John Newton. Newton became a Christian and wrote the song ‘Amazing Grace.’ 

Anyway, this article triggered memories for me. I recall one incident that added another block to my collection of, ‘Something is really wrong with this religion.’ 

We were members of a relatively large church in a military town. It was one of those shouting, ‘we’ve got the power’ churches. At the time I was little familiar with the bigotry at work in this church.

Some northern black soldiers of the same religious persuasion came to the services. Believe it not, they were made to sit downstairs in a room where they could listen via a speaker. It shook me to my core. What kind of Christian faith is this? 

When the soldiers left after services, I walk out with them, and ask for their forgiveness. Of course they were gracious.

This was only one of a number of warning signs that began to trouble me about my religion. In another church it was taught by an older member that blacks had no souls. I could not believe what I was hearing.

So my question remains, ‘What kind of Christian is this whose heart is filled with religious bigotry?’

This is not about racial or cultural distinctions. It is about a heart in whom the Spirit of Jesus is suppose to reside. How can hatred for another human being reside in the heart of someone who claims to be a Christian?  

Someone may say, ‘Well, that’s the old south!’ Afraid that won’t take care of it. Bigotry is as black a sin as there is. It is rooted in pride of life. In the Scriptures ‘pride’ is treated as a killer.

It isn’t simply a racial issue. Bigotry is deeply rooted in many religions. Every war on this planet can pretty much be traced to an ethnic or a racial or some form of religious bigotry.

The point is that Jesus did not come to give us another religion, a better religion, or any sort of religion at all. He came to give us a relationship with the heavenly Father. Until we understand this factor, we will forever look for perfections in our religion.

Ok — Nuff on my soap box. I’ve got to get off this. 

Had a call last evening from Lane. He and Jerry and Jerome are coming for a visit about noon time. Bringing fish. Boy, I love these Fletcher cousins of mine. Doesn’t take much to remind them that they are half Martin. 

8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Wonderful phone conversation with Lane. Don’t know who out talked the other. We both have that ‘Jesus ecxcitement’ in our bones.

Perhaps Jeremiah said it best, “But if I say, ‘I will not remember Him or speak anymore in His name,’ then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it.” (Jeremiah 20:9 nasb.)

10: 40 a.m. – Still reflecting on my devotion this morning. Was in the book of Esther. I’ve never been over-excited about this book. Something was different at this reading. While the name of God is never mentioned in Esther, yet this book is filled with the providence of God. This gave me pause to think.

Wrote in my notes, ‘Perhaps this is the true worth of this book. Did God plan it this way? Can we see Him outside a religious setting?’

When we can see God in the whole of our life, then we have a great key to understanding our relationship with the Lord. Every believer should be able to look back and say, ‘The Lord was there, even when I did not know it. He knew me long before I knew Him. My life has been planned from the beginning. Every event in my life has served to shape me for my walk with the Lord, and for my divine destiny.’

Can you say that? You will in time.

Last evening I spend a good while studying the manual for my new book publishing program. I am simply awed at what this program can do. I takes you through fiction and non-fiction writing, articles, college thesis, and much more. It also provides guidance to a great many publishers. I can see how this program will help me with all my writings.

Guess the Lord saw the right time to put it in my hands. I have well over 170 articles that could be arranged into good books. Wow! ‘Saddle Your Camel’ is only a first.

10:50 a.m. – JoAnne came by with a special gift of a variety of beans that she had cooked. Boy, I love beans. Thanks sis.

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch with Jerry, Jerome, Lane, Betty and myself. I doln’t know when I’ve enjoyed a visit so much. We shared memories with a lot of laughter. Suppose when we leave the scene all these memories will disappear. What a wonderful thing to share in family love.

Jerry shared some things about grandpa Martin that I need to get ahold of. He has some writings. They will help fill in some spaces for my genealogy work. Also said that great-grandmother Mary Lize, that is, grandpa’s mother also had an Indian name. Hope he remembers to find the papers. He came across them at the court house when doing some title searches on Martin property.  

There was a closeness in our familiy that when you touched one you pretty much touched the rest. Jerry said that needs to be part of the Christian walk in a godly way. I agree 100%.

Well, it’s time to shut things down. Have other things in the mill that I need to attend to.

Blessings,

Buddy

I’m off to an early start. Had my coffee, morning paper, and devotion. In the office at 6:30 a.m.

Great day yesterday.  

Started this morning thinking about Sunday’s service and the general membership meeting. Nathan covered that last two of our tenets of faith. His series for the month was entitled, ‘Why we believe what we believe.’ Did an outstanding job dotting every ‘i’ and crossing every ‘t.’ I am always awed at Nathan’s ability as a teacher of God’s word.

Our membership meetings have always allowed for good and open communication. Nathan shared his vision for the year. Also had an affirmation from the membership for our Board of Directors. (Charter calls for this every five years.)

Christian Challenge has two governing boards. The other board is our Board of Counselors. 

Shana and Tim spent the morning with us and had lunch.  Watched services together. Sunday afternoon Nathan came by for awhile. Lane also came by. We had a good time of sharing. 

Later yesterday evening Uncle Cullen called to check up on me. Uncle Cullen is a unique man. Don’t know that I’ve ever seen anyone with such a heart for his family. I’ve always felt a special bond with him. It always thrilled me to watch him pick at mama. Those two had a special connection  Use to pick at mama and call her ‘greasy Grace.’ (One thing you never doubted was Uncle Cullen’s love for his people.)

 Here’s something that has been on my mind for a good while — Every time Betty and I make a visit to Cambell Creek Cemetery I manage to take a look at my great-grandfather’s grave. I need to put some sort of plaque on the back of his headstone so folk will know what it says on the front. It is so faded. I’m one of the very few who knows what my grandfather wrote on his dad’s headstone.

Grandpa did both his dad’s and his mom’s head stones. On the front of his dad’s headstone, James Erwin Martin, he encased under glass this handwritten saying:

“Remember friend as you pass by, as you are now, so once was I. As I am now you soon shall be. Prepare my friend to follow me.”

My great grandfather was the grandson of the first Martin in our family to come to Louisiana in 1804. (Thereabouts.) Billy Martin was a Revolutionary soldier from North Carolina or Virginia. He came to Louisiana with his Indian wife. Yep, we are true Central Louisianians. (Of the Sabine Territory settlers.)   :)

My devotion this morning had me in the book of Esther. While reading I could not help but think why there is such a worldly and intense hatred for the Jews. Haman tried to destroy them.  Hitler tried to destroy them. This little twerk from Iran has set his intense hatred against both the USA and against Israel. He calls us ‘big Satan’ and ‘little Satan.’

But there is a reason for Satan’s hatred against the Jews. And, yes, the religious Jew can be a bigot, especially the orthodox, but there is more to the story. God’s redemptive history wraps itself around these people. Satan knows it.

The story of redemption is the primary reason that Christians and Jews often find themselves in the same camp with the only dividing line centering on Jesus Christ.

Satan has this thinking that if he can destroy the Jews, he can undermine God’s plan of redemption. This is why that in these last days the world’s hatred for the Jew is going to intensify. Satan knows he has but little time.

This is such a vast and interesting subject in itself. Perhaps my journal is not the best place to lay things out.

11:30 am until …. Downloading new program for publishing my books. Nathan worked til around 2:30 p.m. getting everything in place. Don’t know what I’d do without him when it comes to computers.

3:10 p.m. – Printed out the writer’s manual. I’ll have to spend some time learning this program. It is really top notch. 

Looks like it is closing out time. Got my plate full for this afternoon.

Love is coming your way,

Buddy

Had a wonderful time last evning. Andre, Judy and Justin came over with plenty of crawfish. The evening spoke for itself. After crawfish came the popcorn and a movie. It was such a relaxing time. I love being with my kids.

Had two calls this morning. Those Fletcher boys really do keep an eye on me. Lane called and then Jerry Lee. We always have the best conversations.

Shana and Tim came by for a visit. Seems like this is family time. Having a light rain outside. Everything is cozy on the inside. Been pretty quiet today.

This morning I had time to put out a study on one of our forums. It was titled, ‘When Zeal Becomes a Blinder to Truth.’ (Well, I won’t rehash it in the journal.)

Last evening I ordered a super program for working on my manuscripts. It takes you from A to Z. Can’t wait for it to arrive.  This will give me most everything I need to get into the publishing business. My writing only begins with ‘Saddle Your Camel.’ Have a number of projects in the mill.

It’s 1:20 p.m. and General Claudius Josephus is snoozing away in the office. What a life.

Since there isn’t much going on, I’d like to offer something that Billy Graham said in the paper about tellind lies. Someone had asked him if it was all right to shad the truth a bit when it won’t really make a difference. Here is his response:

“No, I can’t agree with you, and the reason is because God calls us to live by a higher standard in our speech. Jesus told his followers, ‘Simply let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No”; anything behond this comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5:37)

“I also can’t agree with you that shading the truth a little ‘isn’t going to make a difference.’ After all, if it isn’t going to make a difference, why bother to do it? A lie always makes a difference, no matter how small or big it is; if it didn’t make a difference, we wouldn’t tell it to begin with. But every lie is meant to deceive someone, and deception is always wrong in God’s eyes (as well as the eyes of the person we deceive), The Bible says, ‘To not deceive one another.’ (Leviticus 19:11)

“Every untruth, however, also hurts the one who tells it. Eventually, others will catch on to a person’s tendency to lie — and when they do, they will conclude he or she isn’t trustworthy. When people decide you can’t be trusted, they’ll treat you with caution or even rejection, not friendship. One sign of Christ’s second coming is that ‘evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.’ (2 Timothy 3:13)

“The real issue you face, however, is this: What place does Jesus Christ have in your life? Face the truth of your need for him, and build your life on the truth of what he has done for you.”

That was a good word from the world’s premier evangelist.

Have you ever truly thought about it? I can only speak for myself, but if I find that I am not speaking truthfully, it hurts my heart. I suppose this is true with every believer. I certainly hope so.

Looks like the rest of the day is going to be pretty quiet. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s service. Shana and Tim will be with us to watch things via the internet.

Lane Fletcher will be set aside as Assistant Director for the School for Christian Workers. That is going to be great to watch.

Almost 2 p.m. Think I’ll sign out for now.

Love,

Buddy

6 a.m. – Up and at um. Me and CJ had our morning round. Newspaper, coffee, then settling in time for my devotion. Of course General Claudius Josephus has his normal spot on our leather love seat. Head next to lap as always.

Can’t help but notice all the gray hair underneath his eyes and around his muzzle and ears. Neither can I help but notice all the gray hair that is starting to sprout out on my head. 

Actually I shaved my head with my electric razor so my grandson wouldn’t feel he had shaved his head in naught. He heard that I was going to lose my hair. Not everyone does lose their hair. Looks like I was going to be one of those ‘not everyones.’

Have to tell this on CJ and Betty. The only furniture CJ is permited on is our love seat. Every morning and at times in the afternoon and evening he will lay next to me. But not when Betty is sitting there. Which is most of our evening time together.

Anyway, CJ gets up from the floor and heads for the kitchen door so as to let us know he needs out. Betty ‘gets up’ heads to the door and CJ does a turn around, heads for the love seat. What a hoot. Betty beats him to the seat. 

Read an interesting article in the paper. Looks like Rapides Parish will consider a ‘no kill’ policy for our animal shelter. I saw where earlier Caddo Parish was looking at the same venue. It really touches my heart. I’d like to have a part in that. Don’t know what it will be. I’ll keep my eyes and ears attuned.

I don’t think anyone could love animals more than me. I’ve come to realize that animals, and especially dogs, are highly intelligent. They have feelings of affection. They desire to please their human friend. In fact certain kinds of animals have saved humans on a great many occasions.

I recently read where elephants saved a number of people when the tsunami hit the far east. As the elephants began running away from the sea area, they picked up tourists and others and carried them to high ground. Tell me what that was all about? How many stories have you read about dogs saving someone, or about dogs allowing baby cats to nurse with their litter of pups? (Vice versa.)

Oh, nuff on the dogs.

Had another wondrous devotion in Nehemiah 12:46,47. It says:

“For they [priests and Levites] performed the worship of their God and the service of purification, together with the singers and the gatekeepers in accordance with the command of David and of his son Solomon. For in the days of David and Asaph, in ancient times, there were leaders of the singers, songs of praise and hymns of thanksgiving to God.” (nasb.)

For you students of the New Testament, this portion is going to sound very familiar. What many may not realize is that Christianity is based on a concept of restoring the ‘fallen booth’ of David, according to an ancient prophecy. I’ll share on that in a moment.

The reason our Hezekiah portion sounds so familiar is because the apostle Paul referenced this Davidic worship in his letter to the Ephesian Church. Notice:

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another is psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father.” (Ephesians 5:18-20 nasb.)

8:50 am Back to this later. Need to make my ‘after chemo’ trip to Cabrini for my white cell booster shot.

Been getting calls to check up on me. Seems the blog being down has given concern for my wellbeing. More folk read my journal that I suspected. Puts gladness in my heart. 

 9:40 am – Back to ‘House of David Christianity.’

Let me share briefly on this wonderful mystery. David set the stage in many ways for the new covenant. When the tabernacle of Moses was at Shiloh, David put another tabernacle in Jerusalem. He provided a new feature of worship, with singers, musicians, and so forth.

It was also in the tabernacle (often called ‘booth’) that David had visions and encounters with the Lord Jesus.

The prophet Amos gave a prophecy concerning the ‘booth of David’ that belongs in line with the Isaiah prophecies concerning the Lord Jesus. In the council of Jerusalem, where the apostles met to determine how to work with all the Gentiles who were coming to know the Lord, James the brother of Jesus, referenced the Amos prophecy. Listen to what happens:

“All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

“After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, ‘Brethren, listen to me. Simeon [Peter] has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from the Gentiles a people for His name. With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written,

“‘After these things I will return, and I will rebuilt the tabernacle of David which has fallen, and I will rebuilt its ruins, and I will restore it, so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name,’ Says the Lord, who makes these things know from long ago.” (Acts 15:12-18 nasb.)

There is a sense in which the Church can be reckoned as the tabernacle of David. This is especially true when we read about the prophecies given to David concerning his ‘Greater Son’, that is, Jesus Christ, who will sit on David’s throne. 

There is much to be said about this area, but the thing I wanted to point out is that Christianity is built on the pattern of the tabernacle of David, and not on the tabernacle of Moses.

10:20 a.m. – Working on a study for our Hebraics-Foundation group entitled HF167 – The Fallen Booth of David. It will be a more indepth study on the subject line for this entry. Readers are welcome to subscribe to the study group. Go to:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hebraic-Foundations/

(If you subscribe be sure to complete the questionnaire.)

I’ve been doing a lot of counselling on the internet and by phone of late. It is always such a joy to help folk when I can. Had a call this morning from a sister in Pennsylvania. Her calls are for  pastoral counsel.  She calls me because of our similar religious background.

11:15 a.m. – Had my morning inspiration time with Lane. You can mark this man down as a man after God’s own heart. In fact we have quite a few of those folks at Christian Challenge. I am so thankful for the discipleship base that had been put in place in our ministry through the years. Only a true disciple can know the true joy of serving the Lord with a whole heart.

12:15 p.m. – Time for lunch. Believe I’ll close out my journal for the day. Got plenty of catching up on other things.

Sending love your way,

Buddy

Sorry for the inconvenience. Nathan explained our situation with my blog. Until we get the normal blog up I’ll be posting on this temporary journal. Hopefully it won’t be long.

Don’t want to overload things so I’ll do a bit of skimming as an up date. Actually it is now 7 p.m. Been out of pocket all day with my 3rd chemo treatment.

Anyway, let me back up a bit. 

Tuesday the 23rd was a bit of a weepy day for us kids. It was mama’s birthday. I called Bertie, Julia and Thomas to see about meeting Betty and me at the cemetery. (Campbell Creek.) Bonnie was working. (We met around 3 p.m.)

We had a wonderful time sharing memories. Walked to where many of our family are laid to rest. As the genealogy ‘suspect’ I was able to share some history with the girls. It was such an enjoyable visit. I love my sisters with all my heart.

I do have an interesting story I’ve like to share. As Betty and I passed near Boyce, I remembered something that happened back in ’67 or ’68. There was a large pond behind a person’s home near Boyce. I secured permission to fish in it.

For some reason I had to step into the pond and to my surprise the bottom was full of ‘very large’ freshwater clams. At the time me and Betty were working at Fort Polk. I asked the owner if it would be all right to gather the clams. He said, sure.

So I brought several Guam soldiers from Fort Polk to harvest the clams. Would you believe that we filled up two seabags?  (The clams were near the size of salt water oysters.) Now a seabag is not one of those hand carried duffle bags. It is bag that you have to carry on your shoulder. (We used them in the Navy to transport all our belongings.)

Just thought I’d pass that on. To this day I’ve never seen anything like it. I left the clams with the Guam soldiers. Wasn’t in clams at the time. (Course all that changed.)

9:30 Wednesday morning my granddaughter Jade came by for a visit. She was so excited. Got her driver’s license. (Jade is 16 and pretty as a flower.) I enjoyed listening to this young lady. She is so open in sharing with me. Guess she loves her old grandpa a lot.

10 – 11:50 a.m. My good friend John Rabo came by for a visit. He is one of our Wednesday morning prayer-breadfast ministers. Had a wonderful time. John pastors the Pineville Nazarene Church.

1:30 p.m. Appointment with Lane Fletcher to meet with our board of directors. Lane is coming on staff as Assistant Director of our School for Christian Workers.  He will be my right hand man.

6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening service. Great as always. Nathan continues with his teachings from Proverbs. This time his subject was on ‘Happiness from the Book of Proverbs.’

It was so cute during greeting time. Olivia and Elizabeth (Hazmark) got in front of the camera and did the ‘secret’ Christian Challenge hand shake that I taught them. Sorry, it’s a secret. 

Nathan worked on the blog until 2 a.m. He is so tired. When it comes to computer issues, Nathan is not one to give up.

Ok, that’s enough about yesterday. Now for today.

Today was my 3rd chemo. It is an all day event. But it really isn’t bad. I always take a good study book. Get to catch up a bit of my reading. Betty is there and she brings some of her catch-up things.

The doctor said I was really doing great. The tumors continue to melt away. I’ve had none of the effects that often come with chemo. Just have to be careful about overdoing things.

8:30 a.m. Keith King came by to check on me. He passed me twice in the waiting room. I had a cap on. When he looked at me, he thought, ‘That can”t be Brother Buddy. That guy is too young.’ (And every one said, ‘Hallelujah!)

When I heard him say he was looking for Lawrence Martin, I jumped up. We had a good hug and a good laugh. Keith is such a swell person. It comes with his family.

3:30 Nathan came by to check on me. He and his mom and me always have a great visit. Among other things, our visit always takes in up-to-date on things at Christian Challenge.

Finally made it home around 5 p.m. Stopped by WalMart to pick up one of my very special prescriptions. Would you believe that the six pills I had to have normally cost $356. Because of my Medicare Part II, we only had to pay $58. (Believe that last number is correct.)

After we made it home I had the most precious call from my ‘couz’ from Oregan. Twyla was concerned about me. (Over the blog’s disappearance.) Had a wonderful conversation and Betty got to say her hello’s with Twy.

Twyla is coming to visit with us after I get past my treatments. That is a treat to look forward to. Betty and I fell in love with her and Ross on our vacation up north. (Don’t worry Twyla, I have a special prayer in place for Tim Tanner.)

Another call back-to-back. I returned Tony’s call from California. (Tony is my step-brother through Julia’s dad Ross Figueroa.) It is always a treat to talk with Tony. He has a real heart towards the Lord. It it times like this that I wish I could be closer to him so I could provide some hand’s on Bible understanding. We will see. The Lord has all things under control.

7 p.m. Got a call from Andre. O boy. O boy. O boy. Sorry, can’t help my excitement. Andre and Judy are coming over tomorrow evening with ‘crawfish’ and a good movie. You can believe that Betty and I will eat light all day tomorrow.

Ain’t nothing in the world like fresh crawfiish.

Sorry, no one else is invited. Besides that, you would not want to interfere with a poor old preacher and his need for privacy while devouring crawfish.  Now would ye?

It’s 8 o’clock. I need to sign off and try to catch up on a few other things.

Much love coming your way.

Blessings,

Buddy

You regular readers of Bro. Buddy’s blog know that this week we’ve been having server problems and the blog has not been available. The good news is that none of the data is lost … we still have all the posts and comments. The bad news is that something on the server is not allowing the blog to operate properly.

I’ve been working feverishly to try to get the blog fixed and have been unsuccessful until now. Since I know so many look forward to your daily dose of “Buddyisms”, I’ve created this temporary location for the blog. It doesn’t contain any of the past posts but anything Bro. Buddy adds will be brought back to our regular blog whenever I get it fixed.

I’m sorry for the inconvenience. There may be several bugs to work out and the automatic anouncement of updates will not work on this new blog so you’ll just have to check it every day. But at least you’ll be able to get your daily “fix” and keep up with Bro. Buddy’s “journey of healing”. Thank you all for your patience.

Sincerely,
Nathan