I post papers I have written, some during my graduate and post-graduate studies, some in response to other papers, and some written for other purposes like Sunday school classes or Bible studies. I also post observations on whatever comes to my mind and videos from teaching sessions.
I awaken this morning to the beginning of my seventh year of wedded bliss to Susan, a beautiful woman of faith!
Six years ago, on September 28, 2013, we said our enthusiastic “I do’s” before Tim Dugas, Garry Tracy, and David Bernard. These three men tied the knot well, and we have not picked at it! We have pulled it tighter each day, moment by moment❤️.
I love Susan so much it almost hurts. People who see me looking at her notice my obvious affection and make interesting comments about it😊.
She is a gift from God in every dimension of life. This is not merely companionship. When someone says to us, “Well, we know everyone needs companionship,” we smile.[archive]
In 1968, I was at the general conference of the United Pentecostal Church in Atlantic City, New Jersey to hear the classic message by general superintendent Stanley Chambers: Let’s Make History.
Research current at that time indicated that within fifty years of their founding, most religious organizations drift from their moorings. Oneness Pentecostalism was just beyond its fiftieth birthday, and Brother Chambers had just been elected as the general superintendent.
Brother Chambers’ call to retain our identity, defying other trends, has often been seen as an important stabilizing influence for us.
None of us there that night could have imagined the radical cultural shifts that would take place between 1968 and 2019. But another fifty years have slipped away. Last night our general superintendent, David K. Bernard, delivered another such message to the 2019 general conference of the United Pentecostal Church International. It was a powerful, convincing message uniquely addressing the steps we must take to retain our identity while boldly advancing the Kingdom of God. His message was titled “From Fear to Faith.”
I recommend that you do whatever you must to view or hear this message.[archive]
This past Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Susan and I were in Jonesboro, Arkansas at the invitation of Pastor Darrell Runyan, where I taught the Oneness of God course for the Jonesboro campus of Purpose Institute. About forty students and prospective students attended the Friday evening session, with about thirty completing the Saturday session.
Purpose Institute is a training program based in local churches, offering students an educational opportunity to earn credits that can be transferred to Urshan College. Since Urshan College also offers online courses, it is possible for students to have access to significant educational opportunities by taking advantage of both Purpose Institute and the online Urshan classes. You can explore the program at purposeinstitute.com and the college at urshancollege.org.
On Sunday morning, we were in service at The Pentecostals of Jonesboro, where Brother Runyan is pastor. We enjoyed the presence of the Holy Spirit as we worshipped together, and I had the opportunity to proclaim God’s word to His people.
I retired from full time work at UGST on July 1, 2018. Since then I’ve been busy researching, teaching an adult Sunday school class at The Sanctuary, teaching at the French Bible Institute, teaching for Purpose Institute, doing some guest lecturing for professors David Norris and Jeffrey Brickle at UGST, writing a book on the Holy Spirit, lessons for The Discipleship Project, Word Aflame Literature, articles for Pentecostal Life magazine and Reflections, serving on a planning committee for the 2020 issues of Pentecostal Life, and on August 22, 2019, I began teaching a semester long class at UGST on the Book of Psalms.
I’m loving all of it.
Am I really retired? When some people ask what I’m doing these days, and I tell them, they seem to have a hard time believing I’m retired.
What is retirement? I don’t hunt, fish, or golf. I have nothing against those who do. But I do enjoy study, reading, writing and teaching. I treasure time with my wife, Susan. We share many of the same interests, and each day with her is a day of joy.
I think of retirement as an opportunity to set my own schedule, to focus on things I didn’t have time to do before, to continue to learn, to think, to experience spiritual growth, and to share new biblical discoveries with others.
I thank God for each moment of life He grants. I want Him to teach me to number my days, that I may apply my heart to wisdom (Psalm 90:12).
Teaching for Purpose Institute at Cabot, Arkansas campus.
I have been writing literature for Word Aflame.
Susan and I enjoyed our trip to France, where I taught for one week at the French Bible Institute and preached twice for missionary John Nowacki.
The Nowackis are excellent hosts who made sure we saw beautiful French sites.
We were surprised and delighted to discover a memorial to Andrew D. Urshan in the church in Melun.
Brother Nowacki translated for me as I taught students in the French Bible Institute.
The delightful students were alert, eager to learn, and spiritually minded.
Mike Long also translated. It was a joy to make his acquaintance. Mike has the gift of hospitality, and he is an excellent writer whose guidebooks to Paris are available on Amazon.
Passing by Notre Dame.
A fine student at the French Bible Institute drove us to Paris after we finished our time in Melun. He was not only an excellent driver, he is also fluent in four languages!
The Arc de Triumph.
The Louvre … a work in progress for centuries.
We walked around a corner, and there they were … Napoleon’s Obelisk he brought back from Egypt for Josephine and, in the distance, the Eiffel Tower.
We await our dinner cruise on the Seine.
No identification needed.
Lots of lovely chocolate shops.
On the Eiffel Tower after dark.
Our hotel in Paris, viewed through the glass roof of the lobby.
A rainy day in Paris … our last full day.
At the awesome North America Youth Congress with CLC alumni, families, and a current student.
Sharing a meal with good friends Terry and Gayla Baughman during NAYC, at Landry’s in Union Station, St. Louis.
On my way into the new Urshan campus to teach Studies in Psalms.[archive]
