Reverend_Barkley's Xanga

Moving to Myspace

Sat, 03 Jun 2006 01:24:45 GMT

Howdy Ya'll!!!

I haven't posted in a long time. Sorry for the delay. I'm currently using myspace, so this will be my last post.

my new url: www.myspace.com/v6mustang

Hope to see you there some time!

God Bless,

C.H.B.

Sunday, February 05, 2006

Sun, 05 Feb 2006 01:47:38 GMT

Living Trailer Fabulous

Hey everyone! I'm house sitting across the fairways from my old house! It's nice in a lot of ways to be close to it, but in other ways, I miss my new "hood." I've just started getting everyone over there broken in. I've been so uptight lately. I'm preaching at a church next Sunday that's actually IN GARLAND. That means I'll be missing a Sunday at my church, but I think it's something I really need to do. I'm neverous and excited all at the same time.

I'm also still nervous about my mother. As many of you know, she had a spinal tap on Friday to help determine what's causing all the leisons on her brain. It was origionally thought to be a stroke, but now they suspect MS as 6 new ones have shown up. That would be unusual at her age, but it's still a possibility. There's still other things that could cause it, but nobody really knows what the deal is as of right now. She's been diabetic for over 40 years, so she's actually in remarkably good health.

I've run myself ragged. I'm working on my sermon but I just can't seem to focus right now. So I ran a mile on the treadmill in 7 minutes( 4 laps), which is very good for me. However, I'm still antsy (and short of breath!) I hate running!!!! Honestly, Sunday afternoon will be a welcome rest. I plan on relaxing and studying my Hebrew! (Who can relax until their prepared for class!!!!) I hate the learning process but it always feels great when I actually understand something!

Pray People Pray,

C.H.B.

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Thu, 02 Feb 2006 04:04:40 GMT

My Struggle

And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

1 Cor 2:1-5 (NASB77)

As my church continues to face a roller coaster of optimism and uncertainty I’ve been pressured to take my congregation in a variety of directions. This pressure is primarily aimed in the direction of seeker sensitive ministries, Cowboy Churches and even Biker Church praise and worship. Many have continued to ask me, “If it gets people saved why not do it?” or “If it will get people to attend for a while and help keep the church open, shouldn’t you compromise just this once?”

To make matters clear, I haven’t got a problem with good music or musicians, but the suggestion from outsiders is often that I need to shape my church to represent what they think the carnal interests of the community reflect. (Ironically, my small community is neither cowboy nor biker! It’s elderly farmers with a dash of retired underwear factory employees! I don‘t think underwear would make a good church plan do you?) So why do I struggle with Seeker oriented and “Fishing-Bait” style churches?

I. “Determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified”

Paul presents a clear presentation of the job description ministers are to work by and “slick salesmanship” is simply not on the agenda. Rather than change to the whim of every fad and sub-cultural phenomena, Paul aims at the solitary theme of the cross.

It amazes me how often this sort of thinking is shunned by church leaders because it is viewed as irrelevant. “Solid preaching and bible reading? That won’t attract anyone.” I often hear from those pressuring me. Rather, they focus on felt needs, self esteem, and cultural fads. Unfortunately this direction is actually the opposite of relevance!!!

Consider what happens if these things were substituted for the cross in our pulpits:

Philosophy and Rhetoric - This was the craze desired by Greek audiences and they seldom listened to anyone seriously unless the speaker had decent oratory and rhetoric mixed into their speeches. Unfortunately, the masses of uneducated people were completely by passed by this style of speech. Furthermore, it was not uncommon for the WRONG view to triumph in public debates because they had better speaking and debating skills. This still occurs today when debates are held between two different skill levels. Feeding the audiences craze for such things can lead to further error and less discernment.

Political Reform - Pat Robertson anyone? This focus in the pulpit is a sham too! It may SEEM relevant unfortunately, it only seems to reach those who or on the underside and oppressed by the current party. This view would ignore those currently in a state of well being and prosperity. Moral reform may impact and apply to everyone, but it still strays farfrom the central truth people most needto hear.

Self Esteem Movement - Again we run into a problem don’t we? What good is contentment and happiness in this world to the detriment of the next? What about people that don’t need self esteem boosts (or those who have a little too much for that matter?)

I notice this problem with any view that tends to soften the cross for the sake of relevance. The plain fact is Seeker Churches always have to neglect one group in order to cater to their “target group.” (not to be confused with international missions)

Paul doesn’t have this problem at all because the cross is the only thing that is universally relevant! What is more relevant than a message that proclaims forgiveness from sins (in the death of Christ), a mediator for our current sins (in the resurrection of Christ), and as the promise of a righteous and fearful judgment for the unrepentant? That definitely covers all bases and applies to all people. That already provides a change of life style (impact the political climate of society by default), emotional healing, peace and fear.

Those who tend to think optimistic perkiness or self hatred define true spirituality are quickly confronted by the cross. Legalism also withers away. Nothing else has such a universal ability.

II. “Demonstration of the Spirit and Power”

Why is singular devotion to the simple and unadorned proclamation of the cross so important to Paul? Because the power of the Holy Spirit is demonstrated through it. That’s one of the biggest problems in Southern Baptist life today! We have no real Pneumatology. Our doctrine of the Holy Spirit is never applied consistently to anything anymore (especially the salvation issue) and consequently, we fail to follow the same thought process as Paul. Notice Evangelism is not to be centered on persuasive and slick speech, nor is it the occurrences of miraculous events and healings. Rather, the power the Spirit demonstrates is that of regeneration, conviction and salvation. This isnot to say we should not labor for clarity and application for howthe listener should live out biblical truth, but it does discourage flavoring the Gospel like some people flavor their yogurt.

At the end of the message preached, those who respond can have nothing to credit except the conviction of the Spirit because nothing else was added to give it a gloss or beauty. Remembering that spiritually dead men cannot grasp the truth of the gospel apart from the work of the Spirit anyway, this would certainly make sense wouldn’t it? Even more so, what is more miraculous than the resurrection of spiritually dead men to life? Only the Word of God is said to be able to penetrate the hardness of man’s heart with such precision, and the Spirit works through this in the redemptive process. (i.e. faith comes by hearing)

I sometimes wonder if one of the reasons worship wars have been a somewhat modern debate has been because ministers of the past had a completely different mind set concerning these matters.

III. “That your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God”

This is another important issue raised by Paul. If we begin to embellish and sell the gospel to customers in a desirable packaging, then we receive some of the credit for the persons salvation. Here, Paul has our faith resting solely on the power of God and not the wisdom of men. Yet, what else can we call market driven and seeker churches but cleverly devised plans to penetrate men’s hearts by repackaging the message? I know they don’t intend to do anything wrong, but the glory of God is diminished and the power of the message is partially concealed. The Spirit doesn’t need assistance in that department. We should be reading, proclaiming and living out the Word, not repackaging it.

It’s almost ironic isn’t it? The IMB claims that North America is the only continent that has a decline in Christianity, yet where does seeker sensitive thought abound? Where is the power of their message? They penetrate the hardness of church members hearts (and they quickly leave the churches they have previously attended) unfortunately, they seem to have little impact on the unchurched community at large! (Check the stats, I’m not lying!)

I’m interested in ya’lls feed back. What do you think? Have I missed something? Communication is not always my best skill late in the evening, so let me know if there's anything you need clarification on!

Sorry for My Long Absence,

C.H.B.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Tue, 10 Jan 2006 02:25:16 GMT

The Beggining of the End

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord" Job, i. 21

"All things are in the hands of God, have Him for their
Author, are directed and governed by Him to such ends
as are most suitable to His wise providence.

Whoever murmurs at the course of the world, murmurs
at God who governs the course of the world."

(William Law)

___________________________________________________________________

This has been an eventful week in more than one way. The primary subject on my mind at this time has been my little church in the woods. As you remember the budget for the church was nearly gone when I got there and all the new additions (hymnals, sunday school curriculum, library, drapes, furnishings, fragrant candles, audio library, floral arangements, weekly cakes and cookies etc.) I brought in were a product of outside support from friends and generous people in Garland and White Rock.

Unfortunately, even managing to not touch the church budget the entire time I've been there hasn't prevented it from dwindling down even further. Local squirels have "vandalized" our heater twice, we now have a leaky pipe in the bathroom, a window was broken this week (it broke from the inside of the building while it was closed and locked and items inside the old church have a habit of moving or disapearing completely) and parts of the exterior regularly manage to fall off from the winds and shifting dry soil.

Much to my dismay, the pastor of our sponsoring church met with me and said they were cutting off our funding in April, which will result in the closing of our doors after 120 years in the White Rock Community. I asked if he could give my church more than $100 a month until we had enough people to sustain the budget more adequately but the church declined. I'll be contacting the local association and the state convention tommorow in hopes of getting enough funding to sustain the budget till we can get our strength up. Considering there was only 2 people there when I was called and we've grown to five I see potential, but I'm not sure if that will make a difference. Keep White Rock in your prayers, 3 of our 5 have been out of church for a long time and I worry about what will happen if we close our doors. I've really grown attached to them these past 8 months.

I was a bit numb after the first hour after hearing it, but I've now got that feeling in the pit of my stomach. Still I managed well. No show of emotion whatsoever, dad would be proud! I'm a bit nervous about unemployment as well. Between my car payments, health insurance, seminary and such things, I dread the down time. I've had to work odd jobs and seasonal labor to make ends meat as it is. Don't forget to pray for me too!

I'll be announcing the pending closure this Sunday before the congregation. Many of them grew up in this church or have had as much as three generations faithfully involved.

Two and a half months remain. We'll see what Providence provides.

His will be done,

C.H.B.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 17:15:39 GMT

Duck Duck Goose

Hey Everyone! Well, I know my posts have been a bit dull lately. I've had so much to do, and so many thoughts bubbling around in my head and I just haven't had the motivation to write a serious post in a while. Please indulge a bit longer and I promise I'll put down a little substance in a day or so.

Yesterday was quite an adventure, though! We saved a baby duck from our church parking lot and put it in a pond in Canton on some of our friends land.

"Miss Emily" (supposed by some to have been Scarletts sister in Gone With the Wind) as we called her, apparently got separated from the rest of her flock and was weak and soiled in one of our church bushes, far from any water source to live in. She stayed in a cardboard box with some crumpled shirts during her stay at our house, but every two hours dad took her out to swim in the tub of water and get a little bite to eat. She ate virtually nothing and we were eager to get her back in the wild where she would get back to her old habits again. Our dog "Miss Scarlett" was also eager for her departure.

I suppose I might as well finish of the shallowness and tell you what I bought with the remnant of my Christmas money:

Bordeaux leather Kenneth Cole Shoes

3 pairs of Khakis and blue, and olive colored pairs of pants

2 plaid shirts, a poplin shirt, a sweater and a button up long sleeve under shirt.

8 new pars of socks suitable for khakis (I hate the white socks with khakis although I've been known to do it. It's a Northern Garland thing, you wouldn't understand.)

A new leather Belt to go with new shoes!

I feel a lot less scrungy and homeless looking! Believe it or not, I skipped purchasing new khakis last season because my budget was tight. Fortunately, Cremieax makes good enough clothing to last a year or more without fraying or discoloration.

Auf Wiedersehen,

C.H.B.

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Tue, 27 Dec 2005 05:55:07 GMT

A Christmas Story

In spite of the general unpleasantness of being with the "family" for 4 entire hours on Christmas day, Christmas was truly wonderful this year. I worked until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and got home in time to exchange presents with my parents before they left to help out with the 11 p.m. candle light service at FBC Garland. I would have gone myself, but the nervous anticipation of doing my first Christmas message at my own church kept me at home preparing for that morning.

With the absence of all relatives except my parents, the spiritual aspect of Christmas was much easier to keep in mind that evening. We sat down and read Luke chapter 2 after opening presents before they left that evening. We also discussed some of the points I was going to discuss that following morning on Luke 2:10-12.

But enough of that, how 'bout some pics?

As most of you know, Miss Scarlett our Boston Terrier pretty much runs the roost. Needless to say she was the first to open packages on Christmas Eve. Shortly after this picture was taken dad had to put a makeshift bandage/cast to keep her from chewing her 2 front paws from allergies and she just looked pitiful walking around. In case your wondering about the sweater, Miss Scarlett refuses to come out of the covers during the winter season without her proper attire. As you might also notice from the picture my Mother's hair is starting to grow back again! Her energy and health has also improved!

This picture came out a bit dark, but I think it gives enough details. This present like all the rest that Christmas Eve, came from my parents. Remembering how much I like the Liturgical use of Old and New Testament texts in worship as a way of communicating the singularity of purpose and covenenant in the scriptures, they bought me the 3 volume Pulpit Lectionary Commentary.

I drooled over this book for nearly 5 minutes before finally calling home to inform my parents they'd be buying it as a Christmas gift for me! It's got various first edition books and sermons printed between 1809 and 1820. At some time the owner had all these bound into a single book (circa 1820's). One is even dedicated to the New York militia, which squelched the Christmas riots and helped defend the country from British invasion. (No not the Beatles!) To make a long list of presents short, they also got me the Bible Works 6.0 software I need for seminary next semester and some messaging house shoes (joke gift), a load of coffee, tea and chocolate.

This is a picture of my dad trying to figure out how to assemble the shop vac I bought him for Christmas. I was so relieved it was actually what he wanted, since I have absolutely no knwoledge or experience in that department!

None of the other pictures have been uploaded yet, but I am eager to post a picture of my congregation on Christmas day for everybody! They were so nice and encouraging and even the quiet ones seem to have come out of their shells the past few weeks. I also received some very kind and encouraging letters from some of the members during the season and it helped me to relax a little more with the church. In another good note, negotiations have been finished on the purchase of new hymnals and the supplier knocked $70 off the cost so we could stay within budget. The name of the church will also be engraved in gold on each hymnal. Pew Bibles have already arrived!

Until We Meet Again,

C.H.B.

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Thu, 22 Dec 2005 19:46:08 GMT

Which Historical Lunatic Are You?
From the fecund loins of Rum and Monkey.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Tue, 20 Dec 2005 03:54:32 GMT

Adventures in Good Materialism

This week has been mixture of exhaustion and exhiliration. I worked 31 hours last week, prepared a sermon for services and spent a little time with friends. Ultimately I plopped into bed exhausted at 8 o'clock Sunday evening and sleep until ten the next day, when I had to get up for work again. I was so tired it took nearly two hours for me to finally fall asleep. I'm gradually starting to adjust to the grind, but it's actually good training for the sort of demands I'll be facing when I get called to a larger church one day.

Our heater was finally fixed for church services! It had been out of commision the previous week because it had two squirels trapped inside and the pilot light cupler had somehow been broken (by the squirells?). The toilet has also managed to thaw out again!

In other exciting news, I finally got one of those audio Bibles I've wanted for the car. Normally they cost over 100 dollars for the O.T. and N.T. on CD, but I got mine for 11.99 after my employee discount. It was marked down to clearance as it was because mp3 formatted CD's tend to stay on the shelf longer. I've got an mp3 player in my car so problem solved for me and for them. I seldom actualy buy audio books because I can get an excellent source of Puritan classic audio and even sermons for free on the internet, but allas the Bible is not available.

I also met a local book binder who happens to have a very impressive selction of old books including some Geneva Bibles! He said he would look at my Foxe's Book of Martyrs (1576) to see if there was anything he could do to increase the value of the book even higher. I may have found my next big source since I pretty much wiped out my guy in Fort Worth, who has only one antiquarian title left from the 1600's. I'm buying that one in a few weeks. I never reveal my sources until they've been picked clean, so keep reading and I'll let you know one day. Hehe. I'm poor like everybody else so I have to hunt for bargains and I hate competition!!!

Other than that things have been quiet on the old home front! I hope everyone who reads this is doing well!!!

Yours in Christ,

C.H.B.

Monday, December 12, 2005

Mon, 12 Dec 2005 02:54:50 GMT

Some Thoughts in Anticipation of Christmas

Titus 2:11-14 - "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds."

As I glanced at my Bible, looking for a text to preach on this Sunday (behind my cash register at work), I stumbled on this small passage and it wouldn't let me go! I especially enjoyed Paul's statement here because he takes the historical reality of the incarnation and provides us with a glimpse of it's full significance. The Christmas season is so much more than a remembrance of a historical event and a gratitude for a past tense act of a promised redemption. As Paul notes here, the incarnation has very real and important implications for present tense living as well as a future tense anticipation. The heart of Christmas is always the remembrance of God's enduring grace (recieving the greatest gift although we deserve the greatest punishment!) but it doesn't stop there. After all, He has made all things new!

Present Tense Living

The incarnation and salvation found in Christ instructs us (v.12) to deny ungodliness and worldy desires and to replace them with sensible living, righteousness and godliness. It floors me to see so many people scream to put Christ back into Christmas (normally to our retailers) and then completely ignore Him in their own remembrance of this great promised event. Just the other day I heard an ABC News report pointing out this same hypocritical tendency among evangelicals who have begun to cancel worship services on Christmas Sunday. Rather they have scheduled services for other days during the week. We have a tendency to try and get worship out of the way so that we CAN celebrate Christmas, but this is NOT how we should conteplate the significance of the incarnation according to Paul. I don't intend to get into a sabatarian debate here, but canceling worship services in order to celebrate His promised gift of redemption seems a bit odd you must admit.

Unglodliness - I've seen way too many Christmas's where someone has gotten a bit too tipsy celebrating the birth of our Lord who freed them from bodage to sin. We could add to the list couldn't we? Arguments with relatives and inlaws, suppressed anger, maybe some gluttony thrown in to add variety to the mix? Perhaps some competititive egoes and wounded pride? Idolatry as we forget the manger and think about that "Red Rider Bee Bee Gun" wrapped up under the tree? Paul reminds us this is the very problem we should be seeking to weed out as we remember the incarnation of Christ and His blessed salvation.

Worldly Desires - Chrysostem has a good working definition for this term: "Those things which cannot pass into heaven with us." I don't think I need to expound much on that do I? Our entire holiday season seems to center around desire for those things which we cannot take with us! I'm not condemning the act of giving, but it has definately replaced much of what we should be remembering.

Another good definition of Worldly desires might be those desires and feelings which we wouldn't want God to see. The problem is God already sees them doesn't He? (consider Psalm 139) As we remember the incarnation, it does us good to look at our desires and priorities and adjust them where they are lacking. Skipping church on Sunday doesn't seem like a very good start to me!

The positive aspect of the incarnation is clearly the replacement of our misplaced priorities with fairness, equity, honesty and integrity towards our neighbors and unceasing worship to our God.

Future Tense Anticipation

The incarnation also reminds us to look forward to the blessed hope of Christ's appearing in glory once again as we find the culmination of our redemption and sanctification complete. I think we learn a lot from the Magnificat in Luke 1:46-56 about what this anticipation looks like. In it, Mary rejoices at her own privelege at being favored by God for such a role yet she always remains humble and realizes her own personal unworthiness for such a calling. She rejoices and marvels not merely at the practical implication of her calling, but rather at the fact that God has been good to her, a sinful fallen creature in the first place. All blessings enhance her praise and gratitude for God rather than elevate her "self esteem."

We have a similiar anticipation don't we? We have been adopted into the household of God and have been glorified in Christ, far beyond our origional pre-fall status. We too are unworthy of such a privelege. How do we anticipate this coming promise to us? Are we excited about our personal gain (which is significant!) or do we actually marvel that such a Holy God could love filthy beings as ourselves at all?

I'm afraid our other problem in modern American Christmas is that we have become so distracted from that future glorification we anticipate from Christ that we have become fooled into every concievable vanity during the season. This anticipation should be encouraging a holy life. Can you imagine what it would be like if a dignitary arrived at your home to visit and you had forgotten to clean the house or put the dishes in your sink away? We should be doing the same things with ourselves, rembering that we are the dwelling place of the Spirit of God and member of the body of Christ. Remembering that He will appear again should also encourage us to keep our hearts pure (and our "dwelling place" clean!)

If You Want to Keep Christ in Christmas, Try Keeping His Word in Your Heart,

C.H.B.

Friday, December 09, 2005

Fri, 09 Dec 2005 01:40:59 GMT

!!Shoot Low Sherrif, I Think She's Riding a Shetland!!

Wow, this has been a positively exhausting week! I finished my exams, went to the Hunt County Association meeting, submitted my papers and witnessing reports and desperately tried to fix my faltering computer! My Church History I final was cancelled as the campus was shut down for the winter weather so I'll be taking that exam online tommorow.

I called to tell my boss I wouldn't be able to make it back to Dallas in time to get to work at 8 a.m. the following day because I was stranded in Fort Worth and he angrily told me I had already failed to show up on Monday and Wednesday. Interestingly enough, he did remember letting me off AFTER I reminded him about it, but he's been grouchy with me ever since. Although he normally lets the employees wear collared shirts and even turtle knecks under sweaters during the winter season, he threatened to send me home today because I didn't have a tie on. I hate to sound cocky, but I dress way better than anyone else there. Still, I prefer to follow whatever rules I'm given, so I'll behave tommorow.

I feel so wierd right now. Although nothing has happened at work, I'm compelled to start looking for other options just in case. I've gone from being the favorite to the guy who has to miss work in order to take final exams on Monday and Wednesday, who got stranded in Fort Worth because he couldn't stop the weather from coming in. Normally I freak out about these things, but I'm strangely relaxed about the whole affair this time.

It's a lot like dating. You keep trying to find a reason to dump your boss before he dumps you. After all, what would you tell everyone if he beat you to the punch line.

As far as budget goes, this month has been incredibly good and I'm very releived I'm still above water. Bills, tuition and everything else continue to be manageable.

Keep Me in Your Prayers,

C.H.B.