Paying attention to Ephesians 1

Here's our latest YouTube video -- so pay attention.

Heading for West Virginia

God willing and I live, I'll be heading to Sovereign Grace Chapel in Crow, West Virginia in two weeks.  I'll be speaking there Friday evening, Saturday evening, and Sunday morning, April 27, 28, &29.  If you're in the area, come say hello.  Crow, according the website, is near the town of Beckley, just north of Little Beaver State Park.  More info, and directions, can be found on the website: sgchapel.com

The elders there, Walter Pendleton and Joe Galuszek have been more than gracious and welcoming.  I'm looking forward to visiting, meeting the saints, and preaching the truth of God's free and sovereign grace.  So, come join us!

Flyer for the upcoming conference in the Dallas area (click image)

A couple of Homecoming Weekend videos

Info about upcoming conference

Dry Bone Hermeneutics

Our latest teaching video.

Homecoming Weekend Flyer

Strange connections from my past

Wanna hear a story?  Sure you do.  You're on your computer, so you're probably looking for something interesting to read. 

I'll make this brief.  A few years ago, I became aware of a "brush with weirdness" that I had not previously realized.  I was in Michigan, visiting my grandmother (who has since passed away), when she pulled out some memorabilia she had stored away for many years.  And she gave me the things that concerned me.  Among the photos and bits of paper was an article from the Houston Chronicle, dated from 1968.  It was a review of a concert performed by The University Singers.  And it mentioned me. 

I remembered the concert, vaguely.  I had been brought in by my sister's flute teacher, who was going to be playing recorder for the concert.  They were looking for a percussionist and I was a suitable choice: I could read and play the parts, I was available, and I was free-of-cost.  I remember a rehearsal with the musicians and one with the choir.  I have only fleeting recollections of the concert itself.  I was 12 at the time.

So anyway, my grandmother gave me the article and her copy of the program, which she had lovingly tucked away all those years ago.

In the article I was referred to as "a stinger of a percussionist ... who has neither enough years nor size to qualify as even a micro-bopper."  This was, of course, during the days of the "teenyboppers."

But that wasn't what caught my attention.  As I read the program and newspaper article, I was struck by the name of the conductor -- Herff Applewhite.  I knew that name had been in the news some years back.  Then it hit me.  That's the man who later changed his name to "Do"(pronounced "Doh!") and became the leader of the Heaven's Gate cult.

Yes, I once performed under the direction of this wild-eyed fanatic, who later led a suicide cult.  Like I said, a "brush with weirdness."  You are now free to make your own joke, oblique reference, or comment such as "Well, that explains a lot of things." 

Had my grandmother not been so careful to keep the odds and ends connected with the lives of her grandchildren, I'd have never seen these bits of paper, nor made the connection.  But, just when you think life cannot get any more peculiar, something like this shows up.  :-)

Thanks, Grandma.  I miss you every day.

Upcoming Events

Yes, I know it’s been a while since I’ve updated my blog.  I have so many outlets these days – YouTube, Facebook, the GCA website, our weekly messages, daily email, etc. that I forget to post things here.  But, I like this blog and it serves an important purpose in our overall outreach.  I’ve learned that things posted on Facebook have a short shelf life.  There’s such a steady, constant flow of information that anything I post there appears and moves into the ether very quickly.  Our website and this blog afford us a bit more permanence. … or as much permanence as anything in this digital realm can offer. 

Busy days are upon us.  This summer I’ll be traveling again.  I used to travel for a living.  And I was born with a sense of wanderlust.  But as the years have advanced, I’ve learned the value of home and hearth.  And the Internet has afforded us a vehicle of communication that stretches around the globe with surprising intimacy and immediacy.  So the necessity to travel in order to preach the gospel has been lessened.  Still, I'm always grateful for the invitations.

One reason that I’m able to go see the American landscape and visit the saints is that the men of GCA are willing and able to fill the pulpit in my absence.  And they’ve been remarkably supportive of my desire to go.  Perhaps I should be nervous.

So, here’s how things are shaping up so far, God willing and I live:

April  7&8, 2012

We will be hosting our annual Homecoming Weekend here in Smyrna.  By the way, if you’re planning to attend and we haven’t heard from you, please drop me an email so we can keep a headcount of out-of-town guests.  That will help us prepare to feed you while you’re here.

April 27-29

I am planning to visit Sovereign Grace Chapel in Crow, W.V.  I’ve known Paul and Walter Pendleton for several years now and I’m grateful for the invitation to come speak Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday morning.  You can find information here:  www.sgchapel.com

June 6-8 

I’ll once again be teaching at the Embracing The Truth Conference in Gladeville, TN., hosted by the Hamilton Chapel Church.  www.hamiltonchapelchurch.org    

As part of preparing for this conference, David Morris will be preaching at GCA on Sunday, June 3.  (Hooray!)

June 24-29 

I plan to be in Mesquite, TX, outside Dallas, for the third annual Sovereign Grace Bible Conference, hosted by The Saints Chapel, where Elder Gregg Wren is pastor.  http://www.thesaintschapel.org

July 30 – Aug. 3

I’ll be attending the Sovereign Grace Bible Conference in Chattanooga, TN.  This is the “main” conference and it’s always a wonderful, blessed time of fellowship and preaching.  The conference is a week earlier this year than in the past, so if you’re planning to attend, pay attention to the dates.  More info and lots of resources can be found here:  www.sovereigngracebibleconference.org

So that’s how the summer is shaping up so far.  I’m looking forward to all the travel and opportunities to visit with friends, saints, and fellow believers.  And if you’re anywhere in the area, come by and say hello!

Updates and details will be posted here as they develop.

There.  I've handled my blog duties for the moment.  :-)

A Story of Elephants, Circuses and Amazing Charity

Wanna hear a really good story?  How about if I assured you that it would make you marvel at the kindness and sacrifice of folk who have very little to share?  Well here it is.

If you're at all familiar with GCA then you know that we've been supporting a boys' home in India.  These young people have very little, especially in comparison to the luxuries we've become accustomed to here in America.  Every penny they receive goes to necessities and it's rare when they get a treat.  But last month they were in for a surprise.  An elephant showed up.  He was ambling down the dirt road in front of the boys' home, advertising for a circus coming to town.  I'll let Bobby tell the story in his own words --
 

Hello Brother Jim:

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

Thank you so Much for sending the money, and the information to pick it up. The other day, we have emptied our store.... But, I give thanks to our Righteous God for sending the aid on time to help the children to have continued food. We are always thankful for His wonderful Provision.

You know, the other day, we had a big elephant roaming on roads to advertise about its adventures at the Circus. Yes, there is a circus show going to near to our village which is never before. I send you those pictures of elephant... it was so huge and kids are so excited to see it, and were much liked to go see the circus as they never see before in their lives. I found that they were desired to go, then I asked if that really wanted to go, and the answer is like a BIG sound! But, we need $25 to go there....we did not had the money but i thought to take kids anyway as they like it. 

And here are the elephant photos -- but wait, the story gets better. 

So, the boys are thrilled at seeing this massive animal and the advertising for the circus worked.  The boys had never seen such a thing, so Bobby was going to dig into their monthly provision and take them.  But then something rather unexpected happened.  A fire broke out in a local village.  Once again, Bobby will continue the story --

Then, in the next day we were heard of the bad fire accident happen near to our Village, and there are 4 houses burnt, more than 8 families lost almost everything and become shelter less. I went there to see, and encouraged them in prayers too. They are new to Christ anyhow. But, I believe also the things and situations can lead people to believe and understand about God...

After coming back to home, I mentioned about the cause & need before God and expressed the needy place to the kids also. And just asked kids if they can sacrifice their desire to go Circus, rather to offer the money to help the kids over there at Burnt Place.. And the answer is like BIG sound, YES!!! I am so amazed of what they agreed. I really really Thank God for how he is leading the Kids to walk in HIM. He is so good to the Kids, and i am so Happy for them.

Brother, if possible.. we wanted to keep some money aside out from what is provided for food for the boys to offer some help to the kids those are effected at the fire accident. I hope the Lord can help for sure, as he lead in my heart to make HIS will for the place. If possible we also wanted to give the NT bibles for everyone there. 

We, of course, agreed and here are photos of the villagers who were effected by the outbreak of fire. 

So, let's review.  These boys who live under the constant threat of hunger unless someone is kind enough to help them had the opportunity to see a circus, something they'd never seen in their lives.  And when they were told that they could go, they were ecstatic.  But, when a need arose in a neighboring village, when the young fellows were asked if they would forgo the circus so that the money could be used for food and clothes, they not only agreed, but they were excited by the prospect of giving (!!!!).

There's a lesson here friends.  As often as not, we give from our plenty, from our excess.  A gift to feed these little brothers puts no dent in our regular activities or ability to purchase the things we need and want.  Yet these boys, who have so very little, gave from their poverty to help those who had suffered the loss of their sole possessions.

And that, in a nutshell, is why it's an honor to feed and clothe these little Indian children of Christ.  Your charity to them has been multiplied by their charity to others.  And it's a very cool, very touching thing to behold.

Our God is good.  And Christianity is alive and well on the earth.

See?  Told ya' it was a good story. 

Philippians 2 and Christian Humility

Latest Pictures from India

We've recently received another accounting from Bobby -- a pile of receipts and explanations for every dollar spent -- along with some photos and letters.  Bobby's been very faithful in stewardship of the funds he's received.  And because of the generosity of GCA's members and listeners, the last few months we've been able to send more financial aid than just what's required for food and rent.  So Bobby, ever generous with what he receives, has helped a local missionary acquire a bicycle to pedal around the area villages.  He also continues to help local women learn the sewing trade.  And the boys all got new shirts.  So thank you all once again for your ongoing support and kindness toward these folk on the other side of the planet.  The light of Christ shines brightly through your joint-participation and generosity to the saints. Enjoy the photos.  (By the way, you can click on any photo to enlarge it.)

The Music Videos

Over the last couple of months I've posted occasional videos of songs I'd written and recorded -- some dating back as much as 18 years -- that simply never had an audience or outlet. Some are Christian; some are secular and just fun. Since they were posted on my SBGGCA YouTube account (I use the salvationbygraceorg YT account strictly for theological vids) I thought I'd gather them all in one place and post them on my blog as a sort of compendium. So, crank it up, sing along, and enjoy.

How Do People Get Saved?

Here's our latest YouTube, a follow-up to an earlier topic, "Thinking About Freewill." 

And suddenly, another year flew by ...

Tomorrow is my 56th birthday.  Let me say right up front that I have enjoyed my 50's ... so far.  Sure, there have been setbacks, kidney stones, heartbreaks, and back trouble.  But, that's the stuff of life.  If you don't have a few hurdles to overcome, you'll never learn patience, endurance, or faith in God's provision.  So, I'm grateful for even the tough periods. 

The great irony is that when I turned 50 I finally figured out some really important stuff.  I learned to think instead of merely react.  I learned how to roll with the punches.  I learned that money comes and goes, so we need to seek those things that have genuine value -- things like love, kindness, loyalty, and getting hugs when you don't expect them.  I learned the meaning of the old axiom: It's a shame that youth is wasted on the young.  Tru dat.  The "great irony" is that, now that I have learned these lessons and reset my thinking on so many important issues, I'm really just too tired to do much about it.

So anyway, the reason that I bring up my birthday is that it was one year ago that I told the folk at GCA that, in lieu of birthday gifts, I wanted help in supporting an orphanage in India.  One year later, I look back over the previous 12 months and am amazed at the generosity of our members, listeners, and supporters.  We have sent gifts steadily each month, helping to purchase sewing machines, shoes, shirts, school supplies, dwellings, Bibles in English and Telugu, and regular meals.  The grace of God has been displayed on the other side of the planet due to a simple birthday request.  And I am grateful.

Meanwhile, Bobby (his Americanized name) has been busy.  He has been establishing Christian congregations in remote villages, preaching Christ, handing out Bibles, and doing it all in the face of opposition from the local Islamic and Hindu leaders.  Yet, he perseveres, caring for the many souls God has placed under his care -- from street boys, to abandoned girls, to whole villages of people who need to know Christ.  And he does it all on a shoestring budget.

Recently, he participated in the construction of a meeting house for a local Christian congregation.  And he sent photos.  So I thought I'd share them with you.

These are the people you're aiding when you contribute to GCA's outreach to India.

(It appears that the little boy in the front row of the last photo had a wardrobe malfunction.   Boy, once Janet Jackson starts a trend, it really catches on ...)

As we always point out, every single penny contributed to this work goes directly to them.  We don't take out administrative costs.  In fact, we even pay the fee to wire the funds.  Bobby has been very faithful in sending us receipts and accounting for how the money is spent.  I'm a big fan of proper stewardship.  But, I'm a bigger fan of helping the less fortunate and demonstrating the love of Christ among people who so desperately need His grace to survive each day.

So, I'm starting over this year.  It's my birthday again and I'm asking everyone to keep doing what they're doing.  Keep giving generously.  Keep helping us help the boys of the Life Givers Home.

And thanks for all the cards, Facebook messages, emails, and well-wishes.  It's not even my birthday yet and my inbox runneth over.

Grace, peace, and all good things,

Pastor Jim

Tattoos and Christian Liberty

Here's our latest YouTube video, jumping right into the middle of the controversy.

Footwear in India and our newest videos

I continue to be amazed and ever-so-grateful for the generosity of our congregation and listeners.  Last month, while I in Chattanooga, Jennifer (GCA's erstwhile secretary) called and said that we had more-than-the-usual-amount of donations for our support of the boys' home in India.  That always makes me happy.  This project began last September when I asked our congregation, in lieu of a gift for me, if they would help me raise some money to send to the boys.  I thought it would be a one time gift.  At the time, another church was supporting them monthly.  But, as sovereign providence would have it, the other church was falling on hard financial times and we were able to pick up the baton and run with it.  Each month since September, we've been able to send sufficient funds for food and shelter.  But some months we've raised enough to help buy sewing machines, clothes, school supplies, and even a small shelter for a local girl. 

Well anyway, I just received a nice email and more pictures from Bobby.  This time they used some of the extra funds to buy some footwear.  Most of the previous photos I'd seen of the boys, they were all barefoot.  So, as you'll see in the photos, the shoes and sandals made a big impact.

Thanks again for your kindness to these kids.  Without your ongoing generosity, they'd be hard-pressed to get by. 

You can click on the above photos in order to see them full screen.

Meanwhile, since returning from conference season, I've uploaded two new videos to YouTube.  One is from the Gladeville conference.  The camera was not exactly high-res, but you can see what was going on -- at least in those moments when the auto-focus chose the human and not the furniture.  The other video is a new teaching vid on the subject of free will.  It's only been up a couple of days and has already garnered positive feedback, plenty of "shares" and "likes."  So, I'm thankful for that.






And finally, speaking of conference, you can hear the Gladeville "Embracing the Truth Conference" message and the Dallas "Sovereign Grace Bible Conference" message on our website.  Or, just click here:

http://www.gcaarchive.com/Audio/Misc/Jul_14_2011_Elder_McClarty_Elders_Deacons_and_Ministers.mp3


http://www.gcaarchive.com/Audio/Misc/July_27_2011_The_Resurrection_of_Jesus_Christ.mp3

So, that's all the latest.  Thanks again for all the ongoing feedback, support, and encouragement.  God is good and I sure do love His people.

Grace, peace, and all good things,

Pastor Jim