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Date Posted: 10:49:48 03/10/06 Fri
Author: Rev. Mark McManus
Author Host/IP: 69.144.154.39
Subject: Another seduced servant


I had an experience that deeply moved my heart, yet was so indicitive of what is happening withing the body, that I felt the need to share it with you.

A couple days ago I was working on a wood trim staining project that would go into a new house. Myslef and another fellow were working away when a man stopped by to pick up some custom work done on a door.

After an initial exchange of greetings. He asked me; "So are you the Chaplain"? (My car was parked outside, displaying a sticker identifying me as a police Chaplain)

"Yes I am" I responded.

He said "Yeh I went to ORU and got my Masters in theology"

"Wonderful" I replied so what are you doing now, as I politley tried to listen while keeping my hands and eyes on my project. "Well, I pastored for about 4 years then realized I wasn't a pastor but more of a preacher".

"You know, it was something else he continued, they (ORU) didn't really care what the belief was(speaking of apologetic thesis for his Masters) as long as you could defend it well.

Much like a skip of a heat beat, or the twinge in the spirit, I stopped from my work as I was taken by his statement. In my turning to look at him, he continued;

"Yeh you know, you get tired of all this religious hell fire and damnation and legalistic stuff, I like the preachers who will just talk about how to make it through the week. You know..everyday stuff you can relate to.

At that point my heart was moved in sadness, that one who had entered a seminary with a heart for God, left with a title of academic achievment, yet now void of the passion with which he entered; making neither a front for the kingdom of God, or a ripple of threat to the darkness that would afront it.

My response was simple, yet from the depths of my spirit and heart. " My passion is pretty simple. I'm one of those old fashioned Pastors who holds to the Word of God, becuase I love Jesus, He loves the lost and I don't want people to go to hell".

There was nothing profound, or theologically engaging about what I had shared, but a simple passion and love for Jesus and a heart to do His will.

The silence though only a few seconds was deafening, as I looked into his eyes. With a saddness in my spirit I thought, of Pauls heart felt cry in question, "Who hath bewitched you, that you would turn from your call and passion" (paraphrase added)

Sadly I thought on the one hand, I am glad he is not in a pulpit, yet spiritually angered that yet another, was stripped of his armour,Or more acurately laid down his armor.

His sword sitting now in a trophy case next to certificates of achievment as a relic now no more than a discussion peice. much like one would reflect on memories of a war long ago while looking at a model airplane long since retired into obscurity it sits, quiet, still, and all but forgotten.

I am all the more convinced that as we plunge deeper, into the calling wherewith we are called, especially in these final days, we will surely meet the slings and arrows that come from a threatened advisary; For we are, soldiers for Christ Jesus, fighting the good fightof faith.

How precious, that one day rather than musing over the memory of a rusted relic unused,and silent; ours will be to embrace those one day, who called upon the Lord Jesus Christ with a repentant heart, recieving Him as their Savior, in simple response to sharing unashamedly the Word of God,in the love of Christ Jesus.

The burden that day did not dampen but rather fan eve more the fire that burns inside for Christ. The very fire that forged the Sword of the Spirit; That we as His..having been ordained, commisioned, and called to do no less than give our all for His Highest, regardless of criticisms from those in the world, and sadly as the finals days approach, those criticisms from those within.

Never compromise the passion that was set in you by the Holy Spirit, for the illusion of a warm embrace of those who would compell you to delude the truth, conform to the world and quietly and compliantly place the Sword, "Your" Sword, on a shelf, next to sentimental relics, reflecting nothing more than faded memories, missed moments, and shallow acholades that will fade along with all the passing stuble of this world.

I would leave this final thought, though it is not of my writing, it so beautifully says it all.

Turn you eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

God's blessings as we continue to walk through a land that is not our home, For our King that it did not know, and a saving grace that we did not deserve, yet is freely ours by His glory and grace.

IHS
Rev. Mark McManus

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