1. The American Pilgrims in AD 1621 had a grateful heart and little else. We seem to have all else, except a grateful heart. Think of all the conveniences you have that the Pilgrims didn’t. Have you thanked God lately?
2. The Pilgrims, while not perfect, came to America seeking God and found Him. We can find Him too, when we seek Him (Isaiah 55:6; Jeremiah 29:13).
3. Just as the Pilgrims had in their day, we have the Bible, God’s inspired, inerrant Word, to show us the way. The Bible is as true and relevant today as it was in 1621.
4. We live in a country where our Presidents have issued Thanksgiving Proclamations through the years. It began with President George Washington, continued with Abraham Lincoln, and continues today.
5. We should be thankful that we live in a country where everyone is free to worship according to the dictates of their conscience. America is a beacon to the world for religious liberty.
6. America is the breadbasket to the world. Not only do we provide enough food for our own people, but also send it throughout the world. No one reading this should go hungry tonight. If you are hungry, there are government and church groups that would be happy to help.
7. America, though not perfect, is the most giving and generous nation in the world.
8. We serve a merciful God who knows all about us yet still loves us and offers us forgiveness. While we were still sinners, Jesus Christ died for us. For that we should be eternally grateful.
9. We should be thankful, because gratitude makes us better people. It is an antidote to selfishness. Adults should practice thanksgiving, and teach it to their children.
10. The Bible tells us to be thankful.
“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” -Psalm 107:1
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, November 20, AD 2014.
Other Articles (Labels) in lower right margin.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
A Brief Word On Atheism And Unbelief
From time to time I receive comments in favor of atheism. Sometimes a long involved argument in favor of atheism. There are some very evangelistic, militant atheists out there.
On this site I do not intend to go into great detail and debate the intricate arguments for atheism. Some will believe in Christ and the Bible, and some will not. But for the honest doubter with sincere questions about the evidence for Christianity, the Bible, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, I have good news. The evidence is great. I challenge you to consider this evidence.
I would refer anyone with such questions to the books:
“I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist” by Norman Geisler & Frank Turek
“Evidence that Demands a Verdict” by Josh McDowell.
“The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel.
An interesting children’s book is “Yellow and Pink” by William Steig.
As one atheist admitted, “What concerns me is that so many intellectual, brilliant people do believe in God, Christianity, and the truthfulness of the Bible.”
It has been said if you believe the first four words of the Bible (“In the beginning God”), then everything falls into place and makes sense. Reject the first four words of the Bible, and life is meaningless and nothing really makes sense.
While concrete evidence for the literal, bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ abounds (as well as much evidence for the trustworthy nature of the Bible), it is also true that salvation comes down to faith, trust, in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Jesus died for all, and I wish and pray that all may know Him and the power of His Resurrection.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, November 11, AD 2014.
On this site I do not intend to go into great detail and debate the intricate arguments for atheism. Some will believe in Christ and the Bible, and some will not. But for the honest doubter with sincere questions about the evidence for Christianity, the Bible, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, I have good news. The evidence is great. I challenge you to consider this evidence.
I would refer anyone with such questions to the books:
“I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist” by Norman Geisler & Frank Turek
“Evidence that Demands a Verdict” by Josh McDowell.
“The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel.
An interesting children’s book is “Yellow and Pink” by William Steig.
As one atheist admitted, “What concerns me is that so many intellectual, brilliant people do believe in God, Christianity, and the truthfulness of the Bible.”
It has been said if you believe the first four words of the Bible (“In the beginning God”), then everything falls into place and makes sense. Reject the first four words of the Bible, and life is meaningless and nothing really makes sense.
While concrete evidence for the literal, bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ abounds (as well as much evidence for the trustworthy nature of the Bible), it is also true that salvation comes down to faith, trust, in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Jesus died for all, and I wish and pray that all may know Him and the power of His Resurrection.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, November 11, AD 2014.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Lester Roloff Letter to Joe Brumbelow / Separation
Christ is the Answer
Roloff Evangelistic Enterprises
Evangelist Lester Roloff
Box 1177
Corpus Christi, Texas 78403
Telephone 882-4211, Area Code 512
September 8, 1982
Brother Joe E. Brumbelow, Pastor
West Heights Baptist Church
633 Scott
Corpus Christi, Texas 78408
My dear Brother,
I appreciate you so much. You’ve been a faithful friend through many years and I’m glad that denominational lines do not stop us from fellowshipping one with another. Thank your people also for the privilege of being there.
May the Lord richly bless you and your family.
Lovingly, In Jesus’ Name,
[Signed] Brother Roloff
LR:ic
P.S. Enclosed is a love gift for you and your family.
***
My dad, Joe Brumbelow, had previously pastored First Baptist Church, Dawson, TX in the area Lester Roloff had grown up. Early in his ministry, Roloff pastored Shiloh Baptist Church in the country outside Dawson. In later years Shiloh disbanded and most joined FBC, Dawson. Brother Roloff preached for Brother Joe at his church in Dawson. Of course, Joe was later pastor at West Heights Baptist Church. Both FBC, Dawson and West Heights were Southern Baptist churches.
I grew up Southern Baptist, but often heard independent Baptists preach. I remember them regularly sharing pulpits and preaching at the same meetings on the same platforms. The Sword of the Lord under John R. Rice and R. L. Sumner printed sermons of Southern Baptists (both living and past) like R. G. Lee, W. A. Criswell, Vance Havner, Hyman Appelman, L. R. Scarborough, B. H. Carroll and a number of others. Yet some independent Baptists today believe they should separate from and not fellowship with Southern Baptists.
Joe Brumbelow was openly a Southern Baptist. In 1982 he was active in the SBC Conservative Resurgence that made sure Southern Baptists would stand for the inerrancy of the Word of God. Lester Roloff was independent Baptist and obviously knew that Joe Brumbelow had been a Southern Baptist during all of his ministry. Yet Brother Roloff had no trouble preaching at a Southern Baptist church and fellowshipping with Southern Baptists. The above letter plainly demonstrates that fact.
It is also of interest that less than two months after this letter was written Brother Roloff died in a plane crash. Joe Brumbelow, and my brother Mark Brumbelow attended the funeral, or as they called it, “Graduation Service,” at the Convention Center in Corpus Christi. Mark was living in Dawson at the time and also took Aldon Nesmith to the funeral. Aldon Nesmith was a deacon at First Baptist Church, Dawson and was Lester Roloff’s first convert.
Also, Mark Brumbelow tells me the “ic” on the above letter referred to Miss Ida Cavett, Brother Roloff’s secretary.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, November 8, AD 2014.
Note: On the subject of separation, see Fundamentalist Foibles! by Dr. R. L. Sumner.
Evangelist Lester Roloff
Box 1177
Corpus Christi, Texas 78403
Telephone 882-4211, Area Code 512
September 8, 1982
Brother Joe E. Brumbelow, Pastor
West Heights Baptist Church
633 Scott
Corpus Christi, Texas 78408
My dear Brother,
I appreciate you so much. You’ve been a faithful friend through many years and I’m glad that denominational lines do not stop us from fellowshipping one with another. Thank your people also for the privilege of being there.
May the Lord richly bless you and your family.
Lovingly, In Jesus’ Name,
[Signed] Brother Roloff
LR:ic
P.S. Enclosed is a love gift for you and your family.
***
My dad, Joe Brumbelow, had previously pastored First Baptist Church, Dawson, TX in the area Lester Roloff had grown up. Early in his ministry, Roloff pastored Shiloh Baptist Church in the country outside Dawson. In later years Shiloh disbanded and most joined FBC, Dawson. Brother Roloff preached for Brother Joe at his church in Dawson. Of course, Joe was later pastor at West Heights Baptist Church. Both FBC, Dawson and West Heights were Southern Baptist churches.
I grew up Southern Baptist, but often heard independent Baptists preach. I remember them regularly sharing pulpits and preaching at the same meetings on the same platforms. The Sword of the Lord under John R. Rice and R. L. Sumner printed sermons of Southern Baptists (both living and past) like R. G. Lee, W. A. Criswell, Vance Havner, Hyman Appelman, L. R. Scarborough, B. H. Carroll and a number of others. Yet some independent Baptists today believe they should separate from and not fellowship with Southern Baptists.
Joe Brumbelow was openly a Southern Baptist. In 1982 he was active in the SBC Conservative Resurgence that made sure Southern Baptists would stand for the inerrancy of the Word of God. Lester Roloff was independent Baptist and obviously knew that Joe Brumbelow had been a Southern Baptist during all of his ministry. Yet Brother Roloff had no trouble preaching at a Southern Baptist church and fellowshipping with Southern Baptists. The above letter plainly demonstrates that fact.
It is also of interest that less than two months after this letter was written Brother Roloff died in a plane crash. Joe Brumbelow, and my brother Mark Brumbelow attended the funeral, or as they called it, “Graduation Service,” at the Convention Center in Corpus Christi. Mark was living in Dawson at the time and also took Aldon Nesmith to the funeral. Aldon Nesmith was a deacon at First Baptist Church, Dawson and was Lester Roloff’s first convert.
Also, Mark Brumbelow tells me the “ic” on the above letter referred to Miss Ida Cavett, Brother Roloff’s secretary.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, November 8, AD 2014.
Note: On the subject of separation, see Fundamentalist Foibles! by Dr. R. L. Sumner.
More Articles in lower right margin.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
