Sunday May 16, 2010

We had another wonderful day again today at First Baptist Church in Perry. I planned this morning's service as a commenmoration of my 40th spiritual birthday. We sang hymns that I remembered singing in 1970 and 1971 at Calvary Baptist Church in Muskegon, where I was saved. For the message I told the story of how I came to give my life to Christ. I am what I am today because of the grace of God, pure and simple. If I hadn't met Christ, I probably would have become an alcoholic or worse. Praise God for His grace. And just as He transformed my life, He can transform other's lives as well. Praise God for another wonderful Lord's day!

The community of Perry sufferred a loss last week. a young Marine, Lance Corporal Joshua M. Davis was killed in action in Afghanistan. His funeral was Saturday. It was certainly a moving memorial service. He was only 19 years old and enlisted in the Corps before he graduated from high school last year.

Unfortunately, we also had an appearance of the demonstrators from Westboro Baptist Church. Since we're the only Baptist Church in town, we needed to do something to distance ourselves from these demonstrators. I wrote two resolutions that were presented to the church for approval. Both passed unanimously.

These are the two resolutions:

Resolution Honoring Corporal Joshua Davis

Whereas Lance Corporal Joshua Michael Davis fulfilled a lifelong dream when he voluntarily enlisted in the United States Marine Corp before he graduated from Perry High School in 2009; and whereas this fine young man represented our community of Perry, Iowa as he served our nation in the military; and whereas Corporal Davis heroically made the supreme sacrifice in the performance of his duty and the service of his country in Afghanistan;
Now therefore, be it resolved by the undersigned members of the First Baptist Church, that we express to Corporal Davis’ parents, Mrs. & Mrs. Dave Davis of Perry, and Ms. Beverly Jean Russell, of Des Moines, and the rest of his family as well, our deepest sympathies and condolences for the loss of their son; be it further resolved that we pray that our Gracious and Loving Heavenly Father would provide comfort and consolation for their broken hearts, and peace that their dear son is at rest in God’s care. Be it further resolved that we pray for the safety and well being of those who currently serve our nation in the military, especially those in harm’s way, honoring them for their service and sacrifice on our behalf.
Proposed for approval by the Pastor and Deacons and passed by action of the First Baptist Church meeting for worship on May 16, 2010.

Resolution on the Westboro Baptist Church

Whereas the pastor and members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas continue to besmirch the Name and Cause of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ through disrespectful demonstrations at the funeral services of heroic members of the military who make the supreme sacrifice in honorable service of the interests of our nation; and whereas these demonstrations contain only self-righteous pronouncements of judgment and condemnation and lack any expression of mercy or grace whatsoever; and whereas one of these demonstrations was held here in Perry last Saturday morning; and whereas the Lord Jesus expressly stated, “I did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them,” (LK 9:51-56); and whereas the gospel message that we believe and proclaim declares God’s great Love for all men and desire that all men be saved not condemned;
Now therefore, be it resolved by the undersigned members of First Baptist Church, that we call upon the pastor and members of the Westboro Baptist Church to repent of the sin of being an offense and stumblingblock to the lost and to cease these demonstrations that bring great shame upon the precious Name of Jesus and his glorious gospel of grace; be it further resolved that we publicly express to our community of Perry, Iowa, that we are not in any form or fashion in sympathy with these demonstrations or with the un-Christlike actions of the members of the Westboro Church; be it further resolved that we honor, give thanks and pray for the safety and well being of those serving in the United States military, especially those serving is harm’s way in hostile places.
Proposed for approval by the Pastor and Deacons and passed by action of the First Baptist Church meeting for worship on May 16, 2010.

Both of these resolutions will be published in our local paper.