The close friendships I have shared with men like Dr. David Gibbs, Dr. Don Sisk, Dr. R.B. Ouellette, and others have taught me what an incredible treasure godly friends are. The Lord has often used them to encourage, strengthen, inspire, challenge, and sometimes convict me. Their role in my life causes me to want, not only to have godly friends, but also to be a godly friend! Following are some observations of the role of a godly friend: (more…)

In the early years of our ministry here at Lancaster Baptist, we did not always have the budget to provide a hotel room for our guest speakers, so Terrie and I often hosted these men in our home. One of the men I looked forward to spending time with was Dr. John Goetsch who came every year to preach our Winter Revival meetings in January. One night after preaching the evening service he came back to our home and commented on the good spirit of the service. At the end of our brief conversation, he mentioned that he did not want to wake or alarm anyone when he got up early the next morning to run. I thought to myself, “Does he think I am some kind of sluggard? He is going to run—from my house. I have running shoes…” So I told him, “Well, since I’ll be up anyway, I’ll just go ahead and run with you.” Out of respect, he did not smile on the outside, but I am fairly certain he was smiling on the inside!

Now, my idea of running starts by just getting loose and walking a bit. That walking leisurely transitions into a slow-pace jog to get the cardio to ramp up! Eventually, that jogging leads to a full run which needs to notch back down to a jog, so the cardio doesn’t get stuck at that high rate! That is not how Dr. Goetsch views running. He does not care if his cardio gets stuck at a high rate. He runs seven miles every day!

Our morning run came a little too soon for me, but as we started, I was feeling pretty good. I was staying up with him and even pushing him a little. That lasted a good 100-200 yards, but then several parts of my body began to protest. I began to experience charlie-horses and cramps. My feet, ankles, legs, heart, and lungs conspired in mutiny. You might think that Dr. Goetsch stopped for a moment to help or say, “See you back at the house,” but as I began my walk back to the house, he never even looked back.

Sometimes the race of the Christian life gets tough. We can experience the aches and pains of trials and circumstances. We can be discouraged by media and the economy. But, by the grace of God, we can finish our race. God promises to supply us with the strength we need to fulfill the course that He has set before us, and He promises to run alongside to encourage and lift us when we fall.

So, the next time you experience those spiritual charlie-horses, go to the Cross, get to the altar, and spend time with God. Don’t give up! Stay in the race! And renew your strength in the Lord.

Bill and Merri Ann Pursley have been dear friends and faithful members of our church for the past few years.  When I first moved to Lancaster twenty-two years ago, I began meeting members of the extended Pursley family who are long-time Antelope Valley residents.

Bill, who owns and operates a large landscaping company, has visited the church over the years and has been a contractor on a number of our building projects.  I had given him Gospel tracts and witnessed to him for years, but it wasn’t until two years ago that I finally had the opportunity to sit down and go over the Gospel one-on-one.  What a great delight it was to see Bill bow his head and receive Jesus Christ as his Saviour.

The next day his wife Merri Ann came into my office and said she would like to know more about Bill’s decision.  After a wonderful conversation, I was able to lead her to the Lord as well.

Merri Ann’s growth has been a tremendous blessing.  Over the past two years she has attended the ladies Bible study taught by my wife, Terrie, and has exhibited a great desire to learn, grow and witness to others.

Several days ago, Merri Ann was taken to Cedar-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills with an acute infection.  Suddenly and unexpectedly, the infection spread throughout her body.

This past Wednesday, after driving to the Los Angeles area through Hollywood Hills to the hospital, I finally stepped into the elevator and went up to the seventh floor of the acute care building.  As the doors opened, Bill was there in the waiting area.  As I walked over to him he said, “Merri Ann is with the Lord.”

It was certainly a shock to hear those words, yet as we contemplate their meaning, it was a blessing to know that she had been saved two years ago.  Please pray for Bill and the entire family as they walk through this valley.  It is my desire that we might be a blessing and an encouragement to them.

I was scheduled to preach in Brisbane, Australia, in the early part of the coming week.  However, due to the funeral services, I have asked Pastor Lloyd if I may be excused from the National Leadership Conference in Australia in order to be here for this time of need.  I appreciate so very much Pastor Lloyd’s graciousness, and I’m confident that God will bless the meeting there at the Good Shepherd Baptist Church.

Finally, may each one of us remember the important need of witnessing and sharing the Gospel while there is time.  We never know when God may call a friend or loved one home.

Just over a week ago, I had the privilege of spending several hours with Dr. Don Sisk, as we waited for his dear wife, Virginia, to come through brain surgery. Mrs. Sisk had been told a few days prior that there was a tumor on her brain that would require removal.

Thousands of people around the world were praying and by the grace of God, the tumor has been removed and Mrs. Sisk has begun on the road to recovery.

Dr. Sisk has been a great motivating and mentoring influence in my life since 1991. As a former missionary to Japan and General Director for Baptist International Missions Incorporated, he has seen thousands of people saved literally around the world. He and Virginia have traveled to dozens of countries preaching the Gospel and encouraging missionaries.

The last several years they have been members here at Lancaster Baptist. I must say they are some of the sweetest members I have ever pastored! Dr. and Mrs. Sisk are faithful soulwinners and real Christians. So many times I meet people who feel they have come to a place in their lives or ministries when they can “take a pass” on the basic things of the Christian life. Dr. and Mrs. Sisk have remained faithful well into their seventies in the areas of soulwinning, tithing, forgiving, serving, and loving the Lord Jesus Christ.

We often talk about the “greatest generation.” When we do, we speak of the men and women who served in World War II and helped rebuild America during that era. I believe we must tip our hats today to those who have served the Lord in ministry during the same long period of their lives. Thank you, Dr. and Mrs. Sisk, for your faithfulness!

As 2006 passes, I wanted to take just one more moment to ponder one of the greatest friends God gave to me in my lifetime. I first met Mark Lawrence when his dad Bill, a member of our church, took me hunting at Mark’s ranch in Oregon. What was meant to be a hunting trip turned out to be a great time of Bible study, late night discussions, and the bonding of two hearts in friendship. Mark and his dear family were like medicine to my soul in the midst of a very busy season in ministry.

Over the years, Mark began to spend much of his time here in Lancaster going soulwinning with us and helping to do the work of the ministry.

Through time, the Lord began to open doors for him in Oregon, and during the last few years he pastored the First Baptist Church of John Day while operating his ranch at the same time.

Mark was one of the most faithful soulwinners I have ever met. He rarely met anyone without telling them about the Lord Jesus Christ. He would often come into my office with tears in his eyes, burdened for the lost.

This past summer, I joined Mark and his family and Dr. David Gibbs and their family as I had the privilege to perform the wedding ceremony between Mark’s daughter, Janelle, and Dr. Gibbs’ son, JD. What a joyous occasion it was! The ceremony was conducted on the ranch, and it was a thrill to see this young couple, who are students at West Coast Baptist College, join together in holy matrimony.

A few days after this wonderful occasion, God called Bro. Mark home. Because Mark had grown up in Lancaster, we conducted a funeral service here at Lancaster Baptist. The auditorium was packed with friends and loved ones testifying to the joy and love of Mark Lawrence. Still stunned at the loss, I traveled to Oregon where I preached the funeral service there. Once again, hundreds of people gathered, many in blue jeans and cowboy hats, to remember a great man. Thankfully, several people accepted Christ as their Saviour at that particular service.

One of my new year’s resolutions is to be thankful for friends in the ministry and to be a better friend to them myself. Mark had written me dozens of handwritten notes and called me nearly every week simply to say he was praying for me. I miss him, and I look forward to seeing him with our Saviour again.