The Foray

When Disaster Falls -- What Then?

I have to confess that, as a father of four, the prospect of a sinking America is particularly distressing. More than that, it's heartbreaking!

Sometimes I look at how much our society has decayed since I was a child, and I'm simply stunned! I find I haven't the words to express my astonishment and grief.

Do you know what I'm talking about? Of course you do! 

I find myself wondering how much more decay our nation can possibly withstand, and still be "our nation"? I wonder how much more decadent, indecent, and profane "life in America" can actually become? I wonder what will be left of the nation I know and love when my kids are my age?

I mean, let an apple rot long enough, and eventually, there won't be an apple left.

Want to know what I think? [IF YOU DON'T, STOP READING NOW!!!]

Unless God in mercy sends true revival, the United States is headed for disaster. Our rank godlessness is going to catch up with us. It already is!

When disaster falls, what then? Specifically, what then for Christians living in America?

Professor Vern Poythress answers in the link below. What he says is pretty sobering, but I think he's right. See what you think. (Don't worry. It's a brief article.)

http://www.worldmag.com/articles/13793

Greg

Thanks for Your Feedback

I deeply appreciate all of you who took the time to share your thoughts concerning "The Foray's" future. Some of you published comments here; others spoke to me personally. Everyone was very kind.

In fact, while reading last Saturday's Times-Free Press, I noticed that someone even penned a letter to the editor on "The Foray's" behalf. WOW!

Okay ... I made that up.

But, hey! Let's keep it going.

Thanks all!

Greg

"The Foray" -- A Milestone and Evaluation

You're looking at "Foray" Post #101.

When I launched "The Foray" back in December, I began with THE question inquiring minds wanted to know: "Why?"

Here was my response:

A fair question with a simple answer: Because I want to try to get some new and improved communication lines up at Middle Valley Baptist! After more than 20 years of "church ministry" in various contexts, I've found communication to be a perennial and daunting challenge. Hopefully, "The Foray" will help.

But why call it "The Foray"? Another fair question. The dictionary defines a 'foray' as "a venture or an initial attempt, especially outside one's usual area, e.g., an actor's 'foray' into politics." I can't think of a title that better sums up what this is! Whether "The Foray" materializes into anything more than an 'initial attempt' will depend on at least 2 things (under God): My ability -- limited as it is -- to pull off something good here, AND your interest -- whether anybody at Middle Valley Baptist takes notice.

So, in the coming days, be on the lookout for a "wintry mix" (since it's cold outside!) of news about MVBC, upcoming plans, new ideas, "out loud" thinking, comments, humor, insights, observations, etc. If you like what you see here, spread the word; if not, say nothing ... and "The Foray" will go away. (It even rhymes!)

Blessings all!

You can tell from the second paragraph that I was concerned about "my ability" to keep "The Foray" going (hence, the name!). More than a hundred posts later, I guess I can now say that I've succeeded in keeping it going. But I had another concern, namely, "your interest." Would anyone actually read "The Foray"? Well, the stats reveal that, as of March '08, "The Foray" is receiving an average of a little more than 40 views a day.

Is that a success? Uh ... I'm not sure.

Writing is something I enjoy, and "The Foray" is no exception. But it does take TIME. From the scant few "Comments" to my posts, I can't really tell if what I'm writing is proving helpful (although occasionally I bump into someone who mentions that he/she enjoys "The Foray"). So, I'm evaluating things, and deciding on what to do -- whether to keep going OR just let "The Foray go away" (per the rhyme). I'll let you know what I decide.

But a big THANKS to you who haved stopped by here regularly!

Greg

A Brief Foray Hiatus

Well, here I am: only hours from heading across "the big pond" (as that great theologian, Andy Taylor of Mayberry, called it).

If the Lord wills, I'll return with stories and maybe even a changed life.

So much about this journey testifies to the sovereignty of God. That I'm even making this trip is a real shocker because I'm not exactly what you'd call a "world traveler" (although as I tell people, "I have been to Pigeon Forge a few times."). When the Lord brought James and Janie Ghaffari to our church last year, little did I know that they would be instrumental in my getting acquainted with Compassion International (www.compassion.com) and also in my beginning to travel, first to upstate New York, and now to east Africa to see Christ's work among the poor there and to meet a young man named Tilahun and another young man named Arefayne! I'm profoundly grateful for this.

But back to God's sovereignty: the"why" of this trip puzzles me, quite honestly. If you knew the details of how it all came about, you'd know (from my side of things) why I absolutely, positively KNOW that I am meant to go. To use biblical language, God foreordained this experience (sneak a peak at Eph 1:11). But why? Only he knows right now! It is for me to find out, as best as I'll be able to understand.

Please know that every prayer you pray on my behalf in these next few days will be very deeply appreciated. Pray with me that I won't be so thick-headed as to miss what I should see. Pray that I will be deeply affected "on the inside of who I am," for the praise of our triune God. All I hope and really want is for the Lord to bring glory to his name and tremendous good from what is about to happen.

Please know, my dear church and friends, that I love you all and that you will definitely be in my prayers.

Blessings all! And to God be the glory!

Greg

"Deep Scale Cleaning"

If you ever hear those words coming from your dentist, here's my 8-part advice:

1. Chide yourself for ever putting yourself in such a position as to need a D.S.C.
2. Dig deep into your wallet (very deep, if you're unfortunate enough not to have a dental plan).
3. Prepare to suffer through a total of 22 shots in your mouth, mercifully spread out over 2 visits.
4. Tell yourself on a stake of Bibles that you will NEVER go through this again.
5. Lean back in the chair, open wide, and abandon all your dignity.
6. GIT-R-DONE!
7. Suck chicken broth through a straw for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the next 2 days.
8. Emerge a humbler human being who WILL take better care of your teeth.

Greg

Blessed Beyond Measure!

We truly were!

Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity of participating in this mission conference. And thank you for the amazing heart for missions that you've put in the people of Mile Straight. Bless them, their wonderful pastors (Tom and Al), and all their ministries!

Greg

Hard to Believe!

The mission conference at Mile Straight ends tomorrow night. Wow! It's gone quickly. At least, it has seemed so to me. My listeners may think otherwise. But I hope not.

This much I know: God has helped me in my preaching. We preachers know when this happens, and when it doesn't. Preaching is "pure exhilaration" when God is enabling, but a "public execution" when (it seems) he isn't.

You may think that hearing a "bad sermon" is hard on you, and no doubt it is. But I can assure you: A "bad sermon" is even harder on a preacher. How do I know? Because I've listened to "bad sermons" and I've preached "bad sermons." I'd rather hear them than speak them.

Trust me: You would too!

Anyhow, thank you to all who've "prayed your pastor" through this conference. God heard and answered.

Greg

We're Off and Running!

The Mission Conference at Mile Straight Baptist is off and running. Wow, are those folks ever invested in mission! I understood one of their pastors to say yesterday morning from the pulpit that the church gave over $132,000 to missions last year. "Of course," he then added rather apologetically, "we hope to give a lot more this year." Again, wow!

And these brothers and sisters also love to SING! They do like my old baseball coaches use to tell the pitchers: "Turn loose, and let 'er fly!" It's been "no holding back" when it has come to music time in this conference.

So far, we've looked at "Why Mission?" and "Why We Should Praise God for His Missionary Heart." Tonight, it's "The Mission Plan" from Acts 1:8.

Thanks for praying for this conference. Three "missionary families" are sitting in the congregation as well, and I especially hope they're encouraged in their work. One of these families is heading to the mission field for the first time. 2 of these 3 families (I think) have little ones.

I also heard good things about our services yesterday, with Mickey preaching in the A.M. and Zach in the P.M. I'm glad for the ministry of Middle Valley Baptist and excited about a growing and deepening future in the work of the Lord.

Greg

Mmm ... Feedback ... Good!

In my former life as a bluegrass banjo player, feedback was BAD! It meant that somebody wasn't running the P.A. system properly (hence, the eardrum-piercing squeal through the speakers).

But, when it comes to the Foray, mmm ... feedback ... GOOD!

Thanks to all of you who are commenting on this and that. And thanks especially for letting others know about the Foray. The more it gets read, the longer it'll hang around.

Remember, the Foray IS my "humble attempt to communicate" ... and it IS a foray!

Pigmentary Dispersion Syndrome

That's what they call it. That's what I've got.

The doctor tells me that it's a form of glaucoma. I've got it in both eyes, but the left one is giving the doctors the most concern. I had a second eye surgery on this eye this past Monday, and emerged with a swollen, sore, and red eye (a rather pleasing red though; I think our culture has conditioned us to regard red eyes as ugly, but is that really fair? I ask you: How beautiful would autumn leaves be without the color red?).

Why am telling you this? So that if I should act like I don't see you sometime, you'll know that I'm not acting.

Actually, I've not experienced any significant vision loss that I can tell, but I do need to keep an eye on this (pardon the pun).

Greg