First of all, I thought I'd post this photo of a page from my latest book, to put in perspective just how much writing I have done over the past 8 years or so. To see it listed out like this, makes me shake my head. And yet, it helps me know, I am well on my way in my 'Christian mission,' in much the same way that my grandmother would have described my grandfather's march as a real Christian soldier.
Don't get me wrong; I do not intend to be a pastor (though I have not ruled out chaplain), and although my grandfather began a mission as a minister, and that journey took twists and turns and strange traumatic experience after experience - he did not fulfill his mission to be a pastor the way he wanted to. But he did do it, the way God wanted him to. My grandmother wrote it down herself, in a book about the family heritage of Abbeville, SC; although he didn't get to serve an entire career as a minister like he set out to do, when he was old and gray, in a nursing home for veterans and the mentally ill, he still led Sunday School and chapel services for the nursing home, and served God on a special mission until the day he was hospitalized in a bed for good... so almost right up until death.
And although I have had much to do with the organization of my thoughts to page after page, especially regarding faith in Christ, I have prayed hard and often that God lead me on this mission; that my mission for Him is done for His glory - not mine.
Remember this: Ephesians 6:12
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
This is a battle that is not fought on the tangible battlefields you see in the historical epics like Braveheart, or Gladiator, or The Patriot. This is the battlefield for hearts and minds. If the words I put on a page or on a digital screen can make just one person stop and think about what Jesus did for them, I am doing my part to serve in the mission for Christ. My part is just one tiny, miniscule part. But what if believers everywhere, remember this verse, and remember what Jesus said to His followers before He left this world? What if we all strive to make disciples? Are you doing your part? Am I doing mine?
Well I will certainly try. My keyboard is just one of the weapons. Ha - reminds me of an old blog post I wrote about 'the keyboard or the AR 15;' I tend to be a lot better with the keyboard... odd coming from a police officer, I know. Reaching the hearts and minds, one student at a time; OPPORTUNITY is yet another weapon to take advantage of. Passing on the desire to do such, in whatever way produces the most fruit, is my goal. They say every mission has an objective; the mission is clearly stated in the book of Matthew.
Matthew 28:18-20 - 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
So like the old hymn says, "Onward Christian soldiers, marching off to war -
With the cross of Jesus, going on before!"
Choose your best weapon, and keep marching on.
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