Preview of upcoming blog about being a former IFB member

I grew up attending Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches.

I attended a college which was IFB in its atmosphere.

When I was 32, I began attending a church that could be deemed either Independent Fundamental Church of America or, perhaps more appropriately, non-denominational.

Currently, I attend a Regular Baptist Church.

When I eventually move back to Texas, I plan to attend either a Southern Baptist Church or a non-denominational Bible Church.

After years of being led to believe necklaces on men were girlie, today I consistently wear one of three: a dog-tag-style one honoring my German heritage, a medallion with leather string to honor my time spent studying Chinese and leather string with a cross made from horse ties. I plan to add several more necklaces.

Soon, I will write an essay about the how and why and will decide if it needs to be two or three parts.

Stay tuned…

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Quality versus quantity

In my life, I’ve known several Christians who died long before they reached a ripe old age. Terry was in his early to mid 30s, and left behind a wife and young daughter. April was in her mid to late 40s and left behind a husband and teenage sons. Then there was the close friend whose brother-in-law–a missionary–was killed after being struck by a drunk driver.

We also remember that William Borden, who forsook his claim to the Borden Dairy empire to become a missionary to Muslim Chinese, died at 25. And in the Bible, Enoch was called to heaven at a relatively young age. Jesus was crucified and resurrected at around 33. I remember at one time in Scripture He told His disciples he still had much more to teach them, but they weren’t able to receive it yet.

The natural thing to wonder is: why would God allow all of these to have such short lives? Couldn’t they have done even more for Christianity if they’d lived longer?

I don’t even pretend to know the answer, but I do feel it boils down to this: quality versus quantity.

Some people live into their nineties but do absolutely nothing for the Lord while some who die young left behind a legacy of ministering, encouraging, praying, teaching, giving.

For me, it’s a reminder that the time to serve the Lord is NOW.

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My Bible bid bites the dust

A few hours ago, someone again outbid me for the NKJV New Open Bible I wanted.

After some thought, I chose not to bid further.

There comes a time when you reach your limit. And, of course, it always seems odd how you place a bid and somebody immediately outbids you. I wonder sometimes if the seller will set up a fake I.D. to try to drive up the price.

Yes, I really wanted this Bible, but I just felt it was getting too expensive to continue bidding on. And, if this makes any sense, it no longer felt right. Lately I’ve grown to trust my intuition more and more. Besides, one friend told me the Bible’s also on sale at Amazon. Used but reasonable.

I imagine some reading this from the confines of an Independent Fundamental Baptist church would simply say “Tsk! Tsk!” and admonish me for bidding on a New King James Bible. God didn’t want you to have such a sinful Bible, they might say. That’s why He allowed someone else to outbid you! Repent NOW, sinner!!!

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Bidding on a Bible

So, I am currently bidding on a Bible on Ebay. I figure it beats bidding on a leftover piece of French toast Justin Bieber ate or, as “Weird Al” Yankovic described in his song “Ebay”, William Shatner’s old toupee.

This Bible is a New King James New Open Study Bible. I like the NKJV, and I am very fond of the New Open Study Bible. They apparently aren’t printed anymore and, when you can find them, aren’t cheap.

Case in point: I once saw a brand-new KJV NOSB, and the buy-it-now option was for about $300.

So now, I wait to see if I get this Bible. Lots of cool notes (did you know that the ancient Assyrians NEVER mentioned their military defeats in their official records–only their victories?). And lots of sentimental value.

I used to have a KJV NOSB. It was given to me as a high school graduation gift from my pastor. I used it at college and had lots of ministerial autographs in it. Also lots of Bible notes and, most importantly, the names of those whom I’ve led to the Lord.

And then, it was stored in the basement of a dump we lived in. The sump pump failed, and the basement flooded. The Bible was ruined. I was upset for weeks.

Will my bid be the winner? I’ll find out tomorrow night.

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