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13 Jan

January 13, 2009 |

Ron Ramsey, Bishop

A few weeks ago I suggested that you read the book “Prayer Coach” and that we begin a discussion around the ideas of that book. It has been longer than I intended, but at last here is my first post about this matter of prayer and coaching others to pray.
Before we get any further, be thinking: do you have a daily plan for spending time with God? Because I’d like to hear about it.
To introduce the subject, I want to begin with an example. 
Many years ago, probably around 1985, I developed the habit of reading five Psalms and five  Proverbs every day. I either heard or read years ago that Billy Graham follows this practice. 
While I was attending a convention representing Scripture Press, I found in another exhibitor’s booth a little book called “31 Day of Wisdom & Praise,” which has long since become out of print. This little booklet structures my Psalms/Proverbs reading. Each day I read five Psalms, and they are spaced 30 apart. For example:
  • On Day One of a new month I read Psalm 1, 31, 61, 91 and 121, and Proverbs 1. 
  • On Day Two, I read Psalm 2, 32, 62, 92 and 122, and Proverbs 2.
Today, January 13, I read Psalm 13, 43, 73, 103 and 132, and Proverbs 13.
As I read each day, regardless of how many times I have read it, I find new and exciting things that God seems to be saying to me. Even in personal times of deep disturbances of my heart, God has spoken to me with comfort and help. 
Yesterday I read Psalm 12:8, a verse I have read many times, yet this verse seemed to describe our culture. Listen:

The wicked freely strut about
when what is vile is honored among men.

Boy, is that true or what? Sin is being honored in our society and wicked people strut about. It is getting more and more pronounced. Wow! What a verse. Nearly every day I find a passage that speaks to me in a way that it has never spoken to me before. After all, if it is the Living Word, that is what we should expect. Is it not?
I follow the reading with a time of prayer. And I have adopted the pattern in my private prayer life to talk to God as I would talk to you. I would say that my private prayer is more of a dialogue with God than a “formal” prayer. I talk to him as a friend. In the past I have written my prayer out in a journal. For some reason I have not done that these past three years.
Now, I say all of this not to have you follow my plan but to ask a simple question: What is your prayer plan? Our prayer lives are lacking to the degree we have no consistent plan. If I skip a day or two or three or four etc., I really miss the time with God. 
So, I’d like to hear about your plan. Caution: don’t make something up to impress me. I’m not the one you have to impress. Post something in the comments (my preference, so others can see it), or use the “Contact” tab on the right to send me an email.

12 Jan

January 12, 2009 |

chavez_300.jpg

On January 9, Juanita Chavez was elected superintendent of Honduras National Conference. She is the first woman elected to the highest office of any United Brethren national conference.

She succeeds Francisco Raudales, who has held that position since 1996.

Here are some items of interest about Rev. Chavez:

  • Juanita was called to the ministry under the preaching of Archie Cameron. At the time, she was attending Ebenezer UB church in La Ceiba, Honduras.
  • Juanita was among the first nine students in the Bethel Institute in 1971, and one of the four students in its first graduating class.
  • She became director of the Honduras Bible Society in La Ceiba.
  • She served Honduras Conference as director of Church Services and as director of the Bethel Bible Institute.
  • In 1998, Juanita became pastor of the Ebenezer UB church in La Ceiba. 
  • Juanita was named one of four outstanding Christian leaders in La Ceiba (Archie Cameron was one of the others).
  • Juanita and her husband, Carlos, have been married for nearly 40 years.

Some of Juanita’s story is told in Tio Archie, the story of Archie Cameron and the development of Honduras Conference. Follow the link below for an edited excerpt specifically about Juanita Chavez.

(more…)

12 Jan

January 12, 2009 |

Josh Kesler, pastor of Good Shepherd UB (Huntington, Ind.), reports: “As a break from the normal and an opportunity to combine our two services into one for a celebration of Christ’s birth, Good Shepherd rented the North Star Civic Center for our December 12 Christmas service.
“Weather was rough, but the Spirit was strong. It was a powerful service where two people made decisions to become followers of Jesus Christ for the first time. Nineteen other people made decisions to place Christ first in their life once again. It was an exciting time in the life of our church.”

12 Jan

January 12, 2009 |

Darwin Dunten, pastor of First UB (Findlay, Ohio), sent this Christmas-related information.
Findlay First UB gave out gift packets to the local prisoners in the county jail. The gift packets included socks, a pocket New Testament, a small candy bar, and a stamped Christmas card to send home to their family.
We also adopted a single mother who had cancer.
After Christmas, (the 26th) a group headed to Mexico to celebrate the Mexican Christmas with boxes filled with clothing, toys, and school supplies. They returned January 3.

12 Jan

January 12, 2009 |

Al Carter, pastor of West Pleasant Hill UB church (Rockbridge, Ohio), reports: “The youth at our church presented a short play called “Not the Last Straw.” It lead into a sharing of the Lord’s Supper. We had (by my count) at least 12 people who were normally not in our services.
“We also met at Pastor Al and Linda’s house for the New Years cellebration where we ushered in the new year with a candlelight and prayer vigil.”

12 Jan

January 12, 2009 |

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

We have a new Superintendent in Honduras. Juanita Chavez was elected on January 9 during the annual conference. It was a privilege for me to kneel with her at the altar and pray for God’s blessing as she assumes this responsibility.

During the conference a strategic plan was presented and approved that focuses on a number of significant outcomes and indications of church health. Juanita Chavez had a major part in the formation of the plan as a member of the leadership team and so it will be exciting to see her implement it in the coming years.

The conference is very excited to be named host for the 2010 General Conference and some very gifted people have already made themselves available to assist in the planning and preparation.

12 Jan

January 12, 2009 |
  • Bishop Emeritus Wilber Sites, Jr., came home from the hospital on Sunday. 
  • Harold Wust, a former UB missionary and former associate director of Missions, has been diagnosed with leukemia. He and his wife live in Huntington, Ind. Today, he begins aggressive treatment in the oncology center at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind. He’ll be there for an extended time. 
  • Gary Reiber, pastor of Union Chapel (Fort Wayne, Ind.), remains in Fort Wayne’s Parkview Hospital after a serious bout with Toxic Shock Syndrome. On Friday, doctors operated on his knee to remove bad tissue and some infection. He’ll be on an IV with antibiotics for three weeks. The knee will need to be reopened today or tomorrow. 

12 Jan

January 12, 2009 |

Found on the internet, in an obituary: “They are consistent members of the United Brethren church and he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.”

It’s always amusing when stuff like this surfaces.

09 Jan

January 9, 2009 |

Bishop Emeritus Wilber Sites, Jr., has improved greatly since Wednesday. He was suffering from congestive heart failure which is now being managed and is under control, and he is headed the right direction. The other complication was an upper respiratory infection (rather than the suspected double pneumonia). The family
greatly appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers at this time, as well as the graciousness of God in Wilber’s life.