RUNNING COMMENTARY -- Latest March 2 -- The Tide Has Turned -- Sad, SAD Days

My denomination (PCUSA) is currently voting by presbyteries (districts) on whether or not to ordain to ministry practicing, unrepentant homosexuals. The vote is currently 45-30 in favor of changing the long accepted ordination standards. Meanwhile, a group of pastors of large PCUSA churches has described the denomination as "deathly ill". Here a news note from a blog that reveals the illness:

Are we more outraged over what might happen to undocumented illegal immigrants than we are outraged over what is happening right now to our children? Does child pornography, the sexual exploitation of children and the taking of the Lord’s name in vain not raise our ire? All of these are condemned by the social witness policy of the PCUSA and yet denominational leadership, which is vociferous in its outrage over immigration, is deafeningly silent about the broadcasting of child sex acts.

Sad day in our Presbyterian history.

This quote I saw on the net says a lot:

The votes on Amendment 10-A are growing very close with 10-A ahead at the moment. There is a kind of bravery that, perhaps unintentionally, lends itself to darkness in the face of such a victory for sin.

Meanwhile, U.S. states are in turmoil amid massive protests over state debt and the means to stop the economic bleeding. Countries the globe over are experiencing violent dissent and uprisings. Greed on all sides runs rampant. Sad day for us all.

Making things even worse...think about these facts: 50% of the world's hospitalization are water-related illnesses; 2.5 billion people do not have adequate water sanitation facilities; 800 million people do not have access to clean water; and worse -- 1.5 MILLION CHILDREN DIE OF WATER-RELATED ILLNESSES EVERY YEAR! And we pay pro athletes millions upon millions annually AND we pay college coaches millions. Wonder what God thinks of our priorities? Sad day for millions of kids!

And check out this site: http://www.reclaimbiblicalteaching.org/ord_standards/Bailey_on_G6b.pdf

The PCUSA's race to approve the ordination of practicing homosexuals is spitting in the face of Jesus!

March 2, 2011

Then this, from Naming His Grace by Viola Larson, March 3, 2011:

One of the more troubling aspects of the possibility of Amendment 10-A winning in the Presbyteries is the thought that some are voting yes because they are weary of the battle over GLBT ordination standards. And in fact this was one of the issues that Sacramento’s presenter for 10-A brought up. That is the need to get beyond all of the conflict and simply do mission. Those Presbyterians who feel this way have no knowledge of the monstrosity waiting out beyond the boundaries of gay ordination and same gender marriage.
…
So the monstrosity that will enter the church with the passage of 10-A is a worldview founded in deviant sexuality with an emphasis on justice as it grows out of such sexuality. Combined with such a worldview is a pagan view of spirituality that insists that all sexuality is a door and connecter to God. A yes to 10-A will almost immediacy set aside the authority of Scripture and even the Confessions, it will eventually sit aside God’s revelation in Jesus Christ.

To lay aside this battle is to enter a far bigger one which can only end in a denomination shattered in every direction. And rightfully so-it will be the judgment of God. It can only end with the sheep of God’s pasture wounded and wandering. How can anyone refuse to be bothered by the very battle which belongs to God’s calling?

China Date Farm (Near Death Valley)

The China Date Farm is 30 miles from the Nevada and California border, in CA only a stone's throw from Death Valley. It looks like Death Valley. You drive down a cavern miles long to enter the lush oasis where the date farm is located in the middle of nowhere!

Date tree with hanging dates. Farm produces 30,000 lbs of dates annually, majority of which are Iraqi dates.

Helen outside shop where we buy date shakes.

Info on dates.

Friend Floyd and Larry.

Our friends Floyd and Rubye,fulltime RVers from Texas.

Many variety of dates grown at China Date Farm.


Also grow cacti in many varieties.

Surrounded on three sides by mountains.

Pahrump, Nevada

We're settled in in Pair-a-Dice Escapees RV park in Pahrump. Warm days, cool nights.Pahrump only got electricity in 1963. Kinda seedy town, but many amenities. Thank the good luck we have a fine Walmart. (Just a note: cost of bottle of UV Auto Conditioner at RV store = $20. At Walmart, same bottle $6.95. Go figure.)

We're going with friends Floyd and Rubye to UMC church this morning. Worshiped there in the past. Monday we four are off to Death Valley and the China Date Farm. Later in the week to Scotty's Castle in DV. Lots to see in the area.

Pictures later. Blessings, Larry

Four Days Until We Escape the Cold!

Sunday morning, February 6, we will pull out of Ambassador RV Resort (our residence since August, 2010) and head south. Three days later we'll set up 'camp' at Pair-a-Dice RV park in Pahrump, Nevada. Pahrump is on the Nevada/California border, so we will be only 20 miles from Death Valley where we enjoy sightseeing, going to Scotty's Castle and the China Date Farm among other sites.

This Saturday at the meeting of Boise Presbytery I will be received into membership, transferring from Greater Atlanta Presbytery. Presently I'm in limbo between the two.

We will return to Ambassador RV Resort here in the greater Boise area in mid-July, coming back a bit earlier than usual because I'm preaching at Covenant church (Helen's church)the last two Sundays in July, covering for the two pastors who will be away. Then, in the fall, I'm teaching a SS class on the parables, mirroring the pastors' sermon series on the Parables of Jesus.

I've turned down an invitation to serve as the Interim Pastor in a southern Mississippi town and, too, a southern Arizona town. Going to work at an office every day, visiting hospitals, directing a staff, preparing new sermons every week, etc., just doesn't appeal to me...but who knows, maybe later if God prompts me. More importantly, I really enjoy being 'fed' from the pulpit and just being "one of the guys" at church.

I'm really looking forward to playing the Mountain Falls Golf Course in Pahrump, NV. It's a beautiful, manicured course lined by desert sand. I can play there after two p.m. for $25. Otherwise, it's nearly $70!

This morning we woke up to "NO HOT WATER!" Seems one of the pipes is frozen or blocked. I have an electric heater running in the storage bin near the pipes and, as a friend suggested, the furnace is set on 80. Hopefully, the lines will break loose in a couple hours and we'll have hot water again. Plenty of cold water, but I'm hanging for hot water in the shower!

We are hosting some pastor friends and spouses this Wednesday and going out for dinner Thursday evening with good friends here in the park. We'll get together with Anna and the girls before we leave Idaho.

Looking forward to seeing our good friends, Floyd and Rubye, in Nevada in a few days, and likely visiting other friends in Arizona.

We are very blessed...and grateful. Blessings, Larry