Most New Zealanders speak English, with a modified British accent to American ears, although Maori is also enjoying a revival among the growing indigenous population. One-third of the nation lives in Auckland -- NZ's counterpart to New York City -- and one of them in five came there from some other part of Asia or the Pacific. By far the country's largest and most cosmopolitan city, Auckland's 1.3 million residents sprawl from Waitemata Harbor on the Pacific Ocean to Manukau Harbor on the Tasman Sea. Auckland appropriately calls itself "The City of Sails" -- its harbors' dancing waters sparkle … [Read more...]
KEEN ON KIWI-LAND (2)
This was a working vacation to New Zealand, in which I averaged almost one presentation per day. On successive Sunday mornings I preached at Titirangi Baptist Church (pastor Jonathon Weir) and at Owairaka Baptist Church (pastors Bruce Hilder and Carl Josephson), sharing three points from John 3:13-17 -- that God desires to save people, not to condemn them; that he saves believers through the merits and for the sake of Jesus Christ; and that the alternative to eternal life is, indeed, to perish. Sunday evenings saw advertised public meetings at Remuera Baptist Church (pastor Warren Prestidge) … [Read more...]
PRAISE ON THE HIGH PLAINS
February 2000 -- Joyful praises ascended to God in songs and prayers from the Texas plains this weekend as some 90-100 men from Broadway and Vandelia Churches of Christ, St. Luke's and Aldersgate Methodist Churches, a Bible church, an Hispanic Baptist church and a Worldwide Church of God -- all in Lubbock, Texas -- joined in a spiritual feast of worship, fellowship and ministry of the Word. I was privileged to deliver four messages from the Bible at the multi-church men's retreat, conducted at Plains Baptist Center, in a sequestered canyon on the Caprock (high plains) of West Texas. God not … [Read more...]
‘RECHARGED’ AT DOUBLEHEAD
October 1999 -- One can hardly imagine a venue more conducive to spiritual "recharge" than the picturesque Doublehead Resort, located alongside Wilson Lake amidst 1100 acres of towering pines and hardwoods between Decatur and Florence, Ala. A gentle and much-needed rain throughout the weekend highlighted the comfort of the 5,000 square foot central lodge and lakeside log cabins, where I joined about 30 men from the Seven Mile Post Road Church of Christ (7MPRC) in my hometown of Athens, Ala. for 15 waking hours of Bible teaching, worship, testimonies and prayer. The rain also reminded us of … [Read more...]
MINISTRY IN MALIBU & LONG BEACH
April/May 1999 -- Sara Faye and I returned home to Houston on Monday evening following a week of physical and spiritual refreshment that included the Annual Bible Lectures at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, weekend visits with several relatives, and Sunday ministry with the Church of Christ in Long Beach. These were six days of praise and worship, Bible study and some of the richest Christian fellowship to be found on this earth. To imagine a worship session at Pepperdine, think of 6,000 believers accustomed to a cappella singing, meeting in a university gymnasium, lifting the … [Read more...]
A GARDEN OF PRAISE
July 1998 -- The crepe myrtle is blooming in Limestone County, Alabama, and so are the plantings of God's spiritual garden. This was the land of my birth and youth, the home of my Fudge ancestors since about 1805. Nestled midway between Birmingham and Nashville, the fertile Appalachian plain is nourished by the Tennessee and Elk Rivers, by Big Creek and a multitude of sparkling streams. But God's Holy Spirit watered our souls this weekend, as the River of Life flowed out from the heavenly throne, growing deeper as it went, bringing life to all that it touched (Ezek. 48:1-12). What a feast … [Read more...]
A LITTLE TASTE OF HEAVEN
April 1998 -- When I visualize the New Heavens and New Earth, part of it looks a lot like Birmingham, Alabama in the Spring. Verdant mountains covered with old growth hardwood trees and adorned with luxuriant azaleas have it all over golden streets in this man's imagination. Then there are the people. These are special people, to be sure -- disciples of Jesus who make up the Campus Church of Christ where I was privileged to speak four times on Saturday and again on Sunday morning. There were Frank and Lila Sutton, my gracious hosts, and hosts to countless others through the years who for a … [Read more...]
EARLY MORNING SPRING
Now that Springtime 1997 has come to Houston, I am trying a new exercise regimen. Rather than walking in the evening, I like to face the outdoors head-on at about 6:00 a.m. My neighborhood trek takes about an hour and covers three miles. The first mile is thoroughly residential. The next passes a couple of schools separated by soccer fields and baseball diamonds, then fades into open road surrounded by the Gulf Coast version of woods. The final mile completes an approximate circle through a different residential area and back home. At 6:00 a.m., God's world is on fresh display. I meet very … [Read more...]
REFRESHMENT IN THE ROCKIES
September 1997 -- It is 6:30 a.m. and the camp bell announces wake-up in the Rockies. Three hundred feet from my cabin window, the cold waters of Pine Creek sing their unending song. This crisp Montana morning the thermometer indicates high 40's. I step outside to take in the view. The steep mountain peaks, dressed in fir, protect us in a tight circle. Elk roam these forests, and deer. Bears as well, and wildcats, along with raccoons and squirrels and other smaller creatures. Humans are the interlopers in this ancient and venerable scene. Some 50 adults and half that many children have made … [Read more...]
WITNESSING GOD WORK IN LONGVIEW
September 1997 -- This weekend I had the privilege of ministering the Word as guest of the Northside Church of Christ in Longview, Texas. Located southeast of Dallas and southwest of Texarkana, this spread-out town of approximately 70,000 is pleasantly situated among green rolling hills reminiscent of Middle Tennessee, which I consider the epitome of "God's country." Preaching minister Steve Barrett and wife Valorie serve the congregation with enthusiasm and devotion, and the brothers and sisters who compose this multi-gifted church also exercise mutual ministry with cheerful fervor and … [Read more...]
