We had a wonderful Wednesday in the Word. Both classes were both receptive and responsive to the Word of God. Wednesday was an extremely full day for me. My day started with a weekly Pastor's breakfast, where we come together and discuss ministry and sometimes misery. It was an enjoyable time!
After that I went to the office to prepare for our noon day study. Attendance was low, but those that were there were very in tune with the lesson. God be praised!
When class was over, I got a call from the Mayor's office. We have had 7 shootings in the past few days, which has resulted in several deaths of young African American men, and the city government wants to sit down and come up with strategies to combat this violence. I was invited to attend a press conference with the media, the Mayor, the Police Chief, and the Prosecutor. I am anxious to sit at the table and work with them through this problem.
Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to teach our Sunday School lesson. I was at a reception for a group called "The Pact". This is a group of 3 young African American doctors from Newark, New Jersey, who vowed to each other that they would become doctors and make it off of the tough inner city streets. They talked to the youth of South Bend about the importance of staying in school. I had a chance to meet and talk with these men. It was a great experience.
I left there on my way back to church to teach Bible Study. Our lesson was from Romans 2:5-11. Last week, we discovered that God judges the hypocrite according to truth. This week we discovered that God also judges according to deeds. Our works don't save us, but they will condemn us! In these few verses Paul suggests that the hypocrite will be judged according to their actions, attitudes, and advantages. Judgment was promised to the Jew first and then to the Gentile. He says that because unto the Jews were committed the oracles of God. They had the Word! Their judgment was first, but would not be final because it extended itself to the Gentile as well. This was a great lesson that I enjoyed teaching!
My day ended on an extremely troublesome note, but nevertheless, God is faithful and worthy to be praised, so I shout GLORY TO HIS NAME!!!!
Pray for me and my family!
After that I went to the office to prepare for our noon day study. Attendance was low, but those that were there were very in tune with the lesson. God be praised!
When class was over, I got a call from the Mayor's office. We have had 7 shootings in the past few days, which has resulted in several deaths of young African American men, and the city government wants to sit down and come up with strategies to combat this violence. I was invited to attend a press conference with the media, the Mayor, the Police Chief, and the Prosecutor. I am anxious to sit at the table and work with them through this problem.
Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to teach our Sunday School lesson. I was at a reception for a group called "The Pact". This is a group of 3 young African American doctors from Newark, New Jersey, who vowed to each other that they would become doctors and make it off of the tough inner city streets. They talked to the youth of South Bend about the importance of staying in school. I had a chance to meet and talk with these men. It was a great experience.
I left there on my way back to church to teach Bible Study. Our lesson was from Romans 2:5-11. Last week, we discovered that God judges the hypocrite according to truth. This week we discovered that God also judges according to deeds. Our works don't save us, but they will condemn us! In these few verses Paul suggests that the hypocrite will be judged according to their actions, attitudes, and advantages. Judgment was promised to the Jew first and then to the Gentile. He says that because unto the Jews were committed the oracles of God. They had the Word! Their judgment was first, but would not be final because it extended itself to the Gentile as well. This was a great lesson that I enjoyed teaching!
My day ended on an extremely troublesome note, but nevertheless, God is faithful and worthy to be praised, so I shout GLORY TO HIS NAME!!!!
Pray for me and my family!
7 comments:
You, your ministry and your family are in my prayers. You have a special calling on your life that is unique to you. That calling comes with hardships. My charge to you Dr. Spoon, is to continue to do the work of the ministry.
I like what you are doing with the youth and the community. It saddens my heart to hear of the increase violence and I will make that a matter of prayer.
Keep up the good work!
God bless you brother.
Brother Pastor,
For what it's worth, you are a blessing to the church and community. BBC and SB our better places because of your priestly presence. Stay strong my brother.
Love Ya!!
Dr. Witherspoon, I just want you to know that I've been admiring your blog from afar, but just had to chime in on a subject thats very dear and personal to me. My brother-in-law was murdered in a driveby shooting in 2001, two weeks before his 21st birthday, and leaving behind a pregnant fiance who delivered the son he never saw 6 days later.
As a preacher, I have always felt that the people in the church aren't the onlys that need to hear the gospel message, but moreso those who are still in "the world."
Without attempting to stir the political embers, it has been my hope and prayer that should Barack Obama get elected that it will serve as a catalyst to energize our community, and give our young people some hope that things can change for them.
We must reach out to our youth and make them feel like vested partners in our churches, and in our communities. We must find a way to bring them to the table for dialogue, and find out what are their needs and aspirations. Then and only then, can we begin to effect change in their lives.
But, if we act like we're unconcerned then the killings will continue.
Pastor Witherspoon
Wonderful to hear our pastors are fellowshipping on regular basis.
I pray that our clergy and government can reason together and address the violence in our city.
Sounds like you pulled some nuggets from your Bible Study at BBC.
I will pray for you and you’re Family. The prayers of the righteous availith much.
GOD Bless all that you do!!!
Hey boy, you keep your head up. By the fact that the Mayor set up a meeting with you regarding the community, you are on your way to greater things in South Bend.
Keep pressing Revun!
Lance
A wise young preacher once told me, "preaching will get you in trouble and preaching will get you out." Keep on preaching Doc. If there is anything I can do for you please don't hesitate to let me know.
I would love to recieve an invitation to one of these breakfasts.You're buying. :)
Pastor be encouraged you and all that concerns you and ministry are in my prayers.
NIV 2 Corinthians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
Ron
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