There are some matters that must wait.
The recognition of Charles last week as England’s king, complete with pomp, tradition, and glamour, provided a vivid contrast to the failure of the people to recognize King Jesus who came to his own but his own did not receive him (John 1:11). Those observations will have to wait.
Last week Deputy Katie Leising, 29, died in the line of duty in an exchange of gunfire as she attempted to enforce the law against a drunk driver. The 34-year-old man drew a handgun and killed Deputy Leising. This is the second female LEO murdered in the last month on a roadside encounter. Officer Emily Breidenbach, 32, died April 8 at the hands of the male she encountered in the line of duty. I ask again, “Why do we require women to subdue violently opposed men?” More discussion on that question also must wait.
Pastor Chris Pitts and I are at Parkside Church for a few days this week, attending the Basics Conference, hosted by Alistair Begg and the church where he serves. The church began the conference in the early 2000s, but this is the first opportunity I’ve had to attend.
When we moved to Minnesota nearly 23 years ago, I stumbled across Truth For Life on the AM dial and heard Begg preach. Though we’ve never met, he’s been a faithful friend to me. Pastors need preaching to.
Pastor Chris and I are here because our church thinks it’s important for us to be challenged, encouraged, and taught by the Word of God. From your pastors, thank you for making our trip possible both by your giving and your encouragement to spend the time away from our families and ministry responsibilities.
The conference’s theme provides a prompt for how you might pray for us.
Faithful servants - O Lord, by your word, encourage our pastors to remain steadfast to our Lord and their callings. Remind them to put a watch over their lives so as never to dishonor you.
Foolish message - O Lord, by your word, affirm to our pastors the wisdom of God in the foolishness of the gospel. Grant that they will always preach to us only and fully the whole counsel of God even when those who hear them call them fools.
Fearful world - O Lord, by your word, burden our pastors to equip us to hold out the person and work of Jesus as the only hope for all that troubles every man, woman, and child.
You can follow along at basicsconference.org
As always, thanks for reading, and I welcome your feedback and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.