Benny’s Blog

GOD DOESN’T HAVE ANY GRANDCHILDREN

Last weekend Sherri and I visited our son Benny, Kelli and their children. They just had their third child, a beautiful baby boy. Benny III is our fifth grandchild. Each of our grandchildren brings us such joy.

Sherri and I so enjoyed being with Elaina, Malia and Baby Benny. Meme (Sherri) was the perfect grandmother. She held the baby for hours. The girls were a pure delight. I loved every minute with them. There is nothing quite like having grandchildren.

But, as is often said, “God has no grandchildren, only children.” Think about this. How much joy does it bring to our Lord when we bring another soul to Him for salvation? Luke 15:7 says, “…there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” (NKJV)

If our children and grandchildren bring us so much joy, then should we not bring joy to the heart of God by bringing others to Christ?

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INTERIOR DECORATING

My sweetheart of 45 years is a wonderful interior decorator. She has given our children and me, and now our grandchildren, a beautifully decorated home all these years. However, last Saturday night I heard of a different style of interior decorating that moved me deeply.

Sherri and I had spent a wonderful evening with missionaries Michael and Lynne Chandler. Just before we dropped them off at their home Mike said, I want to tell you a quick story.

He said that several years ago he had been in a little mud house in the bush of Malawi, Africa. Mike noticed there was nothing on the walls of this most humble of homes. Well, he noticed there was almost nothing on the walls. He did see one small piece of paper placed on the wall. Upon inquiry he discovered a Light for the Lost tract. Someone had given one of the occupants a piece of Light for the Lost literature. That tract was the reason that individual and several family members had come to the Lord. The family so cherished that little piece of paper they made it the centerpiece of their lives and home.

I am grateful for a beautifully decorated home. However, how much more important is the purpose of that one little piece of paper?  The gospel must be the centerpiece of our lives.

Because of a single tract the occupants of that humble home will be the occupants of an eternal home provided by our Savior. Are we investing in any “eternal” interior decorating?

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SURPRISES!

We all love surprises! Surprises come in many different forms. When we were children we loved a surprise trip to the park or other exciting places. I always loved the surprise when Dad would take Mom and me to Dairy Queen to get a cone with the curl on top. There was nothing better in those days. As adults, we still love surprises, but they usually come packaged a bit differently now.

I recently had one of those unexpected surprises. I walked out of my office one morning and there to my surprise sat a very good friend, Pastor Armando Rodriguez. He and his wife Sonia, pastor Centro Cristiano AG in Rogers, Arkansas. There is a great story behind this church.

In 1993, Brother and Sister Rodriguez moved to Rogers to plant a new Hispanic church. Now, fast forward to 2010. The church has gone through several building programs and they currently worship in a beautiful new sanctuary. There is much to be said about this church, but let me tell you just part of it.

Pastor Rodriguez has a passion for missions. When I saw him outside my office, he had come to Springfield, along with Sergio and Ivan, to pick up missions supplies. This church is very generous in giving to spread the gospel around the world.

In 2009, Centro Cristiano AG was the number one giving church in the Gulf Latin American District to missions, but this church is not satisfied. They continue to increase their giving, even in the face of America’s current financial climate.

Even though the Lord of the Harvest is never surprised, wouldn’t it be wonderful if more of our Assemblies of God churches followed this example? Try it!!

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WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL IT MAKE?

Last week was a strategic week for our Missions Awareness Team. We spent much of the week strategizing for the work the team will be doing in the next several months.

Most of the world around us will never notice the meetings even occurred, nor will most notice the outcome of those meetings. So what happened that just might make a difference? The Missions Awareness Team will be going to Louisville, Kentucky in September to conduct missions training for many of the Kentucky pastors.

Some casual observers might say, “So what’s the big deal about that?” Let’s take a quick look. Most of the pastors who attend this day of instruction, training, and inspiration will return to their churches and have a missions convention within the next several months. Here is what will then happen. Those churches will be making faith commitments to missions for the next year. Their missions giving will be going to our AG missionaries who will in turn be reaching souls with the gospel.

For those reached with the Good News, this will make an eternal difference!

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RECONNECTED

Until last Friday evening it had been 24 years. I had almost given up hope that it would ever happen, but unexpectedly I received a phone call one Saturday evening several weeks ago. That call began the process that brought about the reconnection. 

I had not seen or heard from my first cousin Bob since 1986. Our careers went in different directions and we lost contact with each other. For years I searched for him to no avail and he had done the same. A few weeks ago Robin, his youngest daughter, was able to locate me.

Just days ago Bob and I were reunited. What a joyous occasion it was and for the first time ever I met his entire family. We talked into the night. The visit was too short, but we will stay connected.

As I left him on the way to the meetings I was to attend, I began to meditate on the events of the previous few hours.  The one I had searched for actually found me. This reminded me of when Jesus found us. What a reunion when each of us met our Savior!

When I was looking for Bob I searched in the wrong places. Then I thought of those who are looking for Jesus, but in the wrong places. Robin brought Bob and me back together. Jesus is ready to do the same for those who do not know our Lord. You and I can be the ones who help reconnect the lost to Jesus.

Think about it!

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BRIEF. . . YET A LIFETIME

It is a paradox. How can anything brief last a lifetime? Yet, that is exactly what my friendship with Joe Masten was. I said “was” because Joe went to be with the Lord this past weekend.

I met Pastor Joe Masten in late September of last year while speaking during the Light for the Lost tour in Nebraska. Joe asked that I stay in the city where he pastored every night possible. Every day that I was in his town during those two weeks Joe would take me to lunch or dinner. He was one of those individuals that a person is immediately drawn to. Every time, without exception, the conversation would turn to missions. Joe loved missions and missionaries. He taught his congregation what missions meant to the local church.

Joe’s family told me the best way to honor and remember him is by giving to the Fire Bibles fund. What a generous and great man!

The last time I saw Joe was when I concluded the Light for the Lost tour. Even though I have stayed in contact via emails and phone calls, my personal face-to-face interaction with Joe was just under a fortnight. Yet, that brief friendship will have an impact on me for the remainder of my life.

Let’s ask ourselves, “What kind of legacy are we going to leave behind?” How will you be remembered?

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IT’S BEEN TOO LONG

“Putting it off” is an easy thing to do. If not careful, procrastination can creep up on any of us. Or we simply “get busy” and don’t do something that should have been done. Well, I am here to tell you I am guilty. I cannot believe how long it has been since I last blogged. OOPS!

It has been a busy and wonderful spring. There are so many things I need to share with you and I will through future blogs and E-Newsletters.One quick thought on this subject. Do we find it easy to procrastinate when it comes to the great commission? Have you ever stopped to think when we don’t give in a missions offering “because we can’t afford it” how that might negatively impact the number of people who are in Heaven?

Let’s ask ourselves, “what am I doing today that will effect eternity for others?”

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WHAT CAN TEAMWORK ACCOMPLISH?

A football team is more than 11 individuals playing a “pick up” game. Planning, training and practice, along with top players at any level can, and usually does, create a winning team. 

Recently I saw a real team at work. I spent an afternoon with the Missions Awareness Team of the Gulf Latin American District (GLAD), led by Amos Garza. This team is more than just four regional leaders and the three executives. The GLAD team is made up of four men who lead their respective regions in missions development. Neftali Quintana leads the East Region, Jose Portillo the West Region, Armando Rodriguez heads up the North Region, and Rick Reyes the South Region. Also, serving on the team are three district executives namely, Superintendent Gary Jones, Secretary-Treasurer Alfred Vargas, and Assistant Superintendent Amos Garza. Reverend Garza also serves as the District Missions Director. 

This is not just a team of seven men, but each of them have equipped themselves for quality leadership. They regularly meet for planning and training to strengthen themselves as they facilitate the local churches in their regions. They are also committed to assisting the missionaries from the Gulf Latin American District. 

So what can teamwork accomplish? This team has set in motion the following:· FlashPoint where pastors and spouses are taught and trained in missions.·Missionary training where the Gulf Latin American District’s missionaries are brought together for training, equipping, and affirmation.·Fast Track Churches which commit themselves to certain areas of missions support. 

This is only a partial list of what teamwork has accomplished in the Gulf Latin American District. 

Ask yourself, “Am I a part of a team that is reaching the lost of the world?” 

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HOW OLD WAS HE?

A dear friend of mine recently went to be with the Lord. His name was Daniel James Franklin Mosier. The last time I talked to him his voice was still strong. He would often tell me how much he missed his wife Vera. Of course he had physical challenges, but he was always an encourager. 

He befriended many younger ministers. My friend Pastor Warren Harkins and I were two such ones. He meant so much to the two of us and when we conversed we always talked about our friend.  

Reverend Mosier was one of those giants in the Lord. He and I spent many hours together when he would visit his mother, who attended the church I pastored. He often told of his days as a tent evangelist when he preached to thousands every night during those crusades. He, though small of stature, was a giant among men. 

So how old was he when he passed away? In years he was 92 years young, but in life he never grew old. He was a humble man, but a man of great passion and love for his fellow-man. 

I leave you with one question. Who, pray who, will take his place in the Kingdom? 

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WHAT CAN YOU BUY WITH JUST $1.00?

In the last several years we have seen an ever-growing number of Dollar Stores and in recent months, with the economy in a downturn, these stores have enjoyed continued growth in sales. 

Even one of the late night show comedians has done a few sketches showing what his staff found in Dollar Stores. Many jokes have been made about them, but to others these stores are important. 

So, what can you buy with just $1.00? As it turns out one can purchase a lot of inexpensive items, but generally nothing of true or real value can be found there. Why? Because nothing costs more than $1.00. 

Then what can be bought with $1.00? I assure you $1.00 is very important. Recently I spoke at First Assembly of God in Versailles, MO for Pastor Gary Petty when they were conducting their annual Light for the Lost service. Those present were asked to give at least $1.00 per week to Light for the Lost. These funds will be used to reach lost souls around the world. 

So you see $1.00 is important. Let me ask, “what are you doing with your money one dollar at a time?” 

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