I recall hearing that the UPC started as a ministerial fellowship and one
of the reasons for merging was for the furtherance of the gospel by the
means of foreign missions.
My late father was stationed in the Philippeans and in Japan during
WWII. He was a young husband and father of four, raised on a farm
and had never been to Dallas, Tx., only sixty miles away.
But God took that young man on a journey half way round the world,
serving on the front lines of battle for his country. While others carried
guns, he carried two medical bags and a New Testament in the top pocket
of his uniform jacket. He treated the wounded and helped carry the dead
off the front lines of battle. Came home to father seven more children,
seven sons and four daughters.
The last child was born in Feb. 1958, and in November of that same year,
he and his wife planted a new work in the community where they would
raise their eleven children. Today there is a thriving church where three
generations of their family take their families to worship on any given
service night or Sunday morning. There is a portion of scripture displayed
on the front of the building, "And his children shall have a place of refuge".
(Prov.14:26)
Later this year a celebration will mark 50 yrs. since it was planted.
I have wondered what would have happened if more men/women went
through real "boot camp" and served in real battle. I can almost assure you
that out of this last war will come some real men who have learned and seen
some things that will change their perspective of life forever. Perhaps some
will come home with a a "vision".
Dad came back with a burden for missions upon seeing the lost and dying
not only on the battlefield of war, but in those countries that were not as
blessed as the country he came from.
A son, Bro. Larry, also served on foreign soil in Viet Nam, and could proba-
bly relate to battle. Thank you, Brother, for your sacrifice for our country.
I love you! Many nights I sat at my piano and sang and wept as I prayed
for your safe return from the foreign field.
Another son became a home missionary to North Dakota. Just out of
Bible college, with a young wife, spent a few years there. Started a church
in their home. Struggled through some hard times, but there is a church in
Grafton, N.D. today. This brother, his wife and family, started another home
missions church, this time closer to home. The year (1995), after having a
kidney transplant, with a kidney given unselfishly from the daughter of
another brother, Bro. Larry, who was willing to give of her own body, for an
uncle who preached the gospel to others. She had been born on his birthday
fifteen years earlier.
In 1988, the year before Dad went Home, our church received the award
for "Third Place per capita giving" to Foreign Missions worldwide, in the UPC.
It wasn't the only award for Foreign Missions we were awarded. There was
sacrifices made because of a man's burden when he saw the lost souls of
humanity on foreign soil, albeit even enemy territory.
Dad will be gone 19 yrs. this Oct. He once told me, "While it is not perfect,
the UPC is the best I've seen, and I looked for a long time".
When the fathers of our government began, it was much different from
what it is today, yet it still is no doubt the best seen. When you have
imperfect humanity, whether it be a government or a religious organization.
it will not be perfect, but is it not the best we've seen! And how long have
you been looking for something better. Our families lives have not been made
better by human government or an organization, but because of the
obedience of those who preceded us. We are products or fruit of what
birthed and nurtured us. What produced us. We produce spiritual or fleshly
fruit. We sow to the flesh or to the Spirit.
Just some thoughts this beautiful Sunday evening in America. Without a
vision the people perish.
Blessings,
Falla39
Beautiful my dear sister...I have tears streaming down my cheeks...my blessings to you and yours.
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Facebook Janice LaVaun Taylor Alvear
Beautiful my dear sister...I have tears streaming down my cheeks...my blessings to you and yours.
Thank you and blessings to you and yours, Sis. Alvear,
I never knew anyone who loved missions more that my late father.
He and Mom loved to have them stay in their home so he could
fellowship with them and encourage them. He was a missionary's
friend. Everyone can't go to the foreign fields but everyone can help
those that do. Mom enjoyed cooking for them.
One time someone took a large wall map of the world and placed a
string going from the church Dad pastored to every country where
we had Partners In Missions. It had strings all over the place. They
gave it to Dad and showed him that the church he overseen was just
a small part of what the local church was doing worldwide. It was a
great encouragment to him as he had not thought of it that way.
Dad and Mom were God-Loving, humble people who were real. They
were not pretenseous or proud. Everyone who knew them loved them.
They loved everybody. If we have the Love of Christ shed abroad in
our hearts by the Holy Ghost, we will love the sinner and saint alike.
Love will do what nothing else can do.
Everybody needs to have the love of God like Mother C has.
__________________
People who are always looking for fault,can find it easily all they have to do,is look into their mirror.
There they can find plenty of fault.
Our families lives have not been made
better by human government or an organization, but because of the
obedience of those who preceded us. We are products or fruit of what
birthed and nurtured us. What produced us. We produce spiritual or fleshly
fruit. We sow to the flesh or to the Spirit.
Sis Falla this stood out to me as I read your post. Tonight I sit at my computer in a building that was built by anothers hands for a place to worship God on a island in the bush in SE Alaska that isn't even on most maps. Many have preceded us and all left a part of themselves here.
I thank the Lord for Bro. French, Bro & Sis Yadon,Bro & Sis Fisher to name only a few that were here before us.
Thank you for your encouragement tonight. I know I am not alone even here on this isolated island I have brothers and sisters who are still just as close as my computer and keyboard.
To be honest, I don't think He cares either way, but I do know one thing for sure. He doesn't need you speaking for Him.
HE does care, and HIS heart is panged by the blatant disobedience in denominations. HE told HIS Apostles how to structure the Church and when you try to build something the LORD commanded, without going according to the pattern, you become the god and standard unto yourself. I'm no UPC basher, but I can't thank GOD for what is in direct contradiction and disobedience to GOD. I am grateful for the UPC assembly that I was baptized in, and I am grateful for the Apostolic assembly my sister attends (which has a UPC pastor), but the fact still remains that they are disobeying GOD when it comes to the Apostolic structure of GOD's Church. I pray that more UPC pastors and churches will see the light, leave the organization, and seek for follow the NT pattern. I pray they continue to preach One GOD and Acts 2:38 salvation, but I pray they would seek to follow all the Bible. Until then, I still love them, and tell them there is something better.
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