Wisdom of The Week

     The Psalmist David wrote: “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well” (Psa. 139:13,14). The Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Ephesus, said: “For we are His workmanship…” (Eph. 2:10).  The Greek word poiema that Paul used, translated “workmanship,” is used only one other time in the New Testament. In Rom. 1:20, poiema is translated “what has been made,” and refers to creation. We get our English word, “poem,” from poiema.  A poem is an expression of the poet’s thoughts and emotions and abilities. It is his “handiwork,” his “masterpiece.” We, as God’s “workmanship” or “masterpiece,” are an expression of who God is, for as Moses recorded in Gen. 1:26,27 and 5:1,  we were made in the “image” and “likeness” of God; and as David wrote in Ps. 51,  man was made as the crown of all God’s creation and was to “rule over the works of His hands” (v.8). Being made in God’s image, man is set apart from all of God’s creation, made as body, soul and spirit (I Thes. 5:23; Heb. 4:12) as a reflection of the triune nature of the Godhead. We have the ability to communicate with, and worship our Creator. 

     By God’s amazing design, plants and animals and man were made with the ability to reproduce “after their kind” (Gen. 1:12,24-28). Life was ordered and not full of transitional forms as one thing evolved into another. Fossil records reveal distinct species and no missing links as atheistic evolution teaches. God made possible the reproduction “after their kind” by placing within each life form an instruction manual to assure that the descendents would receive the proper information to continue that “kind.” 

     We have a fine double helix coil of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in every cell in our body (of which we have an average of 37 trillion!)  The DNA contains genes used for development, characteristics, functioning and reproduction. DNA molecules serve as the “instruction manual,” holding all the genetic information for an organism. Genes are like specific chapters in the manual.   Each cell in our body contains about two inches of DNA if uncoiled. While all the DNA coils in our body would only fill one cell in an egg carton, if unwound and stretched end to end, they could travel to the moon and back–2400 times! Indeed, as David said, we are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” and he didn’t even have all this information. 

     DNA determines a wide range of human physical characteristics such as eye color, hair color, skin color, height, body style. It also determines body metabolism, voice, intelligence and personality. And, as a result of the Fall, it determines predisposition to certain diseases such as heart problems, arthritis, and cancer. You see the evidence of the work of DNA as you observe similarities within a family of physical features (some get “fat designer genes” and some get “skinny designer genes”) and personalities. Thus we often say, “Johnnie didn’t fall far from the tree, did he?” Or, “you’re just like your father/mother!” When I look in the mirror in the morning, I see my father and older brothers.

     The exciting and encouraging thing is that when we receive Christ as our personal Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us, and through Him, the Father and Son come to dwell in us as well. We become “new creations” in Christ (II Cor. 5:17). Although we still have our old sinful flesh (nature), we receive a new, “divine nature” (II Pet. 1:4). We have a new Heavenly Father. No matter what sinful tendencies we may have received from our earthly father, we now have “new genes,” from the One who is perfect. While the sinful bents of man (passed on to ensuing generation)  are manifest in numerous ways–anger, immorality, dishonesty, rebellion, etc.–we now have living in us the Holy Spirit, and “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22,23).  We have new “Designer genes” and can reproduce “after our kind” by introducing others to our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. The chain of “generational sin” can be broken by becoming “new creations” in Christ. When we are “born again” (spiritually…Jn. 3:5), we become “children of God” (Jn. 1:12; I Jn. 3:1,2) and can experience the purpose for which we were made–to have fellowship with, worship, and serve our Creator-Designer, the Lord Jesus Christ. As Blaise Pascal (French mathematician, physicist and philosopher) said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.” All attempts to fill that void with anything but Jesus Christ lead to emptiness. Solomon described it as “vanity and striving after the wind” (Eccl. 1:2,14). Only Jesus Christ can bring satisfaction and fulfillment. God designed us that way.  If you’ve never put your trust in Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection on your behalf, I encourage you to do so. Your life will take on a whole new purpose and meaning–and you will be assured of eternal life with the One who made you.

Forever His,

Pastor Dave N

     Last week I mentioned that Kathy and I were asked to share the history of how Faith Bible Church began (for their 70th anniversary).  Then a month later,  we went to Three Lakes Community Bible Church (where I pastored for 37 years) to share in its 5oth anniversary celebration and relate how that church began. As we examine the history of the establishment of little local assemblies of believers it is always exciting to see God’s hand at work. After all, history is “HIS story”!

     Let me preface my comments with a couple Bible verses from the book of Proverbs: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (3:5,6); “The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps” (16:9).  As I share a few of the details of how God orchestrated in hearts and events to establish both Faith Bible Church and Three Lakes Community Bible Church,  you will see how the truths of these verses apply as God carries out His purposes.

     Have you ever looked back at how God has led in your life to bring you to the point where you are right now and ask the question, “What if?” How would your life have been different if certain things had not taken place, or you had made different decisions?   Well, let me do that as I look back at God’s establishing a couple little local churches in the northwest corner of Montana. 

     What if my grandparents had not each emigrated (legally!) from Norway to the United States in the mid 19th century? What if they had stayed in Norway?  What if my parents had not had several drought years in a row in North Dakota; would they have sold their little farm near Nekoma to move to Polson, Montana where I was born the next year (1946)?  What if, when my dad got sick, and my mom had to go back into teaching, she had been able to get a position in Polson? Would she ever have applied for a teaching job in Libby, where we moved in 1958?

     What if my wife’s family had remained in New Jersey and not come to Wilsall, Montana (in 1947) where her dad was invited to come and pastor the Wilsall Community Church? 

     What if Youth For Christ had not held a rally in Libby in early 1954? It was there the Auge family got saved and started a Bible study in their home. What if they had been content to just have a home Bible study? What if they had not decided to start a church and contact Clarence Kutz to see if he would be interested to come and be their pastor in 1955? That was the beginning of Faith Bible Church in Libby.

     What if, when my family moved to Libby, my mom had not had Sherry Auge in her 4th-grade class. Sherry’s folks, Lou and Nora Mae, invited our family to come hear their new Pastor. We did so in 1960 and were “hooked” on his great Bible teaching. AND, I also met and grew to love Pastor Kutz’s daughter, Kathy and we were married in the very first service upstairs at Faith Bible Church June 16, 1967. 

     What if, when I graduated from Montana State University in December 1968, and went on several interview trips (to IBM in Boulder, CO; ALCOA in Wenatchee, WA; General Electric in Milwaukee, WI; Hyster Company in Portland, OR), I had not taken the job for Hyster in Portland, where I had the opportunity to attend Basic Youth Conflict Seminar in November 1970 and gain assurance of salvation (with which I had been struggling)?  What if I had not had the privilege of seeing my boss, and his brother and our secretary trust Christ as Savior?  What if their many questions had not prompted me to start a Bible study at work and also a home Bible study?  What if Kathy and I, after much discussion and prayer, had not made the decision for me to resign at Hyster and go into full-time ministry?  The summer of 1973, we took our week vacation in Montana and while there interviewed Rocky Mountain Bible Mission at their summer camp and were invited to join the mission. (NOTE: what if American Sunday School Union in Pennsylvania had not sent  missionaries to western Montana in 1957 who established Rocky Mountain Bible Mission?) 

     We always had a desire to return to Montana to rear our family but didn’t know how God would work that out. I was also interested in Campus Crusade with whom I had been doing lay work in the Portland area. What ministry should we choose? Ironically, it was a Crusade worker that pointed out Psa. 37:4,5 to us: “Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it.” The Crusade worker said, “If you are delighting in the LORD and trusting in Him, He will place His desires in your heart.”  We realized that our desire to return to Montana and minister was His desire, so I gave my notice at Hyster in March of 1974.  

     Since we had to raise support (which at the time I walked out the door at Hyster was at zero!), I asked our home church, Montavilla Baptist, if we could share about our upcoming ministry with RMBM. We were told we could have five minutes on a Sunday night!  What if the week before the given Sunday, our pastor had not gone to Helena, Montana for a pastors conference?  What if he had not been given a ride to and from the airport by Frank Jackson, Director of RMBM?  By the time our pastor got back to Portland he was very excited about RMBM’s ministry and called us to say, “You have the whole service!”  They took an offering for us which exactly paid for our U Haul truck rental!  

     What if when Pastor Kutz retired from pastoring FBC in 1970, he hadn’t joined RMBM? When we returned to Libby April 1, 1974, I began working for the mission as His understudy. One of his home Bible studies was in the mobile home of John and Lottie Ring near Troy, Montana. I taught the youth in a shop and Kathy and her mom had the children’s class in the kitchen or a bedroom. The group had grown to about 40 people, so one night in the spring of 1975 they decided to establish “Three Lakes Community Bible Church.”  They assembled a board and wrote up Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws (patterned after those of FBC). Lottie Ring’s folks donated property and work began on building the church. As forms were set for the foundation, Pastor Kutz, who had just been diagnosed with an aggressive Leukemia, passed away October 7, 1975.  So, “by default,” I became the pastor of a brand new church! I was excited and frightened. I knew I could never fill Pastor Kutz’s shoes. I was just a “recyled engineer!” I had to completely depend on the Lord, knowing that I was not adequate. My adequacy was in Him (II Cor. 3:5), but with Him, “we could do this!”  We all grew together, worked together, worshiped together, did life together and I remained there for 37 years, during which time we built Camp Elohim in 1978 and established Three Lakes Christian School in 1979. And–all glory goes to God for the great things HE has done, for it is all “HIS-story”!

Forever His,

Pastor Dave N

     When you think about “history class” from your high school days, what kind of memories do you have–good or bad?  Kathy and I had a U.S. History teacher in high school that was very, very dry and boring. It did not make the studying of history very enjoyable!  When we came to class on Monday, the chalkboard was totally filled with dates, names, and events and by Friday we were expected to have them all memorized for a test. 

     But history can be a very exciting subject when we see God’s hand at work in orchestrating the affairs of man to accomplish His purposes. After all, “history is His Story” !  On September 21st Faith Bible Church in Libby, Montana (where we attend) celebrated its 70th anniversary and Kathy and I were asked to share about the history of the church–how it began–since Kathy’s dad, Clarence Kutz, was the first pastor.  Then yesterday, we went to Three Lakes Community Bible Church near Troy, Montana to share about its beginning as they celebrated their 50th anniversary. I pastored there from its beginning in 1975 until retiring in 2011.  (NOTE: I guess this tells you something about our history, i.e. that we have had a lot of birthdays!).

     As we looked back at the events that took place, and the people who were involved to establish both local assemblies of believers, we were reminded of how God, in His sovereignty, is always at work putting together all the pieces to fulfill His plan. The gospel writer, Matthew, records Jesus’ words to His disciples at Caesarea Philippi,  “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it” (Mt. 16:18). In response to Jesus’ question to the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” (v. 15),  Peter had answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 16). Jesus used a play on words, for the name Peter in the Greek is petros and means “a detached rock or stone which can be easily moved.” In the next phrase, “upon this rock,” Jesus used petra which means a massive rock or cliff. Jesus was likely contrasting Peter to Himself. “You are a small rock, but I am the Foundation of the church.” Paul wrote, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid which is Jesus Christ” (I Cor. 3:11). Our lives and the church would be built upon Him, whom Peter confessed was “the Christ” (the Messiah, God the Son). In reference to the “spiritual rock” from which the Israelites drank and which “followed them,” Paul added, “and the rock was Christ” (I Cor. 10:4). 

     The “church” of which Jesus spoke, that He would “build,” referred to all those from Pentecost on who would trust in Christ’s work at the cross to put away their sin. The Greek word translated “church” is ecclesia, which means “”called out ones” (cf Acts 15:14), those who were “chosen in Christ from before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4). They would be placed (baptized or immersed) by the Holy Spirit into Christ’s body, the church (I Cor. 12:12,13). But, God would also establish local assemblies of believers where they could be equipped for ministry to build up His body and go out to reach others and fulfill His command to take the Gospel to the “remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8) and “make disciples of all the nations” (Mt. 28:19). 

     Initially, God used the Apostles, including Paul, to take the Gospel into new areas and to establish churches. Many churches were established in Asia Minor and then Paul got his call to go to Macedonia (Greece) and a local church was established in Philippi and in Corinth. Paul’s letters in the New Testament were written either to churches or to pastors of those churches. God knew that those who become members of the “universal church,” would need encouragement and training to grow and to be effective, so He orchestrated the establishment of local assemblies of believers all over the world–including Libby and Troy Montana !

     Faith Bible Church in Libby was one of the byproducts of a Youth For Christ Rally in Libby in January, 1954, in which a number of families came to Christ (and also a couple pastors!). Lou and Nora Mae Auge and family were among those saved. They started a home Bible study taught by Al Oursland, principal of the Junior High. The group grew and decided they needed to start a church. They called Clarence Kutz who had moved from New Jersey to pastor in Wilsall, Montana (north of Livingston). How he got to Wilsall is also quite a story in itself to see how God worked to bring that about. He accepted the invitation and Faith Bible Church began, first in the Auge home, then in the Grange Hall, and finally in its own building. God has used it mightily as a lighthouse in the community and in sending and supporting many missionaries worldwide. Three Lakes Community Bible Church where I pastored for 37 years has its roots in FBC. In the next “Wisdom of the Week,” I will share how that happened. But suffice it to say, it has been very exciting and encouraging and faith-building to reflect on how God was behind the scenes moving in hearts to put people in the right place at the right time to fulfill His purpose in “building His Church.” To God be the glory, great things He has done!!

Forever His,

Pastor Dave

“THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS”

     I can’t begin to imagine the emotions Erika Kirk was feeling as she walked up to the podium in front of nearly 100,000 people (plus millions across the globe viewing from their homes) to speak at her husband’s memorial service just ten days after his life on earth was ended (at only age 31) by an assassin’s bullet. But through her tears, she very softly uttered three words that could only have come from a heart indwelled by her Savior, Jesus Christ. Those three words had a great impact on all who heard. As she talked about the young man who ended Charlie’s life, she said: “I forgive him.” She added, “Because it was what Christ did and it is what Charlie would have wanted.”  

     Jesus, God incarnate, preached a message of God’s love and forgiveness, but He was misunderstood, mistreated, and ultimately tortured and crucified. Yet as He hung from the cross, “Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing’ ” (Lk. 23:34).  He had the power to destroy those who were putting Him to death. When they came to arrest Jesus, He said, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father; and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Mt. 26:53).  Ray Overholt was so moved by that passage that he trusted in Christ for salvation and wrote a hymn which says,  “He could have called ten thousand angels to destroy the world and set Him free;  but He died alone for you and me.” 

     As Stephen, the first martyr of the early church, was being stoned by unbelieving Jews, “he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them!’ ” (Acts 7:60). His willingness to forgive those who put him to death was undoubtedly one of the things that Saul of Tarsus, who “was in hearty agreement with putting him to death” (Acts 8:1), could not get out of his mind. When Saul (now Paul the Apostle), shared the  story of his conversion with King Agrippa, he said that on his way to Damascus to persecute followers of Jesus (called “The Way”), “I heard a voice (from heaven) saying to me , ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads (animal prods)’ ” (Acts 26:14). In other words, his conscience was being pricked, partly by Stephen’s dying words of forgiveness. 

     This past week, Tim Allen, comedian and actor, shared that after hearing Erika Kirk’s words forgiving her husband’s murderer, his conscience too was pricked. Sixty years ago, when Tim was just eleven years old, his father was killed by a drunk driver and Tim had never forgiven the man. But, having heard what Erika did, Tim also publicly forgave the person who took his father’s life. 

     Forgiveness is a very difficult thing to do, for in doing so, in fact, to be genuine, it must be Spirit-led and Spirit-guided. It is the compassion of Christ that enables us to say, “I am now releasing you from the debt that you owe me.”  Forgiveness is only possible because of the character of the God we worship. In her book, The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom, whose family hid Jews in their home to protect them from the Nazis, relates how in 1947, she returned to Germany, where she and her sister Betsy, had been taken as prisoners to Ravensbruk Concentration Camp, and where her sister had died. She returned to speak about “God’s Forgiveness” at a church in Munich. As she finished speaking and people silently were walking out, a man made his way through the congregation to approach Corrie. She saw his military uniform and immediately had flashbacks to the horrific treatment at the hands of the guards at Ravensbruck. The man had been a guard at Ravensbruck and recognized Corrie. He said, “I have become a Christian and know that God has forgiven me for the terrible things I have done, but I want to hear it from your lips as well.” He held out his hand and asked, “Fraulein, will you forgive me?”  

     Corrie relates how she initially struggled to forgive as she reflected on the trauma she had been through and how she had lost her family at the hands of the Nazis. She knew she needed God’s help to forgive, so quickly prayed for God’s love to fill her heart.  Suddenly the warmth and love of God flooded into her heart and she put out her hand and said, “I forgive you.” 

      Forgiveness is powerful and it is only possible because “God, through Christ’s sacrifice at the Cross, has provided forgiveness to us. Never are we more like God than when we forgive and never are we less like God than when we are unwilling to forgive.  How can we say the offenses done against us are unforgivable when it was for our sin Jesus was nailed to the cross? We are (and can) forgive because He has forgiven us. Paul definitely knew what it meant to be forgiven for his persecution of Jesus’ followers and he wrote this to the believers at Ephesus: “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32). Forgiveness is really Christianity in practice. 

     Do you have someone you need to forgive? Remember, “Unforgiveness, like a strong acid, hurts the person on whom it’s poured. But it always does more damage to the vessel in which it’s stored” (Mary Horner). When you think you can’t forgive, just remember how much you have been forgiven. Forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred and bitterness, and the waste of energy. When you are holding a grudge you can’t hold anything else!  There is tremendous power and freedom in forgiveness. Forgiveness frees both the giver and the receiver–and reflects the heart of Christ to the world. Oh, yes, and then there are Jesus’ sobering words: “For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgression” (Mt. 6:14,15)  There is that!

Forever His,

Pastor Dave N

     Last week I quoted Erika Kirk saying, in response to the assassination of her husband Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, “You have no idea what you’ve unleashed!’  Well, yesterday we witnessed just how prophetic that statement proved to be, as close to 100,000 came to the Charlie Kirk Memorial Service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The stadium was filled to capacity with 70,000 and the rest of the attendees were placed in overflow venues. It was one of the largest public gatherings ever organized for a private citizen. The service was broadcast across every major U.S. television network and viewed by millions around the world!

     Worship was led by such Christian artists as Chris Tomlin, Brandon Lake, and Phil Wickham and there were probably at least 20 speakers, including a couple pastors, Vice President Vance, President Trump, many of the cabinet members, the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff and numerous of the Turning Point USA staff, including the new CEO, Charlie’s wife, Erika. 

     Charlie’s pastor, Rob McCoy,  gave a powerful presentation of the Gospel and included an invitation for people to stand and trust Christ as their personal Savior, as Charlie Kirk had done early in his life. Hundreds–if not thousands– responded!  

     Charlie’s spiritual mentor, Frank Turek, who was at Utah Valley University with Charlie when he was shot and rode in the car with him as he was rushed to the hospital, also shared an impassioned message. There was a common theme among the speakers: Charlie loved God, loved his family, loved his country, and had a great burden for the young men and women of our country who are being indoctrinated by the philosophies of the world and the traditions of men, rather than the truths of God’s Word (see Col. 2:8).  He encouraged those who disagreed with him to share their views and then he would calmly talk to them about his biblical worldview. The speakers emphasized that the driving force behind Charlie Kirk and TPUSA was a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a desire to see our young adults transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He, like the Apostle Paul, was “Not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” (Ro. 1:16). Charlie didn’t just believe what the Bible says. His beliefs had become convictions that he was willing to die for, which on September 10, 2025 he did. He was a martyr for his faith. He knew that just convincing young minds about his conservative political views was not the answer in itself. People need the Lord. His relationship with Jesus Christ and conviction of biblical truths about life is what formed his political views. He knew that people need to be transformed from the inside out. And that was made very clear by those who spoke to celebrate Charlie’s life. It was so powerful. The Holy Spirit was definitely at work. 

     I was reminded by the words the Apostle Paul wrote while in prison: “Now I want you to know brethren, that  my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have more courage to speak the word of God without fear” (Phil. 2:12-14).  Because of the bold witness of Charlie Kirk, putting his life on the line for His faith, look at how the body of Christ was emboldened to “speak the word of God without fear.” You could see and feel the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and through the speakers and worship time in the Charlie Kirk memorial service. God always has the last word, for “Greater is He that is in us (Christ) than he (Satan) that is in the world” (I Jn. 4:4).  Remember when Joseph’s brothers plotted to kill him but ended up selling him as a slave? Well, God used that to put Joseph in a position where he could help save the Israelites during a famine. When he confronted his brothers he said, “You meant it for evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” (Gen. 50:20).  Joseph forgave his brothers and saw how God had used their hatred toward him for good. That’s how our amazing God works. 

     Erika Kirk, sharing at her husband’s memorial, said, “Charlie’s desire was to save young men just like the one who took his life. On the cross, our Savior said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’ I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and it’s what Charlie would do. I forgive him.”  Wow, that’s powerful!  That is genuine Christianity on display before the world. 

     Reality star, Savannah Chrisley, was scheduled to join Charlie on a college campus tour. She said, “I keep saying that above all else, Charlie and his wife Erika, are Christians. Isn’t that really the message? I think bringing Christianity back into households is the only thing that is going to save us as a country. I know for me, I don’t know where I would be today without my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”  Amen to that!

     What those of us who watched the lengthy memorial service for Charlie Kirk observed is the mighty power of God at work in the hearts of those who, while grieving over the loss of a loved one, friend, and patriot, do not grieve “as those who have no hope” (I Thes. 4:13).  That hope was definitely on display, as was the supernatural gift of forgiveness rather than hatred and retaliation. If you haven’t made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, I trust that you will acknowledge your sinfulness and need of a Savior and put your trust in Jesus. And for all of us, let us follow the example of Charlie Kirk and courageously be defenders of the faith, willing to lay down our lives for the truth. 

Forever His,

Pastor Dave N

     Last Thursday I received the latest newsletter from Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA.  As you all surely know (it was the main news item of the week), he was assassinated last Wednesday, Sept. 10,  in Orem, Utah as he spoke to students at Utah Valley University on his campus tour to give students an opportunity to interact with him over their world views on current issues in our culture. Charlie started Turning Point USA 13 years ago as an 18-year-old with a pretty audacious idea to skip college and instead work to bring conservative ideas to his peers who had decided to go to college. He began by setting up a folding chair and card table at the University of Wisconsin and encouraged students to come debate ideas with him. From there he went to Marquette University, the University of Illinois, and has been doing so ever since. His goal was to get chapters of Turning Point USA started across the nation. It is now the largest conservative youth organization in the history of our nation!  Charlie had the unique gift from God to calmly share his convictions with those who might disagree with him. He has had an amazing influence on young adults across the country. He was a very committed follower of Jesus Christ and a strong, faithful husband to Erika and father to his three-year-old daughter and one-year-old son. Erika said that every morning he would ask her: “How can I be a better husband and better father?”  Because of his bold stand on the biblical values of marriage, the sanctity of life, the creation of just two sexes (male and female), and for his witness for Christ, Charlie had already received many death threats. Last Wednesday, Tyler Robinson, influenced by the ideologies of the transgender individual with whom he was having a romantic relationship, took Charlie’s life, probably thinking that he could stop the spreading of what he considered “hate speech.” (Interestingly, moments before the shot rang out, someone asked Charlie if he knew how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters!)

      Erika Kirk, in her first public statement after the  horrific, shocking assassination of her beloved husband, sat in his podcast studio and, with God-given composure and strength, gave a very impassioned message to the millions listening. She included a powerful warning to those who would attempt to stop Turning Point USA’s message of political  conservatism, biblical values and the Christian faith. Erika said: “You have no idea what you’ve unleashed!” She was spot on!  In the days since the assassination the support for and interest in Turning Point USA has been overwhelming. Such has always been the case when the adversary, Satan, attempts to stop the spread of the Good News of the Gospel and the sharing of biblical values for living. All of the Apostles (except John) that Jesus trained and commissioned to spread the Gospel were martyred. The word martyr, by the way, originally meant witness!

     The Apostle Paul had at one time, as Saul of Tarsus, ferociously persecuted the followers of Jesus called “The  Way” (Acts 9:2). He had many imprisoned and others, like Stephen, put to death (Acts 7-8:1; 26:10,11). But, the persecution of Jesus’ followers only “fanned the flames,” causing the rapid spread of the Gospel. Acts 8 tells us, “…a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria…Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word” (vv. 1,4). And, Saul of Tarsus himself, who undoubtedly could not forget the dying testimony of Stephen, had an encounter with the risen Christ  and was dramatically transformed, becoming the Apostle Paul, missionary to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15), taking the Gospel throughout Asia Minor and into Europe. 

     On Jan. 8, 1956, missionaries Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming and Roger Youderian were killed by members of the Waodani Tribe in Ecuador (They were also called  the “Auca,” which means “savage.”). As a result of the sacrifice they made to spread the Gospel, hundreds of Christian young people in America committed their lives to missionary service. Elisabeth Elliot (Jim’s wife) and Rachel Saint (Nate’s sister) returned to the Waodani Tribe in the jungle years later with the “Summer Institute of Linguistics” and established a peaceful relationship with the Waodani. One by one, the men who killed the missionaries  became believers in Christ. Nate Saint’s son, Steve, spent time among the Waodani at the request of the tribal elders, becoming the adopted son of the tribe and then for a period brought his family to live among them. The Gospel worked a miracle of transformation among these violent people. In fact, Steve was baptized in June 1965 by two of his father’s killers, Kimo and Dyomi in the Curaray River next to the beach where his father was martyred.  Another one of the killers, Mincaye, baptized Steve’s children and his sister. 

     Persecution, rather than extinguishing the Christian Faith, serves as a catalyst for its growth and purification. This has been the case since the time of the early church, and the saying by early Christian writer and apologist, Tertullian, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church,” captures this paradoxical truth.  The courage and conviction of Christians who die for their faith serve to inspire others to convert to Christianity, causing the church to grow rather than to be destroyed. God, in His amazing sovereignty, uses hatred toward and persecution of Christians to build His church!  It fans the flames and causes it to spread. It also strengthens and purifies the church, refocusing the heart and causing dependency on Christ. 
     The world system and its anti-biblical worldview is under the influence of Satan (Jn. 12:31) and consequently those who stand up for their Christian convictions and biblical worldview of life will be hated. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (Jn. 15:18,19). And the Apostle Paul, speaking from personal experience, wrote: “And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (II Tim. 3:12). 

     Erika Kirk’s warning: “You have no idea what you have unleashed” was really uttering a principle that has been true throughout the history of the church. As Charles Wesley said, “God buries His workmen, but His work continues on.” Not only does it continue on, it often increases. I pray that is the case with the ministry of Turning Point USA and its very timely message to our nation at this time. Pray for peace, courage and comfort for Erika and her children. (Pray too for Tyler Robinson and for his parents), and pray for the future ministry of Turning Point USA to flourish.   

Forever His,

Pastor Dave N

     This past weekend our town, Libby, Montana, hosted its 9th annual “Clash of the Carvers” competition. This year we had twenty of the world’s top chainsaw carvers here to display their amazing talents and make their finished products available (by direct purchase or by auction) to the public. Our daughter, granddaughter and husband (and two puppies) came from Oregon to enjoy the event and were successful in bidding on a “bear bench” (which didn’t fit in their car to take back to Oregon!).  

     The competition begins on Thursday and goes through noon on Sunday.   The carvers work on one major item but also have several “quick carve” competitions. It is very fascinating, and impressive, to see them start with a big bolt of Ponderosa Pine and turn it into a very realistic-looking finished product. There were the usual bears, fish and eagles, but also full-size figures of Native Americans, Rocky Mountain Sheep, and novelty figures such as a bear or moose riding in a canoe!  

     We enjoyed getting to see them make the first saw cuts on their blocks of wood and trying to guess what the finished product would be. In most cases it took a while to get an idea what they might be carving.  Pretty simple process–just remove the wood that isn’t part of what they wanted the final figure to be!  Simple in theory, but unless you have their abilities and experience–and the right tools–the marvelous finished carvings would never have happened. 

     I couldn’t help but think about one of Positive Life Radio’s “positive thoughts” this past week–“Creativity is God’s gift to us. Using that creativity is our gift to God.” Well, our Creator indicates in His Word what His goal is for those who put faith in Him for salvation through Jesus Christ and His work at the Cross. The Apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans that it is God’s purpose to “conform us to the image of His Son” (Ro. 8:29).  The process (which is called “sanctification”…I Cor. 1:30; Heb. 2:11),is much like the carving away by the chainsaw, removing what doesn’t belong, so that Christ, who comes to live in us through the Holy Spirit, shows through. Paul describes the process in II Cor. 4:8-10: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifest in our body.” Earlier in his letter, Paul said that “we are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory” (II Cor. 3:18). 

     This “transforming” process (removing the chips!) isn’t always very enjoyable. The author of the book of Hebrews speaks of it, writing: “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and scourges every son whom He receives. It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? …He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness” (i.e., become Christlike) (Heb. 12:5-10). 

     At times during the chainsaw carving, big chunks were cut away and then there were the times when details were worked out and the progress seemed pretty slow. In our spiritual growth (sanctification) as believers, the same is true. I am reminded of a chorus we often sang at church and Bible camp, “Little by Little.” It went like this:

           “Little by little every day, little by little in every way, Jesus is changing me.

           Since I made a turn about face, I’ve been growing in His grace, Jesus is changing me.

           Sometimes it’s slow going, but there’s a knowing, one day perfect I will be.” 

      Each of us, if we know Christ as Savior, is “work in process.” God, like the chainsaw carvers, is patiently working toward the final product–conformity to Christ.  As each of us looks into our own lives we probably wonder how God can pull that off, but we have the assurance of Phil. 1:6: “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” when we will “stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy” (Jude. 24 cf I Cor. 1:8).  Until then, “Please be patient, God is not finished with me yet!”    Ruth (Bell) Graham had them write this on her gravestone: “End of Construction. Thanks for Your Patience!”  I love it!

     After church on Sunday we went over to the site of the “Clash of the Carvers” to see their major projects in finished form just before they were put up for bid at the final auction. It was pretty hard to believe that each had started from a piece of wood 16-24″ in diameter by 5-6′ long!  What a transformation!  Well, that will be true one day for each of us who belong to the family of God. 

Forever His,

Pastor Dave N

P.S. How are you using your God-given gift of creativity to serve your Creator?

     If you can use either phrase, “I have to” or “I get to” to begin the following, which would you choose? “…go to the dentist”, “…go to the baseball game”, “…spend two weeks in Hawaii”, “…attend church”, “…go out to dinner”, “…have surgery”, “…go to work” ?  Well, since this is Labor Day when we traditionally honor the great workforce here in the United States that makes our economy run and contributes to our wellbeing,  let’s take a look at that last one and how you would answer it.

     Probably many, if not the majority, would say: “I have to go to work,” implying that it is something we have to do to make money to exist, support a family and buy the things we want to have.  Many tend to look upon work as part of the curse and it is simply a drudgery that resulted from sin in the Garden of Eden. But, before Adam sinned, “The LORD God took him and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it” (Gen. 2:15). God created us to be workers and to contribute to society. Granted work became harder after sin took place, but work itself is not part of the curse. Being made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26,27), we are creative beings, equipped with natural talents (and, as Christians, spiritual gifts), which are to be used for the good of others. Each of us can contribute in a unique way to our society. We find satisfaction when we use these talents and gifts to, not just “make a living,” but to enhance the world in which we live, providing we “do our work heartily as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Col. 3:23,24). When we realize that being able to work is part of who God made us, and if we have the attitude that we are ultimately doing our work “as for the Lord,” we can say, “I get to go to work”–what a privilege! There are many who don’t have a job or who physically or mentally cannot work.

    But, have  you ever asked yourself after a long, laborious or tedious day at work, “What is the point?” If you have, you are not alone. Thousands of years ago, King Solomon, the author of the book of Ecclesiastes, asked the same question: “What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun?” (Eccl. 1:3).  He could relate to the emotional and psychological despair that comes from working hard all day–or your whole life–only to realize that what you are really looking for is out of reach. It is “vanity and striving after wind” (1:14).  You might gather that Solomon, like may today, had a low view of work, but that was not the case. What he was emphasizing is that if you idolize work or expect it to bring you the satisfaction, purpose and fulfillment that only God can provide, you will be disillusioned, disappointed and despairing. It will be empty and wearisome (Eccl. 1:2,8). If we expect our work to fulfill what only the Creator can do, we make work our idol. Work is not our identity. Our job doesn’t identify who we are. It is just how we serve God and others with the talents and gifts with which God has equipped us to contribute to society. My true identity is in Jesus Christ, not in what I do. Unfortunately, Solomon went through much of his life looking for fulfillment outside of God. He relates how that led to emptiness and lack of purpose. 

     Father, thank you for all your good gifts, including the ability and desire to work. But may the good things never replace You in our hearts. May we always treasure You as the greatest, most precious gift. Then we can truly say, “I get to go to work” for it is not part of the curse nor am I idolizing it. I am working to serve You and others. Thank you for that opportunity. “Our position, as followers of Christ, gives every job we do a higher, clearer, ultimately more satisfying sense of purpose” (Paul Nyquist, past president of Moody Bible Institute). 

Happy Labor Day!

Forever His,

Pastor Dave N

     Often, when I awaken early, say 4:30 to 5:00 a.m., I find it hard to get back to sleep but also find it a special time of prayer and planning for Bible studies, devotionals, or sermons. Just recently, as I lay there, I reflected on some of the people who have had a spiritual impact on my life. As Tabatha Vargo beautifully wrote: “Some people come into our lives, and quickly go. Some stay for a while leaving footprints on our hearts…and we are never, ever the same.”  One person, in particular, came to mind that morning–Claude Hemphill. 

     One of our members at Three Lakes Community Bible Church, Gayle Wohlwend (Ware) drove a bus taking workers to and from the ASARCO mine near Troy, Montana. She was instrumental in leading Claude to faith in Christ. He began attending Three Lakes and we became close friends. We did many things together, such as hunting, getting firewood, hiking, riding horses, or just sitting and discussing God’s Word. The book of Job was Claude’s favorite because he could identify a lot with Job’s many challenges in life. You’ve heard the cliche, “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all!” Well, that pretty well described Claude’s life. If I rode with Claude in his old pickup, for example, we could expect to have a flat tire or other mechanical problems. That was just “life with Claude!”  Trouble just seemed to follow him around. 

     He and I made quite the pair. Claude was at least 6’3″ and around 300 pounds in contrast to my 5’7″ 140 pound frame! Oh, and Claude also had a very dark complexion from his Native American background. Claude put on a gruff exterior but had a very gentle, tender heart. He tried to pretend he didn’t like children (he was a bachelor), but in reality, loved them. He was definitely a “gentle giant.”  

     Claude worked hard and for a while was a sawyer in the forest–a very tough job physically. He once told me when I mentioned how beautiful the snowy landscape was that “There is nothing beautiful about snow!” When you have to work in it in the cold, it gives you a different perspective. Claude was physically very strong and spent time in the martial arts. Once when he accompanied me to our landfill with a load, he turned the crank on my tailgate window and cranked it right off the tailgate!  We did some archery hunting together for elk, and he had learned to bugle just using a PVC pipe. We often heard bulls bugling in the distance, but when Claude bugled back, I think they left the country quickly, having never heard such a big, powerful bull!   

     A friend of Claude’s, Penny Ray, who now attends an evening Bible study that I teach, gave Claude art lessons and even though he told her he would never be able to do it, he became a very gifted pen and ink artist. I have several of his works which I framed and have displayed in our home. He also wrote many lyrics for songs. I have copies of them in my file. With a “cowboy flair,” they expressed his love for the Lord and the spiritual struggles he often faced with depression and discouragement.  At one point Claude even tried to “no longer be a Christian,” but discovered that when Jesus gets a hold of your life, He never lets go. He experienced the truth of I Pet. 1:3-5: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 

     In addition to his “propensity” for bad luck, Claude struggled with a lot of pain at times from fibromyalgia.  He sometimes would take (because of his size) as many as twelve Advil at a time to cope with the pain, and I believe it eventually took its toll on his heart.  One day in late winter or early spring of 1999,  his heart just stopped. He was only 46.  At his memorial service at Three Lakes Community Bible Church, we had a rocking chair on the platform with a very large teddy bear sitting in it–that was Claude!  Claude’s friendship and observing God working in and through his life, impacted my life. I thank God for bringing Him into my life and very much look forward to our reunion in heaven. His new life in Christ also had a positive impact on his sister, Judith, who attends the same evening Bible study that Penny Ray attends which is hosted by another “horse” friend of Claude’s, Betsy (and Jack) Myers. 

Forever His,

Pastor Dave N

“Expressions of the Heart”

by Claude Hemphill

               I’m not a man who can say what he feels

               I keep what I think deep in myself.

              The love that I have buried deep in my heart

              never finds its way to the words of my lips,

              so I have to tell of my love in the words of this song.

              They’re the light of my joy,

              my shout from the roof was whispered to me.

              All of the world will know by the words of my love for the     

              Son.

              He carried my shame and bore all the wrath waiting for me,

              wrath earned by my sin.

              But He died on the cross and washed the filth of my sin,

              so that I could live until eternity’s end,

              and spend all my days worshiping HIm.

     My wife and I took a walk through the woods this past Sunday afternoon. The temperature was in the low 80’s with a gentle breeze blowing and the fragrance emanating from the ponderosa pine and Douglas fir was so wonderful.  During the warm days of spring and summer, the trees, in response to their environment of moisture, sunlight, air and warmth, through the process of photosynthesis, produce carbohydrates for growth.  Photosynthesis, an amazing process designed by the One who created trees, is arguably the most important process on earth, since all plant (as well as animal) life depends on it for sustenance and growth. During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is drawn directly from the air and absorbed by the stomata on needles or leaves which open to the warmth of the spring and summer days. At the same time, pure oxygen is discharged back into the atmosphere. This is partly how the oxygen content of the atmosphere is maintained. What an amazing plan by our Creator God!  So, the balance of the oxygen content in the atmosphere that is so essential to life on earth, is controlled to a large extent by the growth process of plants and trees. 

     It is this discharge of oxygen into the atmosphere which gives that special quality of purity and freshness to forest and mountain air that we so enjoy on a warm summer day when the trees are growing at a maximum rate. No matter the species of tree, this is the season of setting and forming and ripening of fruit, as the trees respond to the warm air, light, and moisture.

     I am reminded of how growing Christians, responding to the light of Scriptures, the warmth of God’s love, and the work of the Holy Spirit within, produce a beautiful aroma to those around.  It is interesting that throughout the Bible, the Holy Spirit is likened to air and to wind (Eg., Jn. 3:8).  In fact, one of the Greek words which is translated “Holy Spirit” is pneuma, which means “movement of air” or “wind” or “breath.” We get our “pneumatic” from that Greek word.

     In plants and trees the process of growth is called “photosynthesis” but in believers it is called “sanctification,” the  process by which God is conforming us to the image of His Son (Ro. 8:29). It includes the filling or control of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:22; Gal. 5:16) and increasing Christlikeness. When you are in the presence of a Spirit-filled, growing Christian, there is a freshness and fragrance that emanates from their life. The Apostle Paul writes: “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other, an aroma from life to life…” ( Cor. 2;14,15).  It is a beautiful experience for believers to be in the presence of growing Christians, but for those who are still in rejection of Christ, to be in their presence is not comfortable and they avoid doing so. It probably is convicting to them, reminding them of their rebellion and resistance to receive Christ. It speaks of their “way of death” of which Solomon wrote: “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Pr. 14:12). 

     What kind of “aroma” are you sending forth with your life?  Are you responding to the light of God’s Word, the warmth of His love and the work of the Holy Spirit within you resulting in the process of sanctification and growth in Christlikeness? God provides us with the environment in which we can grow, but we only do so as we respond positively to these stimuli. When we do, we are a joy to other believers. 

Forever His,

Pastor Dave N