Let's Examine The Two Ordinances!

Christ Gave Us Two Commandments And Two Ordinances!  ~  Our response to those is the difference between Christian Faith and World Religions.

Two Ordinances:  He left these Two Ordinances for us to follow as Christian believers:

(1)  Baptism  ~  "Go - Make disciples -  Baptize them - Teach them."  (Matthew 28:19-20)  ~  Only done once.

(2)  Communion / Lord's Supper  ~  "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."  (Luke 22:19)  ~  To be done as often as Your Church Fellowship chooses to Remember Him and what He has done for us.

Most often when I share the Great Commission, I will quote it as:  "Go - Make disciples - Teach them."  (Matthew 28:19-20). 

Why do I leave out Baptism?  It is not that I do not believe Baptism is important.  Instead I believe that Baptism is so personal, so important - that it should be shared with your closest, most intimate friends and loved ones.  So I will suggest, "Go - Make disciples - Teach them."  

When is a person saved?  The moment he receives and confesses Christ as Lord and Savior?  Or when he is baptized?  The latter would be Baptismal Regeneration, i.e, salvation through baptism - which is not what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches salvation, i.e., justification, the moment we believe and receive Christ (John 1:12, Ephesians 1:13). 

Baptism follows as an outward manifestation of our salvation.  Some do it right away, others at later time, often when a group of fellow believers can gather and make a joint declaration of our joy in following Christ in baptism.  In the Bible we see the two extremes:   In Acts 8:26-40 the eunuch from Ethiopia was baptized by Philip immediately after believing.  But the thief on the cross was never baptized.  Yet both were equally saved and today are sharing eternity in the presence of God.

When a person believes and receives Christ as Lord and Savior - that person should be encouraged to immediately become involved in a local Bible-teaching, Christ-centered Christian fellowship, i.e., church.  When the new believer is connected with his new local fellowship, he/she should then be baptized in the presence of his/her new Christian fellowship family.  Baptism is that personal and that important - that it should be shared with the entire fellowship family.

A Christian believer need only be baptized one time, as we follow Him in Baptism.  Just as He died, was buried, rose again, and ascended into heaven only once - we follow Him in baptism only once.  Baptism reflects a believer's relationship with Christ, NOT his relationship with a particular church or denomination.

What if a person has been baptized in another church before coming to your local church fellowship?  Is it necessary for that person to be baptized again in your church?  I have heard the reasoning, "But what if the baptism was not done correctly?  We only want to make sure it is done OUR way."    Is there really a right and a wrong way to be baptized? 

I agree that the Bible speaks of baptism by immersion - but if, for whatever reason, a person was baptized by sprinkling - is that person not baptized in your eyes?  That would be wrong, for baptism reflects an inner, spiritual commitment, our personal relationship with Christ.  It is not an event done only to satisfy the whims or doctrines of man.  That said, baptism should be practiced by immersion in water - for that is what the Bible tells us.  Keep in mind that the thief was not baptized at all.  But we have the word of Christ Himself that this man was indeed saved.

Luke 23:43, "And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.' "

If a person comes to your church fellowship after becoming a believer and being baptized in another Christian church - that person "IS" baptized and should not be required to do it "your way."

That covers the first Ordinance, Baptism.  Now let's talk about the second Ordinance which is equally important and equally intimate, the Lord's Supper.

The Lord's Supper is NOT a one time event.  Jesus tells us to do this "in remembrance of Him" (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25).  How often does your church remember Jesus Christ and what He did to offer us eternal life?   That is reflected in how often your church fellowship celebrates the Lord's Supper?

Should we call it Communion - or should we call it the Lord's Supper?  Either is correct, but let's examine both.  Calling it the Lord's Supper is probably most common and, for me, has a deeper meaning.  What is more personal and intimate than coming to the table to share a meal with friends and family? 

Jesus tells us in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine (or sup) with him, and he with Me."  That is the ultimate intimacy, being at the Lord's Supper Table.  That implies we are in personal communion with Him - just as when we sit, pray, and eat with our immediate family.  It is a form of Communion, but I personally prefer to consider it dining at the Lord's Supper Table.

Let's look at the way several leading theologians define the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper:

A.  Dr. Wayne Grudem's book: "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine" (1311 pages) is considered a standard textbook in most seminaries.  In his shorter version of the same book, "Bible Doctrine, Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith" (528 pages) - chapter 28, pages 387-394, he tells us regarding the Lord's Supper:

The Lord Jesus instituted two ordinances (or sacraments) to be observed by the church.  The previous chapter discussed "baptism," an ordinance that is only observed once by each person, as a sign of the beginning of his or her Christian life.  This chapter discusses "the Lord’s Supper," an ordinance that is to be observed repeatedly throughout our Christian lives as a sign of continuing in fellowship with Christ. .  .  .

The meaning of the Lord’s Supper is complex, rich, and full.  Several things are symbolized and affirmed in the Lord’s Supper.

1. Christ’s Death:  When we participate in the Lord’s Supper we symbolize the death of Christ because our actions give a picture of his death for us. .  .  . “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

2. Our Participation in the Benefits of Christ’s Death:  Jesus commanded his disciples, “Take, eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26).  As we individually reach out and take the cup for ourselves, each one of us is, by that action, proclaiming, “I am taking the benefits of Christ’s death to myself.” .  .  . 

3. Spiritual Nourishment:  Just as ordinary food nourishes our physical bodies, so the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper give nourishment to us.  But they also picture the fact that there is spiritual nourishment and refreshment that Christ is giving to our souls; the ceremony that Jesus instituted is, in its very nature, designed to teach us this.  

4. The Unity of Believers:  When Christians participate in the Lord’s Supper together they also give a clear sign of their unity with one another.  In fact, Paul says, “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:17).

B.  Dr. Wayne Grudem's book: "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine" - in chapter 50, pages 996-997, he tells us regarding the Lord's Supper:

Who Should Participate in the Lord’s Supper?

Despite differences over some aspects of the Lord’s Supper, most Protestants would agree, first, that only those who believe in Christ should participate in it, because it is a sign of being a Christian and continuing in the Christian life. .  .  .

Second, many Protestants would argue from the meaning of baptism and the meaning of the Lord’s Supper that, ordinarily, only those who have been baptized should participate in the Lord’s Supper. .  .  .

But others, including the present author (Dr. Grudem), would object to such a restriction as follows:  A different problem arises if someone who is a genuine believer, but not yet baptized, is not allowed to participate in the Lord’s Supper when Christians get together.

In that case the person’s non-participation symbolizes that he or she is not a member of the body of Christ which is coming together to observe the Lord’s Supper in a unified fellowship (see 1 Corinthians 10:17: “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread”).

Bill Gray Note:  Personally I believe the question of who should participate in the Lord's Supper falls upon the individual person.  For you and I cannot tell a person he or she is not saved, not a believer in Christ.  Such a decision falls upon the individual to do a self-examination such as:

1. "Have I truly received the Lord?"  Keep in mind that the thief on the cross was not baptized. 

2. "Am I currently harboring an unrepentant sin which would prevent me from participating in the Lord's Supper?" 

Neither I, nor you, nor any pastor, can answer those questions for this individual.  That is between the individual and God.

C.  Dr. Ron Rhodes, president of "Reasoning From Scripture Ministries," author, adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, Talbot Seminary (Biola), Veritas Evangelical Seminary, etc., tells us in "The Complete Book of Bible Answers" - chapter twenty-four, pages 229-230:

What are the different views of the Lord’s Supper?

There are four primary views:

The Roman Catholic view is known as transubstantiation.  The advocates of this view say that the elements (unleavened wafers and wine/grape juice) actually change into, become, the body (and blood) of Jesus Christ.

The Lutheran view is labeled consubstantiation.  According to this view, Christ is present in, with, and under the bread and wine.  Christ is truly present, but no change occurs in the elements.

The Reformed view is that Christ is spiritually present at the Lord’s Supper.  It is a means of grace.  The proponents of this view say that the elements contain a dynamic presence of Jesus, and it is made effective in the believer as he partakes.

The memorial view (my view) is that the elements do not change.  The ordinance is not intended as a means of communicating grace to the participant.  The bread and wine are (only) symbols and reminders of Jesus in His death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 11:24-25).

Since we participate in the Lord’s Supper in Remembrance of Him and His Redemptive Work on the cross - it would seem that we should do this fairly often.  Since becoming a believer in 1987, I have been in different Filipino-American Baptist churches in Southern California - and typically we have always celebrated the Lord's Supper once a month, usually the first Sunday of the month, at the close of our regular worship service. 

The Lord's Supper we receive at the close of our worship service is always a special blessing and a source of additional spiritual strength to help us face the coming week in the secular world.  Typically on the first Sunday of each month, we close the worship service by having the elders, or other spiritually mature members, pass the elements (unleavened wafers and grape juice) to the congregation. 

As this is being done, our pastor will review and share Scripture relating to the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).  And then, together, we and our believing visitors, participate in the eating of the wafer, symbolizing His body, and the drinking the grape juice, symbolizing His blood shed for us.

Our pastor will explain that the Lord's Supper is a time for all believers to do a spiritual examination of himself or herself.  That it is a time to for all believers to renew our focus on Christ, our Christian walk, and our Christian obedience.  Then our pastor will remind those present during the worship service that the Lord's Supper is only for those who have believed and received Him as Lord and Savior. 

He will assure those who are not yet believers that we do not look down upon them for not being able to participate at that time - but that we sincerely pray that they will make the decision to follow Christ as Lord and Savior. 

Actually, before we celebrate the Lord's Supper, that would be a great time to have an altar call.  For then those who do make a decision at that time to follow Christ - can then participate in their first Lord's Supper celebration.  What a wonderful way to start their Christian life.

1 Corinthians 11:23-24, "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'" 

At this time, all believers then, together, eat the wafer symbolizing His body broken for us.

1 Corinthians 11:25-26, "In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood.  This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.'  For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes."  

Then, all believers, together, drink of the grape juice symbolizing His blood spilled for us.

How often does YOUR church fellowship "Do this in remembrance of Him"?  ~  Daily, weekly, monthly, once a year, once every three years, never?  Once again, my personal feelings are that it should be done frequently enough to stay in faith with His teaching, yet not so frequent that it becomes a ritual and loses its flavor.  Taking Communion every day or every week, for me, would bring it into the realm of being a ritual.

Yet a church which only partakes of the Lord's Supper every six months, once a year, or once every several years - gives me the feeling that this church places no real value on His declaration, "do this in remembrance of Me."   I have to ask, "Does this church really have a relationship with Jesus Christ - if it remembers Him only every few years?"

What message would that send to your church fellowship, to visitors, when your church does not celebrate the Lord's Supper - or only does it once every few years? 

As I suggested above, the Lord's Supper should not be a major, all day affair.   It is most effective when seen as an adjunct spiritual blessing closing our regular worship service once a month.  It is like our monthly "spiritual vitamin boost" to sustain us in our secular world.

Another view of making the Lord's Supper a major feast event is reflected in the apostle Paul's admonition to the church at Corinth.

In 1 Corinthians11:20-34 the apostle Paul admonishes the church at Corinth because they made the Lord's Supper into a major meal or feast - when it really should be seen as a Spiritual Snack (my interpretation) meant to fill us Spiritually, not Physically.  By the same token, when a church avoids celebrating the Lord's Supper because they feel they have to make it an "All Day Singing And Dinner On The Ground" event - instead of a reverent ending of their Sunday worship service - that is doing a disservice to the church fellowship - and definitely NOT reverently "remembering Jesus Christ until He comes again."

Now please do not misunderstand.  Being a "born and bred" Southerner I love the "All Day Singing And Dinner On The Ground."   Growing up in Alabama in the 1940s and 50s, it was fun to go with my step-dad to the small church in the rural farming community near Russellville, Alabama, where he grew up and where most of his family still lived, or were buried, for Memorial Day. 

That was a day to decorate the graves, gather in their church for lots of good Baptist hymn singing, and to pig out on country cuisine that still makes my mouth water just to think of it.  I have often touted the food fellowship we have in our Filipino-American Baptist churches and Bible studies.  As great as that is, it cannot hold a candle to our Southern Dinner On The Ground cuisine from those days. 

Before you turn up your nose at "Dinner On The Ground" - it wasn't really on the ground.  The ladies would bring their fancy table clothes, spread them on wagons, truck beds, temporary tables brought out of the church, etc..  And every rural family took pride in preparing their very best culinary dishes, brought in their best dinnerware, and laid out on every available surface.  We just walked from one neighbor's table (truck, or wagon) to another, enjoying fellowship and sampling Southern Cuisine at its best.

But that said, that type of elaborate feasting and party/dinner atmosphere is what drew the apostle Paul's ire toward the church at Corinth.  There is a well known acronym today:  KISS, meaning "Keep It Simple Stupid!"   And that was, and is, Jesus' intent when inviting us to His Supper Table, the Lord's Supper.  Come in reverence, simplicity, and pureness of heart to His Table.  That is what He asks us to do, often enough to be special, not so often as to become a Religious Ritual - "do this in remembrance of Him"  (Luke 22:19, ! Corinthians 11:24 and 25).

Once again, it is my personal view and belief, but I believe that the Lord's Supper should be celebrated on a monthly basis in every church - and that ALL believers present that day, local members and visitors, should participate.  Food for thought?  I pray this has given you sincere Christian food for thought.

While there are churches which teach that only members of that local church fellowship can partake of the celebration - I personally believe that when our Lord told us in Luke 22:19, "do this in remembrance of Me" - He was speaking to ALL believers, not just a local fellowship.  And what kind of Christian community would we be if we cannot welcome and share the Lord's Table with visiting brethren?

The following two short videos will help us better understand the meaning and responsibility of participating in the Lord's Supper. 

The first video is a short, 4 minute, animated explanation taken from GotQuestions web site and is a good review of that special form of worship:

What Is The Importance Of The Lord's Supper / Christian Communion?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfB23DmeWWw

The second short video (3 1/2 minutes) is one I made from a PowerPoint Presentation based upon chapters 48 through 50 of Dr. Wayne Grudem's book "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine."  This 1311 page book published in 1994 has virtually become a standard textbook in most Christian seminaries.  There is a shorter version of his book titled "Bible Doctrine, Essential Teachings Of The Christian Faith" published in 1999. 

A pastor Friend, Pastor Ed Dacio, gifted me this shorter book of Christian doctrines which has been a true blessing in my Christian writing ministry.  And I have Dr. Grudem's initial book "Systematic Theology" downloaded into my computer in Adobe PDF format.  So I can study from both.

In this short presentation video, chapter 48 speaks of the church, chapter 49 speaks of Baptism, and chapter 50 addresses the Lord's Supper.  Below is the text from a slide in the presentation which speaks of what I have tried to express earlier regarding participating in the Lord's Supper:

"The Lord’s Supper looks forward to a greater feast (Matthew 26:29, Revelation 19:9).  From Genesis to Revelation, God’s aim has been to bring His people into fellowship with Himself, and one of the great joys of experiencing that fellowship is the fact that we can eat and drink in the presence of the Lord."

You can view this PowerPoint based video at:

"Systematic Theology, An Introduction to Bible Doctrine" by Dr Wayne Grudem, Chapters 48, 49, 50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqLMu7xI2Wg&list=PL_YT3RttutrgBgasKH52cypQO_ADjr5ns

I pray this discussion of the "The Two Ordinances" has been helpful to you - and that your church family is enjoying the spiritual blessings of regular visits to the Lord's Table.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

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Four Pastors - Four Churches - September 13, 2020

Our FOUR PASTORS AND FOUR CHURCHES videos this week take on special significance.  In Pastor Sergio's message at IBBC-Riverside this week we have the joyful Dedication Celebration and Prayer for infant John Glenn Hankins.  Let us join with the Hankins family in dedicating their beautiful new son to the Lord.

While Pastor Freddy's message begins with a sincere prayer for infant baby Bethany who was born with a terminal disorder.  Let us keep Bethany and her parents in prayer, that it be His will that this beautiful young child's life will be extended for years to come.

Pastor Freddy also asks our prayers for his daughter, Alex, who is experiencing unexplained and extreme pain.  Let us all join him in lifting prayers of healing for both both Bethany and Alex, that they experience God's merciful healing.

In his video message this week, Pastor Ed Dacio reminds us of the significance of the recent anniversary on Friday, September 11 - as we remember those 3000 people killed in the World Trade Center in New York City on the morning of September 11, 2001.  I am sure that each of us can recall vividly that September morning and the shock of seeing the Terrorist attack on our homeland, reminiscent of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Pastor Sam Lacanienta continues his wonderful teaching videos on the names and nature of God.  Each of His names, as Pastor Sam explains so well, has great significance for all believers - and a call to faith for all who are not yet believers.

While we continue in this politically motivated, I am convinced, Covid-19 lock down of America - I pray that our Gospel video messages shared on social media and shared via my Friends Ministries eNewsletters will reach many unchurched and/or unsaved people around the world, making the Matthew 24:14 message a reality, "And this Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."

While the Covid-19 Panic has us shut down, in our daily lives and in our worship services ~ I have been sharing Gospel messages taught by these four pastors whom I trust to give you the true Biblical Gospel.  These four pastors, four churches - I personally know and I am proud to share their teachings with you.  I have chosen them because they are Conservative Theology pastors whom I have known for years - and in whose Worship Services, Sunday School Classes, and Bible Studies I have participated over the years. 

That is why I want to share their online messages of hope, assurance, and peace found only in God's Word with you on through my Friends Ministry eNewsletter, Bill & Dory Gray Christian Ministries blog site, and Facebook.  All four pastors and churches are Dispensational, i.e., they believe in and teach a PreTribulation Rapture of the Church and a PreMillennial Second Coming of Jesus Christ to establish His Millennial Kingdom on earth.

And most important, all four believe in and teach "Salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, alone" and Eternal Security of all believers.

What I am sharing with you is a YouTube Playlist for each of the four pastors/churches, and I will keep adding their latest message videos on top of the stacks each week.  That way you can view their latest videos, and you can also browse their playlist to find other videos which may address issues you want to study. 

I pray these video messages will help you during this time of isolation and trial, and even after we are back to fully having open church services again - with assurances that with God's help we will all get through the valleys and we will come out stronger on the other side.

PASTOR SAM LACANIENTA - Talakag Church on the Solid Rock, Philippines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOmrKOj62WY&list=PL_YT3RttutrjP4_ws1dHh8bO_CvVYWkPi

PASTOR FREDDY CORTEZ - Church of Hope, Aliso Viejo, CA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRui7NnK6Ak&list=PL_YT3RttutrjNG8vXg20iPm0FNhfwZImX

PASTOR SERGIO NOLASCO - International Bible Baptist Church, Riverside, CA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lEL7dbxQj4&list=PL_YT3RttutrjJ0P_7W-3MKVGI9Rbwnekp

PASTOR ED DACIO - Corona International Christian Fellowship, Corona, CA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmcpyqTzXqk&list=PL_YT3Rttutri2x3a9teQBvznVAO4IjUEt

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

Click on the image to enlarge:

Bill & Dory Gray ~ Our 43 Year Journey Of Firsts

I INVITE YOU TO TAKE A JOURNEY WITH US, a journey which began 43 years ago and will never end, an eternal journey.

Tuesday, September 2, 2020, Dory And I Celebrated A Journey Of "FIRSTS" Which Began 43 Years Ago!

In the Spring of 1977, two lives came together for the first time.  Real Estate Agent, Dory Daludado, was attending a Red Carpet Realty weekly sales meeting at the Saddleback Inn Hotel and Conference Center ~  and Bill Gray was at the Saddleback Inn Hotel to join friends for an evening of entertainment.  At that time, while Disneyland and the Anaheim Convention Center were the hub for national and international business and visitors - ten miles away, the Saddleback Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Santa Ana, California, was the hub for local business meetings and entertainment.

Looking back, I can see how God orchestrated a meeting between those two unlikely participants, Bill and Dory, which would eventually fulfill His eternal plan for our lives.

Our "First" meeting was in the Saddleback Inn Hotel lobby after her Wednesday evening sales meeting and before my evening of entertainment began - and unknown to us, that meeting began our eternal journey of "Firsts."

But, rather than tell you the whole story here, I invite you to share our journey in this short video tribute I made to celebrate our 43rd Wedding Anniversary on September 2, 2020.

BILL & DORY GRAY ~ "Our 43 Years Of FIRSTS"
https://youtu.be/U4GHYO9Qgto

Thank you for allowing me to share this journey with you, my many Friends and Christian brethren.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill

Click on the image to enlarge: 

Four Pastors - Four Churches - Nanay Virgie Memorial Service, September 6, 2020

MY "FOUR PASTORS AND FOUR CHURCHES PLAYLISTS" Friends Ministry eNewsletter takes on a special significance today.  In the past week we at IBBC-Riverside have learned of the passing of a very special and dear Christian sister and Friend, Nanay  Virginia "Virgie" Advincula.   So our service today was a special Memorial Service for our Christian sister, Nanay Virgie.  She was promoted into the presence of God this past week and we will miss her dearly.  Yet while we join her family in their period of mourning, we also join them in celebrating her Life and her HomeGoing.

In our daily Christian walk, we meet and are blessed by many with whom we worship and fellowship along the way.  Then there are those who are very special, who touch our lives in a very special way.  Nanay Virgie was one of those for me.  In my thirty-three years as a believer, two Christian sisters always will come to mind when I think of inspiration.  Why these two?  Both had a smile and a Christian spirit that, when I entered a home or sanctuary where they were - their smiling faces seemed to illuminate the room.

About 20 years ago, we had a lady, Connie Quintans, whose family brought her to our Corona International Christian Fellowship.  I will never forget the Friday Night Bible Study that evening at her son, Jun's, home when Dory and I first met Connie.  On the way home I said to Dory, "Did you notice what a beautiful smile Connie has, it seemed to light the whole room?"  And Dory agreed with me. Connie became a believer in our church - and a year later, because of cancer, she went into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ.

Several years ago, when Nanay Virgie Advincula came to our IBBC-Riverside fellowship - immediately her smile made me think of Connie Quintans.  Nanay has been a great blessing in our church and especially to Dory and me. 

I pray that you will find our "Nanay Virgie Memorial Program" inspirational, comforting, and if there is anyone reading this message and watching our video who has not yet made a commitment to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, now is a great time to make that eternal decision.  I know that would be very pleasing to Nanay Virgie and her family, to know that her memorial service help even one person make the eternal decision today.

My long time Friend and mentor, the man who led me to the Lord in 1987, Pastor Sam Lacanienta, always tells us at such services, and if he were at Nanay Virgie's service today he would have said, similar to what Pastor Sergio did, "If you are a believer today, you do not say 'Goodbye' to Nanay Virgie, you say, 'Good night, I will see you on that glorious Resurrection Morn when we will be together again.'  But if you are not a believer, you must say 'Goodbye' to Nanay Virgie today."

Memorial Services are a great time for sharing the Gospel, for at such times we all feel our vulnerability.  There is no greater way to honor Nanay Virgie than to believe and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior because of her Memorial Service.

After you have joined us in our IBBC-Riverside Memorial Service video today, please take the time to review the great Gospel messages in Pastor Sam's, Pastor Freddy's, and Pastor Ed's playlists.   Maybe one of them has that special message you were seeking, but maybe did not know it, yet.

PASTOR SERGIO NOLASCO - International Bible Baptist Church, Riverside, CA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hHeBEuxNkk&list=PL_YT3RttutrjJ0P_7W-3MKVGI9Rbwnekp

PASTOR SAM LACANIENTA - Talakag Church on the Solid Rock, Philippines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNKxCW-etMY&list=PL_YT3RttutrjP4_ws1dHh8bO_CvVYWkPi

PASTOR FREDDY CORTEZ - Church of Hope, Aliso Viejo, CA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNvTNeJr53M&list=PL_YT3RttutrjNG8vXg20iPm0FNhfwZImX

PASTOR ED DACIO - Corona International Christian Fellowship, Corona, CA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NESYvKPhClM&list=PL_YT3Rttutri2x3a9teQBvznVAO4IjUEt

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

Click on the image to enlarge:  

Memories Of My Historic Route 66 Travels Across America

We all have seen the old Attitude Question:  "Is this glass half full - or is it half empty?"  We can look at life the same way.  Depending upon where you are in chronological years, "Is your life half full - or it is half empty?"   At the age of 83 years young, many folks would suggest that I am knocking on the door of eternity - while I prefer to say that I am still opening doors. 

In the late 1960s, I had a business associate who literally broke down and cried - because he had just had his 30th birthday. Give me a break!  He was still in mental diapers!  At the age of 40 or 50, some folks may think they have already filled up their memory bank.  At the young age of 83 I am still making memories - and looking forward to one day being able to share them eternally with friends and loved ones.

The reason for my memory jog?  In 2015, my daughter, Cynthia (Cindo), posted a photo taken as she and her husband, Steve, drove the highway from Colorado, through Arizona, on their way to visit family in Las Vegas.  That photo gave me a flashback to my very first drive across America in late Fall 1959.  The first half, Los Angeles to Albuquerque, I drove on Route 66, the Mother Road linking east and west America in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.  

The Interstate Highway system we take for granted today was only authorized by the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, and most Interstate Highways took decades to come to fruition.  So, in 1959, the main highway across America from Los Angeles to Chicago was Route 66, Main Street USA.

In July 1958 I was discharged from the Air Force and came to Southern California seeking my career in electronics.  In the Air Force I had been an Electronic Technician working on the aircraft-based Radar/Weapons Fire Control System (an analog computer) in the F-86F jet fighter.  So, naturally my main thought was to extend that experience to working in the field of electronics in civilian life.

Being discharged in Colorado during the recession of 1958 was not the best of timing.  Not a job to be found in Denver.  We visited with my in-laws, Lester and Grace, for a few days in Denver - and the outcome of that visit changed our lives.  My mother-in-law, Grace, had a beauty shop in her basement.  While Grace made a customer look nice, Betty and I visited with them.  As we were discussing job possibilities, the customer told us, "My son went to Los Angeles and found a job in one week."  Betty's sister, Donna, and her husband, Manuel, lived in Los Angeles at that time, so I looked at Betty and asked, "California?"   

And the next day Betty, our three girls, and I were on the Union Pacific Streamliner train heading west.  Well, sort of west.  First we went northwest to Ogden, Utah, on the Union Pacific "City of Denver" Streamliner, where we switched to the Union Pacific "City of Los Angeles" Streamliner.

During our layover in Ogden, I remembered that a friend, Jo Ulmer, was from Ogden.   She had been in Denver getting her degree in nursing at the same time that I was in the Air Force Tech School at Lowry AFB.  We called her parents' home and was told that Jo had moved to San Jose, California, and was working as an RN in a hospital.   Then we were on board the "City of Los Angeles" heading southwest on the last half of our journey to the Wild West of Los Angeles.      

We arrived in Los Angeles on my 21st birthday, July 23, 1958.  And, one week after arriving in Los Angeles, I began work as a Computer Test Technician for Burroughs Corporation's new commercial computer operation in Pasadena (previously Electrodata Corporation).  For about a year, I worked as a Test Technician on the recently introduced Burroughs 220 Computer System, a vacuum tube based main frame computer system which functioned in milliseconds and cost four million dollars.  Obviously not a home computer.

Then I transferred into Field Engineering, went through months of additional training - and was assigned to work on the newly installed Burroughs 220 computer system at the Norfolk Naval Supply Depot in Norfolk, Virginia.  Thus began our odyssey across America by car.  At the time, my family and I were living in Sun Valley, California.  The company arranged for Bekins Van Lines movers to come, pack, and take our belongings - except what we would take in our 1956 Buick Century station wagon.  Then we were ready to start our adventure across this beautiful land called America.

Our first stop was at the local Bank of America in Sun Valley to close our bank account.  In those days they did not have a nationwide banking network.  So, we had to close our account in Sun Valley and wait until we arrived in Norfolk to open a new account.   The movers had taken our belongings in the moving van; we had closed our bank account; and now we began driving toward San Bernardino on Route 66 (which at that time was Foothill Boulevard).   I looked at my wife, Betty, and told her, "Do you realize that until we get to Norfolk - our only home is this car?" 

It was exciting and a wee bit unnerving.  It was like we were retracing the steps of those pioneers who had crossed America to find homes in the West.  But, we were heading in the opposite direction - and in a bit more comfort.  We were traveling in our 1956 Buick Century station wagon and on a generous company expense account.

The company only expected us to drive 500 miles a day, five days a week.  So, counting weekends and accrued vacation, we had almost a month of company expensed travel, on full salary, to drive across the country, zig-zagging to visit family as we traveled.  Sweet.

Thus we began our eastward trek.  After all our preparations were done, as we were driving toward San Bernardino we decided to stop for our last California meal at Clifton's Cafeteria in West Covina, California.  Then, on through San Bernardino, heading toward Arizona.  Eastward Ho!  

         

How well I remember that very first drive through Arizona.  Fall of 1959, we drove from Southern California, through Flagstaff, Arizona, to Albuquerque on Route 66.  Then in Albuquerque we turned north toward Denver.  One thing that amazed me as I drove was that, in those days, Route 66 through Arizona had a reddish color, as though there was a mixture of red clay in the asphalt.   I found it to be aesthetically very beautiful.  That image has stayed in my mind all these years.

For me, the most precious memories of the trip across country are the family moments.  Since the Buick station wagon was very spacious we put the back seat down, covered the space with blankets and padding - and the girls had a mobile play room.  During the day, they had their toys and games to entertain themselves.  In the evenings when we would sometimes drive later, they would put on their pajamas and the play room became their bedroom where they could play until they fell asleep.  Then when we stopped in a hotel or motel, we just transferred them into their own room adjoining our room.   Yes, this was long before we were aware of the need for seat belts.

Several instances that always stays in my mind happened three years later when we were driving back to California taking the northern routes U.S. 50/U.S. 40 from Virginia to Denver.   Then, out of Denver on U.S. 6/U.S. 40 through western Colorado into Utah (now I-70), then picking up U.S. 91 south (now I-15) through Las Vegas to Southern California.  

Stopping in Las Vegas for a couple of days, we stayed at what was then The Fabulous Flamingo Hotel and Casino.  At that time, lounge shows in Vegas were free, just buy a cocktail in the lounge and enjoy the show.  The first night we were at the Flamingo, the lounge entertainment was the Benny Goodman Orchestra.  Yes, we got to see Benny Goodman for the price of one cocktail.  And, the next morning sitting in the restaurant for breakfast, in a plush red leather booth, we had a full view of the swimming pool area.  What you have heard is true - the Flamingo, which was Las Vegas' first luxury hotel/casino was truly fabulous.

On this return trip to California, we had a new 1961 Chevrolet Corvair station wagon, so the girls could travel in comfort.  One evening, as we were driving west, Cynthia wanted to come up front and sit with us.  She was sitting between her mom and me - and was mesmerized by the full moon - especially how it moved from one side of the highway to the other side.  Wow, who moved the moon?  I did not want to burst her bubble by telling her that it was because the highway curved.

Another memory of that westward trip which has stayed vividly in my memory was driving through the Midwest corn country.   For miles we drove beside a green wall of corn.  It was at least eight foot tall and seemed to go on forever.   Fields of corn like this, with their tall majestic green stalks have long been one of America's great resources.   Today I can still see that image of the green wall of corn in my mind.

Back to driving east, some evenings we drove into the later hours - while on other days we chose to stop early and have a family evening.  At times we stopped in motels with heated swimming pools so the girls could relax and play in the pool.   Other evenings we would stop early, get all dressed up, and go to a nice restaurant for dinner.  On these evenings in restaurants, one thing stands out in my memory - so many people commented on how well behaved our girls were during dinner.

In our leisure drive across America, we had the option of stopping where and when we wanted, expense no real concern.  Toward evening we would begin to look for a nice motel in one of the many towns, large and small, we were passing through.  We made it a habit to see the rooms before signing the register.  At one such stop in a Midwestern state, from the outside the motel looked very nice.  But when we saw the rooms we decided to move on down the highway. 

As we were driving out of the motel driveway, the manager was literally running after us - lowering the room price with each step.   What she evidently did not realize was that it was not the price of the room which bothered us, but the condition of the room.  I wanted my family to be able to sleep peacefully in a clean comfortable room.   So, on down the road to the next motel.

After traveling east on Route 66 to Albuquerque, we turned north toward Denver on U.S. 85, now Interstate 25.   Driving north toward the New Mexico and Colorado border took us through a number of small towns:  Las Vegas, Wagon Mound, Raton, etc., and in one, I believe it was Wagon Mound, we found the town so interesting that we decided to stop at a Drug Store soda fountain for a mid-afternoon ice cream soda. 

An interesting side note about Wagon Mound:  Some years later, I worked at Ramo Wooldridge (later TRW) with a programmer who was from Wagon Mound, New Mexico - and I went with her to a party at her brother's home in Southern California.  There were about a dozen people at the party, all except me were from the small town of Wagon Mound, New Mexico - and they all were professionals with college degrees.  

My co-worker who took me to the party had a degree in mathematics from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, that state's equivalent of Cal Tech.   Meeting those people and seeing what they had accomplished told me that the people who grew up in that small, seemingly impoverished town, were a special breed.  They had what would have been called in earlier years, that special pioneer spirit.

We stopped for a few days in Denver to visit Betty's parents, Grace & Lester.  After our visit in Denver, we continued traveling east on U. S. 40 across Kansas (later to be replaced by Interstate 70) to visit with Betty's brother, Joe,  who was a sergeant stationed in the Army at Fort Riley, Kansas.

Then, we headed south from Kansas City, through Memphis into north Alabama to spend time with my family in Sheffield, Alabama.        
 
After a week in Alabama, we drove north to establish our new home in Norfolk, Virginia.  That was my first experience driving across America.  Such an adventure, like your first love, stays forever in your memory.   Over the years, I have crossed America many times.  I have driven the Interstates - crossed by bus and train - and flown many times. But none could ever be as special as that first time driving across Route 66.

Driving across America then was really seeing the beauty of America.  It is an experience I will never forget.  Then, and today, when I hear the song "America, The Beautiful" - I think I can relate to the lady who wrote this amazing description of our homeland, America:

"O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain!  America!  America!  God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! . . . O Beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years, Thine alabaster cities gleam, Undimmed by human tears!  America!  America!  God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood, From sea to shining sea!" (America, The Beautiful Lyrics - by Katharine Lee Bates - 1913)

In the summer of 1893, Katharine Lee Bates, a 33-year-old English professor at Wellesley College, traveled from her home in Massachusetts to Colorado, where she would spend the summer teaching.  As she traveled across America by train, she was in awe of the sights - the spacious skies, purple mountains, alabaster cities, and amber waves of grain she would later immortalize in song - and she was inspired by their beauty.  Later, after hiking to the top of Pikes Peak with friends and seeing that amazing sight, she penned the first draft of her lyrics.

Driving across America from California to Virginia in the Fall of 1959, and then coming back again three years later - like Katharine Lee Bates, we experienced America in a way that can never be done driving the Interstates or flying. 

As we drove across America in 1959, and again three years later, we were able to really enjoy seeing America, small town America.   And, in those days there were many icons of the road which no long exist today.  There were the Burma Shave Signs to keep us entertained.   In the 1930s to the early 1960s, Burma Shave signs were a fun diversion when driving.  

They were usually red signs planted by the road side about every half mile.  Each sign carried a part of a jingle - with the last sign advertising Burma Shave.  Here are examples of the hundreds of Burma Shave sign groups along the highway.  When we saw the first one, our eyes began searching the roadside for the next piece of the jingle:

Many a forest - Used to stand - Where a lighted match - Got out of hand - Burma Shave

Past school houses - Take it slow - Let the little - Shavers grow - Burma Shave

On curves ahead - Remember, sonny - That rabbit's foot - Didn't save - The bunny - Burma-Shave

Violets are blue - Roses are pink - On graves - Of those - Who drive and drink - Burma-Shave    

Then, there were the Howard Johnson Motel and Restaurants, a recognizable haven of rest for the weary travelers.  While there were many motels and hotels dotting the highways across America - one of the most recognizable was the red roof of the HoJo's motels and restaurants.

And don't even think of driving past a Stuckey's Candy store without stopping.   Time for a sweet tooth rest stop.

If I bored you with my travelogue down memory lane, please forgive me.   For me it has been a labor of love - for it is an America we will never experience again. 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

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Special Prayer Request For Pastor Freddy Cortez

TODAY I AM ASKING A SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST for a very special Christian brother and long time dear Friend, Pastor/Teacher Freddy Cortez.   In 2018 Pastor Freddy had a major health crisis and was given only a 20% chance to make it.  God brought him through that and he soon returned to the pulpit, to his teaching at Hope Bible Institute, locally and online, and to his online teaching in the Philippines and Africa. 

From 2013  to 2017 Pastor Freddy was leading a Bible Conference and teaching Seminary Level Classes in the Philippines once each year.  Since his illness in 2018, he has not been able to resume his travels but has continued his local and online teaching faithfully.

Just a little background:  In 1987, when I was saved in the Filipino-American Church of Irvine (CA), aka FACI, Pastor Freddy Cortez (Alfredo I. Cortez, Jr.) was a college student and youth leader, very active in our church services, Bible studies, and Sunday School.  He became a Youth Pastor in our Fil-Am Church of Long Beach.  Several years later, circa 1994, he was appointed as pastor of our Fil-Am Church of South Orange County in San Clemente.  I was honored to be there to hear his first sermon as pastor of that church and I considered it a blessing to work with him in that ministry.

Those churches were affiliated with the Baptist General Conference.  In 1998 Pastor Freddy founded the Church of Hope, an independent church fellowship with a Baptist flavor.  The church was incorporated in 2001 and is recognized by the State of California as an independent non-profit ministry. 

In 2003, he completed a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies at Tyndale Theological Seminary and graduated with highest honors.  He was pursuing his Th.M with Chafer Theological Seminary before the seminary relocated to Albuquerque, NM.  He attributes much of his exegetical and hermeneutical training to coursework taken at Chafer Theological Seminary - and that is reflected in his personal example that an effective pastor must also be a teaching pastor.

In 2004, Pastor Freddy started Hope Bible Institute, which trains and equips believers in third world countries as well as in Alicia Viejo, California, offering theological education at no cost.  HBI has two satellite schools in the Philippines, as well as one in Cameroon, Africa.  HBI equips pastors, deacons, church workers, and those interested in seminary level courses.   In September 2007, he finished his Doctor of Ministry degree. 

Pastor Freddy is a wonderful teacher of God's Word.  As you can see from the collage below, he puts his whole heart into sharing the Word of God and teaching others to be leaders and teachers.  Especially now, our world needs more apostle Paul type teachers such as Pastor Freddy.  I have known this man of God for over 30 years and know his heart for discipling and raising up new Bible teachers.

Let us all seek God's will that Pastor Freddy will be fully healed and fully restored to his Bible teaching ministry.  Please keep him and all his family in prayers of healing, peace, and blessed assurance.

Thank you and God bless, Bill Gray 

~ ~  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Subject:  Prayer request
Date:     Fri, 21 Aug 2020 19:15:19 -0700
From:    Alfredo I. Cortez, Jr.

Brethren,

On August 26 I will have my annual check up with Dr. Colin Joyo to discuss the current condition of my aorta based upon what he sees on my CT Scan.  What I'm hoping for is "complete healing" which is why I'm asking for prayers.  Next week I will have the CT Scan taken on Monday the 24th, and then meet with Dr. Joyo on Wednesday to go over it. 

As it stands, I have multiple tears along the aorta extending down past my stomach.  My current b/p meds are preventing the tears from propagating and tearing open.  Scarring is what both my surgeon and cardiologist want to see over time which is why I'm scheduled for routine check-in with them every year or so.

My request for you is to pray that God will heal my aorta so that I would not have any more issues with it.  Wouldn't it be special if God would grant my request?  Both my surgeon and cardiologist said that an aorta never goes back to normal after it dissects, instead what they want to see happen is for scar tissue to form over time to bolster the weakened areas.

As you pray, please know the following:

That I have prayed to God about this even before I sent the request out to you.

That I am extremely grateful to be alive and with you, all my family, church family, and friends.  I have told God that my request does not mean that I am not grateful for what He has done.  I am grateful.  So why pray?  For the following reasons.

1. I would like (If God wills) to have a powerful testimony about what God has done in my life.  I would begin my HBI Conferences (or whatever speaking engagements I am to be a part of) with how God not only saved my life in March of 2018, but how He actually performed a miracle by healing my aorta.  I would have in my possession a "before and after image of my aorta" as evidence of the healing that transpired as a result of prayers to a God who can, and still does, heals today.

2  If completely healed, I would like to be involved in many more projects to advance the cause of Christ.  At the moment because I still have tears (in my aorta), so I really have to be extra careful with what I do.  Any mention of going to the Philippines to resume HBI Conferences have been met with concern and resistance (rightfully so) from several of you.  Which is another reason I'd like to see if God would be open to healing me completely.  This way no one has to worry about me having issues while being overseas, or wherever He sends me.

3. Should the Lord decide not to completely heal me, I will be at total peace with that.  His ways are higher than ours and I would not be upset in the least, nor would I be discouraged.  His power is perfected in (our) weakness the Bible says, so I'm open to what His final answer will be.

I've searched my soul to see if I could detect anything out of line with my request - and I cannot see anything that would be.  For sure I would not be able to take credit for a restored aorta - since the explanation goes beyond the realm of the normative and science - and can only be explained from the realm of the divine (so God gets all the credit).  I have spoken to several of you as well about this.

Lastly, the LCOTC (Lutheran Church of the Cross, Laguna Woods, CA - hosted Church of Hope for years before COH moved to Aliso Viejo) wants to pray for me on Sunday.  If a few of you would like to be there to pray for me with Pastor Roger, plan on being at the Laguna Woods campus by 12PM.  Pastor Roger wants to pray for me after their service is finished.  No problem if you can't be there.  if you would like to be there please bring a mask and remember to social distance.

Please share with ministries and others that are like minded who wouldn't mind adding me on their prayer list.

Steadfast in the Word,
Freddy Cortez, Pastor-Teacher

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