Called

We look to You oh Lord,
For You have a plan,
From before the foundations of our world were laid.

You alone know whom You have called,
A man who loves Your word,
Faithful to preach the truth…uncompromised.

We pray for ears to hear You,
Hearts to obey You,
Willing to follow Your lead.

We ask that You prepare our hearts,
To receive him,
Welcome the one whom you have called…into our fold.

By Susan Bunts
August 26, 2007

As the Pastoral Search Committee gave their report…I found my attention riveted. As Dean got up to speak…lets just say he had my attention. Every few months for close to two years now we’d have a report or update on the status and progress our Pastoral Search Committee. It’s been almost two years since our beloved Pastor Chuck Obremski finished well…and went home to be with our Lord.

During that time…God has prepared our hearts. He gave us time to grieve and mourn. A time to accept. A time to look to the Lord and seek His plan and timing. A time to hunger and thirst for His Word. Now it appears that time may have come to a close. While it remains in the hands of the Lord and we continue to ask for His wisdom and guidance, as we may soon have a Senior Pastor.

With state of many churches today…we are most concerned that this man whom God has called be deeply rooted and grounded in the Word of God. That he will be faithful to preach the Word…since it has the power of salvation…for all who believe.

When we look out on our church body…we don’t know who still needs to hear the Gospel message. Yet we all need the Word of God…which is able to divide soul and spirit…to comfort and convict. May we be mindful that there are ravenous wolves which seek to devour the sheep. We pray that God will bring us a shepherd who will tend to us and care for us…like the Good Shepherd.

So we wait…continue to pray for God timing, God’s plan…and the man whom God has called. Will you pray with us?

I Desire Rain

Oh Lord,
I feel so very small indeed.

Only silence,
Fills my days.

You dear Lord,
Seem so very far from me.

Like the dry parched land,
I desire rain.

I search, I seek,
Incline my listening ear towards Thee.

Only You know,
That which my lips I dare not utter.

My heart broken,
Requires Thy healing hand.

Like the waterless thirsty riverbed,
I desire rain.

I turn the pages,
I ask…seek Thy Spirit’s lead.

Like the wind ‘neath the eagles wing,
I pray Thy Spirit will carry me.

A miracle is needed,
Nothing short thereof.

I search the sky, no cloud in sight,
I desire rain.

By Susan Bunts
August 18, 2007

A Simple Praise

What day will I see my last sunrise?
On what day will I behold my last sunset forevermore?
Will I have taken the time to thank Him?
To praise Him for what He’s given me?

A hope everlasting,
My eternal future secured,
All bought and paid for by His freewill offering,
The precious blood of the Lamb.

On the day after my last,
I will see an earth rise from my heavenly home,
Praise unending will flow from my lips,
Most thankful for the Son rise in which I will share…forevermore.

By Susan Bunts
August 13, 2007

Deceived

Even the elect may be deceived,
By a work packaged with purpose.

Influenced by their emotions,
Their words of praise are influenced and driven.

Even as they themselves firmly preach the Word of God,
Acknowledge today’s church, like the infant only desires milk.

Well hidden by the attractive wrappings,
They fail to see that the meat of the Word is not preached.

Souls lost in their sin sitting on Sunday morn,
Will not hear the Gospel message for fear that it might offend.

Observation will reveal,
Attendees do not carry, nor raise the sword of the Spirit.

Satan delights as they grow and prosper,
Earn widespread praise from the mouths of men.

An ineffective foe they are,
For the battle they fail to be equipped.

Deceived as they sit in their pews,
Ears tickled and they feel so good.

The Word of God delectably mixed,
With error and the wisdom of men.

Does the preacher feel no conviction?
Is not the son disciplined by the Father?

Tragically some will one day hear,
The Savior’s final words, “Away from me, I never knew you!”

By Susan Bunts
August 4, 2007

The above poem was inspired when I heard a beloved Bible study teacher singing the praises of a ministry that regularly preaches a watered down Gospel message due to the offensive nature of the cross and sin to the unbeliever.

Sinners will not hear the Gospel message out in the world for the world does not know the message of salvation. The place unbelievers must hear Gospel is in the church. If we fail to preach and teach the full counsel of the Word of God for fear that we will offend…are we not consigning the sinner to hell? All done with the good intention of not wanting to hurt of offend or hurt someone. Is not an eternity in hell infinitely worse than any hurt or offense felt when confronted by the truth of the Word of God?

“In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.” – Luke 16:23-25

The Hand of God

It’s a miracle, declares man,
Amazing…that more did not perish.

But from the throne room of heaven,
Our God dispatches a host of angels to carry out His plan.

Just seconds earlier or a few feet further,
The loss would have been unimaginable…incomprehensible.

In the unseen world, legions of angels are dispatched,
Their hour of work is now at hand.

An unseen hand is outstretched,
Braces a vehicle or nudges it just a bit further.

It teeters on a precipice,
Yet it will not plummet into the mighty Mississippi tonight.

He raises up men,
Draws forth courage in those we will soon call heroes.

Untold scores will walk away,
Utter why me and consider God’s purpose and plan.

For those souls called home,
To their appointed time…we pray.

Until we enter heaven’s gates,
The full extent of his mercies will remain unknown.

In God’s hand may we rest securely, ever mindful,
Our divine appointment approaches closer with each passing day.

By Susan Bunts
August 2, 2007

For images of this compelling human tragedy...please see the photo essay at the Minneapolis Star Tribune or Fox News.