Pastor Wade's blog

Free Lutheran Youth Convention, 2009

Pastor Wade — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:06:02 +0000

I've been hiking Emerald Mountain every other year- with rare exception- since 1991. It's either getting taller or I'm getting older. It's only a 1600' vertical, and it only takes 35 minutes if you're really trucking, but it's a far cry more challenging than anything around Sioux Falls.

Last night was the opening night of the Free Lutheran Youth Convention, with over 1800 people in attendance. Great teaching in many venues, great singing, great fellowship- God is glorified in reaching souls for Christ.

I was blessed to speak on the first night. It was 18 years ago- half a lifetime ago- when I was saved at a FLY convention, so the opportunity was moving.

Please continue to pray for our convention. It's the first time many of these kids have heard the gospel. And for others it's an every other year high on the roller coaster. Pray for them to get off and stand solidly upon God's promises.

You don't have to be at Bible camp to claim Jesus' promises in God's Word, so

Go serve your King,
PW

PS- If you want to look around what our group is seeing, check out this link to Google Maps. Next time around, won't you join us? It's a great time, and reasonably priced as a family, even.

Free Lutheran Youth Convention, 2009

Pastor Wade — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:30:59 +0000

Please pray for the almost 1800 people assembling next Monday-Friday at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, CO. The 2009 Free Lutheran Youth (FLY) Convention may be the largest event in AFLC history, and we're looking forward to watching God save souls and equip believers next week.

I can't separate my spiritual walk from FLY Conventions. It's not that I depend on an every-other year pick me up- a convention high to offset roller-coaster lows. It's just that God has done a lot of work in my life through these times together.

I was saved there in 1991. I was called to Bible School -and eventually- full time ministry there in 1995. I learned non-basketball leadership as I served on the planning committee in 1997-2001. And I was blessed to organize and train counselors for the 2003-2007 conventions.

Every year it's a highlight, anticipating a great week of ministry to come, then sitting back in exhausted reflection on a great week of ministry past.

Precious, eternal human souls are always a good investment. So please pray for us. You can find more here, and once you're firmly planted,

Go serve your King,
PW

Psalm 1:1-6- Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

We did something illegal in church Sunday...

Pastor Wade — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:09:12 +0000

...at least I said some things that, when they were preached elsewhere, have resulted in the fining or imprisonment of Christians in Sweden and Saskatchewan. And some in the United States have even felt the sting.

Please keep in mind that the Senate is debating the further expansion of "hate crimes" legislation in the coming 7-10 days. The legislation before the senate contains small protections for free speech, but similar laws have been used in Sweden, Canada, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Arizona to fine or imprison people who spoke Biblical truth on the subject.

Oops, maybe this isn't just a European problem after all.

Listen to the Podcast from the June 28 message for more on what I'm talking about. I'll preach part two on July 12. Followers of Christ need to know not how to react in fear or anger- we're good at that- buthow to respond to a challenge and influence our culture.

The best way to glorify Christ in marriage, though, is to glorify Him in your marriage. So fight for your lives, and lead your family to Christ.

Go serve your King,
PW

PS- By the way, a new CBS news survey shows that only 1 in 3 Americans favor same sex marriage.

Shall we discern?

Pastor Wade — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:04:08 +0000

Brilliant marketers at ABC- how else could you get someone like me to mention your prime time special? Tonight's the night ABC gets set to market nationalized medical coverage to our population.

Regardless of how you feel about such issues, you need discernment. Think there's not an ethical price tag for legislation? Read this and let me know what you think.

Sunday I'll be addressing another sensitive topic- same sex issues.

As with life issues- or anything else that raises the pulse of a person- we must resist both fear and apathy. If government sponsored abortion disturbs you, are you prepared to say why?

Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

By the way, Planned Parenthood already gets one third of its budget from your taxpayer money. And a large minority of those identifying themselves as followers of Christ voted for an administration that openly stated its advocacy for a number of unScriptural positions, including same sex marriage and "therapeutic cloning."

Think our world needs Jesus? It's time to go serve our King,
PW

A big topic at Annual Conference

Pastor Wade — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:04:16 +0000

When I coached more basketball "back in the day," I also did some officiating. I remember one year that a "point of emphasis" for officials was making sure players kept their shorts at a proper level instead of "sagging" for fashion purposes.

Yes, I had to say the words, "Son, pull your pants up."

You can chalk that up as one of the phrases many of us never thought we'd have to say, right alonside "Marriage is between one man and one woman."

That phrase, and supporting statements, have dominated discussion at the 2009 AFLC Annual Conference. As our body stands on the Word of God, we have no disagreement about the nature of marriage. So why the discussion?

The world's largest Lutheran church body is about to culminate two decades of compromise by declaring ordination of those in same sex relationships to be a godly action.
President Obama this week stated, "Make no mistake about it, overturning the Defense of Marriage Act [the congressional act that proctects states from having to recognize same sex unions from other states] is our next step."
Hate crimes legislation now in the Senate includes language to protect religious groups from prosecution of its beliefs, but also includes language that has been used to oppress our viewpoint in Sweden, Canada, and Philadelphia.
Most Bible-believing followers of Christ know same sex marriage is wrong, but can't state their case beyond "that's just wrong" or "God says so."
Those who affirm traditional, Biblical marriage are increasingly under attack as bigotted, backward, or evil.

So we spent some time tweaking recommendations about how our congregations can protect themselves in an increasingly hostile environment.

Challenge 1: Can you tell someone why same sex marriage is wrong? Yes, God says so, but can you point out where/how?

Challenge 2: Can you tell someone why same sex marriage is wrong, even in a secular society?

Opportunity 1: I'll be preaching on this on Sunday, June 28 at Living Word.

Go serve your King,
PW

PS- Okay, I couldn't resist. Here's a tidbit for you. Scripturally, read Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. Secularly, you need to be able to refute the "equal protection" argument. Using the term "same sex" helps. Saying "gay," "lesbian" or "homosexual" validates the erroneous thinking that same sex action is somehow an inborn and unalterable eventuality (even the American Psychological Association now disagrees this).

Annual Conference Update

Pastor Wade — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:36:16 +0000

If you wonder what Annual Conference looks like, come to adult Sunday School class on Sunday. Along with teaching some of the history and principles of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations, I'll show a powerpoint presentation that explains the Annual Conference.

A primer?
First, all decisions are nonbinding suggestions to independent congregations or our cooperative endeavors, which are independent corporations (schools, the ARC retreat center, missions...)

Second, any member of any AFLC congregation can come to conference and vote. Further, anyone who writes a letter stating that, as a like-minded Lutheran, they would like voting privileges, can come and vote.

Pretty cool, huh?

Sometime in the next few days I'll talk about something that has dominated conversation so far.

Remember, we're about God's Word and precious, eternal human souls. Keep walking with Christ, resting in Him, and proclaiming the Living Word.

Go serve your King,
PW

PS- we had an uber-nasty storm come through Fergus Falls tonight. We were spared, but others got hit pretty hard. It was the ugliest storm I've seen for a while.

2009 AFLC Annual Conference

Pastor Wade — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:00:23 +0000

I am at the AFLC Annual Conference in Fergus Falls, MN, and am missing my daughter! Great conference, as always, though.

I'll "blog" brief entries during the day on a web site called "twitter." It's a good way to get brief thoughts in front of you. I won't comment on what I'm having for lunch- who cares.

But I will talk about Jesus and life in Christ. If you want to follow along, go to www.twitter.com and sign up- it's free. You can then get updates by text message, or on a feedreader (rss)- I think even via email. Search for Wade Mobley- and if there is a picture of Hannah by my name, it's the right Wade Mobley. Here is a direct link to my account.

Go serve your King,
PW

PS- social networks like Twitter and Facebook can become very bad. Use them responsibly, and for the glory of God.

Why your pastor (if you go to Living Word) is worthless...

Pastor Wade — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:18:18 +0000

I'm totally, completely smitten with this young lady, and can't really even explain it. I knew I'd be putty... but those of you who are parents already know.

I'm back in the saddle, have been working all week, and am ready to preach on Sunday. Blogging is going to be slow for a while, though.

Go serve your King,
PW

For your Saturday enjoyment

Pastor Wade — Sat, 30 May 2009 19:17:55 +0000

My new favorite hobby- the picture above.

Also, check this out- Noah Webster liked Jesus, a lot.

And I'll see you tomorrow!

Go serve your King,
PW

By popular demand, a better Hannah picture

Pastor Wade — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:09:01 +0000

So, nobody wanted to see Michele and me. Here's a closer shot of Hannah.

See you Sunday,