GOODNEWSLETTER
Number 477 June 12, 2013
ORDINATION
"And when they had ordained elders in every church...they commended them to the LORD in whom they had believed," Acts 14:23.
It's a real joy to read of the church during Her beginning. And, you know what? It has not changed, at all. The same church that Jesus established has been in every time period since. Of course, it had to be the case; since Jesus promised to be with Her "...for where two or three have gathered together in My name there I am in their midst," Matthew 18:20.
Again, Jesus sent His body into all the world (even Citrus Heights). He explained that "...whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven," Matthew 18:18. All these promises come from Jesus, Himself. The letters are even in red color – to point out the fact that God is speaking.
Salvation is personal, certainly. What we are saying is that SALVATION begins when one trusts in Jesus as their Savior; but, it is for ever on going, from that moment ones believes, repents and trusts in Jesus and, hopefully, over the years. That's the way it is with me; which, is always refreshing to my heart. Even earthly positions and everyday life should place Jesus at the front. All decisions made and every breath we take is given to us in this glorious position of trust.
Allow me to bore you a second. Let me tell you of the things that Jesus worked out in my life. I was saved in 1959. I was 18 years old and had just finished high school. I thought I wanted to play records; you know, be a disc jockey. So, off to Burbank, Ca. I enrolled in the Don Martin School of Radio and got the needed Federal Communication Commission Radio Telephone License. Getting the license meant that I was almost guaranteed a job at a radio station.
But, I had another decision to make. The Army was not a volunteer back then. I did not want to carry a rifle and walk in the mountains of Viet Nam; so, in January of '61, I joined the Army and asked for the radio school that Don Martin recommended to all of us. It was the same class, he said. It was. After 2 plus months at Fort Ord, for basic training, it was off to Fort Monmouth New Jersey for the Army school.
Now, here's why I'm writing on this: After 6 months of school, I was sent to Fort Carson, Colorado. The only G I that went west. Riding around in a car, I hear a guy on the local radio station that I had went to radio school with in Burbank, Ca. Don Peitro Monocco; who later, became Johnny
Rabbit – his radio name. Don was huge in St. Louis, later in life.
I was shocked that I found a guy that I knew; especially, since we attended the same school. Quickly I went to Pueblo, Colorado, and, to make this as short as I can, started working weekends at KTUX, the local radio station. A few months later I met Lavon my wife; who has been with me for over 50 years. God was working (and, I didn't know it).
But today, I am aware that God is always moving within my life. So, this Saturday, June 15th at 11 a. m. we will ordain Francisco to the ministry. And, just like the radio deal, amazing things occur. I know you can imagine how I felt when I heard Don Peitro on the radio. Imagine how I feel that the church has a man to work for Her. Francisco Yanes is his name. We know that God is GOOD.
The conclusion is that over 17 years ago, my son, Justin Burks was moving back from Arkansas. He needed a place to live. So, off we go looking. We found a duplex that was being fixed up by one of the owners, at the time. I went in and told the young man that I'd take it when it was ready. He looked at me like I was crazy – in a nice way, you know. It was an askance look. I now think that God was smiling, too.
To finish this story of how God works in our lives, we got the duplex. At the time, did not know that Francisco Yanes live just across the way, in the same duplex; along with Mahala and the kids, Mariah and Haley. Casey came along later. Shortly, Justin and Francisco became close friends. The Yanes were coming to church and soon, they joined. His father, Frank joined. Then Audrey, his mother joined, too. Other members of the Yanes family have joined, as well.
The current portion of the story is that we are ordaining this brother this Saturday. The Yanes family lost Dad Frank a few years ago. Also, their dear daughter went to be with Jesus. Mariah died last year due to cancer. Mariah will be the first one we look for when Jesus returns. And, through it all, the Yanes family has been faithful, helpful and, praise the LORD, did not have much doctrine when the church baptized he and Mahala.
Francisco Yanes will become Associate Pastor of Trinity MBC. We love the Yanes family and know that we can work it out until Jesus comes. Then, we'll praise the LORD for all that was done on all our behalves. The next move is always in the hands of Jesus; for He cares for us and loves us. And, what a glorious truth to learn. Yes, we shall continue to rejoice that we have learned "...God causes all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are called according to the purpose of His will," Romans 8:28.